Chapter 84: Summer Banquet Begins

"How can I dare to lie about such a big matter?" When Yun Fenghuang was suspicious, in the brightly lit Mianfu Palace, Mrs. Ji, who had been placed in the brightly lit Mianfu Palace, but was hurriedly called out by the palace servants, was as sinking as water and her eyes were cold. He looked at the concubine in colorful clothes who was kneeling on the ground.

Jieyu Lu is considered to be a relatively young concubine among the concubines who were brought into the palace at the time of the emperor's wedding. She is only in her twenties this year. Although she is able to preside over the first palace thanks to her adoptive father Qingpinghou, her presence in the palace is not very strong and she is often criticized. The kind that is ignored.

The reason for this, in addition to the fact that her family background is relatively inferior among concubines, may also have something to do with her appearance.

Lu Jieyu, whose maiden name is Qi Dao, has raven hair and fair skin, and has regular facial features. They are even very beautiful when viewed separately, but together they are quite dull.

Even though she was dressed grandly, she looked overshadowed among the concubines with beautiful makeup.

She was kneeling under the ridge with her head lowered. There was an embroidered handkerchief neatly placed in front of her. The handkerchief had a water-blue background and was embroidered with some patterns. The most conspicuous thing was a cluster of connected branches.

The texture of both the embroidered handkerchief and the silk thread is obviously of high quality, but the embroidery work is not very good.

If Yun Fenghuang is here, he probably has something in common with the owner of the embroidery: their skills are equal to half a pound...

Queen Mother Ji stared at the square embroidered handkerchief, her eyes filled with emotions, and the sinister look between her brows was terrifying.

Fortunately, Lu Qidao, who was almost lying on the ground, couldn't see her. Her voice was clear and cold, and it was the kind of coldness that made people not get close to each other. She said in a neither high nor low voice, "I was going to report to you immediately after I found out. , but... you happened to be ill during those two days, so I didn’t dare to disturb you. "

The Queen Mother pursed her lips and thought quickly: "Then have you told anyone else?"

Lu Jieyu said: "I didn't plan to tell you at first, but when you were ill in the Enze Sixth Palace, your mother and sister-in-law went to the palace to have a little time with me. Because they were disturbed, it was seen that you mentioned it to your mother alone. I just said a few words to make my father pay attention. After all, this matter..."

"..." Queen Mother Ji was silent for a while and then said, "The Ai family knows about this. It's getting late, so go back."

Lu Jieyu respectfully said yes, but did not get up. Instead, she said: "Please be clear, I really did not murder Yue Jieyu and the emperor's heir."

Queen Mother Ji lowered her eyes and looked at Gushu not far away. She remained expressionless for a moment and said calmly: "The Ai family knows, and the Ai family will explain to the queen."

Watching Lu Jieyu bow and leave, the Empress Dowager slammed the tea bowl in her hand onto the place where she was kneeling just now, and said with gritted teeth, "The Lu family's traitor!!! The Ai family must..."

However, after opening his mouth, he finally sat down slumped for a moment and feebly called for help.

...The next morning, Liu Gong, who was waiting to watch the show, discovered that the murder of Yue Jieyu had gone unsolved: the responsibility was shared by several stewards of Yanlan Palace, Qiongfang Palace, Baohui Palace and Huzhu Palace. The reason was that they believed and spread rumors in private, which made Shan Xiang, who was timid by nature, believe them to be true, and regarded Huzhu Palace as a dragon's pond and a tiger's den, and Yue Jieyu as a scourge.

So much so that after being sent to Huzhu Palace, she was so frightened that she developed hysteria. Then she sneaked out to seek help from Yun Fenghuang and attacked Yue Jieyu... What can a hysterical person do? Not surprising.

"Master, I heard that Lu Jieyu quietly went to the palace of the Empress Dowager last night." The Imperial City Secretary was well-informed. Yun Fenghuang returned to Ziquan Palace after paying his respects. During this period, Xile only went out for a short walk. He secretly came to report, "Today, the queen didn't mention her when she announced the results of the treatment. Maybe she is related to the mother, the empress dowager."

Yun Fenghuang was slightly surprised when he heard this and said: "Lu Jieyu...she is not from the Qingpinghou Mansion. How can she be the regent's sister-in-law and have a relationship with her mother, the Empress Dowager?"

"Qingpinghou entered the palace during the reign of Emperor Shenzong. It is said that he was assigned to serve in front of the Empress Dowager at first. Later, the Empress Dowager gave it to His Majesty Emperor Xiaozong." Xile explained, "His title was from when he was assisting His Majesty Emperor Xiaozong. His Majesty, Emperor Xiaozong, defied all odds to confer this title.”

It is not surprising that Lu Jieyu went to the Queen Mother Ji for help. After all, according to the rules at this time, when she worshiped Qingpinghou as her adoptive father, she was destined to be the Queen Mother Ji's.

only……

Yun Fenghuang asked curiously: "Since Qingpinghou and his mother, the Empress Dowager, have such a connection, why did he later marry the regent?"

Xile sighed: "The late emperor relied heavily on the regent in his later years. At that time, Qingpinghou often accompanied the regent, and he was familiar with the regent. When the regent, Concubine Yuan, was not there, it was said that the late emperor deliberately arranged for Concubine Lu to be a spy for the regent. Later... weren't there some rumors in the palace? It was said that it was leaked by Qingpinghou. Otherwise, how could such news involving the high position be spread? In short, Qingpinghou rarely visited the palace to visit his mother, the Empress Dowager? But after all, they have been masters and servants for many years, and Lu Jieyu has grown up under the eyes of the Queen Mother... Maybe the Queen Mother still misses some old feelings? "

"After all, as the master said, it was not Lu Jieyu who did this in the first place."

What's more, Queen Mother Ji didn't want to see Yuan Yuniang's pregnancy. No matter who had aborted the pregnancy, Queen Mother Ji only felt joy and not disgust in her heart.

Then there would be even less resistance to helping Lu Jieyu escape.

"This palace is really intricate." Yun Fenghuang sighed as he listened, "Without your guidance, I would have been confused until now."

"Your servant dare not take credit." Xile pursed her lips and smiled, raising her chin in the direction of the main hall, "That person came in right after His Majesty's wedding, why don't you know? But look at it, it's not where it is now. ? This morning, your maid went with you to say hello to Yanfu Palace and Mianfu Palace. They settled the matter of the emperor's murder in an understatement, and then started discussing the summer banquet... They haven't come to comfort you yet. ”

Originally, if a concubine encountered such an accident during her pregnancy, even if the empress dowager, who had been in seclusion for many years, was not disturbed, the three empress dowagers, the empress, the concubine Shu and other important concubines should still have sent people to express their condolences and rewards to show their concern. and comforting.

As a result, Huzhu Palace is still quiet until now. I don’t know if it was forgotten or simply not there?

Yun Fenghuang somewhat understood why Yuan Kuiniang was so easily angered.

How many people can tolerate the isolation of such a large palace?

In particular, Yuan Yuniang is still a pampered noblewoman, and she probably doesn't even hear harsh words, so it's strange that she can bear them.

Uh... But it seems that she has her own responsibility for this situation...

"By the way, do you and Xijing have brighter clothes?" Yun Fenghuang recovered his thoughts, took a sip of tea, and asked Xile, "If not, go to the warehouse and pick out wearable clothes to make two sets. They must match. You can also choose any jewelry from my wardrobe. You heard it in Chongchang Palace today. We are all going to the summer banquet. Your clothes for the past two days are too simple, so don’t lose it then. The face of our Ziquan Palace.”

Originally, Empress Ji was busy considering that she was about to move to the palace to escape the summer heat, so she didn't plan to throw a summer banquet for this disguised blind date party into a big deal.

However, the Empress Dowager couldn't help but think about it, and planned to go and have a look in person when the time comes!

In this way, since she was Emperor Xiaozong, she has not shown her face a few times throughout the year, but she actually wants to come in person. Who dares to neglect?

The Queen, who originally wanted to leave it to her subordinates and leave just to show her face when the time came, would of course not be able to continue to be a hands-off shopkeeper.

As for the other concubines, they originally wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to find people for their younger brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, and children. Like Wei Hengyan, they all tried their best to find trustees.

Seeing this situation, how can we not grasp it? They all asked to go over and "serve the Empress Dowager".

Seeing this, Empress Ji simply decided that except for the pregnant Concubine Zheng and Yue Jieyu, all the beauties of the fifth grade or above would join in the fun... This was not entirely because the Empress was caring about the harem. But considering that the Empress Dowager is old, because Emperor Chunjia has no heirs, she has said several times that the palace has become increasingly deserted in the past two years, thinking that the two emperors have not yet been born, and they do not know yet. Whether it can land, we might as well let the new concubines fill in the number.

...After all, this batch of newly hired ladies who just came in this year are all around fifteen or sixteen years old. They compete with each other in terms of their freshness and beauty. They are also the age when they love to laugh and play the most.

The Empress Dowager should be happier looking at it... right... It's the Queen's filial piety after all.

Yun Fenghuang had enough status and was a popular person in front of the queen, so he was naturally among those accompanying her.

This kind of lively and relaxed occasion is only enjoyed by the superiors. Ru Yun Fenghuang must act with caution at the moment, so she plans to bring Xijing and Xile there when the time comes, so she will naturally dress them up now. Get ready.

Xile smiled and thanked him when he heard this. Yun Fenghuang thought for a while and asked in a low voice: "Where is the prince recently..."

"Everything is as usual." Xi Le peeked at her expression and carefully added, "It is said that Mr. Qi has been living in the beautiful maid's room given to him by the palace..."

Yun Fenghuang was silent for a while, then said a faint "Yes" and said in an indifferent tone: "It's okay, Your Majesty."

She thought to herself that she had thought that Mrs. Yaoning and Lu Jieyu had been framed, and that they could somehow force out some arrangements for the regent... Maybe Gong Xiangxiao would be worried and ask for an interview.

Well, she was just worried about Gong Xiangxiao. After all, Xile was quite useful, and the Imperial City Division, even part of the Imperial City Division, was really a good backer... Anyway, she didn't ask this because she wanted to see Qi Jiulu.

Yun Fenghuang bit her lower lip lightly when she thought of this. She didn't know whether to conceal it or confirm it... She composed herself and asked Xile: "Go down and clean up. I don't need you here for the time being."

In the evening of this day, comfort and rewards finally arrived belatedly at Ningbi Hall. You can imagine Yuan Niang's mood. Even though Ziquan Hall is no longer close to the main hall, she still heard a lot of noise. Chen Zhu trotted I went out for a visit, and when I came back, I told everyone with a smile that Ningbi Palace had invited an imperial doctor again.

It seems that Yue Jieyu was too angry and caused the fetal air to leak: "It's not even three months yet and the fetal air has moved. What should I do in the future?"

Can I still give birth in the future?

Yun Fenghuang watched with cold eyes, neither stopping nor interfering. Everyone discussed it for a while because they didn't get any response from their master. They soon felt it was boring. After all, Yuan Yuniang's similar behavior was no longer new, so they turned to the discussion with great interest. Have a summer feast.

In the next few days, except for Yuan Niang, who was forced to stay on the bed to protect her pregnancy, she was very angry and resentful. The Sixth Palace showed rare peace and vitality: in the palace, which had been closed for many years, there was only so much going back and forth, and it was rare to find anything new. Yes, everyone wants to take advantage of the summer feast to relax and unwind.

Time passed in a blink of an eye, and the official day soon arrived.

Early in the morning, the concubines gathered at Chongchang Palace as usual. Under the leadership of the Queen, they first went to Mianfu Palace to welcome the Queen Mother Ji, and then headed to Qingci Palace.

In Qingci Palace, Empress Dowager Yuan and Empress Dowager Qu had already come over and were flattering the Grand Empress Dowager on the left and right.

This place has never had the right for low-ranking concubines to speak. In a situation like today, even the imperial concubines were not qualified to interrupt. They could only hear the queen and the three queen dowagers taking turns to coax the Grand Empress Dowager. After a while, they saw that it was almost time, so they reminded each other and decided to get up and go to Xiaoyingzhou where the summer banquet was held.