Xiao Feng's face was still expressionless, but his eyes were gentler, and he said: "My grandson is usually negligent and unfilial. Please forgive me, Grandma Huang."
When the dishes were served, the Empress Dowager ordered those dishes to be placed in front of Xiao Feng. She smiled very kindly and said, "These dishes are all your favorites, especially the squirrel mandarin fish.
I remember when you were a child, you would ask the imperial kitchen to cook it every day at noon."
Hearing what she said, Xiao Lezi couldn't help but take another look at the squirrel mandarin fish. He didn't expect that Xiao Feng's iceberg face, which showed no emotion or anger, would actually show obvious love for a dish. This is really rare!
Xiao Feng said: "My grandson was young and ignorant at that time. I didn't expect that the imperial grandmother would still remember it, which made my grandson feel ashamed."
"It's good. The Aijia knows that you are busy with official duties every day and very tired. When you come to the Aijia from now on, just tell them what you want to eat and the Aijia will have someone cook it for you."
Xiao Feng said: "How dare you trouble the imperial grandmother with such a trivial matter? My grandson is not a child anymore and he will handle it on his own."
"That's right," the Empress Dowager suddenly cast her eyes on Xiao Lezi and smiled meaningfully, "Now that the harem has no owner and the emperor has not married yet, you have to worry more about your daily diet. Do you understand?
"
Xiao Lezi nodded in agreement: "I understand, slave."
Xiao Feng filled a bowl of chicken soup with his own hands, placed it in front of the Empress Dowager, and said, "This soup tastes pretty good. You can try it."
Seeing that he was so filial, the Queen Mother was naturally very happy and immediately picked up the soup bowl: "What a good boy!"
Taking advantage of the opportunity when the Empress Dowager lowered her head to drink soup, Xiao Feng glanced at Xiao Lezi opposite, but saw that her expression was as usual, and she did not seem to be angry or sad because of what the Empress Dowager just said. He breathed a sigh of relief in his heart.
A little angry again.
After dinner, Xiao Feng said goodbye to the Queen Mother and led Xiao Lezi back to Jinhua Palace.
They took a shower and went to bed. Xiao Feng stared sideways at Xiao Lezi for a long time, and then said: "Don't worry, I will always be good to you."
Xiao Lezi slept with his eyes closed and seemed not to hear anything.
He had just succeeded to the throne and his foundation was unstable. He had to think twice before doing many things. Especially when Xiao Yun launched a mutiny before, he had planted his informants in the court. The first thing Xiao Feng did after he ascended the throne was to
These eyeliners were detected and eradicated. Although the results showed that he had done it very cleanly, he still suspected that one of the eyeliners had not been dealt with.
The other party was hiding very deeply, which made Xiao Feng feel uneasy. In addition, the other brothers had their own power and had their own agenda. It was more difficult for him to take the throne than he imagined.
At noon, Xiao Feng thought for a moment, then took a few attendants to Biquan Palace to have dinner with the Empress Dowager.
The dining table was filled with all kinds of delicacies. The Empress Dowager and Xiao Feng chatted for a few words and then ate quietly. After a bowl of rice, the Empress Dowager was full. Seeing her put down her bowl and chopsticks, Xiao Feng
He also stopped his bowls and chopsticks.
The Empress Dowager advised him to eat more, but he just shook his head: "I just had some snacks before I came here, and I'm not hungry."
They stood up and left the dining table. The Empress Dowager asked him to take a nap on the soft couch in the inner hall, saying: "You have been busy since morning, so you must be tired. Go inside and take a nap. After noon, the Ai family will come again."
Wake you up."
"Thank you, Imperial Grandmother, for your kindness. My grandson is not sleepy for the time being." Xiao Feng helped her sit on the Grand Master's chair and poured her a cup of tea himself. "My grandson wants to say a few words to you."
The Empress Dowager held hot tea and said, "You can tell me, the Ai family is listening."
Xiao Feng did not hesitate and directly expressed his thoughts: "It is about Prime Minister Wang's daughter. My grandson is very busy recently and I really have no intention of marrying the queen so soon."
"You mean Wang Shuhua?" Seeing him nod, the Queen Mother smiled, "I remember that child has liked you since she was a child. Her mother is Princess Yuyin, her grandmother is Princess Yiran, and her grandfather is Prince Ren.
Her father is the prime minister of the dynasty and was born into a serious scholar. Her grandfather and grandmother also came from prestigious scholarly families. In terms of wealth, background, and education, they are a perfect match for you. The Ai family feels that she is suitable for the position of queen.
"
Xiao Feng frowned slightly: "My grandson knows what you said, but if the queen's maternal clan is too powerful, I'm afraid it will be easy to give birth to relatives in the future. Since the founding of our dynasty, almost every dynasty has had relatives interfering with the imperial power, and my grandson does not want to raise her.
Tigers are in danger.”
The Empress Dowager said: "The Ai family understands what you mean. It is right for you to consider so much. However, you know your current situation better than the Ai family. You need the support of the noble family. Whether it is Prime Minister Wang or Prince Ren.
, behind them all represent the power of a family. If you can get their help, your life will be much easier now. You don’t want to be a half-hearted emperor in this life, right?"
She said this bluntly, but she knew very well that the military power was now in the hands of the Ninth Prince Xiao Shuiyuan. His attitude towards the late emperor was very loyal, but not necessarily toward Xiao Feng. So far, his position has not been determined.
As for the financial power, it was controlled by five prime ministers, headed by Prime Minister Zhao.
Xiao Shuiyuan is not ready to move for the time being, so he can only start with these five prime ministers. Compared with the cunning and powerful Prime Minister Zhao, the calm and low-key Prime Minister Wang is obviously more suitable to be won over.
As long as you first find a way to break into the prime minister's team, and then divide it from within, the financial power can be taken back into your hands little by little.
There is no doubt that this is a shortcut that requires almost no waste of soldiers. Anyone with some brains will choose this path.
Xiao Feng was a little hesitant. If he married the queen now, he was worried that Xiao Lezi would have random thoughts.
Seemingly knowing what he was thinking, the Empress Dowager said meaningfully: "The Ai family understands your concerns. Are you taking care of the girl in Jinhua Palace? But you have to understand that even if you don't marry the queen today, you will always be in trouble in the future.
If you want to make a queen one day, you can't leave the harem without a master forever. If you like that girl, this is her blessing, but people must know how to cherish blessings. Just based on her status, it is already rare to get your favor. If
If she still dares to think that this is a position that does not belong to her, then her blessings will come to an end."
Xiao Feng heard the threat in these words and felt a little uncomfortable. He tried to defend Xiao Lezi and said: "She never thought about becoming a queen, let alone getting any benefits from her grandson.
, everything she has now was given to her voluntarily by her grandson."
"This is because you are confused. When you love a woman, you must have principles. You cannot dote on her unconditionally. You are not pampering her, but harming her. When you raise her heart to become bigger and bigger, it will be big enough to satisfy ordinary things.
When you can't help her, she will take the initiative to get things that you are unwilling or unable to give. When she makes a big mistake, even if you want to protect her, there is nothing you can do."
The Empress Dowager finished these words slowly. She had stayed in this palace for more than sixty years and had seen too many ups and downs. She always had a very clear understanding of the thoughts of the women in the harem.
More importantly, she was reminding Xiao Feng that no matter how important a woman is, she cannot compare to the throne and power.
Xiao Feng lowered his eyes, remained silent for a moment, and said, "What if I don't agree to marry Wang Shuhua?"
"If this is really the case, the Aijia will be very disappointed with you. The Aijia will even wonder whether the late emperor's decision was wrong, because you don't seem to be suitable to be the emperor."
Xiao Feng was slightly shaken, and his young and handsome face was covered with a layer of mist, looking very melancholy.
The Empress Dowager seemed to be talking to herself: "You are very smart and hard-working. The Ai family and the late emperor have placed high hopes on you. You should not let down the love we have given you over the years just for the sake of a woman."
hope."
Xiao Feng's eyelashes trembled slightly, his face became a little ugly, and he whispered: "My grandson is very ashamed..."
Seeing his painful look, the Empress Dowager sighed helplessly and said: "If you really can't make this decision, then the Ai family will help you make the decision. When you come back, the Ai family will have someone pick up the girl.
In Biquan Palace, the Ai family will have a good talk with her in person, and I believe she will understand and accept your difficulties."
Xiao Feng raised his head and looked at her blankly. He wanted to refuse the proposal, but when he opened his mouth, the words of rejection could not come out.
In the end, he didn't say anything and left Biquan Palace in silence.
In the afternoon of that day, Xiao Lezi was invited to Biquan Palace by someone sent by the Empress Dowager.
Summoned by the Empress Dowager for two days in a row, Xiao Lezi secretly complained, could this old woman have any evil thoughts towards her?!
After she tidied up, she followed the little eunuch who delivered the order to Biquan Palace. She kowtowed again and paid her respects to the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager seemed to be more gentle today than yesterday. She asked Xiao Lezi to stand up, and then called Xiao Lezi to sit next to her. She held Xiao Lezi's hand and smiled amiably: "It's made in the imperial kitchen today.
The peach blossom cake tastes very good, and the Ai family specially asked the cook to make more, waiting for you to come over and try it."
After saying that, a palace maid came over with a plate of pale pink pastry. It was in the shape of five petals with a little vermilion in the middle. As expected, the pastry was as its name suggests, really like a peach blossom. With the permission of the Empress Dowager, Xiao Lezi twisted it.
Put a piece of pastry into your mouth and it will melt in your mouth. It is sweet and exudes a faint peach blossom fragrance. It is very delicious.
The Queen Mother asked with a smile: "Is it delicious?"
Xiao Lezi nodded vigorously: "It's delicious! Thank you, Queen Mother, for your grace!"
"You are already a member of the emperor's family, and soon you and the Ai family will become a family. There is no need to be so unfamiliar. You can just follow the emperor and call her the imperial grandmother of the Ai family."
Xiao Lezi hurriedly said: "I am from a humble background, how can I dare to climb up to the Queen Mother? This is really embarrassing for me!"
"If the Ai family says it's possible, it will definitely be possible. It's not considered too high a level!"
Seeing that the Empress Dowager insisted on doing this, Xiao Lezi had no choice but to shout in a low voice: "Grandma Huang..."
"Hey, that's right!" The Empress Dowager touched her head affectionately, "What a good child. If you are granted the title of concubine in the future, you will have to work hard to spread the branches and leaves of our royal family."
Concubine? Xiaolezi was slightly startled.
Seeing her confusion, the Empress Dowager explained unintentionally: "The emperor will marry the daughter of Prime Minister Wang's family soon. I feel pity for you. This child has been with the emperor for many years and has always been devoted to the emperor."
, I want to make the decision to make you a concubine, so that you can serve the emperor better in the future." (To be continued)