The Splendid Medical Concubine: The Journey of a Concubine

Chapter 111 111 Wedding date

The man in blue robe helped the staggering Duke Mu to sit down on the Arhat bed.

Mrs. Mu Guogong asked nervously: "Mr. Guogong, your feet..."

"I'm fine. I just sprained my foot accidentally. It's just a little sprained." Mu Guogong waved his hand and said with an open-minded smile, "Lin Ye is worried and insists on sending me back."

"Lin Ye, thank you for helping me in time, otherwise I would definitely fall."

"It's a trivial matter." The man known as "Lin Ye" smiled calmly, like a gentle breeze blowing through the treetops.

Mrs. Mu Guogong looked at him and said with some emotion: "Lin Ye, you have become darker and thinner. You haven't returned to Beijing in five years, right?"

"Cousin aunt, you have a really good memory." Lin Ye nodded.

Pei Linye is the eldest son of General Pei, the cousin-in-law of Mrs. Mu Guogong, who has been away from the capital all year round. Five years ago, General Pei died of illness. He returned to Beijing to attend the funeral for his grandfather. After the funeral, he hurriedly left Beijing and returned to Beidi.

He has not returned to Beijing for five years, and General Pei has publicly stated that he does not have a son.

Mrs. Mu Guogong moved her lips, as if she was hesitant to speak. She wanted to persuade him to go back to Pei's house to have a look, but in the end she did not say anything. She just sighed with emotion: "It's good to come back safely!" As long as the person is alive. , there is always a chance for father and son to resolve the discords and misunderstandings they had.

Pei Linye smiled warmly and cupped his hands, "Cousin, uncle, aunt, cousin, I have something else to do, so I will leave now. I will come to visit another day."

His clear eyes swept over the three of them, and he took another look at Shen. He noticed that her eye circles were a little dark, and frowned slightly.

Duke Mu did not keep him and asked the steward to see off the guests for him.

Pei Linye left, and soon after, the doctor invited by the Duke's Mansion arrived. The doctor showed Duke Mu's sprained right foot and said it was not serious. He only gave him a bottle of medicinal wine and asked them to rub it for three days. sky.

It was not until the doctor left that the main courtyard returned to calm.

Only then did Mrs. Shen have the opportunity to ask about the marriage: "Father, how are things going?"

Duke Mu frowned slightly, collected his thoughts, and then said: "Today's morning court has just begun. Cheng Linhua, the chief minister of Prince Chen's Mansion, came. He said that he came on the order of His Highness Prince Chen, handed over the imperial edict of marriage, and then left. Yes, the emperor is furious."

King Chen has always been willful, but neither the emperor nor the civil and military officials of the court expected that he would let Chang Shi openly defy the decree in the morning court. At present, some civil servants proposed to punish King Chen in order to please the emperor.

"..." Shen's eyes widened slightly, first shocked, and then she felt it was natural.

Maybe there was no movement in Prince Chen's Mansion yesterday, just waiting for today's morning court to give the emperor a public demonstration.

Duke Mu stroked his beard and continued: "The emperor almost wanted to punish King Chen, but Su Mubai and Ming Xiyang stood up in time and asked for orders, saying that since King Chen was unwilling, it would be better to do something happy. Forget it, we can’t force King Chen to marry a concubine..."

Mu Guogong's eyes darkened slightly as he recalled the scenes from the early court.

Many civil servants in the court now are royalists, but most of the generals are on the side of King Chen. If the two sides really confront each other, it is hard to say who will win.

"At first, the emperor refused to let go, insisting that he was doing it for the good of King Chen, even if King Chen didn't understand his painstaking efforts, otherwise, he would have no face to face the late emperor's spirit in heaven."

The emperor and the generals had their own opinions and argued about happy matters for nearly half an hour, but they did not discuss the reason.

"They were in a stalemate, so I took advantage of this to report that the marriage was indeed rushed. Even if it was just for happiness, in the end it was Prince Chen marrying his wife. In such a hurry, Prince Chen's palace might not even have time to prepare."

"This important matter of marriage requires three letters and six etiquette, so as not to humiliate King Chen."

Mu Guogong's remarks also gave the emperor a step down, and the outcome of the matter was as Mu Guogong expected, "The emperor finally took a step back, saying that King Chen was in poor health, and asked the Ministry of Rites to prepare for the wedding, and postponed the wedding date until One month later."

Although he had fulfilled his promise to his daughter, Mu Guogong was frowning and drinking tea absentmindedly.

Anyone with a brain can see that the incident in the morning was a game between Prince Chen's Palace and the Emperor. The Emperor made a move yesterday, so Prince Chen's Palace fought back today.

Cheng Linhua and Su Mubai clearly sang in harmony.

If Cheng Linhua had asked the emperor to postpone the wedding from the beginning, the emperor would definitely not have been able to do so. It was precisely because Prince Chen's palace resisted the decree forcefully that it had room for bargaining later.

Postponing the wedding date should be the purpose of Prince Chen's Palace.

Duke Mu glanced at Shen with a subtle expression.

Since Prince Chen’s palace intends to delay the marriage, I’m afraid...

Duke Mu thought of a certain possibility and sighed secretly in his heart. After all, he didn't say anything and drank tea.

"Father, I would like to thank you on behalf of Sister Chen." Shen stood up and blessed Duke Mu, breathing a sigh of relief.

She also knew that this marriage involved the court and was not as simple as marrying two people with the same surname. But for now, it was good that the wedding date could be postponed from the day after tomorrow to one month later.

At least she still has one month to prepare a decent dowry for Sister Chen.

From Mrs. Mu Guogong's understanding of Mu Guogong, she could vaguely see that her husband had reservations. However, from her point of view, Chu Qianchen was just a concubine and not the biological daughter of the eldest daughter. The Shen family By doing this, she was worthy of her life-saving grace to Chu Yunmu.

Mrs. Mu Guogong immediately changed the subject: "I left Ah Zhi to have lunch in the mansion. Lord Guo, do you want to pass on the lunch now?"

Duke Mu also knew his wife's intention and complied with it.

The three of them had lunch together, and no one mentioned anything about celebrating the occasion, and they were chatting and laughing happily with each other.

Mrs. Shen left Weichu, and after she left, Mrs. Mu Guogong's face suddenly fell.

The atmosphere then became depressing and the air was heavy.

"I really regret that I shouldn't have arranged this marriage for Ah Zhi," Mrs. Mu Guogong said regretfully. "There is also a cousin between these two couples. They grew up together as childhood sweethearts, but they treated us Ah Zhi instead." Zhi looks like a human being inside and out...what is this?"

Duke Mu also regretted it. There were deep wrinkles between his eyebrows, and he looked much older.

More than twenty years ago, the old marquis of the Yongding Marquis Mansion saved his father's life on the battlefield. Before his death, his father still said that he owed the old marquis his life. Therefore, when the old marquis came to ask for his hand in marriage, Mu Guogong It’s also very difficult.

At first, Shen was afraid that he would be embarrassed and took the initiative to agree to the marriage. Although he hesitated a little, he thought that the old Marquis was a good character and finally agreed. Who would have thought that Chu Lingxiao was such an irresponsible and incompetent fool.

Duke Mu also sighed and rubbed his brows, "The matter has come to this, and there is no point in being upset. We will help you more in the future. When Brother Mu grows up, we will ask him to be crowned the crown prince as soon as possible."

Mrs. Mu Guogong didn't know this truth, she just held her breath in her heart. The daughter she had raised like a jewel was humiliated and despised, and Awan and Prince Jing were also having trouble...

Mrs. Mu Guogong composed herself and gradually calmed down.

She is a smart person and said to the point: "...Does the emperor want to use his concubine to slap King Chen in the face?"

"Nine times out of ten." Mu Guogong nodded with a serious face. At this moment, he revealed to his wife what he had hidden before, "What I'm worried about is how sick King Chen is..."

Mu Guogong thought about it carefully. The singing and dancing in the Jinluan Palace today by Cheng Linhua and Su Mubai did not seem like King Chen's style. It was more like they couldn't make up their minds, so they had to use "drag" first. Zijue.

After thinking about it carefully, Mu Guogong felt frightened.

Is it because King Chen was so sick that he lost consciousness, so Cheng Linhua and Su Mubai were leaderless and could only drag him away?

If this is the case, everything can be explained.

Mrs. Mu Guogong glanced outside the house and asked hesitantly: "Will Lin Ye know?"

Pei Linye was from the Northern Army. He returned to Beijing at this time, which made Mrs. Mu Guogong have to wonder if it was related to King Chen's serious illness.

"Inappropriate." Mu Guogong shook his head decisively.

Pei Linye didn't stay in the Duke's Mansion for a long time just now, probably to avoid suspicion. After all, there are so many eyes in Beijing staring at him.

At this time, it may not be a good thing for the Duke's office to know more. The emperor cannot tolerate King Chen, so he will inevitably think too much and worry too much, and everything will be at war...

Duke Mu twitched his lips sarcastically, "The emperor is still as petty as ever. Back then, he couldn't tolerate King Chen. He always felt that the late emperor favored King Chen, so the late emperor let King Chen go to Beidi."

"King Chen fought **** battles in the North and made unparalleled contributions to Da Qi. Even now, the emperor still cannot tolerate King Chen."

At the end of the sentence, it turned into a long sigh.

The late emperor has passed away, and no one can restrain the emperor anymore. As long as the emperor is the emperor for one day, the marriage between King Chen and Chu Qianchen will be inevitable. King Chen is seriously ill now. If he can't pass this test, people will disappear before Chu Qianchen passes through the door, and Chu Qianchen will become an ominous person.

Duke Mu was worried about the affairs of the court and his eldest daughter. The eldest daughter was obviously obsessed with this concubine and was afraid that she would lose her control.

The old couple exchanged glances with each other, and Mrs. Mu Guogong said helplessly: "Let's take a step and see."

The flowers and trees outside the window swayed in the wind, and the rustling sound seemed to echo her.

The air is filled with the fragrance of flowers and grass, the weather is a bit hot, and both the people and the vegetation are a little wilted.

On the way back home, Mrs. Shen was in a daze, her eyes were blank, and she didn't know what she was thinking.

When the Marquis's carriage stopped, she didn't even realize that it was Nanny Chen who called her softly twice before she came to her senses and got off the carriage with the help of the maid.

Mrs. Shen originally planned to go back to the main courtyard, but she saw Granny Wang walking towards her from the direction of the inner courtyard with an expressionless face. It was obvious that she was coming towards her.

"Madam," Grandma Wang said with a smile, "Madam, please come over."

Mrs. Shen stroked her sleeves and said calmly: "Lead the way."

Grandma Wang choked and felt that Shen was really good at stabbing people. It was not like she didn't know how to get to Rongfu Hall and she needed someone to guide her. It's no wonder that Mrs. Tai is always indifferent to this eldest daughter-in-law and doesn't like her.

"Please, madam."

Grandma Wang walked in front to show Shen the way and led her to the left room of Rongfu Hall.

Incense was lingering in the corner, and the lady closed her eyes and twisted the string of beads in her hand, looking pious.

Hearing Mrs. Shen salute her, Mrs. Tai slowly opened her eyes with complicated eyes. She also knew that Mrs. Shen had gone out early in the morning and that she had returned to her parents' home.

It was normal for a married woman to return to her natal family, but when she thought about why Shen returned to her natal family, Mrs. Tai felt as if she had eaten a bite of bad food, and felt extremely unhappy. Before, she had asked Shen to go back to her parents' home several times to ask Duke Mu for help because of her son's errands, but Shen refused. As a result, she actually went back to ask her parents-in-law for Chu Qianchen's affairs.

Madam Tai squeezed the string of beads in her hand tightly and said to herself, whatever, as long as she can disrupt this marriage, it will be a good thing for the Chu family.

The madam suppressed her anger and said patiently, "Ah Zhi, how are you doing recently?"

Whatever Mrs. Tai asked, Mrs. Shen answered: "Thank you for your concern, mother. My father accidentally sprained his foot this morning. Everything else is fine."

Madam Tai asked again: "What did your father say about the marriage between Sister Chen and His Highness King Chen?"

"The emperor said in the morning that the wedding date will be postponed to one month, and the Ministry of Etiquette will prepare the three books and six etiquette of the wedding." Shen replied calmly.

"..." The Dowager's face suddenly darkened.

The lady was not satisfied with this result at all.

Postponing the wedding doesn't help at all. The Chu family is still inseparable from Prince Chen's Mansion!

Mrs. Shen saw what Mrs. Tai was thinking at a glance, ignored it, and laughed sarcastically in her heart: Neither Mrs. Tai nor Chu Lingxiao, they had ever considered Chu Qianchen at all. In their hearts, blood and family ties are nothing, they can be discarded easily!

Mrs. Shen was too lazy to talk nonsense to Madam Tai, and proactively suggested: "Mother, I plan to put Sister Chen in my name..."

What did she say? ! Mrs. Shen looked at Mrs. Shen with a look like "Are you crazy?"

If Mrs. Shen records Chu Qianchen in her name, then Chu Qianchen will be the direct daughter of the Chu family. Doesn’t this move mean that the Chu family attaches great importance to this marriage? In the eyes of the emperor, will the emperor think that the Chu family Are you thinking of taking refuge with King Chen? !

Even though Mrs. Tai didn't say anything, Mrs. Shen could tell that she was obviously unhappy.

But in addition to her own consent, the matter of naming Chu Qianchen also required the consent of the clan, so she would mention it to the dowager.

"Mother…"

What else did Ms. Shen want to say? The sound of a crutch squeezing and turning was heard outside the door, as well as the maid's salute: "Master Marquis."

Chu Lingxiao was also called here by the Madam. She wanted to discuss Chu Qianchen's matter with her eldest son and daughter-in-law.

After the door curtain was raised, Chu Lingxiao came in on crutches, looking at Mr. Shen with a sinister look in his eyes.

Seeing this, Grandma Chen sighed secretly: If someone didn't know this, she might think that this couple is not a couple, but enemies!

"Ling Xiao, you're here." Madam Tai could hardly suppress the irritability in her heart. When her eldest son arrived, she couldn't wait to tell Chu Lingxiao about the emperor's order to postpone the wedding.

"Broomstick! It's really a broomstick!" Chu Lingxiao slammed the crutch on the ground several times, making a clanging sound.

The Chu family has all suffered from Chu Qianchen, the bumbling star.

After Mrs. Shen left Rongfu Hall yesterday, their family gathered together to discuss until midnight. The more they discussed, the more they felt that the marriage was inappropriate. The more they discussed, the more they felt that the Hou Mansion was in danger.

This was originally a grudge between the emperor and King Chen. It was King Chen who did not know how to commend himself and refused to hand over his military power, which made the emperor thunderous and angry.

King Chen was too ill to leave the bed, and Chu Qianchen was just here to celebrate. If King Chen were alive, Chu Qianchen would not be liked. If King Chen died, Chu Qianchen would not be liked either. It would also damage the reputation of the Chu family daughter. Let others think that the daughter of the Chu family is Kefu.

Anyway, in the eyes of the emperor, no matter whether King Chen lives or dies, Chu Qianchen will not end well. Just like her name, she is destined to fall into the dust.

It's a humiliation for everyone, and the Chu family will also be rejected by the emperor because of Chu Qianchen!

The more Chu Lingxiao thought about it, the darker his eyes became, like a boundless hell, exuding a chilling and dark aura.

He sighed, gritted his teeth and said slowly: "Chu Qianchen can't stay."

As long as there is no Chu Qianchen, then naturally this marriage will not count.

This was a decision he made after careful consideration last night.

"What did you say?!" Shen's eyes almost opened to the extreme, looking at Chu Lingxiao in disbelief.

She thought she had seen Chu Lingxiao clearly and thought she had no expectations for him anymore, but she never thought that he could actually reach a lower limit.

Is this man really her pillow? !

Shen felt an indescribable nausea spreading rapidly.

"..." The Madam was also a little surprised, with a look of hesitation in her eyes. She lowered her eyes slightly and muttered something noncommittal.

"Let her die suddenly." Chu Lingxiao simply said it clearly.

He took a step closer to Mrs. Shen on crutches, and persuaded in a soft voice: "Ah Zhi, don't be too naive. That girl can make money by pleasing you. How sincere can she be?"

"She coaxes you with sweet words and says a few nice words, but you just dig out your heart and soul like this. Is it worth it?"

"In the final analysis, she is just a concubine."

Chu Lingxiao's eyes looked at Mr. Shen with a hint of pity and ridicule, and a detachment that said "everyone is drunk but I am sober".

Shen pursed her lips tightly and stared up at him, her cold and sharp eyes seeming to see through Chu Lingxiao.

Chu Lingxiao hesitated for a moment, raised a hand and gently put it on Shen's shoulder, and continued to persuade: "Azhi, Chu Qianchen is not the only one in the Chu family. You are the head matron of the Hou Mansion. , take the overall situation into consideration!”

"Besides, you also have Sister Huang and Brother Mu. They are your biological children. If you don't think about others, you must always think about them, right?"

As he spoke, Chu Lingxiao's eyes brightened even more, revealing his determination to win, "Listen to me and leave her alone."

Shen didn't say anything, but still looked at Chu Lingxiao, seemingly speechless.

Chu Lingxiao felt that he had convinced Shen, and the corners of his mouth curled up invisibly, and he returned to his original position, and said in a warm voice: "You are tired too, go back and rest early. Leave all the rest to me."

"I will arrange for someone to send her to Zhuangzi today. This matter should be done sooner rather than later. We must let the emperor know..."

"Crack!"

Chu Lingxiao's words were interrupted by a crisp slap, so loud and clear.

Chu Lingxiao's face was knocked to the side.

A clear five-fingerprint appeared on the left side of his face, his cheek suddenly became red and swollen, and he stared at Shen in disbelief.

How dare she hit herself!

Although Shen is a girl, she has been learning to ride and shoot since she was a child. The strength of her hands is not light, and she used all her strength in the slap just now.

Mrs. Wang and Grandma Wang were all dumbfounded when they saw this scene, unable to react for a moment.

"Shen Zhi!" Chu Lingxiao was absolutely furious. The left side of his face was burning and painful. He was angry, angry and ashamed, and his facial features were hideous.

If looks could kill, Shen would have died thousands of times.

Shen still couldn't understand her hatred, so she took the crutch from his hand and hit his injured left leg unceremoniously...

"ah!"

Chu Lingxiao's sharp scream almost turned the roof off.

Shen didn't care about Chu Lingxiao's reaction or whether his injury would be more serious, and just walked away.

She was too lazy to talk to Chu Lingxiao anymore. It was useless to talk to someone like him.

Even after Mrs. Shen left Rongfu Hall, she could still hear Chu Lingxiao's ghostly cry and howl: "Quick! Call a doctor for me! My legs hurt so much!"

Shen walked forward angrily, faster and faster, her chest heaving violently.

Nanny Chen was a few steps behind, following behind Mr. Shen. Thinking about the scene just now, her heart was complicated and she comforted her: "Madam, please don't be angry...it's not worth getting so angry."

Regarding what kind of person Chu Lingxiao was, as early as last month when he quietly changed Chu Yunmu's Shiquan Cream, Grandma Chen had already seen through it, and she felt sorry that her wife had married such an irresponsible man.

Ms. Shen suddenly stopped under a tree. The sunlight filtered through the dense branches and leaves above, casting mottled light and shadow on her face, making her look even heavier.

Shen knew that Chu Lingxiao hated Chu Qianchen and could trample on her and abandon her at will, but she never expected that he would be so disgusted with her that he wished she would die.

When the wind blows, the lush branches and leaves sway, and even the mottled light and shadow sway, making the surroundings seem particularly peaceful.

Mrs. Shen suddenly asked: "Mother Chen, have you found out what I asked you to check last time?"

She was talking about the last time she asked Nanny Chen to check on Aunt Jiang and Chu Qianchen.

Mrs. Shen looked back towards Rongfu Hall. After what had happened just now, the sense of disobedience in her heart became even stronger.

Why don't Chu Lingxiao and Aunt Jiang like their biological daughter? !

Their "dislike" is so unreasonable!

Ms. Shen always felt like she was in a thick confusion. There was something she was trying to figure out, but she couldn't find the answer...

"Madam, we found some..." Nanny Chen has received some reports on this matter one after another in recent days. She originally planned to report it to Mrs. Shen, but yesterday's imperial edict granting marriage came so suddenly that she couldn't help it. Didn't care about it.

The temperature is cooling down, don’t catch a cold~

(End of chapter)