Not long after Lu Zhengze left, it was the Mid-Autumn Festival of the twenty-third year of Qingping. In the past, the Mid-Autumn Festival was just a family feast, but this year's Mid-Autumn Festival seems to be more grand, not only the royal family members participated, but even the ministers received invitations.

After Xiao Shu left the same position, she took charge early. The palace was lit up for a while, so it was not lively.

At noon, Wangshu received a wooden box sent by Xiao Shuli, and inside the wooden box was a very luxurious garment.

The top is a Hunan concubine-colored collar, the gold silk is embroidered with the pattern of fire tree and silver flowers, the lower body is a nine-broken skirt alternating between rouge and moon white, the skirt is embroidered with a circle of sunset fog flowers, and the skirt is also embedded with a layer of gilded curgan yarn paid tribute by the feudal kingdom. The box comes with a variety of accessories, all of which are of great value.

"Niangniang told the girl, you must wear this dress and enter the palace tomorrow."

Wang Shu took it cautiously and said with a slight smile: "Wang Shu knows, Aunt Lao is bothered." ”

The maid bowed her knees and retreated.

As soon as Wangshu changed into his clothes, there was a sound of footsteps at the door.

The voice of the person who came was clear, and the person arrived before the voice, "My sister is really a blessing, and I am remembered by my aunt all the time." ”

Wangshu frowned slightly, and quickly covered it up quietly, and got up to greet him.

"They are all aunt's nieces, and my aunt remembers me, so naturally she also remembers you."

"The clothes I received are not as expensive as my sister's, and they are foils at first glance."

Xiao Sirou is used to being spoiled by Xiao Lingheng on weekdays, and she has never had any scruples when she speaks.

"But this is normal, who called my sister a concubine. Tomorrow, Your Majesty is afraid that he will personally marry you and Cousin Huaiyu. If my sister becomes a princess in the future, don't forget to bring my sister. ”

The concubine is different, although she is jealous, she can't attack.

Wangshu smiled humbly, "I'm afraid it's too early for my sister to say these words, the holy will is unpredictable, and the day when the holy decree is really issued, can be counted." ”

"Sister is also careful." Xiao Sirou raised her lips contemptuously, as if she remembered something, her eyes turned, and she had a little more look at the show, "But I have heard recently that my aunt often calls Kong Tingwei's daughter Kong Yueyao into the palace to worship the Buddha these days." Maybe my sister will have to help him take a concubine not long after marrying Huaiyu's cousin. At that time, if my sister is still so careful, I am afraid that she will be ridden on the head by the concubine and lose her demeanor as a housewife. ”

Her ridicule did not make Wangshu angry, Wangshu still smiled, "My sister is quick-thinking and well-informed, I think only by letting you be the crown princess can you not lose your style." Why don't you ask your aunt if you can change you and me? ”

Nanxi attaches great importance to the dignity and humility of concubines, only concubines are qualified to be high-ranking wives, even if they are favored, concubines are concubines, and concubines' daughters are still concubines.

Xiao Sirou couldn't hear the ridicule in her words, her face suddenly turned red, she clenched her sleeves tightly, and endured the embarrassment.

"My sister laughed, my sister doesn't deserve this position."

"It's rare for my sister to be so sensible." Wangshu glanced at her lightly, stopped talking, turned to sit in front of the mirror, and instructed Ling Lu: "Put that hairpin on me and try it." ”

Xiao Sirou looked at the precious and luxurious jewelry in the wooden box, and the unwillingness in her heart became more and more magnified, she bit her lip and turned to leave.

A few days later, at the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, Xiao Lingheng entered the palace with his family. Xiao Lingheng, Lu Youqing and Wangshu sat in one carriage, and Zhang Yixian and Xiao Sirou sat in another carriage.

Lu Youqing helped Wangshu straighten his collar and advised: "You have to be careful when you enter the palace for a while, don't make any mistakes." ”

"Mother rest assured, I often go to the palace to say goodbye to my aunt, and I have never made a mistake."

Xiao Lingheng looked at his delicate and sensible daughter, he was very pleased, he comforted his wife, "Shu'er can support the overall situation, you don't have to worry about it." ”

The curtain in the carriage was open, and in another carriage not far away, Xiao Sirou lifted the curtain, watching them interact warmly and stupidly, and her heart was indescribably sour.

Zhang Yixian sat in the carriage and took a nap, occasionally opened her eyes and glanced at her daughter, "Since you envy what she has, why don't you fight?" ”

Xiao Sirou was shocked, she was caught in her thoughts, although she was a little uneasy, but she was more confused.

"How to fight?"

"Our concubine status, although we can't be the housewife, as long as we are favored, we may not be worse than our wives. Now I am the favorite concubine of the Xiao Yushi family, and I am already a few points higher than the wives of some ministers, not to mention if you can become the good lady of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince in the future? ”

Xiao Sirou suddenly realized. She looked at Zhang Yixian, who closed her eyes and recuperated, and suddenly felt that her mother had a very transparent heart.

As soon as Xiao Lingheng and his entourage got off the carriage, they were led by Xiao Shuli's personal palace maid to the "Changle Palace" where the banquet was held.

"Niangniang specially explained, the girl will sit beside the Third Highness for a while."

Wangshu nodded, and sat down with the palace maid to the opposite position.

Wangshu and they came the earliest, and after a while, ministers and their families entered one after another, and the empty hall suddenly became noisy.

Suddenly, the palace music sounded, and Gu Chengye and Xiao Shuli stepped onto the main seat surrounded by everyone.

Xiao Shuli is wearing a purple autumn jacket today, and the skirt is embroidered with a pattern of a phoenix wearing a peony, which is very atmospheric, and the purple color that is not deep or shallow makes her complexion ruddy, and it is extraordinarily noble.

Gu Huaiyu sat down on the left side of Wangshu, he pinched a bunch of grapes and stuffed it into his mouth, and asked her politely and unfamiliarly: "Cousin, how are you doing lately?" ”

"Everything is fine with the courtiers, His Royal Highness Xie San cares." Wangshu smiled slightly.

Although she and Gu Huaiyu are cousins and brothers, they are not close. The two didn't see each other much, at most they bumped into her aunt when she entered the palace to say goodbye to her aunt, and said hello to each other. It was clear that he was not interested in her.

After a while, someone on the right side of Wangshu was seated. She looked over and met Gu Huaijin's eyes.

"Miss Xiao seems to be in a happy event today, and her spirit is particularly refreshing." He took a sip of wine and spoke mockingly.

Wangshu pretended not to understand, "Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, isn't it a happy event for His Highness?" ”

Wangshu looked at Cui Jinyuan beside Gu Huaijin, knowing that he hadn't listened to her reminder.

Cui Jinyuan seemed to feel Wangshu's hostility, and also glanced at Wangshu when pouring wine for Gu Huaijin, but his hand was not steady, and the wine jug fell to the ground and shattered. Although it was covered by palace music, the cracking sound was still a little loud, attracting the sideways eyes of the courtiers and the emperor.

Cui Jinyuan was so frightened that she was in a cold sweat, kneeling on the ground and begging for mercy while picking it up, the shards scratched her hands bloody, and she didn't have time to care about it.

I saw Gu Huaijin quickly stepped forward and grabbed Cui Jinyuan's hand, and called someone to clean it up while comforting her. He picked up the handkerchief on the table and made a simple bandage for her, and sent someone to hurry to the imperial doctor.

Cui Jinyuan looked at Gu Huaijin infatuatedly, and saw that he was nervous for her, and his heartstrings seemed to be plucked, causing silent ripples.

Wangshu looked at Gu Huaijin who was in a hurry, and couldn't bear to laugh lightly.

No wonder they were reluctant to let them go, it turned out that they had fallen in love with other girls. It's really lustful, and I'm blind to my uncle's painstaking support.

Because of Gu Huaijin's plea, the emperor did not blame Cui Jinyuan anymore. After a while, Gu Chengye's chamberlain Jiang Gonggong walked to the center of the main hall with the holy decree.

Everyone stopped their movements and listened attentively, and only the voice of Gonggong Jiang could be heard in the quiet of the hall.

"I only have the virtue of the association, and the yellow clothes and Wang Hua must be in the palace. Fang Liutong history, mother ritual with the formula in the family state. Bingling Fan to Cheng Xu, Xi Hong's name and the right position, the imperial concubine Xiao Shi, is the sister of Xiao Lingheng, the imperial historian, is also the sister of Gao Hong, Xiang Zhong Qili, Ya diligent and thrifty in Lanye, Zhan Cheng filial piety in Jiao Yan.

Ci Si, Ju Zi Qia Ping's virtue, respect for the chapter Hui Zhai, the body of the face of the cautious type, the dream of Yi famous, should be in the Maodian, hereby admire the mercy of the oracle, the order to book the treasure, Lier as the queen. Erqi only inherits the fate of the scene, is good at protecting the bow, and turns into the heir of Su Ping and Yibiao Huiyin. Rong Zhaoxi, eternal prosperity of Sui, admiration. ”

This is an edict after the seal, and this edict is really a few happy and a few sad.

Xiao Lingheng and Xiao Shuli's faces were all expected to be happy, and Gu Huaiyu beside him couldn't bear the joy, and drank several glasses of wine in a row. On the contrary, Xie Ange, who was sitting on the other side of Gu Chengye, and Xie Chi, who was next, had a stiff smile on their faces.

Wang Shu clearly felt that the atmosphere on his right hand was a little colder. Looking up, Gu Huaijin's bones holding the cup turned pale because he was too hard, and he tried his best to suppress his trembling body with anger, and there was a little more terrifying momentum in his eyes.

Wangshu sighed, deliberately threw down the handkerchief, and when he bent down to pick it up, he reminded him in his ear: "Uncle is not here, no one can protect you if you make a mistake again." ”

He glanced at her, and although he didn't speak, his fingers holding the glass loosened little by little.

Gu Chengye looked at the people with different expressions, but he was not surprised, he raised his hand, and Gonggong Jiang took out another edict from his cuff at his signal.

When the ministers saw that there was more than one edict, they were all in an uproar.

"The three colors are the clouds, and the jubilee gathers. Gu Huaiyu, the third son of the emperor, is a good man, a good man, loyal and honest, and has no wife in the near future. Xiao's daughter-in-law, after the Chang'an family, Feng Yide, elegant manners, etiquette and Kexian, cover Xiao's poetry and book heirloom, and Zhong Lingyuxiu has the talent of Yongxu, and now and Fang Nian are waiting for the word golden boudoir. Tan Zhi Yingxiang, the two of them have a good relationship made in heaven, and now they will give marriage, and the Xiao family will give the prince and concubine, give the book and give clothes, and write the chapter. The people are related to the prosperity of the country, and the two of them are of one heart and one mind, and they will respect the country and do not live up to their intentions. Chin this. ”

Wangshu is not surprised by this, her aunt has been matching her and Gu Huaiyu intentionally or unintentionally, and today's marriage is also a matter of time.

After listening to the holy decree, Gu Huaiyu's face became a little lighter, and he put a lot of vegetables into Wangshu's bowl.

"Cousin, we will support each other in the future."

Wangshu stiffly looked at the full plate of dishes, there were few dishes in it that she liked to eat.

She smiled uncomfortably, "It's natural. ”

There was a chuckle from the side, but it was Gu Huaijin who added wine for himself and walked in front of the two.

"Huaiyu, the imperial brother is here to wish you and your younger brothers and sisters eternal marriage and a hundred years of goodness."

"Brother also wishes the imperial brother to find a lover as soon as possible."

The two exchanged lukewarm greetings and drank the wine in the glass together, but their true thoughts were unknown.

After the banquet was dispersed, Xiao Lingheng and his wife went home first, and Wangshu was picked up by someone sent by Xiao Shuli.

When entering the "Changqiu Palace", Kong Yueyao just came out of the main hall, bumped into Wangshu, bowed generously, and then left.

Zero Lu Fox doubted, "What did Niang Niang call her to do at this time?" ”

Wang Shu was also quite curious, "Let's go and have a look first." ”

Xiao Shuli was worshipping the Buddha in the Buddhist hall, she burned incense, knelt on the futon, held a string of Buddhist beads between her hands, and chanted scriptures while twisting the beads.

It's funny to say that gods and Buddhas, as beliefs, have the effect of binding people's hearts. However, some people have long since deviated from the Buddha's path, but they still claim to be believers and are obsessed with it. While trying to atone for the wrongs he has committed, he continues to do the wrong things, as if in this way he will have a lot of peace of mind and salvation.

When Wangshu came in, the Buddhist hall was filled with green smoke, and the fragrance of white sandalwood shrouded in the room, smelling it could make people transcend a little.

Xiao Shuli stopped worshipping the Buddha when she heard the sound, she stood up with the support of the palace maid, and walked to the opposite side of Wangshu and sat down.

"Shu'er, Your Majesty told me today that you will allocate a mansion to Yu'er, and then you will marry in and be a concubine in style."

Wangshu didn't know why she was saying this to herself, so she had to lower her eyes obediently, "It's all up to Your Majesty and Aunt to decide." ”

"I knew that you were the most sensible." Xiao Shuli was very satisfied with her attitude, she held Wangshu's hand and said vaguely: "But you also know that Yu'er is vying for the position of the crown prince, and her wings are very important. A few days ago, Kong Qingyun intended to show favor to me, and I thought that if her daughter could marry Yu'er, it would be the most powerful alliance. Of course, he also understands that Yu'er's concubine must be surnamed 'Xiao', so I am ready to give his daughter the title of a side concubine. I don't know what you think? ”

Wangshu's heart suddenly cooled. It seems that what Xiao Sirou said is true.

Although she doesn't love Gu Huaiyu, she also knows what it means for her husband to take a concubine soon after she gets married? It was undoubtedly a resounding slap in the face of the mistress.

Xiao Shuli saw that she was silent, so she let go of her hand, picked up the freshly brewed tea and took a sip.

"I also know that it's very hard for you. After all, you have to think about the concubine before you get married. But I want you to think about Yu'er's future, after all, in the future, you will be one husband and wife, and you will naturally share blessings and difficulties. ”

Wangshu came back to his senses and pulled the corners of his mouth far-fetchedly, "My aunt is right, husband and wife are one, naturally what he does in the future is what I do, and what he receives is what I receive." ”

What she said had a deep meaning, but Xiao Shuli didn't hear it, she only felt that she was still her obedient and obedient niece.

"It's great if you think like that." Xiao Shuli's heart calmed down, "These days, you will prepare for a faint ceremony in Xiao Mansion." I will discuss with Your Majesty again and choose an auspicious day. ”

"Wangshu understands."

Wang Shu walked out of the "Changqiu Palace", and Ling Lu couldn't help but complain for her, "Niangniang, this is too much, girl, you are also her niece, how can she treat you like this?" ”

Wangshu glanced at her, "I don't have her son kiss anymore." Not only did her son have half of her blood in his body, but he also had the power she had always dreamed of. People are selfish, and that's nothing. ”

"But you haven't married the Third Highness yet, and they are thinking about taking a concubine. Which housewife can be so generous? "Zero Lu is still angry.

Wangshu didn't speak, looking into the distance.

This "Changqiu Palace" has found a good position in the palace, the courtyard outside the hall is covered with osmanthus trees, the moonlight shines on the ground one by one, the occasional breeze blows, and the leaves are swaying. The sweet aroma penetrated the tip of the nose, and I could suddenly fall asleep.

She couldn't help but think of her youth.

At that time, every time I woke up in the middle of the night, I could see my mother sitting on the edge of the bed and crying secretly.

In the seventh year of Qingping, my aunt has not yet entered the palace, she is still living in Xiao Mansion, and the old lady of the Xiao family is still alive. It is said that the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law are the most difficult, and the grandmother is a very strong and fierce old man, and the mother is too weak in comparison. Grandmother has a lot of trouble with her mother on weekdays, and my aunt is also the most like an old lady and the most favored by the old lady. In this dispute between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, my aunt was very helpful, and after careful calculation, she bullied her mother no less than the old lady.

She never deliberately remembered these things, but she didn't forget them either, she just hid them in the depths of her memory, and occasionally something triggered them, and she would open them again.

Seeing that she was silent, Ling Lu shook her with hatred, "Girl, are you willing to do this?" ”

Wangshu came back to his senses and flicked her forehead funny, "What can you do if you are unwilling?" Can you still resist the decree? ”

"It's not going to work." Ling Lu hurriedly protected her forehead, her tone helpless.

Wangshu comforted her, "Don't worry, the boat will naturally go straight to the bridge." ”

Until he walked away, Wangshu couldn't help but glance back at the silent "Changqiu Palace".

My aunt used this palace to lock up her power and wealth, but she couldn't lock her growing greed. The Buddha talks about cause and effect, and what she gives up now with disdain will eventually be reflected in what she has gained.