346: Concubine Li's Strategy to Win Hearts and Minds

Su Xinyi now also noticed that Concubine Ruan Ming's expression was a little unnatural. After thinking about it, she realized that Concubine Ruan Ming might have had a different idea, but she didn't make it clear.

She calmed down and looked at Concubine Ruan Ming and continued: "It is the Mid-Autumn Festival now, and the Queen is going to host the Mid-Autumn Banquet, so she asked me to help take over the trivial matters of His Highness King Wu's wedding. After the Mid-Autumn Banquet, the Queen will Take care of it personally for King Wu."

Su Xinyi thought that Concubine Ruan Ming was not happy because the queen actually left it to her to handle such a big event as her son's marriage.

Although she is a princess, she is a junior after all. Although Ruan Mingfei is not favored now, she only has one son. Naturally, she hopes that her son's marriage will be successful. Thinking about it this way, Su Xinyi does not think Ruan Mingfei's attitude is inappropriate. .

Concubine Ruan Ming was relieved when she heard this. She knew that her status in the palace was not very good. Although she was in the concubine position, it was because she gave birth to the son of King Wu.

It's just that she is not favored. If her son's marriage is neglected, the outside world doesn't know how to treat it. She is afraid that her son will be wronged.

Maybe her thoughts just now were revealed. Unexpectedly, the Crown Princess was so considerate and said a few more words. Concubine Ruan Ming felt very embarrassed and hurriedly said: "It is King Wu's responsibility to have the Crown Princess to help with the management." Blessing, I don’t know what the princess wants to ask, just ask.”

Su Xinyi began to talk about business, "Serious matters such as employment are handled by the adults in the Ministry of Etiquette. The Queen asked me to come over and ask if the Prince Wu's Mansion needs repairs, as well as other related matters such as the furnishings in the Mansion. In addition, I made a custom-made wedding dress for Princess Wu..."

Although the matter was not big, it was very trivial. Su Xinyi specially recorded it in the book. At this time, he took out the book and pointed it out to Concubine Ruan Ming, and told her while reading.

Concubine Ruan Ming frowned slightly, "I'm afraid I have to ask King Wu about matters in the palace."

"Okay, then just ask your third brother and then tell me. If the palace needs repairs or modifications, you can tell me earlier so that the craftsmen can start work earlier." Su Xinyi said with a smile.

Maybe Su Xinyi's attitude was very kind, and Concubine Ruan Ming finally relaxed now. She used to be seen in Yuanhui Palace, but the Queen was there at that time, so she just had to be a transparent person when she went to greet her.

This was the first time she had communicated directly with the Crown Princess, and she had a very strong reputation, so she was still very worried. She didn't expect the Crown Princess to be so easy to talk to, and Ruan Mingfei was surprised but also relieved.

In addition to the affairs of the palace, there is also the princess's wedding dress. This is for the palace to send to the princess's house. There are regulations for the princess's wedding dress. Just make sure that Concubine Ruan Ming has no other requirements.

For example, in addition to the wedding dress for the princess, there will also be daily clothes. What style of daily clothes should be made and how many sets should be made. Although there are restrictions on the rules, it is not incomprehensible.

Moreover, there are many ways to serve in the palace, so Su Xinyi naturally will not make decisions on her own, but also needs Concubine Ruan Ming to make the decision.

Concubine Ruan Ming looked at the Crown Princess and took out another thick pattern book, and couldn't help but curling her lips.

Su Xinyi also smiled when he saw it, "You see, I am well prepared. These are this year's new patterns that I got from the Shangfu Bureau. They are all newly passed down from the south. The Queen is very happy to see them. I like it, and also said that this year’s winter clothes are all in a new look. You happened to have seen them in advance, and you are also prepared for winter clothes.”

The patterns of clothes change every year, and the Shangfu Bureau tries their best to please the nobles. This year, several princes are getting married, so the Shangfu Bureau has already sent people south to bring the latest patterns back to Beijing.

Su Xinyi couldn't help but sigh when she got the pattern book. The manager of the Shangfu Bureau was really capable of sitting in this position. She had only heard Grandma She mention this kind of thing, but I didn't expect there to be so many doorways here.

I have dealt with the Six Shang Bureau before, but now I know that each of them has their own abilities.

Concubine Ruan Ming really looked carefully and found that the pattern of the wedding dress was fixed. The court had a fixed pattern that could not be changed, but other ordinary clothes could.

Su Xinyi waited quietly, watching Concubine Ruan Ming write down what she liked, and occasionally chatting with Concubine Ruan Ming.

Concubine Ruan Ming thought of the Crown Princess's temperament and couldn't help but whisper softly: "I think these patterns are good. Although I have already started to make autumn clothes, the Crown Princess can still make a few more fresh ones. She is as young as a flower. , you should dress up nicely.”

Su Xinyi didn't expect that Concubine Ruan Ming would actually mention her, so she accepted her kindness and said with a smile: "I'll let someone do it later. Why don't Concubine Ming give me a reference to see which look is more suitable for me?" . I’m a rough guy and don’t know much about this.”

Su Xinyi actually understood. Isn't this what she learned in her previous life?

But Ruan Mingfei finally found a way to talk, so she naturally couldn't ignore other people's feelings.

Concubine Ruan Ming's eyes lit up when she heard that the Crown Princess was really willing. She took the picture album and the two of them started picking and choosing, and soon most of the day passed.

Concubine Ruan Ming hadn't spoken so much for a long time, and she didn't feel so comfortable for a long time. When the princess stood up to leave, she actually felt a little bit reluctant to leave.

Su Xinyi said with a smile: "I will go back and tidy it up first, and then I will ask someone to bring the cloth to show to the empress. I will come over frequently these days to bother you. If the third brother has any requirements for the renovation of the palace, please ask the empress to let the third brother do it as soon as possible. Write a charter so that I can report back to the Queen."

Concubine Ruan Ming agreed with a smile, and personally sent the Crown Princess out.

Su Xinyi felt that her face was about to hurt from laughing after leaving Chunze Palace. The job was really not easy, but Concubine Ruan Ming was much easier to deal with than she thought. It would be great if Concubine Qi Xian could be so easy to deal with in the future.

As for Concubine Li Guifei, Su Xinyi thought that the Queen would definitely not let her go. Given the grudge between her and Concubine Li Guifei, Concubine Li Guifei would definitely make things difficult for her. She and the Queen now have a much deeper relationship, so she shouldn't make things difficult for her.

Su Xinyi did not go back to the East Palace directly, but went to the Shangfu Bureau first, found the Shangfu and told her about Concubine Ming's request, and asked her to prepare the selected patterns and send them to Concubine Ruan Mingfei for review.

After explaining everything, she walked towards the East Palace, still thinking about whether there was anything missing.

"Your servant greets His Highness Prince Xiang."

Su Xinyi suddenly heard the voice of the palace servant and came back to her senses. She looked up and saw that Prince Xiang was indeed not far from her. He came from another road. This road was the only way to Zhaoyu Palace and the East Palace. It was not uncommon to meet him here.

Prince Xiang asked the palace servant to stand up, and then looked at Su Xinyi and greeted, "Meet the eldest sister-in-law."

"No need to be polite, ninth brother." Su Xinyi kept a polite smile.

Prince Xiang smiled and looked up at Su Xinyi. Now he still couldn't figure out why his father chose Su Xinyi as the crown princess for the prince, and he didn't expect Su Xinyi to do so well in the position of crown princess.

Thinking of his own marriage, Prince Xiang couldn't keep the smile on his face. He always believed that the prince and his wife must have taken action in the hunting ground, but unfortunately he had no evidence.

"Are you going back to the East Palace?"

Su Xinyi thought that Prince Xiang would leave after saying hello, but he actually chatted with her.

Looking up at the King of Xiang, Su Xinyi said, "Yes, it's time for lunch. Ninth brother, are you going to Zhaoyu Palace? I won't waste your time. Go quickly."

The King of Xiang couldn't say the rest of the words. He just watched Su Xinyi nod at him, and then took people away.

The King of Xiang couldn't breathe, and his face was a little unstable.

Su Xinyi didn't care what he thought. The Li family secretly took action in Su Yi's matter. They dared to plot against her and her family, and now they want to act like a close family.

Bah!

She won't cooperate!

The King of Xiang looked at Su Xinyi's back, pursed his lips slightly, and turned to Zhaoyu Palace for a long time.

When he entered Zhaoyu Palace, he saw her mother scolding the palace servants. Recently, her mother's temper has been getting worse and worse, and her expression didn't look much better when she saw him coming in.

Concubine Li asked them to leave. After sitting down, she looked at her son and tried to slow down her tone and said, "What did your grandfather say?"

When the Xiang Wang heard his mother mention his grandfather, he perked up. "Grandfather said that the marriage must be completed, but what happens after the marriage is indeed the private affairs of the Xiang Wang Mansion."

Concubine Li's eyes turned slightly when she heard this, and suddenly she was happy. Yes, she was really confused.

What her father said was right. Of course, he couldn't let His Majesty be dissatisfied with them at the moment. He should complete the marriage first. Bringing the person home is naturally the private affairs of the Xiang Wang Mansion.

Concubine Li looked at her son and asked, "Before Fu Yun was summoned, did the Ministry of Justice have any results?"

King Xiang was silent for a moment. His mother had wanted to eat Fu Yun before, but now she took the initiative to mention her. He was a little cautious. After a pause, he said, "Fu Yun and Xu Yurong didn't have much contact. They only met a few times because they were both in Yuling Temple. The hunting ground incident had nothing to do with Fu Yun. The Ministry of Justice released her after investigation."

Concubine Li snorted, "Are you still feeling sorry for her? Yuling Temple is not a nunnery for young sisters-in-law. Look at all the ladies in the city who are willing to contact Xu Yurong. They try to avoid her, but she still bumps into her. She has to go to Yuling Temple to burn incense."

King Xiang listened to his mother's every word trampling Fu Yun into the quagmire , suppressed her anger, tried not to show her dissatisfaction, and said sincerely: "Mother, Fu Yun went to Yuling Temple because the nun Minghui in the temple was from Ding'an Guard. The two were from the same hometown and could talk to each other. As for Xu Yurong, she really didn't have much interaction with her. This time the Ministry of Justice went to investigate, and Minghui was innocent. Fu Yun came from Ding'an Guard, how could she know who Xu Yurong was, and she would not get involved in their affairs."

Li Guifei snorted, and then said: "Since she is innocent, I heard that she is well behaved in the manor, so you can take her back to the manor."

Although the King of Xiang wanted to take Fu Yun back, but his mother had not agreed before, so he could only take time to visit her in the manor. Why did she suddenly agree now?

Seeing her son's shocked expression, Concubine Li sighed, "Mother is not born evil. Don't you think about what Fuyun did? Which decent lady would do it? I told her long ago that she is not allowed to get pregnant before the main wife gets married. This will hinder your marriage. Which lady from a famous family is willing to be a mother right after getting married? But she pretends to obey but actually disobeys me. How dare mother keep such a person by your side?"

Speaking of this, King Xiang was indeed a little guilty. He coughed and said, "Mother, Fuyun has indeed been drinking the contraceptive soup..."

"Where did the child come from?"

King Xiang: ...

Concubine Li sneered, "Your mother has survived in the harem until now. Do you think it's because of her face? Your father has so many sons, why are there only a few of you left now? There are concubines in the harem who drank the contraceptive soup but got pregnant. Do you know why?"

Prince Xiang seldom heard his mother mention other deceased princes. There were nine brothers, but only five of them were alive now.

Facing her son's puzzled look, Concubine Li said calmly: "Not all concubines in the palace can give birth to children. It depends on your majesty's will. Some concubines of lower status don't have such a blessing. There was a person who drank contraceptive soup every day and got pregnant. The contraceptive soup never went wrong, but the person was wrong. Later, the queen asked someone to investigate thoroughly and found out that the concubine drank the contraceptive soup in front of the housekeeper every day, and then hid in the room to vomit. Do you understand now?"

Prince Xiang really didn't know about this kind of thing. He looked at his mother in surprise. Did his mother mean that Fuyun also did this?

"If you had listened to me and managed the people well, your marriage wouldn't have been so difficult. The family that mother had chosen for you knew that there was a Fu Yun in your mansion, and they immediately arranged for the girl to go out with you. How could mother not be angry? She was angry, but what could she do? She couldn't get high enough and couldn't get low enough. What was the result? Look at the person she married now?"

Li Guifei was even more angry when she mentioned You Xiangru, "Your father refused to see me, don't you understand?"

King Xiang was silent. He knew that his grandfather said that his father must have noticed that they had formed an alliance with the Marquis of Wu'an Mansion, so after the incident, he was so angry that he refused to see mother, because he didn't want mother to plead for mercy.

"You are embarrassed when something like this happens. I have been a glorious mother all my life, but now I have to bow my head to the queen because of my cowardice in the palace. Do you know the humiliation of a mother?"

Li Guifei was really wronged when she talked about this. She had protected her reputation very well all her life and fought with the queen for most of her life, but now the queen had seized the opportunity to suppress her.

King Xiang lowered his head, "It's all my son's fault."

Li Guifei looked at her son and finally understood the seriousness of it. She took a long breath and said slowly: "Falling to the bottom is not necessarily a bad thing. It is precisely because we have reached the bottom that every step we take in the future is to move higher. You take Fuyun back to the mansion first, and I will arrange other things. If Wu'an Marquis Mansion wants to rely on you, it will see if you have the blessing."

-------Digression--------

Everyone has a happy weekend. After two days of cooling, the temperature has started to rise again. Everyone should pay attention to prevent heatstroke. Muah.