Siheyuan: tomb robbing? I am serious about hunting.

Chapter 724: Decorate with Lights

There are two other concubines. Lin is gentle and graceful, and is quite favored by Master Sheng; Zhao is of humble origin and is usually cautious. The girls of the Sheng family each have their own merits. The eldest daughter, Sheng Xiaolan, has eyebrows like distant black ink, eyes like autumn water, and a smart and reserved personality, which is deeply loved by Zhou. The eldest daughter, Sheng Molan, is born with a beautiful and charming appearance and outstanding talents. Because of her biological mother, Lin, she is also the focus of Master Sheng. The third daughter, Sheng Rulan, has a straightforward personality and is a lively and playful girl. On this day, Zhou was sitting in the main hall, holding an account book in her hand, carefully calculating the family's expenses. Sun walked in with small steps, with a faint smile on her face: "Madam, I went shopping on the street today and saw that the materials in several shops were good. I thought of making some new clothes for the girls." Zhou raised her head and glanced at her lightly: "You are thoughtful, but when it comes to making clothes, you still have to follow the rules and can't be partial." Sun smiled and said: "Of course, I've remembered it." As she was talking, Lin came in with Molan. Molan was wearing a pink silk dress today, with a jade hairpin in her hair, which made her look even more charming. She stepped forward and bowed: "Greetings to mother and Aunt Sun." Lin also followed suit. Zhou nodded slightly: "Get up, has Molan been studying hard these days?" Molan said softly: "My daughter studies hard every day and dares not slack off." Lin smiled and said: "Molan is a smart child. She learns to read and write quickly." At this time, Rulan rushed in and saw everyone, and hurriedly saluted: "Mother, Aunt Sun, Aunt Lin." Zhou frowned: "Rulan, you are so temperamental, when can you be more stable and act like a lady from a noble family." Rulan stuck out her tongue: "Mother, my daughter will change." Seeing her like this, everyone couldn't help laughing. A few days later, the Sheng family received an invitation. It turned out that the son of the Minister of Personnel was going to hold a birthday banquet and invited the sons and daughters of various families in the capital to attend the banquet. This was a good opportunity to show up in front of the dignitaries in the capital, and the Sheng family would naturally not miss it. Zhou called several girls to her and told them carefully: "When you go to the Shangshu Mansion for the banquet, you must be careful in what you say and do, and don't lose the dignity of our Sheng family. Xiaolan, you are the eldest daughter, and you must set an example." Xiaolan nodded and said, "My daughter understands." Molan said on the side: "Don't worry, mother, I will not embarrass the Sheng family." Rulan also said, "I will be careful too." On the day of the banquet, several girls dressed up carefully. Xiaolan wore a moon-white dress, which was simple and generous, but not without dignity. Molan wore a bright red brocade dress and wore various jewelry, which looked particularly gorgeous. Rulan wore a goose yellow dress, lively and playful. The group came to the Shangshu Mansion, only to see that the mansion was decorated with lights and guests. As soon as the girls of the Sheng family appeared, they attracted a lot of attention. Xiaolan greeted everyone generously, and Molan showed her talent from time to time, attracting the attention of some young masters. Rulan followed Xiaolan, curiously looking at everything around. At the banquet, Molan met a young man named Wen Yanjing, who was the son of the Minister of Rites. Wen Yanjing was handsome and elegant, and Molan fell in love with him at first sight. The two had a good conversation, and Molan was secretly happy, thinking that she had met her ideal husband. However, when she returned home, Lin saw through Molan's thoughts. Lin wanted her daughter to marry into a wealthy family. She knew that although Wen Yanjing had a good family background, he did not have much future in his official career. So she began to give Molan advice and asked her to find a way to meet a more powerful man. Although Molan was a little reluctant, she did not dare to go against her mother's wishes. So in the following days, she began to attend various banquets frequently, hoping to meet a better candidate. Xiaolan, on the other hand, was arranged by Zhou to learn the way of housekeeping. Zhou knew that as the eldest daughter of the Sheng family, she would have to take on family responsibilities in the future. Xiaolan was also very attentive. She followed Zhou to learn how to manage accounts, arrange servants, and handle various household affairs. One day, Master Sheng brought back a message saying that the emperor intended to select several women from the powerful families in the capital to enter the palace to serve as concubines for several princes. As soon as the news came out, the Sheng family was in an uproar. Zhou was naturally unwilling to let her daughter enter the palace. She felt that life in the deep palace was not easy. But Sun and Lin had their own thoughts. They both hoped that their daughters could take this opportunity to cling to the prince and bring greater glory to the Sheng family. When Molan heard the news, she was very entangled. She wanted to enter the palace, but she was afraid of life in the palace. Lin kept persuading her: "Lan'er, this is a rare opportunity. If you can get the favor of the prince, our Sheng family will be prosperous in the future." Molan listened to her mother's words and gradually had an idea in her heart. She began to dress herself more carefully, learn various etiquette and talents, hoping to stand out in the draft. Rulan was very resistant to this. She said to Zhou: "Mother, I don't want to enter the palace. I just want to find a good husband and live a plain life." Zhou felt sorry for her daughter and comforted her, saying: "Don't worry, mother won't let you enter the palace." The day of the selection was getting closer and closer, and the ladies in the capital were preparing for this event. The girls of Sheng's family were no exception. Although Xiaolan was not very interested in entering the palace, she also prepared seriously according to Zhou's requirements. Finally, the day of the selection arrived. The girls of Sheng's family came to the palace under the leadership of Zhou. The palace was solemn and solemn. The girls who came to the selection were all wearing gorgeous clothes and waiting nervously. When it was the turn of the girls of Sheng's family, Xiaolan was the first to come forward. She behaved properly and answered questions calmly. The emperor and the queen had a good impression of her. Then it was Molan. She deliberately showed her beauty and talent, hoping to attract the attention of the emperor and the princes. Rulan was a little nervous and stuttered when answering questions. After the selection, the girls of the Sheng family returned home and waited for the results. A few days later, the results finally came out. Xiaolan was married by the emperor to Qi Heng, the second son of the Duke of Qi. Qi Heng was handsome and talented, and was the object of admiration for many girls in the capital. Molan was selected to enter the palace and became the concubine of the third prince. Rulan was betrothed to the son of a fifth-rank official. This result made the Sheng family very satisfied.