On the first day of the Lunar New Year, the sound of firecrackers can be heard in almost every palace. www. Perhaps for the palace concubines who have been lonely for a long time and the palace maids who live a boring life, this day is truly festive and cheerful.
I got up early to dress up, put on the bright red brocade clothes for the New Year's court meeting, and four flower-headed hairpins. The wind hair on the collar of the brocade clothes was very good, shiny and smooth, and it gently brushed the hair on my cheeks, like a child's.
The hand that scratches lightly when itching.
When I got up and went out, Pei'er was full of joy and held up the crane cloak in the white fox with red feather gauze and wanted to put it on with me. The crane cloak is a wide-sleeved and wide-bodied coat made of twisted crane feather yarn. It is pure white in color and soft.
Piao Yi was specially sent as a tribute by the Ministry of Internal Affairs years ago.
I took a deep look at the delighted Pei'er and said lightly: "Do you think it's appropriate?" She was calmed by my expression and looked at Jinxi at a loss to ask her for help.
Jinxi took a honey-colored fur cloak and put it on me. She also put a small flat gold stove in my arms and stretched out her hand to help me out.
I really don’t need to stand out on the day of the royal court meeting. Especially when it’s my first time to meet the Queen Mother, who makes me feel in awe, humility is the best attitude.
The heavy snow has cleared, and the glazed bricks and white jade railings of the Queen Mother's residence, Yining Palace, shine brilliantly in the morning light, making people feel a sense of admiration and dare not look at them.
Standing among the concubines surrounded by flowers, I suddenly felt nervous. This was the first time since I entered the palace that I had formally paid homage to the Queen Mother and watched her up close.
The eunuch's unique high-pitched voice had already called my name. I took a deep breath, stepped out of the queue, knelt three times and kowtowed nine times, and said in his mouth: "The Queen Mother is in good health and will be blessed forever."
The Queen Mother's eyes fell on me and she smiled and said, "I heard that the Emperor likes you very much. Please raise your head and let me have a look."
I obeyed and raised my head with a respectful look.
The Queen Mother's gaze paused for a moment, and the Queen beside her said: "Zhen Jieyu is very sensible and has a docile temperament."
The Queen Mother just nodded slightly when she heard this, "What's your name?"
"My concubine, Zhen Huan, this is the first time to pay my respects to the Queen Mother. I would like to ask the Queen Mother to receive this great gift from me again. I am overjoyed." After saying this, she bowed again.
"Oh..." The Queen Mother pondered and looked at me intently. Her eyes were obviously calm and composed, but I felt that her eyes were omnipresent, and I felt uneasy for no reason. She blushed and lowered her head, not knowing what to do.
Looking up again, the Queen Mother had a smile on her face: "Very good, this child is indeed very sensible."
I lowered my head and said meekly: "I am young and not familiar with the rules of the palace. Fortunately, the Queen Mother has blessed me, the emperor is generous, and the empress and sisters are willing to teach me, so I will not lose my etiquette."
The Queen Mother nodded, "It's no wonder that the Emperor likes you, the Ai family also likes you very much." She then ordered the maid to take clothes, silk and ornaments and give them to me as a reward.
I kowtowed and thanked her, and the Queen Mother suddenly asked: "Can you write?"
I was slightly stunned before I spoke, but the Queen had already answered for me, "Jieyu is very talented and can write well even if she wants to."
The Queen Mother looked sideways at the Queen, who remained silent and said no more.
I said: "I am somewhat familiar with writing, but my handwriting is clumsy and I am afraid that it will not catch the eyes of the Queen Mother."
The Queen Mother smiled kindly: "As long as you can write, come to Yining Palace to accompany the Ai family when you have time, and copy scriptures for the Ai family."
I was happy in my heart and said: "As long as the Queen Mother does not despise me for being clumsy, I am willing to serve the Queen Mother wholeheartedly."
The Queen Mother's smile became even brighter, and I knelt in front of her. I could see clearly when she smiled. I don't know whether the Queen Mother, who was in her prime, had not taken good care of herself or for some other reason. In her prime, she turned out to be much more haggard than women of the same age, with wrinkles at the corners of her eyes.
It was like a fish's tail being swept away tightly. Maybe it was my misunderstanding, but I actually felt that there was a trace of inexplicable sadness and weariness in the smile surrounded by pearls and jade.
Since the fourteenth day of the first lunar month, my mood has been wrapped up in anticipation and hope. Finally, in the early morning of the fifteenth day, I woke up just after the fourth watch and could not fall back to sleep. Jin Xi was alarmed by me and said with a smile: "Little Master
Woke up early like this, it's still early, Mr. Zhen must first pay homage to the emperor, and then he can come over and talk to the young master at noon."
I hugged my knees and sat on the quilt, thinking for a while and said, "It's really early. I just think that I haven't seen my brother since I entered the palace. It's bitter and cold in the frontier, and I always miss him a lot."
Jin Xi said: "My little master, please sleep a little longer. You will be energetic at noon."
I agreed "ok", but I was worried about it. I turned over and over several times and couldn't sleep soundly.
Finally, at noon, I suddenly heard a cheerful voice outside: "The young master is here."
Just as I was about to stand up to greet him, Jin Xi hurriedly said: "Young master, you can't get up, it's not in line with etiquette." I had no choice but to sit down straight again. Then three or four palace maids and chamberlains scrambled to open the curtains, saying, "
The young master is very happy." My brother strode in and performed the courtesy of a monarch and his ministers. Then I dared to stand up, holding back my tears, and called "Brother——"
After not seeing each other for many years, my brother's face has gained a lot of weathered color, and his facial expressions have become much more resolute and heroic. But the look in his eyes when he looks at me is still the doting and indulgent look I had when I was in my boudoir.
My brother and I sat down before ordering lunch. My brother said, "The emperor had just left me to eat together at Jieshou Hall."
I was slightly surprised, "Did the emperor and brother use it together?"
"Yes. The emperor is very polite to me, probably because you are favored."
I thought about it for a moment and realized it, so I just said with a smile: "Today is the Lantern Festival. Brother, please eat a bowl of Lantern Festival with me."
The Yuanxiao served in the palace was exquisitely made, with rose petals mixed with honey and sesame filling, water-milled powder skin, and golden osmanthus stamens in the soup. I personally held a bowl and placed it in front of my brother, saying: "The border guards are guarding the bitter cold, and they must not have any
What kind of exquisite food, please let my sister pay more attention to it today."
The elder brother smiled and said, "It's nothing wrong with me. I've just been worried that you won't be used to life in the palace. Now it seems that the emperor treats you very well, and I'm relieved."
I pursed my lips and lowered my head, "It's nothing good, it's just the emperor's grace."
After chatting for a while, my brother suddenly hesitated, which made me feel strange. He finally said: "Before entering the palace, my father asked me one thing. I want you to make up your mind -" but he didn't say any more.
I thought about it for a moment, then covered my mouth and said with a smile: "It's about marrying my brother's sister-in-law. I wonder which lady she is from?"
The elder brother took out a piece of paper with the name of a thirty-five-year-old woman written on it, followed by her family background and age. "Father has already chosen a few candidates, and I have to ask you to make your decision."
I was slightly surprised, "I don't know these ladies, how can I make an idea easily?"
"Father said that my sister is now the emperor's concubine, and you have to choose her."
I thought about it and said, "That's right. If I make the choice, it will also be the glory of our Zhen family." I said with a naughty smile: "Whoever my brother likes in his heart, my sister will choose."
My brother shook his head, and his eyes fell on the brocade handkerchief in my hand, "I don't have anyone I care about." His eyes settled down, but his voice was a little erratic. I looked carefully in confusion and saw that the brocade handkerchief in my hand was from the Riqian Mausoleum.
Rong Xin embroidered the piece that was given to me. She embroidered a sparse oleander tree with light pink falling flowers, surrounded by a light gold Sihe Ruyi moire pattern. The stitching was also her usual delicate and light stitching.
I was startled, and suddenly recalled some of my past, and said with a faint smile: "Brother seems to like oleander flowers very much?" I pointed to a woman named Xue Qitao on the list and said: "This Miss Xue comes from a noble family, and is well-educated.
I heard about it in my boudoir, what do you think, brother?"
My brother's smile was a little alienated, "Father wants you to choose, what objections do I have?"
I calmed down and said, "How can my brother have no idea about his own wife?"
The silver spoon in his brother's hand hit the porcelain bowl with a soft "ding" sound, and he said in a low voice: "So what if you have an idea? I remember that you used to be unwilling to enter the palace as a concubine, but now it's not a good idea. It doesn't matter whether you have an idea or not.
It’s a foregone conclusion. To be honest, I don’t know any of the women on this list. It doesn’t matter who they are.”
I took a breath of cold air, the main hall was as warm as spring, and I could hardly bear the chill in my brother's words. I turned my eyes, and Jinxi immediately smiled and said: "My master, I haven't seen you for a long time, I'm afraid there are many
We have something to say, so let’s go out first.” Then he took the others to say goodbye and left.
Only then did I change my color slightly, put down the handkerchief on the table, and said with a smile: "Ling Rong's embroidery skills are getting better and better. During the summer vacation, I embroidered a pair of peach blossoms for the emperor, which was very popular with the emperor."
The elder brother said lightly "Oh", as if he didn't care very much, and just said: "The young master Lingrong is the daughter of the county magistrate, and her family background is not high. It is not easy to be here today."
I felt slightly relieved after looking at his expression, and said, "Brother said just now, did he fall in love with someone? If so, let Huan'er tell her father. It must not be difficult."
After a moment of silence, his brother said, "No." He paused and said, "Miss Xue is very good." His voice was slightly lowered, "Qitao, it's a good name, it's a good name for a good home."
As I was talking, I suddenly saw a handsome figure standing outside the window. I didn’t know when it came. I almost suspected it was Huanbi, so my tone of voice became three points heavier without realizing it, and I said, "Who is outside?"
Suddenly the brocade curtain was raised, and a figure of Yingying came in and said with a smile: "I was about to come in, but Jin Xi said that Mr. Zhen was also here and wanted to ask someone to put down the narcissus before leaving. Who knew that my sister saw me.
He said, "Long time no see. Is Mr. Zhen okay?"
The elder brother hurriedly stood up to greet him before he dared to sit down.
When I saw it was Lingrong, I was almost startled. I thought that if she heard what I just said, she would inevitably be sad again. I couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed on my face. But my eyes only paid attention to whether the expressions of the two of them were abnormal.
Ling Rong looked as usual, but a little more reserved because of the presence of a man. The elder brother also followed the etiquette of meeting concubines and did not dare to raise his head and speak casually. The two of them could not see any difference.
Just sitting so rigidly, but a little restrained, made me feel stuffy for a while. In the Jinluo curtain, there was a faint scent of Baihe incense, and the smoke curled up in the gaps where the flowers and branches of the gilded Boshan furnace were intertwined, and then gathered and dispersed.
Who knows whether they have merged into one or disappeared. I just feel that everything in front of me is not real.
I had no choice but to find something to say: "Brother, would you like another bowl of glutinous rice balls? I'm afraid I won't be full."
Brother said: "No need. My teeth are always aching today, so I'd better eat less sweets."
"Then what kind of medicine is brother taking now? It's not good to have toothache all the time."
The elder brother smiled gently, "You don't know that although I am a man, I am most afraid of taking bitter medicine, so I would rather let it hurt."
Lingrong suddenly closed his eyes and sniffed softly, and said softly: "The raw material for preparing the incense is clove. It is made from the buds of cloves. Holding it in the mouth can relieve toothache. It is not bitter and has a lingering fragrance in the mouth. You might as well give it a try, sir."
try."
The brother's eyes glanced across her face as if unintentionally, and said: "Thank you, little master."
Lingrong's body trembled slightly, and she also laughed, "I just came in from the outside, and I still feel a bit chilly." After saying a few greetings to his brother, he said goodbye: "There are still some things in Lingrong Palace, so let's go first.
Resigned."
I saw her leaving. Fang sat down and gently scooped up the silver spoon in his hand. The hard texture touched the soft dumpling, almost as if he couldn't bear it. I just smiled: "Brother, just like Miss Xue's family.
I don’t know when the wedding will be held, but Huan’er must give her brother a good congratulations.”
There was a smile on my brother's face that looked like joy, but I couldn't tell the joy. He said, "It won't be soon. I will go back to the border in three days. The emperor has allowed me to come back every three months to report on my duties."
Once." The shallow winter sunshine fell on my brother's handsome figure, and it was just a faint golden halo.
I couldn't continue the conversation about my brother's marriage, so I had to say: "Has the emperor already told you?"
When he heard these words, his eyes were no longer as dull as before, and he said solemnly: "I will obey the emperor's will and I will not give up even if I die."
I nodded, "My brother and I are relieved because of what I said. King Runan and Murong are not friendly people, so you must be careful when dealing with them." There was a slight choke in my words, "Don't say anything else.
If you don't give up, in the first month of the year, are you deliberately trying to make me sad?"
My brother fondly reached out and stroked my forehead, "Being coquettish like this is still the same as before, and I haven't grown up at all. Okay, I promise you, I will never let anything happen to me."
I laughed out loud, "My brother is going to marry my sister-in-law, how can Huan'er still grow up?" I suppressed my smile slightly, took out a roll of paper and handed it to my brother, "If there is any accident, please tell me immediately."
If this book goes out, there will be people who will respond to it."
The elder brother said in a deep voice: "Okay."
Although they are relatives, after all, due to palace regulations, they cannot stay for a long time. I personally sent my brother to the outside of the Chuihua Gate. I couldn't help but have red circles in my eyes. I just struggled not to cry. My brother said warmly: "Maybe we can meet again in three months."
Already." He looked at the palace maids and eunuchs around him, and whispered: "There are so many people, don't lose your manners."
I nodded vigorously and said, "I can't always accompany my parents to have fun together. I would like to ask my brother to express my condolences to my parents and tell Yuyao and Yurao to be obedient." I choked with sobs and couldn't speak anymore, so I turned around and didn't look at my brother's leaving figure.
When he returned to the palace, he suddenly saw two pots of narcissus placed under the front steps of the hall, and asked casually: "Did Master Lingrong just send them?"
Jingqing said respectfully: "Yes."
I pondered for a moment and asked, "How long did Young Master Lingrong stay outside when he came?"
Jingqing said: "It didn't take long before the young master asked who was outside."
Only then did I feel relieved, but I still said angrily: "I'm getting more and more angry, and I didn't report such a thing early."
Jingqing couldn't help but feel aggrieved, "The young master Lingrong said that it would not hinder the reunion of the young master and the young master, so he didn't let the servants pass the news." Seeing my eyebrows slightly frowning, she finally didn't dare to say any more.
However, no matter how careful I paid attention, Ling Rong was just as usual, accompanying Xuan Ling and talking to me, which made me suspect that I was too worried.
Life was going well, and after my brother returned, he proposed marriage to the Xue Mansion, and the marriage was gradually settled.