==Chapter 110==

It turned out that after the incident between Wang Shilang and Xiao Ru, Cheng Wenjing was very sad for a long time, and the Cheng family also knew about it.

Mrs. Cheng is the daughter of Mrs. Wang, and she is also the aunt and grandmother of the Wang family, so she came to the door to ask what was going on, and she wanted to seek justice for her daughter. After all, Wang Cheng's two families have a tacit understanding of the marriage of the two juniors. I didn't know that there was a temporary obstacle to come in, especially Wang Shilang, who was so innocent, and he inevitably didn't take her aunt and Cheng Wenjing's cousin seriously.

At that time, Mrs. Wang was in a hurry, Princess Changping and the county lord of Chaoxia didn't want to cooperate with her at all, the four rooms of the Wang family were making a lot of noise, and the other rooms were also secretly moving, and countless people outside were waiting to see the jokes of the Wang family. This Mrs. Cheng came to the door again to ask for guilt, but it didn't add fuel to the fire.

She was really shocked when she heard that there was no clarity between her son and a concubine of the Xiao family, so she called Wang Shilang to inquire on the spot. In front of Mrs. Wang and Mrs. Cheng, Wang Shilang just didn't admit that he had anything to do with Xiao Ru, and said that the two were just friends. Mrs. Cheng gritted her teeth with hatred, but thinking of her heartbroken daughter at home, she had to endure it, and simply mentioned the marriage of the two juniors on the spot, but Wang Shilang refused, saying that she only treated Cheng Wenjing like a sister.

This time Lou Zi poked up, Mrs. Wang scolded sadly and didn't mention it, Mrs. Cheng was cheeky and came for her daughter, but she couldn't get up and down this time, so she brushed her sleeves and left on the spot.

After returning to Cheng's house, Cheng Wenjing was sad when she heard about it, and she was dead in the end, after all, she was not so shameless that she was rejected and stalked. was silent at home for a while, Cheng Wenjing also felt very dull at home, thinking about Jiuniang and Ruan Ling'er, two good friends, so she cheered up and went back to school in Guozijian.

After Cheng Wenjing returned to Guozijian, she attracted everyone's attention because of the previous two things, coupled with the incident between Xiao Ru and Wang Shilang, which also made everyone look at her, but no one pointed at her anymore, but was very sympathetic. Of course, Cheng Wenjing would occasionally meet Wang Shilang and Xiao Ru in school, but she ignored them. With Ruan Ling'er's company, she gradually changed her depressed color.

At the same time, the Wang family does not seem to have given up on the intention of being in-laws with the Cheng family, and it is impossible for him to fall out with his aunt and grandmother because of an ignorant junior. Mrs. Wang was forced by Mrs. Wang to personally go to Cheng's Mansion to make amends, although the two families did not return to their previous intimacy, they did not become enemies in the end.

Because of this, some of the inside news of the Wang family will come into Cheng Wenjing's ears in an endless stream.

It is said that Mrs. Wang's three shen five orders Wang Shilang not to associate with Xiao Ru, but unfortunately Wang Shilang seems to have eaten the scales and has an iron heart, and it is also said that Xiao Ru somehow met Wang Shisanniang in the second room of the Wang family, and the two have similar temperaments, Xiao Ru often goes to the palace at the invitation of Wang Shisanniang. Mrs. Wang was naturally angry, but people boarded the door of the second room, not to the big room, although she vaguely mentioned it a few times, but they were all rejected by the second room.

Hearing this, Cheng Wenjing felt bitter in her heart, and at the same time there was a hint of ridicule. She has always felt that she is not inferior to Xiao Ru, this time, she is really inferior to the other party too much, at least she is not as scheming as the other party.

Mrs. Wang still wants to stabilize the Cheng family, and has repeatedly promised that she will never let Xiao Ru enter her door, and her daughter-in-law can only be Cheng Wenjing, but Cheng Wenjing's heart is light......

"Then what do you think, if the Wang family insists on it, do you really plan to marry it?" Jiu Niang asked.

Cheng Wenjing's face was in a trance, and after a long time, she smiled bitterly: "I don't know ...... yet"

Jiuniang sighed, and also understood Cheng Wenjing's thoughts, no matter what, the relationship that has lasted for so long, how can it be said that it will be put down, even if it is dead, it will not be solved for a while, Cheng Wenjing can be like this, it is already very unexpected for Jiu Niang.

"I think you better think about it, Wang Shilang is not a good match for you. I know Xiao Ru's person, and if she wants something, she will definitely grab it in her hands. You, you are not her opponent, besides, why bother, there is more than Wang Shilang in this world. ”

Seeing that the atmosphere was stagnant, Ruan Ling'er hurriedly interjected and talked about her own affairs.

It turned out that after returning to Ruan's mansion, although Ruan Ling'er still treated people as before, there were still changes in the end. If you can't do it on the side, you can still do it by bribing one or two people to keep an eye on the movement at home.

Recently, her mother-in-law seems to have plans to say goodbye to her, and she has been busy with this matter for a long time, and she seems to be very concerned. Her father was also deeply relieved to see that the Xu family was 'sensible', but Ruan Ling'er felt a trace of uneasiness in her heart, she always felt that her mother-in-law's actions were not so simple.

It's just a marriage match between men and women, and the emphasis is on the words of the matchmaker of the parents, Xu is her mother, and she is indeed qualified to be the master of her marriage. She couldn't catch any mistakes for a while, and when she saw that her two good friends were there, she said the worries in her heart.

"Even if you know about this kind of thing, you can only treat it as ignoring, anyway, there is no result on her side, and even if you make a marriage, it will not be decided in a while. If she has a candidate, you will come to sue us, and Wenjing and I will help you check it out when the time comes. Jiuniang said.

Ruan Ling'er also knew that this matter could not be rushed, and nodded.

*

Xu went out for many days in a row, and finally decided on a candidate.

It is Liu Yan, the youngest son of the Liu family.

This Liu family is also a hairpin family, and there are children who have been officials for generations, although they are not as famous as Cui Wang Zheng Xiao's family, but they should not be underestimated. Now Liu Guifei is the daughter of the Liu family, and the Liu family is also the foreign family of King Zhao.

Liu Yan is now eighteen years old, handsome, talented, and has an outstanding family background, and there is almost nothing to find fault with in dealing with people on weekdays, but there has been no movement on the Liu family's side.

Of course, this is only on the surface, in private, this Liu Yan loves men and hates women the most. Nowadays, although Daqi is open to the people, but the male style is not popular, if there is a Longyang Jun, it will be a shameful event. The Liu family has been keeping this matter a secret, and the reason why the Xu family knows about it is also because she has a close friend who married into the Liu family, so she knows some clues.

Xu didn't plan to let Ruan Ling'er go, but because she couldn't do it on the surface, how could she let it go if such a good opportunity was delivered to her hands.

After knowing this news, she got in touch with the Liu family, you come and go, although the matter has not been decided on the surface, but the two sides have a tacit understanding. The Xu family planned to tell her husband Ruan Chengmao about this matter, but as soon as he agreed, he decided to marry Ruan Ling'er.

In fact, the saddest level is Ruan Chengmao's side, otherwise the Xu family would not have bothered so much.

On this day, after dinner, Xu mentioned the matter to Ruan Chengmao.

Ruan Chengmao also knew that his wife had been busy saying goodbye to his eldest daughter recently, and he had also beaten the Xu family vaguely, even if it was for the face of the Ruan family and for the sake of the younger daughter, he couldn't marry Ruan Ling'er at will.

"Liu Yan, the youngest son of the Liu family?"

After listening to Xu's story, Ruan Chengmao fell into a deep groan.

"Yes, this Liu Yan is a good son-in-law candidate in the hearts of many noblewomen in Chang'an City, Dalang, you always complain that I don't tolerate people, I have also thought about it, even if I can't get used to her anymore, she will marry in less than two years. Even if it is for the sake of the family and Ling'er, I will choose a good family to marry her, so that outsiders will not say that I am mean to the daughter I left behind, and lest you complain about me. ”

Xu Shi said while wiping away his tears with a handkerchief, pretending to be full of grievances.

Ruan Chengmao sighed and patted her hands, "How can I complain about you, it's just that the road is difficult and dangerous for officials, and in my position, what I'm most afraid of is being caught. If you think so, it means that you are also sensible, and you are very relieved for your husband, but-"

"Just what?" Xu was afraid that something would go wrong, so he hurriedly asked eagerly.

As soon as the words came out, Fang realized that he was a little too obvious to say this, and hurriedly glanced at Ruan Chengmao secretly, but fortunately, Ruan Chengmao seemed to be thinking about something and didn't notice this.

Ruan Chengmao actually agrees with marrying his daughter into the Liu family in his heart, on the surface, he has always maintained a neutral state, but in fact, whether he is neutral or not, only he understands in his heart. Especially as the prince's health is getting weaker and weaker, and there is no good news for so long after the wedding, the last hope that Ruan Chengmao has left for the prince has been dispelled.

Now there are four adult princes, King Zhao Cheng Wang Qi King Chu Wang, Queen Qi has a low status and no mother family as a backing, King Chu is a cripple, so there are only two people left, King Zhao and King Cheng. On the surface, King Zhao is the longest, but from the perspective of identity, King Cheng is the concubine, and the two sides are half a catty against eight taels, and they really can't see the winner for a while.

Of course, Ruan Chengmao is not unreasonable in his heart, he is privately biased towards King Cheng, but it doesn't mean that he can't have something to do with King Zhao. Left and right, if a neutral person can't do these things, he should have been devoured alive by life a long time ago.

However, what made Ruan Chengmao hesitate was not only this matter, but also others-

"This is released in advance, Your Majesty is about to choose concubines for several princes, with the status of our family, the two daughters have a chance, or when this matter is over, let's consider marrying the eldest mother."

Ruan Chengmao, as the right servant of Shangshu Province, naturally knew about Emperor Chengyuan's recent movements, and he wanted to prepare for both. Since you want to Bo, you can Bo big, if the daughter can become the prince's concubine, who dares to say that he can't become the father-in-law of the Son of Heaven in the future. Nguyen Chengmao had already planned to remain neutral all the time, but he was just ready to go. At this time, the two daughters have grown up, and he will not let go of this opportunity.

"Your Majesty wants to choose a concubine for the prince?"

The smile on Xu's face was a little reluctant, could it be that the husband actually planned to marry Ruan Ling'er to the prince as a concubine?

"But what should I do on the Liu family's side, I have already talked to Mrs. Liu, just wait for your husband's consent, and the other party will come to the door to propose marriage."

Ruan Chengmao frowned and glanced at Xu, "What are you panicking about, can this matter be urgent?" It's just just just in case that the husband does this, if there is a chance, it must be that Erniang's child has a better chance, but the eldest mother is not bad, if the concubine is not successful, you will notify the Liu family to come to the door to propose. ”

Xu was both annoyed and unwilling in his heart, but he didn't dare to express himself in front of Ruan Chengmao, so he could only grit his teeth with hatred in his heart, but he agreed on his face.

Nothing was said all night.

*

Ruan Ling'er had a worried face.

"Jiuniang, I inquired, the Xu family seems to want to marry me to Liu Yan, the youngest son of the Liu family."

As I said before, although Ruan Ling'er can't do anything else in the Ruan family, she can still do it by bribing a few subordinates to keep an eye on the movements in the house. One of the people who was bought was a servant girl waiting by Xu's side. This servant girl does not have a high status, but she can also enter and exit the Xu family's house, and when the Xu family and Ruan Chengmao talked about it that day, they probably felt that the world was in their own hands, so they did not avoid people, so the news immediately reached Ruan Ling'er's ears.

"Liu Yan, the youngest son of the Liu family?"

Ruan Ling'er nodded: "Daddy seems to agree, but it's just because His Majesty is going to choose concubines for several princes right away, so he didn't mention it for the time being, and said that when the matter is over, he will let the Liu family come to the door to propose marriage." ”

"Wenjing, are you familiar with Liu Yan?" Jiuniang asked Cheng Wenjing on the side.

Because she doesn't often go in and out of various mansions, she doesn't know much about some of the children of the family in Chang'an City.

Liu Yan......

Somehow, she always felt that the name was familiar, but she couldn't remember why it was familiar for a while.

Cheng Wenjing shook her head and hesitated: "I'm not familiar with it, but I've heard people say that he has two ears, Liu Yan seems to be pretty good, I heard that he is handsome, gentle and polite, I remember that my mother has a close friend who seems to have plans to choose him as her son-in-law." ”

Ruan Ling'er was a little stunned when she heard this, could it be that her stepmother really didn't want to harm her, and did choose a good family for her?

"Okay, anyway, it's not in a hurry, Wenjing and I will help you inquire after you go back."

It wasn't until she returned to Anguo Mansion after school and had dinner in the evening that Jiu Niang suddenly remembered who Liu Yan was.

This is just a small thing that happened in her last life, at that time, Jiuniang had already married into the Wang family, and it was too late to worry about her own affairs on weekdays, and where would she have time to care about others, and she would listen to others talk about it.

At that time, this incident caused a stir in Chang'an City, and the cause was the loss of a daughter-in-law by the Liu family.

It stands to reason that this incident can only be regarded as a tragic event at best, making people sigh at the woman's thin life. However, at his funeral, the people of his mother's family made trouble at the gate of Liu's house, and only then did the hidden scandal of this matter come out.

It turned out that the woman's husband was actually a man who liked male style, and it was clear that the Liu family knew about it, but he still concealed that he married a wife for him. The woman married into Liu's family and kept the empty boudoir alone, which caused a heart disease over time, and then learned about her husband's selfishness, which made her deeply shocked, so she married for a few years, and the person was gone.

The woman's family background is much lower than that of the Liu family, and she has never dared to say her secrets on weekdays, nor has she dared to leave, for fear of causing trouble for her mother's family. Or after her death, the maid who married her in the past was really sad and unbearable, and told this secret in front of the woman's family. The brother of the woman's mother's family was angry that the Liu family deceived his family and deceived his marriage, so he went to the Liu family to make a fuss, which made the Liu family lose a big face.

Jiu Niang didn't pay attention to what happened next, but the name of the good masculine Liu family made her remember, it was Liu Yan.

Jiu Niang suddenly felt a little unable to sit still, and she couldn't wait to go to Ruan Ling'er immediately to tell her about it. But she was a little hesitant, afraid that she had misremembered her name and made a mistake.

After thinking about it, she called Xiao Can and asked her to find someone to check on Liu Yan.

Before she left the palace of the king of Chu, the king of Chu said that if she told Xiaocan something, someone would help her.

After Xiao Can received the order, he left, as for where he went, Jiu Niang didn't pay attention, presumably it would be clear in a few days. She is still quite confident in the spies under the King of Chu

The news came faster than Jiuniang imagined, but the next day, the news about Liu Yan came.

The effect of the people on the King of Chu's side is really terrifying, and he just checked Liu Yan's person to the bottom, and even how old he is still wetting his pants, which is marked on it, as for his good manhood, there is naturally it.

The Liu family kept this matter very secret, and Liu Yan also knew that this was not a good thing, so he would never show it outside on weekdays. In order to appease his son and let him not make a scandal outside, the people who waited closely around Liu Yan were all servants and servants.

Outside, this is self-cleansing, but in fact, how dirty it is in private, only the Liu family knows in their hearts.

After getting this information, Jiu Niang's heart sank, and she found Ruan Ling'er the next day to tell her about it.

Hearing this, Ruan Ling'er cried urgently, she knew that her stepmother was not so kind, but she didn't expect her to be so vicious. As for Cheng Wenjing, she was also indignant and scolded.

After crying and scolding, the matter still has to be solved after all.

Cheng Wenjing's opinion was to let Ruan Ling'er go to her father to tell her about this ugly matter, which made Xu's plan fall through, but was stopped by Jiuniang.

Jiuniang thought more than Cheng Wenjing and the others, King Zhao was a member of the Liu family, otherwise Ruan Chengmao would not have agreed as soon as he heard the Xu family mention it. It's just that he was still thinking about choosing concubines for several princes, so he didn't mention it.

Jiuniang doesn't have a good impression of Ruan Chengmao, maybe she has never seen this person, but just because he abandoned his original wife for the sake of glory and wealth, ignored the daughter born by the original partner for so many years, let her be harshly criticized by her stepmother, or because of the pressure of public opinion, she knew that this was not a good person.

Seriously, it should be a hypocrite, sometimes a hypocrite is more terrible than a real villain, at least a real villain will not be a set in front of him and a set behind his back, and he will not pay for his life.

She analyzed the clues here one by one to Ruan Ling'er.

"Things are not so simple, since the Xu family dares to take this matter to discuss with your father, he must be prepared. With an identity like ours, marriage has always been subject to the arrangement of the family. We know that this is the dross from the inside, but it can also be said to be inside, and outsiders don't know it. If your father listened to the instigation of the Xu family, only valued the Liu family's family background and wanted to marry each other, so that you would knock out your teeth and swallow blood, what should you do? Also, even if it is resolved this time, she is in charge of your marriage, and it is a means to restrain you. What if it's the same next time or next time? ”

Speaking of this, Jiu Niang sighed, this matter is really difficult to solve.

Cheng Wenjing also had a sad face.

Ruan Ling'er wiped a handful of tears, bit her lower lip, and showed a resolute look on her face, "That's it, I was hesitant to choose a female official, since this is the case, I will simply enter the palace, and I will never let her be at the mercy of me again." ”

Jiuniang knew that Ruan Ling'er had always had such a plan, but this matter was very important, so Ruan Ling'er had been hesitant, but she had been actively preparing in private, which could be seen from her studies in the day. Now Ruan Ling'er has a good academic performance, and she can get a first class in every exam, if she really wants to enter the palace as a female official, it is not a difficult thing.

Cheng Wenjing also had a headache, she had never seen such a father and mother again, but she couldn't bear to see Ruan Ling'er crying so heartbroken, so she persuaded: "Ling'er, don't cry, this matter is not in a hurry for a while, don't you still have to participate in the concubine selection banquet, maybe you can be selected as a prince and princess, and then it should be your vicious stepmother who will come to hold you." When the time comes, you can give her as much face as you want. ”

Ruan Ling'er was amused and laughed, and Jiu Niang was also a little crying and laughing.

But she didn't think there was anything wrong with what Cheng Wenjing said, at most, the face of the stepmother was a little too exaggerated.

The so-called concubine selection banquet has always been as simple as it seems on the surface, appearance and virtue are one of them, and family background is also extremely important, and even has a great relationship with the situation in the current dynasty. Ruan Ling'er is not very outstanding in terms of appearance, but just because she is the eldest daughter of Ruan Servant, she has her own advantages.

But Jiuniang is not optimistic about her, don't forget that Ruan Chengmao also has a daughter-in-law, Ruan Mengling, from the perspective of identity, Ruan Mengling is even better than Ruan Ling'er, because she not only has a father who is a current servant, but also a grandfather who is a former servant.

"Wenjing, will you also go to the flower banquet in the palace then?" Ruan Ling'er asked.

Cheng Wenjing wilted, "Definitely, but I'll make up the numbers, who would dare to choose me as a princess with my character." "And her family background is not very outstanding, her mother had told her about it before, so she was really just like what she said, just a make-up number.

"Where's Jiu Niang?"

Jiu Niang handed her a 'guess' look.

There is no doubt that the Anguo Mansion also received the flower stickers in the palace, and she must go this time. However, in Jiu Niang's heart, she went this time to make up the numbers, and just one heir was not going well, which was enough for her to be light. It's just that the king of Chu said that he would take this opportunity to do their business before, and Jiuniang didn't know what he would do. When it came to this concubine selection banquet, her mood was a little complicated, and she was also a little expectant......

"That's great, when the time comes, the three of us will be companions together, and I'll be a little scared to go alone. But I'm not good-looking, I don't have a good chance of being selected, and I don't want to be that princess. This time, I began to prepare for the election of female officials, and then there will be fewer opportunities for us to meet. ”

Hearing Ruan Ling'er say this, several people were in a bit gloomy, but they also knew that this road was the most once and for all for Ruan Ling'er at present.

*

In the blink of an eye, it was time to hold a concubine selection banquet in the palace.

On this day, the atmosphere of the entire Chang'an City was extraordinarily different, with a faint sense of restlessness.

As evening approached, horse-drawn carriages from all over the province began to drive towards the palace.

Unlike the last moon viewing banquet for the crown prince, this time the number of people is larger, and it is not a post to a certain person, but based on the family, and the candidate is decided by each family. Therefore, as long as the daughters of each family are in line with the age, all the daughters are dispatched, and the convoy is also very long, which family does not have five or six cars to travel, it is simply inferior, because there are fewer daughters in the family, which means that the opportunity is less than others.

Nguyen House

Xu had already started to dress up Ruan Mengling, and after tossing for an afternoon, he still felt dissatisfied. Ruan Ling'er had already packed up, came to Ruan Mengling's courtyard and waited, and waited for a long time before anyone came out.

"Ling'er, this time you must fight for your mother, your mother has already set a marriage for that little slut, but your father said that he would not make a decision until the concubine selection banquet was over. So you must be better than her this time, even if you can't be selected, you can't let that little slut choose. ”

Ruan Mengling nodded, she also knew about this matter, and she was on the same front with her mother.

Xu picked up an extremely delicate hibiscus flower from the tray held by the servant girl on the side and put it on Ruan Mengling's hairpin, the goose-yellow hibiscus hairpin was in the center of the bun, lining Ruan Mengling's little face was extremely delicate. Look at what she is wearing, a large hibiscus flower emerald green smoke short shirt, pink daffodils sprinkled with flowers and green leaves, and a thin gold silk smoke shawl on her shoulders, which is graceful.

Xu Shi pulled up his daughter and looked around, and said with satisfaction: "Mother's Ling'er has grown up, she is so beautiful, she must be better than that cheap girl." ”

After going out, sure enough, although the Xu family also prepared clothes for Ruan Ling'er to wear today, it was much bleaker than Ruan Mengling.

Ruan Mengling couldn't help but smile proudly, and defiantly helped Ruan Ling'er with the hibiscus flower on her head.

Ruan Ling'er also saw the clues, but she had already measured it in her heart, and she didn't care.

Xu sent the two of them into the carriage, took Ruan Mengling's hand, and told them again and again before letting the two leave.