The court of Daqi is still the same as in the past.

Su Mi's return did not bring any fluctuations to the increasingly busy palace, only a few favored concubines secretly complained that their favor was probably going to decrease again.

Originally, according to Qi Long, before the end of the Xiunu election, Su Mi was going to live in the Qianqing Palace in the next few days, but since Su Mi's body had not healed, the queen deliberately did not move Caiwei Palace, and found another palace room to prepare for the Xiunu. So now Su Mi is still lying in his bedroom. It has only been a short month since I left, and the palace is already full of beautiful scenery of blooming flowers, and the fragrance of flowers in the courtyard is faintly wafting into the house, the flowers are thick and willow green, and the trees are verdant.

Su Mi pulled the goose-yellow fine pile blanket on her body, and the weather in early spring was still a little cold. She was looking out the window at the blue sky, and the sunlight was shining through the pane, shining warmly on her body. Slowly the sleepiness spread, his eyes closed unconsciously, and the silk handkerchief in his hand fell to the ground without realizing it.

In the fog, I heard a resentful voice outside: "I'm really angry." ”

"Be quiet, a slight voice came, I just looked, the master is asleep in the house, do you want to quarrel with the master?" It was Miqing's voice, and she asked, "What's wrong?" Has anyone offended your father-in-law? ”

"Don't mention it," Xiao Luzi's voice also lowered, "I still didn't know, do you know what I heard when I went to the Internal Affairs Office just now?" ”

"What's wrong? What did you say? Mi Qing asked.

"Those who are inferior will let them fall into the water and become kings in the next life. It was even said that the reason why our master lived in the mountains for so long was not because of recuperation, but because he fell off the cliff with a guard named Ni and what in Hanshan Temple a few days ago, and what did he say that he spent a day and a night together, and he shared all kinds of hardships and fell asleep with each other...... Dirty things like that were all said. Can I not be angry? Immediately rushed out and taught those low-mouthed minions a hard lesson......"

Su Mi was leaning on the bed, dazed, but when she heard these words, it was like a thunderbolt bursting in her mind, and she was suddenly awakened.

When did there be such a rumor in the palace? With the withered leaf Zen master personally refuting the rumors for himself, no one should doubt it anymore. If these words spread, their reputation ...... At that time, Ni Tingxuan was seriously injured and had been staying in the mountains to recuperate, and after Qi Long and the queen's car drove back to the palace, it took more than ten days before Ni Yuan sent someone to pick him up. During the month I was in the mountains, I did have such a period of time with him. Although Su Mi lived in the courtyard at that time, she stayed at home, and the two had never met at all, but she was not in the deep palace at that time, and she was surrounded by people in her palace.

If these words were spread to Qi Long's ears, with the words of the withered leaf Zen Master in front of him, Qi Long would not believe it for a while, but what if he heard too much? When he thought of Qi Long, who was suspicious because of the queen's few words on the mountain, Su Mi only felt a chill.

The crowd is full of gold, and the bones are destroyed. These rumors are like a soft knife, and although they don't seem deadly, they are the most abrasive. She originally thought that the queen was now busy with the draft and couldn't afford to take care of herself, but now it seems. She couldn't even wait to kill herself. Su Mi turned over in annoyance.

"How can there be such rumors?" Mi Qing also knew that things were not good, and her face changed. She looked back at the room, Su Mi seemed to be still asleep, she turned back to Xiao Luzi and said: "Be quiet, this kind of words must not reach the ears of the master, the master's body is not good in the first place......"

The two went further and further.

Under the noon sun, the bright light shines through the treetops on the ground of white marble carved bricks, on the vermilion corridor, and on the autumn fragrant satin. The warm feeling on her body is still so clear, but Su Mi only feels that her heart is cold, she still comes, after breaking with the queen, she understands that sooner or later there will be such a day, but she didn't expect them to start so quickly, now she is just a little Jieyu, there is no support inside, no support outside, and she may be slapped by others at any time, what should she do next?

She was distracted when she heard a small sound. It was Miqing who crept in with a plate of things.

Seeing that Su Mi's eyes were open, she was taken aback, and then took a heavy step and said: "Master, you are awake, I am afraid that you will catch a cold if you sleep like this, and your body is not good now......

"I don't have anything." Su Mi said, then looked at the plate of colorful fruits in Mi Qing's hand and asked, "What is this, and where is the tribute?" ”

"This ......" Mi Qing glanced up at Su Mi, "Master, don't you remember?" ”

"What's the matter?" Su Mi asked reflexively.

Mi Qing replied: "Tomorrow is the birthday of the Queen Mother and her old man." This is the longevity fruit of the concubines and concubines sent by Cining Palace just now, didn't the slave tell you a few days ago? ”

The Queen Mother's birthday?!

Su Mi reacted suddenly, tomorrow will be the ninth day of the first month of March.

Mi Qing hesitated for a moment and asked: "Master, there will be a harem family banquet in Cining Palace tomorrow night, and the decree that has just been passed over will all the concubines of the harem will participate, master, do you see if you are sick this time...... You're not in good health......"

Is it a blessing or a curse, it is a disaster that can't be avoided, remembering the rumors he just heard, Su Mi sneered, "Go, why don't you go, since it was the queen mother's summons from her old man." As a concubine, of course I have to show my filial piety. ”

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After simply dressing up, Su Mi didn't take a chariot when he went out, so he took Mi Qing's hand and followed the eunuch who came to pass the word to Cining Palace.

Although the Queen Mother has repeatedly said that she should act thriftily, the birthday banquet of the Queen Mother still has to show a magnificent momentum. The feast of the inner court, the reward of the court, and the congratulatory table of the civil and military officials...... It's all indispensable.

This feast was held in the Hall of Mercy. The palace of Cining Palace lacks the richness and luxury of ordinary palaces, but it has a quiet and peaceful bearing. Even if the harem feast is about to start, there is no such noise and noise, and the palace people who walk and serve in the hall are also exceptionally silent and docile.

When Su Mi arrived, there were already a lot of concubines arriving, and they were talking and laughing around a few tables of fruits.

In the middle of the hall is a phoenix algae jade case, and the table legs are carved into the style of auspicious clouds and longevity peaches, symbolizing longevity without borders, which is the seat of the queen mother. On both sides is the emperor's seat, on the left is Qi Long's dragon case, and on the right is the queen's phoenix case. None of the three arrived.

Su Mi sat down on the set seat according to his position. Several concubines nearby looked at her with unnatural expressions, and Su Mi knew that it was because of that rumor.

The time for the feast has not yet arrived, and the concubines are still chatting about it, which is nothing more than the topic of jewelry, hairpins, rings, and treasures. Not long after Su Mi sat down, the conversation around her began to turn to her. Concubine Wen laughed first and said, "My sister is really moisturized, although she was seriously ill a while ago, now it seems that even if she is sick, she is also a sick beauty." ”

"Sister Concubine Wen has won the award, where can she compare to Sister Xiuya's touching." Su Mi said with a smile.

"I heard that my sister was frightened a lot that time in Danfeng Mountain, and thanks to someone who rescued her, she was able to escape from under the hands of those vicious assassins? But really? Concubine Wen asked, "Alas, I can't help but be shocked when I hear those experiences." ”

All the concubines looked at Su Mi unconsciously, waiting for her answer.

"It's all the emperor's blessing that gives me a chance to escape this catastrophe." Su Mi smiled indifferently.

"It's a pity that my sister was frightened and fell seriously ill. I don't know if it is suitable to recuperate in the mountains compared to our palace? ”

Sure enough, it came! Su Mi said secretly in his heart, his face was impassive, and he said with a smile: "At that time, it was because the concubine was weak and difficult to move, and the emperor was compassionate, so he allowed me to recuperate there." ”

Zhu Guifei next to her smiled: "I'm afraid that someone in the temple tripped my sister's foot, right?" made my sister reluctant to leave. ”

The concubines chuckled. This is really a blatant provocation.

Su Mi smiled quietly, and said, "What my sister said is that as a peerless master in the world, the concubine is really admired, and she can't wait to serve and be taught every day." It's a pity that his old man's whereabouts are like immortals, and it is difficult to listen to the teachings for a long time, which is really a pity for my generation. As he spoke, he smiled at Concubine Wen and said, "Isn't my sister also hoping to go to the mountains to live for a few days?" ”

Concubine Wen smiled: "I want to, but unfortunately there is no such opportunity, where is there such a fate as my sister?" ”

"If you want fate, why is it so difficult?" Su Mi said with a smile: "As long as my sister is dedicated to the Buddha, my sister will go to the emperor instead of my sister to plead with the emperor." Now that the Queen Mother is sick, the more things that pray for the Buddha and pray for blessings, the better. My sister's sincerity will inevitably move the emperor and the queen. ”

Concubine Wen's face showed anger, but Su Mi still smiled: "Could it be that my sister doesn't want to pray for the Queen Mother and her old man?" ”

Concubine Zhu next to her couldn't help but interrupt and said: "The withered leaf Zen master is naturally a master of the Tao, but I heard that there is not only a master in the Hanshan Temple, but there are also ......."

"What else?" A gorgeous and delicate voice came, choking back what Zhu Guifei had said for half a sentence.

The concubines looked back, Ni Guifei was wearing a red brocade dress, the hairpin ring trembled, and the pearls were dotted, standing behind everyone. The scene fell silent.

Knowing that the Queen Mother is so simple, at this birthday banquet, most of the concubines are dressed in plain and elegant light, and as far as the eye can see, the seats are light blue and soft, goose yellow and light green. She alone is dressed in a gorgeous palace dress embroidered with flowers and butterflies, with butterfly wings inlaid with rubies, and a circle of pearls strung with gold threads on her forehead, sparkling and shining, surrounded by concubines, like a blooming peony, gorgeous and proud.

Those deliberately elegant palace concubines have become her foils.

On one side of her figure, a person appeared behind her, and it turned out to be Liu Qiyan. These days, she has been quietly raising the fetus and staying at home, and even Su Mi hasn't seen her for a long time. At this time, she was more than five months pregnant, wearing a loose and plain long dress, her abdomen was clearly bulging, and the maids on her side were carefully serving her.

Seeing Su Mi's eyes on her body, Qiyan smiled at her politely, and then shrank back. It seems that she is doing well these days.

Ni Yelin smiled, her posture charming and elegant: "What was everyone talking about just now?" It seems like a lot of fun to hear what everyone has to say, so let's talk about it now. Let Hongu also have fun. Saying that, he looked at Zhu Guifei and smiled: "Just now, Sister Zhu said that what else is in the Hanshan Temple?" Hongu hasn't heard it clearly. ”

Zhu Guifei's face changed. The concubines were silent and did not dare to squeak. Only then did they suddenly realize that the rumors they were talking about were not only involving a simple palace concubine in front of them, but also involving ......

"Sister Concubine Wen and Concubine Zhu seem to know a lot about Hanshan Temple, which is really an eye-opener for this palace." As Ni Guifei spoke, she stretched out her hand and gently picked up a red pearl fruit from the plain white jade plate on the table. The two-inch-long nails did not have the armor such as gold and jade that were popular among the concubines, and they were coated with gorgeous impatiens juice, and the gold dust mixed in the flower juice made the bright color extraordinarily dazzling, which was more charming and moving than the hollow armor sets inlaid with gold and jade inlaid by the concubines. It looks a little more moisturized than the fresh pearl fruit below. Her gaze swept over the concubines with a chill, and when she passed Su Mi, she paused slightly, and then naturally flashed away.

"Since you're so happy, it's better to let Bengong come over and have some fun." Ni Guifei smiled, turned her head to look at everyone: "Why don't you say it?" Sister Wenfei? ”

Concubine Wen shuddered. Ni Yuan is now almost in a state of semi-retreat, which makes Ni Guifei's momentum much worse than before, but under the long-term accumulation of power, no one dares to disobey her. There was a moment of stiffness in the scene.

Finally, it was Concubine Li Xian who laughed and broke the deadlock and said: "Just now we were talking about the amulet of Hanshan Temple is extraordinarily effective, I heard that the withered leaf Zen master is there right now, and the Zen master is a high-ranking monk, I don't know if there is such a glory to ask his old man for a spiritual talisman." ”

"That's right," Concubine Wen laughed: "Concubine Wen has also heard a lot of things about Hanshan Temple, and she is praising the spiritual energy there and the blessing of the gods." So I've been thinking about asking for a talisman for the little emperor, and recently the little emperor has had some coughing symptoms from time to time. ”

"Then you have to serve the emperor carefully, now the emperor has such a little blood," Ni Guifei said with a smile: "Sister Concubine Wen is a blessed person after all." ”

All the concubines breathed a sigh of relief, and the topic turned to the little emperor again, although the smile was still a little sarcastic, but the atmosphere was still warm.

Concubine Li Xian said with a smile: "Speaking of children, Liu Cairen's belly is the most delicate, and now it is only five months, I'm afraid that the fetal image is still unstable, don't always stand there, hurry up and take a seat." ”

"The concubine is responsible for taking care of Sister Liu's fetus these days, and it's really hard work." Luo Zhaoyi also said. After the Queen Mother fell ill, the queen was inseparable, and the task of taking care of the fetus in Qiyan's womb naturally fell on Ni Yelin.

"This is also the palace's dedication to the emperor." Ni Yelin smiled: "After all, he is the heir of the royal family." The queen mother is too busy to be there, I am working hard, and it is worth it for the emperor. ”

The concubines were flattering again. As he was talking, the inner supervisor outside the door made a long announcement, and then the queen took the queen mother's hand and walked into the main hall.

The concubines hurriedly got up and saluted.

The Queen Mother sat behind the jade case with kind eyes, looked at the people below, and said with a smile: "It's just a feast for your family, so you don't have to pay attention to so many rules, let's be even." Because of the sick bed, the Queen Mother's face was really haggard, and there were faint signs of disgrace between her eyebrows, but she was still in good spirits.

The Queen Mother and the concubines said a few words of gossip, then turned her head to Su Mi and smiled gently, and asked, "I heard that you really suffered a few days ago, but now you are better?" ”

"If you go back to the Queen Mother, the concubine's health is much better." Su Mi stood up respectfully and saluted and replied, "It is really the concubine's sin to worry the queen mother. ”

"That's good, the emperor has always been thinking about you, the last time I came to the mourning house, I talked about you, this time the matter of Hanshan Temple is really wronged by you, that group of bandits is really lawless." The Queen Mother shook her head and sighed.

Regarding the attack on Hanshan Temple, naturally the "culprit" was quickly found, that is, the Donglianghui who attempted to assassinate Qi Long last time, and from the clues at the scene, as well as the investigation of the Beijing Criminal Department, such a conclusion was drawn, and the motive was normal. This group of anti-ministers and thieves who hated Daqi deeply turned to their anger at the innocent concubines after they failed to assassinate Qi Long, and this time it was the son of the traitor Ni Yuan who they were eager to get rid of.

Of course, this is just an official article, what has actually been found out, and what is involved, whether it is the court or the harem, when it comes to this matter, it is all evasive.

"The concubine thanks the queen mother for her concern, and the queen mother's great kindness and virtue are grateful. It was all thanks to the blessings of the Queen Mother and the Emperor that the concubine's condition was able to heal so quickly. Su Mi smiled gratefully.

After the queen mother explained a few more words, she ordered Su Mi to take a seat.

Almost all the concubines in the palace have arrived, and they are all together, smiling. The concubines were either talking about jokes about the servants in the palace, or complimenting the virtues of the queen mother and the queen, and within a few words, someone brought the topic to Liu Qiyan.

For the only pregnant concubine in the palace at present, although her position is low, she is the focus of attention.

"I heard that Liu Cairen's father plans to ask for an official title?" Concubine Li Xianfei asked.

It is precisely like this, my father is dedicated to serving the country, but unfortunately he came from a humble background and has not been able to fulfill his wishes. Fortunately, now the emperor has made a will to select talents, regardless of background, so this is an opportunity. It is the result of the emperor's love and affection. "There are high-ranking concubines all around, and Qiyan is also careful when she speaks.

"Since he is the father of a nobleman, it is also appropriate to reward a person's background, so isn't Concubine Yun's father promoted to three or four levels in a row? Even for the sake of the emperor's heir, it should be the same. "Concubine Wen is mentioning Concubine Yun now, and her words are still a little sour.

"Where do you dare to cross Qiyan." Qiyan smiled humbly.

Su Mi chuckled, she looked a lot more sleek, this palace is really the most growth-making place.

Suddenly, the queen asked, "Since even Liu Cairen can find a background, I don't know why Lian Jieyu can't also find a background." Why don't you come back together, and the palace will be the master, and make a statement to the emperor? "Her smile is touching and thoughtful.

There were a few concubines on the spot with contempt on their faces, they all knew that Su Mi's background was not as good as Liu Qiyan, although Liu Qiyan was born as a businessman, but he was a good citizen of Daqi, and the Liu family was the richest man in the capital, although in the eyes of these concubines, the copper smell was thicker, and it was a serious rich family, and Su Mi ......

A bad thought suddenly rose in Su Mi's heart, her face remained unchanged, and she replied respectfully: "The concubine's background is humble, where you dare to do this." ”

"That's what I said, even if we are rewarded with titles and changed from a concubine, we must be three generations of good citizens, how can we be filled by guards." Zhu Guifei covered her mouth and chuckled.

"Where are the guards? are all Qi people, does Concubine Zhu think that there is still a country in this world? The queen glanced at her coldly and said.

Zhu Guifei suddenly knew that her words just now had made a big taboo, and her face turned white with fright, but fortunately, the queen just said a word to her without pain, so she no longer paid attention to her, and continued to say softly to Su Mi: "Speaking of which, what is Lian Jieyu's original background?" Now that the defense of the country belongs to our Great Qi, the original Weichen should naturally be Qi Chen. I heard that Lian Jieyu used to be the attendant of Wei Concubine, so she must have been born in a famous family, right? ”

Did she send someone to investigate herself?!

Su Mi's mind exploded, how much did she know, could it ...... No, if she really knew her true identity, where would she need to spend time snooping here.

That's right, it's spying!

"The concubine's life experience is really not worth mentioning," Su Mi said with a little shame on her face: "The concubine's father is just a country doctor, and he happened to cure the illness of the concubine Rou in the palace at that time. This is Su Mi's identity that is widely known to the outside world. Even in the Wei Palace, the vast majority of people think this about Su Mi's life experience.

Hearing Su Mi's words, the contempt on the faces of the concubines became a little heavier, but Su Mi claimed to be humble, and they were not good at making sarcastic remarks.

"Doctors are also serious professions," the queen said with a smile: "Lian Jieyu doesn't have to hurt herself, as long as she reports Ling Zun's name, this palace will ask for a seal for you. ”

The look of jealousy on the faces of several concubines flashed for a moment.

Su Mi was about to excuse himself again, but at this moment, the eunuch outside the door sang, "The emperor has arrived!" Then the bead curtain was lifted, and Qi Long walked in.

Entering the main hall, Qi Long first saluted the Queen Mother, and the Queen Mother smiled before sitting behind the dragon case.

Glancing at the main hall, his gaze fell on Su Mi's body, and there was a hint of surprise in his eyes: "Mi'er's body has just healed and she came over?" ”

Hearing Qi Long's first question, it was Su Mi, and the concubines' faces were not very good-looking.

Su Mi hurriedly bowed down and said: "The concubine's body has healed after recuperation in the mountains, today is the birthday of the Queen Mother, how can you not be filial." ”

Qi Long nodded, turned around and asked the queen: "Just now I heard something like a despondent countryside from a distance outside, what are you talking about?" ”

The queen covered her mouth and smiled: "Concubine Fang Cai is discussing the matter of Lian Jieyu's father with her sisters. ”

"Oh." Hearing that it was Su Mi's family, Qi Long became interested and asked the queen repeatedly.

Su Mi secretly complained in her heart, the queen was only afraid that she would bite this point and not let go. Now that Qi Long knows again, isn't he even more dangerous.

"It's my negligence, thanks to the queen's reminder," Qi Long nodded again and again after listening to the queen's words, and then turned to Su Mi and said, "Where is Mi'er's father from?" You might as well take it carefully and reward it. ”

"Thank you for the love of the emperor and the queen," Su Mi had a grateful expression, "It's a pity that my father is not blessed, and he died of illness not long after the concubine entered the palace." After speaking, he forcibly endured the sadness on his face.

Qi Long couldn't help but feel sorry for him: "Mi'er doesn't have to be sad......

The queen smiled on the side: "What the emperor said is true, but since the emperor wants to comfort his sister, it is better to find the ancestral grave of his sister's family, bury it beautifully, and posthumously seal the honorable title, wouldn't it be more of my sister's heart." ”

As she spoke, she carefully observed Su Mi's face, the spies of the Wang family inadvertently got a vague news, which made her begin to wonder about Su Mi's life experience, but she sent someone to investigate secretly, and just had some clues, but unexpectedly, all the clues were suddenly broken overnight, and the people involved were either killed or disappeared inexplicably. The people of the Wang family are very puzzled, is there anyone secretly helping this girl? But it also made the queen begin to conclude more and more that Su Mi's identity was not so simple.

Su Mi's face changed, how could she be good now? The tomb of his father-in-law is immovable, not to mention the objects that are buried with it, as long as you know the identity and secret of the tomb owner at a glance, just the few inscriptions on the tombstone will make the relationship between yourself and your father and mother and father-in-law clear!

No matter how much Qi Long wants to defend himself, he will not let a woman with evil intentions by his side, not to mention how much Qi Long has about his own heart is still worth considering, when he looked at the mountain, he knew the scene when he became suspicious because of the queen's words.

The country and the beauty, which is more important, is self-evident.

Su Mi looked up at the stage, Qi Long's face was excited, obviously thinking that the queen's suggestion was very satisfactory.

"Your Majesty, tonight is the birthday banquet of the Queen Mother and her old man, how did it become talking about Mi'er's life experience. Anyway, this matter is not in a hurry, how can you let the concubine delay the mood of the queen mother and her old man with some trivial things. ”

At the Queen Mother's birthday banquet, it was indeed a little inappropriate to talk about the parents of the concubine's deceased concubine, Qi Long turned his head, looked at the Queen Mother, and said with a smile: "Yes, this matter will be discussed later." Today, the sons will wish their mothers happiness such as the East China Sea, and their longevity is better than that of Nanshan. ”

……