East Palace, formerly referred to the prince, also refers to the prince's residence. The east palace of Yingtian Mansion is called "Chunhe Palace" and is located on the east road of the palace city, not far from the former dynasty. Since its construction, it has been the residence of Prince Zhu Biao. It was built according to regulations and is quite grand, with three palaces in the front and six palaces in the back. The East Palace is not only the residence where the prince and his family live, but also where the ministers often discuss government affairs. After Zhu Biao passed away, Zhu Yunwen was established as the emperor's grandson, and naturally became the master of the East Palace. Zhu Biao's widow, Zhu Yunwen's mother, Lu, was in the harem of the East Palace with the concubine.
The Mid-Autumn Festival has just passed, and the fragrance of sweet-scented osmanthus is floating everywhere. It is quiet, yet rich and far-reaching. "Dark and light yellow body is soft, and the traces of love are far away, but the fragrance remains." Osmanthus, like moon cakes, crabs, and rice wine, are all symbols of the Jiangnan Mid-Autumn Festival.
The concubine Ma Shuyi, holding a porcelain bowl, followed by the palace maid Qin, was picking osmanthus flowers under the osmanthus tree in the yard and preparing to dry them to make osmanthus cakes and osmanthus sugar.
Ma Shuyi is the eldest daughter of Ma Quan, the young minister of Guanglu Temple. Guanglu Temple is in charge of court meetings and banquets. Ma Quan is the distant nephew of Zhu Yuanzhang's first wife, the famous Queen Ma with big feet. After Zhu Yuanzhang ascended the throne, he This nephew was not well versed in both civil and military affairs, so he was assigned this job.
Ma Quan was an honest man who never fought or fought or cared about anything. Empress Ma's natal family had few relatives and she liked this honest nephew very much. When she was seriously ill, she repeatedly entrusted Zhu Yuanzhang to take care of him. Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma had always been affectionate, and it was unfortunate that they died young, but they were really not bad to Ma Quan. When Zhu Yunwen was a little older, Ma Shuyi was simply assigned to Zhu Yunwen. At that time, Prince Zhu Biao was still there, and Ma Shuyi never dreamed that she would become the concubine, the future queen.
Ma Shuyi is seven years older than Zhu Yunwen, and is already twenty-eight at this time. She is a typical Zhongdu person: slightly short and fat, stocky and plump, with a round face, thick lips, and a rosy complexion. Spare rib beauty was not popular at that time, and such an appearance was considered a lucky sign. . Moreover, Ma Shuyi was born into an official family and had been in and out of the palace since childhood. Besides being well-informed and well-spoken, she had a kind of grace and dignity.
The pair of osmanthus trees in the East Palace are ancient trees that were moved from their hometown in Zhongdu in the early years of Hongwu. The two osmanthus trees stand in the courtyard, with graceful postures, pavilions and canopies, and a high crown. Ma Shuyi and Shi Qin raised their necks and propped their feet up, but they could only pick up a little bit. Ma Shuyi saw that there was no other way and said, "Go and call Sun Yuan."
Sun Yuan was a chamberlain, young and strong in his twenties, and he rushed in immediately. Seeing Ma Shuyi waiting, she quickly said: "Madam, please wait, the little one will take it off immediately." After saying that, the person had already climbed up the tree. Lifting up the skirt of his clothes, he made quick gestures, and soon it was already half a pocket.
Ma Shuyi looked up, feeling happy and worried at the same time. Shi Qin kept shouting under the tree: "Hey, be careful!" Shi Qin was a daughter of the Ma family. She was married into the East Palace. Six years.
While she was busy and happy, it was reported that Princess Ningguo was visiting, and Ma Shuyi hurriedly asked her to come. Before she finished speaking, Princess Zhu Ruhua of Ning Kingdom walked in. I stopped and saw a few people picking sweet-scented osmanthus, and I praised: "It's so elegant! What delicious food are you going to make?"
Ma Shuyi smiled and saluted: "Dry it and make osmanthus cake and osmanthus candy."
Princess Ning Guo held up her hands and smiled and said: "It's delicious! Make more and bring some to your father." Then she raised her head and shouted to Sun Yuan: "Pick more, I want to make a pillow."
Seeing that Sun Yuan didn't care about her own instructions, Ma Shuyi knew that the osmanthus pillow was for resting the mind and sleeping well, so she hurriedly asked: "You can't sleep well?"
Princess Ning Guo smiled: "It's fine now, but I don't know when it will get better. I'll prepare it first."
Zhu Yuanzhang had many children. In addition to his adopted children, he also had sixteen biological daughters. Among them, Princess Ningguo and Princess Anqing were born to Queen Ma, so they were naturally different from other princesses who were born as concubines. In particular, Princess Ning Guo was the most favored by Zhu Yuanzhang because of her outstanding appearance and well-behaved personality. There was no name at first. When he was six years old, he clamored for one, but Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't get rid of it, so he casually called it "Ruhua". He not only praised his daughter's picturesque features, but also hoped that his country would be picturesque. (With Zhu Yuanzhang's limited literary talents, this naming is a rare and proud work. Look at the names of his sons, starting from Zhu Biao, a pile of wood...) After Ruhua and Hairpin, Zhu Yuanzhang specially selected Runan Hou Meisi himself. Mei Yin, the ancestor's son and a great talent recognized by the world at that time, was the consort.
In the eleventh year of Hongwu's reign, the princess got married in great glory, and her talent and appearance made a sensation. After getting married, Princess Ningguo often returned to the palace to visit her parents. Queen Ma often went to accompany Zhu Yuanzhang after her death, and she was as pampered as before. The consort Mei Yin has a dignified appearance, a respectful nature, and is capable of bowing horses when she has a strategy. She is a rare talent with both civil and military skills, and is deeply valued by Zhu Yuanzhang.
Princess Ningguo is six years older than Ma Shuyi. Although she is the elder, she has been under the knee of Queen Ma together since childhood, and they are very close friends. Ma Shuyi married into the Zhu family, and the two became even more intimate with each other. Although one was active and the other was quiet, they became close friends.
At that moment, Ma Shuyi smiled and said: "Huang Gu! Why do you say that? Who provoked you?"
Princess Ningguo pouted for a long time and said, "Men are unreliable."
Ma Shuyi was confused: "The prince-in-law is such a good person, good at both civil and military affairs, and the emperor praised his knowledge. Do you think it's bad for him?"
Princess Ning Guo looked very depressed: "What's the use of being knowledgeable? What does it have to do with me?"
Ma Shuyi held back her laughter. She usually showed off her consort's knowledge, but she must have been stimulated by something today. She couldn't help but persuade her softly: "Huang Gu, don't be too pushy. You should always give way to your consort."
Princess Ning Guo really thought deeply: "You also think that I want to be strong? Is this the reason?"
The two of them were sitting on the stone benches in the yard. The fragrance of sweet-scented osmanthus drifted everywhere with the breeze. Occasionally, petals fell, and the bluestone ground was dotted with golden color.
Ma Shuyi didn't know what was going on: "The emperor's aunt is as noble as she should be. However, the prince-in-law is a learned person, and he is always so kind to the emperor's aunt. Wouldn't it be better for the two of them to respect each other?"
Princess Ning Guo lowered her head and twisted the corners of her clothes, remaining silent. The pearls on her head are shining in the sun, and the rouge on her face is very red, which contrasts with the red clothes, making her rich and gorgeous.
Ma Shuyi couldn't help but praise: "Huang Gu, you look so beautiful!"
Princess Ning Guo raised her head and smiled: "Why are you praising me for no reason?"
Ma Shuyi said seriously: "I really think it looks good! This phoenix hairpin and this dress match really well."
Princess Ningguo smiled: "The consort chose her."
Ma Shuyi praised again: "Imperial aunt, you are so lucky, what a good prince-in-law!" Princess Ningguo and Mei Yin were a little angry over trivial matters in the morning. She was originally angry, but when she chatted with Ma Shuyi, she really felt that she pass. He smiled for a while and said: "Okay, I know, don't be too helpful to the prince-in-law." After thinking for a while, he said, "Have you heard about that North Korean princess?"
Ma Shuyi was stunned: "What's the matter?"
Princess Ning Guo hesitated: "It's the lady from the East Palace who was consecrated by the emperor! She was said to be missing last time."
Ma Shuyi shook her head: "I don't know. You told me the last time I disappeared." Ma Shuyi knew that this imperial aunt had been lawless in the palace since she was a child. She had some eyes and ears in the palace, and she was better informed about many things than herself and Zhu Yunwen.
Princess Ning Guo sighed: "Yunwen really didn't tell you, boy. He said that the North Korean princess was found in Daningwei, and the father asked the fourth brother to send troops to send her to Beijing." Princess Ningguo is four years younger than Zhu Di, and she always calls her fourth brother.
Ma Shuyi was puzzled: "Why did you ask Uncle Yan to send troops?"
Princess Ningguo didn't care: "It just so happens that the fourth brother is in Ningwei. He said he would arrive around the New Year, so you should be ready."
Ma Shuyi was a little embarrassed: "How to prepare? No one told me."
Princess Ning Guo tilted her head and thought for a while: "That's right. You must wait until your father sees it and guess what he means before making arrangements. Anyway, you have many rooms here, so you don't have to worry about running out of space, so you better leave it alone for now." Looking at Ma Shuyi, she smiled and said, "If Yun Wen doesn't tell you, he probably wants to wait for his father."
Ma Shuyi didn't quite understand why a low-level lady in the East Palace should alarm the emperor. She wanted to ask but didn't feel comfortable asking.
Princess Ningguo seemed to have noticed her doubts: "She is a beautiful girl from North Korea. My father hopes not to cause trouble with North Korea, saying it is about Tieling or something." She then comforted: "A woman from a foreign country. , he may be so barbaric and rude. Yun Wen won’t like it. You don’t have to worry.”
Just as he was talking, Shi Qin ran in and said, "The prince consort has come to pick up the princess. He is waiting in the hall."
Princess Ningguo immediately beamed with joy, but said angrily: "Who asked this man to come? It's really rare for us ladies to talk for a while."
Ma Shuyi smiled: "Imperial aunt, the prince consort is here to pick her up again! I have never seen you so close to each other, and you can't even be separated for a while." While complimenting and teasing, she pushed Princess Ningguo.
Princess Ning Guo stood up and walked to the hall: "I'm leaving. I'll see you tomorrow." Before she could finish her words, she was already far away.
Ma Shuyi shook her head and smiled, then sat down on the stone bench again, looking at the osmanthus tree and thinking deeply.
Shi Qin came closer and asked, "Mother, are you taking the osmanthus to dry?" Ma Shuyi saw a bamboo basket in her hand filled with osmanthus, and wondered how Sun Yuan picked it, so she nodded: "Take it to dry. Your Highness is back." Yet?"
Shi Qin smiled and said: "Just now it was said outside that we were leaving the Meridian Gate. We should be there soon."
Unexpectedly, while the two were talking, Zhu Yunwen had already walked into the yard. Although he was still tall and tall, his court clothes were a little wrinkled and his face looked rather tired. After entering the hospital, I took a deep breath: "It smells so good!"
Ma Shuyi stood up quickly and said with a smile: "Your Highness, you are here as soon as you say you are here."
Zhu Yunwen sat down on the stone bench: "It's a good day today, the road is easy to walk. What are you doing?" He looked at the bamboo basket that Shiqin held: "Picking osmanthus flowers?"
Ma Shuyi smiled and said: "Yes, dried in the sun to make osmanthus cake and osmanthus candy. The emperor also wants an osmanthus pillow."
Zhu Yunwen nodded and said unconcernedly: "Has the imperial aunt been here?"
Ma Shuyi was a little funny: "Yes, the consort just came to pick her up." She said and looked at Zhu Yunwen.
Zhu Yunwen does not have a beard and goes out with a clean shave every morning. But when he came back in the evening, he had stubble as usual, and his jade-like face was surrounded by a circle of green from his chin to the base of his ears. Ma Shuyi looked at it, her heart suddenly filled with tenderness, and she swallowed what she wanted to ask.
Ma Shuyi is the eldest in her mother's family, and her two younger brothers are several years older than Zhu Yunwen. When the hijab was lifted on the wedding day, although Ma Shuyi knew Zhu Yunwen's age, she was still surprised by his childishness. From that moment on, Ma Shuyi felt tenderness towards Zhu Yunwen like a mother or an eldest sister. Yes, a female senior!
Zhu Yunwen looked up at the sweet-scented osmanthus tree: "This tree is really tall. If you are healthy, don't do such dangerous things." Ma Shuyi said with a smile: "I save it, I let Sun Yuan pick it." The two have a son, Zhu Wenkui, who is less than two years old. Ma Shuyi became pregnant again last month and will have another baby next spring.
Zhu Yunwen nodded and said after a while: "There is something. The lady of the East Palace who was canonized by the Holy Emperor, Princess Yining of North Korea, is already in Daning Guard. The Holy Emperor has ordered that she come to Beijing as soon as possible, and she will probably arrive after the New Year."
After Ma Shuyi heard about this from Princess Ningguo, she had been wondering why Zhu Yunwen didn't tell her. She wanted to ask but didn't ask just now, and was feeling uneasy. When she heard Zhu Yunwen speak, she couldn't help but breathed a sigh of relief and laughed softly: " OK. Please tell me what I should do, Your Highness."
Zhu Yunwen was a little surprised when he heard Ma Shuyi's brisk tone and couldn't help but glance at her. Seeing her sincere smile, knowing that she has always been virtuous and knowledgeable, he was not too surprised. He smiled and said: "She is from Korea. As a rule, after entering the capital, she will be led by the Ministry of Rites to worship the Holy One. How to enter the East Palace depends on the Holy One." His will. Let’s see when the time comes.”
Ma Shuyi nodded in agreement, and just as she was about to speak, a few sweet-scented osmanthus petals fell. Zhu Yunwen smiled and said, "It's the middle of the month." Ma Shuyi didn't know what he meant, and looked at him blankly. Zhu Yunwen was also stunned for a moment, then waved and smiled again, and Ma Shuyi retreated to prepare dinner.
Zhu Yunwen looked up at the tall osmanthus tree and chanted slowly: "Looking for osmanthus seeds in the moon in the mountain temple, watching the tide on the pillow in the county pavilion. When will we come again?"
In Bai Juyi's poem "Yi Jiangnan", osmanthus osmanthus refers to the fallen osmanthus petals or osmanthus seeds. It is said that the monks of Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou called this "seed in the middle of the moon" and they often picked it up when looking at the full moon in the Mid-Autumn Festival. This is an elegant thing appreciated by literati. People like Bai Juyi who went to Lingyin Temple at night to look for the osmanthus tree also wanted to be "elegant", not to mention the osmanthus tree that happened to fall in front of him
It's a pity that the eldest sister in the family is at a loss. Since his father's death, there has been no one with whom he can talk in the huge East Palace.
Zhu Yun was reciting poems, and the loneliness and loneliness came to his heart again and again.
The fragrance of sweet-scented osmanthus floats in the autumn evening, refreshing the heart and mind. Will the East Palace welcome an exotic princess from afar