The Virtuous Wife

Chapter 71

Empress Xian shook her head again.

There was a lot of discussion at the table again. Cui Xixi, who was next to Jingyi, said, "Yiyi, you must know this flower. Go and try it. If you are right, you can get the golden hairpin! It is unique in the world!"

Gu Yu also advised, "Yes! Yiyi, mother said that you are quite knowledgeable about flowers and plants. Go and try it."

Bai Miner, who had just returned from the front, heard this. She snorted and said disdainfully, "Huh! Just based on her! Can she know this flower?"

Bai Miner's voice was a little shrill, and she was upset, so her voice was unconsciously raised. Her words fell clearly into everyone's ears.

The queen's eyebrows flashed with displeasure. This Miner really made trouble for herself everywhere! The queen regretted it a little after making things difficult for Su Jingyi last time. Just when she was thinking about how to make them dispel their suspicion of her, Bai Miner actually confronted Su Jingyi again!

Concubine Shu glanced at the queen, with a glimmer of pride in her eyes. Queen, do you want to win over the Pingnan Marquis Mansion? You should take care of your own backyard first!

At this time, a lady said, "Miss Su, why not try it? Last time at your Pingnan Marquis Mansion, you knew a lot of chrysanthemums."

The wife of Duke Dingguo smiled and said, "Yes, why not go up and try it? It's just for fun. If you don't answer correctly, no one will laugh at you."

Jingyi was actually still a little moved by the hairpin. She didn't think about wearing it herself, but about giving it to Gu. At this time, seeing that the ladies had also spoken, they glanced at Gu and asked her what she meant with their eyes.

Gu smiled at her and nodded. Jingyi then stood up and walked forward.

Jingyi looked at the pot of chrysanthemums. The petals of this chrysanthemum are long and thin, with the outer side drooping. The whole pearl flower is pink and white. The drooping petals on the outer side can be up to 30 centimeters long according to her visual estimation. She thought for a moment, looked up at Concubine Xian, and said softly: "Excuse me, Concubine Xian, is this chrysanthemum called 'Ten Zhang Pearl Curtain'?"

Concubine Xian was startled, and looked at Jingyi with surprise, "Yes. This chrysanthemum is 'Ten Zhang Pearl Curtain'! Miss Su is indeed worthy of being the first talented woman in the capital! She is so knowledgeable and talented!"

Jingyi bowed and said: "Thank you for your praise, your majesty. I am ashamed to accept it."

The queen smiled and said: "Okay, this flower is beautiful, and the name is beautiful too. Listen, Ten Zhang Pearl Curtain, doesn't it describe the characteristics of this flower? Quickly send this golden hairpin to Miss Su."

Jingyi took it with both hands, and bowed to the queen and the other three before returning to her seat.

The Queen saw that she was very polite and did not show any surprise when she received such luxurious and magnificent jewelry. She was really calm and composed, and had the demeanor of a great lady!

In this way, Concubine Xian and Concubine De each took out two prizes and continued to guess the name of the chrysanthemum. It took less than half an hour, and only one chrysanthemum was left to be guessed.

Concubine Xian smiled and said, "Your Majesty, you must come up with the prize for this last pot of chrysanthemums."

"Oh, the two sisters have nothing else to use, so you come to rob me?" The Queen joked.

Concubine Xian smiled, "Your Majesty, the name of this pot of flowers is different, and it is most appropriate to use your things as the prize."

The Queen chuckled and said, "In this case, I can't say anything more. You have a big mouth. If you want me to come up with a prize, just say it directly, why are you beating around so many corners."

Concubine Xian smiled and said nothing.

The Queen took off a emerald green jade bracelet from her fair wrist, which was the best among jadeite at a glance. This jade bracelet is not comparable to that golden hairpin. Since ancient times, it has been said that gold has a price, but jade is priceless! This jade is the king of jade, so the price is naturally high. In addition, with such pure color, it can be said to be the best among jades! Such a bracelet is only a chance to encounter but not to seek! I am afraid that it cannot be bought with 10,000 taels of silver.

For a moment, everyone below was eager to try. More than a dozen ladies and young ladies have tried it, but all of them are wrong.

Jingyi sat on a chair and looked at the pot of chrysanthemums from a distance. Qiuju, originally one of the four gentlemen among flowers, is now treated as a p********e in a brothel, looked at at will, and labeled, waiting to be sold at a price! Jingyi looked at these women who blasphemed Qiuju so much, and a sense of sadness arose in her heart. What is the difference between herself and Qiuju? Aren’t they both being estimated by these women in their hearts? They were also wondering about Su Jingyi's background, upbringing, knowledge, and character. They were all thinking about what kind of marriage she would have in the future. Would it be a glorious marriage?

Jingyi was still sighing here, and felt someone pulling her sleeves. She quickly stood up and looked at Cui Xixi.

"The Queen is calling you." Cui Xixi lowered her voice.

Jingyi hurriedly sorted out her thoughts and walked forward slowly.

When the Queen saw Jingyi coming, she asked, "Jingyi, I summoned you here to ask you if you know this chrysanthemum?"

Hearing this, Jingyi carefully looked at the pot of chrysanthemums. The chrysanthemums were golden yellow, with slender petals, curled at the ends, and the petals were tilted, like door knockers, one ring after another. Jingyi already knew the name of this flower. She looked up and bumped into Concubine Xian's smiling eyes. Jingyi quickly lowered her head, as if she was looking at the pot of chrysanthemums.

"Jingyi, what's wrong? Do you know the name of this flower?" The queen smiled and said, "I'm still waiting for you to take the prize!"

Jingyi was startled and remembered that the queen took out her jade bracelet as a prize. She also remembered that she had met the eyes of Concubine Xian just now. That expression clearly wanted her to guess correctly! Jingyi thought about it and understood. This jade bracelet was said to be a prize, and it was clearly given to her on purpose. Someone must have told her about her performance in the Hou Mansion that day, so she took this opportunity to show her goodwill. I, a child, may not understand the mystery, but Gu knows it!

Jingyi thought to herself, what a deep thought, in this way, not only did she sell good things to herself, but she didn't give people a chance to talk about it, it was really wonderful!

Jingyi looked at Concubine Xian again, and at this time, she had no intention of dodging again. Since the queen intended to show her goodwill, it would be better than being her enemy, right? I might as well let her wish come true. I still got a bracelet anyway, so I didn’t lose anything and I made a profit.

Jingyi calmed down and said softly: "If I remember correctly, this flower should be called 'Eighteen Phoenix Rings'."

"Oh?" The Queen repeated with interest: "'Eighteen Phoenix Rings'? This name is interesting. It is somewhat appropriate for the shape of this flower. Sister Xianfei, is what Miss Su said right?"

Xianfei smiled and said: "Queen, Miss Su is really knowledgeable and talented. I admire her very much! This chrysanthemum is indeed called 'Eighteen Phoenix Rings', which is why I insisted that you, the Queen, come and make a bet yourself."

Jingyi bowed and said: "Thank you, Queen, for your praise, it's just luck."

The Queen smiled and said: "You are indeed worthy of being the most talented woman in the capital."

Xianfei said again: "This chrysanthemum is called 'Eighteen Phoenix Rings', and you, the Queen, personally made a bet of 'bracelet', isn't it 'Phoenix Ring'?"

Everyone suddenly realized that none of the Queen's headdresses today would be better than the red jadeite beaded phoenix-headed golden hairpin, only the bracelet in her hand overshadowed the golden hairpin. The Queen would never admit defeat to a concubine on any occasion, and her prize would most likely be this bracelet.

No wonder Concubine Xian insisted that the prize for the pot of chrysanthemums should be offered by the Queen, it turned out that there was such a deep meaning.

The Queen smiled and said to Concubine Xian: "What a good 'Eighteen Phoenix Rings', good, good! It is natural for me to offer this bracelet today! Come on, go and give this bracelet to Miss Su." She also said to the people below: "Everyone is free to do what you want, no need to be restrained, the original intention of the Queen is to let everyone come to appreciate the chrysanthemums, everyone can enjoy it by themselves."

Jingyi thanked her, took the bracelet and returned to her seat again. The people below also began to appreciate the chrysanthemums or chat in groups of three or two.

Cui Xixi said with a smile: "Sister, you have made a fortune today. Look, the two most valuable prizes are all yours! When we go back, you have to treat us!"

Liu Wan'er helped Jingyi and said: "Sister Cui is wrong. If you hadn't met the 'green dress and red skirt' in the Hou Mansion that day, how could you have answered correctly today and won a pair of agate earrings? In my opinion, we must treat them, but the person who treats them should be Sister Cui."

Gu Yu also said with a smile: "That's right, Sister Cui will treat cousin Yiyi, and sister Wan'er and I will accompany her."

Cui Xixi smiled and glared at the two of them, "It's okay to treat them, but you two won't be included!"

These girls were talking and laughing quietly here, while Bai Min'er was sitting there alone and sulking. But what's so great about a lady from the Hou Mansion? Why do you praise this and that? I am a daughter of a Duke's mansion, and I have been taught by various famous teachers since I was a child. How can I not be as good as her? Why am I always accused of being a troublemaker?

Cui Moli came to Bai Min'er and said softly: "What's wrong with Miss Bai?"

Bai Min'er glanced at the person who came, then turned her head to look in the direction of Su Jingyi, and said hatefully: "Humph! She is just a lady from a marquis' mansion, what's so great about her?"

Cui Moli smiled and said: "Yes, how can our Miss Bai be smart and noble. However, Su Jingyi is very popular. Look, even the eldest sister plays with her. The two of them are sisters."

"Humph!" Bai Min'er snorted coldly, turned her head and stopped looking at them.

Cui Moli glanced in the direction of Su Jingyi, with a glint in her eyes, and then said: "Miss Bai, you are the legitimate daughter of the prince of the Guardian State, and the niece of the Queen. Who wouldn't rush to curry favor with you? Only my elder sister always says that you are not good at this and that you can't do that. In my opinion, my elder sister must have been bewitched by Su Jingyi." Bai Min'er's face immediately turned red with anger after hearing this. Cui Xixi was obviously her cousin, but in this occasion, she just greeted her and then talked and made a fuss with Jingyi and the others. It was clear that she didn't treat her as her cousin. Humph, if you don't treat me as your sister, I don't care. When I become the Crown Princess in the future, when you rush to curry favor with me, I will show you what I can do! Thinking of this, Bai Min'er felt a little better. At this time, Cui Moli said again: "I accidentally heard that the queen is planning to marry Su Jingyi's cousin Gu Yu to the second prince as his principal wife?"

"What? The second prince?" Bai Min'er exclaimed: "How is this possible? My second cousin wants to marry me as his principal wife."

Cui Moli hurriedly said: "My Miss Bai, who doesn't flatter General Weiyuan now? I heard that even the queen is trying to win over General Weiyuan and Pingnan Houfu. Think about it, what is the fastest and safest way to win them over?"

Bai Min'er rolled her eyes, "Marriage?"

"That's right. Miss Bai, if you are older now, maybe the queen will still allow you to be her principal wife because you are her niece. But now, you are too young, and besides, General Weiyuan's status is there. How can it not make people excited?"

"What's so great about General Weiyuan? He doesn't have a title?" Bai Min'er said disdainfully

"Oh, Miss Bai, the title is important now, but not as important as the military power! Think about it, if the second prince marries Gu Yu, wouldn't he get the support of General Weiyuan?"

Bai Min'er looked at her with a sharp gaze, "Cui Moli, do you really not know or are you pretending not to know? This Gu Yu has been engaged to the prince of the Duke of Yingguo for a long time. How can she become the second prince's wife?"

Cui Moli smiled softly, "Miss Bai, do you think that the engagement is done? Can't it be changed?"

Bai Min'er was shocked: "What do you mean?"

"I heard that the queen intends to let her be alone with the second prince. At that time, it will ruin her reputation, and her engagement with the prince of the Duke of Yingguo will naturally be invalid. And it is natural for the second prince to marry Gu Yu!"

Bai Min'er's face changed. No, she can't let the second prince marry that Gu Yu! The second prince is hers, and she is the future prince's wife!

Cui Moli saw Bai Min'er's face changing from gloomy to bright, and laughed secretly. What a lady from a noble family, and she was trained according to the standards of the Crown Princess, she was just a fool! She was moved by just a few words from me, so easy to deceive!

In fact, the Queen and the Second Prince did have this idea, but they did not marry Gu Yu as the main wife, but as a concubine, just one word difference. This taste is very different. Bai Min'er is only nine years old. Even if someone guides and teaches her, she is still far behind in intrigue! In the Huguogong Mansion, everyone treats her as a Bodhisattva, fearing that she will be bumped, knocked, and have a little mistake. How could she experience the open and secret struggles in the mansion like Cui Moli? So it's not that Bai Min'er is stupid, but that she is too simple.

"No, I can't let the Second Prince marry her! I'll go to the Queen Aunt now!" Bai Min'er said, and was about to get up.

Cui Moli hurried forward to stop her and said, "Miss Bai, you must think clearly. What are you going to say to the Queen later? You know, you are indeed only nine years old now. If the Second Prince waits for you, it will take at least six years! How old will the Second Prince be by then? Is it possible? Besides, if you, a lady from a wealthy family, go to the Queen to tell her about this, what if it gets out? Will your reputation still be there?"

Bai Min'er paused. Yes, she was right. If she went to her aunt rashly like this, it would only make the Queen feel that she didn't know the rules and was not worthy of being the Second Prince's wife. Wouldn't it be even more embarrassing for her.

Bai Min'er stamped her feet and said, "Then what do you say?"

Cui Moli saw that she had taken the bait, and a smug look flashed across her eyes. It was a pity that Bai Min'er was so focused on the Second Prince that she didn't notice it. Otherwise, she would definitely not believe what Cui Moli said.

"Miss Bai, I do have a way, but I don't know if it will work?"

"Tell me about it." Bai Min'er said anxiously.

Cui Moli suppressed the smile on her face and said, "Since the queen intends to let Gu Yu and the second prince be alone, why don't we just change the protagonist?"

"What do you mean?" Bai Min'er said a little confused.

"Miss Bai, what if the second prince is replaced by someone else?"

Bai Min'er thought about Cui Moli's words. Yes, it would be fine if the man was replaced by someone else. "Yes, this is a good idea. But how to change it?"

Cui Moli said again, "This is easy." After that, she leaned close to Bai Min'er's ear and whispered a few words.

Bai Min'er was shocked at first, then happy, and smiled.

: "Okay! Let's do it. Gu Yu, humph! Don't dream of my second prince cousin!"

Jingyi and Gu Yu were sitting together and laughing. Not far away, a palace maid came over with a tray with two cups of chrysanthemum tea on it, and was walking slowly. When the palace maid walked to Gu Yu and the others, her body suddenly tilted, and the tray in her hand flew out. Coincidentally, the direction it flew was exactly the direction of Gu Yu.

Gu Yu stayed where he was, and before he could react, he saw the tea cup flying over. Seeing that the two cups of tea were about to splash on Gu Yu, Jingyi stretched out her hand and pulled Gu Yu to her side, and the two cups of tea flew to a pot of chrysanthemums behind Gu Yu. Then with a "dingdang" sound, it broke.

The palace maid saw that the tea cup did not splash on Gu Yu, and a look of disappointment flashed across her face, but it turned into panic in a moment, and she knelt down and said: "I am guilty, please calm down, ladies." After saying that, she actually shed tears.

Jingyi raised her eyebrows. What an interesting maidservant. It only took a moment. Before the ladies could say anything to reprimand her, or even react, the maidservant kowtowed and begged for mercy, as if they were deliberately making things difficult for her.

As expected, the maidservant's actions attracted a lot of attention.

Jingyi looked around and saw many ladies and young ladies looking at her. She chuckled and said, "This sister is so strange. You knocked over the teacup yourself. We haven't blamed you yet, but why did you start crying first?"

As soon as Jingyi finished speaking, Cui Xixi also understood, and deliberately raised her voice and said, "This sister, you knocked over the teacup, why don't you clean it up quickly, but cry here? Are you afraid that the housekeeper will blame you?"

The little palace maid was stunned. Obviously, she didn't expect the little girls to be so difficult. She wiped her tears and said, "It's my fault. I will clean it up now. Please calm down, ladies."

The little palace maid stood up and picked up the debris on the ground in a panic.

Jingyi's eyes fell on the little palace maid, and then turned to look at Cui Xixi, and saw that Cui Xixi's eyes were also a little depressed. Jingyi's mind turned quickly. Such a despicable method didn't seem like something the queen would do. It was too obvious. Who could it be?

Jingyi turned around and looked around at the people in groups of three or four, with no idea what to do. Just as she was about to turn around, a familiar figure suddenly caught her eye. It was Bai Min'er! Jingyi's eyes dimmed. Could it be her? But although she was arrogant, she didn't seem like someone who was good at such scheming. There must be someone behind her, who could it be?