Chapter 111 The Clouds at the Foot of Cuiwei Mountain...

Chapter 111 The Clouds at the Foot of Cuiwei Mountain...

Yunxi, at the foot of Cuiwei Mountain, is a scenic spot in the outskirts of Beijing, and has always been favored by literati. Today, the spring banquet at the Prince Ning's Mansion is being held by Yunxi, and after meticulous preparation, it is as beautiful as a fairyland.

A thin mist, like clouds and fog, swirls above the stream, hence the name Yunxi (Cloud Stream). The stream originates from a hot spring.

The babbling brook caressed the smooth, rounded pebbles of varying sizes. The warm spring sun shone through the thin mist onto the water's surface, causing shimmering golden light to dance within the mist. New green branches along the stream swayed gently in the breeze. In the distance, a large peach orchard was in full bloom, a sea of ​​pink and white blossoms, like clouds of rosy dawn, intertwining with pear blossoms further away to create a dreamlike floral paradise.

In addition to two flower groves, the Yunxi Stream also features three waterfalls of varying sizes and five pavilions with different views. Although the stream is not very long, it offers beautiful scenery at every turn and is well worth a visit.

The formal invitations to the spring banquet hosted by the Fifth Prince's Consort, Xue Jing, were not sent out indiscriminately; only the powerful and wealthy families of the capital were invited to Yunxi. However, rumors circulated from the Ning Prince's residence that others were coming to Cuiwei Mountain to join in the fun, which was quite intriguing.

Regardless of others, at least those who sided with Prince Ning, and those families who were eager to curry favor with him, all shared the same goal of arranging a spring outing for their own families today, even if they hadn't received an invitation.

It is forbidden to enter the banquet area of ​​Prince Ning's Mansion around Yunxi. If you have the chance to meet a noble person in Cuiwei Mountain, that would be wonderful.

"This banquet reminds me of my time in Jiangzuo. The banquet hosted by the Prefect's wife was also excellent." Looking out the carriage window, Xiao Yanhui sighed softly.

At this moment, Xiao Yan was riding in a carriage slowly along the road at the foot of Cuiwei Mountain. From this distance, she could already see the Yunxi River, which seemed to shroud her in a thin veil.

You can also see that on the specially expanded grassland and rocky beach along Yunxi, gauze curtains have been set up in a staggered manner. These gauze curtains are made of green gauze and decorated with tassels and necklaces. They can provide shade and ventilation, and have a semi-transparent effect that adds a hazy beauty, which is very much in line with Yunxi.

On the large, irregularly arranged rocks by the stream, singers and dancers dressed as fairies were already fully engaged in their performances. From Xiao Yan Hui's distance, he could faintly hear the sounds of string and wind instruments coming from that direction and could also see the fairies dancing gracefully in the distance.

If she were nearby, she would see that a swing had been specially set up, and games such as dice games and pitch-pot had been arranged. Inside the gauze curtains, there were also all kinds of musical instruments, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Of course, there was also plenty of delicious food and wine, just waiting for the young men and women to play and have fun.

Today's spring banquet, though called a banquet, is more accurately described as a spring outing.

"Is Master homesick? Although we cannot return to Jiangzuo for the time being, the weather is comfortable at this time of year, and the manor has good boats and carriages. Perhaps we can invite Madam to stay in the capital for a while, so that Master and Madam will not miss each other."

Upon hearing Xiao Yan mention Jiangzuo again, Zhu Yue recalled sorting through the cartloads of goods sent by the Xiao family of Jiangzuo a few days ago. In particular, when reading the First Madam's letter, her mistress also had a slightly sad expression. So she brought up the suggestion that had been on her mind before.

Hearing this, Xiao Yan Hui laughed: "If it were before, it might have been possible to let Mother come and stay for a while, but now it's not possible."

There was a hint of regret in his tone, but more than anything, it was filled with joy.

"Could it be that something good has happened at home?" Wang Mama and Mao'er Zhuyue, who were both quite perceptive, could tell from their master's expression that it must be something good.

"My sister-in-law is pregnant, and Mother is probably searching everywhere for the best things. Food, clothing, daily necessities, doctors, midwives, nurses, wet nurses, and maids and servants to take care of the baby—she's going to carefully prepare everything and send it to my brother and sister-in-law. By the time she's gathered all these things, a month or two will have passed. Then she'll go and take care of my sister-in-law until she gives birth, and then take care of the baby until the baby is a month old. Half a year will have gone by, and she won't even have time for me!"

The last sentence carried a hint of coquettish jealousy.

"If you ask me, Your Majesty, you should get pregnant right now. Once the old lady at home has finished taking care of your sister-in-law, you won't even need to go back to Jiangzuo. You can just come to the capital on the way. The timing will be perfect."

Seeing that her mother looked more like a young girl when they talked about it, and since the topic happened to be about pregnancy, Granny Wang quickly seized the opportunity to jokingly mention it.

To be honest, this matter had been weighing on her mind ever since she made up her mind to stay by the princess's side. It was common knowledge that the prince and princess in the manor had a very deep affection for each other, but how come these young people, who were both young and passionate, did not share a room?

Not to mention the old nanny, who was anxious, even the two eunuchs were anxious. Of all the people who served the princess closely, only the two silly, clueless maids in the carriage were carefree and not worried about anything.

Upon hearing Wang Mama mention this, Xiao Yan's eyes flickered, and a hint of heat rose on her face.

It's not her fault that someone insists on waiting for an auspicious day. However, even if the two of them manage to have some meat, they probably won't cause any deaths until the situation stabilizes, so Granny Wang's idea can only remain a thought.

"Ahem, Fifth Sister-in-law, the dancers and musicians you arranged in Yunxi today to be dressed as celestial maidens are truly fitting for the occasion. From this distance, it really looks like a fairyland. You must have put a lot of thought into it." Xiao Yan coughed twice to forcefully change the subject.

It was just a casual compliment, but after thinking about it more carefully, I realized that if this were expanded into a large-scale spring outing and gathering, and combined with the businesses in the city... my mind was suddenly flooded with inspiration. The more I thought about it, the brighter my eyes became, until they were almost sparkling with light.

It's a pity that the Prince's Mansion is not suitable to take the lead in doing these things. If it succeeds in the future... then it's worth a try.

"It's not only troublesome, but also very expensive." Cat peeked out and sighed, "If it were turned into an amusement park, today's event would definitely make a fortune."

Hearing this made Xiao Yan laugh out loud. No wonder the cat was raised by her side; its words were exactly what she had just thought.

"Good cat, here, this is a reward for your increasingly sharp mind." With that, Xiao Yan took out a small, red-gold ruyi from her pouch and stuffed it directly into the cat's hand.

Other noble ladies might not carry these gold and silver items themselves, but Xiao Yan Hui has always maintained the modern habit of keeping money with her, so she always has a purse filled with these gold and silver items.

"Thank you for the reward, Master." Holding the golden ruyi, the cat grinned from ear to ear.

Zhu Yue, standing nearby, chuckled and coquettishly said that everyone who sees it gets a share, and asked Mao'er to treat her to sweet pastries from Aunt Li's shop on Dongmen Street. Xiao Yan and Granny Wang, who were standing next to her, just watched the two of them joking around with smiles.

They proceeded slowly until they reached the area outside the Yuchuanxi tents. Princess Ning had already sent her trusted maid, Liusu, to meet them: "This servant greets Your Highness Princess Cheng. May Your Highness enjoy boundless blessings."

"Liusu, is Fifth Sister-in-law in that colorful pavilion?" Xiao Yan pointed to the largest and most luxurious colorful pavilion erected by the water.

"Yes, Your Highness Princess Cheng. My princess has been thinking of you since early this morning, saying that she must go for a walk with you today." Liu Su is pretty, and when she smiles, she has two sweet dimples, the kind of face that makes people feel better just by looking at her.

At this moment, she spoke in a pleasing manner while waving her hand to signal the sedan chair following behind her to come forward.

“Then I certainly won’t miss the chance to stroll hand in hand with Fifth Sister-in-law in this paradise on earth today.” Seeing the sedan chair that had landed beside her, Xiao Yan Hui praised again: “Fifth Sister-in-law has such a clever mind, even the sedan chair is so unique.”

This sedan chair has a rustic charm, with purple bamboo as its frame and brocade as its cushion. In particular, the top is covered with soft, cloud-like gauze. As it slowly moves along the beautiful mountain stream, with fairy maidens playing music on both sides of the stream, the scene truly resembles a fairy princess traveling.

Xiao Yan and her entourage changed from carriages to sedan chairs and traveled along, enjoying the beautiful spring scenery and the lovely women in the landscape.

Such a grand and elaborate spring banquet is rare in the capital in recent years. By the time Xiao Yan returned to Daqian Yunxi, most of the invited ladies had already arrived.

Today, they were all dressed in carefully chosen spring clothes, especially the unmarried ones, who had put a lot of effort into their attire. At this moment, with the tinkling of their jade pendants and their cheerful laughter, they strolled leisurely, some with their elders, others with groups of friends, making the Yuchuan Creek resemble a flowing painting of elegant ladies.

Xiao Yan was looking at others, but at that moment, many eyes around her were openly or subtly fixed on her. Clearly, these ladies and young women were quite curious about this unfamiliar Princess Consort of Cheng.

Far away, behind the shadows of trees and rocks, and in the pavilion within the tent, various voices of discussion could be heard in the background.

"This must be Princess Consort Cheng. She's truly a beauty! No wonder..."

"Not only is she beautiful, but it is also said that she is not only extremely wealthy but also possesses the Midas touch."

“It’s a great blessing; there’s no bird that flies higher than this.”

"Shut up, would you dare say that to their faces?"

"How could she dare? She's all talk and no action, but when she's actually in front of people, I think she's just a quail."

"You don't know yet, but something even more exciting is coming!"

"What? Who's here?"

......

Just as these ladies and young women were secretly gossiping about Princess Cheng, a slight commotion came from the entrance. The commotion grew more and more obvious, and gradually everyone's attention was involuntarily drawn to it.

"Stop the sedan chair." The commotion even startled Xiao Yan Hui, who was sitting in the sedan chair moving slowly forward. She couldn't help but ask to stop the sedan chair out of curiosity, waiting to see what kind of gossip was so fascinating.

"Master, Consort Guo from the Prince Huai's residence has run into the two young ladies from the Xie family." Less than two minutes after they got out of the sedan chair, Xiao Yan, who had accompanied them today, whispered to her.

"The two Miss Xie?" Xiao Yan asked in a low voice, her handkerchief slightly covering her mouth, as she turned to the four corners.

"Yes, Your Highness, Miss Xie is also here. It's quite a coincidence that His Highness the Second Prince's literary gathering is also being held nearby today." Sijiao naturally knew what news his mistress and mistress wanted to hear.

Sure enough, as soon as he finished speaking, his master's eyes lit up even more.

"Oh wow, what a chaotic scene!"

Xiao Yan simply waved away the sedan chair, saying, "The scenery here is wonderful; I'll take a walk and see for myself." It was clear she didn't want to miss out on the good show.

Then, facing Liusu, who looked anxious, he said, "Liusu, go and inform your mistress."

"Yes, thank you, Your Highness." After saying thank you, Liusu hurried away. She had to go back and report to the Princess as soon as possible. She couldn't let anyone cause trouble at today's Spring Banquet, otherwise it would implicate the Ning Prince's Mansion and ruin the banquet that the Princess had painstakingly organized.

At this very moment, in a small tent where no one was paying attention, Su Jinyue, dressed as a woman, was guarding the dancers' costumes and props with several other maids.