Chapter 132
It was a sunny day.
Gong Yinai and Zhou Li are having dinner.
Recently, Gong Yinaidu stayed overnight at Zhuxuan, but the two of them lay on the same bed with two quilts covering them.
Zhou Li eats slowly.
Because none of the dishes on the table were to her liking.
Whenever Gong Yinai eats with her, the dishes served in the kitchen will definitely be based on her preferences.
Zhou Li likes rich and spicy food and loves to eat meat; Gong Yinai is just the opposite of her, she likes to eat vegetarian food and her dishes are light.
After eating grass with Gong Yinai for a few days, Zhou Li felt that his face was full of green, and he had no appetite when he saw the food on the table.
"Come with me to a banquet this afternoon." Gong Yinai said suddenly.
Zhou Li lazily said, "Isn't this Madam's business? How can it be the turn of a concubine like me?"
"She's still sick."
Zhou Li sneered. It was all because of Gong Yinai that she got sick. She was a good girl, carefree, but now she married into this family and became a ghost.
Gong Yinai glanced at her and put down the bowl.
"If you don't want to eat, don't eat."
"You don't have to accompany me in the future. If you want to eat something, go to the kitchen and tell them. We still have a lot of time to spend together, and I don't want you to starve to death in the mansion."
"You won't starve to death, but your face won't look plump, which makes it seem like you don't have a good diet." Zhou Li joked.
Gong Yinai didn't respond, "It's better to clean it up in the afternoon."
Zhou Li raised his eyebrows, "Who are you going to see?"
Gong Yinai said calmly, "It's my third brother's son's hundred-day banquet."
"His wife has already given birth." Zhou Li was dazed for a moment, and blurted out the words as Gong Yifu instinctively said. After she finished speaking, she realized something was wrong and looked at Gong Yinai. Gong Yinai seemed not to notice and continued, "You are representing the Sixth Prince's Mansion this time, showing the strength of your favorite concubine."
Zhou Li threw a coquettish glance at Gong Yinai, "Is that so?"
Her ivory-shaped eyebrows were thin and curved, and her crescent-shaped eyes were as moist as water. The clarity in her eyes made Gong Yinai stunned.
They look so similar that sometimes Gong Yinai has the illusion that the person sitting next to her is not Liu Yingzi, but Gong Yifu.
She had only been with Liu Yingzi for a short time, but had been with Gong Yifu for several years and was very familiar with her every move.
Liu Yingzi looks too much like Gong Yifu.
So similar, so similar.
Gong Yinai lowered her eyes, her voice soft and clear.
"Just keep it in mind."
Zhou Li stared at Gong Yinai's back as he walked away.
What does it mean that she knows what's going on?
Zhou Li was sitting in front of the makeup mirror when she heard a sound outside the door.
"Madam, the master asked me to bring these jewels to you."
Zhou Li raised her eyebrows. She opened the door and saw a maid carrying a large tray of things. She lifted the red cloth and saw a mahogany box filled with various precious jewelry.
Gong Yinai took out all the jewelry from the bottom of the box to ensure that she would be a beloved concubine.
Zhou Li accepted it with a smile.
After all, which girl doesn't love these jewels.
"Is Madam Li ready?" Gong Yinai asked when it was time to set off.
The maid blushed and said, "Mrs. Li will be here soon."
After much anticipation, Zhou Li finally appeared, dressed in a gorgeous purple dress, with purple and green eyeshadow elongating the corners of her eyes and a flower ornament on her forehead. Although as a concubine she could not wear bright red, the purple on her body was brighter than anyone else's.
She gently climbed up Gong Yinai's elbow and wrist, and said, "Prince~" deliberately to disgust Gong Yinai.
Gong Yinai just glanced at her and said expressionlessly, "Let's go now."
Humph, pretending.
Zhou Li thought to himself, let go of his hand, and pulled his purple coat tighter.
She was very creative today. She wore a green lining inside and a purple shirt outside. She waved a round fan in her hand. Her posture was like a willow and her hair was draped over her shoulders. She was a painting just standing there, as if she had run out of a painting of ladies. The black mole at the corner of her eye was so lifelike that it made her look even more charming. No one would believe that she didn't run out of a brothel.
In the car, Zhou Li and Gong Yinai sat on either side, clearly separated.
Zhou Li glanced at Gong Yinai and deliberately sat a little closer to her. Gong Yinai was still holding the scroll in her hand. Zhou Li moved again and finally leaned close to Gong Yinai. Before she could use her own tricks, Gong Yinai retracted her hand and her sleeve gently brushed across Zhou Li's palm.
"Sit over there." Gong Yinai said.
Zhou Li curled her lips and asked her, "Is the book as beautiful as me?"
Gong Yinai glanced at her and said, "Books contain golden houses..."
Zhou Li stretched out his words, "Yes, yes, there is beauty in books."
"Yan Ruyu is prettier than me, right?"
Gong Yinai put down the book, pursed his lips and asked her, "What are you making a fuss about?"
"Making a fuss?" Zhou Li blinked. "I'm just competing with Shu for your favor. Can't Your Highness see that?"
Gong Yinai narrowed his eyes and repeated, "Striving for favor?"
Zhou Li sat back, playing with her pigtails, and said nonchalantly, "Didn't you ask me to be a good concubine?"
Gong Yinai curled his lips and sneered: "You are quite good at acting."
"The play started before I even got on stage."
Zhou Li raised her lips and gave Gong Yinai a charming smile. "I'm worried that once I'm on stage, the prince will be so cold to me. What should I do if I show my fear?"
"If you want to perform this play well, you can't let me perform the monologue alone."
Gong Yinai retracted her expression, lowered her head and continued reading, saying lightly: "I will cooperate with you, but not now."
Zhou Li twisted his hair with his fingers and gave Gong Yinai a cold look.
You really don't understand romantic ideas.
She was playing with her fingers out of boredom. The carriage took a long time to arrive at the Third Prince's Mansion.
When the third prince built his palace, he did not use the land marked by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, but found a place of his own, so it was a little far away from his brothers.
Zhou Li lifted the carriage curtain and took a look at the Third Prince's Mansion. It was magnificent with carved beams and painted rafters. Even the road the carriage was traveling on took half a minute to walk, which showed how big the Third Prince's Mansion was. Compared with the Third Prince's Mansion, Gong Yinai's mansion was like a thatched hut compared to a pavilion, and it was vulnerable.
Zhou Li saw that the road ahead was blocked and the dignitaries coming and going had occupied an entire street. Judging from the bustling scene, he guessed that the entire court had come to the Hundred Days Banquet at the Third Prince's Mansion.
Zhou Li lowered the curtain and sneered.
The saint is not dead yet, but the Third Prince is already showing off like this. He is a little too proud of himself.
"What are you laughing at?" Gong Yinai in the carriage suddenly asked.
Zhou Li looked across, rolled his eyes, and said, "I'm laughing at you. You have a chance."
Gong Yinai put the book away, his expression cold, "What are you talking about?"
Zhou Li's lips curled up: "After today, rumors will spread throughout the capital. I'm afraid His Majesty will appoint a crown prince."
Gong Yinai looked at Zhou Li suspiciously. Zhou Li chuckled, "Just wait. I'm afraid someone will petition His Majesty tomorrow to make the Third Prince the Crown Prince. If he becomes the Crown Prince, you're the horse leg. If he's not, isn't this your chance?"
Gong Yinai lowered his eyes and said, "I have two older brothers, it's not my turn."
"The maternal families of the Fourth and Fifth Princes were once implicated in a major imperial examination fraud case. If either of them ascends the throne, I'm afraid all the scholars in the world will be dissatisfied. If this isn't your opportunity, what is it?"
"How do you know that the Emperor won't make Gong Yixiang the Crown Prince?" Gong Yinai mocked Zhou Li. "Third brother is very much favored by the Emperor now. Everyone says he will be the next Crown Prince."
"How about we make a bet?" Zhou Li smiled wantonly, "I bet the Third Prince won't be the Crown Prince."
Gong Yinai looked at her, and Gong Yifu's face flashed before his eyes.
It's true that people who have been married even speak so similarly.
"No bet." Gong Yinai closed his eyes and considered the traffic congestion. He estimated that he would have to wait for a while.
"You don't dare?" Zhou Li looked at Gong Yinai suspiciously. Why didn't she take the bait?
Gong Yinai closed his eyes as if in meditation, "Why should I bet with you? Didn't you say it's in my favor both ways? So I might as well wait."
Zhou Li slumped his shoulders dejectedly.
Gong Yinai has become more and more patient in recent years. He is simply unyielding and very frustrating.
It's like punching into cotton, no pain at all.
The carriage moved slowly, and the blocked road was finally cleared. When they arrived at the Third Prince's Mansion, Zhou Li and Gong Yinai got off the carriage.
Zhou Li was welcomed to the women's area, and Gong Yinai was welcomed to the men's area.
Upon hearing the news that a concubine had come to the Sixth Prince's Mansion, Gongyi Sanchun, who was already unhappy, became even angrier. She felt that Gongyinai was deliberately slapping her in the face.
Seeing the princess's bad face, the Third Prince's wife, who was sitting next to her and chatting with her, immediately changed the subject and said, "Princess, come and see our nephew. He just smiled at you."
Gongyi Sanchun still loved her nephew very much. She immediately picked up the child and touched his nose and said, "Are you smiling at your aunt? Smile again."
The Third Prince's wife picked up a rattle and shook it nearby, and the child started giggling again.
Gongyi Sanchun glanced at the Third Prince's wife and said nothing.
But she knew in her heart that her brother had said that Gong Yinai was now his right-hand man, and asked her not to make things difficult for him as she had done before.
Gongyi Sanchun only has this one younger brother, and his mother passed away early, so naturally he favors her over him. Whatever Gongyi Xiang says is what she does.
She no longer cared about the things going on below, but the others were furious. How could they bring concubines to such a formal occasion? It was simply inappropriate!
There were also people who had a good relationship with An Qinan when they were still in school, and they couldn't stand Zhou Li's coquettish appearance. They all said that it was the Sixth Prince who wanted to marry An Qinan, so why did he favor his concubine over his wife so quickly?
Most of the people present were wives, so naturally they would not look at Zhou Li well, but Zhou Li was happy and contented.
However, there were people who were not afraid of other people's gazes. They came up and asked directly: "I heard that An Qinan is dying? She didn't even pay homage to the saint and the queen after her wedding. Isn't she dying soon?" The person had a mocking look on his face, as if he was hoping that An Qinan would die soon.
"Who are you?" Zhou Li didn't know this person. Of course, she didn't know most of the ladies in front of her. After all, when she was dressed as Gong Yi Fu before, she never cared about these things.
"I'm Xiao Feilan, and I have a grudge against An Qinan." The other party said frankly, "If she is really dying, I will go to burn incense for her tomorrow!"
Surname Xiao? Xiao is a big family.
The poetry reading that made An Qinan's poems famous was held by the Xiao family.
This person probably hated An Qinan so much because An Qinan overshadowed him.
Zhou Li knew what was going on.
She smiled faintly, covered her mouth with her round fan, and chuckled softly, "Sister, you're joking. Madam is fine."
Xiao Feilan curled her lips, expecting to hear something bad about An Qinan. She said, "Stop pretending! If she's really that nice, why did you come to the party? I'm afraid she won't be able to leave the Sixth Prince's Mansion!"
The truth is exactly as Xiao Feilan said.
An Qinan's condition worsened and she had to rely on medicine every day to stay healthy. She was considered fine if she could go out and bask in the sun on weekdays.
The smile on Zhou Li's lips disappeared, and he felt sorry for An Qinan.
If she hadn't married Gong Yinai, she might have lived longer.
She whispered, "I don't know about the prince's arrangements."
"Where is Madam Li Qiu?" Someone suddenly delivered a message.
Zhou Li was stunned for a moment, then waved his round fan. A servant from the men's side brought a cloak and said, "The Sixth Prince said it was cold and Madam was not wearing enough, so he asked me to bring it to Madam."
Zhou Li blushed and asked her servant to take out the reward money to thank the servant.
She sat there in her cloak, her shy look hurting the eyes of many wives.
“Shameless!”
"That's outrageous!"
There were those who were quick-witted and cursed in a low voice.
The Sixth Prince's behavior reminded them of the beautiful girls in the mansion.
It's totally shameless!
Xiao Feilan was satisfied.
Zhou Li's favor, doesn't it mean that An Qinan is not having a good time in the Sixth Prince's house? She left triumphantly, and Zhou Li sat there, continuing to accept everyone's gaze.
On the surface, she looked honored, but Zhou Li was actually cursing in her heart.
Gong Yinai is making her a target for others to hit! He has no good intentions!
It's not that Zhou Li is unwilling to confirm her identity as a favorite concubine. Gong Yinai did this to avoid some troubles related to women. After all, she is a woman and cannot really favor others.
But as time goes by, it will always arouse suspicion. At this time, Zhou Li's appearance can stop the gossip.
Zhou Li sat there and could feel the different looks from people.
There was basically no one sitting next to her, so Zhou Li felt comfortable.
When the banquet was over, Gong Yinai came to pick up Madam Li in person, which made many people jealous. Even Gong Yixiang told his princess at night that his sixth brother was a lovesick man, which earned him a cold eye from the princess.
Favoring a concubine over one's wife has never been a reasonable thing since ancient times. It is ridiculous to call this a love-struck man!
Gong Yinai ignored other people's gazes and stretched out his hand to Zhou Li.
"I'll pick you up."
Zhou Li held the right hand she handed over and smiled shyly.
The handsome man and beautiful woman have hurt countless people's hearts.
At the gate of the mansion, Gong Yinai helped Zhou Li onto the carriage before saying goodbye to Gong Yixiang.
When Gong Yixiang saw what Madam Li looked like, he felt that Gong Yinai was very lucky. He patted her on the shoulder and told her to talk to him tomorrow if she had anything to say.
Gong Yinai also basically knew what Gong Yixiang wanted to do today. Surprisingly, he guessed right, just like Liu Yingzi did. He actually wanted to unite the ministers and use the excuse of giving birth to an imperial grandson to let His Majesty reinstate the crown prince.
Gong Yinai only felt that Gong Yixiang was anxious.
But she said nothing. Gong Yixiang would not let her interfere in this matter. At most, she would just watch and be a spectator.
After getting on the carriage, a soft and fragrant body came over. Zhou Li climbed onto Gong Yinai's shoulders and breathed into her sweet lips: "Did I do well today?"
Gong Yinai remained motionless. As the carriage started moving, the coachman whistled loudly, and Zhou Li, who was not sitting firmly, almost fell off.
Gong Yinai sat upright and watched Zhou Li make a fool of himself, his expression unchanged.
"Liu Yingzi, I don't like women, stop trying to seduce me."
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