Concubine Xu Shu worshiped the Bodhisattva, listened to Buddhist scriptures, and then donated some sesame oil money, and did not return to the palace until evening.
Arrange Zhao Qingxi in a clean and bright room, and let the personal maid take good care of her in private.
"Concubine Shu, this is a frontier specialty sent by Princess Chonghua. Pickled raisins. The Empress Dowager was worried about Concubine Shu's embarrassment, so she asked the old slave to bring some."
Concubine Xu Shu was surprised, "Princess Chonghua is back?"
Nanny Yuan smiled and nodded, "The eldest princess was worried about the queen mother's discomfort, so she begged the emperor early at the end of the year. The emperor wanted to surprise the queen mother, so she kept silent. When the queen mother saw the princess, she thought it was a dream."
Concubine Xu Shu smiled slightly, took the brocade box, picked up one piece with her slender fingers and put it in her mouth. The sweet and sour taste was very appetizing, and she couldn't help but eat two more.
"Ms. Concubine Shu, Princess Chonghua is back. The Empress Dowager has a family banquet tomorrow, and the Emperor will also be there." Nanny Yuan said meaningfully.
Concubine Xu Shu's eyes flickered slightly, and she probably guessed that this person was probably sent by Princess Chonghua.
"My palace has been addicted to acid recently. This candied fruit is really delicious. Tomorrow, my palace will have to be cheeky and ask the princess for some."
Xu Shufei said that she ate dozens of pills in a row, as if she couldn't stop.
Nanny Yuan nodded, "The old servant will leave."
"Mommy, go slowly." Concubine Xu Shu watched Nanny Yuan leave, holding the candied fruit in her hand tightly, her eyes flickering slightly.
Concubine Xu Shu glanced at Bi Luo, the close servant girl, "Tell Miss Qing that she will accompany me to the Empress Dowager's place tomorrow. If you feel unwell, just rest."
Bi Luo is a smart person, she nodded immediately upon hearing this, "I understand."
Concubine Xu Shu put down the brocade box in her hand, sat on the chair, and sneered.
"In the past few days, the Crown Princess and Princess Chaoyi have been walking very close together. The Crown Princess is really a lucky star. As soon as the person came, Concubine Zhao even recovered from her body."
Bi Luo lowered her voice, "Your Majesty, I heard that the Emperor has been wandering around the Yiran Palace from time to time these few days. He sat for more than an hour, and Concubine Zhao never showed up. If things go on like this, I'm afraid..."
Bi Luo hesitated to speak, and looked at Concubine Xu Shu worriedly, her mother was finally favored, so she might not be as good as that old woman.
If Concubine Xu Shu was still a little worried in the past, but now she doesn't worry about anything, and follows the Queen Mother wholeheartedly.
"What's the hurry, she's been blessed for so many years, she should be back, don't be in a hurry to fight against Yiran Palace, Concubine Zhao..."
Concubine Xu Shu snorted twice, she couldn't wait to see Concubine Zhao's embarrassment.
next day
The Empress Dowager Song was in a good mood, and held a large banquet in the palace to welcome the princess Chonghua.
Princess Chonghua is the only daughter of the Empress Dowager Song. She was very doted on since she was a child.
Princess Chonghua's arrogance immediately changed into a soft and soft face when she saw the Queen Mother, and sat obediently under the Queen Mother's lap.
Even Concubine Yun was also excited, "Mother, I thought it was a dream when I heard last night, I can't wait to come and see, it really is my mother."
Concubine Yun was so excited that she was about to cry.
Princess Chonghua smiled, "Silly boy, isn't this Palace here well? If I haven't seen you for a few months, I won't recognize you?"
Concubine Yun Ze wiped the corners of her eyes happily, and the three of them were chatting, when a little father-in-law yelled.
"The emperor is here!"
After a while, the bright yellow figure of Emperor Xiyue came in, with a smile on his face, "I heard Chonghua's laughter from a long distance away. I don't know what a good thing it is. Why don't you say it to make me happy."
Princess Chonghua smiled brightly, "It's not important that Chonghua met the emperor, it's just some interesting stories about Brother Min in the fief. If you want to follow, it took a lot of effort for my son to coax you back."
Brother Min is the new son of Princess Chonghua. He is only three years old this year, and he is at the age of clinging.
"Then why don't you bring it, and let Aijia see it." The Empress Dowager Song patted Princess Zhonghua on the back angrily, with a tiger face.
"The queen mother is right, why didn't you bring it here to have a look?" Emperor Xiyue also smiled.
"Empress mother, son-in-law's temperament can't be judged. After finally having a chance to breathe a sigh of relief, how can I take him with me? When I get older in the future, I will definitely bring him back."
Princess Chonghua was frightened by Brother Min's torment, and she loved and felt helpless towards Brother Min, so she simply threw it to her mother-in-law to take care of her, and came to Shengjing by herself to feel comfortable.
The Empress Dowager Song glared at Princess Zhonghua, "What nonsense are you talking about? Brother Min is also a piece of meat that fell from your body. After so many years, this temperament has not changed at all, hey."
"Mother's queen, Er Chen is with Brother Min every day. I haven't seen my mother for several years. Finally, I have a chance to spend more time with my mother. I brought Brother Min here, and I have to take care of her. How can I have time to spend with my mother?" .”
Princess Chonghua didn't think so.
The Empress Dowager Song was so angry and helpless by Princess Chonghua, she glared at Princess Chonghua several times, "Look, this little mouth talks about the same thing, obviously it's because I'm lazy, but now it's for the sake of filial piety and mourning." .”
Emperor Xiyue laughed loudly when he heard the words, "That's not bad, it's also good to spend more time with my mother."
At this moment, Concubine Xu Shu walked in, "The concubine pays respects to the Empress Dowager, Your Majesty, and the Eldest Princess."
Empress Dowager Song raised her hand in the air, "Get up, you don't need to be too polite."
Concubine Xu Shu's face was slightly ashamed, and she glanced at Princess Zhonghua, "The candied fruit that the princess gave to my concubine yesterday tasted very good, and my concubine's appetite has turned sour recently..."
Speaking of which, Concubine Xu Shu lowered her head in embarrassment, "I wonder if the princess can give some more to my concubines."
Princess Chonghua smiled, "Why do you think this is the case? Since Concubine Shu wants to eat, she just sends a maid to come. Why come in person?"
Princess Chonghua gave it a look, and the maid went to get it immediately.
Concubine Xu Shu lowered her head, "The concubine is reckless."
Emperor Xiyue did not raise his eyes from the beginning to the end, and kept holding the teacup in his hand, looking at the floating tea leaves in thought.
The Empress Dowager Song glanced at Emperor Xiyue, and then at Concubine Xu Shu, "Concubine Shu's body color is delicate and delicate, and she is comfortable to look at. If her stomach grows bigger in the future, she should pay more attention. If the emperor is not busy these days, go Visiting Concubine Shu, it is not easy for Concubine Shu to be alone in the palace, and she is pregnant, so it is easy to think wildly."
Concubine Xu Shu waved her hand immediately, "Thank you, Empress Dowager, for caring about my concubine, I will be fine, how dare my concubine disturb the emperor."
Hearing this, Emperor Xiyue put down the teacup in his hand, looked along his line of sight, and hurriedly glanced at Concubine Xu Shu, who was dressed in light yellow and delicate.
"A while ago, I was too busy. I wrote to you. There are some things ahead that haven't been settled properly. I won't be able to come back until some time later. When I finish dealing with the matter at hand, I will go and see Concubine Shu."
Concubine Xu Shu lowered her head shyly and turned her body sideways, revealing the person behind her.
Emperor Xiyue glanced casually at first, then suddenly widened his eyes, and dropped the teacup in his hand to the ground with a bang, fixed his eyes on the figure, and couldn't believe his eyes.
The Empress Dowager Song was very satisfied with the strangeness of Emperor Xiyue, the corners of her mouth slightly raised, and asked pretending to be concerned, "Your Majesty..."
Emperor Xiyue came back to his senses, and hurriedly said, "It's my slippery hand, it's fine."
Immediately, a court lady knelt on the ground to clean up the tea stains. Emperor Xiyue turned his head and looked at Concubine Xu Shu, "I remember that the maids beside Concubine Shu don't seem to be these two recently."
Concubine Xu Shu looked bewildered, "The maid next to my concubine accidentally caught a cold, so I changed two of them and asked them to take care of me after they were cured. This is Qing who was accidentally rescued by my concubine when I went out to Lingshan Temple yesterday. Miss Xi, my concubine saw that she had a poor background, so she stayed by her side to serve her."
"Miss Qingxi?" Emperor Xiyue pondered these four words carefully, and a tense string in his mind suddenly exploded.
Taking advantage of Emperor Xiyue's contemplation, Concubine Xu Shu withdrew.
Emperor Xiyue was absent-minded throughout the dinner, ate a little in a hurry, found an excuse and left.
Princess Chonghua put down her chopsticks with a sigh, and the corners of her mouth raised slightly, "Queen Mother, Brother Huang is taking care of you."
Empress Dowager Song followed suit with a smile, "Yeah, it's worthy of a pair of lovers."
Both of them smiled tacitly, only Concubine Yun was at a loss, Princess Chonghua glanced at Concubine Yun, suddenly remembered Crown Princess Xiao Concubine, and snorted twice.
"After the prince comes back in a few days, it's time to discuss Yun Le moving to the prince's mansion. What would it be like to leave her alone as a side concubine in the East Palace!"
Concubine Yun's face flushed slightly, "Mother, if Yun Le can accompany grandma to relieve boredom, she is already content."
Princess Chonghua was annoyed that iron could not be made into steel, but it was Empress Dowager Song who said, "You were too young to spend time with an old woman from Ai's family, and the prince shouldn't be messing around like this. In short, you just need to be mentally prepared. "
Concubine Yun Ze quickly glanced at Princess Chonghua, Princess Chonghua winked at Concubine Yun Ce, Concubine Yun Ce immediately fell silent, and obediently agreed.
The Empress Dowager Song has always been used to domineering, and she likes obedient and sensible ones the most. Princess Chonghua was raised by the Empress Dowager Song, so she naturally knows the Empress Dowager Song's temperament, and she will never harm Concubine Yun.
The crown prince was temporarily tied down, and he would have to wait for a few days before he could come back. Although Xiao Concubine was a little disappointed, she didn't show it.
Suddenly, Hongxiu said, "Prince Concubine, the emperor went to Concubine Xu Shu's place tonight and gave Concubine Xu Shu a lot of rewards. It is said that he wants to confer Concubine Shu as a noble concubine."
Xiao Concubine's eyelids twitched, "How could it be so sudden, how could the well-behaved emperor invite concubine Shu..."
Hong Xiu shook her head, Xiao Yu pursed her lips, this news was definitely not good news for her.
Concubine Xu Shu is a hidden poisonous snake, she will attack if she is not careful, so she must be pulled out carefully.
Unexpectedly, Concubine Xu Shu would have this means to regain her favor, so Concubine Xiao immediately asked people to inquire, only knowing that the handwriting of the Queen Mother Song was indispensable.
"Princess Concubine, it's not good, Concubine Zhao has fallen ill."
Xiao Concubine stood up when she heard the sound of rubbing, and immediately led people into the palace in a hurry, and went directly to Yiran Palace.
"Is this the case?" Xiao Yan asked with a sullen face.
Nanny Yu hurried forward to explain, "Your Majesty went for a walk in the garden just now, and happened to meet Concubine Shu and Princess Chonghua. I don't know what she said, but Madam fell ill as soon as she came back."
"What's wrong with Concubine Mother?" Princess Chaoxi hurried over.
Nanny Yu repeated what she said just now, and Princess Chaoyi's face changed slightly, "It's Concubine Shu again."
Concubine Xiao asked, "What did the imperial doctor say?"
"Returning to the Crown Princess, the imperial doctor said that the empress was caused by a moment of extreme anger and was greatly stimulated, so she became like this. I only hope that the empress can untie her knot as soon as possible."
Nanny Yu choked up her sobs as she spoke, and blamed herself, "It's all because of the old slave, so I should have advised the empress not to go out."
Concubine Xiao waved her hand, "You don't have to blame yourself, Mammy, she will come sooner or later. I will live in Yiran Palace these days, and make arrangements."
Nanny Yu immediately nodded, and Princess Chaoyi immediately said, "Also arrange a yard for this palace, just take Xin'er over later."
"Hey!" Nanny Yu responded, turned around and left immediately.
Concubine Xiao calmed down, she really didn't understand what the two of them said, and she actually fell ill with Concubine Zhao.
"No, I really can't swallow this breath, I'm going to ask Concubine Shu to understand."
Princess Chaoyi was furious, and she hated Concubine Shu even more.
Concubine Xiao couldn't stop her, so she had no choice but to follow. When they went, they happened to meet Concubine Xu Shu, Princess Chonghua and Concubine Yun side sitting in the gazebo talking and laughing, and it was obvious that Concubine Xu Shu was in a very happy mood.
"Concubine Shu is about to be promoted to imperial concubine at such a young age, her future is boundless..." Princess Chonghua covered her mouth and smiled.
Concubine Xu Shu's eyes showed a little pride, she lowered her head, "The eldest princess has won the prize, it's just a fluke of the concubine."
"Eldest Princess, the Crown Princess and Princess Chaoyi are coming this way." The nurse at the side couldn't help reminding.
Princess Chonghua raised her eyebrows slightly, followed her gaze, and she saw the two of them walking slowly. The closer they got, the bright red figure was noble and generous, with a stunning appearance, which was unforgettable in the eye. It was breathtakingly beautiful. Princess Chonghua, who was used to beauties, couldn't help being amazed.
Concubine Xu Shu stood up slowly, "I have seen the Crown Princess."
Xiao Yu glanced at Princess Zhonghua, "I have always heard about the name of Princess Chonghua, and today I finally got my wish, she is really dignified and noble."
"Chaoyi pays homage to my aunt." Princess Chaoji gave a half salute to Princess Chonghua.
Princess Chonghua ignored Princess Chaoyi and looked at Concubine Xiao, "The concubine is the wise one. I have heard that the concubine is unrestrained and unrestrained when I was in the fief. She is as beautiful as a flower and is favored by the prince. As for almost abandoning the whole of Xiyue, I was curious before, but when I saw it today, the Crown Princess is indeed a beautiful woman, so it's no wonder that people miss her."
Concubine Xiao covered her mouth and smiled, directly ignoring Concubine Xu Shu, and sat on a stool beside her. The concubine is the first rank, the same status as Princess Chonghua, but she is a generation behind.
Princess Chonghua's words were very blunt, meaning that Concubine Xiao was ignorant, but she was just messing around because of her good looks.
"They are right. I have a jealous nature, and I have never rubbed sand in my eyes. Since His Royal Highness agreed to guard only me, I believe in His Highness. If others have self-knowledge, they should know each other, so as not to ask for trouble. Eat." Xiao Yu replied with a smile.
Concubine Yun's eyes turned red immediately, and she kept holding back.
Princess Chonghua felt sorry for her daughter, and seeing Xiao Concubine being so sharp-tongued, she couldn't help but sneer, "The princess's opinion is an eye-opener for this palace. May I ask which man is not three wives and four concubines, let alone a one-time concubine?" Where is the prince?"
Concubine Xiao raised her eyebrows, "If I remember correctly, it seems that the son-in-law doesn't take concubines. Why doesn't the princess allow the son-in-law to take concubines?"
Princess Chonghua's complexion changed slightly, "What do you compare with this palace?"
Xiao Yu smiled, "The eldest princess is a princess, and this palace is also a princess. What's wrong?"
Princess Chonghua was choked by Concubine Xiao again, and she rolled her eyes, "Stop standing, sit down."
Princess Chonghua had heard about Xiao Concubine's arrogance a long time ago, but she didn't expect that she really didn't put anyone in her eyes, it was too rampant.
Only then did Princess Chaoyi and Concubine Xu Shu sit down, and Concubine Xu Shu would not have to salute concubine Xiao in a few days.
"Concubine Shu is pregnant, so she doesn't need to salute in the future. If anything goes wrong, I can't afford it." Concubine Xiao squinted at Concubine Xu Shu and said with a smile.
Concubine Xu Shu glanced at Concubine Xiao, why didn't you mention the time of the salute just now, but now it's hypocritical, Concubine Xu Shu hummed, "The emperor told me yesterday that there is no need to salute. It's not a big problem for the concubine to think about it, and I must be careful in the future." Remember what the princess said."
"In a few days, she should be Concubine Xu. According to her status, there is no need to salute. Concubine Shu is really a good tempered person."
Princess Chonghua spoke indifferently, Concubine Xu Shu's face turned red, and Concubine Xiao secretly caught some clues from it.
"By the way, Concubine Zhao was unwell just now, is there a serious problem now?"
Princess Chonghua asked on purpose, pretending to be concerned.
Princess Chaoyi almost couldn't hold back, but was stopped by Concubine Xiao, "Coincidentally, I came here to ask about this matter. The imperial doctor said that the mother and concubine fainted because of being stimulated by a moment of anger. What kind of excitement, His Highness has repeatedly instructed to watch over the concubine mother, if you don't know the reason, if His Highness asks about it in the future, I will not be able to explain it."
Concubine Xiao moved out of the crown prince, and it is useless for them to join forces, as long as the crown prince does not fall, Concubine Zhao will always have a backer, and this account will be recovered sooner or later.
"Hey, Your Highness worked so hard to fight outside, but in the end, Concubine Mother fell ill. It's strange to say that Concubine Mother has been in good health for more than a month, but today she was stimulated."
Xiao Yu looked at Princess Chaoyi and said, Princess Chaoyi snorted, "How can there be so many coincidences, the second emperor's heart is like a mirror, and I don't know who is so closed-eyed and deliberately angry with the mother and concubine."
The two of them sang and ran, the faces of Princess Chonghua and Concubine Xu Shu paled for a while.
The two of them almost pointed at their noses and said the name of Princess Chonghua.
Princess Chonghua tightly clenched her fists, and glared at Concubine Xiao and Princess Chaoyi angrily, "What nonsense are you talking about? It's not because Concubine Zhao is weak and can be stimulated. You two juniors, don't speak upside down. Forget about superiority and inferiority. !"
Princess Chonghua had never been squeezed like this before, and she couldn't help it at that time.
Concubine Xiao's face darkened, and a flash of sternness suddenly flashed in her eyes, "Princess, why is she guilty? People are dizzy in front of the two of you. When did the princess and Concubine Shu get along so well? , it’s not your turn for an outsider to intervene, don’t forget that the princess has been married long ago, and she only stayed in Shengjing City for a few days, so what are you planning, don’t lose more than you gain!”
"You!" Princess Chonghua was so angry that she suddenly hooked her lips, "I hope the crown princess can always be so confident, and the crown prince can always protect you."
Concubine Xiao frowned, she was just trying, Princess Chonghua's sudden return to Beijing really had another purpose.
Xiao Yu even realized that this purpose was most likely aimed at herself.
Concubine Xiao pursed her lips, "Then don't bother the eldest princess to worry about it. Instead, you should think about it. Your Highness is the crown prince who has just been canonized for two months and is about to return. Concubine Yun is the former prince's side concubine. She has occupied the East Palace. Not right."
"Second emperor's sister-in-law, Concubine Yun is the elder brother's side concubine. What does it have to do with the second emperor's brother? Is it possible that I have to go to the Prince's Mansion? What does it look like? The royal family can't bear the reputation of one maidservant and two husbands." rise."
Cooperating with Xiao Yu, Princess Chaoyi succeeded in changing Princess Chonghua's temper, "The prince is clearly the Prince Zhan who replaced him a year ago, don't talk nonsense!"
Princess Chonghua was so angry that she couldn't say a word, she glared at Concubine Xiao and Princess Chaoyi fiercely.
Princess Chaoxi smiled slightly at the corner of her mouth, and finally relieved her anger.
Not long after, Qing Yu whispered something in Xiao Concubine's ear, Xiao Concubine's expression changed slightly, and she found an excuse to leave.
"This is the secret guard sent by Xiangye to send it all the way."
Xiao Concubine nodded, opened the secret letter, her eyes tightened suddenly, but soon the corner of her mouth curled into a sneer, and she tore the letter to pieces.
"Since the Eldest Princess has prepared such a grand gift for me, how can I not reciprocate."
Xiao Yu pursed her lips, "Immediately send someone to the eldest princess's fief..."
－－－－－Off Topic－－－－－
"Concubine on the Branch: Your Highness Married to"
Outside of his master, he does everything to seize power and seek power!
She is safe, and she can do anything in the house and fight for pets!
Others laughed at her for being just a mere maid, but she still wanted to climb onto the prince's bed!
Yun Shu: You made a mistake! It's the noble prince you speak of who wants to climb onto this girl's bed!
In the prince's mansion, there are warblers and swallows of various colors, weak willows supporting the wind, domineering and leaky, gentle and watery...
Only there is no one like her, um... anything!
Yun Shu: This girl can go to the battlefield in armor, enter the boudoir in a skirt, ride a horse heroically, and lie on the bed shyly... Come to fight if you don't accept it!
small theater
Yun Shu: "Um...it hurts..."
Ye Qingyu: "Be patient... just be fine..."
half an hour later...
Yun Shu frowned: "Hey, don't... just take it easy..."
Ye Qingyu was sweating profusely: "Shu'er, be good, be obedient..."
Another half hour...
Yun Shu: "Your Highness, it's fine if you don't know how to pull your hair!"
Her scalp is about to be ripped off!
Ye Qingyu: "..."