Zhu Xianxian was a bit surprised about what she said and then she asked back, “To appreciate flowers with all the citizens?”
When Zhu Xianxian was still confused about An Rushuang’s words, Princess Anyang clapped her hands and praised Rushuang’s idea smilingly, “Fantastic! Have you thought of a good place to hold the banquet?”
Looking at Anyang with her bright eyes, An Rushuang said slowly, “Now that you ask me this, I believe you have some ideas. What about we say it at the same time and see if they are the same?”
Looking at each other, they smiled and said together, “Flower Tower!”
Hearing this, Xianxian felt everything clearer. Speaking of the most elegant place in the capital, it must be Changting Pavilion.
Although Changting Pavilion was always filled with refined scholars, it was also a place for dining and drinking. Therefore, it was not appropriate for appreciating flowers. Beside the Changting Pavilion stood the Flower Tower which was the former place for royal family to appreciate flowers. The tower, left unused for a long time, could overlook all the sceneries of the capital.
It would be more than appropriate for them to hold a flower banquet there.
They said the same words at the same time. Both of them couldn"t help laughing out. Princess Anyang said, “Good! We’ll go for Flower Tower. I do not need those ladies to appreciate my peonies. As long as you are a flower-lover, you can attend my banquet.”
Mingyue was a playful person; hearing this, she excitedly agreed, “That’s great! I can help to carry the peonies!” She was so excited that her eyes were s.h.i.+ning like a child, making everyone laughing.
Princess Anyang smiled at her, “There’re a lot of servants in the Manor who can carry the flowers. If I really let you do this, ladies in the capital would accuse me of bullying guests.”
Seeing everyone excited, Qing Lu felt worried. She whispered to Princess Anyang, “Your Grace, if Lord Rong knew this, he won"t agree on your idea. And Nanny w.a.n.g… I’m afraid we can’t…”
Recently, Lord Rong was getting increasing stricter on Princess Anyang. Nanny w.a.n.g was invited from the imperial palace to teach Princess Anyang about etiquettes. But in fact it was more inspection than teaching.
Slightly frowned, Princess Anyang said, “No worries. Dad even didn"t allow me to hold this banquet, did he? But I still managed to send invitations to all ladies. Now we should do the same.”
Everyone was curious about what they were talking about, except Qing Lu. She was still concerned. After a while, she said, “I’m afraid that Nanny w.a.n.g has already been on the alert…”
Saying so, she heard a dull but loud voice of an old woman. “Princess Anyang, you haven’t had the morning tea before you went to welcome the three ladies.”
Turning around, Qing Lu saw Nanny w.a.n.g in sapphire blue walking towards them. She couldn"t help letting out a gasp.
Talk of the devil and she comes.
However, Princess Anyang didn"t even care a bit. Slightly raising her eyebrows, she said, “Nanny w.a.n.g, isn’t that you always talking about etiquettes are the fundamentals? There won’t be many guests coming to Changchun Garden. Of course, I have to welcome them in person to show my etiquettes. Nanny w.a.n.g, isn’t that what you taught me? But I still wonder that within your knowledge, is it appropriate to instigate a servant to kick off guests?”
Previously at the gate, she heard Luoxia accusing Nanny w.a.n.g. She was holding back her resentment at that time. Saying it out, she felt much more relieved now.
At a distance, Nanny Liu paid a respect with head up as if she was the master.
She didn"t reply to Princess Anyang’s words. Instead, she said seriously, “Your Grace, I only know that Princess Mingxi was beloved by the emperor. If you really behave according to etiquettes, you should have given in. Holding the banquet is already inappropriate.” Looking up, she added, “Your Grace, do not make more mistakes.” From her murky eyes there could be seen some harshness.
They had just talked about the Flower Tower banquet. But now Nanny w.a.n.g knew this. Thinking so, An Rushuang couldn"t help frowning. It seemed that Princess Anyang didn"t have an easy life; she was inspected as such…
Princess Anyang couldn"t help sneering, “What do you mean by making mistakes? So you want to convict me?”
Nanny w.a.n.g lowered her head and replied, “Of course not. How dare I? But Your Grace, you are always gentle and obedient; it is also Lady Rong’s intention…”
“Then go away and tell her! I really want to see who’s going to stop me today.” said Anyang coldly.
Hearing this, Nanny w.a.n.g also turned furious. She thought she had showed enough respect to Princess Anyang, but she was still making trouble. “If you insist on doing so, then I won’t care your feelings!”
Saying so, Nanny w.a.n.g turned back and left Changchun Garden. She must have gone for Lady Rong.
Qing Lu sneered and said, with her pretty little face full of anger, “When did the insolent old servant care others’ feelings? Now she pretends to be emotional!”
“Your Grace, never mind about her words. Take care of yourself. But I suppose even his lords.h.i.+p won"t agree on this,” said Qing Lu, trying to comfort Princess Anyang.
Qing Lu thought Princess Anyang could no longer depend on Lady Rong. She could only rely on Lord Rong. If she disobeys his lords.h.i.+p, she wouldn"t be able to compare with the second daughter who is thought highly of in the family though without the t.i.tle of “Princess”.
Princess Anyang smiled, “So what? Even if he disagrees, I am already at the Flower Tower when they try to find me. There would be a lot of people. Even if I do not care about my reputation, dad would consider Rong Manor’s reputation. Would they force me to come back?”
Saying so, Princess Anyang said to Qing Lu, “Ask the servants in the yard here to help carry the flowers. And send the biggest coach to the back gate. Remind them to take care of the flowers.”
Hearing this, Qing Lu knew that she could by no means stop Princess Anyang. So she nodded and said, “Yes, I’ll do it right now.”