Since the day Yuyin came out of the pavilion, the smiles on Yurao's lips have gradually increased. Every time the moon comes to the flowers, those happy and joyful butterflies stop at the corners of her eyebrows and refuse to leave. Apart from this, she
She also has a hobby of making wine. She likes to soak seasonal flowers in wine to make fine wine, and the wine she uses is all Fenjiu as a base. The best flavor is Meixin Niang made from red plums.
.
I once asked her, but she only said that she would be happy if her family was revived. And she laughed: "Don't my sister also like to make osmanthus wine?" At the same time, she left Weiyang Palace more often. Until that day, she and I
After coming out of the Queen Mother's palace to greet the Queen Mother, Xuanfen happened to accompany Concubine De to talk to the Queen Mother. During the moment when I was chatting with Concubine De, he kissed Yurao's hairline and eyebrows with his concealed gaze from time to time.
It solved the accumulated doubts in my heart. I couldn't help but smile, how do you know how to hide the first love between children.
When I got back to the palace, I asked her aside from everyone else, "When did it happen?"
The blush on her face gave me a clear answer to my speculation, unlike her vague answer at the moment, "What did sister say?"
"Nine Kings." I asked her again clearly, "When did it start?"
She twisted the soft ribbon on her skirt and thought carefully, "About... I don't remember either."
I smiled and guessed, "Did he cover your eyes that day in Zhaoyang Palace, or shoot down your jade phoenix at the martial arts viewing platform?" I thought for a moment and looked at her seriously, "You don't mind that the Nine Kings came from a humble background?
"
She smoothed her hanging hair, her eyebrows were like the light of the sun and the moon, and she said calmly: "Fen has never disliked me for being the daughter of a guilty minister."
"Fen?" I suddenly recalled Lingyunfeng a few years ago. I called the man who had a deep love for me like a king in the clouds - Qing. I came back to my senses and smiled, "calling him like this, I already know deeply.
." I laughed at her, "I remember someone once said that I would rather marry a common man and live a careless life than enter the palace! But I don't know who that person is?"
Yurao blushed with embarrassment, shook my hand and said, "Sister, please don't laugh at me." She bit her lip, "He is not the same person as the Emperor, and King Qishan. He... is very good."
"Are you so sure about his intentions?"
Yurao nodded, "That day when I went to the palace to send my second sister to marry, he was there too. He said, he said..." Yurao couldn't say any more and paused in embarrassment, "Anyway, I know."
"If you really mean this, I can also ask the Queen Mother what she means and ask her to propose marriage." I scolded her with a smile, "I just don't allow you to sneak out and let others know the joke."
Yurao shyly agreed and ran back to Yongbao Hall.
After she left, Jinxi asked me, "Has the queen made up her mind?"
I nodded solemnly and said in deep thought: "It's not that you and I can't see what the Emperor means to Yurao. While things are still easy to handle now, it would be a good idea to marry Yurao. After much thought, it would be useless to marry an ordinary family.
, only by marrying the emperor's brother can we completely stop the emperor's thoughts. Otherwise, there will be endless troubles."
Jin Xi said solemnly: "That's fine. Fortunately, the Fourth Miss and the Ninth Prince are in love with each other, so it saves a lot of trouble."
On this day, the winter cold began, so I put on a honey-yellow peony cloak and took my three children to the Queen Mother's palace to pay my respects. The Queen Mother held Han'er and Run'er in her arms and looked at them again and again, and said with great joy
: "Run'er is getting stronger and stronger. It shows that you have raised her carefully. I think Concubine De's spirit in heaven can be comforted." After that, he asked Fangruo to take out some soft and sweet snacks for the children to eat.
I took off my cloak and wore only a light purple plum blossom trousers with silver trousers. The exquisite stand-up collar made my temperament more elegant. The Queen Mother smiled and said: "The cloak outside is gorgeous, but I wear such a cold color inside."
"In winter, you should wear some gorgeous clothes embroidered with gold and flowers to make them look more lively." She took another closer look and said, "I remember you made this clothes last winter, why are you still wearing them?"
I answered with a smile: "I must dress more lively during the Chinese New Year. Now I come to the Queen Mother to pay my respects. It is for the sake of my family, so I don't need to pay attention to it. Besides, these clothes are not old."
She smiled and said: "It's because you knew how to save money back then. Now the Weaving Bureau's clothes for Concubine Min are quite boring." After saying that, "Has the Emperor been to An's house recently?"
"I don't go there often, only two or three times a month."
The Queen Mother nodded and said, "That's all."
I was just thinking about how to speak when the curtain outside opened and it was Concubine Zhuang Hede who came in holding the hand of the palace maid. She took one look at me and pursed her lips and smiled: "Concubine Shu is here too." I stood up to greet her.
After a few words of greeting, because the princess was wearing a newly made rose purple mud gold and five-color cloud pattern passion flower dress, everyone couldn't help but praise a few words, and said that the rose purple made the princess look more energetic.
The concubine smiled from ear to ear, "That day I was choosing materials at the Weaving Bureau, and I happened to see the fourth lady from Concubine Shu's family there, and she chose such a color for me. I originally said that I couldn't hold back the color purple as I got older.
It was such a bright color, but the gold weaving was too ordinary, so she said that using this color to embroider it would make it look more grand, and then embroidering it with colorful silk threads would make it less rigid. When I finished it today, it turned out to be really good. After all, Miss Fourth has a good eye for it."
I said hurriedly and humbly: "The concubine has been praised. What can a child's family understand?"
The concubine looked at me with a smile and said, "You can't tell such a clever girl. If you don't like it, I will become your daughter-in-law." My heart moved, and I saw the concubine looking at me and laughing.
Immediately she understood that it was Xuan Fen who had asked her to come. The concubine smiled and said to the Queen Mother, "Fen'er is now older. I saw that the sixth child had married a concubine, so I could not help but have this idea. Fen'er is not me.
My dear, I don’t dare to delay him in calling Mrs. Chen to complain. It’s time to start looking for someone. I think Miss Zhen Si is smart and well-behaved, which is quite good.”
The Queen Mother looked at her for a moment and smiled, "The Ai family likes Yurao's child very much. Now the Zhen family is prosperous again. Since the lintel is high, there are also many people coming to ask for marriage. Two days ago, the old lady of the Wang family in Ruian County
The concubine came to see the Ai family, but she mentioned that the Prince of Ruian County was not young, and the Ai family was interested in setting up a match with Yurao. If my sister had not told her earlier, if I knew you had this intention, I would definitely not marry the old concubine.
Mentioned."
Concubine De was a little embarrassed when she heard this, "I didn't know that the Queen Mother was already interested. It's really presumptuous. It's just that the fiefdom of Prince Ruian is far away in Qinghai."
I was startled and just about to speak, the Queen Mother glanced at me and said: "Qinghai is a bit far away, but after all, the royal family is very noble and will not treat the child badly." She laughed again, "Concubine Shu's second sister is
After marrying the sixth child, and having a younger sister, wouldn’t it mean that all the good girls from her Zhen family have joined our family? If there are good ones, don’t keep them to yourself. When spring comes, the Ai family will take care of Fen’er and look out for a lady from a famous family.”
Hearing this, Concubine De didn't feel comfortable speaking anymore, so she sat for a while and then left.
When the Queen Mother saw that I was the only one in the pavilion, she Shi Shiran said: "Yu Rao is your sister. The Ai family would like to hear your opinion. Is it better to marry the Prince of Ruian County or the Prince of Pingyang?"
I remained silent, only guessing how much the Queen Mother knew about this matter. A cold breeze passed through the half-buttoned red lacquered long window, carrying the dry and cold breath of early winter into the hall. The Queen Mother's voice seemed to be tainted as well.
The dry cold air said, "You are so smart, you should know the emperor's thoughts about your sister." It was like a roll of ice hitting my head, and I felt cold and speechless.
The Queen Mother sighed, "How could the Ai family's own son not understand his thoughts, and how could he not know that Yurao is a good child? It's just..." There was heavy regret on her wrinkled old face, "This child
She is too much like the deceased Empress Chunyuan, and her temperament is similar to that of Concubine Hua when she first entered the palace. The Ai family is afraid that the emperor will not be able to control himself. There has already been a Fu Ruyin, and the Ai family does not dare to take any more risks."
I knelt down and said quietly: "Queen Mother, Yurao has no intention of becoming the Emperor's concubine. She has never even thought about it."
"The Ai family knows. The Ai family also knows that if Xuanfen had not been interested in your sister, Concubine De would not have spoken today."
"The Nine Kings do have a heart."
The Queen Mother stood up and walked to the window, looking at the clean branches without leaves outside the window, "It is precisely because they are nine kings that the Ai family does not allow it. If brothers start a dispute over a woman, the Ai family will never tolerate it." Her voice was calm and solemn.
Powerful, word by word struck my mind, "If your sister marries an ordinary minister in the capital, there is no guarantee that the emperor will no longer be attached to her, and the Prince of Ruian County is the emperor's younger brother, so he will not seize his sister-in-law. So, right now,
If you don't see her, marrying far away from Qinghai is the best way."
My heart was shocked and I called out hurriedly: "Queen Mother!"
"The Aijia knows that you are reluctant to let go." She helped me stand up, "But the emperor cannot accept Yurao. If he accepts her, there is a possibility that Fu Ruyin will suffer the same fate again. And as you said, Yurao has no intention of harming the emperor.
There is no guarantee that he will do anything to harm the emperor. Therefore, the Ai family will inform you about this matter in advance, and when the Prince of Ruian County comes to Beijing in person in the summer, the Ai family will make arrangements for it."
My back felt like it was covered with thorns, my lips moved slightly, but in the end I left without saying a word.
I returned to the palace without saying a word and hurriedly ordered Xiao Lianzi to invite Yu Yin into the palace.
When Yu Yin arrived in a hurry, she didn’t know what was going on. After hearing what I said in detail, she couldn’t help frowning, “Since the Queen Mother has this intention, I’m afraid it will be difficult to handle. But eldest sister, since Yu Rao is in love with the Nine Kings, if
Isolated for life and married to a barren land like Qinghai, I'm afraid we sisters will never see each other again."
After hearing this, Yurao remained silent. After a long time, she finally uttered, "I won't go."
I said, "Of course you don't want to go. Otherwise, when the new wine is brewed next year, your plum wine will still be sent from Qinghai."
Yu Yin frowned deeply, clutching the silk and said, "It's strange that my father and mother knew they were not in a hurry to die. We can't tell them yet."
I said: "I can't say it yet. The Queen Mother is still thinking about this matter, which means there may be a turning point, so we are not in a hurry. In the worst case, Prince Ruian will not come to Beijing until next summer. The important thing is this
Don’t push yourself for half a year. Your Majesty, please speak to Yurao first so that you can slowly plan."
I carefully calculated in my mind that Pingyang Wang Xuanfen was the youngest son of the late emperor. His biological mother, Concubine Shun Chen, came from a humble background. She was originally a darning palace maid in the embroidery courtyard. In the end of the late Emperor Longqing's reign, her highest status was just that of a concubine. Although she was admitted
The concubine was born entirely because of her son. Even so, King Pingyang was raised by Concubine Zhuang and Concubine De, the biological mothers of the first five princes who died early. Now, although the Zhen family is withering in the former dynasty,
But it is the family of the noblest relatives in this dynasty, second only to the Zhu family. As a first-class concubine, I assist in the affairs of the Sixth Palace, and I have the most children under my knees. I have two empresses, a prince, and I raise
Yurun of Meizhuang. In the eyes of outsiders, I have two candidates for the prince.
Concubine Shun Chen naturally had a thousand wishes for her son's future. King Pingyang had suffered a lot from his biological mother since he was born, and Concubine Zhuang Hede had no biological children of her own. For the sake of her own future in the harem, although
I didn't dare to offend the Queen Mother openly, but I must have been very happy with it in my heart, otherwise I wouldn't have taken the initiative to mention it to the Queen Mother today. Now, it's just that the Queen Mother is sad, unless... my heart moves.
Now that I am in the deep palace, in charge of the affairs of the Sixth Palace, it will not be very difficult to meet the Nine Kings. But the Queen Mother already knows about him and Yurao. In order to avoid suspicion, I also want to prevent violating the Queen Mother's taboo.
, but can't come forward. And this must be asked by a close relative. Xuan Ling naturally won't do it. Although the King of Qishan is the elder, he is the most afraid of trouble. How can he offend the Queen Mother.
I thought about it, and now he is the only one who is willing to help and can help. I sighed softly, Xuanqing, I don't want to cause you any trouble and make you worry about me, but I can't help you.
No need to bother you, I want you to support me.
I felt slightly sad for a moment, but there were so many things that I couldn't help but feel sad about. So I supported Yu Yin's hand and stood up, saying very softly: "I can only ask you and the Sixth King to help me with this matter. In addition, I have to ask the Ninth King."
Just a word of truth."
This exact sentence was asked by You Qing to Xuan Fen. It was the most reassuring sentence for Yu Rao and I, "My heart is so broken that I cannot change it."
Since he cares so much for Yurao, it is worth all the effort.
Although Yurao was very moved after hearing these words, she didn't shed tears. She smiled and said to me: "I already knew what he was thinking."
Such determination made even Yu Yin and I feel very happy.
There is no draft in the palace, and there are no newcomers when the concubines meet in court. In addition, An Lingrong is gradually falling out of favor. The only people who accompany Xuan Ling are Concubine Min and Lady Yu Rong. Therefore, as the concubine of King Qinghe, Yu
I secretly contacted the princes and princesses of various families, and each selected a young woman to enter the palace. Since it was recommended by the palace, I could not treat it lightly. After requesting the order, they were all granted the title of Chang Zai. The Luo family recommended by the Qishan Palace was named Long Chang Zai, and the Qinghe Palace recommended the Luo family.
The Zhu family was appointed as Juichang Zai, and King Pingyang had no concubine, so Concubine De recommended her as Ying Changzai.
It was a happy event for the three Chang Zai to enter the palace. The princes of each family selected beautiful and intelligent women for their concubines. Ling Chang Zai was good at playing Yueqin, Ying Chang Zai was good at Hu Xuan dance, and Jue Chang Zai was especially good at Kun Opera.
, after entering the palace, they lived together in Yuping Palace. The three of them were a beautiful couple.
The beauty became a noble lady of the sixth rank, especially the noble lady Zhu, who was the most favored. It happened that the body of the concubine Zhengui, who had been lingering for a long time, finally recovered. Xuanling was overjoyed and married Shurong, one of the nine concubines. However,
There were discussions in the Sixth Palace, and it was always said that although An Lingrong's favor was not as good as before, the biological mother of the emperor's eldest daughter, Lu Zhaorong, and the biological mother of the prince, Xu Shurong, were both ranked behind him, which always made people feel resentful.
Lady Yu Rong also became a noblewoman during the New Year, and even her title was not changed. Everyone called her "Noble Lady Yu Rong", leading her to be a coquettish person. Perhaps the title of these two words showed Xuan Ling's love for her. Since that day
After watching the horse racing in Wutai, Xuan Ling's love for Chi Shao became increasingly obvious. Even though Sanmei entered the palace, she did not take away much of her favor.
Xuan Ling has gained three new beauties, so he naturally walks less in my palace. Things are very busy in the New Year. The harem is like this, and the previous dynasty is like it. On the first day of the Lunar New Year, I made Yu Li the King of Qi and Yu Pei the King of Jin.
Yu Han became the King of Zhao, Yu Run became the King of Chu, and the four kings stood side by side. Especially the third infant son and the eldest son were crowned king together. The previous talk of making the eldest son Yu Li the crown prince gradually subsided a lot.
Time flies, and in a blink of an eye, spring is here again.