At noon on the second day after arriving at the palace, everyone prepared to hold a banquet in the "Shuiyun Pavilion" next to the "Qingxi Gurgling River". Everyone had a good rest last night and was full of energy today, so everyone dressed up and changed their original appearance. The elegant Shuiyun Pavilion is decorated with red flowers and green willows
The Shuiyun Pavilion is made of jade, with carved railings on all sides and exquisite jade. Because the "clear stream" is nearby, you can hear the pleasant sound of running water on the stone wall, mixed with the distant sound of silk and bamboo orchestral music, making you feel more and more peaceful. comfortable
In addition to concubines and other concubines, the banquet today also includes Sanzai’s wife and the wives of several adults, including Concubine Qing’s mother and sister-in-law.
Shen Huan and Xichen were sitting at the top, looking at them coldly, and their eyes touched Liu Zhao's wife. It was said that Liu Zhao's wife had been sick all year round. Looking at her today, she indeed had a sick look on her face, and she couldn't sit still for long. He was a little shaky and reluctantly leaned on the maid next to him.
Shen Huan smiled and said to her gently: "Madam, are you not feeling well? If so, you might as well go down and rest first!"
Mrs. Liu said in fear: "My dear, please forgive me. I am rude to a common woman."
Shen Wen tried her best to appear cordial, raised her hand and said, "Madam, you don't have to be like this, your health is important." She looked at Xichen and said, "Your Majesty, I think it's not appropriate for me to stay with Madam Liu for a long time."
Xichen nodded and said: "Since the Queen has spoken, Mrs. Han, please go down and have a rest."
Mrs. Liu had no choice but to bow and leave with a very ashamed look on her face.
Xichen patted the back of Shen Huan's hand and said: "Don't take it to heart, Liu Zhao's wife has been in poor health, so she really shouldn't have traveled a long distance here."
Shen Wen asked in a low voice: "Why is Master Liu so confused?"
Xichen smiled and said: "He is worried that his wife will stay alone in the capital. They are a bad couple. Liu Zhaohan married his first wife when he was studying hard, and they have been together until today. His wife is in poor health and has not yet been married. Even though he could give birth to a boy and a girl, Liu Zhao never left her and didn't even take a concubine." When he said this, his expression was slightly moved.
Shen Wen listened blankly and said, "I never expected that Mr. Liu is a very affectionate and good man."
Xichen smiled and said, "Otherwise, I wouldn't think so highly of him!" He sighed and added, "Although politicians don't care about personal ethics, some officials have bad personal ethics, and I really can't use him. Otherwise, I can't use him very much." It is difficult to conceal what the people say.”
Shen Huan also smiled and said: "The emperor's thoughts are very different from other kings. Other kings put ability first, but the emperor puts morality first. The emperor will be a good emperor. With Mr. Liu Zhao as an example, the court's The atmosphere will definitely be good.”
The two looked at each other and smiled. Xichen was satisfied, but Shen Huan had some concerns in her heart.
After drinking for three rounds, Cui Shanggong whispered a few words in Shen Huan's ear. Shen Huan's expression changed slightly, then returned to normal, smiled at Xichen and said: "I am a little too drunk, go out and sober up."
Xichen motioned for her to step back, but told her not to go too far, as she would have to return to the banquet later.
Shen Huan and Cui Shanggong walked outside and asked, "What's the matter?"
Cui Shanggong said: "Someone wanted to see the empress. The minister asked him what was going on, but he was unwilling to tell. He only said that he had been ordered by King Yi to meet the empress in person."
Shen Huan pondered for a long time and said: "It's probably Concubine Qing's matter that we have figured out. Let's go see him!"
Next to "Qingxi Gong" is a small garden, in which various ancient vines are planted, with rugged rockeries, flowers and trees in full bloom, and green drops full of red pomegranates. There are several bird cages on the shelves of the vines as bright as torches, and several bird cages in the cages. Shen Huan looked at the canary for a long time, with a cold smile on his lips.
After standing and looking at the flowers and trees for a while, Cui Shanggong brought the man over. Shen Huan took a look and found that he looked familiar.
The man knelt down to pay his respects and said: "Slave Liansheng pays my respects to your empress."
"Serial promotion?" Shen Huan searched hard for this name in his mind.
Lian Sheng raised his head and smiled and said: "I have forgotten that this servant used to serve Concubine Hui. When I was a child, I went to play with Concubine Hui, and you even gave me a piece of plaster!"
Only then did Shen Huan remember that at that time, she often went to Concubine Hui's place because she liked Xi Chao in her heart. And this Lian Sheng was with Xi Chao, so although she didn't like him, she didn't show any sympathy towards him, but she listened. He said he had rheumatism, so he brought some plaster from home for him and even forgot about it. It was hard for him to remember it.
Then he smiled and said: "It turns out to be Eunuch Liansheng, please get up quickly."
Even after he got up, he didn't say anything else. He looked at Cui Shanggong and Xiang Ming Chun'er who were beside Shen Huan. Shen Huan smiled and said, "It's okay. If you have anything to say, just tell me."
Lian Sheng took out a cloth bag from his arms and said: "This is what Master Twelve gave to the slave before he left. I asked the slave to hand it to you personally."
Chun'er took it from his hand and handed it to Shen Han. Shen Han opened it and was shocked! In addition to some letters, this cloth bag also contained a stuffed animal and a flounder sachet.
That puppet was the one that cursed the Queen Mother that appeared in the case of witchcraft! This thing should have been destroyed long ago. How could it appear in Twelve's hands? And if you look closely, the fabric and production of this puppet The stitches are exactly the same as the flounder sachet!
Sure enough, the witchcraft issue is closely related to Concubine Qing!
Looking at those letters again, Shen Huan immediately understood and said with a faint smile: "Twelve really knows what I mean!" Seeing that Lian Sheng was still there, he winked at Xiangming, and Xiangming took out a gold ingot from his side. Zi, said to Lian Sheng: "This is what the empress has given you as a reward."
Lian Sheng hurriedly waved his hands and said: "Oh, how dare I ask for a reward from the empress? I just serve the Twelveth Master wholeheartedly!"
Shen Wen smiled and said: "It's just a little thing. I'll give you wine and food for my father-in-law. I'm afraid I'll have to trouble my father-in-law with something else in the future!"
Lian Sheng refused and accepted, saying with a smile: "Don't worry, Madam. If you have anything to do, just tell me. My servant has watched Master Twelve and My Majesty grow up. How dare I not give my best!"
When Cui Shanggong heard that what he said didn't sound right, he coughed slightly. His face suddenly turned sarcastic, and he retreated with a slap in his face.
Xiangming asked: "Empress?"
Shen Huan raised his hand and said: "This matter needs to be discussed in the long term. Put this bag away first so that no one can see it. Let's go back to the banquet first so that no one will suspect it."
"yes"
Several people left the small garden and were about to return to the banquet when they saw Concubine Qing's sister-in-law also coming out to sober up.
Shen Huan thought that it was such a coincidence that he could test it out, so he did not shy away and stepped forward and said, "Young lady, do you want to come out for some air?"
Lu didn't expect to see the Queen here, so she hurriedly knelt down to say hello, saying: "A commoner's wife saw the Queen, she had a few too many drinks and got a little drunk, so she went out for a walk and didn't want to bump into the Queen. She really deserved death." "
Shen Huan ordered her to stand up and said with a smile: "If anything, I am the one who disturbed the young lady. I have just sobered up. I will go back now. The young lady must not stand outside for too long." His eyes touched her waist. , suddenly moved, but with a smile on his face: "Huh? This purse is so unique."