The Empire and the Kingdom

Hearing Xue Ai's words, Meng'an's legs went limp just now, and she almost fell down.sue?Did she hear correctly?Miss has not filed a lawsuit for many years, because she has never won a lawsuit.

Meng An and Yu Yan followed Xue Ai to Wanning Garden to greet Pan.Looking at Xue Ai who had lost a lot of weight, Pan frowned and said, "I know it's not easy for you to clean up in the nunnery, but you have to pay attention to your body, why have you lost so much weight?"

Xue Ai lowered her head and focused her eyes, "My daughter misses her parents and sisters, and hopes to return home soon, so she is haggard. Mother doesn't have to worry, her daughter will recover after returning home."

Pan waved her hand, "That's good, so your father and I won't worry. It's okay, you just came back, you must be tired, go back and rest." She still didn't care about her daughter who hadn't seen her for more than a month.

Xue Ai didn't leave, and continued: "I have something to report to my mother. My daughter just returned to Pingle Pavilion and found that there are a lot less jewelry in the dowry. I think the family has been burglarized. We are from the Xiangfu family. This is a big deal. It's okay to steal the daughter's jewelry, but what if the thief stole the father's official documents? Mother, the daughter thinks we should report to the police." Xue Ai said with big innocent eyes.

Pan's brows frowned even tighter. She knew that Xue Ying took the jewelry. She thought that Xue Ying just wanted to wear it fresh for a few days. She had already sent back all Xue Ai's jewelry when she returned the dowry. Ying actually stayed behind privately, how could such a thing be reported to the officials?

"Ai'er, what kind of thief is there? Your eldest sister took those jewelry and wore them to play with. I'll ask her to return them to you right away."

"Eldest sister?" Xue Ai's face was full of surprise, "How can eldest sister take my things? Don't you even ask me?"

This has happened many times over the years.However, this is the first time for Xue Ying to directly take the things in Xue Ai's room. The main reason is that Xue Ai's things were given by Pan's for many years. Whatever Xue Ying liked, she was detained by Pan's, and she couldn't reach Xue Ai at all. Ai here.

Pan thinks it's not a big deal, it's quite common for sisters to exchange jewelry and clothes with each other.Xue Ai has such a reputation now, why is he more and more fussy.

"What are you talking about? That's your eldest sister, and she's not an outsider. What happened to taking some of your jewelry? And she didn't say that she wouldn't return it." The more Pan looked at Xue Ai, the more she disliked her, because this daughter became a widow. How much ridicule I suffered. "Besides, you are like this now, can you still go out with those jewelry? It's better to give it to your eldest sister than to eat ashes with you."

Xue Ai raised her eyes, there was no grievance, no disappointment, and no anger in her bright eyes.She had known for a long time that Mrs. Pan would have such an attitude.The marriage with the crown prince was arranged by Pan for himself, and now that something happened, it was because of himself that he ruined the whole family's reputation.Well, with such a mother-in-law, she can do what she wants without any scruples.Without the burden of her family, she can do whatever she wants without hesitation.

Xue Ai's eyes made Pan feel a little uncomfortable, "What kind of eyes are you? Could it be that I'm wrong? Are you upset?"

Xue Ai lowered her eyes, "Daughter dare not."

Pan waved his hands irritably, "Go back and rest."

After Xue Ai left, Pan hurriedly sent someone to find Xue Ying, only then did she know that Xue Ying had gone to Princess Qingrong's banquet.She frowned, "Is Ying'er going out every day recently?"

Mother Xie replied: "Miss does go out every day."

Pan shook her head helplessly, "She got Ai'er's jewelry and went out to show off. Ying'er is good everywhere, but she just loves to show off. She doesn't listen to anything. There is really nothing I can do about her."

Mother Xie hesitated for a moment, but said: "Ma'am, Miss San's jewelry is all from the palace, and every piece of this kind of thing is recorded. Is it okay for the eldest lady to wear it like this?"

This Mrs. Pan is not worried at all, "What does it matter? If someone asks, just say that Ai'er gave it to you?"

Coming out of Wanning Court, Meng An worriedly asked: "Miss, Madam has such an attitude, what should we do?"

Xue Ai smiled wryly, "What else can I do? Mother doesn't care, so I have to tell my father."

Back at Pingle Pavilion, Xue Ai took a pen to write and draw on paper, made a lot of ghost symbols, dried them and handed them to Yuyan, "Go to Huzi Lane in Nancheng, there is a pastry seller there, go there and find one Someone named Cai Bing, give this to him, he knows what to do."

Yuyan was a little dumbfounded. She has been with Xue Ai for so long, and she thinks that Xue Ai is a smart official lady. Apart from focusing on the political affairs of the previous dynasty, she can't see any difference from other ladies.Feelings still have cards in their hands!

After Yuyan left, Xue Ai rested in the room, her body was still not recovering, and now it was cold winter, she just got into bed and slept.In the afternoon, Yuyan came back and said that Cai Bing had understood what she meant and reassured her.

Meng An said: "Miss, Master Xiang has returned."

Xue Ai shook her head, "No rush. Didn't mother say that the eldest sister would send the jewelry back? Let's wait a day and go to find father tomorrow." She was sure that Xue Ying would not return the jewelry, otherwise she would not need to go to her The beggar friend helped.

Xue Ying took Xue Ai's jewelry out these days, and won a lot of praise and envy.Xue Ying has always been the best at home since she was a child, she wants to be the best no matter what, the younger sisters have to look up to her.She has to do the same on the outside, and her background as the eldest lady of the Xiangfu is indeed impressive.

In the past year or so, Xue Ai has been in the limelight, and people have gradually realized that there is not only a prostitute in the prime minister's mansion, which makes Xue Ai rob her of a lot of fame.Now that Xue Ai's fame is gone, she is very likely to become the future queen, so many young ladies are flattering her, saying good things to her as if they don't want money.

Princess Qingrong is hosting a banquet today. She has such a good relationship with Princess Qingrong, so of course she has to dress up to attend.All the jewelry she wore belonged to Xue Ai. Xue Ai didn't like complicated hairpins very much and rarely wore them, so no one raised any objections when Xue Ying wore them.

"Sister Ying, your pair of treasure-embedded butterfly hairpins are so beautiful!" Sun Yihan wore the pearl walker that Xue Ying gave her before on her hair, which also won the envious eyes of many ladies.

What do the ladies of the back house get together to compare?It's nothing more than comparing family background, family status, clothes, jewelry, talent and learning, and all things that can be compared. This is the whole of their life.

"I also think this pair of hairpins is small and cute. The key is that the jadeite on them is the best kind." Xue Ying said proudly.This pair of hairpins, Xue Ai, was only worn once, and then they were kept on the lower layer of the dowry for unknown reasons, and it seemed that they did not plan to wear them again for a while.

The two were talking when a person came up in front of them.The two turned their heads and found that it was Feng Qianzi. "Miss Feng." The two greeted each other.Only then did the two see that there was another person behind Feng Qianzi, Guan Xuejing. "Miss Guan San."

Feng Qianzi and Guan Xuejing hurriedly returned the gift. "Miss Xue, the jewelry you are wearing today is so beautiful!"

Feng Qianzi's voice was slightly higher, which attracted many people's attention.You must know that this fairy rarely takes the initiative to talk to people on weekdays, but now that she is willing to make friends with people, everyone can't help but look at it a few more times, wondering what is so magical about Xue Ying and Sun Yihan.

To be praised by Feng Qianzi, Xue Ying's joy came from her heart. "Thank you, Miss Feng, for your compliment."

Guan Xuejing's eyes were also on the pair of treasure-embedded butterfly hairpins on Xue Ying's head, and she frowned, "Cousin, these pair of treasure-embedded butterfly hairpins... seem to be a birthday present from your uncle on your birthday last year." She spoke and walked closer to take a closer look, "That's right! I remember it was this pair. The emerald is the best in Shuitou. My uncle said it was made by an old craftsman. There is no second pair. .”

Guan Xuejing's voice was much louder than Feng Qianzi's. She came from a family of generals, so she was not afraid of being rude when she spoke loudly.These words attracted all the ladies present.

Xue Ying's expression had changed. Sun Yihan had silently let go of her hand, which he had originally held.

After hearing Guan Xuejing's words, everyone present only stared at two people, Feng Qianzi and Xue Ying.

Seeing Feng Qianzi slowly said: "That's right, this pair of treasure-embedded butterfly hairpins was my birthday present from my father on my birthday last year. I thought it was too precious and I didn't want to wear it. I will give it to Miss Xue San on her birthday this year." I just don’t know how it ended up in Miss Xue’s hands?” Her voice was cold and clear, neither fast nor slow, and her tone was obviously not fluctuating, but the last sentence she asked was full of sarcasm.

Now everyone present was only looking at Xue Ying.Xue Ying's face has turned pale, and she also knows some ways. She dare not wear the jewelry that the queen rewarded on this occasion. Although this pair of butterfly hairpins are beautiful but small, the key is that they are not in the style of the palace at first glance. , she guessed that it should not be rewarded by the queen, Feng Jingsu or the eldest princess, so she would not be afraid.But I didn't expect it to be given by Feng Qianzi, and it was so precious.Why should such a precious thing be given to Xue Ai?

"Of course it was given to me by my third sister." Xue Ying tried to show a confident smile.

This is of course possible, as sisters do not distinguish between each other.Everyone felt that such a reason could be accepted, but Guan Xuejing did not accept it. "How is it possible?" Her voice was full of disbelief, "Ms. Xue San also said before that she was reluctant to wear this pair of butterfly hairpins after learning that they were precious, saying that they were a testimony of the friendship between her and her cousin, and they should be treasured carefully. She doesn't even want to wear it, how could she give it away?"

Xue Ying's face turned even paler, "It's not for me. The third sister just said that she doesn't wear it recently, so she just lent me to wear it for a few days." After saying these words, Xue Ying already felt that she had lost to Xue Ai. Dai's jewelry was lent to her for a few days, which meant that Xue Ai had a better life than her.

"Miss Xue, are you sure?" Feng Qianzi's voice was always quiet, but it was far more powerful than Guan Xuejing's. As soon as she spoke, Xue Ying's heart skipped a beat.

"Naturally." In fact, at this time, it doesn't matter whether Xue Yingcheng admits it or not. The ladies present have learned to read words and expressions from childhood, and the attitudes, expressions, and tone of both sides have already explained everything.People around have already begun to whisper, how much envy Xue Ying has won with her jewelry during this time, how much envy she will gain now.

Listening to the discussions around her, Feng Qianzi deliberately waited for a while before saying, "Even if that's the case, I didn't expect that Miss Xue would need to borrow jewelry from Miss San to support the scene." The most favored is the eldest lady, so I was wrong."

After saying this, some ladies are already laughing.Wherever Xue Ying went, she always regarded herself as the eldest lady of the Xiangfu, and she said that she was the most favored. Now that the cowhide has been blown, she is not as good as the unfavored third lady.

Xue Ying bit her lip, she couldn't refute this.Of course she is the most favored one in the family, so why use Xue Ai's jewelry to support the scene?Because Xue Ai's jewelry is all rewarded by nobles in the palace, isn't this still telling others that Xue Ai is more favored than himself?

"Why must Miss Feng be so aggressive?" She was silent for a long time, and she could only ask such a sentence.If Xue Ai was present, he would definitely feel that this person could not be his own sister, why is he so stupid?Didn't he send his face to Feng Qianzi to beat him by passing the words like this?

Feng Qianzi also had the same thoughts. She really wondered if Xue Ying and Xue Ai were sisters of the same father and mother. Why is there such a big gap in IQ between the two?

"Why is it aggressive?" Feng Qianzi asked slowly, "My most beloved thing was given to Ms. Xue San. It was because of the friendship between me and Ms. Xue San. She wore it once she knew it was precious. I don’t want to wear it again, but now it’s on Miss Xue’s head, as the original owner, it’s not an exaggeration for me to ask a question? But Miss Xue’s words are flickering, her expression is tense, no matter how you look at it, she looks like she’s lying.”

Xue Ying had already realized her slip of the tongue at this moment, she shouldn't have asked Feng Qianzi back, this Miss Feng doesn't talk much in front of everyone, but every word of her carries weight.

"I...I didn't lie!" Xue Ying can only make such a futile defense at present.

Everyone could see where the problem was, Feng Qianzi was upright and confident, Xue Ying felt guilty and nervous, and she knew who was real and who was fake without using her brain.

At this time Princess Qingrong came over, "Okay, okay, I'm hosting a banquet for you today, so just treat it as a way to save me, let's stop this matter for now, Miss Feng, if you have any questions, can you ask after the banquet is over?"

Feng Qianzi originally didn't want to ask for a result here.She had no plan to go out today, but Guan Xuejing dragged her here, and only said that there was a show to watch.After watching it for a while, she realized that she not only wanted to watch the scene, but also acted it.Forget it, it's not the first time to act with the annoying spirit. The tacit understanding between the two doesn't need to be set in advance, just a look is enough.

Everyone dispersed to sit at the table, Guan Xuejing gave Feng Qianzi a thumbs up privately.She was sent by Feng Jingsu. Feng Jingsu asked her to bring Feng Qianzi to act. It seems that Xiao Ai was bullied. Feng Jingsu is helping to vent her anger.But judging by the current situation, this matter is not over yet.

"Qianzi, do you think Miss Xue will make trouble for Xiaoai when she goes back?"

Feng Qianzi turned her head and glanced at her, "What did you call me?"

"Cough..." Guan Xuejing's heart skipped a beat when Feng Qianzi glanced at her, and her face turned red. "Cousin, cousin." She quickly changed her words.

"Princess Yunyi asked you to pull me to act, isn't it just to let this young lady go back to make trouble? Xiao Ai is going home today," she looked at Xue Ying's still very ugly face, and smiled extremely coldly, "Taizi Now that everything is set up, it depends on how Xiaoai performs this play."

"I'm curious." Guan Xuejing rubbed her hands like a fly.

Feng Qianzi rolled her eyes, "You know martial arts."

"What?" Guan Xuejing understood Feng Qianzi's meaning after asking. She knows martial arts, so who can stop her if she wants to eavesdrop?

"Cousin, do you want to go and see the excitement? I'll take you there. You will never be discovered." Guan Xuejing flattered her.

Feng Qianzi smiled at her, and gave her two words, "boring!"

Guan Xuejing stretched out her hand to rub her nose, did she slap the horse's ass on the horse's leg again?Having said that, Qian Zi's flattery is really hard to shoot!

Because of such an episode, Xue Ying went home early after dinner.Before leaving, she heard someone talking about herself behind her back.She went back to the Prime Minister's mansion holding back her anger, and as soon as she entered the door, she took off the pair of inlaid butterfly hairpins and threw them on the ground. Fortunately, she fell on the place covered with felt carpets and did not break the butterfly hairpins.

Ru Mei didn't dare to persuade her, she just quietly picked up the butterfly hairpin and put it away. She knew very well that after today's incident happened, these third lady's things would have to be returned sooner or later, if they were broken, it would be another trouble.

"Why put it away? It's all because of this thing that made me lose face today!" Xue Ying cried angrily, "What precious birthday gift? If it is so precious, can Feng Qianzi still give it to Third Sister? Hi sister, I just deliberately made me feel ashamed today." The more she thought about it, the more angry she came over to open her dowry, and there were sixteen pieces of jewelry from Xue Ai inside. She originally wanted to take out these jewelry and break them, but saw Each piece is a treasure, and she would be happy for a long time when she gets one, but she is reluctant to part with it.

"Miss, if you really like it, please ask Madam to keep these jewelry. It's a rare good thing." Ru Mei was afraid that Xue Ying would insist on going her own way. If such a good thing fell, she would feel distressed when she saw it.

"Go to Wanning Court."

Xue Ying started to cry when she arrived at Wanning Court, which made Pan's face utterly bewildered. "What's the matter? Didn't you go to Prince Xin's mansion for a banquet? What happened?"

Xue Ying didn't speak, just cried, out of breath.Pan's heart ached so much that she had to ask Rumei, but Rumei didn't dare to talk nonsense, but only said that Xue Ying was embarrassed by Feng Qianzi's questioning.