Si Xi glared at him and said, "Since coming to Jiangnan, you have had more and more problems. In short, we will do whatever the emperor says."
Xiao Wu responded, and after a while, he scratched his head and said, "I brought several Bodhi seed bracelets this time, but which one does the emperor want?"
"You still don't understand, it doesn't matter which string it is, as long as it's a bodhi seed bracelet." Seeing that Xiao Wu still looked confused, he slapped the back of his head and said, "Walk faster, what else are you thinking about.
"
Xiao Wu rubbed the back of his head and muttered: "I always feel that the emperor's words just now are strange, as if... he was suspicious of the prince."
Si Xi said angrily: "If you don't speak, no one will think you are dumb. Remember, do more and talk less. Just like what you said about the prefect Zou just now, the emperor will not let you off so lightly next time."
When Xiao Wu heard what happened just now, he shrank his neck, said no more, and went with Si Xi to get the bodhi seed bracelet.
As for Hong Zhou, what Xiao Wu had discovered, how could he not have discovered it, and followed Hong Li uneasily. Those words he just said were just to deal with Hong Li, and Concubine Yu did not pull any bodhi seeds.
The bracelet is on the boat. Once it goes there, it will be exposed immediately. When Hongli asks about the identity of the palace maid...how should he answer?
Just when he was worried, someone suddenly tapped him on the shoulder. Hong Zhou hurriedly asked: "What's the matter?"
Hongli smiled and said: "This is what I should ask you. Why are you acting so weird today, Fifth Brother? I just called you several times but you didn't respond. Also, it was just a pat on the shoulder. You were so nervous."
This is what it looks like.”
Hong Zhou endured the panic in his heart and said with a forced smile: "It's nothing. I'm thinking about selecting scholars. Jiangnan has outstanding people and talented people. The emperor will definitely be able to select many talents. In addition, I think the emperor can borrow them."
With this southern tour, we will increase the number of students so that more scholars will take part in the imperial examination."
"I will consider your proposal." After saying this, Hongli turned his gaze and landed on Hong Zhou's face, "Lao Wu, are you hiding something from me?"
Hong Zhou forced a smile and said: "My brother has always told the Emperor everything he knows and told me everything. How can I hide anything from the Emperor?"
"Yes, it was indeed the case before." As he said this, Hongli raised his hand and stroked Hongzhou's forehead. His originally dry fingertips became moist, and his eyes became cold and stern, "Since you have nothing to hide, why do you
There’s so much sweat on your forehead?”
Hong Zhou was even more panicked, but he knew that the more this happened, the harder it was for Hongli to notice, so he smiled and said: "Your Majesty knows that I am always afraid of heat, and now I have been walking under the sun for so long.
It’s normal to sweat a little.”
"Really?" Hongli said lightly, took out the handkerchief, wiped his hands and said coolly: "Since it's hot, just walk faster. Concubine Yu's yard is right in front."
"Yes." Hong Zhou responded helplessly. He wished he could go and tell Concubine Yu and ask her to tell her lies. Unfortunately, he didn't have such ability. Now... he can only take one step at a time.
Hong Zhou hopes that this road can go on forever, so that he will not face the situation of his lies being exposed, but what is coming will always come, and the road will eventually be completed.
When he crossed the knee-high threshold, Hong Zhou felt his legs trembling, and he had the urge to turn around and run away. Unfortunately, he couldn't do this, so he had to bite the bullet and walk in.
Concubine Yu was talking to the palace people. When she saw them coming in, she said with a smile: "Hey, why are you two here together today?"
After Hong Zhou saluted, Hong Li bowed slightly and said, "I haven't seen the concubine before after arriving in Yangzhou. I wonder if the concubine is still used to living here?"
Concubine Yu smiled slightly and said: "Everything is fine here in the Aijia. The Emperor is concerned about it. Speaking of which, the Aijia has not seen this beautiful scenery in the south of the Yangtze River for decades. This time, thanks to the old bones of the Emperor, the Aijia
I had to bring it out so that I could see it again. Speaking of which, the Ai family haven't properly thanked the emperor yet."
"What are you talking about, Princess? You are Hongzhou's mother-in-law, and you have watched me grow up since I was a child. It is only right to honor you. If you continue to be so polite, you will be too out of touch.
After saying that, Hong Li glanced at Hong Zhou and said, "I heard that the Bodhi bracelet that the concubine used to wear was on the boat. Is this true?"
Hong Zhou's heart rose in his throat as he said this. Once Concubine Yu said the word "no", Hong Li would know that he was lying, but in front of Hong Li, he would know nothing.
I can't do it, I can only worry secretly.
Concubine Yu smiled and said: "Yes, it is easy for people to forget things when they get old. Yesterday morning, after I finished praying to the Buddha, I put it on the table and forgot about it. I didn't think of it until now; no, let's
I'll tell Hong Zhou so that he can get it for me." After that, she looked at Hong Zhou and said, "Where's the bracelet? Have you gotten it?"
Hong Zhou looked at Concubine Yu in astonishment. He was obviously lying, but why did E Niang really say that the bracelet was missing? What on earth is going on?
Not only Hong Zhou, but also Hong Li was also quite surprised. From Hong Zhou's words and deeds along the way, he was already sure that Hong Zhou was lying. Why could Concubine Yu's words be contradicted by him? Could it be that he was too worried?
Didn't day lie?
Concubine Yu waited for a while, but there was still no answer from Hong Zhou. She frowned and said, "The Ai family is asking you something, why don't you answer it?"
Hong Zhou came back to his senses and said quickly: "If I go back to E Niang, it's dozens of miles back and forth from here to the dock. Even if my son works hard, he won't be able to get it so quickly. But the emperor said that he has a Bodhi bracelet to give as a gift.
Give it to my mother."
"Oh?" Concubine Yu said with surprise and joy: "Is the emperor really true?"
Hongli suppressed the doubts in his heart and said with a smile: "Yes, I have asked Sixi and the others to pick it up. They should be here soon. I just don't know if the concubine likes it."
Concubine Yu said with a smile on her face: "The things the emperor sends are always excellent. How could the Ai family not like them?"
While they were talking, Si Xi and Xiao Wu walked in, holding a brocade box in their hands. Hongli opened it himself and presented it to Concubine Yu. It was a Thousand Eyes Bodhi Bracelet. Concubine Yu happily took it in her hand and rubbed it, and then said
: "The emperor is interested, and the Ai family likes it very much."
"As long as the concubine likes it." As he spoke, Hongli's eyes kept circling on Concubine Yu and Hong Zhou, unable to tell whether what they said was true or collusion.
Concubine Yu played with the bracelet for a while and said, "The Ai family heard that the emperor was drunk last night. Is this possible?"
Hongli suppressed his thoughts and said with a smile: "Yesterday, I was drunk with Zhaohui and the others. Unexpectedly, I got drunk and made the concubine worried. It is really my fault."