Chapter eight hundred and eighty-four. Awkward atmosphere.
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"Meet Madam!"
After entering the main hall of Zhao Mansion, Fang Ru and Zhang Yu'er saluted Cui Qianxue and greeted her.
Both of them are more or less unconvinced about Cui Qianxue's status as the head wife. Cui Qianxue's own vision and skills are far inferior to the two of them, but the status of the head wife is overwhelming. When facing Cui Qianxue, they must maintain the necessary
They are humble and respectful, and if they even slightly overstep their status, they will be tolerated by the world.
At this time, Cui Qianxue was sitting on the main seat in the main hall, looking at Fang Ru and Zhang Yu'er with a slightly complicated look - she was now a woman, but her innocent and childish temperament had not diminished much, and she had a pair of watery big breasts.
Her eyes make her look even more harmless - compared to the two daughters Fang Ru and Zhang Yu'er who are shrewd, capable and strong-willed, Cui Qianxue certainly has the advantage of being the main wife, but her momentum cannot take advantage of her in any case.
to the upper hand.
Chu Jiayi is now Cui Qianxue's personal maid, standing behind and to the side of Cui Qianxue, but looking at her expression, she looks more like the female guard next to Cui Qianxue. She looks at Fang Ru and Zhang Yu'er with vigilance and vigilance.
hostility.
After seeing Fang Ru and Zhang Yu'er salute and greet her, Cui Qianxue quickly said: "You two sisters, there is no need to be polite, please get up and sit down quickly."
After Fang Ru and Zhang Yu'er thanked Cui Qianxue, they sat down on both sides and waited for Cui Qianxue to speak first.
Cui Qianxue glanced at Fang Ru first, then turned to Zhang Yu'er and said: "Some time ago, I heard that sister, you made a mistake in the palace and was punished by the empress and sent to the clothing bureau. The Duke of Jing also kicked my sister out of the house.
After that, I was worried for a long time... But after I married into the Zhao Mansion, I realized that my sister had changed my name and entered the Zhao Mansion as a concubine. It was a pity that my sister had been sent by my husband when I married into the Zhao Mansion.
I went to Nanzhili on business, and I haven't had the opportunity to see him for a while. I really miss him."
Zhang Yu'er still remained humble, bowed her head and said with a smile: "Yu'er also misses Madam very much. When she was in Nanzhili, she heard the news that Madam married into the Zhao family, and she was quite happy in her heart... But Madam, you are the principal wife, and
Yu'er is just a concubine with a humble status and dare not be worthy of being a wife or sister."
After hearing what Zhang Yu'er said, Cui Qianxue hesitated, but in the end she did not change her name to Zhang Yu'er. She just asked again: "I heard that sister, you were seriously ill when you were in Nanzhili. You came home this time to heal your body."
, are there better now?”
However, Zhang Yu'er looked sad and said: "Yu'er's body is still unwell, and she suffers from severe abdominal pain from time to time. After seeing her sister, Yu'er will go to the doctor Zhang in the mansion for diagnosis."
While answering, Zhang Yuer glanced at Chu Jiayi from the corner of her eye.
After Zhang Yu'er entered the Zhao Mansion, she learned from Zhao Junchen that Chu Jiayi was a spy for Prince Zhu Heyu. However, after being used several times by Zhao Junchen, she had now lost the trust of Prince Zhu Heyu, and Chu Jiayi
She no longer has any contact with Prince Zhu Heyu. Currently, she is quite willing to stay in the Zhao Mansion and live a merry life, but it is still a hidden danger, so Zhang Yuer will naturally not tell the truth about her situation.
In fact, Cui Qianxue's scheming is too shallow and will easily reveal flaws. Even if Chu Jiayi is not around her, Zhang Yu'er may not tell the truth.
On the other side, Cui Qianxue did not notice Zhang Yuer's little thoughts, but instead gave Zhang Yuer a few words of concern.
Then, Cui Qianxue asked Zhang Yuer about what she had seen in Nanzhili, the current situation of the Zhao family in Yangzhou, etc. Regarding these insignificant matters, Zhang Yuer answered truthfully one by one.
After Cui Qianxue asked all the questions she had prepared in advance, the main hall of the Zhao Mansion quickly fell into silence. The three women were speechless for a while, and the atmosphere was quite awkward.
For Cui Qianxue, she is not a petty woman, and she also knows that three wives and four concubines are common in this era, and she has been working hard to become a "virtuous wife" since she married into the Zhao family, so Cui Qianxue
At least the jealousy and rejection of Fang Ru and Zhang Yu'er will not be shown openly, but the aura of Fang Ru and Zhang Yu'er is too strong, and they have been helping Zhao Junchen handle some important things. Cui Qianxue is in front of these two women.
She always seemed too immature and couldn't help Zhao Junchen much, so she always felt a little awkward when facing Fang Ru and Zhang Yu'er.
For Fang Ru and Cui Qianxue, they are both women with strong personalities, but they must maintain a humble attitude when facing Cui Qianxue, which is also a very uncomfortable thing.
Therefore, it is natural that such an awkward atmosphere would arise after the three girls met.
In such an awkward atmosphere, Chu Jiayi, who was behind Cui Qianxue, leaned over and whispered something into Cui Qianxue's ear.
After being reminded by Chu Jiayi, Cui Qianxue quickly asked Fang Ru: "Sister Ruyi, I heard that my husband submitted a memorial to His Majesty yesterday. When my husband submitted memorials to the capital several times before, he also submitted them to our house at the same time.
I sent a letter, and this time must be no exception... But I don’t know that my husband’s letter is in the hands of sister Ruyi?”
Hearing Cui Qianxue's inquiry, Fang Ru's expression became even more embarrassed.
When Zhao Junchen submitted memorials to the court several times before, he would indeed send letters to the Zhao family at the same time, and there were two letters in total. One was a letter reporting safety, and the other was handed over to Fang separately.
Zhao Junchen would instruct Fang Ru to handle some confidential matters in the secret letter.
But this time, perhaps because he was busy with the Shaanxi-Gansu war, Zhao Junchen couldn't take care of it. He only sent a secret letter to the Zhao family, but did not expressly report that he was safe.
In the past few times, Fang Ru gave Fang Ru a letter from Zhao Junchen to report that he was safe, and kept the secret letter for himself. However, this time Zhao Junchen did not send a letter to report that he was safe, and the content of the secret letter was
It involves many confidential and sensitive matters that are not suitable for Cui Qianxue to check, so Fang Ru didn't know how to reply for a while.
Finally, Fang Ru replied: "The war between Shaanxi and Gansu is going on, and everything needs to be decided by the master. Perhaps the master is too busy with military and political affairs, so he did not receive a letter from the master this time, but since it is the imperial court
I received the memorial from the master, I believe he is safe and sound, madam, you don’t have to worry."
After hearing Fang Ru's answer, Cui Qianxue looked disappointed, but in the end she didn't say anything.
On the contrary, Chu Jiayi next to her frowned and said: "Is it true that the master did not send a letter? I'm afraid not necessarily! I received the news that a messenger from Shaanxi and Gansu came to the Zhao Mansion yesterday, and he is still staying in the manor to rest! I want to
Don’t bring this messenger to confront you?”
When facing Cui Qianxue, Fang Ru maintained a humble attitude, but seeing Chu Jiayi coming forward to embarrass herself, Fang Ru naturally would not give in!
Fang Ru raised her eyebrows, widened her almond-shaped eyes, raised her head and stared at Chu Jiayi and asked: "Chu Jiayi, you are just a maid. When I am talking to my wife, how can it be your turn to interrupt?"
Chu Jiayi did not have a strong personality, but she couldn't help but feel that Fang Ru, as a concubine, always hid everything from Cui Qianxue. She quite meant not to take Cui Qianxue seriously. Under Fang Ru's gaze, she
His eyes couldn't help but dodge a little.
But after seeing Cui Qianxue's slightly uneasy expression at this time, Chu Jiayi still said bravely: "I am Madam's personal maid. It is inconvenient for Madam to say something, so naturally I will say it on her behalf! Madam is
You are the royal wife of the house, but you kept the letter from the master without telling the lady. This kind of thing is not justified in the world, right? What's more, the master's letter must pass through your hands first every time.
It is inappropriate to hand it over to Madam! Also, Madam is now in charge of all internal affairs of Zhao Mansion, but I found that after Madam makes a decision, the servants of Zhao Mansion will ask for your opinion again,
What's going on? A few days ago, Madam looked through the accounts of the house and found that eighty thousand taels of silver were suddenly missing from the account. When I asked, I found out that you had embezzled it. Madam said that you must have embezzled such a large sum of money.
In order to do things for the master, why did you misappropriate such a large sum of money from the house without asking my wife's opinion in advance? If things continue like this, do you still have rules of respect and inferiority in the Zhao house? "
Chu Jiayi had obviously been holding these things in her heart for a long time, and she burst out in one breath.
After seeing the dispute between Fang Ru and Chu Jiayi, Zhang Yuer's eyes flashed with a smile.
Hearing Chu Jiayi's question, Fang Ru's expression became even stiffer.
She has monopolized the power of the Zhao family for too long, and many times she has indeed ignored Cui Qianxue's existence intentionally or unintentionally.
In the end, Fang Ru avoided answering several of Chu Jiayi's questions, and just said in a stiff tone: "There is no need for me to lie about this matter. It is true that I did not receive the letter from the master to his wife this time.
!”
On the sentence "I did not receive the letter from the master to my wife", Fang Ru slightly emphasized her tone. The implication was that Zhao Junchen had indeed sent the letter, but it was not given to Cui Qianxue.
Seeing Fang Ru's attitude, Chu Jiayi wanted to say something again.
But before Chu Jiayi could speak, Cui Qianxue reached out and grabbed the corner of her clothes.
Chu Jiayi looked down and saw Cui Qianxue shaking her head gently towards her, her big eyes full of uneasiness, obviously worried that the dispute would expand further.
Seeing Cui Qianxue's appearance, Chu Jiayi sighed slightly in her heart, but finally kept silent.
Then, Cui Qianxue turned to Fang Ru and Zhang Yu'er and said: "Sister Ruyi must be busy with a lot of things now. Sister Chen...Sister Yu'er also needs to find Doctor Zhang to diagnose her body as soon as possible. I won't leave you to continue talking."
Following Cui Qianxue's words, everyone in the Zhao Mansion's main room secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Then, Fang Ru and Zhang Yu'er both stood up and saluted Cui Qianxue to say goodbye.
However, before leaving, Fang Ru suddenly thought of something and said to Cui Qianxue: "Madam, the Shaanxi-Gansu war is about to come to an end. Master, he is very likely to win a big victory, and even go further."
With the possibility of opening up territory and expanding the territory for the imperial court, this is a great opportunity to reverse my reputation in the government and the public! I hope Madam, you can give some advice to your grandfather Cui Ge Lao, saying that now is a great opportunity for him to play a role, and he is
He is one of the leaders of Qingliu. As long as he can fully build momentum for me at this time, my plan to reverse my reputation will be more effective!"
Fang Ru's words seemed to give orders to Cui Qianxue. Chu Jiayi couldn't help but wanted to say something again, but was still stopped by Cui Qianxue.
"I understand!" Cui Qianxue said with a serious face: "I will return to Cui Mansion as soon as possible to see my grandfather and discuss this matter."
*
After Fang Ru and Zhang Yu'er left the main hall of the Zhao Mansion, Chu Jiayi couldn't help complaining to Cui Qianxue: "Madam, you are the upright royal wife of the Zhao Mansion, why do you have to compromise like this? Then Fang Ru and Zhang Yu'er obviously did not treat you
In my eyes, everything is hidden from you. Even the entire Zhao family now only knows Mrs. Ruyi. If you continue to tolerate them like this, you will have no place in the Zhao family!... These two are not
A good person will always keep his eyes on the position of your main wife..."
But Cui Qianxue shook her head and said: "They are just doing things for my husband... I am not deeply involved in the matter, and I don't have much scheming in the city. Some things are really not suitable for me to know... Don't worry, as long as my husband has me in his heart,
I won’t lose my position!”
After a pause, Cui Qianxue looked serious again and said: "I can't help my husband much, and now I can only do what I can... Sister Jiayi, send someone to prepare the carriage. I want to go to Cui as soon as possible."
Let’s go to see my grandfather! Sister Fang Ru is right about what she said. Now is a great opportunity for my husband to improve his reputation, and he needs my grandfather’s help!”
Seeing Cui Qianxue's appearance, Chu Jiayi sighed again in her heart.
In fact, Chu Jiayi is not stupid, and she also knows that Zhao Junchen has guessed her identity a long time ago, and has been using her! Her previous actions not only failed to bring down Zhao Junchen, but were used by Zhao Junchen, making her
Prince Zhu Heyu got into a bad situation!
Now, Prince Zhu Heyu has stopped contacting her, and she has lost hope of revenge. It is no longer meaningful to stay in the Zhao Mansion.
Deep in Chu Jiayi's heart, she had some thoughts of leaving the Zhao Mansion, but at this time, she met Cui Qianxue. At that time, Cui Qianxue was kicked out of the Zhao Mansion by Cui Mian, which was the lowest point in her life.
, Chu Jiayi was always taking care of Cui Qianxue during that time!
Chu Jiayi liked Cui Qianxue's innocence and kindness very much. They were both helpless women, but they established a deep friendship during that time. Now Chu Jiayi regards Cui Qianxue as her own sister.
Chu Jiayi entered the Zhao Mansion earlier than Cui Qianxue. She knew Fang Ru's character and her status in the Zhao Mansion very well. When Cui Qianxue married into the Zhao Mansion, she was worried that Cui Qianxue would be bullied. In addition, she had some inexplicable feelings in her heart.
In the end, her thoughts stayed in the Zhao Mansion and have been assisting Cui Qianxue to this day.
It's a pity that Chu Jiayi and Cui Qianxue are not women with strong personalities. They have been doing their best to manage the affairs of the Zhao family during this period, but they still cannot change their marginal status.
Thinking of this, when Chu Jiayi saw Cui Qianxue's serious look, she couldn't help but feel stunned. In the end, she stopped saying anything and nodded lightly before going to prepare the carriage for Cui Qianxue.
*
On the other side, after Fang Ru and Zhang Yuer left the main hall, they walked towards the study together because they still had something to discuss in secret.
While walking, Zhang Yuer smiled and said: "Since Cui Qianxue married into the Zhao family, it must have been a difficult time for my sister, right?"
At this time, Fang Ru had returned to her usual shrewd appearance. After giving Zhang Yuer a sideways glance, she smiled softly and said, "You will stay in Zhao Mansion from now on, and you will feel the taste of it soon!"
Zhang Yu'er was about to say something, but at this moment, a servant of the Zhao family suddenly rushed over and reported: "Mrs. Ruyi, I just received the news that today's morning court is over. Regarding the memorial of the master, the imperial court has
There’s a resolution!”
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ps: After deciding to give Zhang Yu'er more room to develop, these plots must be written, and there is no choice - as mentioned before, this will push back the completion plan of the book by about 100,000 words.
The writing of Chongzi is always not clean and neat enough. This book was originally planned to be completed with 3 million words, but now it has been written to 3.1 million words, and only a little more than two-thirds of the content has been written. The final estimate is
The book is completed with about 4 million words.
Chongzi hates writing a novel that is too long, because after losing passion in the later stages of writing, the content is no longer as brilliant as it was in the early stages, and the characters are easily stereotyped, and they may even subconsciously add water to their faces while writing. These are things that Chongzi hates.
things.
But now that the matter has come to this point, there is nothing we can do about it. It is still the same sentence - write it seriously and it will never be unfinished.