Splendid Book

Chapter 83 A Helping Hand

Qiao Shuang, such a magnificent beauty back then, can only exist in the memory of a few people now.Qiao Mingchen even thought that the only people in this world who could remember his sister were him and Ji Yu.

Qiao Shuang is his biological elder sister, but Qiao Shuang has been quiet and stoic since she was a child.Even after the death of her mother, the two siblings were embarrassed by the servants in the family, she never complained.She is quietly like a snow lotus, blooming alone near the cliff.

He always wondered, if his sister's appearance was more ordinary, would the things that happened later be avoided?

But the most unchangeable thing in this world is fate. He hated his cowardly self 20 years ago, who was his troubled sister, so he made up his mind to leave Yongshunbo Mansion by himself.It's just that before leaving, some accounts can't be counted.

"We've been waiting for so many years, let's not be in a hurry," Qiao Mingchen said lightly, reaching out to pat him on the shoulder.

For him, waiting has become a habit.

When I was young, I waited to grow up, thinking that when I grew up, I would be able to leave Yongshunbo's mansion and take my sister out of this house.But before he grew up, his sister was gone.Even so, when he thinks about it again, the blood in his heart can't be cold for a long time.

He was thankful that the eldest wife rearranged the yard for him. If he still lived in the old yard, he was afraid that he would really be unable to bear it.

Looking at the expression of the little uncle opposite, Ji Yu knew that he thought of his mother again.Although he had never met his mother, he knew from his uncle's occasional mentions that his mother was a gentle and kind woman.It's just that in this life, he will never see his mother again.

It's not really a complicated story, it's just an extremely selfish, extremely ugly story.

Concubine De had just entered the palace and was favored by the emperor with her outstanding beauty.It's just that the emperor's favor comes quickly, but it's also fast.When new beauties keep appearing in the harem, even a beautiful concubine can't help feeling a little flustered.At that time, she wasn't even the lord of the first house, she was just a little concubine.

But all this changed because the emperor happened to meet Qiao Shuang in her palace.

Even Concubine De was jealous of Qiao Shuang's beauty.It's just that when she was at home, Concubine De was a bright and brilliant peony, while Qiao Shuang was just a quiet and gentle water lily. She stayed quietly in the corner, neither competing for favor or profit.But it wasn't until the emperor saw her that Concubine De knew that there were such people in this world, even if she didn't fight or snatch, most people liked her.

It's just that Qiao Shuang also had a marriage contract at that time, and she was going to marry in the next year.Concubine De was also unwilling to let her enter the palace, for fear that she would completely take away the emperor's favor after she entered the palace.At this time, she has been in the palace for more than two years, but she has not been able to conceive.

But the emperor's changes became more and more obvious, he frequently went in and out of Concubine De's palace, but every time he came, his eyes were looking for someone.Although Concubine De knew that he was looking for Qiao Shuang, she didn't show it at all on her face.

Until the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, her mother got a gift to enter the palace on the Dragon Boat Festival, and she came with Qiao Shuang as usual.This time, something happened.

Concubine De will probably never forget that scene. Qiao Shuang was leaning against the bed in disheveled clothes, her eyes were tightly closed, but tears glistened in the corners of her eyes.But the emperor hugged her with a gluttonous face, the satisfaction and joy on his face was something Defei had never seen before.

At that moment, she knew that Qiao Shuang couldn't stay anymore.

But she didn't want to keep Qiao Shuang, but the emperor did.So she tried her best to let Qiao Shuang stay in her palace. To the emperor, it was naturally Qiao Shuang who had just entered the palace and let her elder sister take care of her.Only half a month later, she regretted it.Every night, Concubine De would watch the figure of the emperor entering through the palace gate, and then hurried past to the palace where Qiao Shuang lived.

Concubine De, who had been proud all her life, couldn't bear such a blow. She couldn't bear a little concubine to climb on top of her like this.She couldn't bear such a failure either.

Qiao Mingchen never knew what happened in that year, he only knew that his father was very happy, because his sister became pregnant not long after entering the palace, and within a few days, Empress Defei also became pregnant.

It's just that he didn't expect that after October, his sister and concubine De would give birth at the same time.It's just that the daughter born to the sister is gone, but the son born to Concubine De survived.

And my elder sister couldn't bear such a blow because of the child's death, and she died in confinement.

He can't accept such a thing, and he can't accept it.He knew that his elder sister was by no means such a fragile woman, since she was a child, she was the one who protected him.When he was a child, he was very hungry and didn't have enough food. It was his elder sister who did needlework every day, and took the maid to sell it outside the house for money, and almost all the money he got was spent on him.

So Qiao Mingchen didn't believe it, she would be overwhelmed, let alone believe that she was such a cowardly person.

He never gave up, and he never gave up.Finally, it was God's wish to let him find a little eunuch from back then.He escaped unharmed because he went to another palace immediately after the incident.It was this person who let him know that the elder sister gave birth to a son, not a daughter.

And the current Seventh Prince is his sister's son.

For so many years, he has persisted in searching for the truth, until now, he has really found the truth.

Seeing that he was in a trance, Ji Yu didn't dare to disturb him, and just sat quietly aside.The earth dragon in the house is very strong, and the whole house is warm.Even sitting so quietly, he felt peace in his heart.He has always admired his little uncle.

Not only because he is his own uncle, but also because he admires his character and tenacity.If he hadn't insisted on investigating, I'm afraid the truth of the year would have been drowned out, and the mother's grievances would have been drowned in the long river of time.At that time, no one will know his life experience, even he will not understand until he dies, why the Concubine De concubine treats him like that.

When the little uncle told him about this, Ji Yu believed the truth in his heart for the first time.Because for so many years, he has been wondering why his mother and concubine treated him differently from the other imperial brothers' mothers and concubines.The difference is obvious.After Xiao Jiu was born, this difference permeated almost every corner.

So when he learned the truth from his little uncle, a stone in his heart really fell to the ground.It turned out that it wasn't that he was unlikable, but that he was not the biological son of the concubine.

But after the initial peace, he fell into a new kind of hesitation.If the eunuch's words were true, then his mother's death would not have been so simple.He was having nightmares to some extent, he actually dreamed that he was confronting his mother and concubine.

Although the mother and concubine did not treat him as kindly as the ninth brother, the kindness of nurturing him over the years cannot be changed overnight.If there is no mother and concubine, he may not even live to be an adult in the deep palace alone.

"By the way, I heard that King Zhennan is coming back," Qiao Mingchen said suddenly.

Only then did Ji Yu slowly raise his head. He nodded and said, "Originally, Uncle Wang was supposed to come back before the New Year, but there was some delay on the way, so he should come to Beijing after the Lantern Festival."

King Zhennan has always wanted to become a monk, but the emperor firmly disagreed with his absurd approach.Therefore, King Zhennan has been traveling all over the world in the past few years, visiting eminent monks and great virtues, just like Sakyamuni Buddha, looking for a bodhi tree that can make him break through the world of mortals.Although the emperor was worried about his safety, he still couldn't resist his persistence.No, it's been four years since he left.

Now he came back with great difficulty, but who knows that something went wrong on the road, I heard that he is currently staying near Guangping Mansion.

"The emperor told me that this time King Zhennan will give him a marriage when he comes back," Qiao Mingchen shook his head and smiled, obviously laughing at the emperor's whimsy.

If he could really restrain this younger brother, King Zhennan would not have been wandering outside for four years.Besides, King Zhennan had long planned to become a monk, so naturally it was even more impossible to get married.

Just when the matter of referring to marriage was mentioned, Ji Yu asked instead: "What about little uncle?"

"Huh?" Qiao Mingchen was slightly surprised, as if he was wondering how this problem was related to him.

"The big man should rule the Qi family to rule the country and the world. Now that the little uncle has even leveled the world, shouldn't he consider the Qi family?" Ji Yu laughed softly.

When Ji Yu said this, Qiao Mingchen showed annoyance on his face. After a while, he collected his expression again and said seriously: "You, a junior, can criticize the elders' affairs?"

"I'm not criticizing, I'm just worrying about my uncle," Ji Yu waved his hands, apparently not paying attention to Qiao Mingchen's words.

It's not unheard of for Qiao Mingchen to live a life of self-torture like an ascetic for so many years.Not only is he not married, but he doesn't even have a woman around him, so he can't even look down on Ji Yu, his nephew.

He reminded: "Father is planning to hold an audition this year. Not only will he marry Uncle Wang of Zhennan, but even I won't be able to escape. If I get married before my little uncle, wouldn't it be a joke?"

After hearing what he said, Qiao Mingchen smiled and looked at his expression.Being stared at by him, Ji Yu couldn't help asking: "Little uncle, why are you looking at me like this?"

"Which girl do you like?" Qiao Mingchen asked straightforwardly.

Although it was getting dark outside at this time, and the room was a bit dark because there were no candles lit, the embarrassment that slid across Ji Yu's face did not escape Qiao Mingchen's eyes at all.

And most importantly, Ji Yu did not deny it.

He and Qiao Mingchen have always been close, so he is not willing to hide the secret from his little uncle about the person he hides in his heart.After a while, he said in a low voice, "It's that girl Shen whom I mentioned to you, little uncle."

This time, it was really Qiao Mingchen's turn to be shocked.He naturally knows what kind of temperament Ji Yu is, and he is the most cold person.But at this time, he didn't hide the slightest bit. Instead, he admitted it openly, which meant that he had a certain chance of winning.

"That Miss Shen you saved?" Qiao Mingchen asked knowingly. He naturally had spies in Beijing, so it was impossible for him not to know about Ji Yu.And when Ji Yu rescued that Shen girl, when he was in deep danger, he only remembered that he came back after going through all kinds of difficulties and dangers, and when he heard the news, he was almost frightened and wanted to go back to the capital immediately to have a look. Did he get hurt?

Even after he learned that nothing happened to him, Qiao Mingchen was still a little angry.

Naturally, Ji Yu couldn't hold back his anger, and used his rich body to do such dangerous things.Immediately, he taught him a lesson in the letter.It's just that he didn't expect that when he received Ji Yu's reply, not only did he not refute his behavior, but he said a lot of truths. The meaning of every sentence was, no matter what, I can't turn a blind eye.

He hadn't thought of this level at first, but it wasn't until after some news came from the spies in the capital that he realized that his nephew had bad intentions towards the little girl at all.

"How old is that Miss Shen?" Qiao Mingchen asked.

He naturally knew that Shen Changle was the daughter of the Duke of Wei's mansion, and in terms of family background, it was more than enough to be a prince and concubine.Besides, her father and brother are all capable people, so he is naturally satisfied with such a family background.If Ji Yu really liked it, as a little uncle, he would naturally not object.

"She is 14 years old, and the age of the young girls in this draft is 16 to [-] years old, so her age is just right," Ji Yu made it clear.

He wanted Shen Changle, and he had made up his mind a long time ago that he wanted her.

Now that the little uncle is back, there is someone who can talk to his father, so he is naturally happy to have another helper.Of course, if the little uncle doesn't come back, he will do everything possible to achieve his goal.Over the years, if rectifying his mother's name is his greatest wish, then marrying Shen Changle has become his greatest obsession.

The relationship between the two is not a fish and bear's paw, so he wants both.

"So you're planning on hitting the floor," Qiao Mingchen leaned back. He always sat upright on the floor, and leaning like this was exhausting.

Seeing this, Ji Yu immediately got up and saluted respectfully, with a slight smile on her handsome face, "Please help me, little uncle."

"You, you," Qiao Mingchen shook his head when he saw that he was still playing tricks on him, but just smiled.

But Qiao Mingchen really loved him, and seeing that he seldom asked him, he naturally agreed.But he still deliberately teased: "Although I have promised, but I can't guarantee it. If the emperor makes a mistake for a while, what will you do?"

"It's up to man to plan. As long as I want it, even if I go to heaven or earth, I want to get it." Ji Yu's voice was extremely flat, but what he said made people tremble.

Although they never mentioned this matter, everyone knew that if Qiao Shuang's name was to be rectified, the current Holy Majesty would have no hope.After so many years, a dead Qiao Shuang must be inferior to the living Concubine De.

What's more, Ji Yu's thoughts are more serious than Qiao Mingchen's.He knew what Concubine De wanted, a posthumous position during her lifetime, and an honor to be buried with the emperor after her death.But his mother is now just a lonely grave.

Only in that position can he do what he wants to do.

And Qiao Mingchen also understood this truth, so he worked hard to kill the enemy at the border in the past few years in order to gain control of the military.

"Brother Seven," Ji Ting's voice came from outside at this time, and when he entered the room, he asked in surprise, "It's so dark, why don't you light on the lights?"

"Yelling, how decent is it?" Ji Yu's voice became cold, and his originally deep voice was a little serious, so frightened that Ji Ting immediately shut up.

Qiao Mingchen called the maid to come in and asked her to light the candles in the room. When the candles were lit in the room, the whole room was illuminated.It was just like this that Ji Yu saw what Ji Ting was holding in his hand.Seeing Ji Ting's mask, he couldn't help laughing and said, "How old are you, and you still play like this?"

"Seventh brother, can we go out of the palace to watch the lanterns this year during the Lantern Festival?" Ji Ting sat beside him and asked immediately.

He has always been led by Ji Yu, and he liked to run around behind him since he was a child.Naturally, Ji Yu would not reject him, anyway, the two of them are brothers.So after a long time, everyone knows that the Seventh Prince and the Ninth Prince are inseparable.

"I think you lost your mind by playing around," Ji Yu said seriously, frowning slightly.

In the past few days, even the emperor has been sealed so that he doesn't have to go to court, so naturally he doesn't have to go to the study room.So Ji Ting had a great time playing, and now that he was in Qiao's house, surrounded by many children of the Qiao family who were around his age and wholeheartedly supporting him, he naturally had more fun playing.

Ji Ting was taught such a lesson by him. Although he was afraid, he still thought about going out of the palace to watch the lanterns in his heart.

But this time, no matter how much he begged, Ji Yu would not let go.On the day of the Lantern Festival, among other things, even ladies and gentlemen who don’t leave the gate on weekdays can go to the street to watch lanterns. One can imagine how many people will gather on the street on this day .If one can't stand it, and if something happens, there is no need for the concubine to blame him, he will blame himself to death first.What's more, Ji Ting still has that kind of lively temperament, he is definitely not going to watch the lantern obediently.

So as long as Ji Yu thinks of this possibility, it is impossible for Ji Yu to agree.

Although he also wanted to go out of the palace to watch the lanterns, but when Ji Ting mentioned it, he felt that he could not go either.It's just that when he thinks about such a day, he won't be able to see Shen Changle, and he feels unhappy in his heart.However, Ji Ting didn't know that he had offended Ji Yu, so he wanted to intercede with Qiao Mingchen and let him take him out of the palace to watch the lanterns.

Afraid that Qiao Mingchen would really agree softly, Ji Yu took him by the collar, led him into the carriage and went back to the palace.

After they returned to the palace, they would naturally greet Concubine De first.After Concubine De asked about the Qiao family, she let the two of them go back to rest.When they left, Concubine De looked at Ji Yu's back and suddenly remembered the lady she saw two days ago.

She didn't expect that the lady would also take the initiative to chat with her.Although in the harem, there is no queen now.But every year during Chinese New Year, the emperor would still order his wives to enter the palace, and Concubine De is one of the people in power in the inner palace, so she can naturally sit on the top table and accept the worship of these wives.

Now that Qiao Yun is married, the position of the seventh concubine suddenly becomes unclear.Those who have thought about it before will naturally be unable to hold back at this time.Besides, the fact that the seventh prince is favored by the emperor has always been widely spread among the noble ladies in the capital.So no matter which family's daughter marries the Seventh Prince, apart from other things, she will at least be a prince and concubine in the future.

The dignity of the royal family cannot be reflected by a simple name.So in the past two years, the princes have gradually reached the marriageable age, and the eyes of these noble ladies are like hungry wolves, staring at them all the time.

Although Concubine De has never had such a thing happen to Qiao Yun, but now that Qiao Yu is married.She should also start preparing. After all, in March, the Ministry of Internal Affairs will go to the major families to count marriageable girls, and in June, there will be a draft in the palace.

Therefore, before the draft, she had to speculate on a suitable candidate for a daughter-in-law, and when the draft came, she would directly ask the emperor to give her a marriage.

Thinking of this, she leaned on the cushion with peace of mind.

The Lantern Festival is the most lively every year. There are no carriages driving back and forth on the entire street, only the lantern stalls on both sides of the street, and the flow of people will never be seen.Naturally, Shen Changle would watch the lanterns with Shen Ruhui and the others every year.

It's just that this year she took Shen Hui with her. Shen Jin originally wanted to be with them, but she didn't know what happened later, so she said she wanted to be with her cousin Lin.Shen Changle has always disliked Lin Xinlan, of course she has always treated Lin Xinlan politely and friendly on the surface.It's just that on such a day, she didn't want to do these superficial things, so she simply separated and everyone played their own way.

When getting into the carriage, Shen Yue and Shen Lan actually got into a carriage.

Before Shen Hui went out, Mrs. Chen came several times, naturally she didn't want her to go out.After all, there are so many people on the street during the Lantern Festival, and there are so many mixed people. If something really happens, it will be bad.But Shen Hui can't go out a few times a year, so naturally she doesn't want to let go of this opportunity.

So I followed Shen Changle out.

When they arrived at the intersection of Shuixi Avenue, the front had already been blocked by wooden stakes, and if they went inside, they could not take a carriage.So everyone got out of the car, Shen Ruan immediately stood up, and Shen Ruhui walked over to Shen Lan and Shen Yue, protecting them.After everyone got together, he said: "Lantern Riddle Street is ahead, in order to prevent accidents, let's act together."

But after he finished speaking, it was rare that no one agreed.

Even Shen Changle, who praised him the most on weekdays, looked at him silently and plaintively.Shen Jin and Lin Xinlan went to the streets together, so they were naturally protected by the Lin brothers.And she went out with her eldest brother and second brother, but Shen Lan and Shen Yue were accompanying her.No matter how bad these two people are, as an elder brother, Shen Ruhui should take care of them both.

"Brother, Second Sister and I will bring more servants, we will definitely be fine," Shen Yue spoke first.

Shen Ruhui frowned, as if he didn't agree with her statement.He immediately said: "If you want to play, you can watch it by yourself, but it's impossible if no one follows. How about this, I will follow you two, if you know how to protect Chang Le and the eldest sister."

Shen Yue probably didn't expect that Shen Ruhui would personally protect the two of them, she was overjoyed for a while, but she never wanted to refuse.

Although Shen Changle didn't want his elder brother to leave, he also knew that at this time, dragons and snakes were the most mixed up.The two little girls were alone on the street, even if they were accompanied by a servant, it was not very safe.So she couldn't say anything, so she could only accept the arrangement of her big brother.

Seeing her disappointed look, Shen Ruwen said eccentrically, "It seems that my second brother is not as good as the eldest brother."

"Second brother, it's good that you know," Shen Changle deliberately teased, and even winked at him, encouraging him: "Second brother, you have to work hard."

"Little girl, you are getting more and more courageous," Shen Ruan snorted, and was about to reach out to knock her on the head.

But who is Shen Changle, but he grew up fighting wits and courage with Shen Ruyan, seeing his expression, he guessed his next move, immediately raised the hem of his skirt, and hid to the side.Seeing this, Shen Hui quickly pulled her to laugh and said, "There are a lot of people here, so stop making trouble."

At this time, Shen Lan and Shen Yue who were walking around them were nowhere to be seen, and Shen Ruhui was protecting them, so he naturally followed them.

"Big sister, you should be careful. I heard that during the Lantern Festival, Yuelao's red thread is the most unstoppable."

Originally, she was just making a joke, but who would have thought that it would become a prophecy.

(End of this chapter)