Passing through the deep and dense road covered with flowers and trees, not far ahead is Jingren Palace, where Empress Dowager Zhang lives. Someone is walking quickly in front of her. Before Zhang Yanling recognized who it was, the person opposite shouted with joy.
.
"Is it Mr. Hou? Oh, it's finally here."
Zhang Yanling also recognized that person, it was Zhang Zhong, the chamberlain beside Queen Mother Zhang. Zhang Zhong quickly stepped forward and climbed on the ground to kowtow to Zhang Yanling.
"My servant Zhang Zhong wishes to congratulate the Marquis. Congratulations to the Marquis on his triumphant return and promotion to deputy governor of the regiment." Zhang Zhong said loudly.
Zhang Yanling laughed and said: "The information is quite good, let's take a look!"
Zhang Yanling reached out and took out a piece of silver in his arms and handed it over.
Zhang Zhong said hurriedly: "How dare I ask for a reward from the Marquis? I sincerely congratulate you, not to ask for a reward."
Zhang Yanling said with a smile: "You think it's too little, don't you? I'm going to court today, and I only have ten taels of silver with me. If you think it's too little, there's nothing I can do about it."
Zhang Zhong hurriedly took it, kowtowed with a smile and thanked him: "My slave, thank you Lord Marquis for the reward. Ten taels of silver is not enough? My monthly salary is only three taels, Lord Marquis is really generous."
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "Serve the Queen Mother well, and you will be rewarded in the future. Where are you going, Eunuch Zhang?"
Zhang Zhong said hurriedly: "I was just going to invite the Marquis. The Queen Mother heard that the court had dispersed early, so she had been waiting for the Marquis in the palace for a long time. She did not see the Marquis arriving after waiting for a long time, and she was worried that the Marquis had forgotten.
Anyway, I asked my servant to go to the front and have a look. No, I just walked a few steps and met the Marquis."
Zhang Yanling raised her head and looked at the sun. She had indeed spent too long talking to Liu Jin. It was already noon, and it was probably almost noon.
"Oh, I just met an acquaintance and chatted for a few words before being delayed. Stop standing here and leave quickly. I'm afraid the Queen Mother will be impatient to wait." Zhang Yanling said with a smile.
Zhang Zhong quickly led the way, and the two of them walked quickly and soon entered the palace gate of Jingren Palace. Entering from the front yard, the palace maids and eunuchs who were watering flowers and sweeping the floor in the yard stopped to salute all the way, passed through the front yard, and along the corridor
Entering the atrium of the apse, the scenery here is extremely beautiful. The courtyard is colorful, all kinds of flowers are in bloom, and the fragrance of various flowers is floating in the air.
Zhang Yanling was in a happy and eager mood. She had not seen her sister, the Queen Mother, for many days, and Zhang Yanling missed her very much. She was about to see her, so she was naturally very excited.
The atrium was quiet, and the two parrots hanging on the corridor were dozing off. They were awakened by the two people approaching, and they tilted their heads and looked at them curiously.
Zhang Yanling and Zhang Zhong walked to the door of the Spring Pavilion where the Queen Mother lived and stood there. Zhang Zhong was about to speak through the brocade curtain embroidered with flowers, birds and peonies when he heard the parrot in the birdcage call.
"Sir is here, sir is here."
"Serve tea, serve tea, quickly."
Zhang Yanling was startled and looked at the two parrots in amazement. One of the parrots suddenly burst into laughter, which made Zhang Yanling's hair stand on end.
"Two flat-haired beasts, what are you talking about? I'll stew you tomorrow. Shut up." Zhang Zhong cursed at the two parrots.
The two parrots lazily rolled their eyes at Zhang Zhong, clinging to each other and dozing off.
Zhang Zhong said with a smile: "Master Hou, don't be surprised, these two flat-haired beasts are just startled."
Zhang Yanling said with a smile: "It really scared me. The Queen Mother keeps these two parrots. Wouldn't it scare people to death when they talk in the middle of the night?"
Zhang Zhong apologized in embarrassment and did not answer the conversation.
At this moment, a woman's voice came from the Spring Pavilion: "Zhang Zhong, who are you talking to? I asked you to go and see why Jianchang Hou hasn't arrived yet, why are you still lingering here?"
Before Zhang Zhong could answer, Zhang Yanling shouted loudly: "Second sister, Yanling is here."
The room was silent for a moment, and the next moment a surprised voice came: "Little brother, little brother. You are here."
Zhang Yanling opened the door curtain and rushed in, only to see Empress Dowager Zhang walking out from the carved garden door of the inner hall with a face full of surprise. Zhang Yanling shouted and stepped forward quickly, originally thinking of hugging Empress Dowager Zhang.
But she felt it was inappropriate. When she was hesitating, Queen Mother Zhang had already hugged Zhang Yanling's arm.
"You little monkey, you're here. The Ai family wants you to die. Do you still know how to come to see the Ai family? The Ai family are worried to death. I heard that you were injured. Where is the injury? You are in good condition.
Is it done?”
Queen Mother Zhang shed tears as she spoke. She reached out and searched around Zhang Yanling's body, trying to see where Zhang Yanling's injuries were.
Zhang Yanling was moved in her heart and said hurriedly: "Second sister, I was worried. It was just a minor injury and it has recovered. Second sister, please don't cry. Didn't I come back fine?"
Empress Dowager Zhang looked up at Zhang Yanling's face, stretched out her hand to touch Zhang Yanling's dark face, and said with tears on her face: "I have lost so much weight and become a lot darker. I do look a little bit more manly. I like it, little monkey cub."
You did something dangerous. You almost lost your life when you went to the Xuan Mansion last year. What kind of rebellion are you going to quell again this time? There are so many generals and princes in the court, why are you asked to go? It's really annoying."
Zhang Yanling laughed, but couldn't answer. Although the Queen Mother complained about herself, she definitely didn't really blame herself. All of this was love from the bottom of her heart. She, her sister, really had nothing to say to her.
"Second sister, we are all prolongers, don't you? Don't be angry. My mouth is parched, can you drink some tea first?" Zhang Yanling said with a smile.
Empress Dowager Zhang hurriedly said: "Yes, yes, look at me, I have forgotten all this joy. Isn't my mouth and tongue dry since I went to court? Come, please make tea quickly. Make the new tea that the emperor sent a few days ago."
"
A female official hurriedly agreed to make tea. After rummaging through the boxes for a while, she suddenly said: "Your Majesty, the new tea is gone."
Empress Dowager Zhang frowned and said, "How come there isn't one? Didn't the Emperor just bring two boxes a few days ago?"
The female official looked a little strange and whispered: "Did the Queen Mother forget? Didn't you give it to... to..."
Empress Dowager Zhang suddenly remembered and said hurriedly: "Yes, yes, look at my memory. The new tea was given to someone else. I don't usually drink tea, but I forgot about it. Yanling, then I will drink something else."
Zhang Yanling said with a smile: "I'm not particular. I can drink any tea, as long as it can quench my thirst."
Empress Dowager Zhang nodded with a smile, took Zhang Yanling into the inner hall, sat down at the Eight Immortals table near the window, and held Zhang Yanling's hand and refused to let go.
Zhang Yanling also looked at Empress Dowager Zhang with a smile, and found that Empress Dowager Zhang's complexion was rosy, her brows were stretched, her skin was delicate and smooth, and her skin seemed to be shining white. Her whole face was radiant. She was very happy in her heart.
"The second sister looks good and looks good, as if she is ten years younger. When I see the second sister after the New Year, she still looks not so good. It seems that the second sister has taken good care of herself recently," Zhang Yanling said with a smile.
Empress Dowager Zhang blushed and said angrily: "Why are you ten years younger? The Ai family are all old women."
Zhang Yanling said with a smile: "I don't like hearing this anymore. Isn't the second sister only in her thirties? How can she be called an old woman? Besides, the second sister really looks like she is in her early twenties now. Yanling is the best
Be honest and never lie when you speak."
Empress Dowager Zhang smiled and said: "The little monkey knows how to coax people. No wonder he coaxed a few good women back home. Speaking of which, the Ai family does feel much better. I think this is probably Ruqing's contribution. After the new year, she will
She has come to the palace every month to treat and nurse me back to health, and some of the women’s illnesses in Aijia’s body have been cured. Aijia has to thank her.”
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "I see, what are you grateful for? We are all a family. Seeing that the second sister is in good health and spirit, Yanling is really happy."
Empress Dowager Zhang nodded and said: "Second sister is also very happy to see that you have grown up now and are capable, and can lead the army to suppress the rebellion. My youngest brother in the Zhang family, the most worrying brother, can finally help the Zhang family.
The family is shining brightly. If my parents are still alive, they must be very happy. They must also be very happy under Jiuquan. I will be able to meet them under Jiuquan and be able to do business. The second sister has lived up to their expectations. You all
I have grown up."
As Queen Mother Zhang said these words, her eyes became moist again.
Zhang Yanling said with a smile: "Why are you crying again? Isn't this a happy thing? Over the years, the second sister has worried about my brother and me. The second sister has worked really hard. From now on, the eldest brother and I will take good care of the second sister."
"
Queen Mother Zhang smiled and nodded.
Zhang Yanling whispered: "Is the relationship between the second sister and the emperor better now? Does the emperor come to visit the second sister often?"
Empress Dowager Zhang's face changed, and she sighed and said: "I'm afraid the Ai family and the emperor have no fate. Maybe the Ai family treated him a little too harshly before, and the emperor complained a little about the Ai family. But things are much better now. The emperor has been here a few times.
After all, the food and clothing are the best. I am already satisfied."
Zhang Yanling could naturally hear the implication of her words. It seemed that the relationship between the Queen Mother and the Emperor had not improved much.
"Yes, I almost forgot, the emperor is coming to have dinner with us at noon. I have to order people to prepare. Today you are here too, and the Ai family will cook a few side dishes in person. It's a pity that He Ling is not in the capital, otherwise our family
It’s a day of great reunion,” said Empress Dowager Zhang.
Zhang Yanling smiled and nodded. Zhang Heling went to the south a few months ago, and went to Yangzhou, Nanjing, Suzhou and other places with a few friends to see if there were any business opportunities. He has not returned to the capital yet. Zhang Yanling knows where he is looking for business opportunities.
I went to the southern place where fireworks are flourishing to have fun, but now I can’t miss Shu anymore.
His brother had this kind of virtue, and there was nothing Zhang Yanling could do about it. But as long as he was happy, Zhang Yanling didn't need him to do anything. But today, he couldn't share the joy of his triumphant promotion and reunion with the Queen Mother.
"Sit down, little brother. I'll go to the kitchen and cook some delicious dishes for you. Don't you like fried foie gras? My sister will cook it for you." Queen Mother Zhang stood up and said with a smile.
Zhang Yanling smiled and nodded her thanks, and Queen Mother Zhang walked quickly outside while rolling up her sleeves.
Zhang Yanling was sitting in the room drinking tea, feeling very relaxed. Looking around, she found that the furnishings and decorations in the Queen Mother's room were very different. Before, the decoration in the Queen Mother's room was simple and dark, giving people a rather depressing feeling.
.Now it is a painted building with colorful windows, hanging calligraphy and paintings of landscapes, birds, and bright flowers. It should give people the feeling that the owner is in a good mood.
Zhang Yanling was happy. It seemed that her second sister had gotten rid of the pain of losing her husband and had come out of the darkness. This was exactly what Zhang Yanling wanted to see.
Zhang Yanling drank the tea, stood up and wandered around the room. Behind the curtain in the inner room was a book table with books, pens, ink and papers. Zhang Yanling walked over and flipped through the book, but it was a Book of Songs.
The second sister actually started studying, which is really surprising.
Zhang Yanling looked at the few white papers on the table, which were densely written with small characters in regular script. Zhang Yanling picked up one of them and looked at it, but it was a copy of the text in the Book of Songs. It was not neat, as if he was practicing writing, but also
It's just something I wrote when I was bored in my spare time.
"There are bandit gentlemen who are as good at cutting as if they were sparring, as hard as polishing... There are some bandit gentlemen who are like gold as tin, like a guide as jade..."
"...A gentleman has a quiet sense of humor, is courteous, courteous, and talented. He knows everything from heart to heart, and has a complete understanding of books and history..."
"...The thought of a gentleman is as warm as jade. In his wooden house, it disturbs my heart..."
Zhang Yanling looked at the verses copied on the paper and suddenly felt a little strange. He put down the paper and turned around to look. Suddenly his eyes were attracted by a portrait hanging at the bedside inside the tent.
Through the gauze-like curtain, one can vaguely distinguish the portrait of a man's back. He is holding a book in his hand, wearing a turban on his head, and has a slender figure. He looks like a scholar. It's just that he can't see clearly, but he can't identify it.
I can’t tell who the painting is.
Zhang Yanling was about to get closer and take a closer look when she heard the sound of footsteps as the Empress Dowager Zhang left and returned. Seeing Zhang Yanling standing by the desk, the Empress Dowager Zhang had a trace of panic on her face and said loudly: "Brother, you want to eat something salty?"
Some or lighter?”
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "Anything is fine."
Empress Dowager Zhang approached, pulled Zhang Yanling and said: "Come, come with me to the kitchen, and you can taste it yourself later, in case it doesn't suit your taste."
Zhang Yanling was slightly startled, then smiled and said, "Okay."