Twenty-eight, the old pond on the banks of the willow bank
The empress was banned, which was like being deposed into the cold palace. Although there was no decree to depose the empress, the empress dowager was dying day by day. Everyone knew that once the mountain collapsed (1), the empress would be deposed and moved out of Ziao City.
The position in the middle palace was shaken, and there were a lot of rumors among the concubines. Although there was no visible action in the harem, the old news about Emperor Longqing's abolition became more and more popular in the palace, and it became a hubbub for a while.
On this day, Concubine De was sitting in my palace, watching the concubine adjusting the strings of the pipa, and said leisurely: "In the past few days, the palace has often talked about some old things. In the past, the late emperor only favored Concubine Shu.
Being neglected in the Sixth Palace, the deposed Empress Xia became jealous and resentful, so she laced the red date honey that Concubine Shu drank daily with Crane's Crown Red. After the incident was revealed, she was protected by Empress Zhaoxian, so she covered up the past. Later, the deposed Empress planned to murder the present generation.
When the emperor and the six kings were young, the emperor and the six kings deliberately loosened the rocks where they often climbed and played while the emperor was playing with them. He wanted to use the emperor's hands to throw the six kings to death, killing two birds with one stone. The late emperor could not bear it anymore and ignored the upbringing of the Queen Mother Zhaoxian.
After all, she deposed the Xia family and moved out of Zi'ao City. Three months later, the deposed queen was so angry that she fell into a well and died." Concubine De smiled faintly and fiddled with a new tribute from the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Put on the water jade glazed armor, "In fact, when it comes to viciousness, the Queen Mother will not be as good as Zhu Yixiu if she is deposed. Now the Queen Mother can still protect her. Once the Queen Mother dies, she must be deposed."
Concubine Duan was sitting on the lotus platform holding the pipa, adjusting the strings with her fingers, and slowly playing notes that were as scattered as beads. She didn't even raise her head when she heard the words, her expression was as calm as ever, "As long as the queen position is not abolished, it will be fine once the queen position is abolished.
, the harem will also be in chaos. You can see just before your eyes how many people are plotting secretly."
Concubine De smiled and said: "Sister Guifei is the most open-minded person. It's just me. After all, I am a person who can't get the chance, so there is no need to follow the chaos. In fact, having said that, there is nothing to be confused about. In terms of seniority, position, and emperor
After all, my sister, Concubine Shu, is outstanding."
The imperial concubine adjusted her strings and raised her brows lightly, "We don't want to be confused, but if there is civil strife, how can we be wise enough to protect ourselves? The undercurrent is turbulent, and it is inevitable that we will not be caught in it." After saying this, he looked at me and smiled slightly.
Sighing, "It is precisely because Concubine Shu is so outstanding that she is more likely to be beaten by the wind and waves."
Concubine De knew what she was referring to and said: "Someone is too proud. Last night, Yinggui concubine was reprimanded by the Yanxi palace. Yinggui concubine gave birth to Emperor Huaishu. It would be better if the emperor is happy and favors her more."
It's human nature. It's probably because Concubine Yinggui went to visit Concubine Zhen several times and shared her favor with her, which made her feel uncomfortable."
The imperial concubine looked at the distant sky and said nonchalantly: "When people have power, they will inevitably become complacent. Once they are complacent, they will become arrogant, and if they are arrogant, they will lose their sense of proportion."
The imperial concubine and I looked at each other and said, "The waves are rough and impetuous is inevitable."
Concubine De picked up a red pearl with hanging flowers and played with it in her hand. She chuckled and said, "The emperor was not angry at all. He only comforted Concubine Ying with a few words."
I smiled faintly and picked up my earlobe with a jade pen, "What kind of temper our emperor is like? He may not say it immediately when he is angry, let alone his favorite cousin."
The imperial concubine took a plain gauze round fan at her hand and shook it leisurely, revealing a part of her snow-white lotus wrist, which was covered with a gleaming twisted gold bracelet. "What is the origin of Yinggui concubine and what is Hu Yunrong's origin? There is a world of difference."
Can't you see that the emperor can comfort these two people with a few words?"
Concubine De couldn't help but smile, "It's not that I can't see it, but I'm afraid that the one who only cares about the back is the one who won't be able to see it herself."
The shade of the tung trees was silent, and the sound of cicadas rose and fell. I picked up a cup of water under the lotus platform and said: "There have been a lot of rumors in the palace recently. Not to mention the story of the former emperor deposing the queen, even the matter of me leaving the palace to practice cultivation has been mentioned.
Four."
The temples that were originally aching became more sore and astringent, and they were beating fiercely, as if something was about to gush out. No matter how much Xuan Ling dotes on me, the embarrassing past of leaving the palace to practice is still an indisputable fact. Even if Xuan Ling loves me, it is still an indisputable fact.
Ling wrote it off and tried his best to cover it up and make amends for me, but it was his personal decree back then, and someone would always make a fuss about it. After the queen was imprisoned, the six palaces had no owner. Although I was nominally in charge of the imperial court,
I am not the only one who has been appointed to the throne. In their eyes, I am nothing but a thorn in their side and a thorn in their flesh.
Concubine De was silent for a moment, "If there are no rumors in the palace on any day, my sister does not need to worry about it."
The imperial concubine plucked the strings slowly and played the piano softly, "This is the beginning." She paused and said, "I have heard the talk outside that you are not suitable to raise a prince, and you want to take the fourth prince to raise him with someone else.
"
My heart suddenly tightened, and Concubine De asked alertly: "Who would say such a thing?"
The imperial concubine's words were concise and to the point, "If you ascend to the throne without heirs, you will not be convinced."
"If you are convinced but your heart is not convinced, what can you do!"
The imperial concubine no longer spoke, but quietly lowered her head and plucked the strings of the piano. There were twelve tunes on the railing, and her hands were as clear as jade. In such a quiet afternoon, her tiredness was slowly passing away in the sound of the piano.
At this time, the rumors in the palace about me leaving the palace to practice spiritual practice became more and more popular day by day, and gradually spread to outrageous proportions. At first, it was just that I was aloof and arrogant, and I was deported from the palace because of my arrogance in front of the Holy Emperor. Gradually, it was said that I left the palace that day because I killed Concubine Hua.
, it was revealed that the thing that drove Qin Fangyi crazy was revealed; what’s more, they talked about how I seduced the emperor after leaving the palace, and designed to seduce the emperor back to the palace again. Because of the incident of Concubine Oriole seducing the emperor with drugs, they were also blamed on me, and some
It was said that I used Five Stone Powder to confuse the Sacred Heart, and even more so that I specially arranged for Fu Ruyin, who looked similar to me, to enter the palace.
There were always two or three words that leaked into my ears, and I just ignored them without laughing or laughing. I still concentrated on taking care of the affairs of the palace, worrying about them day and night, only a little more attentive than usual.
After several days of hard work, I couldn't help but cough a few times when I got up to dress up this morning. Before I noticed it, Xuan Ling noticed it first and put a coat on my shoulders. I saw that I looked bad in the mirror.
, even more deliberately added a layer of rouge, and said with a forced smile: "I always think that I am still young, but it turns out that I can't stand the fatigue like this."
Xuan Ling handed me a cup of tea with his own hands, adding a few white chrysanthemums to clear the lungs and remove internal heat. When he saw me take a few sips, he melted the jasmine bud rouge for me and patted my cheeks gently. The fragrance was sweet and fragrant.
In the middle, I could only hear him saying: "You look so haggard, you are not tired, you are clearly overworked."
I avoided his stern gaze and said, "I have the Emperor's care, how can I bother you?"
"There are a lot of rumors and rumors outside. Not to mention that you are in the harem every day, I even heard about it in the previous court. Last night, I heard you tossing and turning and had no sleep for most of the night, so I must be troubled by this matter." He paused and said,
He stretched out his hand and gently stroked my hair that hung like clouds, "Those words are really too much. You certainly didn't murder Concubine Hua and Qin Fangyi. How could you even blame Ruyin and An's affairs on you?" he said.
There was a hint of anger at the bottom, "I have long said that the palace will not allow you to mention your cultivation, and now you dare to discuss it. I just see that they are too busy!"
I tried my best to smile and leaned on his chest, "The pure will themselves be pure. I don't need to defend myself for this, otherwise the description will become darker and darker and make them gossip." My tone became softer and softer, "I am just afraid, Han'er.
He Run'er is almost sensible, and these words are in their ears. As a mother, I really don't know how to deal with myself."
Xuan Ling comforted you kindly, "I know you are in trouble, but I don't want me to worry about you. I would rather suffer in my own heart. Don't worry, I will arrange this for you."
I smiled lowly and said tactfully, "After all, the emperor still has to worry about his concubines."
So on this day, the concubines came to the Rouyi Hall to pay their respects. Xuan Ling had already left the court early to sit with me. Due to the busy schedule of the government, everyone had not seen Xuan Ling for more than half a month. They did not see him here today, so it was a bit of a surprise.
Xuan Ling even hugged Yu Han and Yu Run on her knees, smiling and teasing her. She smiled even more and came up to join in the fun. Xuan Ling didn't say anything, and smiled and dealt with them one by one. He asked the concubines about their daily life and whether they coughed in the cold weather.
, when the weather is hot, eat food that will cool down the heat, and when the weather changes, add more clothes and reduce the number of clothes. I smiled to myself as I talked to the imperial concubine, and my ears fell into his warm words. I also lamented that he was so considerate and appropriate when he put his heart into it, and made all the women happy.
His face was red and his heart was warm.
When everyone arrived, he became even more amiable and said, "I heard Concubine Shu coughing twice this morning, which made me feel uneasy. Concubine Shu has always been busy with trivial matters in the palace and is very tired. If the concubines here are unable to help Concubine Shu,
To add a little trouble to her will make me even more unhappy." He held a prince in one hand, "Now that the third prince and the fourth prince are getting older, don't let them hear other people talking about their mother and concubine. The children's ears
They are clean and cannot listen to these things, and I do not allow them to hear these things. Speaking of which, my beloved concubines come from well-known families and are well-trained in etiquette. I think there will be no dirty words and rumors in their mouths that will disturb others. Right?"
He had a dignified face, a gentle smile at the corner of his mouth, but his eyes were as bright as cold stars, which really made people feel chilly when they looked at them. Everyone was awe-struck and only agreed, thinking about the deep meaning of his words. He once again looked around with his eyes.
, but frowned, "Why hasn't Yunrong come yet?"
Everyone looked at each other in shock and didn't dare to answer for a while. I sat there with a smile and just kept silent. Jin Xi's words from last night faintly sounded in my ears, "The Zhu family is imprisoned and the palace has no master. I'm afraid that a fierce battle is about to start, and the empress must not be careful."
She added: "The empress is naturally the fourth concubine on the throne. She gave birth to the prince and two emperor concubines, and she is the most beloved by the emperor. However, looking at the six palaces, the empress is not the only one. Those who can compete with the empress for the lower position, the noble concubine and the virtuous concubine are naturally the most popular.
With her qualifications, Concubine Zhen should not be underestimated as she has given birth to the Second Highness. It’s just that none of them are as good as that one..." She looked in the direction of Yanxi Palace from a distance, "That one is a close relative of the Queen Mother, not to mention a noble family background.
," she pondered for a moment, "Your Majesty still remembers the rumors about her origin, imitating the story of Mrs. Gou Yi, and holding a jade bi with the words 'Eternal and Everlasting' written on it. I'm afraid that she has the intention of seizing the throne as early as entering the palace.
It’s been there before.”
It is the blessing of "eternal prosperity", so why should she kneel down to me? What's more, she has always believed in her dignity.
Ye Lanyi gently shook her fan and looked at the flowing clouds outside the window. "Mrs. Zhuang Min has a distinguished status. Naturally, there is no need to follow the crowd and lower her status."
Xuan Ling made no excuses and just looked at the imperial concubine, "I remember that Yue Bin, you are the daughter of General Huben. In order to repay the Qi family's bloodshed on the battlefield, the founder of the country specially placed a portrait of your grandfather in Wuying Pavilion."
The imperial concubine gathered up her clothes and stood up, and said solemnly: "Although I am a general, I also know the rules. Even though I am ahead of other concubines, I am the concubine in charge of the harem. I not only respect the concubines, but also remember the teachings of the palace rules."
Xuan Ling nodded and suddenly smiled lightly, "My cousin is indeed willful and interesting."
After this incident, the heated discussion in the palace immediately became calm, and everyone became more respectful when the concubines met. Everyone was somewhat respectful and distanced from Hu Yunrong because of Xuan Ling's words that day, but when I met Yunrong, I was often
I was much more humble. Even when I went to serve the sick Queen Mother, she spent most of the time directing things while she was sitting at the top. Instead, I served tea and medicine to the Queen Mother in the second seat. Naturally, the Queen Mother, who was so ill that she was dizzy,
I don’t know, but it’s because of the gossip among the palace people, “When Concubine Shu and Madam are alone, Mrs. Zhuang Min looks like a high-ranking person, while Concubine Shu looks like an ordinary concubine. Naturally, Mrs. Zhuang Min is very dignified.
, probably because of the noble family background."
Hu Yunrong just laughed off Xuan Ling's evaluation of herself that day. She smiled at me while we were waiting at the Queen Mother's bedside, "It's really my fault. My cousin called me 'interesting' and called me
It’s hard to see Concubine Shu.”
I looked at her with a smile, "What are you talking about? It's right for the emperor to favor my sister. My sister is so lovely, and I can't bear to call my sister very rigid."
She smiled brightly and moved a huge golden five phoenix inlaid with jade on her temples, "For the Queen Mother's jade body, I was so anxious that I didn't close my eyes for several nights. I couldn't sleep until dawn. I couldn't help but wake up in the morning and say good night."
Well, it’s better for Concubine Shu not to be weird." She covered her mouth and chuckled, "Besides, my cousin Jinkouyu said that I am 'willful and interesting', so I dare not be willful without obeying the order."
It was just a few words of laughter. When the other concubines came, she was the noble and reserved Mrs. Zhuang Min again.
Hua Yi couldn't help but get angry after hearing this, and complained to me privately: "Even if the emperor said she was funny, isn't that willfulness an accusation against her? How can she still laugh like this?"
I laughed, "Why not? With her temper, how could she be willing to bow her head and submit? What's more, although what the emperor said is important, the direction of the palace wind is also important. At this time, she has lost face, how can she sit on the queen's throne? After sitting on it,
How can we convince the public?"
Hua Yi pouted, "Does she think she is destined to be the queen?"
"In terms of family status and closeness to the royal family, there is really no one who can surpass me."
Hua Yi was unconvinced, "When it comes to offspring and status, no one can compare with the empress."
I smiled and said, "You think so, so why not she?" It was almost noon, and I couldn't see Run'er anywhere, so I hurriedly asked: "Where is Run'er?"
Xiao Yunzi heard the noise and hurriedly opened the curtain and came in and said: "I got up early and went to the Queen Mother to pay my respects. Aunt Qiongji of Yanxi Palace invited the fourth prince to have snacks." He raised his head and looked at the sun, "Looking at this time, it should be the right time."
Sent back."
I was silent for a moment, "Has Yanxi Palace been very fond of picking up Run'er lately?" I paused and said, "Your Majesty the Fourth is young. No matter which empress' palace you go to play in the future, remember that you have to personally pick him up and drop him off."
."
Xiao Yunzi hurriedly agreed and went down.
I knew in my heart that no matter whether I was willing or not, as the successor was still uncertain, Hu Yunrong and I would be like two tigers forced up a mountain, and sooner or later we would inevitably have a fierce fight.
Note:
(1) Mountain collapse: a more euphemistic way of saying the death of a queen mother or an emperor.