Ordinary clear day

Chapter 170 Palace Envoy
The incident happened so suddenly, both Tong and Shu Ning were caught off guard and couldn't figure out what was going on.Shu Ning calmed down and asked: "Sister Luyun, do you know what the palace sent people for? Where are they now?" Luyun said: "I don't know what's going on. Now that aunt is here In the flower hall, our wife and the second girl are already there to accompany us."

When Tong heard this, she calmed down a little, thinking that she was just going to accompany the guests.The time was short, so she and her daughter tidied up their hair a little, changed into the clothes they met the guests, and went to the flower hall.

It was a woman in her 40s who came, wearing a dark green palace dress, with two temple flowers on her head, except for a pair of green jade earrings and a gold pocket watch hanging on the skirt, her whole body was in full swing. No jewellery.She claimed to be the maid serving the Empress Dowager, and everyone called her Aunt Ming. She came here tonight because the Empress Dowager missed the girl in the house, so she was specially sent to visit.

Although Shu Ning felt that her words were a bit strange, she still followed her mother to the ceremony, probably because the other party was not a concubine in the harem, so it was just a blessing.Aunt Ming greeted Mrs. Tong kindly, complimented Shu Ning on her "good looks", and exchanged pleasantries.

Seeing this, Shu Ning secretly breathed a sigh of relief, it seems that the palace envoy really came here to see Wan Ning, I don't know why it happened so suddenly.She turned her head to look at the second cousin, and saw that although she had a smile on her face, her eyes were a little dazed, and she didn't seem to know the purpose of the palace envoy's visit.Shu Ning couldn't help frowning, the matter seemed to be complicated.

She also heard rumors these days that Wanning was going to report her age and would not go to the draft. She was just surprised at first, but her family was busy with her brother's marriage and her father's appointment, so she ignored it.Someone from the palace suddenly came, could it be that they heard about Wanning and came here to stop it?But didn't you say earlier that the women in the palace didn't want to see her?Isn't it just in line with their wishes that she didn't draft?
While thinking wildly, Shu Ning listened carefully to the conversation between her mother and Aunt Ming, her brother's marriage had already been mentioned, and there was nothing special about it.But not long after, Aunt Ming suddenly changed the subject and said: "The eldest lady of the family is sitting alone in the next room, do you feel bored?"

Ever since Tong entered the flower hall, she wondered why Nala was not there anymore. After hearing what Aunt Ming said, she realized that she was actually next door, but what was the other party's intention?Tong said a few words, seeing Aunt Ming picked up the tea bowl and picked up the tea leaves, and then the little eunuch next to her snorted at her, so she knew that she was implying that she was leaving temporarily, so she said: "Sister-in-law is next door I don't know what I'm doing, aunt, forgive me for being rude, I want to go and have a look."

Aunt Ming smiled and nodded, but when she saw that Shu Ning was about to get up and follow her, she said, "San Ge Ge, stay and talk to my old lady."But she couldn't help feeling a little uneasy, not knowing what this aunt's intentions were, she glanced at her mother, saw the other party gave her a comforting look, and then sat back in her original seat.

Aunt Ming started chatting with Wanning Shuning, asking them how they lived at home in recent years, what they did, what needlework they learned, what pastimes they had on weekdays, what kind of food they liked, and so on.This Aunt Ming seems to be quite familiar with Wanning, and she is very clear about some of her temperament and preferences. When she heard that she had changed some habits, she was a little surprised. The smile on the face is also deeper, but when she heard that she went out to visit relatives and friends with her mother recently, she looked a little weird.

As for Shuning, she answered Aunt Ming's questions one by one and at the same time belittled her own abilities a little. It will be noticed.But seeing Aunt Ming's expression, she didn't seem disappointed. She even asked Shu Ning whether she was helping her mother with housework, whether she often visited Buddhist temples, and her mother's family background and so on.After getting the answer, she nodded seemingly satisfied, which made Shu Ning feel even more uneasy, but such things cannot be deceived, so she had to tell the truth.

After about half an hour, Aunt Ming invited Nala and Tong back, and said to them with a smile: "I still have an errand, so I can't stay long, thank you two ladies for your hospitality. She is a rare and good girl, and next year's draft will definitely bring great fortune, and I hope the wives should use more snacks." She ignored the instant paleness of Nala's and Tong's faces, and said to Wanning and Shuning with a friendly smile: "I'm leaving, how about the two princesses giving me a ride?" Wanning and Shuning looked at each other and agreed.

The distance from the flower hall to the gate is not too far, but Aunt Ming walked very slowly, so it took a full cup of tea to get there.Along the way, she continued to ask the two sisters some trivial matters, such as how often they go out, whether they like horseback riding and archery, and so on.Shu Ning noticed that she didn't pay much attention to the answers, but only paid attention to their steps and walking posture.

Wanning has learned palace etiquette for a long time, and she also wore flowerpot bottoms tonight, so she walked beautifully. Although the ground in the yard was a bit slippery on a winter night, she still stood firmly, fully It can be seen that the skill that has been practiced hard.This is no worse than Aunt Ming who also wears the bottom of a flowerpot, but it's not so natural to walk.But Shu Ning hadn't worn the bottom of the flower pot yet, and she was wearing ordinary embroidered shoes tonight, but because it was winter, she added a few pieces of leather, so there was no obstacle to walking.

After sending them to the door, Aunt Ming asked them to stop. She glanced at Shuning's feet and said with a smile, "San Gege hasn't learned the rules of the palace, has he? Since they are going to be drafted, I'd better invite a nanny to teach them." Well, it will be of great use in the future." Then she said to Wanning: "Wangege really has changed at the age of [-], the queen mother will be very happy to see you now, don't let her down. "Then boarded the carriage and left.

Shu Ning felt chills in her heart when she heard this, and the uneasiness in her heart faintly became a reality.Aunt Ming, what does this mean?Could it be that the queen mother wants to marry herself?Why?She has always paid attention to restraint, and she is not well-known in the capital. The queen mother should pay attention to the dazzling Wanning, why did she bring herself along?If it's just to take a look, then with her mediocre performance just now, these maids and girls in the palace should change their minds, right?
Her heart was in a mess, and she stood there for a long time before being woken up by a gust of cold wind. She rolled up her sleeves and thought of going back to the room first, so she said, "Second Sister, let's go back first..." When she saw Wanning's He couldn't help but stare blankly.

The expression on Wanning's face now is very complicated, there is a trace of surprise, a trace of secret joy, a trace of resentment, a trace of fear, and a trace of bewilderment.Shu Ning watched her face turn white and blue, blue and gray, gray and black, black and red, red and white, as if she was completely immersed in her inner world, she didn't know what to say.

The porter yelled a few times before Wanning woke up. Seeing Shuning looking at her strangely, she coughed lightly and said, "Let's go back quickly, it's cold outside." Shuning pursed her lips, and She went in together.

In the flower hall, Nala's and Tong's were sitting on one side, their faces were a bit ugly.Seeing the daughters coming in, they hurriedly asked what Aunt Ming said afterwards.Wanning said it was just a small chat, nothing special, Nala breathed a sigh of relief, but Tong didn't quite believe it.Shuning hesitated for a moment, and told her mother that Aunt Ming wanted her to hire a nanny to teach her manners.

Tong's face became more and more ugly the more he heard it, he couldn't help but glanced at Nala's side, and said coldly: "Sister-in-law, what's going on?! Please explain clearly! The people in the palace are good!" Why did you come to the house? You still say such things to us Shu'er?!"

Nala's complexion is not very good-looking, but recently she has treated the Sanfang who is not at fault many times, she can't help but say: "I don't know what's going on, when the subordinates reported that someone from the palace came, I was also taken aback. Maybe the queen mother has not seen us Wanning for a long time, so she sent someone to take a look and meet Wanning's sisters by the way."

How can Tong believe it?If you just drop in to see her, why did you say please nanny?There is also the sentence "next year's draft will definitely bring great fortune", which seems to imply that the Queen Mother has a secret plan for the future of the two girls.Shu Ning was also extremely depressed, her parents had already made plans for her draft and marriage, and even paved the way, but now she was suddenly involved by the Queen Mother, and things got a little out of control.

She raised her eyes to look at Wan Ning who was pale and dazed, and asked, "Second Sister, what is the origin of that Aunt Ming just now?"

Wanning was still in a daze, until her mother pushed her, and then she came to her senses. After asking her cousin to repeat the question, she said: "Her name is Minglan, and she has served the Queen Mother for more than 30 years. She is the Queen Mother's most beloved confidante. , I went to the palace before and met her many times."

It seems that she is really the queen mother's confidant. Shu Ning recalled the very low-key and plain carriage she saw just now, and suddenly realized that the queen mother sent someone this time, and I am afraid that she didn't want too many people to know. Attitude, presumably Wanning is indeed the main purpose of her trip.But... Shuning raised her eyes to look at Wanning who was in a daze again, and couldn't help gritting her teeth: I'll just look at you, why drag me into the water? !

She said: "Second sister, I heard earlier that you seem to be over the age of [-] and will not go to the draft, but you are obviously under the age, which is not in line with the law of the country. Could it be that the palace sent someone this time to warn you? "

Nala's face turned pale when she heard this, and she hurriedly looked at her daughter. Wanning hesitated and said, "No way..."

"Why not? With Second Sister's reputation, if she doesn't go to the draft, I'm afraid many people will be surprised?" Shu Ning stared at her closely.

The other three fell silent. The more Tong thought about it, the more she felt that her daughter had been implicated, and her face turned darker.

"Madam, girl, you probably think too seriously." A thin voice suddenly sounded from the door, attracting everyone's attention, it turned out to be Yue He.

Wanning frowned, and asked: "Why are you here?" Yue He still replied softly: "Girl, it's cold tonight, I'm afraid the girl will be cold, so I brought you clothes." She showed her hands His clothes, when he shook them off, turned out to be a fox fur jacket with rose purple silk and satin.Wanning's expression softened a little, and she just kept silent.

"It's hard for you to be thoughtful, let's put things down." Nala said indifferently, and suddenly remembered what she said just now, "You just said that we think too seriously, what do you mean?"

Yue He then said: "The former wife took the girl to the Viscount's mansion as a guest, and the younger one went with the car. Before leaving, because the wife turned around to talk to the wife in the mansion, the girl got into the car first, and got bored of waiting, so she even started the car. Lianzi talked to the little girls. At that time, the little girl saw that there was a person on the other side of the road looking at the girl, it was..." She raised her eyes to look at Wanning, and continued: "...it's the fifth elder brother."

Nala stood up immediately, the expression on his face changed.Wan Ning's eyes widened, she bit her lips, and said with a sneer, "Didn't he go back to the military camp after marrying Fu Jin for his honeymoon? How could he be in Beijing? Don't you misread it?"

Yue He hurriedly said: "The young one definitely sees it clearly, it's really fifth elder brother. He has always been obsessed with the girl, and he has never married the main wife, so he must have never given up on that idea, right? Girl, it is common for princes to have three wives and four concubines. Why can't you let it go?"

"Shut up! You're saying that again, I want to marry you!" Wanning said angrily, but she was quickly stopped by her mother.Nala looked at Tong's mother and daughter, and said with a smile: "It's very late now, brothers and sisters might as well take their nieces and daughters back to rest, and we can talk about this tomorrow."

Tong sneered, and said, "Forget it, let's go now. Just one thing, I have to make it clear to my sister-in-law first, you and I are mothers, and we will also plan for our daughter. I have already said hello to my mother's family." , Shu’er will be eliminated in the first two rounds of the draft. Her Ama and I even have a few good families. It’s a pity that all these are in vain now! If the second niece has a good marriage, our family will also I am happy for her, but please ask my sister-in-law and second niece to be more careful, so as not to implicate irrelevant people for no reason!" After that, without looking at the expressions of Nalashi and others, he took his daughter and left.

In the main room of Huaiyuan, Ermo lit four candles, all of which were covered by glass lampshades. Looking back, she saw the solemn expression of the family of four sitting around the table, sighed secretly, and left the room, taking closed the door.

Shu Ning first broke the silence: "Ama, Er Niang, brother, what should I do? What does the Queen Mother mean?" There was such a big change in the planned thing, she felt a little panicked.

Mrs. Tong said with some bitterness: "The fifth elder brother has never broken his thoughts on the second girl, but I heard that the empress in the palace has always disagreed, so it can't be done. It must be because of this reason that the big house broke up. The idea of ​​the draft is to find a way to report to the over-year-old. How come the words of the fifth prince have weight now?"

Duan Ning frowned and said: "I guessed something about this. I heard that Brother Wu performed well in the military camp. He defeated more than ten masters in a row in the military competition. Long Yan was very happy, and he was specially called back to the capital. , was promoted to an official position, and Baylor was appointed. Some people say that the Ministry of Internal Affairs is preparing to build a mansion for him. Presumably the fifth elder brother is now important in front of the Holy One. he?"

Zhang Baodao: "Even if he likes girl Wan, there is no reason to drag Shu'er into the water. What does the envoy sent by the Queen Mother mean?!"

Everyone fell silent again.Shu Ning thought for a long time, calmed down a bit, and said: "Now it seems that it is a sure thing for the second elder sister to be assigned to the fifth elder brother; a family of sisters will not be promised to a prince at the same time; with our family background, I will not be reduced to a concubine; and from the blood relationship of E Niang, I am close relatives with Tong Niangniang of Yanxi Palace, so I should not be selected into the palace; It should be the royal family, and it would not be difficult for Tong Niangniang to intervene in these matters. Ama, Erniang, brother, you don't have to worry too much, I may still have a chance to lose the election."

Even though she said that, she also knew that it was just self-comfort, and if the Queen Mother had spoken, she would make arrangements no matter what.

Tong forced a smile and said, "Don't panic yourself, we'll go see your grandfather and grandmother tomorrow and ask them what they think."

Putting things aside for the time being, but Shuning didn't sleep well that night, always feeling flustered.Probably because she stayed outside for a long time in the cold weather at night and didn't sleep well, so she developed a low-grade fever in the middle of the night.Tong only found out the next morning, and hurriedly sent for a doctor, but Shu Ning only said that it doesn't matter, just drink more hot water and cover the sweat.Tong thought about it, and reluctantly agreed, but asked her to lie on the bed to recuperate, and decided to go back to her mother's house alone.

Shuning was lying on the kang alone, covered with a thick quilt, her head was covered with sweat.She woke up from sleep, only felt as if she had some dream, and she didn't seem to have dreamed anything. After half a day in a daze, she suddenly woke up, and looked at the sky, it was already evening.Her little clothes were wet again, so she hurriedly called Su Xin to bring clean clothes to change into, and drank a large glass of water before asking her mother if she was back.

Tong received a report from the maid, and soon came over, tried her daughter's forehead, and was sure that her fever had subsided, so she was relieved.Shu Ning hurriedly asked her how she was in Tong's house today, Tong sighed and said, "Shu'er, we all forgot that there is another person. The seventh elder brother born by the concubine Cheng is only more than 20 days older than you. So far I haven't married Fujin."

(do not worry……)
(End of this chapter)