First Concubine

Chapter 78: The art of alienation (2)

Mrs. Yao said, "Bingbing, you are a smart person. There are some things that I can't hide from you. I simply opened the skylight and spoke openly. The prince likes Linglong. You don't have to be surprised. After all, Linglong is such an outstanding child, so outstanding that even I I also like this lonely old woman very much. After you get married, you will be the prince's wife, but your grandmother advises you that it is useless to have status in the royal family. You must also have the prince's favor, so you must work hard to let her. The prince forgets Shui Linglong, so that the prince may fall in love with you..."

 In the world, only your own mother cares most about herself.

At this thought, Bingbing lowered the curtain, suppressed the sourness in her heart, and waited quietly for the prince.

The wedding of the Crown Prince and Bing Bing was held with great grandeur. The whole capital was decorated with red decorations and a banquet was held. The clan members, the common people, and even the beggars on the street had a good meal all day long.

At the same time, in order to celebrate the marriage of the crown prince, the emperor granted a general amnesty to the whole world, changed all the prisoners on death row to life imprisonment, and granted a large number of concubines in the harem. As Ji Zhaoyi of the third rank, Shui Lingyue had an unspecified heir, who became a treasured concubine of the fifth rank, for which the Shangshu Mansion also received many rewards.

The warm wind is warm and the sun is shining brightly. In the pavilion of the garden, Shui Linglong is teaching Shui Lingqing embroidery. Shui Lingyu drinks the tea in her hand silently and talks and laughs from time to time. She wears a lotus-colored spring dress and a pair of honey-coloured skirts. Wearing a colorful dress with no complicated accessories, her hair was only combed into a simple bun with a calla lily silver hairpin and an emerald flower hairpin. She was obviously depressed now.

She looked at Shui Linglong, who was once the most miserable but now the most prosperous person, and gave a flattering smile: "The eldest sister's embroidery is really good. Even the fourth sister, oh, empress Zhenbi may not be able to compare with her. ”

Shui Linglong smiled lightly: "Third sister, you deserve the award."

Shui Lingqing blinked her innocent eyes and asked, "It's strange, it's been two months since Empress Zhenbi entered the palace, why hasn't there been any good news?"

Shui Linglong took a deep look at Shui Lingqing. It was okay to hear such words from others, but Shui Lingqing seemed to be a little confused. When did she know how to get pregnant and give birth? Or, when did she start paying attention to this news?

Shui Lingqing lowered her head, her cheeks slightly red.

Shui Lingyu picked up a piece of pastry with her fingers and said with a smile, "It's not easy to get pregnant. Our aunt has been with our father for more than ten years, and she only gave birth to you and me."

Shui Lingqing chased after her: "That's because my father doesn't come to my aunt's room very often, but doesn't the Long Live Lord dote on my concubine Zhen very much?"

Shui Linglong looked at Shui Lingqing, the confusion in her eyes becoming more obvious.

Shui Lingyu was stunned: "This...I don't know very well, but it doesn't matter whether she has a child or not. Anyway, Shui Guiren's child will be adopted into her name."

Shui Lingqing tilted her head: "What if I don't survive?"

Shui Lingyu's face turned pale. If these words were spread to Fushouyuan, wouldn't the old lady chop Shui Lingqing into pieces?

"Qing'er, you talk a little too much today." Shui Linglong said something calm and powerful. Shui Lingqing's neck shrank and she lowered her head angrily to continue embroidering. After a moment, she couldn't help but raise her head again and said with a smile, " Sister, the candied date cake you gave me last time was delicious. "

Shui Linglong pushed a plate of pastries to Shui Lingqing, "Candied date cake."

Shui Lingqing was stunned for a moment, then blinked and said in an almost inaudible voice, "This taste is not delicious."

That's natural. How can the cooks of Shangshu's mansion compare with those of Yao's mansion? Shui Linglong touched Shui Lingqing's little head: "I will bring you some from the Zhenbei Palace next time."

 “Oh, thank you eldest sister.” Not very happy!

Shui Linglong didn't take it seriously. Qing'er was just a child. Children love to eat delicious food. It's natural, right?

Shui Lingqing rubbed the skirt of her skirt and said softly: "Sister, my eldest brother-in-law hasn't been here recently. Do you... miss him?"

Shui Linglong blurted out: "I don't think much about it."

 Why doesn’t the eldest sister not want the eldest brother-in-law? She is... Shui Lingqing continued to rub the skirt of her skirt, and no one could see the expression on her face clearly.

At this time, Liu Lu came over and said, "Miss, Governor Jiang is here and is talking to the eldest gentleman in the flower hall. The eldest lady is also here."

Shui Lingqing's hand trembled, almost pricking herself. She leaned into Shui Linglong's arms: "Eldest sister...eldest sister...I don't want to marry Governor Jiang...I..."

Shui Linglong's hand went around the back of her neck, touched her pink face and said, "It's just a conversation, don't worry about it."

Shui Lingyu looked at the two people leaning against each other, her eyes flashed, but she didn't say anything.

Zhifan seemed to be very curious and asked: "What does Governor Jiang look like?"

 Governor Jiang’s desire to marry Shangshufu was known to a few close maids in a small area.

Liu Lu glanced at Shui Linglong's face and replied with a smile: "It is said that she is sixty years old, but she looks like she is in her early forties. She is about the same spirit as our master. She is very tall and looks like she has practiced martial arts. His appearance is dark, with thick eyebrows and big eyes, a straight nose, no beard, and he looks very clean. When I heard him speak, he sounded like an ancient bell, very loud! "

Zhifan parted the threads in his hands and smiled: "Does that sound pretty handsome?"

Liu Lu thought for a while and nodded: "If you stand next to Mr. Guan, you will definitely stand out!"

Shui Linglong took a bite of the candied date cake, and the taste was just average. She put it on the plate again, wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, and put away the used handkerchief with a keen eye, and quickly offered a new one, Shui Linglong Linglong said: "Governor Jiang is not an ordinary bureaucrat. He is able to sit in this position today. Although he has benefited from the queen, he mostly relies on his own strength. In the early years, a bunch of remnants of the previous dynasty appeared in the south. What kind of white lotus did they get? The sect used babies and girls as sacrifices to obtain God's blessings, but in the name of obeying God's will, it confused the entire southern part of the country. Governor Jiang personally led 5,000 elite troops to attack the White Lotus Sect's headquarters at night. He went straight to Huanglong and rescued countless innocent babies and girls. Speaking of which, he is also a famous figure. "

 Governor Jiang...so powerful? Shui Lingyu took a sip of tea. In this case, Shui Lingqing's marriage was not aggrieved...

Zhifan actually doesn’t understand the purpose of the eldest lady deliberately lobbying Governor Jiang. Does the eldest lady really hope that the fifth lady will marry him willingly? If this is the case, what happened to the things the eldest lady asked her to send?

In the flower hall, Governor Jiang and Shui Hangge were sitting on the main seats. Qin Fangyi stood beside Shui Hangge virtuously and served him tea.

Governor Jiang's appearance was exactly as Liu Lu said. He was young and handsome, and his whole body was filled with the vitality and masculinity of a martial artist. He smiled heartily and said: "The scenery of Shangshu Mansion is really good, with the exquisiteness of Jiangnan." , and the splendor of Kyoto. I have traveled all over the country in my life, and I have never seen a mansion with such good feng shui. No wonder so many golden phoenixes fly out of your mansion!"

Golden Phoenix? The younger sister stepped down, the daughter got sick, and the real Golden Phoenix came from the second brother's family. I don't know if Governor Jiang really didn't understand the undercurrent, or if he was deliberately trying to beat him. Shui Hangge showed an official smile: "Where is it? Zuo just dug some lakes, and it is not a geomantic treasure. In my opinion, the Governor's Mansion is full of talents! Once my son became the second place in the imperial examination, I was really envious. !”

　　It is about Jiang Bihuai, the youngest son of Governor Jiang's first wife. He was only eighteen years old. He was talented and studious. Many people could not get into the scholar's examination in their lifetime. In his first year, he became the second among the top three.

Governor Jiang's eyes were filled with satisfaction and pride: "Luck, it's all luck! It's a blessing for my son to be admitted to Xishan College!"

 There is absolutely no comparison between Shui Minyu and Jiang Bihuai! Shui Hange felt even more inferior.

Qin Fangyi hurriedly changed the subject: "Governor Jiang has come a long way, how hard is it on the road?"

Governor Jiang's pupils moved and he said happily: "My heart is happy, what does the fatigue along the way matter?"

 Finally got to the point.

Qin Fangyi smiled gently: "I feel very dear to my heart about this daughter. If it were Governor Jiang who was not so majestic and handsome, I would not be willing to let her marry her if it were anyone else!"

Governor Jiang was slightly startled. Could it be that she knew who she was asking to marry? Thinking of the anonymous painting, Governor Jiang looked at Qin Fangyi, who was smiling coquettishly, and then at Shui Hangge, whose expression was slightly unnatural, and vaguely guessed something in his mind. He cupped his hands with a smile in his eyes: "Thanks to the love of you two, after I marry your daughter, you will definitely love me in every possible way! My parents have passed away, and the first three sons have married and separated. The youngest son stays here all year round. I won’t go back to the academy at all, so I don’t need to be bothered by the arrogance if I marry my daughter. As for the betrothal gift, it will definitely not be less than the prince’s original betrothal gift!”

 The prince and Zhuge Yu were hired by the Shangshu Mansion at the same time. The quantity was about the same but the quality was very different. Despite this, the gift from the prince was already very generous! Qin Fangyi, a money fanatic, didn't hear the implication of Governor Jiang's words. She only secretly praised Governor Jiang for his great efforts. It really gave Shui Lingqing some face. Shui Hangge took a weak breath. Why did Governor Jiang want to compete with the prince?

Qin Fangyi said angrily: "Oh, look at what the Governor said, it is a blessing for my daughter to marry you!"

 The mother-in-law looks more and more pleased with her son-in-law! Governor Jiang's eyes narrowed into a thin line: "In this case, there is no need to get married. Let's exchange letters of appointment!"

Shui Hangge frowned, was he too eager?

Qin Fangyi hurriedly asked Mother Zhao to take out paper and pen. Unexpectedly, when she saw the name on Governor Jiang's appointment letter, she immediately cried out: "Governor Jiang! You are mistaken! The girl I am going to marry you is not my daughter! She is..."

Governor Jiang's face suddenly darkened: "It's not your daughter, Mrs. Shui, what do you mean? You just kept saying what your daughter is like, could it be that it's all because of me?"

Qin Fangyi's soul almost dropped: "I promised you the fifth daughter, not the second daughter! My second daughter is the legitimate daughter, the only granddaughter of the old prime minister! How can she...she...how can she fill a house for others?"

Governor Jiang's eyes turned cold and he threw the pen on the table. The domineering temper he had cultivated for many years in official circles and on the battlefield slowly emanated from his brows: "Oh, you mean I'm not worthy of Shui Lingxi? What a joke! Shui Lingxi?" Xi is the one who was disowned by the prince. Ask the whole capital, even Da Zhou, who would dare to marry her? If I were not the queen's cousin, I wouldn't have the guts to marry the woman the prince liked! Are you so beautiful? Do you really think that you are still the original crown princess? I, Jiang Hai, am not that easy to fool! If it were someone else, this marriage wouldn’t work. !”

This is true. A woman who has had a relationship with a prince basically cannot get married. Even if she can get married, the other person is definitely a mediocre person. How can she have such a strong background as Governor Jiang? He is not inferior to the old prime minister! Shui Hangge fell into silence...

Qin Fangyi, who originally regarded all the concubines’ daughters as stepping stones for Shui Lingxi and Shui Minyu, suddenly discovered that everyone, including Shui Lingxi, was a stepping stone for Shui Hangge to climb up... Qin Fangyi suddenly changed her color: "Ms. sir!"

 No, we cannot marry Lingxi to Governor Jiang, she is her only daughter...

 In the afternoon of that day, Qin Fangyi took Shui Lingxi to the Prime Minister's Mansion. They stayed in the Prime Minister's Mansion for three full days before returning to Shui's house. The old Prime Minister personally sent her back.

 The old prime minister had a fierce argument with Shui Hangge in the flower hall. No one knows the specific content, but the old prime minister's face was green when he left the Shangshu Mansion. You can imagine how angry he was inside.

Soon, rumors spread about the discord between the old prime minister and Shui Hangge. People outside began to speculate about why the two sons-in-law were quarreling. However, Shui Hangge gave the people in the house a death order. Who dared to spread the word about Jiang's relationship? Whenever the governor proposes a marriage, he will be chopped into pieces and fed to the dogs, so no one dares to let the news out.

Apart from-

Shui Linglong was reading the storybook again. The storybook told the story of the filial son Dong Yong and the seven fairies. In fact, she still felt that the "Dream of Red Mansions" and "The Three Kingdoms" that Xun Feng told her were wonderful. She turned a page and asked without raising her head: "Did the letter hand-delivered to the Crown Princess?"

 Zhi Fan nodded: "Yes."

In fact, she didn’t understand why the eldest lady didn’t stop the eldest lady from leaving the palace to ask for help from the old prime minister, and she didn’t understand why the eldest lady actually told the Crown Princess about the matter. Wasn’t she afraid that the Crown Princess would accidentally tell His Highness the Crown Prince? After all, His Highness the Crown Prince had a relationship with the Second Miss. If he felt compassion and rescued the Second Miss, in the end... the Fifth Miss would still have to marry Governor Jiang?

Shui Linglong closed the storybook and told Zhifan and Liulu: "You two pack up and follow me to Zhenbei Prince's Mansion."

Shui Linglong did not go directly to the Zhenbei Palace. Instead, she took Zhifan and Liulu to eat a delicious private meal. The two maids had never eaten such delicious food and they almost burst their bellies before they gave up. Later, Shui Linglong took the two of them to a jewelry shop called Zhenbao Pavilion. Shui Linglong was very generous, and anyone who looked twice bought it without asking the price, spending a total of 2,300 taels of silver.

Zhifan blinked in confusion. Although the eldest lady opened a restaurant, her business had just started to pick up, so she didn't have much money. She got the more than two thousand taels of silver when she pawned a famous painting, but... all of a sudden Bought jewelry you didn’t need?

The shopkeeper said flatteringly: "This noble man has really good eyesight. The jewelry you picked are all the most exquisite jewelry in our shop. We can deliver them to your door. Can you tell me which family you are from? We sell them every quarter." If you get new goods, I’ll have them delivered to your door to choose from.”

Shui Linglong wore a veil, her eyebrows were curved, and she smiled: "The Minister of Rites."

After finishing speaking, she turned around elegantly and walked towards the door. However, she accidentally fell when she crossed the threshold. Liu Lu hurriedly supported her: "Miss! Be careful!"

Shui Linglong smiled and said, "I just ate too much at Xiangmanlou, which made my whole body feel heavy."

Zhifan then agreed: "The food there is indeed delicious!"

Shui Linglong tapped her nose and said angrily: "You're a greedy little cat! Well, I have to go out recently anyway, so I just need to take you to eat enough!"

Zhifan was simply flattered!

Shui Linglong raised her eyes to face the dazzling light of the scorching sun. Everything was ready and all she needed was the east wind. Will this east wind come...or not?

Yao Cheng once again came to the gate of Zhenbei Prince's Mansion. Remembering the guard's words, "The Yao family and dogs are not allowed to enter", he became so angry that his hair stood on end! But if Zhuge Yu thinks that this will make him give up, then he is too underestimated Yao Cheng!

He let Xiao Xi go because he wanted to give her freedom, but he was worried about Xiao Xi and missed Xiao Xi. He...he wanted to see Xiao Xi from a distance!

At this time, a gorgeous carriage stopped at the gate of the palace. Leng Yixuan opened the curtain and jumped to the ground. The guards rushed to greet him with a smile: "Master Ciao, you are here!"

The relationship between Leng Yixuan and Zhuge Xi's siblings has not been affected by Leng Wei's incident. Zhuge Xi and Zhuge Yu treat him as before, not to mention that the princess is his aunt!

 Leng Yixuan was in a particularly comfortable mood. Her cousin's choice to divorce showed that she no longer loved Yao Cheng in her heart. In this case, he would have a chance! Just when he was about to step through the door, Yao Cheng called him from behind: "Yixuan!"

Leng Yixuan turned around and saw Yao Cheng, his eyebrows furrowed slightly: "Yao Cheng? What are you doing here?" The tone you used to deal with a love rival!

Yao Cheng frowned suspiciously, why was Leng Yixuan so cold to him? At least they are not cousins ​​for more than three generations. He paused and said with a smile, "Are you looking for Xiao Yu? I happen to be looking for him too, so let's go together!"

Leng Yixuan blocked him with one arm and said calmly: "I'm not looking for Xiao Yu, I'm looking for Xiao Xi! So, you go find Xiao Yu by yourself, I'm sorry not to accompany you!"

Leng Yixuan actually called her Xiao Xi? Yao Cheng's heart suddenly trembled: "Leng Yixuan, you..."

Leng Yixuan ignored him and entered the palace without looking back.

Yao Cheng is so jealous that he is going crazy! Is he a fool or an idiot for not seeing Leng Yixuan's affection for Zhuge Xi after so many years? No wonder the eldest brother Leng Yixuan still refuses to marry him even though he is a grown-up, but he... actually has feelings for Xiao Xi!

Yao Cheng was so anxious that whenever he thought of Xiao Xi and Leng Yixuan being alone together, he would be scratching his head! He finally understood why Xiao Xi was so angry about his accident with Leng Wei. If Xiao Xi and Leng Yixuan had sex, he would definitely collapse!

no!

 He must not let Leng Yixuan succeed!

 (End of this chapter)