First Concubine

Chapter 170 Killing two birds with one stone (3)

 Concubine? The only one who can be called a "concubine" in this Millennium Palace is Shui Lingyue, right? Who was so bold as to slap her? Shui Lingxi looked at Shui Linglong in surprise. Shui Linglong walked toward the small garden without changing her expression, and saw a beautiful woman with beautiful flowers and branches holding a brown-haired puppy, pointing meanly at Shui Lingyue. Shui Lingyue, who was pointed at by her, covered her red and swollen face and glared at her fiercely, but she didn't dare to say a word in rebuttal!

The woman narrowed her eyes arrogantly, gritted her teeth and said, "You still dare to stare at me?" She slapped Shui Lingyue again.

Snapped!

　　A slap that was crisper than before, and everyone opened their eyes in disbelief...

 The woman looked at Shui Linglong who slapped her in the face in public!

"Prince Concubine! Are you going too far? I am the emperor's concubine, how dare you attack me? You are committing the following crime, do you know?"

Shui Linglong said coldly: "It is only because of respect for Liang Guiren that I attacked Liang Guiren! As a young master, Liang Guiren slapped the fifth-grade empress. This is an eye-opener for me. I really admire him. Liang Guiren’s courage, I couldn’t help but imitate it!”

 The maids and eunuchs suppressed their laughter. Liang Guiren was furious, and was about to ask the **** to give Shui Linglong a lesson, but he saw Shui Linglong's hand touching her slightly bulging belly. Liang Guiren's pupils shrank, and after taking a few deep breaths, he rolled up his sleeves and left. In place! Just when everyone thought Shui Lingyue would shed tears of gratitude, Shui Lingyue only rubbed her white sleeves and ignored Shui Linglong before turning around and entering the Yuehua Palace.

Shui Lingxi smiled sarcastically: "Sister, you are so kind and you are treated like a donkey. You risked offending the emperor and the concubines to stand up for the fourth sister, but they don't appreciate it!"

Shui Linglong dusted off her skirt and said calmly: "It doesn't matter whether I appreciate it or not. It's good that I don't have a reputation as a sister who doesn't get along, is unkind, and is timid."

Shui Lingxi's face turned pale, and her words were stuck in her throat!

Liang Guiren rushed all the way with the puppy in his arms and entered the Chengde Palace. As soon as he saw Concubine De, she knelt down and cried so hard: "Mother, you have to make the decision for me! I am here to protect the pet you rewarded me with. As a result, she was severely abused! You see, she was really cruel!"

Concubine De put down the brush in her hand, blew on the ink that had not yet dried up, and said calmly: "Who did it? Concubine Zhen? Or Ji Zhaoyi, who just got promoted?"

Liang Guiren shook his head and burst into tears: "None of them!"

Concubine De asked casually: "You are the only three masters in the Millennium Palace. You are neither Zhen concubine nor Ji Zhaoyi. Is it possible that a slave dares to beat the emperor's concubine?"

Liang Guiren said with great hatred: "She is the Crown Princess of Zhenbei Palace!"

Concubine De's eyelids twitched, her hand touching the edge of the rice paper accidentally brushed against the still wet ink stain, and a good imitation was ruined. Concubine De angrily tore up the rice paper to pieces. Liang Guiren thought that Concubine De was fighting for her, and she was ecstatic!

At this time, Xiao Anzi walked in with a cautious look and whispered a few words in Concubine De's ear. Concubine De's expression suddenly changed: "How can this happen? Too..." Looking at Liang Guiren who almost pricked up his ears, "You go to the side hall to have tea first, and I will talk to you in detail later."

 “Yes, empress.” Liang Guiren was led to the side hall by the young palace maid.

Concubine De changed her indifferent look and frowned: "No! I can't do this! It's too unconscionable!"

Xiao Anzi's eyes sharpened, and he persuaded earnestly: "Empress! You have to shoot when the arrow is on the string. You and the Eleventh Prince have come step by step to where you are today. How much sweat have you paid, and how many compatriots have you sacrificed? This opportunity must not be missed again. , Your Majesty, don’t leave yourself with a huge hidden danger!”

"Your Highness, I am your aunt. Come here, call your aunt, and ask her to give you sweets!" Shui Linglong leaned over and teased the twelfth prince on the bed. The twelfth prince was seven months old, with plump flesh and facial features. She is very delicate, with a pair of big and shining eyes, like stars plucked from the night sky, and her little lips giggle from time to time, so cute.

Shui Lingyue lowered her head to drink the tea in her hand. Life was difficult in the palace, especially for the concubines who had lost their favor. In order to regain the emperor's favor, she worked hard to bribe various palace people to create opportunities for encounters with the emperor. She spent a lot of money. Few, but all failed without exception. Now, she is so poor that she has no money to reward her servants.

Liang Guiren was bullied every day for three days. She complained twice to the queen. As a result, Liang Guiren was punished in a mild way, but she gave up her resistance completely after Concubine De set the rules again and again. Therefore, what Shui Linglong did today was too extreme! Concubine De did not dare to offend the people in Zhenbei Palace, but they would doubly embarrass her later. have a finger in the pie! But now, Shui Linglong has become the only big tree she can hug.

"Thank you, eldest sister." Shui Lingyue lowered her head and spoke softly.

Shui Lingxi's eyes almost fell off. Where did the arrogant fourth lady who only treated her and acted like a little girl go? How did it become so similar to Shui Lingyu? She was sure that Shui Lingyue didn't want to accept Shui Linglong's love, but why didn't she say bad words to her, but instead thanked her against her will?

Shui Linglong smiled calmly: "It's too unreasonable for sisters to talk about these things. Don't worry about what noble Liang and Concubine De will do to you. Since I have expressed my stance today, even if I am worried about Prince Zhenbei's palace, Concubine De It won’t embarrass you either.”

Shui Lingyue breathed a sigh of relief. Shui Linglong added: "It's just that I'm very surprised. Liang Guiren is a bit too arrogant. Has she done anything good recently?"

Shui Lingyue's eyes dimmed: "Concubine De directly proposed to the emperor that she be canonized as Liang Concubine. The decree will be issued in the next two days. The queen was furious about this and refused to allow the concubine to pay her respects for ten days in a row."

 That said, the queen was not in a good mood. There was a hint of joy in Shui Linglong's eyes, it was beneficial!

During the conversation, Si Xi pushed open the door and walked in: "My Lady, Concubine De announces that you and your two aunts are here to see you!"

In the Chengde Palace, Concubine De was sitting on the throne, followed by Shui Lingyue, Shui Linglong and Shui Lingxi. Opposite them stood Liang Guiren with a gloomy face.

Concubine De changed her past arrogance and said kindly: "I have investigated this matter carefully. It is indeed Liang Guiren who offended the concubine first. The imperial concubine is eager to protect her sister, but the method is inappropriate, but it is reasonable." Looking towards Liang Guiren's voice turned cold, "Why don't you quickly kowtow to Concubine Zhen and apologize?"

Liang Guiren knelt down as instructed and said respectfully: "The concubine below committed the crime above, which is a heinous crime. Please forgive me, Concubine Zhen!"

Shui Lingyue and Shui Lingxi were startled at the same time. They obviously didn't expect that "calling an army to investigate" would turn into "kowtow and confess". Should they believe this or not?

Shui Linglong used the cup lid to fiddle with the petals floating in the cup, remaining silent.

Seeing that no one responded, Concubine De's smile froze, and she continued: "I help the Queen to manage the Sixth Palace. It is my duty to control the concubines. Now that the concubine has made a mistake, I cannot escape the blame. I am here to help." I can’t apologize to Concubine Zhen here. Xiao Anzi, bring me the pair of Diancui Xiyu glazed hairpins as my apology.”

Shui Linglong raised her eyebrows, "I?" Concubine De had rarely used this title before.

Shui Lingyue stood up quickly, knelt down and said flattered, "I'm scared!"

Concubine De waved her hands indifferently, with a rare and peaceful smile still on her face: "It is better to do less than to do more. The Queen has many things to do, so let's not bother the Queen with these trivial disputes. What do the Crown Princess and Concubine Zhen think? "Put Shui Linglong in front of Concubine Zhen!"

It turned out that she was afraid that Shui Linglong would go to Weiyang Palace to redress her grievances as the Crown Princess. Shui Lingyue's hanging heart was slightly relieved: "What the empress said is true. A misunderstanding between the concubine and Sister Liang can turn a big problem into a small one." It couldn’t be better! Thank you for your understanding and impartiality.”

Concubine De hid her face and laughed: "Okay, okay, you all are so sharp that I don't dare to talk to you anymore."

Concubine De put down the sleeve covering her mouth, just as Xiao Anzi took the brocade box and handed it to Shui Lingyue. Shui Lingyue took it with both hands and bowed again: "Thank you, empress."

Concubine De smiled, and then looked at Guiren Liang, her smile faded a little: "Get up, if I find you guilty of the following again, I will never forgive you!"

Liang Guiren hurriedly responded: "Concubine, please remember your mother's instructions!"

Only then did Shui Linglong look at Concubine De seriously. She had an oval face, fair complexion, and deep eyes. Her eyebrows were not the slender willow eyebrows that women are accustomed to, but a pair of thick eyebrows. She was quite heroic, but it was a pity that her posture Shengsheng took away the heroic spirit between his eyebrows. Just taking a closer look, she does look a bit like Nuo Min. Shui Linglong suddenly made a very bold guess: Does the emperor know the true identity of the concubine?

Concubine De glanced at the crowd with a smile: "What a coincidence for you today, a new batch of venison has arrived in the small kitchen of Chengde Palace. The cook smoked it and chopped it into velvet, and mixed it with fresh grass carp meat and cornmeal to steam it into cakes. I I've never eaten it before! Let's try it together!" He winked at Xiao Anzi.

  Xiao Anzi went to the small kitchen of the side hall with a smile on his face. When he came back, there was a tray in his hand, which contained a plate of golden venison cakes and several sets of chopsticks. As soon as the breeze blew, the whole hall was filled with a refreshing fragrance of chopped green onions. The chopped green onions were obviously fried and then mixed into the cake. It was particularly fragrant and everyone's fingers moved. The little palace maid took a pair of bowls and chopsticks from the tray and placed them on the small square on the right side of the concubine De. . In the end, there were two left. Concubine De smiled and said: "Didn't Concubine Shu be diagnosed with pregnancy two days ago? Send them to Concubine Shu. If she likes them, I will order the kitchen to make more later."

 “Yes!” Xiao Anzi carried the tray to the study room.

Concubine De held up her chopsticks and said to Shui Linglong with a smile: "I'm pregnant with eleven, it's very spicy. They all say that sour children are hot girls. I don't believe it. I feel that I will definitely give birth to a son. As a result, I won." Yes. If the Crown Princess has confidence, she can give birth to a fair and fat boy!"

Shui Linglong smiled lightly: "Thank you for your kind words!" Concubine De talked a lot today and smiled a lot...

Concubine De took a bite, and everyone followed suit. The smoked venison was salty and had a faint smell of smoke. The fish was hard to taste, but the cornmeal was refreshing and sweet, making you want to stop eating it. Everyone ate it, even the pregnant Concubine Shu. The venison cake should be fine. Shui Linglong didn't know why, but it smelled fine from a distance, but when she smelled it up close, she always felt a little... nauseating.

“Don’t you like it, Princess Concubine?” Concubine De asked Xiang Shui Linglong after wiping her mouth after finishing the second piece of venison cake.

“No, I was about to eat it.” Shui Linglong blinked, took a bite, and began to chew carefully. As soon as she swallowed it, something unexpected happened. Her stomach tumbled almost reflexively. She had no choice but to cover her mouth and ran out of the hall, where she violently vomited.

When Concubine De chased her out, Shui Linglong had already finished vomiting, and Zhi Fan was taking a handkerchief to wipe her mouth. Concubine De's eyes flashed, and she asked with concern: "What's going on? I'm still so happy after more than three months." Is it as serious?"

A cold light flashed across Shui Linglong's eyes, and when she turned to face De Fei, she was filled with deep embarrassment: "Yes, I have been feeling unhappy. I heard from experienced mothers that some people suffer from morning sickness until they give birth. It’s alright.”

Concubine De had mixed feelings in her heart. She didn't know whether she should be disappointed or grateful. She touched the tip of her nose with the hand holding the handkerchief and said, "Go to the side room of the side hall and lie down for a while!"

"Thank you so much, Madam." Shui Linglong saluted, and with the support of Zhi Fan and Ye Mao, she was taken to the side room by the maid. As soon as he entered the door, Zhi Fan winked at Ye Mao, who closed the door and stood guard outside. Zhi Fan helped Shui Linglong sit down on the stool beside the table and poured water for Shui Linglong to rinse her mouth. Shui Linglong shook her head, "I don't dare to use this thing from Chengde Palace."

Zhifan's eyes suddenly widened and he lowered his voice and asked, "Is there something wrong with the venison cake just now?" Yes, the eldest lady rarely suffers from morning sickness, especially after three months, she is no different from normal people in all aspects. But just now the eldest lady told Concubine De that the harm was serious.

Shui Linglong held her chest and did not answer immediately.

Zhifan put the tea cup on the table and said thoughtfully: "What I'm wondering about is...everyone has eaten. Concubine De, Liang Guiren, and the two aunts, they are fine after eating."

Shui Linglong's pupils moved left and right, and she said seriously: "There is definitely no poison. If she dares to poison me blatantly, she will be found out immediately!"

"It's not poison... could it be... abortion pill?" Zhi Fan frowned suspiciously, "Concubine De also gave it to Concubine Shu. Concubine Shu is pregnant, so she won't harm Concubine Shu as well."

"Concubine Shu will not eat the food given by Concubine De at all! Concubine De is sure of this before she dares to give it to Concubine Shu! Because..." Shui Linglong's eyes sharpened and she added, "If something really happens to me, the queen will definitely Someone will be sent to check all the food and tableware I used in the palace today. The venison cakes have been divided up long ago. The ones with Concubine Shu have become the only physical evidence. She gave them venison cakes to Concubine Shu just to prove herself. It’s innocent! If my guess is correct, except for the bottom two venison patties, everything else is wrong! It’s not the abortion pill, but the crab legs!”

 It sounds nice to say that venison and grass carp meat are not actually grass carp, only crab legs, but the seafood has a fishy smell, so De Fei lied that it was fish and used fried green onions to cover up the smell. If we really check, every corner of Chengde Palace is clean, so who cares about a few crabs in the kitchen? Fortunately, she was born with a seafood allergy and would vomit whenever she ate it. Otherwise, today's little persimmon would be in danger.

I didn't expect that the palace's methods of harming people were so clever. They had already thought out their escape route before planning. If Concubine Shu's place was physical evidence, and the women in Chengde Palace were witness, everything would be fine. If the eldest lady was really slippery. The fetus cannot be blamed on Concubine De. Especially when you eat an ingredient like crab leg meat, you can't feel your pulse even if you put it into your stomach... Zhifan's heart beat wildly: "So... so cruel... Miss, what are you going to do next?"

what to do? Concubine De sent people to hunt down Guo Yan first, and then persecute the fetus in her belly. She is a mother! If the pursuit of Guo Yan was because of the evil done to the original owner of the body, what about Little Persimmon? Did he offend Concubine De at all? Is it because she has the blood of the Mobei royal family in her body that Concubine De is afraid that she will give birth to a son and compete with the eleventh prince for the throne of Mobei? The eleventh prince has the right to compete for imperial power, but does her child not even have the right to live? How ridiculous!

But such meticulous thoughts and methods are not something that Concubine De can come up with. If Concubine De had such ability, how could she be defeated by Shui Chenxiang in her previous life? It must be Xun Feng! Only Xun Feng would come up with such a crazy method! No wonder Xun Feng ignored Shui Lingxi and her movements. He dared to set a trap in Chengde Palace and wait for her to get inside! Shui Linglong took a deep breath and touched her slightly bulging belly. She almost, almost lost him...

"wait!"

“Wait?” Zhi Fan was stunned.

"The Crown Princess, the Queen has summoned you!" Suddenly, the maid's report sounded outside the door.

Shui Linglong shook her hands and said with a deep gaze: "Ask Ye Mao to go to Yuehua Palace to bring the gift I prepared for the Queen."

In the Weiyang Palace, the Queen felt uneasy. Eunuch Zhang turned her back and said, "Your Majesty, I have met the Crown Princess a few times. I haven't had much contact with her, but I think she is a well-educated and reasonable person. It is said that she is the second-grade Crown Princess. I have met her every day. A low-ranking concubine doesn’t have to bow, but Liang Guiren is Long Live Lord’s woman after all, so it seems a little impulsive for her to hit her. She should be punished.”

Punishment? The Zhenbei Palace has already begun to think about quitting. If she punishes Shui Linglong again, wouldn't it give the Palace a very good excuse to withdraw? Therefore, not only can she not be punished, but she should be rewarded! Big reward! Having made up her mind, the queen put on a gentle smile on her face when Shui Linglong and her party entered the Patriot Pavilion.

"Greetings to the Queen!" Several people saluted the Queen, and the Queen said warmly: "If you are flat, please give me a seat."

 “Thank you, empress!”

 De Fei, Shui Lingyue and Liang Guiren were seated at the lower right corner, while Shui Linglong and Shui Lingxi were sitting opposite them.

 (End of this chapter)