Harem for a living

Chapter 133

In the presence of a large audience, Chen Manrou couldn't refuse, so she nodded with a smile: "Then I have a good eye, concubine Shu's things, do you still need to appraise them? However, this trip is not in vain. Turning to Concubine Shu I have to ask Bengong to borrow that painting for two or three days."

Concubine Shu's face froze for a moment, then she nodded with a smile: "That's natural, the imperial concubine always likes these, if it's genuine, it might be buried in the hands of a concubine and other vulgar people, it's better to let the imperial concubine observe it for a few days. "

As for how many days it will be observed, it is not certain.Don't look at it as just a painting, it's something from the Eastern Jin Dynasty, and you might not be able to buy it with 10 taels of silver. Chen Manrou just said a few words and took the painting away. Concubine Shu didn't want to hate it too much. .

Chen Manrou looked condescendingly at Concubine Shu lowering her eyelids to cover up the anger in her eyes, the smile on her lips became more gentle, and she reached out and patted Concubine Shu on the shoulder: "Then thank you Concubine Shu for her kindness, since that's the case, Let's go now."

Concubine Shu smiled and saluted, first sent Concubine Chen Gui into the chariot, and then got into her own sedan chair when she turned around, and the two walked towards Yikun Palace one after the other.

The second prince has already started to go to the Chongwen Museum, but there is no one else in Yikun Palace at this moment.When they arrived in the inner room, the two sat down according to their ranks. Concubine Shu ordered someone to bring tea and snacks in: "The elder sister of the concubine also tasted the tea here. This tea is Biluochun, which was rewarded by the emperor a few days ago. I have always liked Biluochun, so I kept some on purpose, if the imperial concubine thinks it is okay, I will ask someone to bring it for you when you go back."

"That's unnecessary. Although I like Biluochun, I don't have to rely on him on weekdays." Chen Manrou said with a smile, took a sip from her teacup, and looked sideways at Concubine Shu: "The second prince went to the Chongwen Hall a few days ago. , I haven't congratulated Concubine Shu properly yet, the second prince is usually respectful and polite, gentle and calm, and willing to study hard, he is a good seedling, Concubine Shu will be blessed in the future."

Concubine Shu showed a bit of a smile on her face, with a bit of sincerity, she shook her head and said, "I don't want him to have much promise in the future, but I just want to live a safe and smooth life in the future. Speaking of which, the fourth prince is getting old soon. It's here, but the imperial concubine has already chosen a companion for the fourth prince? If I remember correctly, the imperial concubine's natal nephew is just the right age this year, right?"

"I haven't chosen yet. Although my natal nephew is about the same age, he is already in school. I don't want to delay him. This matter depends on the emperor's decision, and I can't intervene." Chen Manrou also shook her head, Concubine Shu suddenly realized : "It's my concubine who wants to go wrong, don't mind the imperial concubine."

"It's okay." Chen Manrou said with a smile, looked around the room, saw that Concubine Shu was not talking, and was about to mention the painting, but Concubine Shu seemed to have a heart-to-heart with her, and said with a smile: "Look at the concubine, I saw the concubine, the empress, As soon as I was happy, I forgot the business, please wait a moment, imperial concubine, I will go get that painting right away."

Chen Manrou frowned slightly: "The painting is still in the warehouse?"

"That's not true, it's just that the painting is more precious. Although it's in the study, others can't touch it at will. It's better for my concubine to go and get it in person." Concubine Shu laughed quickly, and she also heard what Chen Manrou meant. Come, and continued: "However, the concubine did not think carefully and did not fulfill her responsibilities. Since the concubine invited the empress here, she can't leave the empress here alone. Why don't the concubine let Meng Xiaoyi come over first to accompany the imperial concubine?"

Meng Xiaoyi, from the position of Xiaoyi of the seventh rank, was promoted by Yun Man, the eldest court lady next to Concubine Shu.Meng Xiaoyi was sent by the Meng Mansion when Concubine Shu entered the palace, and she was the son of the Meng Mansion's family.Because serving concubine Shu is also considered meritorious service, she was given the main surname, and Meng Xiaoyi also took the surname Meng.

Chen Manrou nodded slightly: "If that's the case, let her come over first."

Concubine Shu immediately called for someone to announce Meng Xiaoyi.Meng Xiaoyi has now changed into a palace attire, which is very different from the previous palace maids. She has a low status on weekdays and is not qualified to greet the queen. Therefore, the number of times Chen Manrou sees Meng Xiaoyi is really a slap in the face I can count them.

"Meng Xiaoyi doesn't need to be too polite, just sit down." After Meng Xiaoyi saluted, Chen Manrou said aloud, Meng Xiaoyi turned to look at Concubine Shu, seeing that Concubine Shu did not object, she lowered her head slightly to thank: "Thank you, Concubine Gui, for your kindness. "

Concubine Shu turned around and went to the study. Chen Manrou and Meng Xiaoyi didn't have anything to say, one kept her head down and said nothing, and the other simply looked at the bonsai placed on the case next to her.The bonsai was carved from a whole piece of emerald jade, thick green and light emerald green, changing gracefully, very beautiful.

Chen Manrou was watching intently, when she suddenly heard Meng Xiaoyi say: "Madam, your tea is cold, do you want me to change it for you?"

"No need, I've already drank a lot of tea in Yongshou Palace, and I'm not thirsty right now." Chen Manrou shook her head, looked away, looked at the bracelet on Meng Xiaoyi's wrist, and said with a smile: "It seems that Shu Concubine treats you well, this bracelet is a gift from Concubine Shu, right?"

"Go back to your mother, that's right." Meng Xiaoyi reached out to touch the bracelet, and quickly raised her head to look at Chen Manrou: "I haven't seen you for a while, and your mother is more and more beautiful and kind. I heard that the fourth prince is also smart and lively." Yes, empress is really blessed."

"Xiaosi, that kid is being naughty." Chen Manrou only answered this sentence, Meng Xiaoyi seemed a little anxious, looked outside, listened carefully for a while, and made sure no one was coming, then Meng Xiaoyi quickly said: "Ma'am , in front of the fourth prince, there is still a third prince."

Chen Manrou's heart moved slightly, and then she took a serious look at Meng Xiaoyi, but Meng Xiaoyi stopped talking, and only looked down at the embroidery on her skirt.

Not long after, I heard footsteps coming from outside. Chen Manrou took the teacup, but didn't drink it, and just took the lid of the cup to stir the tea leaves.When Concubine Shu came in, she waved her hand to signal Meng Xiaoyi to go out. Meng Xiaoyi saluted, took a peek at Chen Manrou, and then turned and left the room.

Concubine Shu personally opened the box she was holding in her hand, and carefully took out a painting from it: "Your Majesty, let's look at the table over there?"

Chen Manrou got up and followed Concubine Shu to the side. Concubine Shu spread out the painting on the table. It was a picture of an eagle spreading its wings. Below it was a towering mountain, and above it was an eagle soaring into the sky. atmosphere.

"Imperial concubine, please look." Concubine Shu stepped aside for a moment, and Chen Manrou looked down at the painting carefully. The layout, brushstrokes, and seals were all real.Chen Manrou sighed in surprise: "This painting is real. Gu Kaizhi has always been famous for his paintings of portraits, Buddha statues, animals, landscapes, etc., and he is good at expressing spirit with form. This painting, just by looking at the momentum on it, is astonishing. Eighty-nine percent true."

"I also think this painting is real, but I don't look at the ink on the paper, I just look at this." Concubine Shu stretched out her finger, and Chen Manrou looked down with her finger, and saw the shadow of the mountain, It seems that there is an eagle's nest, and there is a black spot below it. If you think about it, it looks like a young eagle is falling out of it.

"Your Majesty, I heard that eagles have a characteristic that they only give birth to one chick at a time. If they give birth to more than one by accident, only one will remain. The eagle will throw the chick in the eagle's nest. Go out, with good fate and good aptitude, you can soar into the sky and survive. Those with bad aptitude and bad luck can only fall down and die in the valley.”

Concubine Shu said slowly, Chen Manrou turned her head to look at Concubine Shu, and she saw Concubine Shu click on the painting: "Mother, this method sounds cruel, but it also continues the most powerful eagle Bloodline, are you right?"

"Among animals, the strong survive. The one you said soaring into the sky may have survived and flew to the sky at that time. However, it may also have met a golden eagle or something. At this time, it is not an eagle. something that can be resolved.”

Chen Manrou turned her head to look at the painting again: "I originally said that if this painting is authentic, I will borrow it for two days to look at it. Now it seems that I am not so lucky. Although this painting is real However, the artistic conception above is not something I can comprehend. What's more, my Xiaosi is still young, so if he suddenly sees such a powerful painting, he might be frightened."

"Your Majesty is really careful." Concubine Shu slowly rolled up the painting: "If the little eagle doesn't exercise, I'm afraid its wings will become a decoration in the future. Although the flying little eagle may meet a golden eagle, But it's better than never flying at all."

Seeing Chen Manrou's calm expression, without any panic or panic at all, Concubine Shu was a little frustrated: "Could it be that the concubine didn't think about the future for Xiao Si?"

Chen Manrou let out a chuckle: "What else can I think about? Xiaosi is now being looked after by his father, and will be looked after by the eldest prince in the future. As a woman in the palace, what can I worry about for Xiaosi?"

Is this too dark to be clear?How could Concubine Shu be confident that what she said today would not be passed on to the Queen?Who in this palace doesn't know that she, Chen Manrou, is the most loyal to the empress?

Or, is she sure she won't say anything?
By the way, no matter who gave birth to the prince, it is possible to think of that position.Concubine Shu probably thought that even if she didn't agree to her alliance request today, she would be a little moved, and then she would make plans for Xiaosi in the future, so naturally she would not tell the queen these words.

No, no, if he planned for Xiaosi, the second prince in front would be a big threat, and when he told the queen about Concubine Shu's plan, then the queen would definitely get rid of the second prince first.

In this way, his little four will benefit.Therefore, I don't have to keep this secret, it is the most beneficial to tell the queen.

Chen Manrou followed Concubine Shu's way of thinking and analyzed bit by bit, so she was actually sure that she would tell the queen, and then come to beat her up?
Concubine Shu's thinking has always been weird, Chen Manrou really wanted to break Concubine Shu's head to see if she wanted to tell the queen or not?
"How can the imperial concubine be sure that the eldest prince will take care of the fourth prince in the future?" Concubine Shu said with a smile, invited Chen Manrou to sit down, and then continued slowly: "The Empress Dowager Ci Ning has been living in seclusion for the past few years. , I always stay in the small Buddha hall on weekdays. The noble concubine doesn't think that Empress Dowager Ci Ning really doesn't do anything at all, does she? The Ninth Prince is as old as the eldest prince."

Well, now Chen Manrou feels that Concubine Shu is probably sure that she will not tell the queen.First of all, I analyzed for myself that Ci Ning and the empress would never stop dying, and then the first prince would be useless, leaving only her second prince, and then, it must be a temptation.

Sure enough, as soon as Chen Manrou finished thinking, she heard Concubine Shu continue to say: "If the eldest prince has any misfortune, the emperor will choose from other princes. Who has an advantage over the eldest son? If one day, the second prince can be with that Like an eagle, the concubine must be commensurate with the imperial concubine, empress and sister, just like the one in Ci'an Palace and the one in Ci'ning Palace."

Chen Manrou smiled and shook her head: "Concubine Shu really knows how to joke. Originally, I thought that even if Concubine Shu was not too close to me, she would definitely not be estranged. Unexpectedly, Concubine Shu felt that our relationship is like a loving relationship. Empress Dowager An and Empress Dowager Ci Ning. Really, this palace is very sad."

Seeing that Concubine Shu was stunned, the smile on Chen Manrou's face deepened: "It's just that although I am sad, I still have something to say to Concubine Shu. In the future, Concubine Shu should think twice no matter who she compares with. Not everyone can compare Concubine Shu to herself. It's getting late, and I don't worry about Xiaosi staying in Zhongcui Palace alone, so I leave for the time being."

(End of this chapter)