Duke Jing's younger sister

Chapter 219: Fate Sigh

In Southern Wu, people not only climb high places to ward off diseases on the Double Ninth Festival, but also eat chrysanthemum cakes and drink chrysanthemum wine.

It is autumn now, and the chrysanthemums on the back hill of Kaiyuan Temple outside the city are in full bloom.

Kaiyuan Temple is located on a high mountain north of the city, where there are chrysanthemums for viewing. Every year on the Double Ninth Festival, chrysanthemum cakes are prepared for pilgrims.

Therefore, the ninth day of the ninth lunar month every year is the time when Kaiyuan Temple is most popular.

In previous years, Jiang Li would go with Yang, but this year, she is afraid that she cannot go.

The Double Ninth Festival is the second day for the people of Southern Wu to worship their ancestors after Qingming Festival.

Royal is no exception.

Now Jiang Li is also considered a member of the Xiao family. On days like this, she naturally has to go to the palace to participate in the ancestor worship ceremony.

The De Shun Hall in the palace is the Xiao family ancestral hall. The hall is very spacious, with bright candles on the copper lamp stands.

There is an oil lamp placed in front of each black lacquered tablet, and occasionally you can hear the sound of lamp sparks popping.

Further down, there is a long square rosewood table, on which are placed all kinds of food, including cakes, pastries, chickens, ducks, melons and fruits.

Jiang Li stood beside Miao Yu, and they followed at the end of the emperor and empress's procession.

After kowtowed three times and bowed nine times in Deshun Hall, one could not leave the palace immediately because one had to attend a night banquet in Qionghua Palace.

When Xiao Wencong came out of Deshun Palace, it was still early, and he was dragged by the second prince Xiao Wenche to play chess.

Jiang Li and Miao Yu found a corner in the imperial garden and sat down. Miao Yu was quite dissatisfied with the Second Prince asking Xiao Wencong to play chess with him.

"I don't know what tricks they are trying to play. These men in the palace are always two-faced. They are so annoying."

Miao Yu leaned against the porch pillar with his back, his hands folded, his cheeks puffed with anger.

Jiang Li patted the back of her hand, looked around, and said in a low voice, "You are crazy. This is in the palace, and your majesty is also a man in this palace."

"What kind of man is an old man!"

Jiang Li: “…”

"What about the Third Prince?" Jiang Li said, "He is also a man in this palace."

"How can they be compared with my men!" Miao Yu disagreed.

Jiang Li laughed, "You and the Third Prince have a really good relationship."

She suddenly remembered that today, almost all the members of the Xiao family came to worship their ancestors, but why didn't they see the third prince's biological mother?

It should be said that she had been to the palace to attend banquets three times, but had never met the mother of the third prince.

"Why didn't I see the Third Prince's mother come to worship the ancestors today?" Jiang Li asked.

Miao Yu shook his head, "She's not feeling well, so she can't come."

Not feeling well?

Has it gotten to the point where you can't get out of bed?

"Now that we are in the palace, should we go and visit?"

"No need," Miao Yu sighed, "She doesn't even see the princess, and she's not even close to the Third Prince."

The princess doesn't like to see people, and the third prince's mother doesn't want to see people either?

Although Jiang Li felt a little puzzled, she did not ask any more questions.

Her relationship with Xiao Wencong was just a show. This was someone else's family affair, and asking too many questions would be crossing the line.

Along with the cool autumn breeze, the angry quarrels of women came from the pavilion in the center of the Imperial Garden.

The palace is an important place, and there is no other woman except Xiao Wushuang who dares to shout and disregard the rules like this.

The pavilion was located at a relatively high position, and through the gaps between the shadows of the trees, Jiang Li could see Luo Cheng's back.

She couldn't help but sigh in her heart. Fate really likes to play tricks on people.

Neither Luo Cheng nor herself had ever thought of marrying into the royal family.

But now, he has become the prince's consort, and she has become the prince's concubine.

Since ancient times, men who marry princesses have been like humble servants in front of the princesses and have to bend their backs to behave themselves.

Even though Luo Cheng had undergone a huge change in his personality, it would probably be difficult for him to be humble and fawning in order to please Xiao Wushuang.

And Xiao Wushuang had always been spoiled, arrogant and domineering. She had the final say in everything and must have made Luo Cheng angry a lot.

"This prince consort is really pitiful." Miao Yu said sincerely, "He is not as decent as a servant when he is scolded like this."

Jiang Li pursed her lips, her eyes fell on the thin black figure, and her heart was filled with depression.

Luo Cheng used to be eloquent, but now facing Xiao Wushuang's arrogance, he could only remain silent.

As she watched, she couldn't help but feel sad and bitter for him.

Thinking of this, she blamed herself a little.

If she had not provoked him at the beginning, perhaps he would still be the bright and handsome young man in Jiangdu City.

After all, she owed him.

When the sun set, Xiao Wencong came back, and they arrived at the Qionghua Palace before the banquet began.

Since all the banquets, big and small, in the palace were held here, the Qionghua Palace was renovated to be very magnificent.

The ground is paved with polished bluestone under your feet and looking up you can see colorfully carved eaves and vermilion-painted pillars.

The hall is spacious. In the center, on the five steps, there is a vermilion sandalwood throne decorated with gold threads and covered with a yellow satin cushion.

On either side of the throne, there was a chair, and the rest of the food tables were placed under the steps.

Today we are all family, so there is no rule that men and women sit at different tables.

Because Princess Xiao Wencong did not come, Jiang Li and Miao Yu sat beside him, one on each side.

At the top, Emperor Hongyang and the Empress sat on the chair in the middle, with Concubine Zhao on the left and Concubine Ning on the right.

The most basic way of survival for royal people is to maintain their dignity.

Just like the three princes at this moment, they were chatting and drinking casually, as if they had never had any conflicts. You are the elder brother, I am the younger brother, and we are all very friendly.

There is also Concubine Zhao sitting at the top.

Deep down, he wished he could skin Han Yunning alive, but he could still smile like a flower and gently call her sister.

"Sister is now a married woman, so you have to be careful when you go out. Send a few more people to follow you, so that you don't fall into the trap of some people with ulterior motives."

As Concubine Zhao spoke, her eyes glanced towards the Queen.

Looking at this scene, Jiang Li couldn't help but find it funny.

Could it be that Concubine Zhao didn't know that her miscarriage was related to Han Yunning?

Or is it that Concubine Zhao is indirectly criticizing Han Yunning?

Jiang Li felt that the former was more likely. After all, when Concubine Zhao said the words "interested person", she was looking at the Queen.

Xiao Wencong placed a plate of soft cheese in front of her and said softly, "You have always loved sweets, so this is for you."

Jiang Li was startled for a moment, then reacted.

Now, in front of everyone, they naturally have to act like a loving newlywed couple.

She took it with a smile, and vaguely sensed that there was a burning gaze staring at her from the opposite side.

She looked up and met a pair of narrow and beautiful eyes.

It’s Luo Cheng.

Xiao Wushuang stared at her fiercely, and she quickly lowered her eyes, refusing to make any more eye contact with the two of them.

"My beloved, is today's meal to your liking?" Emperor Hongyang asked. Han Yunning smiled faintly, "I have been feeling bitter in my mouth these days, and everything I eat tastes bland."

Emperor Hongyang beckoned, and Liu Chang immediately stepped forward, "Your Majesty, what do you want?"

"Go get a bowl of plum soup." Emperor Hongyang said, "I see Concubine Ning likes to drink it."

Liu Chang smiled and said, "Yes."

Emperor Hongyang was very caring towards Han Yunning, but Concubine Zhao, who was sitting on the other side, looked a little unhappy.