Qi Yun was stunned when he heard the words, and stared at Ye Jiao for a while before asking, "Really?"
The little ginseng nodded, and told him everything that happened that day, and said it in great detail, especially what Queen Meng said, everything was clear.
After Qi Yun listened quietly, he soon had a bottom line in his heart.
He picked up the jade beads in the box and wrapped them around his hands. After a while, he said, "It's better not to tell others about this for the time being."
Ye Jiao was a little puzzled when she heard this, and asked, "Why?"
She knew that Queen Meng desperately wanted a child, and now that she has it, how could she hide it from her
In the heart of little ginseng, good things are nothing to hide.
Qi Yun saw Ye Jiao's puzzled eyes, and put the jade beads in her hand into Ye Jiao's palm, and said slowly, "The queen is the middle palace, and the middle palace Youxi is not only a family background, but also a state affair. It's not a royal family or a dignitary, so it's better to keep your mouth shut."
There is another sentence, Qi Yun didn't say it directly, there are many people who are now urging the queen to choose a concubine, and the reason is that the queen has no children.
This sounds high-sounding, but it actually blocks the way. In other words, as long as the queen is pregnant, then they will no longer have reason to interfere in the emperor's family affairs.
Even though Qi Yun is not a court official, he can always hear some news when he is in the capital. Besides, looking at the power of the Meng family now, there will naturally be people next to him who want to be a foreign relative, and they can rely on them in their dreams. After being favored by the queen, she soared into the sky.
Now that the queen is pregnant, it is their way out.
Now that there is no wind at all outside, just sending a string of beads to Ye Jiao, Qi Yun can guess the attitude of the queen, and even he doubts whether the emperor knows about it now.
Qi Erlang never underestimated the Meng family. He thought that when he was still in his hometown, he had heard storytellers talk about the harmony between emperors and queens. It was precisely because of this that the newly appointed Lord Zhizhou was so frightened that he did not dare to send his daughter. Sent to the Shen family daughter.
This must be Empress Meng's trick, and her ability to spread the news so quietly is enough to show that her mind is far beyond ordinary people.
Now the pregnant queen is already invincible, and she thinks she has her own plans.
Qi Yun would not let Ye Jiao alienate her because of this, but he had to be more careful not to let his family get involved in royal affairs.
Therefore, Qi Yun said: "If we don't talk about it now, we will help the Empress."
As soon as Ye Jiao heard this, she felt that wanting to be a good person is really a lesson in life and learning. She nodded solemnly and covered her mouth to indicate that she would not speak. Then she glanced at Xiao Su, who immediately Nodding, making sure not to say a word.
Seeing this, Qi Yun looked at Ye Jiao with a slightly upturned mouth and said, "Looking at Jiao Niang, she likes the Empress very much."
After getting along with Ye Jiao a lot, Qi Yun understood his wife's thoughts very well.
Ye Jiao never discriminates between people because of the noble and the low class. Instead, she is very kind. Even when she treats Xiao Hei's big cock, Ye Jiao is very peaceful.
When she knew Chu Chengyun's identity before, even Qi Yun was a little shocked, but Ye Jiao just accepted it calmly and was not afraid.
She is clearly a girl from a farmer's family, but her heart is wider than anyone else's.
Now that I think about it, I won't be particularly close because of Empress Meng's identity. I can only care so much if I really like it.
Sure enough, the little ginseng said to Qi Yun: "Huiniang is a good person, she treats me well, I will treat her well."
This is a very straightforward and simple view of right and wrong, but there is nothing wrong with it when you think about it.
Qi Yun put the bead string back in the box, closed it and handed it to Ye Jiao: "Jiao Niang has put the bead string away, don't let Xu Bao see it, the child has a good memory, just look at it. When I can remember it, I’m afraid I’m going to miss out.”
Ye Jiao also remembered her fat son's outstanding memory, and hurriedly took the box and stuffed it into the drawer.
A few days later, the inside and outside of the palace were peaceful, and there was no abnormal movement.
Ye Jiao didn't do anything besides asking Hua Ning to help her bring a pot of medicinal herbs into the palace, and Xu Bao never received her own gift.
However, after the beauty contestant entered the palace, the news of the queen's joy finally came out.
This time was just right, it was stuck before the concubine was chosen, and then Chu Chengyun sent the marriage gift of the rich and noble girl, and sent it back, which was considered to have fulfilled a lot of marriages.
As for the beauties sent from various places, it is not a loss. They have entered the palace and received rewards, and there is a sentence that the emperor said before they left the palace: "They are all beautiful women, gentle and virtuous, return home and find another good husband." When I go back, there is no shortage of young talents.
It's just that some of the relationships were cleared up, and enough money was given. The commoner women who insisted on staying in the palace were taken away by the maids to teach them to be palace servants, and waited to be released when they were old.
All in all, in this harem, only the queen is still the only one who is thriving, and half of the concubines are not left.
Almost all the courtiers understood the meaning of the emperor and made it clear that they were taking their previous words to block their mouths.
If the queen had revealed that she was pregnant earlier, they would have said that the middle palace should not be favored, and would have urged the emperor to accept the concubine.
If it is later, it will be a done deal, and there will be no regrets.
As a result, the happy things in the middle palace are almost celebrated in the whole world. The words that the storytellers have spread out before have an effect. Many people are happy to see this ending. After all, they like Harmony and Meimei. Having a child, isn't this a big happy event
Chu Chengyun's attitude towards the beauties who have already entered the palace is excellent. Not only have the daughters of these officials not been treated harshly, but they have been granted marriages. This is already a good thing, and there is nothing to argue about. To be happy and make a happy appearance to thank God.
And Empress Meng never showed her face from beginning to end, and she raised her baby in the palace with peace of mind. She was still in harmony with the emperor and empress.
Just when the matter of choosing a concubine was finally settled, Ye Jiao followed Princess Hua Ning's carriage into the palace again.
But this time, Empress Meng's smile looked more sincere.
She is less than two months pregnant now, just when she needs to be careful, she didn't get up after Ye Jiao and Hua Ning entered the hall, she just sat on the soft couch and beckoned, "Come and sit."
Ye Jiao sat next to Queen Meng, while Hua Ning sat sideways on the round stool.
Empress Meng was much more talkative than last time, with a smile on her face, and her whole person was beaming, while Ye Jiao gently squeezed her wrist, feeling that Empress Meng was safe and released.
And Empress Meng's eyes kept on Hua Ning, and her voice was laughing: "Now my matter is settled, and Hua Ning's matter is about to be settled."
As soon as these words came out, Hua Ning blushed.
Because of the previous meeting and the palace test, and later the beauty pageant, the palace was very busy, but now that everything is settled, preparations for the marriage of Hua Ning and Ye Pingrong are about to begin.
Even though Hua Ning is usually not afraid of anything, but it is her daughter's house after all, and it is inevitable that she will be a little shy when it comes to getting married.
And more than joy.
For Hua Ning, Ye Pingrong is what she likes. After the man who was covered in blood was rescued, Hua Ning decided to marry him. It is inevitable that the princess will have a childish attitude like this.
Empress Meng smiled and peeled off the oranges on her hands, and gave half to Ye Jiao and the other half to Hua Ning, and said, "Now that the princess' mansion has been repaired, everything that should be prepared should be prepared early, Hua Ning, look back. You should also go and have a look, see if there is anything you need to buy, it is better to say it earlier, or when you get married, these things will be taken out of your share."
Hua Ning's eyes looked left and right, and his voice was soft: "It's okay, it's not that I don't have money, and there is Ping Rong, he will always help me think about it..."
But before he could finish speaking, he met Empress Meng's smiling face, Hua Ning immediately stopped his mouth, and his face flushed.
Empress Meng couldn't help but say: "Hua Ning can rest assured, the days after marriage will definitely be harmonious."
Ye Jiao broke off a piece of orange and put it in her mouth. Hearing this, she nodded and said in a serious manner, "Yes, it's good to get married."
Hua Ning was speechless and could only put the orange in his mouth.
Ye Jiao pouted after taking a bite: "Huiniang, this orange is very sour."
"Give it to me, you have some snacks." Empress Meng's taste has changed a bit now, she likes to eat sour, she didn't get angry when she heard this, she reached out and took Ye Jiao's remaining oranges and ate it by herself.
Ye Jiao looked at Hua Ning's bulging cheeks and asked, "Hua Ning, don't you feel sour?"
Hua Ning didn't speak, but Empress Meng spoke slowly: "Even if it's sour, Hua Ning's heart is sweet at the moment, and everything he eats is sweet."
Hua Ning:…
With a light snort, Hua Ning swallowed the orange and poured tea into his mouth.
But her eyes were secretly looking at Empress Meng.
Is your royal sister-in-law so joking? Compared to the look that was always frowning before, it is really fresh now.
Hua Ning felt distressed when he thought about it. The bitterness in the past was too much, and the sweetness today is really not easy.
Empress Meng, however, was not so sentimental. After eating the sour oranges, she drank the tea with satisfaction, and then she asked unintentionally, "Jiao Niang, now that you have settled down in the capital, have you thought about bringing your family along with you? ?"
Ye Jiao was holding the coconut cake and put it in her mouth. After hearing this, she swallowed the contents of her mouth first, and then drank a sip of tea to dissolve the sweetness in her mouth, and then said: "I asked my parents before, They say they are used to living at home and don't fall in love with the capital."
Empress Meng gave her another piece of coconut cake, and then said, "Then you should go back and have a look during the festivals. It can be considered as fulfilling your filial piety."
Ye Jiao smiled and said, "Naturally she wants to go back, my parents are very good to me, my brother and sister-in-law are also very easy to get along with, even if Xianggong said that the third brother is an official now and can't go back, otherwise he will definitely take him with him. of."
What Empress Meng wanted to hear was not the second half, but the first half.
The family is harmonious, the parents are kind, and the brothers and sisters are friendly.
Even though Empress Meng has a good relationship with Ye Jiao, she knows that Chu Chengyun and Qi Ming have a close relationship, but she is not someone who just decides her own sister's life. To ask first.
Although she could find someone to find out about the Qi family, what others said was better than what her family said.
Queen Meng believed that Ye Jiao was not someone who would lie and whitewash Taiping's temper. Now that she heard that the Qi family was good in everything, she was naturally satisfied, and she became more and more close to Ye Jiao while chatting and laughing.
Sooner or later, it is necessary to have a good relationship with each other. In the future, it will also be an in-law.
It's just that Ye Jiao didn't notice Empress Meng's thoughts, on the contrary, Hua Ning, who was on the side, saw it clearly.
Hua Ning's eyes rolled back and forth between them, even though he didn't know the cause and effect, he had already guessed something in his heart.
Qi Sanlang was the only one from the Qi family who was not married, and his own imperial sister-in-law asked about his family background and character. This is basically the same as what he asked after he found out that he was in love with Ye Pingrong.
This Qi Saburo is afraid that he has to make a decision.
However, Hua Ning didn't make it clear now, thinking about going back and mentioning it to Ye Pingrong to be sure, save the air and be happy.
And Empress Meng is now double, even if she is not pregnant, but she is frail, and her condition is more serious than that of ordinary pregnant women. In the afternoon, she will lie down to rest, and Hua Ning and Ye Jiao will leave early.
After leaving the gate of the palace, the two did not take the carriage, but took advantage of the sunshine in the afternoon to walk on the porch, and they could talk about themselves.
Now Hua Ning is busy getting married, and Ye Jiao has to manage the family, so she rarely sees each other.
For Hua Ning, there are a lot of acquaintances, but not many people close to each other. It's hard to get Ye Jiao to be so congenial. Naturally, there are countless things to say, especially when one of them is Ye Pingrong's future wife, and the other is Ye Pingrong's future wife. She is Ye Pingrong's direct sister. It's okay to talk about Ye Dalang's interesting anecdote to deepen the relationship.
And Hua Ning also talked about another matter: "I heard from the emperor that the county magistrate's political achievements are very good, especially the Tanhualang who was ruled out.
Ye Jiao turned her head to look at her, and suddenly asked, "Is this what you want to tell me, or let me tell my husband?"
Hua Ning was stunned for a moment, and then realized that Ye Jiao had seen through his mind.
Without concealing it, Hua Ning smiled and said, "Tell your family Erlang, Shi Zhixian is going to be promoted to the third level, which is a good thing."
Ye Jiao nodded and wrote it down with a smile.
But while walking, Ye Jiao suddenly heard a voice: "It's you!"
Ye Jiao couldn't help but stop and turned to look.
The reason why Hua Ning wanted to go for a walk was that it was the turn of spring and summer. Many flowers and plants were planted around this porch, and now they are all in full bloom.
Even though the flowers and plants in this palace are well-behaved and not wild, they are better than the large number and few varieties.
When Ye Jiao looked over, she saw a man dressed as a palace maid holding a pair of scissors, her skin was dark and reddish, and she couldn't see it under the sun. She was standing among the flowers and staring at her.
Hua Ning couldn't help but look at Ye Jiao: "Do you know this palace maid?"
Ye Jiao blinked and looked at it carefully. She felt familiar, but couldn't say she knew her.
Her memory is not as good as that of Qi Yun and Xu Bao, and now that there are so many things, she will not remember everyone she has met in her heart.
So Ye Jiao shook her head slightly at Hua Ning, and said very honestly, "I don't know."
As soon as these words came out, before Hua Ning spoke, the palace maid's expression changed.
This palace maid is Miss Shen.
Speaking of which, Miss Shen was also unlucky. She entered the palace with silver. Like many people, after entering the palace, she was fascinated by the magnificence in the palace.
At that time, she didn't know what was going on in Zhonggong, but Miss Shen was very conscious of crisis, because when all the beauties gathered in one place, she realized how worthless her proud beauty was, and she was prettier than hers. She has a better family background than hers, and the noble girl of the family is all good at painting, chess, calligraphy and painting. No matter what, she can't be chosen because she can't know anything except her face.
And this face, now it doesn't look too outstanding.
So the big girl Shen took all her money and stuffed it to the mammy, begging to stay, and the mama gave her a name early on.
Later, when the people were released from the palace, the women next to them said they would leave. After all, they would still have a good match when they went back, so there was no need to waste time in this harem.
But Miss Shen has already spent all her money, so how can she be willing to leave like this
What's more, she has given her all the money from the family. Miss Shen knows how stingy and stingy her family is. Now let her go back empty-handed, not to mention her own family. The aunt who gave her a few hundred taels can rush over to arrest her. spend her face!
In that case, the face is gone.
So she chose to stay and be a palace maid, thinking that it would be fine, everyone else had left, and she was the only one left. As long as there was a chance to see the emperor, she would naturally fly to the branches.
But Miss Shen did not expect that this harem was more difficult than the outside.
Without the money to open up the relationship, and there is no relationship at all, Miss Shen was assigned to do chores, and she could not be a person, she was mean to others, and offended the steward, so the work became the hardest and most difficult. tired.
For ladies, when the afternoon sun is good, it means walking in the porch and watching the sun shine, but for Lady Shen, where is the enjoyment when you are cultivating flowers and grass under the sun? Clearly disfigured!
Within a few days, her skin became dark, and at the worst, it was red and peeling.
Ye Jiao couldn't recognize her at the moment, not only because Ye Jiao always took Young Lady Shen to heart, but also because this person had changed, so she really couldn't recognize her.
Miss Shen just shouted that out of shock. In her opinion, Ye Jiao was just a businesswoman, how could she be in the palace
And the gorgeous clothes are extraordinarily noble.
how can that be!
And Hua Ning heard Ye Jiao say that he didn't know him, so he didn't lose face, frowned and said solemnly, "Which servant in the palace is this? It's okay to be rude and yell, why don't you understand? rule."
The steward hurriedly ran over and saluted Hua Ning with sincerity and fear. Seeing that Miss Shen was not moving, she kicked up and kicked her to the ground, and then said: "His Royal Highness atonement, this palace maid has just entered the palace, and she has learned the rules. No, the slaves will be brought back to teach again." After saying that, with a wink, some palace servants came up to carry Young Lady Shen and left.
The sweat on Miss Shen's head was all down. This teaching rule is not just a matter of saying a few words at home, but a real beating!
She couldn't even think about Ye Jiao's identity, she opened her mouth and her voice was hoarse: "Mammy, Mammy, I know I'm wrong, I..."
Then, he was gagged with a cloth.
Hua Ning has always been gentle towards people close to her, but she has the power of being a child of the heavenly family when she treats others. Seeing that this swarthy maid is so dishonest, she frowns: "The Queen's Sister-in-law is too lenient towards her servants. I got used to it.”
As soon as these words came out, the people around knelt on the ground, shouting for mercy, and their hearts were full of anger.
Mammy kowtowed forcefully, for fear that she would eat melons if she was not good enough, but she hated it too much, thinking that she should clean up these new arrivals when she went back, or she would join herself in sooner or later!
Ye Jiao didn't feel anything at all. It was the matter in the palace, and it had nothing to do with her.
To these people who have nothing to do with themselves, the little ginseng never even gave a look.
It's just that it's not a problem. Ye Jiao looked at the sun and said to Hua Ning, "Ning Bao and Ruyi should wake up."
Hua Ning knew that Ye Jiao was in a hurry to go back, so he didn't embarrass them, just coldly threw the sentence "I'm not going to set an example" before leaving with Ye Jiao.
As for Lady Shen, she was just one of the most common palace servants in Kilometers, and no one mentioned it very soon.
After Ye Jiao got home, she was finally able to string the jade beads to Xu Bao, but the string was too long and Xu Bao was too small. Ye Jiao was afraid that he would hurt herself, so she removed one from the top and put it on for Xu Bao to wear. It was hung on the tassels around the waist, and the rest was just for him to look at and touch, and then put it away properly.
Xu Bao looked at it fresh and played with it when he had nothing to do, but after playing it, he didn't think it was anything unusual.
On the other hand, when Shi Shi came with a fruit basket early the next morning, he saw Xu Bao's tassels, and said in surprise, "These jade beads look very good. Where did you get them, Jiao Niang?"
Ye Jiao blinked and said, "Is this very rare?"
Shi Shi nodded: "It's very rare. With such a quality, it can be exchanged for two storefronts."
Ye Jiao didn't know anything about jade and jade, and Qi Yun didn't tell her, just let Xu Bao play casually, who knew that this thing was so valuable...
Touching the drawer subconsciously, Ye Jiao thought, it's not a string of beads, but hundreds of shops!
Xu Bao was eating the milk cake at the moment. Hearing this, he raised his head and said cheerfully, "This is what Xu Bao won back."
Shi Shi smiled and said, "How did you win it back?"
Xu Bao thought for a while before saying, "I won with a doll!"
The words were vague, Shi Shi didn't quite understand it, but he didn't ask, he just thought it was a child's language, and just smiled and took a fruit for him to eat.
Ye Jiao looked at Shi Shi and said with a smile, "You came early today." Shi Shi came to the door less than an hour before Xiao Hei chirped.
Shi Shi looked at Ye Jiao with a gentle smile, and said slowly, "Yesterday, Ershao Qi sent someone to tell me that my brother has a letter, and I wanted to come over at that time, but I saw that it was getting late, for fear of disturbing your rest. So I didn’t leave, and I came earlier today to bring you some fruits, which are the freshest in my orchard, you can try them.”
Ye Jiao asked Xiao Su to take the basket, Xiao Su bowed and went out, ready to wash and bring it back.
Shi Shi didn't seem to be in a hurry, with a gentle smile, but Ye Jiao didn't try to impress her, but said directly: "The letter is still at the husband's place, I haven't seen it, but Hua Ning and I were relieved, saying that the magistrate of Shi County We will be in Beijing in a few months.”
As soon as these words came out, Shi Shi suddenly tightened the veil.
For Shi Shi, her focus was always on the things in front of her.
Whether the queen is pregnant or not has nothing to do with her, and whoever becomes the champion has nothing to do with her. As long as Sun's son has no fame, everything can be said.
Shi Shi, who has been struggling to survive for several years in the back house, is very clear that the only thing he lacks now is to rely on.
If there is reliance, the day will be different.
Shi Tianrui didn't give up on her before, which gave Shi's hope for the future.
Now that Shi Tianrui may want to return to Beijing to become a capital official again, it is to let Shi Shi understand that his chance has come.
Things that were never dared to be done before can now be done.
She couldn't even control her expression, her breathing was a little short, and her voice was tight: "Jiao Niang, is this... Really?"
Ye Jiao could see that she was nervous, although she was a little puzzled, but the little ginseng didn't ask, she just held Shi Shi's hand lightly, patted it, and then said: "Really, Hua Ning said it himself, the emperor is very I value the county magistrate, this time I am afraid that I will be promoted three levels in a row, although the official may not be restored, but it is certain to return to Beijing."
Then, Little Ginseng was surprised to see tears in Shi Shi's eyes.
Even when Ye Jiao saw the death energy in her before, Shi Shi had never cried, but now Shi Shi's tears were rustling down and couldn't stop.
Seeing Xu Bao, he was eating the fruit at first, but now he put the fruit aside, raised his little hand, and wiped Shi Shi's face with his sleeve, his voice soft and waxy: "Auntie don't cry," and then he left and right After looking at it, he picked up the fruit again and handed it to Shishi, "This sweet, give it to my aunt."
Shi Shi had mixed feelings, but only when he felt that there was hope for the day, he shed tears.
Now that Xu Bao is so well-behaved, a little bit of complexity just now has been washed away a lot. Even though his eyes are still wet, he has a smile on his face. He took over half of Xu Bao's fruit and said warmly: "Thank you Xu Bao, Xu Bao is really good."
Xu Bao has always been willing to listen to other people's compliments. Hearing this, he immediately raised a big smile and nodded vigorously: "Yes, Xu Bao is good!"
Ye Jiao saw Shi Shi's smile and was relieved, but she didn't mention anything about Shi Tianrui, for fear of poking her sadness again, so she waited for Tie Zi to deliver the letter before giving it to Shi Shi. , let her go back and take a closer look.
Shi Shi didn't wait for Xiao Su to bring the washed fruit, and hurriedly got up and left, and didn't come to the door for the next few days.
Three days later, Ye Jiao was playing with her three children in the yard when she saw Mrs. Mo hurriedly approaching and whispered in Ye Jiao's ear, "Second Young Mistress, the Wen family is in trouble."
Ye Jiao was stunned for a moment: "Yingxiu's house, what's the trouble?"
"It seems that Mrs. Wen's family called the Wen family over and said she wanted to divorce."