The matter regarding Wen Yi and Di Ji came to fruition three days later. www. Xiao Tang, who was in charge of pastry ingredients in the Imperial Kitchen, came forward and said that he accidentally mixed up two powder ingredients, which caused Di Ji's discomfort.

When the news came, Ling Rong and I were stretching snow-white silk yarn and embroidering a double-sided embroidery on an ebony frame. Double-sided embroidery is most about the needle skills and the embroiderer's vision and thought. Thousands of pieces must be made.

Threads are hidden in embroidery without a trace. One more stitch, one less stitch, one crooked stitch, or one slanted stitch will cause the pattern to deform or change color.

The embroidery is a picture of a long trip to the spring mountains. Hundreds of green colors are gradually enchanting the eyes. After looking at it for a long time, my head feels slightly dizzy. Through the soft curtain of lake green crepe, a dark blue shadow falls on the ground. Outside the curtain, Jinxi carries a

The palace maid was drying a large piece of Minghua material sent by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, causing the tiny pink butterflies in the shadow to jump and flash, and the light and shadow separated, seeming to freeze the last sky shadow time of this summer.

I stood up and rubbed the sore back of my neck, took a sip of Xiangzhi and said, "What do you think?"

Lingrong compared the color of the silk thread carefully against the sun, with a faint smile on his lips, "This is the coincidence that Concubine Hua said."

I chuckled, "Why do you like to mince words when talking?"

Lingrong put down the silk thread in his hand, pursed his lips and said: "Yes. Following sister's order." Then he said slowly and calmly: "The emperor wants to conduct a thorough investigation, and Xiao Tang has made his appearance. It's just that someone did not want the emperor to continue the investigation and ordered the chess piece."

." However, she was confused, "It's just that...the emperor punished Xiao Tang for dereliction of duty and killed him with a cane."

I held the Xiangzhi drink in my hand, looked at the busy figure of the palace maid outside the curtain, and said calmly: "Of course I will be beaten with a stick. If we continue to investigate, it will be a scandal in the palace. It will be a small matter in the ears of the Yanguan and the Queen Mother, but in the eyes of the subjects, I am afraid it will be a big scandal."

She has fallen from royal dignity." I chewed the fragrant grass in my mouth gently and said slowly: "We all understand the whole story, how could the emperor not understand it? It's just that I can't touch her temporarily."

Seeing that Lingrong seemed confused and puzzled, he stretched out his finger to poke at the window screen in the southwest direction. Lingrong immediately understood and sighed in a low voice: "As the emperor, the emperor has so many helplessness."

I curled my fingers slightly, licked my temple hair, and said word by word: "The cunning rabbit dies, and the running dog is cooked. I am only waiting for the day when Murong's bird will be hidden."

Lingrong was silent for a moment, picked up a herbal grape, chewed it slowly in his mouth, and said, "Lingrong just feels that my sister is working hard."

I said: "How can you not be hardworking on the cusp of glory and grace?"

Lingrong clapped her hands and said with a smile: "But the emperor has been really good to my sister these days." She was quiet, "Actually, the emperor is very good to my sister."

This sentence struck my ears, and I remembered what I said when I was sitting with Xuan Ling the afternoon before yesterday.

He put me on his knees and peeled water chestnuts together to eat. We rubbed our temples together and held red water chestnuts in our hands. They talked softly and gracefully. It was such a beautiful scene.

I leaned against his ear and said softly: "Why does Shiro believe that Huan Huan is innocent?"

He was peeling the red water chestnut. He thought he was not used to doing this, so the peeling was very unfamiliar. The snow-white flesh was mottled with the dark red peel that had not been cleaned. He said: "You are Shiro's daughter-in-law. As my husband, how can I

I won’t believe you.”

Feeling warm and comfortable in his heart, he pretended to be angry: "Just for this? No wonder the concubines always say that Shiro is partial to me. It seems to be true."

He put down the water chestnut in his hand and said seriously: "Huan Huan would not do such a thing." He grabbed my hand and said: "Then you dig out my heart and take a look. Is it biased towards you or not?"

Looking at others?"

My face flushed, and I spat: "You are still the king of a country. What you say is not serious or serious, and it is ridiculous."

He smiled without saying a word, peeled off a complete water chestnut and put it in my mouth, asking, "Is it delicious?"

Frowning, he reluctantly swallowed it whole and said, "It's so astringent, it can't be peeled off cleanly." He couldn't hold it back and laughed again: "Silang holds the world in his hands, how could he be used to doing this? Just leave the little water chestnut to Huan Huan.

." As he spoke, he peeled off several pieces until the flesh was smooth and put them in his palm. He smiled and said, "It's sweet, crispy, and extraordinarily sweet. It's all thanks to your skill."

I smiled and said, "This is the red water chestnut from Jiangnan. It is crisp, tender and refreshing, and full of fragrance. It is naturally unusual."

As he spoke, Xuan Ling ate a few more and slowly closed his eyes to reflect, "The taste of this red water chestnut is clear but not greasy, just like the sound of your piano or your dance."

I laughed out loud, "If you are greedy, you will have to look forward to Shu. The words of the ancients are really true. I peeled the water chestnuts for you and you want to make me play the piano and dance."

He couldn't help but smile: "What kind of dance are you doing? Even if you think about it, I won't allow it." Then he said, "If you want to dance, I won't allow it. You'll be sweating all over and it's so uncomfortable."

I said "Ah": "He has 'ice muscles and jade bones, and he is cool and sweat-free'1. The emperor made fun of me for being a sweaty person made of water." I deliberately turned around and ignored him, leaving him alone for thousands of years.

After coaxing him, Fang looked back and smiled at him.

I thought about it for a moment, and suddenly I felt that at this time, I shouldn't be silent and think about it. I had to say something. Otherwise, it would seem like I was neglecting Lingrong and showing off to her. So I said with a smile: "The emperor is also very kind to my sister.

OK."

Lingrong suddenly showed an almost sad look, and looked at the hundreds of dazzling green silk threads on the embroidery frame in a daze, carefully smoothing them out one by one. I looked at her with a strange look, Xuan Ling was also kind to her, as a favorite

Concubine, what else does she have dissatisfaction with? However, Lingrong's mind is more sensitive than others, so it's hard to ask. After a while, she showed her face and said: "Sister, why do you suddenly want to embroider such a troublesome thing? It takes a lot of effort and trouble."

I stepped forward and looked at it quietly for a while, then stroked the smooth embroidery and said, "It really takes a lot of effort. However, the more effort you put into something, the more it tests a person's mind and endurance."

Lingrong said: "Sister's words are always so profound. What does embroidery have to do with the mind? Lingrong doesn't understand."

I changed the tea for her, sat down again to embroider, and said gently: "Sometimes, not knowing is a blessing. It's better to never understand."

Lingrong smiled, changed the subject and said, "Sister, I want to embroider double-sided embroidery on a whim. I don't know how many days of effort it will take. I will be back in Luang in a few days, so I'm afraid it will take a lot of time and effort."

I just lowered my head to embroider and said without raising my head: "Not to mention an embroidery stand, I want to move all the remnants in front of the Yifu Hall to Taiye Pond. Who dares to say that in front of me?"

No' word?"

Lingrong smiled and clapped her hands and said, "Yes, yes. I'm afraid that if my sister wants to transfer Fanyue Lake to Taiye Lake, the emperor will only say it's a good idea."

I couldn't help laughing: "How could you learn to be so glib?"

After embroidering for a while, my hands began to sweat. I was afraid that the color of the silk thread would be stained, so I got up and washed my hands. I saw Huanbi outside carefully choosing the colors of this season's clothes. The green dress was like a new lotus leaf curling in the sunlight. The earlobes.

The pinky-sized pearl earrings I gave her newly were shining like stars with every move she made. Suddenly she remembered something, as if she had recalled a bright dawn in the twists and turns of Shende Hall that day, and that

There was such cruelty and darkness behind the dawn that I dared not open it for a moment and take a look. Finally I couldn't bear it anymore. If it were true, how could I be different from letting others sleep beside me on the pillow?

The sharp blade hung above the head, as dangerous as an egg. He took a deep breath and called out: "Huanbi——"

Huanbi came in after hearing the sound and said: "Miss, do you want to exchange tea and fruits?"

I looked her over and over and said with a smile: "Didn't you go to the imperial kitchen last time to get tapioca flour to make pearl dumplings? Go make some for snacks."

Huanbi was slightly startled and said: "Why did the young lady suddenly think of eating this? After what happened last time, I felt filthy, so I took it all and threw it away."

"Oh. What a coincidence. I was still thinking about the taste." I said, "That's it, just do whatever you want." He turned away and asked Lingrong: "There is the chestnut cake that the emperor rewarded today. Come again."

Would you like a bowl of rice pudding?"

Lingrong said meekly: "Sister makes up her mind."

After having some snacks with Ling Rong, we dispersed. Watching the palace maids and chamberlains packing the bags for a while before returning home, I felt a little better and went back to embroidering.

Calm, this calm lasted until the Mid-Autumn Festival after returning to Luang.

As usual, the Mid-Autumn Festival is spent in Zi'ao City. The day to return to Luan is scheduled for the fifth day of August. When returning to Luan, the concubine's ceremonial guard has already arrived at the same time. Meizhuang's car is strictly guarded and cannot get off easily;

Yu Qingluan's canopied chariot followed the queen and her phoenix driver, with a dazzling majesty that swept away the decadent air when they arrived. After Concubine Cui, Feng Shuyi and Concubine Xinggui, Cao Jieyu and I drove together, and Lingrong followed behind.

It took two days of hard work to get back to Ziao City. Even though I was riding in the car, I still felt tired. Fortunately, everything was prepared in Tangli Palace. After a quick wash, I fell asleep.

The etiquette of the Mid-Autumn Festival was complicated. Xuan Ling gave a banquet to the courtiers, and in the evening there was a family banquet in the harem. The queen hosted it very lively. The eldest son of the emperor, Yu Li, and Shu He, and the two emperors Wen Yi were in the presence of each other, which was very cute.

According to the ritual, the family banquet was held in the Huiguang Hall, the first hall at the main entrance of the harem. All the kings and their wives were present. The Queen Mother seemed to be in a good mood, and she was accompanied by several concubines. The Queen Mother ascended the throne to the south, everyone

The concubines sat on both sides to accompany each other. A stage was set up in the south of the palace, where they performed various plays and dances. The emperor and the empress led the concubines, princes, and concubines to have tea and wine and congratulate the empress dowager on a long life.

After the congratulations, everyone returned to their seats. The music of congratulations was played over and over again, and the singers in the band used their loud and clear singing voices to sing birthday celebrations and toasts in harmony with the music.

As the most noble elder of this large, prominent and noble family, the Queen Mother can naturally enjoy the glory and pride that no one can experience. This is the first time I have seen the Queen Mother, whom I have imagined countless times in my mind. Although my position

This time I was far away from the throne of the Queen Mother, but it could not restrain my admiration and longing for the Queen Mother in the rumors. The various rumors made me draw an outline of the Queen Mother in my mind as a serious and powerful lady of the palace, but when I saw it in real life

When I arrived at her, I was a little surprised by her calm and calm demeanor. Because it was a family banquet, the Queen Mother's dress was luxurious but not grand. She wore a green and gold dress with simple patterns and refreshing atmosphere. Her hair was only decorated with jadeite and south pearls.

, her face is also lightly made up. The Queen Mother is not very beautiful, perhaps because she has recited too many Buddhist scriptures, but she has a faint noble and distant demeanor, which is impressive. As the most noble woman in this dynasty,

She was supposed to live a superior life that was beyond the reach of ordinary people, but for some reason her face had a haggard look. I think it was because she paid too much attention to the Buddha.

When the Queen Mother saw the dozen or so concubines under her, she looked very pleased and said to Xuan Ling: "The emperor needs the rain and dew to be evenly distributed in order for the heirs in the harem to multiply." Then she said to the queen: "You are the master of the harem, so naturally you have to take care of the emperor a lot.

, Don't let him have any worries about his future." The Empress accepted the order, and the Empress Dowager had a conversation with the Empress Shang Yue. Although the Empress was her niece, she was only polite and distant, and was not very close, which also confirmed that the Empress Dowager had always been

I don’t pity the truth of the Queen’s rumors.

Because King Runan was on an expedition to the southwest, and only Princess He was present, the Queen Mother smiled and said: "Your prince is not here, so you have to take good care of yourself and take care of the prince." After saying this, she ordered someone to bring something to reward her. Concubine He bowed after hearing this.

The Queen Mother thanked the Queen Mother for her concern. The Queen Mother said kindly to Xuan Fen: "I heard that Fen'er is very up-to-date, and is good at poetry, writing, riding and shooting. As a mother in the Ai family, I can rest assured." She turned back to Princess Shun Chen and Princess Zhuang He and said: "

The son you raised is very good." Due to the humble background of Princess Shun Chen, Prince Xuanfen of Pingyang has been raised by Princess Zhuang and Princess Zhuang. Now hearing what the Queen Mother said, tears filled her eyes with joy.

Because Xuanqing had been raised by the Queen Mother since Concubine Shu left the palace, the Queen Mother became even more affectionate when she saw him. She pulled him to sit beside her and said with a smile: "Qing'er is the most worried about the Ai family. When will the wedding be attended by someone?"

As long as I keep you under control, it means that the Ai family has given an explanation to your mother and concubine over the years."

Xuan Qing smiled: "Mother, don't worry, if I find the person I like, I will definitely marry him and give my mother a blessing. It's just that the person I like is very rare."

The Queen Mother smiled and said to Xuan Ling: "The Emperor also listens to this. Qing'er, a lady from the civil and military families of the Manchu Dynasty, you can choose slowly by yourself. If you are not good enough, as long as it is good, it doesn't matter if the lintel is lower."

Xuan Qing just smiled and said nothing, Xuan Ling said: "Don't worry, Queen, maybe there will be someone he likes tomorrow."

The Queen Mother smiled helplessly: "I hope so, I have no choice but to leave it to him."

The Queen Mother gradually started to look tired, so she returned to the palace first. Several concubines seemed to respect the Queen Mother very much. Seeing that the Queen Mother looked tired, they immediately accompanied the Queen Mother back to the palace. The family banquet was hosted by the Queen Mother.

The seats were arranged in descending order according to the rank of the concubines. Xuan Ling and I were not close to each other. I saw him sitting side by side with the queen from a distance. His bright yellow brocade robe made him look like a crown jewel and he had the demeanor of a king.

I smiled slightly at him, and he obviously saw me and smiled at me, his gaze was as longing as ever, far away. In the presence of a large audience, I blushed unconsciously and bowed my head shyly to drink a glass of wine.

When I looked up again, Xuan Ling was already talking to the Queen, but I saw Xuan Qing taking advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention and slightly raised his glass in my direction, smiled knowingly with him, raised his head and drank from the wine glass in front of him.

During the dinner, Xuan Ling looked at me frequently and asked Li Chang to personally share the dishes in front of me with me, which were mostly my favorite foods. Although he couldn't speak because of the restrictions, he was full of affection. He couldn't help but feel happy.
To be continued...