First Concubine

Chapter 6 Making a Marriage (1)

At this time, Ye Mao opened the curtain and came in: "Miss, the carriage is ready. The eldest lady will let you pass. Huh? Aren't you going to burn incense? Isn't this dress too much?"

Huahong glared at Ye Mao and said, "The eldest lady is the eldest daughter of Shangshu Mansion. How can she be dressed like this?"

Shui Linglong smiled. She knew what Qin Fangyi was thinking from the time the old lady reminded her. She was actually quite curious. Qin Fangyi found Xun Feng for her in her previous life, and who did she want to "sell" her to in this life!

At the door, everyone realized that Shui Lingxi was ill and could not go to the temple.

Qin Fangyi looked at Shui Linglong's outfit, smiled with satisfaction, and then got into her carriage.

There are also two carriages. Shui Lingyu and Shui Lingqing are sisters from the same mother. They share a carriage, which means that Shui Linglong and Shui Lingyue have to ride in the same carriage.

Just when Shui Linglong was about to get on the car, Shui Lingyue stepped on the wooden bench first, turned her head and sneezed loudly at Shui Linglong. Shui Linglong held her mouth and nose with a handkerchief, Shui Lingyue smiled apologetically: "Big sneeze" Sister, I’m infected with the cold, you’d better ride in the carriage of the third and fifth sisters, lest I get over the illness for you!”

 Huahong tugged on Shui Linglong’s sleeves in a very cooperative manner and whispered: “Miss, we can take this opportunity to ask Miss Third about the secret recipe for making rouge.”

Shui Linglong said with difficulty, "But if you and Ye Mao are included, won't the car be too crowded?"

Shui Lingyue smiled and said: "Ye Mao is a second-class maid, with rough skin and thick flesh. If I want to be strong, let her ride in my carriage."

 Such a determined attitude!

Along the way, Huahong asked for details about the rouge gouache very professionally, and even asked to see the formula. Shui Lingyu excused her on the grounds that the formula was too complicated and could not remember it, and acted irresponsibly. He said that he would go back to the house to look for it later and if he found it, he would send it to Shui Linglong.

When they reached the foot of the mountain, several people met Qin Fangyi. None of the cases of murder, rape, abduction, and dismemberment of underage girls that Shui Linglong had been wary of happened. Shui Linglong raised her eyebrows. Shui Lingyue actually hated her, so she didn't want to. Riding in the same car with her? And Huahong really wanted the rouge formula, so she got involved with Shui Lingyu?

It is rare for a boudoir daughter to go out. Even if there is a bald novice next to her, she still thinks their bald head is really cute.

Shui Lingqing blinked her crystal eyes, looking innocent and full of interest.

Shui Lingyu always maintained her ladylike dignity, but she could also see that she was happy in her heart.

Shui Lingyue is like a proud peacock, deceiving herself as if Shui Lingxi is not around and she is her legitimate daughter, but her eyes flash faster than Shui Lingqing's, which shows that curiosity is indispensable for every age group. quality.

Shui Linglong was thinking about who the matchmaker for Mrs. Dingyuan Hou was. Qin Fangyi wanted to win over Shui Lingxi and the prince, so this person's background must be good. In her previous life, she and Xun Feng eloped with no name and no distinction, but now Qin Fangyi is obviously preparing to go through the normal process by going to such great lengths. It will take at least a year and a half to complete the three matchmakers and six appointments, which means that during this period, She will have the opportunity to gain a strong backer. As for whether to marry or not...

After Qin Fangyi took her daughters to offer incense, they entered the Zen room for pilgrims to rest. The Zen room is to the east of the temple, in a quiet courtyard away from the major Buddhist halls. It was winter, and although there were no birds chirping and insects chirping, you could see clusters of flowers. They are all the finest daffodils, wintersweets and nandinas, vying for beauty under the golden sun.

When crossing the Moon Gate, a well-dressed middle-aged woman came over. It was Mrs. Dingyuan Hou, her husband's surname was Wu. She took Qin Fangyi's hand in surprise, and said, "Oh, there are three hundred taels of silver here." Mrs. Shui, what a coincidence? Are you coming to offer incense?"

Qin Fangyi responded and smiled: "Yes, please ask a Bodhisattva for my mother-in-law to help her recover soon."

Mrs. Wu praised: "The old lady is very lucky to have someone with your financial background, filial piety, righteousness, and top-notch qualities as her daughter-in-law. You have been well-known in the capital for your filial piety. You have to meet me today to know whether the rumors are true or not." Fake."

　　　After flattering her, Mrs. Wu finally looked at several "parallel importers" as if she had discovered a new world, "Oh! These are the daughters of Shuifu Mansion! I didn't see them last time. It's really a pity. Look at this one. So handsome, just like the royal princess!"

Qin Fangyi said: "This is Mrs. Wu from the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion."

 The "parallel importers" all saluted Mrs. Wu: "Greetings to Mrs. Wu."

"They are all lovely children!" Mrs. Wu glanced at the items with eyes, deliberately ignoring the luminous water Linglong, took out a piece of candy from her sleeve and stuffed it into a small hand, "Almost nine years old Well, he’s really tall, and he was raised well by his aunt.”

 Qin Fangyi's face darkened.

Shui Lingqing said shyly, "I...I'm twelve years old."

Qin Fangyi asked for two side rooms, one for Shui San, Shui Four and Shui Wu, and one for her and Shui Linglong, not for anything else but to give Shui Linglong a make-up. Huahong and Ye Mao couldn't get involved at all, so Qin Fangyi asked them to rest wherever it was cool, and asked Huayi to accompany Shui Linglong when they met people later.

"Okay, let's go to the toilet, and then follow me to visit some ladies." Qin Fangyi said in an extremely cryptic way.

Are you afraid that she will be scared to death?

Gongfang is located behind the wintersweet garden, not too far away but definitely remote. Shui Linglong walked through the fragrant wintersweet garden and walked straight to Gongfang. Unexpectedly, after just a few steps, she heard a very strange sound. Untimely noise.

"Let me go, are you crazy? This is a temple!" A charming young woman in her twenties and forties shouted in a low voice and pushed away the man who was hugging her.

The man had a strong body and a bronze complexion. Compared with the woman's gorgeous clothes, he looked particularly shabby. He was pushed away and couldn't help but get angry: "What? Do you also feel embarrassed sometimes? Is it embarrassing to be with me? Throw it away? Wouldn’t it be shameful for your husband to abandon his son to become a concubine?”

The woman trembled all over and looked around: "You...don't talk nonsense. I have nothing to do with you. Don't insult my innocence..."

"Xue Juan, that's enough! My son cries for his mother every night. Do you know? For three months, I haven't even dared to go home for fear that he would ask me why I didn't take my mother back. Do you know You know? I've been working hard to make money, come on, come back with me!" The man grabbed Xue Juan's wrist. Xue Juan was shocked and kicked him in the crotch. The man quickly let go and covered his lower body in pain.

Xue Juan took the opportunity to run away, but she was probably really scared, so she panicked and ran in the direction of the men's wing. As a result, she met a dark figure before she had gone very far.

There was some distance, but between the sparse petals, Shui Linglong could vaguely see his fair complexion and resolute outline, and even his slightly trembling eyelashes, which were thick and curled, adorning his bright eyes. At first glance, he looked like The big eyes of a baby are as clear as steel blue; when you look at them again, they are as full of evil as the eyes of a ghost.

Just when Shui Linglong was in a trance, Xue Juan was about to bump into him. With a flick of his hand, a blast of wind hit Xue Juan. Xue Juan's eyes widened and she fell down...

 This is...dead?

Shui Linglong was surprised.

The man was shocked at first, and then came to his senses: "You...you...how can you kill people indiscriminately? Is there any law under the emperor's feet?"

Zhuge Yu stopped, opened his eyes as bright as obsidian, and said in shock: "Huh? Don't you hate her for abandoning her husband and son? You should be happy that I killed her. Why are you crying?"

 The man said sadly: "You...you...you are unreasonable!"

 Zhuge Yu raised his head, thought for a moment, then looked down at her, and suddenly realized: "I understand, you blame her and you can't let her go at the same time, right? Then I, a good man, will do it to the end, Anping, and send him on his way."

As soon as he finished speaking, Anping stabbed the man in the heart with his sword.

Shui Linglong’s face is covered with black lines!

Zhuge Yu continued to move forward, and when he passed by Shui Linglong, a powerful coercion rushed towards him, like Mount Tai pressing on the top, or like the vast sea stacking up, time quietly stood still, and it seemed as if he could hear the sound of space freezing inch by inch. Shui Linglong instinctively Di Yao wanted to bend her knees, but she pinched herself hard and straightened her spine.

 Zhuge Yu’s thick eyebrows were slightly raised, he couldn’t help but glance at her, and said coldly: “Do you think anyone can kill the souls of my prince’s subordinates? My prince only kills beautiful women. Obviously, you are still far from that standard.”

Shui Linglong turned sideways and smiled: "Your Majesty, I don't like to eat dog meat!"

Zhuge Yu didn't know why, but he didn't go into details and walked towards Gongfang. When the loud hissing sound reached Shui Linglong's extremely sensitive ears, Shui Linglong smiled loudly: "So, even if the dog bites me, I won't bother to bite it!"

Zhuge Yu choked and held back half of his urine!

From Shui Linglong's point of view, as long as her fiancé is not a perverted prince, she can accept it. I carefully reviewed the memories of my previous life in my mind. There were many princes and viscounts in the capital, and there must be many princes, but the only one who regarded human life as trivial and was perverse and violent seemed to be Zhuge Yu of the Zhenbei Hou Mansion. The prince never sought fame, never participated in government affairs, and did not even attend formal social events. But this does not mean that he has autism. Qin Hui still has three friends. Does he still have fewer friends? It's just that what they did was gather in groups to gamble, fight, and other unattractive things. The King of Zhenbei in his previous life may not have had the ambition to usurp the throne. Unfortunately, he wiped out too many connections for this unfilial son, and ultimately took advantage of Xun Feng.

Huayi greeted Shui Linglong at the gate of Wintersweet Garden and said with a smile: "Miss, you have been here for a long time, but you have a stomachache?"

She is worthy of being the eldest maid next to the mistress of the house. No matter what she thinks in her heart, at least she has done a perfect job on the outside. Shui Linglong nodded slightly: "I'm fine. Please lead the way, sister Huayi."

It was not the first time that Huayi was called "sister" by the concubine masters, but it was mostly to please, not as sincere as the eldest lady. Huayi pursed her lips, a trace of pity and sympathy flashed in her eyes, as if she said casually : "I heard that the noble man avoids the color red this year, so the eldest lady should pay more attention to it."

In the elegant and simple large Zen room, Princess Zhenbei was sitting on the warm Kang head. On the square table beside her were placed exquisite and delicious cakes and fragrant hot tea. The maid Cen'er was bringing tea to the other two people in the room. Presented by a noble lady. They are Mrs. Wu and Mrs. Li, the eldest daughter-in-law of Duke Xuan respectively. The former Marquis of Dingyuan, Wu Han and Duke Xuan, were both generals who followed the late emperor in his expeditions south and north. During a battle, Wu Han and Duke Xuan encountered each other at the same time. When the enemy ambushed him, Wu Han gave up the chance of survival to Duke Xuan, while he diverted his pursuers and died tragically in the sea of ​​arrows.

Duke Xuan Guo was grateful for Wu Han's life-saving grace and married his eldest daughter Li Xian'er to Wu Han's eldest son Wu Xuping as his wife. Even without Wu Han, as long as they hold on to Duke Xuan's thigh, the Wu family and his wife can live a prosperous life. Wu Xuping was crazy, addicted to gambling, doting on his concubines and destroying his wife. He lost everything to his wife's dowry and refused to give his wife the sexual benefits she deserved. Li Xian'er was in a rage, and the Duke of Xuan was obviously There are so many concubines, why should she, the eldest daughter, be pushed into the pit of fire? Gradually, she stopped interacting with her parents' family.

Today, I happened to meet my sister-in-law, Li Xian'er, also known as Mrs. Wu, who was quite polite for Princess Zhenbei's sake.

“Sister-in-law, did you come alone to offer incense today? Didn’t your elder brother accompany you?” Mrs. Wu smiled pointedly.

Mrs. Li's expression changed and she smiled forcefully: "Your elder brother is busy." He is busy thinking of ways to please the new concubine who has entered the house!

Mrs. Wu smiled again and said: "Oh, I heard that you are going to be a grandmother. My niece-in-law is really capable. Congratulations, sister-in-law."

 The one who is pregnant is an aunt! Mrs. Li's face became paler.

Mrs. Wu suddenly felt the pleasure of revenge. It turned out that her man was not the only one who spoiled his concubine and destroyed his wife, haha!

After running around with her family, Mrs. Wu also did not forget to "seduce" the real owner: "Princess, is the prince here?"

 When mentioning her son, Leng Youru’s face gained a soft smile. Everyone knows that there are no men from the Xun family, women from the Leng family, and no one else can compare with the dragons and phoenixes of the Yun family. Is Shuilingxi beautiful? But compared with Leng Youru, she is just between the two, especially Princess Zhenbei, who is nearly forty years old and still has a beautiful smile: "He is restless, and when he comes, he wanders off to nowhere. "

Mrs. Wu said with a pleasant smile: "Your Majesty is filial, but it's not up to you, the princess, to decide everything?"

Leng Youru took a sip of tea, lowered her eyes, and said calmly: "The banker is for others' benefit, and his children are for his own benefit. He is filial, and I have no choice in this aspect."

After serving tea, Cen'er heard the footsteps outside and hurriedly walked out to bring Qin Fangyi and Shui Linglong in, followed closely by poetic and painterly feelings.

"My wife brings her eldest daughter Shui Linglong to pay her respects to the princess. May the princess be blessed." The four of them bowed politely to Leng Youru, but Shui Linglong's heart pounded after looking around the room. Mrs. Wu is The matchmaker can be ruled out, so her fiancé must have been born in the Zhuge family and the Li family...

 “If you are flat, I will give you a seat.” Leng Youru said calmly.

Cen'er led Qin Fangyi to sit down under Mrs. Li, but he placed a hexagonal embroidered stool for Shui Linglong to sit in front of Princess Bei. Shui Linglong's heart suddenly sank, she got whatever she didn't want...she wasn't so lucky, right?

After Shui Linglong sat down, Leng Youru began to "inspect the goods": "How old is it?"

 “Reply to the princess, fifteen.”

 “Are you literate?”

"A little bit."

 “What books do you read on weekdays?”

 “The Women’s Commandments, Women’s Training, and some of the Four Books and Five Classics.”

 “Well, how is the female celebrity doing?”

 “So-so.”

 “Cen’er, watch and enjoy.” Princess Zhenbei smiled gently.

Cen'er handed over the small gold lock and a pair of ice-wax jade bracelets that she had prepared early in the morning to Shui Linglong. Shui Linglong was slightly startled. Did she pass the test? Why did she feel that the princess didn't look at her seriously at all? Could it be that Zhuge Yu's market situation has deteriorated to the point where he is hungry and has no choice but to eat?

Mrs. Wu secretly warned that if Prince Zhuge was not so notorious, violent and moody, and had killed three fiancées in a row, and no family with any respect in the capital would dare to marry him, how could the princess treat a minister? Is the little concubine interested? However, when Shui Linglong met the princess for the first time, she did not appear timid or shy. Instead, she was able to answer questions fluently and calmly, which made her look a little sideways. I just hope she has a tougher life and doesn't get killed by Crown Prince Zhuge.

Qin Fangyi let out a long breath. It didn't matter whether she died or not. Anyway, the princess would never take back the generous betrothal gift she gave her.

Shui Linglong changed her mind. After she disgusted Zhuge Yu while he was peeing, is there any difference between using him as a backer and jumping into a tiger's mouth?

 She remembered the reminder from the painting - noble people avoid the color red! She buried her hands in her wide sleeves and was about to pull out the red embroidered silk handkerchief inside. At this time, a magnetic voice slowly sounded from behind: "Mother Concubine."

Except for the princess, everyone in the room stood up and saluted Zhuge Yu: "See you, Crown Prince!"

 This includes, of course, Shui Linglong who is gritting her teeth.

When Zhuge Yu saw the villain next to Princess Zhenbei, his eyes suddenly turned cold. Don't tell him that his fiancée is this stinky girl that he wants to slap to death!

Shui Linglong gave him a "Master, you guessed it right" look, and then pulled hard, and the silk handkerchief slipped into the palm of her hand. Unexpectedly, just when she was about to show her red color to compete with the noble man, she heard a cry that shocked the world and the gods. Screams came from outside the door: "Ah - madam, madam is not good! Aunt Xue... Aunt Xue... was killed!"

Mrs. Li's hand shook and the tea cup fell to the ground, smashing it into pieces!

Aunt Xue, Xue Juan, is the new aunt of Li Cheng, the eldest son of Duke Xuan. She is very loved by Li Cheng. Even Mrs. Li has to give her three points of praise on weekdays. A few days ago, she was diagnosed with Xue Juan's pregnancy. Mrs. Li then Take her out to burn incense and pray for a peace charm for the child in her belly.

No one witnessed the incident, but the little novice monk at the entrance remembered the people who came in and out of the wintersweet garden during that time: Shui Linglong, Zhuge Yu, Anping, Aunt Xue and a man. The latter two died, and no one believed the murderer. It was Shui Linglong, a weak woman with no power to restrain a chicken, and Zhuge Yu became the only suspect. Of course, he could have relied on Anping, but he didn't.

The atmosphere in the room was extremely dull. A murderous incident occurred during a good blind date. Princess Zhenbei's expression turned extremely ugly.

 An hour later, Li Cheng came.

 (End of this chapter)