Chapter 13: Listen to the music

Ran Ning never expected that she would actually see this familiar jade pendant on the day of Ran Xiao's wedding. That piece of jade pendant is the Yu family's thing, and the Yu family originally had a piece, and later gave it to Ran Ji. But because the jade is rare, I am afraid that it will be damaged, so Ran Ji will only take it and wear it when she returns to Yu's house with the Yu family every Chinese New Year. I heard Ran Ji say that every child of the Yu family has such a jade pendant with a begonia pattern in his hand, which can be regarded as a symbol of status.

Ran Ning had seen it a few times, so she had some impressions, but because she hadn't seen it many times, she only felt familiar at the time, and she didn't remember where she had seen it. And the carving of the begonia jade of the Yu family is also very distinctive, I heard that it was designed and carved by a famous master, it is difficult for others to imitate, and the style is also unique.

There are not many people who have this jade pendant, the old man of the Yu family, the brother of the Yu family, Yu Fang and Ran Ji, and even Ran Mi does not have it. If there is a person with this jade pendant who is the murderer of Zhi'er, then Ran Ning feels that there is a chance that the villain is Yu Fang. First of all, Old Man Yu can't be so athletic, after all, he is a person who is a few years old. And Yu's brother is fat, and he won't run so fast, and Ran Ji is even more impossible, not to mention that Ran Ji doesn't have that guts, even if he does, he doesn't have that time, it's not a secret that Ran Ji secretly ran to see Yu that day. So the most likely can only be Yu Fang, but Ran Ning has no other evidence, and it is not easy to act rashly, so she still has to find a way to find conclusive evidence, after all, she said that seeing the Yu family's jade pendant will also be said to be one-sided, and as a concubine, it is not easy to identify her mother's nephew, this is like a truth that the son does not say that the father is a truth, no matter what the final result is, she can't leave any good reputation, the so-called righteous annihilation, it also depends on what kind of relatives are destroyed.

After taking a sip of the iced fruit wine in the cup, Ran Ning forced himself to calm down. This matter still needs to be considered in the long run, she will not cover it up, but she will not be reckless.

As soon as Ran Ning calmed down a little, someone came from front to spread the word, saying that someone from the palace was coming. Everyone was stunned, even if the Zhao family doubled the emperor's grace, it would not benefit Ran Xiao, so the people who came to the palace from time to time made people a little incomprehensible.

Wan Pingbo hurriedly called the Yu family and went out together, and Ran Mi, Ran Ji and Ran Ning also followed.

The housekeeper brought people into the door, and Ran Ning saw that it was Ji Lu. After Ji Lu saluted Wan Pingbo, he said in a loud voice: "The virtuous concubine Niangniang asked the slave to come and invite Ran Qinshi into the palace. ”

"Father-in-law Ji, I don't know what happened to the concubine Niangniang Zhaoning'er?" Wan Pingbo asked hurriedly.

"This minion doesn't know." Ji Lu laughed.

Ran Ning didn't hesitate much, Niangniang summoned her, she had no reason not to go, so she said to Ji Lu: "Father-in-law, I will change my clothes and enter the palace with you." ”

"Okay, the minion is waiting here." Ji Lu said.

Ran Ning said a word to Wan Pingbo and Yu, and then took Bizhu back to the room to change clothes.

Who here doesn't know that the virtuous concubine is the emperor's favorite person, in addition to the emperor and the queen in the palace, she speaks the most powerfully, and the emperor is very fortunate to be able to summon her, but she is honored.

Wan Pingbo also had some drumming in his heart, he had never had contact with the virtuous concubine, even if Ran Ning was in the palace, he basically couldn't see a person of such a noble status as the concubine Niangniang, how could he be summoned by her?

Without waiting for Wan Pingbo to figure it out, Ran Ning came out with more clothes. The palace pointed to a sedan chair to carry her, but there was no need to worry about Wan Pingbo's mansion.

Ran Ning didn't do much, and left with Ji Lu. The silence of the Manchu Mansion did not resume until Ran Ning left, and the guests were all whispering about the intention of the virtuous concubine to recruit Ran Ning into the palace, and those ladies who originally valued Ran Ning more also began to set their eyes on Ran Ning, but no one could guess what the noble concubine meant.

After entering the palace, Ji Lu directly took Ran Ning to the Yaohua Palace of the virtuous concubine. Concubine Xian was already waiting for her in the palace, and the palace people did not pass it on, so she took Ran Ning directly into at the behest of Concubine Xian.

"The courtier's musician, the musician, Ran Ning, see the virtuous concubine Niangniang, the lady is safe and blessed." Ran Ning bowed to Concubine Xian, and at the same time faintly smelled the same fragrance as that of Gongzi Zhong, but thinking that Gongzi Zhong was the younger generation of Concubine Xian, this fragrance may have been made by someone from the Zhong Mansion, and it was not surprising to smell it in Concubine Xian.

"Get up, give me a seat." The virtuous concubine raised her hand, and her voice was very kind.

"Xie Niangniang." Ran Ning got up and sat on the embroidery pier brought by the palace maid, lowered her eyebrows and bowed her head, and did not look directly at the virtuous concubine, so as not to collide with the nobleman.

Concubine Xian is not the most beautiful woman in the palace, but she is the woman with the most sacred heart. The virtuous concubine is a talented woman, the ancient words, poems, letters and letters are at her fingertips, the piano, chess, calligraphy and painting are all incomprehensible, the temperament is noble and graceful, thoughtful and decisive, and she has helped the queen who is sick to take care of the affairs of the six palaces, but after the queen mother recovered from her illness, she took the initiative to return the power of the six palaces to the queen, and she did not love the power, so that the emperor loved her in every way, and she didn't know how many concubines were red.

I heard that the emperor fell in love with the virtuous concubine at first sight when he was still the prince, but at that time, the emperor had already taken the princess, which is the current queen. Fortunately, the virtuous concubine didn't mind, and the emperor asked the emperor for a decree and accepted her as a side concubine. When the emperor ascended the throne, he directly named her a virtuous concubine. The virtuous concubine gave birth to a son and a daughter, the fifth princess is nineteen this year, and the sixth prince is seventeen, all of whom are not married, and the emperor attaches great importance to the marriage of this son and a daughter, so it is not one in a million, I am afraid it is difficult to enter the eyes of the emperor.

The virtuous concubine was favored in the harem, and her maiden family was also very trusted by the emperor in the previous dynasty. The Zhong family is a family of military generals, generations of bravery, the father of the virtuous concubine was named the Marquis of Zhenbei, and the elder brother is the general of the mighty cavalry, all of whom are hot figures. It is difficult to find a talented woman like a virtuous concubine, and the family also loves her very much, not seeking wealth and wealth, but seeking smoothness. With such a family background and the emperor's favor, even the queen has to give her three points, but the virtuous concubine has always been humble to the harem concubines, and it is difficult for others to find fault with her.

Concubine Xian looked at Ran Ning for a while, and asked, "Are you resting today?" ”

"Back to Niangniang's words, today's eldest sister of the courtiers got married, and the courtiers asked for leave from the Lile Division to go back to the house to watch the ceremony."

"I see. The person sent said that you went back to Wanpingbo's Mansion, and I was worried that you would send someone to summon you back, and you had doubts, so I asked the emperor for Jilu to look for you. Concubine Xian said. Female officials are different from palace maids, palace maids are slaves, and everything is arranged by the master. And if a female official has something at home, she can ask for leave to go home, so there is nothing wrong with Ran Ning asking for leave to go back to watch the ceremony.

"The mother is thoughtful." She was still wondering why Concubine Xian summoned her, but it was Ji Lu who came to deliver the message. However, this also shows the status of the virtuous concubine in the emperor's heart in disguise, otherwise how could he send the people in front of the emperor at will.

"The last time I listened to your song in the Wei Rui Pavilion, I have been thinking about it. But I can't always find you, and today it's easy to be fine, so I want to listen to you play the piano and relax. Concubine Xian smiled.

"The mother likes it, it's the luck of the courtier." Ran Ning replied respectfully.

"I heard from Father-in-law Chang, you are the third among the girls in Wanpingbo Mansion? How old is this year? Concubine Xian asked.

"The courtier's sixteen years old." Ran Ning didn't know why Concubine Xian suddenly asked her age, but she still answered honestly.

"Can you get married?"

"Not married yet. According to the order of the eldest and youngest in the family, it will not be the turn of the courtiers until the second sister finishes the marriage. Ran Ning said.

Concubine Xiangui's smile deepened, and said: "It doesn't hurt if my daughter's family gets married sooner or later, the key is to find a wishful husband." ”

Ran Ning didn't answer, she was a girl's house, no matter what she went back to, it was not appropriate, so she should choose to be silent at this time.

As he spoke, Ji Lu had already hugged Ran Ning's guzheng.

Concubine Xian leaned on the soft pillow on the side, and said in a good mood: "Go play." ”

"What do you want to hear?" Ran Ning asked.

"Whatever you want." This requirement of the virtuous concubine seems simple, but it is actually the most difficult.

The palace maid gave the virtuous concubine new tea and snacks for her to eat while enjoying the song.

Ran Ning sat down in front of the piano, thought about it for a moment, and began to play some minor tunes casually. Look at the meaning of the virtuous concubine Niangniang wants to relax, the song with too deep feelings is not conducive to relaxing the feelings, this kind of relaxed tune is just right, the tunes are written by some famous scenes of Beixin, most of them are improvised by the composer during the play, and then it was spread, and the true feelings are needless to say, and it also brings some of the composer's feelings.

After playing for nearly an hour, the emperor sent someone over to say that he was going to come to the virtuous concubine for dinner in the evening, although the virtuous concubine did not show it on the surface, but the joy in her eyes could not be hidden. The emperor is coming, and the virtuous concubine naturally has to prepare, so Ran Ning got up and retired in time.

The more Ran Ning played the song Concubine Xian, the more she liked it, but because the emperor was coming, she had to let Ran Ning leave first, saying that she would be called another day. and asked Ji Lu Haosheng to send the people back to Wanpingbo's mansion.

After Ran Ning left, Concubine Xian waved away her subordinates, leaving only two personal maids. Zhong Su also walked out from behind the screen, and there was not much expression on his face.

"Come and sit. If the emperor hadn't come over, I would have wanted to keep her for another hour. Concubine Xian smiled lovingly and said, "You don't like to listen to tunes, you are noisy." But I saw that Ran Ning could listen to it, and the last time I was at the banquet, I thought you were going to leave the table, but I didn't expect you to leave after listening to her play. ”

"Hmm." Zhong Su didn't explain much.

"Su'er, you are not young anymore, and your parents have been worrying about your marriage. If you meet someone you like, you must tell your aunt, and your aunt will make the decision for you. Concubine Xian said. She loves her nephew very much, and the Zhong family will also pin on Zhong Su in the future.

"Excuse my aunt." Zhong Su's attitude was still cold.

"What do you think of that Ran Ning? My aunt doesn't have to pick Ran Ning's appearance, and it's also suitable for you. Although Wan Pingbo is mediocre, he is also a hereditary uncle, and his status is barely enough for our Hou Mansion. Although Ran Ning is a concubine, she grew up beside Lao Wan Pingbo since she was a child, so she can't be wrong. What do you think? "Concubine Xian knows this nephew of hers, and she usually doesn't even want to contact women, and it is very rare to be able to look at Ran Ning squarely.

"Auntie, I'm ......" Zhong Su was about to say something, but was interrupted by Concubine Xian.

"Don't say you're not interested in Ran Ning, I'm your aunt, and I don't know you yet?"

"Auntie, you also know my reputation outside, I'm afraid I ......" Zhong Shu knows his own situation, he knows better than anyone else.

"Afraid of what? As long as you like it, you are a fairy in the sky, and your aunt will help you come over! Concubine Xian's eyes widened, and she was particularly imposing.

Zhong Su fell silent and didn't say anything more.

Concubine Xian smiled and said, "Okay, don't worry about this." I'll take it when I discuss it with your father. You are what I watched grow up, and you have been filial to me since you were a child, although you are a nephew, but I treat you like my own child, you are happy, and my aunt is also happy. ”

"Yes, my nephew understands." Zhong Su replied. If he hadn't really been close to his aunt, he wouldn't have come to this Yaohua Palace often.

"Hmm." Concubine Xian nodded with a smile, "Okay, you go and play with Yao'er, he was still talking about your cousin yesterday." If you don't go again, I'm afraid he'll find him. ”

"That nephew retired first." Zhong Su saluted the virtuous concubine. Di Yao is the son of the virtuous concubine, the sixth son of the current saint, the same year as Zhong Su, but only two months younger.

"Go ahead." Concubine Xian patted his hand and asked the kitchen to prepare some of Zhong Su's favorites, and sent them to Di Yao for Zhong Su to add vegetables to Zhong Su in a while, and then let Zhong Su leave.

As soon as Zhong Su left, Concubine Xian asked the palace maid to send a message to the Hou Mansion of Beizhen, asking her brother General Weiqi to enter the palace tomorrow and discuss important matters.