A Thousand Gold Order: Inheritance

Chapter 249 Hostility from Madam Yang
Chapter 249 Hostility from Mrs. Yang!

The Qiqiao Festival, according to the practice in the palace, holds a banquet every year.

On this day, the queen will specially allow concubines who are above the concubine level to invite one to three female family members ranging from natal families to the palace for a reunion.

This can be regarded as a kind of grace to the harem in disguise.

However, since the folk celebrations and programs of the Qiqiao Festival are generally held from evening to midnight, the palace usually holds a luncheon on this day.

Qi Huan is a newcomer and knows nothing about it, so he is unavoidably nervous.

However, Mrs. Yang had heard about it, and while she was grooming, she began to make up for her common sense: "This is a custom in the palace. In the past, only the empress was sympathetic, and it was specially arranged for high-ranking concubines to visit relatives. The banquet in the harem is just a walk away. Cutscene. However, in the past few years, as the princes have gradually reached the age of marriage, they will also invite some famous ladies to attend this day, so that the harem will give them a long-term eye and pick them."

Qi Huan sat upright in front of the dressing table, letting Miss Yun and Xing Luo comb her hair herself.

Hearing this, she chuckled softly: "It's a pity that the two highnesses who are waiting to discuss marriage have their own ideas, so they didn't plan to choose the princess through such a serious channel."

However, Queen Gu's arrangements belonged to the arrangements, presumably it was mostly a formality.

after all--

As a aunt, she didn't show at all that she didn't care about the marriages of the concubine princes.

So, just do superficial work.

Yang Shi was not satisfied with the purse that Yun Xi picked out, so she picked and picked it in the cage, changed it, and put it together with the clothes.

A bit of worry gradually appeared on her face: "But this year's situation, I haven't heard of the outside news recently, and I haven't heard that there is a post in the palace to invite girls into the palace."

She looked at Qi Huan.

This point, Qi Huan knew it well.

Yun Heng was suspected of treason and escaped from the capital, whereabouts are unknown;
Yun Zheng caused trouble again, was restrained by the emperor for self-reflection, and was locked up in the palace;

Prince Yun Zhan is not too anxious about his age, and he has also left Beijing for business, and then——

Empress Gu is his biological mother, so if she wants to choose a concubine for him, there is no need to do these pompous superficial tricks. If she likes a girl, she can directly negotiate and hire her.

Qi Huan said: "This year's situation is not suitable for any begging festival. Presumably the empress is just following the old rules. What she has to do is to give the harem an explanation."

It's fine if you don't say this, but the worry on Yang's face is a little more serious.

She stared at her daughter's face in the mirror: "If it's just to deal with the harem, then she told you to go..."

"It must be because of Gu Zhan's relationship." Qi Huan didn't take it seriously, "After we got engaged, we haven't formally entered the palace to meet the empress. And..."

She turned her head to look at Mrs. Yang, but she smiled: "I just offended King Ning, and Empress Empress specially asked me to come over today, there must be some deep meaning behind it?"

Yang Shi was startled for a while, and then her heart suddenly became clear.

Because what he was going to attend was a luncheon, and Qi Huan was only an official, so naturally he didn't dare to delay.

She packed it up as quickly as possible, and rushed out the door.

that's it--

He also told Eunuch Jia to wait in the front hall for more than half an hour.

However, the father-in-law looked very cold and unkind, but he seemed to have a good temper, and he didn't show any impatience.

The car driver was sent directly from the palace, so Qi Huan went out with only two girls, Xing Luo and Yun Xi.

Qi Huan didn't think much about it at all, he just concentrated on thinking about the etiquette he had learned, and how to deal with it when he saw Queen Gu.

It wasn't until the carriage approached the gate of the palace that she suddenly remembered something was wrong.

But it was obviously unrealistic to call a stop at this time, so she could only hold back and endure.

The carriage stopped outside the palace gate, and when Eunuch Jia, who was leading the team, approached the guards, she poked her head out and called out: "Eunuch Jia..."

Eunuch Jia rode back immediately.

Qi Huan said apologetically, "It was because I didn't think carefully at the moment. I shouldn't be able to bring these two maidservants into the palace, right? Just let them go here."

The restrictions on the entry and exit of the harem are far stricter than those of the previous palace.

Xing Luo and Yun Xi looked at each other, but they were also belatedly aware of it, and couldn't help becoming nervous.

Eunuch Jia glanced at the two of them, but said without changing his face: "It's okay, let's find a place for them to stay at our house later, just don't run around."

Qi Huan didn't want to be special, and he didn't want to cause trouble for Queen Gu when they first met.

But this father-in-law Jia acted resolutely and did not give her a chance to refuse at all, and he had already galloped back to the front of the team again.

It's inconvenient for Qi Huan to make noise at the palace gate, so he can only give up.

She turned her head and told the two girls: "You must be cautious in your words and deeds today, don't walk around casually, and talk as little as possible."

The two girls were obviously in awe of the environment inside the palace wall, Xing Luo was still a little startled: "But let's go in together... Is this okay?"

Qi Huan could drop them off here, but they are not familiar with the surrounding area, whether they are asked to find a way to go back first or wait for a few hours under the sun, Qi Huan is not at ease.

"It's okay, just be more cautious." Qi Huan stroked the hair of the two of them one by one, chatting to comfort them.

Eunuch Jia seemed to have a special license. The imperial guards guarding the palace gate did not ask to open the gate for inspection, and even he rode directly into the palace gate.

After walking through the long doorway, he dismounted after entering the inside, and asked Qi Huan and his servants to get off the carriage.

At that time, there were already prepared sedan chairs waiting there.

On the side of Fengming Palace, Empress Gu only called Qi Huan, an outsider, over today.

But besides Fengming Palace, there are also people waiting here in other concubines' palaces.

Someone brought the sedan chair, someone prepared a shoulder car, and some were not of sufficient status, so they only arranged for palace people to wait to lead the way.

Anyway, she didn't know anyone among these people, Qi Huan got into the sedan chair as if no one else was there, and was carried away resigned to his fate.

Eunuch Jia personally led the way, and finally the sedan chair stopped outside Fengming Palace.

The little eunuch standing at the door saw it from a distance, so he ran in to report.

So when Qi Huan got off the sedan chair at the door, one of the maids beside Empress Gu hastily greeted her.

Qi Huan didn't know her name, but he had seen her with Empress Gu before, and he clearly remembered her face.

The maid came forward to salute with a smile: "I have seen the girl, the journey has been hard."

"No way." Qi Huan smiled back at her, "My mother has arranged everything for me. If it's hard work, it's hard work for Eunuch Jia to run this trip."

The maid smiled again, she was not overly modest.

Then, her eyes shifted to Xing Luo and the two who followed.

Just as Qi Huan was about to speak, Eunuch Jia said coldly, "They are Miss Qi's two maidservants, please arrange a place for them to stay."

Only then did Qi Huan discover——

This person may also have a bad temper.

The palace lady responded, still smiling, and politely led Qi Huan's master and servant in.

This time, go through the front yard and go directly to the main hall.

In front of the main hall, she handed Qi Huan over to another court lady guarding there, and she led Xing Luo to find a place to settle down.

This court lady didn't talk much, but she had a surprisingly good attitude, and she took Qi Huan inside after seeing her.

Instead, he passed through the main hall and went directly to the back.

Instead of entering the queen's bedroom, Qi Huan was led to the study in the same yard first.

She opened the door at the door, she didn't go in, she only invited Qi Huan in, and explained: "The empress is still dressing up, please wait here for a while."

Xu was afraid that she would be uncomfortable, so he added: "Your Majesty said, please don't be cautious, just feel free."

After finishing speaking, she backed away.

Qi Huan stood in the resplendent but too large study room, only looked around quickly, then found a chair near the door and sat down in a dignified manner.

As soon as she sat down here, the maid who had just left brought another little maid over to serve her tea.

After that, the two of them withdrew.

The little lady-in-waiting walked away carrying the tray, and the big lady-in-waiting stood upright at the door.

Qi Huan drank two sips of tea with the mentality that if you come, you will be safe.

Empress Gu didn't ask her to wait too long, she just drank half of this cup of tea when the other party came.

She is wearing a relatively gorgeous phoenix robe.

Purple gold was originally a relatively old-fashioned color, but when worn on her body, it alone gave off an imposing manner that no one could look directly at, but it didn't look old.

Qi Huan hastily put down the teacup, got up and greeted her: "My daughter, Chang Ninghou Mansion, Qi Huan, has met the empress."

Because it was the first time to meet privately and formally alone, and the other party was decorated so grandly, Qi Huan originally wanted to bow down.

In no mood--

Empress Gu stopped in front of her, but she seemed to have predicted her actions, she reached out her hand to stop her: "No need, I will meet you in private, not in the capacity of a monarch and minister, and you don't have to be polite."

Qi Huan hesitated for a moment, then his heart broke, and he straightened his knees as he followed suit.

However, she couldn't care less about the queen's intention to call her here at this time, she carefully chose her words and said: "It's the servant girl who is rude, she should have followed the son into the palace to meet the empress earlier, but..."

It's not like she hasn't asked Gu Zhan if she needs to formally enter the palace to meet the queen, but Gu Zhan joked half-truthfully, saying that she would not be able to handle it if she brought her here and Queen Gu urged the marriage in person.

Then, Qi Huan shrank his head and muddled through.

In fact, if you count carefully——

This is considered rude to her and Gu Zhan.

"I understand." But she didn't want to, Queen Gu interrupted her again.

clear?What can she understand?
Qi Huan couldn't help but raised his eyes to look at her in surprise.

Noticing her gaze, Empress Gu pulled a smile on her lips and said: "My younger brother knows it himself, he is a big idea, and you... Bengong has seen it before, and it doesn't look like a big deal. A child who doesn't know how to cause trouble. And in the final analysis, this marriage matter is the life of the two of you in the end, and I don't want to interfere too much."

What she said was casual, but Qi Huan was shocked——

Are the parents at this time really so open-minded?
Empress Gu didn't give her a chance to tell the truth from the fake, she immediately changed the topic, and said seriously: "A few days ago, the matter between Prince Ning's Mansion and the Gao family must not satisfy you in the final result of His Majesty's handling, it is my palace's responsibility. mean."

"You mean?" Qi Huan has indeed been thinking about the meaning of the palace these days, but she always thought that leaving Ye Xunyi's life was the emperor's intention.

She couldn't hide her astonishment on her face, and she no longer cared about her status as a monarch and minister, and she fixed her eyes on Queen Gu.

Queen Gu said: "An accident happened in the southern border army, and Gao Changjie was plotted against. The crown prince happened to be in the south for disaster relief. I got the news earlier, and this palace accepted his secret letter. He said that he suspected the southern border army after researching with Gu Zhan. The rebellion in the middle is related to the Ye family. His Majesty decreed that King Ning and Ye's family should be placed under house arrest. They can't have any other moths for the time being. In fact, Gu Zhan rushed there as soon as the prince received the secret report. Let Yanling Pass take charge of the overall situation."

"What?" There was a boom in Qi Huan's head, the blood in his whole body seemed to be frozen, and his face turned pale in an instant of panic.

She was confused for a moment, took a step forward in panic, and said with difficulty: "You said he rushed to the southern border army?"

Ye Xunyi colluded with a grown-up, this woman has gold fingers, and she's very sinister...

In an instant, Qi Huan felt as if struck by lightning, and his nervous heart forgot to beat.

Empress Gu's complexion also unknowingly turned serious.

She said: "The southern border army needs a whole round of cleaning to eliminate hidden dangers. Gu Zhan rushed there in time, and the situation is still under control for the time being. However, until the southern border defense is reorganized and consolidated, the news of Gao Changjie's death should not be made public. Otherwise, the hearts of the people will be turbulent, and the current situation in the court will easily cause trouble. You are a smart girl, and I think you understand what I mean."

Qi Huan understood all these reasons.

Even if it was not easy to understand at first, in fact, she had known about Gao Changjie for several days, and after a few days of thinking, she could understand the pros and cons of it.

But right now, her mind is confused, and her mind is full of the fact that Gu Zhan went to the Southern Border Army.

He had been trained in the Northwest Army before, even though he had the experience of leading an army, he rushed to the southern border in such a hurry...

Qi Huan always felt that her heart was directly stuck in her throat, unable to move up or down, choking her so much that she couldn't even breathe smoothly.

She kept pressing her chest with her hands, and it took a lot of effort to calm down a bit, and said with difficulty: "I'm just a girl in a boudoir, and my mother doesn't need to tell me the truth about such a big matter, but why are you ...Why did you tell me such an urgent matter?"

Empress Gu looked at her with a serious and solemn expression: "There is no impenetrable wall in the world. Instead of waiting for other people with ulterior motives to tell you these things, it is better for me to tell you in advance."

She sighed.

Then he patted Qi Huan on the shoulder with shame on his face, and said bitterly: "Actually, strictly speaking, from the beginning to the end, this palace can be regarded as the burden of you, grandfather, Gu Zhan, and even... and you. But the matter is over. At this point, unless you don't want him anymore, all of us have no way out."

She said: "Huanniang, in fact, life is like this. It is impossible to be perfect and everything to be as you wish. Now I am sorry for you and Gu Zhan. I will try to make up for it if I can."

What she said was more or less trying to drive the ducks to the shelves.

Can--

Even if Empress Gu didn't say anything, the fate of Gu Zhan and the entire Pingguo Palace is tied to the prince, and no one can avoid it.

Qi Huan pursed his lips and said nothing for a while.

After a while, someone from the palace came to report: "Your Majesty, Concubine Wen and Mrs. Huai'an County are here to pay a visit."

All Qi Huan was thinking about was Gu Zhan's safety, and his mind was in a mess.

Empress Gu glanced at her, and said: "I know you must be restless in your heart, rest here for a while, let's be quiet first."

She raised her foot to leave, and Qi Huan finally realized slowly——

Concubine Wen?Then the so-called Mrs. Huai'an County who came with her should be the long-lived old lady in Yang Chenglian's family?

Qi Huan was in a state of uncertainty, so she wanted to divert her attention as soon as possible, so she rushed to catch up and said, "Your servant is fine, I'd better accompany you to the front hall to meet guests."

Empress Gu stopped in her tracks and looked sideways at her.

Seeing that she had indeed regained her spirits, she took her to the front hall without thinking too much about it.

Because the lady of Huai'an County was old, the palace servants directly invited her and Concubine Wen into the palace first.

Along with them were Yang Chenglian's stepwife and Yang Pan'er.

Since the queen had not yet arrived, the four of them stood in the hall and waited.

Qi Huan came out from the back hall by Empress Gu's side, and Concubine Wen took the lead in kneeling and kowtowing to pay her respects: "The concubine has seen the empress."

Yang Pan'er and Mrs. Yang supported the old lady of the Yang family to kneel down, and the old lady kowtowed to the ground: "I am Mrs. Ning of Huai'an County, and I have seen the empress."

Empress Gu took a seat on the main seat, nodding with a faint smile on her lips: "The old lady hasn't been back to Beijing for some years, and her body is still strong. It's really a blessing for her children and grandchildren. Get up quickly."

After the family thanked her, Madam Yang and Yang Pan'er helped Ning to stand up again.

She was getting old, and although her movements were a little slow, she should have no serious illnesses and was still very stable.

Although Qi Huan was following Queen Gu, she was not a member of the royal family after all. When those people got up, she also moved half a step forward, bowing her knees and giving a symbolic blessing.

It was only at this time that Concubine Wen and his party noticed that there was an outsider beside Queen Gu.

Yang Pan'er, the only one who recognized her at a glance, immediately turned ugly.

Qi Huan turned a blind eye to her. After standing up straight again, he seized the time to look at the old lady openly.

At this moment, Ning Shi was probably also suspicious of her identity, and it happened that her eyes also stopped on her face to look at her.

Just one glance——

However, Qi Huan clearly felt that the two gazes from her old and cloudy eyes were filled with sharp chill and hostility.

(End of this chapter)