The Concubine in the Palace_The Feast of Masks【Complete】(190)

His family came from a humble background and relied on the main branch to make a living. When little Qiao Anhe was young, he would see his father and mother go to the main branch every now and then. When they came back, they would smile and bring some fabrics or clothes. Some meat, food and rice are mostly given in money.

Then the family will be much more comfortable for a while until the next time I go there. There are many people like this in the Qiao clan, and no one thinks there is anything wrong with this behavior. In their eyes, they are all from the same clan, and the main branch is rich, so they should help the people on the side branches.

But it always gets boring. The more times you go there, the more you go, and it never goes as smoothly as before. Sometimes his father and his mother would come back with something to ask for, but sometimes they would come back empty-handed, or they would get ridiculed by the servants and come back in disgrace.

By that time, Qiao Anhe had become sensible and joined the clan school. He also felt that this kind of behavior was wrong, but he was powerless. I can only make a cruel request to myself to learn a certain way, stand out, and shine on my family.

In fact, he did become famous, and as his books became better and better, the situation at home began to slowly change. Mr. Qiao was willing to help promising clan members, so his family changed houses and had regular support at home. Until he passed the exam and his situation changed drastically.

But even so, his family also grew up clinging to the main branch.

Master Qiao arranged his life and even his marriage as a matter of course. If his mother had not died of a serious illness, he might have been married at this time to the niece of Grandma Qiao's natal family.

His father was a sixth-rank petty official, and he himself looked very ordinary.

Mr. Qiao said this was for his smooth career, but in fact Qiao Anhe knew that the other party wanted to kidnap him. He has been holding a breath in his heart, and he can only let it out when he is named on the gold medal list one day.

He knew that his sister was also holding her breath in her heart. They were both women. Qiao Yan'er was not as good looking as any other female worker, but Qiao Yan'er's younger sister could do the same. To Qiao Yan'er, her talent was outstanding and her talent was famous far and wide. In my sister's case, I can only serve as a foil.

He knew that his sister didn't like to study with Qiao Yan'er. She said she was studying with her, but in fact, because of the unequal status, she might as well be called a maid. But the younger sister kept going until Qiao Yan'er reached the age of marriage and no longer needed to accompany her to school, so the younger sister stopped going.

But instead of reading with me, I go to talk with her from time to time. Every time my sister comes back, she always has more clothes or jewelry.

The Qiao family was a well-known wealthy businessman in the south of the Yangtze River. Qiao Yan'er was born as a legitimate daughter and had the best food and clothing. Every time Qiao An and his sister come back, they always think of their mother who has been more diligent in fawning over the main branch since her father left. He once asked his mother not to go anymore, but his mother said that he didn't understand anything.

His mother said that he was not the only one in the family who was good at studying. If she hadn't always been running to the eldest grandma, would the Qiao family have made great efforts to cultivate him? !

This was simply an insult to Qiao Anhe, but it was a pity that it was his mother. Even if he had more reluctance in his heart, he couldn't say it.

As a younger sister, he could always speak a few words, but his mother and younger sister still said he didn't understand.

It is said that a person should have two plans. If the younger sister marries well, she can also help her older brother! In fact, to put it bluntly, I just don’t believe that he will definitely be on the gold list.

After entering Beijing this time, Qiao Anhe told Qiao Xiuli in a cryptic way that this time was different from the past. This was the Duke's mansion. As a guest, it was not good to always go to the back house, but Qiao Xiuli turned a deaf ear.

One day before, Qiao Anhe drank some wine and had an argument with Qiao Xiuli. Qiao Xiuli cried and said that since she stopped and came in, the Zhenguo Palace has ignored the two of them again, and she frequently went to Qiao's place. , I also want to remind the brother and sister that they are still living here, hoping that the prince can take his brother out to socialize. Even if he takes him to the houses of several high-ranking officials who may be the examiners, he might be able to get it. Some are cheaper.

Qiao Anhe was speechless.

In fact, the reason why he drank outside that day was precisely because of this. Once spring approaches, the capital will be filled with students from all over the country, and everyone will have some exchanges in the guild hall. People with connections and connections are too busy to touch the ground, but he held a golden mountain in his arms, but it was of no use.

Until now, Qiao Anhe has not told the students he has become friends with that he is staying in the Zhenguo Palace.

He also knew in his heart that talent and learning alone were not enough. Three years ago, he was hesitant and ambitious, boasting that his articles were flourishing, but he still failed.

Thousands of thoughts suddenly appeared in Qiao Anhe's mind. He glanced at Qiao Xiuli and said, "There are men coming and going in this house from time to time. You still have to avoid it."

Qiao Xiuli didn't know what she was thinking. She nodded when she heard this, but her mind was obviously not on it.

She stood up suddenly, only to realize that her movements were too abrupt, and hurriedly explained: "Brother, you are busy, I remembered that I have some embroidery work that I haven't finished yet, so I have to go back to the house."

Qiao Anhe nodded, and Qiao Xiuli left.

After leaving the door, before reaching the west wing, there was a bookboy-looking person at the corner winking at Qiao Xiuli.

She nodded and entered the west wing.

Not long after, the book boy came over.

He is Qiao Anhe's book boy, named Fa Zi.

Qiao Xiuli took the girl out to make tea for her. Fazi took out a tightly wrapped small bag from his arms and handed it to her. The way he held it seemed like there was something scary inside.

Qiao Xiuli took it with a solemn expression, turned around and stuffed it into the kang cabinet. At the same time, she took a palm-sized bag from it and handed it to Fazi.

"Put it away, do as I say, and bring it back to me in three days."

Fazi nodded, but hesitated: "Girl, what is the use of this kind of thing?"

"Don't ask what you shouldn't ask!" She seemed to be aware of her harsh words. She softened her expression and softened her tone: "I have my own uses, and I will tell you later."

"girl……"

Qiao Xiuli begged with her eyes open: "Fazi, don't forget who saved you when you were about to die on the street..."

Fazi immediately said nothing, put the things in his arms, and left.

Chapter 148

On the other side, after sending Yao Niang and Xiao Bao away, it was customary for Mrs. Qiao to take a nap, but she was not sleepy at all.

Chatting and laughing with several girls, especially when Ruhua talked about how Xiaobao coaxed Yueyue to call him Brother Chen, Ms. Qiao burst out laughing.

The maid Yingge walked in, holding a cloth bag folded with a handkerchief.

"Madam, I just forgot to mention that Miss Six gave this slave a sachet when she came earlier."

"The sachet." Mrs. Qiao took the bag and opened it. Looking at the familiar colors and embroidery on the sachet, she exclaimed: "It's so beautiful. You know I like to smell this mint scent, so I make one and send it to you every now and then. It's really embarrassing. She did."

Rumeng said with a smile on the side: "What kind of difficulty is this? Even if she doesn't do it, the slaves can do it. It's just that she has such a heart, Madam will accept it."

Qiao said angrily: "You lazy girls, you are just lazy and slippery, and you still find some high-sounding excuses."

The girls were laughing and joking but didn't take it seriously. In fact, it’s not that they secretly had sex, but that the sixth girl loved to do it and give it away. Madam liked it when she was still in the boudoir. This time, the sixth girl said that she had dried a lot of mint before rushing to Beijing, and it looked like When she sent sachets here like before, everyone understood her desire to please, so they accepted her.

"Take it and hang it up. The smell of the medicine is really enough for a while. I was just about to say that the sachet didn't work, but she sent it instead."

Just as he was talking, the prince, Sun Meng, walked in from outside.

He seemed to have just come back from outside. He was wearing a big cloak and was full of cold air.

Sun Meng has been running errands for Emperor Hongjing since he was a young man. In recent years, he has taken over the position of commander of the Beijing Guards Division, guarding the capital and guarding the palace. This position is usually held by the emperor's confidant. The previous commander was the Duke of Zhen, who was Sun Meng's father.

The Duke of Zhenguo and his family are considered to be close ministers of the emperor, and their reputation is not comparable to that of others. However, since they can be close ministers of the emperor, they must be loyal. And this loyalty is not to the court, but to the emperor.

As soon as she saw Sun Meng walking in, Mrs. Qiao went up to him and took off his cloak with her own hands.

"Why did my husband come back at this time, but after eating? I asked the girls to prepare some more?"

Sun Meng pressed her hand and said, "No, I used it outside before I came back."

During this period, Yingge took the sachet and hung it up, while Rumeng and others carried hot water and handkerchiefs to help Sun Meng wash and change clothes.

After changing into comfortable clothes, Sun Meng sat down on the kang and asked, "Where is Yue'er?"

Mrs. Qiao said softly: "Today, Concubine Su from the Jin Palace came, and she brought the young master with her. The two children had a lot of fun playing together. After dinner, the girl got sleepy and asked the wet nurse to take her to bed. "

Ruhua brings tea. Sun Meng took it, brushed the tea foam on it, and took a sip: "What were you laughing at just now? I heard it before I even entered the door."

With a smile on her face, Mrs. Qiao told Xiaobao about coaxing Yueyue to call him brother: "Our daughter is really stupid, she actually calls people brother."

Sun Meng laughed and said, "I'll just follow you when I see the moon."

"You mean to say I'm stupid?" Mrs. Qiao was coquettish, and she couldn't help but glance at Sun Meng.

Her eyebrows were frowned but not frowned, and her eyes were charming but angry. Sun Mang couldn't stand her being like this the most. Seeing that the girls had wisely avoided them, he stretched out his long arms to pick her up and put her on his lap.

Qiao is seven years younger than Sun Meng, and there are rumors that she is a wife-suppressant. She was engaged once and married again, but nothing happened. Sun Meng pampered her because Mrs. Qiao could always be by his side.

He was also willing to pamper her. It was not like Sun Meng had never had intercourse before, but knowing that Mrs. Qiao didn't like it, he sent them all out of the house. The couple had been married for several years and were very affectionate. Mrs. Zhenguo didn't like Mrs. Qiao, not only because she was of low status and was a merchant girl, but also for this reason.