During the Shangsi Festival, everyone should sit by the water and dip their hands in the water, which means getting rid of illness and avoiding disasters.
It is still the queen who leads the concubines, princes and princesses in the harem.
Concubine Rong didn't arrive, saying that this was a festival celebrated by young people, but everyone felt restrained when she came.
The emperor didn't come either. He was probably burning elixirs, refining mercury, and praying for immortality.
The previous emperor could be said to be a wise king, but in recent years he has been so obsessed with seeking immortality that even his early dynasty was abandoned.
Concubine Hui always liked to play cards, and said with a smile: "The weather is so good today, it's still early for the banquet. Why don't we ask them to bring the table, and we can play cards in the garden."
Concubine Xian and she have been playing cards together for many years. After hearing this, she immediately agreed: "That's right. The Queen hasn't played cards for a long time. Her hands are raw, right? Let's take this opportunity to win more."
The Queen and Concubine Ying were both in good spirits today. With the two of them off the stage, everyone no longer had to worry.
Several square tables were brought over and placed under the shade of the flowers.
The table was covered with red felt and all the dominoes were piled up.
The queen sat at a table with Concubine Hui and Concubine Xian, and then called Concubine Fu.
Concubine Ying, Concubine Li and the two Zhaoyi gathered at another table. The rest of the people were playing, some were not playing, and there were two tables.
The maids and eunuchs were serving tea and snacks nearby. Except for a few princes and concubines who were watching the battle, the princesses all went to find places to relax.
Xue Hengzhao and Lin Fufei were too low-level to serve their master, so they had to stand far away.
Someone from above dictates what they should do.
"You should pay more attention to the Tenth Princess these days," Xue Hengzhao whispered to Lin Fufei, "especially that black cat."
"The black cat is so fierce that most people don't dare to approach it." Lin Fufei was very timid. "I heard that it even scratched people's eyes and blinded them."
"Although that cat is fierce, she won't lose her temper if you get close to her." Xue Hengzhao said, "Have you forgotten that I asked you to take a bath with Nepeta?"
"Does this thing really work?" Lin Fufei was still dubious, "I only smell a slight smell of hay, but it can't be smelled from a distance."
"Humans and cats are different. People can't smell cats but they can." Xue Hengzhao was very sure of this, "If you want to find a powerful backer in this palace, there is no one more suitable than the tenth princess.
She is just a child, no matter how weird her temper is, her heart is simple.
This black cat is her beloved pet. If you can please this cat, you will also gain her trust.
Besides, behind the tenth princess is Concubine Ying. Besides the queen, she is the only one in this palace.
And you don't have to wait in front of her, so you don't have to be frightened and on tenterhooks all day long.
It's also very suitable for your temperament, otherwise even if you fawn over for a while, it will still be unsustainable in the long run. "
Xue Hengzhao knew Lin Fufei's temperament and talents well. She was timid and simple-minded, which would make it difficult for her to succeed.
If you want to find a way for her, you have to find a position that is simple, has less contact with people, and is not easily replaced by others.
"Sister Xue, you are right. I also know that I have no courage and no ability." Lin Fufei knew how much she weighed, so she was very grateful to Xue Hengzhao, "I will try my best."
As he was talking, Xue Heng looked at several figures in the distance and recognized them as the seventh princess and her two girls holding dogs.
Judging from their appearance, they must be looking for trouble again, so they pulled Lin Fufei and said, "Let's go over there while no one is paying attention."
The tenth princess held a long pheasant feather in her hand and played with her black cat in the clearing between the trees.
The black cat was very dexterous and kept biting the feathers, and the tenth princess also had a rare smile on her face.
"Woof woof woof!" The snow-white pug rushed out again and barked at the black cat.
Cats and dogs are very popular, especially dogs, who are very obedient to people's instigation.
Every time it chases, bites and scares the black cat, the seventh princess will give him a big reward if she takes it back.
After going back and forth, this dog also knew in his heart that he would bite a black cat when he saw it, so he was sure to be right.
Sure enough, all the fur on the black cat's body suddenly exploded, and he jumped onto the rockery next to him with a whoosh.
Although the dog couldn't get up, it barked around the rockery, scaring the black cat from coming down.
The tenth princess suddenly became anxious, but she couldn't speak, so she stamped her feet in anger.
The eunuch and palace maid who followed her were naturally unhappy and quarreled with the seventh princess's people again.
Xue Hengzhao pushed Lin Fufei who was in a daze: "The opportunity has come, go quickly!"
Lin Fufei hesitated for a moment and then went up.
"How many times have you done this, are you done yet? If you keep doing this, we can tell the empress." said the people on Princess Ten's side.
"Oh, I'm really sorry. You said this dog is a living creature, so you can't always hold it and keep it from going to the ground!" The person on the seventh princess' side said pretending to be innocent.
"This garden is so big, why do you go wherever we go?" asked Princess Ten.
"Look at this, how do we know where you are going? Are you allowed to come but not us?" The people on the Seventh Princess' side are very good at wrangling.
When the commotion was going on, Concubine Ying and Concubine Li also came one after another. It turned out that their card game had broken up.
If you want to go to the banquet, just go this way.
Li Fei hurriedly rushed forward and scolded: "Why are you so ignorant of the rules? You know that the tenth princess's cat is afraid of dogs, why don't you go around it?!"
The seventh princess was not very old, but she followed her mother's tact and docility, and quickly stepped forward to apologize to Concubine Ying: "It's all my fault. This dog acted like a fool as soon as he came to the garden.
They couldn't catch up even after chasing, so they disturbed the tenth sister. "
Concubine Ying glanced at her, hugged her daughter and said, "I know you are running wild because this dog is a gift from the emperor. I have only heard that dogs rely on the power of people, but this is the first time I have seen people relying on the power of dogs.
Even if it is a dog given by the emperor, if it really scares my daughter, I will kill it and make dog meat soup! "
Concubine Ying had a hot temper, which was well known to everyone, and the tenth princess was her favorite, so it was not an ordinary pain.
"Concubine Ying, I was wrong. I dare not defend myself." The seventh princess knelt down and cried, "Please punish me. Don't get angry."
Everyone was shocked when they saw it.
Concubine Ying said angrily: "What are you doing? Kneel down in front of everyone? Do you want everyone to say that I am an adult bullying you, a child?!"
The Seventh Princess is a princess after all, and she cannot kneel to others casually.
She did this to retreat in order to embarrass Concubine Ying in public.
Concubine Li laughed along with her, pulled her daughter up and said to Concubine Ying: "This child is timid and is afraid that you will be angry, sister. From now on, I will ask them to take good care of this dog and stop causing trouble."
Sister, don't be angry, don't act like a child or a beast. "
Li Fei is a famous smiling fox. No matter how far she and this person are at odds, they are still talking and laughing on the surface, and those who don't know can't tell.
