First Concubine

Chapter 14: Taking Power by Clever Strategy (1)

 “Sister! You...”

Seeing that Shui Lingxi was about to jump into the trap set by Shui Linglong again, Qin Fangyi grabbed Shui Lingxi's hand and stopped her next words: "Lingxi, how many times have I told you that your grandmother will never be lingering again?" I'm sick, you've been worried for so long."

Shui Lingxi was startled for a moment, but she quickly reacted and shed two tears in response: "It's my fault. I lost my composure because I was too worried. It's a joke to my eldest sister."

"It's right that you are worried about your grandmother, but it's your fault that your worry makes your grandmother worry about you in turn. With your straightforward temperament, you won't have to worry about us after you get married..." At the end of the sentence, Qin Fangyi actually said Wiping away tears, "If you were half as smart as your eldest sister, I wouldn't be so heartbroken."

 Smart? He scolded her in a roundabout way for being a wealthy and incompetent person, and arguing with a straightforward sister. There was a cold light in Shui Linglong's quiet and deep eyes. It seemed that the short-term balance between Qin Fangyi and her had been completely broken. I don't know what aggravated the conflict.

 The old lady looked at them doubtfully.

Qin Fangyi pinched Shui Lingxi's hand. Shui Lingxi understood, stood up, took the Buddhist scriptures from the hand of the maid Bai Lan, knelt in front of the old lady, and said with a soft smile: "Lingxi was worried about grandma and couldn't sleep all night. I bought a copy of the "Prajnaparamita Heart Sutra" to pray for my grandmother, and hoped that my grandmother would not dislike Lingxi's ugly handwriting, which was hard to read. "It was so heartfelt that there were tears hanging from the corners of her eyes.

The old lady's heart softened for the most part. She stretched out her hand and was about to get it. Shui Linglong said with a smile: "Is it true that the second sister only cares about honoring grandma and doesn't care about her own body? You copy it slowly and give it to grandma a few days later." , Grandma won’t blame you, why bother to stay up late?”

 The old lady's eyes turned cold and she withdrew her hand that was about to take the Buddhist scriptures.

Shui Lingxi's smile froze at the corner of her lips. She said she was "staying up all night" because she wanted to win her grandmother's sympathy, but when Shui Linglong ridiculed her, she turned it into a "temporary cramming". It's really disgusting!

Shui Linglong looked at her condescendingly and said with a smile: "Sister, give it to me, I will put it away for my grandmother."

The two sisters grabbed the books at the same time. One was sitting and the other was kneeling. The one sitting sideways was the concubine and the one kneeling was the legitimate daughter. Shui Lingxi felt even worse than losing the literary test championship! She was so angry that she refused to let go. In the end, Qin Fangyi coughed twice before she reluctantly gave the book to Shui Linglong.

Shui Linglong opened the Buddhist scriptures and looked at it. It was in small regular script with hairpin flowers, which was the favorite font of women in the boudoir. In her previous life, Shui Lingxi was most admired by Xun Feng not for her appearance, but for her good handwriting. Shadow; also like the red lotus reflecting the water, and the green reflecting the floating clouds..." This shows that it is elegant, graceful, smooth and clean. Although the words on the Buddhist scriptures in front of me are beautiful, they are not at the same level as Shuilingxi's.

 How courageous...so great.

Qin Fangyi took a sip of tea and glanced at Shui Linglong out of the corner of her eye. After all, she underestimated this girl. She thought that the old lady didn't have much time to live. No matter how much Shui Linglong tried to flatter her, it would not help. Therefore, she did not let Lingxi get the share. lively. Unexpectedly, the old lady actually recovered! Shui Linglong fulfilled her filial piety when the old lady was at her most lonely and difficult to bear. Even though it was only a little more than a month, it still surpassed Lingxi's more than ten years! This kind of ability to move a thousand pounds with four ounces is even inferior to her.

"Old Madam, Mrs. Qin and the Second Young Master Qin from the Prime Minister's Mansion are here." The maid outside the door reported respectfully.

 Qin Fangyi was overjoyed, and the gloom all morning was swept away!

 The old lady touched the beads on her bun and said, "Invite them in."

Prime Minister Qin has two sons and one daughter. The eldest son Qin Huai is the daughter of his first wife. He serves as the fourth-rank deputy knight commander in the court. After getting married, he separated from the Prime Minister's Mansion and lived in his own mansion. The second son Qin Che and Qin Fangyi were married. From the Cao family. The Mrs. Qin mentioned by the maid is Qin Che's wife, the Qin family.

Ms. Qian is a very smart and capable woman. She serves her parents-in-law, manages general affairs, takes care of people and treats people...everything is praiseworthy, but her only shortcoming is that she cannot give birth to children. Fortunately, she won the heart of her husband, and her aunts gave birth to children and raised them all under her lap. After so many years, except for the two young ladies who were really weak and did not survive past the age of three, the other children have grown up healthily.

Yanshi and Qin Zhixiao opened the curtain and came in. Yanshi was over forty years old and looked like she was in her thirties if she took good care of herself. Her appearance was barely delicate, but her figure was plump and plump. She brought Qin Zhixiao to the old lady He bowed politely: "Hail, madam!"

However, his eyes flickered slightly when he glanced at Shui Linglong. The Qin and Shui mansions were in-laws. Before the old lady fell ill, Mrs. Yan often came here to visit, but she had never seen a daughter other than Shui Lingxi in Fushou Yuan. In his heart, he became more aware of Shui Linglong's position in Shangshu Mansion.

"Stop being so polite." The old lady looked at Qin Zhixiao and smiled kindly, "Zhixiao is already so old, he must be nineteen this year."

Qin Che had three sons in total. The eldest son was married and the younger son was engaged. However, the second son, Qin Zhixiao, was ill for several years and delayed his life-long events. He had not yet discussed marriage at the age of nineteen. This was an official issue. It is very rare among the children of the family. But it doesn't mean that the princess of the Qin family has poor appearance or bad conduct. At least on the outside, she is extraordinary, handsome and suave, and she has never been reported to have any bad deeds.

Qin Zhixiao smiled politely and said, "To tell you the truth, Madam, I just turned nineteen last month."

 The old lady raised her eyebrows, smiled and asked Mrs. Wang to show them their seats.

Qin Fangyi stood up and bowed to Ms. Yan: "Sister-in-law."

 Qin Zhixiao greeted Qin Fangyi and said, "Good morning, aunt!"

Shortly afterwards, Shui Linglong and Shui Lingxi presented gifts to Yan and Qin Zhixiao.

 After all the red tape, half a cup of tea has passed.

Mrs. Qin took Qin Zhixiao to sit down on the chair. She did not show too much enthusiasm for Shui Linglong, whom she met for the first time. She looked at the old lady and said with a smile: "I heard that the old lady recovered, and everyone in the Prime Minister's Mansion is... I'm so happy. Unfortunately, my mother just caught the cold and can't go out. Otherwise, she would have come to celebrate you in person. "

"I don't intend to make any noise about this matter. I'm getting old, and even if I'm not sick or suffering from any disaster, I may not have much time left. You, girl, can't keep your mouth shut, which makes my in-laws and my wife worry about me." Finally. The sentence was obviously meant for Qin Fangyi. The words were reproachful, but the tone was gentle and gentle. It was not difficult to hear that she was somewhat satisfied with the fact that people from the Prime Minister's Palace came to celebrate her recovery.

 Qin Fangyi smiled and felt much more relaxed.

Shui Linglong was a little confused. Although the Qin family was not as good as the top ten families, it was indeed a leader in the literary world. They had never looked at the Shui family seriously. She even suspected that the Prime Minister's Mansion was all about the Shui family and the prince's child marriage. Only then did he let his legitimate daughter marry Shui Hangge. It stands to reason that since the old lady has recovered, it is considered proper etiquette for them to send someone to send a congratulatory gift. Why come to her in person?

Mr. Qian said: "I have always heard that the old lady likes to raise fish, so I specially ordered someone to buy two pairs of cinnabar swords. I don't know if the old lady likes them."

 “Oh?” The old lady looked expectantly.

Qin Zhixiao walked outside the door in person and brought in an emerald fish tank. He walked up to the old lady and Shui Linglong and smiled. It was like a ray of spring sunshine, which warmed people's hearts. His voice was also very crisp and pleasant. : "Old madam, cousin Linglong, take a look."

The cinnabar sword is red all over, like several **** of flames running under the water, and the fish tail shines like a sharp sword, giving off the color of the sword's light and shadow. The old lady knew these were top-quality cinnabar swords at first sight, and she couldn't help but fall in love with them. She immediately asked Mother Wang to put the fish tank in her bedroom.

At this time, Qin Fangyi’s brows were furrowed, thoughtfully.

Qian asked: "Fangyi, what do you think is wrong?"

Qin Fangyi said: "The fish is pretty good, I just think the red fish doesn't match the emerald fish tank."

"Ouch!" Ms. Qian patted her forehead. Although she looked embarrassed as if she had failed, this was not the case at all in Shui Linglong's eyes. The corners of Shui Linglong's lips raised a faint smile. Radian heard Mr. Qian say loudly, "I was negligent. I was only focused on buying fish and didn't remember to get a decent fish tank!"

 Qin Zhixiao stood up hurriedly: "I'll buy one."

Shui Lingxi smiled and suggested: "I remember that Madam Wu gave us a set of crystal vessels from Persia not long ago. They are translucent and beautiful. Why not pick a larger one from them and make a fish tank?"

 Using such expensive utensils to make a fish tank is really a waste of money, but the old lady did not say any words of rejection.

Qin Fangyi put down her tea cup and said very generously: "Mother Zhao, take my key and go to the warehouse to move the wooden box containing the crystal vessels."

The broken jade curtain flickered, and Zhao's mother bowed and retreated. Shui Linglong raised her head and glanced up. She felt that the colorful colors were so dazzling that it was hard to open her eyes. She frowned, unable to guess the mystery behind the incident.

At this time, Mrs. Qian spoke again: "Why don't you see the third, fourth and fifth ladies? The last time I saw them was several years ago, and I don't know if they have changed now. I went shopping a few days ago. I bought some jewelry for my nieces.”

The old lady had already vaguely felt that the other party was not just here to celebrate her recovery. She couldn't help but feel a little bit embarrassed that someone had tricked her but she didn't realize it in time. Especially at the beginning, she was quite happy, but now she felt a little bit embarrassed. She was angry. She suppressed her anger and said in a normal tone: "Mother Wang, is the Fourth Miss better? If she is fine, let her come and sit with the Third Miss and the Fifth Miss."

Shui Lingyue was banned from entering the Buddhist temple and only claimed to be in rest.

Of course Mama Wang understood what the old lady meant. If the old lady really wanted the fourth lady to appear, she would not have asked more questions. She respectfully replied: "Not yet. The doctor said it is cold and the fourth lady will never be able to blow the wind."

 The old lady nodded, and Mrs. Wang went out to invite Shui Lingyu and Shui Lingqing.

At this moment, Shui Linglong seemed to understand what Yan and Qin Fangyi were planning. But they set a trap for the old lady in such a grand manner, and they obviously didn't take the old lady seriously. It's right to think about it. Compared with the famous century-old family, the ancestors of the Shui family only produced three or two talents. Shuihang Ge is definitely a nouveau riche, so how can they respect the old lady from the bottom of their hearts? Qin Fangyi probably developed a true marital relationship with Shui Hangge, but the Qin family only bet on the crown princess from the beginning. But they would never have thought that this old lady, who had been struggling on the verge of death for several years and finally crawled back from the gate of hell, was no longer the kind old man who had a gentle temperament and even tolerated her anger.

Not long after, Shui Lingyu and Shui Lingqing came. Shui Lingyu and Shui Lingyue were the same age. Compared with Shui Lingyue's delicate appearance, Shui Lingyu looked more gentle and demure. Ms. Yan showed a delighted smile: "The third lady is really becoming more and more beautiful. I don't know how charming she will be in two years."

 Qin Zhixiao looked at Shui Lingyu, his eyes a little warm.

Shui Lingyu glanced at Qin Zhixiao and lowered her head shyly.

As for Shui Lingqing, she was totally clueless and didn’t understand why her grandmother had given them unprecedented permission to come to pay her respects.

Shui Linglong's indifferent eyes swept across Qin Zhixiao and Shui Lingyu. A concubine, a concubine, and cousins ​​in name only, it was indeed a match made in heaven. There was no legitimate son in the prime minister's house, so Shui Lingyu didn't marry her. Judging by the look on her sister-in-law's face, for Shui Lingyu, this marriage was a matter of chance but not a chance. In her memory, Shui Lingyu was promised to the third prince as a concubine. No matter how prominent the prince's side concubine is, she is still a concubine, far less reliable than the daughter-in-law of the prime minister's house. I wonder when Qin Fangyi became so generous?

While a few people were talking and laughing, Zhao's mother ordered the boy from the warehouse to carry the box in. The family tradition of the Shangshu Mansion was strict, and the inner courtyard was divided into the inner house and the miscellaneous courtyard. The dining room and the storehouse were both in the miscellaneous courtyard. The servants were not allowed to enter the inner house without the couple's permission.

 The two of them put down the box and immediately retreated to the door to guard it.

Zhao's mother happily opened the box. Unexpectedly, as soon as she put her hand in, she pulled it back reflexively: "Ah! What's going on?"

Everyone couldn't help but be stunned. Mother Wang walked over and took a look inside, and was also surprised: "So many termites! Oh my god! How could this happen?"

 Termites are a type of insect that feed on wood fibers. They are most active in summer and slightly slower in winter, but they are not absent. Termites are most abundant in dark, immobile places.

As he was talking, many termites had crawled out of the box. Shui Lingqing was timid and cried loudly.

The old lady glared at her fiercely, and she was so frightened that she quickly fell silent and shed tears silently.

Qin Zhixiao took out a handkerchief and wiped her face, smiling gently and kindly: "Cousin Lingqing, don't cry."

The old lady is still in the mood to choose a fish tank right now? He waved his hands impatiently and said, "Why don't you take it out quickly?"

Hearing this, the boy at the door immediately opened the curtain and came in, carrying the box back to the warehouse.

Qin Fangyi let out a long breath, if she really wanted to give these precious crystals to the old lady, she would die of pain!

She patted her chest and said with great remorse: "I was negligent. Termites are afraid of light and like wood that cannot be moved. I should have people take out the boxes and boards to dry in the sun every now and then, so they wouldn't be affected." Something like this has happened.”

The old lady snorted coldly: "Are you negligent? I'll give you a good home to manage like this!"

Qin Fangyi choked. She didn't expect that the old lady would show no mercy to her in front of the people in the Prime Minister's Mansion. She was so angry that her face cramped, but she didn't dare to blatantly talk back to the old lady: "Yes, mother, my daughter-in-law will pay attention to it in the future."

Shui Linglong took a sip of tea, but it was just a box of termites. The old lady scolded Qin Fangyi for not taking care of the house well.

Mr. Qian sighed and said: "If it's just a warehouse, how can I live if I'm afraid that there are such unclean things in each master's courtyard? Especially, the houses of the eldest young master and the second young master have not been inhabited for a long time. I don't know. …”

The old lady loved her grandson the most. She ordered without even thinking: "Have my servants move all the boxes and cabinets in the two young masters' yards to dry them out! And buy some insect repellent powder to sprinkle in the corners!"

Qin Fangyi suggested: "Mom, the sun is shining brightly today, why not clean up everyone's yard, including those of the ladies and Aunt Zhou?"

 Aunt Zhou is pregnant!

 The old lady nodded: "You should hurry up and take care of this matter."

The old lady, Qin Fangyi, three aunts, two young masters, and five young ladies. The yards of so many people have to be cleaned. It is definitely a huge project. There are not enough maids and rough servants, and there are not enough servants in the courtyard. There was not enough, so he opened the second door and called in the servants from the outer courtyard. Of course, in order to prevent some people from having unclean hands and feet, a special maid and the mother in charge were left in the courtyard to watch, while the ladies were pardoned and went to the outer courtyard. , avoid contact with the servants.

When crossing the threshold of Fushouyuan, Shui Lingyu accidentally slipped and fell forward. Qin Zhixiao quickly supported her with quick eyes and hands. Shui Lingyu blushed and heard Qin Zhixiao say softly: " Lingyu, be careful."

It was Lingyu, not Lingyu’s cousin. Shui Lingyu was so excited that she pulled Shui Lingqing and ran away.

Looking at Qin Zhixiao's back, Mrs. Qian said with a smile: "Old madam, I think these two children are very compatible."

The old lady smiled, as if she didn't understand her voiceover.

After leaving Fushouyuan, the servants had already poured into the inner house one after another. Those who carried boxes, those who moved cabinets, and some even dismantled the bed and took out boards to dry it... But Shui Linglong looked as if she fell into it in an instant. The chaotic Shangshu Mansion showed a thoughtful expression.

The outer courtyard of Shangshu Mansion is very spacious, with banquet halls, gardens, orchards, pavilions, waterside pavilions, corridors and rocks. It is no less beautiful than the inner courtyard. Shui Linglong doesn't like the excitement, so she refuses Shuilingxi's invitation and stays alone. One person found a secluded courtyard, picked up a pen and started practicing calligraphy. However, the noise in the inner house was too loud. Even from such a distance, she could still hear the sound of heavy objects falling to the ground and the shouts of the servants.

Liu Lu frowned: "Really! A box of termites can cause so much trouble! Is it troublesome?"

 (End of this chapter)