When the Westerners arrived at Zhongling Palace together, Concubine Yu was a little surprised.
"Have you discussed this?"
Yu Zheng said: "I met him by chance."
Concubine Yu understood this and asked about Jiang Shu's current situation with concern, and finally talked about Yu Lan's marriage.
"Fate is a twister. It's been hard on you all these years. Fortunately, you are finally married, so I can feel relieved." Concubine Yu patted Yu Lan's hand, her eyes slightly moist.
Being in the royal family, there are too many things you can't help yourself with. The three of them, mother and son, are very lucky.
Concubine Yu's words made Yu Lan blush.
She wanted to comfort Concubine Yu and say that she was not suffering, but she didn't believe it herself. Saying it would make Concubine Yu even more sad, so she swallowed it back.
The princess, who was pampered, loved and belonged to, was forced to marry into a banker's house. Before the child was born, her consort died in battle, leaving her trapped in a banker's house where she was unfamiliar with her life. She raised her young son and remained a widow until now.
How can it not be bitter? How can it not be bitter?
Yu Lan thought, feeling a lump in his throat.
In the end, it was Jiang Shu who expressed relief and said, "Mother and concubine, it's over. Sister A and Yun'er will be happy in the future."
Concubine Yu nodded, touched Zhuang Yun's head lovingly, and asked him warmly: "Does Yun'er like Uncle Zhou?"
Mrs. Zhuang also asked Zhuang Yun the same thing.
At that time, Zhuang Yun had little contact with Zhou Boxu, and he didn't know what he meant or how to answer.
But now Zhuang Yun understands and has been with Zhou Boxu several times, and he has feelings in his heart.
"I like it." Zhuang Yun nodded truthfully.
Concubine Yu was pleased when she heard this: "Yun'er is so good, Uncle Zhou must also like Yun'er very much."
Jiang Shu also said: "What the mother-in-law said is right. Yun'er is so smart and courteous that everyone who sees her likes her."
Zhuang Yun felt happy when he heard this, and a smile appeared on his face.
Yu Lan looked at Zhuang Yun's smiling face and swallowed the bitterness in his throat.
Because of Zhuang Yun, the bitterness is mixed with sweetness, so it is not so bitter.
The family was talking warmly, and then the palace attendant came in and whispered, "Your Majesty, it's time to go to Deqing Palace."
Concubine Yu suddenly came to her senses and said with a smile: "Look, I forgot the time when I was so happy. Let's go there together."
The palace was lonely, even though the emperor loved her, Concubine Yu spent most of her time alone during the day and rarely interacted with the concubines.
She was also at odds with the queen, and rarely left Zhongling Palace to avoid disputes.
She was like a canary, trapped in the gorgeous cage of Zhongling Palace.
She spent her days quietly, and would only be happy for a moment when the emperor came to see her, or when Yu Zheng and Yu Lan came to visit her.
The palace road is deep and deep, and the setting sun shines on the wall sparsely.
Jiang Shu raised his eyes and looked to the west, only to see a circle of light golden halo.
The palace walls are so high that you can't even see the setting sun, which makes people feel suffocated for no reason.
When the group arrived at the Deqing Hall, the hall was already full of people. When they saw Concubine Yu, several people stood up to pay their respects.
"We are all members of our own family, so there is no need to be formal." Concubine Yu was in a good mood, smiling all over her face.
"Long time no see. Your Majesty is looking better and better."
Compared to the uptight empress, Concubine Yu was approachable and the wives of the clan were happy to talk to her.
Jiang Shu met the royal family members for the first time. At first glance, almost all of them were unfamiliar faces. He was a little nervous, for fear of recognizing the wrong person and receiving the wrong gift.
"Don't be afraid, just follow me." Yu Lan pulled her and said.
Because there were so many people attending the banquet, separate tables were set up for men and women.
"Brother Zheng." Yu Yuan waved to Yu Zheng in the crowd.
When Yu Zheng saw Jiang Shuji being pulled down by Yu Lan, he walked towards Yu Yuan with confidence.
As soon as Jiang Shu and Yu Lan sat down, a group of girls and young ladies gathered around and started talking.
"Is this the emperor's sister-in-law? She is so beautiful."
"Brother Zheng has good eyesight, and I like the look of the emperor's sister-in-law."
Jiang Shu blushed at the compliment and responded with a smile.
After a few words of conversation, everyone saw that Jiang Shu had a gentle temperament, so they started chatting and rushed to talk to her.
To them, Jiang Shu's experience was more exciting than the stories told in storybooks and storytellers. After finally meeting the real person, I naturally wanted to inquire about it carefully.
Jiang Shu answered all questions, and Yu Lan was there to help, so he had a great time chatting with them.
"The Emperor and the Queen have arrived!" the chamberlain guarding outside the palace shouted at the top of his lungs.
The hall where people were talking happily immediately fell silent, and everyone stood up and saluted.
"I have met His Majesty (Father) and the Queen (Mother)."
The emperor and the queen entered the palace, walked through the palace with their heads held high, and sat down on the royal throne.
"Let's all get back together." The emperor raised his hand.
"Thank you, Your Majesty (Father)." Everyone thanked him in unison and sat down again.
It was not yet dark, and everyone took turns chatting with the emperor and empress about domestic affairs and answering the emperor's questions. They were all in harmony.
At the right time of Youshi, when the sky darkened, the palace people took away the tea and fruit plates and presented them with wine and food.
Before using their chopsticks, everyone raised their wine glasses to respect the emperor and empress.
After having a drink together, the emperor and empress picked up the dishes with their chopsticks, and everyone else took their chopsticks to eat.
After eating two bites, everyone began to take turns paying respects to the emperor and queen.
After all, the emperor and the empress didn't take a few bites of the food, and drank half of the wine.
"I'm happy today. All the clan members are here. I have some good news to announce."
After hearing this, everyone put down their cups and stopped their chopsticks, waiting for the emperor's words.
"According to Qin Tianmonitor's calculations, the sixth day of the sixth lunar month is an auspicious day for marriage, so it is set as the wedding date for Yu Lan to marry into the Zhou family."
"Congratulations to your majesty, congratulations to the noble concubine, congratulations to the princess..." Everyone raised their glasses and congratulated in unison.
After swallowing the last sip of wine, the emperor really didn't want to drink anymore. He frowned slightly and glanced at Eunuch Gao beside him.
Eunuch Gao agreed, raised his chest and shouted: "Sing and dance into the palace!"
With this shout, the dancers and musicians who had been waiting for a long time entered the hall and began to perform.
The emperor breathed a sigh of relief, picked up the silver chopsticks, and enjoyed the singing and dancing while eating.
Different from the last annual banquet, the highlight of today's Shangyuan Banquet is not inside or outside the palace.
So after taking a break at the banquet, the emperor and empress led everyone out of the Deqing Hall and walked slowly to the nearby Lanxing Tower to watch the fireworks.
The so-called fireworks are made by taking the molten molten iron while it is hot and using a special willow stick to sprinkle it into the sky under the flower shed. The molten iron turns into tiny iron filings and is scattered in the air, forming a spectacular scenery.
Every year during the Shangyuan Festival, there are flower-beating performances in various places, which together with Aoshan Mountain are listed as the double sceneries of the Shangyuan Festival.
When Jiang Shu was young, she loved to watch flowers. Every year during the Lantern Festival, Jiang Shu would pester her father to take her to see them.
But since marrying into the Marquis of Jing'an Mansion, she has never been seen again.
Last year, she wanted to go with Jiang Ning to see it, but she didn't go because Cuiyun Tower had just been taken over not long ago.
On the Lantern Festival this year, she and Yu Zheng actually enjoyed the flower-making scene in the palace.
"Bang!" The leading gardener struck the first stick hard.
Immediately afterwards, one gardener after another took turns to hammer, causing the flower shed to bloom with silver flowers all over the sky.
Jiang Shu opened his apricot eyes wide and stared intently.
Cluster after cluster of silver flowers bloomed, lighting up the dark night sky.
After watching Dahua for many years, this is the one where Jiang Shuli is closest, has the best position, and is the most shocking person to watch.
"Stand behind me, be careful not to get burned." Yu Zheng stretched out his long arm and protected Jiang Shu to his side.
Although the sight of flowering is beautiful and dazzling, it is also very dangerous. Every year, people get burned while watching the flowering.
