Marriage of the Di Daughter

Ji Heng came very late.

Even so, Emperor Hong Xiao was not displeased at all, as if he was used to it. Not only that, including Cheng Wang, no one dared to speak up.

Jiang Li saw it, although many people were afraid of Su Guogong because of Su Guogong's sinister, ruthless and moody temperament. But Jiang Li thought that in the imperial court, Su Guogong dared to do whatever he wanted, so he must rely on others. There are so many people who run amok without form, but whoever provokes someone with a higher status, they can naturally teach them a lesson, and let the shapeless people suffer severely.

But it seems that the person who taught Su Guogong a lesson has not yet appeared. Even if the people of Concubine Liu's faction are arrogant and domineering, they probably have not spoken disrespectful words to Su Guogong. Even Princess Yongning didn't say much when she met Duke Su.

In the world, the low-status fears the high-status, and the high-status fears the higher-status. Even though Emperor Hong Xiao is the son of heaven, his life may not be much easier than Su Guogong.

Jiang Li thought, it would be considered satisfying to be a man of Duke Su. At least no one dares to bully, no one dares to humiliate.

Thinking of this, I felt that my thoughts were really funny, so I shook my head to dismiss these inexplicable thoughts.

After meeting with Emperor Hong Xiao, Ji Heng found a seat and sat down. As for the seat of the palace banquet, he sat very close to King Cheng, almost on an equal footing.

Jiang Li noticed that among the many young girls on the field, a large part of them turned their eyes to King Cheng or Shen Yurong, and turned to Ji Heng.

After all, in terms of appearance, all the men in the hall combined cannot compare to Ji Heng. A handsome face like Shen Yurong and Ye Shijie seems to be covered in dust compared to Ji Heng.

Such a person should be born with the stars and the moon, and compare everyone.

But now Jiangli is not even half happy with her appearance. Back then, Xue Fangfei was still the number one beauty in Yanjing, and in the end she was no match for the splendor and wealth. Visible light is not enough to be beautiful.

"Your Majesty values ​​Duke Su very much." Liu Xu whispered to Jiang Li.

"Your Majesty has no cronies," Jiang Li smiled, "I can only rely on Su Guogong." Now that Emperor Hong Xiao's throne is unstable, Cheng Wang's faction is eyeing him, and the former Cheng Wang has to restrain himself a little. With support, Chengwang's faction became more and more stable. On the other hand, Jiang Li's father, Jiang Yuanbai, was the head of civil servants, and he had great influence in the court. Perhaps the Jiang family has no intention of rebelling, but for a weak emperor, the strength of the Jiang family is a threat.

With the Yuanfu faction on one side, the Chengwang faction on the other, and Emperor Hong Xiao himself, Beiyan today is like a tripartite confrontation. Jiang Yuanbai has great influence. If Jiang Yuanbai is not around, many things in the court may not be able to operate. On the one hand, Emperor Hong Xiao must rely on Jiang Yuanbai to maintain the stability of the court. Among the three forces, Emperor Hong Xiao became the weakest faction. Jiang Li felt hard for Emperor Hong Xiao.

And most of the ministers in the court were divided into two factions, one faction supported Jiang Yuanbai, which was the old-fashioned faction, and the other faction supported Cheng Wang, which was the faction with wolfish ambitions. Emperor Hong Xiao could use very few people. Even though he has been on the throne for seven years, Emperor Hong Xiao has probably established some of his own cronies, but seven years is far from enough to grow up a courtier who can stand up to the other two factions. Under such circumstances, Duke Su Ji Heng is an excellent candidate. choose.

First, there is Ji Heng’s father, Jinwu General Ji Minghan’s old forces, and there are soldiers and horses under him, and the power is not weak. Second, Ji Heng’s grandfather, the old general, grew up on horseback since he was a child. Doubt. Emperor Hong Xiao felt relieved. Three times, Ji Heng is moody and ruthless, but such a person is more difficult to be bribed, and his whereabouts are mysterious on weekdays, he does not make friends with the Jiang family's faction, nor does he get involved with the Chengwang faction, he is clean and innocent .

In this way, it is natural for Emperor Hong Xiao to value Ji Heng and regard Ji Heng as his confidant.

However, would Ji Heng really be willing to be Emperor Hong Xiao's confidant? Jiang Li couldn't help but glanced at the young man in red. She always felt that Ji Heng was not the moody character that others said. The reason why he was difficult to figure out was not because he was nowhere to be found, but because he hid too deeply.

Jiang Li felt a little strange again, but couldn't tell what was strange. In short, Jiang Li noticed a slight difference in the relationship between Hong Xiaodi, Cheng Wang and Ji Heng, and it was not simply what he saw on the surface.

Before she could think clearly, Liu Xu had already gently tugged at the corner of Jiang Li's clothes and said, "The palace banquet is about to begin."

The palace banquet is about to begin, and everyone has to take their seats.

Jiang Li had to sit with the women of the Jiang family, so she separated from Liu Xu. When she was seated, Jiang Li sat between Jiang Youyao and Jiang Yu'e. There was malice in Jiang Youyao's smile towards her, and Jiang Li couldn't bear to look at it.

If you don't want to laugh, don't laugh. Why should you wrong yourself under the eyes of everyone?

Before Emperor Hong Xiao took his seat, the Empress stood beside him, and Concubine Li leaned back a little, after all, he was also standing beside Emperor Hong Xiao. Jiang Li's eyes flashed, Hong Xiaodi loved Concubine Li more than she imagined.

Emperor Hong Xiao said: "Gu heard that this year's official school red list has been released. The number one of the Guozijian list and the capital of the Mingyi Hall list are in this hall. Who are they? Come out and let Gu see what kind of good man and good girl they are."

Jiang Li and Ye Shijie stood up at the same time.

Jiang Youyao secretly tightened the handkerchief with her hand under the table. Jiang Yu'e watched Jiang Li stand up helplessly, almost unable to hide her jealousy.

Ye Shijie got up and walked to the hall, Jiang Li followed closely.

It was probably the first time to face the saint, Ye Shijie tried his best to keep calm, but he still couldn't help revealing a trace of nervousness, and his walking steps were a little stiff. But no one will talk about his nervousness here, the person who can win the top spot in the Imperial College Examination is worthy of admiration no matter what.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Li, with Ye Shijie as a foil, made her calm and quiet, as if she was not facing the Ninth Five-Year Lord, but an ordinary family member.

Hong Xiaodi's eyes showed some interest.

Captain Shang Qingche, Kong Liu also came today, and he sat next to Ji Heng, wearing a familiar armor, and whispered to Ji Heng: "Little girl is not timid, she is quite airy."

Ji Heng glanced at him, smiled lightly and said, "Nonsense."

Jiang Li and Ye Shijie saluted, and Emperor Hong Xiao ordered them to stand up. First, he looked at Ye Shijie and asked, "Are you Ye Shijie?"

"Returning to Your Majesty, it is the grassroots." Ye Shijie said respectfully.

"I heard that you came from a merchant, and you are so knowledgeable. It's very good that you came out on top in the Imperial College Examination." Emperor Hong Xiao said with a smile: "I value your progress very much, so I must reward you well. The Ministry of Household Affairs has recently If you are vacant, I will let you be a member of the household department Uiro, and you will take office after the palace banquet!"

When Ye Shijie heard the words, he was both surprised and happy, and hurriedly kowtowed and said: "I accept the decree, thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness!"

Jiang Li was also very surprised. He never expected that Emperor Hong Xiao would directly appoint Ye Shijie as a member of the household department. You must know that this position is inconspicuous, but many people in Yanjing City want to get in. First of all, this is a Beijing official. Many young people who come out of the Imperial College will be sent out for the first year, but Ye Shijie can stay in Yanjing City. Second, this official position is from the fifth rank. You must know that Jiang Yuanxing, the third wife of the Jiang family, has been in the official career for many years based on the reputation of the Jiang family, so he will be a school secretary from the seventh rank.

When Ye Shijie first entered the official career, he was ahead of many people!

Li Lian's hand holding the cup trembled slightly. He had long valued Ye Shijie's achievements in his career, and wanted to win him over, but everything went smoothly, but for some reason, Ye Shijie suddenly distanced himself from him. Now Ye Shijie is as expected, he has achieved such a good result since he became an official, but the relationship between himself and Ye Shijie is far from what he thought at the beginning, which is difficult.

At the men's table, Jiang Yuanxing's mouth turned bitter. A young man who has just entered an official position has a higher official position than himself. After returning to the mansion, the Yang family must have another big fight with him.

Jiang Yuanping and Jiang Yuanbai looked at each other, and they both understood the meaning in their eyes. Speaking of which, Ye Shijie is also considered a relative of the big family, and those who have reached a certain position in their officials always like to be nepotism. If Ye Shijie is a talented person, promote him more, maybe he will be rewarded in the future.

Ji Shuran frowned slightly. It was something she never expected for Ye Shijie to become a member of the household department in one fell swoop. Naturally, she couldn't make the Ye family happy. It would be best for the Ye family to remain in decline, so that Ye Zhenzhen would not be remembered that she was the only wife of the chief assistant. However, thinking about what will happen tonight, Ji Shuran's brows relaxed again, no matter what about Ye Shijie or Jiang Li, after tonight, Ye Shijie will not be lucky enough to enjoy the fat job of the household member Wailang. Two notorious people may not survive this summer, so why care about the current discomfort?

After Ye Shijie thanked him, Emperor Hong Xiao smiled and looked at Jiang Li again: "Gu has known for a long time that there is a concubine in the Taifu's family, but I have never seen her before. Are you Miss Jiang Er?"

Jiang Li raised her head and said with a smile, "My daughter has seen Your Majesty."

Compared with Ye Shijie's embarrassment, she was much more open, more calm, and calmer.

Not even the slightest excitement to meet Tian Yan.

Jiang Yuanbai, who was still a little nervous about Jiang Li's mistake, was relieved when he saw this scene.

Jiang Yuanping said: "Brother, girl Li is surprisingly stable."

Jiang Yuanbai was also a little dazed.

Emperor Hong Xiao looked at the little girl in front of him, there was no fear of the Tian family in her eyes, but she did not feel offended or disrespectful. It was very peaceful, Jiang Li's eyes were very pure and clear, more like the eyes of a child, Hong Xiaodi was not angry, he noticed the Buddhist beads on her wrist, and remembered that Jiang Li had lived in the nunnery for eight years If you don’t know anything, just ask: “Do you read Buddhist scriptures on weekdays? Which ones do you read?”

"For avoidance, when I have nothing to do, I like to copy Buddhist scriptures, and read "Prajna Sutra", "Hua Yan", "Golden Light", "Miao Dharma Lotus" on weekdays." She said eloquently.

Emperor Hong Xiao said with a smile: "No wonder I see that you have a calm temperament. With your temperament, you are destined to fall in love with the Empress Dowager."

Today's Empress Dowager loves worshiping Buddha very much. Emperor Hong Xiao's words are very flattering to Jiang Li.

Jiang Li smiled and looked at Emperor Hong Xiao. Emperor Hong Xiao is only in his twenties now, but he looks older than his peers, and looks extraordinarily stable. Probably because as an emperor, there are many things to worry about. Moreover, Beiyan is not as peaceful as it seems on the surface. In a peaceful and prosperous age, Jiang Li can understand some of Hong Xiaodi.

Emperor Hong Xiao was also very surprised. He had heard many rumors about Jiang Li early on, including killing his mother and brother, but it was probably because Jiang Li lost his mother when he was young. Emperor Xiao didn't have much dislike. Now that Jiang Li has become the top of the list in the Mingyi Hall school examination, and what I have seen with my own eyes, Jiang Li is gentle and pure, not like the rumored evildoers, so I have a bit of appreciation for Jiang Li.

Emperor Hong Xiao said: "Jiang Aiqing, you have raised a good daughter. She is worthy of being the jewel in the palm of her hand. She is the top of the Mingyi Hall, and she is also rewarded alone." He waved his hand casually, and a man with the appearance of an eunuch came forward, holding a cloth, and read out A long list of names.

It was nothing more than jewels and treasures. Jiang Li felt a headache when she heard it. After all, Emperor Hong Xiao couldn't give her an official position. If she was given a county head or something, it would be a bit abrupt now. Jiang Li didn't have any love for jewellery, and she listened calmly, but Jiang Yu'e at the banquet was even more jealous after listening to it.

Kong Liudao: "Did you see that Second Miss Jiang is not moved at all, she is definitely a good girl who does not eat the fireworks of the world, and is not moved by the glory and wealth."

The corners of Ji Heng's lips twitched, and his smile was slightly mocking: "She has more plans in her heart, so of course she is unmoved." She glanced at Kong Liu again, "Not everyone is as short-sighted as you."

"I'm short-sighted?" Kong Liudao: "I can go through Yang with a hundred steps!"

Ji Heng didn't bother to talk to him.

After Jiang Li thanked her, she returned to her seat with the envy of everyone on the field. Ji Shuran smiled and praised her: "Li'er really gave our family a face."

"Second sister is much better than me." Jiang Youyao also complimented.

That's all for Ji Shuran, Jiang Li knows that Ji Shuran is used to doing this kind of behavior. It's just that even Jiang Youyao had to hold back her displeasure to save face, which made Jiang Li a little surprised.

Jiang Youyao should be like Jiang Yu'e, keeping silent and hating herself.

She looked at Jiang Youyao carefully again, and found that there was still some anticipation and excitement hidden in Jiang Youyao's eyes, so she couldn't help but wake up.

No matter what, the palace banquet still has to start.

The dishes are rich, but the ginger and pears are not in the mood to taste them. Jiang Yu'e explained all kinds of dishes to Jiang Li in a somewhat ostentatious manner, as if to prove that she had seen much more of the world than Jiang Li. Or deliberately not reminding how to eat some dishes, waiting to see Jiangli make a fool of himself. Unexpectedly, Jiang Li either survived unharmed, or didn't add that dish at all, which made Jiang Yu'e's plan come to nothing.

At the back, Jiang Yu'e didn't care much about Jiang Li anymore. Just show your best side, intentionally or unintentionally, leaning sideways towards the men's seat, probably "attracting attention".

Jiang Li only thought Jiang Yu'e's behavior was ridiculous, and didn't know what Yang thought, but if everyone in the third room had Jiang Yu'e's virtue, Jiang Li could understand why Jiang Yuanxing was only a school secretary for so many years.

It's stupid to be a joke without knowing it.

At the men's table, Zhou Yanbang looked in Jiang Li's direction from time to time.

Because Jiang Li and Jiang Youyao were sitting together, other people would think that Zhou Yanbang was looking at his fiancée Jiang Youyao when they saw him, and the people around him were still teasing him, but Zhou Yanbang responded with a smile, but his mind was not on this at all.

Breaking off the engagement with Jiang Youyao and making Jiang Li his wife again has become Zhou Yanbang's obsession. It's a pity that Mrs. Ning Yuanhou disagreed with this matter, and Ning Yuanhou was even more furious when he heard this. Zhou Yanbang also knew that his idea was absurd. After all, the Jiang family was not a small family, so how could they destroy their relatives again and again?

But ginger pear is indeed different.

Every time Zhou Yanbang saw Jiang Li, he could appreciate the beauty of Jiang Li even more. She looked different from the noble ladies in Yanjing City, the more alienated she was from him, the more unwilling Zhou Yanbang was. Zhou Yanbang knew that after the examination, Miss Jiang's reputation improved, and many noble children's families would start to turn their attention to Jiang Li. And when Emperor Hong Xiao gave the ceremony recently, Zhou Yanbang could also clearly feel that many of the young princes around him were also staring at Jiang Li intently.

Talented, gentle temperament, pure and beautiful, the daughter of the first assistant who has a good family background, and is favored by His Majesty today, she is also one of the best girls in the circle of noble girls in Yanjing City.

Zhou Yanbang felt uneasy in his heart, he was afraid that he would drive Jiang Li by mistake just like this. But his own marriage with Jiang Youyao has already been set at the end of next winter, if there is no accident, he can only pass by Jiang Li.

Zhou Yanbang was very unwilling.

When he looked at Jiang Li frequently, he naturally didn't realize that his actions had fallen into the eyes of another person, but this person was Shen Ruyun.

Seeing that her sweetheart could finally meet her, Shen Ruyun was naturally happy in her heart. It's just that the joy was quickly dissipated. Although Zhou Yanbang was in the same place, Zhou Yanbang's gaze never looked at her, but in Jiang Youyao's direction.

Shen Ruyun was very sad. She admired Zhou Yanbang in her heart, but in the past, she was not worthy of her status. Now she is the younger sister of Zhuangyuan Lang, and her elder brother is also a court official. She can stand with Zhou Yanbang, but Zhou Yanbang has another marriage contract .

If it was just a marriage contract, it would be fine, but Shen Ruyun could clearly see that Zhou Yanbang looked at Jiang Youyao with eyes full of love, which meant that Zhou Yanbang also had Jiang Youyao in his heart.

Shen Ruyun's heart fell to the bottom in an instant, and apart from being sad, there was also a sense of unwillingness and jealousy. She only wished that Jiang Youyao and Zhou Yanbang's marriage would have twists and turns, so that this marriage could not come true.

Jiang Li felt the taste of the dishes while enjoying the dishes, but just because she saw Shen Yurong and Princess Yongning, she was so disgusted that she couldn't eat, but the palace banquet still had to continue, so she had to suppress her discomfort and reluctantly continued.

This palace banquet actually lasted for a long time. The bureaucrats exchanged cups and cups, exchanged cups and talked about officialdom, while the wives gossiped, exchanging irrelevant and interesting things about each other's houses. Ladies and gentlemen, through the long curtain of male and female relatives, secretly look at each other from time to time, and if they accidentally meet their eyes, they quickly look away again, as if nothing happened, but secretly remember The other party's appearance and movements, I plan to inquire about it after returning home.

On the contrary, each has its own shape and a unique appearance of sentient beings.

Between King Cheng and Emperor Hong Xiao, they are brothers and sisters, but there is a turbulent undercurrent hidden in it, but no one knows it. The Empress Dowager was as quiet as ever, Concubine Liu was talking to the Empress, and Concubine Li was sitting on the side tenderly, pouring wine for the emperor from time to time—this kind of thing that she shouldn't do, she also did very naturally and cordially.

In the fine jade white porcelain bottle on the table is apricot blossom wine. Because the female relatives are too strong to drink, the wine prepared in the palace banquet is also sweet fruit wine, not intoxicating. There was only a cup of tea in front of Jiang Li, but the wine glass was not touched at all. Ever since the incident of Shen's mother's birthday, every time Jiang Li thinks about it, she feels that if she hadn't drank the glass of wine in front of her, it would be a different scene now.

Drinking was a mistake, and she never drank alcohol. The bigger the occasion like the palace banquet, the less she would make a single mistake.

Jiang Yu'e didn't know this, she seemed to like the sweet taste of fruit stuffed too much, her brows and eyes were slightly drunk, her face was bright red, showing a bit of coquettishness that she didn't usually have.

At this moment, Ji Shuran asked with a smile: "Why doesn't Li'er try this apricot blossom wine?"

Jiang Li looked up, and saw that Ji Shuran naturally picked up the wine cup in front of Jiang Li, filled it up for her, put it in front of Jiang Li with a smile, and said: "The apricot blossom wine in the palace is different from the one brewed in our house. The taste is sweeter and less intoxicating. It is good for your daughter to drink more."

Jiang Li glanced at Ji Shuran, Ji Shuran smiled gently, but for some reason, Jiang Li suddenly felt a sense of discomfort, as if a voice in her heart was reminding her not to drink this glass of wine.

Jiang Li trusted her intuition, and said, "Thank you, mother, but I'm too weak to drink."

"It's not wine, it's just sweet syrup." Ji Shuran smiled and said, "I see that you don't eat much tonight, Li'er, and you tend to get tired and lazy in summer. Drink some apricot blossom wine to relieve the heat."

Jiang Li's heart skipped a beat, and she happened to catch a glimpse of Shen Ruyun and Shen's mother talking not far away from her. She was startled, and in an instant, some pictures flashed through her mind, and Jiang Li immediately knew where she had seen Ji Shuran's eyes, and why Ji Shuran's eyes made her feel so familiar.

Ji Shuran's expression, the kind of eyes that suppressed expectations and pretended to be nonchalant, like a dormant poisonous snake, wasn't it the same as Shen's mother's eyes at Shen's mother's birthday banquet, and Xiao Deyin's smile when she persuaded her to drink!

In an instant, Jiang Li almost changed his face.

Although the suspicion was inexplicable, Jiang Li could almost conclude that the idea of ​​Ji Shuran's mother and daughter was just like the idea of ​​those people at Shen's mother's birthday banquet back then, to ruin her reputation!

From the daughter of an official to the daughter of the first assistant, she was reborn as a human being, and she encountered the same scene again.

Jiang Li couldn't tell whether she was more angry or absurd, but in the end, she just wanted to sneer.

She suffered a miserable life because of this incident in her previous life, but now a different group of people want to do the same thing again, since this is the case, she is not as good as these people wish!

Jiang Li looked at Jiang Youyao and said with a smile: "Third sister didn't drink this wine either."

"Youyao can't be contaminated with things made by Xinghua," Ji Shuran said: "If you touch it, you will have red rashes all over your body. Don't think she doesn't touch it at all, I'm afraid she is very greedy."

Jiang Youyao pouted, but said nothing.

However, Jiang Li knew very well that Ji Shuran was foolproof, and she was afraid that something would happen midway, causing Jiang Youyao to drink alcohol by mistake and cause trouble, even such a reason could be made up.

But, does Ji Shuran think that as long as Jiang Youyao doesn't drink, everything will be fine and everything will go according to her wishes?

Then she was dead wrong.

Jiang Li smiled slightly, and said lightly: "Really? It's the first time I heard that the third sister can't stick apricot blossoms. So, thank you mother." She took the wine glass over, covered her face with her sleeve, and then let it go down.

Most of the cup is left.

Seeing it, Ji Shuran didn't persuade Jiang Li to drink the remaining half of the cup, and served Jiang Li with vegetables, serving a gentle and loving mother, who couldn't fault her at all.

Jiang Li felt cold, looked up at the men's banquet, and saw Ye Shijie being persuaded to drink. After all, Ye Shijie was appointed as a Beijing official today, and there were many people who came to toast him, so Ye Shijie had to drink some. There was nothing wrong with this, but Jiang Li saw that the eunuch serving the wine was a little too attentive.

There are so many young princes and brothers, and the eunuch is guarding Ye Shijie alone. It is clear that Li Lian, Li Jing, Zhou Yanbang, and Shen Yurong are also beside him. He just stared at Ye Shijie.

In fact, the palace banquets have been held for so many years, and the banquets have been full of wine and wine. No one went back to pay attention to the behavior of a young eunuch. But Jiang Li just noticed that she followed Xue Huaiyuan when she was young, and when Xue Huaiyuan was handling official business, he would occasionally teach her some things, the more complicated the situation, the more attention to detail he had to pay attention to.

This insignificant detail was noticed by Jiang Li at this time, and it finally made her suddenly enlightened.

So it turned out that the "adulter" arranged by Ji Shuran's mother and daughter for herself was Ye Shijie.

Emotionally and rationally, it seems to be very suitable. Ye Shijie and himself are cousins, so there is a relationship. When she rescued Ye Shijie in the street, it could also become a symbol of an affair. Of course, young men and women favoring each other is not a big deal. But at the palace banquet, it is a big mistake to make a scandal and be broken by others.

As a woman, her reputation must be ruined, and all the efforts made by Mingyi Hall's school will be in vain. But Ye Shijie had just been appointed as a Beijing official and behaved like this. The furious Emperor Hong Xiao might not know how to punish him, at least Ye Shijie's official career stopped here.

The Ye family and her had a deeper grudge. Being married is also a resentment, and not being married is also a resentment. In short, her and Ye Shijie's lives are ruined.

What a well-thought-out plan!

Jiang Li's eyes turned sharp, but she immediately lowered her head, and when she raised her head again, her smile was still as pure and undisputed as before.

Jiang Youyao was turning her head, when she suddenly saw the wine cup in front of Jiang Li, it was empty at some point, she was taken aback for a moment, and subconsciously said: "When did you finish drinking?"

"Well," Jiang Li replied, "It's sweet and delicious, so I drank it all up. But don't be greedy, one cup is enough." She smiled.

Ji Shuran's heart was relieved.

Jiang Yu'e at the other end will put down the wine cup in front of her.

Jiang Yu'e: Are you surprised? Surprised or not?