Wealth and glory seek stability

"It's either this meeting or that meeting. I can't even take a break."

"You, others want to go to this kind of banquet but can't, why don't you care? This time it's hosted by His Majesty, and the guests are all well-known people in the capital. Xi'er is old enough, so she can take this opportunity to find a husband for herself."

Dongfang Wenying was speaking the truth, Jian Xi’s appearance was too outstanding.

Since ancient times, people have said that beautiful women are the root of disasters, and even worse, beautiful women have short lives. The right thing to do is to find a good husband’s family to support them, so that they don’t have to worry about others and can have a home.

Jian Xi was already half asleep and half awake, "I don't want to get married..."

"You're really just a child." Dongfang Wenying laughed. She never thought that someone who usually behaved maturely would say such childish words.

The sixth day of April.

Horse farm in the western suburbs of Beijing.

Tents were set up around the large forests in the western suburbs, and the Royal Guards were guarding them in layers. All carriages entering had to be inspected to prevent anyone from smuggling weapons.

As soon as the morning hour arrived, Jian Xi was dug out of bed by Xing's mother.

Although the polo club is not a formal banquet, we cannot be careless. We pack a big bag with two sets of clothes, handkerchiefs, snacks and fruits... and other trivial things.

If she wanted to go on stage, she had to prepare a light riding suit, decorated only with simple pearl hairpins, and no trivial pearl necklaces such as step-shaking ornaments were needed.

This requires careful consideration of the details. Dongfang Wenying took out a lot of good things from her dowry box and sent them to Huashui Pavilion, just to let Jian Xi have a chance to shine.

Emperor Xuanyuan's intention of hosting the polo match was very clear, which was to let the people of the Xuanwu Dynasty see the style of the Xuanyuan Dynasty.

In the end, the dress that Jian Xi wore was decided by Dongfang Wenying. The lining was made of top-grade gauze, and the outside was covered with a sky-blue cicada gauze skirt that was fully embroidered. Although it was fully embroidered, the embroidery on it looked like it was printed on. The pattern on the belt was embroidered with peacock tail feathers twisted with gold thread. Her hair was tied up at the back of her head, decorated only with two low-key butterfly hairpins with kingfisher feather patterns.

Lightly apply a layer of powder and finally a layer of rouge.

Jian Xi stood in front of the huge dressing mirror, feeling a little dazed.

Understated luxury!

It was concretized at this moment. All the colorful and gorgeous clothes pale in comparison to this set of clothes.

The thin, cloud-like gauze dress has a very drapey feel, and you can see the faint flowing light as it sways. It is fully embroidered with Suzhou embroidery in green and white, and the pattern is Jane Xi's favorite gardenia. Because she was attending the polo club, Jane Xi specially matched it with a pair of deerskin boots, which are waterproof and warm.

The two decorations on the head are not simple either. The two eyes of the butterfly are inlaid with rubies and sapphires of excellent quality, and there is a pair of butterfly earrings inlaid with sapphires of the same style between the ears.

"The dress and the hairpins and jewelry chosen by Madam complement each other perfectly. They look really good on the girl."

"Look at what you said, what doesn't look good on our girls?"

"Yeah, girls look good in anything they wear."

Mother Xing also put on a blue satin dress. "Oh! Madam has sent people to ask several times. The carriage outside has been packed. Please stop chatting and pack the girl's bag for going out. The western suburbs are far from here and there may be delays on the road."

Zi Cui and Xiao Shuang each held a beauty mirror and checked it three or four times. "We have packed everything. We have already put Su Jie on the carriage. Mom is too worried."

"I haven't eaten yet." Jian Xi turned her head, looking helpless.

"My dear girl, you just put on makeup on your face. It will be ruined after dinner."

"Then ask Mama Gui to give me a bowl of wontons. I'll just need to eat a little."

Xing’s mother: ......

It seems like he didn't listen to anything she said.

I had no choice but to turn around and go to the kitchen. Mother Gui quickly prepared a small bowl of wontons, two side dishes and steamed dumplings that had already been prepared.

"Knowing that the girl was going out today, why did you prepare so much for breakfast?" Mother Xing was puzzled.

Mother Gui smiled and said, "The girl likes the dumplings I make. She has to eat them every morning. I asked Zi Cui about it. We are going to the western suburbs today. There will be some waiting on the way. The girl is a person who must eat her fill." Every time the meal was served from the kitchen, Jian Xi would eat it all up. Over time, Mother Gui figured out Jian Xi's appetite.

"You are the only one who spoils the girl."

Mother Xing kept scolding him, but she still picked up the tray and walked to the main room.

Jian Xi was so moved when she saw the familiar dumplings that she burst into tears. "Mother Gui is still the best to me! These are my favorite dumplings."

She took out a handkerchief and dabbed the rouge on her lips. "I'll touch it up after I finish eating."

After eating a small wonton, he felt alive again and sighed, "You guys should go down and eat something too. We have to endure today. If we don't eat enough, we will have no energy."

Zi Cui was a little nervous. "Miss, don't worry about us. Mother Gui got up early to steam buns. Xiao Shuang and I ate two each. We are not hungry now."

Xiao Shuang agreed, "Yes, young lady, just eat with peace of mind."

In such a big occasion, they didn't dare to eat too much, for fear of letting down their guard and embarrassing Jian Xi.

Jian Xi did not persuade her anymore. After eating, she put on rouge again and then asked someone to pass on the message to Leng Bixuan.

Since Shen Nanxing was not there, only Dongfang Wenying took her to the banquet. This is the advantage of having a mistress of the house.

An unmarried girl cannot attend a banquet alone without the guidance of an elder.

Dongfang Wenying took Jian Xi to look at her for a long time, then nodded with satisfaction, "Xi'er is so beautiful. I didn't have a sister in my family before, and I envied other people who had sisters. It feels great to go out to a banquet with a sister who is dressed up beautifully. This dress suits you very well. Even embroidered clothes can't compare to this natural look."

"Thank you, sister-in-law, for your thoughtfulness and consideration." Jian Xi bowed.

"Don't be polite, the two of us will take the big carriage in front. It will be too late if we are late."

Jian Xi looked at the sky outside which was just about to dawn and felt helpless. It was only five or six in the morning. Who would start a party so early?

It turned out that she was overthinking. The carriage took an hour and a half to reach the outskirts of Beijing.

There were layers of guards outside checking things out. The women had set up tents, and there were maids from the palace who were specifically checking the carriages.

It took two or three hours to finally enter the inner field.

Jian Xi couldn't help but be thankful for the wontons and dumplings she had in the morning. If she hadn't eaten, she would probably be dizzy and hungry by now.

Most people had already arrived. Dongfang Wenying first took her to the seat of the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery to greet them.

It was Mrs. Wang with her two young sons, Dongfang Hongjie and Dongfang Hongyu. The two were two years apart in age, but they looked like they were cast in the same mold.

"Mother, you are here so early."

"Third sister, you come so late." Dongfang Hongyu said with a smile.

Dongfang Hongjie is a little older and more stable, and his eyes are always on his sister whom he has not seen for a long time.