When we returned to Shen's Mansion, it was already dark.
The bright lights under the gate quietly illuminated the snowflakes falling in the dark night.
The cold and refreshing fragrance drifted quietly from behind the wall. It was the blooming wintersweet bushes in the corner.
"Why have you been out for so long today?" The car curtain was raised, but Shen Zangfeng stretched out his hand to help her, "I've been crying for a long time, I think I'm looking for you."
Wei Changying forced a smile: "Really? Didn't the wet nurse coax her well?"
Shen Zangfeng noticed that she was in a low mood and softened his tone: "The wet nurse couldn't coax her. Later, the sixth brother and sister took her over and said that they would let her live in the sixth room today."
"That's fine. The sixth brother and sister have always been attentive. Yao'er is not much older than Yao'er, so they can also be companions." Wei Changying said casually, "How are Guang'er and Xie'er?"
"Okay, let's go back to the house first." Shen Zangfeng shook her hand and found that although he had been holding the heater, his palm was cold, and he couldn't help but frown slightly.
After returning to the house and sitting down, Shen Zangfeng asked someone to pour a cup of hot goat's milk and served it to his wife with his own hands.
Wei Changying drank more than half of the glass, and his face became rosy. Shen Zangfeng stepped back and asked, "Where have you been today?"
Regarding Song Zaishui's bloodline, Wei Changying did not even tell her husband to prevent leaks. When she went out for Hu's appointment today, she just said she had something to do. Shen Zangfeng had always doted on her, and of course he would not question her again and again about a trivial matter like her going out.
But now that Wei Changying's expression was wrong when he came back, Shen Zangfeng had to ask clearly.
"I went to find an old palace man from the former Wei Dynasty." Wei Changying pondered for a moment and then said to him provocatively, "Cousin Song hasn't been feeling right since she gave birth. Now cousin Su Wu is far away in the southwest, and Feiyu is with him. Akabane is still young, so it’s not a big deal for her to be so depressed. But I asked her in person last time, and she refused to tell me, so I had to find out on my own.”
Shen Zangfeng asked: "What's the reason?"
"It has something to do with my aunt." Wei Changying patted the back of his hand and sighed, "Now that she has gone, let's not go into detail - before I left the cabinet, Cousin Song lived in Fengzhou for a while. I lamented that the most regretful thing in her life was that her biological mother died young, so much so that she couldn't say anything to her mother. No matter how good my mother was to her, she was her aunt and not her biological mother... Even though I know the reason now, I still don't know. Do you know how to persuade her? That’s why I’m not in the mood today.”
"The deceased is gone." As soon as Shen Zangfeng heard his wife tell him not to ask, he knew that it was definitely not a shameful matter. If he continued to ask against his wife's wishes, it might be very embarrassing. So I stopped mentioning it right away and just said in an understatement, "Cousin Su Wu is not in the imperial capital. Feiyu and Akabane are relying on their mother to survive. If you are free the next day, go to Su's house and give you some advice. Hurry. It’s the New Year, and the mistress of the house is always lying down. Is it difficult for Yan’er and Yiren to spend the New Year at Su’s house?”
Wei Changying was planning to go to Su's house again. Hearing this, he said, "Then I'll go there tomorrow."
The couple did not mention the matter again and sent someone to bring food for them.
The next day she decided to go to Su's house - she didn't want to send Shen Zangfeng out of the room, and Huo Qingling came over with Shen Shuwei in her arms.
She coaxed her all the way, and when she came in, she handed Shen Shuyu into her arms and said with a smile: "Who is born to be close to whom? Yesterday, Yao'er and I tried our best to coax her not to cry. To be honest, even my husband joined in the fun... But when I got up this morning, I told her, "I'll take you to your mother," and she immediately laughed! "
Seeing that Shen Shunyi had a smile on her little face, Wei Changying felt very happy. He hugged her and kissed her again and again, and said with a smile: "I bothered you all yesterday."
"Third sister-in-law is here." Huo Qingling scolded her, but had no intention of saying goodbye. Instead, he said, "You have been busy these past two days, so I have prepared the things for the Qianqiu Festival. Here is the list. Take a look. look?"
Wei Changying was startled, and suddenly remembered that Queen Qiu's birthday was the day after tomorrow, but he was patronizing Song Zaishui and forgot about it. If Huo Qingling hadn't remembered, it would have been hasty to start preparing the gifts at this moment. He quickly thanked Huo Qingling again, took the gift list and looked at it carefully.
There's nothing wrong with what Huo Qingling prepared, but since he's going to the palace the next day, it's not convenient to go find Song Zaishui today. After all, Wei Changying and Huo Qingling were both going to the palace that day. Shen Shuyan and Ji Yiren were now helping out at the Su family. Shen Shuguang and Shen Shuxie were half-grown, so maybe Shen Shuyao could be brought into the palace too. But Shen Shuyi is still so young and must stay at home - without a female family member who can take charge of the family, special instructions must be given to children staying at home, and household chores must be arranged... In addition, there are also clothes and jewelry for this trip. After such a discussion, it is noon .
On the day of the Thousand Autumn Festival, the two sisters got up early and went to the palace to congratulate them. Because the emperor was not in the imperial capital, and the queen said that there would only be a small banquet, she only invited the female family members, and only a few female family members. The road was not crowded.
After much thought, Huo Qingling decided to bring Shen Shuyao with her. She originally thought that other noble ladies would bring their daughters of similar age to find two playmates for Shen Shuyao. As a result, when we arrived at Weiyang Palace, we didn’t see any other little girls. Instead, we met Princess Xian’an first and came to see Shen Shuyan. I heard that Shen Shuyan was helping to take care of her cousins in the Su family and had no time to enter the palace today, so she sent Shen Shuyan to the palace. Yao hugged her and walked away, saying he was taking her to play.
"Although Princess Xian'an is enthusiastic, she is not rash, so don't worry too much." Seeing that Huo Qingling could not refuse Xian'an, but still worried about her daughter being taken away from her, Wei Changying comforted her, "Besides, it's not the right thing to do." Are there any servants who are looking after Yao'er?"
To be honest, the banquet today was not very lively. There were only a few people and there was a war going on in the country. There was also an undercurrent in the palace recently, and the concubines often had troubles.
The lady in the zodiac today has more or less something to do with the harem - because the recent changes in the palace began with the changes in Queen Qiu. In the presence of the Queen, everyone is naturally careful about their words and actions to avoid any consequences. Under such circumstances, if everyone is quiet and taciturn, it will naturally become less lively.
Queen Qiu didn't show any displeasure or disappointment about this situation. She said a few words in a casual tone, looked at the somewhat lifeless banquet, and then found a reason to change clothes. As soon as she left, the atmosphere suddenly relaxed. Quite a few, everyone also started to gossip - of course not about the palace.
Gu Rouzhang came up to Wei Changying and said, "Look at my clan's sister-in-law, Mrs. Shen."
This Mrs. Shen is Princess Chengxian of the former Wei Dynasty and the wife of Gu Yiran. Wei Changying looked towards her and saw nothing unusual. Gu Rouzhang said hurriedly: "Look at the girl next to her."
Wei Changying turned his eyes to the girl in a light green shirt and smiled: "Gu Sisi?"
"How about Guard Five?" Gu Rouzhang was always straightforward. He nodded and asked directly.
Wei Changying smiled: "I'll tell Changfeng when I go back."
These words were non-committal. Gu Rouzhang felt dissatisfied and pushed her: "Hey, please give me some words! I can tell you, my girl is a good girl! You will regret missing Wei Wuyi!"
Wei Changying smiled helplessly: "Changfeng's marriage must be informed to Fengzhou before it can be settled..."
"Who are you lying to?" Gu Rouzhang said angrily, "That old lady from your mother's side is just whatever you say?! Your Wei Wu is afraid of being beaten by you, so she is just whatever you say?!"
Wei Changying was being pestered by her, and Huo Qingling, who was next to him, suddenly leaned over anxiously and said, "The palace officials said that Yao'er fell down, and the imperial doctor is being called in the side hall! Third sister-in-law, let me go and have a look!"
"Is it serious? I'll go with you!" Wei Changying quickly seized this opportunity to escape and threw Gu Rouzhang off...
However, when they arrived at the side hall, Shen Shuyao was not there. Instead, Queen Qiu, who had changed into casual clothes, was waiting.
"Your Majesty, what is this?" The two sisters were startled.
Queen Qiu glanced at Huo Qingling and said straight to the point: "I would like to have a few words with Mrs. Wei alone, is that okay?"
Huo Qingling hesitated.
Qiu Baoniang, who was behind Queen Qiu, immediately said: "Miss Shen is safe and sound. Princess Xian'an is taking Miss Shen outside to see the plum blossoms! If Mrs. Huo is worried, you can ask someone from the palace outside to take you there!"
"Thank you, aunt, for telling me." Huo Qingling breathed a sigh of relief, glanced at Wei Zhangying, and retreated.
There were only three people left, Queen Qiu, Qiu Baoniang and Wei Changying. Queen Qiu remained silent, leaving it to Qiu Baoniang to speak: "Mrs. Wei, I dare to ask your natal brother Wei Wu Gong. It has been some time since his wife passed away. What about the renewal of the relationship?" , have you considered it?”
Wei Changying was surprised. He glanced at Qiu Baoniang and saw that she looked calm and didn't give any warning, so he said, "My grandmother has mentioned this a long time ago and is now looking after him."
"Is there anyone you like and plan to make a decision immediately?" Qiu Baoniang continued to ask.
Wei Changying frowned slightly and said: "Is this..." She pondered over who Queen Qiu was going to be a matchmaker for, and couldn't decide how to answer for the moment.
Seeing this, Qiu Baoniang said directly: "You are familiar with Princess Xian'an."
"Your Royal Highness, the princess, has a noble status, how can she be a stepmother?!" Wei Changying was startled and said subconsciously.
"I was born in the countryside. Even though I am a queen now, I still half understand and half understand many things. If there is anything irregular in what I say, I hope Mrs. Wei will not care about it." At this time, Queen Qiu took the words and also Without putting on any pretense of being a queen or royal family, she said straightforwardly, "Xian'an is the only daughter of this palace. She was killed in her early years and will never be able to have children in this life! You also know this Mrs. Wei - it was also thanks to you that I She and Zhiqi can only survive until now!"
Wei Changying hurriedly said: "Your Majesty's words are serious!"
"I want to marry her to your brother. Firstly, it is because I have admired the reputation of the Wei family for a long time, and mainly because Xian'an has always respected people of insight... Secondly, it is because your brother already has a legitimate son, and Xian'an cannot have any more children in this life. , I am determined to love your younger brother’s children as if they were my own flesh and blood!” Queen Qiu sighed and glanced at Qiu Baoniang, “Aunt Qiu once politely advised me not to mention this matter to you, because even though Xian’an is a princess, it can’t be heard. The family background is too shallow, and you have the rule that scholars and common people should not marry, so Xian'an is not worthy of your younger brother. "
Without waiting for Wei Changying to speak, Queen Qiu added, "But I am not mentioning this to you now to use my status as queen to suppress you. But I heard that your two wives have passed away?"
Seeing Wei Changying nodding, Queen Qiu perked up and said, "I don't know what you think, but in the past, I have heard a saying that people like your brother, if you still If you want to continue marrying a noble girl, I’m afraid you won’t follow in the footsteps of the two previous ladies!”
Wei Changying felt a little unhappy and said: "What the Queen said is very strange, but I have never heard of it before!"
"It's okay if you don't believe it. Anyway, Xian'an is still young. You can hire a good wife for your brother first." Empress Qiu touched the bracelet on her wrist and said seriously, "In the past, I had a distant elder who had a rather wealthy family. Yin Shi's son married four girls from the same family, but none of them lived a long life! Finally, he had no choice but to marry a girl from a poor family, but the couple was very affectionate, and the two of them could grow old together! Since Aunt Qiu has made everything clear to me, why should I humiliate myself with you?"
"How dare you, your Majesty, to be a minister? How can Your Highness the Princess be compared to a daughter of a poor family?" Wei Changying saw Qiu Baoniang slightly nodding to him behind Queen Qiu, indicating that Queen Qiu was telling the truth, and thought deeply, and said, "Moreover, I My wife cannot decide on my brother’s marriage.”
"This is all I have said. Madam Wei, please go back and think about it carefully." Queen Qiu did not bother, and calmly issued the order to expel the guest.
"My maid will escort Mrs. Wei a few steps on behalf of the empress." Qiu Baoniang said.
After leaving Queen Qiu and returning to the palace for just a few steps, Wei Changying asked in a low voice: "What's going on?!"
"I'll take a rest in two days and tell you when I leave the palace." Qiu Baoniang also whispered back, "It's not as simple as finding a consort for Princess Xian'an!" (To be continued)