It rained a lot this spring. Even in a lonely place like Ningshou Palace, the flowers and plants in the courtyard were in full bloom, exuding a sense of prosperity. I pushed open the screen window lightly, thinking that the force was too light, but it didn't.
Thinking about it, I still frightened the birds perched on the tree in the front yard. When I heard the birds chirping, I turned around in surprise and said, "Concubine, come and see, it's a magpie, it's a good sign."
My mother-in-law, Princess Jiang, wore a smoky purple brocade gown with emerald green peacock feather threads woven into it using flat gold stitching. It was paired with a silver-white skirt. It was in line with her quiet and delicate temperament, and it did not show how old she was.
Aging. When she heard me speak, she smiled sweetly: "Zipei is really the empress of the Tian family. She said she was a magpie without even seeing her."
When I saw that my mother had seen through it, I was not worried. I snuggled into her arms and asked coquettishly: "How do you know that I didn't see clearly what kind of bird it was?" My mother gently stroked the green jade flower on my head.
Tian smiled lightly and said: "Silly boy, my mother-in-law also lived in the countryside before entering Prince Pingyang's palace, and was close to the fields every day. This name clearly means the emperor. This kind of bird flies very fast, and the Bureau of Curiosities has never raised it.
.It’s no wonder that my daughter, who has ten fingers that are not touched by spring water, is so proud of her.”
I sighed: "My daughter has never left Zi'ao City since she was a child. She must be cautious in everything and dare not make any mistakes. When it comes to family relationships and childishness, who can be better than a mother and concubine?"
The mother-in-law sighed endlessly and said: "Well, what about the family relationship and childishness, we will eventually lose it. My father passed away when I was ten years old, and my mother was an incompetent woman. Seeing the tenants leaving one after another, the harvest was reduced.
The years were getting worse. There were still several brothers to support at home, so I had no choice but to ask my uncle to bring my mother and concubine to the palace to be a dancer. Later, she became a concubine out of confusion and never saw her family again."
I regret my mistake. Although my mother-in-law is now a high-ranking concubine, her humble background has always been criticized by others. And my mother-in-law is such a quiet and delicate woman, who doesn't care about other people's cold eyes and contempt. However, she has been sad for parting for half her life.
Thinking of this, I pretended to be dissatisfied and said, "Really, mother-in-law, isn't Zipei your family member?"
The mother-in-law also smiled when she heard this, her warmth was in line with the harmonious spring scenery, "Yes, it's good to have you."
As the mother-in-law spoke, she gently stroked the broken hair on my forehead. Although I haven't had haircuts yet, the emperors of the Tian family often have to be good at makeup, as if this can show the magnificence of our Zhou royal family. So I also learned.
Several royal ladies wore their hair in various noble lady buns, with only the hair at the back spread out, to show that I was still a daughter to be married.
But for girls who are young, if their hair is not thick and slender enough, it is often difficult to style it. Just like my only sister, Xue Po, who was also the only biological daughter of Empress Dowager Zhen at that time, she often complained that her hair was too sparse and she could not wear it.
I can wear almost all kinds of complicated hairstyles.
In fact, Xue Po already has so many things that all the women in the palace are envious of. Her stunning appearance, noble birth, and unparalleled love and protection from the Queen Mother and Brother. But she has never known what to ask for since she was a child.
He Wu's proud daughter doesn't know how to cherish it, just like she doesn't understand why I never comb my hair in those fancy styles that girls like at first sight in front of her.
Of course, after all, Xue Po is not a person who can do anything based on pampering. She was pampered but not spoiled. This is something I only understood after a long time.
I was wandering here, but my mother-in-law said with great affection: "Pei'er, your hair grows really well, it looks like... it's much better than my mother-in-law's." I didn't pay attention to the mother-in-law's words.
With a slight change of mood, she just said obediently: "Concubine Duan's hair is good. Concubine Duan said that she started to use black hair cream at your age, but Concubine Duan, your hair is still like a long waterfall. Look at it.
She looks so young, even if she stands with the concubine chosen by the emperor this time, she still doesn't have to give in too much."
Most women like to be praised for their looks, but Concubine Mu just smiled bitterly and seemed not to have heard what I just said. I noticed something was wrong and asked hurriedly: "Concubine Concubine, Concubine Mother, what are you thinking about?"
The mother-in-law was startled, then smiled and said: "Of course the mother-in-law is thinking of you. By the way, Pei'er, you just mentioned the noble concubine. Have you gone to pay your respects to any of your sisters today?"
When I arrived at the Longevity Palace, Concubine Zhenyi also came to chat with Concubine Jingde. When Aunt Hanzhu led me into the house, she even joked: "The Emperor is here, but our empress said that we are lifeless."
, I get annoyed when I see it. The children are still laughing happily.”
I smiled when I heard this. Apart from the Queen Mother and Concubine Duan Mu, who was sick all year round, Concubine De Mu was the most respected person in my father's palace. Her kindness and generosity were well-known in the palace. Of course, Concubine De Mu was also famous for her love for children.
. Even I, the Emperor Ji, who came from a humble background and was not very favored by my father, was taken care of by her when I was a child. Every time I saw her, I would ask questions. But such a loving mother has never been able to do anything in her life. Even though she has already
At this age, she would occasionally show regrets. The kind of regret that was not heart-breaking, but deeply rooted in the bones, and endless, was enough to make the honor and wealth of her imperial concubine seem as vast as smoke.
Especially after her only adopted daughter, Princess Longyue of Yong'an, married away to Hehe four years ago. She became even more lonely. I was only ten years old at the time, and I still remember the always dignified and gentle Concubine De Mu bursting into tears.
She knelt down in front of the Queen Mother and the Emperor, begging her not to let Sister Longyue never meet her again for the rest of her life. But the Queen Mother sighed and said slowly: "Sister Feng, Longyue is also the daughter of the Ai family, but...
For the Emperor Ji, this is her inevitable destiny."
Finally, Sister Long Yue went to Zitai Liangui Mo. She became the only genuine and concubine princess since the founding of the Zhou Dynasty in the five generations since the founding of the Zhou Dynasty. Of course, she was the unique and unique biological daughter of the Queen Mother.
Later it was proved that the Empress Dowager's decision to abandon her own daughter in marriage was extremely correct. The hidden dangers that had been threatening the stability of the Zhou Dynasty for hundreds of years were finally eradicated in one go. And the Empress Dowager Mingyi's courage and courage will shine through for generations to come.
However, for Concubine De, it has nothing to do with the rest of her lonely life.
Concubine De Mu was indeed very happy to see me. She repeatedly asked the palace maids to watch me and serve tea. Then she said as if she was remembering something: "Hanzhu, I remember that the Ministry of Internal Affairs just gave a gift of fine water chestnuts produced in Yangzhou.
Huaishu likes the lotus root flour water chestnut cake you made the most, so she quickly prepared it and served it."
Concubine Zhenmu smiled and said, "You can see that I am biased. I have been sitting here for a long time and I have not even served ordinary snacks. When Huaishu came, you hurriedly ordered Hanzhu to cook."
I said embarrassedly: "Concubine Zhenmu is the gentlest. Why do you have to make fun of Huaishu today?"
Concubine Demu said angrily: "What Huaishu said is true. Yan Yi has become less and less behaved these days. She really doesn't look like someone who wants to be a family aunt (mother-in-law)."
I was startled and almost blurted out: "Brother Yu Pei is getting married?"
Concubine Zhenmu smiled and said nothing. Today she was wearing a pistil-yellow woven flower spring sweater, with a red gold and two immortal hairpins on her bun. It was obviously such a festive and bright outfit, but there was only tranquility on her body. Pleasant and comfortable.
On the other hand, Auntie Platycodon next to her replied on behalf of her master: "Just imagine, Emperor Ji, the Queen Mother has already arranged for the draft with the Ministry of Etiquette. I think there will be tens of thousands of beautiful girls. In addition to enriching the harem for the emperor and multiplying the clan, naturally she also has to select two princesses. Come. Otherwise, there will be so many beauties around the Emperor, and the King of Jin and the King of Qinghe will be alone. Given the benevolence and filial piety of our Emperor, he will naturally refuse to do so."
This article uses Emperor Huaishu as the first person
Empress Huaishu, named Zipei, was trained by her biological mother to become the concubine Jiang's apple-picking family.
Concubine Zhenyi Xu Yanyi, formerly known as Mrs. Zhenyi, gave birth to the second prince Yu Pei.
and Feng Ruozhao, the concubine of Jingde, the former concubine of Jingde, and the adopted daughter of Longyue, the eldest princess of Yong'an.