Twenty-seven, the drizzle and the flowers are silent
Three days later, the Queen Mother passed down an oral order, "I will reward Mrs. Zhuang Min to assist in managing the Sixth Palace in order to secure the harem." She also asked, "Zhuang Min is young, so he should follow Concubine Shu's wishes in everything. Concubine Shu should also give Zhuang Min more experience.
.”
I put away the Queen Mother's instructions, leaned tiredly against the beauty, and sighed softly. Hua Yi was very puzzled and asked: "The Queen Mother's words are very confusing. She not only said that Mrs. Zhuang Min should listen to the Queen Mother, but also told the Queen Mother to do more.
What do you mean by delegating power to Mrs. Zhuang Min?"
Jin Xi smiled bitterly and said: "The Queen Mother personally issued a decree to appoint people to co-manage the Sixth Palace. Except when Zhu Yixiu became the noble concubine, it was Mrs. Zhuang Min." She paused and whispered: "The Yanxi Palace is very lively at the moment.
, except for the noble concubine and the pure concubine, everyone in the palace went to congratulate her, and even the concubine De was not very affectionate."
"It's no wonder that people's hearts are red and white. Empress Dowager Zhu Yixiu favored her as the successor. Now her position is unstable. The Empress Dowager obviously favors Yunrong. There is no guarantee that she will not become the next queen. She has such a temper. The palace
Who dares not to follow me?" I looked down at the long nails on my fingers. Because they were not dyed with khaodan, the nails were just a light pink color. Occasionally, when the light turned, a light pearly halo would appear. "Noble Concubine.
Since you have the most honorable status, it’s okay if you don’t go to congratulate her. How come Concubine Zhen didn’t go either?”
Jin Xi hurriedly said: "Concubine Zhen is weak after giving birth and can't get up easily. She doesn't socialize with others by nature, and she doesn't have a deep relationship with Yanxi Palace, so she only gave her a congratulatory gift and never went there in person."
Hua Yi hurriedly interjected: "Mrs. Zhuang Min was not happy about this matter. She did not get angry in front of others. She only said that Concubine Zhen was weak and should be raised with peace of mind. It was not suitable to serve the emperor anymore in the past two months, so she asked someone to pick it.
If you get the green card of Concubine Zhen, you will not be allowed to sleep with her for two months." She stuck out her tongue and said: "The new official has been in office for three years, and Mrs. Zhuang Min's fire has been big enough. I don't know if the emperor is angry or not."
I glanced at her and said, "Don't talk nonsense." I sighed again, "The Emperor has never been too concerned about Concubine Zhen, so I must have no objection."
Hua Yi hurriedly covered her mouth, not daring to make a sound.
I told Jin Xi and Xiao Yunzi: "Now that the Yanxi Palace has gained power, you must not go up to compete with them. Avoid everything as far as you can. If you really can't avoid it, you must give way. There must be no
A word of rejection, not to mention an expression of dissatisfaction. We have given instructions from everyone up and down, and we must not make any mistakes."
Xiao Yunzi hurriedly agreed, looking at my expression and said: "Speaking of which, Yanxi Palace cannot be compared with our Rouyi Palace. Even the Queen Mother said that she would listen to the Empress over there..." When he saw that I was just
There was silence, and I didn't dare to speak any more.
I looked out the window at the lush flowers and trees, with countless shadows fluttering in the wind, and my heart dropped. I said clearly word by word: "Remember this sentence, as long as you encounter anything related to the Yanxi Palace, you must be patient and give in."
Jinxi comforted me softly: "My dear, don't worry."
I lightly raised the corners of my lips and gave a faint smile, "I'm not worried. Let's be quiet for a while so that I can learn the Queen Mother's tactics."
Jinxi smiled quietly and nodded silently.
Hu Yunrong was favored by Xuan Ling and loved by the Queen Mother. Even I was very humble in front of others and behind the scenes. For a time, she was in the limelight, making all the changes in Ziao City, and she was very proud.
The Queen Mother relied so much on Yunrong that she even entrusted her and me with her brother's marriage to Master Chengyi. I took advantage of the fact that no one was around and said with a smile: "Although the Queen Mother said this, Madam knows,
At present, the money expenditure in the Ministry of Internal Affairs is not more generous than in the past. After all, it is the marriage of the Zhen family. If I do it lightly, it will hurt the face of the eldest princess and the Queen Mother, and people will laugh at me for showing off; if I do it more generously, it will also be called
People say that I am partial to my mother's family. After thinking about it, I can only rely on my sister's talents to take care of me."
Yunrong smiled reservedly, held up a piece of gold silk and peony silk handkerchief, and said slowly: "Sister Shu Fei can speak freely, how can I shirk it? But my sister also knows that it is not quiet on the Hehe border. Silver
All of it has been spent on military expenses, and I also want to make the marriage between Lord Zhen and the princess a decent one, but it’s hard for a clever woman to make a meal without straw..." She stopped talking and just looked at me with disdain.
I just laughed and said, "Sister makes the decision, I only listen to my sister's arrangements."
Her hearty smile reflected the golden green hair on her head, which was dazzling. "My sister has always been the first to have the monthly routine in the palace. It's no wonder that there are so many children around my sister. I only have one who is harmonious."
I smiled and said politely: "My sister, I wish you good luck and longevity. I am blessed with harmony."
She smiled brightly and said nothing more. We dispersed without saying anything else.
In the evening, I was arranging a bouquet of foxtail lilies under the window facing the afterglow. Jinxi came in and said: "Mrs. Zhuang Min ordered the Ministry of Internal Affairs to cut off half of the upper and lower moons in Rouyi Hall and Kongcui Hall, and the empress's.
Two-thirds, only His Highness the Fourth has more than half a point per month."
I nodded, "Now that she wants to establish her authority, I am the first to bear the brunt. It is expected that my monthly salary will be reduced. If you have been wronged, I will make up for you. You don't have to be wronged in front of others. Concubine Zhen, for one thing, she gave birth to a prince.
, Secondly, I’m afraid that it happened last time, and Hu Yunrong still hasn’t let go of it.”
Jin Xi lowered her hands and said, "I don't care about this at all. I'm just wondering in my heart. Since everyone in the Rouyi Palace has cut off their monthly salary, why do you only keep the share for the Fourth Highness?"
I stretched out my hand and waved away the pollen on my fingertips, and said, "Sister Mei was once kind to her. She cares about our feelings, so she should treat Run'er differently." Jinxi's lips moved slightly, as if hesitating, and I said
: "Just say whatever comes to your mind."
Jin Xi pondered and said: "This servant is just speculating. Madam Zhuang Min must know that she can no longer have children. If she wants to ascend to the throne, her family background and power will be better than those of the empress. There is only one thing. She will never be able to have children with the empress."
In comparison, the Zhu family once raised the eldest son of the emperor as an adopted son..."
"Do you think Hu Yunrong will follow Zhu Yixiu's example?"
"The emperor's eldest son is also older and married. After all, he is still nominally the adopted son of the Zhu family. The biological mothers of His Highness the Second and His Highness the Third are both here, but His Highness the Fourth..." She looked at me and stopped talking.
I understood, and I picked up a handful of water and sprinkled it on the petals, and said in a deep voice: "Run'er is the only flesh and blood of Sister Mei. I will never let him become a pawn for others to take the back seat and be manipulated by others."
After all, my brother’s wedding was held with great splendor and perfection. When I saw my brother again, it was already one month after Master Chengyi and his brother got married. After returning from visiting our father in Liangzhou, my brother immediately came to the palace to visit me.
.
In the summer, the jade curtain is lightly rolled in the afternoon, and there is only the lonely sound of dripping in the window slowly dimming the time.
Speaking of the trip to Liangzhou, my brother couldn't help but mention the prince-in-law's guarding the border, and added: "The eldest princess also mentioned to me that if I can guard the border with my father-in-law, we can join forces and advance and retreat together." He said
Think about it, "After all, I am related to them now, and it is right for my son-in-law to share his worries for his father-in-law. Moreover, I also want to..."
"Brother, we don't want military power now, and we don't want to be tainted by it. We must never forget the previous lessons." My fingers tapped on the table, and the clear sound was like my clear thoughts at this time.
"How jealous the emperor is of people with military power, we who have suffered enough losses know best. Therefore, stay away from military power and associate more with elegant people.
The elder brother was slightly confused: "Associating with elegant people? I am not good at this."
The wind and lotuses were blowing outside the window, and only the dragonfly was perching on the lotus stamens, as if feeling the unspeakable sadness of the wind and dew in the scorching summer. I smiled calmly: "It doesn't matter if you are not good at it. Brother, please just think about the details."
go."
My brother is already smart. In the past few years, he has experienced ups and downs and suffered many hardships. He has become more and more knowledgeable. After a little thought, he understood.
This dynasty has always valued literature. Xuan Ling didn't say it openly, but since King Runan, and after the changes in the Zhen family, many discerning people have understood how taboo the emperor is against military generals. The trend of valuing literature over martial arts in the dynasty is getting worse day by day, and the literati
Officials came and went singing harmony, on the one hand, to avoid the emperor's suspicion and precautions, and on the other hand, the literati held pens and ink, representing the direction of public opinion in the world.
I said to my brother: "My brother has always been fond of martial arts, which is great. It would be even better if he could study both civil and martial arts. Besides, singing and drinking wine with the officials, writing essays in gatherings, and editing and publishing collections of literature and history
That would be perfect and easy. As long as the elder brother comes up with a reason to gather the talents together, this is the most elegant thing." I pursed my lips and smiled: "The new sister-in-law and my elder brother's mother-in-law
The adults may also like it very much." I smiled and said: "The princess is young, so she must like poems and songs very much. My brother is newly married, wouldn't it be a good thing to find something to do that is congenial to the princess?
?”
The elder brother's eyes suddenly dimmed, as if he was looking at the distant sky in a trance. After a long time, he said quietly: "If Qian Tao is still here, I wonder if she will like it?"
My brother's words hit me almost instantly. My mind suddenly flew far away, and I remembered in a daze that when Xuan Ling liked something, I often thought, Qing, would he like it?
My mind wanders further and further, and I can almost no longer restrain myself. If I do something, will Xuan Ling also wonder: Will Wanwan like this?
There was a rumbling sound in the depths of my heart, and traces of heart-wrenching sorrow emerged, and penetrated into my heart all-pervasively, like little snakes, hissing and licking the cold letter, wreaking havoc in my heart. It turns out that we,
They are all such poor people, so pitiful!
Jin Xi looked at me in a daze, and my brother was also silent, sitting in silence, each with his own thoughts. He hurriedly asked the maid to bring up new tea, and gave it to me with a smile, saying: "The tea just now has cooled down, so I changed it."
The bride and groom can take a sip while it's hot."
The hot temperature of the tea spread through the thin jade material to my cold fingers, causing a slight numbness and tingling sensation. The pain was not great, but it only felt itchy.
I slowly took a sip of tea, knowing that Jin Xi was reminding me, so I suppressed my swaying mind and whispered softly: "Have you ever heard of this sentence, brother?"
The elder brother's expression condensed, and he came back and said: "Sister, tell me."
"The mountains and rivers in our eyes are far away, and the falling flowers and wind and rain are more damaging to the spring. It is better to pity the people in front of us. (1)" I said casually: "Uncle Yan Tong (2)'s words are indeed excellent, expressing the old and new feelings in the world.
"
Although I tried to comfort my brother with my mouth, I was still feeling sad in my heart. I didn’t know if my brother listened to my words of comfort.
After a moment, the elder brother sighed slightly and said slowly: "My master treats me very well."
I nodded, "As long as my brother understands."
"But Qitao..." My brother thought for a moment and finally said it out: "I am a married couple."
My pure gold-embedded coral armor reflected the snow-white corundum cup in my hand, splashing countless tiny and dazzling golden-red light spots. I turned my head subconsciously, and my voice gradually became sadder, "I know that my brother is sad about the relationship between his wife and his sister-in-law.
My sister-in-law suffered so much for her brother, and in the end she couldn't even save her own life. Those of us who survived had to avenge her - and my brother's infant son Zhiyuan, he was still a child, he had nothing
Understand. They can actually do this?!" I saw the sadness in my brother's eyes, and I didn't dare to say any more, and said: "Now, my brother has married the princess, and the princess is very infatuated with her.
You shouldn’t let your master down for the sake of someone who has passed away—brother’s thoughts like this should never be revealed in front of your master. Your master is young and cannot bear to know this.” I saw my brother was slightly moved.
, and continued: "If the master knows that my brother is still thinking about Sister-in-law Qiantao, if he has a clear mind, he will naturally understand his difficulties. If he does not understand and starts making trouble out of confusion, he will inevitably anger Sister-in-law Qiantao.
If she is holding a grudge, then Sister-in-law Qiantao will not be able to live in peace under Jiuquan; secondly, if the emperor and the eldest princess find out, they will inevitably wonder whether my brother still holds a grudge - I should think twice."
The elder brother pondered for a moment and said, "I understand. Even if I miss Qian Tao, I will keep her in my heart. It's just that I can't forgive her for the rest of her life."
I felt sad and said softly: "My brother is not sorry for my sister-in-law. Every day when my sister-in-law was alive and I was with my brother, I was very happy. But... if my brother must feel sorry for my sister-in-law, then the sister should say more."
, there is nothing we can do about it, please brother, please don’t let down the people who love you in front of you anymore.”
The elder brother was just silent and bewildered. The shadows of the flowers and leaves outside the window fell sparsely on him, like a faint ink landscape painting, making the elder brother's figure look dark and gloomy.
The mountains and rivers in my eyes are far away, and the falling flowers and wind and rain are more destructive to the spring. It is better to pity the person in front of me. I thought about the profound meaning of this sentence over and over in my heart, and I felt desolate. Isn't the person in front of me exactly Xuan Ling? But, he
There is nothing worthy of my pity. The mountains and rivers in my eyes are far away, and that person is the one I care about and miss with all my heart. I can't even persuade myself, and I can't do it myself, so why should I try to persuade my brother?
?It’s really the funniest joke, and it makes people feel miserable.
For a long time, my brother's eyes were fixed on me, and he said meaningfully, "Huan'er seems to have a lot more worries when she returns to the palace this time."
I saw my brother's eyes were bright and he was caring, so I forced a smile and said: "As people grow up, they always have more things to worry about. What's more, as a mother of three children, is she still as ignorant as a girl who has not yet left the court?"
The elder brother looked pitifully and said softly: "You leave the palace and then enter the palace. Your status is already awkward. Fortunately, the emperor loves you more than before. With the prince, you can have a firm foothold in the harem. But the higher the position, the more favors you have.
, it becomes even more difficult to walk on thin ice - how many people are eyeing you, you are no longer the daughter of a wealthy family that everyone can protect you in the past."
I comforted myself and said with a smile: "Brother, don't worry about me. In the past, my brother took care of everything at home, but now I can advance and retreat with him. I will be fine and won't worry my brother."
Note:
(1), taken from the Song Dynasty poem "Huanxi Sha", written by Yan Shu. The full poem is "Time has always been limited, and it is easy to say goodbye easily. Wine feasts and songs are endless. The mountains and rivers are full of empty thoughts, and the falling flowers and wind and rain hurt the spring.
"It is better to take pity on the person in front of you." Among them, the following poem is the most praised. This one is a work of farewell. Time is as short as a moment, and life is short and limited. Ordinary farewells are a waste of time, which is really not an easy thing.
How can we not feel sad and ecstatic? Since parting has already made people helpless, there is no need to refuse the banquets and singing banquets. Don’t be tired of them being frequent. It is just a good time to drink away your sorrows and have fun in time. Seeing the fallen flowers in the wind and rain adds to the sadness of spring. Explain the thought
It's useless to stay far away.
(2) Yan Shu: (991-1055), poet of the Northern Song Dynasty. Named Tongshu. He was born in Linchuan, Fuzhou (now part of Jiangxi). He was born in Jingdezhong and became a Jinshi. He was a senior official in Qingli and became a bachelor of Jixian Hall. He was also a scholar in Tongzhongshu.
He is also a secret envoy of Pingzhang and Shu. His posthumous title is Yuan Xian. His poems are good at Xiaoling, and they mostly express poetry, wine, life and leisurely sentiments. His beautiful language is greatly influenced by Feng Yanji of the Southern Tang Dynasty. In "Huanxisha", "There is no choice but to let the flowers fall, as if they had once been"
The two sentences "similar to the return of Yan" have been widely recited. The original collection has been lost, and only "Zhu Yu Ci" and "Yan Yuan Xian's Posthumous Documents" compiled by the Qing Dynasty remain.