Madam Hou

Chapter 61

Concubine Bai Gui returned to Lihe Palace from Fengyi Palace with a gloomy complexion. The confidant lady Hong'er who came back with her winked and told the maid in the inner room to wait on her. Just as the door was closed, Concubine Bai swung aside the table and put A blue-and-white porcelain vase was on the ground, and the blue-and-white porcelain fell to the ground and shattered into pieces. Bai Guifei clenched her fists and said angrily: "How can you be so biased? Corruption and bribery, putting it in that family is not a serious crime of ransacking the family." , why should the Chen family be fine?"

Bai Guifei thought of the few words the queen comforted Chen Concubine when she was paying her respects. When a woman gets married, she is a member of her husband's family. A lot, but only a few tens of thousands of taels of silver. Mr. Chen has a good attitude in pleading guilty, and he has already handed over all the silver he has embezzled. The emperor is very kind. He is only dismissed from Mr. Chen's position, but his life is safe. Don't worry about it, Concubine Chen Well, it's time to take good care of the fetus and give birth to a healthy little prince for the emperor.

Her heart ached at the thought of those words.If the crime was really worse than a married woman, there would not be so many wives who died of emergencies in the backyard of the official family.It was the ex-sister-in-law of her natal family who ransacked her home because her natal father made a mistake, and was finally given a bowl of soup and medicine by Mrs. Niangbai and died suddenly in the emergency department.Which backyard doesn't behave like this, is it because her family is more ruthless than others.It's just because of a biased heart, Chen Concubine's natal family doesn't care about anything.

Hong'er stepped over the fragments on the ground softly, walked to Bai Guifei and helped her to sit down, and then comforted her softly: "Your Majesty, don't get so angry, it's not worth it for these things. Let's talk After all, Mrs. Chen was dismissed from her post. Concubine Chen's family background was not obvious at first, and now her natal family has nothing to rely on, and she still bears the name of the daughter of a criminal minister. Walk."

Bai Guifei disagreed and said: "Chen Concubine has never relied on her mother's family all the way. She has always relied on the Queen and the power behind the Queen. I was wrong at the beginning, thinking that as long as Chen Concubine's father is brought down, Let Concubine Chen have the reputation of being the daughter of a criminal official. Even if she gives birth to a prince in the future, the queen will worry that the identity of the child's biological mother will be easily criticized by others, and will hesitate to hold Concubine Chen's child in her name. If that is the case, my The emperor will have a chance. But I never thought that Concubine Chen's natal family will completely collapse, and Concubine Chen, who is helpless, will rely on the Queen even more, and the Queen will feel more at ease with Concubine Chen like this." She was also anxious, seeing As Concubine Chen's age was getting older, she gradually jumped the wall in a hurry and didn't think things through.

Hong'er is the confidant maid brought by Concubine Bai from her mother's house, she is naturally the most loyal to Concubine Bai, and when she heard Concubine Bai's words, she also sighed for her master in her heart.When Concubine Bai Gui first entered the palace, she was just the daughter of a county magistrate with a low status. Her biggest wish was to be favored by the emperor and give birth to a prince so that she could be relied on for life. Prince Chu's thoughts.Before Concubine Chen entered the palace, her master was indeed the most favored. Later, when she became pregnant, the queen more or less expressed her intention to adopt her master if she could give birth to a prince, so her master also thought about it.It was only later that the young master became a Jinshi, and the master thought that his natal family had become more powerful, and he had more reliance on himself and the little prince in the palace, so relying on the emperor's favor, he begged the emperor to give the young master a good award. The official position, and vaguely proposed to the emperor, my master has been serving as the county magistrate for so long, can he move up a bit.

I don't know if it offended the queen because of this, although the young master conferred a good official position, but the queen has become indifferent to her master since then.Instead, after Concubine Chen entered the palace, she showed her favor to Concubine Chen frequently and put her own lady aside.

Later, the lady from my family tricked Concubine Chen to offend Concubine Shu. At that time, Concubine Chen had just entered the palace, and it was not as good as it is now. Sure enough, Concubine Shu and the emperor misunderstood that she wanted to kill the eldest prince, and she was finally imprisoned. Into the cold palace.At that time, the queen watched Concubine Chen being imprisoned in the cold palace without moving, thinking that the queen was going to give up Concubine Chen.Unexpectedly, within two months, the Queen helped Concubine Chen regain her favor. After Concubine Chen became pregnant, she took Concubine Chen to Fengyi Palace to take care of her personally.

If his master still couldn't see what the queen meant, it would be for nothing to have stayed in the palace for so many years.That's how people are. If the queen didn't show her intention to adopt her master's child, her master wouldn't think too much about it. At most, she could compete for the emperor's favor for a few more years while she was young. Being a concubine is like this for a lifetime.But the queen expressed that kind of meaning at the time, making her master feel that her little prince is so short of that position. Later, the queen changed her mind and chose a concubine whose background was not as good as hers. How could her master be reconciled .

When Hong'er thought of this, she also felt injustice for her own empress, her master was not as good as Chen Concubine in charming men, she was better than Chen Concubine in other things, why did the empress choose Chen Concubine instead of her master.

Hong'er was thinking like this, when Bai Guifei asked again: "Brother didn't leave any traces when he did this, right? Don't let people know what he participated in, the Empress is not going to fool me." , if I let her know, I'm afraid the suspicion will be even greater."

Hong'er promised: "Don't worry, ma'am, you don't have to worry about what Eldest Young Master is doing. Besides, the matter of Chen Xiancheng's embezzlement and bribery is a fact. Eldest Young Master just collected some evidence and put it in the homes of some caring people." , and quietly encouraged some people who wanted to show their loyalty to Concubine Shu and Ning Guogong to expose it in front of the emperor. Even if others thought about it, they would only think that it was the people from Concubine Shu and Ning Guogong who did it, and they would not suspect us body."

Bai Guizhen nodded, and continued: "It's better to be more careful, and spread the word, so that my brother will not do much recently, so as not to attract suspicion."

Hong'er said yes, then thought for a while, and then offered a plan: "Your Majesty, look, do we want to treat Concubine Chen's stomach..." While saying that, she made a murderous gesture.

Bai Guifei was obviously not very interested in this idea, and said calmly: "Forget it, Chen Concubine is the reincarnation of a vixen, she is very smart, and she is protected by the Queen, it is not so easy to do it, don't mess with it in the end." You have to show yourself, not to mention, murdering the emperor's heir is a serious crime, and if you don't do it well, you will destroy the nine clans."

Hong'er smiled in embarrassment, and said: "It's the empress who thinks well, but the servant girl who doesn't think well!"

At this time, Mrs. Chen, who lives in Yangjiaoer Hutong, received a letter from Linping County. According to the letter, Mr. Chen Dazhu, who had just been dismissed, decided to "miss" his wife and daughter so much. He brought his concubines, sons and daughters to the capital to find his wife and daughter.Moreover, according to the date in the letter, Mr. Chen Dazhu and his party have set off for at least ten days now.

After reading the letter, Mrs. Chen slapped the letter on the table, and said bitterly: "This dead ghost, he should die at home. Whoever wants him to come will throw him in the capital without shame."

What Madam Chen thought in her heart was that she absolutely did not want her husband to come to the capital. The reason was that she was really afraid that he would lose face in the capital. It's a joke, anyway, almost all the industries in Linping County were exchanged for bank notes and brought to the capital.In addition, she really didn't want to see the faces of the group of Yingyingyanyans in his backyard. Although she had no feelings for Mr. Chen Dazhu long ago, seeing the Yingyingyanyans arguing in his room every day, she didn't feel any pain. It's disgusting; in the end, Mrs. Chen would rather see this husband who is holding her children back.

Lin Shizi, who was still accompanying his fiancée to see his mother-in-law, persuaded Mrs. Chen: "Mother-in-law, I think it would be good if the father-in-law came to the capital. It can let Yinniang and I do our filial piety at any time, and the father-in-law is in Beijing, so the mother-in-law can also advise his father-in-law at any time." , so as not to be coaxed by others to do some bad things because of kindness and credulous trust in others."

Of course, the last paragraph of this sentence is the key point, the subtext is: father-in-law is unreliable in doing the facts, mother-in-law, you should keep him under your nose and watch.It would be better not to make him do more embarrassing things.

When Yinniang heard Lin Fengqi's words, she immediately blushed with embarrassment. Her own father did such a thing, and her face was also dull, let alone her fiancé said so.Although Lin Fengqi was already saving face when he said it, he only said that he did such a disgraceful thing because of his kindness and credulity, but Yinniang didn't know anything about his father's temperament, his methods were unsightly and unsightly, he was corrupt and accepted bribes This kind of thing is not coaxed by anyone, as long as there is a chance, he can do it, not to mention that there are a few aunts behind him who encourage him from time to time.

Mrs. Chen naturally also heard the implication of her son-in-law-to-be. Although she saved face by speaking, it was embarrassing. Mrs. Chen was speechless for a while, which made the scene embarrassing.

Lin Fengqi was startled at this moment that he had said something wrong, and for a moment he regretted what he had said before. As a prospective husband and prospective son-in-law, he should have kept his mouth shut under such circumstances. Well, Yinniang and Mrs. Chen will always be ashamed and embarrassed, Mr. Chen is their husband and father no matter what, if they say this about him, mother-in-law and Yinniang don't know if they will be unhappy.If it caused them to form a bad impression of him, it would be really worth the candle.

Lin Fengqi was worried for a moment, and felt awkward seeing the atmosphere so unavoidable, he cleared his throat and hastily changed the subject: "I think my father-in-law will arrive in the capital in ten days or so, and I will personally go outside the city gate to pick him up Bar."

Mrs. Chen was so happy that Lin Fengqi changed the subject. Hearing what he said, she quickly said gratefully: "That's really troublesome for you."

Lin Fengqi said: "No trouble, that's what my son-in-law should do."

More than ten days passed by, and Lin Fengqi really received Mr. Chen, oh, no, he is no longer an adult, and now he should be called Mr. Chen Dazhu. After receiving the news that Mr. Chen Dazhu and his party were about to arrive in the capital, he personally led the family The young servant and family member went to meet his prospective father-in-law outside the city gate.

In fact, Mrs. Lin Hou was extremely displeased with her son going out of the city to greet her in-laws. Although the prospective son-in-law went to greet the prospective father-in-law in person, it was a respect for the prospective father-in-law in terms of etiquette, and there was nothing wrong with the rules. Yes, but what is the reputation of Mr. Chen now? He fled to the capital because of corruption and bribery. up.

But Mrs. Linhou is now trying her best to mend her relationship with Yanniang Yinniang. Although she is unhappy in her heart, she can't say anything on her face.

Lin Shizi led his servants and servants to wait outside the city gate for a whole day. It was almost July and the weather was very hot. A group of people hid under the wall and waited until the city gate was about to close. When Shizi was about to go back home, he saw several dilapidated carriages slowly approaching from the main road.

Master Chen also got the news in advance that his son-in-law-to-be would come to meet him at the city gate, and he was quite proud.When the carriage arrived at the city gate, he saw a group of servants escorting several carriages marked with the word "Yongning" under the city gate. A young man on a horse was the first one, and he quickly called his confidant butler to get off the carriage and ask in person.

After the chief steward got out of the car, he saw the young man who was wearing brocade clothes and looking down at him, and hurriedly stepped forward and asked, "But the son of Yongning Houfu, I am the housekeeper of Mr. Chen. My master and several aunts and ladies."

Just as the butler finished speaking, the curtain on the carriage in front was lifted, revealing a few pretty faces, a few coquettish young women were covering their mouths with handkerchiefs and smiling at Lin Fengqi, the laughter was humming, haha, It's really hard to hear.Lin Fengqi frowned and thought to himself, why are the other female family members of the Chen family so unruly, they directly lift the curtain and smile at the outsider with their bald heads, that seems like the behavior of a good family woman.

Although he disdains these people in his heart, after all, his prospective father-in-law is sitting inside. Lin Fengqi jumped off the horse, retracted his disdainful eyes, bowed to the carriage as respectfully as possible, and said: "Little son-in-law, Feng Qi, is here to take his father-in-law back to the mansion. .”

Mr. Chen wanted to show off his father-in-law's prestige in the carriage for a long time. Now that he heard Lin Fengqi's words, he couldn't bear it anymore. He quickly lifted the curtain and walked out, coughing twice with his hands behind his back. Majesticly displaying the genealogy of the father-in-law, but the words came out in a flattering voice: "My son-in-law, please get up!" He didn't care about displaying the genealogy of the father-in-law, and hurried over to help Lin Fengqi up.

Speaking of which, Mr. Chen was dissatisfied with Mrs. Chen in various ways in the past. She was just a merchant woman, but she relied on her own dowry to overwhelm him in many ways, and she was not allowed to take a concubine. After finally waiting for him to become an official, she finally accepted it. The concubine came in and treated the aunt and concubine harshly everywhere, so there was no virtuous appearance.However, Mrs. Chen thought of her eldest daughter who entered the palace and became the imperial concubine and the second daughter who was betrothed to Yongning Hou Shizi, and felt that Mrs. Chen still had advantages, at least she would have a daughter.Whether it is Yanniang or Yinniang, it really makes him more face.It's nothing to lose an official of the county magistrate, maybe let the eldest daughter beg in front of the emperor, or let the second son-in-law give him some activities, maybe even get a Beijing official.

Thinking of this, Master Chen smiled even more obsequiously at Lin Fengqi.

Lin Fengqi's identity is here. Usually, there are many people who are courteous and obedient in front of him. He couldn't understand what was hidden under Master Chen's flattering smile, but he didn't say anything, and continued to say to Master Chen: "Father-in-law My lord, when I came out, I also had someone bring the carriage over, please get in the carriage first, and we will return home right away."

Master Chen looked at the well-crafted canopy carriage next to his prospective son-in-law, and then at the dilapidated carriage he was sitting in. Naturally, it was easy to choose the carriage of Yongninghou Mansion.

Originally, Mr. Chen thought he was going directly to the Yongning Hou Mansion. All the way in the carriage, he fantasized about what to say when he met his in-laws and his wife. When he saw Yinniang, he must teach her well and let her listen carefully. It is the words of the in-laws, wife and son-in-law.As a result, the carriage passed through the bustling area all the way, but went to the relatively sparsely populated Yangjiaoer Hutong, and stopped in front of a courtyard with three entrances.In front of the yard stood Mrs. Chen, Yinniang, Pingniang and a group of maids.Mr. Chen was still surprised. He always thought Mrs. Chen lived in Yongninghou Mansion with Yiniang. Calling Mrs. Chen a fool, there is no such thing as a rich life in the Yongning Hou Mansion outside, so I had a long temper with Mrs. Chen because of this, this is another story.

But at this time, after Mr. Chen got off the carriage, Mrs. Chen saluted Mr. Chen according to the rules, and Yinniang and Pingniang also saluted their father together.

When she stood up, Mrs. Chen frowned when she saw a group of Yingying and Yanyan getting off the carriage behind her.

First came Aunt Dou, who was leading Manniang, and Aunt Qiu, who was holding a baby in her arms.

Aunt Dou used to fight with Mrs. Chen, relying on Master Chen's favor, she thought she could be equal to Mrs. Chen, but this year, she has been squeezed out by some recent aunts, and Mrs. Chen will be born again. Daughter, now that her back is stiffer than anyone else, Aunt Dou dares to challenge Mrs. Chen.When he took Man Niang to salute Mrs. Chen, he was so respectful that he couldn't be more respectful.

Manniang Xiaopingniang is three years old, and she is already eight years old this year. Her appearance is gradually opening up. It can be seen that she has combined the advantages of Aunt Dou and Master Chen, and she looks better than her biological mother Aunt Dou.It's just that those small eyes always like to gurgling. I don't know what she is planning, which makes people unhappy.

(End of this chapter)