The people in the palace are the most sensitive. Some people think that these are just chasing shadows and seeking troubles.
Concubine Shu had been a child since the emperor was still a prince. Even her original wife Da Qi had been dead for many years, but Concubine Shu was still beautiful. Concubine Shu was able to live for so long, and it was obvious that she would not rely on the emperor's old love.
In the past few days, Concubine Shu has smelled some unusual news. What happened in the emperor's palace that day has been silenced. The emperor, the queen, the prince and the prince were all present. It is unknown what they said, but after that The concubine was rewarded with many things, but it was impossible to hide it.
Concubine Shu sat on the chair and looked at these people in the room with a vague gaze.
Chu Jinyao came to greet Xiao Qi today. When she entered the door, she found that Concubine Shu and Zhao Lanhui were also there. There are few concubines in the palace, and Concubine Shu often spends time here after Xiao Qi, and Zhao Lanhui, as Concubine Shu's daughter-in-law, certainly does not dare to leave.
Chu Jinyao took a glance and looked away. She greeted Xiao Qi according to the rules. After the mutual greeting was over, Chu Jinyao stood aside and waited quietly.
Chu Jinyao and Zhao Lanhui are both the daughters-in-law of the royal family, and they can sit down on big occasions when there is a foreign wife, but it is difficult for them both to sit on the occasion of their own family. Zhao Lanhui stood beside Concubine Shu, while Chu Jinyao chose a place to stand on the left behind Xiao Qi.
Presumably Empress Xiao Qi already hated Chu Jinyao, and Chu Jinyao didn't want to see Empress Xiao Qi. The strange atmosphere between the crown princess and the queen could not be concealed from the others, but everyone in the room pretended not to know, still talking and laughing softly.
It has been almost a month since the miscarriage of the concubine, and she has to go to greet Xiao Qi if she is unwilling. Lian Concubine fell to the East Palace in the last court battle. She was thinking of her own future, but before the future came, she still had to bite the bullet and be small for the queen.
Concubine Lian tremblingly saluted Xiao Qihou, and Empress Qi sneered without hesitation, ignoring Lian Concubine. Xiao Qi's laughter was so obvious that everyone in the room could hear it clearly. All of a sudden, everyone didn't dare to speak any more, but the concubine kept her greeting, feeling her whole body trembling.
Chu Jinyao understood that this scene was made for her to see. Chu Jinyao was very calm and watched her heart. Time passed silently, and I don't know how long it took, Xiao Qi seemed to see the concubine afterward: "It turned out to be the concubine, you just lost your child and your body is weak, and even the emperor has specially graciously allowed you to rest in peace. Why is concubinage today? Remember that this palace is here, please be safe?"
Lian Concubine's forehead was full of sweat: "Concubines and concubines don't dare. Empress is the queen. Even if you give concubines and concubines great courage, they don't dare to be disrespectful to empresses."
Xiao Qihou sneered and said pointedly, "Don't you dare? This palace sees that you are very courageous."
What Xiao Qi said was clearly aimed at Chu Jinyao, the concubine was no more than a palace maid, and now she was trembling with fear, she couldn't help but think about Chu Jinyao.
After Xiao Qi noticed Lian Concubine's gaze, before Chu Jinyao could say anything, Xiao Qi was already furious: "Yo, what do you think the Crown Princess is doing when this palace asks you? Can't compare to the Crown Princess?"
Chu Jinyao despises Xiao Qi's unreasonable vexatiousness, and the dignified queen is now acting like a shrewd woman who has nothing to do. But after Xiao Qi's words have come to this point, Chu Jinyao can't help but express his position: "The Queen's concubine is strange, everyone in the palace is respectful to the queen, and I have always respected the empress, I don't know where the queen's concubine came from. When you come to the harem, do you think everyone in the harem is disrespectful to you?"
Chu Jinyao deliberately blurred the key words, and finally extended it to everyone in the harem. The other concubines and imperial concubines present were also dragged into the water, so naturally they could no longer watch the play. When Xiao Qi saw that Chu Jinyao was vague again, she squinted her eyes, and the cold light in her eyes almost turned into reality. Since she entered the palace, Chu Jinyao has been calling her the Empress Empress. Xiao Qi didn't realize this at first. It was only when she was mentioned by the emperor yesterday that Xiao Qi realized that what Chu Jinyao did was respectful. It's obvious that he looks down on himself, the queen! Chu Jinyao never called Xiao Qi's mother, because in Chu Jinyao's heart, her real mother-in-law was only Da Qi's mother.
Xiao Qi was really angry and sneered. When she first entered the palace, Xiao Qi saw that Chu Jinyao was docile and courteous, and thought she was a peaceful person, so she showed mercy to Chu Jinyao. Thinking about it now, Queen Qi felt that she was a joke. From the beginning, Chu Jinyao didn't take her seriously. Every time Chu Jinyao called her "Queen Empress", she might still laugh at her for being unmatched. Woolen cloth.
Xiao Qi was so angry that a knife could fly out of his eyes. She made no secret of her malice towards Chu Jinyao, and said yin and yang angrily: "Prince Concubine really knows how to talk, no wonder the Prince and the Emperor do not listen to others, but only listen to what the Concubine has to say. This palace is stupid, not as good as the Concubine's ability to speak. Be a good person. The Queen of this palace, how dare to discipline the crown princess."
"The Queen's words are not good. In front of the emperor, who can compare with you? You are really good at speaking and winning the sacred heart. I am just seeking truth from facts."
Queen Qi's expression changed immediately. Chu Jinyao was mocking the last time she had pity on the concubine. Queen Qi was buying pity and showing affection, which could be regarded as coaxing the emperor to let go of the poison. And Chu Jinyao's last sentence "seeking truth from facts" was even more ironic. In the eyes of Xiao Qi, it was tantamount to hitting her directly in the face.
Queen Qi was furious. If there were no others, she would have to give Chu Jinyao a lesson, but now that Concubine Shu and several other palace concubines were still there, Queen Qi didn't want to stab her disgrace into the hands of her enemy. Quickly glanced at Concubine Shu, and forcibly suppressed this matter.
Concubine Shu sat on the side, still smiling softly and decently, but her brows were slightly raised. The Princess Concubine's words sounded fine, but she couldn't hide it from the ears of the old Jianghu Concubine Shu. Concubine Shu clearly felt that the Princess Concubine meant the Queen, but Queen Qi could endure such a provocation
This is very tricky. Concubine Shu remembered the abnormality during this time, and her heart became more and more determined. She must find out what happened in the emperor's palace a few days ago.
After Xiao Qi endured Chu Jinyao's sarcasm, he became more and more panicked. In the past, Xiao Qi acted like a queen, and refused to use those tricks to spar with her daughter-in-law in the house. She thought these tactics were straightforward and vulgar, and only vicious but stupid women in the mortal world would do such deeds. Xiao Qi has a very high self-esteem, she designed one after another delicate traps, playing with authority without losing a motherly posture, this is what smart people do. It's a pity that Xiao Qi never imagined that the traps she designed would be dismantled by Chu Jinyao one by one, and now they are backlashing on her. Xiao Qi now understands that no matter how sophisticated and complex strategies are, there are flaws, but the most primitive ones. The tricks, although not popular, but useful.
Xiao Qi covered his mouth and nose and coughed twice on purpose. With such an attitude, the other palace concubines had to ask, "Empress Empress, what's the matter with you?"
"Hey, the weather has changed a lot these days. Last night, maybe the wind was blowing, and I had a headache." Xiao Qi smiled and said, "Forget it, it's alright, I'll be fine for a while."
"How can I endure this?" Zhao Lanhui said, "The Empress is a precious and precious body. You are the mother of the country. The Phoenix body is not only related to the harem, but also to the whole world. Empress, you have a headache and a fever is a big deal. Not to mention that you had a cold yesterday, or will your daughter-in-law call an imperial doctor for you now?"
"Princess Su is really filial. It's not a shame that she is a noble daughter from the Duke of Wei's house. When I see the eldest princess next time, I must talk to the eldest princess."
Xiao Qi glanced at Chu Jinyao after speaking, but Chu Jinyao stood calmly without even changing his eyes. After Xiao Qi deliberately mentioned Zhao Lanhui's family background, he was faintly piercing Chu Jinyao's heart, but Chu Jinyao didn't care.
Zhao Lanhui received the praise, pursed his lips and smiled, and glanced at Chu Jinyao without a trace.
After Xiao Qi deliberately praised Zhao Lanhui, she saw that Chu Jinyao was not jealous and angry, but she was not in a hurry, but lightly pressed her forehead with her fingertips, and said slowly: "Princess Su's filial piety is accepted by this palace, but please ask the imperial physician. Toss, that's all."
"Niangniang, you can't despise your own body like this." Lan Yu, who was standing beside Xiao Qi, answered, "Yi Numaid, since Niangniang doesn't want to bother too many people, let's cook a pigeon soup below. Pigeon nourishes yin and qi, the most nourishing, and it is suitable for the empress. It’s just that the servants are not meticulous enough after all, you have to find someone who has a heart to watch it.”
As soon as the words fell, everyone in the palace was quiet, and being able to cook medicine for the queen was obviously filial and dignified. Zhao Lanhui's face is not very good-looking, stewing pigeon is the most time-consuming, and Zhao Lanhui doesn't want to go to the kitchen for pickling, but she wants filial piety, so she can only bite the bullet and say: "If the mother doesn't dislike it, why not? I'll go watch."
Xiao Qi smiled without saying a word, but his eyes swept to Chu Jinyao. Chu Jinyao is the crown princess, and Zhao Lanhui is just the princess. No matter in terms of age or honor, Chu Jinyao cannot let Zhao Lanhui pass her. What's more, Queen Qi's words were aimed at her.
Chu Jinyao didn't need Queen Qi and Lan Yu to sing and go around in circles, she directly pointed it out: "Princess Su has such filial piety, it is really rare, but as the eldest daughter-in-law, filial piety to the queen, etc., I can't let it go. On to my younger brother and sister. Empress, I have never stewed pigeons, if the heat is not well controlled, please forgive me."
"Prince Concubine has this intention, this palace is really pleased." Xiao Qihou slowly covered her lips and said slowly, "Prince Concubine is self-effacing, I heard that the Concubine is very capable, and the needle and thread on the stove can't be better, let you It's more reassuring to go than to let Princess Su go."
Zhao Lanhui heard Xiao Qi's implication and lowered his head and smiled. A noble woman, what can she do with needle and thread on the stove? After Xiao Qi, this is insinuating that Chu Jinyao once grew up in a peasant household, so he does this kind of rough work. With Zhao Lanhui, she has never even entered the kitchen.
Chu Jinyao despises the complacent attitude of these people. It is a blessing to be able to reincarnate in a wealthy township and not have to do rough work all their lives. They are not grateful. Chu Jinyao never felt that there was anything shameful about her background. It was not her fault that she was living in the people. She learned a lot of survival skills from the Su family, which was a good thing. Besides, if not, how could she have met Qin Yi?
Zhao Lanhui and Empress Xiao Qi couldn't figure out why Qin Yi asked for the decree in person and insisted on making Chu Jinyao the concubine. Even after they got married, they never had a concubine.
Chu Jinyao said with a smile, "Just be filial to the queen, as long as the mother likes it." After speaking, she didn't care about the gloating or self-righteous gazes of other people in the hall, and turned around and went out.
The character of filial piety is greater than the sky, and Xiao Qi's filial hat was buckled down. Chu Jinyao knew that the other party was not well-intentioned, so she had to go to the kitchen to make soup in person. Chu Jinyao was the Crown Princess, so she naturally didn't need her to do things like making soup, but since she was here to stew pigeons "for" the Queen's concubine, she naturally had to do her best, not to mention the female officials who followed the Queen. Everyone in the kitchen did not dare to come out, and they handled the pigeons in their hands tremblingly. Chu Jinyao stood in a clean place and watched the whole process.
Pigeon soup is really a great tonic, especially suitable for women, but since it is a soup that nourishes yin and qi, naturally the longer it needs to be stewed, the better. Even if Chu Jinyao didn't have to do it, it was not a good experience to stand for two hours in the smoky kitchen. When the pigeon soup was finally ready, Linglong hurried forward to take the white porcelain cup.
Chu Jinyao whispered, "Be careful."
"The servant understands."
By the time they walked back to the palace behind Xiao Qi, it was already noon. It was fine when I came out in the morning, but I didn't expect the weather to change drastically in just a moment. The sky is overcast by now, and the wind on the corridor has also brought damp and cool moisture.
"It's going to rain." The palace servants in the palace were all nervous, Chu Jinyao walked to the front of Xiaoqi's main hall and was stopped from a distance: "Prince Concubine, Niangniang is seeing a guest, please wait a moment. ."
It's noon, and it's going to rain soon. Which family member would not have eyes like this to visit the queen at such a time? Chu Jinyao glanced at the palace maid who was spreading the word, and the maid flinched at the sight. She did not dare to look at Chu Jinyao, and left the sentence "Prince Concubine wait for a while", and then quickly slipped away .
Chu Jinyao waited for a while, the wind on the corridor gradually became wet and heavy, and there were already muffled thunder in the sky from time to time, and it was obvious that it was going to rain soon. Before the rain, the wind was strong and cold, so Linglong couldn't help but stop a palace maid and asked, "Is it still not over yet
The palace maid dared not pretend to be invisible, so she could only go in and report. As soon as the palace maid left, Princess Rongan and Zhao Lanhui came out of the palace. Zhao Lanhui saw Chu Jinyao, his eyes changed, and he saluted Chu Jinyao with a smile: "Prince Concubine."
Chu Jinyao nodded in response. Princess Rong'an looked at Chu Jinyao thoughtfully. They were kept by the queen for dinner. They knew that the princess was coming as early as the meal, but the queen didn't mention it, and Princess Rong'an pretended not to know. Her daughter Zhao Lanhui is also the imperial concubine, and King Su was targeted by the crown prince some time ago. Now that Chu Jinyao was being harassed by the queen, Princess Rongan was secretly pleased, and she deliberately and warmly said two words to Chu Jinyao, And then happily walked away.
Linglong watched with anger from the side. It seemed that the eldest princess and Princess Su had just had a meal with the queen, and the crown prince was waiting outside, but they were eating in the house. It was really outrageous. After a while, the female official who just reported the letter came out again: "Prince Concubine, Empress has a headache from the wind and has fallen asleep. Prince Concubine, please wait a moment."
Linglong was completely pissed off. She was the most stable of the maidservants. Even so, she was so angry now that she almost wanted to talk to the queen's palace maid. Chu Jinyao raised her hand calmly and stopped Linglong's movements. , his eyes turned vaguely and sneered: "Since the empress is going to take a nap, let's wait for a while."
This wait didn't stop for a while, the rain finally fell from the sky, the summer rain came fast, the thunder roared, the strong wind mixed with the rain raging everywhere, and there was only a huge water curtain left in the sky and the earth. The place where Chu Jinyao stood just happened to be the air vent, and the rain was blown into the corridor by the wind, and the corners of Chu Jinyao's clothes were wet in a moment.
Linglong was angry and distressed at the same time, she handed the cold pigeon soup to the other maids, and stood by the railing to shield Chu Jinyao from the wind. But how much Linglong can block, Chu Jinyao was inevitably half wet. She stood in the kitchen all morning, and now the wind was blowing through the hall mixed with rain, and she felt a cool chill from the back of her back, and her lower abdomen was faint. Falling pain.
Several maids in the East Palace went to invite the queen again and again, but the news was always that the queen was still taking a nap, and Linglong quietly sent someone to inform the prince, but seeing such a heavy rain, I am afraid that the news will not pass for a while. After a while, Lan Yu walked out of the palace and said to Chu Jinyao with a smile: "Prince Concubine has been waiting for a long time, Niangniang has a headache, and she can't sleep well in the afternoon nap. I have a headache to invite the princess in."
Chu Jinyao laughed unabashedly, full of sarcasm: "The queen is finally awake?"
Lan Yu's smile didn't change, and she said, "Isn't that true? It's just that Empress has just woken up, and she has to tidy up her hair. The Crown Princess will wait a while." Lan Yu's eyes glanced at the cup of pigeon soup, and she raised her eyebrows and smiled. : "Prince Concubine really has filial piety, but these tonics are always best to drink while they are hot. Now that they are cold, they can no longer be brought to the empress. Come on, take this bowl of pigeon soup down."
At that moment, Linglong wanted to throw the bowl of soup on Lanyu's face. The maids from the Queen's Palace came to pick up the white porcelain gu. Coincidentally, a group of eunuchs came from behind at this time. They collided with each other and spilled the soup. Linglong's eyes quickly blocked in front of Chu Jinyao. Chu Jinyao was not poured by the pigeon soup, but she was so frightened that her stomach hurt for some reason. The team of eunuchs in the back saw that they had collided with the Crown Princess and rushed over to apologize. They were here to change the ice cubes in the Queen's Palace. Halfway through, one of the eunuchs slipped and bumped into another person, knocking over a basin of ice cubes and cracking. smashed to the ground.
Chu Jinyao also inevitably hit several pieces on her body. The ice cubes were extremely cold. Chu Jinyao's face became paler and paler when she was exposed to such ice. Linglong looked wrong. : "Prince Concubine, how are you? Concubine!"
"Quickly announce the imperial doctor, the princess has fainted!"