On the Difficulties of Escape in Ancient Times

Chapter 435 Apology 3
The next morning, a eunuch came to deliver the oral order, and Xiao Xiao and Xiao Zhou were happy to have another day trip to the palace.

Little Zhou complained first, trying to instigate her elder sister to deal with the Gu family: "Eldest sister, the Gu family is too shameless. Not only did they steal from the charity hall, they also wanted to kill people to silence them. If it weren't for my elder brother's early preparation, my life would be in danger."

"I know Xiao Xiao is frightened this time." Da Zhou was helpless: "Even though I am the queen now, I cannot do whatever I want."

To put it bluntly, we still need evidence.

Especially since she was the queen, she should do well, as that would set an example for all women in the world. If she did something slightly bad, she would be criticized and would have to reflect on herself.

Xiao Xiao was not surprised. If the emperor and empress acted as they pleased, the dynasty would not last long and she would have to prepare to run away again.

Da Zhou also felt that she had good intentions but ended up doing something bad. Xiao Xiao could be considered her savior, so she wanted Xiao Xiao to have something to do so that those ladies wouldn't look down on her.

Of course, it was also the emperor who reminded her that the Gu family had not been dedicated enough to the charity and had not been able to select useful people in recent years.

To put it bluntly, the emperor regarded the charity hall as his own territory. Not only did he want a good reputation, he also wanted to be able to select some loyal palace maids from it and use them at his will.

Unexpectedly, as soon as Xiao Xiao took over, she found out that the Gu family was embezzling money.

Then he was assassinated by assassins.

But she and the emperor both felt that the assassin might not be from the Gu family, and they were afraid that someone was taking advantage of the situation.

They are not touching the Gu family now in order not to alert the enemy.

Da Zhou explained to Xiao Xiao: This little bit of corruption cannot punish the Gu family for their serious crime.

In addition to legal principles, we also have to consider human feelings. The Gu family made a mistake, but they were able to find a scapegoat.

If the emperor punished them for this small mistake, it would erase the Gu family's previous merits and would make other ministers feel disheartened.

Now the emperor and empress have reached a consensus and simply pretended that they knew nothing about it.

Of course, the queen felt a little guilty, thinking that she had wronged Xiao Xiao, so she gave her five thousand taels of silver and several baskets of fruit.

Transportation costs are high now, and fruits from all over the world are not only more expensive, but some are also rare.

Fist-sized yellow peaches, bananas, and crisp persimmons are rare here, and there are also particularly large dates, pears, and grapes.

Thinking that the weather was getting cold, he gave them some bear skins to make cloaks.

Xiao Xiao and Xiao Zhou returned with a full load.

Xiao Xiao did not go to the charity hall again, but stayed at home.

Seeing that her brother-in-law was about to get married, Xiao Xiao had to lend a hand.

Even if you are not needed, you have to show this attitude.

Especially now, many relatives and friends live far away, so they will come early to stay for a few days.

Now there are Madam Li's cousin and Minister Li's distant cousin, who have all come with their families a few days in advance to send gifts and attend the wedding banquet.

The men were received personally by the grooms-to-be, while the women played mahjong together and chatted to strengthen their relationship.

However, the guests would definitely flatter Xiao Zhou and would not praise Xiao Xiao.

They were all worried that if they praised Xiao Xiao, Mrs. Li would become jealous.

Xiao Xiao was relieved and found an excuse to go back to her room to change her clothes, then went back to the yard to rest.

When she woke up and went to practice archery again, the maid urged her to change her clothes and go to the main room.

It was time for dinner.

Now that there are guests in the mansion, she has to go to the main courtyard to eat with them and make sure the guests see the harmonious relationship between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.

Minister Li and his three sons also came back, and Madam Li asked the concubines to come and have some fun. It wasn't that Madam Li wanted to see the concubines, but it would be too lonely if the two concubines didn't come out.

In fact, although they ate in the same room, there was a screen in the middle, separating men and women.

There were two tables for the female relatives. Mrs. Li's cousin also brought a few daughters, both her own and those of her concubines.

Now, at the other table, there were only Minister Li’s two concubines, both of whom were quite old.

This is really enviable, as there is no shortage of beautiful women around your husband.

In addition, the three brothers Li Yan had no one to serve them.

Mrs. Li's cousin was moved and whispered, "Cousin, your two daughters-in-law are both pregnant, so your two sons must have people to serve them, right?"

"Is it because they are jealous? You can't be too soft-hearted. You have to give it to them directly at this time."

I wish I could help give it to others on her behalf.

"Cousin, if you don't have anyone suitable, these girls of mine are all quite obedient and docile. How about I become their aunt?"

Madam Li rolled her eyes at her and said, "How dare you think that."

She finally understood why her cousin brought a series of concubines' daughters to her house.

Unfortunately, although these concubines' daughters can be considered young and beautiful, they look much more ordinary compared to Linglong and the others.

Madam Li said bluntly: "I advise you not to have any bad ideas. Don't forget who my daughter-in-law's eldest sister is. Just have a good time at the wedding and don't cause any trouble."

This is what it means to marry the Queen's younger sister. The benefit is that your career will be smooth.

The downside is that you can’t afford to offend a daughter-in-law with a backing.

Xiao Xiao didn't know that her stepmother-in-law had rejected the offer on her behalf.

After dinner, everyone chatted for a while and then went back to their rooms.

On the way, Li Yan signaled the maids and old women to go first, and he and Xiao Xiao walked slowly, chatting while they went.

Li Yan personally supported Xiao Xiao and asked, "Did anything happen when you entered the palace today?"

Xiao Xiao has been pregnant with her baby for more than eight months. Although she has a big belly, she is in good spirits. Except for the pressure from her belly and having to go to the bathroom more often, she doesn't have any back pain or leg cramps.

In fact, Xiao Xiao feels that she can walk very fast every day.

Now that he was supporting her like this, Xiao Xiao was worried that if he slipped and fell, would she also slip and fall.

Of course this is unlikely, and Xiao Xiao found it funny when she thought about it.

"It's okay. The Queen gave me five thousand taels of silver, as well as some food and clothes." After Xiao Xiao finished speaking, she asked him, "Did you find out any news?"

Li Yan was supposed to be on duty in the palace today, but the emperor asked him to take people out of the palace to investigate the Gu Mansion.

That's why Xiao Xiao asked this.

"Not yet." Li Yan did not hide it: "I checked the grain and cloth shops, and they all said that the owner is an outside merchant."

"But I found out that the owners of the house deeds and land deeds of the two families are surnamed Xia and Yu."

Xiao Xiao was a little disappointed after hearing this: "Not surnamed Gu? Could it be that we suspected the wrong person?"

"No, you guessed right." Li Yan was teasing her on purpose: "They are all houses under the names of Madam Gu and her daughter-in-law."

Xiao Xiao thought about the current law, that a woman's dowry is private property: "It's their dowry, doesn't that mean we've lost the clue?"

"But these were only transferred to their names the year before last and last year." Li Yan felt sorry for himself: "For this matter, I spent most of the day in Shuntian Prefecture to find this little clue."