After giving a few instructions, Zheng Xiu prepared to go out.
Minghui prepared a heavy rabbit fur cloak for her, and Xue Zhi put it on her personally. He also helped her tie the straps and stuffed a warm hand warmer into her hand before letting her go out.
The wind was strong when passing through the corridor, and it felt like a knife on people's faces. Although Zheng Xiu was worried, she did not dare to walk too fast.
After finally arriving at Changfeng Garden, Zheng Xiu untied the straps at the door and asked Qiu Rui to go in and pass the message on for her.
Qiu Rui smiled and said, "The princess knew that the second wife was coming, and she told me to let you in directly when you came."
Zheng Xiu untied the cloak and handed it to Minghui, and asked Minghui to wait outside.
The room was warm and cozy. Zheng Xiu felt her frozen face was not so uncomfortable until she entered.
Unexpectedly, Princess Guihe and Wang Hanyu were not at loggerheads, but were sitting together and talking.
Seeing her coming, Princess Guihe smiled and waved at her, saying, "I knew you had to come, and I wanted to let someone know, but with your nosy nature, I'm afraid I wouldn't feel at ease if I didn't come in person to see you." Looking at her
expression and listening to her words, she seemed to be in a good mood.
Zheng Xiu was full of questions, bowed, and went over to sit down. Then she looked at Wang Hanyu again, and Wang Hanyu also had a smile on her face.
Seeing Zheng Xiu looking at her, Wang Hanyu smiled playfully and said, "Auntie, are you scared? I'm fine."
Zheng Xiu was even more puzzled, "What's going on?"
Princess Guihe smiled and said to Wang Hanyu, "Talk to your auntie."
Wang Hanyu said, "At the palace banquet, the Queen Mother heard that you were pregnant in our house and said she wanted to talk to you. I stepped forward and explained that you had to stay at home to take care of the baby and could not enter the palace today. The Queen Mother saw that she was shooting at nothing, so she pointed the finger at me." She paused and continued, "The Queen Mother said that I have been married for a long time and still haven't been pregnant. , in front of many ladies, she asked me if there was anything wrong with my body. I was angry for a moment and said a few words to her, and the empress dowager wanted to send someone to arrest me... Fortunately, my mother-in-law was there, saying that the empress dowager...she..."
Princess Guihe smiled even more and continued, "I said that the empress dowager was addicted to being a matchmaker. Not only did she marry the principal wife, she even interfered in the bedroom affairs of the young men. What's the matter, she wants to give two concubines? She is so old and shameless!"
When the empress dowager heard that Zheng Xiu was pregnant, it was obvious that she wanted to use her to torture her to embarrass the Duke of Qing's Mansion. Fortunately, Princess Guihe thought of this in advance and asked Zheng Xiu not to enter the palace to celebrate the new year. The empress dowager was aimless, so she pointed the finger at Wang Hanyu. Wang Hanyu and Xue Qin had been married for less than two months, but she said that Wang Hanyu had a physical problem and could not have children. It was just like finding fault with someone.
"What happened next?" Zheng Xiu asked.
Princess Guihe pursed her lips and smiled, and continued: "Later, the old hag did not dare to say anything to me. She only dared to say that Hanyu was disrespectful, and she was so angry that she felt dizzy. I saw that the situation was not right, so I pinched Hanyu. She was also very perceptive and cried immediately, saying that the queen mother had ruined her reputation and pretended to hit her head against the pillar to commit suicide. People came to persuade her... Unexpectedly, the old hag fainted from anger..."
After listening to this, Zheng Xiu felt that their morning was more exciting than a big drama.
Wang Hanyu couldn't help laughing, "Then my mother-in-law brought me back."
So Wang Hanyu didn't have any unpleasant things happen in the palace, but she teamed up with Princess Guihe to make the queen mother faint. My goodness! Zheng Xiu was amazed and didn't know what to say for a while.
However, after this battle, Princess Guihe and Wang Hanyu shared the same hatred and their relationship became much closer.
Zheng Xiu couldn't help but patted her chest and said, "Fortunately, I didn't go today."
Princess Guihe snorted and said, "With your cowardly courage, I don't expect you to help. It's good enough that I don't scare you!" As she said that, she patted Wang Hanyu's shoulder admiringly, "You are a brave person."
Wang Hanyu lowered her head and smiled, "You're flattering. If you hadn't been here, I would never dare to do this."
Zheng Xiu exhaled, shook her head and said, "You two are really a mother-in-law
and daughter-in-law..." Princess Guihe smiled and glanced at her, "Really what?"
Zheng Xiu smiled helplessly, "You really cooperate so well."
Princess Guihe and Wang Hanyu laughed at the same time.
Zheng Xiu also laughed, and after laughing, she asked, "Will there be trouble in the future after making such a big fuss?"
Princess Guihe smiled indifferently and said, "What trouble is there? That old hag just dared to take advantage of me verbally, so what can we do? She is ill now, and I'm afraid she won't be able to jump around for a long time. We can spend a peaceful year together." Then she asked Zheng Xiu, "Will your father and brother come over today? You don't have to stay here with me, go back early."
Zheng Xiu saw that they got along well and there was indeed no need for her help, so she stood up and said goodbye.
Princess Guihe called Qiurui in again and said, "Go and see if there is anything suitable for the second wife's family among the New Year gifts sent to us, and let her take it back."
Qiurui thought for a moment and said, "Princess Guining gave you a Jiangxian clay inkstone made by Master Yi. The second wife's family's father is a man of honor, so it is perfect for her."
The clay inkstone is hard and wear-resistant, and it will get wet with just a breath, without damaging the ink. It is a very famous and rare item in the world. Not to mention that it was made by Master Yi, the contemporary inkstone master. Master Yi is very old and has not made inkstones for many years. The inkstones he made are even more priceless.
Although Zheng Xiu had not studied for many years and did not know the value of the inkstone, she thought it must be a very valuable thing when she heard that it was a gift from Princess Guining, so she immediately declined it.
"Just take it if I give it to you, what's the use of ink?" Princess Guihe pouted, "Mian'er asked me for it before, but I was reluctant to give it to him. I'm in a good mood today, so I'll let you get a bargain!"
Wang Hanyu also helped, saying, "Second aunt, this inkstone is indeed a good thing, you should thank your mother-in-law and accept it."
The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law sang the same tune, which persuaded Zheng Xiu to be speechless. She had to thank him and let Minghui follow Qiurui to get the inkstone.
Not long after, Minghui took out the inkstone in the brocade box, held it in both hands, and followed Zheng Xiu back to Haoye Hall.
Zheng Xiu went out for a while, and it was almost time for lunch.
Zheng Ren and Xue Zhi had been talking for a long time. When they were peers in the past, they hit it off right away and had endless things to talk about. Later, their relationship became that of father-in-law and son-in-law, and they talked less.
When Zheng Xiu returned, the two were drinking tea quietly.
When Xue Zhi saw her, he immediately stood up and untied her cloak, saying, "If you don't come back, I'll have to send someone to look for you. Is my sister-in-law okay?"
Zheng Xiu let him untie her and said, "Nothing." Then she said to Zheng Ren, "Dad, the princess asked me to bring you an inkstone. Do you think it's suitable for you?" Then she asked Minghui to put the brocade box on the table.
"Princess, you are too polite." Zheng Ren also smiled and said, "Dad has everything he needs. It's better to leave it to A Shao..." Then when the brocade box was opened, he said his refusal.
The chengni inkstone lay in the brocade box, with a simple shape and dark color.
Zheng Ren couldn't help but show admiration on his face. Good inkstone! It's really a good inkstone! Whether it's workmanship or quality, it's the best inkstone he has ever seen in his life!
Zheng Ren couldn't help but say, "Please thank the princess for her kindness. I will take this inkstone with me to the imperial examination next year."
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