Wealth and glory seek stability

"In that case, I'll accept it." Dongfang Wenying smiled, which was truly beautiful.

Jian Xi picked up the wine glass and responded with a smile, "I toast to my sister."

Dongfang Wenying picked up the wine glass and said, "Let me toast to my sister." She also liked this quick-witted girl, unlike the ladies in Beijing who usually spoke in a roundabout way.

The Loyalty and Bravery Marquis' Mansion has been loyal and brave for generations, and both men and women have an aura of being straightforward and generous. It has to be said that Jian Xi's straightforward character is exactly what Dongfang Wenying likes.

Jian Xi probably never imagined that one day she would be considered a straightforward and generous person by others.

Perhaps she is the real her after leaving Wu'an Palace. She doesn't need so many constraints. With Shen Nanxing's doting, she can do whatever she wants.

Noble ladies all have sharp eyes and can tell what kind of person he is after just a few words of conversation.

As Dongfang Wenying and Jian Xi talked, she couldn't help but like this new sister even more.

After the meal, the food on the table had been removed and replaced with nuts and snacks.

Jian Xi now consumes a lot and eats a lot every day. She was worried that she was not full with the little meal she had just had. But when she saw the fresh chestnuts, she peeled them enthusiastically and ate them one by one with great satisfaction.

Dongfang Wenying was surprised to see Jian Xi could peel chestnuts with her bare hands without any tools. "Sister, you have a good grip, but you still need to be careful. Many people are paying attention to the details of this banquet."

Jian Xi asked in confusion, without stopping her hand movements, "Pay attention? There are only a few people here, who would pay attention?"

Dongfang Wenying sighed, took out a handkerchief and wiped the residue from the corner of Jian Xi's mouth. "Although the mistresses didn't come, the servants did. They mingled among them and would definitely tell the mistress everything they saw and heard. This is a rare opportunity. Isn't this putting you at a disadvantage, sister?"

Jian Xi thought it was something, but then she didn't take it to heart. "I didn't come here for this matter, so you don't have to worry about me. But since you are willing to give me advice like this, I think you must be a good person."

Dongfang Wenying covered her mouth with a handkerchief and whispered, "Do you know that today's Hanmei Banquet is mainly for selecting a concubine for the prince?"

"I really don't know."

"Didn't you see that those who came today are either from noble families or new nobles in the court? No matter who the prince chooses, it won't be too bad. This was specially arranged by the Concubine Shu and the Lady of the Korean Duke. However, it is a tacit secret among all of us."

"What about sister? Do you also want to be the Crown Princess?

"Although the Loyal and Brave Marquis's Mansion is also a noble family, it has long since fallen into decline. My brothers are still young, and I am not a contemporary talent like General Shen. I am not qualified to inherit the army, so it is unlikely that the prince will choose me."

Jian Xi continued to ask, "I'm asking you, do you want to be the Crown Princess?"

Dongfang Wenying blushed, covered Jian Xi's mouth, and said angrily, "You are so bold, you can say such a thing." Then her tone was a little helpless, "My mother has already told me when I came here to behave well. My own thoughts are not important."

Speaking of sad things, Dongfang Wenying sat back in her seat, poured a glass of wine and drank it all.

Women from aristocratic families never live for themselves.

Jian Xi thought of Dongfang Wenying painting on the stage just now. She was so full of vigor and vitality, just like the sun in the sky radiating light wantonly, and the gleam in her eyes was filled with tremendous vitality.

How could such a person really accept his fate?

At the next banquet, Lady Korea started to innovate again.

"Everyone, now that you have eaten and drunk enough, I will keep you in suspense for a while. Please ask the gentlemen and ladies who just came on stage to write down the name of a designated person on a piece of paper. It must be someone present. After you finish writing the note, I will explain the following rules."

After saying that, servants and maids immediately came with the four treasures of the study to the people who had just come on stage.

Jian Xi couldn't help but give a thumbs up.

Only city dwellers know how to play it.

After Dongfang Wenying wrote it, she folded it and placed it on the tray. The maid holding the tray bowed and left.

Jian Xi stretched her neck and asked curiously, "Who did sister write about?"

Dongfang Wenying smiled mysteriously, "Secret!"

Jian Xi rolled her eyes. She was really impressed. She thought this new sister she met was an honest person, but she didn't expect that she had such a dark side.

Seeing Jian Xi depressed, Dongfang Wenying kindly explained: "This Hanmei Banquet is held every year. After attending it many times, you will know that the Lady of Korea only plays a few games. You will know after listening, sister."

The Korean lady stood on the stage, shuffled several pieces of paper, and then opened them one by one.

I couldn't help but laugh out loud, "This year is really strange."

Open one and read out the name, and a servant will pass on the message.

"Shen Nanxing."

"Lin Yun."

"Jane Xi."

"Lan Mei'er."

"Jane Xi."

"Lin Yun."

Lady Korea pasted six pieces of paper on the red curtain behind her and called two servants to carry them up to show everyone.

"In previous years, the candidates were mostly the best at passing the flower while beating the drum, but this year there were some different candidates, which was really exciting."

Jian Xi looked at the servant carrying the red cloth and tried to recognize Dongfang Wenying's handwriting. However, how could Dongfang Wenying, who was skilled in calligraphy, be discovered so easily? She used the small regular script with flowers in hairpins commonly used by girls in the boudoir. Only one of the crooked characters contained Jian Xi's name.

Jian Xi intuitively felt that this was Lin Yun's handwriting, but she really had no idea what her intentions were.

It's clear that the two of them only met once.

Besides, she didn't stand out today.

Dongfang Wenying glanced sideways, "It seems that my sister is very popular."

"Now, please ask the selected gentlemen and ladies to take out one of the items on your body and place it on the tray in front of you. It can be a ring, hairpin, sword, handkerchief, or sachet."

Jian Xi didn't understand. She was dressed simply today and had nothing to show for the time being. Even the handkerchief had just been given to Dongfang Wenying.

He touched his head and found that the hairpins were used to fix the hair and could not be pulled out. He only took off a silk flower from his head and placed it on the tray.

Lady Korea walked down the stage, and a man who looked like he was dressed as an official came up.

When the visitor saw the items on the tray, he said loudly, "I am Qian Liang, a deputy minister of the Ministry of Revenue. There is a severe drought in the northwest right now. Your Majesty is sympathetic to the people. You are here today as representatives of your families, so I believe you also care about the people..."

After saying so many compliments, Jian Xi felt a little drowsy.

"Thank you very much for taking out the treasures from your collection. Qian would like to express his gratitude. The auction will begin now!"