concubines

Qi Yunruo received Rong Sanniang's reply, and opened it to read. She told Qi Yunruo to wait a few days, and in a few days she would be able to find out the property and silver and the farm shop under Shui Linglong's name. She didn't ask the reason, but received When Qi Yunruo believed it, she understood.

Qi Yunruo took up a pen and wrote a thank you letter and asked someone to send it back, and then went to the foreign study.

Qi Yunruo saw Li Xiuqi outside the study door, he stood and waited for Li Xiuqi to go in to show respect, Li Xiuqi said outside the door: "My lord, please first."

Qi Yunruo smiled and said: "Sir, you don't have to be polite. You are all my seniors. In the palace, you all help the prince together. Why care about these false names."

Li Xiuqi said solemnly: "Even if you are in the mansion, you must pay attention to etiquette."

Qi Yunruo had no choice but to say: "Then I'll go there first." Cao Manjin also came over, made a bow from afar, and said with a smile: "Master Qi came here so early."

Qi Yunruo nodded, opened the door and walked into the study.

It is not a trivial matter for Si De to kill himself in prison. He was silent for the past few days, did not utter a word, and did not show any intention of committing suicide, but suddenly broke the drinking bowl on this day, and the yamen guard had not had time to hear the sound In the past, Si De had cut the blood vessels in his neck with broken porcelain, and Si De bled to death. The cell was bloody, tragic and embarrassing. The suicide note was handed in together, and the next morning, the emperor asked the Ministry of Punishment and Dali Temple to investigate the matter together.

The deceased was the most important, and some people in the court criticized Chun Wang quite a bit. Although they didn't say it explicitly, you look at me and I look at you. The meaning is self-evident. Some people think that if it weren't for Si De Yufu, King Chun would not be so dangerous, and there would not be so many rewards now.

In order to avoid suspicion, Li Chen did not come forward to participate in the investigation of this matter. It has to be said that Cheng Sijie and Si De really have a heart-to-heart. With a special status and the mark of Prince Chun's Mansion on his body, it is useless for him to say that he heard those Si De's key points against King Chun.

Li Chen also didn't go to the household department to be on duty recently. He stayed in the palace to read books, play the piano and play chess, and occasionally sat by the lake to fish, so he didn't seem to be nervous.

"...Why did Si De commit suicide yesterday? He didn't have it on the way, and he didn't have it when he was put in the prison, but he died suddenly yesterday. Who did he meet?" Li Xiuqi frowned.

Cao Manjin had already gone out to inquire about clues, and said: "Si De has nothing abnormal in prison. No one visits him on weekdays. Only the jailer will come in when the time comes, either to deliver food or to hold a bucket. He has not been convicted. The official of the Ministry of Punishment Good for him, I heard that cell is considered the "upper room" of the Ministry of Criminal Justice, and the surrounding area is empty, and there are no other prisoners."

Qi Yunruo said: "Those jailers..."

"They are all under surveillance, and there is no news yet."

Old Ouyang said leisurely: "Si De has been in Beijing for so long, and he has never seen his family members move."

Li Chen said: "Si De never had a wife or a concubine. He was not from a family, and his population was simple. He was away all year round, and his wives and concubines ate fast and recited Buddhism. Get someone to intercede for Si De."

Qi Yunruo frowned and said, "Is there really no way to convict Si De..." Qi Yunruo remembered something, and said, "Since Si De can die for the person behind him, that person may be able to give him a life that is more important than his. something, or that person has a lot of bargaining chips in his hand enough to threaten him."

"Ke Side has been away for many years, and there is no business in Beijing. We are in the capital, so we really have no way to know his details clearly." Cao Manjin said.

Old Ouyang smiled, "Si De was originally a little-known young general in the Qi family army. Later, who he was loyal to is what we need to know. When did he vote for that person? That is to say, when did his style of behavior start?" changing?"

A flash of inspiration flashed in Qi Yunruo's mind, and he said: "Yes, he is one of the few old Qi family members who can stay in the northwest. He could only be loyal to the Qi family at first, but later changed his master, so there must be clues in his actions."

Old Ouyang stroked his beard and glanced at Qi Yunruo with a smile.

Li Chen said in a deep voice: "Find out this, and then we'll see who will make moves in Beijing at that time."

According to Qi Yunruo's thinking, after Si De changed his master, he did things differently from before, as if he knew who the spies of the Xinyuan Kingdom were, but let them confuse the customs more and more. Will it?Qi Yunruo had heard about it when he first arrived in the Northwest, that Si De was fearful many years ago, and rose step by step relying on his strength.

"Several of Si De's own soldiers were thrown into prison together with Si De this time, and we have no access to these," Li Chen said, "Si De also has tens of thousands of people under his command, and there are always people who disagree with him."

Li Chen found another person to investigate this matter, and he and Qi Yunruo went back hand in hand, Qi Yunruo sighed: "I see that Mr. Li's official career is not going well, it's a pity that he can act seriously."

"You don't like Cao Manjin?" Li Chen asked casually.

Qi Yunruo was a little embarrassed and said: "I always feel that this person has some gangster air, but it's not gangster air. The smoke is too strong? I can't tell."

Li Chen chuckled and asked, "Who do you think is more talented?"

Qi Yunruo said without hesitation: "Of course Mr. Li..." Qi Yunruo blinked, "Isn't it?"

"Cao Manjin used to be Jieyuan in Liaozhong, and later passed the examination in Beijing to be a member."

Qi Yunruo's eyes widened, filled with disbelief.

"His literary name is Dasheng, and everyone knows that he must be the champion of this year. The rich and powerful gentry are proud of asking him to write an inscription. Later, Cao Manjin made a rule not to write less than a thousand taels. As a result, he was criticized by the chief examiner during the palace examination. At the end of the name, it is said that this person is very utilitarian. If he is an official, he must be greedy. Coincidentally, after reading his palace examination article, I realized that this person is really talented, so I invited him to come to the mansion."

Qi Yunruo sighed after listening, "Although he is utilitarian, he may not be a corrupt official. In ancient times, there were many officials and writers who wrote inscriptions for others, and the fee for writing was several thousand taels. The examiner is too arbitrary."

Li Chen shook his head with a smile, without explaining, and continued: "It just so happens that Li Xiuqi was also in that class. He ranked low and had no chance of entering the Imperial Academy. He was dismissed for being humble."

Qi Yunruo asked, "Where is Mr. Ouyang?"

Li Chen said: "It's also fate. When I went to the south of the Yangtze River that year, I saw an old man fishing by the river with a bamboo house behind him. I went to ask for a glass of water. The old man said, not ordinary people can drink his water. Said that no matter what I want to do this time, it will not go well."

"Huh?" Qi Yunruo looked surprised.

Li Chen smiled, "That was my first year in the household department, and I wanted to thoroughly investigate some things. Ouyang saw my identity and reminded me. Later, when I returned to Beijing, I passed by his bamboo house and invited him back. .”

Qi Yunruo said with a smile: "It really is fate."

On the way back, Su Ge rushed over in a hurry, saluted and said: "My lord, Mr. Qi, something happened later."

Li Chen frowned and said, "What's wrong?"

Su Ge's eyebrows and eyes were full of bitterness, "My lord, the eldest young master accidentally threw the second young master to the ground, and the second young master is crying non-stop now."

Qi Yunruo was also taken aback, and hurriedly said: "It didn't break, did it?"

"Doctor Lu doesn't specialize in children. This servant has already sent for the imperial physician."

Li Chen turned around and walked towards Shuangqiu Courtyard, Qi Yunruo hurriedly followed.

Three-year-old Jing'er was lowering her head, holding a corner of her clothes with her small hands, biting her lip in aggrieved manner, seeing Li Chen coming, his eyes were a little nervous, Concubine Ji regained her composure, and said blessedly: "I have seen the prince."

Mu'er was still crying intermittently, Concubine Wei was sitting on the couch sobbing, Xiao Qiao hugged the baby and coaxed her back and forth, Li Chen asked, "What's going on?"

Concubine Ji said: "My lord, children are not sensible..."

Concubine Wei cried: "I just want to ask, how come there are so many servants around the young master, why did they come to Mu'er's room and want to hug Muer?"

Concubine Ji snapped: "What do you mean?"

Concubine Wei hugged Mu'er, tears kept streaming down, and little Mu'er's crying gradually subsided, her appearance was more touching than any accusation, Qi Yunruo frowned, not knowing how to deal with it.

Jing'er suddenly said in a childish voice, "I just want to hug my brother."

Concubine Ji seemed to gain confidence, and sneered, "My younger sister only asks the people around Jing Er, is there no nanny, nanny, or maidservant around the Second Young Master? Why does Jing Er pick her up when she says she wants to hug her?" Don't people here know that Jing'er is only three years old and has no strength at all?"

"Shut up!"

As soon as Li Chen's words were spoken, Concubine Ji's face turned pale, but Jing'er, who was still timid just now, mustered up the courage to walk up to Li Chen, and said, "Father, I didn't mean it, I want to play with my brother. He's there, I want to hug him, I didn't mean to throw my brother, I'm willing to give all my treasures to him, and make amends to him."

Qi Yunruo heaved a sigh of relief, knelt down and looked at Li Chen's eldest son, and smiled at him, but a sharp gaze appeared in his line of sight, he subconsciously raised his head, and saw Concubine Ji looking at him coldly, with Full of mistrust and scrutiny, and full of hostility.

Qi Yunruo stood up, but Jing'er followed him curiously.

Li Chen walked over and carried Mu'er over, and checked the back of his head. Mu'er's eyes were still teary, watery, and her little nose twitched. Concubine Wei looked at Li Chen and his son expectantly. Chen said, "Where are the people who serve Jing'er?"

A woman knelt on the ground and said in a trembling voice: "The slaves originally followed the young master every step of the way. The young master wanted to pick on his younger brother, but the slaves didn't dare to stop them. It's just that the slaves said that they should go back to the concubine first. The moment I turned around to call the little maid, the young master came running over."

Jing'er lowered her head, said nothing, shifted her little feet uneasily, a little afraid to look at people.

Li Chen scanned the entire room, no one dared to raise his head, Li Chen asked, "Where is the person who serves Mu'er?"

Xiao Qiao said: "Going back to the lord, the second young master has only a wet nurse and two little maids to serve him for the time being. The princess said that after the second young master can walk on the ground, she will arrange the servants and the first maid. Today, the second young master's wet nurse Huang Nai is on leave for something , the two little maids didn't dare to say anything to the young master, so they asked the young master to hug the second young master... Our side concubine has been a little upset since getting up yesterday, fearing that the second young master will get sick, so she hasn't come here. .”

Having said that, even Concubine Ji had nothing to say, she looked at Li Chen nervously, and then looked at her mother and maid fiercely, if it wasn't for these sluts who couldn't stand it, Jinger wouldn't I ran here, and when I got back, I had to make these sluts look good.

Jing'er repeated sadly: "I didn't intend to throw my brother to the ground." There was a strong nasal voice in his words, and his voice was a little choked, Qi Yunruo's heart was inexplicably sour, and he glanced at Li Chen.

Li Chen beckoned Jing'er to come over and rubbed his head.

After a long time, Li Chen said calmly: "Call the princess to come over."

In fact, Qi Niqun was already on the way. Not long after Li Chen finished speaking, Qi Niqun walked in. She saluted Li Chen first, and her eyes stopped on Qi Yunruo for a few moments. Li Chen asked, "What's the matter?" Did the princess know about it?"

Qi Niqun said: "I heard it a few times on the road."

Li Chen asked: "According to Wang Hao, how should we deal with this matter?"

Qi Niqun replied: "The servants who served Jing'er and Mu'er didn't take good care of them, so they should be dealt with. It's just that the nurses are no different than ordinary people, and they will be fined and continue to serve."

As soon as Qi Niqun's words came out, several little maidservants knelt down and begged for mercy, Mu'er started crying again, Qi Yunruo hurriedly said: "Tell everyone to go out, don't scare the second young master."

When he was talking, Jinger glanced at him again, Qi Yunruo smiled at him, this time he didn't care about Concubine Ji's eyes, and stretched out his hand to Jinger, Jinger put his little hand on Qi Yunruo's, was led out by him.

Li Chen finally acquiesced to Qi Niqun's meaning, and disposed of all the serving maids, only the nanny stayed, and the maid serving Jing'er looked at Jing'er beggingly, Jing'er said: "Father, this is my fault , not their fault."

Li Chen said: "As a servant, if you can't take good care of your master, what's the use of keeping them?"

Jing'er said sadly: "If I didn't insist on coming to see my brother, I've heard people say that children are cute and sensible, and they can still call me brother."

Qi Yunruo's heart skipped a beat.

Qi Niqun said again: "My lord, now that the two side concubines have given birth to children, the Shuangqiu Courtyard is not very big, so it is better to ask a side concubine to move out, it will be convenient for the side concubines to live in in the future."

Li Chen nodded and said, "Let the princess handle this matter."

After the imperial physician arrived, he showed Mu'er a careful look, and said, "Fortunately, the cushions are thick, and the little master is fine."

Concubine Wei breathed a sigh of relief as the maid sent the imperial physician away. Concubine Ji saw that her son was not punished and that the punishment of those servants had no effect on her. It would be nice if something came, it would be cheaper for the mother and child.

Unexpectedly, the next moment, Li Chen said: "Jing'er is getting old too, she has nothing to do all day long, she only knows to go crazy with the maid, why not go to the front yard and get enlightened as soon as possible."

"My lord!" Concubine Ji screamed, and then panicked, "My lord, Jing'er is only three years old... Didn't my lord say before that Jing'er should stay with my concubine until she is five years old?"

Li Chen said: "Since you don't have any useful servants here, there are enough people in my king's place to take good care of the child."

Concubine Ji's tears came down quickly, and she begged: "My lord, even if I ask Jing'er to stay here for another year, Jing'er is very troublesome, if I disturb the lord in the front yard..."

After listening to Li Chen's words, Qi Niqun immediately reacted in her heart: No way!Tell Jing'er to go to the front yard now, and face the prince every day, so the feelings will definitely be different. Two years later, Mu'er may also be sent to follow this rule, and I don't know when I will be able to give birth to a son. If the two sons get married early The prince likes it, so what should I do.So Qi Niqun persuaded with a smile: "My lord is really in a hurry, not to mention that Jing'er is still young, there is no benefit to being enlightened too early, it is also inappropriate to let Concubine Ji's mother and child be separated so hastily."

Concubine Wei also thought of something in Qi Niqun, and said: "My lord, if Mu'er told sister Ji to separate her mother and child, I would feel uneasy. Now that Mu'er has nothing to do, I will move out with the child in a few days. Nothing like today will ever happen again.”

Qi Yunruo looked at Li Chen, and had a guess about Li Chen's sudden plan. He agreed with his decision in his heart, but he couldn't speak up after all. He looked at Jing'er, afraid that Jing'er would not be willing.

But Jing'er's eyes lit up, and her tone was very excited, "Let me go to the front yard and live with my father?"

Qi Yunruo smiled and said, "Young Master, do you want to?"

Jing'er nodded vigorously, and Li Chen also had a smile in his eyes, but Concubine Ji rushed over and hugged Jing'er and cried, "I beg your lord to let Jing'er stay here, even if you stay for another month..."

"Even if it's another month, Jing'er still has to leave." Li Chen said.

Jing'er was in the middle, a little confused: "Concubine Mu, I will come back to see you."

Concubine Ji's crying stopped slowly, and her reason returned to her mind. She also remembered the benefits of Jing'er going to the front yard, and kowtowed to Li Chen with tears in her eyes, "I understand."

Qi Niqun and Concubine Wei were helpless, and felt a little depressed, especially Qi Niqun, who seemed to have seen the day when Jinger was the most favored, and would be on his own child's head in the future.

In this way, Jing'er moved to Molianyuan.

He looked at his new house very excitedly. Li Chen's main house faces south, and he asked Jing'er to live in the south wing opposite. There were five rooms there, and he ran from the first to the last. Chen made a temporary decision. He stood at the door and watched Jing'er keep jumping up and down.

Qi Yunruo said: "My lord, have you also thought of it? Why did the young master suddenly think of going to find and hug his younger brother?"

Li Chen looked at Jing'er silently——his face was filled with the most genuine joy. The big maids of Molian Courtyard, led by Lu Xuan, stood by and guarded him, fearing that he would bump into something.

Qi Yunruo continued: "The weather has warmed up, but the second young master's bed was still covered with thick cushions, and his nurse suddenly asked for leave..." Qi Yunruo did not continue, but he heard Li Chen's deep sigh.

Qi Yunruo seemed to understand something, and stretched out his hands to hold Li Chen's hand. He turned to look at Jing'er, and said with a smile, "Young Master is very similar to you."

Jing'er over there had already calmed down. She was hugged by Lu Xuan and sat on the stool, watching a few eunuchs tidy up the house and arrange the decorations. Looking over from Qi Yunruo, Jing'er kept looking at her new home curiously. When you go to the place you like, there will be a happy smile on your face—it belongs to children, and it can’t be concealed at all. It is joyful, happy, and unrestrained. He is very happy."

Li Chen said: "Children are always like this, happy about novel things."

Qi Yunruo thought of a question, frowned and said: "We need to choose a new maid for the young master before night, the young master loves to run and dance, so we need to find a few strong eunuchs to watch over."

"Feng Yuan." Li Chen shouted.

"The slave is here." Feng Yuan trotted over.

Li Chen said: "Four maids and four eunuchs, look for these first, be sure to take good care of them, and if they have any problems, don't take your head."

Feng Yuan hurriedly said: "The servant understands."

In the evening, Jing'er unexpectedly lost his appetite for a table of dishes. He is three years old now and has limited food. Qi Yunruo specially ordered the kitchen to cook some refreshing and easy-to-digest dishes that children like. Jing'er sat down Sitting on a high chair, the circles of his eyes were a little red.

Qi Yunruo quickly understood that the child was missing his mother or wet nurse. His wet nurse didn't take good care of him, and Jing'er didn't need a wet nurse to take care of him at this age, so he stayed in Shuangqiu Courtyard. A child suddenly arrived at a new Environment, after the excitement passed, he would start to feel uneasy, missing the people who were always with him before, Qi Yunruo looked at Jing'er a little absent-mindedly.

Li Chen pushed the custard to Jing'er and said, "Eat it quickly."

Jing'er's tears were about to fall, and she reached for the spoon tremblingly. Qi Yunruo came back to his senses, and smiled at him comfortingly, "What does the young master like to eat? I'll ask the kitchen to make it again."

Jing'er choked up and said, "I don't want to eat, I miss my concubine."

Li Chen's face turned cold, Qi Yunruo hurriedly said: "My lord, the young master is uneasy, why don't you sleep with the young master tonight."

Li Chen frowned, Qi Yunruo smiled and said, "Eldest Young Master, do you think this will work?"

Jing'er's expression changed for the better, but he secretly glanced at his father in disbelief. Li Chen originally wanted to say that there is no such rule, and boys should sleep by themselves, but when he saw Qi Yunruo and Jing'er, one big and one small, they were full of anticipation. eyes, nodded unconsciously, coughed lightly and said: "You have a good meal, and you will sleep at father's place tonight."

Jing'er nodded excitedly, picked up a spoon, scooped up a large spoonful of custard and stuffed it into her mouth.

Qi Yunruo put it on the chopsticks, propped his chin and looked at his childish face, with a strong smile on his face, round and bright eyes - Li Chen noticed his gaze from the side, and his heart was deeply touched After a while, Xiao Qi actually likes children...

When people lack something in one place, they often choose to make up for it in another place. Qi Yunruo only had his mother when he was young, and his father was like a guest, appearing from time to time, sometimes not coming for months and years. It was as if he had seen his own perfection.

Jing'er was carried down to wash, and Li Chen held Qi Yunruo's hand.

"My lord?"

Li Chen put his forehead on Qi Yunruo's forehead, and turned it slightly. Qi Yunruo understood what he meant, and said with a smile: "I don't feel dissatisfied now. God has already supplied me with what I lack. I think I am very lucky, if I hadn't come to Prince Chun's Mansion, I wouldn't have met you, I wouldn't have experienced so many things, I wouldn't have known so many people."

Li Chen looked into Qi Yunruo's eyes with a gentle expression. Qi Yunruo stood up with a blushing face and said, "I'm going to the west wing to sleep with the prince tonight. You can stay with the young master. I still have a few account books that I haven't finished reading."

"You don't need to call him Young Master or anything," Li Chen said, "We will get along here for a long time, just call him Jing'er."

"Well...I see."