Chu Xue in the inner hall of Funing Palace was still enduring the numbness of her legs and feet and was writing stroke by stroke, seeing that most of the writing had been completed, and fifteen more articles would be completed, she was about to grit her teeth and make persistent efforts, when she heard a message outside the palace gate, King Heng came in.

She paused, but did not get up, and continued the task of writing, but the speed of writing slowed down a little, and some energy was divided, and the conversation between mother and son outside entered her ears.

"Why do you have time to see Hongu today?" Concubine Jing was unhurried, and her words were full of jokes.

"I miss my mother very much today, and I just finished my business, so I came to see you."

Song Chen was full of duplicity, and the corners of Chu Xue's mouth curved slightly, but they quickly flattened.

"Do you really miss Hongu? Or is it the person in the house? ”

"Hmm......" he coughed, and stopped going around the corner, "Why did the concubine remember to summon the Chu family into the palace?" ”

Concubine Jing picked up the teacup, "If you don't help your mother share your worries as a son, this palace is looking for a daughter-in-law to help, do you still have to report to you?" ”

"Erchen doesn't dare!"

Concubine Jing glanced at him, "It's such a big person, and it's not a hairy young man, no matter how much you like it, you have to have a degree, don't be too addicted." ”

This deliberately raised voice was clearly for two people.

As soon as these words came out, Song Chen immediately understood his mother's intention to summon Chu Xue into the palace this time, he paused, and said obediently: "Mother Lao is worried, and her sons will pay attention to it in the future." ”

In fact, Concubine Jing had a good impression of Chu Xue, she was beautiful and smart, and of course it was reasonable for her son to spoil her, and besides, if she knelt for an hour and a half today, her attitude was not superfluous, and it could be seen that her upbringing was indeed good. Concubine Jing was originally not angry, but it is almost gone.

At this moment, seeing that her son also admitted his mistake, the mother raised her chin and said gently: "People are inside, go in and have a look." ”

After getting his mother's order, Song Chen hurriedly walked into the inner hall.

When he saw the scene in front of him, his heart was shocked. Chu Xue was kneeling on the ground and holding a pen seriously, and on the low table in front of her, the written paper was already a thick stack, and anyone could see that she had been kneeling for a long time.

Without waiting for him to speak, Chu Xue, who heard the footsteps, had already turned her head to see him, smiled slightly but seemed to have some grievances, "Why is the prince here?" ”

Because she was already kneeling, there was no need to give any more salutes.

Song Chen's eyes were full of distress, but because he was in his mother's palace, he didn't show his feelings, so he only asked softly, "How many more?" ”

"Soon, there's only a dozen or so left." She smiled gently, but it made people feel even more distressed.

"How long have you been writing?"

"It didn't take long, about an hour. If the prince has something to do, go ahead first, and the concubine will go back to the house after writing it. Instead, she comforted him.

"I'll wait for you." He spoke steadily, and then looked at the cushion under her knees, "Are you tired?" ”

Even if you kneel on the cushion, you won't be tired for an hour and a half, not to mention that you have to straighten your waist and write carefully. He understood that this question was more like a helpless comfort.

But she just smiled and shook her head, and then lowered her head and continued to write.

He looked at it for a while before turning around and walking outside to drink tea with his mother.

With Song Chen waiting outside, Chu Xue became more and more calm, and the remaining dozen or so copies were quickly written unconsciously. Putting down the pen, she breathed a sigh of relief, and waited until the ink on the last one had dried a little before she got up.

It's just that because she has been kneeling for too long, her legs and feet are not ordinary, and she couldn't get up at once, seeing that she was struggling to move, a maid from Funing Palace standing next to her hurriedly stepped forward to help her. With the help of others, she finally got up, stood for a while, and then walked in front of the mother and son of King Heng outside, bowed her head and said softly: "Niangniang, the concubine body is finished, but I don't know if it meets the requirements, you see, if there is something inappropriate, the concubine body will write again." ”

Concubine Jing casually took the one handed by the female officer, glanced at it, and showed a satisfied expression, "The handwriting is beautiful, very good." I've worked hard for you today, and it's noon, so you two should stay and eat today. ”

"Don't bother your mother, Chu's body has been inconvenient for the past two days, so Erchen will take her back to the house first, and come to see her mother another day."

Song Chen gently refused.

"Physically ill?" Concubine Jing looked at her in surprise, "This kid, why didn't you say it earlier?" ”

"It doesn't matter if it is...... Don't worry about it. A smile erupted into her fair face.

"In this case, then go back quickly, Ji Ting will take care of it."

"The retainers retired."

The two saluted together and finally left Funing Palace.

King Heng's carriage was already waiting outside, and he wanted to help her get on first, but because she was kneeling just now, her legs and feet were really sore, and she couldn't lift her legs at once.

Chu Xue flashed surprise in her heart, but she still had a look of surprise and panic on her face, "This is too rude, and it will damage the majesty of the prince......"

He placed her on the cushion and waited for her to sit firmly before saying, "My woman has been wronged, so what's the matter if the king hugs her?" If the majesty is obtained by being iron-hearted and not knowing how to pity the fragrance and cherish the jade, this king doesn't want it. ”

She looked at him with a smile and obediently leaned on his shoulder, "The prince treats the concubine so well, and he is willing to be wronged by the concubine." ”

Song Chen took advantage of the situation to hold her in his arms and said softly: "I didn't help you just now, can you blame me?" ”

She shook her head, "The prince came to pick up the concubine in person, and the concubine was too late to be happy, so how could he be resentful?" ”

He seemed to sigh softly, stroked her waist, and asked, "Is the leg still uncomfortable?" ”

She nodded honestly, "One more point, but it's much better than just now." ”

At this time, how can you endure it, and let the person you care about the most know that she has suffered because of him, so that she will feel more sorry for her.

"I'll pinch it for you." Song Chen put her leg on his lap and pressed it gently and forcefully.

She looked at the serious-looking man in front of her and smiled, but there was a sigh in her heart after laughing.

He spoils himself like this, if he really falls in love with him one day, with his identity and status, wouldn't it mean more grievances?

Can your original intention be affected?

If you don't love, it's the body that suffers, and if you love, it's the heart that suffers.

She forced herself not to think about those unknown things, calmed down, glanced at Song Chen, who was pinching her legs, and coughed lightly: "The concubine has something to ask for." ”

He looked up at her and smiled, "Say it." ”

"The prince won't come to Wantang Garden these days, okay?"

He smiled and was noncommittal.

She flattened her mouth and lowered her eyes: "The concubine is not a fool, of course she understands why she went to Funing Palace today to copy the prayer, and you also heard Fang Cainiang's words...... I just received the punishment today, and if I don't repent, won't my mother be even more angry? Besides, the concubine really can't serve the prince these days, so it's better to wait for two days first, and obey the mother's wishes ......" She smiled lightly and whispered: "The coming day is long, and the concubine wants to have a long relationship with the prince." ”

Just now, he didn't pay attention to what he was talking about, but at some point, the hands he pinched her legs had moved to her waist, he leaned over her lips and took a bite, before looking into her eyes and whispering: "Xue'er is so well-behaved and sensible, it is really a blessing for this king to get you." I don't want to stay overnight these days, but I'll try to get home early, and you wait for me to have dinner together, how about it? ”

The warmth of the man's handsome eyes moved her heart, and she nodded, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him back.

When Chu Xue came, the carriage they were riding in had already followed them when they drove out of the palace gate, and the two carriages were one in front of the other, but in only two quarters of an hour, they arrived home.

When she got out of the car, Song Chen wanted to hug her, but she stopped her, and after a while in the car, and the man massaged herself, her legs were almost better, she got out of the carriage behind him, and saw Xu Jinhe waiting outside the car.

Xu Jinhe didn't seem surprised to see the two of them get out of a car, as if the punishment Chu Xue received this morning had nothing to do with her, she greeted her with a smile as always, and said gently: "It's a coincidence that the prince came back with his sister...... The prince hasn't had lunch yet, the kitchen is waiting, do you see if you use it in the front yard or ......"

"Let's put it in the Evening Garden."

Song Chen interrupted in a deep voice that did not show joy and anger.

"Yes."

Chu Xue just saluted her, and before she had time to look at her expression, she was pulled away by Song Chen and went back to her yard.

Although he felt that Song Chen was a little unhappy with himself because of Chu Xue's punishment, Xu Jinhe didn't take it too seriously, because since Chu Xue went to Funing Palace, Song Chen really restrained himself and no longer went to Wantang Garden every night.

has been a husband and wife for more than ten years, because she knew that Song Chen married her as a marriage, and she really did not have the appearance of being able to keep her husband, Xu Jinhe has long been accustomed to her husband having other women, and she can only rely on being obedient and virtuous to win her husband's respect. And whether it is Chu Xue, Li Jiaoyun who is still in Yanzhou, or Xia Wanyin, the concubine who entered the door a few years ago, is just a concubine, she herself is Song Chen's wife, not to mention that she also gave birth to two sons for him, and even the son born to Li Jiaoyun is also in her own name.

She knew this very well, and she didn't care much about where Song Chen went to spend the night before, but now, she did have some worries. Chu Xue is indeed the most favored woman Song Chen she has ever seen, whether it is Li Jiaoyun or Xia Wanyin in the past, Song Chen has never reached the point of lingering night and night. At that time, he said that he wanted to marry the daughter of the Chu family as a side concubine, she thought that this was just an expedient measure for him to do things, but when she saw Chu Xue with her own eyes and saw his love for Chu Xue, she was really worried.

Chu Xue is indeed beautiful, and her family background is high, it is not an exaggeration to say that such a woman can afford to be a concubine even if she is a concubine, plus she is now favored by Song Chen, there is a great possibility of suppressing herself, if she doesn't use some tricks again, really let Chu Xue be pampered and arrogant and not take her as a concubine in her eyes, will she still have it?

So even if it displeased Song Chen, there are some things she still has to do.

Fortunately, after observing during this period of time, Chu Xue is quite knowledgeable, even if she was punished a few days ago, she is as respectful as ever, and she has not neglected to invite her every day.

But, if you think about it deeply, is such a woman more difficult to deal with?

However, Xu Jinhe doesn't have much energy to think about these now, the day after tomorrow is the emperor's birthday, since this year is going to be a big event, the court must be a lot of effort, the Ministry of Rites is responsible for the previous dynasty, and it is far from enough to rely on only one queen and four concubines in the harem, and they are concubines and daughters-in-law who have to help.

Therefore, while there is a free time, it is better to recuperate first, the dinner party the day after tomorrow is the highlight, and she has to accompany King Heng to attend.

~~

On the third day of September, the emperor's birthday.

In order to celebrate the birthday of the Son of Heaven every Friday this year, the imperial court is closed, and the three-day holiday began yesterday. After breakfast today, King Heng and his wife and three sons went to the palace together, in the morning the princes should bring the royal grandchildren to the emperor to greet the emperor, and Princess Heng went to Funing Palace to assist the concubine to receive the women who came to ask for peace.

Of course, Chu Xue also wanted to go, but after Shen Shi, she went directly to the dinner in the palace, of course, as a side concubine, she could not step into the main banquet hall of the Qingde Palace, but accompanied the women to dine in the side hall of the harem with the side concubines of the other palaces. Therefore, she was not in a hurry, she got up early and went to Danwei Yuan to ask for peace and went back to her place, planning to prepare slowly, Hengwang Mansion is very close to the palace, and it is more than enough to go out before Shen Shi.

Who knew that not long after lunch, I saw a little maid from Danwei Yuan hurriedly entering, and said anxiously: "Madam, the princess invites you to come over, the prince has a bad stomach at noon, and he has just returned home." ”

The son is Song Chen's eldest son, Song Chi born to Xu Jinhe.

As soon as Chu Xue heard that Xu Jinhe had sent someone to call her, she followed her to Danwei Garden.

In the room of King Heng's son, Song Chi was lying on his back on the bed, his face was a little pale, Chu Xue saw it and hurriedly asked Xu Jinhe, "What's wrong with the prince?" Isn't it okay this morning? Do you want to call a doctor to take a look? ”

About because she was in a hurry, Xu Jinhe's face was also a little pale, and she said tiredly: "I have already called the imperial doctor in the palace to see it, saying that it is a backlog of food, and I want to empty my stomach for a few days and recuperate." ”

Chu Xue nodded and said comfortingly, "Since this is the case, the princess is also relieved, don't be too anxious." ”

Since there was nothing serious, Xu Jinhe also passed her over deliberately......

She thought about it for a while and understood, looked at Xu Jinhe, who was still worried, and said: "The prince is like this, I'm afraid I can't enter the palace again, if the princess is at ease, the concubine will stay in the mansion tonight to take care of the princess for you, you can rest assured to go to the palace banquet, I don't know what the princess wants?" ”

In fact, this is also Xu Jinhe's original intention, but Chu Xue, as a new concubine, encountered a big banquet in the palace for the first time, Xu Jinhe was also afraid that if she opened her mouth and let her go, she would be resentful, and she was even more afraid that King Heng would be unhappy with herself again because of this. But now that Chu Xue took the initiative to ask for help, it was different.

Xu Jinhe's heart was a little soothed, and his complexion was much better, but he still showed a look of embarrassment, and hesitated: "This is not good, you have just entered the mansion, it is rare to encounter such a big scene, wouldn't it be a pity not to go?" ”

Chu Xue was originally not interested in these excitements, but when she guessed Xu Jinhe's intentions, she only felt funny, but she still said respectfully on her face: "Taking care of the prince is a serious matter, and there will always be a chance after the palace banquet." ”

"In that case, then I ......"

Before Xu Jinhe finished speaking, a man's communication outside the door interrupted her.

"Princess Qiqi, the prince has an order, please invite Mrs. Xue into the palace."