Chapter 69: Concubine Shu's Question
Because two rounds of drumming and flower passing have passed, although not everyone has their turn, most of them have made their appearances.
Although there are many people who are too nervous to perform abnormally...
But on this kind of occasion, knowing that the concubines must always pay attention, so few people can maintain a normal mind, so the eldest brother doesn't say the second brother, as long as the mistakes are not too excessive, everyone will laugh it off.
But after Ke Chaoruo got up, he was embarrassed and did not respond for a long time. For a while, even if he wanted to show his dignity in front of the royal family and not appear too mean, everyone was a little surprised.
Seeing that the atmosphere was about to cool down, on the mountain path in the distance, the figure of the Zhonggong attendant walking quickly with Shiguo on his back hadn't attracted everyone's attention, but Gu Jue's appearance quickly attracted everyone's attention.
She stood up just in time, because out of the corner of her eye, she saw a young maid of twelve or thirteen years old trying to get close to Ke Chaoruo.
Few people knew the little maid present, but Gu Jue happened to remember that she was from Xuanqing Palace, but she seldom showed up outside.
"This elder sister may have many talents, so I don't know which one to choose for a while." Gu Jue squinted at the little palace lady, because she stood up suddenly at this moment, everyone looked over, and subconsciously followed her gaze.
So the little maid was startled and didn't dare to move.
The corners of Gu Jue's mouth curled up, and he said softly, "I'm a clumsy one, and I was lucky enough to get consecutive byes. I'm afraid it will be difficult to continue to get what I want in this round, so please allow me to take advantage of this situation, Your Highness and everyone. How about presenting a song to everyone with this sister?"
Everyone present knew that she wanted to rescue Ke Chaoruo.
So we watched Princess Zhaoqing together.
Because other people stood up at this time, maybe it was a moment of sympathy, or they might have other plans.
But Gu Jue was raised in the palace, and it has only been a few days since he returned to his own home.
In theory, with Princess Zhaoqing and other imperial daughters, they have gotten along with each other in theory.
Who knows if it is Zhao Qing's arrangement for Gu Jue to go out now, so as not to affect the atmosphere of the banquet?
Princess Zhaoqing was slightly taken aback. Although she also knew that Yun Fenghuang intended to make Ke Chaoruo the daughter-in-law of the Xuanqing Palace, but because this emperor's daughter was born sweet and smooth, the city was not deep, and she was not her own. Many things were done under the guise of caring, and they were not told carefully to her. At this moment, the princess was a little hesitant, wondering if she should agree?
While hesitating, Gu Jue smiled and said again: "Your Highness, please feel sorry for the courtiers. You know, courtiers are stupid. If it's their turn later, I'm afraid they don't know where to put their hands and feet. At that time, the court lady didn't say anything about her embarrassment, and she didn't know how to explain it to her aunt when she turned around."
After hearing this, the second princess covered her mouth with a round fan, and whispered to Zhao Qing, "This is so right, it seems that Eldest Sister deliberately wants to make her shame in public, so that she can fall behind her mother."
Zhaoqing was self-absorbed and loved the queen, and he didn't pay much attention to the queen since he was a child, but he didn't buy it when he heard the words, and said indifferently: "Today, everyone gathers together, regardless of status, just want to have fun. When I started before , You didn't say it was difficult. How many people are following the rules now, but you stand up and say it's difficult? Isn't this unfair to those who followed the rules before? The queen mother is the most respectful person, but you If you do this, even if it becomes a blockbuster later on, the queen mother won't like it."
"Your Highness taught me that it's the minister's narrow mindedness." Gu Jue sighed in her heart. She always knew that although her aunt held the high position in the palace, when she came to Xuanqing Palace, she was at a disadvantage in every way.
But she didn't expect that Zhaoqing, a concubine, would not give face to her aunt in this way under the eyes of everyone.
Suppressing countless thoughts, Gu Jue said softly, "But please think about it, Your Highness, since we only want to have fun, and we don't mean to have to compete, then of course it will be as lively as possible. In this case, I would like to invite you to join me." This elder sister will play an ensemble, may I ask His Highness for permission?"
"Big sister, let her come." Zhaoqing was about to speak, but the second princess next to him leaned over and whispered again, "Cousin Jinxi just gave us a wink to show us that Ke Chaoruo's expression, this master is probably real No, if things go on like this, even if Gu Jue fails to play with Ke Chaoruo, Ke Chaoruo may miss her in his heart, and it will look like we are deliberately making things difficult."
Zhaoqing glanced at Ke Chaoruo calmly, the granddaughter of Ning Guogong's direct granddaughter was really sweating profusely, her face was flushed, she was anxious and didn't know what to do.
Thinking of the plan of the concubine mother, the princess nodded slightly, and said slowly: "This is the truth. Today is for fun, not for the school exam or to make things difficult for anyone. I know Miss Gu, you are very strong, but usually you are still Forget it, today everyone just wants to celebrate, but there is no need to do so."
Gu Jue didn't care about the beating in her words, and nodded with a smile in agreement, with a well-behaved and submissive attitude. After Zhao Qing looked away, he turned to ask the palace man for the instrument.
Seeing the princess nodded, the palace servants did not refuse now, and went to look for Yaoqin and Dongxiao.
Gu Jue ordered the maid to ask Ke Chaoruo which one to use? What tunes are you good at?
Ke Chaoruo thanked without any confidence, and said in a low voice, "I...um...should be...all of them?"
The maid has been brought by Gu Jue's side all the time, and she is also relatively clever. Hearing this, she understood that this lady probably can't do both, and whichever she chooses is a hindrance.
Her smile remained unchanged, and she said softly: "What music does Miss Ke like? My lady said that everything is up to you."
"..." Ke Chaoruo thought hard for a moment, bit the bullet and clicked a tune that everyone was familiar with, and whispered awkwardly, "I haven't practiced for a long time, I'm afraid, um, I'm afraid I don't remember much?"
"Don't worry, Ms. Ke, Your Highness has said it all, today is just for fun, it's not a school exam." The servant girl comforted her a few words, turned her head and told Gu Jue, and said in a low voice, "... Maid look Miss Ke's finger, the cocoon must have been practiced recently."
Gu Jue was not surprised: "Since she came back to the Imperial Capital on this eye bone, it must be to participate in the royal selection of a daughter-in-law. How can she not practice a few surprises? It's just that she must not have much talent for these things. Looking at the people in front Compared with my talent, I feel more embarrassing."
The servant girl was very happy: "With Miss's piano skills, I will be able to compare her to a horrible level later!"
"..." Before the words fell, Gu Jue cast a silly look at himself, "Everyone knows that she is the daughter-in-law that my aunt wants most, and I am also ordered by my aunt to help you at this moment." She made a rescue, why step on her as a stepping stone?"
Gu Jue is not confused, if the queen's plan goes well, Ke Chaoruo will be her mistress in the future.
Why did she offend people in advance?
If the queen's plan doesn't go well, Ke Chaoruo will be the daughter-in-law of Xuanqing Palace in the future. With the method of the Xuanqing Palace, if she stepped on Ke Chaoruo today, she would have to be dealt with twice... Why is this necessary?
Left and right, she is not one of the three talented women in the imperial capital, and she does not rely on talents to make a living.
Therefore, the ensemble of the next two daughters from famous families left everyone with great expectations speechless.
Upstairs in Zezhi, the others are fine, but Concubine De, relying on the support of the noble concubine, said bluntly: "Then Ke Chaoruo is fine, the daughter of a military general grew up in the frontier, so it's understandable that she doesn't know talent. Miss Jue How can I play it so messily? If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, just listening to the sound of the piano, I would have guessed that some young girl-child was practicing.”
The queen frowned slightly, then relaxed, and said in a low voice: "That child Zhaoqing said it all, just for fun. Why does Concubine De take it so seriously? You are also her concubine Demu after all, so you don't have to argue with a group of children. "
Then he said, "After this round, it should be Concubine Shu's problem. But I don't know what problems Concubine Shu has caused for the children?"
"Your Majesty is just joking. I have little talent and little learning. Even if I want to solve a difficult problem, I must have the strength." Concubine Cui Shu said calmly, "As Princess Zhaoqing said, today is just for fun. I don't dare to spoil the fun of the banquet. .”
Concubine Shu was telling the truth, because Gu Jue accompanied Ke Chaoruo to play together...or after losing face together, she didn't get her turn next time. It was about the same time at this time, although some people hadn't been selected yet, drumming and passing flowers was just a matter of time. it's over.
The next thing to unpack is Concubine Shu's kit. Concubine Shu's topic is, let everyone write a poem with the theme of today's lotus pond.
...It can be said to be very perfunctory.
So much so that the queen and the noble concubine turned their heads and looked at Concubine Shu speechlessly after listening to the topic.
Concubine Shu let them look at her with a low eyebrow, but she didn't mean to explain.
The second prince under her knees has also reached the age to talk about marriage, and plans to appoint the main concubine this summer, and even find two side concubines if there is time.
The problem is that Concubine Shu knows it well, her heir's biological mother is the daughter of the Ji family, and she has been tabooed by Chunjia since birth.
If you want to ascend the throne, unless the emperor's sons except King Chu are dead.
Cui Lianye entered the palace as a young man, and after many years of ups and downs in the palace, he had already extinguished those unrealistic fantasies.
In fact, she is grateful to be able to support the second prince so that she will not die alone.
Besides, although the Cui family can be considered as one of the top schools today, it has finally shown signs of decline over the years. Even after the concubine sister Xiao Cui married Xie Xiaoyu, she could still fight a little bit by relying on the sign of the imperial concubine.
All in all, Cui Lianye didn't think it was necessary for his son to compete with the empress and concubine.
She didn't even give Ke Chaoruo a wink just now, but she focused on sizing up those girls who were at most second-rate regardless of their talent or appearance.
So, why rack your brains to come up with questions?
She herself doesn't need to pick the best.
"Concubine Shu, is there anyone she likes?" After everyone was dumbfounded, they also wanted to understand Concubine Shu's thoughts. At this moment, Concubine De couldn't help asking, "Just now I saw you staring down for a long time."
Although Concubine De was similar to Concubine Shu, she didn't expect to get involved with the most high-profile disciple at the banquet today.
But Concubine De, as a clear-cut imperial concubine's party, and the consort of the third emperor's daughter, it is hard not to be regarded as the future party member of the imperial concubine. In addition, the woman needs to be more reserved. Although she has some thoughts at the moment, it is difficult to express them, but she urged Concubine Shu, "If there is, it is better to say it. While the empress and the concubine's sister are both here, it is better to give it to the concubine." Are you a staff officer or two?"
Concubine Shu hesitated for a while, but she didn't refuse. The main reason was that her requirement for her future daughter-in-law was not to be too outstanding. It was enough for her to be knowledgeable and reasonable, and to live a good life with the second prince. There were many such candidates.
In case there are queens and noble concubines among the ones you like just now, it's better to find out as soon as possible before changing.
So he said: "Miss Luo and Miss Meng are both good."
Everyone followed her gaze, but it was Luo Di and Meng Posuo's cousin.
The two girls alone looked like noble girls with sculpted eyebrows, handsome eyes and luxurious manners, but they were placed next to the most outstanding elder sister in the clan, but they were clearly compared.
The queen couldn't help but said: "Although these two are good, they are a bit worse than their cousin."
The queen should be the friendliest one in the harem to the twin princes.
At least subjectively.
After all, the third prince among the twin princes was not only brought up by her, but also the child with the deepest affection.
Now seeing that Concubine Shu deliberately lowered the requirements of the Second Prince Concubine, I feel a little uncomfortable.
Is it because the second prince is still the elder brother of the third prince? If the second prince can only match this kind of noble girl who is out of everyone's eyes, then the third prince...isn't it the same? Although the queen herself knew that it was for their own good to find a mediocre concubine for the second and third princes, she was still a bit grumpy when things came to an end.
Furthermore, she also hoped that Concubine Shu, as a mother, would try her best to get a good one for the second prince.
Not to mention other things, the occupation of an outstanding girl in Chengyue Palace means that Xuanqing Palace has lost a lovely daughter-in-law, doesn't it?
As for Concubine Shu, she has actually gotten very close to Xuanqing Palace over the years... at least not as close as Concubine De.
And this is because the imperial concubine has always been very powerful. If the imperial concubine shows her weakness one day, who knows if Concubine Shu is willing to do this?
"Miss Luodi and Miss Meng Posuo are of course very good." Only Concubine Shu was not fooled, and said calmly, "But I don't know why, it seems that these two girls are more eye-catching .”
The eye relationship is very delicate, if you like it, you like it, if you don't like it, you don't like it, it has nothing to do with beauty, ugliness, high or low... Anyway, it's up to you.
Seeing her like this, the empress couldn't force her to raise her requirements for her future daughter-in-law, so she could only calmly say: "It's okay. Then, let's see more of these two girls later."