Ci Jinzhi

Chapter 321: grant marriage

 Duan Shaoqing looked at the girl who was deep in thought, and was shaken again by thinking that she was not her niece.

 This is clearly Qingqing.

No, no, no, there seems to be something different. This girl's eyes are longer than Qingqing's, and the bridge of her nose is straighter...

Duan Shaoqing tried hard to recall Kou Qingqing's appearance, but found that the girl's face had become blurry.

“It’s getting late, uncle, please go back.”

Duan Shaoqing came back to his senses and confirmed again: "You won't go out again, will you?"

“No, I will go to pay my respects to my grandmother early tomorrow morning.”

Duan Shaoqing reluctantly nodded and walked away with heavy steps.

 After bathing and changing clothes at night, Xiaolian stood behind Xinyou and wiped her hair.

 “The girl has lost weight.”

Xin You looked at the person in the dressing mirror and smiled: "Thank you for your hard work these days."

 “No, I’ll be at ease after I explain it clearly to the elder.”

Xiao Lian thought very wildly. She would hang out with the girl anyway, and the worst she could do would be to lose her life.

 “The night before the Mid-Autumn Festival, the second young master had a quarrel...”

After hearing what Xiaolian said, Xin You said softly: "Miss Kou has a good brother."

Not everyone in Shaoqing's house should die. If everyone was executed because of her, it would be a debt she owed. This was one of the reasons why she came back.

"Girl, can you tell me about your journey south? I heard that you and Mr. He suppressed the bandits and rescued the victims."

Xinyou then started talking: "I was resting by the official road that day..."

 In the Fusi Yamen of Beizhen, He Qingxiao listened to the report from his subordinates.

 “The old lady of the Duan family has entered the palace today.”

Hearing the news, He Qingxiao felt a little uneasy.

On the street in the evening, he seemed to see Miss Xin.

The girl was wearing a curtain hat and had disappeared when he saw her, but he felt that she was Miss Xin.

If you read it right, Miss Xin has come to the city—

He Qingxiao quickly realized that it was not Miss Xin who entered the city, but "Miss Kou" who appeared.

Since Miss Kou needs to appear, it is not difficult to surmise that something may have happened in Shaoqing's house, and then he learned about the old lady's entry into the palace.

Jin Linwei said that they were the emperor’s eyes and ears, and some could be touched while others could not be touched. For example, within the palace walls, Jinlin Guards should not reach out. This is a taboo.

He Qingxiao did not inquire in depth and sent another man to visit the imperial mausoleum. Unfortunately, he will not know the situation there until the city gate opens tomorrow morning.

 This night, He Qingxiao didn't sleep well, and Xin You didn't sleep well either. Fortunately, she had lived a regular life in the imperial mausoleum and had regained her energy, so she didn't look haggard.

 “The girl is so pretty.” Xiao Lian inserted a hibiscus hairpin into Xinyou’s bun and admired her heartily.

Xin You pursed her lips and smiled: "Xiao Lian is also very pretty."

 The master and servant went to Ruyi Hall with smiles on their faces, and met Duan Yunling on the way.

Xin You took the initiative to say hello: "Cousin Ling."

Duan Yunling was stunned for a moment before reacting: "Cousin Qing?"

She came over quickly holding up the hem of her skirt, looked at Xin You carefully, and couldn't hide her excitement: "I haven't seen my cousin for a few days!"

She thought about many situations, good and bad, and her mind had been hanging for many days until now.

 “Let’s go to Ruyi Hall together.” Xin You held Duan Yunling’s hand.

 In Ruyi Hall, the old lady almost spit out a mouthful of tea when she saw Xin You and Duan Yunling coming in hand in hand.

 “Greetings to grandma (grandmother).”

The old lady’s attention was entirely focused on Xinyou: “Qingqing, come and sit next to grandma.”

Not long after Xin You sat down, Duan Shaoqing strode in.

Today is a holiday, so I don’t have to go to the office.

Duan Shaoqing immediately stopped at his feet when he saw the girl sitting obediently.     This girl can really pretend.

Not long after, Erfang and his family also arrived, followed by Duan Yunchen.

The granddaughter came back in time, and the old lady was in a good mood: "Lang'er will be back soon. It's rare for a family to be complete. Mrs. Zhu, let's have a good lunch today."

"yes."

At this time, a servant came over and reported something to Duan Shaoqing.

 Duan Shaoqing stood outside and listened to the servant's report in a low voice, then called Xin You out.

 “Is there something wrong, uncle?”

Duan Shaoqing took a deep look at Xin You and then said, "Master He has something to ask you."

Xinyou was startled.

 Master He knew that she was in the imperial mausoleum on the outskirts of Beijing, so why did he come to Shaoqing's house to look for her?

 Could it be said that Mr. He knew that she had returned to Shaoqing's residence?

Xin You thought about it a lot, but finally shook his head: "Just say it's inconvenient. If it's a business matter, just talk to your uncle."

Duan Shaoqing stood still and said, "Jin Linwei is very suspicious. What should I do if he doesn't believe me?"

It would be unfair to think that he put this girl under house arrest.

“Uncle is very concerned, let Xiaolian talk about it.”

Xinyou whispered a few instructions to Xiaolian, and Xiaolian took the order and left.

Due to Jin Linwei's sensitive identity, He Qingxiao did not come to the door, thus eliminating Duan Shaoqing's appearance. Xiaolian left Shaoqing's mansion and saw He Qingxiao in regular clothes at the agreed place.

 “Congratulations, Sir.” Xiaolian bowed her knees and saluted.

He Qingxiao looked behind her, disappointment flashing in her eyes.

 He came directly after meeting the men who went to the imperial mausoleum this morning.

 The men did not see "Mr. Xin", which almost verified his guess.

 At a quick glance yesterday, I saw it right.

“Master He, our girl asked the maid to bring you a message. It is difficult to go out these days. I will go back to Qingsong Bookstore to treat you to tea.”

"How are you girls?" He Qingxiao stared at Xiaolian closely.

"The girl is very good. The girl reassures Mr. He."

He Qingxiao was silent for a moment and nodded slightly: "If you girls are in trouble, just send me a message."

 After Xiaolian returned, she quietly brought the message to Xinyou.

Xinyou looked calm.

She couldn't bring Mr. He in. Her bargaining chip was the man's guilt, but Mr. He had nothing.

After breakfast, Duan Yunlang came back from the Imperial College. Hearing that his cousin had greeted the old lady in the morning, he went straight to Wanqing Residence.

 “Cousin, you are back!”

That day Duan Yunlang insisted on an answer, so Xiaolian had no choice but to tell her that Xin You was not at home, but she was talking about going out for fun.

Xinyou smiled: "I'm back."

“Where have my cousins ​​gone? Is it fun outside?”

Xin You casually mentioned a few interesting things, which made Duan Yunlang very envious: "It's a pity that the Imperial Academy is under strict supervision and cannot play truant."

Having not seen his cousin for a long time, Duan Yunlang was reluctant to leave and took the initiative to tell her many interesting things about the Imperial College.

At this time, Hong'er came in and sent a message: "Girl, the old lady asked you to go to the front quickly. Someone is coming from the palace."

The person who came to convey the order was an official from the Ministry of Etiquette. When Xin You arrived, he read out: "I have received a kind edict from the Empress Dowager, the niece of Duan Wensong, the young minister of Taipu Temple, Kou Qingqing Duanshu, is smart... The Empress Dowager was very pleased to hear this, and the special general You agree to marry the emperor’s eldest son, King Xiu, as your royal concubine…I accept this.”

After the official of the Ministry of Etiquette finished reading, he congratulated Xin You who took the imperial edict with both hands: "Miss Kou, congratulations, please come to the palace early to express your gratitude."

Xinyou was carrying an imperial edict that seemed to weigh a thousand pounds, and there was no chance at all.

 It is indeed time to go to the palace.