Phoenix Hairpin

Chapter 121

Meng Yunluo made a big fuss and was ashamed.

The Eldest Prince Consort was also sitting at this seat, watching everything calmly. At this time, she smiled to smooth things over: “Although the palace banquet is lively, there must be some rules. Even if you want to toast, you have to wait for the Empress to signal, or the princesses will take the lead. It is inconvenient for a daughter-in-law to be in the limelight.”

She, a married Prince Consort, had not been in the limelight yet, how could it be the turn of those who are yet to be married as official wives?

Lu Mingyu smiled at the Eldest Consort: “What the Prince Consort said is true. We understand the rules. It was just a casual joke just now.” 

Zhao Yu answered with a smile: “Yes, how can you be so rash? If it spreads out, people will laugh at you.”

Meng Yunluo couldn’t help being ridiculed by the two women, she couldn’t help but said with a smirk: “Speaking of it, no one is as good as sister Zhao. When the Empress Dowager came, she opened her mouth. So I asked Sister Zhao to come to my side. This kind of scenery, even the Eldest Prince Consort does not have it!” 

With such an obvious provocation, the Eldest Prince Conosrt would not be fooled, and smiled lightly: “Sister Zhao is lively and clever, and the Royal Grandmother prefers a bit, that’s right. It’s inevitable.”

Of course, no matter how steady the face was, the heart was also a little unhappy.

Wasn’t it?

Not to mention that Zhao Yu hadn’t been married yet, even if she was married to the Royal family, she had to respect her as the elder sister-in-law. The eccentric Empress Dowager Zhao didn’t care about her dignity as the eldest grandson’s wife, so she opened her mouth and called Zhao Yu.

Zhao Yu couldn’t hear the meaning of the words of the Eldest Prince Consort, so she smiled triumphantly.

Lu Mingyu looked at Zhao Yu with pity.

Silly girl.

Don’t look at the Eldest Prince Consort as an elegant and gentle woman, her heart was not that big. Nine times out of ten, she has made a note in her heart.

…

After the palace banquet, everyone moved to the flower hall to watch the play.

There were some singers, dancers, and musicians in the palace, so it was very convenient to enjoy singing and dancing. Empress Dowager Zhao was old and loved to watch plays. There was also a small troupe in the palace.

Empress Dowager Zhao first ordered Shiro’s Visiting Mother, which she loved to listen to. Then he said to Empress Qiao: “Empress, you can also order a play.”

Empress Qiao said with a smile: “It’s so crowded today, it’s not interesting to just listen to literary plays, so my daughter-in-law will order a martial play.” 

In martial arts performances, there were thrilling fights that were lively and cheerful. Young girls often enjoyed watching martial arts performances.

Concubine Meng’s eyes flashed, and she said with a smile: “The Empress specially ordered a martial arts show today so that the little girls can enjoy it. My concubine thanked the Empress first on behalf of Jing’an.” 

After a pause, she smiled again: “Speaking of martial arts, it makes people think of Fourth Miss Lu. That day, Fourth Miss Lu showed her strength at the palace banquet, which really shocked everyone! Su Zhaorong, don’t you think so?” 

These words not only humiliated Su Zhaorong but also offended Empress Qiao.

Su Zhaorong, looking at the proud and arrogant expression on Consort Meng’s face, felt both annoyed and resentful. She gritted her teeth in response.

Empress Qiao glanced at her and said lightly: “Concubine Meng Gui has a good memory. Speaking of which, I still remember it vividly. Fourth Miss Lu is worthy of being a general’s tiger girl, and she has the demeanor of King Xingyang. On the contrary, Consort Liang, her father is a guard General, she has never practiced martial arts in her childhood. Instead, she has focused on female crafts and culinary skills, being virtuous and commendable.”

Who would not know how to expose her old background?

The Emperor’s confidant, General Liang, who was now well-known, was just a soldier beside Li Yuan in the past, and his wife was a domestic servant of the Li family. At that time, it was a gift and honor from the master that a soldier could marry the first-class maid of the Li family.

Liang had learned about cooking and female celebrities from her mother since she was a child.

No wonder.

The daughter of a maidservant, if she doesn’t learn the skills of serving others, should she instead learn music, chess, calligraphy, and painting? It seemed that Liang’s own mother even entertained the idea of sending her daughter to serve in the Li family’s main residence.

When Emperor Yongjia sat on the dragon chair, General Liang became the General of the Imperial Guard, and the former servant girl of the Li family also became a Madam of first-rank imperial order. Miss Liang was exactly ten years old at the time. Naturally, she won’t be a maid again.

After the family changed their doors, Miss Liang began to study. However, after all, it was a late start, and she can still bluff people on ordinary occasions. But compared with ordinary officials’ daughters, she was far behind.

Concubine Meng looked down on Consort Liang, mostly because of this.

Her father was a mud-legged bodyguard, and her mother was a domestic servant of the Li family. Someone with such a family background had become her own daughter-in-law. Concubine Meng felt terrified when she thought about it.

Sure enough, when Empress Qiao mentioned this matter, the smile on Concubine Meng’s face faded by three points.

The Empress Dowager Zhao couldn’t bear to hear them quarreling: “Okay, on a happy day, can’t you all say a few words? The Ai family still wants to listen to the play!”

Then, she ordered the show to start.

The drama below the stage came to an end temporarily, and the drama on the stage kicked off.

…

Lu Mingyu didn’t like watching literary dramas very much; so she drank tea and ate preserved fruits to pass the time.

It was only when the martial arts show kicked off that Lu Mingyu became more interested.

Zhao Yu, who was sitting beside her, joked with a smile: “Look at you, you almost fell asleep listening to the literary drama. When it comes to martial arts, you suddenly regain your energy. You are not afraid of people laughing at you.” 

Lu Mingyu smiled back: “My father is a General, your father is also one, and the Meng family is also the residence of a general. If they want to laugh, they will laugh at the three of us, and won’t just laugh at me.”

Meng Yunluo finally seized the opportunity and stabbed Zhao Yu once: “Although Marquis Puyang is a general, the number of times the soldiers under him went into battle is not much. No wonder Zhao Yu doesn’t like to watch martial arts dramas.”

Relying on the favor of Empress Dowager Zhao and the protection of Emperor Yongjia, Marquis Puyang won the title easily. It was not like the Meng family, who was named a Marquis for their solid military exploits.

Zhao Yu glared: “Meng Yunluo! What do you mean by that? My father is also a general of the Great Wei and has made several military exploits for the Great Wei. Why do you look down on my father?” 

Meng Yunluo gained the upper hand and said slowly with a smile, “Just joking, you don’t like to listen, so I don’t want to say anything. You are so anxious, it seems that I hit a painful spot!”

Then, she covered her mouth and smiled coquettishly.

Zhao Yu’s pretty face turned red with anger, but she couldn’t speak harsh words.

After all, she herself knew very well how her father’s title came about. Without Empress Dowager Zhao, the Zhao family would never be where it was today.

Lu Mingyu glanced at the smug Meng Yunluo and said calmly, “In this world, having talent is a good thing, but having someone to rely on is equally a form of talent.”

“I envy people like that, and I wouldn’t utter bitter words that are unpleasant to hear due to my own envy.”

If you are capable, let your Meng family also produce an Empress Dowager.

No matter how favored Concubine Meng was, she was not the original wife, but just a concubine.

Meng Yunluo’s cheeks were flushed red from the stabbing, and the sparks in her eyes were about to burst out.

The Eldest Prince Consort looked at this and secretly sighed in her heart.

Among the three prospective sisters-in-law who have not yet entered the family, each surpassed the other in terms of family background, appearance, and talent. When it came to temperament, each of them was difficult to handle. They were already engaging in verbal battles even before becoming sisters-in-law, and it was uncertain what kind of conflicts will arise in the future when they enter the family.

However, this was also a good thing for her.

Without the three of them, how could she show the gentleness and virtuousness of being their Eldest sister-in-law?