Flowers are falling outside the building at sunset, and the lingering rays of slanting light cast a golden light over the entire spring scene.
The housekeeper of the Cen Mansion rushed to the inner courtyard in a hurry and came to the study of the second master Cen Tong.
"Second Master, someone has come from the palace and wants to see you by name." The housekeeper tried his best to keep his voice calm, but his rapid breathing still showed that the situation was a bit unusual.
"People in the palace?" Mr. Cen is painting. On the paper is a half-finished orchid, independent and comfortable. "Which master sent you?"
He has been away from officialdom for a long time and has never interacted with people in the palace.
"This is Hu Baohua, the eunuch in charge of Concubine Rui," the housekeeper said, "I'm afraid... the person who came here is not evil."
It was only three years since the emperor came to the throne, and this concubine Rui was the second daughter of the Cui family of Duke Xinyong's mansion.
The reason why the Cui family is arrogant and domineering is not only their own noble status, but also this kind of relationship.
"I understand." Cen Tong finished painting the last two orchid leaves slowly and then put down the pen.
Eunuch Hu was young and had a decent appearance, but his shoulders were a bit high. Behind him was a young eunuch of eight or nine years old, holding a carved square box in his hand.
Eunuch Hu was not impressed. When he saw Cen Tong, his face burst into laughter. He stepped forward to greet him and said, "I have always heard about the good reputation of the second master. Now I have just met him. It is better to meet him than to be famous."
"Mr. Hu received the award, but Cen is too embarrassed to deserve it." Although Mr. Cen is no longer young, he is elegant, suave, prudent and calm, and is not ordinary outstanding.
After watching the tea and exchanging a few pleasantries, Eunuch Hu got down to the topic: "I have taken the liberty of harassing the Second Master today because I have received orders from Concubine Rui to send a special gift to the Second Master."
After saying that, he asked the little eunuch to put the box in his hand on the table in front of Cen Tong.
"It's getting late. It's time for me to say goodbye. If you go back later, the palace door will be locked." Eunuch Hu said as he stood up and cupped his hands towards Mr. Cen.
Cen Tong had no time to ask more questions, so he had to send him out.
After seeing off Eunuch Hu, Third Master Cen Ran also happened to return home.
Mr. Cen then told what happened just now.
After hearing this, the third master said: "Hu Baohua is famous for his smiling face. He is a man who stabs you in the face with a smile on his face. You must be careful."
"He didn't say anything, he just sent something, but I guess it has something to do with Yun Chu's matter," Tong Cen said.
"People have high and low status, but there is no distinction." The third master sneered, "So what if the daughter of the Cui family is a concubine? Is it possible to confuse right and wrong? If you really push too hard, I will go to court and file a complaint.
"
"You are so old, but you still can't suppress your anger. It's not too late to go back and see what he has sent, and then make plans." Tong Cen said, "If it is really because of Yun Chu's incident, why should I do this?
Father’s is here.”
The box sent by Eunuch Hu was only the size of a palm. When opened, a small jade cicada was placed inside.
"What does Ruifei mean by giving this thing? Do you want to play riddles with us?" Cen Ran said.
"I think it should be," Cen Tong said with a slight smile. "This thing is known by its common name. It probably means that we know each other well and let's end it."
"Ever since the emperor ascended the throne, there have been constant attempts to impeach the Cui family. In recent days, the matter of their family's land enclosure and merging of farmland has become even more uproar, and their family may not be able to take care of it anymore, and they don't want to cause any more trouble.
"Cen Ran said.
"The person in charge of the Cui family didn't come forward, but asked someone from the palace to bring us this. He made peace with it but also used it as a threat." Cen Tong said with a smile, "This is indeed the Cui family's consistent style."
"Hmph, do they think everyone else is a fool? Their family must have searched and searched, but they couldn't find any evidence that Cui Baoyu's madness is related to our family! That's why they sent a man and a woman to make a mystery." Cen San.
My father's temper was a bit irritable, "One day I will join him and give him a toothache for a few days!"
"Be calm and don't be impatient. Rather than retaliate like this, it's better to spot the opportunity and hit it with one strike." Second Master Cen said, "The Cui family thinks that they are relatives of the emperor and the holy family members. In my opinion, this is not necessarily the case. You just have to
We need to remember that we cannot decide when their family will fall, but it will not be long."
"If that's the case, it's their family's own destruction." Cen Ran said, "Let's put aside this, we were reminded a few days ago to be careful about who the Cui family is, but I haven't found out yet. That person is so mysterious."
"Since we can't find it, there's no need to check anymore," Tong Cen said.
Cen Ran added, "Girl Yun doesn't recognize that Sanniang, so why don't you let her inquire about it? It's easier for them to get a reliable rest for things like this."
"Girl Yun said, that person doesn't want to show up, so we don't have to hold on to him. In short, the other person has good intentions and doesn't want to show up, so why force him to make things difficult." Cen Tong said with a smile, "You also know Girl Yun's temper.
You can't judge her by ordinary people's feelings."
In the palace, lights were lit everywhere.
The bead curtain tent swayed slightly in the slightly dancing candlelight.
Cui Ruifei's newly dyed nails are bright red, which makes her pair of boneless jade hands even more charming.
The maids retreated, and only Eunuch Hu stood with his hands lowered.
"Have the things been delivered?" There was a snow-white pug at Cui Ruifei's feet, raising its two front legs to bow, begging for food.
"If you want to reply to your Majesty, it has been delivered." Eunuch Hu replied respectfully.
"If the Cen family had known each other, this matter would have ended here. If I hadn't found out that this matter had nothing to do with their family, I would never have let it go." Cui Ruifei said slowly, "Then Cen Yunchu is indeed a broomstick.
Xing, Baoyu is also true, what can I do to provoke her?"
"I heard that this Cen Yunchu is extremely beautiful. My uncle is young and energetic, so it is inevitable..." Eunuch Hu said.
"So what if she is beautiful? Do you think any of the concubines in this palace don't have fancy looks? I think that girl is probably a little unruly, so she seduced Baoyu." Cui Ruifei has never met Cen Yunchu, but she thinks she is an uneasy one.
divided.
"That's what the empress said." Eunuch Hu responded quickly.
"Call the imperial doctor who treated Baoyu over in a while, and I'll ask him." Cui Ruifei said, "He said he was 30% sure some time ago. I wonder if there has been any progress in the past few days."
She only has one younger brother, Cui Baoyu, so of course she must spare no effort to cure him.
"I am following your Majesty's instructions and will go to the Imperial Hospital to invite someone over soon. There is one more thing," Eunuch Hu said. "The Fourth Miss has said several times that she would come to the palace to see you. My Majesty, look..."
"There are a lot of things going on in the palace and at home recently, how can I care about her? This child is really spoiled by the family, and she is always willful." Cui Ruifei also had a headache for this sister, and she actually wanted to kill Cen Yunchu.
After all, the Cen family is a Marquis family. If someone is really killed, how will they behave in front of the emperor?
"Isn't she grounded now? Tell her to stay at home."
