NOVEL SIMPLE Chapter 22 Death before success
Zhang's mother paused for a moment, then spoke truthfully, "Madam, just now news came from Qinxiang that the Marquis will not be back tonight."
Hearing this, Mrs. Yanglinghou was stunned for a moment, "What do you mean?"
Mother Zhang first poured a cup of tea for Mrs. Yangling Hou to calm her down, and then continued, "I heard from the boy at the stable that the Marquis went to Zuixian Tower and stayed there tonight."
Madam Yangling Hou said as if she was struck by lightning, she said in denial, "How is it possible? Who spread the news?"
Zhang's mother sighed and then responded, "It's the groom who is driving for the master. He has just returned to the house and said that he will pick up the Marquis for the morning court tomorrow morning."
Mrs. Yanglinghou's face turned pale, and she was stunned for a long time without responding. After a long time, as if she had made some important decision, she said, "I don't believe it. I'm just waiting here for the Marquis to come back. I don't believe that the Marquis will come back." Go to a place that’s neither trivial nor trivial.”
Seeing Mrs. Yanglinghou's face full of determination, Zhang's mother said no more, turned around and left, and sat guarding the door together.
…
Lu Yan left about half way through Mohai. Since he had to enter the palace tomorrow, Shen Qing fell asleep not long after Lu Yan left.
It was late at night, and the entire Yanglinghou Mansion was swallowed up by the night. Only the lights in Qifutang Hall were brightly lit and remained on all night.
Early the next morning, just after the Yin hour, Chanyi woke up Shen Qing. Eight maids filed in and stood in a row, waiting for Shen Qing to wash and dress. Chanyi combed Shen Qing into an exquisite and elegant bun. I chose two golden steps hanging on both sides. When walking, the steps sway slightly, looking luxurious and elegant.
Chanyi also chose the clothes, a long crimson silk gauze dress embroidered with gold thread, with several plum branches outlined with gold thread at the hem, which was unique and noble at the same time.
After carefully putting on makeup for Shen Qing and carefully painting a red lotus between her eyebrows, the procedure was completed.
Shen Qing looked at the clock and saw that it was already the beginning of the clock hour. Without any further delay, she took Chanyi and walked straight out.
The time for the flower viewing banquet was set at 3:30am. Although there was still more than an hour left, the Yanglinghou Mansion was not close to the palace gate, and the streets were crowded and required a lot of effort, so time was still extremely tight.
Chanyi had already asked someone to prepare meals in advance and put them in a food box. She picked up the food box and followed Shen Qing's pace.
When Shen Qing came out, Mu Lingxi was already waiting, accompanied by Mu Ziqian and Lin Xuefu. Mrs. Yanglinghou was later than Shen Qing. Her face was pale, her eyes were black, and she looked very haggard. .
Shen Qing looked caring, "Why does mother look so bad? But she didn't sleep well last night?"
Mrs. Yanglinghou was a little depressed and obviously no longer had the energy to argue with Shen Qing. She just nodded lightly and turned towards the first carriage.
However, Shen Qing stepped forward and stopped Madam Yanglinghou, "Mother, the Queen has personally issued the invitation, so even if the Crown Prince's concubine issued a ban on you and your husband, it will be temporarily lifted today. This is in line with etiquette, but Aunt Lin A concubine, are you sure you want to take her into the palace?"
Madam Yanglinghou's face darkened, "What happened to my concubine? Don't forget, she is still my biological niece."
Shen Qing said nothing and turned to look at Lin Xuefu, who paused slightly and remained silent.
After Shen Qing left yesterday, Lin Xuefu thought carefully about it, but in the end she chose to stick to her own opinion.
Because she felt that no woman would be willing to give up her husband to someone else, and even her husband would have sex with another woman every night and have children, so Shen Qing must be delaying the attack. She wanted to relax her vigilance, even more so later. She would also murder her own children, so Lin Xuefu chose to bring the matter to light step by step.
The first step is to appear generously in everyone's sight and let everyone know that Mu Ziqian really likes her.
Seeing this, Shen Qing smiled and approached Lin Xuefu step by step.
Mu Ziqian immediately raised the alarm and protected Lin Xuefu behind him, "What do you want to do?"
Shen Qing stopped, sneered "stupid", then turned around and took Mu Lingxi to the second carriage.
Originally, Shen Qing had no plans to kill Lin Xuefu in the short term. After all, Shen Qing still expected her to lead the Yangling Marquis Mansion to a desperate situation step by step, but he didn't expect that she would still seek death.
Not to mention others, Mu Xueliu alone was enough for her to drink a pot.
After Mu Ziqian took Lin Xuefu into the last carriage, the three carriages drove slowly towards the palace gate.
In the carriage, Shen Qing leaned on the soft backrest, feeling slightly sleepy. Mu Lingxi sat opposite Shen Qing, looking very reserved.
Chanyi took out two bowls of golden millet porridge from the food box, and took out several plates of exquisite pastries and placed them on the carved table in the carriage. "Miss, let's have breakfast first. I came out in a hurry and the servant didn't bring any with me." It’s too much, but there are still almost two hours before noon, so it’s always a good idea to take a step back.”
Shen Qing took the porridge bowl handed over by Chanyi and looked at Mu Lingxi, "Fourth Miss, please eat some too."
Mu Lingxi was a little nervous, but after a while she picked up the bowl of millet porridge, and then said "Thank you, sister-in-law" very respectfully.
Sitting in the same carriage as Shen Qing, Mu Lingxi tensed up the whole time, and the sweat on her palms never went away.
After taking a few mouthfuls of porridge slowly and carefully, Mu Lingxi reacted belatedly, "Sister-in-law, just call me Lingxi."
Shen Qing couldn't help but chuckle, "What are you doing if you are so restrained? I won't eat you."
Being teased by Shen Qing, Mu Lingxi's cheeks instantly turned a shy blush.
…
Because they had to pass through several streets and alleys, and it was a busy time, the carriage was moving very slowly. Before she knew it, Shen Qing fell asleep in the bustle.
When she woke up again, she had already arrived at the palace gate.
After getting off the carriage, Shen Qing turned her head to look at Mu Lingxi behind her and said, "Follow me closely. If I'm not there in the middle of the journey, no matter who calls you, don't go, come to me first."
There are many tricks in the palace, and today there are many people and eyes, especially Mu Lingxi is entering the palace for the first time, Shen Qing has to take precautions in advance.
Hearing this, Mu Lingxi responded obediently, "Yes, sister-in-law, Lingxi remembers it."
While speaking, the three wives of Yangling Marquis had already walked towards Shen Qing.
Mu Ziqian was on the left and Lin Xuefu was on the right. The two of them held one arm of the wife of Yangling Marquis respectively. The picture looked warm and harmonious.
In comparison, Shen Qing and Mu Lingxi looked more like outsiders.
A smile formed on Shen Qing's lips. He started acting right after he arrived at the palace gate. He was really dedicated. I just don't know how long this play can last.
As soon as Shen Qing finished thinking, a little girl in the palace walked over quickly. When she got closer, Shen Qing recognized that the little girl was Mu Xueliu's personal maid Bihen.
Shen Qing knew that the play was over.
As expected, Bihen walked in front of Shen Qing, bowed to Shen Qing first, and then turned to the wife of Yangling Marquis. Her eyes stayed on Lin Xuefu for a moment, and then she said slowly, "Madam, the queen has ordered you to go to Zhaoyang Palace first."
The wife of Yangling Marquis was startled, but nodded in agreement. She was about to take Mu Ziqian and Lin Xuefu to the palace gate, but was stopped by Bihen.
"Madam, the queen said that the queen's flower viewing banquet only invites those who should come. As for Aunt Lin, you should go back to the mansion first."