Crown Princess Lu has been feeling a little unhappy these past few days. Ever since I talked to Hongyuan at Linggu Temple about Zhu Yunwen's plan to impose additional temple taxes, I have always had something on my mind. However, Emperor Jilai was strict and the concubines were not allowed to interfere with the affairs of the court. Mrs. Lu did not dare to speak easily. She wanted to find a convenient opportunity to ask Zhu Yunwen, but she never had the right time.
As she was combing her hair and thinking in front of the mirror, her daughter-in-law Ma Shuyi shouted in the yard: "Mother, are you okay? The emperor's aunt is here!" As soon as she finished speaking, Princess Ningguo staggered in. Seeing Mrs. Lu, she smiled and said: "Sister-in-law is really getting stronger and stronger. She looks so good!" It turns out that today is the fiftieth birthday of Concubine Sun in the palace. Princess Ningguo, Mrs. Lu and Ma Shuyi made an appointment to go to the palace together. Congratulations to the imperial concubine on her birthday.
Since Empress Ma died of illness fifteen years ago, Zhu Yuanzhang has not appointed another empress. With so many people in the harem, Sun Guifei has taken over the duties of the empress. According to the control of the East Palace, it is also under the control of the harem, so when the East Palace really needs to make decisions, Mrs. Lu has to ask the imperial concubine for instructions. Fortunately, Concubine Sun was not a big fan, she was always gentle and polite, and she never made things difficult for the Lu family. Generally speaking, the harem of the Ming Dynasty was relatively clean and orderly.
When Mrs. Lu heard her sister-in-law's compliment, she quickly smiled and said, "Ruhua, you're making fun of me again. I'll be fine soon and will leave soon. Is it in time?" At the same time, she motioned to the palace maid who was combing her hair to hurry up.
Princess Ningguo smiled and said: "Don't be in a hurry! It's still early, sister-in-law, please take your time." She took the rouge on the table and looked at Mrs. Lu: "More," she couldn't help but feel it was already in front of Mrs. Lu Two points on it.
Mrs. Lu looked in the mirror and she did look better. She nodded and glanced sideways at Ma Shuyi: "Shuyi is all well?" Ma Shuyi quickly replied: "I am all well. The birthday gifts have also been placed in the car. "
Princess Ningguo smiled and asked, "What gift did you give me?"
Lu said: "Is there nothing in the palace? I couldn't think of anything rare, so I asked Shuyi to take the maids to embroider a picture of a hundred years of life. It was difficult for Shuyi to rush out more quickly. What about you?"
Princess Ning Guo clapped her hands and said: "Oh! Shuyi is so virtuous. I am not that capable, so I asked the consort to help find a piece of coral. The color and size are rare." There was some satisfaction in her words.
Lu couldn't help but sigh: "Ruhua, you are so lucky! It takes many lifetimes for the prince-in-law to be so talented in both civil and military affairs and to be so considerate to you. As long as your eldest brother is here, I don't need to worry about these things..." As he said It's a little sad.
Princess Ningguo quickly advised: "Don't be sad on this happy birthday of the imperial concubine. Isn't there still Yun Wen? Can't my sister-in-law just give him instructions?" Ma Shuyi also quickly patted Mrs. Lu's back to comfort her.
Lu said while wiping her tears: "Yunwen has been thinking about his official business all day long. He leaves early every day and comes home late every day, and it is rare to see anyone. What's more, even if he is found, he will not do these things."
Princess Ning Guo knew Zhu Yunwen's temper. Although he looked gentle on the surface, he was actually aloof and self-satisfied in his heart. He had never been interested in such trivial matters. Seeing Lu's sadness, she could only console her: "Yunwen is a person who does big things. Don't ask him for these small things. If my sister-in-law needs anything in the future, just give me an order."
Ma Shuyi half persuaded and half defended: "Although Yunwen is busy, filial piety to his mother always comes first. If his mother has something to do, just ask him."
Mrs. Lu held back her tears: "Hey, look at me. I went to celebrate my birthday with you. I am here with tears in my eyes. I want you to persuade me. I know Yunwen is a good boy." Then he ordered Ma Shuyi: "Pack it up." Let’s set off now, don’t miss the time.” The three people chatted, got in the car and went straight to the back court.
The Kunning Palace in the harem has been empty since the death of Queen Ma. Concubine Sun lives in the Yuehua Palace in the East Sixth Palace in the northeast corner. It is a row of about ten large houses with splendid golden walls, which is quite spacious and magnificent. It is early winter, the grass and trees are withered, but the few bamboo clumps in the courtyard are still green. In order to celebrate the concubine's fiftieth birthday, small red lanterns were hung on the trees and bamboos, red birthday stickers were posted, and the carved pillars were also covered with golden "longevity" characters.
Concubine Sun heard the announcement and quickly asked for invitations. You must know that the weight of these three people is not trivial. Needless to say, Princess Ning Guo is the most favored daughter in front of the emperor. The Crown Princess and the Grand Concubine are the future Queen Mother and Queen. Concubine Sun really does not dare to neglect her.
The three of them entered the Yuehua Palace, greeted the imperial concubine in turn, and then sat around the imperial concubine after greetings. Concubine Guo Hui and other concubines in the palace had arrived early and were sitting together.
Concubine Sun is of medium height, at least fifty years old. She is a little overweight and walks very slowly. The face is like a silver basin, the eyes are like apricots, and the skin is slightly plump. Because he has led the harem for more than ten years, he is graceful and noble, and his movements are extraordinary.
At that moment, Concubine Sun looked at Princess Ning Guo's coral and couldn't help but admired: "Oh, this is so precious. This is the first time I have seen such a big coral, and the color is also gorgeous."
Mrs. Lu joked, "It was the consort who helped find her. Ruhua is such a blessing, and the couple are so filial to the noble concubine." Concubine Guo Hui also echoed.
Concubine Sun smiled and said: "Yes, no wonder the Holy One loves them both the most. He has nothing to say to the Holy One and me."
Princess Ningguo was rarely modest: "That's not what it should be. After the mother left, the imperial concubine has been in charge of the harem for more than ten years. There are so many things to do every day, which one is easy to worry about. It's really hard work."
The imperial concubine sighed: "It's just hard work. I just hope that the palace will be safe and don't cause trouble to the Holy One." Princess Ningguo heard that there was something in the imperial concubine's words. Looking at the crowd of people around, she expected that the imperial concubine would not say anything clearly at this time. , then smiled and said: "This is not peaceful and orderly! It's hard for the noble concubine."
The imperial concubine smiled and opened the centenary longevity quilt embroidered by Ma Shuyi to take a closer look. But I saw a golden quilt with various longevity characters embroidered on it. Each longevity character was self-contained, elegant or graceful, and echoed each other, making it look like a cluster of flowers and full of joy. The elderly man couldn't help but like the imperial concubine after seeing it. He smiled and said to Ma Shuyi: "The great concubine has put a lot of effort into this!"
When Ma Shuyi saw the concubine praising her, she breathed a sigh of relief: "It doesn't take much effort, as long as the concubine likes it."
The imperial concubine smiled: "It's not easy to embroider this, especially since you have a body."
Ma Shuyi's face turned slightly red: "It's okay, there doesn't seem to be any reaction this time."
The imperial concubine said: "Then you can't be careless. It's better to be careful."
Ma Shuyi quickly replied: "Thank you for your concern, Concubine. Shuyi will remember it."
Princess Ningguo laughed at the side and said: "Shuyi, let me tell you a joke. I have never seen such a sincere child like Yunwen. The other day, my father said that he would add two concubines to the East Palace, but he didn't want it. You don't care. Is it too strict?"
Lu was a little surprised: "Is there such a thing?"
The imperial concubine also said: "The prince has been dead for five years and there is no need to observe filial piety anymore. The East Palace is really thin, so it is right to add two people to serve the grandson."
Ma Shuyi felt aggrieved: "I didn't let him join. Whatever the concubine and mother think is good, they can do whatever they want."
The imperial concubine glanced at Lu: "What do you think, the princess?"
Princess Ning Guo interjected: "Yunwen said that he is waiting for the North Korean princess. Don't be rash. Yunwen has a strong character both on the outside and on the inside. It's not good to offend him."
Mrs. Lu couldn't help but feel angry: "A princess from a vassal country has so many things to do. It's been almost a year since she was consecrated and she still hasn't arrived. It doesn't matter if she hasn't arrived yet. She's still causing trouble here and she can't live in peace."
The imperial concubine agreed: "Yes, let's tell a story later. It's probably a lot of things to do when entering the palace."
Concubine Guo Hui advised: "Don't worry too much, concubine or concubine. There are rules in the palace. It will be fine when people come."
Princess Ning Guo curled her lips: "I'm afraid that someone from a foreign country doesn't understand the rules."
Concubine Sun was about to speak when the eunuch outside loudly announced: "The Holy One has arrived!" It was actually Zhu Yuanzhang who came in person to congratulate the concubine on her birthday. Concubine Sun was overjoyed and stood up immediately. Zhu Yuanzhang had already entered the palace, followed by Zhu Yunwen. Several people quickly saluted the emperor.
Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand: "Everyone, get up and don't be too polite. Today is the birthday of the imperial concubine. Let's just congratulate the imperial concubine."
Zhu Yunwen stepped forward to salute Concubine Sun and congratulate him: "Congratulations to the Imperial Grandmother. I wish the Imperial Grandmother may live longer than Nanshan and be as blessed as the East Sea." Zhu Yunwen was still young when Empress Ma passed away, and she was always taken care of by the imperial concubine in the harem, even though Concubine Sun was not her biological grandmother. She was not a queen, but Zhu Yunwen always called her that. The imperial concubine was very moved, and Zhu Yuanzhang felt comforted by hearing it.
Concubine Sun quickly smiled and helped Zhu Yunwen up: "Yunwen, get up quickly. Good boy, we are looking at this hundred-year-old quilt embroidered by your wife. Shuyi spent a lot of effort on it."
Zhu Yunwen looked at the quilt and smiled: "As long as Grandma Huang likes it."
Concubine Sun smiled and said: "The embroidery is so exquisite, how can you not like it? Even though Shuyi is pregnant, I feel a little sorry."
Lu and Zhu Yunwen were both modest: "The imperial concubine is too polite."
Princess Ningguo felt a little unhappy when she saw that Ma Shuyi's longevity was praised more than her own coral. She pulled Zhu Yuanzhang and asked: "Where did my father and Yun Wen come from? It just so happens that you two are so lucky."
Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help being happy when he saw his daughter: "We came together with the provincial government."
Princess Ningguo said angrily: "You guys have to work hard today to review the papers. Although state affairs are of paramount importance, my father must also take good care of his body."
Zhu Yuanzhang laughed, reached out and pinched Princess Ning Guo's cheek: "You are the only one who cares about me."
The imperial concubine was accustomed to the closeness between father and daughter, and asked Zhu Yuanzhang with a smile: "I am here to discuss with the crown prince. The east palace is very thin. How about adding two concubines to serve the grandson?"
Zhu Yuanzhang did not answer and glanced at Zhu Yunwen. Zhu Yunwen bowed to Sun Guifei and said: "Thank you, Imperial Grandmother, for your love and care. My grandson is busy with official duties and doesn't have much time in the East Palace. Shuyi takes good care of her grandson."
Concubine Sun looked at Zhu Yunwen and sighed: "Are you really waiting for that North Korean princess?"
Zhu Yunzhen blushed: "My grandson really has a lot to do, and I don't want to add any more concubines to the harem."
Concubine Sun and Mrs. Lu looked at each other, and Mrs. Lu said patiently: "According to the rule, the grandson must have three palaces. You kept filial piety in the past few years, but now your filial piety is full. It is impossible for the grandson to be alone in the harem. individual system”.
Zhu Yunwen said: "Thank you for your concern, mother. Can we discuss this matter next year?" He said it as a question, but his tone was unquestionable. Zhu Yunwen had always been gentle, and he was even more respectful to Mrs. Lu. Such determination was quite rare, and Mrs. Lu couldn't help but be stunned.
Zhu Yuanzhang came to the rescue and said: "This is not an urgent matter. Let's talk about it later. Today we are here to celebrate the birthday of the imperial concubine. Come on, come and join the birthday banquet."
Princess Ningguo smiled, as if watching the fun; Ma Shuyi lowered her head and said nothing; Concubine Sun and Mrs. Lu couldn't help but look at each other again, both a little worried: The emperor's grandson was already like this before the North Korean princess arrived. Protect, what will happen in the future