On the day of the grand banquet at Chengyang Marquis Mansion, Song Wantian got up to dress before dawn.
As the Marquis of Chengyang's wife, she not only has to welcome and entertain guests today, but also has to establish good relations with the wives and families of various families in Shangjing. While men fight hard outside, women also have to deal with the wives of each family in the backyard. Many things that are difficult to discuss and cannot be brought to light depend on the skills of the wives of each family.
Although Song Wan couldn't bear to do this for the Hou Mansion, he had to do it.
One of Luzhu and Huahua helped her tie her hair, and the other helped her put on makeup. They worked for nearly an hour before taking care of everything.
After being dressed properly, Song Wan left the Lan courtyard with the support of Heng Zhi.
Outside Lan Courtyard, Jiang Xingjian and Lin Jiayue were waiting outside.
Song Wan saw Lin Jiayue wearing a cherry purple embroidered gold peony gauze dress, with a pomegranate red beaded palace ribbon hanging from her waist. She wears a flying fairy bun on her head, and a red Luan bird on her temples.
Even the white jade forbidden steps that hold up the skirt are top-quality items from the palace.
Song Wan's eyes swept up from the red palace ribbon and the luan bird's steps, his eyes were indifferent.
I don't know whether Lin Jiayue didn't understand the rules and didn't understand that these things were far beyond what she could use as a concubine, or whether she knew it was overstepping but insisted on suppressing her.
Song Wan withdrew his gaze and pretended not to have seen it. After all, he was worried that she would not be bold enough today.
Several people went to Fuhe Hall to meet Mrs. Jiang. The old lady had to attend today's big banquet.
After everyone paid their respects and had breakfast, Song Wan followed the female family members to Haitang Garden.
There are many rockeries and strange rocks in Haitang Garden, including buildings, terraces and water pavilions.
There is an artificial lake in the garden, and there is a small island in the lake. The people on the island are the Liyuan disciples raised by the Hou Mansion. The aristocratic families all have several opera troupes that are commonly used. Houses such as the Hou Mansion support their own opera troupes all year round.
For such a grand banquet today, several dramas are indispensable.
Lin Jiayue stood at the end reluctantly and followed everyone through the east and west inner courtyard walls. She thought she knew the Hou Mansion well, but today she discovered that the Hou Mansion was so big and extravagant that it far exceeded hers. imagination.
When you walk out of the wall, you will see green willows hanging all around. The trees on both sides are taller and shorter, and there are large white jade slabs under your feet. You can feel a gentle breeze when you are in it, which makes it particularly refreshing and comfortable in the summer. She was surprised that she had never been to this place before, when she saw pavilions in the distance, countless green pines and cypresses, which was many times larger than the backyard of the Hou Mansion.
After entering the Haitang Garden, there was a majestic theater building in the middle of the courtyard. Nearly a hundred actors in costumes lined up. When Fang saw Mrs. Jiang, they all saluted.
"Everyone, get up. The old lady doesn't like this."
Mother Jiang's face was rosy and her eyes were full of smiles. She asked the maids around her to bring the red envelopes and rewarded them one by one: "The Marquis's Mansion has not held a big banquet for many years. Don't lose your place to the Mansion today. If someone messes up the performance, be careful of me." I’ll whip you later.”
The class leader took the red envelope and said with a smile: "Don't worry, Madam, I won't make a mistake in the performance."
Jiang's mother covered her lips and smiled for a long time, then turned to Song Wan and asked, "Wan'er, have other matters been taken care of?"
Song Wan smiled and said, "Mom, I forgot. Wan'er was only responsible for the list and cuisine of the banquet. Aunt Lin was responsible for everything else."
"Aunt Lin is in charge?"
Mrs. Jiang's eyelids jumped suddenly when she heard this: "Why didn't anyone tell me?"
"Why should I trouble you for such a trivial matter? My daughter-in-law sees that Aunt Lin is quite talented. She can handle a banquet for hundreds of people without any trouble. Besides, there are Wan'er and the housewives in the house watching over her, so it won't be a big deal. questionable."
Mrs. Jiang felt suffocated, looked at Song Wan and said, "Do you know what Aunt Lin has arranged?"
Song Wan lowered his head: "Aunt Lin has reported this to her mother."
"So you don't know what she will do?"
Seeing Mrs. Jiang's voice rising, Mother Jiang smiled and said, "Don't worry, mother. Although Aunt Lin doesn't come from a wealthy family, she still has some abilities. Even if she doesn't handle some small details properly, Wan'er will help the house get over it." Of these two children, one is calm and restrained, and handles things steadily, while the other is bold, careful, and full of wonderful ideas. The combination of the two is the icing on the cake."
Song Wan's face was expressionless and he didn't answer anything. Mrs. Jiang knew at a glance that it was not as simple as Jiang's mother said.
"Let Aunt Lin come over."
Lin Jiayue came over from behind the crowd and saluted Mrs. Jiang with a smile. As soon as Mrs. Jiang saw her, she immediately said angrily: "Who allowed you to dress like this? You don't know what day it is today?" What occasion?"
"Do you think those worldly ladies are as short-sighted as you, and can't you see your dirty thoughts?"
The old lady was furious, and all the female members of the Hou family lowered their heads and did not dare to speak out.
Only then did Jiang's mother see Lin Jiayue's outfit, she frowned and said, "Why are you wearing a red palace sash and a luan bird walking wave? These are far beyond what a concubine like you can use, so change them quickly."
Lin Jiayue was dissatisfied at being scolded in public, but she didn't dare to show it on her face. She lowered her head and said, "These things were given by Concubine Jiang."
Hearing that the empress had given it to her, Jiang's mother stopped talking. Seeing that Mrs. Jiang still looked angry, she couldn't help but persuade her: "Since Man'er gave it to her, let her wear it. Now it's too late to change it."
"You are confused."
Mrs. Jiang stared at Jiang's mother, feeling very unhappy.
Today's occasion is the first time Jiang Xingjian and Song Wan have officially appeared in front of people. One of them is the head of the first house of Chengyang Hou Mansion, and the other is the mistress of the first house of Chengyang Hou Mansion. They represent The reputation of Chengyang Houfu is far beyond that of Jiang Yi and Song Wan.
What is the difference between publicly promoting a concubine and slapping Song Wan in the face on such an occasion, and announcing to the entire capital that the Chengyang Marquis Mansion and the Song Mansion have broken apart?
Moreover, everyone in Beijing knew that Song Wan married into the Marquis Mansion holding a memorial tablet, and was a widow who had been widowed for six years. The girl from the Song Dynasty was a model of benevolence and virtue when she came to Beijing. Everyone knew about it. Now, when the Hou Mansion turns over, the first thing they do is rush to step on Song Wan's face. This makes the world think about the Hou Mansion. The Hou Mansion What kind of family tradition is there?
Mrs. Jiang was so angry that she almost fainted.
Song Wan hurriedly stepped forward to help him, but the old lady grabbed his arm tightly: "You know... why... why didn't you stop..."
There was a sharp pain in his arm, but Song Wan just lowered his head and said nothing.
Seeing her like this, Mrs. Jiang had another headache.
She knew Song Wan, and if she hadn't suffered some irreconcilable grievance, she would not be so willful and not take the future of the Hou Mansion into consideration. It must have been during this period of her illness that Jiang's mother said and did something.
Thinking of this, Mrs. Jiang felt regretful again, regretting that she had let her son marry the daughter of a military general like Jiang's mother.
"Mom, are you okay? Call the doctor quickly..."
Mrs. Jiang held on to Jiang's mother and said intermittently: "Send Aunt Lin back to Xiuyan Pavilion. Don't let her come out to see anyone today."
Jiang's mother heard the words and said hurriedly: "No, mother, today I want Aunt Lin to explain Huanyanzhai's rouge and gouache to the ladies of the house. Auntie Lin said that if it happens today, Huanyanzhai will definitely become an instant hit, and she will not have to worry about it in the future." Marketable.”
Hearing that the banquet at the Marquis Mansion was actually arranged like a businessman selling goods full of copper odor, even Song Wan's calm temperament raised his head in surprise.
All the female relatives in the Hou Mansion frowned and said nothing.
Mrs. Jiang was so angry that she rolled her eyes when she saw Jiang's mother being so indifferent, and she fainted.
