From time to time, people came into the main hall to pay their respects. The young ladies and gentlemen from various mansions first went to the front hall to offer their congratulations to the Duke of He, and then came to the inner hall to pay respects to the Duchess. After that, they could go to the outer courtyard or the garden pavilion to play.
Lu Wanning didn't go out. After paying her respects, she sat obediently beside her mother. Although she had some memories of the original owner and knew a bit about the plot of the original book, they were really limited.
She only knew that after the new year, the Empress Dowager passed away, and the Lu family gradually declined until finally the family was ruined. Since she had taken over the original owner's body, she had to find a way to protect herself and her family. She must never let those tragic scenes in the book come true.
Now that she was on bad terms with both the male and female protagonists, the only way she could think of was to find a new powerful patron. If her guess was right, the person she wanted to cling to would appear today. She had to seize the opportunity to win his favor.
Just thinking about it made her a little excited.
Lu Wanning began to cast furtive glances outside.
In the eyes of others, it seemed that she couldn't wait to see the Heir of the Fu family.
So a lady joked, "Hey, I saw Lady Fu just now. Why can't I see her now? Princess, your Prince of Zhennan's Mansion is about to form an alliance with the Fu family. Congratulations!"
Actually, although both the Prince of Zhennan's Mansion and the Duke of Zhongyong's Mansion were military families, the two families were not on good terms. If it weren't for Ning'er's deep affection for Fu Rongxuan and her persistent pleas to the Empress Dowager for many days, the two families would never have formed an alliance.
However, because Ning'er liked him, the Princess didn't have a bad impression of Fu Rongxuan. She just smiled and nodded, "Thank you, Lady Hao. I've spoiled this girl of mine too much. Now that she's about to get married, I'm always worried that she won't be a good daughter - in - law in her husband's family."
Lady Hao had a straightforward personality. Moreover, the Prince of Zhennan's Mansion was so noble that she couldn't compare with it. Naturally, she said something nice, "Princess, why are you worried? When we were girls, weren't we all naughty? We'll become more sensible after getting married. Besides, in my opinion, the Princess is a phoenix among people. It's the fortune of the Duke of Fu's Mansion that she's going to marry into their family."
These words made the Princess very happy, and she became especially affectionate towards Lady Hao.
He Chan, sitting in the upper seat, was so angry that her teeth itched. It was clearly her coming - of - age ceremony, but why were these ladies and noble girls all surrounding Lu Wanning? It was always like this. This Lu Wanning must have done it on purpose!
Lady He was afraid that something else might go wrong, so she quickly said, "Ao Han, take Chan'er in to do her makeup first. It'll be time for the ceremony soon."
He Chan was naturally reluctant, but Shi Aohan held her hand and gave a look in Lu Wanning's direction. He Chan pouted and nodded reluctantly.
Just as they were about to leave, an old woman came to announce, "My lady, His Highness the Prince of Rui is here."
Lu Wanning's eyes lit up, and she immediately sat up straight. The powerful patron she wanted to cling to was here. She didn't expect to see him in person so soon. It was really exciting!
Sheng Jinyu, the Prince of Rui, was the only man in the original book who wasn't attracted by the female protagonist's beauty and talent. Although he failed in the fight for the throne later, that was two years later. Now the time when the Lu family was suspected by the emperor was almost up. If she wanted to protect her family and herself, she had to act immediately.
This powerful patron could be clung to for now. As for the future, she could deal with it later.
Lu Wanning was very happy and didn't notice that He Chan, who was about to leave, immediately stopped in her tracks after hearing the announcement. No matter how Shi Aohan pulled her, she refused to take another step. She just stared fixedly at the door.
At the door, a man in a black robe embroidered with golden python patterns walked in steadily, looking straight ahead. This man had slanting eyebrows that extended into his temples, giving an air of authority even without getting angry. Although his appearance was handsome, his thin lips were tightly pursed, indicating that he was not easy to approach. Moreover, there was a hint of laziness in his unhurried posture, making people feel that this man should be a celestial being in a painting rather than standing among them.
The young ladies who had been chatting and laughing just now all fell silent. Some young girls with budding love in their hearts blushed at just one glance.
He was the Prince of Rui. Except for the Princess of Zhennan, he didn't need to pay respects to anyone present. So he just walked to the Princess of Zhennan and performed the usual courtesy.
When he raised his eyebrows, he saw the young girl sitting behind the Princess, blinking her big eyes and looking at him brightly.
When Lu Wanning saw Sheng Jinyu looking at her, she quickly showed a flattering smile and said crisply, "Cousin, may you be in good health."
There was a hint of surprise in Sheng Jinyu's eyes. Lu Wanning often entered the palace to accompany the Empress Dowager, and he often saw her, but they had never talked alone. Today, since she took the initiative to speak, he couldn't help but take a closer look at her and felt that she seemed very different from before.
She was less vulgar and more like an orchid in a secluded valley.
Without thinking too much, Sheng Jinyu didn't respond. He turned around and went in front of Lady He, nodding slightly, "My aunt is slightly ill and can't come to pay respects. She asked me to bring the congratulatory gifts. I hope my lady will accept them."
Lady He naturally agreed. She nodded excitedly. Just as she wanted to chat more with the Prince of Rui, Sheng Jinyu had already turned around and left gracefully.
He came quickly and left in a hurry, but no one present was surprised. This Prince of Rui was deeply favored by the emperor. He was even more prestigious than the Crown Prince, who was the legitimate son of the Queen. Because of his celestial - like charm, there were many people who were in love with him. However, perhaps because of too much favor, he was rather arrogant. Wherever he went, he always looked so cold, which made people afraid.
Seeing the powerful patron she wanted to cling to leaving, Lu Wanning couldn't sit still anymore. She had only called out once and hadn't found a way to strike up a conversation yet. It was not appropriate to talk in front of so many people. She still had to find a way to meet him alone.
An idea came to her mind. Lu Wanning covered her stomach and whispered in her mother's ear, "Mother, I'm not feeling well. I'll go to change my clothes first."
The Princess knew that she was always a clever girl and was about to ask more. But at this time, several ladies came, and she couldn't ignore them. Just during the time of chatting, Lu Wanning had disappeared.
Lu Wanning ran all the way. The Duke of He's Mansion was the original owner's maternal grandfather's mansion. Since childhood, she had been very familiar with the roads here. Following the small path, she finally saw Sheng Jinyu and his servant walking forward on the long corridor between the inner and outer halls.
How should she strike up a conversation?
Lu Wanning hadn't thought of a good idea yet. Should she pretend to fall or drop a handkerchief? Wasn't that too vulgar?
In a moment, Lu Wanning came up with an idea. She quickly stepped forward and stood in front of Sheng Jinyu, bowing respectfully, "Cousin, how are you?"
Sheng Jinyu slightly raised his eyebrows. His eyes were as black as the bottom of a deep well, always exuding a faint chill. Hearing Lu Wanning call him, he didn't stop but continued walking forward.
Lu Wanning was stunned for a moment and quickly followed him. He had long legs and walked very fast. She had to trot to keep up, "Cousin... Uh, Your Highness the Prince of Rui, wait for me. I have something to tell you."
Only then did Sheng Jinyu stop. His face still showed impatience, "What is it?"