From beginning to end, he just saluted Gu Jue once, and other than that, he never looked at Gu Jue again. He accepted Chu Qianchen's orders without hesitation or questioning.
Gu Jue sat beside her, looking at her with a smile.
When he came back this time, Gu Jue could clearly feel that although it was the same palace, it was really different.
In the past, this place was like a temporary residence, unpopular and no different from an inn. Anyone could tell that this was not a home and that he could leave at any time.
Many of the differences are actually very subtle. For example, the incense burned in the study, living room and bedroom are different, which carefully distinguishes the smells of different places. The same is true for the potted plants and decorations in each place, and things are placed according to the place.
For example, the clothes he would wear every day would always be ironed and fumigated the night before. The entire set of clothes from head to toe to hair crowns, hairpins or headbands would all be matched.
For example, the quilts he covered himself with at night were all dried in the sun, carrying the scent of sunshine and fragrance.
Madam Cai could also sense Gu Jue's good mood, and she smiled until her eyes narrowed. She asked, "Princess, some fresh crucian carp, grass carp, and carp were delivered from the farm today. Do you want to ask the kitchen to make some more fish soup and fish porridge?"
Chu Qianchen knew that Gu Jue liked to eat crucian carp but hated fish bones, so he said with a smile: "Your Highness, can I make you braised crucian carp jerky? My knife skills are very good, I can remove all the fish bones of crucian carp."
In her previous life, she developed such perfect knife skills in order to improve her hand flexibility.
She had never had the chance to cook crucian carp for him herself!
Chu Qianchen was already getting impatient.
Gu Jue wanted to ask why bother with all that trouble, but when he met Chu Qianchen's eager eyes, he couldn't say a word.
"I can shave off all the fish bones cleanly within two cups of tea." Chu Qianchen added proudly.
In Gu Jue's eyes, the little girl looked like a peacock with its tail spread out.
Well, as a qualified husband, he should give her the opportunity to show off and perform.
Gu Jue nodded and said, "I'll listen to you."
Nanny Cai looked back and forth between Gu Jue and Chu Qianchen, smiling very kindly, and suddenly she understood in her heart.
From now on, the princess will have the final say on all matters in the palace. It is like this when the prince is not around, and it is also like this when the prince is around.
Madam Cai said repeatedly, "Okay, okay, I will ask the kitchen to prepare it right away."
Nanny Cai left excitedly and passed by Chu Yunmu who was looking for his sister with a black cat in his arms.
Chu Yunmu had short arms and legs, but Chu Yunyi walked much slower than him, and there was a distance of more than ten feet between the two brothers.
"Sister...Brother-in-law, you are here too." Chu Yunmu rushed into the house first and grinned in surprise.
He actually didn't want to leave, but he had promised his mother before he came that he couldn't stay overnight tonight.
My mother said that a real man should keep his word.
Why.
Chu Yunmu sighed in his heart and said aggrievedly: "I have to go home."
For a moment, Chu Qianchen felt a little guilty. Just now, when she came out to see Nanny Shan, she sent Chu Yunmu and Mao to see Chu Yunyi.
Then, she accidentally forgot about the two boys again.
Chu Yunyi just entered the house at this time. He knew with a little thought that his sister had forgotten about them again.
Chu Qianchen cleared his throat and said, "Brother Mu, some live fish were just delivered from the farm. Take some back and try them with your mother."
Chu Qianchen turned to Gu Jue and said, "I think Brother Yi is almost well now. It's time for him to go back to the Imperial College to study."
Last time, the prince asked Tang Yuchu to take him with him. Now that the kid has recovered, it’s time to start.
This silly boy is already twelve years old. If he is not taught properly, he will only become more stupid.
Even though Chu Qianchen didn't explain it clearly, Gu Jue immediately understood what she meant. However, he smiled without saying anything, and a faint light flashed in his eyes.
He gave Chu Qianchen a silent look.
Chu Qianchen smiled happily, feeling as if they had a little secret again, and turned back to instruct Amber: "Have someone pack up the things for the young master."
Chu Yunmu was delighted when he heard this. He forgot all his reluctance and volunteered, "Brother, I'll help you pack your luggage!"
Chu Yunyi: “…”
Although Chu Yunyi had mentioned to Chu Qianchen a long time ago that he wanted to return to the Marquis' Mansion, Chu Qianchen had never agreed before. Now, he was suddenly packed up by her and sent away together with Chu Yunmu.
Chu Yunyi let the little brat drag him out of the house in a hurry. He felt an indescribable feeling in his heart, sour and aggrieved, as if he was disliked by his sister.
When Chu Yunyi arrived, he was carried on a stretcher, looking miserable and dying. When he left the palace, he was carrying so many bags that they filled two carriages, and he was still not finished.
Chu Qianchen said: "Leave the bedding here. You can sleep when you come back next time."
Chu Yunyi was comforted by this sentence. Does that mean he will live in this guest house from now on? He suddenly became energetic again, and rode his Shuangyue with Chu Yunmu in a heroic and high-spirited manner.
With the departure of the two brothers, Prince Chen's Mansion seemed to become a lot quieter, and even the little black cat seemed a little wilted.
Next, for two days in a row, all the famous treasure houses in the capital came to the Prince Chen's Palace, and those shops that were not invited by the Prince Chen's Palace all tried to surround Steward Sui, thinking that only if they entered the gate of the Prince Chen's Palace, they would be considered to be in the mainstream.
The news spread like wildfire in the capital. Everyone from the mansions in the capital to the common people knew that Princess Chen was looking for a piece of glass-type jadeite and planned to carve a statue of Guanyin to present to the Queen Mother as a birthday gift, but she had never picked one.
After three days of such excitement and commotion, the incident became a hot topic, with more and more merchants coming to the store. Most of the merchants directly took out their most valuable treasures in the hope of catching the eyes of Prince Chen and Princess Chen.
That afternoon, another short and fat middle-aged merchant came with two followers and knocked on the corner gate of Prince Chen's Palace.
He confidently announced to the doorman: "My dear, I am a merchant from Yuzhou. I also have a shop on South Street in the capital. I have a piece of top-quality glass jadeite here. I got it from Jiangnan. It is absolutely unique."
The doorman hurriedly sent someone to pass the message, and soon a maid brought in an old man of medium build, gray-haired, dressed in green, who introduced himself as Manager Li.
Manager Li narrowed his eyes, looked up and down at the middle-aged merchant with a big belly in front of him, and asked with a little arrogance: "You said you have glass jade here? You didn't just find a piece of jade to fool me, did you?"
Manager Li brushed his sleeves and angrily said, "You merchants, just to get into the palace, you are using all means, including cheating and deceiving."
The middle-aged merchant forced out an overly brilliant smile, and grovelled to apologize, "Manager Li, even if I were to be bold, I would not dare to treat the people of Prince Chen's Palace perfunctorily!"
"Please take a look." He gestured to an attendant he brought with him, and the attendant stepped forward a few steps holding a red lacquered wooden box.
The middle-aged merchant opened the lid of the wooden box himself, and clearly saw an imperial green jadeite statue of Guanyin lying on the red velvet cloth at the bottom of the box.
Manager Li could tell at a glance that this was a rare and valuable item, and his eyes lit up.
"Manager Li, look, this is the most valuable treasure in my shop." The middle-aged merchant said with some complacency.
Manager Li nodded, and took another careful look, confirming that the jade Guanyin statue had no flaws. His expression eased a lot, and he asked, "I haven't asked what your name is yet?"
The middle-aged merchant smiled more attentively, cupped his hands and said, "My last name is He."
"Boss He, come in with your things," Steward Li stroked his robe and entered the palace first, "Tell the people you brought to wait outside."
Boss He agreed and left his two followers waiting outside the corner gate of the palace.
"This way." Manager Li walked in front to lead Boss He.
After walking about a hundred feet with Manager Li, Boss He happened to pass by another merchant with a forced smile. The merchant was walking towards the main gate with a servant, obviously about to leave.
Boss He held the wooden box containing the Guanyin statue in both hands, looked around a few more times, and sighed in his heart: I heard that the Prince Chen's Mansion is more difficult to enter than the Imperial Palace, and it really lives up to its reputation.
Not only was it difficult to enter, but the security was also very tight. Along the way, he saw more palace guards than servants.
After Steward Li led Boss He on a circuitous walk through the mansion for a cup of tea, they suddenly stopped.
Then, he turned his head and looked at Boss He, who was two steps behind him, and warned him, "Boss He, when you meet the princess later, be careful not to look around or say the wrong thing. Remember, the less you say, the fewer mistakes you make."
His tone was cold and serious, with a hint of arrogance.
"..." Boss He was stunned for a moment in surprise.
He originally thought he could meet Prince Chen, but it turned out to be Prince Chen's wife.
"Don't worry, Manager Li, I got it." Boss He responded.
When he followed Manager Li into Shaohua Hall, he had already calmed down and was smiling as usual, looking quickly at Princess Chen who was sitting at the top.
Chu Qianchen wore a crabapple red bodice embroidered with peony flowers today, had her hair done in a crescent-shaped bun, and wore twin lotus flowers on her temples, looking gorgeous and charming.
Boss He just took a look and immediately lowered his head, looking submissive.
"Princess, this Mr. He has a jadeite Guanyin statue. I've seen it and it has excellent water content."
Manager Li had been arrogant when facing Boss He before, but now when he faced Chu Qianchen, he showed a completely different face. Whether he was greeting or talking, he was extremely respectful.
Boss He is no longer surprised by this.
All the mansions in the capital that are slightly famous are similar. The managers in the mansions are all bullies who act in a pretentious manner.
Boss He personally presented the box containing the Guanyin statue. Amber took it and held the box to Chu Qianchen.
Boss He maintained a bowing posture and said, "Princess, this Guanyin statue is made of the finest icy imperial green jadeite. It is absolutely the best of the best."
"It was created by Wang Weiyi, a Jiangnan master sculptor. Wang Weiyi's Guanyin statue is truly unique."
"I have collected this Guanyin statue for two years. If I hadn't heard that the princess was choosing a birthday gift for the Queen Mother, I would not have been willing to take it out. Only a noble like the Queen Mother is worthy of such a treasure."
Boss He spoke eloquently.
Chu Qianchen looked carefully at the jade Guanyin statue in the box.
This is a statue of the compassionate Willow Guanyin, with a gentle face, a dignified appearance, and a kind expression, as if she has seen all the vicissitudes of life.
The carving is of top quality, as is the material. The icy imperial green jadeite used for this Guanyin statue is the finest jadeite, as clear and translucent as crystal, pure and delicate.
It just lies quietly on the red velvet cloth, giving it a noble feeling.
Amber carefully took the Guanyin statue out of the box and moved it to the window. Under the golden sunlight, the emerald Guanyin statue was green with a hint of blue, and the rich, bright green seemed to be about to overflow.
"Not bad." Chu Qianchen nodded with satisfaction.
Amber put the Guanyin statue back into the box and winked at Manager Li.
Manager Li understood and said to Boss He, "Our princess wants this Guanyin statue. Come with me to the accounting office to withdraw money."
Boss He never expected that this deal would be so easy to make. No one even asked him how much silver he wanted for the Guanyin statue.
But on second thought, this is a birthday gift for the Empress Dowager, and it is worth any amount of money. If Princess Chen or the stewards of the palace were to condescend to bargain with a merchant, how would that look if the Empress Dowager heard about it?
"Boss He, please follow me." Manager Li led Boss He to the accounting office and left the wooden box containing the jade Guanyin statue.
The palace was very efficient. After a cup of tea, Boss He came out of the accounting office holding a steaming hot silver note for 50,000 taels. He and Steward Li were both very satisfied and smiled widely.
On the way from the accounting office to the main gate, Manager Li's attitude towards Boss He was obviously much kinder. He smiled and said, "Boss He, if you get any treasures next time, remember to tell me first. I won't treat you unfairly."
Boss He agreed with a smile, and then said, "Manager Li, I just came back from Jiangnan last month. Jiangnan is rich in tea and silk. I still have some silk from Jiangnan here. I wonder if the palace wants it?"
Manager Li stopped and hesitated a little, "The palace has already ordered winter clothes, but it's too early to make spring clothes..."
Boss He hurriedly said, "Manager Li, you don't know yet? There was a turmoil in Jiangnan a while ago, and I had a hard time transporting these carts of silk back."
"Now that the news of the unrest in Jiangnan has not spread, I estimate that the silk in Jiangnan will definitely be in short supply next year."
As he spoke, he looked around quietly.
They were standing under a sycamore tree with half its leaves turning yellow. To the northwest was a winding corridor; to the right was a three-story attic; to the northeast was an octagonal pavilion and a bamboo forest; a cobblestone path went deep into the bamboo forest and led to a courtyard.
When the wind blows, the green bamboos sway in the wind.
6◇9◇Book◇Bar
Steward Li seemed to be persuaded, and stroked his beard and said, "How about this, I will go and ask the chief steward for instructions later, you go back and wait for my news first."
Suddenly, Boss He's eyes flickered as he noticed a figure in a white monk's robe in the bamboo forest, appearing and disappearing in the green bamboo forest.
This is……
Boss He's pupils shrank sharply and he stared at the white figure intently. His body tensed up, as if he was nailed to the ground.
He stared at the bamboo forest for too long, and Manager Li noticed it immediately. His expression changed and became as gloomy as water.
Manager Li quickly took a step to the side, blocking Boss He's sight, and angrily scolded: "What are you looking around in the palace for! This is Prince Chen's Palace!"
"Forget it, just walk faster!!"
Manager Li changed his attitude like turning the pages of a book, and was not polite at all.
As he was speaking, two tall and strong guards from the palace arrived. Just a few cold glances they gave him were as threatening as a mountain pressing down on one's head.
Boss He quickly apologized with a smile: "I'll leave right away, right away!"
When he turned around, he quickly glanced in the direction of the bamboo forest again, but he could no longer see anything.
The bamboo forest was empty, with only a black cat that quickly darted past and disappeared in the blink of an eye.
Boss He was half-pushed and half-driven out of the palace by two palace guards. Then, the corner gate of the palace was slammed shut, tightly.
One of his followers stepped forward and whispered, "Master?"
"..." Boss He pretended not to hear anything. He turned his head and stared at the closed corner door, his eyes flickering.
He must have seen it right. The figure in the bamboo forest must be the eldest prince Wuhejialou.
Boss He's eyes were sinister and he said nothing.
The Prince Chen's Palace was like an iron barrel that not even a fly could fly in. If it weren't for this opportunity, he would have no way of going in to find out what was going on. Unexpectedly, he really saw the Uhaga Tower.
Sure enough, Wuhejialou was not dead, and was brought to the capital of Da Qi by Gu Jue.
He must hurry back to report to the prince.
"Walk!"
After Boss He said this, he got on a green-covered carriage, which left in a hurry, and the area outside the palace became empty again.
No one noticed that the corner door of the palace had opened a crack again, and a sharp pair of eyes were looking in the direction where the carriage left.
After a while, the corner door closed again.
Manager Li put on another expression, curled the corners of his lips complacently, and then left with his hands behind his back, even his steps were more agile and steady than before.
The two palace guards who had just chased people away exchanged glances silently, as if to say that old people are still the best! Manager Li returned to Shaohua Hall.
Chu Qianchen was still in the hall, casually playing with the imperial green jadeite Guanyin statue with one hand.
The black cat squatted on the ground, opened its pair of equally green eyes, and looked up at the Guanyin statue. Amber was a little nervous, afraid that it would stretch out its cat claws and slap Chu Qianchen's hand in the next moment...
"Princess, the person has left." Manager Li said with a smile.
Chu Qianchen praised: "It's done very well."
This jade Guanyin statue is indeed top-grade, and the other party has put a lot of effort into it. This time it is like killing two birds with one stone, no, it’s three birds with one stone.
Chu Qianchen pursed his lips and smiled slightly, his eyes clear as stars.
That Boss He still thought that they had not revealed any flaws, but he didn't know that the people in Prince Chen's Mansion were all retired soldiers and were more perceptive than anyone else.
When Manager Li went out of the house to meet Boss He, he discovered at first sight that the two followers brought by Boss He were both well-trained military personnel, as evidenced by their standing posture, the rough calluses on their hands, and their alertness with their eyes and ears looking all around and listening in all directions.
Although they specially changed a wooden box to hold the Guanyin statue, judging from the smell emanating from the red velvet cloth, it was a kind of incense unique to the Nanhao Palace, called Amaryllis.
The spies had also discovered long ago that the Nanhao envoys brought a jadeite statue of Guanyin as a betrothal gift to the third princess.
"Just wait for what's next." Chu Qianchen waved his hand, signaling Manager Li to leave.
Wait for the other party to move first! Chu Qianchen put the Guanyin statue back into the box and told Amber to find another box to put the Guanyin statue in.
Chu Qianchen was in a very good mood and felt that he had done a great job today. He planned to go to the prince to ask for a reward.
Finally, Aunt Cai came.
"Princess, someone from Zhuxiufang has come and said your new dress is ready. You should go and try it on right away."
This new dress is what Chu Qianchen will wear when he enters the palace the day after tomorrow.
Chu Qianchen had to change his plan temporarily and went back to the main courtyard first. It took him half an hour to try on the new clothes.
The people from Zhu Xiufang hurriedly left with the new clothes and altered them overnight. On the ninth day of October, Chu Qianchen entered the palace wearing the new clothes.
There were many female relatives attending the banquet today, and Chu Qianchen arrived neither early nor late.
Originally, her red-wheeled carriage could only be parked outside the palace gate. After entering the gate, she needed to walk to Fengluan Palace. But today, as soon as she got off the car, she saw Nanny Shan.
"Princess," Nanny Shan walked quickly to Chu Qianchen, bowed, and smiled warmly, "The Queen specially arranged a sedan chair for you."
Behind her, two eunuchs came over carrying a sedan chair.
Chu Qianchen looked at the gorgeous sedan chair with a calm expression.
The Queen had never been so accommodating.
Besides, the Queen has never been a considerate person.
"Princesses, please come this way." At this time, a eunuch in blue walked past Chu Qianchen.
He walked in front, leading the way for two old princesses in their early fifties. Behind them were several palace maids, servants and nannies. Everyone in the group couldn't help but look at Chu Qianchen.
"The Queen is so thoughtful." Chu Qianchen said with a smile, thinking: She is being courteous for no reason...
However, since there was a sedan chair to sit on, she would not bother with her legs. She got on the sedan chair and let the two eunuchs carry her to Fengluan Palace before she landed again.
In Fengluan Palace, besides the queen sitting on the phoenix throne, there were four or five other people.
The empress was still as graceful and elegant as ever. She wore a bright red robe with a yellow gown embroidered with golden dragon patterns over an outer layer, a dark blue shawl, and a double-phoenix dragon crown adorned with gems and hairpins on her head. The pearl crown enhanced her demeanor to seven points, but also made her features look a little blurry. People only remembered the gorgeous pearl crown, but not her appearance.
As soon as Chu Qianchen arrived, the hall fell silent.
The eyes of several female relatives all fell on Chu Qianchen.
Chu Qianchen walked forward slowly. She could tell at a glance that the queen had lost weight, probably because she had been worried about the prince's affairs recently.
"Greetings to Her Majesty the Queen." Chu Qianchen saluted the Queen.
"Ninth brother's sister, there is no need to be so polite. Please sit down." The queen gave Chu Qianchen a warm and kind smile and greeted him in a friendly manner.
Immediately, two palace maids brought a rosewood armchair to Chu Qianchen and placed it at the bottom, closest to the queen.
Chu Qianchen sat down gracefully.
The expressions of the other female relatives were somewhat subtle. They exchanged glances secretly and felt that the Queen's attitude towards the Crown Princess was not so good.
For a moment, the female members of the family felt as if this world was a fantasy and turned to look outside the hall.
Today the sun really rises from the east! !
The queen didn't care about other people and continued to greet Chu Qianchen: "Ninth brother's sister, the weather has been getting cold recently, you have to take care of yourself."
"I have a 200-year-old ginseng and a 100-year-old Polygonum multiflorum. You can use them to replenish your body."
At the Queen's command, the head palace maid immediately went to get the hundred-year-old ginseng and hundred-year-old Polygonum multiflorum.
The Queen was amiable, as if she had returned to the state before Chu Qianchen's wedding. No, it should be said that she was even kinder than before, caring about her well-being and almost worshipping her as a bodhisattva.
Chu Qianchen responded with a smile from time to time and accepted them all.
When the queen had almost finished speaking, Chu Qianchen said, "Your Majesty, I want to go and pay my respects to my mother."
The Queen agreed without hesitation and said with a smile, "You go. The Queen Mother has been in good health recently. I went to Shouning Palace to ask her to come on time. She has been talking about you, my ninth sister-in-law. You can have a good chat with the Queen Mother. When the play starts, I will send someone to invite her to enjoy the flowers and the play."
Chu Qianchen just smiled and said nothing, and did not agree on behalf of the Queen Mother.
It was obvious that the Queen was trying to please her, and even hinted that she would look after the Queen Mother.
At this time, a girl of fifteen or sixteen years old, wearing a lotus-colored Hangzhou silk jacket, stood up gracefully. Her eyebrows were like a crescent moon, her eyes were like autumn water, her lips were like red cherries, and her appearance was very outstanding.
She had her hair in a lily bun and wore a glittering red-gold lilac hairpin on top. The hairpin had a three-ear tassel hanging from the end, swaying by her cheek, making her eyes look bright and charming.
"Your Majesty," the girl knelt gracefully before the queen, "I would also like to pay my respects to the Queen Mother."
As she spoke, she looked at Chu Qianchen who was a few steps away, "Princess, can I go with you?"
There will be no chapter division today.
(End of this chapter)