Rong Shu sent the letter of trust to Shen Yizhen yesterday to Yangzhou and returned to Mingluyuan.

She returned to the Marquis of Cheng'an Mansion yesterday, and Chang Ji and several Jinwu guards had been secretly protecting her. Today she went back to Mingluyuan, and Changji still followed her.

"I have Luo Yan and Liu Ping here. You don't need to protect me anymore. You are the only people Mr. Gu can trust. You can go back and help Mr. Gu recover."

Chang Ji didn't respond and just smiled and said: " It is precisely because the master can only rely on a few of us, so I cannot leave. I will stay in the outer courtyard of Minglu Yuan. You can treat me like nothing. "No matter how hard you try to chase me away. It looks like it can walk.

Rong Shu had no choice but to say: "I just want to send someone to Cheng'an Hou Mansion to keep an eye on it. If you have a suitable person, please give me instructions."

After saying that, Yingque handed over a purse with gold leaves . In the past, it was regarded as a reward for all guards.

Chang Ji somewhat understood Rong Shu's temperament, so he didn't refuse, and accepted it without hesitation.

Two days later, he returned to the East Palace to resume his duties.

Gu Changjin had just read the document of Chen Mei's murder case and saw an exquisite money bag hanging on his waist, and asked, "Where did it come from?"

Chang Ji had already divided the gold leaves inside and hung them out specially. He just wanted to present a treasure to Gu Changjin. When he asked about it, he hurriedly pulled off the money bag and said, "Young lady rewarded it, and I brought it here specially for the master."

Gu Changjin took another look at the money bag. , then glanced at him and said calmly: "Keep it for yourself." That was not her embroidery work.

Chang Ji was a little puzzled, thinking that his master would secretly hide it when he saw the money bag.

The next moment, Gu Changjin asked: "What is she busy with?"

"The young lady has been in Mingluyuan for the past two days to read the account books. Madam Shen hurried to Yangzhou. There are many things to deal with here, so the young lady then Take it over." Chang Ji paused, "I heard that there is a lot of business here, and the young lady is planning to transfer to Datong Mansion."

Gu Changjin said "Yes", picked up the tea cup and sipped it without changing his expression. He asked, "Is there any progress at the Marquis of Cheng'an Mansion?"

"Old Madam Rong hasn't woken up yet. The medicine given by Young Madam has alleviated the symptoms of the old Madam's stroke in time, but after all, she is old and wants to wake up. It will take at least ten and a half months to come. According to the imperial doctor, Mrs. Rong is very angry and will easily suffer another stroke even if she wakes up. Marquis Chengan goes to He'an Hall to serve the medicine every day, and Aunt Pei also goes there. The two of them were waiting for Mrs. Rong, and they were just like a husband and a wife." When

Chang Ji said this, he couldn't help but sneer, and when he saw Gu Changjin's dark eyes glanced over, he hurriedly continued: "Marquis Cheng'an. Yesterday, he went to the ancestral hall in person and brought out the royal title and the emperor's imperial decree conferring the title. "

Gu Changjin put down the tea cup, tapped the table and said, "He wants to exchange the title and the title. The Rong family is not guilty. "

If the Rong family is divided, once the first and second families are convicted, the third family will not be blamed. In this way, Rong Xun can continue to hold the position of Marquis of Cheng'an, but if the families are not separated, it is certain that the third house will be implicated by the eldest house and the second house. He can only exchange the royal title and title for the safety of everyone in the Rong family.

"After so many years of confusion, if the Marquis of Cheng'an is really willing to sacrifice everything to save the family, he will finally grow some bones."

Chang Ji protects his shortcomings. Because of Rong Shu, he really hates Mrs. Rong and Rong Xun. Now, Seeing that Rong Xun can finally take some responsibility, although I'm not impressed, I feel less disgusted after all.

Gu Changjin said: "Rong Xun is probably waiting for Mrs. Rong to wake up before making the final decision."

If he had really made up his mind, he would have already gone to Dali Temple to confess his guilt with the imperial edict and the imperial decree.

When Chang Ji heard this, he made a strong "poof" sound: "It's a shame that I think more highly of him."

Thinking of something, he added: "By the way, Master, the young lady asked me yesterday, what are we doing about those rumors in Beijing?" When did the news spread?"

Gu Changjin raised his eyes and asked, "How did you answer her?"

Chang Ji said with a guilty conscience: "To be honest, it started when you entered the East Palace. Master, don't worry, the young lady doesn't care at all. Angry."

Of course she won't be angry. After all, she will leave here once the Rong family's matter is settled. Maybe she can use this rumor to sell the shop in her hand at a better price.

Gu Changjin half-closed his eyes, hiding the flash of smile in his eyes.

He had already guessed her reaction.

"From now on, when the young lady asks questions, there is no need to hide anything. Just tell her the truth." Gu Changjin picked up the slip on the desk and said, "If you have nothing to do, go back and guard her."

Chang Ji's only serious business at the moment is It was to protect Rong Shu. There were other things. He just took care of it after hearing the words. After walking for a few words, he scratched his forehead and said, "Master, Heng Ping is back?"

Gu Changjin nodded: "He asked about Xuan Xuan on the way. The traces of Ce returned to Shangjing only a few days later than Xuance, and now he is at Da Ci'en Mountain. "

Da Ci'en Mountain, is he staring at Queen Qi?"

The empress had been to Daci'en Mountain for two days. I heard that she would pray at Daci'en Temple for seven days. In the past, the empress would return in three days at most, but today it was rare that she could spend a few more days.

Changji thought as he left the East Palace.

Daci'en Temple, main hall.

Queen Qi handed the merit book in her hand to the little novice monk, then she cleaned her hands to take incense, inserted it into the incense burner and then knelt down to worship, which was the right thing to do.

Aunt Gui held an umbrella for her and said, "My dear, the girl is here."

Empress Qi paused, pinched the rosary in her hand, and said, "Where is she?" She

was supposed to be there yesterday. When they saw the child, it happened that there was a heavy snowstorm on the road, and the child was trapped in the wind and snow, which was delayed for a day.

Aunt Gui said: "In the small Buddhist hall."

Queen Qi nodded, looked at the sky that was gradually clearing, and said with a smile: "Aunt Gui, please come with me, the others are waiting here."

Go to the small Buddhist hall from the main hall . The road to the Buddhist hall was not close. Seeing that Queen Qi was walking faster and faster, Aunt Gui hurriedly said: "Madam, please slow down and pay attention to the road under your feet."

Queen Qi said with a smile: "Mommy, I forgot that I was walking in the snow before . She also danced with swords and hunted animals. "

She was a tiger girl from the general family. Although her father always kept her at home to learn music, chess, calligraphy and painting, she still had the blood of the Qi family and was able to ride and hunt. Archery is a piece of cake, let alone running in the snow.

Aunt Gui glanced at the smile on the corner of Queen Qi's lips. She had not seen Queen Qi smile like this for a long time. Since the death of Prince Qiyuan, the smile on Queen Qi's face has become less and less.

Is it because you are about to see the little princess?

Four guards were guarding the outside of the small Buddhist hall. When they saw Queen Qi coming, they hurriedly saluted respectfully. Empress Qi knew that these were all Meng Zong's people, so she nodded briefly and said, "Thank you for your hard work, everyone."

After saying that, she looked inside.

The door of the small Buddhist hall was open, and a cotton curtain embroidered with Sanskrit was hung in the inner room. At this time, the curtain was blown by the wind and made a "clang" sound, and a slim figure was revealed through the gap.

Queen Qi's heartbeat suddenly accelerated.

Is it that child?

After the child knows the truth, will he blame her and hate her?

With a bit of homely uneasiness, Empress Qi took off her cloak, handed it to Aunt Gui, and said, "Just wait outside, I will go in and see her."

After saying this, Empress Qi passed through . Outside, he opened the curtain and walked in.

The small Buddhist hall enshrines the spiritual tablets of the ancestors of the Qi family. There are hundreds of spiritual tablets neatly placed on the four large sandalwood incense tables. Dozens of Buddhist lamps on both sides are blown out by the wind brought by the curtains.

In the dim light, a girl wearing a turquoise jacket and skirt was sitting uneasily in an armchair by the window.

This girl was very beautiful, with fair skin, black hair, and bright eyes. Even the simple clothes she wore could not hide her natural beauty.

Hearing the movement of the curtain being lifted, she raised her eyes and looked over. After hesitating for a moment, she stood up and saluted, and said, "The daughter of the people has met the Queen."

Empress Qi stepped forward to help her up and said warmly: "There is no need to be polite. You know that I am the queen." Who is the palace?" Wen

Xi nodded lightly: "Several adults mentioned that the noble lady they want to meet today is the empress."

After a pause, she hesitated and said, "I wonder why the empress summoned the people today?"

The queen looked at her carefully, and after a long while she smiled and said: "Sit down and talk to me."

After the two of them sat down, she said with a smile: "I heard that you, like His Highness the Crown Prince, have "I was raised under Xu Fu's knees, how is she treating you?"

Wen Xi replied softly: "The girl was an orphan and was raised by her mother-in-law when she was born. " He treated me very well, taught me calligraphy, chess, calligraphy and painting since I was a child, and treated me as my own daughter."

When she mentioned Xiao Fu, she couldn't hide the admiration on her face, as if she regarded Xiao Fu as a respected elder. treat.

When Xiaowu called Madam Qi "Aniang" one after another, Queen Qi would occasionally hope that the "Aniang" was her.

When she heard Xi mentioning Xiao Fu, Queen Qi thought she would be somewhat interested in it, but unexpectedly, her heart was at a loss. She looked at the unfamiliar face in front of her, secretly wondering what was different about it.

Xiaowu would go to Kunning Palace to accompany her when she was not in the house. She watched Xiaowu grow up from a baby learning to talk to a bright and beautiful girl little by little. She felt that Xiaowu was not her daughter, and her affection was not the same. the same.

Although the child in front of her is her own flesh and blood, after nineteen long years, how easy is it to break this barrier?

Thinking of this, I couldn't help but feel a little more pity for Wen Xi.

Queen Qi sighed softly, pointed to the spiritual tablet on the high table, and said slowly: "This is the Buddhist hall of the Qi family, and the ancestors of the Qi family are worshiped here. These are your relatives. When you She was born here. The child——"

Queen Qi looked at Wenxi and said word by word: "You are my daughter."

-

A sound of chair legs being dragged came from the inner room. Aunt Gui looked inside worriedly.

This small Buddhist hall is where the empress gave birth to the little princess. I wonder if the little princess will be resentful of the empress? After all, it was here that the empress abandoned her and gave her to the Qi family.

It is precisely because of this that the little princess lived among the people for nineteen years and was used by Xiao Fu as a pawn to take revenge on the queen.

Aunt Gui waited until faint voices could be heard inside again, then she slowly let out a breath.

An hour later, Queen Qi held Wen Xi's hand and walked out.

"Mammy, I heard that the girl and I are staying in the bamboo house together today. Please let Li'er come up. They are about the same age, so they can probably talk more."

Aunt Gui was stunned for a moment.

The fact that Wen Xi is the daughter of Empress Qi is very secret. The people who accompanied Empress Qi here are her confidants. Xu Li'er and the other maids were arranged by Aunt Gui to live in a house at the foot of the mountain.

She looked at Wen Xi, whose eyes were always lowered, knowing that this girl was probably still resisting the empress, so the empress asked Xu Li'er to accompany her.

Li'er is a child who always repays kindness. With her by her side, the little princess might be able to get acquainted with the Queen.

Aunt Gui thought for a moment and then agreed with a smile.

In the layman's building at the foot of the mountain, Xu Li'er was slightly startled when he heard the summons from the empress, and hurriedly said: "But what happened to the empress?" The person who

came to send the message was Xue Ying, the eldest maid next to the empress, who smiled after hearing this. He said: "Are you panicking? Your Majesty, we are here to take care of you. How could anything happen?"

He glared at her, and then said, "Come with me quickly. Your Majesty met a very attractive girl today. I think you are about the same age as that girl." , I wanted to call you to come over and talk together."

Xu Li'er finally felt relieved, changed her clothes, and followed Xue Ying out of the house with an umbrella. Halfway through, she passed a pine forest with waves of pine trees, and she subconsciously glanced at the dense forest covered in silver.

The snow was falling, and a long and slanting shadow was hidden deep in the dense forest among the trees.

Xu Li'er slowed down and nodded almost invisible. Immediately he quickly followed Xue Ying to the bamboo house halfway up the mountain.