bullyxtreme Chapter 417 The Flower is Passed to Himself
Chapter 417 The Flower is Passed to Himself
The eldest princess chose three wives, namely, the prime minister's wife Cai, the Duke of Jingguo's wife Liu, and the Marquis of Liyang's wife Cui.
The three of them sat on the right side of the eldest princess with humble smiles on their faces.
When the people in the East Garden heard that the princess was having a game of passing the flower with the ladies and the beating of drums, they sent someone to tell her that they also wanted to join in and asked if the princess would agree.
The eldest princess's purpose today was not to discuss talent or not, and this hairpin banquet also had a meaning, so she agreed very readily.
She asked the servants to arrange the seats around, and then asked people to invite all the distinguished young men from the East Garden, Wei Ling was naturally among them.
After everyone was settled, the eldest princess looked at the crowds of people sitting around her and said with a smile, "This is lively! Today's hairpin flower banquet is open to all, and everyone can play the game of passing the flower while beating the drum. If the flower falls into someone's hands, just show off your talents and don't hide anything!"
Everyone smiled and nodded in agreement.
Because of the participation of the young masters and nobles in the court, everyone was really looking forward to this game of passing the flower. Among them were many unmarried ladies and young masters from various mansions, and everyone wanted to take advantage of this rare opportunity to see each other.
A maid brought a hydrangea made of brocade. The hydrangea was wrapped in red satin and had a big flower tied into it, which would serve as a flower ball to be used later.
The flower passing game started with the eldest princess. Since Su Jixiang was the closest, when the drum sounded, the first person to pass the flower was Su Jixiang. Su Jixiang was also quick and quickly passed the hydrangea to the next person.
The flower was passed around for a long time before the drums stopped. Everyone looked and saw that the flower ball was in the hands of a little girl.
The little girl was not shy at all. She stood up and asked the princess for a flute, and played a tune in public. Although she was still young, one could tell from the sound of the flute that she had been taught by a master. The sound of the flute was clear and melodious. Although her skills were still very immature, it was obvious from her every move that she had practiced well.
After she finished playing the flute, the princess praised her highly and gave the girl a jade pendant.
The little girl sat down happily, and when everyone saw that the princess had other rewards, they participated more actively.
After this round of drumming, there were talent shows with three women and three men participating. The women played musical instruments and the men recited poems and composed couplets. In short, the atmosphere was very good and the eldest princess was generous, giving everyone a reward.
The second round began. The eldest princess passed the bouquet to Su Jixiang, and before Su Jixiang could throw it out, the drumbeat stopped abruptly.
Su Jixiang held the bouquet in his hand with a confused look on his face. The drum had only sounded for a moment!
"Haha, okay, okay, please come in, Madam Zhenbei!" The eldest princess clapped her hands and laughed.
Back then, Wei Ling was a well-known gentleman in the capital, a man of both civil and military talents. No matter where he went, he was admired and envied.
Even now, whenever Wei Ling, the Marquis of Zhenbei, is mentioned, the nobles in the capital probably still talk about the gentle and elegant young man who was as beautiful as jade, rather than the great general who had made great achievements on the battlefield and made the enemy tremble with fear.
Therefore, if Su Jixiang showed any pettiness, he would be looked down upon by the nobles.
How could a crude palace maid who chopped firewood become the wife of the Marquis of Zhenbei if it were not for the special circumstances at the time?
As long as everyone rejects Su Jixiang, no one will say anything about her daughter. Instead, everyone will think that only Princess Anle, who is of noble birth, is worthy of Wei Ling.
This is what it means to be well-matched!
When everyone heard the princess say that this was the wife of the Marquis of Zhenbei, almost at the same time, everyone's eyes fell on Su Jixiang.
After seeing Su Jixiang's appearance clearly, everyone had different expressions.
The man's eyes were filled with amazement! So beautiful!
Su Jixiang just stood there holding a bouquet of flowers, with a hint of confusion in her eyes, like a fairy concubine who had lost her way, making people unable to help but feel yearning and pity for her.
Wei Ling looked at the eldest princess, then at the lady holding the bouquet. Just as he was about to stand up to help Su Jixiang, he saw Su Jixiang looking in his direction.
Su Jixiang was a little confused when she first received the bouquet and didn't react at all, but now she has calmed down.
She had seen where Wei Ling was before, so she gave Wei Ling, who was about to get up, a reassuring look.
Over the years, he and I have discussed that in order to avoid being recalled to the capital alone and used as a bargaining chip by the current emperor to control Wei Ling, the two of us have always pretended to be at odds with each other in front of outsiders.
Let’s not talk about the purpose of today’s flower-pinning banquet, but since the bouquet fell on me and my identity is so sensitive, I have to think more about it.
If Wei Ling took action to defend himself in front of everyone at this moment, it would be equivalent to telling the emperor that the relationship between the two of them was just for show.
Today's talents are necessary, but they cannot be too outstanding.
Su Jixiang's thoughts were racing, and to outsiders she seemed a little stunned.
The eldest princess couldn't help feeling proud when she saw Su Jixiang standing there in a daze, even looking a little at a loss.
Her gaze naturally fell on Wei Ling. "Marquis Zhenbei, I heard that your wife was a maid in the palace before. She must have some talents!"
Wei Ling's eyebrows twitched slightly. He picked up a cup of tea, bowed to the princess from a distance, and said with a smile, "Just look at her. Why are you asking me?"
When everyone present heard this, they started whispering to each other. It seemed that the relationship between the Marquis of Zhenbei and his wife was really as cold as the rumors said.
Seeing that Wei Ling had no intention of standing up for Su Jixiang, the eldest princess' smile widened. "Indeed, the Marquis of Zhenbei is so powerful in the north that he naturally doesn't care about his little daughter's thoughts."
As soon as she finished speaking, someone in the crowd said, "I heard that the wife of the Marquis of Zhenbei was a palace maid who chopped firewood. To put it bluntly, she was just a servant in our family!"
This person seemed to be whispering, but his voice was really loud, so most people present could hear it clearly.
Everyone was in an uproar again and couldn't help but talk in low voices.
Some even stood up without knowing whether to live or die. "Marquis Zhenbei, back then, your reputation in the capital was envied by everyone! We all wondered what kind of noble lady could be worthy of a talent like you, but we never expected you to marry a palace maid who chopped firewood!"
"Your Majesty has granted the marriage!" someone said, "This is not up to the Marquis of Zhenbei!"