After Zhu Ying returned to Wuchenju, she said to Yong Ruo: "Madam is magnanimous, and slaves are not allowed to steal and play tricks. Come back earlier, and you will be able to finish what Madam asked earlier, and repay Madam's kindness."
Yong Ruo nodded: "Then you can bring what you wrote during this period of time and show it to me!"
Zhu Ying retreated, returned to her room, took out a stack of manuscripts in the desk drawer, and carried them to Yong Ruo's room with both hands.
Yong Ruo flipped through what she wrote, secretly satisfied in her heart. What Zhu Ying wrote this time was much more detailed than the pamphlet she wrote last time, and it was very helpful to her.
She just praised Zhu Ying a few words.
Zhu Ying listened with joy on her face, and said again: "I still have a few words, I don't want to put them on paper, and I want to report them to Madam alone."
Yong Ruo smiled slightly, thinking: I let Zhu Ying off lightly, will I be rewarded so soon
She waved her hand and told everyone to back off!
When only she and Zhu Ying were left in the room, Zhu Ying took two steps forward, bowed her head slightly in front of Yong Ruo, and said in a low voice, "Nurse's mother, ask this slave to bring a few words to Madam."
Yong Ruo raised his eyebrows with great interest: "What are you talking about?"
"It's a few old things. When the old Prince Ying was alive, there were two concubines. One was the concubine Zhou, the biological mother of King Pingjun; the other concubine was named Pan, who had no children. Now she is in Puhui Um became a monk…”
According to what Zhu Ying told Mother Du:
The side concubine Zhou was a court lady who had served the old Prince Ying for many years, and later became the prince's concubine, and was very much loved by the old Prince Ying. Before Concubine Shen passed the door, Concubine Zhou gave birth to King Pingjun.
After concubine Shen passed the door, although the old British prince took care of her wife's face and often went to rest in her room, the one he loved the most was Concubine Zhou.
Later, Concubine Shen and Concubine Zhou became pregnant successively. Concubine Shen gave birth to a son first, but Concubine Zhou unfortunately miscarried six months into her pregnancy and died of a bloody collapse, which made the old Prince very sad.
Thanks to Concubine Shen's persuasion and comfort in spite of her postpartum weakness, the old British prince got out of the pain of losing his concubine.
The next few years were the best period of Concubine Shen's marriage, and Princess Xing'an was born during that time.
Later, concubine Shen's natal family had an accident. Prince Laoying helped Shen's family, but for some reason, he got into an awkward situation with Concubine Shen, and never went to Concubine Shen's room.
It didn't take long for Prince Old Ying to bring back a beautiful woman, side concubine Pan.
After Pan's side concubine entered the mansion, she was extremely favored by the Prince of England. Every year, when the emperor went to the Luofu Palace for the winter, or to the Langshan Palace for the summer, he would only bring side concubine Pan with him.
Later, Concubine Shen spent several years, and with the hard work of a couple of children, she managed to coax old Prince Ying back and gave birth to Feng Liao, but the old Prince passed away suddenly.
At the funeral of the old Prince Ying, Concubine Pan invited herself to become a monk at Puhui Nunnery above the mourning hall to pray for the old Prince Ying.
After talking about the past, Zhu Ying concluded: "According to my mother, Madam's demeanor and character are vaguely similar to that of Concubine Pan..."
Yong Ruoxin realized something: That's why Taifei Shen picked her nose and eyes at her when she first saw her
"I see. Do Madam Du have anything else for you to bring?"
"there is none left."
Yong Ruo then dismissed Zhu Ying and asked her to continue writing her memoirs.
She thought to herself secretly:
That side concubine Pan invited her to become a monk at Puhui Temple, was she afraid that Concubine Shen would not tolerate her? After all, the years when she was favored were the time when Concubine Shen was frustrated, and the enmity between the two grew stronger.
The side concubine Zhou died of a miscarriage, was there anything tricky about it? In terms of Concubine Shen's indomitable spirit of drugging herself, it is quite possible. Moreover, the relationship between King Pingjun and Concubine Shen seems to be very cold, and he rarely visits the mansion to greet Concubine Shen.
Why did the old British prince have trouble with Concubine Shen
She shook her head, throwing aside these temporarily unanswered questions.
He thought again: Madam Du told her these old things, obviously showing her favor, but the strength of the favor was very limited.
This point, Yong Ruo is not surprising.
Madam Du is Concubine Shen's confidant, how could it be so easy to defect to the enemy? It is already a very good state to be able to reciprocate and benefit each other at a convenient time.
The next morning, Feng Liao and Yong Ruo went to the Shou'an Hall as usual to pay respects to Concubine Shen.
After saying a few words, Feng Liao was dragged away by Prince Ying, and Princess Xing'an came late.
Princess Xing'an put on heavy makeup and put on a radiant appearance. However, her increasingly swollen face, bags under her eyes, and still bloodshot eyes exuded a strong emaciation and misery, which made her complexion made of makeup even more false and desolate .
Behind her, besides the two low-browed girls, there was also a serious-looking middle-aged woman.
Looking at the woman's clothes, Yong Ruo knew that she was one of the four teaching nuns awarded to Princess Xing'an in the palace.
The mother-in-law followed Princess Xing'an and saluted Concubine Shen.
Then Princess Xing'an walked to the first armchair on the west side and sat down, and the nun sat down on a special chair behind Princess Xing'an. Naturally, the teaching nuns sent by the palace would not stand on both sides like ordinary girls and women.
After Princess Xing'an sat down, he glanced at Yong Ruo who was the last seat, raised a slight smile, and asked pretending to be concerned: "Mrs. Yong, I heard that the girl Zhu Ying that the concubine gave to you this month, Life is not easy! Yesterday, she left your Wuchenju crying?"
Yong Ruo smiled and said: "It seems that the princess's news is not well-informed. When I was not in Wuchenju, Zhu Ying did have a misunderstanding with another girl. When I came back yesterday, these two girls were in front of me. If you clear up the misunderstanding, you will be fine. There is no such thing as saying that Zhu Ying's life is difficult."
"Then why did Zhu Ying cry and leave Wuchenju yesterday?"
"Who did the princess listen to?"
"My girl saw it with her own eyes. She even went up to ask Zhu Ying! But Zhu Ying was so out of breath that she couldn't speak a word. Seeing Zhu Ying's appearance was very pitiful, she turned around and told me said.
"I wanted to persuade Mrs. Yong: don't be too harsh on the servants.
"Now, Princess Longqing's wedding is coming soon, and the emperor and empress are doing everything possible to add joy! If you force the girl too much and cause death, won't this add bad luck to Princess Longqing's great event
"Even if the princess doesn't care about it at that time, the emperor and empress will not spare you. We people will inevitably be implicated by you."
After laying out a lot of reasons, Princess Xing'an turned to Concubine Shen for support: "Mother Concubine, do you think so? You kindly rewarded Mrs. Yong's girl, but she was so mean to you! She is too disrespectful to your old man!" Put it in your eyes!"
Concubine Shen put the tea bowl in her hand on the coffee table, and said lightly: "Stop saying a few words! Since Zhu Ying's girl has been rewarded to the Yong family, she is a member of the Yong family. How will she treat Zhu Ying?" , that is Zhu Ying's life."
Yong Ruo sighed, and said: "Since the princess and the concubine have said so, I will not hide the truth, so that I won't be wronged by this servant who treats me harshly.
"Back to the Concubine: Zhu Ying left Wuchenju crying yesterday, not because she was sad, but because she was crying with joy, and she cried all the way to announce the good news to Madam Du!"
"Happy news?" Princess Xing'an stared straight at her eyes, "What kind of happy news?"
Yong Ruo bowed slightly to Concubine Shen: "I wanted to report this matter to Concubine Shen after Princess Longqing's great joy. Since this matter has been mentioned today, I will tell you in advance!
"Yesterday, I made a promise to Zhu Ying face to face: as long as she helps me for a while, I will let her go out and be a good citizen, so that she can find a good family and marry in a decent manner. Slaves are servants!
"After Zhu Ying received this grace, she wept with joy, she took leave of absence from her concubine, and went back to announce the good news to Madam Du.
"Yesterday afternoon, Zhu Ying came back happily. Now, she is busy doing what I asked, so that she can get what she wants as soon as possible!"
Everyone in the room looked at Yong Rong in astonishment, never expecting such a magical turn of events.
Madam Du, who was standing by the side, also hurried to the middle and knelt down to Concubine Shen: "Everything Madam Yong said is true. When that girl Zhu Ying came to announce the good news to the servant girl yesterday, she was so happy that she shed tears, begging the servant girl to find a chance Then ask for the concubine's grace, and the matter will be settled.
"This girl has always envied girls from common people who can sit in a sedan chair, marry in a serious manner, have children for a lifetime, and have a happy husband and wife. It's just that she is timid and thin-skinned. No one has been bored in her heart. Dare to say.
"This servant has the guts to implore the concubine to be merciful and reward Zhu Ying with her dignity!"
Concubine Shen stared at her in astonishment: "You...you actually want Zhu Ying to marry outside?"
Madam Du kowtowed again, knelt down on the ground and said clearly, "Yes! I implore the concubine to be merciful!"
Princess Xing'an has recovered!
She snorted coldly, and said angrily: "If you want to marry outside, how can it be so easy? You..."
Before she could finish her sentence, the teaching nun sitting behind her coughed heavily and said in a stern tone: "Princess, this matter has nothing to do with you, it's better not to talk too much!"
Princess Xing'an's tone froze, she looked at Nanny Du with fiery eyes, and glared at Yong Ruo fiercely, but she didn't dare to say anything more.
Yongruo was very pleased: this is called one thing descending one thing!
In this situation, it would be impossible for Concubine Shen not to agree to Madam Du.
She had no choice but to say: "Since Zhu Ying herself wants to marry outside, and you are willing too, then it's up to you! I don't bother to worry about other people's future."
Madam Du was overjoyed and quickly kowtowed to thank her.
Standing up, she thanked Yong Ruo in public, and then thanked Princess Xing'an for her concern for Zhu Ying, and then returned to stand behind Concubine Shen.
Yong Ruo kept smiling, and waved his sleeves to Zhu Ying in his heart: Go out and get married! Stop thinking about my man.
Seeing that the atmosphere was dull, Princess Ying stepped forward and talked about Princess Longqing's marriage.
Concubine Su and Mrs. Chen sang together with her, enlivening the atmosphere very enthusiastically.
But Princess Xing'an would not understand their good intentions, and soon jumped out to make trouble: "Since Mrs. Yong likes the beauty of adults so much, this Princess has something to ask for.
"The princess has a steward under his command. He is tall, mighty, and heroic. Two years ago, he met Hua Rou by chance, and he never forgot, and repeatedly begged me to be a matchmaker.
"The princess didn't want to talk to him at first. But today, seeing Mrs. Yong's enthusiasm, she wanted to fulfill his infatuation, and asked Mrs. Yong to give him Huarou. This is also to add joy to the princess."
Yong Ruo looked calm and smiled and said: "The princess is so warm-hearted, I admire it. It's just a matter of marriage, it's just about what you like. If you just shave your head and pick a hot head, even if you forcefully get married, the couple won't last long. Yes. The princess said...isn't it?"
Such piercing words made Princess Xing'an's chest ache.
Princess Xing'an couldn't help covering her chest, staring at Yong Ruo as if she wanted to swallow her alive.
Yong Ruo didn't seem to notice that he was sprinkling salt on Princess Xing'an's wounds, and said: "Please tell me, what is the name of the governor? How old is this year? What is the population in the family? What kind of errand does the subordinate manage? How is the character? What is the temperament
"Knowing this, I can ask Huarou later on what she means. If she is willing, the princess and I will arrange for them to meet each other. If we are satisfied with each other, we will marry soon."
Princess Xing'an took a deep breath and said with a smirk: "The manager's name is Xiao Peng, he is 25 years old, and there is only one younger sister who is married at home. It's just that he has always cared about Hua Rou, so he hasn't married yet. Why didn't Mrs. Yong fulfill Xiao Peng's infatuation?"
"I said before, I have to ask Hua Rou first."
"You are Hua Rou's master, but you can't be the master?"
Yong Ruo took the opportunity to express his kind attitude towards slaves: "Although Huarou is a slave, she is also a human being. For the daughter's family, getting married is tantamount to a second reincarnation, so how can you disregard their wishes and marry indiscriminately? "
"Hua Rou is waiting for Madam outside Shou'an Hall, right? Why don't we ask her to come in, and let's ask her face to face?"
"The princess is joking! The little girl has a thin skin, how can she ask such a thing in public? Naturally, after returning to the Wuchen Residence, I will find an opportunity to ask her quietly, so that she will not be too shy to tell the truth."
Princess Xing'an was at a loss for words for a while, then she paused and said: "Then the princess will also go to Wuchenju and ask Hua Rou with Madam!" Without waiting for Yong Ruo to agree, she got up and said goodbye to Concubine Shen.
"Wait!" Yong Ruo hurriedly stopped her, "If the princess has gone to Wuchenju, I can only ask Huarou about this in another day."
"Why?"
"The princess is a matchmaker. How can a matchmaker ask the eldest girl the truth of such a statement face to face?"
"Follow the matter urgently. If the princess is not present, what should Madam Yong do if she insists on Hua Rou not agreeing?"
"The princess is a careful person, and he has saved the heart of a gentleman! I feel that the princess's behavior is not like a matchmaker, but a forced marriage. Could it be that there is something wrong with that Xiao Peng?"
Princess Xing'an paused, and said somewhat unnaturally: "Nonsense! What's wrong?"
"If there is nothing wrong, why is the princess so impatient? If that Xiao Peng is really as the princess said, he is an infatuated person, and he has been waiting for a year or two, so why would he care about waiting an extra day or two? "
Yong Ruo said unhurriedly: "Either, the princess waits quietly for the news of the concubine; or, the concubine rejects the princess right now."
Princess Xing'an had no choice but to sit back on the chair and said lazily: "It seems that this good thing will not be accomplished."
"The princess said so, and the concubine became more and more suspicious that there was something wrong with Xiao Peng."
Concubine Shen waved her hand with some headache: "Let's go away! You don't need to come here again today."
"Yes!" Yong Ruo bid farewell to Concubine Shen with the crowd, took three steps back, turned and walked out of Shou'an Hall.