The matter of Qi Rong was controlled within a very small range. Everyone in the palace just felt that they had not seen each other for a few days, and suddenly heard the news that the daughter of the Hou Di of Zhenbei was engaged, and Qi Rong had now been sent back to the capital in order to prepare for marriage. .
Even though many people felt that the marriage was arranged unexpectedly, or even rushed, but apart from a few mumbles in their hearts, no one was overly concerned. In the final analysis, this is someone else's business, and the person concerned feels that the sky is falling apart, and for others, it is better to worry about the mosquitoes at night.
In contrast, the concubines in the harem were more concerned about another matter, and that was the confrontation between the crown princess and the queen, which seemed to have escalated again. Empress Xiao Qi used to pretend to be a virtuous mother, but now, when Empress Chu came to greet her, Empress Qi could turn cold-faced on the spot.
Zhao Lanhui saw it, but did not know it many times. After returning from the palace, she will follow King Su to become a vassal. Qingyang is thousands of miles away from Beijing, and it is inconvenient for any news. Therefore, Zhao Lanhui has been extra careful to serve Xiao Qi in the past few days. After Xiao Qi. King Su was well aware of the influence of Queen Qi on the emperor, so he specifically instructed Zhao Lanhui to coax Queen Qi well, and when they left the capital, they would have to rely on Queen Qi to say good things in the ear of the emperor.
While serving Xiao Qi, Zhao Lanhui also paid attention to Concubine Shu's mood nervously. Concubine Shu is the adoptive mother of King Su, and Zhao Lanhui is too flattering with the queen, which may make Concubine Shu unhappy. Sandwiched between the two mothers-in-law, it is really hard, every word and every thing you do has to be reconsidered.
When greeting her today, Zhao Lanhui saw Chu Jinyao standing in the palace, with a light expression and slightly downcast eyes, but she couldn't see the cold face of Queen Qi above. Chu Jinyao stood for a while, waited for enough time, and would not fall down on her mother-in-law's handle, and then made a random excuse to leave. Zhao Lanhui was shocked when he saw Chu Jinyao's almost bold move. The new daughter-in-law was not trembling in front of her mother-in-law, as if she was facing a great enemy, but Chu Jinyao stood motionless and left when the time was up.
Zhao Lanhui heard some limelight from the incident a few days ago. If you say sympathy for Qi Rong, it seems that it is not enough, but the posture of Chu Jinyao and the queen tearing their faces makes Zhao Lanhui feel envious.
A woman is a spoiled guest in her parents' family. After she gets married, she has to rely on her mother-in-law's face to live on, but in the end, it is her husband, not her mother-in-law, who wants to spend her life with her. Chu Jinyao dared to face off with her step-mother, and such confidence can only come from her husband.
Many people secretly told Zhao Lanhui that Chu Jinyao was wrong, and Zhao Lanhui also felt that it was too naive to do so, and it was not what a virtuous woman did. But I don't know why, looking at Chu Jinyao and the prince, Zhao Lanhui still couldn't restrain his envy. Chu Jinyao's serious mother-in-law has passed away, and Xiao Qi's stepmother is her stepmother. In addition to the events of the past, Xiao Qi's step-mother is really inappropriate. Therefore, even if Chu Jinyao suffers more and more difficulties, you must know that on the matter of mother-in-law, the prince and Chu Jinyao are on the same position, which is almost no mother-in-law.
Zhao Lanhui, who was trapped in the double mother-in-law, was envious from the bottom of his heart. Like her, King Su respected his aunt and obeyed his adoptive mother, and she, Princess Su, was caught in the middle, and she suffered especially.
Zhao Lanhui watched Chu Jinyao leave on his own, and when Chu Jinyao's back could not be seen, the face behind Xiao Qi was so gloomy that he couldn't see it. The people in the palace saw it, but they didn't realize it. The princess and the queen fought each other. They were small shrimps and millets. Don't mix them into cannon fodder.
After Chu Jinyao came out of Xiao Qi's harem, she took a long breath at the sunlight outside. When Xiao Qi saw that Chu Jinyao was in a bad mood, Chu Jinyao didn't want to see Xiao Qi. If it wasn't for the word "filial piety", who would have come to see her patiently.
Linglong asked, "Prince Concubine, shall we go back to Qide Hall?"
"Don't be in a hurry." Chu Jinyao said, "The weather is fine today, let's take a walk in the garden, and then go back to the palace."
"Yes."
Chu Jinyao was strolling slowly in the garden, and happened to meet Lian Concubine. Since the concubine was "discovered" to be pregnant, in order to separate herself from the concubine, Xiao Qi specially allowed the concubine not to ask for peace, but to raise the baby with peace of mind. Seeing that the month was getting bigger and bigger, the concubine had listened to the advice of the imperial doctor and walked outside more, and happened to meet Chu Jinyao in the garden.
Seeing Chu Jinyao, the concubine was very enthusiastic, and came up to talk to Chu Jinyao: "Prince Concubine, are you also here to relax in the garden?"
"Please come back from the Empress's Palace, and just drop by for a walk. Concubine Lian, be careful, you are heavy, so you must be careful with your feet." Chu Jinyao smiled and talked to Concubine Lian, but secretly paid attention to her and Concubine Lian's relationship. distance. Concubine Lian was pregnant, and many people in the palace could not see her giving birth safely. In order to avoid unnecessary trouble, Chu Jinyao kept a distance from Concubine Lian. Chu Jinyao didn't want Lian Concubine to be plotted against by someone, accidentally fell, and finally fell on her head.
The concubine obviously knew her situation. In fact, she has always admired Chu Jinyao. In terms of identity, Chu Jinyao is a prince concubine under one person. In terms of reason, the concubine was diagnosed with pregnancy by the imperial doctor. If it wasn't for Chu Jinyao and the prince to expose it, the concubine would have to drink the talisman water to exorcise evil spirits. At that time, the concubine was frightened, and she wanted to let the Taoist priest remove the yin fire for her, but when she returned to the palace, she slowly reacted, and she immediately broke out in a cold sweat.
There are a lot of taboos for pregnant people, and the things that go into the mouth are even more cautious. If she really drinks the talisman water given by Wang Ming, can she still be pregnant with the emperor
Lian Concubine didn't dare to think about it. Afterwards, the emperor did not pursue Xiao Qi's guilt. Lian Concubine became more and more frightened, and did not dare to mention a word. The situation in the harem is like this. After Liushui's favorite concubine beat Xiao Qi, no one can compete head-on with Xiao Qi. Therefore, the concubine became more and more grateful for Chu Jinyao's kindness that day. She said, "Since I left Xi Nei, I have been inconvenient, and I have never found a chance to thank the princess in person. The time I fell into the water in April, I would like to thank the princess."
What Lian Concubine said was not just falling into the water, but more about Wang Mingci pretending to be a ghost, but after this incident involved Xiao Qi, Lian Concubine and Chu Jinyao both avoided mentioning it. Chu Jinyao understood in her heart, so she said: "Pity concubine Niangniang is polite, this is just the righteousness. What's more, even if I didn't have me on that day, someone else would jump down to save Niangniang up. Niangniang can relax, you have Ancestor bless me, everything will be fine."
"That's what I said, but the crown princess has a great kindness to me after all, and the concubine should thank her face to face." The concubine still insisted, and even wanted to thank Chu Jinyao, Chu Jinyao hurriedly asked the maid to support her, and everyone was in chaos , pity concubine this gave up.
Seeing that the concubine finally stopped, Chu Jinyao was also secretly relieved. Concubine Lian's heart is good, but the child in her belly is the public enemy of the harem. Chu Jinyao doesn't want to be contaminated, and Concubine Lian came here specially today. Apart from thanking her, did she also have the idea of making good friends with the East Palace
Lian Concubine knew too much about the shady scene in the harem. She was in a panic all day after she became pregnant, for fear of angering Xiao Qi. Even now she was named a concubine and was favored by the emperor, but she was still afraid. Therefore, regardless of reason or reason, the concubine wanted to befriend Chu Jinyao very much. Her child was twenty years younger than the prince, and the emperor must not be able to count on it. It can be said that the lives of their mother and child are in the hands of the prince. Here, the concubine didn't have the courage to beg the crown prince, so she could only do more to please the crown princess.
It's not hard to guess what the concubine is thinking, and Chu Jinyao is noncommittal about it. The concubines in the harem regarded the concubines as a thorn in their side, but this had no effect on Chu Jinyao, even if the concubines did give birth to a son, the prince and Qin Yi were twenty years apart, even if the emperor favored the younger son again, There will be no threat to Qin Yi. The second prince was only two years younger than Qin Yi, and he took a slow step, and now he had to stay away from the East Palace, not to mention the fetus in the womb of the concubine who didn't even know the gender.
Chu Jinyao has no intention of getting involved in the harem battle. She is not of the same level as these concubines. She doesn't care who is favored and who is not favored, but the concubines are the exact opposite. So along the way, the concubines were actively looking for topics, and gradually, the two of them talked about the child: "Pregnancy is really torturous, these days I have become more and more afraid of the heat, fortunately the emperor is gracious and approved I will accompany the frame, the palace is much cooler than the palace after all. Otherwise, I really don’t dare to think about it.”
Chu Jinyao laughed after hearing this: "Why is this torture, it's obviously a blessing."
The concubine touched her bulging belly, and her face was covered with a soft light: "What a blessing, I can't wait for him to come out now, and save me tossing me."
"Miss Lianbi, what are you worried about, you are eight months old now, and in two more months, the child is about to come out, and you can't stop it." Chu Jinyao said as his thoughts drifted, "It's already July, my sister's The month is enough, and I don’t know when I will give birth.”
Chu Jinxian is already very heavy, and the birth date is in July, so she did not accompany her to escape the summer, but stayed in the capital to give birth. But Chu Jinyao, as the crown princess, had to accompany her, leaving Chu Jinxian alone in Beijing to give birth, Chu Jinyao was worried.
When the concubine heard it, she wondered: "Sister Ling is also expecting to give birth in the past two days? It's a blessing. Was the first child a son or a young lady?"
Chu Jinyao's smile remained unchanged, and she corrected, "This is my sister's first child."
Lian Concubine was suddenly embarrassed. Chu Jinyao had been married for more than half a year. She heard that she had been preparing for marriage for a year. She thought that Chu Jinyao's sister was already quite young, so she asked what the previous child was. She wanted to say that it was just right Can put together a good word. Unexpectedly, Chu Jinyao's sister was also the first child.
Lian Concubine's face was embarrassed, it seemed that the Crown Princess's sister was really struggling with the heir, Lian Concubine couldn't help but think of Chu Jinyao, and it was hard to say anything.
It is not difficult for Chu Jinyao to understand the scruples and embarrassment of the concubine. The front court of the harem was all staring at the children of the east palace, but she did not move. In fact, half a year is not a long time, but there is no concubine in the East Palace, Qin Yi stays by her side every day, so that she is not pregnant yet, it is a bit unreasonable.
Lian Concubine accidentally encountered the taboo of the Crown Princess, and felt embarrassed and scared. Instead, Chu Jinyao came to comfort her: "Niangniang, be careful with your feet."
Lian Concubine agreed, they have been out for a long time, not to mention that Lian Concubine has touched on the hidden worries of the Crown Princess, and she is more afraid to scold here. Chu Jinyao and Lian Concubine said a few more polite words, and then went back to the palace. .
In the Qide Hall, Qin Yi was wearing a white gilt-trimmed uniform and strode back from the outside. He walked straight into the main hall, and after walking around the room, he turned around and asked, "Why is there no one?"
Xiao Linzi's brows twitched, and the corner of his eyes glanced at the maids in the hall, thinking that these are not human? Even though he was sulking in his heart, Xiao Linzi still smiled happily and said, "Prince Concubine went to pay her respects, but she has not returned yet. Your Highness, do you want a servant to find the Concubine and come back?"
to greet you? Qin Yi frowned unconsciously. He hasn't come back yet. Could it be that Xiao Qi embarrassed Chu Jinyao? Qin Yi's face was sullen, and he walked out without saying a word. Xiao Linzi and the others hurriedly followed behind: "Prince Prince, where are you going?"
"His Royal Highness?" Chu Jinyao just entered the door, and happened to see Qin Yi walking out with a gloomy face, she wondered, "His Royal Highness, what's wrong with you? Why do you want to go out again?"
Seeing Chu Jinyao, Qin Yi breathed a sigh of relief: "Why did you go so long today, please?"
"I was passing by the garden when I came back, and I happened to meet the concubine, so I stopped and talked for a while." Chu Jinyao looked at the battle behind Qin Yi doubtfully, "Your Highness, are you going out?"
Xiao Linzi watched Qin Yi's face instantly gloomy, and then instantly improved. Qin Yi didn't say anything, just waved his hand, and Xiao Linzi and the others stepped back obediently. Chu Jinyao walked inside with Qin Yi. She saw Xiao Linzi's behavior and understood in her heart: "Your Highness, are you going out to find me?"
Chu Jinyao was a little flattered. Qin Yi didn't answer. After the two walked into the room, Qin Yi pulled Chu Jinyao to sit beside him. He looked carefully for a while and asked, "Did she embarrass you today?"
It is self-evident who this "she" refers to. Chu Jinyao shook her head. She knew that the expression on her face could not be concealed from Qin Yi, so she thought about concealing it at all: "No, although she has a bad face, she is still polite to me and has never made things difficult for her."
Speaking of this, Chu Jinyao felt unbelievable. She fell out with the queen that day because of Qi Rong. Chu Jinyao was ready to be embarrassed by Xiao Qi, but unexpectedly, Xiao Qi was just cold. Face, put her aside and don't pay attention, other than that, there is no other action. In addition to the accident, Chu Jinyao was secretly vigilant. She didn't think Empress Xiao Qi was a generous person. Empress Xiao Qi was ruthless and narrow-minded. Now Xiao Qi's lack of action can only make Chu Jinyao feel dangerous, this is like the last calm before the mountain rain.
Qin Yi was obviously prepared, the enemy didn't move and I didn't move, but secretly, the protection around Chu Jinyao was much tighter. Qin Yi clearly made a lot of preparations, but every time Chu Jinyao went out alone, he was still worried: "There are many people in the palace, you must be careful when you are outside. If you want to go anywhere, send someone to look for me, and I will accompany you. You go."
Chu Jinyao was moved when she heard these words. Qin Yi was the crown prince. During this period of time in the palace, she had to serve the emperor, receive ministers, and take time to deal with state affairs. So, he still thinks about himself. Chu Jinyao knew that as long as she sent someone to tell Qin Yi, Qin Yi would definitely find a way to postpone official duties and come over to accompany her, but husband and wife had to be considerate of each other, and it was enough for Qin Yi to have this heart, Chu Jinyao knew Jin Yao would not be so ignorant, making it difficult for him to do things in front of his courtiers.
Chu Jinyao understood in her heart, but she would not refuse Qin Yi's good intentions, but responded with great appreciation: "Thank you, Your Highness. If I often disturb Your Highness in the future, you can't be bothered by me!"
Qin Yi is a master of insight into people's hearts. Looking at Chu Jinyao's expression, she knows that she is not willing to do this. He sighed in his heart, Chu Jinyao has always been a sensible and general person, Qin Yi has always thought that being sensible is one of the most rare virtues of a woman, but when it comes to Chu Jinyao, he always feels distressed: "In me In front of you, you don't have to be so careful, it's okay to be arrogant."
Chu Jinyao smiled gracefully, and her eyes brightened like stars at that moment: "This is what you said, and the concubine will obey His Royal Highness's orders."
Qin Yi just sat with Chu Jinyao for a while, and then went to the study to reply to the letter. Chu Jinyao had nothing to do, so he also went to deal with the affairs of the palace. The days in the palace were so unhurried, and one afternoon, Linglong suddenly came in beaming and said, "Prince Concubine, just now the Zhao family sent someone from the capital to pass a letter, saying that it was the aunt's grandmother giving birth. It's gone!"
Chu Jinyao was surprised and delighted: "Really? How is my sister?"
"Mother and son are safe, my aunt gave birth to a son!"
Chu Jinyao's heart was settled, and at this time, overwhelming joy came over the sky: "It's good that mother and son are safe, God bless you!"
Chu Jinyao and Linglong asked Linglong for more details. The more she asked, the happier she became. She simply asked someone to take out the newly delivered fine silk, and she personally made small clothes for her little nephew.
In fact, since Chu Jinxian became pregnant, Chu Jinyao has prepared many clothes for children, but today it is finally ripe, and Chu Jinyao is so happy that she has to make a few more clothes. Qi De Hall was beaming with joy, Linglong went to fetch the needle and thread basket, Chu Jinyao looked at the clusters of flowers outside the hall, her eyes narrowed slightly: "There is a withered flower there, someone will take care of it later."
Kikyo and a few people heard it and quickly responded. Because of Chu Jinxian's incident, Chu Jinyao was happy for several days here. However, the joy in this world always pays attention to one thing and another. One afternoon, Wan Lai was quiet and the breeze was breezy. Chu Jinyao was looking at the children's clothes when there was a sudden sound of rushing running on the stone steps.
Chu Jinyao had a premonition that something was wrong and raised her head. The eunuch who reported the letter ran out of breath, and he said out of breath: "Prince Concubine, the big thing is not good, the concubine has a miscarriage!"