The daily life of a concubine's daughter

Chapter 291 5 Prince Exposed

The lady held her hand and soothed her, "The palace rules are strict, just follow them. Eat something first."

Shi Yao took out some snacks and said with a smile, "Grandma, eat too."

While the grandfather and grandson were eating, the lady-in-waiting whispered about the taboos of the high-ranking ladies in the palace.

Shi Yao thought to herself that the Shi family even knew these secrets, they were really well-informed.

After eating until they were about three-quarters full, the carriage arrived at the palace gate.

Coincidentally, the Lin family of Nan'an Earl's Mansion also entered the palace at this time.

The old Duke and the old uncle were close friends. The two old men retired at about the same time and often drank tea, admired the snow, went fishing and visited the mountains together. Now that they were face to face, they felt awkward with each other.

The old Duke thought sadly that he had lived a life of honor and dignity, and his granddaughter became the king's concubine, while Old Lin, who used to be quite fawning on him, had a granddaughter who was about to become the king's principal wife. Now that he was so old, he was actually inferior to Old Lin. He felt that he had lived his life in vain.

But in order for Zhuzhu to have a better life under the mistress in the future, he could only bow his head in front of the old uncle.

The old uncle's face was full of rosy glow, and he was very proud. He did not embarrass the old Duke, and laughed: "Old Duke, let's go in together! From now on, our two families are relatives!"

The old duke's face turned green.

Who is related to the Lin family?

I have a pain that I can't express and can only smile along.

Lin Zhiwu walked lightly to Shi Yao, took her hand, and whispered softly, "Second sister Shi, long time no see."

Shi Yao shuddered: "Second sister Lin, what's wrong with you?"

It's like he's become a different person.

The sound of the clip gave her goose bumps.

Lin Zhiwu raised her round fan to half cover her face, chuckled and said, "I used to be very erratic, but these few days the Imperial Concubine sent two maids to teach me the palace rules. Sister, do you think I am more dignified and stable now?"

Shi Yao rubbed her arms and smiled awkwardly: "Yes, yes, yes."

Lin Er's painting style has always been different from that of ordinary girls.

After learning the palace rules, it became something different.

The two of them were not very familiar with each other, they could only say they knew each other. They chatted casually, getting farther and farther away from the women in front and behind them. Lin Zhiwu suddenly whispered, "Second sister Shi, let's join forces."

Shi Yao was shocked: "What alliance?"

Lin Zhiwu stood upright, her eyes rolling around: "You have a grudge against Shi Mingzhu, and I also dislike Shi Mingzhu. Tell me her weaknesses, and when I marry King Cheng and become his consort, I will help you vent your anger."

Shi Yao pulled the corners of her stiff lips and involuntarily quickened her pace: "Second Sister Lin, don't laugh. How could I have any grudge against my eldest sister? Besides, I don't know what weaknesses my eldest sister has. If there are any, they are the ones rumored. Second Sister Lin knows them all."

Lin Zhiwu was very disappointed. She heard that King Cheng doted on Shi Mingzhu very much. Except for going to court, he took her with him wherever he went, which seemed to be a sign of him favoring his concubine over his wife.

Just when he was about to persuade Shi Yao again, they had already caught up with the Madam and the others without him noticing, so Lin Zhiwu could only shut up.

Arriving at the palace for the banquet, Lin Zhiwu looked around, but didn't see Shi Mingzhu. She felt anxious. After finally seeing the empress and the imperial concubines take their seats, she didn't see Shi Mingzhu following behind Imperial Concubine Ning. Only then did she feel relieved.

It seems that the rumors are true and Concubine Ning hates Shi Mingzhu.

Men and women sat separately at the palace banquet. Since Concubine Ning did not bring Shi Mingzhu, then Shi Mingzhu must not have entered the palace.

Lin Zhiwu raised the corners of his mouth in secret satisfaction.

So what if Shi Mingzhu is favored by the King? With the noble mother-in-law Ning Guifei above her, Shi Mingzhu will be a concubine who cannot be seen on the stage all her life!

The lady looked around but didn't see Shi Mingzhu. Her eyes looked dim. She turned around and asked, "Yaoyao, my eyes are blurry. Can you help me see if your elder sister is here? I haven't seen her for a while. I don't know how she is doing."

Shi Yao looked around and whispered, "Grandma, my elder sister is not here."

The lady sighed barely audibly, looking worried.

At this time, Mrs. Fu finished talking to her daughter Fu Nanjun, looked at the old lady and Shi Yao for a few times, turned around and asked, "Are the old lady and Miss Shi Er looking for Miss Shi Da?"

The lady thought of her granddaughter becoming a concubine, and felt embarrassed: "That's right."

Mrs. Fu said, "When we entered the palace, we happened to meet His Royal Highness Prince Cheng, and the eldest daughter was with Prince Cheng at the time."

The women of the Shi family were all stunned.

Now that Shi Mingzhu entered the palace, where did she go?

She couldn't have followed King Cheng to the banquet for male guests, right? Then what would Shi Mingzhu become? A maidservant serving tea and water for men's pleasure?

The lady's heart skipped a beat, and she forced a smile, "Perhaps he was not feeling well, so he stayed in the imperial concubine's palace."

Second wife Shen frowned, called a maid, and ordered her to pass the message to the spies in the palace to find out where Shi Mingzhu is.

Not long after, the maid came back and whispered, "Madam, the Minister of Justice Cui, Prince Cheng, and the eldest daughter are meeting with Your Majesty alone. In addition, the fifth prince, Prince Duan, has also been called away by Your Majesty. The banquet in the front hall has not yet begun."

Shen's brows furrowed even deeper.

What happened?

How did her eldest niece get involved?

At this moment, Shi Mingzhu, the focus of the women's discussion, was kneeling in the imperial study. The fourth prince Zhou Shao, who was kneeling beside her, cried and accused: "Fifth brother, I have never offended you. Why did you bring assassins to kill me?"

On that day's trip, the Ge family and the Shi family teamed up to capture three assassins alive. Zhou Shao privately interrogated them for two days and tortured them severely. One of the assassins found an opportunity to commit suicide, while the other two refused to speak and revealed the mastermind behind the scenes.

The emperor soon learned that his beloved son had been assassinated, and ordered the Minister of Justice, Lord Cui, to interrogate the son personally. The two assassins were then handed over to Lord Cui.

Lord Cui is worthy of being the Minister of Justice. He is very capable and last night he finally got the name of the fifth prince Zhou Xu out of an assassin.

But as it was the emperor's birthday, he planned to report the matter tomorrow.

Unexpectedly, before attending the banquet, the emperor went to see the imperial concubine first.

The imperial concubine had become ill due to worry and fear over the past two days and had a cough. The emperor felt sorry for her and became angry. He called Lord Cui over and gave him a severe scolding, blaming him for his incompetence.

Lord Cui had no choice but to inform the emperor of the results of the interrogation.

The emperor was furious and summoned the fourth and fifth princes to confront him.

It happened that Shi Mingzhu was with the Fourth Prince. When she heard the news revealed in advance by the little eunuch, she was shocked. She cursed Shi Yao in her heart and said that she would come to take a look, otherwise she would not be able to feel at ease.

The Fourth Prince thought she was concerned about his safety, so he brought her here without giving it much thought.

So, Shi Mingzhu also knelt here.

The fifth prince Zhou Xu lowered his head. After listening to the fourth prince's accusation, he faced the emperor's cold gaze and said stiffly, "Fourth brother, it was a misunderstanding. I didn't go there to assassinate him."

Zhou Shao asked with red eyes: "If it's not an assassination, then what are you doing with your men, wearing black clothes and masks, squatting on the tree branch I passed by? Those assassins are carrying sharp blades and poison. How can I believe you when you say you are not going to assassinate me?"