People who grew up in the countryside will inevitably be stunned by the prosperity and wealth of big cities when they enter the city for the first time. And even small citizens in big cities will inevitably be trembling and timid when they enter the official office of a marquis for the first time. As for the
When the leading figures in the Marquis government office enter the palace for the first time, their performance is not much better than that of a countryman who enters the city for the first time.
The Queen Mother just wanted to use such a simple truth to test the quality of the Hong family. However, when she was thinking this, she only heard Zhu Ying laugh: "The Queen Mother, this method sounds very good, but this
In this world, there is a kind of person who is different from others. If you say it well, it will make Mount Tai collapse in front of you without changing his expression. If you say it badly, he doesn't care."
Zhu Ying glanced at Zhang Shou proudly as she spoke: "Just like my Shou, when a beauty like me fell from the sky, he would avoid me like a snake or a scorpion, and he would like to stay away from me every day! When he comes to Beijing,
He seemed to be more interested in that city gate than the deep courtyard of my house. Later, after he entered the palace, I saw that he was quite calm!"
Zhang Shou didn't expect that Zhu Ying would use himself as an example, so he could only laugh. He was not a real country boy. He had seen almost all the gardens these days. Perhaps many of the gardens in later generations were renovated antiques.
Architecture, but in terms of sophistication, it is definitely not inferior to the designs of the ancients. He is almost tired of looking at the ancient streets, towns and gardens. Even the palaces he has seen are from more than a dozen countries.
He came out of the era of information explosion. Perhaps he may not be as good as those old foxes in terms of fighting wisdom, but in terms of vision and knowledge, he is far ahead of them. What's so amazing about mansions and palaces? They are top-notch.
Natural wonders, how big and small the earth is when viewed from space, will make people inexplicably excited, okay?
But the Queen Mother didn't know what Zhang Shou was thinking. Because of Zhu Ying's words, she looked at Zhang Shou again. Seeing this elegant and handsome young man smiling somewhat self-deprecatingly, she couldn't help but move the prayer beads in her hand and smile accordingly.
Laughed.
"Yingying, I think you always praise your own vision whenever you get the chance. How many people can you choose in the world who can make even Mrs. Ge and Mrs. Ge full of praise? Then the Hong family is only her father's.
Bragging, if she can really enter the palace but turn a blind eye to the wealth and honor, and act as if no one else is around, then it means that her father recommended the right person."
At this point, the Queen Mother said with a half-smile: "Chu Kuan did not take the initiative to greet her today. But I heard that all the heads of the ceremony supervisors below him were mobilized, and there were also two ministers.
Palace, two Shangyi."
Zhang Shou simply didn't know what to say. Even though he had experienced all kinds of strong onlookers in the past, the treatment of Hong's onlookers today was no worse than what he had received before. If she was really just an ordinary girl, in such a situation
Under Dory's inspection, even if there is a small problem, big problems will be picked out, and even if there is no problem, small problems will be picked out! To be honest, this is a bit bullying.
He couldn't help but frown, and this expression immediately fell into the eyes of the Queen Mother, who had been observing him carefully.
However, the Queen Mother did not expect that it was Zhu Ying who was more directly disgusted than Zhang Shou.
"Although that old guy surnamed Hong is very annoying, let's take his daughter around the palace first and see her reaction. The head of the ceremonial supervisor is enough. Why go there in such a swarm?" He just sat down.
Zhu Ying sneered and simply stood up, "How many people in the palace used to be courteous in front of the eldest prince? Why, now they are thinking about other things?"
Seeing Zhu Ying, she said "I'll go take a look" and then went out without saying a word. Zhang Shou was about to stop him, but seeing her furious look, he gave up the idea unknowingly. When the curtain fell, there was only one person in the room.
Only the Queen Mother, himself, the female official Yuquan whom he had just met, and a few palace servants were left, and he laughed.
"Just like what Yingying said just now, when I first met her, I just thought she was an ordinary daughter of a noble family, just too beautiful to be true. Of course, I had to hide as much as possible. But later we spent a lot of time together.
Now, seeing that she has a frank personality and that although she does things her own way, she is still aboveboard, I gradually feel that she is really a very special and interesting girl."
"Thanks to the Queen Mother, the best grandmother, parents and brother, she can grow up without worries with such a temperament."
The Queen Mother did not expect that Zhang Shou would comment on Zhu Ying like this in front of her. If Zhu Ying had been replaced by someone else, she would have felt that Zhang Shou's praise was deliberately told to her, but just because it was Zhu Ying, she only felt that it was her careful
When the cherished treasure met someone with a discerning eye, the eyes he looked at Zhang Shou softened unknowingly.
How many people only think that Zhu Ying is a idiot with a gaudy appearance, but have they ever understood her?
She always felt that Zhu Ying was special. From the first time she came in front of her, she stretched out her hands to hold the little pink dumplings, and then to the little girl who looked like a cheerful colorful butterfly every time she entered the palace. Every time she saw her, the girl seemed to
Like the bright sunshine, it illuminates this gloomy palace. It is a kind of brilliance that is held in the palm of someone's hand and pampered, so there is no evil thought.
Therefore, she has always cared more about this girl than those princesses and princesses.
Without the protection of elders like them, that little glory might have been tarnished by the darkness of the world.
"Yingying is like this. While she scolds and even hates a person, she sees that person being wronged that he doesn't deserve, but she can't help but want to help." The Queen Mother smiled unknowingly, and even the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes appeared.
She relaxed slightly and said, "This time I am very curious whether her sincerity will feed the donkey's liver and lungs!"
Hearing what the Queen Mother said, Zhang Shou knew that the Queen Mother was still deeply wary of the Hong family. At the moment, he just smiled. Although he was a little curious about what would happen when Zhu Ying came back later, he didn't
Open your mouth and speak.
He and the Queen Mother did not have many topics in common, so instead of forcing a conversation that was uncomfortable for both of them, it would be better to remain silent and take a break. He had no interest in pleasing the Queen Mother, and there was no need to do so.
Therefore, Zhang Shou, who was the most able to sit still, sat there calmly, wandering around and making his own student training plan in his mind - whether it was Zhang Chen, Lu Sanlang, the first batch of students, or Jiuzhangtang
In the second grade, or in the current first grade, he passed by a name in his mind, but he didn't have to worry about passing the time.
But when he was distracted in an upright manner, the Queen Mother saw it in her eyes, and gradually she felt some admiration. It was not that she was used to seeing ministers who were trembling in front of her, but now that she suddenly saw a calm and composed one, she would appreciate his character.
, but she has realized that Zhang Shou does not have the kind of ambition to pursue an official career and become a successful person.
Because anyone with such thoughts will find ways to show themselves even when facing her, the Queen Mother, who has handed over power.
On the side, Yuquan, the first female official of the Qingning Palace, who had served the Queen Mother since the early years of Yongchen, and later took charge of the Shang Palace Bureau, and only handed over the power after she was canonized as Queen, was truly shocked.
She is very aware of the Queen Mother's true attitude towards Zhang Shou. Zhang Shou, a smart man, should also be able to realize that Zhang Shou rarely comes to Qingning Palace now, but he dares to go his own way in front of the Queen Mother? Could it be that he has been with Zhu Ying for too long?
Have you learned all about that young lady’s independent personality?
Regardless of whether he was being negligent or indifferent, Zhang Shou didn't come back to his senses until he heard the sound of Zhu Ying talking to someone outside. Being familiar with Zhu Ying, he immediately recognized that the eldest lady's voice was very cheerful.
It was obvious that she was in a good mood at the moment. As expected, when the outer curtain opened and Zhu Ying came in first, her face was filled with a smile.
"Ah Shou, Mrs. Hong is a very interesting person. I thought she was very old-fashioned before, but I didn't expect that she has some very special abilities. Some of the colorful silks that are popular in the capital today are even from her designs...
"
Seeing Zhu Ying walking over happily and happily, she walked around to his side while talking, and actually whispered into his ear. Even though Zhang Shou was used to the eldest lady's usual unscrupulous behavior, he couldn't help but smile slightly.
He was stunned. But soon, his full attention was attracted by Zhu Ying's low whisper.
"Ah Shou, this Hong family is indeed very ordinary-looking, but she is very good at matching clothes, and she looks very energetic, which makes me feel very comfortable and attractive. Moreover, her voice is very soft, neither humble nor overbearing, but
It makes a lot of sense, and makes you willing to listen to what she says without realizing it. Moreover, I asked her bluntly why she was willing to marry the eldest prince, and she said..."
Zhu Ying paused for a moment, as if hesitating about what to say. However, when the woman she had just met entered the main hall and appeared in front of her, she was startled.
She said in a very low voice: "She said that she married the eldest prince not for her father, but for herself. She wanted to tell the eldest prince, who had always been proud of his birth, that unlike him, a
What kind of career can a woman without looks and family background achieve?"
Although Zhu Ying's voice had been deliberately kept very low, Yuquan, whose clairvoyance was by no means inferior to Ah Liu, could hear it clearly and repeated it word for word even in the ear of the Queen Mother.
However, the Queen Mother didn't pay much attention to Yuquan's words, because as soon as the woman came in, she kept staring at the person.
It was an ordinary face - ordinary facial features that would definitely be ignored in a crowd, a slightly high forehead, and even thicker pores could be seen on the yellowed skin, if it weren't for the straight nose
With her rosy lips, fairly slender figure, and matching clothes, some people may believe her when she is said to be in her thirties.
However, the most attractive thing is those bright eyes. From those eyes, the Queen Mother, who has seen countless people, seems to see those familiar figures who were once silent, but at the critical moment, they did not hesitate to shine with all the light and heat.
There is her direct nephew, Zhu Jing, who was once just a low-ranking military attache, but resolutely took over the important task when her two direct brothers were timid in battle, outnumbered and finally achieved great fame; there is also the one who was just a military officer at first.
Tongzhi, who was depressed and frustrated, could persuade her husband, Emperor Ruizhong, to launch a surprise attack at all costs at the critical moment of the struggle for the throne in the last years of Yingzong's reign, Zhang Yun, the first Duke of Qin.
There are also many people who are young but stand up to support the banner of her husband Emperor Ruizong in the midst of the bloody storm.
Although this was just a momentary misunderstanding, when she saw Hong's graceful curtsey, the Empress Dowager's initial joking and carelessness disappeared. After Yuquan obeyed her instructions to refrain from saluting, she asked with a smile: "You are the one?"
Hong's family? How old are you this year? What books did you read when you were a child?"
This was the opening statement that the Queen Mother often used when meeting with officials, wives and daughters. But when they asked about it now, both Zhu Ying and Zhang Shou noticed that there was something wrong in the words. Zhang Shou grabbed Zhu Ying's words without even thinking.
Ying's hand, seeing Zhu Ying looking towards him, he shook his head slightly at her.
To others, this little gesture between the two of them was just a small interaction between unmarried children. The Queen Mother didn't pay attention to it, but the plain-looking Hong couldn't help but take a look, and then smiled slightly.
Immediately afterwards, she spoke calmly: "Reporting to the Queen Mother, I am twenty-eight years old this year. Because my father studied Confucian classics, I have read the Four Books and Five Classics since I was a child, including historical records and Chinese books, anthologies of hundreds of schools of thought, and some laws and music.
Miscellaneous subjects.”
The Queen Mother couldn't help but be stunned for a moment, and then smiled meaningfully: "I remember the emperor told me that your father said that you could memorize all kinds of books on women's virtues and be proficient in needlework and women's red, but he didn't say that you
I have read so many books. When Yingying came in, she only said that you were clever and ingenious, and you had actually designed several unique styles of Hangzhou silk."
"I just met Miss Zhu for a short time, and I haven't had time to say anything else. In front of the Queen Mother, I naturally dare not hide it. As for my father saying that I have only read books on women's virtues, that's because my father
In his eyes, he only has knowledge of etiquette and law, and the academy students do not have much control over his daughter, so he does not know her preferences in reading."
The Queen Mother listened to Hong's frank explanation of what she had learned, and immediately asked with a smile: "Then do you think it is far from enough if girls only read books on women's virtues when they are young?"
"It's not not enough, it's far from enough."
Hong smiled slightly and said, neither humble nor overbearing, "Back then, the Song sisters themselves were unmarried, their poems and books were passed down to the world, they were called female bachelors in the palace, and they were teachers of concubines and princesses, but they passed down the Analects of Confucius to the women of the world.
Words and deeds are inconsistent. If they want to pay attention to women's ethics, they did not marry after the deadline, which was against the imperial decree that men should marry when they are young and women should marry when they are young. Why should they write books and teach others? "
Zhu Ying did not expect that the Hong family would dare to speak to the Queen Mother in such a tone, and she couldn't help but look surprised for a moment.
However, Zhang Shou heard an obvious trace of conversation skills from Hong's words. Therefore, he still held Zhu Ying tightly to prevent the eldest lady from interrupting. The next moment,
He just listened to Hong's calm words: "The male is responsible for the outside world, the female is responsible for the internal affairs, diligence, thrift, harmony, family management, gentleness... It is not that these should not be learned, but it is not enough to only learn these."
"I don't know why women like the Song sisters and Ban Zhao are most handed down not their poems and songs but these articles. But after reading all the books in my father's study since I was a child, I couldn't help but look for them.
I read a lot of books and later saw the tragic situation of countless lonely and weak women struggling to survive, so I vowed that as long as I have the ability, I will allow women to broaden their horizons."