First Concubine

Chapter 8 Making a Marriage (3)

The old lady snorted coldly and ignored Shui Hangge. She just pushed a plate of red pastry rose cake in front of Shui Linglong and said in a gentle tone: "When you first returned home, you were so thin that it was heartbreaking. After raising a "The moon is finally worth seeing, but I still need to eat more."

“Thank you, grandma.” Shui Linglong smiled obediently, picked up a piece of rose cake and tasted it carefully.

Shui Hangge lost face. He understood what the old lady was upset about. He glanced at his eldest daughter sheepishly and said with a smile: "Fangyi went back to the temple and asked the master to chant sutras for Linglong to ward off the disaster. Make sure Linglong is fine. ”

The old lady looked at Shui Linglong, who was quiet and gentle, and had never said a word of complaint. She felt more and more that the child had suffered too much. She was worried and said: "Ask Qin Fangyi to add the five shops on East Street and South Street to Linglong's dowry!"

Shui Hangge was startled: "Mom, that's for Lingxi..."

 “Two Zhuangzi in Waigatong County!”

 “Mom, that’s Lingxi too…”

 “Five places Zhuangzi!”

"Yes! My son, let's do it now." Shui Hange was so frightened that he broke out in a cold sweat...

After leaving Fushouyuan, Shui Hangge stopped Shui Linglong: "I heard that you are going to attend the plum appreciation banquet. I have to thank your second sister this time. You see, she is not a person who knows how to repay kindness. The prince's Let it be like this, the family status of Zhenbei Prince's Mansion is not low, you and Prince Zhuge live well, I will be your father, and Shangshu Mansion will also be your family."

 Thank you Shui Lingxi? It seemed that Shui Lingxi shamelessly took the credit for herself again. In Shui Hange's heart, Shui Lingxi is his pride and the hope of Shangshu Mansion. Even if he, a little concubine, can get three or two favors from him because of Dong Jiaxue, she will always only be given Shui Lingxi. Be a stepping stone, because what this father loves most...is power. I hope that one month later, Shui Hangge will still be so precious to Shui Lingxi. Shui Linglong smiled slightly, and her bright eyes were particularly bright, clear, and sharp under the reflection of the moonlight: "My daughter will obey your father's teachings."

Shui Hange's scalp was numb at the sight of her cold eyes, and he actually felt a little ashamed. Was he too cold to her? After all, this is his first child. She has been hurt, hugged and kissed. When she was a child, she would lie softly in Dong Jiaxue's arms, tugging on his sleeve and asking: "Daddy, can you not leave tonight?"

 She was undoubtedly cute at that time. Dong Jiaxue at that time...

Thinking of Dong Jiaxue, Shui Hangge's eyes flashed with a hint of depth, like the shadows of trees blown by the night wind, with a few mottled edges. After a moment, he gritted his teeth, seemed to have made some kind of decision, and sighed: "Well, take a rest early."

When Shui Linglong returned to Lingxiang Courtyard, Concubine Yu sent someone to deliver a plain engraved silk gold and silver Ruyi moire satin dress, a bright yellow smoke butterfly skirt, and a pair of Suzhou embroidery shoes inlaid with pearls. Both the matching and the texture and workmanship are perfect, which shows that Concubine Yu put a lot of thought into choosing her clothes.

Shui Linglong asked Nanny Tan if the other sisters had received rewards from Concubine Jade. Nanny Tan replied with a smile: "Only you and the second lady are going to attend the plum appreciation banquet. The second lady has her own eldest lady and the Prime Minister's Mansion to take care of it for her. Don’t bother me, I’ve said that after the old lady recovers, please come to the palace with the eldest lady so that she can thank you in person for saving your life.”

Shui Linglong remembered that Dr. Chen had been here in the afternoon. It must have been the old lady who asked Dr. Chen to deliver a message to Concubine Yu. The old lady has only improved a little, so Concubine Yu has labeled her as "curable", which is a kind of pressure. Concubine Jade has been in the palace for five years, but she was granted the title of concubine before she gave birth to an heir. This shows how much the emperor loves her. It was somewhat beyond her expectation that someone with such a distinguished status actually wanted to announce her presence to express his gratitude.

In a blink of an eye, it was the fifth day of the twelfth lunar month, and Shui Linglong was called out early by Mother Zhong. This was the first time Shui Linglong attended a social event in the capital, and Mother Zhong and others took it very seriously.

“Miss, please change it to a sapphire hairpin, that one looks great!”

"No, no, my hair is a little crooked. I need to comb it again."

 “Put on a little more rouge to make you look energetic.”

 …

Mother Zhong and Liu Lu talked to each other and worked from dawn to dusk, making it more solemn than getting married, and finally they managed to make the plain-looking Shui Linglong look beautiful and delicate.

Shui Linglong walked towards the gate of Shangshu Mansion, where the carriage sent by the prince was already waiting. The first one was pulled by eight horses. It was gorgeous and elegant. The top was inlaid with dozens of luminous pearls as big as pebbles. The hanging bead curtains The carriage is inlaid with gold, shining under the sunlight; the latter one is relatively ordinary, pulled by four horses, without expensive decorations, but the whole body of the carriage is engraved with cloud patterns of different shapes. At first glance, it looks like The blue waves and clouds have a unique and elegant charm.

Shui Lingxi walked out of the door almost at the same time as Shui Linglong. She was wearing a red waistband skirt with a gold transparent gauze lining. She had an alluring appearance, but lacked a bit of temperament. This skirt suit made up for her perfectly. However, Shui Linglong could almost imagine the sensation caused by Shui Lingxi's appearance in everyone's sight.

"Big sister." Shui Lingxi greeted her in an approachable manner. This smile actually made the sun shine a lot brighter. However, when her scrutinizing eyes swept over Shui Linglong's exquisite and gorgeous clothes, the corners of her mouth twitched slightly. After a moment, this **** is really capable! She first seduced the prince, and then the concubine. Even the grandmother, who never looked at her granddaughter, repeatedly told her to play chess and chat, and ordered the kitchen to cook all kinds of delicious midnight snacks for her every night. It makes it seem like she is the legitimate daughter of the family, and it makes me angry just thinking about it!

Shui Linglong knew that Shui Lingxi was jealous again, but because of the occasion, it was difficult for her to get angry. Haha, she deserved it, suffocating her to death!

Shui Lingxi suppressed her anger and stepped onto the luxurious carriage that matched her status.

Shui Linglong generally doesn't bother to argue with others about trivial matters. Anyway, as long as you have transportation, what does it matter if it's more luxurious or more ordinary? Shui Linglong stepped on the wooden stool and got on the carriage. She opened the curtain, but she suddenly ran into a pair of warm, watery eyes. Her steps stopped in her tracks: "Your Highness, the Crown Prince?"

Shui Linglong never expected that Yunli would be in this inconspicuous carriage. If Shui Lingxi showed humility to her eldest sister, she would not miss the opportunity to get close to Yunli. Is this called evil being rewarded?

Yun Li smiled slightly, handsome and elegant, but a trace of narrowness flashed in his eyes inadvertently: "I thought you would ride in the same carriage, so that's fine. You can sit down and play chess with me for a while."

 Fat it yourself! Can't you see that Shui Lingxi and I are at odds? This prince looks gentle on the surface, but is actually a sinister person! I really don't understand how someone as smart as him could be so blind as to get mixed up with Xun Feng in his previous life, only for Xun Feng to usurp the throne and his country. Shui Linglong thought of the banknote he secretly slipped into her, and based on the principle of short-handedness, she softened her tone a little: "Your Highness and your minister are engaged to each other, so it is best not to meet in private, so as not to attract criticism, sir. The status of a woman is humble and not worth mentioning, but Your Highness is a man of wealth, and every word and deed represents the image of the Zhou royal family. Therefore, Your Highness please think twice before lending money to me, and I will give you the interest in the future. Return it, but before that, please Your Highness not to see my daughter again."

As soon as he finished speaking, the coachman waved his whip, and the carriage rushed out like a sharp arrow. Shui Linglong did not sit down. This huge change caused her figure to suddenly lean forward and rush straight towards Yunli. !

Yunli subconsciously spread his arms, trying to hug her firmly, but she unexpectedly clenched the edge of the table next to her with her left hand, turned around, and hit the hard table with her whole body, and the palm of her hand also A piece of skin was removed due to the huge friction.

She hurriedly lowered her sleeves to cover her injured hand, and under Yun Li's slightly flustered and worried gaze, she bowed in a humble and humble manner: "My maiden, you'd better go in the palace's carriage. I'll take my leave!"

"No, I got off the car. I was originally going to pick you up." After saying this, Yunli stood up gracefully, opened the curtain and jumped out of the carriage. Before leaving, he replaced the previous driver, "The medicine for the golden sore is in the secret room. "

The Plum Blossom Appreciation Banquet is held once a year and is held at the famous Ruixue Villa ten miles east of the capital. Ruixue Villa has beautiful scenery, luxurious furnishings, and various novel entertainment activities. Regardless of consumption, you have to pay 100 yuan in advance. Only two silver coins are required to enter the door. This harsh condition not only does not block out the guests, but has become a symbol of status and taste. Therefore, its business is surprisingly good, ranging from princes and ministers to merchants and common people. This place is full of longing. However, no one would have thought that the boss behind Ruixue Villa is Xun Feng!

Last year, it was the Leng family who held the plum blossom appreciation banquet. This year, it was supposed to be the turn of the Duke of Xuan. However, Shui Linglong’s plan caused Mrs. Li to break her leg bone. The second daughter-in-law of the Duke of Xuan was pregnant, so she couldn’t Princess Yu'an, who was over sixty years old, was brought onto the stage. In desperation, Princess Yu'an had no choice but to ask her cousins, the Yao family, to host the banquet.

Speaking of which, the Yao family is also related by marriage to the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion. The wife of Yao's eldest son, Yao Cheng, is the eldest daughter of the Zhenbei Prince, Zhuge Xi, who is twenty-three years old this year.

At this time, Zhuge Xi was drinking tea and chatting with Leng Yixuan in the pavilion. After listening to Leng Yixuan's vivid description, she put down her tea cup and said in surprise: "You mean, the little girl who cracked the Tianlong chess game is Yu'er's fiancée? "

Leng Yixuan put away the folding fan in his hand and nodded: "Cousin, isn't it a coincidence?"

Princess Zhenbei is the legitimate daughter of the Leng family, so it’s not wrong to call her cousin. The first time Leng Yixuan saw Shui Linglong, he had the urge to bring Shui Linglong and Zhuge Yu together, so Prince Yang deliberately invited Shui Linglong to attend the plum appreciation banquet. Unexpectedly, Shui Linglong and Zhuge Yu were destined to make an appointment so quickly. Kissed!

Zhuge Yu is already eighteen years old, but he is still alone and refuses to touch even the maids in his room. Zhuge Xi is even more anxious than her old man and wants to stuff women into his room every day.

Leng Yixuan looked at Zhuge Yu's thoughtful look and couldn't help but smile evilly: "Cousin, my cousin seems to have a good impression of this fiancée. He threatened in the temple that whoever dares to kill her will kill his whole family. ”

Zhuge Xi held up his chin with one hand and said: "I'm worried that she will be killed by Yu'er. It doesn't matter if she dies. Poor Yu'er, I have sperm at the age of twelve. I should have let the maid teach him how to have sex, but in the past six years, he has been I have never laid my finger on any of these women. They are all very beautiful maids, but he doesn’t like them. It’s hard to find someone who likes her, but what if she is killed before she even gets married?”

Uh... Leng Yixuan's face is full of black lines, cousin! Can you please stop talking about **** in front of me? It's embarrassing, okay?

Zhuge Xi looked over and raised his eyebrows: "How old were you when you had semen?"

 Leng Yixuan...sweat!

Leng Yixuan didn't answer, and Zhuge Xi forgot about it in the blink of an eye. Her eyes rolled around, and she suddenly slapped the table and stood up: "Yes! Let them cook the rice! In this way, it doesn't matter if she dies. What a pity!" She believed that as soon as her brother had a taste of bone-crushing love, he would slowly start to touch women.

As soon as Shui Linglong entered Ruixue Villa, she felt many unfavorable glances. Each circle has its own rules. Not all daughters of aristocratic families are monolithic. However, no matter what their relationship is in normal times, when they meet a concubine, They always aimed their guns at the outside world in unison, especially after Shui Lingxi "greeted" them, this contempt became even more obvious.

In the wintersweet garden, Lu Yiyi, the second young lady of the Lu family, took Shui Lingxi's hand and said sarcastically: "Hey! Lingxi, isn't that your concubine sister? She is so shameless that she actually dares to come to the banquet. ! I’m not afraid of losing the face of Shangshu Mansion!”

Shui Linglong smiled and kept barking, calling her "dog". She was a human and was not as knowledgeable as a dog.

Everyone was surprised to see that she had not been irritated, and they couldn't help but feel a little disappointed and annoyed. Especially Shui Linglong was so different from the concubine they imagined. Aren't concubines all timid and unable to get on the stage? But look at her clothes, which are more luxurious than theirs, and her graceful and elegant temperament is not inferior to that of any legitimate daughter of a prominent family!

Wu Lian'er, the fourth young lady of Duke Wu's Mansion, continued: "That's right! How can a wild girl who grew up in a village deserve to live in such a high-end place? That is to say, His Highness the Crown Prince loves you so much that he gave her such an honor for your sake. , but if it were me, I would definitely not go out and embarrass myself!"

Next to them were Chen Xuan, the third young lady of the Chen family, and Guo Rong, the fifth young lady of the Guo family. Chen Xuan didn't speak much and just listened quietly. However, Guo Rong seemed a little bit unable to stand it and everyone was pushing Shui Linglong to speak. He scolded them: "Are you done? Shui Linglong was invited by the Crown Prince. Are you dissatisfied with His Highness the Crown Prince's decision? Normally, everyone claims to be a lady from a famous family, but you don't even have this bit of tolerance. I don't care. I’m ashamed of you!”

Lu Yiyi snorted disdainfully: "Okay, you actually speak for a humble concubine. If you don't agree with me, you can just hang out with a concubine!"

"That's right! Guo Rong, if you are willing to lower yourself, don't hold us back!" After saying this, Wu Lian'er pulled Shui Lingxi and Lu Yiyi out of the Winter Plum Garden and walked towards the Winter Plum Garden.

Leng Yixuan, who was not far away, saw this scene and frowned slightly. He admitted that he did invite Shui Linglong to the banquet in disguise because he wanted to see her make a fool of herself, but when he saw that she was being squeezed, his I felt a little uncomfortable in my heart, and I couldn't bear to give away the glass of wine in my hand.

"cousin!"

While he was thinking about it, Zhuge Yu strode to his side. Originally, he was not willing to attend such an occasion, but Leng Yixuan and Zhuge Xi were so kind that they couldn't refuse. In addition, Shui Linglong also came, so he was more or less curious. , so he made an exception and went to the banquet.

His mouth was already dry after walking for a short distance, so without thinking, he picked up the wine in Leng Yixuan's hand and drank it all in one gulp.

Leng Yixuan was dumbfounded: "Cousin...cousin...you...you..."

 You’re done…

"Ouch! I seem to have a bad stomach today. Cousin, please say sorry to my cousin for me. You must convey it in person. I...I'm going back home to see the doctor first!" If I don't leave now, who knows when? ? Zhuge Yu's methods were unforgettable in his mind. He was a person that even the King of Hell was afraid of. He remembered that the year before last, he was thrown into the cold pond of Zhenbei Palace by Zhuge Yu. As a result, he could not lift his "head" for three months, which caused him great harm. I almost thought I had become a eunuch. That kind of experience is enough once, hurry up and get out of the way--

 Cousin, I'm sorry, the enemy is too powerful, you, you, you wish for good luck!

Leng Yixuan fled. Zhuge Yu threw the wine glass to the maid aside and started looking for Shui Linglong.

Everyone was extremely surprised that Zhuge Yu would appear in social situations. If they had not gone to Zhenbei Palace for a banquet, they probably would not have recognized what Zhuge Yu looked like. In their eyes, Zhuge Yu was an alien who was incompatible with them. Everything he did was despised by them, and several of the children from aristocratic families even took a bite out of his fists. But he had such a powerful father, and no one dared to point his nose and scold him. Therefore, they were envious. , contempt, ridicule, fear...all kinds of emotions slowly filled the air. But no matter what, all the men present must admit that even if Zhuge Yu has bad conduct, as soon as he stands there, he immediately becomes the most beautiful scenery in the clear blue sky and colorful colors!

The Plum Appreciation Banquet was created by Yun Sangyue, the legendary empress in the history of the Zhou Dynasty. Its main purpose was to praise the merits of women. Therefore, the protagonists of the Plum Appreciation Banquet are the ladies.

 (End of this chapter)