Murong Qiao has been proud and domineering in the palace for so many years, and there are times when he is so docile and peaceful. The Queen Mother looked very happy, but she couldn't help but think a little more in her heart, I don't know what kind of sharp and dark thoughts are hidden under Concubine Ning's sudden appearance.

Murong Qiao is the most resentful, it is her nature that flaws must be repaid, how could she let Li Jieyu go so easily......

The Queen Mother left Concubine Ning for a cup of tea, and discussed a few words of Buddhist scriptures and Zen with her, and her attitude was very kind. But her body was not happy, her spirit was not good, and she was tired without saying a few words, so she asked Meng Xilan to talk more with Concubine Ning on her behalf.

Meng Xilan nodded meekly, got up and personally helped Murong Qiao to go to the courtyard outside to enjoy the flowers. Because of the queen mother's physical discomfort, in order to please her, Meng Xilan ordered people to plant many new flowers in the yard, looking at the flowers and green, it was very lively.

Of course, two people are just a pretense to enjoy the flowers, and it is important to say a few serious words while no one is around.

"Xi Lan congratulates Niangniang for successfully solving her difficulties and regaining her Longen." The surroundings were quiet, and Meng Xilan took the lead in opening her mouth, and her tone was gentle.

Murong Qiao picked the corners of his mouth when he heard this, his sharp jaw was slightly raised, he looked at the flowers blooming on the branches, and said lightly: "The king's heart is unpredictable, sometimes cloudy and sometimes sunny, there will always be a turnaround." With her little Jieyu, she can be grounded in the palace for so long, and she can be regarded as the first person in the harem. ”

She has been favored in the palace for so many years, and she has never been the only one who calculates others, how can anyone else calculate her share. Just let such a little Jieyu slap her head-on, and she was beaten so embarrassed, it was really embarrassing.

Meng Xilan lowered her eyes and was speechless, without a word.

The grievances between Concubine Ning and Li Jieyu, she didn't want to interfere, let alone interfere. The child was indeed innocent, but it didn't matter to her who was black or white.

"However, blessings and misfortunes lie in ambush, and blessings rely on. The main palace has been grounded for so many days, and it is rare to be quiet around me, and it is just right to think about something important. ”

Meng Xilan's eyes condensed slightly, and she asked tentatively: "Rong Xilan is bold, I don't know if I can ask more, what are the important things in Niangniang's heart?" ”

Murong Qiao smiled faintly and turned his eyes to look at her: "What do you say?" Now for this palace, in addition to Lin'er's matter, what else is worth a headache for this palace. ”

Meng Xilan thought the same, so she continued: "Niangniang has been in retreat these days, the prince has always been very concerned about Niangniang, looking forward to seeing Niangniang as soon as possible. ”

"Lin'er is an arrogant child, and Bengong doesn't want him to see the down-and-out appearance of his mother, so Bengong can't see him if he doesn't turn over. On that day, when Bengong heard that he was kneeling outside the Heart Nourishing Palace, Bengong was very heartbroken...... "When it comes to the events of that day, Murong Qiao's tone fluctuates slightly, implying an unknown subtle sadness.

"Niangniang...... Meng Xilan couldn't help but persuade softly when she saw her like this for the first time: "Mother and son are connected, Niangniang's good intentions, the prince will definitely understand." ”

"Of course he has to understand. No matter what Hongu did, he had to understand, because he was Hongu's son. Murong Qiao said meaningfully.

"Okay, okay, such a good weather today, there are such beautiful flowers in front of you, and there is such a wonderful person by your side in this palace, this palace is so sad and sad, it's too unlucky. Let's go, let's enjoy the flowers steadily. Murong Qiao said as he took Meng Xilan's hand, only to feel a little cold.

"Yes." Meng Xilan hesitated a little and agreed.

Three days later, the Zhaohua Palace was lit up with lights, and there was a lot of joy. The imperial concubine Murong Qiao ushered in her thirty-sixth birthday. The concubine's mourning period has not yet passed, and according to the etiquette, everything should be low-key. However, because of the debt in his heart, Zhou Shixian personally ordered the Internal Affairs Office to do a good job.

It's just a few days, Murong Qiao successfully turned over, such a situation was expected by smart people, with her scheming and ability, it would not be so easy to fall.

Early this morning, Murong Qiao asked the palace maid to send out the invitation to the birthday banquet, and there was no fall in all the palaces, especially Qixia Palace, which was the first one.

Li Jieyu's miscarriage is still over, Murong Qiao is extraordinarily "generous", and the minions around her are very "grudgeful". "Niangniang, Li Jieyu deliberately slandered you and made you live so many days of hard life...... It's your birthday, why do you want her to come over and block you? ”

Murong Qiao looked at herself in the mirror, and suddenly realized that she was really a little old, and the fine lines at the corners of her eyes had to be covered with fat powder, which made her frown unhappily: "If this palace doesn't invite her to come, the people in the palace will definitely say that this palace is a small belly and chicken intestines, and there are ghosts in their hearts...... This palace is a concubine, she is Jieyu, this palace is above her, she should be lenient with others, and treat her more tolerantly. ”

The invitation was sent, I don't know if Li Jieyu has the courage to come over?

For the birthday banquet in the evening, Zhou Youning deliberately changed into a new dress, Meng Xilan personally came over to comb her hair and dress her, and even put those jewelry on her personally.

Zhou Youning was very happy in his heart, and turned around to show her: "Sister, do you look good?" ”

Meng Xilan smiled and stretched out her thumb and praised: "The princess's appearance is unparalleled in the world." ”

Zhou Youning smiled sweetly when she heard this, hurriedly took her arm, and said, "How can my sister find time to accompany me today?" ”

Meng Xilan smiled back: "Today is a big day, although I can't always accompany the princess every day, but as long as there is something happy in the palace, I must be by the princess's side." ”

These days, she does have some free time. In order to please the emperor, Queen Su specially selected a few masters for Zhou Youchen, and Zhou Youchen had too many things to learn every day, and he couldn't be free for a moment. As for Meng Xilan, the "temporary master", naturally there is no need to go to Changqing Palace every day like before.

When Zhou Youning heard this, he couldn't help but be happy from the bottom of his heart, "I am naturally happy to have my sister with me." ”

In the evening, the lights of Zhaohua Palace were turned on early, and the concubines of the palace dressed up and went to Zhaohua Palace to celebrate the birthday of the concubine. Li Jieyu said that she was not sick, but she just ordered someone to give a gift that was not light or heavy, and as for the prince Zhou Youping, she deliberately waited until the last moment before the banquet to arrive, which seemed to be slack.

As a birthday star, Murong Qiao deliberately wore a crimson dress today, which is still bright and moving, and the long skirt is embroidered with cranes and clouds, implying longevity and auspiciousness.

Zhou Shixian looked at Murong Qiao's delicate face, and couldn't help but sigh lightly: "It's been twenty years since the concubine entered the palace, but her face is still as beautiful and moving as it was back then. ”

Murong Qiao lowered his eyes slightly when he heard this, and the corners of his mouth hooked a charming arc: "Concubine, thank you for the emperor's praise." ”

Zhou Shixian slowly stretched out his hand and brought her to sit beside him.

Zhou Youlin was the first to go forward to congratulate his mother on her birthday, and also gave him a birthday gift prepared by himself, which was a "Eight Immortals Birthday Picture" drawn by himself.

The delicate picture scroll slowly spread out, Murong Qiao's heart moved, and he couldn't help but nod with tears in his eyes: "My son is attentive." Zhou Shixian also praised on the side: "Lin'er's painting skills have indeed grown a lot, and he must have worked hard." ”

After the banquet, Zhou Shixian recklessly raised a toast for Murong Qiao, and everyone slowly got up and echoed together.

Meng Xilan took a sip of the water and wine in the glass, slightly surprised. The cup is not sake, but an aged brew, which is mellow and strong, and after just one sip, the body will be warm.

All the way from the throat to the heart, Meng Xilan unconsciously picked up the handkerchief, covered her mouth and said to Zhou Youning on the side: "Be careful, princess, this wine is strong, you should not be greedy for a cup." ”

Zhou Youning smiled slightly, and drank all the wine in the cup: "Sister, don't worry, this wine is so sweet, I want to drink two more glasses." ”

She usually didn't have a chance to drink, and only at this feast could she have a few drinks.

Meng Xilan knew that she liked it, so she asked the palace maid to pour her another glass, Zhou Youning picked up the wine glass and was about to drink it, but suddenly stopped, looked at Meng Xilan and said, "Sister, let's also go and toast the mother to the bar." ”

Meng Xilan looked at the wine glass, frowned slightly, and then responded: "It's okay." ”

The two of them picked up their wine glasses, came to the emperor and Concubine Ning, knelt down in a proper manner, and said many auspicious words one after the other.

Murong Qiao smiled when he heard this, raised his wine glass, and drank with them.

After another glass of wine, Meng Xilan suddenly felt that when she got up, she was a little dizzy in front of her eyes, and she didn't feel that her heart moved.

After "Zhulu ......" returned to her seat, Meng Xilan called Zhulu and whispered in her ear: "My wine is too strong, something is wrong." ”

Zhu Lu's eyes flashed, and he slowly stepped forward and took the opportunity to pour wine for his master, deliberately spilled the water and wine, and then dipped it with his fingertips and put it in his mouth.

Sure enough, it's a spirit. Zhu Lu gave Zhu Qing another look, Zhu Qing did the same, and also tasted the wine in Zhou Youning's pot, and then lowered his voice and said: "The princess's wine is green plum wine, which is very sweet." ”

Zhu Lu immediately replied to Meng Xilan: "Master, you and the princess's wine is different. It's weird, it's supposed to be the same. ”

Meng Xilan listened to her words, her eyes flashed slightly, she raised her eyes and glanced at the people in the hall, and whispered: "You let Xiao Lizi go and see, what's going on?" ”

This is Zhaohua Palace, and the minions who do things are all Concubine Ning's people. And with her friendship with Concubine Ning, who would dare to do anything in her things?

"Yes." Zhulu took two steps back, and the bamboo green on the side made up for it in time, serving the master as usual.

Gao Fuli took the order and left, and the small kitchen of Zhaohua Palace is now the most lively. The palace people were busy going in and out, and they didn't dare to slack off, Gao Fuli stretched out his hand to block the way of a little eunuch, and asked him: "What kind of wine have you prepared for the concubine's birthday today." ”

When the little eunuch saw what he was dressing, he didn't dare to ignore it, and replied honestly: "Back to my father-in-law, the Internal Affairs Office has sent three kinds of wine." The emperor and the queen, as well as the concubine, drank the Year of the Crane tribute wine. The ministers and princes used Jiu Brew Spring, and as for the princess, Her Royal Highness and the Lady of the Rank used green plum wine. ”

After Gao Fuli inquired clearly, he turned around and returned the same way, just in time for the palace maids to deliver wine. He hid aside and quietly observed, and found that the wine that the palace maid gave to his master was not green plum wine, but Jiuzhuchun.

"What's going on? It's weird! ”

Gao Fuli was about to intercept the palace maid and ask for clarification, when he saw Xiao Dongzi beside Zhou Youlin, he took a step forward and took the remaining plum wine on the palace maid's tray.

Gao Fuli was slightly surprised, and hurriedly caught up to take a look, and found that Xiao Dongzi gave the bottle of green plum wine to his master Zhou Youlin intact.