"The picture of the fertility-delivering clams?" Nanny Yan asked in surprise, her eyes also falling on the small table screen. She was specially invited by Qu Moying. When it comes to some knowledge about talents and studies, Nanny Yan knows the most.
"Yes, the picture of the fertility-giving river clam, have you ever seen it, Ma?" Qu Moying asked with a smile.
"I haven't seen it, but I've heard of it!" Nanny Yan looked at the small river clam a few more times. It was really inconspicuous. If Qu Moying hadn't pointed it out to her, she wouldn't have been able to tell what it was. "I heard that the palace gave it away as a reward. It was given to..."
Nanny Yan reached out and touched her head. This happened so long ago that she couldn't remember who it was for a moment. She only vaguely remembered that it was an award from the palace to a young lady from an aristocratic family for her wedding. It was a picture of a fertility-giving river clam, and it had an excellent metaphor, especially when used at a wedding.
"A gift from the Empress Dowager?" Qu Moying asked with great interest. In her previous life, she had occasionally heard of such an embroidery painting, but had never seen it. She had also been somewhat curious about it, so when she heard it now, she couldn't help but smile and asked another question.
"It's not the Empress Dowager. The painting originally belonged to Empress Yuan, who gave it to a close lady to congratulate her on her wedding. I heard about it when I was in the palace, but I was serving the Empress Dowager at the time and had never seen it. At that time..." Nanny Yan hesitated here and ultimately did not dare to say more.
The affairs of Empress Yuan are the topic that the Emperor is most reluctant to hear.
At the moment, he said vaguely: "The Queen Mother originally wanted to give this painting to someone else, but this painting has already been given to the Queen Mother Yuan."
Qu Moying understood the meaning of the words. He heard that Empress Yuan was not liked by the Empress Dowager.
"Was it awarded to the wife of the Duke of Qi at that time?" Qu Moying changed the subject and asked. As soon as he said this, he laughed!
At that time, the wife of the Duke of Qi was still the Dowager Lady. She was much older than the Empress Yuan, so how could she be awarded the title on her wedding day
"I'm sure it's not from the Duke of Qi's Mansion. At that time, there were no suitable ladies in the Duke of Qi's Mansion to marry. Moreover, even if she was married, this picture would not have stayed in the Duke of Qi's Mansion. It must have gone with the dowry. But it doesn't look like the current wife of the Duke of Qi."
Nanny Yan patted her forehead. She didn't pay much attention to this matter at the time, and it had been a long time, so she really couldn't remember it for a while.
"It's okay if you can't remember. I was just curious, so I asked one more question. What do you think of the embroidery, Madam?" Qu Moying didn't pursue the topic any more. It should be that the Empress Yuan gave it to someone, and then that person sent the gift to the Duke of Qi's mansion.
Things bestowed by the royal family should be treasured and not given away. If what is in the Duke of Qi's mansion is real, it will raise many new doubts.
Could this... be a replica
After all, the painting of the fertility-delivering clam is so famous that it is normal to have a few imitations.
"The embroidery is excellent, and the composition is good." Nanny Yan looked at the table screen and nodded repeatedly. "The young lady likes this kind of small table screen. You can embroider a few more. The embroiderer was a little nervous at first, but the Duke of Qi's Mansion borrowed four of them, which solved the urgent problem." Nanny Yan said with a smile.
"I will draw a few pictures later, and you can also embroider a picture of river clams for me!" Qu Moying said after thinking for a while.
"Miss, your hand is injured. Can you paint it yourself?" Nanny Yan pointed at her heavily bandaged hands.
"It's okay. It's not working anymore. Besides, I'm not in a hurry. I'll draw slowly." Qu Moying shook his injured left hand and said.
It has been repaired well in the past two days, and Qu Moying feels that he doesn't need to wrap himself so tightly.
But the people around him were very careful, afraid of the slightest mistake, afraid of something going wrong, so his hands were wrapped like pig's trotters every day, which made Qu Moying helpless.
Seeing that she was determined to do so, Nanny Yan could only give her a few more instructions and then went back to supervise the work. Nanny Yan was very busy during this period.
She is the only one who has been supervising the embroiderer's work, and when there is not enough, she will go up to help.
Yudong ground the ink, and Qu Moying stood at the desk in front of the window, put down the gauze in one hand, picked up the brush, pondered for a moment, and began to draw. She drew a river clam, which looked very similar to Qi Xiangrong's desk screen, but was slightly larger. The main feature was that the river clam was the main feature, but it was embellished with river water and river grass.
She painted very seriously. She placed the table screen in front of her while painting and glanced at the clams on the screen from time to time.
Although it is also a river clam containing pearls, the shape, size and way of containing pearls are all different. It even makes people feel that the river clam in front of them has a bit more laziness, like playing in the water, gurgling with bubbles, reflecting the pool of river water, which has a unique charm and is very comfortable.
"Miss, this painting is great." Yu Dong saw it and praised it highly.
Qu Moying smiled, put down the brush in his hand, and moved his fingers. He was too focused on the painting just now, and his hands felt a little uncomfortable for a while. "Draw four pictures, which happen to be four different-looking river clams."
After being used to seeing flowers and plants in the past, I actually think these river clams are quite beautiful. The most important thing is that they are vivid and have a unique lively interest.
Of course, the reason why she embroidered this picture was not just because of these...
Minister Liu's official position was demoted. After such a big incident, it was difficult for him to keep his position as the Minister of Works. He was demoted to Vice Minister of Works. As for the original vice ministers, there were two. One of the left vice minister and the right vice minister would be chosen to move up. Which one to choose, or which one would be promoted, has not been determined yet.
Chen Xiang and Xu Xiang meant to wait and see.
The demotion of Shangshu Liu to the position of Vice Minister was confirmed first, and then he was suspended from his post for one month and fined his salary for half a year.
Officials keeping mistresses was something that was bound to be reported, let alone something so ugly. Some even said that Minister Liu favored his concubine over his wife, which was unbecoming of an official. There was also a hint that Minister Liu deliberately concealed everything and had an affair with the maidservant around him from early on.
This matter can also be considered as the serious crime of deceiving the emperor.
Therefore, no matter how hard the prince's faction tried to protect Minister Liu, he was unable to keep his official position and was demoted to Minister Liu. He was also scolded by the emperor in front of everyone.
Minister Liu's marriage was originally arranged by the Emperor. Over the years, everyone has always believed that Minister Liu's family has lived a stable life, and that the Emperor has good judgment of people. Unexpectedly, it has turned out like this. Does this mean that the Emperor has poor judgment of people
Or did Minister Liu deliberately deceive the emperor
No matter what kind of words he said, Minister Liu would be in trouble and would lose face in the court.
When dismissing the court, Minister Liu deliberately slowed down his pace, wanting to say a few words to the Crown Prince, but he did not expect that the Crown Prince would give him a cold look and then turn around and enter the harem.
Minister Liu was both ashamed and angry, but he was powerless and could only turn around and leave.
None of his former colleagues came forward to comfort him at this time. Instead, they looked like they were enjoying the show, gossiping from time to time, speculating on what had happened.
When Minister Liu heard who would be the next Minister of Works, he found that a large number of people were optimistic about Qu Zhizhen.
For a moment, he was filled with anger and hatred, and his face turned ashen.
Things have gotten to this point, not only is it embarrassing and shameful, but it has also lost the emperor's favor.
Until now, Minister Liu still hasn't figured out how Madam Liu got here.
Wasn't she lying in bed, unable to move? Didn't she have someone to look after her yard
How come she not only came out, but also followed me here, had someone kick open the gate of the courtyard, and when she saw me with another woman, she actually held the hands of two maids, rushed over and slapped me twice. I hurried forward to protect her, but before I could say anything, people from the yamen arrived.
Everything seemed like a dream. Minister Liu felt that he was really dreaming. How could such a thing happen suddenly
Over the years, he has always been cautious and seldom went there. He only went there once a week and did not stay there for long, leaving early.
How could Qi Xiejiao, a woman from the inner courtyard, be so connected and able to come in right after me
The carriage stopped at his own house. Minister Liu got off the carriage with a gloomy face. After standing still, he calmed down and turned to walk towards the inner courtyard.
He couldn't swallow the anger in his heart, nor could he spit it out. The subtle looks from his colleagues and the prince's deliberate avoidance and coldness all showed that his reputation was now ruined and he had become a big joke in the capital. There were quite a few people watching the fun on both sides.
All this is because of Qi Xiejiao
When the people in the yard saw Minister Liu coming, they knelt down tremblingly. Who would dare to run into the muzzle of the gun at this time
The two maids heard the noise outside and came out. When they saw Minister Liu, they knelt down hurriedly to pay their respects.
"Someone, take these two old servants away and give them twenty lashes of the board." Minister Liu's eyes were red, and he glared at the two old women fiercely. He recognized them as the two who had accompanied Qi Xiejiao there.
"Sir, please spare us, sir, please spare us!" When the two old women saw the situation, they knew that something was wrong and they quickly weakened their bodies and begged for mercy.
There was no way Minister Liu would let them off at this time. A surge of rage rushed up at him. He kicked away a woman who rushed towards him and strode inside, the fire in his heart growing more and more intense.
Madam Liu, who was lying on the bed in the room, had heard the noise outside. She helped a little maid beside the bed to sit up, and stared coldly at Minister Liu who strode in, her face equally gloomy.
"Bitch, I'm going to divorce you." Minister Liu said angrily.
"Divorce me? Did the emperor agree?" Madam Liu said fearlessly, "Liu Borui, I didn't expect that you looked so righteous in the past, but in fact you were a lustful villain. I thought that you had not been close to me for so many years because of Xiao Yue, but I didn't expect that you had been keeping a vixen outside, and even gave birth to a pair of little bitches."
"You... you shrew..." Minister Liu was so angry that his whole body was shaking. He pointed at Madam Liu and cursed.
"I'm a shrew, what about you? You're just a bitch. You and that bitch are a perfect match, so why do you want her to enter the Liu Mansion as a concubine or a wife? That's why you've been waiting for the opportunity for so many years. I tell you, as long as I'm here, you're just a concubine, a bitch."
Madam Liu also cursed loudly and slapped the bed board hard: "My father and mother are both sick. When they recover, Liu Borui, I'll see how you tell this to my father."