"Your Majesty has ordered that although the common man Li Xian has entered the red book of the Zongzheng Temple, his young daughter is a direct descendant of the clan and is now full of age. Following the custom of clan princesses, princesses and hairpins, he ordered the palace painter to draw a picture and collect it. The inner treasury of Zongzheng Temple..."
Miaozhen did not show off and announced loudly.
Zongzheng Temple was the institution responsible for the clan affairs of the royal family of the Great Zhou Dynasty. It was in charge of the clan roster of the emperor's nine clans. The royal family was the leading example for thousands of families in the world, so the clan rules were naturally strict and numerous.
At present, it should also comply with certain cumbersome regulations to draw a portrait of a direct lineage woman like Su Guoer who is still registered in the clan and put it into the internal treasury.
But since this is the custom of the princess, princess and hairpin, why wait until Su Guo'er is seventeen years old, which is already past the age of fifteen and hairpin, before it is too late?
It can only be said that regulations are dead but people are alive.
Sometimes it doesn't matter whether a rule is enforced or not. What's important is to find out the attitude behind the person who makes excuses for the rule.
Everyone's eyes were attracted to Su Guo'er and the long blank scroll in her hand.
Su Guo'er lowered her head and glanced at the blank scroll. She turned her peripheral vision slightly and looked at Ouyang Rong not far away as if she was blessed.
The latter seemed to realize that she was looking at him, and the young magistrate nodded inexibly.
When Miaozhen saw Su Guoer for the first time, she seemed a little surprised by her appearance and temperament. She couldn't help but turn around and look at her a few more times. The coldness in her voice became slightly lessened and she said:
"This is a gift from Your Majesty. Your Majesty heard from Her Royal Highness Princess Changle that the little granddaughter who is far away in Dragon City has grown up in her boudoir. Her youthful appearance is very similar to her when she was young, and she also has a unique new makeup with plum blossoms on her forehead. Your Majesty Want to take a look."
Just being mentioned by the people below, showing a little interest, taking a look, and sending someone to copy the painting, it is considered a huge gift.
Thunder, rain, and dew are all your grace.
When Su Dalang saw the treatment of his sister, he couldn't help but sigh with melancholy... The grandmother who had never been masked before valued girls over boys, so she should treat her differently, right?
Looking at each other tacitly with Ouyang Rong, Su Guo'er lowered her eyebrows, faced the north, and bowed her knees:
"Thank you so much for Your Majesty's grace. Guo'er and his family will all uphold His Majesty's virtues. They will all change their minds and be willing to serve as subjects."
Li Xian also followed, holding jade in both hands, kneeling towards the north, tears of gratitude, and raised his sleeves to wipe his eyes:
"The king's kindness is so great that the guilty people are terrified and filled with regrets. Long live the Holy One."
When Ouyang Rong saw this, he murmured a little in his heart. He turned his head and looked north at Luoyang, thoughtfully.
He reacted and turned to look at Miaozhen.
The latter did not squint, silently watching Li Xian's family, not knowing what he was thinking, and did not look at Ouyang Rong again.
This woman is not as simple and reckless as I thought before... Ouyang Rong said silently in his heart.
Seeing Li Xian and Su Guoer finishing their thanksgiving, Miaozhen turned his face and said:
"Okay, trace it as soon as possible."
An accompanying old palace painter came forward, and the maids in white skirts gathered around him to hold trays and hand them pens.
Paint on the spot.
In front of the Su Mansion, the scene quickly unfolded.
The old painter touched his long gray beard and said to Su Guo'er, who was sitting as lightly as a lady on the embroidery stool:
"Your Highness, please take off your veil."
The veil slides down the curve of the cheek like milk.
The paintbrush held by the old painter's fingers stopped in mid-air, and he said in a daze:
"Your Majesty, it's better not to put on makeup or eyebrows. Your Majesty wants to see your true appearance."
As if being attracted by everyone's attention was a bit false, Su Guo'er lowered her autumn eyes and frowned slightly:
"No makeup today."
She raised her head and glanced in front of her, and said with some misunderstanding: "Can't you also put on the plum blossom makeup on your forehead? Then I'll wash it off."
"Ah... No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no."
The old painter quickly stopped drawing and looked around apologetically, but found that the palace maids around him were motionless in place. They stared blankly at Su Guo'er, who had taken off her veil and lowered her eyebrows. For a moment, he didn't notice that ink had been splashed on his body.
Not only them, Miaozhen and other court envoys who came to Longcheng for the first time today were all fascinated by the plain face.
The eyebrows are graceful, the lips are red and the teeth are white, and the appearance of the fairy is lost.
A naked face is far better than a beautiful bride.
In particular, the little plum blossom makeup that adorns her forehead makes her cold, smileless face look even more delicate and lively, just like the finishing touch.
At this moment, a strange silence fell in front of the Su Mansion.
Of course, Ouyang Rong, who had met the beautiful woman many times, and his family members Li Xian, Wei Mei, Su Dalang and others who were familiar with her, were not surprised.
The maids looked sideways frequently.
"Look at the beautiful city, then look at the beautiful country. The ancients are honest and never deceive." The old painter gently stroked his white beard and sighed.
"You do look like your Majesty." Miaozhen nodded lightly.
She is even better in terms of beauty. After all, Su Guo'er is sixteen or seventeen years old, so she must be tender, youthful and beautiful.
Of course, Miaozhen must not say these things about His Majesty indiscriminately, but just think about it in his heart.
The old painter reminded: "This forehead ornament called Luomei makeup does not need to be washed off. Your Majesty also wants to see His Majesty's makeup."
Su Guo'er nodded and didn't smile the whole time.
Some palace maids were attracted by the fallen plum blossom makeup on her forehead and whispered.
The old painter took a deep breath and concentrated on tracing the painting with a serious face.
What the old painter, Miaozhen and other palace officials didn't know was that after this portrait of His Royal Highness with fallen plum blossom makeup was quickly sent back to the Luoyang palace, it slowly spread and was picked up by ladies and maids. The six palaces rushed to imitate it. The fallen plum blossom makeup became a popular daily makeup in the Forbidden City, and even later spread to the people, becoming a fashionable makeup that folk women, official ladies, and kabuki dancers all tried to imitate...
Of course Ouyang Rong didn't know this at the moment. Now he noticed the verbal reactions of Miaozhen, the old painter and other people in Luoyang Palace. He couldn't help but glance at the well-educated and ladylike little girl on the embroidery bench. The corners of his eyes twitched slightly. I was speechless.
"Hey, don't be fooled by her appearance. This is not a docile little white rabbit. She is just pretending to be well-behaved. You haven't seen her in private. She dares to say anything bold. She is even more temperamental than a man. Strong and sharp..."
Ouyang Rong sighed slightly.
But when he suddenly thought about the identity of the Su family being exposed, he felt a little silent.
…
Just after noon, Luming Street was bustling with activity due to the unexpected visit of the Luoyang envoy.
I didn't know that a "new family" had moved in on Luming Street today.
There are only two people in this new family.
One is a young man with peach blossom eyes wearing a purple soap coat and well-dressed. The other is a man in short-sleeved linen clothes, with Xianbei pigtails on his temples, and carries a long wooden box on his back.
As soon as they got off the ship at Penlangdu, the two men, who were like masters and apprentices, left the palace team and went straight to Luming Street.
They even arrived at Luming Street faster than Miaozhen and others.
Wei Shaoxuan and Qiu Qi passed by without looking at the Longcheng County government office that was responsible for maintaining order here.
Not far away from the Su Mansion, there was a large house whose door had been closed for a long time. Today, the front door suddenly opened wide. Soon, it welcomed two strange figures. With a "creak", the door closed and closed again.
Wei Shaoxuan and Qiu Qibu were hospitalized.
In the open space in the yard, a Persian businessman who had secretly bought the house a long time ago greeted him warmly with a smile as bright as a flower.
Not only in the yard, but also in the entire house, there were no maids or servants.
The three of them gathered together.
"Mr. Qiu, Sixth Young Master... what do you think of this elegant house? Not only is it very close to the Su Mansion, it is right across the street, but it is also very suitable for quietness and safety. The villain has sent people to decorate it inside and out... …”
The Persian businessman talked endlessly and flattered everyone.
After Wei Shaoxuan entered the door, he looked around. At this moment, he caught a glimpse of a tall building not far from the back house, which was much higher than the outer wall. He kept walking and walked straight past the Persian businessman. Without looking back, he said:
"You're doing well, Boss Li. Let's go and watch the show first. The good show is about to come. It's said that enemies meet on a narrow road. My adopted husband and father, Boss Li, let's go see if our sister Miaozhen can use the topic to her advantage. Do something unexpected, oh, this will save us from having to do anything later and encounter such a good thing."
Wei Shaoxuan was in a good mood and walked towards the high building of the back house with Qiu Qi.
Boss Li was stunned for a moment and quickly followed.
After lighting the incense, a carved wooden window on the top floor of a tall building was half-opened.
The view here is indeed excellent.
Beside the half-covered window, Wei Shaoxuan lowered his eyelids, glanced down, and nodded, with a look of satisfaction on his face.
Below, on Luming Street in front of the Su Mansion, the scene is unobstructed.
In a short while, Wei Shaoxuan, Qiu Qi and Boss Li saw with their own eyes Miaozhen and other people from the Luoyang Palace, who came in a hurry from below, blocking the door of Su Mansion.
Wei Shaoxuan looked down and watched with relish.
Qiu Qi suddenly said:
"The prince inadvertently revealed in front of your majesty that Concubine Di and other ministers of the court gave birthday gifts to the young girl Li Xian. Not only was your majesty not angry, but he also sent palace officials to give gifts to Li Xian's family. In the past, this country was forgotten all over the world. It’s not a good sign that our family is receiving His Majesty’s attention again.”
Wei Shaoxuan's face became a little more serious, and he asked thoughtfully: "Do you think your adoptive father has another mystery behind this matter?"
"It's about the Yingzhou Rebellion. His Majesty's attitude may have changed." Qiu Qi said coldly.
Wei Shaoxuan stopped looking at the fun on the street below for a while. He put away his cynical expression and frowned:
"The current situation in the DPRK is indeed delicate. Your Majesty's attitude is unclear. On the surface, the government and the public are calm, but in fact there are undercurrents and various temptations. No one can say for sure whether the matter of Li Xian's family is also a temptation, and His Majesty's temptation to his father and the Prime Minister. …”
Qiu Qi crossed his chest and suddenly said: "The balance in your Majesty's hand is going to tilt."
Wei Shaoxuan raised his head: "So this tripod sword is even more crucial."
The foster father and son looked at each other and nodded in agreement.
Boss Li on the side carefully looked at the faces of the two gentlemen. He couldn't help but ask in a low voice: "Sixth Young Master, do you mean that the Li Xian family still has a chance? Does Your Majesty have other ideas?"
"Opportunity?" Wei Shaoxuan turned to look at the Persian businessman Li Li and smiled suddenly: "Maybe there is, maybe not, but now that my adoptive father and I are here, then they must be gone."
"Uh, Mr. Six, why is this?" Boss Li frowned and thought hard.
Wei Shao Just a little care.”
Wei Shaoxuan sighed.
Boss Li shrank his shoulders slightly: "But would it be too...too bold for us to take action? Does His Majesty acquiesce? Will it arouse the anger of the government and the public?"
Wei Shaoxuan looked at Boss Li strangely and asked doubtfully:
"Hey, what does this matter have to do with us? What does it mean to be angry or not?
"Boss Li, think about it. One day, a monstrous phenomenon suddenly occurred in Longcheng. A tripod sword appeared, causing thunderous flash floods. The whole city fell into chaos. The county government did not manage it well, refugees fled everywhere, and Li Xian's family was in a panic. He escaped from the floods, but accidentally died at the hands of thieves. Floods always happened in this poor and remote village. Li Xian's family was so rich, but they were targeted by gangsters, their belongings were taken away, and their bodies were dumped in the wild. This is a story in a remote corner of the south of the Yangtze River. Disasters are normal, aren’t they?”
Wei Shaoxuan patted Boss Li's shoulder with his palm, the patting became harder and harder, and his tone became increasingly gloomy.
Boss Li couldn't help but shudder, his eyes rolled around, his face looked slightly worried, and he added:
"If Mr. Youqiu and the Sixth Young Master take action, their family will certainly be dead, but pretending to be bandits to rob and steal money is not safe enough... Just in case His Majesty and the ministers are suspicious, send the Yin Yang Family Qi Refiners in the palace to come Investigate, pursue them relentlessly, what should you do if you find clues? These Qi Refiners are too difficult to deal with."
Qiu Qisheng said coldly: "Take the tripod sword first, and then destroy the Su family."
"My foster father is right."
Wei Shaoxuan nodded, smiled at Boss Li and said:
"Every birth of a tripod sword will be remembered in history, because in the past, almost only unified dynasties with great national power had enough luck and stable resources to produce tripod swords. Therefore, this is a symbol of a prosperous dynasty. If we The Wei family can present the latest tripod sword, and the sword holder is a descendant of the Wei family. What else is it but destiny? Your Majesty is also named Wei, and has always loved auspiciousness. She will like this gift from her father. This is the true destiny. !”
He shook his head again and sighed:
"The current situation is not good for the Wei family. Because of the rebellion in Yingzhou, Your Majesty may have to make a decision. But if you can take out the tripod sword, not only will your father be able to make a complete comeback and eliminate the forces of the Prime Minister and the Baoli faction, but also It can also offset the impact of the 'accidental death' of Li Xian's family. Your Majesty will not pursue it. As for the rest of the court, who dares to investigate in detail?"
"Young man, I understand." Boss Li's expression turned serious, he lowered his head and responded respectfully.
"Who is this?"
By the window, Wei Shaoxuan, who looked down at the movement below from time to time, suddenly said "Hey", pointed at a slender young figure on the street below and asked questions.
Boss Li took a step forward and followed Wei Shaoxuan's gaze. He couldn't help but smile bitterly and shake his head:
"It's Ouyang Lianghan, the local county magistrate... The Liu family we support has been tortured a lot by him, and it almost affects the sword making at the sword shop. Liu Zian now wants to eat his flesh alive..."
PS: I’m away from home and in Nanchang, so it’s not convenient to sign in at the hotel.
(End of chapter)
