Women dressed as men: powerful officials

Chapter 318: Empress Xing summons

On the Dragon Boat Festival, many people in the capital went to the Xu family's banquet.

Zhang Qingyu and Wen Shufang had never prepared such a banquet, so they handed everything over to the newly hired housekeeper and maid of the Xu family, and then quietly embroidered in the backyard.

Zhang Qingyi didn't go out either. He just went there occasionally to take a few glances and then came back to tell Zhang Qingyu and Wen Shufang.

Listening to the excitement in the front yard, Wen Shufang couldn't help but mutter, "Qingyu, do you think Wenxian, who is so successful in the capital now, feels that we are holding him back?"

These days, Wen Shufang has been going out to inquire a lot, and so has Zhang Qingyu.

Several people were trying hard to learn how to behave as Beijing residents and how not to embarrass Xu Wenxian, but the more they knew, the bigger their headache became.

A woman living in a big house has a lot to learn.

Zhang Qingyu couldn't even read, let alone manage household expenses, social interactions, etc...

"No, sister-in-law, don't you know who Wenxian is?" Zhang Qingyu shook her head and said, "What we need to do is not to embarrass Wenxian."

"That being said, we are outsiders after all. And look at how big the Xu residence is. It's almost as big as Cheng's hometown. Yesterday I heard a few maids in the mansion saying that the three of us are not presentable. If people in the mansion say so, then what will people outside the mansion say?"

Wen Shufang finished speaking, put down the embroidery stand, and muttered, "I don't know when Yue'er will come back."

Zhang Qingyu didn't say anything.

She and Xu Wenxian were husband and wife, so she naturally knew that Xu Wenxian would not abandon his wife, but she also understood that Wen Shufang was not lying.

No matter how determined Xu Wenxian is, will he be shaken after hearing so many critical voices outside?

Wen Shufang was talking to herself when she suddenly realized that Zhang Qingyu didn't respond. She was startled and said immediately, "Qingyu, that's not what I meant. I know what kind of person Wenxian is. I'm not afraid that people outside will say that we have brought shame to Wenxian."

"Sister, don't worry. If Wenxian changes, we can just go back to Sishui County. And Yue'er, don't worry."

Zhang Qingyi followed suit and advised.

Outside the door, Nanny Yi knocked on the door and said, "Madam, Concubine Xing is here, and she has asked me to invite you to the pavilion for a chat."

"Empress Xing?"

Zhang Qingyu was stunned. The needle tip passed through the cloth and pierced her hand. A little blood fell on the handkerchief.

Nanny Yi used to be a daughter of an official. Later, her family fell into poverty and she started working for wealthy families. Until now, she was bought by Xu Wenxian and worked in Xu's house.

After a long time without hearing a reply from inside the room, Nanny Yi smiled and reminded, "Madam, Concubine Xing is a member of the government family. Don't delay the time and make her unhappy."

"I, I understand. Wait a moment, I'll change my clothes."

Zhang Qingyu was a little flustered.

Wen Shufang asked in a low voice: "Qingyu, is Concubine Ying the wife that Wen Xian didn't marry before?"

"Yes." Zhang Qingyi said.

"What should I do? Why does she have to see you? Is it okay not to see you? Or does she just want to see you humiliated?" Wen Shufang didn't know what these masters in the palace were thinking.

She and Zhang Qingyu are indeed not presentable, but so what?

Were they the ones who saved Xu Wenxian's life?

Where was Concubine Xing at that time?

Thinking of this, Wen Shufang's back slowed down a little and she said, "Qingyu, if you don't want to go, then we won't go. Just say you're sick. Then, Concubine Ying won't be so excessive, right?"

"Wait for me to slow down."

Zhang Qingyu had no idea what Wen Shufang was saying. She just felt her whole body was shaking and her head was dizzy, as if she would faint any moment.

Outside the door, Nanny Yi said, "Madam, don't worry. The master knows that Concubine Xing wants to see you, so he specially ordered me to prepare a set of clothes. I am here with you. If you don't know what to say, just leave it to me."

Hearing this, Zhang Qingyu felt more confident and asked, "Is the master going?"

Nanny Yi smiled and said, "Madam, Concubine Xing is a noble lady in the palace. If she is not summoned, even the master cannot see her at will."

After saying that, Nanny Yi changed her tone and said, "If Madam really doesn't want to go, I will go and tell her. However, there will be many such things in the future. Madam can't hide forever, right?"

Nanny Yi had served many people, so she knew Zhang Qingyu's character. She was afraid that even if she continued to study, she would not have the bearing of those ladies in the capital.

However, now that she is in the Xu family, she will naturally plan everything for Zhang Qingyu.

She respected and felt sorry for Xu Wenxian.

At that time, her father was only a minor official in the capital, but he lost his position because he offended someone.

At that time, her father wanted to sell her in order to get his official position back, but the imperial appointment could not be changed at will.

Her father was so angry that he wanted to sell her to a brothel.

Later, it was the old man of the Xu family who saved her, gave her a place to stay, and arranged a good marriage for her. After her parents died and her husband also died early, she went to work as a maid in a wealthy family in order to support her children.

That day, she heard that Xu Ze, the young master of the Xu family, had returned to Beijing and that the Xu residence was being renovated and was recruiting maids and servants, so she came immediately. Upon hearing that she was an old acquaintance, Xu Ze hired her immediately without even investigating.

Nanny Yi was touched and wanted to be a better housekeeper.

Zhang Qingyu hadn't spoken for a long time. Nanny Yi thought for a while and was about to reply when the door opened.

Zhang Qingyu looked at Nanny Yi and said with determination, "Let's go. You are right. Today is just the beginning. There will be more people to meet in the future. Wenxian is busy running the Xu residence. I can't help him, nor can I hold him back."

Nanny Yi was surprised that Zhang Qingyu was willing to meet Concubine Xing.

Nanny Yi smiled immediately and comforted her, "Don't worry, Madam. Concubine Xing is a noble lady, and she won't criticize you so easily. Moreover, although the master is no longer working in the palace, the people of the Xu family are not people who can be bullied at will."

Zhang Qingyu nodded heavily.

Nanny Yi led the way for Zhang Qingyu until they reached the pavilion, then she stopped and knelt down, saying, "Madam, I can't go any further. If you encounter any problems, please speak loudly and I will be there immediately."

"it is good."

After Zhang Qingyu finished speaking, he looked towards the pavilion in the lake.

In June, the lotus flowers in the lake are in full bloom, and the breeze blows gently, bringing bursts of floral fragrance.

There was a gauze curtain in the middle of the pavilion, blocking the view inside and only vague human figures could be seen.

Zhang Qingyu walked over slowly, all the while anticipating what Concubine Xing would say, what she would do, and whether she would make things difficult for her.

After thinking through the most difficult aspects, Zhang Qingyu took a deep breath and stood outside the veil and said, "I am Zhang Qingyu, a commoner, and I pay my respects to the Concubine Xing."

There were shadows moving in the pavilion, and two palace maids raised their hands to draw aside the veil.

Zhang Qingyu raised her eyes, and after just one glance, she was stunned.