Traitor Concubine Growth Manual

Chapter 48

The carriage drove for nearly half an hour before it stopped outside the gate of Mu Mansion.

Hanzhi jumped out of the carriage, arranged the step stool, then lifted the curtain and shouted, "Your Highness, Mrs. Xiao, you've arrived at the Mu residence."

The Mu family is worthy of being a family of courtiers. It has assisted two generations of emperors including the prince. Just from the mansion, it is also magnificent.

Chu Yan thought that her own mansion was not comparable to Mu's mansion. Although the specifications were similar, Mu Qingzhuo's cultural background was much deeper than Zhao Wu's. Although Mu Qingzhuo was born as a civil servant, he was brave and resourceful, and had a good command of martial arts. This can also be reflected in the style of the mansion.

This is a polite way of saying it. To put it simply, the Zhao family's style is a nouveau riche, and it can't match the high-end atmosphere of the Mu family.

Chu Yan silently wiped away her sweat.

She was the first to get off, followed by Feng Jingshu.

After getting off the car, Chu Yan was shocked by the scene in front of her. She saw several rows of people standing in front of the huge Mu Mansion. The scene was very spectacular.

After seeing her, the crowd suddenly bowed down at the same time, and shouted in unison, "See Your Highness the Crown Princess!"

The leader was Mu Qingzhuo, and the woman standing beside her was probably Mrs. Mu, and next to them stood three floors in and three floors outside the Mu family, all of them were dressed luxuriously and had an extraordinary temperament.

Chu Yan didn't know the people beside her, so she had to go forward, nodded to Mu Qingzhuo first, then held Mrs. Mu's hand, and said gently and generously, "Please hurry up, Mrs. Mu doesn't need to be formal. Today is your birthday, I should have come here to celebrate your birthday, but now I have only just arrived at the door, and you make it so grand, it seems that I am overpowering the host."

Mrs. Mu turned fifty today, but she looked like she was only 40 years old at most, and she was well maintained.

Unlike Concubine Mu's overbearing aura, she, as a mother, appears gentle and demure, exuding the standard ancient aura of a good wife and mother.

She was a little flattered by Chu Yan who held hands so cordially, and quickly said respectfully, "I am a concubine who speaks lightly, and my birthday is insignificant. I am honored to have His Highness the Crown Princess condescend to come here to celebrate her birthday. I am really ashamed."

Chu Yan knew that the prince wanted her to ease the atmosphere between the Mu family and the royal family today, so of course she had to try her best to give the Mu family face, at least let everyone see that the prince still attaches great importance to the Mu family.

After all, Mu Qingzhuo was still a powerful minister in the court, and there were so many ministers who were in the same party as him, the crown prince couldn't suppress him too hard at once, he had to be kind and powerful.

She smiled and asked Hanzhi to bring the congratulatory gift prepared by the prince from the car, and then said to the Mu family, "Today, His Royal Highness asked me to come here to celebrate Mrs. Xiao's birthday in person. This is the congratulatory gift he ordered early in the morning. , I wish Mrs. Mu good health and all the best."

Mu Qingzhuo asked someone to pick it up, and said in a deep voice, "On behalf of my wife, I have thanked His Highness the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess."

As he spoke, he moved sideways, "Please, Your Highness."

Chu Yan turned around and did not forget to bring Feng Jingshu with her. While carrying her inside, she turned around and introduced to the Mu family, "This is Mrs. Xiao Chexiao's wife. Come with me today for Mrs. Mu wishing her birthday."

Feng Jingshu is not stage frightened, she still has such a light and pleasant smile on her face, generous and decent.

The members of the Mu family were all outside to greet the princess, while the guests were sitting in the hall, chatting and drinking tea.

Following Chu Yan's appearance, everyone in the hall stood up and saluted in unison, "See Your Highness the Crown Princess!"

It really feels good to be respected by others, Chu Yan thought about how the high-ranking concubines behaved in the TV dramas she watched before, so she smiled lightly and told everyone not to be too polite.

Of course, not everyone stood up. For example, Concubine Mu Gui and Princess Qingyang sat there properly. The former did not need to salute because of their status; the latter did not bother to salute because of their arrogance.

With Chu Yan's arrival, the previously lively atmosphere in the hall suddenly became much quieter, and everyone's attention was focused on the new crown princess, scrutinizing her without a trace.

Almost all the female relatives present were present. After all, it was Mrs. Mu's birthday. For Mu Qingzhuo's sake, the courtiers sent their wives and daughters to celebrate her birthday.Even Mu Qingzhuo's appearance today was just to welcome Chu Yan, and now that Chu Yan is here, he left the hall on the pretext of going to the palace to meet the prince and discuss political affairs.

From the eager eyes of these women, Chu Yan felt all kinds of obvious emotional fluctuations.

She dresses luxuriously and elegantly, and the accessories in her hair alone are eye-catching for a long time, and when Hanzhi took off the outer cloak for her, the flowing colorful dark flower cloud brocade dress is even more eye-catching, and the whole person looks noble and elegant , so beautiful that people can't move their eyes.

Of course, there are doubts and explorations in these eyes. After all, the timing of the prince's appointment of her as a concubine is too special, and the purpose of the concubine is also a bit distracted. Her status is indeed a bit embarrassing. Whether she is favored or not is worth exploring. question.

But from today's point of view, if it is really a concubine that the prince has to take for expediency, I am afraid that this style is a bit too much.

All of a sudden, everyone began to suspect the rumor that she was neglected by the prince.

Mrs. Mu invited Chu Yan to take the seat, and Chu Yan did not refuse, as she should have been seated with the master in the first place.

So she passed everyone's gaze calmly and sat in one of the two chairs at the top of the hall. Feng Jingshu came with her, so she naturally sat on the chair a little behind her - that was Mrs. Mu Get someone to add a seat for Feng Jingshu.

Chu Yan felt that the atmosphere was too quiet for a while, so she joked with a smile, "Why don't you all stop chatting when you see me? Today I just came to celebrate Mrs. Mu's birthday. Everyone should do whatever they want." What to do, don't be polite, otherwise it's really my fault, and I came here to spoil everyone's elegance."

Mrs. Mu smiled lightly, and echoed, "Then everyone really needs to have a good time, otherwise, if Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess accepts this right, I, the master, will be ashamed."

Everyone laughed, chatted very cooperatively, and resumed the previous excitement.

And at this time, a clear and melodious voice suddenly came from outside the hall, "I don't know that the Crown Princess has come down, so I'm not far away to welcome you."

The voice was neither coquettish nor coquettish, neither hurried nor slow, but it was naturally graceful and dignified, full of majesty.

Following the appearance of the voice, a well-dressed woman wearing a crimson sapphire and a flowered cloud satin skirt stepped in from the outside, her makeup was exquisite and gorgeous, and the majesty and nobility in her eyebrows were exactly the same as that of the voice. It was Mu Qingzhuo's daughter, the emperor's concubine Mu Gui.

Even if she loses the favor of the emperor, even if she has no children, Concubine Mu Gui has always looked so noble and elegant. Although she is not aggressive, she has the appearance that a person in a high position should have, graceful and majestic, not to be underestimated. watch for.

For some reason, Chu Yan suddenly remembered Sister Feng in "Dream of Red Mansions". When that formidable character made her debut, she heard her voice before seeing her, and she was almost the same as Concubine Mu in front of her.

But the fact is that the styles of the two are surprisingly similar, just looking at the demeanor and face, they don't think they are the kind of masters who can be fooled.Ever since she entered the palace, she could always see this noble concubine at the banquets in the palace. Even in the years after the emperor left the palace, she always maintained such majesty, no one dared to despise her.

After all, even without the emperor's favor, and the Mu family behind her supporting her, who dares to really think that she has no support?

Chu Yan withdrew her thoughts, and only then noticed that among the people who greeted her at the door just now, it seemed that there was really no Concubine Mu.

Mrs. Mu turned her head and said to Chu Yan, "The imperial concubine is a little tired today, and after lunch just now, she went to the room to take a nap, so she couldn't come to greet His Highness in person, I hope His Highness will not be offended."

While speaking, Concubine Mu had already walked in front of Chu Yan, with the corners of her lips slightly raised, still in the same posture, "Mother joked, His Royal Highness still respects me as a mother, so I can be considered half a mother to His Royal Highness. And Her Highness the Crown Princess has always been well-educated and respectful of etiquette, so how could she blame me for such a trivial matter?"

There is a sense of arrogance in the words, just like an elder treating a junior.

Chu Yan also smiled, stood up and nodded towards Concubine Mu, "Your Majesty is right, you are the empress, and the elder of His Highness the Crown Prince is naturally also the elder of Chu Yan. How can there be any reason for the elders to come out to welcome the younger generation?"

She turned her head and smiled at Madam Mu without embarrassment, "I'm afraid I will have to trouble Madam to add another chair."

Although Concubine Mu is the daughter of Mrs. Mu, she is naturally much more noble in terms of status. She is the master, and Mrs. Mu is just a minister. Therefore, the top of the hall has become the current three-legged confrontation, with Chu Yan in the middle and the Mu family The two generations of hostesses sat on either side of her.

When everyone was here, Mrs. Mu gave instructions to the maid beside her. After a while, a few singers came outside the hall, brought in all the musical instrument benches, and then sat in the center of the hall to get ready.

Mrs. Mu stood up and said to everyone, "Thank you all for coming to celebrate my birthday today. It is a great honor for the Mu family to have distinguished guests here. These are some well-known and famous actors in the capital that I sent someone to invite here a few days ago. Everyone enjoyed it."

According to the rules, Mrs. Mu herself didn't dare to be the first to order the songs, so she handed the play list to Chu Yan first, but Chu Yan refused with a smile, saying that she wanted Concubine Mu to order first.

Concubine Mu smiled, and without looking at the playlist, she said casually, "Today is my mother's birthday, so let's order "Magu Presents Her Birthday"."

Then it was Chu Yan's turn, she looked at the list, and casually pointed to "Pipa Ji", "That's it."

Then Mrs. Mu ordered it herself, and the list ran to Princess Qingyang.

Her seat was not too far from Chu Yan, she looked up at Chu Yan, and said to the person beside her in a strange way, "Today is the elder's birthday, so it's fine to order auspicious songs, and there is no need to order those troublesome sorrows and joys, love, love, love." s things."

After all, he casually pointed to "Shiro Visits His Mother".

Chu Yan glanced at her calmly, but was taken aback when she saw the person beside her.

The girl was about the same age as Qing Yang, with a smile on her lips, curved willow eyebrows, and a pair of red phoenix eyes that were charming and charming, adding a bit of charm to her.

... Shen Xin?
Even though Shen Xin had been out of the palace for many years, Chu Yan had never seen her, but when she saw her today, she recognized him instantly for some reason.

Maybe it's the delicate and sentimental Danfeng eyes, maybe it's her gentle smile that can't see any flaws, in short, Chu Yan and her eyes match.

He noticed that her hand and Qingyang's were affectionately joined together, such an intimate look was probably a rare thing for this princess who was kept at a respectful distance from everyone.

Chu Yan narrowed her eyes slightly, what kind of medicine is she selling in her gourd?

The few people with the most distinguished status all ordered the songs. Concubine Mu finally smiled and asked the person sitting in the second seat on the right, "What do Nianqiu want to hear?"

Chu Yan's gaze fell on that person again, Mu Nianqiu, Concubine Mu's niece, and Mu Qingzhuo's direct granddaughter.

Speaking of this Mu Nianqiu, seeing it is better than hearing it a hundred times.

Chu Yan's previous impression of her was only that she was a pawn of the family at the mercy of others, and the Mu family placed high hopes on her to enter the palace as a concubine, but it was a pity that she failed, and she was given the upper hand by herself.

But this will definitely not be the final outcome, the crown prince is going to ascend the throne after all, and it is impossible for her to be the only concubine in the harem, even if the crown prince has his heart attached to her, it is absolutely impossible for the crown prince to disregard the country and society for the sake of beauty and follow his father's example A far escape to the south of the Yangtze River.

So this Mu Nianqiu might still be one of the overlords of the harem.

She looks like Shen Xin in two styles again, with picturesque eyebrows and bright eyes, which are very similar to Concubine Mu's grace and grandeur, but when she smiles, there are two small dimples on her lips, adding a touch of beauty to her. Very cute and delicate.

Her smile is gentle and generous. Compared with Shen Xin's Xiaojiabiyu, she has the dignity and elegance of a lady.

This kind of person is indeed suitable to be placed in a high position.

Chu Yan looked at her silently, but praised her calm and gentle demeanor.

Now those who have ordered the songs are either distinguished or elders, but Concubine Mu in the younger generation singled her out, obviously wanting to highlight her uniqueness.

But this Miss Mu smiled at her aunt neither humble nor overbearing, "Nianqiu doesn't know much about opera, and I always listen to what everyone orders. Auntie, don't let my class play tricks, so as not to point out some boring songs. , swept everyone's happiness."

Chu Yan raised her eyebrows.

Knowing how to refuse means that she is smart enough, and she doesn't want to stand out too much at this moment when courtiers, noble ladies and ladies from aristocratic families gather together, and arouse jealousy for no reason.

If the wording is perfect, it means that she knows how to advance and retreat, and knows how to say the most appropriate words. These words are much smoother and more tactful than her saying that she is soft-spoken.

In the end, she probably knew that even if she refused, the limelight of being called by the imperial concubine herself had already come out, and there was no need to really order a song, that would make her think too highly of herself.

Then Mrs. Mu politely invited the daughters of powerful ministers including Shen Xin to place orders, but they were all winking people, and even Mu Nianqiu refused, so how could they be targets?
After asking around, everyone refused, so Mrs. Mu smiled and signaled the actor to start singing.

The first thing to sing is "Magu's Birthday". In the palace, Chu Yan could hear this opera at the banquet on the birthdays of the masters and sons. At the moment, she had some adverse reactions of calloused ears, but she still kept smiling, pretending to be very interested. Holding a field.

At the end of the song, everyone applauded. Concubine Mu replaced the wine with tea and offered a toast to Mrs. Mu with a smile, "I hope my mother will always be young and beautiful in the days to come, and live a happy and healthy life."

Mrs. Mu smiled happily. After her daughter entered the palace, they were divided into monarchs and ministers, and they could not see each other several times throughout the year.Now that the family can be reunited on her birthday, and her daughter is so filial, she naturally feels warm in her heart.

The second song started again soon, this time it was "Pipa Ji" ordered by Chu Yan.

If it was a Beijing opera, Chu Yan could only half-understand it. Unexpectedly, she chose this Sichuan opera by mistake, but she understood everything.

"The Story of the Pipa" tells the story of a scholar, Cai Bojie, who was forced by his father to go to Beijing to take the exam after marrying his wife Zhao Wuniang. Husband, finally ended with a reunion.

When those opera singers sang No. 19 - "Forcing Luanhuang", the story has developed to the point where Cai Bojie justly refused the prime minister's proposal to marry a daughter.

The actor playing Cai Bojie shook his head and sang:
No, Qianliguanshan, a family of flesh and blood, teach me how to get rid of it?

The wife and family are young, and that is even more intimate.

The buffoon sang again:

The number one scholar, the old prime minister is willing to marry the young lady to you when he sees you as young and young. You don't have to reason.

The scholar said again:

It's so bad, you must know that the young man is loved by someone, so please Chang'e to support him.The imperial capital is filled with countless wealthy families, so how can it be humble?

This paragraph is about the matchmaker talking about marriage, but the scholar refuses to accept it because his family has a wretched wife.

Chu Yan was watching with great interest, but Mu Guifei beside her suddenly changed her color, stood up suddenly, and said to Chu Yan coldly, "His Royal Highness, I still feel a little uncomfortable, go back to my room first Go and rest, I will not accompany you."

After finishing speaking, he turned around and said a few words to his mother, then got up and left without looking back.

Concubine Mu's sudden departure was a bit abrupt, the actors stopped immediately, and the voice of the song also stopped abruptly, and everyone present turned their heads to look at this scene.

Mrs. Mu laughed quickly, "It's okay, it's okay, everyone, keep going, don't stop."

Then the singing sounded again.

Seeing Concubine Mu go away without looking back, Chu Yan sat there a little stunned, a little confused as to why the last look she gave her was full of sullen anger.

Where did she provoke this noble concubine?
After thinking about it, she thought that she had a score, and she didn't want to listen to the music anymore, so she turned her head and said to Madam Mu, "I feel a little stuffy in my chest, and I want to go to the backyard to get some air, but I hope Madam Mu won't be offended. "

Mrs. Mu looked worried, hesitated for a moment, then nodded, "Your Highness, you don't have to be so polite, just treat this place as your own home."

Chu Yan stood up calmly, turned her head and nodded to Feng Jingshu, and then left.

The crowd was a little stunned. What's wrong with the two nobles in the palace leaving one after the other?
Of course, there were people who were not so surprised, such as Mu Nianqiu and Shen Xin who quickly figured out the reason.

Concubine Mu entered the palace on the basis of the empress's natal family. At the beginning, the empress was virtuous and generous, and was deeply loved. However, as the Mu family became more and more powerful in the court, the empress's natal family was exposed in a corruption case. , the position of the middle palace was in jeopardy for a while.

Although the emperor didn't love the empress, he didn't want to change the middle palace, so he accepted Mu Guifei into the palace as Mu Qingzhuo wished.As soon as Concubine Mu Gui left, she divided the power of the queen, and she was quite ready to reach the top, with high arrogance.

Also because the empress was loved by the people, there were many rumors in the capital that the emperor was bewitched by Concubine Mu and turned a blind eye to the oppression of his wretched wife.And the factions that support the queen even satirized Concubine Mu with opera and poems in many restaurants.

Now the scholar in this song was coerced by the prime minister, and had to marry the prime minister's daughter, and let down the poor wife. This similar plot suddenly brought back memories of Concubine Mu.

No wonder she was about to change her face.

(End of this chapter)