bookrandom Chapter 322 Invitation to the Chrysanthemum Appreciation Banquet
Chapter 322 Invitation to the Chrysanthemum Appreciation Banquet
"Yue'er"
"Mother, what brings you here?"
"The Princess's residence sent us an invitation today, inviting us to the chrysanthemum appreciation banquet in three days. I came to tell you and also to check on Little Orange." Lin Qin said, her eyes already on Little Orange running towards her, followed by three kittens.
"Chrysanthemum Appreciation Banquet? Why is the Princess's residence suddenly holding a chrysanthemum appreciation banquet?" Xiao Siyue was a little puzzled. She knew a little about this princess; she wasn't a lively person and had almost never held a banquet.
"Hmm, I don't know either, but I guess the princess might be thinking about her two children." Lin Qin's mind was completely on the kitten, and her eyes never left it while she spoke.
Xiao Siyue thought for a moment. The eldest princess's two children were indeed of marriageable age. If she remembered correctly, Princess Changning and Prince Wuchang were seventeen and twenty years old, respectively. This chrysanthemum appreciation banquet was probably a matchmaking event.
"Mom, can I not go?" She wasn't interested in any of this. She was only thirteen years old; what did blind dates have to do with her?
"Go and have a look. You stay at home almost every day. Going out can help you meet some new friends."
Xiao Siyue felt that she was doing well. She had several sisters-in-law at home, so she wasn't bored. She would occasionally play with Zhou Qingran. However, Zhou Qingran got married last month and had already left the capital with her husband.
However, now that Mu Li is in the capital, she can play with Mu Li. But Mu Li's husband, Rong Yi, is really too clingy. Every time she plays with Mu Li, looking at Rong Yi's eyes, Xiao Siyue feels like she is a third party who stole Rong Yi's wife.
“Okay then.” Xiao Siyue nodded in agreement.
"Hmm, I'll have the embroiderer make you two new outfits later, and you can wear them in three days." Lin Qin felt that her daughter was so beautiful that she should be dressed up in a radiant manner.
"Mom, there's no need for that. I haven't even worn many of my new clothes yet," Xiao Siyue quickly refused. It was true; Lin Qin loved to buy her laundry clothes, and she would get several sets a month, which she simply couldn't wear all of them.
“How can that be the same? You rarely get to go out like this, and besides, a girl can never have too many clothes.” Lin Qin said with a look of disapproval.
"Alright then." Xiao Siyue had no choice but to nod helplessly.
Three days later, Xiao Siyue and Lin Qin boarded a carriage and headed to the Princess's residence.
The eldest princess was Emperor Zhou's younger sister, born of the same mother. Emperor Zhou always doted on this sister, not only bestowing upon her a large mansion, but also extending his affection by granting her two children the titles of princes and princesses.
The carriage soon arrived at the gate of the Princess's residence, where many carriages were already parked, indicating that there were others who had arrived even earlier.
Lin Qin handed the invitation to the guard at the door. After the guard looked at it, someone led them inside.
As she walked along, Xiao Siyue was also amazed by the luxury of the Princess's Mansion. The pavilions and towers, the flying eaves and green tiles, intertwined and winding, were exquisite and elegant yet grand and magnificent. She heard that this house used to be the residence of Emperor Zhou when he was away from home. After he became emperor, he bestowed it upon his younger sister as the princess's mansion.
Perhaps because the princess was a woman, some modifications were made, so the courtyard has the delicate beauty of a woman, as well as the calm and composed color scheme of a man.
Xiao Siyue and Lin Qin were led directly to the back garden where the banquet was being held.
The garden was extremely large, even encompassing the hilltop behind it. There were already many people in the garden, and those who knew each other were chatting in twos and threes.
Lin Qin and Xiao Siyue were spotted by Xi Ningzhi's mother as soon as they entered, and she quickly came over with a smile.
"Madam Xiao, Siyue, you've finally arrived." Madam Xi warmly greeted Lin Qin, holding her hand.
"Siyue greets Aunt Xi."
"Madam Xi, you've arrived very early. We rushed here, but we're still a bit late." Actually, it's not late; there's still plenty of time before the agreed time. It's just that these ladies from the capital arrived too early.
"Not too late, not too late, we're too early."
"Could this be the wife and daughter of Minister Xiao of the Ministry of Revenue?" asked a woman following behind Madam Xi.
"Yes, that's right. Madam Xiao, let me introduce you. This is the wife of Minister Zhou of the Court of State Ceremonial."
"Mrs. Zhou." "Mrs. Xiao."
The two greeted each other.
Xiao Siyue looked at Madam Zhou. So this was Zhou Qingran's mother. How could Lord Zhou bear to let such an elegant and beautiful woman down?
"This must be Siyue, whom Qingran often mentions. I've never had the chance to meet her. She is indeed a clever and insightful girl. It's just that Qingran has already married and moved away, so she can't come today." Madam Zhou praised Xiao Siyue happily as she looked at her behind Lin Qin.
"Siyue greets Madam Zhou." Xiao Siyue bowed slightly in greeting.
"Don't be so polite, you're such a good child." Madam Zhou quickly reached out and gently helped him up.
The three of them seemed to get along well, so they went to a small pavilion and sat down, chatting happily. Xiao Siyue was bored, so she could only sit down and admire the beautiful scenery of the princess's residence.
The princess's garden was truly a riot of color, with all sorts of rare and precious flowers, many of which Xiao Siyue didn't recognize at all.
"Siyue." Just as she was getting bored, she heard a somewhat familiar voice.
He quickly turned his head and saw several girls, with the girl at the front smiling at him.
"Xinglan" was actually Gu Xinglan, the young lady from the Duke of Anguo's mansion, whom Xiao Siyue had met before.
Gu Xinglan immediately walked over and took Xiao Siyue's hand: "Siyue, you're finally out."
"Yeah, Siyue, why have you been staying at home all this time? We haven't seen each other in so long." Ye Mufan pouted as she stood to the side.
Xiao Siyue was quite helpless, as she really wasn't someone who liked going out much: "But here I am, aren't I?"
"Siyue, did you come with your aunt?"
"Yes, my mother and I came together. My mother is talking with two aunties she knows over there in the pavilion." Xiao Siyue pointed to the pavilion not far away.
"Alright, Siyue, come with us to play. There are many young ladies from various families here today. I'll take you to meet them. You know, many young ladies have been asking about you, but unfortunately, none of them have seen you before."
After Xiao Qinian was promoted and ennobled, the Xiao family also came into the sights of the aristocratic circles in the capital. Naturally, people would inquire about Xiao Siyue, the only daughter of the Xiao family.
However, Xiao Siyue rarely goes out, so those people don't have a chance to see her. There are still many rumors circulating in these social circles of young ladies. Gu Xinglan believes that as Xiao Siyue's friend, she can't let the rumors continue like this, so when she learned that Xiao Siyue was back this time, she immediately came to find her.