In the back hall of Yanxi Palace, Zhang Yanling walked quickly along the corridor, passed through the flourishing and brilliant rose bushes, and arrived in front of the Spring Pavilion where the Queen Mother lived. The two maids at the door were a little surprised to see Zhang Yanling arriving. Zhang Yanling raised her finger to her mouth
, signaling them to be silent.
In the room, the Queen Mother's voice came: "Nuan Yu, do you think these flowers look good? Are they elegant?"
"Needless to say, the flowers arranged by the Queen Mother are very elegant and beautiful. I admire them very much. After learning it for a few days, I have already got the essence of it." A woman's voice laughed.
"Are you serious? That's great. The teacher said that the art of flower arrangement pays attention to the well-proportioned, orderly combinations, the combination of simple and traditional, and the harmony of master and slave. I don't understand it too well. The teacher spoke esoteric words and refused to explain.
It can only be understood but cannot be expressed in words. I can only do it based on my own guess and understanding. I don’t know whether he is satisfied or not satisfied after seeing it." Empress Dowager Zhang said with a smile.
"He will definitely be satisfied. How can he be dissatisfied with the Queen Mother's flower arrangements? Queen Mother, you don't have to worry. The Queen Mother just inserts it casually and it is the scenery. Only the blind will be dissatisfied. Hehe."
"Bah, what I want is sincere satisfaction, not lies. That's all. Whether it works or not, that's it. I've been busy all morning. You can spray some fragrance after a while, and it won't look good after it dries. Yes.
Is the new tea ready? Are the pastries ready?"
"Your Majesty, your Majesty, are you still worried about your work? They are...all...hehe...the green tea that Mr. likes to drink and the pastries that he likes to eat."
"That's good. Let the people below go away and don't let them get close... you know?" Empress Dowager Zhang said in a low voice.
"I know, my slave will make arrangements. Don't worry. Cuiyu is waiting outside, and will be led in through the side door, directly from the garden. Queen Mother, don't worry, no one can see it."
When Zhang Yanling heard this, her face was extremely gloomy and ugly. She closed her eyes and took a long breath. After regaining her emotions, a smile appeared on Zhang Yanling's face. She coughed and said loudly: "Second sister, I'm here.
"
With this voice, the room suddenly became silent.
Zhang Yanling said again: "Second sister, Yanling is back and came to see you. Can I come in?"
"Little brother! Is it little brother? Come in quickly. No, no... wait a moment, wait a moment." Queen Mother Zhang shouted in joy and panic.
However, Zhang Yanling had already raised the door curtain and entered the Spring Pavilion. Empress Dowager Zhang was hurriedly packing the things on the table. Seeing Zhang Yanling walking in, she had no choice but to lift up the messy table and cover it with a piece of black cloth, and quickly walked
Come to the outside room.
"Little brother, it's really you. You're back. This is great. The Ai family is worried about you every day and misses you every day." Empress Dowager Zhang said loudly and walked towards Zhang Yanling. Her eyes were full of joy.
Zhang Yanling could see that although she had a grudge, her second sister still loved her. In fact, when she went on the expedition and when Zhang Yin came back, the Queen Mother gave her a lot of food and supplies. She still cared about him.
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Empress Dowager Zhang was dressed in a colorful palace dress, her hair was pulled high, and her hair was covered with jewelry, making her look jeweled. She was obviously wearing makeup, with a flower patch on her forehead, and a thick layer of powder. Her eyes were flowing, and her complexion was very good.
However, because he is almost forty years old, the skin and flesh on his face are somewhat saggy, and too much makeup is inappropriate. Looking at the look of Queen Mother Zhang, Zhang Yanling for some reason thought of the woman in Cuipinglou.
.
But this disrespectful thought soon disappeared. After not seeing the Queen Mother for many days, Zhang Yanling finally saw her, and a warm feeling surged in Zhang Yanling's heart. The joy in the Queen Mother's eyebrows could not be hidden. After all, they are relatives who live here, after all, she loves herself so much.
"Yanling pays tribute to the second sister." Zhang Yanling knelt down and kowtowed to Queen Mother Zhang.
Empress Dowager Zhang hurriedly stopped her and said angrily: "Okay, okay, my family, what are you doing with such a big gift? Get up quickly."
Zhang Yanling stood up with a smile. Queen Mother Zhang came forward and took Zhang Yanling's hand, looked up and down, nodded and said: "Well, although he is a little darker and thinner, he looks in good spirits. He also looks much more majestic. My little monkey of the Zhang family. I have finally grown up and become a powerful figure in the world. The Ai family is so happy."
Zhang Yanling said with a smile: "Second sister, how are you doing? She looks good and seems to be in a good mood. I feel relieved now. Have you received the Nanyang specialties I asked someone to bring back?"
Empress Dowager Zhang smiled and said: "I got it. Well, that mink cloak is very warm. It was very cold last winter, so wearing that mink cloak made me feel warm and tight. There are also local specialties you brought back, ivory pagodas, gemstones and jewelry. Yes, everyone in the Ai family likes it."
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "That's good. This time I brought some gifts to the second sister. They will bring them in when they come to the palace in the evening of two days. The things they have brought back now are in a mess and are being sorted out."
Empress Dowager Zhang smiled and said: "What are you spending money on? You have a big family to support now. I heard that you have also handed over Tianmu Manor to the court, but how can you maintain it? Don't spend money randomly here at the Ai family. Save more and don't let it go. Do you understand Princess Ruyi, Tan Ruqing and others suffering with you? The most important thing for a man is not to let his wife and children suffer with you, but to treat them well."
Zhang Yanling nodded and said: "Yanling knows, thank you second sister for your concern. Don't worry, we can still deal with it. Second sister should know Yanling's methods, isn't she a good hand at making money?"
Empress Dowager Zhang said angrily: "Little monkey, you are very clever. Sit down quickly and I will make you some tea. The clouds and mist in Lushan Mountain are the first to appear this year."
Zhang Yanling sat down with a smile and said: "Second sister is so kind. She knew that brother was coming and specially prepared such a good new tea."
Empress Dowager Zhang blushed and did not answer. She took a tea cup and made tea for Zhang Yanling and said: "The Ai family knew that you returned to Beijing yesterday and wanted to pick you up, but they thought it would be complicated and troublesome once you leave the palace." , cars, troops and horses all had to be dispatched, so they didn’t go to pick you up. Furthermore, the Aijia didn’t want to disturb your husband and wife’s reunion. They haven’t been at home for a year and a half, and they couldn’t have a proper reunion when they met. The Aijia was preparing to call I'm going to tell you to rest at home for a few days before going to the palace to see the Ai family. You came so early. This is not good. They will blame the Ai family later. After drinking tea for a while, you go back quickly. Follow them carefully. They will be reunited for a few days to recuperate their health. They will come to see me again in a few days so that we, siblings, can talk to each other properly."
Zhang Yanling said with a smile: "Second sister, I have just arrived and my butt has not yet settled down, so you are going to drive me away? Second sister is angry with me because of what happened in the past? Yanling kowtowed to second sister to apologize."
Zhang Yanling said and stood up again to kowtow to Queen Mother Zhang. Queen Mother Zhang frowned and said: "Yanling, don't say these words. You and Heling are the only relatives of the Ai family in this world. How can the Ai family be angry with you?" ?We are a family. Before my father and mother died, they entrusted you to me and asked me to take good care of you and support the Zhang family. How could the Ai family...can't treat my father and mother?"
Zhang Yanling looked at Queen Mother Zhang quietly, with complicated emotions in her heart.
"Yanling, remember, no matter what happens, the second sister will never blame you. You will always be my brother. The three of us Zhang family siblings will always be a family. Do you understand?" Empress Dowager Zhang looked at Zhang Yanling and spoke softly.
road.
Zhang Yanling's heart was filled with huge waves. Not long ago, he was angry because he discovered what happened between Yang Tinghe and the Queen Mother. When he learned that Yang Tinghe was coming today, Zhang Yanling was determined to make a big fuss. He had to stop them.
The scandal continues to develop.
But now, Zhang Yanling was hesitant. He asked himself in his heart, did he really want to make the Queen Mother unhappy? Do he want to destroy the happiness she had? Even if the happiness was illusory and false, this pair
For the second sister, it is her cherished emotional sustenance. Isn’t it what I want for her to be happy? Do I want to see the Queen Mother in pain and live like a zombie in the palace?
However, this matter is too relevant. If it is leaked, it will be a huge wave that will destroy everything. Everything that I have worked hard for may disappear. Moreover, Yang Tinghe has bad intentions.
What consequences will it bring? It is really difficult to predict.
Should she cut off all of this with thunderous means again, or should she let the Queen Mother be happy and live a life that she felt was happy? It was really hard to make a choice.
If Zhang Yanling was originally from this era, he would naturally act without hesitation. But he is a person who came from later generations. Although he has blended in, some of his inner thoughts and concepts are still there. This makes it difficult for him to make a choice.
If this was an unrelated person, it would be very simple. However, this is my sister. A relative who loves me, does many things selflessly for me, shielded me from wind and rain, and helped me a lot.
How could I hurt her without blinking an eye, being so heartless that I felt no psychological burden?
Zhang Yanling has always been a decisive person, but now she feels complicated and has difficulty making a decision.