The Empire and the Kingdom

"Thank you, Senior Sister." Guan Xuejing got Feng Jingsu's guarantee, and sent a bunch of shelled peanuts over, "Try it, the salt-baked peanuts in Phoenix Tower, you can't get them anywhere else."

Feng Jingsu ate one, it was indeed different from other places, it was crispy and delicious.She went out to call the steward and asked for a bag of roasted salted peanuts.

"Is it for Miss Xue San?" Guan Xuejing asked gossipingly.

"I know you still ask?" Feng Jingsu was very calm, this kind of thing can't be hidden from Fei Yejin's disciples.They have seen too much in the academy, and it is easy to tell whether there is such a relationship between women.

The two talked a lot, and they didn't break up until before dinner.When Feng Jingsu walked into Xue Ai's room, Xue Ai was having dinner.

There are only two dishes for dinner, not even soup.Feng Jingsu frowned. "You eat this tonight?"

Meng An stood aside, and when Feng Jingsu came, she knew she was going out.When she was about to leave, she said: "Princess, Miss has always eaten so poorly."

"Sister Su, have you had dinner? I'll ask Mengan to go to the kitchen to get something to eat."

"No need, I've eaten." Feng Jingsu waved her hand to let Mengan go out, "Why did you eat so badly? Even if you can only eat vegetable leaves, you should eat some good vegetable leaves. Is your mother treating you so harshly?"

Xue Ai shook her head, "No, you also know that I can't eat too greasy food, this kind of porridge and side dishes are comfortable to eat."

"You always say it's because of your health. Have you seen a doctor?" Feng Jingsu came and sat next to her, and sure enough, there was only a little bit of oil in the food. No wonder Xue Ai has always been so thin.

"I've seen it. The doctor said it was a congenital deficiency. In fact, it's good that I survived. My brother who was with me died young." Being able to survive until now has surprised many people.

Feng Jingsu really wanted to take Xue Ai back to Feiyejin to show Xue Cang. Even the imperial physician in the palace didn't believe her.It's a pity that Blood Silkworm usually doesn't leave the academy, and she doesn't have any disciples in the room, so it's inconvenient for her to go back now, and she can't help it for a while.It seems that Guan Xuejing can only bring the news back.Blood Silkworm goes down the mountain every year to buy some precious medicinal materials by himself, hoping to come to Yunguo as soon as possible.

Seeing Feng Jingsu, Xue Ai originally ate less, but now he basically stopped eating.Meng An came in to clean up the dishes and served hot tea.

"Sister Su, why are you coming to see me now?" Don't you usually come at night?

"I just met the third miss of the Guan family, and I will come to see you before returning to the palace." Feng Jingsu said as she took out the bag of salt-baked peanuts, "it was recommended by the third miss Guan, she is a big expert in eating peanuts, she said You can’t go wrong with delicious peanuts.”

"Miss Guan San?" Xue Ai passed in her mind for a while, "Oh, that Miss Guan San who studied in Feiyejin like you!" She peeled a peanut and chewed it in her mouth, it was really good eat.

"Delicious is delicious, you are not in good health, don't be greedy." Feng Jingsu saw that she had eaten a few peanuts and did not intend to stop, so she reached out and swept the peanuts aside and refused to eat them.

"Oh." Xue Ai was obedient, but still stuffed the last peanut in his hand into his mouth.But before she could chew, Feng Jingsu's lips had already covered her. After some entanglement, Feng Jingsu rolled the last peanut out of her mouth in a daze.

How could Xue Ai care about peanuts at this moment?The mouth is full of the taste of Feng Jingsu.She blushed and frowned, "Sister Su knows to bully me!"

"If you don't bully, who are you bullying?" Feng Jingsu was actually confident.

Xue Ai grabbed her skirt, looking as if she wanted to question her, Feng Jingsu looked at her amusedly, "Then I will bully you back!" Xue Ai raised her head and kissed Feng Jingsu's lips.

What a bold little fox.

The two got bored for a while, Feng Jingsu had been out for a long time after all, and didn't stay very late, so she rushed back to the palace.

She came out of the palace today through the palace gate, and naturally she had to go in through the palace gate when she returned to the palace.Just after entering the palace gate, there was a maid waiting in front of her, saying that the queen invited her to come over.

Feng Jingsu followed the maids to Fengde Palace. The queen was embroidering with the maids. When she saw her coming, she asked people to remove all the embroidered things, "Yun Yi, you will leave the palace after lunch. If tonight's dinner is over, You just came back?"

When Feng Jingsu heard the words were about palace rules and regulations, she lowered her head and said, "Yun Yi came back late, please forgive me."

The queen waved her hand, "It's serious. I am in charge of the harem, and I always hope that everyone can abide by the rules so as not to do wrong things. You are the princess who is valued by His Majesty, and I have given you a royal badge, so this palace is also responsible for this kind of thing. I have never asked, but you are a princess after all, and you are already old enough to be married. If you go out all day, you will inevitably invite some gossip. When your Majesty asks, I will not be good. I will take care of you."

Feng Jingsu looked submissive, "Yes, Yun Yi understands that he will try his best to stay in the palace in the future, so as not to embarrass the empress."

"You are sensible. It's getting late, so hurry back to the palace." The queen seemed very satisfied with Feng Jingsu's attitude, and didn't make too much trouble. When she saw Feng Jingsu left, she shook her head, "Just pretend, she Knowing martial arts, if she really wants to go out, who can stop her?"

Cai He took the tonic that was just delivered, "Your Majesty, you've said everything you need to say. It's a good thing that Princess Yun Yi can listen. If you don't listen, you've already fulfilled your duty of persuasion, and that's enough."

The queen took a sip of the tonic, "There are so many children in the palace, and any mistakes are the responsibility of this palace. It's not easy to be the master of the harem!"

Feng Jingsu stopped by the Antai Hall on the way back to the palace.Concubine De was very happy to see her coming, seeing her wearing folk clothes, she smiled and said: "You ran out of the palace again?"

"Shuangniang, I'm going to see my junior sister, the third miss of the Guan family." Feng Jingsu never concealed anything from Concubine De.

Concubine De thought for a while, "Yes, the third miss of the Guan family is already a big girl. You are back, is she coming back soon?"

Feng Jingsu nodded, and picked up the charcoal in the brazier with the iron scissors beside her to make the fire burn more vigorously. "There's still half a year left."

"It's so big in a flash." Concubine De said with emotion, "She is the only daughter of the Duke of Anguo's mansion, I'm afraid that once she comes back, the person who proposes marriage will step on the threshold."

Feng Jingsu's heart shuddered, she hadn't noticed this layer yet.Indeed, the Guan family held the military power. Although An Guogong had three daughters, the first two were from the concubines, but Guan Xuejing was from the concubine, so he was absolutely hot.It seems that she wants to remind Guan Xuejing to prepare early, so that she doesn't get married off before she comes back and understands the situation.

Feng Jingsu said again that she was called by the empress to give a lecture, Concubine De smiled and said: "The empress has endured you for a long time, today's words are considered polite. Yun Yi, no matter what you think or do, at least On the surface, she is the empress, you have to give her face, otherwise even the emperor will find it hard to do so."

"I know." Feng Jingsu accompanied Concubine De to talk for a while, seeing that it was too late, she got up and said goodbye.

Just after she came out of Antai Hall, she vaguely saw a figure flashing past her eyes.She immediately chased the figure out, and lost her target after a short while.She stopped and looked around. This was near the imperial hospital. Except for the two imperial physicians and a few eunuchs on duty at night, there were usually no other people.Could it be that I am dazzled?You must know that there is probably no one in the entire palace who can escape from under her nose.

Feng Jingsu patted herself on the head, probably a little tired today, otherwise it would be impossible for anyone to escape her pursuit.

When she returned to Shenhe Palace, Cuidie waited anxiously. "Princess, this servant sent Xiao Fangzi to wait at the gate of the palace. He came back and said that you were called by the queen."

"The queen told me to talk, it's okay." Feng Jingsu comforted Cuidie, and asked for hot water to take a bath again.

"Princess, it's too late today, be careful of catching a cold." Cuidie warned worriedly.

"Cui Die, don't worry, I will never catch a cold in my life." She is someone who will freeze herself if she is not careful, how could she catch a cold?

Cuidie didn't understand either, presumably it had something to do with the martial arts practiced by the princess, she didn't understand and didn't struggle with it.

On the seventh day of the first lunar month, Xue Ai brought gifts and visited Princess Ming Qi.Princess Mingqi's daughter, Princess Lingxin, just came to Beijing with her husband to report on her duties, and she is accompanying her mother at this time.Hearing Princess Ming Qi talk about Xue Ai, Princess Lingxin held Xue Ai's hand and said, "Miss Xue San, I'm not in Beijing all year round, and my mother is always alone. You can visit her from time to time. It can be regarded as a filial piety for me, and I have to thank you very much."

"The princess is serious. The eldest princess has always taken care of me." Xue Ai is cute and well-behaved, and everyone behaves according to everyone's rules.

Princess Lingxin felt that it didn't match up with the rumors in the capital, but she was suspicious but didn't want to ask more questions.

Xue Ai brought a Buddhist scripture that she copied. Her handwriting is dignified and beautiful, even among men.Princess Ming Qi liked it so much after watching it, she went to the Buddhist hall to offer offerings in front of the Buddha, and began to chant scriptures again.

Princess Lingxin took the opportunity to pull Xue Ai out, "Miss Xue San, I will leave Beijing in a few days. My mother is getting old, so it is inevitable that I will have more sorrows. I invite you to come and sit more recently. My mother's I have a weird temper, but I like you very much, I know that my request is a bit difficult, but I still hope that you can agree to my unfeeling request."

Of course Xue Ai agreed. "Princess, don't say that. It's my good fortune to be liked by the eldest princess. The princess should also know that I am not favored at home. The eldest princess treats me so well, and I am too late to be grateful. "

The more they talked, the closer they got, and they soon became like sisters.Before Xue Ai left, Princess Lingxin gave a lot of things. Although they were not too precious, they were all Xue Ai's daily needs.

On the carriage back, Meng An said: "Miss, Princess Lingxin is really considerate, giving you food and clothing is much better than giving money." Many things are special offerings in the palace, and you can't buy them with money outside .

"That's right." Xue Ai looked at the pile of things that were half a carriage long, "The princess has a heart. Remember to be strict when you go back, and don't let the sisters think that we will be rampant if we get well."

"I know." Meng An hesitated for a moment, but couldn't help but said: "Miss, don't think I'm talkative. You have been wronged for so many years, and now you are feeling better. Don't be too low-key. Those people in the house We are used to stepping on it, and we should let them know that you are also a master."

Xue Ai held Mengan's hand, "You will suffer if you follow me."

Meng An's tears were about to come out, "Miss, what are you talking about? I have been with you since I was a child. What is the pain? I just feel sorry for you. You are obviously a decent daughter of the first wife, and your life in the mansion is worse than that of a concubine. .”

"Meng'an, everyone wants different things. Some people ask for rich clothes, fine food, and a good husband. I don't ask for those. I just ask that the person I like will never fail. I don't care about the rest." As long as I can be with Feng Jingsu Together, even if she has no status, even if she will never see the light, even if she has to experience danger, she is willing to bear it.

The news that the eldest princess gave Xue Ai a cart of things spread throughout the back house when the little maids in Pingle Pavilion moved things to the yard one after another.Xue Ying was furious when she heard that, "What does the eldest princess like about that girl? She is a person who can pretend to be stupid. She is like a piece of wood at home, but when she arrives at the eldest princess's mansion, she acts obediently. The eldest princess was actually deceived by that girl." Already!"

Ru Mei held the supplements she just brought back from the big kitchen, "Miss, it's the first lunar month, don't be angry with yourself, take some supplements to nourish your body."

Xue Ying was eating the tonic angrily, while thinking about how she could get the attention of nobles.In the mansion, Xue Ai is protected by Princess Yunyi and Princess Mingqi, and Xue Zhi and Xue Yi have Wang Zhaoyuan in the palace as their backer. Only he and Xue Ruo have no royal support, but can he compare with Xue Ruo?If things go on like this, won't he be compared?She doesn't compare herself with others, at least in Xue's residence, she will be the top one no matter what.It seems that I have to find a backer.

Opportunities were right in front of us, the eleventh day of the first lunar month was the Emperor's birthday and Longevity Day, the palace arranged a palace banquet as usual, Xue Ying took pains to dress up to make the nobles in the palace think of her.

When the time comes, everyone gathers at the door.Mrs. Pan was very satisfied with Xue Ying's attire. She looked delicate and lovely in her pink jacket and long scarlet skirt.Looking at Xue Ai again, she didn't even wear that set of snow satin clothes. Once again, Pan felt that Tongluo snow satin was a waste for Xue Ai, and she didn't wear it every time she went to banquets, so why bother to let it go?How nice to Xue Ying.

Before Pan could speak, Xue Zhi spoke first, "Sanmei, don't you have a set of clothes made of Tongluo snow satin, why don't you see you wearing them?"

Xue Ai pointed to the goose-yellow clothes on her body, "This set is from my father, I like it better." Her current things are sent to the front yard by Pan's people, and Xue Xiang finds someone to check before sending them Going to Pingle Pavilion, although they changed hands once, the things were still prepared by Mrs. Pan.Xue Ai only talked about his father, not Pan's.

Pan was too lazy to talk to her, and everyone was there, "Get in the car, don't miss the hour."

The mother and daughter got into the carriage, and the carriage stopped in front of the palace gate.At this time, several carriages had already parked in front of the palace gate, and some ladies and wives got off the carriages.

Everyone greeted each other when they met, because it was still the first month, so it was inevitable to pay New Year's greetings.Most of the young ladies wear red and pink clothes for the New Year, but Xue Ai's goose yellow clothes are very conspicuous.

"Xiao Ai!"

Xue Ai heard someone calling her, she turned her head and saw that it was Chen Xinxin, the eldest lady of Anminghou's mansion. "Sister Xin."

The two greeted each other and wished New Year.Chen Xinxin came with her mother and sister-in-law.Seeing Xue Ai, her sister-in-law Shen Zhichun couldn't help taking a few more glances, and Chen Xinxin hurriedly introduced them.

After seeing the ceremony, Xue Ai smiled and said: "Miss Shen Er did a great job at the banquet in Hou Fang Yihou's residence before. Many people praised the second miss for her ability, so the young lady must be able to do the same."

Shen Zhichun heard Xue Ai mention her younger sister, took her by the hand and said: "My second younger sister told me about Miss San, she said she was an unimaginable beauty, and I said she was exaggerating, now it seems that she is really like a fairy in the sky generally."

They are all ladies from the official family, and everyone knows this kind of polite words at their fingertips.Seeing Xue Ai's appearance of both sides, Pan asked, "Is this what she really looks like?" It turned out that she had never seen the true face of this daughter for more than ten years.

Xue Ying has been standing beside Pan, and snorted coldly, "Mother, do you know how scheming Sanmei is now? She knows that you don't like her, so she has been hiding, otherwise, how could you have put The prince's marriage to her? Now that her marriage is settled, there is no need to hide it anymore, isn't this showing the fox's tail?"

Pan's heart is angry, this girl actually hides from her own mother, it's really hateful!

After Xue Ai finished talking with the Chen family, he returned to his home.

"Let's go!" Pan ignored her and led Xue Ying forward.

Xue Zhi looked at Xue Ai, "Third Sister is so amazing, even the Anminghou Mansion knows her."

Xue Ai lowered his head and walked, "I only know these few girls, no more than Second Sister."

Xue Ruo interjected at the back: "Third sister doesn't know many people, but it's either the Hou's mansion or the eldest princess's mansion, and there is a young lady of the Feng family. These people are not easy to make friends with, and I don't know why they are willing to be with them The third sister makes friends?" Her words sounded like she was flattering Xue Ai, but it actually meant that Xue Ai used some means to win over these people.

Xue Ai chuckled, "This is probably the reason why Fourth Sister can't recognize such a family." Such a noble family, who is not a human being?Miss Xue's family background is not low, if she still doesn't want to be friends, it can only explain her own problem.

Xue Ruo didn't take advantage of his words, and was said something, Xue Zhi took the opportunity to withdraw his troops and looked at Xue Ruo with a sneer.

Xue Ruo didn't want to show Xue Zhi a joke, so she also shut up.

Xue Yi, who was walking at the end, listened to the exchange of words between a few people, and shook her head helplessly. Why do these sisters fight when they are in the same place? We are all sisters, can't we get along well?

When everyone arrived at Qinyue Pavilion where the banquet was held, the hall was full of people, but even though there were many people, everyone had good manners, even if they talked, they were whispering, so it was not noisy.

The Xue family found their seats and sat down. It was still early for the banquet, and the queen and concubines didn't come, but a few princesses had already arrived.Xue Ai stretched her neck to search for a long time, but did not see Feng Jingsu.

As she was looking for it, a maid came over, "Miss Xue San, my lady, please go over and talk." It was Feng Qianzi's maid Bai Fang who came.

Xue Ai talked to Pan Shi, and followed Bai Fang away.After a while, Xue Ying, Xue Zhi, and Xue Ruo all went to chat with their familiar girlfriends, and only Xue Yi'an sat quietly in his seat.

Pan asked: "Yi'er, don't you have any close friends?"

Xue Yi shook her head, "Yi'er doesn't go out often, and she doesn't have any friends." She looked at the group of people gathered in the arena, just watching, without envy or boredom in her eyes, just like a lake of calm water without waves No Lan.