When I woke up, the sky was dim, but I was alone on the imperial couch. Xuan Ling had disappeared. www. I was worried and raised my voice: "Who is outside?" There was a group of maids guarding outside the palace holding toiletries.
People and clothes filed in, and the one at the head was Fangruo. When he saw his old friend, he suddenly felt happy and couldn't help but call her: "Aunt Fangruo."
Fangruo also looked overjoyed, but she had to abide by the rules and led others to kneel down and salute: "My lord Jin An." I hurriedly motioned for her to get up, and Fangruo said with a smile: "Your Majesty will go to the morning court at the fifth watch.
"Yes, I saw that my young master was sleeping deeply, so I specifically ordered you not to disturb you."
I remembered how tired I was last night and lowered my head in shame. Fangruo just kept silent and said, "I will serve you as my master to change my clothes." After that, Jinxi and I helped me stand up.
I just let them wash up, and Fang asked Fangruo: "Why are you working here as an errand?"
Fangruo said: "This slave has been serving the Queen Mother and reciting sutras. The talented person before me came to serve as an errand in front of the Queen Mother."
"It's a good job. What grade are you in now?"
"Thanks to the love of the Emperor and the Queen Mother, I am now a gentle man of the fifth grade."
I took off a pair of gold necklaces from my hand and put them in her palm: "I didn't expect to meet you, and I didn't even prepare a gift. Please accept it out of caution."
Fangruo knelt down and said, "I don't dare to be a slave."
I held her hand with a smile: "At this moment, I don't care about you as master or servant, we only talk about our past friendship."
Seeing what I said, Fangruo had no choice but to accept it. She stood up and put a cup of decoction in front of me: "This is a medicine to relieve pain and calm the nerves. Please take it first. After breakfast, you will go to Zhaoyang Palace to give it to the Queen."
Please greet me."
The queen didn't like to burn incense, and she thought the fragrance of only women's powder in the palace was too vulgar, so she asked people to put fresh fruits and vegetables in the palace every day, either in water jars or placed neatly on the table. I heard what Shi Meiren said.
Come on, the queen has such a coincidence. If it is summer, the whole corridor is filled with fragrance, and you will feel sweet and comfortable even when you breathe. If it is winter, as soon as you lift the curtain and go in, the heater will rush towards you with the fragrance, and your whole body will feel soft and crisp.
It's warm and has a fresh flavor.
According to the rules, the concubines who went to bed the next day had to perform a grand ceremony of three kneels and nine kowtows to greet the queen for the first time. The brocade mat had already been laid out under the phoenix throne, and the queen sat upright to receive the ceremony. After the ceremony was completed, a palace maid was busy helping me to get up.
The queen was very polite, asked me to sit down, and said kindly: "Thank you for giving me birth. I feel free to perform such a grand ceremony, but this is an ancestral rule that I cannot disobey."
I gently answered "yes" and said: "How dare I say the word 'shengshou'? The queen is the mother of the world and is in charge of the six palaces. If you can see the queen well every day, it means that the six palaces have been blessed."
"
When the queen heard this, she was really happy and said: "No wonder the emperor likes you, your words and actions are really lovable." After saying that, she sighed slightly, "With your talent and beauty, I should have received this favor a long time ago. I didn't wait until today...
But it’s okay, even though all good things are hard to come by, the clouds will finally clear and the moon will shine.”
I thanked him as I was told.
The Queen added: "Now that I am serving the Holy Master, this body is not just my own. It must be well taken care of so that I can be a blessing to Heaven and have an heir."
"My concubine must remember every word of your Majesty's words and dare not neglect them."
After the queen finished speaking, a palace maid brought a cup of tea to the queen. The queen took the drink. A palace maid beside her said with a smile: "Since the young master Wan Guan became ill, the queen has repeatedly wanted to see the disease in person. However, the imperial doctor said that the young master was ill.
It's a temporary illness, and I'm afraid of hurting the Queen's body, so I have to give up. The Queen is always thinking about the little master in her heart."
I saw that she was about twenty-seven or seventy-eight years old. Her clothes and dress were far superior to other maids. She was very delicate and spoke quickly. She must be a respectable maid next to the queen. I stood up hurriedly and said, "Ms. Lao, please remember me.
I am in good health because of the blessings of my empress. It is really hard for me to cry."
The queen smiled and nodded, "It is always easy for women in the palace to be favored but difficult to maintain favor. Concubines must serve the emperor with all their heart, be cautious, and do not go against the emperor's wishes. Concubines in the harem must not be jealous when getting along, which will ruin the peace of the palace.
." I listened to them one by one. After talking for a long time, I saw concubines coming one after another to say hello, and then I got up and left.
The queen turned to the maid who had just spoken and said, "Jianqiu, send my concubine out."
Jian Qiuyin stood in front of me and said with a smile: "My master came very early today. The Queen is very happy to see my master observing such etiquette."
"Why are there still concubines who haven't come to pay their respects? I think I'm too early today."
Jian Qiu pursed her lips and smiled, "Concubine Hua always comes later than others, but these days are special."
His heart moved slightly, and he told me what he was doing for no reason. He just ignored it and said: "Hua Fei has always been in charge of the Sixth Palace. I guess she got up late because she was busy."
Jian Qiu chuckled lightly, with a hint of pride and disdain in her brows, "I'm afraid that Concubine Hua is feeling uncomfortable because Little Master Wan is favored like this. But no matter what she does, she doesn't dare not come."
I glanced at her quickly, and Jianqiu immediately lowered his head and said, "My dear, please forgive me. This slave is also talking nonsense."
I changed my mind for a moment. After all, I am a person close to the queen. How could I let her see my face? I immediately smiled brightly and said: "Why did Miss Jianqiu say this? You are teaching me. I am very grateful. Although I have just entered the palace
For half a year, I have been shut up in my own palace, and I need the girl to give me some advice on everything so that I don’t make mistakes."
When Jianqiu heard what I said, Fang Kuanxin smiled and said, "My young master is really killing my slave by saying this."
In a blink of an eye, we arrived outside Fengyi Palace and Jian Qiufang went back. Jinxi held my hand and walked slowly towards Tangli Palace. I said, "What did you say?"
"Jianqiu is a close servant of the Queen, so she shouldn't be so careless with her words."
I said "hmm" and said, "The Queen has always acted prudently, and it's not like she would have ordered Jianqiu to say so."
"Concubine Hua has been favored for a long time, and her words and deeds will inevitably lose some sense of proportion. Even if the queen is lenient, it is difficult to guarantee that the people around her will not feel resentful and complain."
I smiled softly: "I just want to tell me how hostile Concubine Hua is to me, but no matter what Concubine Hua does, she can't get past the Queen. After all, the Queen is the Lord of the Sixth Palace. We can just listen."
When we got close to Yongxiang, Old Yuan Yuan and Xiao Yunzi were waiting there. Seeing me coming over, Jin Xi hurriedly stepped forward. Jin Xi asked curiously: "Why don't you stay in the palace at this time and fight the famine here?"
Xiao Yunzi's face was full of joy and she called Qian'er: "Congratulations to my little master first."
Jin Xi smiled and said: "You little monkey, you have come all the way to ask for a reward. You will be indispensable."
"Auntie, you have wrongly blamed me. This servant is here according to the decree. Please don't go back to the palace for the time being."
I asked in surprise: "What's the reason for this?"
Little Yunzi said with a mysterious face: "Don't ask any questions, little master. Please go to Shanglin Garden to relax, and you will be able to return to the palace immediately."
Shanglin Garden does not have the grand scenery of the North, but the beautiful and fresh artistic conception of the south of the Yangtze River. The trees are lush and green, reflecting the brocade and flowers. There are several small and unique palaces and pavilions scattered among them. It is full of ancient charm, especially among the red and green flowers.
It is sentimental. Taiye Pond has a beautiful loop, with thick shade on both sides, and endless fragrant flowers and vines blooming. The breeze blows through the soft waves of the clear water, and the ripples are like the waves of the heart lake.
It was still early, and there were no people in Shanglin Garden. In March, the flowers in Shanglin were in full bloom, and the fresh air of wind and dew combined with the sweet fragrance of flowers made people feel drunk. Walking quietly, it felt like last night had changed again
It became clear. Standing in Shanglin Garden, I saw the bright yellow corner of the Yiyuan Hall's glazed cornice shining like gold under the morning sun, and then I gradually began to have a real feeling. I felt that what happened last night was real and not a dream.
Medium scene.
I was lost in thought all the way when someone unexpectedly jumped out and knelt down in front of me, saying respectfully: "See you, my mistress Wan Bin, my mistress Jin An." The voice was very familiar to me, and when I saw him kneeling with his head down, I was stunned for a moment.
Can't remember who it was.
He was ordered to get up, but it was Kang Luhai. Seeing him, Xiao Yunzi couldn't help showing a look of contempt on her face. I just didn't realize it, and then smiled and said: "Eunuch Kang is so early, why didn't you follow Concubine Li?
"
"Empress Li and Cao Ronghua went together to pay their respects to the Empress. I know that my young master must pass through Shanglin Garden when returning to the palace, so I specially wait here."
"Oh?" I asked curiously: "Is there anything your master wants you to tell me?"
Kang Luhai had a smile on his face and lowered his voice and said, "It's not Master Li's business, it's my servant's secret desire to ask the little master."
I looked at him and said, "Say."
Kang Luhai looked at Jin Xi and Xiao Yunzi on my left and right, rubbed his hands and hesitated for a moment, and finally couldn't help but said: "I would like to congratulate Xiao Cheng'en on your happiness. Since I heard that my master was promoted to be a concubine, I have always wanted to come and give you my concubine."
The master wishes you a happy birthday, but there are too many trivial things to do and I can't get away. The emperor has also issued an edict not to disturb the little master's rest. The servant looks forward to the stars and the moon, and his neck has grown, so he always wants to say hello to the little master.
Only then can I feel at ease…”
I heard his wordiness and interrupted him: "Tell me what it is?"
Kang Luhai listened to my direct question, hesitated slightly, and said with a flattering smile: "My mistress was promoted to concubine. It is inevitable that there are not enough manpower in the palace, and the people transferred from outside may not be skilled enough. I miss my mistress day and night, but also secretly
I think that the slave has served the little master before, so he knows how to serve the little master better than the slaves from outside. If the little master does not dislike the slave being clumsy, he only needs to give an order, and the slave is willing to serve the little master, even to the death."
What he said was so disgusting that even Jin Xi could not help but frown in disdain.
I said: "Does your master know what you are thinking about?"
"this…"
"Now that you are Mistress Li's, if your mistress finds out about this idea, I'm afraid she will be unhappy. What's more, how can I freely ask Concubine Li to ask for the people around her?"
Kang Luhai stepped forward and said, "Don't worry, little master. Now that I have great kindness, who dares to go against your will as long as you say a word? All it takes is a word from the little master."
I wanted to sneer in my heart, being shameless and following the crowd, but that was just what Kang Luhai looked like.
A crisp female voice sounded coldly from behind, causing ripples like a stone thrown into water: "No wonder I didn't see you waiting on me when I entered Zhaoyang Palace. It turns out I met my old master!"
Hearing the sound, he turned around and saw that he had a pretty face and a plump body. Who could it be if it wasn't Li Guifei? Next to Li Guifei was Cao Ronghua. In comparison, even though Cao Ronghua was delicate and tall, he was somewhat inferior. Don't panic.
Instead of bowing and going to say hello, Concubine Li just stood there holding on to the hand of the palace maid, sneering slightly and saying nothing, while Cao Ronghua, on the other hand, let me get up politely.
Concubine Li didn't say a word, she just glanced at Kang Luhai. Kang Luhai was very afraid of her, so he quickly stepped forward and knelt down.
Concubine Li turned to me and said, "I heard that the emperor has assigned a lot of new servants to Concubine Wan. Why is it that Concubine Wan doesn't have enough people around her to help her? She actually likes this useless servant around me."
I smiled slightly, neither humble nor arrogant, and said: "My concubine sister is wrong. Kang Luhai was originally a slave in my palace. Thanks to your concubine sister, I summoned him to my side. Since he is your concubine sister's slave, how can I help you?"
There is a reason why my sister can just ask for it. Although my sister and I are young and immature, I will definitely not make such a mistake."
Concubine Li snorted coldly, "Sister, you know the rules. No wonder the emperor favors you so much. He promoted you to your position before he went to bed. Of course, my sister is beyond your reach."
"My concubine said this, how dare I be my sister? The emperor only pitied my sister because he saw that he was very ill a few days ago. Naturally, in his heart, the emperor values my concubine a hundred times more than his younger sister."
Concubine Li Li's face brightened when she heard what I said. She turned around without saying a word and gave Kang Luhai a sharp slap across the face. One side of Kang Luhai's face suddenly became swollen. The maid who was supporting her hurriedly advised: "Master, please be careful.
My hand hurts." He glared at Kang Luhai again and said, "You stupid slave, you made your mother-in-law angry so early in the morning! Why don't you talk to yourself!" Kang Luhai was so frightened that he didn't dare to say a word, and hurriedly opened his bow left and right with his backhand "crack-pap-pap-pap-pap-pap-pap-pap-pap."
He slapped his hands and started to speak. The palace maid was not very old, and her rank was naturally not higher than that of Kang Luhai. She dared to speak harshly to him like this, which showed that Kang Luhai was not having an easy time around Concubine Li.
I just looked at him with cold eyes, even if I had compassion, I would not give him any charity. The world is turning around, if I had known what it would be like today, why bother in the beginning.
Li Gui's concubine behaves like a Chinese concubine, but her temper is more violent and irritable, her emotions and anger are all reflected in her appearance, and she can't bear even the slightest. It is also common for her to teach her slaves. Cao Ronghua thinks that he has seen too much, even his eyebrows
She didn't even raise her eyebrows, and just said, "Sister Li, why are you so angry at this slave? I'm not so angry that it's hurting your body."
Concubine Li Gui said: "I only focus on climbing high branches, working day and night! It can be seen that the internal prison is a thing without roots, has no spirit at all, and does not miss an ounce of old kindness! Could it be that I have treated him poorly?"
When Cao Ronghua heard her vulgar language, he couldn't help but frown slightly, but he didn't answer the question. He only wiped his lips with a silk cloth to cover up.
Concubine Li Gui took a break and said bitterly: "Nowadays, these slaves don't take me seriously anymore. They are doing things so blatantly that I'm cheating. Do you think I'm dead? They're just hot-tempered."
He is so popular now, and I don’t think about how he begged me to get him out of that place like the tomb of the living dead? Now he has learned to be in Cao’s camp and his heart is in Han!”
The words were so clear that they scolded me in front of my face. The atmosphere was a bit awkward. Cao Ronghua felt something was wrong, so he hurriedly tugged on Concubine Li's sleeve and said softly: "Sister Li."
Concubine Li shrank her sleeves, raised her eyebrows at me and said, "I taught you a lesson, but it made Concubine Wan laugh."
While he was talking, Kang Luhai had been slapped forty or fifty times. Because he was in front of Concubine Li, he did not dare to show any mercy. He actually used a lot of force. His face was swollen and his cheeks and chin were all bloody.
When I saw how hard he beat him, I couldn't help but feel unbearable.
There was still a slight smile on her face, as if it was not me who was ridiculed and scolded in Concubine Li's words, and said: "Since Concubine Li's slaves don't know the rules, I will teach you a lesson, even if I have to
Even if you want to kill me, I'll do whatever you want. It's just that my sister is thinking about my concubine. There are many people in Shanglin Garden, and teaching this slave at this time will inevitably attract gossip. If my sister really thinks that this slave is hateful, she can take him back to the palace.
I'm going to reprimand you. What do you think, sister?"
Concubine Li just gave up, glanced at Kang Luhai and said, "That's all." After saying that, she nodded slightly to me, and the group of people walked away.
Seeing that she had gone far, Kang Luhai walked up to me on his knees, kowtowed heavily and said with shame, "Thank you, little master, for saving my life."
I didn't even look at him, "You should sleep well."
Kang Luhai leaned on the ground, "If the young master had not said so, how could Mistress Li let this slave go so easily?"
He held Jinxi's hand and was about to leave without looking back: "Concubine Li may not be willing to let you go so easily. You can take care of yourself."
"Little Master..." I stopped, there was the sound of wind passing by my ears, and I just heard him say: "Little Master, please take care of yourself, the little Master has been favored for a while, Li... they are already very dissatisfied, I'm afraid
yes…"
Kang Luhai hesitated and stopped talking. I walked forward slowly and said softly: "How can such a good thing happen if everyone wants everything to go as they wish? If I can wish for my own happiness, it is already a great blessing."
Seeing that I was just walking forward, Xiao Yunzi looked unmoved. After hesitating for a moment, she said tentatively: "What Concubine Li said is really..."
An arc appeared at the corner of her mouth, "What's the point? I really like Li Guibi's personality." Seeing what I said was strange, Xiao Yunzi couldn't help but look up at me.
There have always been overt and covert fights in the palace, one after another, and how did they ever stop? It just depends on what kind of opponent you meet. With a temper like Li Guifei's, she can't hide even the slightest thought, just let her have her way for a while. On the contrary, it's those who
The real terror is to stab people in secret without showing any signs of it.
Gritting his teeth secretly, he just accepted his favor last night. Will he make a strong enemy today? Li Gui is just fine, but who doesn't know that behind Li Gui is Hua Fei. She can only survive one day in this palace, even if she is noble
Even though I am as beautiful as a queen, I am afraid I will also have endless grievances and troubles. Besides, I am just a little concubine, just patient.
Crows and crows of people knelt on the ground outside Tangli Palace, with uncontrollable joy in their brows and eyes. When they squinted and saw Huang Guiquan there, they secretly wondered. As soon as they entered the courtyard, they felt that Tangli Palace seemed different from the past.
Huang Guiquan slapped him with a smile, his face was full of smiles, and his voice was extremely high: "Congratulations to the little master on your wedding, this is a great honor, a great honor."
After that, I was led into the Yingxin Hall. Sure enough, it looked brand new inside and out. The walls seemed to have been painted with a new layer of paint, and it was especially fragrant.
Huang Guiquan said: "This morning, the servants rushed out according to the emperor's order. I hope the young master will be satisfied."
Jinxi also smiled: "Jiaofang is a rule only for weddings in the palace. Except for the queens of the past, ordinary concubines cannot get this special favor. The only exceptions to this favor are the previous dynasty's Concubine Shu and the current Concubine Hua.
, the young master is the third person in this palace."
The pepper room is the most noble honor in the palace. The walls are painted with pepper and mud to bring warmth, fragrance, and the meaning of having many children, which means "the fruit of pepper is the source of fertility". Thinking of this, my face can't help but get hot.
Duo Zi, Xuan Ling, do you want me to give birth to our child?
Huang Guiquan led me into the bedroom with one hand: "My young master, please look carefully at the couch."
I saw that the curtains had been replaced by a brand new colorful embroidered cherry fruit crimson silk curtain, and the cherry red gold thread mandarin duck quilt was neatly spread. I knew this was the auspicious intention of the concubine to make peace after taking over the favor.
, except that there was nothing unusual about it. I was puzzled and moved forward to lift the quilt. I saw that the quilt was covered with bright golden copper coins and longan, red dates, lotus seeds, peanuts and other dried fruits. I felt warm in my heart. He took my words to heart.
.My eyes suddenly became warm, and tears filled my eyelashes. I was afraid that people would see me, so I wiped them quietly before turning around and saying, "This is..."
"The Emperor heard that there was a folk custom of 'draping tents' when getting married, and he specifically ordered his servants to do it accordingly."
Seeing me gently nodding my head, Jin Xi said: "My master is tired too. Please step aside first. Liu Zhu Huanbi will stay to serve my master and rest." Then he led everyone out.
Liu Zhu was so happy that she could only hold my hand and say the word "good". Huanbi's eyes sparkled: "The emperor is very concerned about this situation. After suffering for more than half a year, let's do this
You, the slave, can rest assured."
Everything came so fast and so wonderfully. It was far beyond my expectation. It was hard to adapt to it for a while. It was like falling into a daze in the clouds five miles away. Countless emotions surged in my heart, and I sighed: "The emperor treats me like this, and so do I."
did not expect."
It has always been difficult to gain favor in the palace, but it is even harder to maintain favor. Who knows that what made Xuan Ling treat me so favorably was my appearance, Hui Xiao, or the long-term persistence in love that he had for him that made him feel fresh and rare? Maybe it was all.
Yes, or maybe neither. After rubbing her brain, which was sore from fatigue, Zhu Huanbi, Mingliu, collected the utensils for "throwing the tent" and just put on her clothes and went to bed. Looking up, the bright red brocade colors all over the bed and tents were everywhere.
Embroider mandarin duck cherries to symbolize love, reconciliation, and continuous descendants. Mandarin duck, mandarin duck, I wish I could get tens of thousands of red flowers, and embroider mandarin ducks all over the sky...
Note:
1: Jiao Fang: Also known as "Jiao Room". The palace where the empress of the Han Dynasty lived. It was named because the walls were painted with pepper and mud to bring warmth, fragrance, and fertility. Later it was also used as a nickname for the concubine. "Han"
"Book·Biography of Dong Xian": "He also summoned Xian's female brother Zhaoyi to be the second queen, and renamed her house Jiao Feng to match the name Jiao Fang." An ancient note by Yan Shi: "The Queen's Palace was called Jiao Fang. To match its name,
So cloud pepper wind."
2. Spreading tents: an ancient wedding custom. It is popular in Han areas. Its formation varies from time to place. It spreads money and colorful fruits to exaggerate the festive atmosphere and wishes the couple to have a child early and have many children and good fortune. It originated from Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty welcoming Li
The purpose of the lady's affairs was to pray for children. In later generations, grains, beans, rice, wheat mixed with flower petals, and sometimes copper coins were mixed. "Wuchen Miscellaneous Notes": "The tent spreading began with Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty.
When Mrs. Li arrived for the first time, the emperor welcomed her into the tent and sat down, drank some wine, and forewarned the officials to scatter flowers and fruits of five colors in the distance. The emperor and his wife used their robes to serve them, and it was said that many children would be born." Lu Chengyu's "Yanmao"
Volume 2: "In the reign of Jinglong of the Tang Dynasty, when Zhongzong came out to surrender Ruizong's daughter Jingshan Gong, he cast money for the tent, which was an inch in diameter and weighed six coins. On the back of the meat, there were Zhou Guo. Its shape was five-pointed, and the wearer also followed it. The text
It is said to 'long life and keep wealth', and every ten articles are tied with a colorful ribbon." "Meng Liang Lu·Marriage" written by Wu Zimu of the Song Dynasty: "The ceremony officials used gold and silver plates to hold gold and silver coins, lottery money, miscellaneous fruits, and spread the accounts."