However, many old ministers in the court at that time opposed the emperor's approach, and ultimately the Meng family had roots left, leaving behind a son from the direct branch, and a boy and a girl from the side branch. These three people left the capital and went to Jiangnan.
Although they went to Jiangnan, the three of them were very capable. In just one generation, the family expanded rapidly and became one of the aristocratic families.
The current head of the Meng family is the child born to the legitimate branch that was left behind, and the two people from the side branch have also married and had children.
Now that the relationships are sorted out, the investigation will be easier.
Jiang Tuantuan said, "Come with me, I'll take you to meet some people."
"Who are you meeting? You're being so mysterious."
"You'll know when you see him."
Then they came to the familiar alley.
Sure enough, the four little boys were in the alley. Jiang Tuantuan walked over familiarly, squatted down, and formed a circle with them.
Li Jingchen looked at this scene and actually found it quite amusing, so he ran over and squatted with them.
Jiang Tuantuan said quietly, "This is my husband. I need you to help me investigate the Meng family. The emperor has a concubine named Wen, who is from a branch of the Meng family. Did you know this?"
"I know. It is said that he is a child born from a branch of the Meng family, right?"
"Yes, yes, I need you to help me check whether the situation is true."
The little boys said in unison, "No problem."
Jiang Tuantuan skillfully took out a handful of copper coins from his pocket and stuffed them into the hands of the boys.
Li Jingchen also imitated her, took out a handful of copper coins from his pocket and gave them to them. In an instant, the boys developed a good impression of Li Jingchen. It seemed that he was a generous man.
The boys immediately went to work. Looking at the background of their departure, Li Jingchen asked in surprise: "Who are these people? They actually know that Lady Wen is from the Meng family."
"They are just a bunch of poor children without parents."
After the four little boys arrived at the mansion where the Meng family was temporarily residing, they immediately found the leader of the area, gave him two copper coins, and began to inquire about the news of the Meng family.
The young leader said, "When they arrived in the capital that day, we saw five nobles getting out of sedan chairs. One of them looked very majestic, and we heard the maids calling him the master of the family. He must be the master of the Meng family. There was also a woman next to him, who must be his wife. There was also a little boy following behind him, about ten years old. In addition, an old woman also got out of the sedan chair. She looked to be of high status. There was someone supporting her. The maids called him the second master of the family. It seems that he is the younger brother of the master of the Meng family."
I don’t know anything else, and few people came out these days. Only a few servants were coming in and out. Later, no distinguished person was seen coming in during the day.
After the boys got the news, they gathered together and began to think that the head of the Meng family should be born to the direct line, and the old woman should be from the side line, and the person supporting the old woman should be his son.
That Miss Wen should be the child born to the old woman.
The most crucial information was still not received, so the boy began to squat at the door of Meng's house day and night.
One day later, a maid was suddenly seen going out and buying a wreath and gold ingots made of paper.
It's broad daylight, and it's not Qingming Festival. Buying this means you are commemorating someone who has passed away. Who could this person be? It's really hard to figure out.
If they wanted to know the news, they had to go into the Meng family. The four of them walked around outside the Meng family again and again, and finally found a dog hole in a corner. The dog hole was blocked by straw, so it was not easy to be found, which was why they had been searching for so long.
In order to find out what was going on, the four boys gritted their teeth and decided to wait until night to crawl in and take a look. They were really risking their lives to gain intelligence.
On Lady Wen's side, Xi Que had already prepared the chicken soup. Looking at the sky, the sun had already set and it was time for dinner. Lady Wen took a bath, changed her clothes, and dressed beautifully. Thinking she was very beautiful, she took the chicken soup to find the emperor.
The emperor was sitting in the hall reviewing memorials at this time. When he heard that Concubine Wen was coming, an expression of impatience immediately appeared on his face. But he had to play the whole show, and he needed to show that he liked Concubine Wen, so he immediately changed his face and asked someone to invite Concubine Wen in.
When Lady Wen came in, the emperor immediately smiled and said, "My beloved concubine is here. I'm really tired today. Seeing you coming here, my mood instantly improved a lot."
Lady Wen said coquettishly, "The Emperor is teasing me again. I made chicken soup for you personally. You're tired, so drink some chicken soup and take a rest."
"My beloved concubine is so thoughtful." The emperor held Lady Wen's hand and said lovingly, "My beloved concubine looks much prettier today. The big red flower on your head really complements your skin tone."
"Your Majesty, thank you for the compliment. If Your Majesty likes it, then the existence of this big red flower is meaningful."
"Your Majesty, I will feed you chicken soup."
After saying that, Lady Wen picked up a spoon, filled a small bowl, and brought it over.
"How can I eat alone? It's already dinner time. Why don't we serve a few more dishes so we can eat together?"
"Okay, then everything will be up to your Majesty."
After a while, the palace maids came in with freshly prepared dishes. The emperor and Concubine Wen sat at the table and had dinner together. They looked very sweet.
The emperor wanted to find an excuse to refuse tonight, but it was difficult to do so. So the emperor asked the eunuch to bring a few pots of wine and said, "My beloved concubine, how about drinking a few cups with me tonight?"
"Okay, I also want to drink with Your Majesty."
Several pots of wine were quickly finished, and Lady Wen's face turned a little red. She looked at the emperor with a confused and infatuated look.
"My dear, go take a bath."
Lady Wen said coquettishly, "Well, Your Majesty, please wait for me."
Later, when Lady Wen went to bathe, the Emperor said to the chief eunuch, "Bring some incense and put it in Lady Wen's tea. Then get a guard over. You understand what's going on after this."
The eunuch immediately understood what she meant, gave Concubine Wen a vicious look, and then turned and left.
Tonight is the first time that Concubine Wen has served the emperor in the palace since she entered it. Although she does not like the emperor, she is full of expectations. After all, the emperor is quite good-looking.
When bathing, her body was soaked in rose petals for a long time, and her hair was carefully combed. Xi Que tied her hair into a simple yet gentle bun.
She slowly walked over from behind and saw the emperor sitting on a chair in his night clothes. She couldn't help but blush. The emperor also looked at Concubine Wen with an expectant look on his face.
"Your Majesty, please don't look at me like that. I'm embarrassed."
"My beloved concubine is beautiful. Of course I want to take a closer look."
After saying this, the emperor raised his teacup, began to drink the tea slowly, and then tapped the table lightly with his fingers.
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