20demayo Chapter 413 The Marquis of Yongkang's Residence, Miss Ouyang
Chapter 413 The Marquis of Yongkang's Residence, Miss Ouyang
Chapter 413 The Marquis of Yongkang's Residence, the Eldest Daughter of the Ouyang Family
In a charming little courtyard of the Ouyang family, there is a two-story embroidered building.
The only legitimate daughter of the Ouyang family in this generation lives here.
As the eldest daughter of the Ouyang family, and with the Empress Dowager as her great-aunt in the palace, Ouyang Yan should have been raised to be a Crown Princess.
However, the emperor never appointed a crown prince, and then suddenly arranged marriages for all four of his sons.
This made the head of the Ouyang family uneasy, since all four of the princes' wives were daughters of officials of the fourth rank or below.
It seemed that his own daughter was completely out of the Emperor's consideration. When he sent a message to the Empress Dowager's palace, he received only ambiguous answers.
My aunt is becoming increasingly indifferent to the affairs of the Ouyang family...
"Master, all the invitations have been sent out to each household," the Ouyang family steward reported.
"The Prince Deqing's residence also sent gifts?"
"Yes, sir, the first one will be sent to the Prince Deqing's residence!"
"Hmm, the two families that were added after Madam are the Huangfu family and... the Jiang family?"
The butler nodded: "Yes, sir. After the madam reviewed the invitations, she added these two families. These two families are not of high rank. I wonder why the madam specifically instructed us to do so."
It is said that Huangfu Zhongwen of the Huangfu family and Qin Gongzi of the Deqing Prince's Mansion have a very close relationship.
Huangfu Zhongwen was among those invited to the flower-viewing banquet hosted by the Empress Dowager.
"I see. Then it is only right to send an invitation to the Huangfu family."
The steward immediately realized something was amiss. Sending an invitation to the Huangfu family was the proper thing to do, but what was the reason for the Jiang family, who had also joined later?
"Master, does the Jiang family also have some connection with the Prince Deqing's Mansion?"
Ouyang Pu shook his head: "I have never heard of any connection between the Jiang family and the Deqing Prince's Mansion. The Jiang family was not among those invited to the flower viewing banquet hosted by the Empress Dowager."
"That……?"
"Alright, I'll stop guessing. I'll ask Madam later. Madam must have her reasons for including the Jiang family."
I rarely pay attention to matters within the household, so how could I possibly know everything about the interactions between different families?
Ouyang Mansion Backyard—
"Mother, you really sent an invitation to the Jiang family?!"
The elegant lady put down her delicate teacup and glanced helplessly at her daughter.
"What? Didn't you come begging to this? Now you're having second thoughts?"
The girl quickly waved her hand, "No, no! How could I regret it! Mother, you did a good job sending that invitation!"
"Hmph~ How do you know that the person you want to invite will definitely come?"
The post didn't name anyone at the banquet, but the elders of the Jiang family will likely bring a few unmarried girls. Don't be disappointed!
Ouyang Yan's face stiffened, but she still stubbornly said, "It's good that the Jiang family's daughters are coming. I welcome them with open arms!"
"Wouldn't it be great to get to know the young ladies of the Jiang family and have more close friends to chat with?"
Madam Ouyang didn't expose her lie, but just nodded mischievously, "I believe you, I believe you~"
"Mother~~~"
"Stop! Don't say any more. If your father knew why the Jiang family posted this message, he would come after you and me."
I'm risking my life to help you, so don't make it too obvious and end up hurting your own mother!
Ouyang Yan felt a little guilty. Wait, no! What was she guilty about? She hadn't been thinking anything bad!
She genuinely only admired Jiang Zhuangyuan's appearance; she stayed cooped up in her residence every day and never had the chance to go out and watch the excitement like she did on the day of the horse parade.
It's been more than three months now, and every time I manage to go out on a day when officials are on leave, I've never run into them on the street.
Does this top scholar Jiang stay home on his days off and never come out? Wouldn't that be quite boring?
I've worked diligently for ten days straight and finally got a day off. Shouldn't I go out and relax a bit?
But what Miss Ouyang didn't know was that some people find going out for a stroll relaxing, while others find relaxation in staying indoors, oblivious to the world around them.
The latter way of relaxing is more suitable for someone like Jiang Xiaoqi, who has been a workhorse for two lifetimes.
As for Ouyang Yan, a pampered young lady who stayed at home all day, she would naturally yearn for the outside world, and even the air outside the courtyard wall seemed sweeter.
After several unsuccessful attempts to meet her, Ouyang Yan had to find another way. She waited for more than three months before her mother remembered to hold a flower-viewing banquet.
There are indeed countless famous chrysanthemum varieties in our home, and every autumn we invite friends and family to enjoy the autumn scenery together.
However, this year's flower-viewing banquet invited more officials and their families, some of whom were courtiers whom Lord Ouyang had newly befriended this year.
Some of these were to satisfy the selfish desires of Ouyang Yan, the eldest daughter of the Yongkang Marquis's family.
After the eldest prince Zhao Hongmin set the wedding date, the first beneficiary turned out to be the fourth prince Zhao Hongsheng.
His Majesty the Emperor lifted the confinement of his son, allowing him to move freely within the capital city, but not to leave the capital without permission.
Zhao Hongsheng did not send any more letters to the Jiang family to invite Jiang Xiaoqi. Jiang Xiaoqi was happy to have some peace and quiet, thinking that she had persuaded the person to back down last time.
Little did he know, the Fourth Prince had simply buried this obsession even deeper.
I don't know where they got the information, but they managed to get an invitation to the flower-viewing banquet from the Ouyang family.
"Master, this flower-viewing banquet of the Ouyang family..."
Xiao Dezi didn't know what to say. Since his master wanted to go, he figured that person would go too.
But the young lady who's engaged to her master might also be there...
"Alright, I know what you're going to say. Aren't the young ladies in the capital all very well-mannered?"
A young lady who is already engaged will not go out to attend banquets like this, which are suitable for matchmaking.
Zhao Hongsheng was certain that his fiancée would not attend the Ouyang family's chrysanthemum appreciation banquet, which is why he asked the Ouyang family's son for an invitation.
Ouyang De didn't usually have much of a relationship with the Fourth Prince, but since the prince was a prince after all, he still had to give him the courtesy of an invitation.
It's just a matter of asking my mother for help. It doesn't take much effort, and it will even make the prince owe me a favor. Why not?
Xiao Dezi was speechless for a moment after hearing his master's words.
They've decided to take advantage of the young lady's refusal to leave her house...
Engaged men and women will not attend banquets suitable for matchmaking. My lord, aren't you an engaged man yourself?!
Of course, Xiao Dezi only dared to secretly complain in his heart; he would never dare to say these things out loud.
The master treated him differently from other palace servants, but it wasn't to the point where he could say anything to him. A servant should be aware of his place!
"Yes, Master! This servant will go and give the order to prepare your clothes for the chrysanthemum appreciation banquet in advance."
"Well, you can decide for yourself. It doesn't need to be too fancy, preferably with a touch of elegance. Avoid using gold and silver threads and gemstones."
"Yes, this servant has noted it all down!"
Xiao Dezi remained the same devoted Xiao Dezi, never questioning his master's decisions.