On the fifth day of May, the servants of the Yan Wang Mansion had started moving around since dawn. Today the emperor set up a dragon boat in Xiyuan (west park), and Yan Wang Mansion was the highlight of the accompanying list. Afterwards there would be a series of activities such as the Dragon Boat Festival feast and the sacrifice of the five poisons in the palace. Afraid that Yan Wang need to go out at the earliest time.
Seeing that the whole day there would no times to rest, since early in the morning the servants of the mansion already stretched their nerves. The calamus hanging screens and other things in the mansion were arranged yesterday. Early this morning, the carriage for the womenfolk stopped at the second gate. Nowadays, high-ranking officials and nobles in the capital traveled with arrogance, but Yan Wang had been in the army for many years, he long ago already developed iron-like rules, how could he take a sedan chair? Not only Gu Hui Yan, even Gu Cheng Yao, who grew up in the capital, was not allowed to riding arrogantly no matter how far he went.
Gu Mingda was holding Zhaoxue, standing outside the Chui Hua Gate like a post, Zhaoxue puffed his nose. Gu Hui Yan wore a dragon imperial robe with a first-grade Qinwang jade belt tied around his waist, standing with his hands in front of him. Gu Cheng Yao also changed into corresponding imperial clan clothing, but his specifications were one level lower than Gu Hui Yan's in all aspects. Didn't know if it's because of the reduction in patterns, obviously the same color, Gu Cheng Yao wore a Qinwang Shizi clothes, he clearly an elegant noble son, but once standing next to Gu Hui Yan, he was immediately suppressed and completely lack power to compete. People passing through the Chu Hua Gate could see Yan Wang at first sight, and they could only see Yan Wang. They hold their breath and bow their heads, did not dare to rise.
Gu Hui Yan was waiting outside Chu Hua Gate, the carriage behind him was ready, just waiting for the womenfolk inside to leave. Normally Gu Hui Yan would not wait exceeding half a cup of tea from the time of issuing order to the departure of the whole army. He ruled the army extremely strictly, and it was absolutely impossible for people not showed up when the time is up. No one below dared to let Gu Hui Yan wait. But the capital was different from his fief, and person he was waiting for was also different from the strictly obedience soldiers.
All the men and horses stood quietly. Unknown who was the first to make a sound, it was like a stone being thrown into the middle of the lake. The quiet and solemn corridor immediately came alive: "Miss Lin is here."
Lin Wei Xi accompanied by Wan Xing and Wan Yue arrived at the second gate, she saw the outside scene through the gate, she was startled, immediately quickened her pace: "Your Highness, you have already arrived? Since you have arrived, why didn't you go in and call me? It's my fault to make you wait."
Lin Wei Xi walked across the streak of morning light, and the vermilion pillars and the white morning ray became her background. Gu Hui Yan took a second look at this scene. Lin Wei Xi today wore a white silk top and silvery red horse-face skirt, around the knees were embroidered with large jewel-like flowers with silver thread, and on her hair was a simple hairpin that was covered with fine crystals, which slightly reflected the broken light as she walked. The facial features were more and more beautiful, unlike a real person. When she was still in her mourning period she used to dress plainly, and her beauty already stunning enough. Now she put on a magnificent dress, and the whole person simply like it had a built-in soft focus, which naturally attracts attention.
(TN: the author break historical genre's wall here lol)
No matter who was passing by, they always had to look back and look again when they ran into her. Everyone had their own opinions about beauty, but for Lin Wei Xi's kind of bloomed to the utmost beauty, even if they didn't say anything, their eyes still revealed their most honest thoughts. Some beauties were like tea, weak but delicate. Some beauties were like peony, magnificent but silly. And Lin Wei Xi was probably a rough ruby polished to the extreme. You can dislike her, but you cannot say that she is not good-looking.
From the moment Lin Wei Xi showed up, everyone present uncontrollably cast their eyes on her. When she walked these eyes followed her secretly. Until Lin Wei Xi stood in front of Gu Hui Yan, the men present then looked away nonchalantly.
Gu Hui Yan also silently complimented. Before, he knew Lin Wei Xi was good-looking, but he would get used to it after seeing the same face every day. He also paid more attention to Lin Wei Xi's noisy character. At this moment, Lin Wei Xi dressed up and her essence was finely crafted, immediately showed its powerful lethality.
But Gu Hui Yan only exclaimed in his heart, and that was it. Women with different shapes, each with its own beauty, in any case he already experienced many strong wind and big waves. Even if Lin Wei Xi was so beautiful, except for the first moment of surprise, it was difficult to shake Gu Hui Yan's mind afterwards. Gu Hui Yan didn't say anything, and signaled Lin Wei Xi to enter the carriage behind: "It's okay, get in the car."
Lin Wei Xi didn't pay much attention to the surrounding. She sincerely felt apologetic: "To make you wait is very rude of me. Have you waited for long? Why didn't you let people go in and call me, I thought it's not ready outside..."
"It's okay." Looking at Lin Wei Xi's guilty and beautifully contoured eyes, who could get angry, not to mention Gu Hui Yan would never blame Lin Wei Xi. After he finished speaking, seeing Lin Wei Xi still couldn't let go, he smiled slightly and said, "Don't worry, they should wait for you. Get in the carriage first."
Lin Wei Xi was originally ashamed, but couldn't help chuckle when she heard this. This smile was like a gem reflecting colorful luster under the sun, which made people dizzy. After Gu Hui Yan said this, Lin Wei Xi's heart really relaxed a lot. She looked away from Gu Hui Yan, stepped back slightly, and saluted to Gu Cheng Yao and Gu Mingda who followed behind. After she greeted them in a unified manner, she took her maid to get in the carriage.
Gu Cheng Yao was a little impatient at first, but seeing Lin Wei Xi appear stunningly, immediately that little impatience gone without a trace. Later, Lin Wei Xi ran towards Yan Wang, Gu Cheng Yao had a strange feeling for some reason. After Lin Wei Xi and his father had finished speaking, Lin Wei Xi finally turned her gaze to the back. After a hasty greeting, she turned away. Gu Cheng Yao felt very subtle in his heart. With so many of them waiting outside, could Lin Wei Xi only see Yan Wang?
When Lin Wei Xi got in the carriage, she saw Gao Ran was already seated. Seeing Lin Wei Xi getting in, Gao Ran pursed her lips and smiled lightly: "Why Miss Lin just coming now? Does it take too much time to get ready?"
Lin Wei Xi was very indifferent to Gao Ran's attitude, deliberately said the wrong time, this Gao Ran had the nerve to do such a thing. Lin Wei Xi chuckled softly, holding her clothes and sat, then carefully pressed the skirt folds one by one: "I didn't know that Shizi Consort actually can predict the future, to come one stick of an incense early. I really thank you."
Gao Ran laughed and said, "Miss Lin is polite. What my father dislikes the most is being late, so Miss Lin shouldn't do this in the future."
Lin Wei Xi snorted softly, too lazy to care about her. The carriage shook for a moment, and then grumbled forward, and no one spoke in the car for a while. Gao Ran was secretly proud to lower Lin Wei Xi's impression points in front of everyone, but she didn't know that it was her behavior that made Lin Wei Xi had a grand entrance.
The world always didn't need reason in front of beauties.
The carriage of Yan Wang Mansion drove out of the mansion, and all the people along the way when they saw this, whether officials or pedestrians, everyone gave way. After arriving at the palace gate, the eunuch dressed in yellow saw the familiar figure and waited at the door from a distance. Even Lin Wei Xi's carriage also received great treatments.
Gao Ran got out of the carriage first, followed by Lin Wei Xi. When the eunuch who led the way saw Lin Wei Xi, he glanced in surprise, then lowered his gaze, his courteous and respectful attitude was just right: "Pay respect to Shizi Consort, pay respect to noble person. The two noble person please follow this slave to this side."
Xiyuan was located to the west of the palace, next to Forbidden City, surrounded by water, which could be regarded as an imperial private water garden. Today's dragon boat race was set up in Xiyuan, and the family members of the Yan Wang Mansion immediately caused a great sensation. Grand Princess Shoukang arrived early this morning. Upon hearing the announcement from the palace maid, her eyes immediately turned to the voice.
As Shizi Consort of Yan Wang, Gao Ran was surrounded by many people as soon as she appeared. It said that the new Shizi Consort was very much loved by the Shizi as she entered the door, this however was not the end of it. Gao Ran who was born as shu daughter originally was nothing, became Shizi Consort this heavy identity. Backed by Duke Yingguo Mansion and Yan Wang Mansion these two heavy patron, Gao Ran's status increased several steps. The noble madams who once only nodded indifferently to Gao Ran have all changed from the past, now they were incredibly enthusiastic towards Gao Ran. Gao Ran was proud in her heart, she smiled reservedly, and greeted all the ladies one by one, with an upper class young lady imposing manner.
The ladies enthusiastically approached Gao Ran. Lin Wei Xi didn't like being too close to people, so she stepped back. She was avoiding the crowd, and a voice suddenly came to her ear: "Duke Yingguo Mansion has arrived."
The world around Lin Wei Xi seemed to be emptied out in an instant. She stood there for a while, and the voice in her ear gradually returned to being noisy. She turned her head slowly and saw not far away the fluttering of elegant skirt, and the jingling of jewelry. The people from Duke Yingguo Mansion held hands with familiar madams and young ladies, amiably asked about each other situation. A maid next to Duke Yingguo madam saw Gao Ran and quickly smiled and said, "Shizi Consort is also here."
"Grandma is here." Everyone in the Gao family smiled and greeted Gao Ran. Duke Yingguo madam held Gao Ran's hand. Pulling her to say something to the people around her, Gao Ran's reply made Duke Yingguo madam laughed, even the wrinkle in the corner of her eyes were squeezed out. The grandparent was compassionate, the grandchildren was filial, who would not admire such a happy and prosperous family picture.
Even Lin Wei Xi smiled at this scene. What a loving picture of twenty-four filial peity. Gao Ran had married, her brother was the only son of the Duke Yingguo Shizi, the children had this kind of future prospect, Han shi was rising in Duke Yingguo Mansion, heard that she already helped managing the household of Shizi's courtyard. There was no wife in the main house, and the husband intended to make his son the heir. Han shi now bears the name of a concubine, but she was no different from the wife of the house.
Now, who will remember Wei Shi and Gao Xi? Although Wei shi was noble, it's an indisputable fact that Princess Shoukang's Mansion was going downhill.
It was something that people have known for a long time, but Lin Wei Xi still feels sad at this moment.
The familiar voices behind them were still talking and laughing, Lin Wei Xi did not stop, and left without looking back.
Duke Yingguo madam was surrounded by her daughter-in-law and granddaughter, and she was still holding the best-married granddaughter in her hand. It was reasonable to say that she was a perfectly blessed person. But at this moment, her heart jumped suddenly. She looked up and saw a woman wearing a silvery red dress walking away from them. She obviously had a slender and outstanding back, but didn't know why it somehow revealed a decisiveness. Duke Yingguo madam's heart inexplicably sped up, as if at this moment, something important was leaving her, and her proud family, descendants, wealth, and the originally glorious future, from this moment on had become flowers in a mirror and the moon reflected on the lake, become unknown.
"Grandma?"
Duke Yingguo madam returned to her senses and saw Gao Ran worriedly looking at her. Duke Yingguo madam smiled, secretly mocking her old age, why worry about personal gains and losses. Her granddaughter had climbed up to Yan Wang Mansion, and she also gained the love of Yan Wang Shizi. Her precious son cared more and more of the family, so she turned a blind eye to Han shi this concubine. Everything was going in a good direction. Duke Yingguo Mansion had a strong presence on the outside and harmonious inside. The bright future of the duke mansion could be seen with naked eye. How could she gave birth to such baseless speculations.
TN: This chapter is on the shorter side, so I release both part today. As for why I still cut it into two and not put it as 1 chapter, it's for symmetry hahaha...