Chapter 026 The Storm is Coming
A few days later, the emperor issued an order to go to Qingliang Mountain.
There is no doubt that the emperor attaches great importance to Chu Zhenxuan. A favorite concubine can only bring two entourage members, but Xia Xue brought three, Meng Ya, Fu Yuqing and Xia Lu.
"Sister, lean on this, it will be more comfortable."
Xia Lu handed over a waist pad.
Xia Xue curled the corners of her mouth. This waist pad was made by Xia Lu herself. Different from ordinary waist pads, this one was elliptical and sewn around the waist. It had two wings at both ends, which was very comfortable.
Xia Lu is meticulous and has been very good and creative at this kind of handicraft since she was young.
"This kind of waist pad is the first time I've seen it here." Fu Yuqing said.
"But if the two wings were a little higher and the middle was a little more gathered, it would be more comfortable. I have several designs here, how about I draw the pictures and you sew them, and we create our own brand?" Fu Yuqing was a little excited.
Xia Lu looked at Xia Xue in confusion.
Xia Xue smiled, "Sister Fu wants to cooperate with you in business."
Xia Lu lowered her eyes, "How can a woman show her face in public?"
"You can train Xiu Niang if you don't show up, and leave the rest to me." Fu Yuqing said hurriedly.
Xia Xue thought this was a good idea.
Now that the three families have divided up the properties on North Street, they have a ready-made place. If they develop something distinctive, they might be able to steal the limelight from the other three old streets.
Seeing Xia Xue nod, Xia Lu said shyly, "Then sister will arrange it."
The trip together actually resulted in a business opportunity, which was beyond Xia Xue's expectations.
Soon it was noon, and the team in the front began to set up camp. Xia Xue and others also got off the carriage.
This is a relatively open flat land, in front of which is a branch of the Grand Canal with a fast current. The kitchen team set up camp near the river and started a fire.
Xia Xue looked around and saw a long queue with no end in sight. Naturally, she did not see Chu Zhenxuan.
"Let's just wait here and don't move around. The catering team will distribute the food according to seat. After the ladies have received their food, it will be our turn." Xia Xue ordered.
Meng Ya and Xia Lu agreed, and Fu Yuqing felt a little embarrassed.
Urgent.
Xia Xue asked Meng Ya to accompany her to the woods behind.
Fu Yuqing insisted on going by herself. She was in a hurry and it would be embarrassing if others saw her.
After a long while, the catering team started distributing appetizers, but Fu Yuqing had not returned yet.
Xia Xue frowned, "Meng Ya, go get two guards, and let's go to the back and take a look."
Not long after walking, Xia Xue saw a pair of women's shoes left behind.
It’s Fu Yuqing’s!
Xia Xue's heart skipped a beat.
The two guards hurried to look for him in the woods.
No one.
And then he went to the distant forest.
No one.
Xia Xue frowned.
At this time, the catering team came to deliver the meals.
Only then did Xia Xue realize that the person walking at the end of the catering team was Fu Yuqing.
Fu Yuqing blinked.
Xia Xue glared at her.
"Back to the carriage."
"What about Sister Fu?" Xia Lu was anxious.
Xia Xue said nothing.
After setting the table, Fu Yuqing knocked on the small steamed bun beside her and left.
Xia Lu looked up.
"pay!"
Xia Xue grabbed her hand and said, "You are on the street. You don't have to pay here."
Then he signaled Meng Ya to reward the maids who delivered the meals.
"The wife of Prime Minister Chu is so generous, even more generous than the ladies themselves." The maid who received the prize said excitedly.
"Of course, the Prime Minister is now in his prime. Didn't you see that Concubine Rong called Prime Minister Chu over just now?"
"But it is taboo for outsiders to enter the harem. Why doesn't Concubine Rong avoid suspicion?"
"Pfft, don't talk about the master, or you'll end up in trouble."
The two of them stopped talking, but Fu Yuqing, who was following behind, was angry.
This Concubine Rong wants to snatch Xia Xue’s husband?
Isn’t her husband a higher-ranking official than Xia Xue’s husband?
This stinky woman, give her some laxative at night!
Xia Xue opened the buns and placed a few leaves underneath them.
Xia Xue pieced it together and it turned out to be a few words: Li Tingting is in the catering team, be careful.
"Meng Ya, do you have a silver needle?"
"have."
"From now until we return home, we will check every meal before eating."
"Yes, sir."
Xia Lu was also puzzled, but seeing how Fu Yuqing was dressed just now, she guessed that something bad was going to happen.
After the meal, everyone continued to set off.
This time Fu Yuqing did not come back, but followed the catering team's carriage.
Xia Xue didn't feel well and always felt that something was going to happen.
The group arrived at Qingliang Mountain in the evening.
The Ministry of Eunuchs had already arranged accommodation in advance.
The prime minister's residence is located on the edge of a cliff, with a small waterfall next to it, which is very cool.
The tea plantations on Qingliang Mountain are also next to here, with a gentle breeze bringing bursts of fragrance.
"What a wonderful place, so beautiful." Xia Lu exclaimed, "No wonder everyone in the world wants to fight for power. When you reach a certain level, this kind of spiritual enjoyment is unmatched by anyone."
Xia Xue smiled, "Power is a good thing, but in the process of pursuing power, every step you take is like a thorn in your side, and every level up may result in your death. People who are truly at the center of power may not be in the mood to enjoy this kind of beautiful scenery and life. Instead, they are more likely to move forward out of necessity."
Xia Lu stood there in a daze, trying to understand what Xia Xue meant.
Xia Xue ignored her and went back to her room.
She must sort out Li Tingting's affairs.
Li Tingting was born a petite lady, so when she went to the catering team, there must be many loopholes. The fact that she was able to stay there meant that there was an insider in the catering team. But was Li Tingting coming here for herself?
If so, she could just come along as Concubine Rong's concubine sister, which would be legitimate and she could also confront her.
Prince Lu is here too, will there be direct contact?
Poisoned Prince Lu?
No, no, poisoning Prince Lu will only benefit the emperor, but will bring endless troubles to the Li family. The emperor will lose a burden and the existing balance will be broken, then the Li family will not be long from being dealt with.
Poison her?
Li Tingting had no evidence that Xia Xue forced her to marry Prince Lu, and everything at Prince Lu's mansion that day was arranged by Li Tingting's people, except that she swapped Chu Zhenxuan and Prince Lu.
To get revenge on her, he got into the diet team and poisoned her?
The possibility is not high.
The meals for foreign officials and their families were put together and delivered by random people. If she poisoned the food in advance, it would be easy to send it to the wrong person. Even if she arranged for someone to deliver it to the garden of the prime minister's residence, Li Tingting could not guarantee that it was she, Xia Xue, who ate it, and not Chu Zhenxuan.
Li Tingting has always admired Chu Zhenxuan and would never let Chu Zhenxuan take this risk.
unless
Which empress is being harmed?
The Empress’ meals are all marked, from which palace or room, whether it belongs to the master or the servants.
At this time, the catering team came to deliver meals.
It was Fu Yuqing and another female official.
Xia Xue let Meng Ya give her a compliment, and pointed at Fu Yuqing and said, "Come in and take a look."
"Yes." Fu Yuqing leaned forward in a serious manner, then turned around and said, "Then please ask Miss He to send the next one first."
Ms. He took the silver and went to the next one happily. This job of delivering food was not bad, and there were rewards more or less. Those who could come to Qingliang Mountain were all important people.
As soon as she entered the inner room, Xia Xue's smile faded, "What's going on?"
Fu Yuqing said: "When I was urinating, I suddenly heard..."