"Your Highness..." Linglong leaned down and whispered in Chu Jinyao's ear, her tone was quite gloating, "Your Highness was not very happy, so he sent her out. Fortunately, Eunuch Lin came in soon, so nothing happened."

Chu Jinyao nodded thoughtfully. She could have expected Qin Yi to be unhappy and even scold Erhua to go out. However, Chu Jinyao could not guarantee whether Qin Yi was unhappy because this maid acted on her own or just because she was the person of Empress Xiaoqi.

Chu Jinyao had originally made up her mind to make herself a dignified and virtuous crown princess. Her family background was not good, so she could not let anyone find fault with her. But today, just because of Erhua, Chu Jinyao was angry.

What's even more terrifying is that Chu Jinyao could vaguely feel that the source of her anger was because of Erhua, not Erhua.

Chu Jinyao quickly suppressed her extreme thoughts. She was very grateful to Qin Yi and wanted to live a good life with him, but she was an individual after all, and it was impossible for her not to consider herself before being good to others.

To put it bluntly, there is only one prince, but there can be many princesses. Qin Yi's good life does not mean that she, the princess, can live well, especially since the prince's concubines are stipulated in etiquette and law, and even have formal grades and titles.

No woman is willing to watch her husband take a concubine. In private, she may be able to quarrel with her husband and her in-laws, but who can quarrel in the palace? Moreover, if Qin Yi, who is so strong and opinionated, really wants to take a concubine, can she control it?

Therefore, the best thing to do is to maintain the current situation. Chu Jinyao shows some genuine concern for Qin Yi, but she also keeps the boundary and doesn't cross it herself. The boundary is the concubine. This is good for both parties. She won't be blinded by temporary favor and do something abominable in the end. Qin Yi also remembers their old friendship and always treats her with respect as a wife.

This is good. This is the most respectable state of husband and wife in a noble family. There must be no next time for such things as getting angry because a maid approaches him.

Chu Jinyao secretly warned herself and stopped. However, for some reason, her originally relaxed mood suddenly became very bad.

Chu Jinyao didn't realize she was getting angry: "These four maids must be dealt with."

Linglong agreed deeply. They had different standpoints and completely opposite ideas. Linglong stood on Chu Jinyao's side, so she naturally disliked those who tried to divide her daughter's favor. Although she had only been in the palace for two days, everyone in and outside the East Palace could see that His Royal Highness was very tolerant of the Crown Princess. Today, he summoned the imperial physician, and then went to dinner, and later he didn't let anyone disturb Chu Jinyao's sleep. Which of these is not a very rare exception?

Fenghuaxueyue and the four maids must have seen His Royal Highness's attitude towards the Crown Princess, so they relaxed their minds. Otherwise, people really think that the prince's fierce reputation is just a joke. There are no other women in the East Palace so far. It's not that no one has the idea of ​​climbing into the bed, but those who dare to climb into the bed have been severely punished by the prince.

Linglong said: "Miss, you don't deserve to be angry for them. They saw how good the prince is to you, and thought that they, who are so weak, can be valued by the prince, so they dared to try. In my opinion, this Erhua was pushed out by someone to test the waters."

When no one was around, Linglong was still used to calling Chu Jinyao "Miss". Chu Jinyao was inexplicably upset after hearing these words today. She warned Linglong: "Don't say such things. We have just entered the palace, and this is the time when we need to be cautious. How can we get carried away just because of the temporary freshness and indulgence of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince? You are not allowed to say such things. You will go and warn the other maids later. Don't think that we are really favored and dare to let your guard down. This is all a temporary illusion. We still have to rely on ourselves to stand on our own feet."

Linglong frowned after hearing this. She wanted to tell Chu Jinyao several times that this was not the case. When Chu Jinyao felt dizzy today, the Crown Prince's face suddenly sank. It couldn't be fake. The Crown Prince has been ups and downs in the deep palace for so many years. If it was really a temporary novelty, would he let his expression show? He must be really worried, so he doesn't care about anything else. This kind of subconscious reaction cannot deceive people.

However, the parties involved are confused, and Chu Jinyao is unwilling to let down her guard easily. It is also human nature that she dare not entrust her life and property to the prince. Linglong can understand, so she did not persuade Chu Jinyao in the end, but let Chu Jinyao slowly test the bottom line of the prince.

Besides, now is different from the past, it is better to be cautious and suspicious in the deep palace.

Linglong no longer mentioned the prince. She also found that Chu Jinyao didn't know what was wrong, and she got angry with herself when she mentioned the prince. Linglong tactfully changed the subject: "Miss, what should we do with the four girls Fenghuaxueyue?"

When it came to business, Chu Jinyao put aside those useless thoughts and started to make arrangements seriously. "Birds of a feather flock together, and the same applies to managing the harem. If we take action to deal with them, it would be too low of a status. I'm the Crown Princess, and it would be too much of an honor for them to take action against a few palace maids."

"What you mean is..."

"Divide it among you," Chu Jinyao said, "Let them solve their own problems. There are other palace maids in such a large Ciqing Palace."

Linglong already understood: "I understand. Then what should we do?"

"What is worrying is not the lack of wealth but the inequality." Chu Jinyao said meaningfully, "We just need to promote one person, give her respect, and reward her. The rest is up to them."

"Great idea from the Crown Princess."

"Stop coaxing me. You are the only one who is willing to deceive me with such words."

Who is the other person who refused to coax Chu Jinyao? Linglong smiled without saying anything, and withdrew attentively: "I will go down to arrange it. By the way, Crown Princess, we moved the dowry here yesterday, and it is still locked in the back hall. Would you like to see the dowry list?"

On the wedding day, Chu Jinyao's dowry was also carried into the East Palace. Dowry can be said to be the most important support for a woman. If the dowry is rich, the woman will have confidence in her husband's family. As a daughter-in-law of the royal family, Chu Jinyao does not have to think about having confidence in front of the emperor and the crown prince, but this does not mean that the dowry is not important. Everything in the palace needs to be managed. No matter whether you are a concubine or an imperial concubine, if you don't have enough money in the palace, it will be difficult to get around even if you are favored.

Chu Jinyao thought for a moment and said, "Bring it here, I'll compare it."

Chu Jinyao's dowry was quite expensive. After all, she was the Crown Princess. Just for the sake of appearance, Changxing Marquis's Mansion would not be shy about the dowry. Changxing Marquis's Mansion had been operating in Taiyuan for three generations and could be considered a local noble. Relying on the geographical advantage, they had accumulated a lot of wealth over the years. It was a pity that it was lost by Chu Jinyao's grandfather, but even so, it was more than enough to give her a decent dowry.

What's more, Changxing Marquis had high hopes for Chu Jinyao, which could almost be regarded as a bet. Maybe the future of this mansion depended on Chu Jinyao. With this in mind, the Marquis of Changxing paid more attention to Chu Jinyao's dowry. He took away all the betrothal gifts sent by the royal family, and the Chu family also accompanied the dowry with the same value as the royal betrothal gifts.

Therefore, Chu Jinyao's dowry list was particularly impressive. Her wedding was complicated and time-consuming. Each link of the six ceremonies was scheduled on auspicious days by the Ministry of Rites, and each time they came, they would bring corresponding gifts. The prince's wedding is not a matter for one person. It is a matter for the entire court and even the entire country. Every item was carefully selected by the Ministry of Rites, taken out from the national treasury, and then sent to Chu Jinyao. Her betrothal gifts were extremely particular. The number of each item, its quality, and its weight were clearly recorded on the list, which will be included in the national history in the future. So Chu Jinyao felt relieved when she looked at the dowry list. No one dared to touch these things for a while.

Chu Jinyao carefully compared the dowry list. She had a lot of stuff, so she had to know how much she had. Nominally, her expenses were all paid from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, but the real expense was not her own food, clothing, and other expenses.

Thinking of this, Chu Jinyao sighed. The expenses in the palace were really terrible. In this place, you couldn't do anything without management. The money spent every day just on bribing the palace maids and eunuchs was amazing. Chu Jinyao put down the list and looked at the blue sky outside. There was unmelted snow in the gaps between the glazed tiles, shining coldly in the sunlight.

Just by looking at it, you can feel the solemnity, magnificence, and coolness here. The capital city in December was already very cold. As dusk approached, cold winds blew from all directions. The palaces that had been brightly colored in the daytime gradually became silent, like a giant beast lurking in the darkness. In the shadows, expressionless palace maids and eunuchs lowered their heads and hurried through the cold wind.

This was where she would live for the next half of her life. How long she could live here depended on how long she could live.

Winter dusk was really unpleasant, especially in the Forbidden City. Chu Jinyao sighed softly, put down the dowry list, and planned to ask someone to come in and change clothes. As soon as she stood up, she heard footsteps outside and someone shouted, "The Crown Prince is back."

Chu Jinyao was refreshed and ran out immediately, "Your Highness!"

Qin Yi just entered the room and was greeted by a sweet warm breeze. Then someone came from the west room and shouted, "Your Highness!"

Qin Yi took off his cloak with the help of the eunuchs. When he turned around and saw her, he smiled unconsciously, "Are you awake?" In fact,

Qin Yi didn't want to go out today. It was too disappointing to be called out to meet court officials on the second day of his wedding. However, his wedding involved a lot of people, and many people gave him gifts under the guise of marriage. He also had to meet a few people appropriately. His younger brothers were getting older, and there was always trouble.

He felt a little guilty for leaving Chu Jinyao alone in the back hall. He kept thinking about this when he met with the ministers today. After meeting several important figures, Qin Yi wanted to come back for a look for some reason. Chu Jinyao was not a person who was good at speaking and could easily get along with others. She had adapted to the Chu family for so long after being taken back. If she suddenly entered the palace, she might not be used to it.

When Qin Yi came back in the cold wind, he saw Chu Jinyao "jumping" to greet him as soon as he entered the door. Chu Jinyao was so old, it was naturally impossible for her to run and jump like a child. However, in Qin Yi's eyes, her expression, movements, and words all confirmed this point.

"I woke up a long time ago!" Chu Jinyao muttered in dissatisfaction. Qin Yi took off his heavy coat, stretched out his hand and pulled Chu Jinyao's hand, and led her to the inner hall: "We had a big wedding yesterday, and many people came to give gifts today. I couldn't not show up. It was still early when I left, and I saw that you were sleeping soundly, so I couldn't bear to wake you up."

Is he explaining to her? Chu Jinyao was flattered and replied: "I understand, Your Highness is the crown prince, so naturally there are many serious things to do."

"Serious things." Qin Yi didn't know what he was thinking, glanced at Chu Jinyao, and suddenly smiled.

Chu Jinyao originally thought that what she said was particularly virtuous and sensible, but when Qin Yi smiled like this, she felt that what she said seemed to be wrong. If things outside are serious things, then what are not serious things?

Chu Jinyao felt a little embarrassed, she actually scolded herself. Seeing Qin Yi still laughing, she whispered in annoyance: "Your Highness!"

Qin Yi saw that Chu Jinyao was really annoyed, so he held back his laughter and pulled her to sit on the couch: "Are you still used to it today?"

Chu Jinyao was stunned for a moment before she realized that he was asking whether she was used to the East Palace. Chu Jinyao was very moved when she heard this. When she first met Qin Yi, he was so arrogant and arrogant. How could he care about whether others were used to such a small matter? Even if we ignore Qin Yi's temperament, it is rare for him to notice this as the prince.

Chu Jinyao was touched, and her eyes softened unconsciously: "It's all right. As long as I think of His Highness right in front of me, I won't be scared even if it's a completely unfamiliar place."

These words directly touched Qin Yi's heart. He also smiled and raised his hand to pinch Chu Jinyao's face: "Who did you learn this from? You can talk after not seeing you for a few days."

"No one taught me." Chu Jinyao glanced at Qin Yi, and seemed very dissatisfied with Qin Yi's words, "I obviously said it naturally when I saw His Highness."

Qin Yi couldn't help laughing. He finally understood why there were always kings in every dynasty who fell for women, and why the Taifu always advised him that women were all vain and he should be diligent in government and love the people. Just because of Chu Jinyao's two sentences, she asked for some official grace next, and Qin Yi felt that he could get his mind confused and agree to everything.

The two of them talked in low voices in the inner hall. The gradually gloomy sky and the whistling cold wind outside seemed to be blocked outside.

Tonight, the two of them did not eat in their own palace. The emperor and empress held a banquet, and Chu Jinyao and Qin Yi still had to wear formal clothes to attend. Compared with yesterday's state banquet, today was a family banquet. Qin Yi and Chu Jinyao quickly changed their clothes and went out together.

Qin Yi accompanied Chu Jinyao and slowly walked out of Ciqing Palace. Chu Jinyao is the bride and the crown princess, so she is naturally wearing red today. She walks in the twilight, as steady as a burning fire.

For a man, it is a very pleasant thing to have a stunning beauty standing next to him, and even Qin Yi is no exception. Qin Yi looked at Chu Jinyao and asked curiously, "Why do you have to bandage your face?"

Chu Jinyao looked at Qin Yi very seriously, "It makes me look majestic and powerful."

Qin Yi chuckled softly, and seeing that Chu Jinyao still looked serious, he smiled and nodded, saying, "Okay, you play by yourself."

Chu Jinyao had to walk to enter the palace last time, but today she can use a walking stick instead of walking. When she and Qin Yi appeared, they immediately caused a huge commotion. The palace maids and eunuchs along the way stopped and knelt from a distance. When the eunuch who delivered the message saw them, he immediately shouted: "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess are here!"

Everyone who was talking and laughing in the palace paused, and countless people stood up to salute Qin Yi and Chu Jinyao: "Greetings to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess."

Chu Jinyao walked beside Qin Yi, slightly behind him, and followed him through the road made by the crowd with an indifferent expression. After reaching the first seat on the left, Qin Yi stopped, turned around and said: "No need to be polite."

Chu Jinyao followed behind Qin Yi, and when he saw this, he gave a slight and decent smile and nodded to the people below.

According to the unwritten rules, the higher the status, the later the person appears. Qin Yi and Chu Jinyao are the most noble people in the world after the emperor and empress. When they arrived, everyone except the emperor and empress had already taken their seats. As soon as the two of them appeared, everyone stood up quickly. Chu Jinyao stood at the top and watched the crowds of people saluting them in unison. It was really shocking.

The prince and the princess had already taken their seats, and soon, the emperor and the empress also arrived. After everyone greeted the emperor, this grand royal family banquet began. This

banquet was held for the prince's wedding. Qin Yi and Chu Jinyao were naturally the well-deserved protagonists, and Chu Jinyao was the first official appearance, and was the focus of everyone's attention.

Chu Jinyao was a little confused when she suddenly appeared in such an occasion. Fortunately, such banquets have the same requirements for women, that is, they should be dignified, smile, and behave properly. Chu Jinyao was still a bride, so she took advantage of this and mostly just smiled and didn't say anything. If someone came to toast, she would drink if Qin Yi drank, leaving the task of speaking entirely to Qin Yi.

After a while, Chu Jinyao gently touched Qin Yi and whispered, "Your Highness, I feel a little dizzy."

Qin Yi turned around helplessly and glanced at Chu Jinyao, but his hand had already instinctively supported Chu Jinyao's arm: "I saw you drinking happily, and thought you had a good alcohol tolerance. As a result, you are just pretending. How much did you drink and you are dizzy?"

Chu Jinyao felt that her head was floating, as if the whole person was stepping on clouds, and there was no place to exert force. In the chaos, only her left arm was supported by a hand, as if she had only this one point of support in her whole body. Chu Jinyao knew that it was Qin Yi. As long as she thought of this, even if this was a grand and majestic royal family banquet, even if she accidentally got drunk, it didn't seem to matter.

Because Qin Yi is here.

Qin Yi hid his movements in his sleeves, and quietly supported Chu Jinyao, letting her whole body weight lean on him. Qin Yi served Chu Jinyao food and whispered to her, "I'll have someone serve you sobering soup. If someone comes to toast you later, you don't have to drink it, I'll block it for you."

"Yeah." Chu Jinyao responded, raised her head with watery eyes, and added sincerely, "Your Highness, you are so nice."

Chu Jinyao's eyes were sparkling, and they were crystal clear at ordinary times, more watery than other people with tears in their eyes. Now that she was slightly drunk, her eyes were even more sparkling, and her eyes were like hooks. Qin Yi looked at her for a while, then suddenly smiled and leaned over, asking Chu Jinyao in a low voice: "Do you know what you are talking about?"

Chu Jinyao blinked in confusion, obviously she didn't know.

Seeing Chu Jinyao like this, Qin Yi didn't pursue the matter with her, but just smiled meaningfully.

The second prince and the third prince came over to toast, and happened to see what Qin Yi and Chu Jinyao had just done. The second prince was stunned, and immediately smiled ambiguously: "It seems that we are not here at the right time."

Qin Yi now had no intention of dealing with these social events. When he saw the people coming, the smile on his face faded again: "It turned out to be you, second brother, third brother."

The second prince raised the wine jar in his hand and said to Qin Yi loudly: "Congratulations to my brother on his wedding, and I wish my brother and sister-in-law a happy marriage."

The relationship between the second prince and Qin Yi can't be said to be good, nor can it be said to be bad. Qin Yi started studying alone in Wenhua Palace at the age of five, while the second prince grew up in Qianxi No. 5. Over the years, Qin Yi and the second prince have had few opportunities to meet, not to mention their private friendship. As for the third prince, the legitimate son of Empress Qi... Oh, there is no need to mention him.

Qin Yi listened to the second prince's words and drank a bottle of wine in one gulp. Then he wanted to send these people away. Chu Jinyao is now drunk. What can she show to other men?

The second prince was very surprised to see Qin Yi drink the wine without any excuse. When did Qin Yi give face to others like this?

The second prince smiled and said, "They say things are different after marriage. I didn't believe it at first, but now that I've seen my brother, I know it's true. My brother and his wife are newlyweds, which is really enviable, but won't his wife have a drink?"

"She can't hold her liquor." Qin Yi used his hands to block Chu Jinyao behind him, and looked at the second prince unkindly, "If my second brother really wants to toast my husband and me, I'll do it."

"Of course." The second prince smiled and said, his eyes swept over Qin Yi and Chu Jinyao, and he drank the wine in the glass without saying a word. The third prince, who was standing behind the second prince, had a flash of disdain in his eyes, raised his glass perfunctorily, and then left with the second prince.

The second and third princes had not yet married, and their seats were very close. After arriving at his seat, the Third Prince finally stopped hiding his disdain: "Our eldest brother is still as arrogant and noble as ever." The

Third Prince is also a legitimate prince, and his mother is still the favored Queen Qi, so he naturally speaks without any scruples. The Second Prince heard this and hurriedly came over with a smile to smooth things over: "I think the Crown Princess seems to be drunk, and it is only natural that the Royal Brother does not want people to see it."

The Third Prince sneered in disapproval. The Second Prince glanced in the direction of Qin Yi and said to the Third Prince with a smile: "You haven't opened your mind yet, so naturally you don't understand the subtleties. After next year, when the Queen arranges someone for you, you will understand."

The Third Prince is fourteen this year, and it is indeed not the time to arrange a special female official, but the children who grew up in the palace are naturally precocious, and the Third Prince knew what the Second Prince was talking about as soon as he heard it.

The Third Prince snorted coldly and didn't take it seriously. The second prince, however, thought of the drunken state of the woman he had just seen with surprise, and silently pondered in his heart that it seemed that he should also choose a princess.

Chu Jinyao had a vague impression of the second half of the family banquet. She felt dizzy and kept feeling that she was swaying, but she was afraid of making a fool of herself and embarrassing Qin Yi, so she forced herself to smile throughout the entire banquet. After nearly two years of being trained in palace rules, she has been able to subconsciously maintain a standard smile no matter when and where.

Finally, when the emperor was satisfied and announced the end of the banquet, Chu Jinyao slowly walked out of the palace. Fortunately, in the palace, being fast is taboo, but being slow does not make mistakes. When she regained consciousness, she found that she was being held by someone and was crossing a high threshold.

Chu Jinyao was shocked, and the drunkenness in her head was sobered up by the shock: "Your Highness the Crown Prince?"

"It

's me." Chu Jinyao finally breathed a sigh of relief. Of course, who else in the deep palace would dare to hug her except Qin Yi? Chu Jinyao rested her mind and leaned her head on Qin Yi's arm. After a while, she suddenly realized something was wrong: "Were we in the East Palace?"

"What else?"

"How could you carry me back? Here, here... so many people are watching!"

"Okay, be quiet." Qin Yi used his arms to hold Chu Jinyao, who was trying to make trouble, tightly. "We're already home. Let's slowly settle what you said today."

Home? Chu Jinyao was startled by the word. It turned out that the East Palace was already home?

Perhaps because she was drunk, Chu Jinyao's words were much bolder than when she was sober. She hummed very lightly, rubbed her cheek against Qin Yi, and whispered: "Where His Highness is, that's home."

The author has something to say: The legendary alcohol makes people bold

Most of the feelings in the world, by the time they are realized, it is already too late.