Chi Danmei shook her head and said: "Don't tell anyone about this, and you don't have to worry about it. I won't hurt anyone in the palace, and I will be careful not to be discovered. You don't have to worry."
"Why is this?" Qi Ning asked anxiously: "This palace is full of palaces. There are nearly a hundred large and small palaces in total. You are not familiar with this place at all. Looking for something in such a large place is like looking for a needle in a haystack. Searching from house to house, even if no one discovers me, will take several years. Instead of spending so much time here, wouldn't it be simpler for me to directly ask the emperor for a reward?"
"I said it won't happen if you don't." Chi Danmei said anxiously: "Although that thing is of no use to you, your emperor will never give it to you."
Qi Ning was startled and filled with doubts: "Why? What are you looking for, so weird?"
Before Chi Danmei could speak, she heard a cry from outside: "Master Hou, Master Hou!"
The two of them immediately separated. Qining dodged to the door. Hearing the sound approaching, Chi Danmei had already come over and whispered: "We have been here for too long. They must be suspicious over there and send someone here." try to find."
Qi Ning also knew that it would always be strange for him to be out for such a long time, so he whispered: "Then you should be careful in the palace, I will come to see you when I have the chance." Thinking that he could not go directly to Fengyi Palace to find you, It was really not easy to see Chi Danmei next time. I thought of something and asked in a low voice: "Sima Wanqiong got a needle in her leg yesterday. Was it your fault?"
Chi Danmei smiled charmingly and did not answer. Qining looked at her eyes and knew that what happened yesterday must be her fault.
At this time, when he heard the cry approaching, Qi Ning knew that it would be better to delay any longer. He opened the door with a "Gah" sound, pretended to tidy up his clothes and walked out. It happened that a palace maid over there was coming over. Seeing Qi Ning, she hurriedly said : "Master Hou!"
Qi Ning coughed twice. At this time, Chi Danmei had already followed him out of the door. She waved her hand to close the door and stood behind Qi Ning with her head lowered. Qi Ning asked the palace maid, "What's wrong?"
"The Emperor was worried that the Marquis had lost his way in the palace, so he sent his servants to look for him."
Qi Ning said "hmm" and walked back along the original path. Chi Danmei followed him, and the palace maid also quickly followed. At this time, Qi Ning had no chance to talk to Chi Danmei, and he felt a little regretful. He secretly thought that he was just talking and forgot to let Chi Danmei reveal her true face for him to see.
But I didn’t know whether Chi Danmei was wearing a human skin mask or had another way of disguising herself. I couldn’t help but take a sideways glance, and saw Chi Danmei lowering her head slightly, but she was also glancing at him from the corner of her eyes, with her beautiful eyes. The child was charming and seductive, their eyes met, Qi Ning's heart skipped a beat, red and red waves flowed across her face, and she also smiled charmingly.
When they arrived at the main hall, Chi Danmei couldn't go in anymore and stayed outside. Qining was a little reluctant to leave, but couldn't stop. He glanced at Chi Danmei and then went in. Inside, Long Tai was talking to the queen. , seeing Qi Ning come in, Long Tai had already smiled and said: "It took you a long time, are you confused?"
"Your Majesty, the palace is too big. The one who led the way... my sister is here for the first time and is not very familiar with this place. It was hard to find a place." Qi Ning smiled and didn't say much.
The queen said with a smile: "Jinyihou, Tianluo ointment has been wrapped for you. Just take it back when you leave the palace."
Qi Ning glanced to the side and saw that the two boxes of Tianluo ointment had been wrapped in yellow brocade cloth. He hurriedly cupped his hands and said, "I thank the queen for the reward!"
Longtai said: "Jin Yihou, I know everything about yesterday. You have maintained the court's etiquette, and both I and the queen think you are a loyal minister."
Qi Ning already understood at this time that it was probably the Queen's intention that Longtai brought him to the harem today to meet the Queen.
If she hadn't stepped forward yesterday, the queen would probably have suffered a humiliation. Not only would Sima Wanqiong enter the palace in a jade chariot, but the jade chariot would even go in front of the queen. Dong Qi is a small country after all, and Sima Wanqiong He was also a powerful official of the Chu State, so the Crown Prince of Dong Qi had no choice but to endure it because he couldn't fall out on the spot yesterday. Fortunately, he spoke out and allowed the Queen to enter the palace in glory.
The queen was naturally aware of this, and she must be grateful for what Qi Ning did yesterday, so she asked Longtai to personally lead Qi Ning to the harem to express her gratitude.
Qi Ning thanked him again, and Longtai also knew that a foreign minister could not stay in the harem for a long time, so he ordered: "Jin Yihou can retire first. The Ministry of Punishment quickly went to take office. Don't delay the errand. I will send someone to deliver the decree later." Go to the Criminal Department."
Qi Ning bowed and said yes, then picked up the Tianluo anointing gifted by the queen and left. He knew that the emperor's wedding was a time of tenderness and affection, and the court's etiquette allowed the emperor to ignore the affairs of the court for three days. The little emperor felt the queen's tenderness and was afraid that he would have to stay in Fengyi Palace for the next two days.
A palace maid led Qi Ning out of Fengyi Palace. Qi Ning looked around quietly and found that Chi Danmei had disappeared. She was very confused. She really didn't know what Chi Danmei was looking for when she ran to the palace. Things.
Today's trip to the palace was a big gain. Not only was he rewarded by the queen, but he also won the position of Minister of the Ministry of Punishment.
Qi Ning knew that in terms of experience and qualifications, he was not even qualified to be the head of the Ministry of Punishment. It was due to the situation in the court that Longtai pushed himself to the position of Minister of the Ministry of Punishment. He suspected that he might be the youngest person in history. Minister of the Ministry of Punishment.
When he returned to the Hou Mansion, he couldn't see Gu Qinghan for a while. He walked along the path to his yard. Suddenly he heard a sound coming from behind the flower garden next to him. He felt suspicious and quietly approached and looked behind the flower garden. He saw a maid standing there. Sitting on a stone, holding a paper bag in his hand, sitting on the ground in front of the maid, was the strange man in the black cloak with unkempt hair.
The weird man in the black cloak had been staying in the Hou Mansion for a long time, but Qi Ning didn't spend much time in the house. In comparison, the ugly man spent more time in the house than Qin Ning.
Qi Ning looked at the maid and recognized that she was Su Lan.
Qi Ning also vaguely knew that this strange man in black cloak had a weird temper, and would occasionally make the Hou Mansion into a fuss. He would not listen to anyone except himself, but he was the only one who was submissive to Su Lan.
At this time, I saw the scene in front of me. Su Lan was sitting on the stone. Under the sun, she was taking out cakes from the paper bag and putting them into the mouth of the weird man. The weird man was sitting in front of Su Lan honestly, like a child. , Sulan pastry arrived, he opened his mouth and swallowed it in one gulp, like a couple in love.
However, Qi Ning knew that Sulan just felt pity for this weirdo, so she took more care of her. Although Sulan was not a stunning beauty, she was still pretty. In appearance, there was a big gap between Sulan and that ugly man. Just like beauty and the beast, it is possible for the ugly man to fall in love with Su Lan, but it is really unbelievable to say that Su Lan likes the ugly man.
"Slow down, don't be in a hurry." Su Lan had a gentle temper and a soft voice: "This is what the third lady rewarded me. I have kept it for you. You eat it slowly, no one will compete with you." She smiled softly and took it. He took a handkerchief and gently wiped the corners of the ugly man's mouth.
The ugly man swallowed and stared at Su Lan, smiling innocently, but he was also very obedient.
The previous strange man had a big fight in the Hou Mansion because of Su Lan, which also let Qining know that this strange man is not only very fast, but also has strong martial arts. Although he has no internal strength, he is born with supernatural power and can quickly To learn the opponent's tricks and then use them in return, this talent alone is already astonishing.
According to the judgment of Li Tang and others, this strange man was very likely to have practiced martial arts, but because of his obsession, he became what he is now. Was this person good or evil in the past, and where did he come from? Where it is is always a mystery.
Qi Ning looked at the strange man's obedient appearance and couldn't help but think, if this strange man was a treacherous and evil person in the past, it would be better to be like now, living in the Hou Mansion with no worries about food and clothing, and not having any ambitions, let alone It won't hurt others, which isn't a bad thing.
There are many masters in the world. Some people have fallen into madness due to being obsessed with it. They have forgotten everything in the past and become crazy and stupid. This is not without precedent. A person like this may not have been noticed by many people in the past. Now he has disappeared for a long time. , I’m afraid no one will miss me anymore.
Under the sun, looking at the two people in front of him, Qi Ning thought that at least at this moment, these two people should be happy, but Qi Ning had never had a habit of interrupting other people's happiness, so he stepped away lightly.
Returning to the house, he opened the package. There were two exquisite boxes inside. Qining carefully opened one box, which contained a small round porcelain jar. When he opened the lid, a light fragrance came out from inside. , Qining looked inside and saw that it was indeed something like grease. He was not very interested in this, so he closed the lid.
The queen gave two boxes of Tianluo ointment, which were suitable for the female family members. Although there were many female family members in the Hou family, only Gu Qinghan and Tang Nuo could allow Qining to send gifts.
However, Qi Ningfa told Gu Qinghan that he paid attention to skin care on weekdays, but Tang Nuo seemed to never dress up, always looking simple and elegant. Besides, Tang Nuo was proficient in pharmacology, but he didn't know if he liked this Tianluo ointment, Tianluo ointment. In the eyes of others, it is very valuable, but in Tang Nuo's eyes, it may not be worth mentioning.
Qi Ning thought for a moment, then rewrapped one of the boxes and put it away, picked up the other delicate box, went out and went straight to Gu Qinghan's yard.
Because they realized that someone might be monitoring their and Gu Qinghan's whereabouts in the house, Qi Ning and Gu Qinghan became cautious. However, today there was Tianluo ointment sent by the Queen, which was given to Gu Qinghan in the past. This reason is really valuable and will not make people too upset. Too suspicious.
Gu Qinghan ran away during dinner in the morning. Qining wanted to laugh when he thought of the beautiful young woman's panic.
They arrived at Gu Qinghan's courtyard. Gu Qinghan's personal maid Bingqiao was pruning flowers in the courtyard. When she saw Qi Ning coming in, she was about to speak. Qining raised her hand to signal Bingqiao not to make any noise. Bingqiao nodded obediently and said something to the side. Pointing to a room, Qining smiled slightly and then approached.
Gu Qinghan was the third wife of the Hou family, so the courtyard she lived in was naturally very spacious. The room Bing Qiao knew was Gu Qinghan's study.
Gu Qinghan was born in a gentry family. She had read books since she was a child and was literate. She also had a special study room in her courtyard, but the collection of books was not many. Among them were mainly some accounts lists of the Hou Mansion and the accounts of the Hou Mansion. Gu Qinghan also has a copy here. When reconciling the accounts every month, it will be easier to check both sides if there are bills.
The door to the study room was open. Qin Ning walked over lightly, only to see Gu Qinghan standing beside a desk, holding a pen in her hand and concentrating on drawing something on the paper. Her back was to Qin Ning's side. The beautiful back lines were smooth. Qining walked lightly into the study, but Gu Qinghan didn't notice it.
Qining walked lightly behind Gu Qinghan. There was a window in front of the desk. Behind the window were two golden bodhi trees. There were vines growing in the corners, full of green. Qining glanced at the paper and realized that Gu Qinghan was here. I was painting in front of the window, and what I painted was the golden bodhi tree behind.
Qi Ning took a closer look and saw that Gu Qinghan's brushwork was smooth. Although the paintings he painted could not be compared with those of famous artists, they were still very expressive.
Gu Qinghan was so intoxicated that she never noticed that Qi Ning was standing behind her. Qi Ning remained silent and watched her painting quietly. After a while, Gu Qinghan put the brush on the inkstone and blew a few breaths of fragrance into the painting. Then he carefully picked it up with both hands, faced the window, tilted his head slightly, and looked at his painting. He looked quite satisfied.
"Sanniang is not only good at playing the piano, but she is also so expressive in painting." Qining couldn't help but admired: "She is indeed the most talented woman in the Jinyihou Mansion."
Gu Qinghan was startled by the sudden voice. He turned around with an "Oops" and quickly took two steps back. When he saw clearly that it was Qi Ning, he patted his chest lightly and scolded: "Why didn't you say anything when you came in? Are you going to scare people to death?" He was so frightened that his chest was shaking.
"I see Sanniang painting here, so I don't dare to disturb her, for fear of disturbing Sanniang." Qining put the Tianluo paste in his hand on the table: "Sanniang, let me have a look." He reached out to ask for the painting, but Gu Qinghan was He put the painting in his hand behind him and said, "If I don't show it to you, you'd scare me to death."
Qi Ning laughed, and Gu Qinghan looked at the box on the table, frowned and said, "What is it?"
"It's the Tianluo ointment given by the queen." Qining said: "The gift brought by the queen from Dong Qi is specially for women. I heard it is very precious. When applied on the lips, it will not only make you youthful and beautiful, but also have a strange fragrance. I can’t use it myself, so I can only honor Sanniang.”
Gu Qinghan rolled his eyes at Qining and said, "You can stay here if you don't need it." He glanced outside and didn't dare to approach Qining. He bit his lips and coughed deliberately when he saw Qining staring at him. , said: "Just put your things down. You should leave quickly."
Qining shrugged and said, "I just gave Sanniang a gift, and Sanniang is going to kick me out now?"
"What are you doing here if you don't leave?" Gu Qinghan said angrily: "If there is nothing else, go back and read more books."
Qi Ning chuckled, stretched out his hand to pull out a piece of white paper, rolled up his sleeves, and picked up the brush. Gu Qinghan's beautiful eyes widened and she asked curiously: "What are you doing?"
"Draw!" Qin Ning laughed and put a pen on the paper. Gu Qinghan was very surprised. She had never seen Qin Ning draw before. She wondered when this kid would draw again. She was suspicious. He couldn't help but get closer, but Qi Ning had already drawn lines on the paper. Gu Qinghan felt funny when he saw that his writing movements were completely unorganized, but he still stood by with interest.
Qi Ning is not good at painting, but he has never touched it in his previous life. He can understand a few rough paintings. After a while, he drew a rough outline of the human body. Gu Qinghan looked at the outline and it seemed to be a woman. , the body line is uneven. Although the painting is not exquisite at all, it can still roughly outline the outline of the body shape, but the lines of the chest and buttocks are very exaggerated.
"Who are you painting?" Gu Qinghan was curious and couldn't help asking.
Qining glanced at her and said with a smile: "Who else, Sanniang, doesn't have a figure like yours?"
Gu Qinghan was startled, and then he looked more carefully, and found that the woman's silhouette was very exaggerated, with her breasts and hips up, her face turned red, she stretched out her hand to pull it, and said angrily: "You... you are not allowed to draw, who told you to draw like this... !" Thinking that he had such an exaggerated figure in Qining's eyes, his face felt even hotter.
Gu Qinghan grabbed it and was about to tear it up, but suddenly felt that Qining was silent and a little strange. He glanced at him and saw Qining staring at the bodhi tree outside the back window, lost in thought. Gu Qinghan was even more surprised and couldn't help but push it gently. He touched Qining's arm and asked softly: "Ning'er, what's wrong with you?"
Qi Ning slowly turned his head and looked at Gu Qinghan, but his expression was very serious. He asked in a low voice: "Sanniang, I suddenly remembered something and felt very strange."
"What's up?"
Qining looked around and then lowered his voice and said, "You said that what appeared in the Buddhist hall that night was a bull-headed horse-face, right?"
Gu Qinghan's face changed slightly, and he looked around before lowering his voice and saying, "What are you talking about now?"
"Why is it a bull-headed horse mask?" Qining frowned, thoughtfully, and whispered: "If they want to hide their true face, they can just pick a lightweight mask. Why do they have to pretend to be a bull-headed horse mask? ...!" He pulled out a new piece of paper, drew on the paper with a pen, and soon drew a simple bull's head. Then he gently put down the pen and stared at the bull's head on the paper without blinking.
"Ning'er, you... what are you thinking of?" Gu Qinghan asked in a low voice, and couldn't help but get close to Qi Ning, and also looked at the picture: "Do you think there is a reason why they dressed up as a bull head and a horse face?"
"It must be." Qi Ning said softly: "The Minotaur and the Horse are the seducers of hell. The living people are very taboo about this, but they chose to pretend to be the Minotaur. Of course there is something fishy about it, and there must be some reason for it." Raising his hand. He put it on his forehead, closed his eyes slightly, and said to himself: "What could be the reason?"