Conan's physique? The Crown Princess is involved in a murder case again

Emperor Yanning had two empresses, and both empresses were from the same family.

The Lu family.

Empress Mingzhen was Jing Zhichen's biological mother. She was said to be a talented woman with both virtue and talent. Before she got married, all the young men in the capital were crazy about her.

According to Chen, Jing Zhichen was 80% similar to Empress Mingzhen, so he was also very beautiful.

Well, Xu Xingyin admitted this.

After Empress Mingzhen passed away, Emperor Yanning married her cousin Xiao Lu, known as Empress Xiao Lu.

In the same year that Empress Xiao Lu was enthroned, she gave birth to the fourth prince, Jing Zhian, who was now named Prince Ding.

Although the two queens were from the same family, they were not from the same palace, and the two families had a close relationship.

If we count three generations above these two, the heads of their families are brothers from the same mother.

At that time, the eldest son of the Lu family inherited the Lu family business because he was the eldest, while the second son took the money from the division of the family and set up his own business.

The two families occupied the north and east sides of the capital respectively, so people called them Beilu and Donglu.

The Donglu Mansion lost the inheritance rights despite having equal status, so it hates the Beilu Mansion to the core and wants to compete with it in everything.

The Beilu Mansion was well-educated and did not argue too much with the Donglu Mansion. Even when they met each other on weekdays, they treated each other with courtesy.

Competition is both a trouble and an encouragement.

To be objective, both Lu families developed well as a result, and gradually became evenly matched.

It's a pity that a scandal broke out behind the Donglu Mansion. Although resources were used to suppress it, it still had some impact. Even the head of the family died with hatred because of it.

After the death of the head of the family, the Donglu Mansion was in a slump for a long time.

At this time, the Beilu Mansion was home to many talented people, including an imperial tutor named Lu Tongming.

Since then, the gap between the two Lu families has gradually widened.

Perhaps it was because heroes emerged in troubled times that the East Palace family actually allowed a bastard of lowly status to take the position of head of the family in the chaos.

But this bastard is actually a capable man. He was able to use thundering means to overwhelm everyone and lead the Donglu Mansion back on track.

Empress Mingzhen was from the Beilu Mansion. Her father was the Imperial Tutor Lu Tongming. Empress Mingzhen and Emperor Yanning grew up together as childhood sweethearts.

The little Queen Lu was from the Donglu Mansion, and her father was the illegitimate son who made the final decision - Lu Tongyu.

It is said that before entering the palace, Empress Lu was also an unappreciated concubine's daughter. It was not until she became the empress that she was recognized as a legitimate daughter by the Lu family.

After hearing this, Xu Xingyin roughly understood Chen's thoughts.

As the best bargaining chip for Donglu Prefecture to overpower Beilu Prefecture, Xiao Luhou must have the best resources in Donglu Prefecture. In this way...

Jing Zhichen's life was indeed not easy.

Moreover, Empress Lu dared to invite the Duke's Mansion so brazenly this time, which was to tell the Duke's Mansion a message -

Jing Zhichen and Xu Xingyin's marriage could not be successful.

Xu Xingyin did not grow up with Chen, and there was always some distance between them. Therefore, he was somewhat touched by Chen's sincere words.

It tastes sour and astringent with a hint of sweetness. I can't really describe what it feels like.

Chen's words were still fresh in his mind, so much so that when Xu Xingyin saw Xiao Lu for the first time, his first reaction was disgust.

Although little Lu was pretty, she was very different from what Xu Xingyin had imagined a queen should look like.

Xu Xingyin had seen Empress Mingzhen, who was dignified and generous, and was a model of a noble lady. However, Empress Lu was beautiful...

It is a kind of beauty with various styles.

It is beautiful, but it always lacks some of the demeanor that a mother of a country should have.

The tea-tasting party hosted by Empress Xiao Lu was extremely lively. Many of the faces were familiar to Xu Xingyin, whom he had seen at the Hundred Flowers Banquet. It was obvious that most of the officials' families in the capital were invited.

The other girls in the Duke's Mansion were not allowed to meet the Queen due to their status, so they simply decided not to bother themselves and after saying goodbye to Chen, they went to talk to the sisters they knew.

Chen was originally planning to take Xu Xingyin and Empress Lu to pay their respects and leave, but Empress Lu, contrary to her usual behavior, pulled Chen aside to chat about family matters.

Xiao Lu's gaze remained on Xu Xingyin for a long time before he moved away and smiled.

"This is the eldest daughter of Duke Xu, right? Look at her, she is really beautiful. I heard that she is also very knowledgeable. She even beat Yang Mingxue a few days ago. The Duke's wife is really blessed."

Xu Xingyin just lowered her head and pretended to be shy, and Chen replied with a smile.

"Your Majesty, you are too kind. My daughter is naughty and has little knowledge. It was just luck that she made it to the Hundred Flowers Banquet. As for luck, Prince Ding is handsome and eloquent. Your Majesty is more fortunate."

Almost all elders like to hear their children being praised, and Xiao Luhou is no exception.

He laughed heartily upon hearing this, and chatted with Chen's family for a while before turning his attention back to Xu Xingyin.

The tea used in the tea-tasting party hosted by the Queen was naturally of the best quality.

The tea leaves ripple in the clear water and then spread out. Just smelling the fragrance of the tea can calm one's heart.

After the palace maid brought the teacup, Empress Lu leaned forward, sniffed it, and then smiled.

"Miss Xu Qi grew up in Jiangnan, so she must have a lot of experience in tea ceremony. I am here to test you today. I wonder if Miss Xu Qi can tell what kind of tea this is? If you answer correctly, I will reward you handsomely."

Well, that's only half the story.

If you answer correctly, you will get a prize. What if you answer incorrectly?

Xu Xingyin didn’t know whether there would be a penalty for answering incorrectly, and he didn’t dare to gamble.

Fortunately, although Empress Lu was the protagonist of the tea party, not many people were of high status enough to get close to her, so their movements did not attract much attention from others.

People are afraid of becoming famous just like pigs are afraid of getting fat. Xu Xingyin really doesn't want to be in the spotlight.

Xu Xingyin dared not disobey the Queen's order.

He could only stand up, bow, and accept with a smile, then take the teacup with a fearless attitude.

Tea ceremony, I’m sorry, Xu Xingyin really doesn’t understand it.

But fortunately, she has a picky taste and is very good at tasting food.

The tea given by Xiao Lu was clear, fragrant and mellow. Xu Xingyin took two sips carefully and only answered after confirming that it was correct.

"It is said in the Dongshan Tea Series: The tea soup is soft and white like jade dew, and tastes sweet. The fragrance is hidden in the taste, and the emptiness is deep and lasting. The more you sip, the more it comes out, and it is beyond existence and non-existence. The tea that the Empress appreciated should be Yangxian tea, right?"

Upon hearing this, Empress Lu laughed heartily and praised him highly.

"As expected of the Duke's Mansion's princess, she answered the correct answer in just a moment, which shows that she must have a lot of experience in the tea ceremony. Her writing is brilliant, and her tea art is excellent. Miss Xu Qi is indeed a wonderful person with extensive knowledge."

"Your Majesty, you are too kind. I am just a picky person and cannot say that I have any opinion."

Little Mrs. Lu thought that Xu Xingyin was just being modest and began to think enthusiastically about what reward to give Xu Xingyin.

This reward was something extraordinary, and it frightened Xu Xingyin greatly.