In the royal capital in July, the heat is unbearable.
Nangong Yue became a little lazy, and she loved to nest next to the ice basin, never leaving the house.
This summer is much hotter than previous years. Most people started using ice basins as early as the end of May. In July, the stockpiled ice seems to be not enough. The price of ice in the capital is skyrocketing. almost reached its peak in several years.
Xiao Yi knew that Nangong Yue was afraid of the heat, so besides the ice cellars in the mansion, he ordered people to go out to buy ice early on. Seeing that the ice in the mansion had only been used up for less than half, several carts arrived.
Nangong Yue's heart was warm, and she happily ordered: "Put half of it in the ice cellar, and send the other half to Nangong Mansion. Brother Heng is young, last time my mother said that he has been too hot to sleep well every night recently. , the mansion is shopping around for ice, and this is just right."
Que'er agreed with a smile, and hurried to do it.
Not long after, the two women brought in the newly added ice basin, and after placing it, they retreated with low eyebrows and passed by Baihui who was coming in.
"Concubine Shizi." Lily came in with a red card, blessed Fushen and said, "The gift list for the second prince's opening of the mansion has been drawn up, just take a look and see if it's all right."
Nangong Yue took it and glanced at it.
In ten days, the second prince will leave the palace to open the mansion, and the time set by the clan mansion for the third prince is in September.
The corners of Nangong Yue's lips curled up slightly, and she said: "It's not convenient for me and the prince to go when the prince opens the mansion. Let's give a slightly heavier gift... I remember that there is a green-glazed suanni incense burner in the warehouse, and it's almost enough to add it. "
"Yes." Lily responded, but did not back down, but replied, "Shi Zifei, just now someone from the Bai family sent a message saying that it is Miss Baibiao's birthday in a few days, and I want to invite Shi Zifei to come."
"Ask me?" Nangong Yue said with a smile, "It's a good thing they figured it out... Well, after the Jinxinhui, the Bai family paid a lot of attention to my cousin."
Nangong Yue knew without thinking that such an invitation would definitely not be Bai Muxiao's own wish, after all, the two of them hate each other very much now. I'm afraid that the Bai family wants to make a face for Bai Muxiao by using her cousin as the eldest concubine. After all, after the third prince opens the mansion, Bai Muxiao will be carried in.
"Go back for me."
Bai He complied, and then said with some indignation: "Miss Baibiao is just entering the prince's mansion as a concubine, and she wants you to embarrass herself."
"That's not necessarily true." Nangong Yue smiled, shook her finger and said, "Cousin Bai has done a great job this time, I'm afraid the emperor will give her some face."
Lily was surprised and said: "Prince Princess, you mean..."
"My cousin Bai will probably enter the Prince's Mansion as a side concubine this time." Nangong Yue said indifferently, knowing that to Bai Muxiao, there is not much difference between a side concubine and a concubine. All Bai Muxiao wanted was to be the main wife forever. She paused, and said with great interest, "It depends on whether the third princess is smart this time."
Lily's eyes widened, and the black eyes were full of curiosity.
Nangong Yue flatly satisfied her curiosity, and said: "If the third concubine is smarter, follows the trend, and takes the initiative to ask for Bai Muxiao's position as a side concubine, the third prince may still miss her a little bit." Otherwise, even if she disagrees, it is impossible to change the result."
Lily said sadly: "I suddenly feel that the third concubine is a bit pitiful." Knowing that her husband's heart is on other women, she still pretends to be virtuous and asks her back for him, "The concubine, you Do you think the third imperial concubine will really have to ask?"
Nangong Yue said casually: "Yes, in her current situation, only by pleasing the Third Prince can she win his heart. Even if she didn't think of this, her natal family will probably come to persuade her."
As Nangong Yue guessed, after the third concubine Cui Yanyan sent her natal mother away, she sat silently for a long time.
Nanny Lin looked at her distressedly, and was about to step forward to comfort her, when Cui Yanyan sighed, stood up and said, "I'll go to Fengluan Palace."
"Big girl..."
"Nurse, I remember all the words you persuaded me last time." Cui Yanyan sneered slightly, "If Bai Muxiao's status is too low after entering the mansion, I'm afraid it will be the same with that cloaked saint." If they can’t fight, they have to be evenly matched.”
Cui Yanyan straightened her back, and said word by word: "No matter how they fight, I am the upright and imperial concubine conferred by the imperial decree!"
"Miss, you are right." Nanny Lin said comfortingly, "His Royal Highness the Third Prince will think of you one day."
Cui Yanyan lowered her eyes slightly and said, "... let's go."
…
So, as soon as Han Lingfu returned to Minghua Palace at night, he saw Cui Yanyan who was waiting for him in front of the study.
Han Lingfu was a little irritable due to the heat, and even more annoyed when he saw Cui Yanyan, so he went straight into the study without even looking at her.
Cui Yanyan hurriedly followed in. Facing Han Lingfu's impatient gaze, she forcibly restrained the sourness and anger in her heart, softened her voice, and said in a virtuous manner: "Your Highness, I think that we will leave the palace soon. Today, I went to see the empress."
"Meet the queen?"
"Yes." Cui Yanyan took a few steps forward and said with a smile, "I'm thinking about it. After opening the mansion, Miss Bai will enter the mansion..."
Upon hearing the word "Bai Girl", Han Lingfu's expression turned serious, his gaze pierced Cui Yanyan's body like a knife, and he said sharply, "What do you want to do?"
"Your Highness, you have misunderstood." Cui Yanyan quickly defended, "I think that it is a bit low for Miss Bai to enter the mansion as a concubine, so I begged the queen to raise her status for Miss Bai."
Hearing what she said, Han Lingfu was overjoyed, and hurriedly asked, "What did you say?"
"Your Majesty agrees." Cui Yanyan smiled like a flower, as if what the Empress agreed was something so important to her, "After we open the mansion, Miss Bai will enter the mansion as a side concubine."
Han Lingfu was immediately overjoyed. Although he knew that his Xiao'er had made great contributions this time, it was very likely that he would get rid of the fate of being a concubine. He had originally planned to find an opportunity to mention it to the empress, but he did not expect Cui Yanyan to be so knowledgeable and interesting this time. It would be more appropriate for her, the third concubine, to speak up than to mention it himself.
Satisfied, Han Lingfu nodded and said, "Thank you for your hard work this time. Your love is here."
Cui Yanyan concealed the bitterness in her heart, and said with a smile: "Your Highness's words are wrong. You and I are husband and wife, and I also hope to share the labor and relieve your worries. Miss Bai is talented, beautiful, and is His Highness's confidante. The concubine also likes her very much."
"It's good that you know." Han Ling pouted, and said, "Be good as your third concubine, and I will not treat you badly."
Cui Yanyan bent her knees and said, "Thank you, Your Highness." Seeing Han Lingfu's face full of joy and in a good mood, she said carefully, "Your Highness, are you ready to eat? Today the palace sent some fresh fish , The concubine ordered the small kitchen to be made, Your Highness..."
She just accomplished a big event for herself today, and when Xiao'er enters the mansion in the future... Although I forgive Cui Yanyan for not daring to treat Xiao'er badly, but after all, it would be good if she can take care of Xiao'er a little more in the inner house.
Thinking of this, Han Lingfu felt that it was better not to sweep Cui Yanyan's face too much, and said, "I'll have dinner with you."
Cui Yanyan was overjoyed. Since she married into the palace, this was the first time that Han Lingfu had a meal with her. She was about to order someone to prepare the meal quickly, when she heard Han Lingfu say: "The empress can tell you when she will make the edict?"
Cui Yanyan's heart suddenly felt cold, and her hands covered in her sleeves were tightly clenched into fists, allowing her nails to be deeply stuck in her flesh, and she smiled without showing any traces on her face, and said: "Your Majesty said, these two days will decree..."
Han Lingfu was overjoyed, and he couldn't wait to see Xiao'er's happy smile after learning the good news.
Under Han Lingfu's earnest anticipation, the queen's imperial edict was finally delivered, and the matter of Bai Muxiao being made the third prince's side concubine was finally settled!
The whole White Mansion seemed to be infused with vitality. There was light on all sides of the mansion, and there was wind when walking. They felt that the future of their White Mansion was bright.
That's the third prince's side concubine!
A side concubine is different from a concubine in that she can get a jade certificate, even if it is a girl from an official family of the fourth or fifth rank, it is not so easy to enter the third prince's mansion as a side concubine!
Ever since Bai Muxiao returned to the White Mansion from Nangong Mansion, she has been living in that small courtyard located in the northwest corner of the White Mansion. . Those maids and wives who are good at making money come to chat with Bai Muxiao's maids in the yard from time to time, and get acquainted with Bai Muxiao, thinking that maybe the big girl will fall in love with her, and she will be able to marry her as a dowry Go to the Third Prince's Mansion.
Not only the servants, but even the old lady, Mrs. Zhou, showed great love and care for Bai Muxiao. Every day, she greeted Bai Muxiao, as if Bai Muxiao had always been her most beloved granddaughter, as if the discord and unhappiness in the past few years had never happened. happened before…
No, early in the morning, Bai Muxiao went to Mrs. Zhou's room to greet Mrs. Zhou, and Mrs. Zhou immediately called Bai Muxiao to her eyes with a smile, "Sister Xiao, come here quickly!"
Looking at Bai Muxiao's moon-white dress, Mrs. Zhou said again: "Sister Xiao, you are about to marry into the third prince's residence, why are you still dressed so plainly?" Mrs. Zhou held Bai Muxiao lovingly. The right hand, the attitude is extremely intimate.
Since Mrs. Zhou wanted to play the role of Zu Ci and Sun Xiao, Bai Muxiao also cooperated and said: "Thank you for your love, grandma. Xiao'er is naturally more casual in her own home." She was thinking sarcastically in her heart, might it be possible to be like Yu When Shi and Bai Muyan see something nice, they wear it all over their bodies? They think they are rich, but they don't know that in the eyes of those truly noble people, they are just vulgar nouveau riche!
Moreover, she is just a side concubine, so what is the difference between a side concubine and a concubine? What I want is never this... But no one can understand.
Zhou smiled more and more kindly, patted Bai Muxiao's hand, and said: "Silly boy, the so-called 'women are those who please yourself', you dress well, and that is also the face of His Highness the Third Prince." As she said, she Said to the big maid beside her, "Lu Zhu, hurry up and get my jewelry box."
"Yes, old madam." Luzhu hurriedly took the order, and in a short while brought a large box of jewelry.
Mrs. Zhou asked Lu Zhu to open the jewelry box, and after looking at it, a look of reluctance flashed in her cloudy old eyes, but she quickly said to herself in her heart that she couldn't bear that the child couldn't trap the wolf.
She was cruel, and resolutely took out a phoenix-pattern suet white jade bracelet from the box, put it on Bai Muxiao's left wrist herself, and said with a smile: "Look, this bracelet really matches our sister Xiao."
This white mutton fat jade bracelet with phoenix pattern is a high-quality mutton fat white jade at first glance. It is warm and delicate, and the carving is exquisite. There are several vivid phoenixes carved on it, which are patchwork and full of charm. This jade bracelet is obviously valuable.
Bai Muxiao also had to admit that the jade bracelet was indeed beautiful, and said blessedly, "Granddaughter thanked grandmother."
Mrs. Zhou still felt heartbroken, but said with a smile on her face: "Sister Xiao, this phoenix-patterned mutton fat white jade bracelet is a tribute, and it was rewarded from the palace of the previous dynasty. After so many years, the quality of this jade is getting better and better. Yue Run. In the past, your second aunt and your second sister came to ask for it, but I didn't give it to you. Sister Xiao, you are going to marry into the third prince's residence soon, so you must have some decent jewelry to support the scene. "
"Thank you grandma for your caring heart." Bai Muxiao thanked Mrs. Zhou again, politely, but thought disdainfully in her heart: Mrs. Zhou really thinks that she cares about her things
Seeing that even though Bai Muxiao got a good thing, she was not surprised by honor or disgrace, and behaved properly, Zhou couldn't help sighing in her heart: It's no wonder that this granddaughter is so lucky to be favored by His Royal Highness the Third Prince. It's not like Bai Muyan is coveting her own good things every day, and she pesters for this and that, her eyelids are really shallow! It's no wonder that she will be cheated of money and sex by others, and even lose her virginity. The face of the Bai family...
Thinking about it, a look of disgust flashed in Zhou's eyes, but soon he chatted with Bai Muxiao as if nothing had happened.
What happened in Zhou's house soon reached Yu's ears in Yushengyuan.
Different from the jubilation outside the courtyard, the entire Yusheng Courtyard was shrouded in a gloomy atmosphere.
"What did you say?" Mrs. Yu was so angry that her eyes almost popped out, she said angrily to a little servant girl, "The old lady gave the big girl that phoenix-patterned mutton fat white jade bracelet?"
The little servant girl lowered her voice and said: "That's what the maid Rong who served in the old lady's room said."
Mrs. Yu glanced in the direction of the inner room, clenched her fist tightly at her side, waved the little maid away, then opened the curtain and entered the inner room.
In the inner room, Bai Muyan, who was wearing a white tunic, was lying haggardly on the bed. She had lost a lot of weight, her cheeks were even slightly sunken, and her eyes were dull and lifeless.
Yu Shi gritted her teeth fiercely, and a raging anger ignited in her heart.
At the beginning, the Zhou family clearly agreed to give the phoenix-patterned mutton fat white jade bracelet to Bai Muyan as a dowry, but now they turned their faces and refused to recognize anyone.
Yu Shi took a deep breath, walked quickly to Bai Muyan's couch and sat down, looked at her distressedly, and asked softly: "Sister Yan, what do you think?"
Yu's heart ached unceasingly. Her daughter, who used to be high-spirited and beautiful like a blooming flower, had withered ahead of time because of that little bitch, and turned into the current inhuman and ghost-like appearance.
These days, every time she thinks about this, she tosses and turns, unable to sleep at night.
Bai Muyan on the bed stared at the top of the curtain in despair, as if she had never heard of it.
Yu's heart was very distressed, although she blamed her daughter for being ignorant and easily deceived, but she was her own daughter after all. Sister Yan is laying here as if her life would be worse than death, but Bai Muxiao, who harmed her, has become the concubine of the third prince and concubine. The world is so unfair!
Yu's heart ached like weeping blood, she stroked Bai Muyan's icy cheeks, and was about to speak again, when the door curtain was pulled open, a short and fat nanny walked into the inner room quickly, it was Yu Nanny Guo, his confidant.
She respectfully bowed to Mrs. Yu, and said meaningfully: "Second Madam, the 'person' has been found."
The corner of Yu's mouth curled up, and a ruthless look flashed in his eyes, like a wolf or a poisonous snake.
She patted Bai Muyan's hand lightly, her expression became motherly and gentle again, and she murmured: "Sister Yan, mother will definitely avenge you!" Eighteen floors of hell, never to be reborn!
"Mother!" Bai Muyan, who was originally like a puppet, suddenly came to life, with strong hatred bursting out from her eyes.
Even if Bai Muyan was so foolish as to believe that Pan Lang would definitely marry her, that foolishness has been worn away in the day-to-day waiting. It was replaced by hatred towards Bai Muxiao, wishing to eat his flesh and blood.
"Mother, I want to make her life worse than death!" Bai Muyan grabbed Yu's sleeve and said viciously, like a ghost from hell.
Yu Shi gritted her teeth and said: "Sister Yan, don't worry. Mother will let her pay back every penny of what you have suffered! She wants to marry into the third prince's mansion innocently? Hmph, dreaming!"
She comforted Bai Muyan softly, and then left Yusheng Courtyard with Mother Guo...
As the days went by, the heat didn't diminish at all, but became more intense.
It was okay for the rich families, that is, to add a few more basins of ice, but the common people who were busy making a living couldn't rest for a long time. For a while, many people in the capital suffered from heatstroke due to the extreme heat.
Nangong Yue and her grandfather Lin Jingchen discussed and prepared some herbal teas, and put them in Lin Ziran's medical center Baicao Cottage for people to drink for free.
The effect of this herbal tea is very good, word of mouth has spread, and there is an endless stream of people who come to Baicaolu every day to beg for herbal tea.
Lin Ziran ordered someone to find a big pot, and a pot full of herbal tea was boiled in front of the door of Baicao Cottage, and anyone who came and went could take it at will.
In this scorching heat, the second prince opened a mansion. Like the first prince, the emperor only rewarded some ordinary things, and did not confer titles. The entire court speculated whether to wait until the day when the crown prince was established before distributing the titles.
The holy will is unpredictable and unknowable.
Not only the matter of the princes not being knighted, but also the matter of peace talks with Baiyue.
Because of Xiao Yi's undisputed strong attitude, the peace talks were shelved unknowingly, and even Xiao Yi was impeached several times in the early court in the name of being unfavorable in business affairs, but the emperor didn't care, and even For impeachment, they will reward some fruit snacks with great fanfare and go to Zhennan Wangfu. After coming and going, the imperial envoy who had no eyesight could see the emperor's intentions.
Xiao Yi's act of peace talks is in harmony with the holy will!
Dayu is not in a hurry, but Baiyue is getting more and more anxious, but he is helpless in the face of Xiao Yi's reckless attitude.
Soon it was the end of July, and the scorching heat still persisted. In Zhennan Prince's Mansion, Nangong Yue lazily lay on the beauty's couch, while Xiao Yi fanned herself attentively, with a bowl of chilled fruit in hand.
The two talked and laughed casually, and unknowingly mentioned the Jinxinhui that had just passed.
Fu Yunyan showed off her demeanor at the Jinxin Meeting, but Yong Yang was a little dissatisfied, especially after hearing that she was almost attacked by putting on clothes, she felt that she was not good at learning. In Yong Yang's words, if it was him, he would have returned the same way to the other body long ago, and let the attacker lose his arms and legs, so how could he continue to bounce around.
Therefore, Yong Yang simply took the overjoyed Fu Yunyan to the military camp outside the city, saying that he wanted to have a good experience.
Thinking of the words that Fu Yunyan learned to speak in Yong Yang's tone from herself, Nangong Yue was overjoyed, and she also learned it from Xiao Yi by the way.
As long as Xiao Yi saw her happy, he would naturally be happy. The two laughed and laughed for a while, Xiao Yi suddenly remembered something, and said: "Stinky girl, when I talked about your cousin last time, I asked someone to check it out. it's..."
Nangong Yue was startled for a moment, then remembered that what he said should be the poem Bai Muxiao wrote at the Jinxinhui, and asked, "Is there a result?"
"I can't find anyone who wrote it before." After Xiao Yi finished speaking, seeing Nangong Yue's disappointed face, he added, "However, I went to ask Xiaobai. Xiaobai said that he did not see it in any book. I have read the poems written by your cousin, but he still believes in his own judgment. Xiaobai said that it is not difficult to know whether she really has real talents. You just need to find a chance to test it out, and you will definitely find it. result."
"Testing?" Nangong Yue raised her eyebrows and said, "Then how can I test it?"
"Xiaobai said..."
"My lord, my concubine."
Lily's voice outside the door interrupted the two of them, and then they heard the report, "Eunuch Liu came to the palace, and asked the concubine to come in immediately, saying that it is... the empress dowager seems to be not well."
Nangong Yue was startled, exchanged glances with Xiao Yi, saw him nodding and said: "Lily, prepare the medicine box for me, I'll pack it up and leave."
Lily outside the door responded hurriedly, while Xiao Yi said: "Stinky girl, don't worry, I will enter the palace with you."
Nangong Yue shook his hand and nodded.
The two soon entered the palace with Eunuch Liu, Nangong Yue went to Changle Palace, and Xiao Yi could only wait for her outside because it was inconvenient for her to enter the harem.
As soon as he arrived at the gate of Changle Palace, a big palace maid anxiously greeted her and said, "Concubine Shizi, you are here, go in with your slaves."
Hurrying into the main hall of Changle Palace, behind the main hall is the Empress Dowager's dormitory, the emperor was guarding the outside room, pacing back and forth restlessly, seeing Nangong Yue before she saluted, he hurriedly shouted excuses, and said: "Yue girl, go in and have a look."
Nangong Yue finished the ceremony and quickly walked into the inner room.
Several basins of ice were placed in the inner room, exuding bursts of coolness, not at all like being in the heat of summer.
The arrival of Nangong Yue attracted the attention of the imperial physicians. The imperial physician Zheng Wu, who was more familiar with Nangong Yue, hurried forward and said anxiously: "Concubine Shizi, do you want to take the pulse of the queen mother first?"
Nangong Yue nodded, and approached the Empress Dowager's couch, and saw the old lady who was still healthy in the past was lying there with her eyes closed, her face was pale and bloodless, her forehead was covered with sweat. Wan Xin was wiping it carefully for her.
Wan Xin took a step back and let Nangong Yue take the empress dowager's pulse.
After a while, Nangong Yue let go of her fingers and said to Physician Wu: "The queen mother should be hot."
"The few of us also diagnosed in this way." Imperial Physician Wu said with a sad face, "The prescription was prescribed according to the heat, but after a dose of medicine, the Queen Mother did not wake up, but her pulse became weaker." Therefore, Imperial Physician Wu was also worried. Is the diagnosis wrong
"It should be right." Nangong Yue said thoughtfully, "I would like to ask Imperial Physician Wu to show me the prescription."
Immediately, someone handed over the prescription, Nangong Yue looked at it carefully, and was about to speak, when a figure broke in from the outside, and shouted eagerly: "Mother's queen."
"His Royal Highness."
People in the inner room saluted one after another, and it was Princess Yuncheng who came.
"Girl Yue." When Yuncheng saw Nangong Yue, he immediately rushed over, held her hand and said, "How is the queen mother?" As he spoke, he looked at the queen mother who was lying on the couch, tears were uncontrollable flowed down.
Nangong Yue took her hand back comfortingly and said, "Yue'er is discussing the Queen Mother's condition with the imperial physician, please rest assured, Your Highness."
"Yuncheng. Don't bother girl Yue and the imperial doctor, go outside with me and wait." The emperor also came in with Yuncheng, and he dragged her out after talking about it.
Nangong Yue frowned slightly, and said: "The queen mother can't be wrong when it's summer heat, but according to my opinion, the prescriptions prescribed by you, the imperial doctor Wu, are a bit heavy."