Mrs. Gu didn't insist, after all, she was an elder, and being polite could be regarded as a courtesy.

However, Mrs. Gu ordered Caiying to bring a box, handed it to Su Jinyao and said, "You and Xue Qi have a (qíng) meaning, this is as a token of your relationship." It's not a thank you gift, and I ask Miss Liu to accept it. ”

Su Jinyao didn't shirk when she heard it, after all, if it was a token, it was also a bit (qíng) intended to be in it. She felt that Madame Gu was not such a tacky person, and would not give her any gold and silver.

Gu Xueqi sent Su Jinyao out, and Su Jinyao said as she walked: "By the way, now your feet are almost better, and if you insist on exercising for a while, you will recover better." It's time for the killer trick I promised to give you. You'll have to show me your feet first, though. ”

"Ah?!!h Gu Xueqi was surprised, hurriedly took two steps back, and pulled her skirt to cover her feet.

In ancient times, a woman's feet were not allowed to be seen by outsiders under any circumstances. Now Su Jinyao directly said that she looked at her feet, of course, Gu Xueqi was scared.

Su Jinyao smiled when she saw her like this, and said, "Scared? When I first gave you acupuncture treatment, didn't you even see your thighs? ”

Gu Xueqi's face turned red and said, "That's different." Can't you do it if you don't look at it? ”

Su Jinyao said: "Don't look at it, maybe, I'll tell you this method, you can do it yourself." ”

"Do? Do what? Gu Xueqi said curiously: "Your killer feature, do you want me to do it myself?" ”

"Yes. It is to tell you to make a shoe with an inner height, and you will not see a lame foot at all. After speaking, Su Jinyao squatted down (shēn), picked up a branch casually, and pulled Gu Xueqi to squat, she drew a simple perspective of Gu Xueqi's inner height.

Then he said, "Do you understand?" The one you're slightly lame in wears this kind of inner height, and you can't see the problem at all when you walk. But the height must be mastered, I have carefully looked at your legs, the difference in length is not big, but the diseased leg muscle (ròu) has atrophied a little, so if you can't bear the strength, (shēn) will unconsciously tilt to the side. When you keep exercising and your leg muscles (ròu) are getting stronger and stronger, you won't need these shoes. ”

Gu Xueqi looked at the perspective view of the inner heightened shoes drawn by Su Jinyao again. This is actually a layer of window paper, which can be passed when it is broken, and there is no reason not to understand.

Gu Xueqi pulled Su Jinyao to stand up (shēn), and said with a happy face: "You still told me what kind of killer trick it was, which scared me to guess for a long time, and I also made up my mind in my heart, I can't ask for such a big benefit from you for nothing." Now it looks like it's just a tall shoe. ”

Su Jinyao also smiled, took Gu Xueqi's hand and said, "Even if I trick you, but before I said it, you didn't know?" It's not that I'm limping all the time, and it's inconvenient for the boss. ”

Gu Xueqi glared at Su Jinyao fiercely and said, "Say." Didn't you say that if I keep exercising, I won't be lame anymore? If you continue to talk about 'lame and lame' like this, and keep exposing my shortcomings, I will ...... Hit you, tickle you. ”

As she spoke, Gu Xueqi really raised her small fist and hit Su Jinyao. Gu Xueqi and Su Jinyao were playing and fighting, but they were not restrained. The little girl laughed and played (xìng), and Su Jinyao couldn't help but be happy, getting together with Gu Xueqi, tickling each other.

The two of them poked each other in the ribs, poked the other's armpits, chased and pulled, and laughed at the other.

Without paying attention, the box given to her by Mrs. Gu in Su Jinyao's hand fell to the ground and fell.

"Ah, I didn't mean to." Gu Xueqi was startled and hurriedly squatted down (shēn) to pick it up.

Su Jinyao also hurriedly said: "It's okay, it's okay, it's me who was careless." Squatted down and grabbed to pick it up with Gu Xueqi.

The two of them took the box together, and saw that the lid of the box was opened, and a small scroll fell out of it. This was something neither of them expected.

Su Jinyao looked at Gu Xueqi and asked her, "You painted it?" ”

"No, it's not." Gu Xueqi shook her head and said, "How can I draw a picture for you." After speaking, he said curiously: "Otherwise, you can open it now?" ”

Su Jinyao also wondered what Mrs. Gu was doing with her painting, so she said, "Then I'll open it now and take a look, your mother won't blame it." ”

"Of course not, hurry up and see." Gu Xueqi was also full of curiosity, and she and Su Jinyao were gone, so she was anxious to see what was painted inside.

Su Jinyao looked left and right, pulled Gu Xueqi to a stone table and sat down, put the box on the table, and then untied the straps on the painting scroll and gently unfolded the painting.

I saw that the painting was a half-(shēn) portrait of a young girl, and the painting was very good, and the painting was very expressive. In the painting, the girl's eyebrows are like pink, her eyes are full of autumn water, and her lips are painted with vermilion, which is beautiful and beautiful.

"It's ...... You? Gu Xueqi looked at the painting, looked up at Su Jinyao again, and said in surprise: "Jinyao, the woman in this painting looks like you." ”

"This should be...... My mother. Su Jinyao reacted without much thought. And the kind of connection that she felt in her heart before, that kind of vague connection, finally had an explanation.

Su Jinyao knew that she was the orphan of the Fang family, although Gu Xuebin told her not to say it casually, but Zhu Xinsuo also told her that it was said that the three Confucians and the two merchants in the capital were already in a relationship with each other, and marriage was normal.

And it is not strange that the Gu family knows Fang Yingniang, and it is not strange for Mrs. Gu to guess that she is the orphan of the Fang family when she sees that she and Fang Yingniang look so similar.

It's just that where did this portrait of Madame Gu come from? Judging by the colors and the yellowed paper, this painting is definitely not recent.

So why did Mrs. Gu keep the portrait of her mother?

"Jinyao, you said that the girl above is your mother?" Gu Xueqi was also surprised, but then said: "The person on this painting is obviously Aunt Ziqiong." Could it be that your mother is Ziqiong, one of the four masters? ”

Gu Xueqi said, pointing to the corner of the portrait. Su Jinyao found out that because the painting was relatively small, the inscription was written on the frame page below. And it's a very small character.

And just now, Su Jinyao only noticed that the person in the painting looked so similar to herself, and ignored such a small detail. Now that it was pointed out by Gu Xueqi, she saw that it was written: a certain year and a certain month (rì), Ziqiong painted herself.

This means that if the person in this painting is really Su Jinyao's mother-in-law Fang Yingniang, then her mother and Gu Xueqi's mother-in-law are sisters in the same school, and they are Honglian and Ziqiong in the "Four Masters".

As for the other two......

Su Jinyao's brows furrowed, and in connection with Mrs. Gu's appearance and demeanor just now, she guessed that Dangui and Qingwu in the four masters might be the pair of brothers and sisters who carved a plaque for themselves and copied Mrs. Gu's words.

In this way, it can be explained why the shopkeeper was so surprised to see that she was holding the handkerchief.

At first, it must have been because he and Ziqiong looked alike, and then he saw Honglian's handwriting, which was even more strange. It's just strange why they didn't recognize each other in the first place.

Moreover, something happened to the Fang family and they were secretly wiped out. But the other two people have no (shēn) share and background, why did they suddenly leave the capital?

Thinking of this, Su Jinyao hurriedly rolled up the scroll and said, "Xueqi, I'm going back to ask my aunt what the hell is going on." Is my mother Ziqiong or not, and has she been looking for me all the time? ”

Gu Xueqi also reacted, nodded her head, and followed Su Jinyao to the meeting hurriedly, saying, "I also want to know what happened back then." ”

Su Jinyao came back to her senses at this time, grabbed Gu Xueqi, and said seriously: "Xueqi, listen to me, this matter (qíng) is very strange, you better not listen to it." And just now your mother refused to tell me the truth, just gave me such a picture, I think she also deliberately avoided you. If it hadn't fallen out, I wouldn't have let you see it, would I? You don't know about it. Listen to me, leave it alone. ”

After speaking, Su Jinyao pressed Gu Xueqi in place and said, "Just stand here and wait obediently, don't follow, you know?" ”

"But, Jinyao ......" Gu Xueqi still had something to say, but seeing Su Jinyao's unusually firm eyes, she had to nod and said, "Okay, I'll listen to you, don't care." ”

"Well, trust me, it's for your own good." After Su Jinyao finished speaking, she patted Gu Xueqi on the shoulder, and ran towards Ziwei Pavilion with the painting.

Gu Xueqi stood in place, looking at Su Jinyao's back running away, and suddenly realized that she was not the girl who was laughing with her just now. Her back is resolute and calm, and she is definitely not the Jin Yao she usually sees.

Su Jinyao ran back to Ziwei Pavilion in one breath, and the palace maid who was waiting at the door was still a little strange, and asked, "Did Miss Liu forget something?" ”

"Please help me pass the word, I want to see Mrs. Gu again." Su Jinyao said and raised the painting in her hand again, and said, "Let's just say that Ziqiong's old friend came to see her." ”

The palace maid was stunned for a moment, and said in her heart: Why did this Liu girl become Ziqiong's old friend again? But she didn't dare to slack off, and hurriedly nodded and walked inside.

But after a while, he came out again and said to Su Jinyao: "Miss Liu, I'm sorry, Mrs. Gu has already left." ”

"What?" Su Jinyao was stunned for a moment, feeling that this matter was becoming more and more wrong. frowned, and said, "No, you lied to me." I hadn't been leaving this Ziwei Pavilion for a long time, how could Madam Gu leave so quickly? If I really left, I didn't go far just now, and I ran into her on the way when I came back, right? ”

After speaking, Su Jinyao shouted loudly through the door: "Aunt Tong, I am Jinyao." Since you are the daughter of an old man, why don't you see it? The reason why Su Jinyao no longer called Mrs. Gu "aunt" and called her "Aunt Tong" was completely from her mother's side.

If Mrs. Gu Tong Minzhi and her mother-in-law Fang Yingniang are really from the same school, and they have such a deep (qíng) meaning, she should always give a (qíng) face and come out to meet her.

It's just that Su Jinyao shouted twice, and the palace maid who reported the news just now hurriedly persuaded: "Miss Liu, you really misunderstood." Madam Gu was not inside, she had just gone to Yining Palace from the back road. I was working in the front yard, so I didn't see Mrs. Gu go out. If you don't believe me, you can go in and find out for yourself. ”

After that, he let out the door and signaled that Su Jinyao could go in.

Su Jinyao knew that Mrs. Gu should really not be in it. Because this palace maid didn't dare to tell such a big lie, and she didn't dare to let herself in to find someone like this.

Su Jinyao took a step back and said, "I'm sorry, I was really reckless. With that, he turned around and ran back.

Gu Xueqi saw Su Jinyao standing at the door of Ziwei Pavilion from a distance and couldn't enter for a long time, so she chased after her. asked, "Jinyao, what's wrong?" ”

"Your mother went to the Queen Mother's Yining Palace." Su Jinyao frowned, feeling that this matter (qíng) was getting more and more strange.

Why did Mrs. Gu give herself this portrait to remind herself that she is Ziqiong's daughter. But when you turn your head, you avoid it and run to the Queen Mother's Yining Palace?

Gu Xueqi also felt that this matter (qíng) was very strange, and pulled Su Jinyao and asked, "Jinyao, what do you think?" If your mother is really Ziqiong, then you can be regarded as my sister. I'll take you to the Queen Mother's grandmother? ”

"You don't need to take me there, you might as well stay here in peace. Again, as I said, don't say or ask, just act as if you don't know. After Su Jinyao finished speaking, she pressed Gu Xueqi and ran in the direction of Yining Palace alone.

This is the scope of Yining Palace, Su Jinyao has lived here for many days, so the guards and palace maids all know her, and naturally no one stops her.

came all the way to the gate of Yining Palace, and Aunt Ma came out to stop her.

Su Jinyao hurriedly said, "Aunt Ma, I'm here to find Mrs. Gu." She gave me a painting ......"

"Miss Liu, I was sent by the Queen Mother to tell you about this." Aunt Ma said, and pulled Su Jinyao towards the deviation (diàn).

Su Jinyao was anxious, but she knew that the Queen Mother must have something to say when she asked Aunt Ma to come, but she was afraid that it would be difficult to see the Queen Mother if she didn't listen, so she obediently followed Aunt Ma.

When she came to the bias (diàn), Aunt Ma retreated left and right, and Su Jinyao was about to ask her what was wrong, but she saw Aunt Ma take out a copper token and stuff it to Su Jinyao, and said: "This is what the Queen Mother asked me to give to you, take the token and leave the palace quickly, don't care about anything, go home directly." Remember, don't delay on the way, no matter what happens, when you go out of town, someone will answer you and take you home.

"What's going on?" Su Jinyao was completely stunned. Although she didn't break the casserole and ask the end (xìng), she still couldn't listen to the arrangement of this kind of thing (qíng) that made her completely confused.

Especially since this matter is related to her (shēn) share, or this matter is related to the entire Fang family, she can't leave without knowing it.

Moreover, Gu Xuebin just mentioned that he was investigating the Fang family's grievances (qíng), and the queen mother here hurriedly wanted to send her away, this matter is definitely not right.

It's like Su Jinyao came to treat the Queen Mother, but was forcibly left behind and not allowed to leave. Wouldn't it be stranger to suddenly let her go now?

Su Jinyao's face turned cold, and said: "Aunt Ma, although we don't have any friendship, but for the sake of my dedication to the Queen Mother's treatment, I respect her as my elder, this matter should give me a reason anyway, right?" If I am asked to leave without knowing anything, I can leave the palace, but I will go to the prince's mansion. ”

Now that things are getting more and more strange, of course Su Jinyao refuses to believe anyone's words. The only thing that can give her a sense of security is, of course, Gu Xuebin.

Aunt Ma shook her head when she heard this, and said, "Silly girl, how could the Queen Mother harm you?" There are many things (qíng) that you can't understand now, and you leave obediently, and Aunt Ma promises to help you bring the news to the crown prince (diàn). ”

"No, either send me to the Prince's Mansion now, or let me see the Empress Dowager or Madame Gu, I want to know the truth of this matter." Su Jinyao stubbornly became stubborn, and at the same time secretly called her little chubby obediently out.

She was just in case, afraid that Aunt Ma would really violate her conscience, because her daughter was blackmailed (qíng) and secretly attacked her.

She even suspected that Aunt Ma came so coincidentally and brought herself to this partial (diàn), in fact, it was not the queen mother's intention, but she colluded with the noble people, right?

Aunt Ma looked anxious and said, "Good girl, listen to me, someone will explain this matter to you." But it's really too late not to go now. You, haven't you already met with Yuguiren? ”

"What's the matter with the nobles? What do you really know? Su Jinyao said, pinched Aunt Ma's wrist, and suddenly stabbed her hand (xué) with the silver needle hidden in her fingertips.

"Yikes." Aunt Ma withdrew her hand in pain, but Su Jinyao had already stained a drop of her blood in her hand, and then said, "Aunt Ma, I will detoxify Gu poison and practice Gu." I can refine a Gu worm called 'Green Worm', which is also called a Son and Mother Gu. I know you're looking for your daughter, and I'm going to feed it with your blood right now, and within ten (rì), it will be able to help you find out your daughter's whereabouts when it lays eggs. Trust me, even if you and your daughter are thousands of miles away, you can find it. ”

Aunt Ma was stunned when she heard Su Jinyao say this suddenly. At the same time, looking at his hand that was still dripping blood, he neither cried out in blood nor screamed in pain, but was stunned for a moment and then stretched out his hand towards Su Jinyao and said, "Miss Liu, can you really use my blood to practice Gu, and then find my daughter?" Then you can take a little more blood. ”

"Yes." Su Jinyao took out a small bamboo tube from her waist, threw it at Aunt Ma, and said, "Pull out the stopper, drip your blood into it, and I'll tell you how to do it." ”

Aunt Ma completely forgot what she had just said to Su Jinyao (qíng), and immediately did so, uncorked the bottle and dripped her own blood into it.

But when her hand was close to the mouth of the bamboo tube and dripping blood, as soon as the blood dripped in, a small blue and purple insect crawled out and bit her hand fiercely.

Aunt Ma still endured the pain, squeezed a few drops of blood and dripped down, and then asked Su Jinyao, "Is this okay?" ”