[Red Mansion] Ronghua Road of Mrs. Hou's Mansion

Gu Xingchi said indifferently: "Tell me first, who is that person?"

Prince Qing was a little embarrassed, coughed lightly, "It's the second girl of your mansion."

The corner of Gu Xingchi's mouth twitched, but he remained silent.

Somehow, under such gazes, King Qing felt that he lacked confidence, "I heard that the second girl is not only superb in painting, but also likes to play chess, but her chess skills are not very good, so she never showed it in front of outsiders."

Gu Xingchi smiled inexplicably, "Your Highness is really honest."

"At the plum appreciation banquet that day, I heard that the second girl gave away the long-preserved chessboard. Xiao Wang felt that it was a pity, so he found this pair of chess pieces and the chessboard, and wanted to ask Lord Hou to pass it on to the second girl."

When Gu Xingchi walked up to his entourage, he saw two chess baskets placed on the jade chessboard. When he opened it, the chess pieces inside were clearly black and white, crystal clear, round, even in color, and well-proportioned in size. They were indeed rare treasures.

Gu Xingchi said with a smile: "Your Highness has spent a lot of effort? The second sister has always been low-key and introverted, and doesn't like to make publicity. How do you know that she likes Danqing and is skilled in it?"

King Qing said without hesitation: "As long as you have the heart, you can find out."

Gu Xingchi scrutinized him, and the corner of his mouth twitched, "As far as I know, the old lady of the Lu family wants His Highness to marry the second girl of the Lu family. The palace banquet is just over, shouldn't it be time for His Highness to make a decision?"

King Qing smiled and said: "I have already told my concubine that I have no sexual affection for my cousin from the Lu family, and my concubine also puts my wishes first."

"His Royal Highness, if you don't want His Majesty to be wary of you, you can find other ladies. Looking at the entire capital, there are many daughters of ordinary officials and eunuchs. Why bother to deceive the daughter of the Gu family? You don't have to rely on her." ?”

King Qing understood Gu Xingchi's character, so he was not angry, and his tone became more sincere, "But I still like Lingmei."

Gu Xingchi took a deep look at him, "Even if you have a crush on the daughter of the Gu family, she should be a big girl, right?"

King Qing said with a smile: "Compared to the eldest girl, I still like the quiet, gentle, intelligent second girl."

Hearing this, Gu Xingchi chuckled lightly.

King Qing said, "Why is Hou Ye laughing?"

Gu Xingchi patted him on the shoulder, "I think His Highness has much better eyesight than other sons of noble families."

King Qing was taken aback, but then he understood, "Master Hou is absurd. Then..."

Gu Xingchi winked at Gu Jin, and Gu Jin took the chessboard over.

Gu Xingchi said: "I'll bring the things for you. As for whether the third uncle and the third aunt agree, that's your own business."

Back in Jing'an Hou Mansion, Gu Xingchi informed Sister Feng of the matter, and invited Liu Shi and Gu Qionghua over.

"What are you talking about, King Qing has taken a fancy to Qionghua?" Mrs. Liu said as she slapped the table.

Sister Feng hurriedly said, "Third Aunt, don't worry..."

Before she finished speaking, Mrs. Liu laughed, "Mrs. Lu doesn't like my daughter, but her grandson proposes to marry her. No matter what, my Qionghua is quite proud. Let me just say, My daughter is so good, the old lady of the Lu family can't see her because she has bad eyesight. As for whether she agrees or not, it depends on Qionghua's opinion."

The people in the room looked at each other in blank dismay, and Sister Feng never expected Third Aunt to have such a reaction.

"What does Second Sister think of this marriage?"

The Liu family also said: "Whether he is the prince or not, as long as you don't want to, I will let your father reject him. Although King Qing is good, but after all, he is a member of the royal family, and his mother does not want you to suffer. reason."

"I am willing." Gu Qionghua said softly, "I am willing, mother."

The room was quiet for a while, and Liu Shi said: "Qinghua, you don't have to..."

Gu Qionghua smiled lightly, "Mother, I did it voluntarily, not because I was afraid of offending King Qing."

Liu's face was confused.

"If you don't marry into the royal family, will there be less troubles? The disputes between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, sister-in-law, and various relatives are really annoying."

Rather than this, marrying King Qing is indeed a good marriage.The princes have long established mansions and government offices, and when they marry, they are the mistresses of the palace. They don't have to go to greet their mother-in-law every day and set rules, because of their status as princesses, they don't need to look at people's faces.

"His Royal Highness Qing does not fight or grab, gentle and humble. As far as this matter is concerned, he first asked our wishes before deciding whether to propose marriage in front of His Majesty. If he respects us so much, he will treat his wife very well. Such a good person is willing to choose me, what else can I find fault with?"

Liu Shi was dumbfounded for a moment, before saying after a long time: "You really think so?"

Gu Qionghua nodded, "This is a lifelong event, and I have naturally thought it through."

Mrs. Liu was still a little hesitant, and Sister Feng smiled and said, "Sister-in-law San, actually what Qionghua said makes sense, and it's not bad to be an idle princess with Prince Qing. Besides, with the Gu family as her backing, Qionghua won't be wronged." of."

Seeing Gu Qionghua caressing the jade chessboard, Sister Feng looked sideways, "Prince Qing really has a heart."

Gu Qionghua was silent for a while, then said to Gu Xingchi: "Please trouble third brother to give Prince Qing an answer."

Gu Xingchi smiled and said, "Okay. But, where is Uncle San..."

"I will let my father know when he comes back." Gu Qionghua's voice was soft but firm.

I don't know what Gu Qionghua told Gu Huai, but Sanfang was always quiet.On the second day, Gu Huai took Gu Qionghua to the old lady's place. The old lady didn't object, she just said that Gu Qionghua wanted to understand.

Two days later, a decree came from the palace, and the emperor summoned Gu Huai into the palace.

Mrs. Feng has been paying attention to Sanfang's movements, and she became more and more suspicious, "Why do I feel that Sanfang has been mysterious these past few days, and now His Majesty has been called into the palace again. A historian from the fifth rank, what is worthy of His Majesty's special attention?" summoned?"

But he maliciously speculated in his heart that maybe Gu Huai did something wrong and was punished by His Majesty.

Gu Chaoyu said indifferently: "Even if the third uncle's official position is not high, he still works in the palace. There are many opportunities to see His Majesty on weekdays. His Majesty summoned him, maybe there is something important."

Hearing this, Feng's heart felt congested again.Although Gu Huai's official position is low, he is in the palace and can get close to His Majesty.Now Gu Hong and Gu Huai have similar official positions, but they have no chance to meet the emperor on weekdays.

"Tell me, is it because His Majesty summoned Gu Huai to choose a concubine for Prince Qing?" Feng said.

Gu Zhaoyu paused the hand holding the needle, and sneered, "What is the identity of His Royal Highness Prince Qing, why did he choose Gu Qionghua as his concubine?"

Feng Shi said: "You're right. Why would you want Gu Qionghua if you don't want so many high-ranking officials' daughters? I think the possibility of choosing the Lu family's daughter is the greatest."

Gu Zhaoyu's mind flew to another place again, and her finger was accidentally pricked by a needle.She just frowned and didn't cry out.When she lowered her head, she found that the pattern she had embroidered with great difficulty was stained with a drop of blood.

There was a burst of anxiety in her heart for no reason, and she threw the embroidery frame aside.

Feng's guess was still wrong, and on the second day, the palace issued another imperial decree, bestowing the wedding king and the second girl Gu Qionghua of Jing'an Houfu.

All of a sudden, the entire capital was shaken, and they felt that His Majesty's will to marry the two princes was too 'willful'.

But there was another rumor that the imperial decree for marriage to King Qing and Gu Qionghua was requested by King Qing himself.All the ladies did not expect that King Qing would choose the humble Gu Qionghua, and their hearts were broken all over the place.

"Impossible, how could King Qing choose her?" Gu Zhaoyu swept the tea cup down at once.

Feng Shi stood up and said: "The imperial decree has been issued, so is it false? No matter how unwilling you are, this marriage is a certainty."

Gu Zhaoyu clenched his fists tightly, "Everyone outside knows that I am superior to Gu Qionghua in everything. Now she is bestowed by His Majesty on King Qing as his concubine. And me, how will outsiders laugh at me? People compare."

Feng Shi also said bitterly: "No wonder she likes to run to Wang Shi's side. She is a coquettish girl. Seeing that she is usually quiet and doesn't fight or grab, if someone reminds her, outsiders would never know that there is a second girl in the Gu family. Unexpectedly She seduced Prince Qing over there without saying a word, and made Prince Qing willingly marry her as his concubine."

Why can the Liu family be treated wholeheartedly by Gu Huai, and her daughter will also become a princess.But she was treated coldly by Gu Hong, and her daughter's marriage has not yet been settled.The same is the daughter-in-law of the Gu family, with such a happy life in the third room, how could she not be jealous?

She hugged Gu Chaoyu and comforted her, "Prince Qing doesn't like you because he has bad eyesight. One day my mother will help you find a better one."

Having said that, she knew in her heart that it was not so easy.

Gu Chaoyu said angrily, "Who said I like King Qing?"

Feng Shi was taken aback, "Then why do you..."

Gu Chaoyu was silent, picked up the scissors in the dustpan, gritted his teeth, pierced into the embroidery, and then scratched down.There was a tearing sobbing sound from wherever it passed.I saw the silk thread falling off, and it became incomplete in an instant.

"Zhao Yu!" Feng grabbed the scissors, "What are you doing?"

Gu Zhaoyu bit her lip, tears streaming down her face, "I'm just not reconciled."

Yes, she didn't like Prince Qing at all. To be precise, she didn't like Prince Qing who was such an idle prince.But she was not reconciled to Gu Qionghua marrying better than her, so when she heard the news that His Majesty bestowed a marriage, she would be surprisingly angry.

She had the feeling that something she despised was taken away by someone else, especially the sister she had always despised.

This means that she will bow her head and salute when she sees Gu Qionghua in the future.For her, this is a performance of swallowing one's anger.

Feng wiped her tears for her, "So what if you are angry, can you still make His Majesty take back his will?"

Gu Zhaoyu lay in Feng's arms and wept softly: "Why is Gu Qionghua luckier than me, she is not as good as me in every way."

Feng patted her on the back and comforted her softly.The more Gu Zhaoyu cried, the more wronged he became, and fell asleep while crying.

Feng ordered someone to help Gu Zhaoyu to sleep on the bed, looked at her for a while, and then went out.

After entering the study, Feng Shi saw Gu Hong chatting and laughing with the maid while drinking.I don't know what the maid said in his ear, Gu Hong laughed loudly, hugged the maid on his lap, and wanted to kiss Fangze.

"Ahem." Feng made a sound on purpose, and met Gu Hong's impatient and surprised gaze, and she walked in, "Oh, it's about this time, the master still has Yaxing to joke with the maid."

She wanted to see if another maid hooked up with Gu Hong behind her back.

As she spoke, she stretched out her hand and pulled down the servant girl who lowered her head. When she saw the servant girl's face clearly, her expression suddenly changed, "Mo Nong, why are you here!"

Mo Nong knelt at Feng's feet, crying like rain, as if Feng had bullied her.

She didn't want to be a poor servant girl, but she couldn't go back to Yu Shengju, and Gu Xingchi didn't like her, so she had no choice but to hook up with Gu Hong.She had long been prepared to be discovered by Feng Shi, but Gu Hong didn't like or even hated Feng Shi, so she believed that Gu Hong would stand by her side.

Sure enough, Gu Hong said angrily: "Mo Nong is mine now, and she never offended you, why are you so vicious?"

While speaking, he helped Mo Nong up.

Mo Nong rubbed his red eyes from crying, and said with a miserable look, "Slaves are humble and unfit to serve the master. Madam should hate me."

Gu Hong looked at Liu Shi and said with a sneer, "Whoever I like is worthy to serve by my side. You don't have to be afraid of her, I will back you up."

Feng was too angry to speak.She was angry just now, and was angered by this little bitch, and Gu Hong was still full of disgust for her, this day can't be passed!

Mo Nong was still choking, Gu Hong comforted her in a low voice and asked her to go out first.Mo Nong looked back three times at every step, and took a long time before leaving the study.

Gu Hong glanced at Feng Shi, then leaned lazily on the back of the chair, "What's the matter?"

"Do you know about the fact that Sanfang's girl was married to King Qing?" Feng resisted the urge to beat him up.

Gu Hong looked at her like a fool, "I am not deaf, so I can hear it naturally. If you are dissatisfied, go to His Majesty, is it useful to find me?"

"I—" Feng Shi suddenly felt that what Gu Hong said made sense, and couldn't find anything to refute for a while.

That's right, the marriage decree has been issued, what's the use of her coming to make trouble with Gu Hong?Really confused.

Feng Shi was frustrated, "Master said he wanted to take Gu Xingchi and replace him, so he was here to have fun with the maid?"

Gu Hong drank a glass of wine, bored in his eyes, "Gu Xingchi is protected by His Majesty, and he himself has scheming and means. It is simply a fantasy for me to snatch his things."

"Is that all you want, master?"

"So what if you don't count it?" Gu Hongdao, "What's your idea, why don't you explain it in detail?"

"..." Feng's naturally has no idea, thinking about the losses she has suffered from Sister Feng these days, and thinking about Gu Hong's small official position, she also feels that winning the title is really a dream.

...

After reading the letter, Gu Zhaoyu threw it into the charcoal fire and burned it.Then he wrote another letter and asked the carrier pigeon to take it back.

Zhu Xiao entered the room and closed the door, "Miss."

"What is Gu Qionghua doing?"

Zhu Xiao paid attention to Gu Zhaoyu's face, and said: "I heard that His Royal Highness Qing Wang sent something again, it seems that Qing Wang is very concerned about the second girl."

Gu Zhaoyu closed his eyes, "She found a good place. But the crown prince still asked me to wait. After a year, he still asked me to wait!"

Zhu Xiao was taken aback, "Young lady, wait patiently, it may be that His Royal Highness is in trouble."

"Is there any difficulty?" Gu Zhaoyu raised his voice in desperation, and quickly lowered it, "It's not about choosing a crown princess, it's fine if he begs the queen, as for delaying until now?"

She hangs the crown prince for so long, she must not fall short.So what if Gu Chaoyu is a princess, when the crown prince ascends to the throne, the crown prince will give her a concubine or noble concubine no matter what, so Gu Chaoyu and Sister Feng will still bow their heads to her?

In recent days, she obviously felt that the prince's attitude towards her was much colder. Could it be that she had been playing hard to get for too long, which made the prince impatient?

Gu Qionghua's marriage is settled, and her marriage cannot be delayed, so she is very anxious now.

She was right to be worried. Within a few days, Mrs. Gu mentioned her marriage.

Feng can only say that he is already thinking about this matter and won't delay for too long.Mrs. Gu didn't ask any more questions, and let Mrs. Feng figure it out for herself.

It's another year's Flower Festival, and because Sister Feng's month is old, she can't go to the countryside to play.But under Gu Qiongju's constant begging, Liu could only take the two sisters, and of course Gu Zhaoyu would also be brought along.

Sister Feng sent them out of the gate, and saw a carriage parked not far away.After a while, the curtain was lifted, revealing a gentle smiling face, it was King Qing.Presumably, he deliberately followed the Gu family's carriage.

Gu Qionghua turned his gaze, and was slightly taken aback when he saw King Qing, but smiled reservedly, gave a salute, and got into the carriage.

Seeing the carriage going away, Ping'er said: "Madam, it's windy outside, let's go back too."

Sister Feng withdrew her gaze and smiled lightly.

Ping'er wondered: "Madam is in a good mood today?"

"The spring is warm and the flowers are blooming, the scenery is pleasant, and the mood will naturally be better."

Yingzhu said with a smile: "The weather has also eased up now, since Madam likes it, why don't the servants accompany Madam to stroll around the garden every day?"

Sister Feng raised her eyes and felt that there were thousands of rays of sunlight casting over the whole house, which was soft and dazzling.

"Okay."

Thinking of those two just now, she suddenly felt that maybe Gu Qionghua could really get the happiness that others couldn't get?

It was not until evening that the group came back.Moreover, it was King Qing who brought the guards and personally escorted them back.

In Ningxin Hall, Gu Qiongju and Gu Qionghua were holding a magic lantern, Gu Qionghua was sitting on the side with a smile on his face, while Gu Qiongju was chatting with Sister Feng about the interesting things they encountered when they went out to play today.

"Sister-in-law three, do you know that His Royal Highness Prince Qing bought several lamps for his sister, and also bought food, but I didn't expect to have a portion for me. I thought that sister-in-law San couldn't go with us, so I chose I bought a lamp for you." Gu Qiongju said, "I really didn't expect His Royal Highness King Qing to be so approachable, I thought it was difficult for the royal family to get along with."

Sister Feng held back her laughter, took the lamp, "Then I will thank Sanmei."

Surrounded by candlelight, Gu Qionghua's slightly flushed face could not be seen clearly, as if she was always so flattered, reserved and dignified at any time.

Sister Feng said to her: "It's so late, His Royal Highness Prince Qing personally escorted you back, it's really thoughtful. Why don't Second Sister choose a thank you gift and send it tomorrow?"

Gu Qionghua was slightly surprised, thought for a while and said: "Your Highness is the prince, what do you want? The small gift we gave, I'm afraid it will make people laugh."

Right at this point, Mrs. Feng rushed in, and before she had time to say hello to Mrs. Gu, she said to Mrs. Liu, "Sister and sister, it's so late, why hasn't Zhaoyu come back?"

Everyone looked at each other, Liu didn't understand, "I saw her get into the carriage with my own eyes, why didn't she come back? She didn't come to Ning Xin Tang with us, I thought she went to your yard."