Night shrouded the palace, and the emperor's eyes seemed to be shining brightly. During the day, the shock brought by Mrs. Chu's entry into the palace had not dissipated.
But I can’t even remember what it looks like specifically, it’s just the beauty itself.
This must have been the case for everyone in the palace at that time.
But what he envied was not the appearance, but another kind of beauty.
The emperor put his hands on his knees, looked lost in thought for a moment, and then sighed again.
"Mrs. Chu, you are so majestic."
Lady Chu's various actions from setting off to traveling to entering the city were reported and described, and the emperor heard them all with his own ears, as if he had seen them with his own eyes.
"Such a luxurious carriage, driving on the road wantonly."
"Go when you want to go, stop when you want to, enjoy the water when you encounter it, and see the mountains when you see them."
"The banner is fierce, and everyone from the official family comes to pay their respects."
"Oh, there was also a rabbit spirit and a deer spirit that showed up and bowed down to her."
Nothing like him. She hides her movements day and night and hides her movements. People and ghosts retreat. Mrs. Chu's face is covered, but everyone sees her, even the spirits come to see her.
"When I left the capital as King Lu, I was not so wanton."
Hu Ping sighed at the side: "This style is comparable to that of when His Majesty and the Imperial Concubine traveled together."
The emperor smiled: "Back then, we didn't need so many soldiers and horses to travel."
At that time, the world was peaceful, and the late emperor had fun with the people many times, and even took his concubine to the night market...
Both the emperor and the eunuch were caught up in reminiscing about the past, and the more they reminisced, the more emotional they became... They were living in dire straits, and only Mrs. Chu's life was glorious.
Hu Ping said: "Ankang Mountain is dead. Everything will be fine when your Majesty returns to Beijing!"
That's not necessarily true. If there are certain people around, it will not be easy for him to return to the capital. The emperor sighed: "The thieves have been causing harm for four years. Daxia has suffered a lot. The people are in dire straits and are riddled with wounds. There is a long way to go after returning to the capital. Let's recuperate first.
Get better slowly."
Hu Ping nodded: "Thank you for your hard work, Your Majesty."
The emperor waved his hand: "I am not working hard, the people of Li are working hard, as well as the civil servants and generals such as Prime Minister Cui and Mrs. Chu Guo..."
He stopped to look at Hu Ping.
"Have the preparations started for the banquet?"
When Mrs. Chu came to see her, the emperor naturally wanted to take care of her.
Hu Ping responded: "Everything is ready. Don't worry, Your Majesty, they are all the best..."
At this point he sighed again.
"The best of us are afraid that Mrs. Chu will not be interested in her. I even went to the street to see the goods that those merchants claimed to be Mrs. Chu's favorite. Your Majesty..."
He looked at the emperor and spread his hands.
"We can't afford it."
The emperor was poor. Even if Songzhou had full warehouses at this time, they could not use them for banquets.
The emperor stood up and said: "It doesn't matter, it's best if you come to your mind. I'll go see the empress and ask her to take the concubines to work hard."
Since King Lu ascended the throne, he has not been to the harem and rarely met with the Queen. He only communicated through the eunuchs and maids.
The outside world praises His Majesty for his hard work, making the world uneasy and having no intention of having a harem. However, for eunuchs and maids like Hu Ping, it is another internal story that cannot be explained to outsiders...
There was a rift between the emperor and the queen.
Now in order to entertain Mrs. Chu, the emperor has to bow his head to the empress.
Hu Ping responded in behalf of His Majesty's grievance by calling for people to come and hold lanterns to display in the harem.
The lights moved slowly through the house, the dim lights in the backyard came on, and the sound of machines that kept going day and night stopped.
………
………
Because of the arrival of Mrs. Chu, many people have trouble sleeping tonight.
Mrs. Chu lived in a house arranged by the imperial court. Before she moved in, the soldiers and officials who arrived first rearranged the house.
Li Minglou didn't sleep either. He put on soft pajamas, spread his hair, applied medicine to his arm, and wrapped a wound cloth...
Under the lamp, a layer of black and red medicinal powder was applied to the smooth and jade-like arm, and then wrapped in a white cloth, which looked very strange.
Yuanji's face was full of worry: "Miss, has the wound healed?"
He couldn't see anything, and even called the bag to look at it. He couldn't see the bag that could knock away the monk's wooden stick...
"Much better." Li Minglou said, raising his arm and blowing on it gently, then smiled at Yuan Ji, "It doesn't hurt anymore."
Yuan Ji forced out a smile.
Jiang An walked in: "Just now the officials sent news that His Majesty will hold a dinner for Madam."
Yuanji frowned: "It's fine to have an audience, there's no need for a banquet."
This is Songzhou after all. No matter how strict it is, it can't be foolproof. There are many people and it's the emperor's banquet. The lady can't cover her face...
"It's not a big banquet." Jiang secretly said, "Your Majesty knows that Madam is not in good health, so it is only a small banquet attended by His Majesty, the Queen, Prime Minister Cui, and the princes."
This is equivalent to the emperor's family banquet. It is both valued and considerate, and very thoughtful, so it is difficult to refuse...
Li Minglou handed one end of the wound cloth to Yuan Ji: "Don't worry, then go and sit down."
Yuanji took the wound cloth and tied it skillfully: "The thoughts of the imperial court and His Majesty are still unclear..."
Li Minglou said: "We have already figured it out. If they refuse to go to the banquet this time, they have to think of other occasions. It is better to let them express their intentions as soon as possible so that we can get on our way."
The intention of the emperor and the court was to prevent Mrs. Chu from returning to the capital, so as not to deceive the emperor.
Li Minglou did not want to be controlled by the imperial court, nor did he want Wu Ya'er to return to the capital, where Wu Ya'er died.
Yuan Ji and Jiang An nodded and went to the banquet.
"There are Mingyu and Zhongqi watching over the imperial guards." Yuanji said, "I will accompany the young lady to the palace."
Li Minglou stretched and said, "Don't worry, there are our people in the palace watching."
………
………
Because of the arrival of Mrs. Chu, Songzhou City became more lively, and the courtyard at the back door of the palace seemed to have become a bustling city early in the morning.
"What is this car?"
"This is wine! Old wine!"
"The new rice has been delivered, where should I put it?"
"Nonsense! Of course it's the imperial kitchen!"
"I'm asking where the imperial kitchen is..."
The eunuchs were also busy running around.
"What are you busy with?" Weijuan stood on the porch holding a broom and asked curiously, "Why do you buy so many things?"
A eunuch next to him laughed: "Ayu, you just stay in the room and can't clean up. You don't even know that Mrs. Chu is here?"
Before joining Hu Ping, I introduced myself that I had been cleaning the palace library before, so I had no other extravagant aspirations when I came here, so I could just do old things.
When Hu Ping saw that he had sent so much money, he thought he was going to camp in front of His Majesty and was about to be on guard. Unexpectedly, he was someone who knew how to measure and was very satisfied and let him go.
As expected, he did not go to the big eunuchs, but only hung out among the lowly servants.
"I know Mrs. Chu is here," Wei said, "but it has nothing to do with us."
"It's relevant now." said the companion eunuch, "Your Majesty is going to host a banquet for the Lady of Chu. Look, you have bought so much wine and meat."
He smacked his lips.
"I have been with His Majesty for so long, and this is the first time I have seen so much wine and meat."
The world is suffering, the emperor is frugal, and the eunuchs eat and drink simply.
Wei Wei smiled: "That has nothing to do with us."
He turned to leave, but his fellow eunuch stopped him and said, "I told you to keep quiet. This time it is really related to us."
He looked left and right and waved to his ears.
He didn't stop smiling: "Is there anything I can't say?"
"Why are you so stupid!" The eunuch pulled him and whispered, "I heard that Eunuch Hu asked his godson to choose to serve at this banquet. That boy had many daily arrangements and had no chance to do things in front of His Majesty.
of."
Unfinished surprise: "Isn't there someone over there, Your Majesty?"
"There are not enough manpower!" said the eunuch, "You haven't seen Mrs. Chu's pomp and circumstance. Your Majesty only has a few people around you every day!"
Is that so? He said no, turned around and walked inward...
"Why are you going?" The fellow eunuch grabbed him.
He then said: "Let's do something."
The fellow eunuch stamped his feet: "What else are you doing! This is an opportunity to show your face in front of His Majesty! Don't you have money? That's what money is for!"
He coughed again, hinting and reminding.
"I don't have money, but I have a good relationship with that guy. I can help you talk..."
Wei said happily: "I'll give you money, you go ahead."
The eunuch Daxi grabbed him and refused to let go: "Let's go together! If you don't go, I won't go either!"
He hesitated: "It is enough for me to be in front of His Majesty in the palace, but I would like to see Mrs. Chu..."
The eunuch knew why he wanted to look at Mrs. Chu. The people above told him to keep an eye on this Ayu. After all, he was from outside and he had to be wary. It was said that he had a grudge against Han Xu. Han Xu had a close relationship with Mrs. Chu...
That's right, the eunuch grinned and couldn't let him refuse anymore, and came up with temptation: "When the time comes, I will let you wait behind Mrs. Chu, and see clearly!"
Without hesitation, he pulled me away.
………
………
The excitement during the day continued into the night, with lights on in many places in the palace and people walking around.
"Is there actually a midnight snack today?"
The patrolling guards walked past a place and smelled the fragrance and asked the eunuchs who came over carrying food boxes.
"It's not a midnight snack."
"It's a test dish."
Want to try a dish? Zhong Qi walked out of the queue, stretched out his hand and said, "Let me try it!"
The eunuchs were busy trying to get out of the way. Although they knew that this general was the emperor's new favorite, they still had reasons to refuse... Everyone wanted to try more of the dishes.
"It was sent to the Queen to taste."
"There's a banquet tomorrow night, so I don't dare to delay."
Hearing the Queen Mother, Zhong Qi took back his hand and let the eunuchs pass.
The leader of the imperial guard greeted him in front, and Zhong Qi hurriedly led the people over.
Due to the shortage of troops and horses, the emperor did not expand the number of imperial guards, leaving only the old people of the Lu Palace.
"General Xiao Qi," the leader of the imperial guards said, "I'm inviting you to send more people to the banquet tomorrow. Let's get familiar with the environment first."
Zhong Qi smiled and said, don't worry, and asked in a low voice: "Who else has your Majesty sent additional manpower?"
The leader of the guards smiled and said in a low voice: "Don't worry, it's only yours. Governor Li is still out chasing the rebels."
He reached out and patted her on the shoulder.
"This is your Majesty's trust in you."
Zhong Qi smiled happily: "I understand!" He saluted the leader of the guards and said, "Brother, please take care of me."
The leader of the guards said: "Just follow my arrangements."
Zhong Qi responded, and the leader of the imperial guard led the people over. Zhong Qi continued to move forward. In the night, a eunuch stood on the roadside to check the lights. Zhong Qi walked to him and stopped.
He asked in a low voice: "Is there no problem?"
He lowered his head and said, "No problem."
Zhong Qi staggered away and then raised his head, his expression dark and unclear. He turned off the lamp and disappeared into the darkness.
………
………
When Li Minglou walked into the palace again, there were no civil and military officials. It was much quieter than the last time. With the sunset, there was another kind of excitement.
Groups of eunuchs and palace maids gathered in groups, holding lanterns and carrying flowers to guide the way. There was faint sound of music in the distance.
The banquet was not placed in the main hall, but in the Queen's courtyard.
Cui Zheng stood outside the door and looked at the approaching woman.
"Master Prime Minister." Li Minglou leaned over and saluted.
Cui Zheng returned the gift: "Madam, please."
Yuan Ji lowered his head and retreated to the corridor. Li Minglou did not remain polite and walked into the room first. The interior decoration was simple and spacious.
At this time, three seats were placed on both sides, with the emperor and queen at the top, and musicians sitting behind the screen, playing soft music.
Cui Zheng sat at the two-person seat on the left, and Li Minglou sat at the one-person seat on the right.
"Compared with Madam's living room, isn't it simple?" Cui Zheng sat down and said, "Songzhou is a small town in a hurry."
Li Minglou did not deny or feel ashamed, and said: "Don't worry, Prime Minister, the imperial palace in the capital has been renovated. It will be restored to its grand splendor as soon as His Majesty returns to the palace."
Cui Zhengdao: "Shengjing is not only about food, clothing, housing and transportation, but also about the management of people's livelihood. Why did you let Wu and Zheng supervise the renovation?"
Li Minglou said calmly: "That's because they can't do anything else well."
Cui Zheng frowned: "Masters Wu and Zheng have been officials for many years, how can you judge this at such a young age?"
Li Minglou looked at him: "Prime Minister, Mr. Wu Zheng has been an official in the peaceful and prosperous times for many years. These troubled times are different. Although I am young, I have done pretty well in the past few years. Otherwise, I would not have been granted the title of Chu Kingdom."
The lady is in charge of a place."
As expected, Feiyang was domineering. Cui Zheng raised his eyebrows: "Let me ask you, what happened to the Emperor's Seal?"
Li Minglou looked at him and smiled: "Who gave me the Emperor's Seal? Does the Prime Minister know very well?"
He actually admitted it! Cui Zheng stood up: "Then you still dare to talk nonsense?"
"I didn't," Li Minglou said, "King Zhao told me so."
Cui Zheng crossed the seat and stepped over: "You are talking nonsense! How could King Zhao say that!"
Li Minglou sat still and said: "Master Xiang doesn't believe it, so go ask King Zhao."
Cui Zheng shouted angrily: "You!"
The eunuch shouted from behind the screen, "Your Majesty is here!"