Chapter 198 Attracting Bees and Butterflies
The person who brought her here said that this matter was done very secretly and no one would know about it.
But what if someone finds out?
With such a shameful identity, she pretended to be a lady from a good family and entered the palace as a concubine, which was a capital crime.
But Liu Lingzhen's luck seemed to be surprisingly good. When she finally found an opportunity to perform, the person in the Golden Palace actually agreed.
What happened next was so logical that even Liu Lingzhen felt like she was dreaming.
She was made a concubine after only serving him for one night.
But why did Commander Xiao ask her to pay attention to her identity just now?
What did he know?
But if he knew, what about the emperor?
Is it possible that the emperor knows?
Liu Lingzhen frowned and thought for a while, then shook her head vigorously.
She felt that the emperor probably didn't know about it, otherwise he wouldn't have made her a concubine.
The palace maid serving Liu Lingzhen glanced at the changing expression of Concubine Zhuang. She seemed to smile, then lowered her eyelids and became serious.
After a while, the emperor got on the bright yellow carriage in front, surrounded by palace servants and guards.
With such a ceremonial procession leading the way and the noise of carriages and horses along the way, this time they arrived at the inner city before noon.
The carriages of the crowd followed the ceremonial procession to the palace gate again. After the emperor entered the palace, everyone hurried home again.
Life outside is not as convenient as life in one's own mansion. Even families like the Chengguo Mansion who have independent residences can hardly bear it, let alone those families who live in a crowded place.
Concubine Zhuang, who had returned with the entourage, followed the ceremonial procession directly into the palace.
The emperor's wedding date has been set for a few months later.
The ministers felt relieved, but when they looked back carefully at the trip to the villa, they felt it was strange and sudden.
The world is like a big kiln, with charcoal cooking for six months. After all this going on and on, even though the climate in the villa is indeed pleasant, it is not so comfortable. The only memorable thing is the little emperor's sudden act of appointing the queen and concubines.
The emperor has lived in the palace for so long without taking any action, but he was aroused in the villa one day. Even if there is more trouble this time, the old ministers will accept it.
Chen Shuyao actually liked the lotus pond very much. She had picked some of the lotus seeds in it, and there were not many left now. What's more, she asked Wuying to pick some from the lake when she left.
Also, the old lady was the only one staying in the mansion, so those who came out were not very reassured.
Chen Shuyao returned to Yan Yutang and took a good bath. Then she changed her clothes and reported to Mrs. Xiao's Songhetang.
When she arrived, Wang, Chen, Liu, and Zhou Shuhe were already there. Everyone was talking about this trip to the villa, and the most talked about topic was the emperor's sudden appointment of concubines and empresses.
Cui Zhaoran was the grandniece of the old lady's family, so after this topic was brought up, no one dared to make any rash comments. Finally, Wang Shi tentatively said to her mother-in-law, "After the decree came down that day, Shu Yao and I went to see Zhaoran. She seemed fine and calm."
But what can I do if I am not calm?
Are you going to disobey the order?
After hearing this, Madam Xiao just said, "I understand."
Even though his expression showed no joy or anger, he was definitely not happy.
Seeing the tense atmosphere, Chen Shuyao hurriedly asked the maid to bring some lotus pods, peeled a few and placed them on a white porcelain plate, and smiled as she asked the old lady to taste them.
Old Madam Xiao ate the meal with great courtesy and then asked her what she had done in the villa these days.
Chen Shuyao said truthfully, "There's nothing special going on. First we go to the Qingliang Palace to enjoy the cool air and watch the dance. Then every evening we go to pick lotus seeds."
Madam Xiao laughed at her: "You pick them every day, but there are more than these."
Chen Shuyao smiled and pointed at her chubby cheeks. Old Madam Xiao was helpless and then called Zhou Shuhe and the others, saying, "Try it too. It tastes quite sweet."
Everyone gathered around to peel and eat lotus pods, but Liu remained seated in a daze. Later, her sister-in-law Chen called out, "What are you thinking about?"
Seeing that she looked uneasy, Chen was also confused. Aren't nieces from her mother's family the only ones who could be made concubines?
Why does it look like you have lost your soul?
But she didn't dare to ask. After all, Cui Zhaoran was also conferred the title of concubine. She couldn't tell what the old lady's attitude was, and it would be inappropriate to bring it up rashly.
Chen Shuyao, however, looked at her third aunt thoughtfully.
They talked for a while and then heard Madam Xiao chase them away, saying, "You are all tired. Go back and rest. There is no need to keep following me around." Everyone smiled and dispersed without saying anything more.
When Chen Shuyao came out of Songhe Hall, the sun was just setting. The ground, after being exposed to the sun all day, looked like it would smoke if water was poured on it. The master and servants chose the shady places to walk on.
Xiao Jinwen was just about to go visit his grandmother when he suddenly saw a woman walking briskly down the corridor. Just like what he had imagined and seen so many times before, she said, "Cousin Xu!"
Shen Shuyao was walking on her own path when she heard the man's voice and was stunned.
But when she looked up and saw that it was Xiao Jinwen, she quickly said, "Fourth brother! Why are you here?"
Xiao Jinwen regretted calling her "cousin Xu" the moment he blurted it out. When he heard the other party calling her "fourth brother" in an unusually clear tone, he felt even more ashamed.
Just as he was about to say sorry, he heard another male voice coming from the front: "Fourth brother!"
He looked up and saw his elder brother Xiao Mo, who was looking at him with an indifferent expression.
"Brother!" Xiao Jinwen also responded.
Xiao Mo had already turned around and said to his wife, "Let's go!"
The voice is gentle.
Xiao Jinwen, who stood stiffly at the back, looked at the two people leaving side by side, listened to the voices coming into his ears, and smiled helplessly.
In front, Chen Shuyao saw Xiao Mo staring at her, but she was also calm and said, "What are you looking at? It was just a coincidence that I met him."
She felt a little resentful towards Xiao Jinwen in her heart. Why did he have to call her Cousin Xu when there were so many other ways to call her?
Since she was already married to the eldest brother, it would be inappropriate to call her cousin anymore, so she deliberately exaggerated the call of "fourth brother".
Xiao Mo watched, and a smile slowly appeared on his face. "I've said long ago that you have the capital to attract jealousy."
Seeing the woman beside him with red eyes, he explained: "I meant to compliment you. My Yao'er is beautiful, so it's inevitable that she will attract some bees and butterflies."
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