In the huge square, hundreds of people were coming and going, and the noise was still there, but none of the sounds could reach Chu Qianhuang's ears.
She stared blankly at the handsome and noble profile of the white-robed monk, her thoughts in confusion.
As far as she knew, there was a cat in Uhaga Tower, a black cat with four snow-white hooves.
In the years to come, both Northern Qi and Southern Hao will face drastic changes.
Prince Gu Jue is only in his old age and can't hold on for much longer;
And Uhagaru will also usher in the bleakest and darkest years of his life.
When he returns to Nanhao from Daqi, he will be deposed by the emperor of Nanhao, hunted down, and even wanted by the whole country of Nanhao. He will be despised by the people of the world, deserted by his friends and relatives, and fall from the top of the sky to the mortal world.
For the next few years, he would live a life of hiding like a rat in a gutter, and during those years, unknown to anyone, he always carried the black cat with him.
It is said that the black cat was brought back by him when he was on a diplomatic mission to Da Qi, and it was just a disabled cat.
Later, he returned to secular life and ascended to the supreme position of Nanhao. Many years later, he conquered Da Qi and unified the Central Plains. The old black cat was still kept by his side and was revered as a sacred cat.
Chu Qianhuang's heart was filled with turmoil, and she couldn't help but guess that the kitten they were talking about was the black cat in her dream.
Chu Qianhuang looked back and forth between Jialou and Chu Qianchen, and then she heard Chu Qianchen, who had his back to her, say, "Yueying... I named it Yueying. It's still small, and its legs and feet have recovered well. It will be able to walk in a few days, but if it wants to jump up and down, it still needs to be raised for another twenty days."
Chu Qianchen specially arranged a maid to take care of the little black cat. When the kitten first arrived at the Marquis' Mansion in early June, it was listless because of a broken leg. Now it has become full of energy and is getting more naughty every day. If no one was watching it, it would have climbed up to the roof and jumped off the tiles long ago.
Speaking of the kitten he raised at home, Chu Qianchen's smile deepened, his eyes lit up, and his mind flashed the image of it curled up like a charcoal ball in the basket.
Although getting a cat was not originally in her plan, she felt it would be nice to have a nice-feeling cat and pet it occasionally while reading or playing chess.
For some reason, Chu Qianhuang felt like she was being excluded. It was clear that Wuhejialou didn't even know her...
Chu Qianhuang tightly grasped the handkerchief and began to recall the things in her dream. A suffocating feeling enveloped her...
She stopped and walked towards Chu Qianchen and Jialou as if being pulled by an invisible force, calling out, "Second sister!"
Chu Qianhuang interrupted their conversation with a smile, her delicate and beautiful face was full of bright smile and her words were kind.
She nodded towards Jialou, then said to Chu Qianchen as if nothing had happened: "Second sister, the third princess and Princess Changning have already gone in."
"Then I won't bother you anymore." Jialuo made another one-handed Buddhist gesture and left.
Chu Qianhuang clenched her handkerchief, trying to suppress her emotions, and didn't look at Jialou's back as he left.
"Big sister, let's go." Chu Qianchen looked at Chu Qianhuang with a smile, and that look that seemed to be able to penetrate people's hearts made her feel startled.
Chu Qianchen just glanced at her and chased after Anle, Chang Ning and the other noble ladies. Chu Qianhuang was a step slower but soon caught up.
Seeing that Chu Qianchen didn't look back, Chu Qianhuang quickly turned around and looked at Jialou's figure that was getting farther and farther away.
Men, women, young and old of all kinds were strolling leisurely around, but only that snow-white figure stood out among all those creatures, making everyone else seem like a foil.
He was like a god from heaven who had descended to earth, untainted by the worldly dust and fireworks, and detached from the mundane world.
Chu Qianhuang stared at him for a moment, then looked away, with a hint of enthusiasm and determination in her eyes.
She continued walking forward, neither fast nor slow, and after a while, her expression returned to calm.
The group of noble ladies quickly took their seats in the stands. They sat in the front row, and the martial arts test scene below was clearly visible to everyone.
At half past noon, the martial arts test for teenagers under the age of fifteen began.
The emperor has not arrived yet, so there are not many people in the stands. Most of the spectators are the relatives and friends of the young masters, as well as some foreigners who come to watch the fun.
The first game is a showdown.
Both sides can take to the ring with weapons such as knives, swords, spears, and hammers. The one who knocks the opponent out of the ring within one stick of incense wins and advances to the next round; if there is no winner, it is considered a draw.
Look, it was only the first match and they saw a familiar face.
"It's Peng Zhongshen!"
Chang Ning pointed at a young man in blue holding a sword and spoke excitedly, his voice slightly higher.
Chu Qianchen also looked at the young man in blue in the field. She recognized him. He was the second son of Marquis Jing'an.
She had also met him once in Yunting Pavilion.
Peng Zhongshen raised his eyes and looked around the stands, then stopped in the direction of their group of people and smiled brightly.
Anle tilted his head in a strange way and said, "I remember he was good at using a knife, wasn't he?"
Chang Ning glanced at Chu Qianhuang meaningfully and said with a smile: "How can using a knife be as elegant as dancing with a sword!"
The young man admired Ai, and Peng Zhongshen's feelings for Chu Qianhuang could not be hidden from the eyes of those who were interested. He took part in the martial arts test this time, also wanting to show his face in front of the emperor, hoping to impress Chu Qianhuang.
What a pity, his kindness is probably in vain, Chu Qianhuang might not think highly of Peng Zhongshen.
Whenever Chang Ning thought of the dispute between the three sisters of the Chu family in Yunting Pavilion that day, he felt that Chu Qianhuang was not an ordinary person.
Since that day, Chang Ning deliberately kept his distance from Chu Qianhuang.
Chu Qianhuang pursed her lips and smiled, but said nothing.
The other noble ladies couldn't help but laugh out loud and teased Peng Zhongshen jokingly, completely unaware of the undercurrent between Chang Ning and Chu Qianhuang.
With a loud gong sound from below, the competition began.
Everyone's attention was focused on the ring.
On the high stage, Peng Zhongshen and another young man in black clothes, about fourteen or fifteen years old, looked at each other with smiles.
The two men were about two meters apart, one holding a sword and the other holding a spear.
Both of them exuded a sense of oppression, and they looked heroic and sharp.
An atmosphere of tension spread silently as their eyes met.
"Please give me some advice!" Peng Zhongshen said casually.
Before he finished speaking, the long sword had been pulled out of the scabbard. He shouted softly and took a step forward. The long sword in his hand cut through the air and slashed down at the young man in black.
The silver sword shone blindingly under the bright sunlight, and the robe fluttered with it, giving off an aura of a sword-flying dragon or a startled swan.
“Zheng!”
The young man in black held his spear horizontally without hesitation, blocking Peng Zhongshen's sword that was as fast as lightning and thunder. Sparks flew and murderous aura filled the air, making the air around them turn cold.
The hearts of the spectators could not help but rise, and they all held their breath and watched intently.
Then, Peng Zhongshen swung out several more swords in succession, each one faster and more fierce than the last. The swords flashed so fast that the silver sword light almost turned into phantoms...
The young man in black responded calmly, brandishing his spear with great vigor. The crisp sound of swords and spears colliding continued and intensified...
Chu Qianchen was watching intently and didn't notice an old lady in a rust-colored jacket walking towards her and stopping beside her.
It was only when the other party called out "Second Miss Chu" that Chu Qianchen withdrew his gaze from the ring and looked towards her.
Some noble ladies sitting nearby also saw the old lady. Some of them recognized her and started to whisper to each other.
Just like a stone falling into the lake, ripples appeared on the water surface, and more and more people looked towards the old lady.
The old nanny politely bowed to Chu Qianchen and said with a smile: "I am here on the orders of the Empress Dowager to invite Miss Chu to Shouning Palace to talk."
"May I ask what your name is, Madam?" Chu Qianchen's eyes flashed, and a faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips.
The current Queen Mother is Prince Gu Jue’s biological mother.
The Queen Mother was the daughter of the Yin family, the successor of the previous emperor and the stepmother of the current emperor. After the previous emperor passed away, she, the queen, was naturally worshipped as the Queen Mother.
For the emperor, the existence of Queen Mother Yin is also necessary. She is the bargaining chip used by the emperor to control Prince Chen.
Chu Qianchen knew that the reason why the prince obeyed the imperial edict and left the north to return to the capital was because of Queen Dowager Yin. Although the prince knew that he would be controlled by the emperor if he returned to the capital, he still had to come back.
In his previous life, Chu Qianchen had never seen Queen Mother Yin.
The old maid replied politely, "What is my maid's surname?"
"Please lead the way, Madam He."
Chu Qianchen stood up and said with a smile. In her previous life, she had only heard of Nanny He and knew that she was a close confidant of Queen Mother Yin.
Chu Qianhuang looked at their backs as they left, the corners of her lips curled up in a half-smile.
Under the guidance of Nanny He, they walked towards the west side of the palace.
Over the years, the Queen Mother had been worrying about Prince Chen's marriage. She had already picked out several suitable ladies from prominent families and was just waiting for a chance for Prince Chen to meet them. Unexpectedly, the Emperor would suddenly issue an edict to arrange a marriage for Prince Chen, and the one he chose was a concubine's daughter.
Nanny He sighed in her heart. The Empress Dowager had also ordered her to inquire about this Second Miss Chu. The news she got made the Empress Dowager somewhat disappointed, but also felt it was natural.
The emperor has chosen a concubine's daughter to be the princess for Prince Suibianchen. Everyone knows what Sima Zhao is thinking.
Amidst such complicated emotions, Nanny He led Chu Qianchen to Shouning Palace.
Compared to the magnificent Fengluan Palace, Shouning Palace looked much more simple and elegant. All the palace servants lowered their heads and looked submissive, and the surroundings were unusually quiet.
Walk up the white marble steps, cross the high threshold, pass through the main hall and a side hall, and you will arrive at the Queen Mother Yin's bedroom.
"Second Miss Chu, please come this way." Nanny He led Chu Qianchen in.
Inside the bedroom, a strong smell of medicine wafted into the air, mixed with the scent of ambergris, a strange aroma that filled the air.
Chu Qianchen's nose moved, and he habitually analyzed the herbs contained in the smell.
6◇9◇Book◇Bar
"Greetings to the Empress Dowager." Chu Qianchen walked to the bed against the wall and knelt respectfully to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager Yin.
Sitting on the bed was a beautiful woman in her forties, with a thick pillow behind her. The woman had black hair mixed with silver threads, her hair was neatly combed into a bun, with a pair of mutton-fat white jade pendants inserted diagonally.
Her skin was fair, and her slightly sallow face showed obvious signs of illness and old age. Her figure was very thin, and the shadow of Gu Jue could be vaguely seen in her beautiful facial features.
Chu Qianchen also knew that Queen Mother Yin had been bedridden for many years. One of the purposes of her going to the palace to attend the birthday banquet today was to have a chance to meet the Queen Mother.
Everyone knew that the emperor was holding Empress Dowager Yin hostage in order to restrain Gu Jue, but it was only natural for the emperor to "support" the Empress Dowager, and no one could find any fault with it. It was impossible for Gu Jue to take the Empress Dowager out of the palace.
Moreover, Gu Jue was an adult prince and it was not convenient for him to enter the harem on weekdays, so he did not have many opportunities to meet Queen Dowager Yin.
In his previous life, after Queen Mother Yin passed away, the prince was extremely grief-stricken and his injuries became even more serious.
Chu Qianchen was looking at Queen Mother Yin, and Queen Mother Yin was also looking at Chu Qianchen, from head to toe, and from bottom to top, her gaze resting on her beautiful and clear phoenix eyes.
The concubine's daughter of Marquis Yongding was just as the rumors said, she was extremely beautiful and a rare beauty.
Although she was a concubine's daughter, she had a clear and upright look and a graceful and self-assured demeanor... She didn't seem to be as cowardly and mediocre as the rumors said. When she moved and saluted just now, her movements were smooth and graceful, as if they were measured with a ruler, without any mistakes.
This girl has learned the rules quite well, and she has not shown any fear in the palace, but...
Queen Mother Yin slowly picked up a white porcelain teacup with embossed patterns, her drooping eyelashes blocking her flickering eyes.
But--
She didn't believe that the emperor would really arrange a good marriage for Gu Jue.
"Good child, get up and take a seat." Queen Mother Yin's voice was soft and gentle. The next moment, a palace maid skillfully moved a chair and placed it next to the bed.
"Thank you, Queen Dowager." Chu Qianchen didn't hesitate and sat down gracefully.
She was still looking at Queen Mother Yin without leaving any trace, but now she was looking at her complexion.
After careful observation, it seems that Queen Mother Yin is not terminally ill. She should not have died in just a few months...
Chu Qianchen's mind moved, his expression became more solemn, and he glanced around again.
In the bedroom, besides Nanny He, there were three palace maids and a eunuch.
Queen Mother Yin forced herself to cheer up and asked, "I remember your name is Qian Chen. You will be fourteen soon, right?"
Speaking of this, Queen Mother Yin felt unhappy.
The girl is only fourteen years old. The emperor deliberately found a girl this young, which clearly showed that he had bad intentions. At this age, it would take two years to consummate the marriage, and at least another two years to get pregnant and have a child.
The emperor clearly didn't want to leave a successor to Gu Jue...
Thinking of this, Empress Dowager Yin felt a tightness in her chest.
Chu Qianchen also knew that the Queen Mother must be dissatisfied with her. After all, she was used by the Emperor to deliberately humiliate the Prince. However, she was worried that there were spies of the Emperor in Shouning Palace, so she could not explain anything.
She could only answer politely, "Your Majesty, if you remember correctly, I will be fourteen in August."
Queen Mother Yin asked a second question: "Qian Chen, what do you like to do normally?"
Chu Qianchen used the same rhetoric as usual to deal with Concubine Chu, and said vaguely: "I usually like to read storybooks and do needlework."
When Queen Mother Yin heard this, her expression suddenly became subtle.
No matter how well an ordinary girl learns music, chess, calligraphy and painting, at least she knows how to speak nicely in public. No one would always talk about how much she likes to read storybooks.
Queen Mother Yin patiently asked again: "Have you ever learned how to be a housekeeper?"
After Chu Qianchen married into Prince Chen's Mansion, she became the legitimate mistress of the mansion. She couldn't possibly ask her son to worry about the affairs of the backyard for her, right?
Chu Qianchen replied softly, "I, your servant, and my elder sister once studied with our stepmother for a few days, and we only read a few account books."
Checking the account books is the entry-level job for a housekeeper, which means that the "few days" she mentioned really was just a few days. Queen Mother Yin was even more disappointed.
They knew that the emperor would not arrange a good marriage for Gu Jue, but apart from her face, Chu Qianchen really had nothing to show for herself. Also, she was just a concubine's daughter, and how could the Yongding Marquis' Mansion teach a concubine's daughter the same way they would teach their eldest daughter!
Why!
Queen Mother Yin said to herself, forget it, honest people have their advantages. This girl has clear eyes and at least she is not a cunning person.
Queen Dowager Yin recalled the last time she saw Gu Jue.
After Gu Jue returned to Beijing, she only saw him twice.
Although Gu Jue never mentioned his old injury to her during their two brief meetings, no one knows a son better than his mother. Queen Dowager Yin vaguely knew that something was wrong with her son.
The emperor is not a good person, but since Taoist Xuan Jing can figure out Gu Jue’s illness, he might really have some skills in Taoism. Chu Qianchen’s horoscope might really bring good luck to Gu Jue.
For Queen Dowager Yin, as long as she could save Gu Jue, she would be willing to try any method. If the wedding ceremony to bring good luck worked, and if this Chu Qianchen could really keep her son alive, she would treat her as the apple of her eye.
"Come closer!" Queen Mother Yin waved at Chu Qianchen with a complicated expression.
Chu Qianchen had been waiting for this opportunity for a long time. He was originally worried that he would not have the chance to get close to Queen Mother Yin, but now he was happy.
Her smile suddenly became very sweet, with a pair of dimples on her lips, making her look very amiable. Even Queen Dowager Yin was stunned for a moment, and thought to herself: At least this look should be pleasing to my son's eyes.
Queen Mother Yin took a jewelry box from Nanny He and stuffed it into Chu Qianchen's hand, "This is a gift from me for you. Take it and enjoy it."
When meeting her future daughter-in-law for the first time, Queen Mother Yin naturally couldn't be stingy in her treatment, so as not to embarrass her son.
She carefully selected a lot of jewelry for Chu Qianchen. On the one hand, she also thought that Chu Qianchen was a concubine's daughter and probably couldn't afford a decent dowry. The Yongding Marquis's Mansion would be reluctant about this marriage and might be too harsh on this girl in terms of dowry.
If this girl's dowry is too shabby, it will be my son's turn to be lost!
Chu Qianchen quickly took the jewelry, her movements seemed almost impatient, which made Nanny He frown slightly, thinking that this concubine's daughter was just a concubine's daughter and was not presentable enough.
Nanny He couldn't see it from her angle, but Empress Dowager Yin could clearly feel Chu Qianchen's three fingers on the pulse on her right wrist. The girl's fingertips were as warm as warm jade.
Empress Dowager Yin was very familiar with Chu Qianchen's gesture; all the doctors in the Imperial Medical Bureau took her pulse in this way.
Queen Mother Yin looked at Chu Qianchen in surprise and doubt.
Chu Qianchen only felt that Empress Dowager Yin's wrist was cold and she frowned slightly. Soon, she let go of the hand that was taking her pulse and naturally took the gift from Empress Dowager Yin. She smiled brightly again.
Chu Qianchen held the jewelry box in his hand and thanked him with a smile.
Queen Mother Yin subconsciously touched her right wrist, and the warmth she felt told her that everything that had just happened was not an illusion.
When she looked at Chu Qianchen again, her eyes were filled with scrutiny and speculation.
But then she felt that she was thinking too much, she was just a fourteen-year-old girl.
At this time, a palace maid entered the bedroom holding a wooden tray. On the tray was a pink porcelain enamel soup bowl with plum, orchid and bamboo patterns. Wisps of white vapor rose up from it, and a smell of medicine wafted over.
Chu Qianchen's nose moved again, and his eyes flickered slightly.
Nanny He came over and asked, "Empress Dowager, would you like some ginseng tea now?"
Empress Dowager Yin looked at the kettle leaking on the bedside table and saw that it was time for her to drink ginseng tea, so she nodded.
Chu Qianchen casually put the jewelry box aside, and very attentively and proactively took the soup bowl on the tray, saying with a smile: "Your Highness, let me serve you."
She thought to herself: I am so lucky that someone will give me a pillow just when I feel sleepy.
(End of this chapter)