First Concubine

Chapter 171 Killing two birds with one stone (4)

Concubine De then smiled and said: "Something happened in the Millennium Palace earlier. I have dealt with it a little bit, and I am planning to report it to the Queen! Noble Liang and others have made mistakes and kowtowed to Concubine Zhen to admit their mistakes." Completely. Not to mention Shui Linglong!

The queen nodded, ignored Mr. Liang, only looked at Shui Linglong and Shui Lingyue, and said kindly: "The Crown Princess and Concubine Zhen are frightened."

Shui Lingyue stood up and said respectfully: "It's a misunderstanding. It doesn't matter if we let it go. But my sister is impatient... I am willing to be punished on my sister's behalf."

The queen waved her hands and said in a brisk tone: "This is not the fault of the Crown Princess, please sit down!" She did not punish Liang Guiren because both Liang Guiren and Shui Linglong were at fault. Either punish them or neither. The queen chose the latter.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Shui Lingyue sat down as she was told. The stone in her heart finally fell to the ground, and she finally realized that Shui Linglong had done nothing wrong. Concubine De and the Queen had expressed their opinions, and Liang Guiren no longer dared to bully her at will.

The queen smiled and asked Xiang Shui Linglong: "Are you three months pregnant? Do you have a good appetite? I heard that you just vomited in Chengde Palace? Did you eat something... that didn't suit your appetite?" When she said this, her eyes were inquiring. Looking past Concubine De, who was pretending to be calm, Concubine De lowered her eyes and drank tea.

Shui Linglong is still the official statement: "My appetite is not bad, but my mouth is very picky. I can eat a lot if I like it, but I can't take a bite if it doesn't suit my appetite. I often suffer from morning sickness, but it doesn't affect anything. Thank you, empress, for remembering me."

The queen smiled happily, touched the purple gold armor on her little finger, and said: "It's rare that you still come to the palace to visit your concubine when you are pregnant. I often heard my mother talk about how she quarreled with her sisters in the boudoir, and then they got married. , keep them in mind. You are destined to live together in the capital, so move around more while you are young!"

Shui Lingxi suppressed the uneasiness in her heart and said with a smile: "The Queen is right, sisters should be closer to each other." If nothing else happens, she is qualified to call this person "Mother" Bar?

They chatted for a while, and the queen added: "Mobei came to the palace with some top-quality silver fox furs, and I will reward you three sisters. Quan should be shocked!"

 The sisters of the Shui family stood up one after another and said with gratitude on their faces: "Thank you so much for your gift!"

Concubine De was not to be outdone: "I don't have anything as precious as the empress in this palace. I only have some small things for appreciation. Please don't dislike them." She gestured to Xiao Anzi, who bowed and left.

The Shui sisters turned around and bowed again: "Thank you, Imperial Concubine De, for the reward!"

The queen looked at Concubine De indifferently, with a trace of disgust flashing in her eyes. Concubine De seemed not to notice and drank the tea in her hand with a half-smile.

Shui Linglong glanced around, looked at the queen and smiled slightly, with bright eyes: "Queen, my wife accidentally got a treasure, and I want to present it to you!"

The Queen raised her eyebrows slightly, and took away the teacup she was about to bring to her lips: "Oh? I can bear the word 'treasure' in the mouth of the Crown Princess, I think it is a good thing, so hurry up and present it."

Shui Linglong took the scroll from Zhi Fan and handed it to Eunuch Zhang. Eunuch Zhang untied the ribbon and slowly unfolded it in front of the queen. When the queen saw the scenery in the painting clearly, she, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly showed surprise that could not be concealed, although it was only for a moment. Concubine De caught the Queen's reaction with sharp eyes, and couldn't help but ask aloud: "What treasure did the Crown Princess present?"

The queen calmly covered up the surprise in her eyes and said in a normal tone: "This is exactly the same as the treasure map "Guanyin Buddha Lotus" that the emperor has been looking for."

Concubine De clenched her fists reflexively, and the sharp armor on her right little finger scratched the delicate skin of her left hand. She took a breath of cold air, hurriedly lowered her sleeves, and covered the wound with a handkerchief: "Yes...really? Prince? Why does the concubine have a treasure map? It is...from Mobei!"

Sure enough, in Shui Linglong's hands, her father had given the treasure map to Nuomin back then. She thought that her father had asked Nuomin for the treasure map when he removed her from the royal family! Father didn’t even have it! And what does it mean for Shui Linglong to present the treasure map to the queen? Shui Linglong should know her life experience! Why do this even more? Hasn't Zhuge Liuyun been looking for the treasure map? As the daughter-in-law, why did Shui Linglong disobey her father-in-law and give the treasure map to the queen?

When Concubine De was puzzled, the Queen spoke quietly: "Concubine De knows how to identify these antique calligraphy and paintings, but I am not good at it. Show it to Concubine De to see if it is the "Guanyin Buddha Lotus" that the emperor wants. 》.

“Yes!” Eunuch Zhang took the painting and turned around. His eyes met with Shui Linglong’s in the air for a moment, but they both looked away from each other as if they hadn’t seen it. Shui Linglong was drinking honey tea, while Eunuch Zhang asked Concubine De to take a look.

Shui Linglong’s treasure map must have been passed down from Nuomin, how could it be a fake? Concubine De couldn't help but regret that she didn't recognize Shui Linglong. If she did, based on their blood relationship, this picture might be hers. With the treasure map, she can order the old members of the Dong clan, and even the officials of the Tai clan to move closer to her. But now... Concubine De suppressed her overwhelming emotions and raised the treasure map to the light outside the palace. She was startled at first, and then let out a long sigh: "It's fake!"

Shui Lingxi's beautiful eyes were filled with deep disdain. It was indeed fake. Fortunately, she was more thoughtful!

Of course this painting is a fake, the real "Guanyin Buddha Lotus" is... Glancing at the thoughtful Concubine De, Shui Linglong stood up and said with a face full of embarrassment: "Empress, my wife...my wife is really …I thought it was the treasure map the emperor was looking for!”

Concubine De asked: "Where did you get it? Why do you think it is authentic?"

"It is..." Shui Linglong looked embarrassed, and glanced at Shui Lingxi from the corner of her eye. Shui Lingxi was startled, and shook her head at her, indicating that she should not drag Shangshu Mansion into it. Shui Ling laughed in her heart, but her face showed He said in panic, "My wife... My wife..." He was hesitating, looking like he was having trouble speaking!

The queen frowned slowly, and said with a gentle smile: "Is it possible that someone stole a lot of money on the road? Well, it is also a good painting. It doesn't matter if it's a treasure map or not, let me go. It’s kept in the room, and it’s not a bad idea to take it out and look at it later when the mood strikes.”

A catastrophe that was almost caused by Shui Linglong was revealed by the queen in an understatement. Shui Lingxi and Shui Lingyue were stunned! Eunuch Zhang, on the other hand, was so frightened that he broke into cold sweat on his back. It was really... so dangerous!

He looked at Liang Guiren's red and swollen face, and suddenly understood why Shui Linglong wanted to seek justice for Shui Lingyue even if she did not hesitate to commit the following crimes. She was actually testing how much the queen tolerated the people of the Zhenbei Palace, right? A woman who slaps Long Live Lord as the daughter-in-law of a prince with a foreign surname is not an exaggeration, even to death with a stick. And since the Queen can tolerate her such wanton behavior, what does a mere fake painting that she accidentally obtained count? After thinking about this, Eunuch Zhang felt a little more appreciative of this seemingly harmless Crown Princess... and felt lucky! Fortunately they are not enemies!

Shui Linglong lowered her head, as if she was about to shed tears in embarrassment! Shui Lingxi was puzzled. Isn't Shui Linglong quite strong? Could it be that Zhuge Yu spoiled him like a child? Shui Lingyue handed over a handkerchief and said softly: "Sister, the Queen likes it. No, she has kept the painting you gave her. I heard that there are also paintings by famous artists that imitate "Guanyin Buddha Lotus" among the people. The price It’s so good!”

The delicate teardrops fell down...

The queen was speechless. Didn't she blame her? How come she, the victim who was almost deceived, was not aggrieved, but the "culprit" who had done something wrong started crying?

 Eunuch Zhang smiled at the queen and touched his belly. The Queen understands that the pregnant woman is emotionally unstable. Eunuch Zhang's eyes flashed, and he smoothed things over: "A few jade plants were newly planted in the imperial garden. They are white, with a little pink showing through the stamens. I took a look at them that day and they were really beautiful! The weather is good today. , Your Majesty, why don’t you take all the masters for a walk?”

The queen glanced at Shui Linglong, who was crying so much that she was in tears, and remembered her stubborn appearance last time, and couldn't help but laugh. She was just a little smart and ambitious child. She asked Shui Linglong: "Walking around the Imperial Garden, how about you?" How are you?" He said in a coaxing tone.

Shui Linglong was stunned for a moment, blinking her tearful eyes, and said twitchingly: "Then... let's go shopping and then go back." It means that I will leave the palace directly from the Imperial Garden later.

The queen felt relieved. She had not coaxed her own three children much, but today she coaxed the daughter-in-law of King Zhenbei. The queen told Eunuch Zhang: "We are going to visit the Royal Garden, and you order people to deliver the gifts to the Millennium Palace and the carriages of Princess Concubine and Concubine Shui."

"Yes!" Eunuch Zhang agreed, and Concubine De also told Xiao Anzi that the gift was in the side hall of Baicui Pavilion. The queen took Concubine De, Shui Linglong and her group to the Imperial Garden. Eunuch Zhang and Eunuch Zhang Xiao Anzi personally sent the gifts given by the masters of each family to the places where they should be sent.

 Eunuch Zhang put the fake "Guanyin Buddha Lotus" on the round table and sighed with a half-smile: "Eunuch An, where did Empress De Fei learn from in her early years? How do you know how to identify calligraphy and painting?"

Xiao Anzi picked up the three brocade boxes that he took from Chengde Palace, his eyes tightened, and he smiled and said: "The prefect was known as a talented man when he was young, and the daughters he taught are also among the most beautiful women."

Eunuch Zhang didn't seem to care about his answer. He touched the scroll and sighed: "Fortunately, the imperial concubine is dedicated to the empress this time. If it were dedicated to the emperor directly, the imperial concubine would be afraid of the emperor's thunder and lightning. It’s impossible to escape punishment.”

The corner of Xiao Anzi's mouth twitched: "The Crown Princess also has good intentions, but who would have expected that she found a fake one."

 “Alas! What a pity!” Eunuch Zhang picked up the silver fox pelt and left the Bai Cui Pavilion ahead of Anzi.

 When there was no second person in the room, Xiao Anzi opened the scroll uneasily, checked it carefully, and finally shook his head. It was indeed a fake!

 After Xiao Anzi left, a slender figure quietly walked into the room...

In the imperial garden, hundreds of flowers are in full bloom, with peonies being the most gorgeous and peonies the most delicate. But the most pleasing thing to the eye is the Jade Tower Diancui mentioned by Eunuch Zhang. The white petals are spread out in layers like waves, and there is a light blush around the stamens. The color, if covered with a layer of elegant pink mist, reminds people of the white and transparent mutton-fat jade.

Shui Linglong reached out her hand and touched it: "It's so beautiful!"

The queen smiled: "When it has flower seeds, I will leave some for you, and you can plant some in the yard."

Shui Linglong blessed her body and smiled softly and said: "My dear, you have spoiled my wife. Whenever she praises you, you will reward me. She will not dare to say a word of praise in the future."

The queen heard her refusal and laughed out loud: "That's all, if you like it, come to the palace to see it!"

 “Yes!” Shui Linglong responded happily.

The queen seemed to realize that she had neglected Shui Lingyue and Shui Lingxi too much, so she first asked Xiang Shui Lingyue: "How are the twelfth prince doing lately?"

Shui Lingyue replied respectfully: "To tell you the truth, everything is fine for the twelfth prince. He can sit and crawl."

The queen nodded slightly and asked Xiang Shui Lingxi: "Prince Xun has not been to court for several days. I heard that he was infected with the wind and cold. Is he getting better?"

She didn't know if it was cold or not, but she hadn't seen Xun Feng for several days. Shui Lingxi said softly: "To tell you the truth, I asked the doctor and took medicine, but I still don't have much energy."

 The whole process, the Queen did not say a word to Concubine De! Just when Concubine De was getting impatient and was about to return to Chengde Palace, Eunuch Zhang came over with a heavy look on his face, holding up a fly whisk: "Empress! The painting given by the Imperial Concubine is missing!"

The Queen frowned and said seriously: "Why is it missing? Didn't I ask you to put it away?"

Eunuch Zhang lowered his body, beat his chest and stamped his feet, and said, "It's all because of my negligence! My servant..." At this point, he glanced at Shui Linglong and said bravely, "I thought that it was a fake anyway, and it wasn't very valuable, so I just It was casually placed on the table in the side hall, but when the slave delivered the gift to the three masters and returned to the side hall, he found... that it was missing! The slave searched the Weiyang Palace and still found nothing! "

When the queen heard this, a meaningful sparkle appeared in her eyes: "Who has entered the side hall after you left?"

Eunuch Zhang held his head and said sadly: "I asked the young **** on duty, no one had entered the side hall! At that time, there were only two people, the minion and Eunuch An, and the minion took the gift and left first..."

Concubine De's eyes suddenly shot out two cold gleams, and she interrupted Eunuch Zhang's words sternly: "Eunuch Zhang is so sweet, what does it mean that there were only you and Eunuch An at that time? You mean, Xiao Anzi stole the imperial concubine and gave it to the queen. Damn it, a fake treasure map?”

 Eunuch Zhang hurriedly bowed to Concubine De: "My dear, forgive me! I didn't mean that. I just discussed the matter as it happened."

 The attitude is very respectful!

 (End of this chapter)