That night, Zhen Yan talked with Uncle Zhen and Second Master Zhen for more than three hours, and Zhen Yan's firm attitude convinced them.
When she came out, the moonlight was hazy and the night was solemn, which couldn't stop Zhen Yan's good mood, and after persuading the two, Zhen Yan breathed a sigh of relief, and the corners of her mouth curled up.
next day
The whole of Kyoto is full of rumors, talking about it from time to time.
Concubine Xiao was depressed all night, Qingle was afraid that she would be overwhelmed, so she asked Concubine Xiao to go out early in the morning to relax.
Mrs. Xiao didn't even ask any questions, she just asked the manager to hand over a thousand taels of silver to Concubine Xiao, and said to Concubine Xiao earnestly before leaving.
"Xiao Jiu, don't make yourself unhappy because of unworthy things, think about everything, there is no absolute in everything, if you feel uncomfortable in your heart, go out for a stroll!"
Concubine Xiao smiled, "Grandmother, Xiao Jiu can't stand the blow, besides this trivial matter is nothing."
Mrs. Xiao let her go with a wave of her hand. Qing Le held Concubine Xiao tightly with one hand, curled her lips, "Look at your worthless appearance, it's nothing more than a comment. Are you still the little girl I know?" Nine?"
Concubine Xiao shook her head, why did she think so much, if she followed the trajectory of her previous life, she was going to marry the third prince, but now she is not married either.
Thinking of this, Xiao Yu relaxed a lot, comforted herself constantly, and threw her troubles away.
"You're right, why should I spoil myself, let him go, let's not talk about it today, we haven't gone out to buy jewelry for a long time, today Liufang Pavilion has a new batch of hairpins, let's go and have a look."
Qingle nodded, "That's about the same."
The two got out of the carriage and went straight to Liufang Pavilion. It happened that Liufang Pavilion was holding a new product celebration. There was a large wave of jewelry that dazzled people. The jewelry in Liufang Pavilion was surprisingly exquisite and finely crafted. popular.
In Nuo Da's room there were still a few officials from Kyoto, Qing Le pulled Concubine Xiao closer, her eyes lit up.
"The hairpin in Liufang Pavilion is really beautiful."
Xiao Yu nodded, "It's very beautiful, and it's also very novel. It's a unique style that we've never seen before. That emerald is pure in color and beautiful in shape. I'm going to buy it and give it to my grandmother to wipe her forehead."
"Xiao Jiu, look at that little phoenix hairpin on the cabinet. The phoenix is so lifelike that it is even more delicate than the one made by the master in the palace."
Qingle immediately took a fancy to the hairpin, the color was neither too thick nor too bright, it looked elegant and dignified at the same time.
Many noble ladies around picked up their favorite pearl and hairpin jewelry and prepared enough silver taels.
Xiao Concubine lowered her head and seemed to be looking for something. The dazzling array of jewels and hairpins on the cabinet made people dazzled. Suddenly she raised her eyes and found a jasper butterfly hairpin.
The next moment, he was about to reach out to take it, but was picked up by a slender finger.
"Sister Lin, this jade hairpin is so elegant and elegant, it's really beautiful."
Lin Xu walked in slowly with the help of the maid, caught sight of Concubine Xiao from the corner of her eyes, and smiled, "Sister Yan has good eyesight, she looks pretty in everything she wears."
Qing Le leaned over when she heard the words, curled her lips, "It's so evil, I can meet her everywhere!"
"Ah, isn't this Sister Xiao? What a coincidence, last time we said goodbye to the Jokhang Temple, I didn't expect that we would meet again so soon."
Lin Xu covered her mouth and said in surprise, several noble ladies in the room raised their eyes upon hearing the sound, glanced at this side, and talked about Master Ruoyu's order in unison.
"It's obvious that County Lord Xinling and Lord Zhaohou are a natural match. If it wasn't for their status, it wouldn't be her turn!"
"That's right, it's really thick-skinned to go out for shopping after stealing County Lord Xinling's marriage."
"Hush! Don't say a word. If you make her upset, go back to the right minister and cry. We can't bear it."
"snort!"
Among the officials who were demoted by the right minister that day, there were more or less clinging relationships, implicating the interests of the families of the noble ladies present, so they were even more displeased with Concubine Xiao, and they dared not speak out.
Those eyes flew towards Xiao Concubine like knives, wishing to poke a few holes in her.
"This shop is under the name of Zhen's family. If you sisters have any needs, feel free to ask the shopkeeper for more discounts, and they will all be counted on me."
Zhen Yan spoke suddenly, and the noble ladies looked at Zhen Yan with more friendly eyes, and looked at Concubine Xiao even more disliked.
"Xinling County Lord is magnanimous and kind, thank you County Lord."
"County Master Xinling is kind-hearted, talented, and righteous. He treats the maids very kindly. No wonder my mother wants me to learn more from the county magistrate."
"Thank you, magistrate."
… .
Lin Xu was in a very good mood, and rolled his eyes at Concubine Xiao, "You may not know this, but this shop was opened when the head of County Xinling was twelve years old. It has been in development for three years, and the business is abnormal at the beginning of every month. Hot, these jewelry are all designed by Xinling County Lord, Xinling County Master is beautiful and ingenious, and it is a kind of blessing that we can wear the hairpin designed by Xinling County Lord himself."
"Sister Lin." Zhen Yan's pink cheeks were slightly flushed, "It's all Zhen Yan's nonsense, I hope all the sisters don't make fun of it."
When everyone heard this, they seized the opportunity to hold Zhen Yan in their hands, "No wonder this hairpin is unusual, it's so beautiful, I don't want to spend it every month, so I just wait to come to Liufang Pavilion to buy hairpins."
"It's the same with me, County Lord Xin Ling is really ingenious."
He praised Zhen Yan one after another, but Zhen Yan was humble.
Everyone praised Zhen Yan to the sky, Zhen Yan had an appropriate smile on her face, and glanced at Qing Le and Xiao Concubine, "Last time I came to Lincheng, thank you for your help, if the Princess and Miss Xiao are interested in something, feel free to pick it, little girl." Trifles are not respect."
Qingle used to have a good impression of Zhen Yan, but now, there is a kind of resentment and rejection in his bones, "No need, last time it was just a little effort, don't bother the county magistrate to remember, the county magistrate is also open for business, how can the magistrate do it?" It’s a loss-making business.”
Xiao Concubine raised her red lips, "What the princess said is very true, and we appreciate the kindness of County Lord Xinling."
Xiao Yu didn't seem to be annoyed by the rumors at all, and kept a faint smile all the time. If she had known, she shouldn't have come.
"Isn't this Xinling County Lord!"
A voice sounded outside the door, it was Prince Chen's son.
Qing Le's eyes turned, "My cousin also knows County Lord Xinling, it seems that the County Lord's name is well known to everyone."
Zhen Yan lowered her head halfway, and a coldness flashed across the corner of her eyes, which was fleeting, "Master."
"Cousin." Prince Chen noticed Qing Le, Xiao Concubine, and Lin Xu.
Prince Chen's son was in a very good mood these past few days, and he laughed at everyone he saw. On that day, Zhen Yan's dance was really amazing, and it also made Prince Chen think about it for a long time. He accidentally saw Zhen Yan from the carriage, so he got out of the carriage.
Who knew that they would meet Xiao Concubine and Qing Le, with a three-pointed attitude, taking advantage of their good mood, they said generously.
"Miss Xiao Jiu is also there. Since it's such a coincidence, Miss Xiao Jiu and her cousin can pick and choose, and they will all be recorded in this family's account later."
How could Prince Chen's son dare to provoke Xiao Concubine? He was eager to please Xiao Concubine.
"My son is really generous to Miss Xiao." Lin Xu cast a sour glance at Xiao Concubine, as if there was some ulterior secret between Xiao Concubine and Prince Chen's son.
"A few days ago, Sister Xiao went to Leisure Villa to play. It seems that the eldest son picked her up. Sister Xiao and the eldest son are very close."
Lin Xu wished she could accuse Miss Xiao of something.
Qingle was about to say something, but was stopped by Miss Xiao, who pursed her lips, "Miss Lin is well-informed, but she thinks people too nasty. The son went to the villa to handle the case, but was caught by Miss Lin." Misunderstood, those who don’t know may think that the son is negligent in his duties, Miss Lin is a lady of every family, it’s better to pay more attention to what she says, so as not to trick the Lin family.”
"You!" Lin Xu's expression changed, and he stared at Xiao Concubine fiercely.
Prince Chen snorted coldly, and glanced at Lin Xu angrily, Lin Xu quickly said bravely, "My lord, I didn't mean that. It's all Xiao Yu's nonsense, deliberately framing me."
"Where did I frame you, you clearly said that in front of everyone."
Concubine Xiao curled her lips into a sneering smile, it was quite unlucky for the first prince to marry such a dull concubine.
"You're enough!" Lin Xu blushed, and was about to reprimand loudly, but was stopped by Zhen Yan, who whispered to Prince Chen, "There must be a misunderstanding, Sister Lin didn't mean that, it's just It happened that the Eldest Son had also been to Xianxia Villa in those few days, so I mentioned that I didn’t intend to frame the Eldest Son, and please don’t misunderstand the Elder Sister Xiao and the Elder Son.”
On the surface, Zhen Yan was trying to excuse Lin Xu, but in fact, she was helping Concubine Xiao and Prince Chen to settle the matter.
Xiao Concubine raised her lips, "A lot of people went there that day, and they were not the only one, so why didn't Lord Xinling mention it?"
"Zhen Yan was not present, so I don't know exactly what happened, and I dare not jump to conclusions, but I believe that sister Xiao and Shizi are innocent."
Zhen Yan smiled and met Xiao Yu's eyes with sincerity.
"That's Miss Lin's fault. I listened to what I shouldn't have listened to, and said it out of context to others, which made people misunderstand." Xiao Concubine changed the subject and shifted the responsibility to Lin Xu, "Miss Lin made random guesses. Discussing right and wrong will cause misunderstanding to others, so I ask Miss Lin to keep her mouth shut in the future."
Hearing this, Prince Chen was a little irritable, the women fought back and forth, and the cuts continued to be chaotic, so he simply said a few words, turned around and left.
Lin Xu, however, was full of resentment and had nowhere to vent her anger, so she grabbed Xiao Concubine's arm, "Hmph! I've never seen someone as thick-skinned as you. It doesn't count if you rob someone's husband and son-in-law, but you dare to speak wild words , eloquent without repentance!"
"Don't think that you can do whatever you want just because your father is the right-hand man. Without the right-hand man, you are nothing. How can you compare with sister Yan! You have a deep mind at a young age, and you are always against the eldest prince. You just can't swallow it. The third prince dumped you, hmph, you have such a vicious mind!"
Lin Xu was desperate, "It seems that the third prince is really farsighted. He would rather marry a concubine raised by his aunt than you, a noble concubine. He must have seen through your true colors a long time ago. If I had you Forget it if you hit him head-on, why come out and be ashamed!"
Everything was not going well for the eldest prince, he was hit by the right minister's faction, and his painstaking efforts over the years were in vain. Thinking of this, Lin Xu wished he could kill Concubine Xiao to relieve his anger!
Everyone was startled by this scene, and they looked at Xiao Concubine with contempt even more.
"You're enough!" Qing Le stepped forward to drag Lin Xu, Lin Xu turned his head and looked at Qing Le viciously, "And you, you are a woman, no matter how bad the eldest princess is, you are also your mother. The Eldest Princess confines her feet in the mansion to deprive her of her title, but she comes out to have a good time, as expected, she really obeyed that sentence, birds of a feather flock together!"
Xiao Yu's face darkened, she broke away from Lin Xu and squeezed Lin Xu's arm tightly, the corner of her mouth curved into a wicked smile, her eyes suddenly flashed sharply, and a strong hatred burst out from the depths of her eyes.
"You!" Lin Xu was taken aback, but when he thought of being in front of so many people, he straightened his back, "What are you going to do, don't mess around..."
Concubine Xiao snorted, "You are so not angry, if you have the ability, go to the emperor and become a high-ranking official for Mr. Lin. All the civil and military officials in the capital are at your Lin's disposal. If you are not satisfied, just ask the emperor to take back the order and revoke me and Zhao. Marquis Marquis's marriage and the matter of the eldest princess have nothing to do with you."
"Why is it that you, Lin Xu, meddle in other people's business everywhere, or you are behind the eldest prince's back to solicit contacts, and refuse to accept the emperor's decision. The eldest prince secretly hides iron ore, and the Lin family is going to rebel!"
Concubine Xiao directly labeled the Lin family as a rebel, and everyone's expressions changed in shock.
Lin Xu was furious, "What nonsense are you talking about? How could the loyal Lin family rebel? Don't talk nonsense!"
"No? Without you, you would fight against injustice for the eldest prince, and target me everywhere! Target the prime minister? It is the emperor's decision to strictly investigate the eldest prince. Do you want my father to keep secret and not report it, let the eldest prince do anything wrong, and want my father to protect the eldest prince? "
Xiao Concubine kept questioning, Lin Xu stared at Xiao Concubine, unable to say a word in anger, raised his other hand high, holding a pearl hairpin tightly in it, and attacked Xiao Concubine.
At this moment, Qing Yu quickly grabbed Lin Xu's wrist, and with a creak, Lin Xu screamed, and the pearl hairpin in his hand fell to the ground.
Concubine Xiao raised Lin Xu's chin with a cold face, "You are so courageous! How dare you commit murder and hurt others!"
Lin Xu was in so much pain that tears were about to come out, she clenched her teeth tightly, "You are presumptuous! A little girl dares to do something to me, someone, come and arrest me!"
How could Lin Xu swallow this breath, and shouted at the guard behind him.
"Presumptuous!" Qing Le's face darkened, "Lin Xu, you dare to make trouble in front of this princess, you are so courageous, back down quickly!"
"I..." Lin Xu opened his mouth, his teeth itching with hatred, "You guys bully me together!"
"County Master, County Master, don't be angry. A lot of troubles have happened to the Lin family recently. Sister Lin also accidentally said the wrong thing in a moment of confusion. The County Master will spare Sister Lin this time."
Zhen Yan stood in front of Lin Xu, met Xiao Concubine's eyes, and the four eyes were secretly competing with each other, one was gorgeous and charming, and the other was indifferent.
Concubine Xiao withdrew her hand and glanced at Lin Xu condescendingly, "Since Miss Lin still has doubts in her heart, how about I accompany you to the Golden Luan Hall to ask the emperor to debate right and wrong?"
"County lord, I'm afraid it's not very good if this matter gets brought up to the emperor." Zhen Yan persuaded in a low voice, "Let's forgive and forgive others, so let the county lord calm down."
At this moment, Concubine Xiao looks like a savage lady who is unreasonable and unforgiving, and Zhen Yan is that kind lady.
Xiao Yu smiled, "What Xin Ling County Lord said is very true. So many bad things have happened to the Lin family recently, but the second prince's foreign family Zhen's family is in full swing. The second prince has such a versatile and understanding person as Xin Ling County Lord. Renyi's cousin is really a great blessing, but unfortunately, the eldest prince does not have such a blessing."
The smile on the corner of Zhen Yan's mouth froze. The second prince has not been in the capital for a long time, and everyone has almost forgotten such a number one person. Now that he is suddenly mentioned, everyone is in a daze.
"Xiao Concubine! Don't go too far!" Lin Xu shouted.
Concubine Xiao bent down and squatted down, looked at Lin Xu sarcastically, and said in a low voice, "I'm not wrong, the reputation of the First Prince and the Third Prince are almost ruined, you are not at home to help the First Prince reflect on finding evidence, But he just joined in the fun. I heard from my father that the second prince will be able to return to Beijing in a few days. If the two princes are down, the second prince will have a chance. It is also thanks to you for helping to discredit the eldest prince's remaining reputation. .”
Every time Xiao Concubine said a word, Lin Xu's face turned pale, and a chill ran down his spine, "You!"
Miss Xiao sneered and leaned closer to Lin Xu's ear, "Miss Lin and County Lord Xinling spent the most time together, why Miss Lin didn't learn the gentleness and wisdom of County Lord Xinling at all, everyone praises you, you spare no effort Do you think the Zhen family will be very grateful to you for helping the second prince's family? Will the first prince think so when he finds out?"
After saying that, Lin Xu suddenly raised her eyes to look at Zhen Yan, Xiao Concubine was right, the first prince fell, and the second prince's chance came, Zhen Yan is the second prince's cousin!
Although Zhen Yan didn't hear what Concubine Xiao said, but she saw Lin Xu's eyes clearly, and probably knew that the words were provocative.