On this day, Jiang Xuening sat in the theater until the evening, and Xiao Dingfei, who was always playing with her, didn't dare to provoke her at all, but quietly peeled the melon seeds and peanuts sent to her, and put them in her hand. go up.
But Jiang Xuening didn't eat half of it.
Until the sun was setting outside, she stood up as if she had finally made a decision and wanted to go outside.
Xiao Dingfei asked subconsciously: "Weng Ang's gang of scholars outside, and the beggars on the street, are you still taking care of it?"
Jiang Xuening said, "Why not?"
Xiao Dingfei was stunned: "But this matter has already..."
Jiang Xuening said unexpectedly, "She makes me uncomfortable, and I won't make her feel better."
Xiao Dingfei was finally silent and watched her walk out of the theater.
The government and the opposition were still discussing the re-investigation of the Xiao family the day before, but today they were all surprised by the news that Xiao Shu had sealed the concubine: at such a critical juncture, the emperor actually sealed Xiao Shu in the center of the whirlpool as a Concubine, isn't it clear that you want to favor the Xiao family and Xiao Shu
But in the evening, new news came.
The account of the minister of households, Jiang Boyu, was handed over to the cabinet, and after the deliberation of the ministers, the case of the disaster relief silver in Ganzhou that year will be re-examined.
All the military officials were confused by this: I said that the emperor should handle it impartially, and he first sealed Xiao Shu as a concubine; he said that the emperor was partial, and he re-examined the case of Ganzhou disaster relief silver without showing mercy.
Even Xiao Yuan himself couldn't figure it out, so he was uneasy.
Only Jiang Xuening could vaguely guess something.
The emperor sleeps on the couch, and he most avoids others sleeping soundly.
If Xiao Shu is not trustworthy and should not be believed, it is impossible for Shen Lang to make her a concubine. Using the emperor's mentality to push back, how can a noble girl from an aristocratic family gain the emperor's trust
There is only one answer: cut off your wings and draw a clear line.
When Xiao Shu voluntarily gave up her original support, it was equivalent to throwing away all her weapons and removing all threats to the emperor. From then on, her honor and disgrace are tied to the man by the pillow, and she can only advance and retreat with him, and live and die together!
For Shen Lang, one can serve the bed, and the other can help him bring down the Xiao family.
And such a beauty, what reason does he have to refuse
Jiang Xuening sneered in her heart, and when she returned to Jiang's house, she heard that Mrs. Meng was very happy, and asked Jiang Xuehui to go to her room to talk for an afternoon. I also know that Xiao Shu, who was also going to run for the election of Princess Linzi, suddenly entered the palace and concubine, then Jiang Xuehui would not have the biggest opponent, and Shen Jie was interested in Jiang Xuehui first.
She was too lazy to join in the fun.
The next day, before dawn, the whole house was busy, and across the yard, the maids could be heard painting Jiang Xuehui's makeup and arranging her hairpins. Occasionally, those who were slow in doing things were scolded by Meng Shi for two times. Voice.
Jiang Xuening was lying on the bed, slumbering in the spring morning, staring at the white peonies embroidered on the top of the tent, but remembered this day in his previous life—
The house is also so busy.
But at that time, the one who was playing with all kinds of hairpins among the crowd was herself. Although Meng shi also entered her room, the joy in her expression was somewhat reluctant, especially when she looked over with a pampered look, Meng shi's expression became even more unsightly. Jiang Xuehui only stood beside Meng Shi and looked at her deeply.
At that time, she was extremely proud, because Jiang Xuehui didn't even know that she had seen Fang Xiupa in the palace and deliberately pretended to be her, so she had the opportunity now.
Jiang Xuehui robbed her of her family, and she was about to rob Jiang Xuehui's love.
She didn't want them any better anyway.
Just torturing others, why not torturing yourself
Although Shen Jie was a gentle and elegant handsome gentleman, he had the passion of a literati, but he was not a kind of infatuation like any other man in the world. Maybe it was because she gradually discovered that she was not the one who made his heart move at the beginning, right? When Yan Er was newly married two years ago, it was like glue, and it was so easy to coax him that he didn't want to leave him; but after he ascended the throne, he was criticized in the court, and the queen mother put pressure on him to choose a new person. Xiao Shu entered the palace. This queen just maintains a little bit of affection.
After all, it wasn't his own that he stole.
What Jiang Xuehui has, may not be what she likes.
After lying down for a long time, Jiang Xuening got up.
It's not that she wants to see how Jiang Xuehui is doing, but today is also the day when the eunuchs in the palace take turns to rest, and she wants to find someone.
Xiao Shu became the imperial concubine, and the original plan was no longer available.
There was not much time left for her.
When he washed up and walked out of his courtyard, Jiang Xuening happened to bump into Jiang Xueyui, who was surrounded by many maids, who was rarely dressed up.
In her hand she was holding a silk handkerchief embroidered with red ginger flowers on the corner.
Jiang Xuening glanced at her, and seeing Meng Shi was by her side, she didn't even bother to say hello, and walked over.
She has changed many things in this life: her relationship with Xie Wei, Wen Zhaoyi's pregnancy, the rise and fall of the Yan family, the choice of Princess Linzi, the time when Xiao Dingfei entered Beijing...
Then, why couldn't she save Shen Zhiyi
Whether people in the world are like the Meng family, or Jiang Xuehui like Shen Jie, even if you have to choose a concubine today, you will not feel that there is much difference between yesterday and tomorrow. But as far as Jiang Xuening is concerned, every day of her life, she is fighting to the death with her destiny, and she refuses to bow her head and admit defeat!
Zheng Bao rests today.
Ever since he was chosen by Master Wang Xinyi and transferred to the emperor's side to serve him, his status in the palace can no longer be the same as before. It's not that he is greedy for gold and silver, but that's the way it is in the palace. If others are filial and you don't want to accept it, it will be the target of public criticism, and others will inevitably guard against you. Therefore, although the time spent in the Qianqing Palace was not long, he also saved a lot of money.
70% of the money was given to the family, and the mother was asked to make a betrothal gift for the brother;
30% for himself, and finally moved out and built a small courtyard in Sanli Hutong.
Since seeing Xiao Shu entering the Qianqing Palace that day, Zheng Bao had a vague feeling in his heart, so today Xiu Mu did not go out and walk as usual, but sat under the eaves and waited.
Sure enough, as soon as the early morning fog cleared, there was a knock on the door.
He got up and walked over to open the door.
The splendid Jiang Er girl stood in front of his shabby courtyard, wearing a dark purple cloak, but her eyes were like the quiet snow in the middle of the night, bright but with a touch of coolness. Yi Kuan, as if all distracting thoughts had been cleared away.
Zheng Bao stepped aside.
Jiang Xuening held the cloak in one hand, but did not take a step inside, just looked at him and said, "I am here to ask you to repay your kindness."
Zheng Bao only wore a simple light blue round neck robe at home, his lips were red and his teeth were white, and he was dazed when he heard the words.
His delicate face reminded people of the misty rain in Jiangnan.
Jiang Xuening suddenly didn't dare to look directly at these too clear eyes, so he slowly lowered his eyes, suppressed the trace of guilt, and said almost cruelly: "I'm sorry. That day, in front of Kunning Palace, I really saved you by speaking out. Yes, it should be Her Royal Highness the Eldest Princess. Could you please repay your kindness?"
As the king of Linzi, who the emperor trusted on weekdays and even almost became the emperor's younger brother, Shen Jie's choice of a concubine was definitely a major event in the spring after the beginning of the year, except for the eldest princess and her relatives.
The palace has been busy for a long time.
Although the matter was handled by Empress Zheng herself, she had to report to the Empress Dowager Xiao about every incident, and the Empress Dowager should be in charge of the overall situation today. But yesterday Xiao Shu sealed the concubine. After the news came out, the Empress Dowager Xiao became furious for some unknown reason. Xiao Shu went to serve the disease, but was also driven out. Well-informed people in the palace felt that this incident was unusual, and secretly spread ups and downs.
Empress Zheng also murmured in her heart.
However, this is an excellent opportunity for her. It is rare for her to preside over the overall situation. If it is done well and re-enters the eyes of the emperor, it is logical to take back the control of the Six Palaces from the Empress Dowager Xiao.
Therefore, Empress Zheng is more dedicated than ever.
The location of the concubine selection was set at Chuxiu Palace, and the palace people brought people into the palace early in the morning. After all, it was the royal family selection. There should be a lot of places to check. The last stage is to put these candidates in front of everyone , to draw a result.
Shen Jie entered the palace and first went to see the queen mother and the emperor.
So Empress Zheng sat on the throne of Chuxiu Palace, drank tea first, and talked with Wen Zhaoyi, who was promoted to the position after pregnancy and had fair skin.
But I didn't expect that, before I said two words, I heard the eunuch outside sing a high-pitched voice: "Concubine Xian is here—"
The eyelids of Empress Zheng and Wen Zhaoyi jumped at the same time.
Looking up again, Xiao Shu, who was the eldest miss of Xiao's family a while ago, had black hair in a bun, with two golden steps inserted, and a plum petal-like flower tin between her brows. , walked in from the outside dressed in a sky blue and gold-draped palace costume, although there was no domineering demeanor, it really gave people a domineering feeling.
In the palace, new people often exchange old people, not to mention that the saint is the most fond of the new and hates the old
Although Empress Zheng also felt uncomfortable, she had seen this kind of thing a lot, and she was able to hold on to her face.
Wen Zhaoyi felt a lot more uncomfortable.
Before she was pregnant, she didn't know it at all, and there was no imperial doctor to inform her that this harem was under the control of others. As for who this "other person" is, who has no point in mind? Now that the Empress Dowager Xiao is ill, her niece has come to the palace again, and she is also a concubine! She may have a dragon seed in her stomach, but she has only been promoted to Zhaoyi, and it is hard to think about it.
Therefore, when she saw Xiao Shu, her face was not very good.
There are rumors inside and outside the palace, how could Xiao Shu not know it
But no matter how much she hates it, she is the one who makes the decision.
She knew what to choose, so she forced herself to turn a deaf ear: In any case, she had achieved her goal, and even became the emperor's favorite concubine overnight, what can others say about her
"My concubine has seen the Queen's concubine."
Xiao Shu's identity was unusual in the past. Saluting the queen was always very simple, but now she doesn't take the queen in her eyes either.
The queen smiled reluctantly, and did not say much: "Now it's time to call her sister Xian Fei."
Wen Zhaoyi curled her lips coldly, put her hand on her already pregnant belly, deliberately didn't get up, and said lazily: "Actually, I should give the concubine Xian concubine a salute, but I am pregnant, my child is very weak. , I don't dare to toss, so I ask Concubine Xian to forgive me."
Xiao Shu smiled: "It's okay, I'll ask you later."
Wen Zhaoyi is only one step away from the position of concubine. As long as the prince is successfully born, the position of the concubine is not a problem; even if the princess is born, the position of the concubine is also logical. Where is the need to give her Xiao Shu a salute
Xiao Shu's words may seem ordinary, but their meaning is extremely vicious!
Wen Zhaoyi's complexion changed instantly, and the five fingers on the armrest were clenched tightly, almost on the spot.
Empress Zheng hurriedly smoothed things out and asked with a smile: "Concubine Xian's younger sister Feng Fei suddenly, the palace is preparing, and I haven't been able to see it before. It's just that today the Chuxiu Palace will choose a concubine for His Royal Highness Prince Linzi. , I don't know that Sister Xian Fei is coming, is it?"
A palace servant had already moved a chair beside him.
Xiao Shushi Shiran sat down and replied lightly: "The Holy Highness is entangled in government affairs, and I can't worry about His Royal Highness Linzi's choice of a concubine, so I will invite him to visit the Holy Highness to watch it. The Empress does not mind, right?"
Please.
Empress Zheng blocked in one breath, she didn't know what to say, and after a while, she forced a smile, and said, "The Holy One cares, it's naturally the best."
Xiao Shu smiled softly and stopped talking.
After a while, the king of Linzi, Shen Jie, went to the emperor and the empress dowager to be safe, and entered the Chuxiu Palace, wearing a crescent-white python robe, with a jade pendant hanging around his waist, and his face as elegant and gentle as jade, but his face didn't seem to be. Especially good.
When he came in and saw Xiao Shu, he was stunned for a moment.
But his mind was full of reprimands from the elder brother, especially the empress dowager, and he didn't bother to care at all. After bowing to the queen's wife, he sat down.
At this time, the palace talents introduced the noble ladies who were candidates from various prefectures. After screening, there were not many people. Six people stood in a row, and many of the companions in the original Yang Zhizhai were among them.
Jiang Xuehui, Chen Shuyi, Yao Rongrong, and...
A confused look.
Her father was Qin Tianjian, and she once worked as a companion in Yangzhizhai, so she was naturally selected as a candidate for a princess.
Fang Miao felt that this matter had nothing to do with herself, so she went through the motions.
But they shouldn't, and I don't know what's wrong with the palace, so they should come to the palace early in the morning. So when the maids were tidying up and urging her to go out, she pinched her fingers and calculated that it would be bright or not, whether it would be dark or not, and the alternation of yin and yang had not yet ended. .
Before reaching the gate of De Palace, I saw the blue light hanging southeast again.
Fang Miao couldn't help but figure out the copper coin that she had hidden in her sleeve to count, but she calculated a bad omen for herself. She was frightened for a while, and wished she could turn her head and go back to the house immediately, only for fear of a bloody disaster.
She is standing between Jiang Xuehui and Chen Shuyi. Compared with these two young ladies who came from a scholarly family, they are dressed a bit brightly today. Although she also wore a very beautiful light yellow elastic ink skirt, her cheeks were powdered, and her lips Zhu Zhu is painted on top, but it is not at all inconspicuous against the background.
When she came in and saw Xiao Shu sitting above, Fang Miao murmured in her heart.
Originally, everyone was still a classmate in Fengchen Hall. In the blink of an eye, a few beautiful hairs have been inserted into the buttocks to make golden pheasants and peacocks. I don't know what to do today.
Jiang Xuehui stood quietly at the edge, with a corner of an embroidered handkerchief leaking out between her fingers.
As soon as she came in, Shen Jie's eyes fell on her.
There was a snow-white jade ring on the lacquer plate held by the eunuch next to him. He took it and stood up and walked towards Jiang Xuehui.
Wen Zhaoyi suddenly smiled.
However, Xiao Shu sneered when she saw it, and reminded lightly: "The Holy One said, Your Highness chooses a concubine, and will extend the bloodline for the royal family. The concubine is going to enter the jade plate, and she must have a dignified character and a clean life."
Shen Jie's footsteps were stagnant.
When he saw Jiang Xuehui standing there with lowered eyebrows and lowered eyes, he remembered that when it was raining that day, he made an appointment with Yan Lin to meet him, but he almost surprised the carriages and horses of others when he galloped there. Full body.
The girl sitting inside was startled.
He thought people would be held accountable.
He didn't think about it for a moment, but a slender hand stretched out from inside, and handed a side embroidered handkerchief to him, only a low voice chuckled: "Thank you son for saving me, let's wipe your face first."
Seeing Yan Lin that day, he was lost for a moment.
Yan Lin asked him what was going on.
As soon as he explained the matter, Yan Lin asked for the embroidered handkerchief to look at, and thought for a while with flickering eyes, and said to him, "Look at this red ginger flower, the person riding the carriage on that road must be the girl from the Jiang family."
Shen Jie asked, the eldest girl or the second girl
Yan Lin rolled his eyes and said, Ning Ning is the son of this prince, and His Highness is naturally the eldest girl of the Jiang family.
In fact, after a long time, he almost forgot the voice that lowered the chuckle, and only kept the handkerchief embroidered with red ginger flowers by his side as a touch of thought.
Shen Jie thought, if he chooses the princess, he should choose the one that made his heart move.
But why can't it happen
The incident of the second girl in the Jiang family in Tongzhou spread a lot a while ago, and even the reputation of other girls in the Jiang family was not good, otherwise he would not have to pay attention to the reprimands of his mother and the emperor today, and chose Jiang Xuehui directly...
Jiang Xuehui once rescued Wen Zhaoyi, Wen Zhaoyi naturally turned to her, and hoped that Jiang Xuehui could be selected and become her help in the future. But the word "Sacred Lord" that Xiao Shu repeatedly mentioned in a sentence next to her made her grit her teeth and gave birth to a bit of fear.
Since it is the emperor who speaks, he does not dare to push hard.
Seeing Shen Jie standing still, Wen Zhaoyi rolled her eyes, but her words changed, and she took the initiative to persuade: "Concubine Xian is right, isn't the choice of the right concubine innocent? After all, the ancestors' etiquette and law are still in vain. If you have chosen the right concubine, if there is something you can't give up, you can also accept it as a side concubine, so don't go against the will of the sage."
The Yuhuan, which represented the position of Concubine Zheng, was pinched in Shen Jie's hands for a long time, and then clasped tightly.
Even if it is the royal bloodline, it is expensive to be the King of Linzi...
But his marriage was not up to him.
Shen Jie naturally caught a glimpse of the red ginger flower embroidered handkerchief in Jiang Xuehui's hand, but Wen Zhaoyi's words brushed past her ears, and she raised her eyes to look at Jiang Xuehui. His eyes turned to the side.
I don't know which young lady next to me, with her head buried in her lips, as if she was chanting a scripture silently.
Although he felt a good face when he saw it, he vaguely remembered that it was one of several companions in Yangzhizhai, but he didn't think it was very good-looking, so he turned to look at the next one. So I saw Chen Shuyi.
At this time, Xiao Shu said from the back: "After all, the sage still values His Highness. He has a high background and knowledge, and can best assist His Highness and handle the affairs of the palace..."
Shen Jie felt an indescribable disgust in his heart.
Even though he originally thought that Chen Shuyi looked dignified and very good, now he was also disgusted. The clay figurine was still angry, and he was not happy, so he turned his head and handed the jade ring directly to the girl standing between Chen Shuyi and Jiang Xuehui, and said impatiently, "Since he was elected to the palace, naturally everyone is fine, just her."
At this moment, the entire Chuxiu Palace was quiet.
Fang Miao listened to the words of the hidden machine on the top of her head, you come and go, and she only felt that all these people had good Taoism, lest they do something wrong and bring bloody disaster to herself. It is to recite the "Diamond Sutra" reverently to exorcise evil spirits and avoid disasters.
Yuhuan handed it to her, but she didn't see it.
Until the eunuch on the side raised his voice in cold sweat and shouted a third voice: "Miss Fang!"
Fang Miao suddenly returned to her senses.
When he looked up, he saw Shen Jie holding the jade ring in his hand and handing it to her, as if he didn't expect that he would be ignored, but Zhang Junrong was faintly livid, staring at her with a rare look of unkindness.
It was only then that Fang Miao realized what had happened.
She shuddered immediately.
Shen Jie didn't expect that there were still people who chose concubine who were distracted, as if they didn't make a big petition, so he sneered and asked, "You don't want to?"
Fang Miao wanted to say that this is not a place where the gods can get involved!
She opened her mouth and said "don't want" right next to her mouth, but Lin suddenly remembered the bad omen she calculated when she went out, and when she saw that everyone around her was looking at her, chills began to rise on her spine.
This is the emperor's brother...
If you refuse in public, I am afraid that the disaster of blood light will really come in the blink of an eye.
Her previous sluggish movements immediately changed, and she quickly took the jade ring and bowed: "I am willing, the minister is willing!"
Shen Jie: "..."
I don't know why, not only did the anger disappear, but it got bigger!
Empress Zheng and Wen Zhaoyi looked at each other, and Xiao Shu didn't expect that Shen Jie would choose Fang Miao, and suddenly stood up.
Chen Shuyi on the side looked ugly.
Jiang Xuehui quietly tightened her fingers and slowly closed her eyes.
Fang Miao smiled shyly at Shen Yu, which was even uglier than crying: Your uncle is struck by thunder! I knew that the time of going out today was not right, but now I have blood mold!