noffsinger Chapter 424: Treating a Family with Kindness Leads to Ungrateful People
Chapter 424: Treating a Family with Kindness Leads to Ungrateful People
"It's almost ready. I've even ordered someone to prepare the stage. Because it's prepared in a hurry, there's no time for rehearsal, so we can only invite people from outside. The Imperial Guards will be responsible for the troupe to avoid any accidents. The troupe we invited is from the Nan Mansion." Zhuxi explained.
The Nanfu Opera Troupe was very famous in the capital. Many officials in the capital would invite the Nanfu Opera Troupe to perform when they had affairs at home. During busy times, they even had to make reservations in advance, otherwise they would not be able to get a spot.
But it was different in the palace. The palace ordered them to go to the singing stage. Even if they had made reservations in advance, they had to postpone it.
However, the Southern Palace Opera Troupe had previously been punished by the Emperor and Empress by sending several officials' wives to the palace. Zhuxi was cautious and would certainly not allow them to enter the palace, lest they harbor resentment and harm the Emperor and Empress.
Prince Dongli had already been in the capital for a few days, so the banquet we were holding for him couldn't be postponed too late. Although it was held in a hurry, it was held on the third day after his arrival in the capital.
The banquet was held in Qingliang Palace as usual.
Because it was winter and the Qingliang Palace had not been used for a long time, the palace servants went to light the charcoal basin and the ground trap early to make the room warm.
Because the officials' wives were also invited to the palace to accompany them, they would definitely come to pay their respects to Gu Jianchu when they entered the palace. In the morning, Gu Jianchu rarely stayed in bed. With the help of Qiutou and Zhuxia, he got up early to wash and change clothes.
Today, Gu Jianchu did not wear a formal phoenix robe, but a scarlet blouse with a skirt of the same color, and a white embroidered jacket on the outside. The edge of the jacket was sewn with furry rabbit fur, which made her look majestic yet playful.
Her meticulously combed bun was paired with a red hairpin and a step-shake made of South pearls, which were also inlaid with pearls of extremely high quality. A pair of exquisitely crafted pearl earrings made her look even more noble.
This set of head ornaments was originally given by Xie Qingzhi to help the pretty boy who was looking for an official position. However, the pretty boy was eventually found to have problems and was dealt with directly by Xie Qingzhi. However, it is naturally difficult to take back the things that Xie Qingzhi gave away.
The scholar took away a few pearls from the head ornament. Although it was not a big deal, it did not look so exquisite. Gu Jianchu asked the Ministry of Internal Affairs to find a few pearls of the same quality to re-inlay it, otherwise it would be a waste of such an exquisite head ornament.
Gu Jianchu has delicate skin and pretty face. She is already beautiful even without makeup. But on a day like this, it would not be good to go without makeup, so Zhu Xia helped Gu Jianchu put on some simple light makeup.
Just as she finished her makeup, Qiutou came in. "Your Majesty, Miss Wen, the ladies and wives of the Pingxibo Mansion, and the eldest daughter are all here. I have brought them to the main hall and are waiting."
I didn't expect them to come so early.
It would have been fine if my elder sister had come so early, but Wen Nuan and Ping Xibo Mansion had also come so early.
The reason why Pingxi Bofu came so early was probably because he was thinking of the favor she had done him the night before when she sent someone to appease him. He wanted to come and express his gratitude while there were fewer people around. Otherwise, when more people entered the palace later, it would be difficult for them to bring up those things to express their gratitude, otherwise they would just be laughed at by others.
Although they have the help of the Queen, those people may not think so.
The Emperor is discussing important matters with his ministers today. Prince Dongli will go to the palace to pay his respects first, and then go to Qingliang Palace with everyone after the banquet starts.
After finishing her makeup and clothes, Gu Jianchu was supported by the palace maids and came to the main hall.
When they saw the Queen coming, several people quickly stood up and saluted.
After Gu Jianchu sat down and said "Stand up", everyone thanked him and sat back in their original seats.
Qiu Tao brought a bowl of bird's nest and placed it on the square table next to Gu Jianchu. "Your Majesty, this blood bird's nest was stewed by the emperor in the small kitchen before he left. It has been simmering on the small stove. He said it can nourish the body. Your Majesty, drink it while it's hot."
"Yeah." Gu Jianchu picked up the blood swallow without any expression on his face, but he felt sweet in his heart.
While drinking the blood swallow, Gu Jianchu glanced at the people sitting below.
Wen Nuan was wearing a moon-white dress today, which made her face look beautiful. Since she left the palace, she had been living a carefree life. She had a father who was a marquis. Although they were not biological children, they were more like biological ones. The marquis did not force her to get married. Wen Nuan also learned business from the marquis and followed the marquis on sailing trips. Although it was a bit tiring, she could see the beautiful scenery. After making some money, she opened a rouge and powder shop in the capital. Under the care of the marquis, she only went on the sailing trip occasionally, not as often as before.
Her skin is a little darker than when she was in the palace.
But her complexion has improved a lot, and she has gained weight. It seems that she is living a carefree life, unlike the other sisters who left the palace.
Sitting below Wen Nuan were Lady Pingxi and his eldest daughter Mu Yao.
Mrs. Pingxibo looked haggard, and it was not difficult to tell that she was a little sick. She was probably annoyed by those shameless people in the Shangshu Mansion.
She hadn't seen Mu Yao for nearly two years. Mu Yao rarely came to the palace. Compared with her former unrestrained and vigorous appearance, she now looked much thinner. Her face was pale and thin, and even the bones could be seen. There was a trace of dark circles under her eyes. Although it was covered with powder, her complexion was so ugly that even powder could not hide it.
There was silence in the room, and no one spoke.
It was Gu Jianchu who spoke first, "Madam, you look a little unhappy. Has she been ill recently?"
Faced with the Queen's concern, Lady Pingxi replied anxiously, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern. I have indeed been feeling a little unwell recently, but I have already seen a doctor and taken some medicine, and I am much better now."
"It's good that you feel much better. If you still feel uncomfortable, tell me and I will ask Doctor Lin to come out of the palace to check on you. Nothing is more important than your health. Madam, you don't have to pay attention to the rumors outside. They are all untrue." Gu Jianchu comforted Lady Pingxi.
"Your Majesty is right. I didn't want to pay attention to it at first, but it was spread too widely and inevitably reached my ears. Although I tried my best to restrain myself, it was still difficult not to be angry. But I still want to thank the Queen for helping us, Pingxi Bo." As Lady Pingxi Bo said this, she pulled her daughter to kneel down and kowtow to Gu Jianchu to express her gratitude.
"If the Empress hadn't sent someone to the Pingxi Marquis's mansion to offer comfort, I'm afraid the people would still be scolding him. If we had done something wrong, we would accept being scolded by the people, but it's hard not to feel good to have to listen to their insults all day long for something we haven't done."
"I have taught my daughter since she was young to be kind to her parents-in-law and husband. I never thought that being kind to such a family would lead to her being bullied everywhere. It would be fine if they had married a concubine and lived in peace, but she is dishonest and keeps provoking my daughter Yao'er."