In today's Tongfu Hutong, there is a guard post every three steps and a sentry post every five steps. The security is extremely tight.
At seven o'clock, a crisp sound of applause suddenly came from the entrance of the alley.
After a while, the claps got closer and closer.
I saw a group of young eunuchs, high-fiving each other as they walked toward the crowd of people from the old Tong family.
After the team of high-fiving little eunuchs passed by, there was another strange sound of "rebuking" coming from the alley.
"Rebuke, rebuke, rebuke..." Another group of young eunuchs walked away while issuing warning sounds to clean the streets.
After the two teams of young eunuchs passed by, the palace ceremonial music suddenly played in the alley.
Amidst the sound of drums, two teams of eunuchs on horseback were seen passing by the welcoming team of the Tong family.
Six white horses without any mottled colors can only be obtained by the emperor's family in this world.
In the Qing Dynasty, the official name of the honor guard of the empress dowager and empress was Yijia.
The royal concubine's traveling ostentation is called the ceremonial guard, while the remaining concubines and concubines are called the colorful guard.
When the drum music was in full swing, two golden phoenix flags were seen fluttering in the wind, leading the way.
Immediately after that, there are two sides each of the red phoenix flag and the black phoenix flag, two golden, red and black three-color fans, two red and black Luanfeng fans, two red and black auspicious grass umbrellas, two handles each, bright yellow
, two red and black flower umbrellas each.
What is particularly eye-catching is that after the Qifeng Minghuang Crank, there are Zhai Yu, Yi Yu, and Zhai Che.
As soon as Zhai Yu showed up, the eunuch who was standing on the steps in front of Tong Mansion raised his throat and shouted, "Kneel down!"
"Hula la..." In front of the door of Old Tong's house, a large group of people knelt down in darkness.
The men kneel on the left side, and the women kneel on the right side. There is no confusion at all.
Among the men of the old Tong family, Tong Guoding is the leader. As for the women, Li Si'er is the leader.
In fact, this arrangement is the result of a compromise. There is no national etiquette, only family etiquette.
If the greeting is really carried out according to the national ceremony, Yuzhu should be the first on the men's side, and Xiuyun should be the first on the women's side.
Etiquette is like a three-year-old girl, letting her parents dress and explain her at will.
According to common sense, when welcoming an imperial concubine to visit the bride, the state ceremony should be in the first place and the family ceremony should be in the back.
However, Yuzhu didn't want to be too showy, so he took the initiative to pester the old emperor and insisted on meeting him with family courtesy.
Yuzhu's reasons can be explained clearly. He is just a junior. How dare he surpass his father?
Respecting elders is a traditional virtue!
Yuzhu's subtext is, Khan Amma, you are also my serious elder. I will never dare to disobey your elder's instructions.
In fact, the old emperor also understood Yuzhu's little thoughts.
If Xiuyun was in front of Li Si'er, Yuzhu would be in a lot of trouble.
However, it would indeed be embarrassing if Yuzhu stood at the top of the old Tong family's team.
Zhai's car, decorated with dragons and phoenixes, stopped steadily in front of the gate of Lao Tong's house.
At this time, when the car curtain was raised, a lady wearing a three-tiered seven-gold phoenix crown and a bright yellow court gown officially appeared.
"Kneel down." Following the loud shout of the eunuch leading the ceremony, everyone in the old Tong family knelt down obediently.
Empress Tong stepped on the backs of the two young eunuchs, and her feet slowly fell to the ground.
Tong Guoding kowtowed heavily and said loudly, "Former general of Jingzhou and slave Tong Guoding, I sincerely wish the imperial concubine my best wishes."
"First-class Duke Cheng'en, leading the minister of bodyguards and servant Erundai, respectfully wishes the imperial concubine a long blessing and a happy life."
"First-rate Duke Cheng'en, commander of the infantry, and servant Longkodo, respectfully wish the imperial concubine my best wishes for peace and prosperity."
"Minister of the Ministry of War, servant Qingtai..."
"Slave Ye Keshu..."
"Slave Deke Xin..."
"..."
"Slave Shun Anyan..."
"The Duke of Feng'en Town, the foreman Nanshu
On the way to the house, the foreman, the imperial minister, the foreman, the minister in charge of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the minister Yuzhu, wish my concubine a happy and prosperous life."
With such a long title and such a distinguished title, and he still calls himself a minister, why should you ask? He must be Yuzhu.
Empress Tong looked at Yuzhu with a smile on her face and scolded softly, "Little monkey, you usually open your mouth and shut up, but today you have become a stuffy gourd? Come here and call me uncle."
Look at you, have you lost weight due to hunger?"
In public, Empress Tong actually waved to her. Yuzhu didn't dare to disobey, so he had to bite the bullet and walked quickly to Empress Tong's side.
Just as Yuzhu was about to salute again, the female official next to Empress Tong raised her hand to stop her.
Empress Tong smiled slightly and said, "I haven't been home for decades, little monkey, how about you lead the way and take me around to take a look?"
In full view of the public, how can Yuzhu say something bad?
So, Yuzhu led the way, leading the large team from the palace, and drove into Old Tong's house in a mighty manner.
Seeing that Tong Guoding's old face turned the color of pig liver, Long Keduo felt very happy and said casually, "Among all the nephews, the empress just likes Yuzhu. Alas, there is nothing I can do about it."
Tong Guoding was so angry that he almost vomited blood, but he tried to use Long Keduo again, but he was completely helpless.
The former Tong Banchao was indeed a member of the Tong family, and there were at least more than fifty people in high positions above the third rank.
Today's Tong Banchao refers specifically to Longkodo, Qingtai and Yuzhu. The power of these three fathers and sons dominates the government and the public.
Now, among the whole family, there is a widely circulated gossip that the advantages of the old Tong family have been taken advantage of by the three of them!
Shun Anyan kept staring at Yuzhu's retreating back, feeling jealous to death.
Originally, among Tong Guowei's grandchildren, Shun Anyan was the most prominent one.
However, who told Shun Anyan to be on the wrong team?
Before the old emperor deposed the crown prince, he completely cleaned up the eldest brother's party. Shun Anyan could not even retain the title of consort and Shuo forehead.
The larger the family, the harder it is for the interests to be shared equally.
To put it bluntly, back then, Ye Keshu and Deke Xin joined forces to bully their younger brother Longkodo, wasn't it just for the good position of the second-class bodyguard?
Good locations are, after all, limited.
It was also very difficult for Tong Guowei at that time. If he gave a good position to Dekexin, he could not give it to Longkodo, so he had to make some choices.
It’s just that things are really changing.
Who could have imagined that Yuzhu, whose background was worse than that of a maidservant, would rise to the level he is today?
Just as the famous saying goes, all the heroes have passed away, but look at the present day!
After Empress Tong washed and changed her clothes, she drank half a cup of tea and then ordered someone to see the women of the Tong family.
Originally, Li Si'er was worried all the time, fearing that he would lose face.
Unexpectedly, a female official from the palace quickly walked up to Li Si'er and said with a smile, "Old lady, would you please follow me in to pay my respects to the empress?"
For a moment, Li Si'er's eyebrows were filled with joy, and he couldn't hide the smile lines on his face even if he wanted to.
Before Li Si'er entered, he deliberately turned his head and glanced at Xiuyun.
Xiuyun knew very well that Li Si'er was showing off to her.
Well, since my aunt likes Yuzhu so much, isn't it normal for him to give Li Si'er a big favor?