Chapter 52

The next day, news came out from the East Palace that Cao Shi, who was only promoted to the concubine of the prince, died of a sudden illness last night. It is said that in a dream, the Crown Princess sat up in shock, staggered half-footed, and had no time to catch her hair. However, when Mr. Cao was in Wuding, he suffered from abdominal pain and hidden illness. Although he was treated with various methods at that time, he did not break the root. This time, he had a sudden attack and a violent attack. After all, he could not survive it, and unfortunately died. The prince concubine endured the grief and sent someone to inform the Zongren Mansion. At dawn, the news reached the Cao family. The Cao family was stunned and cried bitterly. Cao's mother was granted permission to enter the palace. When she was brought in, her daughter had stopped in the Hall of Bliss, which was specially prepared for the funeral of the deceased palace concubine. All she saw was a nanmu coffin. before, weeping bitterly.

The prince did not show up, but the princess saw Cao's mother in person, but when she saw her eyes were red and swollen, Wei Yu first shed tears. It was said that when he was in Wuding, Mrs. Cao served the prince before herself, and she always respected and respected her. At that time, before she entered the house, she already cherished each other and formed a sisterhood. Gongli, the prince of Yu Shi, but she didn't want her to fall ill last night, the Taiyi Shishi was invalid, and he was by his side, stomping his feet in vain, and the grief was unbearable.

Before he could finish speaking, he choked up several times, so that he could not speak, was supported by the female official, and could not stop crying.

Cao's mother had never heard of her daughter's abdominal pain and old illness before. When she heard the bad news, she was grief-stricken, but she was also suspicious, but since her daughter entered the palace, she hadn't seen her again, only during the four seasons. , to get some rewards from the palace. Long live Jackie Chan now, the eldest son has been crowned the crown prince, and the daughter has risen with the tide. On the next day of the prince's wedding, she was made a concubine to accompany you. I still remember the whole family celebrating. God, when I got the news again, it was actually my daughter who died violently in the palace, and I couldn't even see the last face.

Even though Mother Cao had doubts in her heart, how could she dare to question even a single sentence, she only blamed her daughter's blessings for not being able to enjoy the wealth of this heavenly family, and she burst into tears. Hearing that the Crown Princess said that she could report on Cao's usual virtues and conduct, and begged for the posthumous title of Rong, in order to increase her grief, she knelt down tremblingly to the Crown Princess, and the Crown Princess again comforted her.

Xiao Lieri was in a hurry and had to report that there was a mourning in the East Palace. After being surprised, he didn't think much about it, and Zhu Gou, the royal pen, granted the request of the Crown Princess. The Cao family was given a title and was buried in the imperial tomb. The four palace maids and four eunuchs who served personally in the past were willing to die to accompany the master. The funeral was very beautiful, and the Cao family was comforted afterward.

The accident of Donggong's violent death of the side concubine was like a stone thrown into the lake, and it disappeared without a trace without even a few waves of microwaves. Soon, no one will mention the woman whose life is thinner than paper. It is the Crown Princess, who was just married for a few days. In everything, she is more benevolent and virtuous, and her reputation is once again proclaimed, and the Zhang family is also more glorious. After half a month, it is the birthday of the princess's mother, and the female relatives of officials above the fourth rank in Beijing all come to celebrate. Queen Zhou He also sent a congratulatory gift, and authorized Zhang Fengtong to return home to visit relatives on the same day. Mrs. Zhang's face was bright and she went to the palace to thank her.

When the people left, Lin Momo entered the palace, and Zhou Shi knew that she should have come to report to the previous order to secretly investigate the progress of Xiao Lieyu's whereabouts on the night of the prince's wedding, so she dismissed the palace maid and eunuch.

Madam Lin said in a low voice, "Mother Qi, I searched my own people in private, and two days ago, I finally asked me to find out a piece of news, saying that a group of people had gone out to Andingmen in the north of the night city, and one of them was wearing a cloak. He kept his head down, sat on the horse, his feet were not on the ground, and he could not see his face. Several of the entourage, the city captain on duty did not recognize him, but one of them showed the palace badge and ordered the door to open. Judging from his appearance, he seemed to be a young eunuch in the palace. The person left the city and went north, missing where he was. If I was right, that person should be Mr. Long live. Because that night, Li Yuangui went to the Pei's house for Hexi, and it was Cui Yinshui who served Long live. The young eunuch looked like Appearance, it sounds like Cui Yinshui."

Zhou Shi frowned.

"Naturally, there is no way to inquire about the few close guards around Long Live Master. I went to test Cui Yinshui's tone, saying that the empress knew that he worked hard for Long Live, and wanted to reward him. I didn't expect this eunuch to be extremely cunning, saying that he was despicable. , serving Long Live is a blessing from a previous life, and I dare not ask my mother for a reward. If my mother wants a reward, I will ask his godfather to accept it. The bunny who has broken the roots of his descendants is slippery like a loach. I said a few words, Then I knew, I wanted to ask something from this eunuch, but I was afraid that I didn’t have much hope, so I didn’t dare to say it too thoroughly. I was afraid that he would turn his head and report to Li Yuangui. Then I went back. It's all useless for me, please punish the mother."

As Lin Ma said, seeing Zhou's brows getting tighter and tighter, she hurriedly knelt down and pleaded guilty. She didn't listen to her for a long time, she secretly looked up, and saw her eyes staring straight ahead, as if in a trance. I was thinking about something, it looked weird, I didn't dare to make a sound for a while, I just held my breath and waited. After a long while, I finally heard the queen say: "Are you sure, long live that night out of the north of the city?"

Madam Lin hurriedly nodded her head: "Nine times out of ten, that group of people will do it!"

Zhou Shi said: "You can send someone you trust to go to the Ci'en Temple in the north of the city and continue to ask me quietly, that night, did any special people in the temple visit and where did they go."

Madam Lin is the wet nurse of the Zhou family. When the Zhou family was married to Xiao Lie by the old emperor, she had already followed her and knew some secrets that were not enough for outsiders. "Niang Niang, are you saying that Long Live Lord actually went to the place where the Ci'en Temple was located that night?"

Zhou Shi's facial muscles twitched slightly, and he gritted his teeth: "In the middle of the night, going out of the palace privately, or in the north of the city, not there, where would it be? After so many years, I thought he had put it down long ago, but I didn't expect that he still can't forget it now. , I have only been in the capital for a few days, and the living do not look at them, but they go to the dead to mourn their deaths..."

She stopped abruptly, her lips trembled slightly, ten pointed fingernails were deeply inserted into the flesh of her palm, and she didn't feel any pain. She only took a long breath, finally got up, and said coldly, "Go check immediately, if there is any Report it to me."

Lin Mo replied, got up from the ground, turned around and backed out.

...

Mrs. Zhang's birthday, and the crown princess was allowed to return to the palace to visit relatives. On the same day, in front of the Zhang family's door, she saw fragrant carriages and horses, and they kept coming and going. Because all the women's relatives of the palaces arrived, the crown prince would also go out of the palace and return to the palace. Mother's birthday, the Zhang family was afraid of collision, so they blocked the whole street early in the morning. In the evening, at the end of the street, a continuous bright corner of lights lit up. The lights were as bright as day. The horse-drawn carriage and sedan chair are connected end to end, occupying the entire street, and passers-by look up from a distance, but when they see the BMW carved car, it is so luxurious and extravagant that it is difficult to describe.

Although Pei You'an and Xiao Yintang have no contact in private, they are still friendly on the surface. After Xiao was included in the capital, the Pei family, Zhang family, and Zhou family can now be called Beijing Central

giants

Most of all, there are quite a lot of people-to-people exchanges on weekdays. Mrs. Zhang had her birthday today, and she sent an invitation to Pei's house early, inviting Mrs. Xin, Mrs. Meng Er and the newly arrived Grandma Pei to come together as guests.

At the end of Shen Shi, Jiafu had already dressed up and went out with Mrs. Xin and Mrs. Meng Er. Mrs. Xin had her own carriage, and Mrs. Meng pulled Jiafu to sit with him. The servants on both sides of the front and back accompanied him, and in the carriage at the back followed the maidservant, all the way. Go to Zhang's house. When he arrived at the door, he was greeted by the waiting wife of Zhang's housekeeper. Before the second door arrived, Madam Zhang showed up with the servants and came out to greet her in person.

Mrs. Zhang was wearing a new brocade dress with dark Zhu Qishou characters on her body, and a forehead with embroidered gold threads and various colored gemstones on her forehead. She was rich and splendid, and her face was full of spring breeze. When she came up, she warmly grabbed Mrs. Xin's hand and exchanged a few words of greetings. He smiled and said, "I'm just celebrating my birthday, and I didn't intend to disturb your distinguished guests, but the Empress said that the Crown Princess had been working hard a few days ago, and asked her to go home and take a break and do it in the hustle and bustle. I thought, since the mother-in-law told me like this, she simply set up a stage in the garden at home, and invited all the ladies and grandmothers who have been friends with us on weekdays to listen to the play together. This is interesting. The son is now highly respected by the Lord of Long Lives, and I heard that your house is also constantly receiving distinguished guests, I thought that Madam didn’t have time to come to my humble house today, but she came here, which is really glorious.”

The eldest son, Rongguang, Jiafu noticed, but Mrs. Xin's smile was not happy, but others couldn't see it and didn't pay attention. Mrs. Zhang greeted the second lady again, and finally cast her eyes on Jiafu and took a slight look. Jiafu Xiang greeted her with a smile, and she said with a genuine smile, "This must be the great grandma who got the marriage from the Lord Long Live. It's the same as the Jade Man. I like it as soon as I see it. Don't stand here, come in!" Said He led Mrs. Xin to wait in, chatting and laughing all the way, passing through several gates, but half of the servants and servants were not seen on the way, all of them were maids and servants, and finally entered the longevity hall specially arranged for today, the treasure house of Zhenlou, The flowers are full of splendour, and there are many people inside, but seeing the fragrance of clothes and temples, jewels, and the fragrance of fat powder, the nostrils are coming. The laughter was endless, and suddenly Mrs. Zhang personally introduced the guests, and they all looked over.

This is Jiafu's first appearance in the entertainment circle of noble ladies in Beijing after marrying Pei You'an.

Xiao Lie's reliance on Pei You'an even surpassed that of Duke Wei of the year. Because of Pei You'an, the Pei family suddenly became the leading high-ranking family in Beijing. Xuanhe was just like the grand occasion when Pei Wenjing entered the middle palace many years ago. Those female relatives, who did not recognize Mrs. Xin and Mrs. Meng Er, greeted them with smiles when they saw the arrival of the Pei family.

Today, I am a companion, and Jiafu's dress will naturally not be deliberately publicized, but she will not dare to neglect. Knowing that her appearance is partial to childishness, she has to dress up in a prudent manner. After bathing, lightly sweep the moth eyebrows, apply thin powder on the face, apply rouge lightly, dye the lips with Danzhu, Gao Wan's hair in a bun, and gold chandeliers. The skirt on the body is a twelve-pin skirt, which is sewn with gold threads. Each skirt is embroidered with flower and bird patterns of different seasons. It is elegant and rich. When walking, it looks like the tail of a phoenix. Endless crown.

Pei You'an's big wedding was given by the emperor, and the honor of having the same day as the crown prince, but she married the cousin of a merchant in Quanzhou. Before Jiafu showed up, she had already attracted the attention of many people, and now she follows the first few women. , Although the position was at the back, as soon as he entered the longevity hall, his body was full of gazes.

Among the female family members in the birthday hall, some Jiafu recognized, such as Mrs. Zhu Guogong and Mrs. An Yuanhou, who had come to Pei's house before, but more did not know each other. She smiled and didn't talk much, but she responded very appropriately. Even if there were people who despised her family background, with Pei You'an's status today, who would dare to offend her publicly. Those of higher rank than her are very cordial, and those of the same generation as her are all flattering and even servile. The so-called wife and husband are precious, and this is probably the case.

Among them were Mrs. Liu Jiushao and Mrs. Zhang Zhengdao. Zhang Zhengdao's wealth today is all thanks to Pei You'an's recommendation. As for Liu Jiushao, when Wuding rebelled, he was captured before the battle. If it wasn't because of Pei You'an, let alone his status today, the whole family would have become a ghost under the sword of King Shun'an at this moment, and the two ladies did not wait. When he was introduced, he came over to chat with Jiafu, his attitude was attentive, and his gratitude was beyond words.

When Jiafu was talking with the two ladies, she suddenly saw that Mrs. Meng had brought a woman, and she was leaning towards her, rubbing against each other. She was wearing a new oily purple dress, her head was full of emeralds, her eyes were full of emeralds. Looking at him, with a pleasing smile on his face, he immediately recognized that it was none other than Brother Quan's grandmother, Mrs. Song.

The Song family enjoyed a few years when King Shun'an was the emperor. Later, when Xiao Lie arrived in the capital, the army had not yet arrived. It is said that among the first officials Phi secretly turned to him, the Song family was among them. After Xiao Lie ascended the throne, the Song family was also exempted from being held accountable, but he seemed to dislike the Song family quite a bit, and the official position was lowered again and again. From the original second-rank officer, Master Song was reduced to today's inconspicuous Taichang Temple. Liupin Temple. On such occasions, it was all thanks to Mrs. Song running around in the camp and giving generous gifts, and then finally got the invitation post and was able to stand here at this moment.

The second lady smiled and led Mrs. Song to Jiafu, turned her back, frowned, and whispered, "Afu, this woman has been pestering me just now, asking me to take her to talk to you, I'm really afraid If you get her, you have to bring it, you can just say a few words and send it away."

When Jiafu was getting married, Mrs. Song had the cheek to come to the door with gifts. In addition to bringing back the treasures she had given her, she also gave many other things. How could Mrs. Meng want her favors? As soon as they were sent away, they immediately asked them to pick up the extra items.

I remembered that my mother used to give in, and because of the anger I suffered in front of her, I couldn't see anyone, but now I see her being shameless and want to talk, how can I have a good face, suppress the disgust in my heart, and smile: "God mother All the time?"

Madam Song hurriedly waved her hand and smiled: "How dare I be called a grandma? What kind of godmother am I? When the grandma calls me my wife, I will worship Buddha! I heard that my wife is still in Beijing now? I miss it a bit, I've been thinking about going to see my wife again, just because I know she's busy, and I'm afraid that I'll disturb her by rushing to the door, I don't know how convenient these few days will be?" The words were full of flattery, where is the domineering look in the past?

After the news that he was given marriage to Pei You'an by the emperor reached Quanzhou, his elder brother Zhen Yaoting went to the capital. When he met, he took his mother Meng Shi back to Quanzhou. After counting the days, it should be almost there in two days.

Jiafu would not deliberately humiliate this snobby woman in public to vent her anger, but she would not let her entangle herself on the ground with a stick, saying: "My mother is really busy. It’s also very lacking, if Madam has nothing to do, I can get my mother’s favor on my behalf.”

Mrs. Song nodded shyly: "Yes, yes, since the concubine is tired, then take a good rest..."

Jiafu smiled lightly, turned her face away, and stopped talking to her.

A palace eunuch suddenly entered quickly and reported that the princess had arrived, and the people in the Quanshou Hall immediately stopped what they were doing, sorted them in order, followed Madam Zhang and greeted them out.

Jiafu came to the second gate with the crowd and stopped. Seeing the guards of honor outside the gate, the eunuch and the maid were holding a towel and fanning. A young eunuch bent forward and opened the sedan curtain. Zhang Fengtong got down from the sedan chair, and Mrs. Zhang brought the whole family. , to welcome her in, the pomp is extremely vast.

Jiafu and the others stood on both sides of the corridor, watching Zhang Fengtong being surrounded by people, coming in with a smile on his face. She is dressed in a palace costume, elegant and luxurious, and the light illuminates her whole body brilliantly. The demeanor of the future empress of the Wei Dynasty is on display, and she is approaching. Bow down to her.

Jia Fu's position was in the forefront, seeing the Crown Princess avoid kneeling. Seeing her passing in front of him, Zhang Fengtong turned his head, as if he had accidentally seen Jiafu, with a smile on his face, he stopped, turned over, and came to Jiafu.

Jiafu gave her the usual salute, she let the salute, and by the way, let those kneeling beside the road also get up, and smiled at the crowd: "Mrs. Pei and I were old friends, but we are busy each other, and we are not allowed to have deep friendship. I feel sorry for this, tonight is a good opportunity to have a chat with Mrs. Pei." After saying that, she took Jiafu's hand and asked her to enter with him, and smiled at Mrs. Zhang: "Mother, remember to wait for the next general. Madam Pei's position is arranged next to me."

Everyone saw that the Crown Princess was also green-eyed, and the gazes they cast towards Jia Fu became more and more envious.

Jiafu thanked her because her position was not enough, but Zhang Fengtong sincerely invited her again. Jiafu knew that she could not escape, so she smiled and thanked.

After entering the banquet hall of the Shoutang and arranging the seats, Jiafu was indeed placed at the table of Zhang Fengtong, for the sake of the most prestigious seat. The person sitting with him is either a man of super-rank rank or an older person with high morals. Because Jiafu was the youngest, she was the first to sit next to Zhang Fengtong.

The birthday feast is about to start, and everyone moves chopsticks.

This kind of occasion is not a place to be full. Jiafu had eaten before she came out and was not hungry. At this moment, she was cautious and followed Mrs. Qin who was sitting next to her with chopsticks. She only went up to the few dishes in front of her. It only took two chopsticks slightly.

Zhang Fengtong said with a smile: "My mother's birthday is today, and I am very grateful to all the elders to come to my house to congratulate me. Although I am called the Crown Princess, I am actually very young. In terms of seniority, I don't dare to care for my elders in front of the elders. Let's have a toast together."

After she finished speaking, a palace servant held a wine jug in his hand and came up to pour wine for the guests at the same table. First, the wine cups in front of the crown princess, and then rotate in turn.

The ladies at the same table gave in.

Jiafu glanced at the jug in the palace servant's hand. She had no intention of looking at it, but her heart moved slightly.

This jug has a round belly and a pointed tip. It looks no different from an ordinary jug, but the background color is the bright yellow used exclusively by the royal family. The dragon and phoenix auspicious clouds are painted on the belly of the jug. The dragon and phoenix are lifelike and extremely exquisite. know, it should be an imperial object in the palace.

Jiafu always felt that this jug was a little familiar, as if she had seen it before, but she couldn't remember it for a while. She tried to search for her memories. The palace staff poured the wine one by one and gradually turned to Jiafu when she finally thought about it. stand up.

In the following year after Xiao Yintang became emperor in his previous life, he made a concubine named Liang. The Liang family was on the rise at that time, and it was tit-for-tat with the Zhang family. That concubine Liang Gui was famous for her virtue and talent. After entering the palace, within half a year, she became a noble concubine second only to Zhang Fengtong. But on the Mid-Autumn Festival that year, Zhang Fengtong feasted in the harem and at the palace banquet where the ministers ordered the madam, that Concubine Liang was drunk. During the banquet, the news spread outside the palace, and the Liang family lost all face, and Xiao Yintang also hated her extremely. Concubine Liang kept shouting grievances, saying that she was framed by others. After drinking at that time, she became unconscious. Xiao Yintang is also a shrewd person. After thinking about it, he ordered a thorough investigation. Finally, it was found out that it was a concubine named Zhu who was jealous of Concubine Liang. At the palace banquet, he bribed the palace people and used a handmade craftsman. The made wine jug, named Yuanyang Qiankun Ju, looks the same as the ordinary wine jug on the outside, but there is a hidden mechanism inside, which is divided into two parts. Button, this part of the drink comes out, and no one else will notice it. At that time, Concubine Liang Gui accidentally drank the alcohol that had been drugged, which made her a big ugliness in public.

After Xiao Yintang learned the truth, he ordered Concubine Zhu to be tortured, but she had committed suicide ahead of time. The jug was later brought by Xiao Yintang to Jiafu to play with to relieve her boredom.

Jiafu suddenly understood everything.

Why did the invitation specify that she must come to the banquet, and why did Zhang Fengtong ask her to sit at the same table.

Jiafu looked as if nothing had happened, with the smile she should have, watching the palace servant poured the wine for Mrs. Qin Guogong who was beside her, and brought the pot to her side, just like before, and extended the mouth of the pot to the one in front of her. wine cup.

She could see clearly that the palace servant's thumb, at the moment when the wine was poured, pressed a small button above the handle. The movements are extremely subtle, and if she hadn't paid attention to them deliberately, it would have been impossible to notice them.

The golden-yellow liquor was poured steadily into her wine cup. At this point, the whole table was full of wine, and the palace servant gently placed the jug in front of Zhang Fengtong and left immediately.

Jiafu suppressed the violent fluctuations in her heart and slowly raised her eyes. Seeing Zhang Fengtong stand up and hold up her wine glass, she glanced at the whole table with a smile in her eyes, and her eyes finally landed on her face, saying, "This cup, please first respect me. The weather in Wei is good and the rain is good, long live and long life, please drink together."