I am imprisoned in Kaifeng Mansion

Cui Tao just picked up the wild jujube biscuits on the table and was about to stuff them into her mouth when she was stunned when she heard Han Qi's words.Hearing Han Qi recount the conversation between Zhao Zongqing and him, Cui Tao blinked, wondering if love really makes people fool?Han Qi was really afraid of being caught by Zhao Zongqing first, so he was in a hurry to get engaged?

"I can't, I have flaws on my body, and it's hard to get into the eyes of the royal family."

As the eldest son of the royal family, Zhao Zongqing must follow rules and regulations when choosing a wife.For example, hairpin tassels for many generations, observance of etiquette and law, orchid heart and tranquility, these are the most basic conditions.Even if it makes an exception, at least the external reputation must be good, and there must be no faults that can be easily picked out by others.But what does she have?I have been missing for three years, I have no memory of the past, I have been in prison, and I am still doing the most taboo post-mortem work... Just pick one at random with your eyes closed, it is a flaw that must be ironed, it is not even in line with ordinary people As for the criteria for judging a good wife, let alone the royal family.

Not only the elders in Zhao's royal family would not agree, but the censors would not just stare blankly.

Therefore, no matter how much Empress Dowager Liu likes her, there is no need to risk being spit on by Zhao's royal family and the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty, and cause trouble for herself.Even in the future, whenever something happened, people would bring it up again at this time as a subject to attack her.To make such a fuss about a marriage that would not benefit her at all?It's not the Queen Mother Liu's style of doing things.

"Indeed." Han Qi agreed.

Seeing that Han Qi really understood this, Cui Tao was even more puzzled, "Then what is he trying to point at you with this obviously flawed statement?"

"There should be no other purpose. I just want Cui and I to get engaged early." Han Qi replied.

"Why is that?" Cui Tao thought she was not stupid, but this time she really couldn't figure it out.Whether she is engaged to Han Qi or not has anything to do with Zhao Zongqing?Can it delay him from eating rice every day?

Taking advantage of the trend, Cui Tao thought about what would happen after she got engaged to Han Qi, maybe this was Zhao Zongqing's purpose?

"After the paperwork is made public, everyone will know about our relationship." Cui Tao suddenly thought of something, and immediately asked Han Qi, "Then I can't stay in Kaifeng Mansion?"

Han Qi laughed and asked Cui Tao if he wanted to stay.

Cui Tao nodded.

Han Qi laughed again, "Then we can stay."

Cui Tao naturally believed Han Qi's promise.

She still didn't understand what Zhao Zongqing was up to, and since Han Qi knew that what Zhao Zongqing said might not be true, why did he rush to get engaged?

"He reminded me that someone might be the one to get ahead of me." Han Qi stroked Cui Tao's cheek lightly, expressing his guess, "Of course people from the royal family cannot marry you, but there are still people who are not from the clan. I will ask the decree to marry you."

On the side of Cui Tao's parents, there is naturally Mrs. Cui in charge, and they will not marry her without telling Cui Tao.However, the marriage of children is not necessarily the order of the parents and the words of the matchmaker, but there is also the saying that the marriage is bestowed by the imperial decree.

Han Qi speculated that Zhao Zongqing's purpose of coming here was to remind him of this matter, but he didn't say who the person who went to ask for the marriage was, he thought it was himself because he didn't want to offend anyone.Zhao Zongqing must have expected that he would be able to realize this step.

Han Qi narrowed his eyes, "If that's the case, then he came here to report and sold us a favor."

He has no deep friendship, but takes the risk of offending others to meddle in other people's affairs. Either he is a really warm-hearted and good person, or he has other plans.

Cui Tao held her chin and speculated: "It seems that he wants to make friends with us?"

"That depends on the purpose of his friendship."

It seems that poverty is the way, chic and unrestrained.In fact, since he returned to Bianjing, he has been flexibly dealing with the emperor and the queen mother, and he is quite favored.How can a person who can be flexible and considerate within the palace walls be a true monk who does not care about the world.Since you are not a person who asks sincerely, becoming a monk is just an experience, so why bother to say that you have a Taoist heart?

Sincerity is the first priority in making friends, and those who lie are naturally problematic.

As for whether this problem is light or serious, we will have to check it later.However, Han Qi had a feeling that this problem was not trivial.

From the very beginning, Zhao Zongqing gave him an indescribable sense of disobedience. He always felt that something was wrong with him, but he couldn't tell what was wrong.For example, he often comes to Kaifeng Mansion in recent days, on the surface it seems that he is worried about the case of his best friend, Taoist Master Wuyou, but does such a trivial matter really require him to come forward so many times in person?

"Who is it?" Compared with Zhao Zongqing, who is still unclear for now, Cui Tao is more curious about who is secretly asking for a marriage.

Lu Gongbi or Han Zong?

Logically speaking, Lu Gongbi has frankly stated that he has let go, and he should not do this kind of thing in secret again.Han Zong has recently taken office as a new official, and he is studying and solving crimes very seriously. He seems to be quite honest.Of course, it just seems that there are contradictions in him. For example, he has concealed something about the Dizang Pavilion and Dengzhou, but he has not fully explained it.

Cui Tao wanted to check on Han Zong, wondering if it might be him, but was stopped by Han Qi.

"It's not that there's no need to ask, but it's even more important not to startle the snake." Han Qi took Cui Tao's hand, "It's better to make an appointment first, and then ask after you don't have any worries."

"But I haven't thought it through yet." Cui Tao pretended to hesitate, avoiding Han Qi's staring eyes at her.

"Then think about it again, after all, it is a major event in a lifetime." Han Qi was not annoyed, and lightly stroked Cui Tao's face twice.

"Why do you keep touching my face today?" Cui Tao felt that Han Qi was touching my face a bit frequently.

"I'm afraid you won't be able to touch it after you change your mind, so take advantage of this opportunity." Such rascally words, uttered from Han Qi's gentle mouth, seemed somewhat serious and reasonable.

"Look at you, it seems that you are not afraid that I will be given a marriage and marry someone else?" Cui Tao said before that she was thinking about it. She originally wanted to tease Han Qi, but seeing how anxious he was, he still had time to say " Hooligan talk', it seems that it doesn't matter.

"Scared." Han Qi touched Cui Tao's cheek again, "But since he is the one who can ask for a marriage order, his family background must be good, and his family members should be more afraid than me."

"What are you more afraid of?"

"I'm even more afraid that her future daughter-in-law will raise rotting corpse maggots." Han Qi told Cui Tao that the three jars of maggots she raised in the ghost house had already begun to turn into pupae, which was just right for gifting.

Cui Tao couldn't help bowing her hands to Han Qi in admiration.Great, great!If anyone proposes to her, he will send maggots to the elders to scare them. What family can stand this kind of stimulation?

"Officer Han has blocked the little girl's escape route."

Han Qi pinched Cui Tao's cheek lightly, "If you really want to marry, then you won't give it away." The premise of his 'shameful' is that her heart is with him.

"You just don't understand a girl's mind. With such a good Mr. Pian Pian in front of you, wouldn't you want to marry?" Cui Tao tiptoed mischievously, leaning into Han Qi's ear and whispered, "I want you to beg, Ask to marry, ask to marry, how can you marry if you don’t ask?”

"Mm." Han Qi agreed in a low voice, the eyelashes drooping because of her narrowed eyes were thick and slender, reflecting a light shadow under her eyes.

Cui Tao waited for a while, then put her ear close to Han Qi's mouth, "Why didn't you hear it?"

Han Qi was stunned for a moment, then laughed: "You just ask verbally?"

"That's right." Cui Tao understood why Han Qi looked preoccupied when he just agreed. He was thinking of a grand way to ask, "Don't bother, just listen to Liu Lang. Just say a word."

For Cui Tao, it is very satisfying to hear Han Qi, who is gentle on the outside but lonely on the inside, begging her verbally.Because this is a difficult thing for a person like Han Qi to do.He is willing to make an exception for you, which is enough to show that he cares, and there is no need for any big scenes, such little things are the most memorable.

Han Qi hugged Cui Tao, leaned into her ear gently, and said the two words Cui Tao wanted to hear the most.

"Please."

The voice was light and soft, like a whisper, but the words were clearly pronounced.When Ruo Ruo's breath brushed against Cui Tao's earlobe, her ears turned red, her face also turned red, and her heart seemed to be a little brittle.

She didn't expect Han Qi to be so provocative just by saying two words.

Cui Tao was about to break free from Han Qi's arms, but Han Qi held her in his arms and asked her where she was going.

"too hot."

"You haven't answered me yet."

When Han Qi caressed Cui Tao's cheek again, he really felt the heat, and the corners of his mouth curled up.The long and hard work had finally paid off, she was finally starting to feel and react the same way he did.

"I have already stated my position before, such a good Mr. Pianpian——"

"Answer directly." Han Qi interrupted Cui Tao's words.

"I'm very willing." Cui Tao looked away, but couldn't restrain her cheeks from becoming redder and hotter.

After a while of silence, Cui Tao didn't hear Han Qi's voice, so she slowly turned her eyes to glance at him, but saw Han Qi staring at her.

After feeling Cui Tao's gaze, Han Qi blinked his eyes.

"It's a mandarin duck, the two are irreconcilable."

Cui Tao buried her head in agreement, her nose suddenly felt a little sore.Thinking back to the time when I survived under the guillotine, I have gone through all kinds of hardships until now. It is quite rough, but I am also lucky.

She knew that Han Qi had sensed her defensive state and hadn't fully opened up.Every step he seems to take in a calm manner is likely to be an adjustment he made on his own initiative after careful consideration.Otherwise, how could it be possible for the two of them, who have completely different growth experiences, to be compatible with each other when they get along?

I don't know what others are like, but for Cui Tao, the best love is probably: before she has time to make a move, the other party has already made a good use of herself.

Han Qi smiled, "Why are you always in a daze today?"

"Love makes people wise, love makes people stupid." Cui Tao sighed helplessly, she couldn't avoid vulgarity either.

Han Qi nodded in agreement.

Seeing this, Cui Tao couldn't help asking Han Qi curiously: "But I haven't seen Liu Lang do anything stupid, and he has always looked very smart and rational."

"Because no matter how stupid you are, I don't want you to find out."

Han Qi felt that all the stupid things he did in his life came after he got to know Cui Tao, and the reason why he was able to maintain a smart and rational appearance in front of Cui Tao was the result of warning himself repeatedly after a lot of thinking.Of course, there is also the reason that he is worried that he is not good enough to get into Cui Tao's eyes.

"My Liulang is so attractive." Cui Tao smiled and pinched Han Qi's face with both hands, and went back to 'revenge'.

Han Qi told Cui Tao that he had already sent a letter to his eldest brother's family, expressing his thoughts to his biological mother Hu Shi who lived in his eldest brother's house, and now as long as Cui Tao told the Cui family, he would be allowed to bring wild geese to the house this time. Can.

Cui Tao agreed to reassure Han Qi, and she wrote a letter to Cui's family.Because Anping is relatively close to Bianjing, the news is delivered in one day, and can be returned the next day, and the matter is settled quickly.

"When did Liu Lang write to the family?" Cui Tao asked curiously.

Han Qi: "A long time ago."

Cui Tao couldn't help laughing again.

"It seems that Liu Lang is still very confident in himself, and he expected that I would be willing to marry you." Cui Tao couldn't help but patted Han Qi's shoulder, admiring.

"I've spent all my life thinking on you, if it doesn't work—"

"How?" Cui Tao couldn't help urging Han Qi when he saw Han Qi half-spoken.

"It can't be done." Han Qi laughed, and suddenly hugged Cui Tao tightly.

Cui Tao was stunned for a moment. Although her head was hanging on Han Qi's shoulder and she couldn't see his current expression, she heard Han Qi's throat making a slight swallowing sound more than once.People only react like this when they are nervous.

Cui Tao put her arms around Han Qi's waist, and hugged him tightly. With her eyes closed, she inhaled the cold sandalwood fragrance from his body, which made it even better.

……

That night, Cui Tao called Wang Siniang and Ping'er, and formally informed them of her being with Han Qi.After all, they were going to be engaged, so it was time to tell them, and it would be impossible to keep it a secret.

Wang Siniang and Ping'er were sitting around the table, one was eating melon seeds and the other was peeling melon seeds, I thought Cui Tao asked them to come to talk about the investigation process of the ghost house gouging case.

After suddenly hearing Cui Tao's announcement...

Wang Siniang had just licked a melon seed in her mouth, but she was surprised that she hadn't had time to take away the melon seed kernel with the tip of her tongue, so the melon seed kernel fell from her mouth on the table.

Ping'er directly picked up the melon seeds in her hand with shaking hands.

The two looked at Cui Tao at the same time, but did not speak immediately.

To be precise, there was no sound for a long time.

Cui Tao poured herself a cup of tea first, when she put down the teapot, she suddenly heard a scream, and almost instinctively turned the teapot in her hand to the source of the sound.

"My mother, did I hear hallucinations just now?" After Wang Siniang finished calling, she pulled Ping'er beside her with her hands and asked with a puzzled face, "I seem to have heard Mrs. Cui say that she had an affair with Han Tuiguan. gone?"

Cui Tao cast a helpless glance at Wang Siniang, naturally she doesn't like her words, but she knows that she has such virtues, so she doesn't care about her for the time being.

Ping'er nodded like a pest, and said to Wang Siniang: "I seem to be hallucinating too, I hear the same thing as you!"

Cui Tao grabbed a handful of melon seeds and started nibbling by herself, to see when the two of them could react.

Wang Siniang and Ping'er exchanged glances and looked for mutual approval. After eating eight melon seeds for a long time, the two finally came to their senses and turned their heads to look at Cui Tao in unison.

"Did we hear correctly? Didn't we just think about it this time?"

"Ms. Cui is really with Han Tuiguan?"

The two asked in turn.

Cui Tao took out the peach character folding fan, unfolded it in front of them with a smile, and fanned it.

Wang Siniang took a deep breath, pinched her waist and said, "Boss, that's why you've been unkind, and you've lied to us for so long."

"That's right." Ping'er agreed.

"I'm telling you about things you're not sure about, so you can just worry about it." Cui Tao explained.

Wang Siniang and Ping'er naturally understand this truth. In short, now that they know the happy event, they don't bother to care about the past. Now they are full of doubts and eager to know the answer.

Cui Tao raised three fingers, so that each of them could only ask three questions, otherwise she would not be able to sleep tonight.

The two immediately began to cherish the opportunity to ask questions, carefully choosing the questions they wanted to ask.

"Does the boss have that with Han Tuiguan?" Wang Siniang's eyes lit up, just like before, she was always curious about this aspect.

Cui Tao gave Wang Siniang another blank look, thanks to her good mood today, she can bear her.

Wang Siniang lost her mind due to excessive excitement, and excitedly urged Cui Tao, "Tell me, is there any? Is there any?"

"No."

"Is there any kiss?" Wang Siniang added a second question.

"The number of your questions has reached." Cui Tao said.

Wang Siniang was stunned, "No, I just asked one."

Cui Tao held up her fingers and counted to Wang Siniang: "If you have that, ask first; if there is, ask second; if there is any, ask third."

"Huh? Does the latter count?" Shocked, Wang Siniang scratched her head angrily, lamenting how stupid she was.Immediately, she quickly pinned her hopes on Pinger, and asked Pinger to help her ask if there was a kiss.

Ping'er also gave Wang Siniang a blank look: "I don't want to ask such a question, it's so embarrassing, and you are the only one who can ask it."

Pinger's three questions are very normal. The first question is when the two have been together, and the second question is how the two get along.

Wang Siniang listened with interest and curiosity, but she still complained that Pinger's questions were too plain and not strong enough.

"If I get engaged to Tuiguan Han, may I pass the test of the Han family? I am worried that my wife's past experiences and the work she is doing now will be difficult for Han Tuiguan's family to accept." Pinger's third question expressed her worries .

Wang Siniang, who had been making a lot of noise and always teasing Pinger, was also silent now.After all, secular vision is unavoidable, and it is even more difficult to resist.

"He said that his mother had notified it." Cui Tao also felt that the Han family might not all agree, but Han Qi didn't specifically mention it, so it shouldn't be too important.

"No matter who it is, if you dare to bully your wife, our sisters will beat you!" Ping'er's voice still sounded gentle, but she raised her arms and showed her fists, firmly expressing her position.

Wang Siniang agreed and slapped the table to show that no one could do it.

"However, Han Tui's appearance is good. Even if this matter fails in the end, I'm not afraid, and the boss will be sad. At worst, we will take advantage of it and go whoring for nothing!" Wang Siniang comforted Cui Tao.

Cui Tao slowly took a breath, drank a sip of tea to try to calm herself down.

"Even if you have a baby, don't be afraid. He will definitely look the same, and he will definitely not be stupid. Let us three sisters raise him well together!" Wang Siniang then shouted unabated.

Cui Tao immediately dropped the teacup, grabbed the melon seeds on the table and hit Wang Siniang.People who can fly even silver needles on weekdays can fly melon seeds. Naturally, Wang Siniang was beaten so hard that she hid while covering her head, begging for mercy repeatedly.

Cui Tao has endured so much, how can she let her go.

"I'll tell you that you will regret your swearing today for the rest of your life!"

Wang Siniang ran out screaming, and Cui Tao grabbed a handful of melon seeds and chased him out.

Ping'er also grabbed a handful of melon seeds, leaned against the door with a smile, and watched them chasing after a dozen while eating melon seeds.

For a while, there was constant noise in the deserted courtyard of Kaifeng Mansion.

……

After Zhang Chang drove Han Qi home, he was about to tell the kitchen to prepare water, but he saw Cook Fang rushing over, followed by another person.As soon as the man saw them, he immediately turned around and ran into the courtyard, shouting 'Liulang is back'.

Chef Fang said with a bad complexion, "Ma'am is here."

From the moment Zhang Chang saw the person running away, he probably guessed that the guy was running errands for the eldest lady of the Han family.

"This person came so suddenly." Zhang Chang immediately expressed emotion to Han Qi who had just got off the carriage.

Han Qi lowered his eyes and tugged at the skirt of his shirt lightly, without saying anything, he went straight to the main hall.

On the other hand, Cook Fang had a sad expression on her face, and she was anxious for a moment before following in a panic.

Han Shanyan was waiting in the hall with his mother, Mrs. Song. As soon as he heard that Han Qi was back, he hurried to the main hall door to meet him, and told Han Qi in a low voice that his mother was here.

Han Qi agreed and entered the main hall.

A middle-aged woman in brocade and satin was sitting on the first seat, her whole body was meticulous and her face was serious.At this time, she was lowering her eyes and putting down the teacup, then raised her eyebrows and looked at Han Qi.

"Sister-in-law." Han Qi made a shallow salute, seeing Mrs. Song.

"We haven't seen each other for three years." Song's voice was clear and majestic, adding a sense of constriction to the already solemn atmosphere.

Han Qi agreed.

Song looked at Han Qi again, his face relaxed a little, and he showed a smile, "He is even more handsome than before."

"That's right, Sixth Uncle has always been different from ordinary people." Han Shanyan couldn't help but sigh with admiration, and then he received a warning glance from Mrs. Song, immediately shut up and bowed his head, obediently stood aside and didn't say anything.

More than half a month ago, Mrs. Song heard from Han Qi's biological mother that Han Qi intended to marry a daughter of the Cui family of Boling, she was quite happy.But after sending someone to inquire about Cui Qiniang's situation, the Song family was left furious.How can a woman who has experienced like that be worthy of their Han family Liulang?Even though Han Qi is a concubine, but now he is Ding Maoke's second place in the list, and he is the fifth-rank promotion official of Kaifeng Mansion. Everyone knows that he will have a bright future in the future.Nowadays, Jinshi from a poor family can be worthy of the prostitute daughter of the Sheng clan, not to mention that Han Qi is the son of an official family, and coupled with his unparalleled talent and appearance, naturally there should be a better choice.

Song Shi also heard that Cui Qiniang is currently on duty in the Kaifeng Mansion, which made Song Shi have to think more, the two may have had a mutual affection in private, and even had an affair.Han Qi is new to the world and doesn't know much about the relationship between men and women.Song felt that he was probably blinded by the things in front of him.So this time she came to Bianjing urgently to find Han Qi, and she wanted to turn the tide and quickly bring Han Qi who had gone astray back to the right path.

The Song family ordered Han Qi to sit down and talk to him. After explaining that Han Qi's mother was in good health, he turned to the main topic, "I just came to Bianjing, and I heard that the Minister of Rites intends to choose you as my son-in-law. What do you think?" Didn’t you tell the family earlier? As soon as it’s done, Shanyan will have an extra cousin now, right?”

"It's nothing to do with him. What matters to him now is to read good books." Han Qi said calmly.

These words were obviously an opportunity to show Han Shanyan his attitude by preaching to her.

Song wanted to be more tactful with Han Qi, but when he heard his words, his expression turned cold, and he said to Han Qi: "What do you mean? Could it be that at this age, you still don't want to get married? Live up to your father's expectations for you ?”

"Sister-in-law will understand father's expectation?" Han Qi asked back.

Song was taken aback and became even angrier.Her father-in-law was already underground, how could she know the thoughts of the dead, Han Qi was mocking her again.

"Sure enough, it's because you read too much, your wings are stiff, you haven't seen me for three years, and you just wanted to piss me off when you first saw me, right? Don't forget who raised you up!"

In terms of age, Mrs. Song is several years older than Han Qi's biological mother. She has watched Han Qi grow up seriously, so she is naturally kind to Han Qi in nurturing him.

"Zhigui will never forget the kindness of sister-in-law's upbringing, but the purpose of sister-in-law's visit this time is clear to both of us. No matter what sister-in-law says today, Zhigui only has one sentence here." Han Qi's words were gentle, his expression Insipid and alienated, biased without losing etiquette.

Seeing him like this, Mrs. Song became more and more suffocated and angry.

"What?" Song asked angrily.

Han Qi: "A sister-in-law is like a mother,"

Song was startled for a moment, her expression relaxed, and a very satisfied smile appeared on her face immediately.She was about to say to Han Qi, 'It's good that you understand', when Han Qi said again.

"But it's not the mother after all."