The palace maid brought a plate of crystal clear cherries. This cherry is served in a white jade bowl, red and white, hooking people to eat a lot.

Yueyao listened to Mingzhu talk about her time in the palace while eating cherries. Although Mingzhu is protected by the Queen Mother in the palace, she doesn't like the palace, there are too many rules, too many constraints, and there is no one to talk to and chat with. It's just that the Queen Mother loves her so much, and Mingzhu is not easy to say about the palace, this time it is rare to meet Yueyao entering the palace, so naturally she has to say enough.

Yueyao waited for Mingzhu to finish speaking and asked, "Don't talk about me, how is your marriage?" Is it settled? You're two years older than me, and you're the one who should be in a hurry. ”

Mingzhu was a little discouraged, and immediately faced Bai Yi Nunu's mouth.

Bai Yi immediately waved away the people in the palace, and asked Zhiqin to guard outside. Mingzhu waited for only himself to be left in the room and said, "You don't know, my aunt has taken a fancy to the prince of Yongding. I heard that the prince of Yongding looks like a fairy, so I don't want to marry a man who is more beautiful than me! Fortunately, my brother was also on my side and did not agree to this marriage, so my aunt dispelled this idea. The fundamental reason for Mingzhu's reluctance is not that Yongding Hou Shizi is too beautiful, but that Yongding Hou Shizi was also present when she was in the restaurant, and her embarrassment at that time was clear to Yongding Hou Shizi, so she didn't want to find such a husband. If she had chosen the Hou Shizi of Yongding, she would not have been able to raise her head for the rest of her life.

Mingzhu's marriage made it difficult for the Queen Mother and Luo Shao. The prince was the first to be excluded, and neither the Queen Mother nor Luo Shao was willing to get involved in the royal battle. And in addition to the prince, the prince and grandson Gongqing who match Mingzhu have no suitable peers, of course, even if there is a matching age Queen Mother and Luo Shao, they can't look down on it, so Mingzhu's marriage has not been decided for a year.

Yue Yao shook her head and said, "Even if there is no restaurant, it will not be possible for the prince of Yongding." Mrs. Yongding Hou is scheming and ruthless, if you choose the prince of Yongding Hou, you will definitely suffer a big loss. ”

Mingzhu was dissatisfied: "Always underestimate me, am I so useless?" ”

Yue Yao said with a smile: "It's not that you are useless, but that this kind of day is bad." Fighting all day long, are you tired? It's better to find a simple family, nothing bad, simple, and a comfortable life. ”

Mingzhu muttered, "Where is there such a good family." It's better not to get married, it's best to be an aunt and grandmother at home. "Mingzhu just complained, she has been worried about marriage recently, she is seventeen years old, and she really can't find a good one in the future."

Yue Yao laughed, "Are you really ready to be an old girl at home?" ”

Mingzhu was happy, "Cut, I don't want to be an old girl!" In fact, my brother already has a candidate, and my brother said that he would wait until that person has a martial arts promotion. If you have fame and then get married, and then get married at the end of the year, it will look better. ”

In the previous dynasties, the liberal arts and sciences were more important than the martial arts, and the status of the martial arts was lower than that of the Jinshi from the liberal arts, but this situation was changed in the Yingzong era, and the Yingzong Emperor was heavy on the martial arts, and the martial arts examination was also held every three years when the Emperor Yingzong was in power, so the martial arts examination was also valued.

Yue Yao hesitated: "Will the Queen Mother agree?" "It is definitely impossible for a person born in Wuke to stay in the capital for the rest of his life, and if he wants to make achievements in his career, he must be appointed outside. With the Queen Mother's love for Mingzhu, she will definitely not agree.

Mingzhu muttered: "I can't hide anything from you, my aunt won't agree." "The Queen Mother really disagreed, not to mention that Beijing can't see the pearl outside, just the military generals are transferred once every few years, and there is no fixed residence, how can the Queen Mother be willing to let the pearl suffer like this.

Of course, Luo Shao didn't have to marry Mingzhu to a military general, but the Queen Mother picked a few candidates, and Luo Shao vetoed them after checking them.

Yue Yao said with a smile: "Actually, I don't think it's necessarily from the family. As long as people work hard and have a good character, there are not too many troubles at home, even if the family background is average. Your family doesn't need you to marry. "The century-old heritage of Jingning Hou, coupled with Luo Shao's outstanding ability and love for Mingzhu, should be reluctant to let Mingzhu marry.

Xiang Wei listened to this, swallowed a cherry and said: "Actually, you don't have to choose candidates in the martial arts examination, you can also choose in the literary examination." ”

Yue Yao raised her eyebrows, she couldn't be clearer about Xiang Wei, if it wasn't for a reason, she would never speak casually. Yueyao said; "If you have something to say, just say it, you don't have to play us dumb riddles."

Xiang Wei said with a smile: "I have a candidate, good looks, good character, good learning, and a good family background, so I should be able to pass the level between the Queen Mother and the Hou Ye." ”

Mingzhu glanced at Xiang Wei and sneered, "Cut, such a good candidate has already been married, and he can still be left behind." "If there was such a good candidate, my aunt would have chosen it a long time ago, and I would have to wait for now.

Bai Yi asked on the side, "Who are you talking about?" Bai Yi knew that Xiang Wei would never talk in vain, and she must have known it in her heart when she said this.

Xiang Wei said with a smile: "Niu Yanghui, the eldest son of Lord Zuo Chengniu in Zhongshu Province, is the boy I met in the other courtyard that year, I think that young man is very good." "If an ordinary teenager had met the scene at that time, even if he had not come forward to condemn them, he would have despised them. But Niu Yanghui's behavior at that time was very intriguing, not only did he not despise them. Xiang Wei even felt that this person seemed to appreciate Mingzhu's behavior, and because of Niu Yanghui's strange behavior, Xiang Wei remembered it deeply. Xiang Wei returned to the capital to find out the details of Niu Yanghui.

Yue Yao was deeply impressed by Niu Yanghui, but it was not the incident of beating Ning Lixuan that time, but the fact that Niu Yanghui was admitted to the top in his last life, "The Niu Yanghui you said is good even if he is a good person, but I seem to have heard that the Niu family is a little messy." If I remember correctly, there is a noble concubine in the Niu family who is deeply loved by Lord Niu, and this noble concubine also forced Mrs. Niu to enter the Buddhist hall. ”

Bai Yi frowned. Mingzhu said dissatisfiedly: "This Mrs. Niu is too useless, she will be forced to such a point by a concubine." ”

Xiang Wei ate another cherry, and then said slowly: "The girl doesn't know, the main reason why Mrs. Niu was forced into the Buddha Hall is not in this concubine, but in herself." ”

Bai Yi said dissatisfiedly: "Can you finish what you have to say?" "No wonder Bai Yi is anxious, not only is the Queen Mother and Luo Shao anxious about Mingzhu's marriage, but Bai Yi is also anxious. The older the girl, the more difficult it is to find a suitable person, and now that Xiang Wei is provided with a good candidate, she naturally wants to know the details.

Yue Shao also scolded beside her: "Don't rush her, if you love to say it or not, don't say it, you can check it yourself." "Xiang Wei's bad taste is the most annoying.

Xiang Weile said hehehe: "Mrs. Niu is not from a high background, she is the daughter of a squire, and she married Lord Niu because of fate, so she lacks confidence. And this noble concubine was born in a family of eunuchs, but her family was in the middle of the road, and the Liu family, whether it was her appearance or talent, was not comparable to Mrs. Niu, and it was not uncommon for her to be forced to the Buddha Hall. ”

Bai Yi glared at Xiang Wei and said, "Then you still tell me about this Niu Yanghui." What do such unruly people have to say. "If there is a father, there must be a son, and such a family will definitely not succeed.

Xiang Wei shook her head and said, "Why don't you look at it from the other side!" Niu Yanghui is deeply poisoned by this concubine, and he must be disgusted with the first-class concubine, so he will naturally be very good to his wife. I heard that Niu Yanghui has confiscated the connecting room and Yahuan until now. ”

Bai Yi scolded: "You really have no taboos, say this in front of the girl." ”

Xiang Wei spread out his palms with an innocent expression.

Yue Yao said suspiciously: "Why are you so familiar with this Niu Yanghui? "Even people know that they have confiscated the house. Xiang Wei paid attention to this person.

Xiang Wei smiled: "I just thought this person was interesting at that time, so I couldn't help but pay more attention to it." "This Niu Yanghui was actually prepared by Xiang Wei for Yueyao. It's just that some time ago, Yue Yao said that ordinary men would definitely not be able to stand a famous person like her. Xiang Wei thought about it seriously and felt that Niu Yanghui's temperament would definitely not be able to accept a daughter-in-law who was stronger than him, so Xiang Wei deleted Niu Yanghui from the candidate list.

Mingzhu listened to Xiang Wei's words, and her face was a little strange.

Seeing this, Yue Yao smiled and said: "Mingzhu, this marriage event has always been the order of the parents, the words of the matchmaker, where can I listen to his nonsense." ”

Xiang Wei said unhappily: "What do you mean by me talking nonsense? Mrs. Niu has gotten to where she is today, and it all comes down to her own weak temperament. A concubine is a concubine, and she is still a concubine when she goes to heaven. Even if Lord Niu spoils this Liu family again, he will not dare to spoil his concubine and kill his wife, otherwise he will not have to be an official. As long as Niu Yanghui's future wife is not a bun, this concubine is not to be afraid at all. "The lady of the main room who was taken care of by a concubine can only prove that this lady is incompetent.

Yue Yao smiled: "You are all crooked. ”

Xiang Wei didn't compromise, "What do you mean by crooked reasoning, it's obviously very reasonable." The rest of the words were inconvenient for Xiang Wei to say. If Mingzhu is really married to Niu Yanghui, and he is still afraid of a concubine as Mingzhu, it is really a joke. In fact, Xiang Wei feels that family background is really not the most important thing, the key is to look at people, Xiang Wei feels that Niu Yanghui is really a good candidate for a husband.

Mingzhu still didn't express an opinion.

Seeing this, Yue Yao became suspicious, "Is there something you haven't told me?" "If there was no reason, I am afraid that Mingzhu would have expressed his opinion a long time ago, instead of being silent like now.

Mingzhu thought for a while and said: "Because he appeared very suddenly that day, I also have a little impression of this person, and I don't know if it's a coincidence, but I saw it a few times later." ”

The moon shook and snorted, this is too much of a coincidence, are there so many coincidences?

Xiang Wei asked, "Mingzhu, what do you think of Niu Yanghui?" ”

Mingzhu shook her head and said, "I don't know anything about this person. "She's only seen it a few times, and she's been in a hurry every time, so it's hard to express her opinion.

Xiang Wei said very seriously: "Mingzhu, I really didn't say anything just now. The population of the Niu family is simple, and Lord Niu has only one heir in this generation, and Lord Niu only has two sons, except for Niu Yanghui, the other one is born to a concubine. Mrs. Niu is a little weak-hearted, but she is very generous to people and is an excellent person. Mingzhu, girl, I think if Niu Yanghui can enter the first class in the spring next year, he can consider it. "Of course, if you can't get into the first class, you can also consider being very high.

Yue Yao glanced at Xiang Wei, and now he was very sure that this woman was hiding something from her. Even Mrs. Niu is a good-looking person, so it's strange that there's nothing wrong here.

Bai Yi was very surprised and asked, "You have so much confidence in this Niu Yanghui?" "The first class is not so easy to pass.

Xiang Wei nodded.

Bai Yi heard that Niu Yanghui had a champion talent, and his heart was moved. Bai Yi disagreed with many of Xiang Wei's views, but Bai Yi believed in Xiang Wei's vision. If Niu Yanghui can enter the first class, it can indeed be taken into consideration.

Mingzhu felt that Xiang Wei had blind confidence in this Niu Yanghui, "Where is the first class so easy to test." Don't be fooled,"

Xiang Wei smiled: "This is not what I said. This is what Niu Yanghui's teacher said, and his teacher said that Niu Yanghui has a top talent. Mingzhu, if he can get into the first grade, I think it is enough for the Queen Mother to nod to the Hou Ye. Niu Yanghui's father is a member of the second grade, if he can be admitted to the first class again, I believe that the Queen Mother and the Hou Ye will definitely approve of this marriage.

Mingzhu asked suspiciously: "If Niu Yanghui is really as good as you say, why hasn't he decided to marry until now?" ”

Xiang Wei said with a smile: "Mrs. Niu eats fasting and recites Buddha in the Buddha hall and does not go out to socialize, so it is naturally impossible to find a daughter-in-law who suits her heart, and the Liu family does not want Niu Yanghui to marry a wife with a good family background, and wants him to marry a low-income person." Liu's plan is good, but unfortunately Niu Yanghui is not as good as Mrs. Niu's talk, not only did not let Liu's calculation succeed, but made her suffer a lot of dark losses. If my guess is correct, Niu Yanghui should be planning to talk about his family affairs after the spring festival next year. ”

Yueyao listened to Xiang Wei's words, and felt that Niu Yanghui was really good, but this kind of thing is not child's play, it still needs to be carefully investigated, after all, it is a lifelong thing.

In order to change the topic, Yueyao told Mingzhu about her apprenticeship. The two muttered and talked for a long time, until the palace maid came to invite them to dinner.

Lunch consists of 36 dishes. Yue Yao watched as the dishes were all served in a white-glazed plum blossom official porcelain plate, and the porcelain glowed in the light. The variety of dishes that reflect the variety of dishes is appetizing.

Large families pay attention to food and do not sleep or sleep. The rules of the palace have become stricter. Yueyao began to feel a little restrained. Seeing that Mingzhu ate casually, the Queen Mother was also smiling on one side, and Yueyao was also relaxed.

Yueyao had heard that the dishes in the palace were all delicious, but they didn't taste very good. But now I really eat it. only to find that those people absolutely can't eat grapes and say that grapes are sour. These dishes were so delicious that Yueyao almost bit her tongue. For this reason, Yueyao ate two and a half bowls of rice.

Mingzhu watched Yueyao add rice, and the smile on her face couldn't stop.

After finishing the meal, the palace maid next to her brought tea over. Yueyao rinsed her mouth with tea in her mouth. At this time, six palace maids came in outside, three palace maids carried water in their hands, and three palace maids held trays with handkerchiefs in their hands.

The three palace maids who carried the water all knelt on the ground, and raised the copper basin with both hands on their heads.

Yueyao tried her best to keep herself calm, washed her hands like Mingzhu, and then took the handkerchief from the tray in the hand of the palace maid next to her to wipe her hands.

Out of the restaurant, Mingzhu took the queen mother's hand and said with a smile: "Auntie, I said that Yueyao has more food than me, you still don't believe it, now believe it." ”

The Queen Mother blushed instantly when she saw Yueyao, and said happily at the moment: "It's a blessing to be able to eat, what is there to be shy about, and being able to eat proves that you are in good health." The most important thing for this woman is to have a good body. Mingzhu, you have to learn from Yueyao on this. "The Queen Mother doesn't like women who are weak and can't help the wind, this kind of woman is worried when she looks at it delicately. She is now a girl who likes to look round and jade, not only in good health, but also conducive to childbirth.

Yue Yao blushed and said cowardly: "Thank you Empress Dowager for your compliment." ”

Mingzhu rarely sees Yueyao like this, and she thinks it's very interesting.

The Queen Mother usually sleeps for half an hour after lunch, and Mingzhu pulls Yueyao back to the small courtyard where she lives.

After the Queen Mother lay down, she asked Mama Gui beside her, "What did these two girls say in the house just now?" ”

Mama Gui shook her head and said, "No, there was no one else when the two of them talked privately." In fact, Mama Gui felt that the private words of the two girls were nothing more than those things.

The Queen Mother squinted and asked, "What do you think of the girl from the Lian family?" ”

Mama Gui said with a smile: "The Queen Mother has always been accurate in looking at people, if it is not good, where will the Queen Mother keep her for lunch." ”

The Queen Mother bowed slightly, "Look at a pure-minded child." Since she didn't have other plans, she didn't mind giving Yueyao decency.

Bai Yi talked to Xiang Wei outside and asked a lot about Niu Yanghui.

Mingzhu was talking with Yueyao with great interest, and Bai Yi came in and said, "Girl, the hour is not early." It's time for Miss Yueyao to leave the palace. ”

Although Mingzhu didn't want Yueyao to go, she also knew that the palace was no better than her house, and there were too many rules here and it was very troublesome, "I can go home in more than a month, and then you come to my house to stay for a few days, okay?" ”

Yue Yao nodded and said, "Okay." "When Mingzhu gets married in the future, it won't be so easy, and when Mingzhu has a child or something, there will be fewer and fewer opportunities to be alone at that time.

Mingzhu sent Yueyao out of the palace, and only turned around and went back when she saw Yueyao get into the soft sedan chair.

After Mama Gui waited for Yueyao to leave, she went back to the bedroom.

The Queen Mother leaned on the water-red elastic silk pillow, and saw that Mama Gui was a little strange when she saw her hesitation, "What's the matter?" ”

Mama Gui said truthfully: "There is nothing wrong with it. It's just that Xiao Chengzi just heard Miss Xiang Wei tell Bai Yi that the eldest son of Niu Zuocheng in Zhongshu Province has a top talent. "Mama Gui felt that it was inappropriate for the two girls' families to discuss one man. However, there is something strange about this matter, and she thinks it is better to talk to the Queen Mother.

The Queen Mother pondered for a moment and said, "Let someone call Bai Yi over." ”

Bai Yi saw that the Queen Mother asked about Niu Yanghui, and she didn't hide it, "Queen Mother, Xiang Wei told me that Niu Yanghui has a good family background, a good person, and a top talent." ”

The Queen Mother's eyes flashed with deep thought, "What does she mean by saying this to you?" "Xiang Wei definitely can't talk to Bai Yi about this for no reason.

Bai Yi lowered his head and said: "Xiang Wei said that Niu Yanghui is good, let me send someone to explore the bottom of this Niu Yanghui after I leave the palace." If it's really a good thing as rumored outside, you can mention it to Hou Ye. Bai Yi said this very secretly, but she believed that the Queen Mother should be clear.

The Queen Mother naturally knew what Bai Yi meant by this, "Go down!" ”

After Bai Yi retreated, Mama Gui felt that Xiang Wei had overstepped herself, "The master's marriage is also something they can say." ”

The Queen Mother smiled, she knew Xiang Wei's background very well, so she didn't suspect anything. The Queen Mother thought for a while and said, "This girl shouldn't be a fool." You send someone to check the details of this Niu Yanghui. Let's see how Niu Yanghui's character and talent are? She has been worried about Mingzhu's marriage, which has made her hair gray. If this Niu Yanghui is really a person with good character and a top talent, he can be used as a candidate. ”

The Queen Mother has no choice, and now she can only cast a wide net.

Mama Gui said worriedly: "Queen Mother, this girl looks very regular, but the girl around her ......" Mama Gui felt that Xiang Wei was too bold, and even said the name of the foreign man in front of the girl, which would be spread and damage the reputation of Miss Mingzhu.

The Queen Mother chuckled and said: "This Yahuan is a female guard given to Yueyao by Shao'er, this Yahuan is very smart, but her temperament is a little pungent, and she is unwilling to be bound by the rules." Since she opened her mouth, she will definitely not talk nonsense. "The Queen Mother still knows Luo Shao very well, and since she is giving it away, she will definitely not send it away.

The Queen Mother is really unwilling to let Luo Shao choose a military general for Mingzhu, and when the time comes, the four seas will be home, and the adults will suffer and the children will also suffer. If this Niu Yanghui is a good learner, his character is good. Next year, Chunyu can be admitted to the first class again, but he can be chosen. Of course, it's too early to say this, and we'll have to wait until next spring.