Because they did not want to be misunderstood and turned to King Gaomi, the group had a lunch at the Zhao Mansion, and Nan left on the grounds that the year was approaching and there were many trivial matters in the Ningwei Hou Mansion.
After returning to the Hou Mansion, Nan didn't bother to change her clothes and take off her makeup, and asked, "How are you getting along with the juniors of the Zhao family today?"
There is nothing wrong with girls here. Xu Baomo and Sheng Suihe also said, "The young masters of the Zhao family are all gentlemen, and we had a great time talking with each other today."
Nan nodded with satisfaction: "That's good. The Zhao family has always attached great importance to family tradition, not to mention their limited friendship with us. I don't expect Zhao Qiu to do anything to you in the spring. Anyway, you are all really talented. I just want to learn from it. I just took a trip like this to let him know that you are all good through the words of his nephews. When the rankings are determined in the future, if there are a few similar to you, maybe I can get a head start - anyway. It’s just half a day, if it works, it will work, if it doesn’t, we won’t suffer!”
Everyone laughed: "You are still thoughtful."
The trip to the Zhao Mansion is over, and it is time to go to Queen Mother Meng to explain that the incident at Danmo Tower was just a coincidence.
Empress Dowager Meng is not comparable to the Zhao family. Although Nan, as the wife of Marquis Ningwei, has a low status among the ladies of Chang'an, it still took five or six days to get the news after she handed in the form requesting an audience. Sheng Suihe and his party had almost visited several of Sheng Lanci's old acquaintances in Chang'an - and asked them to come to the palace to have an audience in the afternoon of the next day.
"The Queen Mother is humble and kind, and she will treat you generously. You don't have to worry." Nan's mother and daughter are no strangers to entering the palace. After all, with Xu Zijing's status, his wife and daughter, there are only grand banquets for the wives in the palace, so they must They all have a share.
However, this was the first time for Sheng Weiqiao and others to meet the most noble Queen Mother of Damu. Even though there was no direct conflict with the Meng family in Danmo Tower, they were still a little nervous.
Seeing this, Nan comforted them, "When you get there, just reply like you did in front of Mrs. Qin."
After waving his hands to let the left and right leave, he lowered his voice and said, "Actually, the Queen Mother has been ill three or four times in the past two years, and she has always been a little tired. I guess we will have to leave after we have not been able to say a few words after the audience. It is just to show my attitude, so as not to worry about it. Misunderstood!”
Sheng Weiqiao and the others secretly breathed a sigh of relief and asked Sister Xu Caikui to help them dress up for the palace.
The next day they followed the Nan family into the palace - naturally Xu Baomo and Sheng Suihe would not follow them this time - the palace city was in the south of Chang'an City, not far from Ningwei Hou's Mansion.
After getting on the carriage, it took only a moment to get off the bus. The place where we got off was in a square outside the palace gate. In front of us was a half-open city gate with a red lacquered copper nail and a ring in the head of a chili beast under the towering city wall. Not far away stood a The dragon on the lotus seat is decorated with flowing cloud patterns, and the top is covered with dew. It is a gorgeous watch that sits cross-legged and looks at the sky.
The guards all around were clearly in armor, and there was a solemn and neat military appearance in the silence, which was awe-inspiring. Even the young Sheng Weiwu and Xu Caifu subconsciously straightened their faces and showed serious expressions.
Since the Queen Mother had given her an oral instruction in advance, they were allowed to enter without waiting long in front of the city gate.
After entering, a chamberlain wearing an indigo-blue round-neck robe with dark embroidery of cloud patterns and a mink fur jacket came up to greet you with a whisk in his hand, and said with a smile: "Mrs. Nan, the Queen Mother asked us to wait here to guide you! "
Although Nan's mother and daughter have been to the palace several times and are familiar with the route from here to Xinshou Palace where the Queen Mother lives, the palace has its own rules and they are not allowed to act privately. They must be accompanied by a palace official. yes.
That's why the waiter is waiting here.
Nan recognized him and said with a smile: "Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Tian!"
Her confidant maid Chensha hurriedly stuffed a heavy purse into it, but Eunuch Tian didn't refuse. He put it neatly into his sleeves and waved the fly whisk with a smile on his face: "Here are you guys, please!"
Sheng Weiqiao and others entered the palace for the first time. Although they were nervous, they were also very curious. Although they did not dare to look around blatantly, they paid attention to the scenery along the way. Unfortunately, Chang'an was covered with heavy snow this season, and the entire palace was covered with thick layers of snow. Even though they were covered with snow, after walking a few steps, Father Tian turned his feet and led them into a deep alley!
Although this alley is quite spacious, it is estimated that eight people can easily pass through it. The problem is that there are high palace walls on the left and right sides that look like city walls. Not to mention the palace scene, you can only see the sky. See a line.
The alley is paved with bluestones and is very clean. Except for large tanks filled with water placed at intervals along the way, and the occasional inconspicuous small door on the wall, there is nothing!
Sheng Weiqiao and others were speechless.
I don't know if it's because of the strict rules in the palace or for other reasons, but Eunuch Tian said he was leading them, but he really was leading them - he hadn't spoken a word since he entered this alley.
As a result, the atmosphere became tense as the group of people walked in silence.
After a while, Eunuch Tian finally stopped in front of a small door and motioned for them to go in.
After entering this door, my eyes suddenly opened up: the floor tiles carved with the pattern of entwining lotuses had obviously just been swept with a fine broom. Although the snow was falling heavily at the moment, there was only a thin layer of snow; on both sides of the road were flower beds surrounded by white marble railings. , the flower beds are filled with flowers and trees. Even though they are wrapped in snow and form clumps of eucalyptus branches in this season, they still have a unique style. Occasionally, when wintersweet blooms, the cold fragrance is refreshing.
After walking on the floor tiles for a short time, we passed a five-hole arch bridge, which is the palace gate with the inscription "Xinshou Palace". A row of red sandalwood hexagonal engraved palace lanterns hung high, making it even more gorgeous in the majesty.
The armor of the imperial guard at the door was covered with snow, but he remained motionless. The erect halberd silently told the majesty of the Tian family.
Mr. Tian announced his crime and went in alone.
He came out after a while and said with a smile: "Your Majesty, please come in immediately!"
Nan said hurriedly: "I dare not, my wife."
After reminding the juniors to tidy up their skirts and appearance, Fang led them into the palace gate behind Eunuch Tian.
After entering, we are greeted by a screen wall as usual - this screen wall is about four to five feet long and more than ten feet high. It looks like it is carved from a whole piece of white marble, with clouds and phoenixes carved on it. At the bottom are sea water patterns and floral patterns intertwined to highlight it. The middle one symbolizes longevity. The paintings of immortals celebrating their birthdays include bamboos, strange stones, turtles, cranes, Ganoderma lucidum and white deer, all of which are lifelike.
Turning around the screen wall, there is a relatively spacious area with a stone table in the middle and a landscape bonsai on it. The bonsai is in the water. It is probably frozen at this time, so it looks a bit desolate.
But the further we walked in, the more gorgeous and luxurious the surrounding furnishings were, which completely diluted the desolation. Maybe it was because it was approaching the New Year. Xinshou Palace was decorated with lights and colorful lights everywhere, and the colorful silks under the corridors were flowing like neon lights. In the past, every few steps, there was a silk flower made of pomegranate red brocade. The types of flowers were different, peonies, camellias, peonies, roses... They were all the size of a human head, with gold tassels hanging from the bottom. Even in the snow In the sky, looking up, there is also golden light shining, very gorgeous.
There are also palace lanterns hanging for night lighting, including the gilt-copper carved Wanshou Ruyi pavilion-style palace lantern. It is exquisite in workmanship and uses exquisite materials. In terms of value, it is even more valuable than the wood-veneer, gold-inlaid and bird-pattern jade palace lantern that Sheng Weiqiao accidentally dropped at sea. Above, there is now a pair within five steps. If you look around, are there hundreds or even thousands of them in the entire Xinshou Palace
Since there is no pavement under the cloister, under each pair of palace lanterns, there is also a pair of gilded charcoal pots engraved with five blessings and longevity pagodas, covered with copper covers. There are clearly burning charcoals inside, but there are no fireworks. It is obviously the upper part of the charcoal basin. Wait for silver bone charcoal. This kind of charcoal is as white as frost, has no smoke, and is difficult to burn, but it is not easy to extinguish after burning. Such a pot is enough to last for a day and night. Not only is there no ground dragon in the corridor, but the sides are not sealed with glass or the like. It's just a felt rug as long as the beauty's back.
Now that they were walking among them, they could only feel the warmth coming from the charcoal basin. Because the corridor was not sealed, the cold wind blowing in from between the carpets did not have a biting feeling, but brought a bit of the fragrance of wintersweet and snow. Fresh and fragrant, without feeling stuffy.
The Sheng Weiqiao sisters have been accustomed to wealth since they were young, but the heads of the Sheng family are all about enjoying themselves without indulging. However, they have never seen such a luxurious and almost extravagant scene before.
The audience was immediately dazzled by what they saw - after a long while, Eunuch Tian stood in front of a step, apologized again and went in alone to report. Only then did they come back to their senses, and quickly tidied up their clothes, adjusted their demeanor, and prepared for the audience.
After a while, a palace maid in colorful clothes came out, blessed Nan, and said harmoniously: "Mrs. Nan, the Queen Mother invites you!"
Nan quickly thanked her, and Chensha stuffed it into her purse in time, but the palace maid didn't ask for it, and just smiled and asked them to follow her in.
Sheng Weiqiao thought that the Queen Mother should be in the main hall after all the reports.
Who would have known that it wasn't the case - after they entered, the palace maid in colorful clothes led them a few steps toward the main hall, then turned around and walked to the side. She walked along the complex road for a while, stopped in front of a warm pavilion, and raised her voice. Said: "The Queen Mother, Mrs. Ning Weihou and all the ladies want to see you!"
After a while, an older woman inside responded: "The Queen Mother, please invite Mrs. Ning Weihou and all the ladies to come in and have an audience!"
At this time, the palace servants at the door raised their arms and opened the golden brocade curtain to let them in. Of course, it was only the Nan family, the Xu sisters, Sheng Weiqiao, Sheng Weiwu and Gongsun Yingjiang. If cinnabar enters the inside and outside, other people's maids must stop.
When I entered the door, I was hit by a wave of heat - in fact, there was a charcoal pot outside to lean on, so I didn't feel cold - but the room felt like it was summer. As soon as I crossed the threshold, I felt a thin layer of sweat on my forehead. .
Fortunately, at the entrance, there were three or five palace guests standing guard in front of a red sandalwood seat with ivory carvings and a group of immortals celebrating their birthdays. When he saw them, he stretched out his hand to indicate that he would take off their fur clothes and hang them on the open-carved phoenix head scroll beside them. Patterned clothes hanger.
A few people then turned around the screen and entered, and saw that there was a not too big space inside. There was a red sandalwood throne with chiseled enamel and a picture of the Four Friends on the top. In front of the screen, there was a red sandalwood throne with clouds and bat patterns. On the brocade carpet, an old woman in her seventies or so was sitting upright.
The old woman had her hair tied up in a bun. She didn't have many hairpin rings. She only had two hairpins with emerald gold and jade beads stuck in them. She also wore a pair of red gold silk earrings inlaid with jade and rabbits. She thought it was because it was very hot in the conservatory. She was wearing a purple crepe shirt and an autumn-colored fairy skirt underneath. If it weren't for the wide white jade, gold-coated phoenix and peony belt worn by a human being, she would have looked like an ordinary elder.
At this moment, with a smile on his face and a kind face, he raised his hand to support me and said: "Sit down, give me a seat!"
Nan took the lead in thanking him, and after taking a seat at the bottom, the palace servants offered tea. At this time, Sheng Weiqiao secretly looked around at other places, and first saw four girls in beautiful dresses sitting opposite, among whom the third one was ranked third. It was none other than Meng Guihuan.