Marchioness Brothel - Chapter 133

Duguke repeatedly tried to stay in Dugu Liancheng, and he clearly had something to say, but Jiang Xiaolou refused to stay, and he left the Third Prince’s Mansion after he finished his ideas. She retreated the carriage, taking only Fluttershy and Chu Han, quietly walking eastward along the moat. The spring is already bright and beautiful, and blue waves are rippling. The tea shop pubs on both sides of the moat are very lively. Many literati escorts on the railings, or sings or laughs, and their voices spread to the street. The stalls of various colors were filled with rouge gouache, bottles and cans, and the crowds were one after another, chatting and laughing, and a noisy scene.

“Miss, this is a high-quality hairpin, look at it.”

“The meat buns, just out of the pot, steaming hot, two for a penny!”

“Rouge gouache, hey, the best rouge gouache in Beijing, come buy it.”

Jiang Xiaolou looked at the bustling capital quietly, with a faint sneer in his eyes. In the near future, Liangzhou has been suffering from military disasters, but the capital city is full of singing and dancing. Everyone enjoys peace and is unaware of the upcoming war. From a long-term perspective, the prince and the three princes struggled more and more fiercely. They were vying to stand against the Chinese military officials. The other princes sat watching success or failure, waiting for opportunities, watching the wind and rain come… Oh, I don’t know what the evolution will be. situation.

A handsome young man walked quickly to her.

Chu Han slammed his sword: “Who dares to be rude to the princess!”

The young man hurriedly bowed to salute, with a flexible smile on his face, and said: “Princess Mingyue, my master would like to please.”

Jiang Xiaolou raised his eyebrows lightly, with a strange expression: “Oh, who is your master?”

“My master said, please gather upstairs.” Then, the young man pointed to the Xinghua Tower next to him.

Jiang Xiaolou followed his fingers and looked to the second floor. In the elegant room by the window, the bamboo curtain was slightly curled, revealing a young boy’s sharp and graceful chin. The sun fell on his crystal-like jade neck, extending into The collar, that dazzling purple dress with a stunning brilliance, instantly shocked people’s hearts.

Seeing this person’s description, Jiang Xiaolou immediately understood the identity of the other party, and only smiled slightly, “You lead the way.”

“Yes, sheriff.”

The little servant led Jiang Xiaolou all the way to the restaurant. There were several maidservants waiting in the corridor, all of them bowed their heads and held their breath, and were slim and slim.

Pushing the door open, Xiao Guanxue really sat under the window, looking at her with a pair of romantic eyes: “I haven’t seen you for many days, don’t Mingyue Princess come here without any problems?”

Jiang Xiaolou walked straight over and smiled and said, “Master Hou is so elegant, do you sit here and have a drink?”

Xiao Guanxue smiled and said, “No, I have been waiting here for a long time.”

Jiang Xiaolou raised his eyebrows slightly and said, “Master Hou knows that I will definitely pass by here today?”

Xiao Guanxue smiled deeper and deeper: “Being just before the enemy, I think you must be in a good mood, maybe you will go out to relax, so I deliberately tried my luck here, and it really made me run, which shows that we are really destined.”

Yeah, it’s a fate, from beginning to end, the ghosts are still there, and they are staring at me. Jiang Xiaolou sat down directly opposite him, glanced at the chessboard on the table, and whispered: “Master Hou, are you waiting for me to meet?”

“Of course,” Xiao Guanxue made a “please” gesture. His fingers were slender and delicate, and his nails were extremely rounded, almost with a transparent halo in the sun.

Everyone in the capital knows that Jiang Xiaolou is famous for playing chess, and the place where the empress loves her the most is because she is good at chess. Old Yang Ge once summoned a great scholar to confront her, and they all bowed to the wind, which shows that her chess skills are indeed brilliant. Xiao Guanxue is sitting here today waiting for her to play chess, of course she will not be idle and bored…

Xiao Guanxue held up a black stone and gently landed on the chess surface. Jiang Xiaolou’s chess style is calm and steady, but Xiao Guanxue is free and easy to play chess, throwing at will.

Jiang Xiaolou dropped a white son: “Master Hou, not just looking for me today to play chess.”

Xiao Guanxue smiled deeper in her eyes, and her so handsome face was shining in the sun: “It’s nothing important, but I am very interested in the golden knife.”

The chess piece in Jiang Xiaolou’s hand paused slightly, just staring at him, there seemed to be a bright light flashing in his eyes, and immediately, the white chess piece in his hand fell.

“Xiao Lou didn’t understand what Hou Ye meant.”

“Jiang Xiaolou, you instructed the three princes to take the golden knife. You expect Pei Xuan to receive the grace of the three princes. In order to repay the effect and calm his heart, you will definitely leave a token, and then buy Pei Xuan in advance. The confidant’s guard, with physical and personal evidence, is not afraid that Pei Gang will not turn back.”

Jiang Xiaolou blinked his eyes lightly, with an innocent look on his face: “According to Lord Hou, all this should be the work of the Third Highness. What can I do with me? I’m just a weak woman. How can there be such a means to manipulate the prince, doesn’t Hou Ye find it too ridiculous?”

Xiao Guanxue responded. Heizi was already surrounded, and smiled: “You can hide from others, but you can’t hide from me. This is not Duguke’s usual style.”

“Oh, what is the style of the Third Prince?”

“Dugu overcomes others, is good at drawing people’s hearts and comforting the officials, and gathered a group of counselors by his side, but these people can’t become a great weapon for the people who are camping and mediocre. In addition, the prince has no inferiority. The holy family, Duguke is neither ruthless nor courageous enough. It is as difficult as climbing to win a position. In my opinion, the chance of winning is less than 30%.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaolou suddenly raised his head and looked at Xiao Guanxue. She also thought so in her heart, showing that Xiao Guanxue was cunning.

“If Pei Xuan and the prince colluded, it would be a huge blow to Duguke. You are using the other side’s thoughts to move him. On the surface, this matter is very good for Duguke, but in fact, , This is your revenge, killing Pei Xuan.”

Seeing blood for a while, Xiao Guanxue spoke bluntly and thoroughly understood Jiang Xiaolou’s intentions.

Jiang Xiaolou smiled softly: “Master Hou has fun every day, but he didn’t expect that he still had this thought to study me.”

Xiao Guanxue stared at her beautiful eyebrows and regretted: “Duguke can’t think of such a vicious and vicious trick. It is because of your help that he can successfully kill Pei Xuan, but-I expect you this time. Can’t kill him.”

“Why is Lord Hou so determined?”

Xiao Guanxue’s slender hand dropped another piece on the chessboard, and said unhurriedly: “Your Majesty only angered Pei Xuan because of his momentary anger. After all, he is not a true traitor, and although this golden sword scheme worked for a while, There is the obstruction of the prince and others, plus Pei Xuan is not a stupid person, as long as he does not plead guilty, what can you do with him? So I conclude that you will return without success this time.”

Jiang Xiaolou’s long eyelashes trembled like butterfly wings, and his tone was exceptionally calm: “Master Hou, do you dare to bet with me?”

Xiao Guanxue chuckled, “What is the bet?”

Jiang Xiaolou chuckled lightly with a calm expression: “Just gamble on this restaurant under the name of Lord Hou. If you lose, the restaurant belongs to me, if I lose, the whole house of gold and jade belongs to you.”

“Well, I will add ten more farms and five shops.”

Xiao Guanxue smiled and dropped another son. Jiang Xiaolou nodded happily, got up and smiled and said, “Master Hou, you have already lost.”

Xiao Guanxue didn’t even look at the game, but didn’t hesitate: “No, a draw.”

Jiang Xiaolou was taken aback, and looked down, only to find that the situation had changed. She thought that the hand that caused the opponent to death caused him to survive from desperation, and she thought for a moment, and instantly understood: “Yes, this round is tied. However, Pei Xuan is bound to die.”

Xiao Guanxue smiled and said, “I will wait and see.”

Jiang Xiao went downstairs, Xiao Guanxue had been sitting quietly in place. When the other party left the restaurant, he looked down from upstairs.

Jiang Xiaolou walked to the door, but suddenly stopped. Her eyes fell on a little beggar who was only seven or eight years old, dirty and disabled in both legs.

The servant girl in Tsing Yi beside Jiang Xiaolou seemed to say a few words gently.

Jiang Xiaolou shook his head. Unexpectedly, the little beggar stretched out a black hand and grabbed Jiang Xiaolou’s skirt. The maid yelled loudly, hurriedly asking the guard to rush forward. Jiang Xiaolou waved his hand and said a few words to the maidservant. The maid was stunned for a moment, but quickly ran across the long street. When she came back, there was already a steaming steamed bun in her arms. The maid threw the bun to the little beggar, he rushed over as hungry, hugged the bun and beamed his eyes.

Jiang Xiaolou’s figure disappeared into the bustling crowd, but Xiao Guanxue kept watching, and slowly said, “Jiang Xiaolou, don’t you know where you lost?”

“Master, what do you mean–” asked the courageously beside him.

“Hahahaha—” Xiao Guanxue burst into laughter suddenly, and said immediately, “Go back.”

Imperial Palace, Mingguang Hall

The entire hall is being repaired. A large amount of wood is stacked in the center of the hall. The forbidden army in the corridor stands blankly with swords in hand, as if they have long been turned into pottery figurines. The craftsmen knelt on the ground, their shadows hidden between the huge pillars, letting the dust flying in the air float in the hall.

“This is the Mingguang Hall, which represents the Sheji clan. Your Majesty has made a will to repair it again.” The queen’s skirt has been dragged to the ground, and the loose-colored ribbons around her waist swayed slightly, and she slowly walked to it. In the center of the hall, raised his head and looked at the towering dome, “Since your majesty became the throne, large-scale repairs…this is the first time. Liancheng, come here.”

Dugu Liancheng took a step closer. From the moment he was born, he had been living among the people, and naturally he had never seen this Mingguang Hall.

The queen took a breath, and there was a smell of dust floating between her nose, and a smile floated on her lips: “All dynasties and dynasties have worshipped their ancestors here. If you haven’t left the palace, maybe –” she said At this point, he paused slightly, but did not continue.

There was a deep sneer in Dugu Liancheng’s eyes, but when the queen looked over, he just lowered his eyes and was speechless.

“Do you know why this hall is lacquered with pill beads and then bordered with red gold?” The queen smiled and said: “Pill beads are blood, and red gold symbolizes imperial power. This is to tell everyone that any brilliant dynasty is built on thousands of On the bones of ten thousand people.”

“The meaning of the empress, Liancheng knows very well.” The queen told Dugu Liancheng not to hate the emperor for taking his father’s position as emperor, but she said so vaguely.

“You all go down.” The queen glanced at the craftsmen and said slowly.

The emperor issued a strict order to complete the repair of the main hall within three months. Everyone is working around the clock and dare not slack in the slightest. But at this moment, the craftsmen didn’t dare to argue with the queen about the time, and they all retreated without daring to go out.

The queen’s gaze fell on Dugu Liancheng, her eyes and smile were extremely gentle: “I really envy your mother for having such a son who is knowledgeable, reasonable, and both civil and military. It’s just–” she After speaking, without waiting for Dugu Liancheng to answer, he already walked to a row of beautiful stone screens and stopped, looking at the mountains and rivers on the screen for a long time, thinking.

After everyone retreated, the whole hall was silent, and no one could guess what the queen was thinking. The sun shines through the window panes into the main hall, shining the golden phoenix crown gleaming in her hair.

Some things slowly rushed up from Dugu Liancheng’s eyes, and was slowly suppressed by him. When he spoke again, there was already a calm breeze: “The ministers are grateful for the grace of your majesty and the empress. Come back here and pay homage to the ancestors of the past.”

His tone is very official and free of resentment.

The queen laughed slightly, but her voice was infinitely melancholy.

Dugu Liancheng slowly raised his head, facing the queen’s gaze. The queen looked at Dugu Liancheng’s handsome face, and her memories pressed from the depths of her mind so that she could barely breathe. His eyebrows are clear and clear, and the outline is clear, and there is a shadow of that person. There was a slight pain in her heart slowly entwining her heart. She looked at Dugu Liancheng’s face in rapture, but she was afraid of seeing the other person’s eyes. She was afraid, very afraid, afraid to see her old self in those pure black, secluded eyes.

She wore complicated and grand costumes and dignified and gorgeous makeup. She looked like the noblest woman in this great Zhou Empire. However, after all, there is one person who is always in pain in her heart. I still remember back then, when she had not been married, she had admired that person that way, and even enthusiastically looked forward to the possibility of marriage. But who knows, King Goyang asked the emperor for a marriage. When the news came, she couldn’t tell how disappointed she was in her heart. In terms of appearance, I am not as good as the sister who came out of her, but in terms of temperament and talent, my sister is far behind her. It’s a pity that that person already had a concubine. With his status as the concubine of the An family, it was impossible to marry as a concubine, so in the end the family still relied on the emperor’s order to marry himself to the king of Gaoyang, and instead gave him the concubine. The younger sister sent to the man’s house. She was not reconciled, and never reconciled. On the phoenix stage that day, he heard his own piano sound and was obviously moved. If not, why did he turn his head back? Why, he was a step slower, so that King Gao Yang took the lead.

The imperial decree came, and she was not jealous, especially when she saw her younger sister’s blushing face and eyes full of expectation, yes, Prince Dexin is the dream lover of many boudoir daughters, and she has been low in her heart countless times. , Calling that person’s name softly, every time I think of his face, the blood in his body will rush to the top of his head unconsciously. Day by day, emotions crossed the highest wall of reason, making her almost unable to suppress herself. Later, Prince Dexin died. She thought she would be very sad, but she actually felt relieved. Those who can’t get will eventually die out in this world, it’s not because of God’s mercy for her.

Later, she saw that her pregnant sister had nowhere to go, and her heart was both jealous and sour. In the end, she left her younger sister, who took good care of and cared for in every possible way, nothing else, because the flesh and blood in her abdomen was the last blood of that person in this world. The capital was dangerous, and Gaoyang Palace was even more perilous. I thought I would never see the mother and son again in this life, but Dugu Liancheng returned. His face resembled his father. The moment she saw him, the queen could hardly control the surprise and joy in her heart, and she could hardly distinguish between reality and dream.

Dugu Liancheng lowered her head, no longer looking directly at the queen’s eyes, and she seemed to wake up suddenly from a sweet dream, her eyes gradually softened, and she looked at Dugu Liancheng like a loving mother: “Your Majesty repairs this again. What is the purpose of this ancestral temple, do you know Liancheng?”

Dugu Liancheng thought for a while before saying: “Please show me the empress.”

After the queen was silent for a moment, there was a slight smile on her face: “Your Majesty intends to chase after your biological father, the former Prince Dexin.”

Chase it? Dugu Liancheng frowned slightly, his eyes as deep as You Tan showed no emotion, but he instantly understood what the queen meant.

The queen had smiled with joy: “Yes, your majesty will chase after Prince Dexin as Emperor Wen Yuan.”

Compassionate love for the people is called literary, restraining disasters and chaos is called martial arts, and morality is called yuan. Dugu Liancheng knew very well that the reason why the emperor pursued the title of Prince Dexin was to show his remembrance to the emperor, and the other was to show his favor to Dugu Liancheng, killing two birds with one stone. Dugu Liancheng looked indifferent and smiled slightly: “Thank you for your grace.”

He should be grateful and bow his head to thank you, but if he did, he wouldn’t be alone. The queen looked at Dugu Liancheng, stunned by the reality, and immediately chuckled: “You are a good boy, and you have not lived up to your mother’s expectations. If your father is still alive, he will also be very pleased. If you have a son, how can you please? “The queen finally said the most important point, “I remember this year you are no longer young, right? The prince has already added a grandson to your majesty at your age. Prince Dexin is the only one left. The root alone seedlings should marry the new person as soon as possible and continue the blood. If you don’t mind, I have a wonderful marriage here.” She said here, her smile became deeper, “This girl is from a famous family, knows well, is courteous, and looks good. It is also very beautiful, I believe you will be very satisfied.”

Dugu Liancheng refused without thinking, “Thank you for the kindness of the empress, but Liancheng cannot marry a wife for the time being.”

“Oh, why is this?” The queen showed a very surprised expression on her face.

Dugu Liancheng slowly said: “Return to the mother, because Liancheng’s adoptive father has just passed away. According to the rules, I have to keep filial piety for him for three years before I can count as a son of man.”

The queen said softly: “Look at you, Xie Kanghe is not your biological father. You have never been on the family tree of Xie, so why do you have to keep his filial piety for him. You are a descendant of the royal family, the biological blood of Prince Dexin, if it is a person? The businessman’s filial piety, isn’t it because he tarnished your father’s reputation and tried to make others laugh? What’s more, after Xie Kanghe’s death, Xie’s family drove you out of Xie’s mansion. Have you forgotten it? It is reasonable and you don’t need to bother.

Dugu Liancheng’s expression was steady: “The queen mother, although Xie Kanghe is not my biological father, but he has the grace to recreate me, if it weren’t for him, my mother and I would have become dead bones. I have today, all thanks to his work, no matter what I will never forget.”

The queen met his gaze straight, with a faint scrutiny in her eyes: “Shou filial piety is false, but someone else in her heart is true! I heard that you are very close to Princess Mingyue. Is this true?”

I don’t know when, everyone retreated clean, only two of them were left in the hall, and the whole environment became extremely quiet.

Dugu Liancheng didn’t hesitate: “Queen Empress, Jiang Xiaolou and I are old friends.”

“Old friend?” The queen was still smiling, but her smile was like a frozen lake, full of chills, “Don’t hide it from me, if it’s just an old friend, why did you be like this when she was attacked by a tiger that day Worry? Although I have known you not long ago, I also understand your temperament, and I will never worry about being so anxious for an ordinary friend, or even take care of my life.” The chill in the queen’s words, silently permeated, almost immersed in the human body, “Liancheng, I must remind you that Jiang Xiaolou is indeed born beautiful and has a strong temper. Unfortunately, his background is too low to match you. With the most noble blood in your body, how can you marry the merchant’s daughter.”

Dugu Liancheng just stood there quietly, looking straight at the queen: “Dare to ask, why did the queen mother support the marriage between the three princes and the Mingyue Princess?”

The queen’s face changed, her eyes almost narrowed: “Bold, when is it your turn to blame me!”

On the face of Dugu Liancheng, there was no trace of panic. On the contrary, his expression was particularly calm and calm: “Niang Niang, Wei Chen is just telling the truth. Why does Niang Niang refuse to answer?”

The queen smiled coldly, her eyes flashed, but she smiled: “You are a wise man, you should know the reason.”

Of course Dugu Liancheng knew it, not only he knew it, but Jiang Xiaolou also knew it. On the surface, the queen admired Jiang Xiaolou, but she never concealed her inner contempt. Jiang Xiaolou is just the daughter of a mere merchant, and being able to cling to Princess Qing and become the lord of Mingyue is already the limit she can climb, and she can’t get any closer. The queen promised her to marry the third prince, first to restrain the prince, second to win over the third prince, and third to promote Jiang Xiaolou. But the three princes and others have overlooked an important factor. Such promotion is based on the fact that Duguke is not the heir chosen by the queen. Just imagine, if the queen really chose the three princes as the prince of a country, how could she tolerate Jiang Xiaolou as the future prince. Therefore, she just wanted to beat the prince, and didn’t really want to be easy to save.

The most stupid way for Duguke was to not see this clearly. No, maybe he didn’t see it clearly, but he didn’t want to admit it. He was unwilling to admit that he actually had no chance to ascend the throne, and even less willing to admit that the queen did not support him at all. It is precisely because Jiang Xiaolou saw too clearly that he insisted on not climbing. She was unwilling to be the cannon fodder in other people’s struggles, and it was impossible to let the queen get round and squashed, so she simply pushed He Lianhui out with the help of the prince. Marriage candidates mixed between the queen, the prince, and Duguke will never be profitable in the end. The reason is simple. Once the prince realizes, the queen will immediately abandon the three princes and support the prince.

“Speaking of which, Jiang Xiaolou is really a calculating child. She sees things too clearly, so people are unhappy.” The queen said lightly, “I know, you like Jiang Xiaolou very much, but the man should Putting great cause first, a woman like her wants as many as she wants. More importantly, she is not really a smart person.”

Seeing Dugu Liancheng’s expression of indifference, clearly noncommittal, the queen sighed again and continued: “A truly smart person will not be so sharp, let alone allow herself to stand under a dangerous wall at any time. Jiang Xiaolou has fallen too deep to avenge her personal revenge, and will eventually be destroyed by hatred. If you try to pull her, you will not be able to pull her up.”

Jiang Xiaolou is only an important chess piece in the hands of the queen. If the queen lifts her up, her status can be raised to a higher level, but that’s all. She will never be able to sit on the chessboard and act as a chess player. With the gradual growth of her knowledge and the improvement of her status, Jiang Xiaolou’s ambitions will continue to swell. The queen will no longer need this chess piece one day, and she will fall into an extremely dangerous situation.

For a while, the atmosphere in the hall was extremely depressing, like the silence before the storm.

Dugu Liancheng did not agree with the Queen’s statement. Everyone looked at Jiang Xiaolou and felt that she was very weak and could use her at any time. But in fact, she was extremely patient and extremely calm. Her past humiliation and experience made her a woman with a tough will. In the Qing Palace, she had countless opportunities to act on He Lianxiao and He Lianhui, but she didn’t. Why? Because she knew that the queen was staring at her, looking at her, looking at her. If she acts rashly, it will affect the Queen’s perception. Once regarded as a dangerous person by the opponent, Jiang Xiaolou will fall from a height. In order to achieve the goal, she remained calm and provoked the enemy’s cannibalism at the right time. She only sat by the side to reap the benefits of the fisherman. How could such a person be willing to be a chess piece.

The queen has actually made a mistake once, but it’s a pity that she still doesn’t understand it, but Dugu Liancheng is not so kind to remind her, he just smiled and said: “Respect the mother’s teachings, the minister still has important matters to face. See your Majesty, leave it here.”

The queen stared at him, her eyes deep and honest: “You have to remember what I said just now, and don’t hinder your own future for a woman of humble background.”

Dugu Liancheng just saluted as usual and retired without saying a word.

Looking at his back, the queen’s face became gloomy, and she suddenly raised her voice: “Come out.”

A young woman walked out quietly from behind the screen, dressed in a smoky purple skirt with curvy eyebrows, looking forward to flying, she was slender but skinny, and the flowers on her forehead were lightly shining, but her eyes were extraordinarily deep and more solemn and solemn. . She bowed to the queen: “I have seen the empress.”

“Did you see Prince Jin just now?” The queen seemed to have a sad voice.

An Xiaoshao’s cheeks flashed a trace of crimson, and her voice was as soft as a sigh: “Yes, Niang Niang, I saw it.”

“What do you think of Prince Jin?” An Xiaoshao’s attitude was extremely respectful and almost pious, and a smile appeared on the queen’s lips.

An Xiaoshao took a deep breath: “Return to the empress, the prince of alcohol, both civil and military, is hard to find in the world.”

The queen showed a satisfied smile, slowly stretched out her hand, took the initiative to pull An Xiaoshao, and said softly: “That’s why I want you to be married to him.”

An Xiaoshao had already guessed, but when the other party really revealed her, her smile still froze on her lips instantly.

The queen smiled deeper and deeper: “The future of Dugu Liancheng is limitless, and you are cousins. This marriage can be said to be pro-in-law. I hope that after you marry him, you will help him well, and more importantly, let him stand forever. On An’s side.”

An Xiaoshao’s heartbeat was like a drum, and she didn’t know how to respond. Maybe she didn’t need to say anything, the queen had already arranged everything. As a woman of the family, she couldn’t choose her husband. But Prince Jin… she thought about it carefully, and then said: “Manny, Prince Jin has already belonged to him, and if I put it in this way, it was counterproductive.”

The queen suddenly added gravity to her fingers, as if she was about to squeeze her fingers off: “Men are passionate, like beauties like Jiang Xiaolou, it is easy to get a man’s favor, but men are also easy to forget about their origin and appearance. , Temperament, and ability to learn, you do everything to dominate her. Dugu Liancheng is not a fool. He will understand how to choose between the bird and the phoenix.”

An Xiaoshao hurriedly said: “Princess Mingyue is like a good jade, Xiao Shao dare not compare with her.”

A trace of anger flashed in the queen’s cold eyes: “Xiao Shao, you are too arrogant. Everyone knows your talents. How many students can’t ask for it. I value you so much. Don’t say such silly things in the future. .”

An Xiaoshao wanted to say something but stopped. She felt that Jiang Xiaolou was not as simple as the Queen. It just depends on how she cuts and beats in the Qing Palace, and actually wiped out her own enemies, without any blood on her hands. Such a woman is respectable, fearful, and even more terrifying. An Xiaoshao didn’t want to be an enemy, let alone make trouble for herself.

An Xiaoshao came out of the Queen’s Palace and went straight to the Qing Palace. The first sentence she saw Jiang Xiaolou was: “The empress lady wants to marry me and Prince Jin, you should plan early.”

Jiang Xiaolou only felt his heart throbbing, but gradually his heart calmed down, staring suspiciously at An Xiaoshao for a long time, until she saw her heart fluttering. For a long time, a faint smile appeared on her face, and said: “The empress wants to marry you two, why should I plan early?”

An Xiaoshao frowned slightly: “Aren’t you and Prince Jin–”

Jiang Xiaolou glanced at her, and the smile on the corner of his mouth grew deeper and deeper: “Miss An, you are thinking too much.”

An Xiaoshao’s thoughts changed, and she immediately understood that Jiang Xiaolou has recently called her Xiaoshao, but if she gets angry, she will call her first name and last name. Now she has returned to her original estranged name, which is clearly extremely angry. . She smiled slightly, her heart gradually calmed down for some reason, and subconsciously said: “So you and Prince Jin have not yet communicated with each other.”

The smile on Jiang Xiaolou’s face slowly faded, and a trace of anger flashed across his eyes: “What kind of thoughts are we communicating, the two of us are just friends.”

“Don’t fool me, Prince Jin rescued you from the tiger’s mouth that day. According to the old principles…you should promise it by your body!” An Xiaoshao’s smile suddenly spread.

Jiang Xiaolou suddenly chuckled: “You don’t come to tease me. Who doesn’t know that you and Duguyu have always been childhood sweethearts, and the relationship is extremely good. Now you want to marry Prince Jin, what should Duguyu do?”

Duguyu was the emperor’s tenth son. Jiang Xiaolou vaguely remembered that the young man was born with a pair of sword eyebrows, an extraordinary bearing, a very heroic birth, but also a pair of very delicate and beautiful eyes. Duguyu is both civil and military, and he is outstanding, but he is wanton and romantic, often drunk and lying in the wine, even if the emperor announces the edict, it is not always there. Such behavior made the emperor very disappointed in him, so he was not favored among the princes. What’s more, his biological mother, Concubine Yu, was convicted of a witchcraft case ten years ago, and he did not grow up so much, the emperor became more alienated and indifferent to this son.

An Xiaoshao upholds the boudoir’s training and never wants to get close to anyone. Others dare not offend the queen and treat her with respect. Duguyu had returned from studying abroad for several years, and the first time she met her was outside the palace. An Xiaoshao sneaked out of the house for a pot of rare orchids, but accidentally ran into Duguyu. He teased and entangled in every way, but she was strangely moved when she was angry. However, what is strange is that when Du Guyu knew her identity, she never smiled at her again… She didn’t dare to think, and she couldn’t think too much… She was also careful in front of others, and she didn’t know that she was caught by Jiang Xiaolou. Seeing it through, she immediately blushed, her temples throbbed fiercely, and she said in fright: “How did you know?”

Jiang Xiaolou couldn’t help smiling: “When you are not paying attention, Duguyu will always look at you. But when you look at him, he turns his head on purpose. As a queen and niece, you often go in and out of the palace, and All the princes have a good relationship, why is this?”

She said this in her mouth, but she knew in her heart that a bohemian prince, a noble girl from the first door of the Great Zhou Dynasty, could not get together anyway. An Xiaoshao is the queen’s niece, and her marriage politics has a strong meaning. The queen now values ​​Dugu Liancheng and wants to marry An Xiaoshao to him. This is a big move, how can anyone be allowed to destroy it?

No Duguyu, not even Jiang Xiaolou!

An Xiaoshao didn’t notice Jiang Xiaolou’s thoughts, she just sighed slightly: “Whoever knows me means I’m worried, but who doesn’t know what I want! Everyone says that Prince Jin is very handsome, both civil and military, but In my heart, he is far less sincere and lovely than Duguyu.”

Jiang Xiaolou looked at her with a faint scrutiny in the depths of his eyes: “Unfortunately, you and the ten princes can’t make it.”

An Xiaoshao’s complexion changed slightly, looking at Jiang Xiaolou and hesitated to speak. Jiang Xiao always smiled on the floor, but his heart was cold: “What a prestigious home, the empress is also the master of the middle palace. You are her niece and it is of great significance. How could she marry you? A waste prince?”

Among the princes, Duguyu is the most open-minded person. He can be drunk for three days and three nights, and he can also chase beasts for ten days and ten nights. Such a self-willed person is a piece of waste in the eyes of the queen, with no use value. An Xiaoshao held Jiang Xiaolou’s hand tightly as if anxiously, and couldn’t help saying: “You all call him ridiculous and nonsense, but that is just a way for him to protect himself!”

Jiang Xiaolou looked at such a brave and sincere An Xiaoshao, and he was in a daze: “I believe what you say, but you should believe that how can a prince who can’t even protect himself be selected as your husband-in-law? ”

Of course An Xiaoshao knows this. Over the years, she has thought about it countless times, but after all, there is no answer. In family and love, of course she should choose the interests of the family, but what about her heart? Thinking of this, she slowly let go: “So, do you think I should marry Prince Jin?”

The smile between Jiang Xiaolou’s lips has remained the same, but a sour feeling slowly surged from the bottom of his heart.

From the very beginning, I knew that An Xiaoshao would be left to him, and even she, who silently watched the development of the situation, would be so involved in the drama unconsciously?

Dugu Liancheng and An Xiaoshao are truly a match made in heaven.

Jiang Xiaolou knew very well that a gloomy person like himself could not always attract his attention.

An Xiaoshao is like dazzling sunlight and flames in the ice. She has a noble identity, and more importantly, she has an upright heart. Everyone yearns for light and likes simple and bright things. Perhaps Dugu Liancheng will soon discover that what he loves for himself now is nothing but sympathy or pity.

When Jiang Xiaolou looked at An Xiaoshao, there was always a longing that came out of her bones. The other party had something she liked. Life experience, status, kindness, integrity, everything, things that I will not have in this life.

Beautiful but not arrogant, noble but not arrogant, kind but not naive, no one can refuse An Xiaoshao, she clearly understands this. Dugu Liancheng has never belonged to her. Why does she need to care about this and be angry?

“This is your marriage. You should decide by yourself. Ask me what I do.”

An Xiaoshao suddenly raised her head, and a sharp light appeared in her eyes: “If you are my rival in love, why should I sit here and talk to you? If you are my friend, why don’t you refuse to put your heart down, but try to poke me with tolerance. heart of?”

Her words were blunt, nailed inch by inch into her heart, what kind of mood was hidden under this flowery smiling face?

“Since the marriage between you and the third prince can be pushed, why can’t I?” An Xiaoshao asked uncontrollably.

Jiang Xiaolou looked at her, and the worldly reserved An Xiaoshao actually became so naive when facing love. Jiang Xiaolou fixedly looked at her, but after a moment he showed a sneerful smile, and the emotions flashing in his eyes were extremely complicated: “That’s different.”

“What’s the difference?”

The smile between Jiang Xiaolou’s lips gradually disappeared, and the gleaming brilliance in his eyes slowly faded: “I am just a chess piece in the eyes of the Queen Empress, and can be thrown out as a bait at any time. As long as the prince is suspicious, he will naturally do everything possible to hinder him. This marriage. Therefore, the marriage did not happen, as long as the mother expected. But you are different, you are the mother’s niece, and it is far more useful to her than to me.”

An Xiaoshao frowned: “I don’t understand!” Prince Jin is not the heir of the emperor, and it is impossible for him to become emperor in the future. Why did the queen do this?

Jiang Xiaolou walked straight to the window, and there was a peony under the corridor in full bloom to meet the sun, the flowers and leaves stretched, graceful and luxurious. Jiang Xiaolou’s expression became solemn, but his voice was erratic, and his tone didn’t sound any ups and downs.

“In the future, you will understand.”