First Concubine

Chapter 139 The joy of reunion (5)

 The sound of firecrackers marks the end of the year, and the spring breeze brings warmth to Tusu.

In the 21st year of Emperor Jing's reign, the war in Mobei was victorious, and Guo Yan embarked on the road back to Beijing with a letter of surrender from the Tai family.

On the first day of the new year, the sky cleared up and the ground was covered with snow. Looking from a distance, the entire palace was completely white.

Shui Linglong is greedy for warmth, so she can't sleep in bed under the quilt.

Zhuge Yu got up to change his clothes. He always preferred dark colors and disliked complicated totems. Today he also wore a silver brocade suit with water-reflecting patterns. There was a white jade pendant hanging around his waist, which matched the exquisite water one. The tassel of the jade pendant last night It was tied into a small concentric knot style by Shui Linglong, he liked it very much!

 He smiled narrowly at Shui Linglong!

Shui Linglong thought of the madness and wantonness last night, her cheeks suddenly felt hot, and she hurriedly retracted her head into the quilt.

 Zhuge Yu chuckled, with a hint of evil charm and uninhibitedness, and his tone was even more twisted, making people dizzy: "Now you know how to be shy, eh?"

Shui Linglong swore that she would never have **** with a man or a woman again. She was really riding a tiger and it was hard to get off!

Zhuge Yu walked to the closet, opened the door, and started to pick out her outfit for today, including a bright red embroidered lotus bellyband, a pair of plain white cotton underwear, a set of cotton underwear of the same color, and a blue narrow Long coats with slanted waist and lapels. Short coats look better, but long coats are warmer.

Shui Linglong looked at the moment he held the underwear in his palm, and her expression changed instantly...

After choosing clothes, Zhuge Yu took off his shoes and went to bed, held her and the quilt between his legs, and dressed her neatly. Even the most loving father in the world could only do this to his daughter.

The two of them finished washing and went to Tian'anju to pay New Year's greetings to the old lady. Shui Linglong's right hand was placed in a hand warmer, and her left hand was held by Zhuge Yu. On the road, the cold wind howled, like a knife scraping people's faces, causing pain and pain. The breath was blown into the air like white mist, making people feel colder and colder looking at it.

Not long after walking, Shui Linglong's little ears turned red from the cold. Zhuge Yu stopped, put her left hand into a warm hand, rubbed her cold ears carefully with his fingertips, and told Zhi Fan: "Take it." Come here with that silver fox cloak."

Zhi Fan turned around and ran into Mohe Courtyard, and took the cloak Zhuge Yu asked for. Zhuge Yu put it on Shui Linglong, tied it with a ribbon, and then led her forward again.

Shui Linglong raised the corner of her mouth in an arc that was difficult to suppress. After looking around, she kissed Zhuge Yu's handsome face as fast as lightning...

In Tian'an Residence, Zhuge Liuyun and Leng Youru sat with the old lady on the bed, and Zhen sat on a chair beside them. Everyone's faces were filled with joyful smiles, even Leng Youru remained indifferent. A faint smile.

When Leng Youru put aside her pride and took the initiative to retain Zhuge Liuyun, the cold war between the two for more than a month came to an end, and the rumors about Leng Youru's fall from grace were self-defeating. In everyone's opinion, the legitimate wife is the legitimate wife, and she is definitely not comparable to one or two concubines who are charming and charming. So what if Zhaoyun is favored again? Still can't shake the princess's position in the prince's mind!

Shui Linglong didn't think much of it. She was beautiful on the outside but hesitant on the inside. Only the person involved knew the feeling. If Zhuge Liuyun had been a prodigal son from the beginning, maybe Leng Youru didn't feel so resentful in her heart. However, Zhuge Liuyun has been there for twenty years. For one day, she was the only one who doted on her. Leng Youru had long been accustomed to the days when Zhuge Liuyun had to be loyal to her no matter whether she loved Zhuge Liuyun or not. Now that this balanced situation was ruthlessly broken, how could she possibly Feeling good?

 Furthermore, the reconciliation between Leng Youru and Zhuge Liuyun was achieved by putting aside their pride! I wonder if, as arrogant as she is, she feels so uncomfortable that her heart bleeds when she begs her husband for forgiveness?

"Happy New Year!"

"Happy New Year!"

Everyone greeted each other, and then the juniors kowtowed to their elders one by one, and the elders handed out red envelopes one by one. Except for Zhuge Shu who looked angry, everyone else was smiling.

 Qiao Hui and Prince An were inseparable. I thought they were newlyweds, so the couple got along fairly well.

If Dong Jialin is always generous and easy-going, Qiao Hui is as reserved as a guest who has not been able to integrate into the big family. The maids offer cakes and snacks, but she usually doesn't take them much, and she doesn't take the initiative to interact with the elders. When the Taijun or the elders talk to him, he will answer a few words respectfully only when asked. The number of words is not many, but the words are concise and to the point.

The old lady's joyful eyes swept over the bellies of Shui Linglong and Qiao Hui, and she said with a smile: "Oh, whoever gives me a great-grandson first, I will make a month's worth of gold for him!"

Qiao Hui smiled shyly: "Of course it was my sister-in-law who came first. My sister-in-law and my eldest brother have such a good relationship. I'm sure we will hear the good news next month!"

After hearing this, Shui Linglong’s eyebrows raised!

Zhen, who didn’t have three hundred taels of silver here, said, “You just need to learn from them, Ming’er, please work harder!”

Prince An was slightly shy, but said seriously: "I understand, mother."

Qiao Hui looked at Zhuge Yu who was peeling oranges for Shui Linglong, and a trace of envy flashed in her eyes. No matter how hard she and the prince tried to cultivate their relationship, there was still Dong Jialin in the middle.

A few people talked and laughed for a while, and had breakfast together. After a while, everyone dispersed. Shui Linglong noticed that Leng Youru seemed to be pushing Zhuge Liuyun to go to her courtyard. Zhuge Liuyun looked hesitant, looked at Uncle Yu outside the door, shook his head, and returned to the main courtyard!

Shui Linglong also looked at Uncle Yu instantly. However, she was faster, and Uncle Yu was faster than her. In the blink of an eye, Uncle Yu had turned away his face and concealed his expression.

Shui Linglong raised her eyebrows suspiciously!

At this time, Qiao Hui came over and said with a gentle and humble smile: "I have made an appointment with my eldest brother to play chess, and I am bored. I happen to be not very familiar with the environment in the house. Can you please take me around with my sister-in-law?" "

Shui Linglong looked at Prince An, who was trying hard to please Zhuge Yu and smiling brightly. She didn't know what she thought of, and smiled and said, "Okay."

They said goodbye to their respective husbands and walked out together. Along the way, Shui Linglong patiently introduced the landscape and courtyards of the mansion to her: "This is a place specially built for a stage. It is very cool in the windy summer... This is the Qingya Courtyard, the eldest sister's courtyard, and the concubine's Qingyouyuan. There is only a small plum forest between them. If you cross the small plum forest, you will arrive in half an hour..."

Qiao Hui listened very carefully and tried to remember the name of each courtyard.

When she walked to a courtyard full of wintersweet flowers, Shui Linglong showed a somewhat embarrassed look: "Let's... go to the front and have a look!"

Qiao Hui naturally did not ignore any of the expressions on Shui Linglong's face. She looked inside and saw that apart from being very new and clean...there was nothing else! Why doesn't it seem convenient for my sister-in-law to mention her?

 While thinking about it, Shui Linglong had already stepped away. Qiao Hui raised her head, looked at the gold plaque, and secretly wrote down its name.

"You don't have to feel aggrieved. It's your blessing that the princess is willing to teach you personally! The prince is a man who does big things. If he wastes his time all day long on a maid, isn't it a waste of talent and underutilization?" Mother Qiao scolded her coldly. Willow green.

Liu Lu angrily glared at the old woman holding chicken feathers as an arrow, wishing she could rush up and tear her mouth open!

Her expression fell into the eyes of Mother Qiao, who suddenly raised her voice: "You are still staring at me? I asked you to go to Qingyouyuan on the order of the princess! If you disrespect me, you are disrespecting the princess, you know? ?”

Liu Lu curled her lips and blessed her body unwillingly: "I know this, please forgive Mother Qiao."

Mother Qiao was so angry that she grew her eyes to the top of her head just because she had some favor from the prince! Are all maids today so arrogant?

Shui Linglong and Qiao Hui were walking around when they came across this scene. Qiao Hui was shocked again. The woman not far away passed by a light green long coat embroidered with lilac, lined with a yellow skirt, and only pearls could be seen. The skirt of her skirt swayed slightly when the breeze blew, shining like stars all over the sky, shining brightly in an instant. His eyes slowly moved up and fell on her face with picturesque features and smooth skin. Qiao Hui took a breath, what a beautiful woman!

When Qiao Hui looked at Mother Qiao and Liu Lu, Mother Qiao also looked towards them. When her eyes touched Shui Linglong, Mother Qiao snorted, but in a blink of an eye, she pulled Liu Luxing to the two of them: "To the Crown Princess Say hello, say hello to the second young lady!”

Liu Lu also said: "This slave has met the Crown Princess and the Second Young Mistress!"

Shui Linglong smiled faintly and said, "Where is Mother Qiao taking Zhaoyun?"

Zhaoyun? The prince’s new favorite? The stunning look in Qiao Hui's eyes faded instantly, revealing a touch of contempt. No matter how beautiful and noble a woman is, she has devalued herself by becoming a concubine.

Mama Qiao replied in a normal tone: "As for the princess, the princess invites Zhaoyun to Qingyouyuan to teach her chess, calligraphy and painting from now on, so that she can better serve the prince."

Leng Youru is so generous, I don’t know if this is another way to please Zhuge Liuyun, or...

Shui Linglong smiled and said, "Oh, that's right. Concubine is still seriously ill. Please tell Mother Qiao to tell Concubine that nothing is more important than her body. Pay more attention to rest."

Mama Qiao said politely: "Thank you for your concern, Crown Princess. Your filial piety will be conveyed to the princess truthfully!"

From beginning to end, Shui Linglong and Liu Lu never looked at each other, as if they were not masters and servants in the past, but they have become strangers in the future.

 After the episode, Shui Linglong continued to take Qiao Hui to visit the garden, but obviously, Qiao Hui was no longer in the mood to stroll around. Her mind was full of thoughts, and what Shui Linglong said basically went in one ear and out the other. It wasn't until Shui Linglong asked her if she wanted to come in and sit at the door of Mohe Courtyard that she asked with a pale face: "Sister-in-law, Your Majesty... do you love Zhaoyun very much?" As if to hide something, she added, " I feel very sad for the princess. We have been in love with the prince for more than 20 years, and suddenly such a beautiful maid appears. How can I accept it? "

Shui Linglong showed a thoughtful look: "We will not comment on the younger generation's opinions on the elders' affairs. Whatever happened to Zhaoyun is passed down by the servants. I can't say for sure."

Qiao Hui's face turned pale: "I've spoken out loud, sister-in-law, don't blame me."

"No." Shui Linglong smiled and nodded, turned around and entered the house. Qiao Hui took a step forward and planned to go back to Pingtingxuan. Halfway through, she suddenly stopped. The words "Zijingyuan" appeared in her mind involuntarily, and she looked around her. Xiu'er, the maid, ordered, "Please quietly find out who lives in the Bauhinia Courtyard and what the situation is. Find out carefully! And...be smart!"

Xiuer understood what Qiao Hui meant and nodded: "Yes! I will do it now!"

 …

At a fork in the road surrounded by mountains, Guo Yan and a group of his cronies stopped by the roadside to rest. The deputy general took out cold steamed buns and a water bag, handed them to Guo Yan, and said: "General! Eat something! Later We still have to hurry!”

How can Guo Yan be in the mood to eat? He wished he could grow a pair of wings and fly back! Linglong made so many clothes for him and sent him so many things. She must have missed him! As for why this happened, he could only attribute it to the fact that he had done a good job cultivating his relationship with her! In short...he just wanted to see her right away!

"You can eat!" Guo Yan waved his hand, looked at the soldiers who were eating steamed buns and drinking snow water, his eyes moved, and he said with a hint of apology, "Thank you for your hard work!"

 “It’s not hard work!” they all said in unison!

Guo Yan looked away, took out the map from his pocket, looked at it, and compared the official road in front with the path on the right. Apart from being deserted, the path was not dangerous. A group of soldiers on the battlefield were not afraid of venomous snakes, beasts, or bandits and thieves. , taking the small road can save about two to three days.

Guo Yan made a decision quickly: "Feed the horse some food and take the path!"

"Princess! Is it right for us to do this? We are obviously here to pray for the Queen and the Long Live Lord. If we sneak away...if we are discovered, the Queen will be so angry that she will kill someone!" Bronze looked at his men's clothing and touched it again. He touched the two fake beards at the corners of his mouth, lowered his voice, and asked tremblingly.

The third princess patted her head with a folding fan, raised her little head with a man's bun, and snorted disapprovingly: "You are stupid! I said no one would disturb you for ten days! Could it be that I haven't found the consort in ten days?" ? Just be back on time! Stop being so wordy and get in the carriage!"

"Princess..." Bronze called in a low voice, and the third princess knocked her again, "Call Young Master!"

Bronze grievantly stunned: "Master, the horse is going back anyway, why are you so anxious?"

The third princess sighed: "You have never liked someone before, you don't understand."

In order to conceal themselves from others, they changed into men's clothes, slipped out through the back door, mixed with the pilgrims, and easily slipped out of the temple.

The coachman tightened his cloak and asked, "Sir, there are many roads to the north. Should we take the official road or the small road? Taking the small road is faster, but it is easy to encounter robbers and beasts that come out for food. The official road The road is slower, but safer.”

The third princess thought for a while, then said in a rough voice, pretending to be serious: "Let me ask you, which way will our generals of the Zhou Dynasty take when they return to the court?"

The coachman smiled: "Of course it's the official way! How can a soldier take a small road? This is not in line with the style of an official? They all have to accept the worship and welcome of the people along the way!"

 Worship? welcome? Hee hee...her Guo Yan is so capable! The third princess showed a little pride and said: "Follow the official path!"

 (End of this chapter)