This was the first time he had seen Xiao Wanyao so sad, she glanced back at him and pursed her lower lip, "I don't think there should be anyone in this world who can catch your handle." Shangguan Gongzi may be an exception. With that, she turned away, leaving him alone to stand there and reminisce about his words.

When she avoids problems, she is always so obvious that people are helpless, and they can't do anything about her.

Wei State - Capital

Although Xue Tianao has been on the throne for a while.

But his affairs have still become a hot topic after people's dinners, especially the fact that he came back from the dead and made people spread their gods. Some people even say that he is the real son of heaven and an immortal.

March is a good time to go green. Gong Qing couldn't stay in the palace for a long time, and pestered Xue Tianao to take her out to play. So I decided to go to Jingyuan Temple on the north mountain to burn incense, and by the way, I stayed there for a few days.

The mighty royal horse team attracted the attention of the people of the capital. Although Gong Qing has been in Wei for a long time, she has lived in the capital for very few days, and most of them are in the palace.

On the way, just as she was looking at the scenery outside, she suddenly heard a noise behind the convoy. Gong Qing frowned and called the people around her, "What's going on behind the convoy so much chaos?" ”

Gong Qing's personal guard rode towards the back of the convoy, and soon the noisy crying was gone. No one noticed it.

She originally wanted to come out this time and cultivate a good relationship with Xue Tianao. Because the ministers of the court have already begun to prepare for Xue Tianao's draft. Now she is the only queen in the palace, and when there are more concubines in the harem in the future, someone will inevitably compete with her and be jealous.

So she wanted to take this opportunity to capture Xue Tianao's heart. But before the two of them could talk a few words, Xue Tianao left because of the affairs of the court.

Gong Qing was a little impatient, "Those ministers didn't mean it, the emperor finally came out to play once." Where did so many state affairs come from. The bored Gong Qing didn't know what to do, so she took people to play alone in Jingyuan Temple.

It was really boring, and suddenly she remembered today's events, so she called her personal guard-Ning Wenbo. This Ning Wenbo was already a sword guard in the palace at a young age, he was the son of the general of the Wei State, with a delicate appearance, elegant conversation, and a unique skill and strong martial arts. I listened to Gong Qing's words very much. Deeply loved by Gong Qing, so no matter where Gong Qing goes, she always likes to take him with her.

"Today I heard a noise behind the convoy and the sound of women crying. What happened? "She's really bored and panicked to care about this matter.

The most important thing is that she can take the opportunity to talk to Ning Wenbo and squeeze out her depressed mood.

Ning Wenbo walked to her side early and said softly, "It's a woman, saying that she once knew the emperor, and the emperor also knew her, and if she wanted to see the emperor, Weichen had already sent someone to arrest her." Temporarily imprisoned in the firewood room of Jingyuan Temple. ”

Gong Qing paused slightly, stopped, and looked back at Ning Wenbo, "Have you asked who she is?" ”

Weichen has already asked, just because she doesn't say who she is, she said that as long as she sees the emperor, she can only tell her identity, otherwise she will never speak. That's why Wechen imprisoned her. Ning Wenbo said.

Gong Qing suddenly became interested, and a faint smile hooked the corner of her mouth, "What kind of woman is it?" ”

"It's not very old, but it looks average, and it doesn't look like it's just an ordinary person. It's more like someone who goes out of the palace. Ning Wenbo said.

Gong Qing's eyes moved, "The people who went out of the palace?" Let's go, take Hongu to meet her. ”

Ning Wenbo took Gong Qing to the firewood room where the woman was held, and the woman was tightly tied, and she was also blocked and thrown in the corner of the firewood room. My hair is messy, and my face is full of mud because I have cried, and I look very delicate.

"Wenbo, untie her. Hongu wants to ask her a few questions personally. Gong Qing said.

Ning Wenbo was a little worried, "Queen Mother, wouldn't it be very dangerous if she was some kind of assassin. ”

Gong Qing smiled indifferently and looked at Ning Wenbo ambiguously, "With you by your side in this palace, are you still afraid of any assassins?" Ning Wenbo knew that he was praising himself, so he nodded and personally loosened the rope on the woman's body.

At this moment, Gong Qing's personal palace maid Yong'er had already moved a chair, and Gong Qing sat down slowly. As soon as the woman was untied from her body, she hurriedly knelt at her feet, "The slave and maid see the queen mother, the slave and the maid are not assassins. The slave just wanted to meet the emperor. ”

Gong Qing paused slightly, the tone of this speech really came out of the palace, and she knew at a glance that she was the queen, "Get up." After the woman stood up, Gong Qing asked again, "How did you know that this palace is the queen?" Have you seen Hongu before? ”

The woman replied, "The slave maid has never seen the queen's mother, but the slave maid has served the concubine in the palace before, so the slave and maid know the queen's dress, and seeing that you are so luxurious and elegantly dressed, you will know that you must be the queen's mother." ”

Gong Qing smiled lightly, this little girl is very clever and very quick-witted. "So who are you? Why make a fuss about the emperor's convoy? If you don't make it clear, it is not a small crime to let the emperor know. ”

"The slave and the maid know, but the slave and the maid are also forced to be helpless. A person like a slave is not qualified to enter the palace to meet the emperor at all, so he can only make this decision. The woman replied.

Gong Qing looked her up and down again, and saw that she still seemed a little reluctant to tell who she was, "Don't worry, if there are any grievances, this palace can also make decisions for you." First of all, who are you, and what is the matter with meeting the emperor? ”

Seeing that she was still hesitant, Gong Qing frowned, with a hint of anger, and slowly got up, "Since you don't want to say it, this palace doesn't want to force you." Wenbo, how should she be punished if she does this? ”

"If you go back to the queen's mother, you should be beheaded immediately." Ning Wenbo said panderingly.

When the woman heard this, she hurriedly knelt down, "The queen mother spares her life, the slave maid, the slave maid's name is licorice, she once served Miss Xiao in the palace, at that time the emperor had not yet ascended the throne, after Miss Xiao left the palace, the slave and maid angered the concubines in the palace, so she was kicked out of the palace, so the slave and maid wanted to see the emperor, so that the emperor could be gracious and return to the palace." ”

After listening to Licorice's words, Gong Qing was quite surprised, few of the palace maids living in the palace volunteered to stay there. This licorice looked a little special, her eyes narrowed and stared at the licorice kneeling on the ground, "You just said that you served Miss Xiao before, but now Xiao Wanyao, the queen of Chu State?" ”

Licorice nodded, "It's her, Miss Xiao was still in the boudoir at that time, and she didn't get married." The emperor is still the son of the right prime minister. ”

Gong Qing didn't expect to meet such a person here, "Do you have a good relationship with Xiao Wanyao?" ”

Licorice's heart moved, and she said, "The slave maid has only served Miss Xiao, and it doesn't matter whether the relationship is good or not." At that time, the emperor often came to find Miss Xiao, so the slave knew the emperor. I had the courage to do today's thing, and I hope that the queen will forgive her sins. ”

Gong Qing pursed her lips and was silent for a moment, staring at licorice, this girl is very clever and speaks very rigorously. In the end, she spoke, "Since you want to go back to the palace, then the palace will fulfill you, and you can stay by the side of the palace and serve the palace in the future." Yong'er, prepare a few clothes for her, and take her back with you when you go back in a few days. ”

"The slave knows!" Yong'er is blessed.

After that, Gong Qing didn't say anything more and left the firewood room with Yong'er.

In the evening, Xue Tianao did not accompany Gong Qing when he wanted to visit the Buddha with the host, but Gong Qing knew that he did it on purpose. The purpose is to avoid her. So she had to spend that night alone, and naturally blamed all the loneliness on Xiao Wanyao.

Yong'er saw Gong Qing sighing, and persuaded him, "When the emperor chooses a concubine in the future, there are three thousand beauties in the harem, and there must be no time to think about that Xiao Wanyao." At that time, the queen seized the opportunity to snatch the emperor over. ”

Gong Qing can only comfort herself like this, but the lonely and sleepless nights are really a torment.

At lunch on the second day, Xue Tianao appeared in front of Gong Qing. But he didn't mention anything about last night, and Gong Qing didn't ask him, and when he asked, it was just a mouth full of prevarication, which made her even more angry when she heard it. Fortunately, he didn't forget that he was the queen, and he knew that he came to dine with him.

"Later, I will meet with a few ministers to discuss state affairs, and the queen will go here to enjoy the spring scenery by herself, and I will come to accompany you in the evening." Xue Tianao said while eating.

Gong Qing paused slightly, put down the chopsticks in his hand, and wiped his mouth with a handkerchief, as long as he said so, he would not usually come at night, and he was making excuses, "Your Majesty, you are here to accompany the concubine to the spring, why can't you accompany the concubine to have a good time?" Her face was full of reluctance, but she didn't dare to complain too deeply, if that was the case, Xue Tianao would only avoid her even more.

This is what makes Gong Qing feel the most painful.

"I have only recently ascended the throne, and many things have to be dealt with, and when the country is stable in the future. I will be with you well. When Xue Tianao said these words, he almost never looked at her.

even deliberately used her subconscious to sue her, she was simply making herself amorous.

Gong Qing was silent for a moment, and Xue Tianao ignored her. Just eating by herself, she smiled helplessly, but still said with a smile, "The emperor guessed who the concubine saw yesterday." ”

Xue Tianao ate lunch, "Who?" ”

Gong Qing took a deep breath, his indifference was about to suffocate her, "The concubine saw the palace maid who served Xiao Wanyao back then, called licorice. ”

Hearing the name of licorice, Xue Tianao was suddenly stunned, and looked up at Gong Qing, "Licorice? Where is she now? ”

Looking at Xue Tianao's surprised and excited appearance, Gong Qing was a little puzzled, how could a mere palace maid make him so interested? Before Gong Qing could slow down and speak, Xue Tianao put down his chopsticks and got up and walked in front of her, "Queen, what you saw is really licorice?" Where is she now? ”

"Your Majesty, that woman did call herself licorice, and said that she knew the emperor and served Xiao Wanyao in the palace back then. But she's gone. Gong Qing said.

Xue Tianao was stunned suddenly, and his face suddenly sank, "Why did you leave?" Where did you meet her? ”

Just outside Jingyuan Temple, the concubine only met her by chance and heard her talk about the past. So ......"

However, before Gong Qing could finish speaking, Xue Tianao hurriedly turned around and walked out of the door, "Feimo, hurry up...... Take people out and search around, licorice has been here. Maybe she's still around here, so be sure to find her. ”

Fei Mo was also a little surprised, after so many years, licorice was still alive, "The subordinates obey the order." Then he turned and hurried away.

255 harem

After Feimo left, Gong Qing had already gotten up and came to Xue Tianao's side, her face was expressionless, but she had already seen it in her heart. Xue Tianao cares about this licorice very much, which means that they didn't just know each other at the beginning. Maybe it's because of Xiao Wanyao that he cares so much.

Anyway, as long as Xue Tianao cares about it, Gong Qing will care, especially women. After Xue Tianao left, Gong Qing quickly found someone to start investigating the matter of licorice, because her matter was a long time ago, and it was in the palace.

So after returning to the palace, she found a lot of old palace maids to ask about licorice. gradually began to know why Xue Tianao cared so much about licorice. It's because licorice is someone Xiao Wanyao cares about, and she once came back to find the whereabouts of licorice. Even when she was about to leave the Wei Kingdom, she did not give up looking for licorice.

In this way, licorice is very important to Xiao Wanyao. That's why Xue Tianao is like this.

Gong Qing couldn't find anyone to vent the resentment in her heart, and now she finally found someone. Gong Qing let go of licorice when she was in Jingyuan Temple, in order not to let Xue Tianao suspect that he had controlled licorice and doubted himself.

But after she let go of the licorice, she sent someone to keep an eye on her. also hindered Xue Tianao's people from finding her. Therefore, Xue Tianao did not find licorice from the vicinity of Jingyuan Temple.

On the contrary, not long after they returned to the palace, Gong Qing's people found her outside the palace and brought her back to the palace. Gong Qing took licorice to see Xue Tianao. He was naturally excited, and hurriedly picked up the licorice that was kneeling on the ground, "Where have you been all these years?" Why hasn't you been missing? ”

Licorice wiped her tears and said, "Originally, they wanted to kill the slave maid, but after the slave and maid finally escaped from their hands, they were rescued because of their injuries, and then they stayed in the small village near Jingyuan Temple. The slave and maid also wanted to go to you, but the slave and maid's life-saving benefactor was seriously ill, so the slave and maid stayed to take care of him. It wasn't until he recently died that the slave maid went down the mountain to find the emperor and Miss Xiao. ”

Speaking of this, Licorice paused, and glanced at the queen on the side, "The news in the mountains is blocked, and the slave maid only recently learned that the emperor has ascended the throne, Miss Xiao, she ......" Licorice saw Xiao Wanyao's face sank, and did not say any more, "If I can see the emperor again today, the slave and maid are willing to die." ”

"What nonsense, you're not going to die. From this day on, you will remain in the palace. Xiao Wanyao said in a soft tone.

"Slave and maid, thank the emperor!" Licorice saluted. Because Gong Qing has always been here, she didn't mention Xiao Wanyao too much. And Xue Tianao didn't seem to talk about her.

Xiao Wanyao became the queen of Chu State, and Licorice didn't expect such a thing to happen over the years, Xue Tianao had a deep love for Xiao Wanyao back then, but he married the princess of Yan Kingdom and became the queen.

At this moment, Gong Qing opened her mouth and said, "Since you plan to leave the licorice in the palace, it is better to serve by the side of the palace." ”

Xue Tianao knew that Gong Qing had been hostile to Xiao Wanyao before, but after such a long time, Xiao Wanyao was not here. He thought that Gong Qing had already let go of the previous things, so he didn't think much about it and let the licorice stay by Gong Qing's side.

Since Licorice lived in Yongshou Palace, he served the queen's daily life with Gong Qing's stand-in maid. At first, Licorice was still suspicious of her, but after getting along, she found that Gong Qing was a very gentle queen. And he is sincere to Xue Tianao. He let down the guard in his heart and confessed to her.

It's just that she never mentions Xiao Wanyao in front of Gong Qing, and occasionally Gong Qing asks, but she just says a few words and doesn't say much.

On this day, Xiao Wanrou came to the palace to meet the queen. She had already heard about Licorice's return, and she couldn't help but be a little surprised, in fact, the main reason for entering the palace this time was to see Licorice.

As soon as Xiao Wanrou entered the Yongshou Palace, she saw licorice playing in the courtyard with the queen's son Xue Cheng in her arms, so she walked over with a smile, "Yo, isn't this licorice!" I haven't seen you for years, and I thought you were dead. Wan Yao wants to know that you are still alive, and I don't know how happy I am. ”

Licorice looked up and saw that it was Xiao Wanrou who paused, and then picked up Xue Cheng, "It turned out to be Miss Xiao, the queen is resting in the house again, I'll help you report it." As he spoke, he turned and walked into the house.

Xiao Wanrou stopped her with a look of disdain, "No need, I'll just go in by myself." The queen treats me like a sister now, and when I come to see her, I naturally don't need to report it. With that, he turned around and went into the inner room.

Licorice hugged Xue Cheng and glanced at her back, then turned around and continued to play with Xue Cheng.

Xiao Wanrou came to the house and approached Gong Qing, and said flatteringly, "Queen Mother, if you want to deal with Xiao Wanyao, the best way is to attack the people around her." Back then, Licorice wanted Xiao Wanyao to escape from the palace, but he did not hesitate to sacrifice his name. Xiao Wanyao is a person who values love and righteousness, and she has been looking for licorice, if something happens to licorice. Xiao Wanyao will definitely be mad. ”

Gong Qing listened to Xiao Wanrou's words, turned her head to look at the licorice outside the window, she was playing with Xue Cheng with other palace maids, her eyes narrowed slightly, and the corners of her mouth hooked up a wicked smile, it turned out that Xiao Wanyao cared so much about this girl, "In this way, Xiao Wanyao has not found licorice for so many years." ”

Xiao Wanrou nodded, "She probably thought that the licorice was dead." ”

Gong Qing suddenly laughed and glanced back at Xiao Wanrou, "You are Xiao Wanyao's sister, how did you treat your sister like this." ”

She didn't want Gong Qing to think that she was a vicious person, so she lowered her head slightly, with a touch of hatred in her tone, "It's her who is unkind first, don't blame me for being unjust." If it weren't for her, our family wouldn't have fallen to this point. Families are ruined. ”

"In that case, how do you think you can use licorice to deal with Xiao Wanyao? She is now in the Chu Kingdom, thousands of miles away, even if she knows that licorice is here, what can she do! Gong Qing spoke, refocusing her gaze on the licorice outside.

Xiao Wanrou said, "In fact, it is very simple to let a person die. But it's hard to make a life worse than death. We can sue her licorice here, and life is better than death. Presumably, Xiao Wanyao should also feel very uncomfortable in her heart. ”

Gong Qing thought this method was good, and after Xiao Wanrou left, she called Licorice to her side, "Licorice, this palace knows that you had a good relationship with Empress Xiao before." She has also been looking for your whereabouts, and since you have returned to the Wei Imperial Palace, why not tell her the news and reassure her. ”

Licorice blessed the body, "Thank you for the queen's concern, but the slave doesn't know how to do it." She is now the queen, and she is far away in the Chu State. How can I let her know about this side of the matter. ”

Gong Qing smiled faintly and said, "You personally write a letter, and then take out a thing on your body, make sure that she also recognizes such a thing, and this palace can send someone to the palace of Chu State to tell her the news that you are here." ”

When Licorice heard this, she was naturally happy and hurriedly knelt down, "Thank you for the queen's success." ”

Licorice personally wrote a letter according to the queen's request, and then handed over a handkerchief given to her by Xiao Wanyao back then, and then waited day and night for Xiao Wanyao's reply.

After the letter was delivered to the Chu State, the first thing that arrived was not in Xiao Wanyao's hands, but in Ling Bing's hands. Attached is a handwritten letter from Gong Qing.

Ling Bing couldn't help but smile after reading it, "The queen mother really thought of it together, and to deal with Xiao Wanyao, you still have to start with the people around her." There's a good show to watch this time. After that, he burned Gong Qing's handwritten letter and licorice's letter, leaving only the handkerchief.

At this moment, Ling Bing saw a carrier pigeon flying back, so she retreated from the others, grabbed the carrier pigeon, and took out a secret letter from its leg, after reading it, she laughed again, Ying'er took the pigeon food and walked in from outside.

Ling Bing never lets anyone else in here, so Ying'er feeds the pigeons and takes care of them on weekdays. Ying'er saw the smile on Ling Bing's face, so she walked over, "Ling Chang is here, are you happy?" ”

Ling Bing glanced back at Ying'er and shook the note in her hand at her, "The people around Xiao Wanyao already have news, the two guards we found out before were following her, one is called Zhenling and the other is Zhentian, although they haven't found their whereabouts yet, but they already have eyebrows. ”

Ying'er also laughed, but her smile lacked a little bit of Ling Bing's viciousness, Ying'er was one of the smarter and clever palace maids, and she was also very scheming, but in terms of means and ruthlessness, she was far worse than Ling Bing. In order to please Ling Bing and make her trust herself, Ying'er can also do anything.

So although Ling Bing and she didn't get along for a long time, they liked it quite a lot.

Ying'er knew that Ling Bing couldn't get used to the queen and wanted to deal with the queen, but she didn't know Ling Bing's identity and origin. She just wants to use a favored master so that she can survive decently in this palace.

Ling Bing specially found an attendant from the Wei State, pretending to be a messenger from the Wei State. Arrange for him to show up at a specific place and time.

On this day, when Ling Bing accompanied Guo Ping to play in the imperial garden, a palace eunuch came from outside, "Your Majesty, there is a messenger outside who said that he was from the Wei Kingdom, and there is a letter to be handed over to the queen mother." ”

Guo Ping paused slightly, "Wei Guo is here?" ”

"Yes, Your Majesty, he is waiting outside the Imperial Garden." The eunuch said.

"How can the messenger of Wei enter the palace of Chu? Who let him in? Guo Ping's face was a little displeased, not only because this messenger from the Wei State came directly to the Imperial Garden, but also because of the letter he was holding to Xiao Wanyao.

The little eunuch was stunned, not knowing how to answer, Ling Bing on the side hurriedly interjected, "It was the concubine who let him in." Guo Ping looked at Ling Bing strangely, and Ling Bing continued, "When the concubine went to the emperor to attend tea early in the morning, she met Lord Wang on the way, and this messenger originally wanted Lord Wang to hand over the letter to the queen's mother. The concubine was afraid that it was a letter from the queen's family, so she told the king to let the messenger enter the palace in person. I didn't expect to come to the emperor first. ”

After speaking, he said to the little eunuch, "You can go and lead him to Xiyun Palace to see the queen." ”

The little eunuch saluted and was about to leave, but was stopped by Guo Ping, "Bring that messenger here." ”

"Yes!" The little eunuch retreated, and soon came with the messenger, who saluted and handed the letter to Guo Ping. Comes with a silk handkerchief.

After Guo Ping took it, he opened the letter, but was stopped by Ling Bing on the side, "Your Majesty, this is the letter from the queen's mother, I'm afraid it's not good for you to open it at this moment." The concubine felt that it was better to hand it over to the queen first. ”

Guo Ping glanced at her coldly, ignored her words, and opened the envelope directly. R1154