Chen Jinchu took Lian Lian and two other maids to the courtyard where Concubine Li lived. The courtyard was exquisite and decorated luxuriously. It seems that Concubine Li was very favored by Mu Shuo. Otherwise, how could a concubine stay in the courtyard of the principal wife?
?
But if we talk about favor and trust, after so many years since the princess passed away, she is still the concubine...
Chen Jinchu was still thinking about things, but he was led into the inner courtyard by the servant woman.
Different from the tense situation she imagined, Concubine Li was thin and pale, plainly dressed, with a deeply sick face, and her thin facial features could vaguely reveal her former beauty and refinement.
"Greetings to the concubine." Chen Jinchu bowed deeply.
Concubine Li nodded and said, "Sit down. It's been a tiring journey all the way. As soon as you entered the house, you wanted to see me. You're interested." She gestured to the nanny beside her, who understood and picked up a silver coin from her side.
A tray with several pieces of jewelry on it.
"These are the trousseau of the queen. When the queen heard that you were coming, she carefully selected them for a long time. Although the style is not that fashionable, the workmanship is exquisite and the materials are practical." Mammy's tone was polite and distant.
Chen Jinchu took it over flattered and thanked Concubine Li.
Concubine Li smiled slightly and said, "I have poor health, and Lingxi loves to run around. You are here, and you can help me share some of my chores." After saying this, she coughed.
Chen Jinchu hurriedly declined: "Absolutely not, Concubine! I have little talent and knowledge. I have been serving the master's family since I was ten years old. I have never read a book, I don't know a few Chinese characters, and I am not cautious and eloquent. I can neither read account books nor
I’m not good at dealing with people. If you let me take care of things, I would have no choice but to escape overnight, which is better than being beaten to death by my father if I make a mistake in the future.”
She spoke truthfully and matter-of-factly. She danced around in embarrassment, and her anxiety was self-evident. Several maids and servants in the room showed disdain.
Concubine Li smiled and said: "You child, how can you be so self-deprecating? You can't leave. The prince has never given up in these years. He has been secretly investigating, and only then did he find you."
Chen Jinchu said innocently: "Ah? Does my father care about me so much? He never smiles at me."
"Silly boy, your father is in a high position and has always been strict. He rarely smiles at Lingxi and the others. Don't think too much about it. When you get to the palace, you will go home. If you need anything, please let me know. If the people below are too lazy,
You can tell me at any time if you are playing tricks." Concubine Li said, coughing a few times because she spoke in a hurry.
"Concubine, please take care of your health." Chen Jinchu looked blank, like an ignorant girl from the countryside, "Concubine, you are so kind. To tell you the truth, when I came here just now, I was quite scared. It turns out
You are so gentle."
Concubine Li smiled and said: "Silly girl. It would be great if Lingxi thought the same way as you do. That girl is going crazy outside all day long."
Chen Jinchu stared at the plates of pastries on the table in a daze, not forgetting to swallow his saliva.
Concubine Li looked at each other and the nanny next to her and said, "I was so busy chatting that I forgot to ask you to eat some pastries. These are all made in the small kitchen. Try them to see if they suit your taste."
Mu Lingxi came in at this time, greeted Concubine Li, and caught a glimpse of Chen Jinchu taking a piece of pastry and putting it into his mouth.
She frowned and said, "Concubine, didn't you prepare these pastries for me? How come outsiders can eat them too!" She unceremoniously took the pastries from Chen Jinchu's hand.
Concubine Li stood up angrily and said, "You are so impudent! How can you be so rude! She is your sister."
Mu Lingxi smiled and said, "It's not like we were kissing each other." She started eating cakes by herself.
Chen Jinchu stood up sarcastically and said: "Concubine, how about I go back first? I remembered that the house has not been tidied up, so I brought some things back and wanted to put them out."
She saluted in a panic, at a loss what to do.
Concubine Li waved her hand gently and said: "You go back, I will arrange two capable people for you later to prevent the slaves from bullying you."
Chen Jinchu quickly waved his hand and said: "No, no, no, I can do any job. Lianlian is enough."
"I know you are diligent and frugal, but this is the rule of the palace. Which master in our palace does not have a group of servants? If you don't want it, people will think that I have scolded you. Good boy, go back first and just live well.
Here." Concubine Li stood up, walked to Chen Jinchu, and patted her hand.
Chen Jinchu felt a weak energy pass through his palm, just for a moment.
Returning to his residence, Chen Jinchu handed the cake residue in his fingernails to Lianlian and said, "Let someone check it out."
Lianlian said: "Yes, Princess. I have checked the jewelry. They are all solid, but there is a faint fragrance. Do you want me to dispose of them?"
Chen Jinchu glanced at the jewelry, took one of the peony hairpins, and said, "If you don't wear such a precious thing, wouldn't the concubine have to send you a more expensive gift to hammer it?"
She inserted the gold hairpin into her head.
"But..." Lian Lian said anxiously, "I see that Concubine Li is not a kind person and is used to acting coy. These hairpin rings must have been tampered with."
Chen Jinchu said coldly: "Even if it is poisonous, my body is riddled with holes. Do I still lack this chronic poison? You have to pay attention, Ye Fusu has left some people for us, and they will take the initiative to find us."
"Yes, I will go down first and ask someone to check this pastry."
Chen Jinchu was a little tired and lay on the imperial concubine's couch, thinking that Mu Shuo would not be able to come back for a while. After all, the meeting gift she gave her was not small - the fire in the military camp was just a small fight, and it was not enough to make Mu Shuo come back.
Shuo hurts the muscles and bones.
She smiled, what if the leader of the forbidden army was killed?
He is Mu Shuo's confidant.
They must choose a new leader of the Forbidden Army. Who they choose will be a big drama. After all, Lieutenant Lu can produce more generals. It will not be easy for Mu Shuo to place another confidant in this position.
Wei Zhao came and said with a smile: "You feel very comfortable now."
Chen Jinchu did not get up and said: "Both each other."
"Mu Shuo is very busy." Wei Zhao added, "The leader of the Forbidden Army has been killed."
Chen Jinchu said: "Really? Is this also Mu Shuo's person?"
Wei Zhao smiled and said, "You don't know? That's right, this looks more like Ye Fusu's handiwork."
Chen Jinchu smiled and said, "You know it again."
Wei Zhao leaned over and was very close to her. Their breaths entwined with each other, and the atmosphere was very ambiguous.
Chen Jinchu reached out and touched his face and said, "Your face is not very stunning, but it is very attractive."
Wei Zhao lowered his head, kissed you gently, and said, "You are brave enough to even tease me. Let me collect some interest first."
Chen Jinchu said: "Since the interest has been collected, it's time for us to get down to business. Let's talk about how to divide the spoils next."
"Oh?" Wei Zhao looked at Chen Jinchu funny, but Chen Jinchu had a serious face, so he had to put away his smile and said: "But just because of the mission, just say it, I am all ears."