Queen's Development

Chapter 78 Extortion
The female doctor Ma left early the next morning.

Concubine Li went to Lingxiao Courtyard surrounded by a group of cronies.

Two first-class maids, Shui Lian, and two third-class maids, Xiangcao Xiuyun, from Lingxiao Court hurriedly came out to greet her.

Although Xiangcao and Xiuyun have been in the county palace for a long time, they have never seen Princess Li before. After paying their respects, they got up and glanced quietly, and found that Princess Li had a complicated bun and a full set of red gold inlaid with rubies on her head. The red gold inlaid ruby ​​hanging bead hairpin hangs down smartly, and the delicately made-up face against it is even more precious.

Princess Li is slender and of medium stature. She is wearing a bright red double-breasted summer shirt and a moon-white pleated skirt. As gorgeous as peaches and plums, romantic in every possible way.

Xiang Cao and Xiu Yun glanced at it, they were caught by Princess Li's radiance, they didn't dare to look any more, they hurriedly lowered their heads.

Concubine Li supported the hand of her close servant Xue Li, looked at Shui An and Shui Lian who stood up after saluting, and said calmly: "Second Young Master is coming back soon, I'll go see how his house is being cleaned up!"

Shui Lian and Shui An answered "yes" lightly, and led everyone into the Lingxiao Courtyard.

Princess Li brought too many people, so only a few of the most trusted stewards' wives and maids followed into the main room of Lingxiao Courtyard.

Standing in the open room of the main room for a while, Concubine Li glanced at the furniture in the room, and ordered loudly: "Daughter-in-law Huangqi, the furniture in the second son's room is too old, you should change it!"

A little daughter-in-law with a round face and short stature came out and answered "Yes".

Seeing that Princess Li wanted to enter the bedroom in the East Dark Room, Shui Yun hurriedly opened the gauze curtain and respectfully invited Princess Li to enter.

Concubine Li supported the hand of her close servant Xue Li into the East Dark Room, took a brief look, and saw that the inside was very simple, so she ordered: "Daughter-in-law Damai, the second son's bedroom furnishings are a bit old, you should also change them!"

A very rich young daughter-in-law answered "yes".

After leaving the main room, Concubine Li raised her eyes lazily and glanced at the four people standing respectfully in the porch, Shui Lian, Shui Lian, Xiang Cao and Xiu Yun, sneered, and said: "Are these four maids who serve the Second Young Master?" ?”

Mother Su, the mother in charge of Qingxi Hall where Princess Li lived, answered "yes" hurriedly.

Princess Li sneered "hehe" and said, "No wonder the Second Young Master doesn't like it, he's just a vulgar fan!"

Hearing this, the faces of Shui Ning, Shui Lian, Xiang Cao, and Xiu Yun all flushed red, especially Xiu Yun, who had a thin skin and tears were rolling in her eyes.

Concubine Li has always looked down on these low-status people. She lightly told Mother Su: "In a while, you can pick a few better-born ones and put them in the second son's room, so that the second son will not be seen." All I see are idle flowers and weeds, and my heart is not in the palace!"

Mother Su answered "yes" and said: "Princess, don't worry, I'll start the process when I get back!"

After wandering around, Concubine Li had done enough tricks, and then returned to Hongxi Courtyard, the main house in the inner courtyard of the palace.

After sitting down on the red sandalwood carved arhat bed in the Mingjian of Hongxi Courtyard, Princess Li cleaned her hands with fragrant soap and carefully applied skin care balm under the service of several maids and concubines. Then she asked Mama Su : "Are you all ready?"

Mother Su said in a low voice: "The furniture and quilt pillows are all ready. They are all the dowry of the former princess, and they are now in your private treasury! As for the two girls, they have been prepared in advance, and I guarantee that they will be safe." She is a pure and innocent daughter!"

Concubine Li glanced at the small red sandalwood table next to her, saw a crystal dish of grapes on it, picked one and peeled it slowly.

After peeling a grape until it was shiny and clean, she put the grape aside again, and looked up at Mama Su: "Did Doctor Ma come back?"

Su's mother hurriedly said: "Reporting to the princess, female doctor Ma hasn't come back yet!"

Princess Li lazily said: "When she comes back, bring her to see me."

Doctor Ma wondered if she could get that kind of medicine...

Mother Su hurriedly agreed.

Lin Jia and his party rested at the post station until the evening of the next day, until night fell, and then rushed to the house that Ah Qing had rented in advance.

This house is located in Qinglong Temple near Qingzhou Zhizhou Yamen. It is a three-entry house.

Ah Qing led the crowd into the main gate of the house, and then into the second gate. Although the sky was not completely dark, the two servants still carried lanterns one after the other to light the way for everyone.

The first courtyard you enter is the courtyard of the outer study, the largest area, where Lin Jia meets and meets people. Dr. Liu and the servants also live in this courtyard.

The second courtyard is Lin Jia's residence. Because there are many sycamore trees, it is named Wusheng Courtyard. Lin Jia lives in the three main rooms; Yuzhi serves Lin Jia and lives in the east side room.

The third time I entered the courtyard was a small bamboo grove named Qingzhu Garden, and Xu Erniang's mother and daughter lived in it first.

That night, everyone moved into their respective rooms.

After resting in the mansion for another two days, it was not until the evening of the third day that Lin Jia brought Yu Zhi, A Qing, A Lan, A Cheng and A Chi back to Xingping County Prince's Mansion.

Wang Lintao of Xingping County is appreciating several calligraphy and paintings of Xinde in the study outside.

He has always been fond of arty, self-proclaimed as a master of calligraphy and painting, and has collected a lot of antique calligraphy and paintings. If collecting beauties is his first hobby, then collecting antique calligraphy and paintings can be called his second hobby.

Just when Lin Tao was indulging in the art world and trying to figure out the value of these calligraphy and paintings, the servant came in and reported: "My lord, the second son is back!"

Lin Tao was overjoyed when he heard the words, and immediately asked, "Where is Ajia?"

The little servant hurriedly said: "My lord, the second young master is waiting outside!"

Lin Tao's eyes lit up: "Let him in quickly!"

Before the boy could go out, he hurriedly said, "Forget it, I'll pick him up myself!"

At this time, it was already dark, and there were six fine-painted flower and bird palace lanterns hanging on the corridor of Lin Tao's study. The snow-white gardenias in the flower pond in front of the corridor were in full bloom, and the faint fragrance of flowers filled the entire courtyard.

Lin Jia wore a white spring robe with a jade belt around her waist and stood on the porch with her hands behind her back, looking up at a palace lantern with Chunlan painted in front of her.

The dim light of the lantern shone on his handsome face, making him look more and more like jade.

Hearing the sound of footsteps behind her, Lin Jia turned around and looked over, seeing her father striding out, she stepped forward and saluted, "I've seen my father!"

Lin Tao, the king of Xingping County, is only 33 years old this year, and with his tender and handsome face, he looks more like Lin Jia's elder brother.

What he was wearing today was a homemade sapphire blue chiffon summer gown, with a black satin belt tied around his waist, and he also looked handsome and graceful.

Standing in front of Lin Jia, Lin Tao looked at Lin Jia who hadn't seen him for more than half a year with mixed feelings—it seemed that A Jia had grown taller and looked much better than before. He looked like a handsome young man!

Looking at his beloved eldest son, Lin Tao had a sore nose and almost burst into tears. He hurriedly helped Lin Jia up, and said, "Just come back!"

Lin Jia gently broke free from her father's hand, turned her head to look at A Cheng and A Chi who were following behind, and said lightly: "Give me the gift for the prince!"

Ah Cheng and Ah Chi carried a big sandalwood box and walked over.

Lin Tao didn't expect that Lin Jia would remember to bring a gift for himself, and he was so excited at the moment, he repeatedly ordered: "Take it to the study!"

Damn, he obviously thinks that Ajia is still an angry child, but this child actually knows to bring a gift for his father, he wants to cry, okay!
Ah Cheng and Ah Chi carried the sandalwood box into the outer study room, unlocked the sandalwood box silently, and then opened the lid, and then they bowed and retreated together.

It was also the first time for Lin Jia to give her father a present, and she was a little uncomfortable, but she deliberately pretended to be calm and said, "It's just some calligraphy and painting, don't be disgusted with it, Daddy!"

Lin Tao thought to himself: Son, as long as you know how to give daddy a gift, even if you give daddy a piece of shit, daddy will be happy too!

He walked to the box with a relaxed mood, squatted down on one knee and took a look, and found that the box was full of various scrolls.

Lin Tao was so excited that he picked up a scroll and opened it. As soon as he glanced at it, his eyes widened and his heart beat faster. He said softly, "Ajia, is this the "Winter Snow Mountains and Rivers" written by Xie Qianli from the Tang Dynasty? Picture "Authentic work?"

Lin Jia saw that his father was a good guy, and was satisfied in his heart, but his face was still calm: "Probably so!"

Lin Tao looked at Lin Jia with joy on his face, his hands trembling a little.

He took out another scroll, unfolded it slowly, and found that it was "Jin Ming Chun Dawn Picture" by Yao Yingge, a great master of the Song Dynasty.

After receiving these gifts from his son, Lin Tao was in tears. He took a white handkerchief, wiped his tears, and said, "Ajia, Daddy is so touched! Really so touched!"

Lin Jia squinted at her father, thinking that it was a normal thing, but letting him, a father who loves to be arty, do it, no matter how you look at it, it would be disgusting.

Seeing his father wiping his tears with a handkerchief in an exaggerated manner, Lin Jia finally couldn't stand it any longer, grabbed the silk handkerchief from Lin Tao's hand, held his father's face with his left hand, and moved the silk handkerchief over his father's left eye with his right hand. He wiped the corner of his right eye and the corner of his right eye twice, and wiped away Lin Tao's tears.

Unexpectedly, Lin Tao was even more moved: "Ajia, you are so filial. Daddy also prepared a gift for you!"

Lin Jia was silent for a moment, then looked at Lin Tao seriously: "Daddy, is it a bank note?"

He has too many things to do, and what he lacks most is a bank note.

Lin Tao: "..."

How could such an elegant person give his son a silver ticket as a gift?
Lin Jia knew her father's virtue, and immediately said disappointedly: "Dad, isn't it a bank note?"

How could Lin Tao have the heart to disappoint the eldest son who had just reunited?
He immediately got overwhelmed, walked to the back of the yellow rosewood desk, opened the small drawer, took out a small box and handed it to Lin Jia: "This is the bonus from January to March that Daddy just received, and it's for you! "

Alas, Shuiping's ruby ​​head, Jieying's red gold phoenix hairpin, Xiaoxiangfeng's beeswax necklace, Yingying Shu brocade...all gone!

Lin Jia took the box, opened it, and saw that there was a thick stack of banknotes inside. Immediately, she felt happy, and Xiuchang looked at Lin Tao with smiles in her eyes: "Thank you, Daddy!"

The gift he gave to his father was actually the stolen goods that Gui Ruyu distributed to him after the operation to wipe out and save the religion. Father's bank note came, which was a good deal.

Anyway, if daddy's banknotes are not brought in time, they will become the hairpins on the buns of his many concubines, the bracelets on his wrists, and the silk wrapped around his body.

Lin Tao was a little distressed at first, but seeing the sincere thanks in his son's eyes, his mood suddenly improved, and he comforted himself in his heart: What's the difference between giving the money to Ajia and keeping the money for himself?

Anyway, even if he stayed, it would either be spent on a woman, or he would be blackmailed away by Ajia within a few days!
After he figured it out, Lin Tao's mood suddenly became high, and he said immediately: "Ajia, I will accompany you to pay your respects to your mother!"

Lin Jia said lightly: "Concubine Li is not my mother. My mother's surname is Jiang and she has passed away."

Lin Tao: "..."

Lin Jia said again: "Father, it's too dark, please accompany me back to Lingxiao Courtyard to have a look, and then accompany me to greet Princess Li!"

Lin Tao: "...Okay!"

(End of this chapter)