It was mid-afternoon, and the weather had a crisp autumn flavor. Sunlight shines through the huge poplar leaves in the palace, casting mottled light and shadow.
This imperial city has gone through more than a hundred years of ups and downs, and even a tree on the roadside is known to more than people.
Xie Ruzhuo followed Xiao Xinning to the Princess Palace for a lunch break. She had no idea that an unexpected meeting was taking place in the palace not far from here.
You Zhi was unwilling to be left alone, shouting "Zhi" one after another, as if he had seen through the filth and filth behind the scenes of this prosperous palace.
Xiao Junyi went to find Concubine Jing full of anger, but when he reached the palace gate, he hesitated a little. Would it cause trouble for him if he went in like this
Just when he was hesitating, he saw the eldest palace maid Cuilian coming out. He was surprised at first, and then smiled and said, "I want to pay my respects to the prince. I wonder why the prince is here?"
Xiao Junyi didn't want to leave now, nor did he stay, so he had to tell a small lie, "I came here accidentally, and I'm a little thirsty. I wonder if I can ask for a glass of water?"
Cuilian smiled and said, "Prince, please wait a moment." As she said this, she invited him in, placed him properly, and then walked into the inner room.
Not long after, Concubine Jing was seen walking out neatly dressed. She might be a little sleepy, and her eyes were slightly watery, making her look like a beauty.
Seeing Xiao Junyi, Concubine Jing's eyes suddenly filled with some unknown surprise, and then she waved her hand to invite all the ladies in the palace out. Then she sat down on the imperial concubine chair and said with a smile, "Why are you here? But do you miss me?"
What she said was extremely explicit. Xiao Junyi was full of anger, but when he saw the beauty in his arms, he couldn't vent it out. He stretched out his long arms and took Concubine Jing into his arms. He greedily smelled the fragrance in her hair and said, "Didn't I miss you? I have been holding back these days!"
Concubine Jing put her delicate fingers on his forehead and said angrily, "Look at how anxious you are. There are so many concubines in the house, aren't they enough for you to vent your anger?"
It's okay that she didn't say this, but when she said this, Xiao Junyi's anger surged up, "It's not the Xie family's fault. They beat me at my father's house again and again, saying that I am arrogant, extravagant, and have concubines in my house." They are in groups and do not want to make progress! After being scolded by the father, he also dismissed all the concubines in the palace!"
He was already under house arrest, but after removing his concubine, his life became even more dull and boring.
Hearing this, Concubine Jing sneered in her heart, but said softly on her face, "In my opinion, this is a good thing. When they can't do anything, it's time for you to be perfect."
When Concubine Jing said this, Xiao Junyi turned from anger to joy and said, "You are my caring person, and you speak much more comfortably than them."
Xiao Junyi said and kissed Concubine Jing on the cheek again.
Feigning anger, Concubine Jing pushed him away and said, "You're going crazy in this clear sky." As she said that, she softened her voice and said angrily, "What are you doing in such a hurry? Tonight's Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, the Emperor is in the presence of Concubine Hui as usual. If you choose one between the empress and Concubine Ye, I will prepare some wine and we will hold a candle and talk at night."
These words were a clear seduction. Seeing her like this, Xiao Junyi couldn't help but feel dizzy and said with a bad smile, "Okay, I'll have a good talk with you in the evening."
Having said this, he thought of his situation these days again, his eyes became cold, and he said in a deep voice, "It's a pity that I was able to come out this time because my mother and concubine were ill. On weekdays, even my movements are restricted. It's simply... What a shame! Huh, one day, I will make the Xie family look good!"
When he thought of this, his expression became ferocious again. Seeing his appearance, Concubine Jing despised him in her heart for being unable to calm down, but she comforted him and said, "You have to be patient now. The Xie family is nothing. No matter how arrogant it is, they are just ministers. Wait until you get here." If you become a high-ranking official, what else can you get?"
Xiao Junyi's gloomy eyes gradually lowered, and he said, "Your position? I'm afraid that position is getting further and further away from me." He actually knew clearly in his heart now that Emperor Jing was suppressing him, and there were several brothers above him The status of everyone is higher than him, and this position is not his turn, whether horizontally or vertically.
unless-
Just as soon as this thought came to mind, Xiao Junyi was agitated, shook his head and said, "Forget it, just follow your orders."
Seeing him sink for a moment, Concubine Jing felt anxious for a moment. Fortunately, she was very decisive, so she just pretended to be nonchalant and said, "Speaking of this, I thought of a person. He might be able to help you. It’s also unknown.”
"who?"
Hearing Xiao Junyi's question, Concubine Jing smiled mysteriously, and then whispered a few words in his ear.
Xiao Junyi's eyes suddenly widened and he asked doubtfully, "Why did he come to the capital?"
Concubine Jing had a smile on her lips and said, "If the prince is interested, I can help introduce him."
Xiao Junyi looked at her suspiciously, but when he thought of Concubine Jing's origin, he also felt a little enlightened. No one in this palace is simple. If Concubine Jing is really that gentle woman from the Jiangnan water town, she may not survive this time in this cannibal harem.
Is it possible that the background behind Concubine Jing is that person
The color of the sky gradually sinks to the west, and the setting sun burns the entire sky red like fire.
This year's Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, Emperor Jing made a special exception, allowing men and women to sit at the same table, and the imperial concubine to sit in the same seat.
The officials and their female relatives arrived at the table early and waited. It was only when the table was about to start that Xie Ruzhuo walked in along with Xiao Xinning, who had been waiting until now.
Xiao Junxi was sitting alone, surrounded by the bustle, but he was the only one who was cold and lonely, as if he was incompatible with the bustle.
However, the moment she saw Xie Ruzhuo, Xiao Junxi's face suddenly burst into a smile. In an instant, it seemed as if the cold winter had faded away and spring flowers were blooming.
When Xie Ruzhuo sat in front of him, Xiao Junxi pursed her lips and smiled and asked, "Why did you arrive at this time?"
Xie Ruzhuo straightened her clothes and said with a smile, "The seventh princess was reluctant to come over. I asked her what happened, but she hesitated and refused to tell me. That's why it's been delayed until now." After that, he asked again, "You When did you come?"
Xiao Junxi poured her a cup of hot tea, handed it to her hand, and chuckled, "I came earlier. I thought you would come earlier."
Xiao Junxi didn't say the next words, but Xie Ruzhuo also understood. She said a little shyly, "I kept you waiting for a long time."
"It doesn't matter."
As soon as Xiao Junxi finished saying these two words, she heard the voice of the eunuch outside the palace, "The emperor has arrived, the noble concubine has arrived -"
In an instant, a group of people knelt down in the hall and shouted in unison, "Long live my emperor, long live my emperor. May your concubine be blessed with peace of mind."
Emperor Jing raised his hand majestically and said loudly, "My dear friends, today is the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet. Let's drink to our heart's content regardless of age or age!"
Although he said this, who among the people present would really dare to do this? But he must respond with his mouth, and there was a chorus of agreement at the moment.
After Emperor Jing sat down, Concubine Ye sat down next to him.
Concubine Hui said she was sick, so she naturally would not attend this occasion, so the only seat next to Emperor Jing was Concubine Ye. The other concubines sat at the bottom according to their rank, and those with lower ranks were not even qualified to come to this palace.
A courtesy officer shouted from the side, "Play music—"
All of a sudden, singers and musicians filed in. The chimes sounded thickly and the orchestral strings hit the ears. Although it was solemn, it always lacked some human touch.
Xie Ruzhuo sat next to Xiao Junxi, while the other person's hand was holding hers under his sleeve.
As if she sensed Xie Ruzhuo's distraction, Xiao Junxi looked back with an endearing smile, capturing all her emotions in her eyes.
Xie Ruzhuo was not embarrassed at all by being exposed. He raised a smile on his lips and turned his head elsewhere.
Unexpectedly, when I looked at it, I saw Shen Jingci's resentful expression.
Xie Ruzhuo thought to herself that Shen Jingci's eyes were everywhere, paying attention to her at all times. She was really honored.
After a grand piece of music was played, there was a peaceful scene of melodious singing and dancing of silk and bamboo. Emperor Jing was the first to stand up and raise his glass, and all the ministers and family members did not dare to stand down. They all paid tribute to the emperor and drank it all in one gulp.
After drinking this glass of wine, everyone started to change glasses, chatting and laughing lively.
There is only one person whose face has been gloomy from before the banquet started until now, and he has never shown a smile.
Xie Ruzhuo hadn't noticed it before. After hearing a slight commotion on the right, he followed the sound and looked over.
The person sitting in that seat was the Zhang family. Different from the pushy people in the past, today's Zhang Xiuyan seemed to be trying hard to hide herself behind the crowd and not be discovered.
It's just that her idea doesn't seem to work. Because the reason for this commotion was that she vomited.
Normally, the weather has changed a lot, and it is normal for the delicate young ladies to vomit after catching a cold. However, Zhang Xiuyan covered her mouth and looked like she was retching.
And there was a plate of Babao Sauce Duck in front of her.
Xie Ruzhuo glanced casually before looking away, but as soon as he turned his head, he suddenly remembered something and looked at Zhang Xiuyan again.
Sure enough, she pushed Babaojiangya aside in disgust. Although there were tears in her eyes, there was no trace of filth on the corners of her lips.
In other words, she was indeed retching.
The commotion quickly subsided. After all, it was not a big deal, and with the emperor present, no one wanted to cause any unpleasantness. After a while, calm returned to the seats of the Zhang family.
Xie Ruzhuo looked at Zhang Xiuyan thoughtfully, but had a vague idea in his heart. For some reason, Zhang Xiuyan's appearance just now reminded her of her pregnancy appearance in her previous life for no reason!
But it shouldn't be. She remembered that when the imperial doctor diagnosed her pulse in her previous life, she clearly said that pregnant women would only have symptoms of vomiting after reaching full term. It seems that Zhang Xiuyan was defiled by Xiao Junyi not too long ago—
Xie Ruzhuo thought about it for a long time, but couldn't think of a reason, so he kept the matter in his heart. When she came back to her senses and looked at the bowl in front of her, she suddenly burst into laughter.
After just a moment of daze, Xiao Junxi had already put the peeled shrimps and crabs on the plate in front of her, filling a small plate full of them.
Seeing that she had come to her senses, Xiao Junxi said with a smile on her lips, "Try it."