Chapter 68: Chinese New Year

"As far as I know, the second sister and the third prince should have never met." Ran Ning really couldn't figure out how the third prince fell in love with Ran Ji. Let's not talk about whether this family is good or not, and don't talk about the bad things between her and Ran Ji, just in terms of family affairs, there is no understanding between Ran Ji and the third prince at all, is it really wise to get married?

"In fact, it has been very strange since the third prince pleaded with the emperor for the matter of Ran Mi Land." Zhong Su was also puzzled before, but he didn't expect the third prince to have such a plan.

"The request of the third prince is probably going to be known to everyone in the capital soon. But will the emperor agree? Ran Ning asked, in the end, the emperor has to make the decision.

"There is a great possibility of agreeing, Wan Pingbo just has an empty position now, if the third prince marries Ran Ji, it will be equivalent to changing direction and weakening the power of the third prince." Now all the princes who have the ability to inherit the throne are quietly cultivating their own forces, and the emperor is not unaware, but they are still under the control of the emperor, so the emperor will not say anything.

"What do you say is the benefit of the third prince marrying the second sister?" It is impossible for a royal person to marry for no reason, and Ran Ning believes that there must be a plan in the middle.

Zhong Su combed Ran Ning's hair and said: "Wan Pingbo is indeed neutral and has no real power, but when Old Wan Pingbo was there, he also had a large number of followers. Although these people may not have a high status, their words are very weighty. You marry me, I am the sixth son of the emperor, so according to the usual idea, if you start the throne, Wan Pingbo is likely to be inclined to the six princes because of you, and if the six princes become the new emperor, it is also the least threatening for Wan Pingbo. The third prince is afraid that he has taken a fancy to this, so he wants to marry Ran Ji. After all, compared with concubines, concubines have more weight. At that time, if Wan Pingbo faces the three princes and then uses the power of the old Wan Pingbo, it is estimated that there is no need to move troops at all, and the emperor will consider making the third prince the crown prince. ”

Ran Ning frowned, she didn't know much about the affairs of the court, and when she heard Zhong Su say this, she also felt that she understood the third prince's approach. These princes have more eyes than one another, and they can't judge which move they will take.

"So what now?" Although Ran Ning didn't know much about the Six Princes, she also knew that Zhong Su would only be safe if the Six Princes became emperors, so no matter what, she would support the Six Princes.

"Now we can only take one step at a time. The idea of the third prince is good, but the premise is that Wan Pingbo is really willing to help him. Zhong Su felt that it was not easy to move Wan Pingbo at all, and it was better to think of other ways if he had the time.

"Yes. Having said that, the third prince only saw the immediate benefits, but he didn't think carefully about whether this Yue family would cause him trouble, and when the time came, it might be a chicken and an egg. She didn't dare to say anything else, just looking for the temperament that could cause trouble, and I am afraid that the days of the three princes would not be able to stop in the future.

"The three princes have a good abacus, but I'm afraid the queen may not be satisfied. I heard that the queen has always been a cousin and niece of her mother's family. "Sitting in the position of the queen, you have to consider more of your own family, not just a throne.

"Anyway, my mother will be very happy to know it, and I'm afraid this year will be even more lively." Ran Ning knows the Yu family, even if the emperor has not yet given marriage, the Yu family will definitely talk about the matter in person.

"Let's see, the palace is about to be sealed, and this matter will definitely not be settled in the middle of the year." Every year from the twenty-third day of the lunar month, the palace will be sealed, until the fifteenth day and then go back to the court. During this period, the emperor does not have to be busy with state affairs, unless it is an urgent war, which is also counted as giving the emperor a period of rest.

"Hmm. Do you have any arrangements for the Chinese New Year? Ran Ning asked, and she didn't care about Ran Ning anymore.

"Not for the time being, it should be the same as in previous years, most of them stay in the house, the Yuan Mansion and the Capital Mansion will go once, and there is a banquet in the palace, and they will also go. Then I will accompany you back to Wanpingbo Mansion. This year, there is no need to go to Tan Mansion, and I can have one more day of leisure. "The Tan Mansion is gone, although there are still some distant elders in Beijing, but most of them are given New Year's gifts, and there is no need to come to the door in person.

"yes, got it." Ran Ning doesn't need to be with Zhong Su all the time, but she is still very happy to have more time with each other once in a while.

On the twenty-third day of the lunar month, the palace was officially sealed, and Chu Yan also followed Zunchen to the Zhenbei Hou Mansion. Compared with before, Chu Yan's face is indeed a lot better, but he is still very thin, which will probably not be made up until his body is fully healed.

Seeing Ran Ning, Chu Yan was very happy, and said a little shyly: "Sister, I don't know what gift to give for the New Year, so I prepared one according to my own thoughts, I hope my sister will not dislike it." ”

Ran Ning smiled and pulled him to sit down beside him, and said, "It's good that you are here, what other gifts do you prepare?" Your sister understands that you should also pay attention to your own body, don't worry about these things. ”

"In the first year of the Chinese New Year, the number of etiquette can't be wrong." Chu Yan is not in good health, but the matter of reading has not been left behind, and he also understands these etiquette things.

"Well, don't be so polite in the future." Ran Ning said.

"Hmm." Chu Yan smiled and nodded.

"Have you seen your mother?" Ran Ning took off the lid of the teacup with one hand, and drank the teacup with one hand.

"Well, Madame is very warm to me." After saying this, Chu Yan noticed that Ran Ning's movements seemed to be a little awkward, and when he looked at her left hand again, he immediately exclaimed, "Sister, what's wrong with your hand?" Hurt? ”

"It's just a twist, don't worry." Ran Ning naturally wouldn't talk about this kind of thing to Chu Yan in detail, not because he felt that he was ignorant, but because it was too troublesome to say, there was no need to mention these things during the New Year.

Seeing that Ran Ning's expression was normal, Chu Yan also put his mind at ease, "That's good, sister should be careful in the future, don't get hurt again." ”

"Got it." Being educated by a child, Ran Ning thought it was quite interesting.

On Chinese New Year's Eve, the Chinese New Year's Eve dinner was eaten together, of course, except for the Li family, no one mentioned the Li family half a word during the banquet. After dinner, everyone watched the New Year together, Chu Yan couldn't stay up late, and when the time came, he was driven to sleep by Zunchen.

Zhong Su found that Master was in a very good mood during this time, so he took advantage of the time to clean up the chessboard and asked, "What makes Master so happy?" ”

Zunchen didn't hide it, and said: "Your uncle is coming over in the next year, and I haven't seen him for a while, so I'm naturally happy." ”

"I see, if the master is not in a hurry to go back, he can let the master come to the mansion to stay for a few days." Zhong Su said.

Zunchen smiled and shook his head, "He probably won't like to be lively, it's just right to go to my place." ”

Zhong Su was not reluctant, anyway, he would just go to see him when the time came.

On the third day of the new year, Ran Ning returned to her parents' house according to custom. The festival was already prepared, and after breakfast, Zhong Su and Ran Ning went to Tan's place to say a word, and then took the carriage to Wanpingbo's mansion.

When Ran Ning and Zhong Su arrived, Ran Xiao and Shen Lian hadn't come yet, the two of them paid New Year's greetings to Wan Pingbo and Yu, said hello, and sat on the chair and waited for Ran Xiao and them to come over.

Wan Pingbo also found that Ran Ning had a white cloth towel wrapped around his hand, and asked, "What's the matter with your hand?" ”

Ran Ning smiled and said, "On the day of the first snow, the snow road was slippery, and I accidentally fell, so it's no big deal." Ran Ning knew that no matter what she said was true or not, Yu and Ran Ji would not believe it, who let her marry Zhong Su? But if there is a little injury, I am afraid that they will have to be associated with Zhong Su.

"Why are you still going out on a snowy day?" Yu was obviously unconvinced.

"There are also busy things in the house." Ran Ning felt that it was useless to explain more.

Ran Ji raised her eyebrows and smiled, and said, "Sister should be careful in the future, my sister plays the piano well, if she breaks her hand, won't it be in vain?" ”

"Well, that's what my sister said." Ran Ning dealt with it casually.

Yu took a sip of tea and continued: "What Ji'er said is right, it is estimated that Ji'er will get married next year, you are Ji'er's sister, you will definitely come to participate, don't be hurt and delayed." ”

Wan Pingbo frowned and coughed vigorously, obviously not wanting to mention this stubble.

Ran Ning knew that she couldn't pretend to be stupid about this, and now everyone who had some status in Beijing knew about the third prince's request to marry Ran Ji. Although the emperor has not yet agreed, it has spread so widely, if it doesn't work out, I'm afraid it will be difficult for Ran Ji to marry again in the future.

"I heard that the third prince is going to marry his sister as a concubine." Ran Ning smiled.

Ran Ji sat up straight with some pride, and said modestly: "I haven't skimmed the eight characters yet." ”

"The three princes are willing to ask, and it is also a matter of eight to nine and ten. Congratulations to the second sister first. Ran Ning said with a smile.

Ran Ji covered her mouth and chuckled, but she didn't say anything.

Yu was in a particularly good mood and said: "Speaking of which, it is still a good fortune, and somehow it fell into the eyes of the third prince." The family rule that Wanping Bofu does not allow women to enter the palace as concubines has always made the Yu family haunted, and in her opinion, her daughter should enter the palace to enjoy the glory and wealth. Now the third prince wants to marry Ran Ji, and Ran Ji is just a princess, not considered to be in the palace, so Wan Pingbo can't use family rules to pressure her. In the future, if the third prince is the emperor, then Ran Ji is the queen, and she is the queen's mother, will she not be allowed to walk sideways in this capital at that time?

"Yes." Is it a good fortune Ran Ning doesn't make much evaluation, it's too difficult to say what will happen in the future, if she really fights for the throne, she and Ran Ji will inevitably be opposed.

As he was talking, Ran Xiao and Shen Lian arrived.

After the two paid their respects to Wan Pingbo and Yu, Ran Xiao asked, "What were my mother and sisters talking about just now so happy?" ”

"What else can you say, you're talking about the second girl marrying the third prince." Zhao, who sat on the side and didn't speak, said. She saw that Ran Xiao's complexion was good, and she was relieved.

Ran Xiao's smile stiffened for a moment before asking, "Is this matter settled?" ”

"No, I don't. The three girls mentioned it and started talking. Zhao said. In fact, she didn't have the right to intervene in the first place, but when Ran Xiao came, she also wanted to talk to her daughter.

Because it was a good thing, Yu didn't blame Zhao for interjecting.

Ran Xiao smiled and said, "Isn't it too early to talk about things that haven't been decided yet?" ”

"Who's to say it isn't?" Zhao also smiled.

Yu and Ran Ji's faces immediately became ugly, but they couldn't get angry during the Chinese New Year, so they had to suppress the anger in their stomachs and slander Ran Xiao and Zhao in their hearts.

Ran Ning didn't want to participate, so she ate plum blossom cake next to Zhong Su.

The marriage between Ran Ji and the third prince was not mentioned again because of Ran Xiao's lack of face. However, the Zhao family kept caring about Ran Xiao's pregnancy, and Wan Pingbo also cared a few words. Ran Xiao's month is not yet a month, and she has not shown her pregnancy, but judging from her posture of having to stand up her stomach hard, it seems that she is afraid that others will not know that she has a child.

During this period, Shen Lian and Zhong Su didn't say a word, Zhong Su didn't like to talk in the first place, and Shen Lian was completely indifferent to Ran Xiao's affairs, but glanced at Ran Ning from time to time. Ran Ning didn't notice Shen Lian, but just whispered to Zhong Su from time to time about some trivial things that didn't need to be paid much attention to. But Shen Lian's actions were all in Ran Xiao's eyes, and Ran Xiao's smile became more and more superficial, and sometimes he was even absent-minded at all.

Although it was the New Year's Day, this kind of non-embarrassing atmosphere still made people feel very uncomfortable, so they went home after lunch. Ran Ning was naturally happy in her heart, there was no one she wanted to see in the entire Wanping Bo Mansion, and it would be good to go back to accompany Chu Yan to read a book for a while.

On the way back, Zhong Su said to Ran Ning: "Tomorrow there will be a banquet in the palace, will you go with me?" ”

During the Chinese New Year every year, the emperor will invite some ministers of the humerus to the palace for a banquet, and the people of the Zhenbei Hou Mansion are in the ranks of entering the palace every year.

"I'm not going." Ran Ning raised her hand and said, "It's not convenient for me to have my hands, I have to take care of you when I go, and I have to abide by a lot of rules." I'll wait for you at home. "This kind of banquet can be brought with family members, basically every minister who enters the palace to drink and feast will bring the main room or children, which is also a correspondence between ministers. Of course, it's okay not to bring it.

Zhong Su thought about it and felt that it was right, Ran Ningqin's skills were well known to everyone, and if the emperor asked Ran Ning to play a song at that time, it would be a trouble. It's better to stay in the house and feel comfortable.

"It's fine. I'll talk to you on my aunt's side. "When they entered the palace, they must have asked why Ran Ning didn't come.

"Well, I'll let Bizhu cook the decanting soup and wait for you to come back and drink it." Ran Ning said with a smile, drinking at the palace banquet is also inevitable.

"Okay." Zhong Su hugged Ran Ning lightly, in fact, if Ran Ning didn't go, he didn't want to go. But there is no way, he must attend at this time, which is not only the king's order, but also the courtiers' respect for the emperor.