A Precious Pearl in the Imperial City

After the story was told, the guests dispersed, and the female gentleman picked up a cup of tea that was not very hot, and took a few sips to moisten her throat. She looked up and saw that the female guest who had just spent money to tell her the story had not left.

"Sir." Jiuzhu sat down in front of the lady with a stool.

"What other stories do you want to hear, girl?" The lady hurriedly poured herself a few more sips of herbal tea. She was just a mortal who worked hard in the world for the sake of the broken money to support her family.

"I don't listen to the story." Jiuzhu noticed that although the lady's cuffs were clean, they were patched with the same color, and the stitches were fine.

She endured the distress, and took out another piece of silver: "I want to know, where did the story of the beautiful prince just told by Mr.??"

"It turns out that the girl wants to know about this, but it's a trivial matter." She said it was a trivial matter, but the action of collecting the money was very fast, so she collected the money: "A few days ago, a girl gave me a story book. , said she did it in her spare time and was bored, and as long as I took it out, you would give me twenty taels of silver."

"Twenty taels?" Jiuzhu was surprised: "Spending so much money just for you to tell a story?"

"Girl, ?? This is the capital, ?? Are there any strange people?" The lady glanced at Jiuzhu, ?? You yourself are the one who pays for people to change the story?

"As storytellers, what we pay attention to is customer satisfaction, so we can win a lot of money."

Zhou Xiao stood behind Jiuzhu and looked at this storyteller with pity, who did not know who made such a wicked scheme, and involved an innocent female gentleman.

If the story spreads farther and farther, after the palace is aware of it, it will be thoroughly investigated, and the first unlucky woman will be this lady.

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"Mother." A little girl in a floral jacket ran out from the side door. She raised her head, glanced timidly at Jiu Zhu and Zhou Xiao, and hid behind the lady.

"I'm sorry, the child is young and doesn't know the rules, please don't mind the two girls." The lady took out a few copper plates and put them in the girl's hands: "Go and buy a snack from the shopkeeper, my mother will come over soon."

The little girl kicked and ran away with the copper plate, Jiuzhu touched and touched in her purse, and took out the last piece of silver: "If you believe me, sir, don't tell the beautiful prince and the evil prince together in the future. The story should be just The story, but the world is suspicious, it is inevitable that they will go through it and cause trouble.”

The lady's expression changed slightly, and she looked at the money on the table: "Thank you girl for reminding me that this money cannot be collected."

"Sir, don't misunderstand." Jiuzhu smiled: "Sir's story is nice, I like the story of the evil prince very much, and I will come again next time."

"Don't worry, girl, I will tell you the story of the disgusting and kind prince tomorrow. You are welcome to listen to the girl." The lady accepted the money readily.

"Thank you." Jiu Zhu clutched her empty purse, and after she walked out of the restaurant, she sighed softly. No wonder people say that talent is hard to change, and it is expensive for a storyteller to change the story. The money that I have been reluctant to spend for a month has been spent cleanly today.

"Sister Ming." Zhou Xiao has lived in the capital for a long time, and has long heard of all kinds of shady tricks. She looked solemn: "It seems that today is not a good day to listen to books, why don't we go to the rouge shop."

Jiuzhu squeezed her purse, her brows huddled together, and she shook her head to reject Zhou Xiao's proposal to visit the Rouge Shop: "I have already spent all my money."

Zhou Xiao laughed dumbly, thinking that it was the Ming family who loved her daughter, so she was so generous with the money, but she didn't expect it to be all the money from her whole body.

"It's alright, just take a look and don't spend any money." Zhou Xiao took the initiative to take Jiuzhu's arm: "Let's go, just treat it with me."

The little sister's body was soft and fragrant, and Jiuzhu nodded in confusion. In the end, she was confused and was given a box of rouge by the little sister.

When she got home, she held the rouge in her hand and murmured thoughtfully: "No wonder Master always says that beauty is deceiving, but it turns out to be true."

However, who can refuse a beautiful, gentle and caring young lady?

Zhou Shilang's mansion, Zhou Xiao walked into the main courtyard where his parents lived.

"Father, mother." Zhou Xiao served tea to the two elders: "Daughter went to the teahouse with Ming's younger sister to listen to the book today, and encountered something."

"What's the matter?" Zhou Rui and Mrs. Zhou showed a clear smile. The marriage of their daughter and the Ming family's Liulang has been negotiated. When Ming Jinghai returns to Beijing, someone will be hired.

The daughter has a good relationship with the girl from the Ming family, and she will marry her in the future so that she can get along with her husband's family.

Zhou Xiao told what happened in the teahouse from beginning to end.

How does a little storyteller know about the matter between King Qi and King Chen? If it wasn't for the Ming family's sister who found something wrong today, maybe the storyteller would lose his life because of this story.

Thinking of the timid little girl behind the lady, Zhou Xiao couldn't help but say: "Many people say that Qi Wang is both talented and virtuous. With today's events, my daughter begins to doubt that there really is such a perfect person in the world?"

Zhou Rui was silent, but Mrs. Zhou, who was sitting next to her, smiled and said, "This girl from the Ming family is quite interesting."

He has a naive personality and has a natural and keen response to many unknown crises.

"In the beginning, you didn't even notice that there was anything wrong with the story. She just listened to a few sentences and then interrupted. She didn't reveal her identity or bully others. Instead, she spent money to make the other party willing to change the content of the story." Zhou The wife said with emotion: "As expected of the Ming family, even if they are fostered outside, they still have the courage and decisiveness of the Ming family."

No wonder Concubine Su, who has always had a bad relationship with Wenchen, likes this future daughter-in-law.

"Really?" Zhou Xiao doubted his mother's sympathy for Ming

What misunderstanding might Jiuzhu have, Ming's younger sister is decisive?

Thinking of the pitiful appearance of the other party holding his empty purse and feeling distressed for Yin Zi, Zhou Xiao fell silent.

Misunderstanding is misunderstanding. If it is revealed on the spot, the mother will be very embarrassed.

It's good for her to be happy.

In the Mingyue Palace, Concubine Su Gui was taking a self-portrait in the mirror. Xiangxian hurried to her side with a strange expression: "Niangniang, there are some rumors about His Highness outside the palace."

"Does it mean that my son is arrogant and domineering, or that he is so extravagant?" Su Guifei calmly picked up the eyebrow pencil and filled in the brows.

"neither."

"Bullying the poor and bullying others?"

"Neither." Xiangxian coughed dryly: "There are rumors outside that His Highness is only fierce on the surface, but in fact, he is a kind person who is distressed when he sees a small animal being injured, and tears when he sees others suffering."

"What?!" Concubine Su shook her hand, and her eyebrow pencil almost poked the bridge of her nose: "Are you sure you're talking about my son, not King Qi?"

"It is indeed our Highness." Xiangxuan said: "It is also rumored that there are many cooks in Prince Chen's mansion, but they are actually some seriously injured soldiers. His Highness could not bear them to lose their ability to live, so he let them work in the mansion."

"His Royal Highness bought the old man's radish fiercely. In fact, he saw his family's difficulties and found a reason to give him money."

Although she didn't understand why the lord of Yifu would buy radishes by himself, but there are rumors among the people that sometimes there will be misunderstandings that "the emperor uses a golden pole" and "the lady's pancakes put a lot of oil".

After listening to the bizarre stories of "Send the old man home", "Send the old man home", "Send money to the beggar", "Beauty seduces the beggar", Concubine Su was silent for a long time. Is this talking about her son, that is clearly a Bodhisattva.

Rubbing the goose bumps on her arms, Concubine Su interrupted the story Fragrant Silk was telling: "Don't tell, don't tell, it sounds really awkward."

Concubine Su was puzzled: "Where did such outrageous rumors come from?"

Fragrant Silk: "The slaves don't know

Where did it come from, it has spread inexplicably in the past few days. "

"Could it be... Is there any other conspiracy against my son?" Su Guifei thought about it, but couldn't figure it out: "But if such rumors are spread, no matter how you look at it, it's all in my son's favor. What is the mastermind behind it?"

Their mother and son have always been eye-catching in the palace, and the others are gnashing their teeth with jealousy behind their backs, burning incense every day and praying that they will be unlucky.

Is this repaying grievances with virtue, or spending money on charity?

The good name is very good, but it is too exaggerated, and she feels embarrassed as a mother.

"That's what you told me, it's done?!" Concubine Ning, after listening to the report of the servant, summoned the maid who was doing the errand: "You are taking this palace's money, are you doing things for this palace or for Chen? Wang work?!"

Five hundred taels, a full five hundred taels, is this the result? !

"The servants don't know what's going on. They were fine the other day, but the female guests in the teahouse like the prince who looks domineering and gentle at heart..." The palace maid's voice became weaker and weaker: "The lady said, storyteller. People should tell stories that guests like, and don't want to continue to tell the content of what we have given to the past."

"If she doesn't want to, then continue to add more money." Concubine Ning resisted her anger: "If she doesn't want to add more money, she can find someone else, and I still need this Gong to teach you?"

"Niangniang..." The palace maid was very embarrassed: "Now the female guests in the capital don't like the stories of the humble gentleman, and they all like to hear the overbearing prince or the arrogant prince."

Since the story of the overbearing and evil king's gentle heart became popular, countless storytellers followed suit and made up such stories. No one likes to listen to the old routine stories of other scholars and generals.

"Are these people mentally ill?" Concubine Ning couldn't help but ask: "What is there to like about a prince like Yun Duqing?"

Seeing that Concubine Ning was very angry, the palace maid quickly said something to comfort her: "Niangniang, what they like is not King Chen, but the fabricated character."

It's just that I don't know what's going on, there are already many women who equated King Chen with the overbearing prince in the story.

She did not dare to tell Concubine Ning about this, for fear of being punished by Concubine Ning who was so angry.

"Get off!" Concubine Ning kicked her belly: "Useless thing!"

The palace maid clutched her stomach: "Please calm down your anger, the servants will retire."

She staggered out of the inner room, and the little palace maid reached out to support her: "Aunt Bai Shao, are you alright?"

"I'm fine." The palace maid endured the severe pain in her lower abdomen, pushed away the palace maid's hand, and cold sweat fell on her forehead: "The maid is not in a good mood today, you all serve carefully."

The little palace maid's face changed suddenly, she looked at Bai Shao worriedly, Bai Shao just clutched her stomach, walked to the door step by step, and fell to the ground when she crossed the door.

"Auntie." The little girl didn't dare to shout, she ran to Bai Shao's side: "I'll help you go back."

"Don't make trouble." Bai Shao said weakly, "You don't want to die?"

"The maiden is in a bad mood, how can you allow you to leave without authorization." Bai Shao stood up with the door frame: "I'm fine, you go back quickly."

The whole Lanxu Palace knew that Concubine Ning hated her servants for being disrespectful to her. It is said that before she entered His Majesty's diving residence, because of the low status of her biological mother, as a concubine, she was often treated coldly and bullied by her servants, so after His Majesty ascended the throne, she did not like disobedient servants.

However, this is only a rumor that the servants of Lanxu Palace secretly communicated, and no one dared to seek truth or falsehood. What's more, the relationship between the Empress and the Marquis of Pingyuan is very close these years, and it is not like she has been treated coldly.

"Miss Bai Shao." A young eunuch chased after him: "The lady asked you to ask the provincial government when the new tea will be delivered. Her Royal Highness's wedding is imminent, and the lady said that everything in the palace should be replaced."

"I see." Bai Shao let go of the hand covering his stomach: "I'll go to the palace to save a trip."

The little eunuch looked at Bai Shao with a pale face, but he didn't dare to say what he wanted to say, and finally whispered, "Auntie, please take care of your body."

"Ms. Ming, there is the inner palace set up by the province in the palace, and it is usually responsible for the expenses of the concubines and concubines of the harem." Xiangxian pointed to a small house not far away: "This is after His Majesty ascended the throne, worried that the inner servant would deduct the use of the concubines and concubines. Degree, the inner palace that was specially set up."

When the late emperor was in power, the unloved concubines often ate leftovers and drank cold and rotten tea, and their lives were worse than those of the servants.

Xiangxian glanced at Jiuzhu and found that Miss Ming was curious about everything, as if there was nothing in the world that she couldn't find fun. These days, the goddess called the Ming girl into the palace every three times and five times. The two gathered together to enjoy the paintings and chat. From time to time, they gave some small suggestions to the scriptures copied by the concubines, and they got along very happily.

The only ones who are not very happy are probably only those concubines who "persist" to copy the scriptures with a sincere heart.

The concubine called the little girl into the palace, and worried that she would be bored, so she asked her to take Miss Ming to walk around. Now the entire palace, except for the bedrooms of His Majesty and the ladies, is about to be trodden by them.

Next time Miss Ming enters the palace, she doesn't know where else to take her.

"Aunt Fragrant Silk." Jiuzhu pulled on the sleeve of Fragrant Silk: "I'll go look ahead."

"What's wrong?" Xiangxian looked at Jiuzhu in confusion, seeing her walking under a plum tree.

Bai Shao curled up, leaning against the tree trunk, cold sweat permeating her back. She half-opened her eyes feebly, looking up at the gray sky. A knife-like pain in her lower abdomen reminded her that she was still alive.

The pain in the abdomen seemed to spread all over the body, and even the brain was clamoring to explode because of the endless pain.

"How are you?"

She tried her best to open her eyes and looked at the girl who appeared in front of her.

The girl was wearing a red cloak, her steps on the temples were shining brightly, and even the gray sky was illuminated.

"Aunt Xiangshuang, she seems to be about to faint."

Before Bai Shao fainted, she saw the girl take off her cloak and put it on her.

...

"Your Majesty." Liu Zhongbao handed a secret letter to Emperor Longfeng: "At the Qianqiu Banquet, the concubine's intention to send embroidered pictures to the goddess has been found out."

Emperor Longfeng opened the secret letter, read the name on it clearly, and gently placed the secret letter on the table: "Liu Zhongbao, how many years have I been on the throne?"

"Your Majesty, this year is the thirteenth year of Longfeng."

"I remember that when Du Qing and I were locked in the dark room together, they were less than eight years old." He sighed: "It has been so many years in the blink of an eye."

"Place the Qingfeng Pavilion."

The Qingfeng Pavilion was filled with an unpleasant smell of medicine, and the woman lying on the bed wrapped herself tightly in the quilt, coughing to the core.

The sound of footsteps came from outside the gauze, and she struggled to lift the gauze. First, she was overjoyed, and then panicked.

She wanted to struggle to get up, but finally lay back on the bed weakly.

"Lie down well." Emperor Longfeng didn't get close to the bed. He looked at this haggard woman with no joy or anger in his eyes.

"Your Majesty is here today, to see me, or to seek justice for that woman Su Meidai?" She coughed a few times: "I knew your Majesty when we were young, but in the end we couldn't compare to a merchant girl. It's ridiculous."

"Your Majesty!" She looked at Emperor Longfeng unwillingly: "Could it be that apart from her Su Meidai and Yun Duqing in the entire harem, other women and children are not human?"

"Since the founding of the dynasty, there has been no emperor who has treated concubines and concubines more generously." Emperor Longfeng sighed: "Yang, you shouldn't use your means.

on my beloved concubine. "

"Concubine Ai? Hahahaha, Concubine Ai?" Yang shi asked sternly: "Only Su Meidai is your woman?"

Seeing the hatred for Concubine Su in Yang's eyes, Emperor Longfeng said, "I already knew about Xiande's thirty years."

Yang Shi was stunned, and after a long time she seemed to be crying and laughing: "So it is, so it is..."

The room became quiet, and after a long time, she struggled to sit up, looked at the empty room, laughed until tears flowed, and muttered to herself, "Your Majesty is right, you are indeed a generous emperor."

That year, His Majesty was imprisoned in the palace, and the woman in the back house chose to betray her husband for the future and glory of the family.

Later, the plan failed and the prince ascended the throne. She thought this matter had become a secret that His Majesty would never know.

She was wrong. In this imperial city, how could there be secrets that will never be known.

"Ha ha ha ha……"

Yang shi laughed and burst into tears. The other women in the harem always laughed at her from the top, but they didn't know that what they had done had already fallen into His Majesty's eyes.

How ridiculous, how ridiculous they are.

Jiu Zhu woke up in the morning and found that all the red lanterns on the corridor at home had been removed.

"Sister Spring Equinox, why have all the lanterns been changed?" Jiu Zhu looked up at the blue lantern, feeling a little awkward.

"The concubine Yang in the palace passed away. The master is a third-rank member of the Ministry of Rites. It is not suitable to hang red lanterns for nine days." Just be with the lady."

Jiu Zhu suddenly realized, no wonder her sister chose plain clothes for her during the Spring Equinox today, even her hairpins were plain silver.

"Which concubine is Yang Concubine?"

The spring equinox lowered her voice: "She is the daughter of a sinner. Her father and brother conspired with the anti-king to force the palace more than ten years ago. After His Majesty ascended the throne, he pity her ignorance and did not take anger on her..."

"Jiuzhu." Shen shi walked into the yard and waved to Jiuzhu.

Jiuzhu trotted in front of Shen shi: "Mother, are we going to enter the palace now?"

"The equinox has already been told to you?"

Jiuzhu nodded.

Shen shi looked at her daughter's whole body, confirmed that there was nothing wrong, and took her out the door.

King Chen was wearing a plain suit, and when he was walking on the palace road, he found that some palace maids looked at him a bit wrong.

Seeing that a palace maid almost fell and slammed into his arms, he dodged and asked Fugui suspiciously: "What's wrong with this palace maid, the road is unstable, why are you working in the palace?"

Fugui looked at the palace maid who was smashed, and thought to herself, maybe this palace maid has also heard the bizarre story of "The Domineering Prince and Pretty Palace Maiden"?

King Chen didn't even look at the young maid who was lying on the ground, tears about to fall, and said to the two eunuchs impatiently, "Hurry up and help her back, I don't know, I thought it was the king who pushed her down."

As soon as he finished speaking, Jiuzhu's voice called him from behind.

"Your Highness!"

Jiuzhu trotted and came to King Chen. She looked at the maid who was kneeling on the ground, and then at King Chen, her face full of doubts: "Your Highness?"??w??, please keep in mind:,