Fragrance Returned

Several judges praised it greatly, and everyone passed it around to watch. Finally, amid the envy of everyone, the painting fell into the hands of Mrs. Xu.

Mrs. Xu is the master today, so the picture was given to her.

Mrs. Xu was overjoyed and praised, "Princess Xiangxiang Zhong Lingyu is beautiful, talented and beautiful, and has a beautiful heart... She also benefited from the inheritance and teachings of Prince Consort Xun and Princess Dongyang..."

She has a relatively good relationship with Dongyang, knows Dongyang's thoughts, and praises Dongyang without conscience.

After deliberation, several judges decided that the combination of Xun Xiang and Tao Jing won the first place without any suspense.

Tao Jing's piano skills were not among the top three, but she won this special reputation because of her combination with Xun Xiang.

Ding Liren won third place in poetry and sixth place overall. Not bad either.

After returning home, Xun Yibo sent his sister back to Ziyuan and hurried to Qijin Hall.

He talked about Xunxiang's performance today and Mrs. Xu's praise of Dongyang.

Dongyang beamed with joy, took his son's hand and asked him to say it twice.

Dongyang said proudly, "It's okay if those people don't admit it. My daughter is like me, talented and beautiful, with a beautiful heart... Look at Xiyang, how much effort it took to make Ying Yatou become the 'Four Beauties' .You even gave me gifts, do you think I don’t know about it?”

Then he shook his head and said, "Oh, it's a pity that Miss Tao is paired with Xiangxiang. It would be better if it were Feng'er. Feng'er looks better and plays better than Miss Tao.

"Think about that scene, two beautiful little girls, one is painting, the other is playing the piano, surrounded by flowers in bloom, the beauty is more beautiful than the flowers..."

Xun Yibo said hurriedly, "My sister and Miss Tao are also very good. One is wearing red and the other is wearing green. Even Mr. Jiang said they are the best pairings he has ever seen."

Dongyang laughed again when he thought about that scene, and asked someone to send an inkstone and four brushes to each of the Xiyang Princess Mansion and the Nanyang Princess Mansion.

With the consent of Aunt Cao, Dongyang asked people to invite Xunxiang to Qijin Hall.

This is the first time Dongyang has eaten with his son and daughter since he was banned.

Dongyang is happy today, a few people are talking softly, and the long-lost warmth is flowing in the room.

Xun Yibo looked at his mother and then at his sister. It would be great if my father was here too, if it had always been like this.

After the meal, Dongyang enjoyed Xunxiang, a clear mud inkstone, and a pair of Hetian jade bracelets.

The brother and sister left Qijin Hall together. Under the starlight, the little brother's eyes were bent with laughter.

Xunxiang felt soft in her heart, and then thinking of her father-in-law who was "working overtime" in the Yamen, Xunxiang felt that at least on the surface, she should not get too tense with Dongyang.

The next day, the title of "One Fragrance and Four Beauties" suddenly spread in the capital.

"Yixiang" of course refers to Xunxiang, and it ranks first over "Four Beauties".

This means that the flowers planted intentionally do not bloom, but the willows planted unintentionally create shade.

When Dongyang heard the news in the afternoon, he was so happy that he sent someone to call Xunxiang to Qijin Hall to praise him. After he praised Xunxiang, he praised himself, then praised his consort and son, and even hugged his daughter when he was happy.

She was so happy that she didn't notice Xunxiang's lack of interest.

Xunxiang is not interested in "Yixiang" at all.

Today is the first day of September. Master Mingyuan predicted that the sea will overflow from early September to early October.

I don’t know when Haiyi will start, maybe it has started today.

Xunxiang didn't sleep well last night, praying that Daddy Dong could avoid disaster, defeat the Japanese pirates, and that his eldest brother would be safe and sound.

There are only two targets left this year, and she doesn't dare to "dream" at will...

Dongyang talked alone for nearly half an hour before he realized that Xunxiang was not as excited as she was.

Asked, "What, are you unhappy?"

Xun Xiang hurriedly said, "No, I was just too excited and didn't sleep well last night."

Dongyang smiled and said, "You little ladies just can't stand the trouble. Look at me, I am so calm and composed even for such a big happy event. To be honorable and unfazed, indifferent and peaceful, this is how I and the Prince Consort came here..."

"Yes, my daughter can be taught."

Dongyang also rewarded Xunxiang with a red gold and silk butterfly bracelet inlaid with treasures.

The butterfly wings are as big as half a child's hand, as thin as a cicada's wing, and have a small cat's eye in the middle, which is extremely delicate and beautiful.

This was one of her few treasures, and the best of all the things for appreciating the incense.

Xunxiang shook her head secretly. Her daughter beat the "four beauties" and was more excited than she was when she found her biological daughter.

However, there are advantages to Dongyang's liking. Xunxiang moves a little more freely than before, and is not afraid of being manipulated by her if word of her leaving the house reaches Dongyang's ears.

Prince Consort Xun was not interested in flower banquets or the four beauties, but his daughter's reputation still made him happy.

He returned home after dinner, called Xun Xiang to the outer study for tea, and gave his daughter a small rosewood pen holder with a water dragon pattern on the front.

The young girl Tao Jing, who won the first place in the talent competition with Princess Xiangxiang, also became more famous. People said that if there are still spots in the "Four Beauties", Tao Jing will definitely be selected.

Within a few days, several families went to Tao Mansion to propose marriage, and Mrs. Tao and Mrs. Tao were spoiled for choice.

On the fourth day of September, Mrs. Qiu went to Kunning Palace to pay her respects to the Queen.

On the morning of the fifth day of the lunar month, Xunxiang went to Kunning Palace.

Queen Ye narrowed her eyes with a smile, hugged Xunxiang and joked, "Oh, the unique 'Yixiang' is here. Princess Minghe said that you and Miss Tao are the Nine Heavens Fairy and the Moon Palace Fairy..."

Princess Minghe is the title of Mrs. Qiu.

Xunxiang hugged Queen Ye's arm and acted coquettishly.

During the commotion, the young eunuch outside the door reported, "Mr. Tao and Mrs. Tao are asking for an audience."

The Queen smiled and said, "Invite them in."

This was the first time Mrs. Tao was summoned by the Queen, and she was both excited and anxious.

The two of them knelt down and kowtowed, "I have met the Queen."

Queen Ye smiled and said, "Everyone, get up."

Mrs. Tao is the county head and a distant relative of the emperor. Queen Ye treats her very politely.

After they sat down, Xunxiang went over and gave the two junior gifts.

Queen Ye said, "Xiangxiang, go and have some fun. I have something to say to the old lady."

Xunxiang looked at them and left the main hall suspiciously.

Queen Ye smiled and said, "The old lady has raised a good granddaughter, and Mrs. Tao has raised a good daughter. Miss Tao is beautiful and intelligent, and she plays well with Xiangxiang. I like her very much."

Mrs. Tao said humbly, "My little girl is stupid, thank you Queen for your love..."

Queen Ye said again, "There is a girl in the family who is asking for help from hundreds of families. The day before yesterday, Princess Minhui came to this palace to ask for her help. She fell in love with Miss Tao and proposed for her grandson Qiu Shizi. She wanted to ask this palace to grant her a marriage. Get married. Okay, I want to ask you what you mean.

"The Emperor and I have watched Prince Qiu grow up. He is smart, steady, and self-disciplined in his life. Unlike some young men who share a house of concubines. I heard from Princess Minhui that even if his wife died, she would never use it. A girl.

"It's a pity that there was such a rumor, which made the marriage not go smoothly. Now that the rumor has been broken, many girls want to marry him. Haha, if you are willing, I will grant you marriage to my two little children with the beauty of adulthood." (End of chapter)