Mai Xiang was stunned, and quickly raised her eyes to look at Rui Ao, but her hand loosened intuitively, leaving Rui Ao alone holding the half-peeled green onion.
Mai Xiang originally felt shy, but now she saw a prince as old as Rui Ao standing there holding a half-saled green onion peel. She didn't know why, but she actually laughed.
Sensing the pungent smell of the green onions, Rui Ao quickly threw the green onions aside, clapped his hands, and listened to Mai Xiang's laughter. He felt a little embarrassed, but after all, he was a prince who had experienced many battles, but it didn't show on his face.
He just slowly raised his eyes, looked at Mai Xiang with a deliberate smile and asked: "Are you willing?"
Mai Xiang smiled and said: "Prince Rui Ao, please don't make fun of me. I'm still busy preparing Laba porridge!"
After Mai Xiang finished speaking, she was about to enter the kitchen.[
Rui Ao was startled, stopped her and said: "I am not joking, I really want to accept you as my concubine. If you are willing, you can go back with me this time..."
"I don't want to!" Mai Xiang calmed down at this moment and raised her eyes to look at Rui Ao, "Mai Xiang thanks the prince for his love. Maybe in other people's eyes, the prince Rui Ao will like me as a country boy.
Girl, it is indeed an honor for Mai Xiang Sansheng, but Mai Xiang has her own ideas and does not want to be a certain woman in the prince's palace!"
After Mai Xiang finished speaking, she picked up the green onion that Rui Ao had left by the door, peeled it off neatly, and then silently entered the kitchen. After a while, the sound of chopping vegetables could be heard.
Rui Ao didn't give up. He looked in from outside the door and saw Mai Xiang immersed in chopping green onions. Seeing that there was no one else in the room, he asked again: "How do you agree? Do you want the position of Crown Princess?"
?”
There was a trace of disbelief in Rui Ao's words. After all, with Mai Xiang's identity, even if Li Huang could request an imperial decree to make Mai Xiang the princess, after all, Mai Xiang was not from a serious royal family and could be the crown prince of Dai Kingdom.
, the future mother of the country is still lacking! Or maybe in Rui Ao's view, Mai Xiang should not have such thoughts at all. Although in these days in Bieyuan, Chu Yiqing paid attention to Mai Xiang, he just looked at it.
In the eyes.
Mai Xiang took out a spicy lump from the basin, slowly cut it into slices, and said while cutting: "Prince Rui Ao, Mai Xiang is not the kind of person who has no self-awareness. Even someone like me, Aunt Chu, can only do
How can I, a country girl like me, be the crown prince’s concubine?”
Rui Ao was confused after hearing this, and finally reluctantly entered the kitchen, snatched the kitchen knife from Mai Xiang's hand and said, "Tell me carefully, I am serious!"
Mai Xiang sighed, took the kitchen knife out of his hand, put it on the chopping board, then stood with him at the door of the kitchen again and said: "I mean, I don't like you at all, no matter who you are, I
It’s impossible for them to leave with you!”
The smile on Ruiao's face finally froze, as if he was in disbelief.
Mai Xiang glanced at the steaming cauldron and whispered: "The Laba porridge is about to be cooked, and people will be here soon. Prince Ruiao, you'd better leave quickly. This is a place like the kitchen, which is not where you should be!"
Ruiao stood still.
Mai Shannai sighed, and before she could take off her apron, she saw Dangui, Qian and others walking in.
Dangui and Qian entered the kitchen chatting and laughing, seemingly not expecting Rui Ao to be in the room. They were startled and quickly bowed.
"The porridge is ready, distribute it quickly!" Mai Xiang ordered, then looked back at Rui Ao who had been following her and said: "Prince Rui Ao, you must remember that when transforming salt-alkali land, you must use large amounts of water.
Fill the water thoroughly to make it sink fully, and then plant and backfill the soil for the second time. Moreover, the seedlings should be planted sooner rather than later, which can be done in mid-to-late March. The pomegranates and crape myrtle you mentioned germinate later.
You can postpone it for a while! Okay, I’ve told you everything I know. You can get out quickly. This kitchen is too small and I’ll take care of your clothes!”
Ruiao had no choice but to respond and walk out of the kitchen.
After Rui Ao left, Dan Gui looked at Rui Ao's figure in a daze, and couldn't help but leaned in front of Mai Xiang and said: "Miss Mai Xiang, I really envy you. That Prince Rui Ao actually entered the palace for you."
Here’s the little kitchen!”
While Mai Xiang cut the pickles into shreds and soaked them in water, she said indifferently: "He has something to ask me for. If he didn't want to know how to improve the salt-alkali land, he wouldn't have come in!"
Having said that, Dangui's heart was still full of envy. It seemed that she would have to learn that kind of method when she had time in the future, and maybe she could have a word with Prince Ruiao!
Rui Ao walked out of the kitchen, frowning.[
"What, Brother Emperor, are things not going well?" Ruimin was in a state of low spirits. Now that she and Lei Ting were obsessed with each other, she naturally couldn't cheer up when she thought of being separated from Lei Ting.
"Did you get the medical book?" Rui Ao asked without answering.
Ruimin nodded, and did not forget to tell Rui Ao: "Brother, the great emperor must keep his word. In front of the father, he must say a few more good words for me!"
If he were to marry a prince or an emperor, Emperor Dai would naturally be willing to let Ruimin marry outside. But now he is just a county prince conferred by the emperor. What's more, Emperor Dai agreed to this marriage in the first place because he wanted to attract the talent of Lei Min. Now he has not attracted the talent.
, let the princess marry outside, Ruimin is really not sure about this matter.
Rui Ao smiled slowly: "Don't worry, since the emperor has promised you, he will definitely do it! Okay, give the medical book to the emperor!"
Ruimin shook his head and whispered: "Brother Emperor, when I marry Lei Lei, I will naturally give you the medical books!"
Rui Ao was not in a hurry after hearing this, and just said slowly: "Min'er, we grew up together. From childhood to adulthood, have you ever defeated me?"
Ruimin was startled, and was suddenly speechless. Finally, after thinking about it, he took out the medical book hidden on his body, put it obediently into Rui Ao's hand, and said eagerly: "Brother Emperor, can you
You can’t lie to me!”
Rui Ao nodded and said, "Don't worry, I keep my word!"
Ruimin nodded happily.
Rui Ao took the medical book and flipped through a few pages. When he thought that the purpose of this trip was only half achieved, his eyes darkened.
After dinner, Chu Yiqing called Mai Xiang to the room.
"Auntie, are you looking for me?" Mai Xiang came in, sat affectionately on the couch beside Chu Yiqing's bed, pulled the firefox leather from Chu Yiqing's legs, covered her body, and said with a smile: "I can see that my uncle cares about me.
Auntie is here, it’s warm in this room!”
Chu Yiqing smiled and asked: "Why, is it cold in your room?"
Mai Xiang smiled and said: "It's not cold at all, but I feel bored and panicked. Not only me, but also A Bao is bored!"
Chu Yiqing smiled and said: "It turns out that A Bao has also been looking for you. I know what he means, he wants to open a few shops in the capital, but now he wants to follow your uncle into the palace, where does he get so much time! Besides, this
The capital is no better than Chu Han, and since A Bao’s status is special, it’s better to stay out less!”
Mai Xiang nodded and said, "I knew Auntie had her own ideas!"
Chu Yiqing smiled faintly, remembering his intention of calling Mai Xiang in today, and said: "Prince Rui Ao and Princess Ruimin will go back tomorrow! Prince Rui Ao came to see your uncle today. I listened to what he said.
It seems that I am interested in you..."
"Auntie, I know this, but I know even more that Prince Ruiao is not interested in me, but in the "Nong Zheng" that I know. If I am just an ordinary country girl, then Prince Ruiao is afraid that he is interested in me."
You didn’t even say a word to me!”
Chu Yiqing smiled and said: "The aroma of our wheat is not bad to begin with!"
Mai Xiang tilted her head on Chu Yiqing's knees and whispered: "I know my aunt's painstaking efforts for me. If nothing else, in the six months since I came to the capital, I have watched my aunt suffer so much.
, in my heart... I am still hurt by my uncle, but Ruiao just wants to use me. After using me, who will care about my life and death? Aunt, I don't have the ability of aunt, so I don't dare to pray too much!"
Chu Yiqing heard her sentimentality, so he touched her hair and said: "This capital is different from our Chu Han, but when people grow up, they always have to face some things!" [
Mai Xiang nodded, raised her little face and said to Chu Yiqing: "Aunt, I know that you and mother are worried about my marriage, but I don't want to get married now, I just want to stay with aunt!"
Chu Yiqing nodded and said with a smile: "I'm just asking you. In fact, even if you are willing to go, I won't be willing to go. Okay, it's getting late, go back to sleep!"
Mai Xiang nodded and said goodbye.
Because Mai Xiang disagreed and Chu Yiqing also firmly opposed it, Rui Ao's intention was not achieved. On the next day, he and Ruimin left Li State and returned to Dai State.
"Miss Mai Xiang, this is what the Crown Prince of Dai asked the slave to hand over to you before he left!" Fourteen stepped forward, holding a jade pendant in his hand with the national flower of Dai engraved on it. It looked like something belonging to the royal family.
Mai Xiang just glanced at it and said quietly: "I can't accept such valuable things. Since you accepted it, then you can keep it for me. If you can see Prince Dai in the future, you can hand it to him for me."
!”
Fourteen was startled, with a look of embarrassment on his face.
Mai Xiang turned around and went straight into the house.
Fourteen Nai had no choice but to go to Fifteen, and Fifteen asked Yingrun. Yingrun then took the jade pendant and went to Chu Yiqing's place.
"Then put it here with me first!" Chu Yiqing looked at the jade pendant and saw that it was the one Ruiao usually wore. It was round and smooth, as if it had been rubbed for a long time. It should be Ruiao.
’s beloved thing.
"Rui Ao is afraid that he really has feelings for Mai Xiang, but it's a pity that Mai Xiang's thoughts are not with him!" Chu Yiqing sighed.
After entering Laba, the palace became busy one after another. After dinner that day, Concubine Wu and Concubine Rou specially went to sit in the Queen Mother's palace. After chatting, Concubine Wu smiled and said: "Speaking of which, this year is...
Concubine Chu entered the palace in her first year. Among the younger generation, she was the most favored by the emperor. Not only did she not have to go to the palace every day to perform morning and evening rituals, but she also heard that she had been living in a villa in the suburbs, which was easy.
It’s so pity for us mothers-in-law, we are so busy that the sky is dark and the earth is dark!”
Concubine Rou also laughed and said: "Yes, there are a lot of things going on this year, and the palace is also very busy. Sister Wu Concubine has not slept a wink for several days!"
The Queen Mother glanced at Concubine Wu's energetic face and couldn't help but sneered: "It's really hard for you to have a serious master in our palace. Previously, a minister wanted the emperor to establish a queen. The emperor and the Ai family felt that They are all hesitant. Now it seems that there is indeed a need for a rightful master in this palace. Once you have a rightful master, you will be at ease when the time comes!"
After listening to the first half of the Queen Mother's words, Concubine Wu felt very happy, thinking that the Queen Mother was finally going to speak. However, as soon as she heard the second half of the words, her smile immediately froze on her face, and she quickly said: "Look at what the Queen Mother said, As the concubines of this powerful country, it is our duty to share the emperor's worries, so why bother!"
The Queen Mother nodded lightly and said: "You are the old people in the palace, and the Ai family trusts you, but these juniors should really be taken care of! The Liu family's affairs made a big fuss a while ago, and there was also Gan'er. In the mansion, what's going on with Qi Yunluo?"
Concubine Wu quickly knelt down and said: "Queen Mother, Yun Luo was also deceived. No matter what, Qian'er has divorced Yun Luo. From now on, Qi Yunluo's affairs have nothing to do with Qi Yun Luo!"
"Divorce?" The Queen Mother frowned, "Since you said that Yun Luo was deceived, it is unjust. You knew she was wronged, but you still let Qian'er divorce her? She is a weak woman, and the whole Qi family has been She's been sold, where did you let her go? Although Yun Luo did this in a confused way, don't forget that it's all thanks to her that Qian'er's eyesight is good!"
Concubine Wu couldn't express her pain at the moment. She originally wanted to take advantage of this busy year to give Chu Yiqing some eye medicine, but she didn't expect that the Queen Mother would catch her and bring up the old score between Li Qian and Qi Yunluo.
"The Empress Dowager, I will give up now if I don't rest, not to mention that Yun Luo has not left the house for two years, so..." Concubine Wu had to say.
"There are so many concubines, concubines, and intercourse in Prince Qian's palace. Qi Yunluo would like to have one. I'm afraid that Qian'er's body has been squeezed dry by those women! Besides, Qi Yunluo is not the only one in that palace. Not pregnant!" The Queen Mother snorted coldly.
Concubine Wu was speechless by the Queen Mother's question and could only look at Concubine Rou beside her.
Concubine Rou usually fawns over Concubine Wu, but no matter how stupid she is now, she can see that Concubine Wu is no longer welcome by the Queen Mother, so she naturally refuses to say any more, pretending not to see Concubine Wu's eyes. .
"Okay, the emperor has already discussed with the Ai family. After the new year, there will be a new draft to replenish the harem. When the newcomers come, you can also relax a little!" The Queen Mother slowly waved her hand and said: "Okay, Ai family You’re tired too, so just go down!”
Concubine Wu was so shocked by the word "draft draft" that the emperor was already fifty years old and had not admitted new people to the palace for five years. Why did he suddenly think of a draft? But now that the queen mother saw her, she didn't seem to want to say more, and she didn't dare to elaborate further. Asked, he and Concubine Rou hurriedly left together.
After Concubine Wu and Concubine Rou left, Abao came out from behind the curtain with a smile on his face, holding the freshly cooked pan-fried fish and four plates of side dishes in his hands.
"My dear grandson, why are you carrying it by yourself? What should I do if it gets burned?" When the Queen Mother saw it, she quickly asked her close maid to step forward and take over the tray.
"A Bao wants to give it to me in person!" A Bao pouted her pink mouth and opened her big eyes. Her voice was crisp and soft, and her words were as sweet as the Queen Mother's. Go to your heart.
"A good boy, just to please the Ai family!" The Queen Mother couldn't help but hold A Bao in her arms, then glanced at the things on the tray and asked, "What is this? It looks like a bun!"
Abao smiled and said, "Old Nai Nai, this is called Shengjian, and it was made by my mother herself, and this lean meat and preserved egg porridge was also made by my mother!"
As Abao said, he saw Lei Sheng respectfully bring up a pot of porridge. As soon as he opened it, a fragrant aroma suddenly hit his nostrils.
"Did your mother do it?" The Queen Mother was startled.
"Yes, my mother said that she is too heavy to come every day to pay her respects to Grandma and Grandpa Huang, but she still thinks about Grandma and Grandpa Huang's health in her heart.
The lean meat porridge is made by my mother, which is said to nourish the blood and lungs. The fried pork and shrimp are made of fresh meat and shrimps. Together with these side dishes, it is guaranteed to make the old lady appetizing and want to eat it again!
"A'Bao said, he picked up a piece of pan-fried pancake with chopsticks and put it in front of the Queen Mother. He then said, "There is another recipe for eating pan-fried pancake. Do you want to hear it?"
The Queen Mother smiled and said: "Is there any secret formula for eating? Come on, tell me!"
Abao immediately took one and put it in his bowl. He bit it carefully with his little mouth and said: "Break the skin first, then drink the soup. Add some vinegar to make it taste more delicious!"
The Queen Mother was amused by A Bao and imitated his example. She bit into the fried pancake, sucked out the thick soup inside, poured a little vinegar on it and put it in her mouth. Sure enough, the taste was different.
"Both Abao and your mother have their hearts in mind. Don't worry, Grandma is not an old fool and knows what she is doing!" The Queen Mother put down her chopsticks and said with a hint.
A Bao listened with a smile, nestled in the Empress Dowager's arms, and said softly: "Old Nai Nai still loves A Bao the most, and loves mother the most. When mother gives birth to A Bao's younger brother, she will definitely come to give birth to him.
Grandma, please say hello!"
"Okay, good boy!" the Queen Mother laughed.
When Abao came out of the palace, he saw Li Huang waiting outside the palace, so he cheered and got on Li Huang's carriage.
"Dad, you are in front encouraging Grandpa Huang to choose a concubine, and I am coaxing Grandma in the back. Are we two perfect partners?" A Bao put his arms around Li Huang's neck and pressed Li Huang on
Under the body.
Li Huang gently tapped Ah Bao's little nose. The two played around for a while and then sat up. Ah Bao took the opportunity to repeat what Concubine Wu and the Queen Mother said today, and said with a smile: "Dad is really clever and his calculations are accurate.
The Concubine Wu refused to let it go, and now Daddy is stuffing a bunch of women into the palace, leaving the Concubine Wu to have no time to take care of herself!"
The draft is not as simple as stuffing women into the palace, but the key to it is that Abao is still young, so he might not be able to understand it if told to him. Li Huang didn't say much, just smiled and said: "Just please the Queen Mother.
The good news is, let’s keep these people for now, and we won’t be in a hurry to deal with them after your mother gives birth to her younger brother!”
Abao nodded.
Li Huang touched A Bao's little hand lovingly, and listening to the sound of the wheels, his heart was filled with warmth when he thought of seeing Chu Yiqing when he returned home.
With Chu Yiqing's company, life in the palace has become much more interesting!
With Concubine Wu's lesson learned, the concubines in the palace no longer dared to "touch" the tiger's butt, so Chu Yiqing had been recuperating in a villa in the suburbs, and did not return until the day of the New Year
In the Prince's Mansion, they did not expect that after all this trouble, Chu Yiqing would give birth prematurely.