My sister became the empress, but I'm still growing vegetables and raising chickens

The eldest princess hosted a flower-viewing banquet in a scenic garden outside Beijing.

The weather is getting warmer. The crabapple blossoms are no longer blooming in Lingnan, but they are still in full bloom in Kyoto. The pink petals flutter in the wind, and the ground seems to be covered with a layer of brocade.

The three girls from the Si family were not familiar with the Kyoto girl. Even some of their childhood friends had lost contact after not seeing each other for nine years. When they met again, they looked so different that it was hard to tell who was who.

The two girls following the eldest princess were dignified and graceful, and behaved very appropriately. Even Si Muyan couldn't help but take a few more glances at them.

The older one came over with a smile and took Si Muyan's arm: "This is the eldest daughter of the Si family, right? I am Gui Shan, and my father is the Junior Secretary of the Honglu Temple."

Of course Si Muyan knew this name. The Gui family was not a Kyoto family. The fact that Lord Gui could reach the position of Shaoqing at the age of forty was really because he had good abilities and knew how to deal with people tactfully between superiors and subordinates.

The two girls from the Gui family were included in the ranks of noble ladies because they had an excellent reputation since childhood and were known for their gentleness and generosity.

However, on an occasion like today, the eldest princess did not let her daughter Zhao Ning come out to receive the guests, but instead invited another girl over?

After thinking about it for a while, Si Muyan realized it.

Hearing that County Lady Zhao Ning had a very straightforward temper, the three of them felt a bit awkward. The eldest princess was afraid that Zhao Ning would speak without thinking and say the wrong thing to offend others, so she asked Gui Shan to help.

As expected, Gui Shan took the girl from the Si family and introduced the girl on the other side: "This is my sister Gui Yuan."

Si Muyan also introduced her second and youngest sisters.

Gui Shan's eyes curved, "I've heard before that the three girls from the Si family are the goddesses of the Nine Heavens who have come down to earth. Now that I've seen them, I know it's true."

Gui Yuan followed suit and laughed: "The third young lady was personally appointed as the county lady by the Empress Dowager. She has noble character and extraordinary appearance."

The two Miss Guis spoke one after another, praising the three sisters of the Si family to the point that they were the best in the world.

With the two of them taking the lead, the atmosphere among the girls became lively and they were quite warm to the three girls from the Si family.

The girls gathered together to chat, mostly discussing clothes and jewelry, the most fashionable styles, new products from the Treasure Pavilion, etc.

The more elegant ones like to talk about poetry, books, rituals and music, but the two young ladies of the Gui family know how to control the topic. They know that the girls of the Si family are not familiar with these things, so as long as someone brings it up, they will quickly take over the topic.

The girls also had their own groups, and soon they divided into several groups and gathered together. Si Muyan was confused and was taken by Gui Shan to the pond to feed the koi.

A cheerful girl named Ye said, "These koi were brought back from the south by Prince Yunyang, specifically for his daughter, Princess Heji's birthday. They were originally kept in the palace, but as they multiplied, they gave some away. Now, eighty to ninety percent of the koi in the aristocratic families of Kyoto come from Prince Yunyang's palace."

Si Muyan smiled and nodded: "Is that so? It seems that I have to raise some at home, otherwise the pond will be very boring if it is empty."

Miss Ye waved her hand and said, "What's the big deal? I have some at home. I'll have some sent to the Marquis' Mansion when I get home today."

Si Muyan was thinking about the situation of the Ye family. They were one of the four big families in Kyoto and their family background was pretty good. Her father and brother both held high positions in government and they were moderate people, so there was no such thing as taking sides.

Thinking of this, she secretly laughed at herself for being too cautious. Could others have any intentions towards the Si family? Miss Ye seemed to be a straightforward person, but she was still suspicious.

When she looked up again, she didn't see her second and youngest sisters, and Si Muyan couldn't help feeling a little worried.

Gui Shan noticed her worry and said hurriedly, "Her Royal Highness the Princess just said she wanted to speak with the County Lady, and she's gone. As for the Second Young Lady, she went to the woods to see the crabapple blossoms over there. Don't worry, Eldest Young Lady, the only ones here today are ladies, and the gardens are staffed by servants. No one outside can enter without the Princess's summons."

Si Muyan smiled and said, "Sorry."

Gui Shan was so smart that she just smiled and took Si Muyan to have some tea and snacks.

When they reached the corridor, Gui Shan called over a little maid: "Why isn't my sister here?"

"Miss, County Lady Zhao Ning just came over and said she wanted to see the flowers, and she called the second young lady over."

Gui Shan frowned, but soon relaxed again. "Go and ask the fourth young lady of the Guan family to tell her that the second young lady Si is going to the Begonia Garden to see the flowers. Please ask her to go and see them as well."

Si Muyan sipped her tea and thought silently in her heart that Gui Shan was really considerate. She knew that she was worried about her second sister having no one to accompany her, so she made very appropriate arrangements.

As for the Guan family mentioned by Gui Shan, she was deeply impressed.

When he just returned to Beijing, although he received constant rewards from the palace, few noble families came to visit him. It was the Guan couple who were the first to visit the Si family.

Si Xingzhi told them that Master Guan was a close friend of his who grew up with him.

She didn't know whether they were really good or not, but just based on the friendship of the first one to visit them, she knew that the Guan family was pretty good.

Miss Guishan is truly an amazing person. She understands every detail clearly and can quickly make different arrangements.

However, Lady Zhao Ning of the county walked directly into the innermost part of the crabapple forest. There was a high wall separating the inside and outside of the courtyard. Broken tiles were inserted on the high wall to prevent anyone from breaking in.

Zhao Ning saw a big rock on the side of the road, so he sat on it without any hesitation, covered his eyes with a handkerchief and started crying.

Gui Yuan was startled and hurried to comfort her: "What's wrong with you, Sister County Master? Why are you crying for no reason?"

"Did you hear what my mother said just now?" Zhao Ning choked.

Gui Yuan's eyes rolled. "Are you talking about the princess saying you're not feeling well and asking you to return to the capital?"

"How can I be unwell? Even if I want to return to Beijing, can't I just go back directly?" Zhao Ning was furious. "Why did he have to ask that person to pick me up? Do I need him to pick me up?"

Gui Yuan sighed, "I know you're talking about His Royal Highness Prince Ning. Actually, I feel sorry for you."

"Really?" Zhao Ning raised his head. "You also think that he and I are not suitable?"

"A man like him, whose bloodline is not even known to be royal, how can he be worthy of you, sister?"

Zhao Ning shook his head. "I don't really care about that. I've only met him a few times, and I'm not familiar with him. He's such a cold person, and I..."

Gui Yuan said hurriedly, "Yes, that's the most important thing. He's not the kind of person who understands your feelings. My mother said, when it comes to marriage, family background doesn't matter. The most important thing is love. Without a man's love, wouldn't a woman's life be miserable?"

The more she spoke, the sadder Zhao Ning became.

Gui Yuan covered her mouth as if she had just realized she had said something wrong. "Oh, I'm sorry, sister. I was just speaking from the heart. Actually... actually, Prince Ning doesn't really understand the rules. After all, he didn't grow up in Kyoto. I heard he was from the countryside, so..."

At this moment, a cold voice came from the side: "I heard Nanny teach me before that women should be careful with their words and actions and never talk about others behind their backs. Today I know that you are unworthy of being noble ladies!"