Chapter 592 Throwing out the Bait
Madam Fu pursed her lips and said, "By the way, the Queen Mother mentioned the Grand Empress Dowager to me today."
Cao Dejiang's expression turned stern, and Xiao Yan beside him also had a frosty look in his eyes.
Xiao Yan asked casually, "What did she ask the Grand Empress Dowager?"
"It's about things from the past. The Queen Mother said that when she first entered the palace, she was taken care of by the Grand Empress Dowager. She also said that she hadn't seen the Grand Empress Dowager for a long time and wanted to send someone to bring her back to the palace to recuperate."
Madam Fu frowned as she spoke, "The relationship between the Empress Dowager and the Grand Empress Dowager is not harmonious. I feel something is wrong. When I left the palace, I asked the people in Shou'an Palace and heard vaguely that the Empress Dowager beat to death someone from the Imperial Kitchen a few days ago. It seems that it has something to do with the Grand Empress Dowager."
"The people at Shou'an Palace are very tight-lipped, and I didn't want to ask too much, so I didn't get too much information."
Cao Dejiang glanced at Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan's eyes turned slightly cold.
Imperial kitchen?
When his status in the palace was inconvenient, he once asked someone from the imperial kitchen to take care of the Empress Dowager. Did the Empress Dowager accidentally notice something?
Madam Fu didn't know Xiao Yan's identity, so she naturally didn't understand why her casual words had caused him to be so confused. After she mentioned it, she thought of something else and looked up and said, "Oh, by the way, I haven't asked why Duke Dingguo came here with my eldest brother today?"
Xiao Yan collected his thoughts and didn't show any trace of it on his face: "I am sorry to bother you today because I need your help with something."
Madam Fu was puzzled: "Are you looking for my help?"
Xiao Yan said, "The old lady should know about Tang Ning and me. The palace has been granting the marriage for several days, and I have also consulted the people of the Imperial Observatory to predict an auspicious date. However, I don't want to let Tang Ning down when it comes to the three letters and six ceremonies, as well as the proposal and betrothal."
"My parents died early, and there are no suitable female elders in the mansion, so I want to find an old lady to be the chaplain for Tang Ning and me, and help me put on Tang Ning's hairpin on the day of the proposal."
Nowadays, when a woman proposes marriage, if both parties are satisfied and willing to finalize the marriage, the man will look for a female elder in the mansion or other female elders of noble status, and on the day of the proposal, they will go to the woman's mansion together to put flowers and hairpins on her head to show the man's satisfaction and importance to the marriage.
The more noble the status of the person who inserts the hairpin for the woman, the more prestigious the woman will be.
Madam Fu never expected Xiao Yan to come to her. She hesitated for a moment, "But I'm not a lucky person..."
Her husband died early and her son was not very ambitious. Although the Fu family was not in dire straits, it was not a prosperous family in the capital.
Old Madam Fu has always been clear in her mind that the esteem in which others hold the Fu family is three-quarters due to her husband who died young and whose meritorious service is enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple, but more of it is due to the Cao family, because she has a brother who is both protective and capable, who is in charge of the Censorate and is a powerful minister in the court.
Madam Fu said, "For your marriage to Tang Ning, you can find a more considerate matchmaker. I'm not suitable."
Xiao Yan said, "You are the most thoughtful."
He looked serious and sincere:
"When Tang Ning was in trouble, everyone in the capital trampled on her, but you, who had no relatives or friends with her, were willing to take care of her. You have helped Tang Ning many times and have always been kind to her. You have never looked down on me because of my past status. Although there are many noble people in the capital, no one is more willing to sincerely bless us than you."
"You don't have to care about those gossips. I have experienced the most unlucky things in this world, and Tang Ning has also waded through the most turbid quagmire. We don't care about these things."
Xiao Yan said seriously, "I would like to ask you to help me, and please don't refuse, old lady."
When Mrs. Fu saw him stand up and bow solemnly, she also stood up and supported his arm.
She is not a pretentious person and she really likes Tang Ning. If she can help this couple get together, she will naturally do her best.
"Okay, get up quickly. I'll take care of this matter."
Xiao Yan suddenly smiled: "Thank you, old lady."
…
Old Madam Fu was still worried about the girl from the Xu family. After agreeing to insert the hairpin for Tang Ning, she discussed a date with Xiao Yan, and Xiao Yan did not stay any longer.
Cao Dejiang was not with him when he left. He must have something to discuss with Madam Fu and the others. Xiao Yan did not ask any more questions. Led by the servants of the Fu family, he walked towards the outer room of the Fu family. As soon as he walked around the corridor, he saw a woman walking towards them not far away.
"Madam Rou."
The Fu family servant was a little surprised: "Why are you here?"
"I came here specifically to thank Duke Dingguo."
Fu Jinrou spoke slowly, walked forward and bowed gracefully.
"Thank you, Duke, for inviting the imperial physician to help Jinrou. However, Jinrou is of humble status and does not deserve such generous treatment. The people in the Imperial Medical Bureau are not someone Jinrou can bother."
"My brother was so concerned that he lost his temper and forgot his limits. I hope the Duke will forgive me."
Although Fu Jinrou's appearance is not the best, she has the unique gentleness of a southern woman. She has a great figure, and her eyebrows and eyes are different from the ostentatious and wealthy women in the capital. She has a natural gentleness and pettiness. When she bowed, her dress could not hide her slender waist, and there was a hint of timidity in her eyes.
Seeing her behavior, Xiao Yan's original intention of leaving was over. Instead, he said, "Madam Fu, there's no need to be polite. This is just the Imperial Medical Bureau. We treat patients and provide consultations. There's no distinction between high and low."
Fu Jinrou stood up and said softly, "But after all, my status is not high enough, and I am not a noble lady who can ask the imperial physician for consultation. I am afraid that if the Duke comes forward on my behalf, it will cause people to talk..."
Xiao Yan said calmly, "What's the harm in talking about it? No one dares to dance in front of me. If there's anyone who doesn't know what's good for them, I'll just cut out their tongue."
Fu Jinrou listened to the person in front of her speaking extremely ostentatious words in a calm and relaxed manner, and ripples appeared in her eyes.
The man in front of her was tall, with strong and deep bones, and dark eyes that were cold and clear. At first glance, he was the most handsome man she had ever seen.
At the palace banquet, when he had not yet restored his status and was still a eunuch, Fu Jinrou was extremely jealous of his preference and exclusive love for Song Tangning.
Today he is no longer disabled, and he has great power and is arrogant and wanton.
It really is...
It's heart-warming.
She was originally afraid that Xiao Yan would be cold to others, but now seeing that although he did not smile, he was still patient and willing to explain to her, Fu Jinrou's expression became even gentler.
"I know the Duke doesn't care, but how can Jinrou trouble you? Besides, you and I have no family ties, and Jinrou really can't accept the Duke's kindness. Please, Duke, take back your order..."
As she spoke, her face showed just the right amount of anxiety, as if she wanted to persuade him to get closer. She was about to pretend to fall forward on her skirt to create some ambiguity.
But unexpectedly, Xiao Yan, who had a gentle expression just now, suddenly took a half step back and said coldly and bluntly: "I'm not helping you, Madam Fu, don't think too much."
Fu Jinrou's face froze.
Xiao Yan said indifferently, "My daughter Tang Ning has received some favors from Madam Fu, and the palace intends to allow the daughter of the Xu family to enter the palace. With the Fu and Cao families behind her, Miss Xu will either become His Majesty's favorite concubine, or at worst, marry the crown prince as a concubine, and become a noble in the harem after the crown prince ascends the throne."
"You can barely be considered a daughter of the Fu family, and you have a pretty good relationship with Miss Xu. I'm only looking for an imperial physician to look after you as a favor to the future noble lady. Miss Fu, don't feel burdened. Someone will naturally repay this favor on your behalf."
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