==Chapter 110==

Chang'an Avenue is full of green and beaded cars, at a glance is the frame of the ladies of various families, so that the pedestrians on the road are dizzying, thinking about what happened today.

At this time, Jiu Niang was also sitting in the carriage in a gorgeous dress, and Xiao Shi Niang was still sitting beside her.

This time, there are a total of eight daughters of the Xiao family who participated in the concubine selection banquet, except for Xiao Shiniang because she is not old enough and Xiao Liuniang is not qualified, from Xiao Sanniang down to Xiao Shiniang.

Xiao is here today.

These eight people sat in a total of four carriages, one for two, and Jiuniang and Xiao Shiniang were arranged to sit in the same carriage. After getting in the car, the two had nothing to say except to say hello. Xiao Siniang kept her head down, occasionally wanting to speak and stopping, while Jiuniang kept looking out the window.

The carriage traveled all the way to the gatehouse of the Yong'an Gate of the Imperial Palace and stopped, at this time the bluestone square in front of the gatehouse was full of carriages from various families, and there were already many noble girls who were supported by their maids to get off the carriage, and were waiting for the attendants who came to pick up and arrange for everyone to enter the palace.

But all official women enter the palace, they have always entered and exited from this Yong'an Gate, but the main gate of this Yong'an Gate is only accessible to the queens of previous dynasties, and noble ladies like Jiuniang can only go to the wrong door.

As soon as Jiu Niangfang got out of the car, she heard someone calling her.

"Jiuniang—"

But it was Cheng Wenjing who waved excitedly at her in front of a carriage not far from her.

For a while, many noble ladies looked here, and Jiu Niang secretly sighed in her heart that Cheng Wenjing was so rough, but she also responded to her and beckoned to her.

After a while, Cheng Wenjing walked over, and beckoned Ruan Ling'er she had just seen to come over as she walked.

The front of this Yonganmen Gate was extremely quiet, but suddenly there were so many anomalies, which were particularly eye-catching.

At the side door, a middle-aged waiter was counting and arranging for the nobles to enter the palace, hearing these noises, he frowned, but he raised his head to look at that place, and happened to bump into Cheng Wenjing happily holding Jiuniang's hand, her face was stunned, and she lowered her head, as if she had not heard it.

Ruan Ling'er was also followed by Ruan Mengling dressed up in a costume, Ruan Mengling chased after Ruan Ling'er on the one hand, and on the other hand, she had to maintain the so-called noble girl manners, which was very wolf-like. She stopped and said angrily: "A-Niang let us be together, what are you running around?" I didn't see that everyone was looking at us, you are not ashamed! ”

Cheng Wenjing raised her eyebrows and looked at her, "No one pulled you here, you hurry up and stay away from us, so as not to lose your Ruan Erniang's face." ”

Jiuniang pursed her lips and smiled, Ruan Ling'er was the same, Ruan Mengling glared at Cheng Wenjing, she was about to turn around and leave, but she didn't know what she thought, and her stinky face followed.

"Ninth sister, is this your friend? Then come with us later. Xiao Sanniang greeted with a smile.

Jiuniang nodded, introduced Cheng Wenjing and Ruan Ling'er to Xiao Sanniang and the others, and then stood behind the daughters of the Xiao family with the two of them and waited in line to enter the palace.

Lined up to Jiu Niang, Xiao Sanniang and the others in front of them have all been registered, and they are standing aside waiting for Jiu Niang, Cheng Wenjing, Ruan Ling'er.

The waiter with a cold face smiled and said to Jiu Niang: "Jiu Niangzi Da'an, His Royal Highness the King of Chu has ordered, saying that the lady has just recovered from a serious illness, and her body and bones are not yet complete, and it will take a long way to enter from Yong'an Gate." Your Highness has already ordered you to arrange a carriage, and when you enter this door, can you order someone to lead you there? ”

The sudden appearance made Jiuniang a little stunned for a while.

Under this public, the king of Chu gave himself special treatment, especially the countless envious and jealous eyes on the side, which made her feel extremely embarrassed, but at the same time, there was a trace of joy in her heart, and her mood was very complicated.

Seeing that Jiu Niang's face was hesitant, the waiter said considerately: "Although the frame is not spacious, the three of them can also sit. ”

He wanted Cheng Wenjing and Ruan Ling'er to follow Jiu Niang, leaving the two of them might make Jiu Niang feel embarrassed, as for Xiao Sanniang and the others standing in the doorway behind him, he didn't let him count.

"There is a car to sit in, that's really good, Jiuniang entrusted your Hongfu, let's take a carriage in this palace today."

Generally, when a noble lady enters the palace, she needs to get off in front of the palace gate and walk inside, but this palace occupies a large area, and it takes a lot of time to walk with your feet, and it is extremely tiring. The last time Jiuniang entered the palace, she took the carriage with the King of Chu, and she didn't come down until the inner court, but she didn't expect to have such a good treatment this time.

Jiuniang wanted to refuse, but it can be seen that Cheng Wenjing said so, and there are not many people who hear this on the side, so the limelight has already come out, so let it be thorough.

"Then I'm sorry for you."

Jiu Niang saluted the waiter, and stuffed something over with the cover of her sleeve.

"No trouble, no trouble."

As soon as the waiter pinched his hand, he pinched a ball of hard things, and knew that it was either gold or silver, and he was even more enthusiastic about Jiu Niang's smile. As soon as he turned around and beckoned, a little chamberlain hurriedly ran over, Jiu Niang nodded to him again, and then walked inside with the little chamberlain.

Walking in front of Xiao Sanniang and the others, Jiuniang was thinking about saying something, Xiao Sanniang had already smiled and said: "Ninth sister, go quickly, there are so many of us, and you are recovering from a serious illness, so don't worry about us." ”

Seeing this, Jiuniang had to smile apologetically, nodded to Xiao Sanniang, and went inside with the waiter.

Looking at the three backs that went inside, Xiao Siniang and Xiao Qiniang's faces were extremely ugly, and Xiao Ru also looked stunned, in the end, she was not as undignified as Xiao Si and Xiao Qi.

"It's still sisters, look at people who would rather take someone else than us!" Xiao Siniang grabbed the handkerchief in her hand and gritted her teeth.

"Fourth sister be cautious!" Xiao Sanniang hurriedly reprimanded.

Xiao Qiniang muttered, "The fourth sister is right. ”

"Okay, okay, let's go quickly, don't waste time." Xiao Wuniang hurriedly said in a round and beckoned the other people to go inside.

……

The door hole of this Yong'an Gate is quite deep, about ten meters long, and the palace lamp has already been lit in the door hole at this time, but the surrounding area is not dark.

Cheng Wenjing pulled Jiuniang and whispered in her ear: "Do you see if it's Meng Changxi over there?" I saw that she looked at you strangely. ”

Jiuniang raised her eyes and looked at it, only to find that Meng Changxi was standing there not far away, looking at this place. She was alone, and she was accompanied by a little chamberlain who led the way.

Seeing Jiu Niang looking over, Meng Changxi glanced at her with a dark look in her eyes, then turned her head and followed the waiter.

"I'm not familiar with her, let's go ours."

Out of the doorway, the eyes suddenly lit up, at this time near the evening, I saw the western sky dyed with a sunset afterglow, lined with a piece of majestic palaces and pavilions in the distance, it was particularly majestic, the momentum was extraordinary.

It's a royal palace!

There were two carriages parked on the side, and the carriages were hung with green curtains and ponies, and the carriages looked extremely small and light from the outside. The waiter lifted the curtain of the carriage, Jiu Niang raised her eyes, the interior of the carriage was very simple, only a tooth mat was set up, covered with a dark green brocade mattress, just for two people to sit down, of course, if it was three people, it was okay, just a little squeezed.

At this time, from time to time, a group of noble ladies followed the attendants to the palace in a neat formation, and their eyes all looked at the place where the carriage was parked. When you enter this palace, you must abide by the rules of the palace, don't look at these noble ladies at home, they are all petted, and when they get to this forbidden, even if their words and deeds are a little bad, they will be reprimanded. And this time I came to choose a concubine, and everyone would not allow themselves to lose their manners, so even if these people's eyes flashed, no one dared to criticize anything.

"Jiuniang, I am the only one in the carriage on my side, but the three of you are a little crowded, otherwise I will help you bring one."

In front of the other carriage, Meng Changxi stood on the carriage bench, glanced condescendingly at the nobles lined up over there, and then looked at Jiu Niang, smiling very enthusiastically. She often goes in and out of this palace every day, Emperor Chengyuan is her uncle, the prince is her cousin, and the treatment is also superior.

Before Jiu Niang could speak, a female voice sounded in a hurry.

"Take me, take me, I'm with them."

But it was Ruan Mengling, who had been following Jiuniang and the three of them, who had been speaking up, she had been following behind Jiuniang and the three of them, and she heard that there was a specially arranged frame to sit on, so she planned to get a piece of the cup. Especially following Jiuniang and a few people to come in, she was surrounded by countless admiring eyes, which made her stand out, and her bones couldn't help but lighten by three points.

just followed, and saw that the carriage was so small, it was okay for three people, but four people couldn't sit down, and they were still thinking about how to squeeze Ruan Ling'er down so that they could sit on it. Xiao Jiuniang didn't dare to provoke, after all, she took the other party's car, Cheng Wenjing she couldn't afford to provoke, the only thing she could provoke was Ruan Ling'er, but Ruan Ling'er had changed a lot recently, and she was not as good as before.

But even for the sake of her own face, she was ready to ignore it, she didn't believe that Ruan Ling'er would dare to leave her alone. As long as she dares to show that she doesn't care about her, she will make trouble to show her, and she will lose everyone's face.

Ruan Mengling had planned well, but when she suddenly heard Meng Changxi's words, she fell asleep and touched the pillow. She doesn't want to be embarrassed, after all, this is a palace.

Everyone didn't expect this Ruan Mengling to be so cheeky, she was not familiar with Meng Changxi, but she was so smooth. Meng Changxi couldn't help but be stunned for a moment, but Jiu Niang covered her lips and smiled.

"Since the lady of the Meng family is so generous, then please bring the second mother of the Ruan family with you, I was worried that this car is not enough to sit."

"It's okay, I don't mind squeezing it." Ruan Mengling said.

Between the words, the person had already gone to Meng Changxi's car.

Meng Changxi didn't expect that she just wanted to show off in front of Xiao Jiuniang, but she actually recruited an uninteresting person, and her face couldn't help but look a little ugly. It's just that now it's difficult to ride a tiger, and she can't say anything in front of everyone, so she can only get into the carriage with a stiff face, and Ruan Mengling then followed.

The three of Jiuniang also got into the carriage, the carriage is not big, and the three of them are a little crowded, and the relationship between the three of them is different, and no one cares about it.

After a while, the wheels rolled, and I don't know if it was because the ground in the palace was exceptionally flat, or because the carriage was so meticulously made that it didn't feel the bumps at all, and it was very comfortable.

Cheng Wenjing lowered the curtain and said with a smile: "Then Meng Changxi wanted to disgust Jiuniang, but I didn't expect to be disgusted instead." Ling'er, that sister of yours is really amazing, I see that Meng Changxi's face is blue. ”

Ruan Ling'er covered her lips and smiled, and Jiu Niang also smiled: "I really have to thank Meng Niangzi for being so understanding, otherwise, Ruan Mengling is really difficult to dismiss." ”

This Jiu Niang's words are obviously antithetical, but it can be disgusting to Meng Changxi's habitual pretence, and Jiu Niang is also very happy. After a few laughs and talks, they stopped, after all, this is in the palace, except for the waiter who drove the car, the little waiter who led the way has been following the car.

The carriage traveled for about a quarter of an hour before it stopped, and when it reached this was the inner court, and the carriage was not allowed to enter. If the master in the palace has a good face and rank, and there is a shoulder chariot to sit on, the others can only walk.

The three of them followed the guide to the inner servant all the way in, only to see the wide bluestone road on both sides of the green shade, lush flowers and trees, covering several pavilions and palaces, and the people who came and went on the road were no longer eunuchs with low eyebrows and pleasing eyes, but palace people wearing half-arms and high-waisted silk skirts.

The three of them couldn't help but hold their breath and calm down, all of them had solemn faces, half-drooping eyes, and walked slowly forward with due manners. After walking for about a quarter of an hour, the vision in front of me widened, and I saw an endless lake in the distance.

It is the pool of liquid.

This is not the first time I have seen this Taiye Chi Jiuniang, the last time I went to the East Palace to see the prince, I saw the tip of the iceberg, and I felt that the scenery here was beautiful, suspected to be heaven and earth, this time from a different point of view, it was even more beautiful and suffocating. I saw that along the edge of this lake, a large corridor was built, and it was impossible to see the edge from afar, and there were countless pavilions, pavilions, palaces and houses dotted among them, which were scattered.

The three of them were introduced into a palace by the chamberlain, at this time the night has gradually darkened, it is the moment when the lanterns are on, countless glazed palace lamps have already been lit, lining the surroundings as if it were day, and a luxurious atmosphere is rushing towards them. Look at the lake again, there are thousands of lotus lanterns floating on the surface of the lake, illuminating the lake beautifully. At the end of the line of sight, an island can be faintly seen, which is Penglai Mountain.

Taiye Pool, Penglai Mountain, is where the East Palace of the Prince is located.

"A few ladies can walk around in this palace, but don't go out of this palace, you must know that this is in the inner court, so as not to collide with people who should not be bumped." The little chamberlain said in a thin voice.

Jiuniang nodded, stuffed a piece of silver over, and after the waiter thanked the reward, a few people were even more enthusiastic, and after explaining the precautions, he left.

This palace covers a very wide area, not to mention the palace in the middle, there are corridors, pavilions, and water pavilions on the side, and it is close to the Taiye Pool, which is more picturesque. When the three of Jiuniang arrived, there were already many noble ladies arriving, scattered around talking and enjoying the scenery, and there were palace people wearing half-arms and high-waisted silk skirts shuttling among them, although there were many people, they were not noisy.

Knowing that they could move around, Jiu Niang and Cheng Wenjing and Ruan Ling'er walked leisurely in this palace, only picking up people's places along the way, but they were not afraid of going to places where they shouldn't go. After walking for a while, the three of them got a little tired, so they chose a pavilion and found a place to sit.

On the other side, Meng Changxi was there.

After getting out of the carriage, Meng Changxi walked inside, Ruan Mengling didn't know the way, so she had to follow behind her.

Meng Changxi has long been disgusted with this Ruan Mengling, and she kept pulling her along the way to find something to say, if it weren't for her face, Meng Changxi would have pushed her down a long time ago, and seeing that she was still following her, a cloud of anger suddenly came to her heart.

"You always follow me to what you do, and the place where you should go is over there." Meng Changxi pointed to the palace not far away and said.

Ruan Mengling's eyes rolled, and she said with a smile: "Sister Meng is not going?" ”

"I've got something."

"What's the matter?" Ruan Mengling's eyes lit up, and the crackling words came out, "Sister Meng, you also know, I entered the palace for the first time, and I don't know the way, otherwise I will accompany you to go with you, and then we will go together to find Xiao Jiuniang and my sister." ”

Meng Changxi was choked, she had seen uninteresting people, but she had never seen such an uninteresting and cheeky person.

In fact, where did she know Ruan Mengling's thoughts, Meng Changxi got along well with several princes, everyone knew it, and there was another prince's cousin there, and entering and leaving the palace was like her own backyard. Knowing that she came to participate in the concubine selection banquet today, Ruan Mengling could not have other thoughts, and now that she has climbed Meng Changxi, she naturally will not let it go lightly, and even forgot what the Xu family told her to follow Ruan Ling'er all the time, compared to others, it is naturally more important to choose the princess.

"I don't need you to accompany me, you better hurry up and find your sister."

The disgust between Meng Changxi's eyebrows was very obvious, but Ruan Mengling seemed to be invisible, pouting with a face full of grievances, "Xiao Jiuniang and my sister handed me over to Sister Meng, Sister Meng, how can you leave me alone." It looked like it was about to cry, and it was even starting to whimper.

From time to time, the palace people who walked back and forth glanced at it with surprised eyes, probably thinking that someone was so bold that he would cry in public in the inner court, but because of Meng Changxi, no one dared to come forward and say anything.

Meng Changxi's head exploded, and her lips trembled with anger: "I'll go to the East Palace to find the prince's brother, do you want to follow?" ”

She was so angry that she didn't choose to speak, and she also wanted to scare Ruan Mengling away, but when she heard this, Ruan Mengling's eyes brightened even more.

"It's okay, I can accompany Sister Meng to go. I don't know anyone here, Sister Meng, and it was my sister who handed me over to you, so don't leave me alone. ”

Meng Changxi was directly angry and fell down, brushing her sleeves away, "If you want to follow, just follow." ”

Ruan Mengling hurriedly followed.

In fact, Meng Changxi couldn't understand Ruan Mengling's thoughts, she could guess somewhat, but she didn't succeed in ridiculing Xiao Jiuniang before, but she suffered a loss, plus she had never seen such an uninteresting and cheeky person, so she was so angry that she lost her rules.

At this time, she walked all the way to the East Palace, she slowly calmed down, and there were many people who wanted to borrow her to climb the dragon and attach the phoenix, she had more Ruan Mengling, and she was familiar with Xiao Jiuniang, and her sister was Xiao Jiuniang's friend, so it was not impossible to use it later.

Thinking like this, Meng Changxi's face gradually became pleasant, and she even occasionally chatted with Ruan Mengling. Ruan Mengling saw that Meng Changxi had changed her attitude, and couldn't help but praise her wit, and thought that although this Meng Changxi person was a little arrogant, she was not bad.

Donggong, she has never seen His Royal Highness the Prince, and when she sees His Royal Highness the Prince, will she be far away from the other princes?

*

Ruan Mengling still didn't see the prince after all.

Meng Changxi didn't mean to take her to see her, but an attendant stopped Ruan Mengling, so she pushed the boat and pretended to be very embarrassed and said that this was the East Palace, and she couldn't disobey the rules. After that, he went inside, left Ruan Mengling outside, and said that he would come to her later.

When Meng Changxi arrived, the prince was eating.

"Sister Changxi, have you eaten, if not, sit down with Gu and use some."

Meng Changxi smiled and went to sit down opposite the prince, "Brother prince, Xi'er has used it." ”

This is telling the truth, knowing that I am going to participate in the concubine selection banquet today, although there is food at the banquet, but no one can eat it in front of the public, so all the nobles have used it at home in advance. I didn't dare to use the food with soup, and most of them ate a few pieces of pastry to cushion the stomach, so as not to go to the toilet inconveniently.

Of course, it is definitely impossible to talk to the prince about this matter, and after Meng Changxi sat down, she just helped the prince to serve the meal and talked by the way.

In fact, the prince said that he was eating, but due to physical problems, it was just a bowl of blood swallow porridge with a few small noodles and two light side dishes.

"Today's banquet is being held in the Hanbing Palace, why did Sister Changxi come to the East Palace?"

Meng Changxi made a boring look, "Most of the banquets in the palace are boring, and I don't know when it will start, Xi'er wants to come to see the prince's brother, speaking of which, Xi'er has been in the East Palace for many days." ”

The prince nodded with a smile, "Sister Changxi is older, so naturally she doesn't have as much time as when she was a child." ”

Meng Changxi said coquettishly: "Brother Prince's meaning is that Xi'er snubbed you in the day, and Xi'er was really wronged to death, Xi'er just saw that the prince's brother was married, and with the prince's sister-in-law, she was afraid that she would always come to disturb and cause disharmony, so she didn't come much." ”

The prince smiled helplessly: "You bad girl, you are not a lonely arranger." ”

The two laughed a few words, and Meng Changxi asked, "Brother Prince, will you go to the Hanbing Palace later?" ”

The prince paused for the action of holding food in his hand, "There was too much noise on that occasion, and Gu didn't plan to go over." ”

"Today is to choose concubines for several royal highnesses, isn't the prince's brother curious? Brother Prince, it's not okay for you to always be bored in the East Palace, you should go out for a walk more. ”

The prince's eyes flashed, "Sister Changxi wants to go alone?" ”

"Of course, Xi'er is also thinking about the prince's brother's body, it's rare to have such a feast, wouldn't it be a pity not to see it."

Meng Changxi wished that the prince would go, and if the prince went, her next actions would be convenient to implement.

"In this case, Lone will accompany Sister Changxi on a trip, and it should be a distraction."

*

"Niangniang, that Meng Changxi is here."

Hong'er put down the tray in her hand and whispered in the crown princess's ear.

The spoon in Wang Yan'er's hand suddenly fell, and landed in the jade bowl in front of her, making a crisp sound.

"Go down, all of you."

Wang Yan'er picked up the shelf and waved her hand to rebuke the palace people serving on the side.

It wasn't until everyone went down that Wang Yan'er showed a panicked look, "What is she doing here?" Isn't it a concubine election banquet today? ”

For Meng Changxi, Wang Yan'er has been famous for a long time, before she left the cabinet, she knew that the prince's cousin, was said to be one of the most likely people to become the crown princess, but later she didn't know what happened, but she was cheaper.

After Wang Yan'er married the prince, as her stomach has not moved, she knows that there will definitely be more people around the prince in the future. Ah Niang and grandmother also reminded her that she had to guard against Meng Changxi, the Meng family had always been restless in private, and His Majesty had deliberately excluded Meng Changxi, and Meng Changxi was too young, even if she married the prince, she would not be able to conceive an heir for a while. But who knows if the Meng family's mind has not been dispelled in private, just by virtue of the relationship between the prince and Meng Changxi when they were young, this person is a big enemy.

Therefore, after Wang Yan'er and the prince got married, Meng Changxi also came to the East Palace a few times, Wang Yan'er did not treat her warmly, and even occasionally used her identity to give her a little stumbling block, and then Meng Changxi gradually came to the East Palace less. Today, she came again, and it was such a sensitive time for the concubine selection banquet, Wang Yan'er was really afraid that something would happen. This Xiao Jiuniang is still there and has not been resolved, and there is another Meng Changxi, Wang Yan'er panicked.

"Hong'er, what do you say she is doing today, does she still have any thoughts about His Royal Highness the Prince?"

Hong'er's eyes flashed, and the corners of her mouth faintly hooked a sarcastic arc.

If Meng Changxi has any thoughts about the prince, where will it be your turn, if you really have any thoughts, I am afraid it is also for the master. Hong'er is really glad that the master's clever calculation has calculated that there is still this one, the more chaotic the better, so that he can fish in troubled waters.

"Who knows, the slave doesn't know what she's thinking, she doesn't come early or late, but she is here now. The slave maid heard from the people below that when she came to the East Palace, she seemed to have brought a little lady and was waiting outside. ”

Wang Yan'er was even more panicked, and squeezed the handkerchief in her hand tightly for a long time before she gritted her teeth and said, "Hong'er, aren't we in the palace?" You go down and make arrangements, let people keep an eye on her, and don't let her do anything. ”

For generations, it is not a secret that noble ministers have installed their own people in the palace. The palace is where the emperor lives, and this is the center point of the whirlpool of power. The Wang family naturally has people in the palace, and Princess Changping has been operating in the palace for many years, so the hidden power cannot be underestimated. When Wang Yan'er married into the East Palace, some of these people were handed over to Wang Yan'er, and they couldn't command big things, but some small things could be done.

It's just that this Wang Yan'er is cowardly by nature, and she has no opinions, her ears are soft, and she has a lot of resources in her hands, and she can get into such a situation, which is unprecedented and unprecedented.

Pressing these and not mentioning them, after Hong'er's remarks and Wang Yan'er's own associations, at this time she was already very sure that Meng Changxi must have come to the prince this time, and she must have wanted to do something through the concubine selection banquet, no matter what, she would not let her achieve it.

"Yes."

Hong'er half-hung her head and hid the satisfied look on her face.