After the days pass by the cold dew, the colors of autumn become more and more intense.

In order to prepare for the chrysanthemum banquet of the Empress Dowager Xiaokang, the Ministry of Internal Affairs specially paid tribute to a batch of chrysanthemum treasures from the south.

The front feet of this batch of chrysanthemums had just been transported to the Internal Affairs Office, and the back foot was ordered to quietly move a load of it and come to Yonghe Palace to ask for peace.

However, Yonghe Palace did not appreciate this face, how a load of new chrysanthemums moved heavily, how heavy to carry back.

The little eunuch who was ordered to bear the burden was very depressed, and secretly scolded the chief manager Li Jinchao in his heart for a long time along the way.

At this time, although the season of flowers has passed, in the eyes of Concubine Wu Ya, no matter how precious the flowers and plants in the world are, it is difficult to reach the jasmine that is carefully cultivated here all year round.

Scarcity is expensive.

The entire harem, even if it is Emperor Kangxi's heart-nourishing palace, due to the taboo of Empress Yiren, has never placed jasmine incense for many years.

At this time, in the Yonghe Palace, in the warm pavilion, in the copper incense burner with entwined branches and lotus patterns, there was a faint burning of early spring jasmine from the tribute of the Indian capital, and the fragrance of the graceful and graceful made people feel slightly intoxicated.

Seeing that Concubine De had woken up from a nap on the soft couch, Qilan sat up straight with her waist up, hurriedly offered a cup of ginseng tea, and whispered in Concubine De's ear: "Niangniang, the gift Tana you brought from Ussuri Prefecture has been delivered." ”

When Concubine De heard this, her eyes lit up, and she said with a smile: "Yes, take it and let the palace take a look first." ”

Qilan should be, went out of the house and came back with a very delicate brocade box from the outside, and carefully placed it on the table in front of Concubine De.

Concubine De stroked her hair and temples, got up and sat down at the table, and gently opened the brocade box with a pair of well-maintained hands.

I saw that in the middle of the thick layer of soft silk satin in the box, a pair of colorful gold-inlaid Dongzhu earrings were gently supported.

The gold tray of the earrings is finely carved with a lotus pattern, and each gold tray is inlaid with three eastern pearls the size of a cat's eye. These six East Pearl pearls are smooth and clean, full of pearls, dignified in texture, atmospheric in shape, under the irradiation of the sun, each pearl exudes a brilliant and slight light.

Qilan on the side had never seen so many big and beautiful Dongzhu, and she couldn't help but snort infatuatedly.

Concubine De smiled slightly, gently took out one, and looked at the mirror at the earlobe.

Qilan couldn't help but admire: "Niangniang, the pair of Dongzhu earrings you prepared are really too valuable, and tomorrow Niangniang will definitely be able to dominate the Queen Mother's chrysanthemum banquet." ”

Seeing that Concubine De loved it so much, she put down this one, picked up that one again, and admired it repeatedly in the mirror, so she smiled and said: "Since Niangniang likes it so much, why don't you let people outside help Niangniang buy a pair?" ”

Concubine De glanced at Qilan, gently returned the earrings in her hand, and said quietly: "You have been by your side in the palace for so many years, why are your eyelids still so shallow." Is such a rare good thing something easy to get in the world? ”

"Even if it is such an East Pearl, the Ussuri River can hit two in a year, and it will take three years to make another pair. With such a tyrannical treasure, how can this palace afford it? It is only as a gift that it can be used to the fullest...... I just don't know, what is the queen preparing on her side? ”

Qilan nodded thoughtfully, and said: "Niangniang has been worrying about things for thousands of years, I only hope that the heavenly things can be used by Niangniang, and they can contribute to what Niangniang is planning." The slave maid has been sending people to inquire, but the queen's tone is extremely strict, thinking that she is afraid that she will leak the secret in advance and be known by us more than in the past. However, don't worry, such a treasure made in heaven, Niangniang is so painstaking to find it, others don't have to think about it. ”

Concubine De smiled lightly and was noncommittal.

Qilan suddenly thought of something, and after thinking about it, she still spoke: "Niangniang, didn't you let the slave and maid stare at that little palace maid, the informant said that a few days ago, there was really something wrong with the catering department recently." ”

Concubine De's expression condensed slightly: "Oh? ”

Qilan was also a little surprised, and said with some regret: "Niangniang, Xia Qing's line is broken." ”

Concubine De frowned slightly: "What's the matter?" ”

Qilan followed cautiously and said: "Niangniang, didn't we have put Xia Qing and Ann into the catering department for many years before, and we have already mixed well, and we have also begun to have the opportunity to deliver food to that one." Seeing that he is about to keep the clouds open and see the moon, who knows that on the way, a Cheng Biting Gold ...... will be killed"

In Concubine De's graceful and leisurely eyes, a cold light was fleeting, and a trace of anger in her heart only turned into a faint question: "What the hell is going on?" Xia Qing is not a good stubble, who can be more powerful than her, you can come to the palace to listen. ”

Qilan took a moment to take a look: "Niangniang, this matter is about ......"

Concubine De snapped the lid of the brocade box in front of her and said coldly: "What is the matter?" How can you talk about it so much at a critical juncture? Do you still have to hide your words before this palace? ”

Qilan was really uncomfortable in her heart, so she had to say truthfully: "Niangniang, this matter is a matter of ...... Before the fourth master's southern tour, please help take care of the person....."

Concubine De was speechless for a while, and after being silent for a long time, Fang Youyou said, "How did Xia Qing's line break?" Are the people you have installed reliable? Is that person really related to Xia Qing? You have to say it one by one, and this palace must listen carefully. ”

At the end of the road, the autumn wind blew through the hall with a chill, and the two palace maids who were squatting and standing in the depths of the shadows were blown into their hearts.

Mu Lan vomited out the things in her stomach, stood up and wiped her lips with a handkerchief, tried to cheer up, and said to Lianxin on the side: "Lianxin, let's go quickly." ”

Lianxin's face was pale and cowardly: "Mu Lan, blame me for being too timid." That Gonggong Li just now...... Didn't embarrass you, did you? ”

Mu Lan smiled slightly and said calmly, "Don't worry." I deliberately pretended to be stupid just now, and I just didn't want him to know my name. In this way, even if he wants to make things difficult for me, it will not be so easy for a while. ”

Lian Xin nodded, looked at Mu Lan worriedly, and said with some hesitation: "Mu Lan, should we tell Min Sishan about this matter and ask her to be our master?" ”

Mu Lan's eyes were blank, she shook her head, and said softly, "No." There are many people in the palace, and if others know about it, you and I may have to worry about our lives. Besides, today's father-in-law Li deliberately made things difficult for us, and we didn't have half of the human and material evidence in our hands, even if we reported to Min Sishan, it would only add to our troubles. Besides, the chrysanthemum banquet will be held tomorrow, and Min Sishan is too busy to be busy, even if he has the heart to help, he doesn't have the time to pay attention to such a trivial matter as us. Listen to me, today passes, you and I will treat this as if it never happened. When you go back, don't mention it to anyone, understand? ”

Lian Xin nodded, she had always trusted Mu Lan like an eldest sister, and now it was even more so.

The two of them walked back one after the other, wrapped their clothes tightly in the autumn wind, supported each other warmly, and hurriedly walked back.