On the way to the Circular Mound to offer sacrifices to heaven and earth, the sound of sheng, xiao and drums filled the entire capital. Xinghe followed the rhythmic drum beats and led Yinchen into the main gate of Xingqing Palace.
The Empress Dowager had always been in poor health and had been used to quietness for many years. She was very impatient with the mess and crowds of people in the palace. After the ceremony, she let out a long sigh and told the long-serving servant beside her to disperse. Just like relatives visiting, there was no reason to just come and leave. The emperor entertained his ministers in the evening, and the Empress Dowager entertained the ladies at noon.
Although Madam Su doesn't like to fight for fame, she has a temper and will take revenge for any slight, which is very similar to Xinghe. Her eyes darted towards Fengchu Palace, and she muttered, "That master is going to have a hard time this time. If I see her and have a chance to talk to her, I will scold her. Why would she beat my child? Who should be hers? Why should she be her slave? This master's surname is Huo, and that master's surname is also Huo, but her son should be the master?"
This bridge was originally built by the most famous craftsman. The stone railings at the bottom of the bridge are carved with dragon patterns. On the railings, three beautifully carved dragon heads are arranged in a row, and water is spitting out from the dragon mouths. In normal calm weather, it is probably the running water that drives the dragon head, making the dragon head a waste of its resources. If it rains in summer and the river water surges, it will be a big deal. The fierce water flow can spray out several feet away, and it can be heard in the Guangtian Hall of the East Palace.
The prince was a late bloomer. It was not until the summer of his nineteenth year that he truly realized that Xinghe was a woman. In the past, he just thought she was pretty, with bright eyes, and could be a companion. But that time, the weather was too hot, and she was wearing a lilac-colored half-lapel gown, and had just woken up from a nap. He was in a hurry to pass on the message, and she hurried in to listen to the instructions. A button was not buttoned properly, and a white patch of her chest was vaguely revealed... Two snow-capped mountains embraced each other, squeezed tightly, cliffs facing each other, ravines thousands of feet high, and falling into them would kill you. His heart was beating so hard at that time that he even forgot why he called her in, and lay on the couch to catch his breath. It was that unintentional glance that made him dream all night, the soft Xinghe, the charming Xinghe, the smiling Xinghe, the Xinghe panting under him...
This bridge was originally built by the most famous craftsman. The stone railings at the bottom of the bridge are carved with dragon patterns. On the railings, three beautifully carved dragon heads are arranged in a row, and water is spitting out from the dragon mouths. In normal calm weather, it is probably the running water that drives the dragon head, making the dragon head a waste of its resources. If it rains in summer and the river water surges, it will be a big deal. The fierce water flow can spray out several feet away, and it can be heard in the Guangtian Hall of the East Palace.
Everyone was waiting outside, and Xinghe was the only one in the empty palace. She listened to him telling her about the things he encountered in the court, some of which were difficult, and some of which made people laugh. This was almost the prince's annual worship routine, telling Empress Gong about his circumstances, happy and unhappy, as if his mother was still alive.
The ceremonial system for the royal ladies to attend the court was very strict, and it was no longer controlled by the Yiting Bureau alone. Five days in advance, the Zongzheng Temple, Guanglu Temple, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs would register and report, and then forward it to the Censorate and other departments for review. Those who could enter the inner court must be "fifth-degree relatives of the royal family, and third-degree relatives of other relatives" or above. As for Xinghe's mother, she was probably the cousin of the son-in-law of some prince, so she was treated better than ordinary royal ladies and was able to enter the inner gate and wait for the summons in the Jiuri Hall with the female relatives of the royal family.
Someone responded: "Like the Control Rong Division?"
Later, no matter what the prince said to her, she did not respond. After entering the East Palace, there were people to help him change into his crown and clothes. She ran to Tian Street to check the incense sticks hanging out to dry, and had people carefully pack them into ebony incense boxes and transport them to Fengxian Hall in advance.
"My father has finally decided to appoint a queen. I can understand his difficulties, and I'm sure I can, too. But I'm not entirely satisfied with the choice of the successor queen. If I'm dissatisfied, please tell my father in your dream. I'm getting older now, and I'm overwhelmed by the heavy workload. I thought returning to the East Palace would help, but... Xinghe often goes against me and makes me worried. If I'm free, please talk to her."
Xinghe and Yinchen were originally from the palace, and they were not subject to those restrictions. It was not the right time yet, so there was no need to go straight into Xingqing Palace. After thinking about it, he went around the edge of Nanhaizi and quietly entered the Jiuri Palace.
He pressed his forehead against the cold blue bricks and said, "Mother, your son is here to see you. There are many things to do in the court this year, and I am always busy..."
The prince came out in a black shirt with a crimson collar and collar, which made him look less solemn than his imperial robes and more elegant and bookish. She bowed and led the way. Fengxian Hall was separated from Yeting Palace by a wall, and was built inside Huizheng Gate at the far west of the Central Dynasty. It was a long way from the East Palace.
Xinghe quickly took over the conversation, "The Crown Prince said that the late Queen is no longer with us, but he actually respects and loves the Queen in his heart. Whenever he sees her, it's like seeing his mother."
The prince thought that everything was just an excuse. "Prince Xin is a head shorter than me. Are your eyesight not good? Besides, would I wave to you in public? Are you in a nightmare?"
Anyway, she was very good at shirking responsibility. The prince knelt on his heels, turned his head to look at his mother's portrait, and secretly begged in his heart: "Mother, please open this wooden head and pray that one day in the future, she will love me more than I love her, so that her son can be proud and stand up straight and be a man again."
From the North Palace to the Gongli Gate, it spanned the entire imperial city without any ambiguity. This part of the city was too big, and it would take half an hour to walk on foot. Fortunately, it was noon, and I was wearing a cloak and heading south. The wind blew from behind, and the fur blocked the cold wind. Facing the sun in front, it was warm.
Other ladies-in-waiting had already arrived in the palace. When mother and daughter met, they talked together. Yinchen found her mother in the crowd and screamed, "Mother!"
He pressed his forehead against the cold blue bricks and said, "Mother, your son is here to see you. There are many things to do in the court this year, and I am always busy..."
This bridge was originally built by the most famous craftsman. The stone railings at the bottom of the bridge are carved with dragon patterns. On the railings, three beautifully carved dragon heads are arranged in a row, and water is spitting out from the dragon mouths. In normal calm weather, it is probably the running water that drives the dragon head, making the dragon head a waste of its resources. If it rains in summer and the river water surges, it will be a big deal. The fierce water flow can spray out several feet away, and it can be heard in the Guangtian Hall of the East Palace.
Although Madam Su doesn't like to fight for fame, she has a temper and will take revenge for any slight, which is very similar to Xinghe. Her eyes darted towards Fengchu Palace, and she muttered, "That master is going to have a hard time this time. If I see her and have a chance to talk to her, I will scold her. Why would she beat my child? Who should be hers? Why should she be her slave? This master's surname is Huo, and that master's surname is also Huo, but her son should be the master?"
On the way to the Circular Mound to offer sacrifices to heaven and earth, the sound of sheng, xiao and drums filled the entire capital. Xinghe followed the rhythmic drum beats and led Yinchen into the main gate of Xingqing Palace.
Everyone was talking in a low voice, and when she shouted, the ladies were stunned at first, and then they laughed. Princess Changrong complained to the people around her with an apologetic look: "This child is always so noisy."
Entering the inner palace, the female officials stood on both sides, and the ladies of the inner and outer courts lined up neatly, kneeling three times and kowtowed nine times on the square in front of the hall. The sun rose slowly, and the golden rays of light spread over the ladies' long hair and red robes like water. The sleeves of the red large-sleeved clothes stretched out and spread evenly on the white marble tiles, like broken butterfly wings. Clusters of flowers and rings and pendants looked bleak even in the cold winter. The empress dowager sat on the throne under the corridor, her sagging cheeks could not bear the pull of time, and under her gorgeous dress, she had the appearance of the empresses who died of old age in the Fengxian Hall.
They each said their own thing, and I don't know if Empress Gong understood it. Prince Xin arrived too late. The Crown Prince had already finished his worship, and he had just entered the hall. He knelt on the futon, with nothing else to say. His only request was to find a good wife, and asked his mother to bless him to marry a beautiful, virtuous, smart, and capable princess. Xinghe thought with some sadness that the late Empress was so pitiful. It was not easy for her to see her sons, but she had to listen to their complaints and worry about their marriages. She couldn't have peace even after death.
The prince chased after him, "Why are you running so fast?"
The Jade Belt Bridge that she and the prince talked about was next to the Zuozangku outside Gongli Gate, and could be seen a little to the south when passing Tongxun Gate. However, Zuozangku was one of the national treasuries, and was usually heavily guarded, so ordinary people would not go there to seek bad luck.
Xinghe and Yinchen were originally from the palace, and they were not subject to those restrictions. It was not the right time yet, so there was no need to go straight into Xingqing Palace. After thinking about it, he went around the edge of Nanhaizi and quietly entered the Jiuri Palace.
The prince turned around and glared at her, "Just based on your statement that 'none of it is true', it proves that you are committing a crime against your superiors."
The female officials who entered the East Palace had a promising future, and everyone looked at them differently with a little selfishness. Therefore, Yinchen's behavior was understood as natural and would not be criticized.
Xinghe took a gulp of cold air, choking on it until tears welled up in his eyes. He walked and said, "It's almost noon. If we don't hurry up, we'll miss it."
As for things like putting on eye drops, it was a specialty of the ladies in the mansion. Xinghe tugged at her mother's clothes, signaling her not to go too far. After all, the edict to establish the queen had not been issued yet, and no one knew what the final result would be. If the emperor became obsessed with her, the road ahead would be difficult.
Chang Rong County Lady was very nice to Madam Su because her daughter and Xinghe were on duty together, and Xinghe served the prince before Yinchen, so they would have to live under the same roof in the future. This time, seeing her daughter being led in by Xinghe, and Yinchen holding her affectionately, she said to Madam Su with a smile, "The child is young, and it seems that she gets along well with Jinyi. This is bad, there will be times when she won't let go, and this child has been so clingy since she was young."
Everyone was talking in a low voice, and when she shouted, the ladies were stunned at first, and then they laughed. Princess Changrong complained to the people around her with an apologetic look: "This child is always so noisy."
Prince Xin covered his nose and joked with the gang, "Whose pickle jar was overturned? It's so sour and smelly." As he spoke, he waved his sleeves and shouted to his second sister-in-law. The people on the bridge finally found them. Because they were a little far away, they might not have heard what Prince Xin shouted clearly. But when she saw the other party waving his hand, she also waved her sleeves in response.
Xinghe walked slowly to the bridge head and listened carefully. She could hear the music of the emperor returning to the palace, but now she could not hear it anymore. She thought the emperor's carriage had already reached Hengjie. If her estimate was correct, the prince would be back in two sticks of incense. She was always in a hurry and didn't have many opportunities to calm down and look at the scenery. It was rare for her to have this leisure time, so she leaned against the bridge pillar and looked at the scene under the bridge.
Prince Xin turned his head to look at the crown prince: "She is my second sister-in-law, isn't she?"
Everyone was waiting outside, and Xinghe was the only one in the empty palace. She listened to him telling her about the things he encountered in the court, some of which were difficult, and some of which made people laugh. This was almost the prince's annual worship routine, telling Empress Gong about his circumstances, happy and unhappy, as if his mother was still alive.
Mrs. Su smiled and responded. She looked up and saw her daughter in her dazzling crown and clothes. At first she was worried that the three slaps from Zuo Zhaoyi had worn out her spirit, but now she felt inexplicably relieved.
They each said their own thing, and I don't know if Empress Gong understood it. Prince Xin arrived too late. The Crown Prince had already finished his worship, and he had just entered the hall. He knelt on the futon, with nothing else to say. His only request was to find a good wife, and asked his mother to bless him to marry a beautiful, virtuous, smart, and capable princess. Xinghe thought with some sadness that the late Empress was so pitiful. It was not easy for her to see her sons, but she had to listen to their complaints and worry about their marriages. She couldn't have peace even after death.
Xinghe knew that her mother was never an ambitious person. Her greatest wish was to live in poverty and take care of her husband and children. But there was no way. When Su Daxueshi boarded the ship of Prince Jian, he had to pay a heavy price to get off. If he couldn't even bear this little grievance, he would never achieve great things in the future.
The Jade Belt Bridge that she and the prince talked about was next to the Zuozangku outside Gongli Gate, and could be seen a little to the south when passing Tongxun Gate. However, Zuozangku was one of the national treasuries, and was usually heavily guarded, so ordinary people would not go there to seek bad luck.
The prince was a late bloomer. It was not until the summer of his nineteenth year that he truly realized that Xinghe was a woman. In the past, he just thought she was pretty, with bright eyes, and could be a companion. But that time, the weather was too hot, and she was wearing a lilac-colored half-lapel gown, and had just woken up from a nap. He was in a hurry to pass on the message, and she hurried in to listen to the instructions. A button was not buttoned properly, and a white patch of her chest was vaguely revealed... Two snow-capped mountains embraced each other, squeezed tightly, cliffs facing each other, ravines thousands of feet high, and falling into them would kill you. His heart was beating so hard at that time that he even forgot why he called her in, and lay on the couch to catch his breath. It was that unintentional glance that made him dream all night, the soft Xinghe, the charming Xinghe, the smiling Xinghe, the Xinghe panting under him...
Prince Xin turned his head to look at the crown prince: "She is my second sister-in-law, isn't she?"
Getting closer and closer... That kind of eager joy can probably only be understood by those who are just beginning to fall in love.
Xinghe came over and bowed to her mother. When the empress was alive, she could still see him at several festivals every year. Later, the empress passed away, and the empress dowager was in poor health in the following years, so the ladies were exempted from the audience. This year, the emperor has given the go-ahead for the cabinet to prepare for the empress's appointment, and the empress dowager was pulled out to take the lead, which was equivalent to a rehearsal for the empress's enthronement ceremony in a few days.
Someone responded: "Like the Control Rong Division?"
They each said their own thing, and I don't know if Empress Gong understood it. Prince Xin arrived too late. The Crown Prince had already finished his worship, and he had just entered the hall. He knelt on the futon, with nothing else to say. His only request was to find a good wife, and asked his mother to bless him to marry a beautiful, virtuous, smart, and capable princess. Xinghe thought with some sadness that the late Empress was so pitiful. It was not easy for her to see her sons, but she had to listen to their complaints and worry about their marriages. She couldn't have peace even after death.
Xinghe and Yinchen were originally from the palace, and they were not subject to those restrictions. It was not the right time yet, so there was no need to go straight into Xingqing Palace. After thinking about it, he went around the edge of Nanhaizi and quietly entered the Jiuri Palace.
The female officials who entered the East Palace had a promising future, and everyone looked at them differently with a little selfishness. Therefore, Yinchen's behavior was understood as natural and would not be criticized.
Mrs. Su glanced behind her and asked in a low voice, "Did the prince follow us again?"
After hearing this, You Zhaoyi looked bewildered, "Thank goodness, Prince, you still remember what happened back then. When the late Queen was alive, I had a deep affection for her. The Prince and Yanling also played together until they were about ten years old..."
She was curious about what the other side looked like. She thought it was definitely not the dragon's head, but probably its tail.
Getting closer and closer... That kind of eager joy can probably only be understood by those who are just beginning to fall in love.
Mrs. Su sighed, "That's right. If the prince did this, our Su family would be in great trouble." After she finished speaking, she thought of what the three of them had done secretly, and suddenly she didn't know where to start. She wanted to give Niu'er some advice, but because there were so many people around, she couldn't say much, so she just said vaguely, "Serve the master well. I think the prince is really good..."
The prince thought that everything was just an excuse. "Prince Xin is a head shorter than me. Are your eyesight not good? Besides, would I wave to you in public? Are you in a nightmare?"
From the North Palace to the Gongli Gate, it spanned the entire imperial city without any ambiguity. This part of the city was too big, and it would take half an hour to walk on foot. Fortunately, it was noon, and I was wearing a cloak and heading south. The wind blew from behind, and the fur blocked the cold wind. Facing the sun in front, it was warm.
Although Madam Su doesn't like to fight for fame, she has a temper and will take revenge for any slight, which is very similar to Xinghe. Her eyes darted towards Fengchu Palace, and she muttered, "That master is going to have a hard time this time. If I see her and have a chance to talk to her, I will scold her. Why would she beat my child? Who should be hers? Why should she be her slave? This master's surname is Huo, and that master's surname is also Huo, but her son should be the master?"
Xinghe laughed, "Mom is confused. Today is the day to offer sacrifices to heaven and earth, so she is busy."
The group went to the Shanchi Courtyard. The ladies in the inner court formed cliques and factions. The former treatment of Zuo Zhaoyi as the center of attention was gone. Only two or three small fish and shrimps were left to surround her. As they gradually approached, Mrs. Su came to greet them and said with a smile on her face: "I have always wanted to come to pay my respects to the queen, but I never had the chance. I have received the dendrobium that the queen asked someone to pass on to me last time. Thank you for thinking of me. Our Xinghe is in the palace, and the queen has taken care of her. She is young and ignorant, running back and forth in and out of the palace, so it is inevitable that there are some shortcomings. If the queen sees that she has done something wrong, just teach her a lesson. Children, they will not become useful unless they are beaten..."
As she ran back and forth on the bridge, a group of young people who had just finished offering sacrifices to heaven and earth were coming in from Guiren Gate. Among them were members of the royal family, as well as the study companions of the crown prince and the kings. Because they were studying together, they knew each other very well and did not have many taboos when talking. They stopped to watch and asked, "Who is that?"
Entering the inner palace, the female officials stood on both sides, and the ladies of the inner and outer courts lined up neatly, kneeling three times and kowtowed nine times on the square in front of the hall. The sun rose slowly, and the golden rays of light spread over the ladies' long hair and red robes like water. The sleeves of the red large-sleeved clothes stretched out and spread evenly on the white marble tiles, like broken butterfly wings. Clusters of flowers and rings and pendants looked bleak even in the cold winter. The empress dowager sat on the throne under the corridor, her sagging cheeks could not bear the pull of time, and under her gorgeous dress, she had the appearance of the empresses who died of old age in the Fengxian Hall.
Xinghe looked back at the Shanchi Courtyard and said, "Your Majesty, please go into the courtyard. It's windy outside and the weather may change at night." He smiled and said, "My mother is also in the courtyard. She is not good at socializing. I beg Your Majesty to take care of her."
On the way to the Circular Mound to offer sacrifices to heaven and earth, the sound of sheng, xiao and drums filled the entire capital. Xinghe followed the rhythmic drum beats and led Yinchen into the main gate of Xingqing Palace.
The group went to the Shanchi Courtyard. The ladies in the inner court formed cliques and factions. The former treatment of Zuo Zhaoyi as the center of attention was gone. Only two or three small fish and shrimps were left to surround her. As they gradually approached, Mrs. Su came to greet them and said with a smile on her face: "I have always wanted to come to pay my respects to the queen, but I never had the chance. I have received the dendrobium that the queen asked someone to pass on to me last time. Thank you for thinking of me. Our Xinghe is in the palace, and the queen has taken care of her. She is young and ignorant, running back and forth in and out of the palace, so it is inevitable that there are some shortcomings. If the queen sees that she has done something wrong, just teach her a lesson. Children, they will not become useful unless they are beaten..."
The most difficult thing for her at this time was that she was unworthy of her position. Every look behind her was full of mockery, pricking her spine like thorns. She gritted her teeth, with a stubborn curve at the corner of her lips, and she would never admit defeat until the end.
The Empress Dowager had always been in poor health and had been used to quietness for many years. She was very impatient with the mess and crowds of people in the palace. After the ceremony, she let out a long sigh and told the long-serving servant beside her to disperse. Just like relatives visiting, there was no reason to just come and leave. The emperor entertained his ministers in the evening, and the Empress Dowager entertained the ladies at noon.
Mrs. Su said, "You're busy..." As she spoke, she pulled her to a place where people could not see her, looked at her left and right, and then talked in private. She looked her up and down again, "My child, you've been wronged. I couldn't bear to touch Qing, but you sent her to the palace to be taught a lesson." Her eyes were red as she spoke.
His words were unpleasant to the ear, and she didn't want to pay any more attention to him. She turned around and walked towards the other side of the bridge, muttering: "I told you to come pick him up, you deserve it!"
Mrs. Su smiled and responded. She looked up and saw her daughter in her dazzling crown and clothes. At first she was worried that the three slaps from Zuo Zhaoyi had worn out her spirit, but now she felt inexplicably relieved.
Mrs. Su sighed, "That's right. If the prince did this, our Su family would be in great trouble." After she finished speaking, she thought of what the three of them had done secretly, and suddenly she didn't know where to start. She wanted to give Niu'er some advice, but because there were so many people around, she couldn't say much, so she just said vaguely, "Serve the master well. I think the prince is really good..."
The female officials who entered the East Palace had a promising future, and everyone looked at them differently with a little selfishness. Therefore, Yinchen's behavior was understood as natural and would not be criticized.
As she ran back and forth on the bridge, a group of young people who had just finished offering sacrifices to heaven and earth were coming in from Guiren Gate. Among them were members of the royal family, as well as the study companions of the crown prince and the kings. Because they were studying together, they knew each other very well and did not have many taboos when talking. They stopped to watch and asked, "Who is that?"
On the stone steps outside the courtyard, she met You Zhaoyi who had arrived late. She was supported by a palace maid and walked leisurely. Xinghe stopped and bowed to her as usual. She looked up and smiled, "Yesterday by the Jinshui River, I saw that her figure looked like Master Su. Is it true?"
This kind of tenderness and respectful attitude, although not explicit, clearly showed signs of getting closer. You Zhaoyi was stunned for a moment, and naturally agreed. Xinghe pursed his lips and smiled, holding his robe and went towards Qianbu Gallery.
Xinghe hurriedly said, "Calm down, mother. You can't cry here. If you cry, people will laugh at you." He reached out and embraced his mother, and comforted her kindly, "Look at me now, I'm fine. Who can do such a job for more than ten years without being punished? I'm lucky. My master indulges me. If Zuo Zhaoyi picks on me, at most people will know that she and the prince don't get along. I'm just a scapegoat."
Xinghe's smile turned into resentment, "I thought that person was you."
Other ladies-in-waiting had already arrived in the palace. When mother and daughter met, they talked together. Yinchen found her mother in the crowd and screamed, "Mother!"
Xinghe came over and bowed to her mother. When the empress was alive, she could still see him at several festivals every year. Later, the empress passed away, and the empress dowager was in poor health in the following years, so the ladies were exempted from the audience. This year, the emperor has given the go-ahead for the cabinet to prepare for the empress's appointment, and the empress dowager was pulled out to take the lead, which was equivalent to a rehearsal for the empress's enthronement ceremony in a few days.
Xinghe and Yinchen were originally from the palace, and they were not subject to those restrictions. It was not the right time yet, so there was no need to go straight into Xingqing Palace. After thinking about it, he went around the edge of Nanhaizi and quietly entered the Jiuri Palace.
The prince was a late bloomer. It was not until the summer of his nineteenth year that he truly realized that Xinghe was a woman. In the past, he just thought she was pretty, with bright eyes, and could be a companion. But that time, the weather was too hot, and she was wearing a lilac-colored half-lapel gown, and had just woken up from a nap. He was in a hurry to pass on the message, and she hurried in to listen to the instructions. A button was not buttoned properly, and a white patch of her chest was vaguely revealed... Two snow-capped mountains embraced each other, squeezed tightly, cliffs facing each other, ravines thousands of feet high, and falling into them would kill you. His heart was beating so hard at that time that he even forgot why he called her in, and lay on the couch to catch his breath. It was that unintentional glance that made him dream all night, the soft Xinghe, the charming Xinghe, the smiling Xinghe, the Xinghe panting under him...
Mrs. Su sighed, "That's right. If the prince did this, our Su family would be in great trouble." After she finished speaking, she thought of what the three of them had done secretly, and suddenly she didn't know where to start. She wanted to give Niu'er some advice, but because there were so many people around, she couldn't say much, so she just said vaguely, "Serve the master well. I think the prince is really good..."
Mrs. Su said, "You're busy..." As she spoke, she pulled her to a place where people could not see her, looked at her left and right, and then talked in private. She looked her up and down again, "My child, you've been wronged. I couldn't bear to touch Qing, but you sent her to the palace to be taught a lesson." Her eyes were red as she spoke.
Her mother called her "blood ancestor", which should be a higher level of address than "living ancestor". She said in a low voice: "Don't dare. Be careful when you come back or your father will break your legs."
The prince came out in a black shirt with a crimson collar and collar, which made him look less solemn than his imperial robes and more elegant and bookish. She bowed and led the way. Fengxian Hall was separated from Yeting Palace by a wall, and was built inside Huizheng Gate at the far west of the Central Dynasty. It was a long way from the East Palace.
"I still have to serve His Royal Highness the Crown Prince in the Fengtian Hall to pay tribute to the late queen, so I will take my leave first." She saluted to Zuo Zhaoyi, bowed to her mother, exchanged a few words of greeting, and then left Shanchiyuan on the pretext of something.
Yinchen had a sad face and kept muttering to herself complaints. Mrs. Su smiled faintly after hearing this. Judging from her cunningness, she would not pose a threat to Xinghe.
Xinghe knew that her mother was never an ambitious person. Her greatest wish was to live in poverty and take care of her husband and children. But there was no way. When Su Daxueshi boarded the ship of Prince Jian, he had to pay a heavy price to get off. If he couldn't even bear this little grievance, he would never achieve great things in the future.
The prince did not comment, but only said: "He arrived so early, his brain may not be working very well." Although he said this, he could not suppress the joy in his heart.
At this time, the eunuch in charge of ceremonies shouted at the door, saying that women from other clans who had passed the imperial examination were allowed to go to the palace where the empress dowager lived to present their names and congratulate her. The huge crowd instantly quieted down, and everyone followed the order of rank and moved slowly step by step following the guide. The distance from the Sun Palace to the Xingqing Palace was only a thousand steps, but it took nearly three incense sticks to walk.
She was so embarrassed that her face turned red and her neck became thick. She knelt down in front of the altar with a plop and said, "My queen, I am wronged. I have always served my master diligently, and I was concerned about her concerns and thoughts. My master refused to accept a concubine and said that she liked old maids. I selected the right one from among the thousands of palace maids and sent her to her. My master did not appreciate my kindness and even asked you to come to me... I think this is completely unnecessary because what my master said is not true. Please understand, my queen."
The prince felt that this was not proper, so he coughed heavily and said to Prince Xin, "Go back and change your crown and clothes, and go to Fengxian Palace at noon."
Although Madam Su doesn't like to fight for fame, she has a temper and will take revenge for any slight, which is very similar to Xinghe. Her eyes darted towards Fengchu Palace, and she muttered, "That master is going to have a hard time this time. If I see her and have a chance to talk to her, I will scold her. Why would she beat my child? Who should be hers? Why should she be her slave? This master's surname is Huo, and that master's surname is also Huo, but her son should be the master?"
Everyone was talking in a low voice, and when she shouted, the ladies were stunned at first, and then they laughed. Princess Changrong complained to the people around her with an apologetic look: "This child is always so noisy."
Xinghe quickly took over the conversation, "The Crown Prince said that the late Queen is no longer with us, but he actually respects and loves the Queen in his heart. Whenever he sees her, it's like seeing his mother."
The prince did not comment, but only said: "He arrived so early, his brain may not be working very well." Although he said this, he could not suppress the joy in his heart.
As for things like putting on eye drops, it was a specialty of the ladies in the mansion. Xinghe tugged at her mother's clothes, signaling her not to go too far. After all, the edict to establish the queen had not been issued yet, and no one knew what the final result would be. If the emperor became obsessed with her, the road ahead would be difficult.
The prince thought that everything was just an excuse. "Prince Xin is a head shorter than me. Are your eyesight not good? Besides, would I wave to you in public? Are you in a nightmare?"
Chang Rong County Lady was very nice to Madam Su because her daughter and Xinghe were on duty together, and Xinghe served the prince before Yinchen, so they would have to live under the same roof in the future. This time, seeing her daughter being led in by Xinghe, and Yinchen holding her affectionately, she said to Madam Su with a smile, "The child is young, and it seems that she gets along well with Jinyi. This is bad, there will be times when she won't let go, and this child has been so clingy since she was young."
Xinghe knew that she was full of complaints, so he let her vent.
Prince Xin turned his head to look at the crown prince: "She is my second sister-in-law, isn't she?"
Xinghe took a gulp of cold air, choking on it until tears welled up in his eyes. He walked and said, "It's almost noon. If we don't hurry up, we'll miss it."
His words were unpleasant to the ear, and she didn't want to pay any more attention to him. She turned around and walked towards the other side of the bridge, muttering: "I told you to come pick him up, you deserve it!"
Finally, when Prince Xin finished worshipping, everyone packed up and prepared to go back. Prince Xin smiled and put his arm around his brother's shoulder, "Tonight, let's drink three big jars of wine."
Getting closer and closer... That kind of eager joy can probably only be understood by those who are just beginning to fall in love.
This kind of tenderness and respectful attitude, although not explicit, clearly showed signs of getting closer. You Zhaoyi was stunned for a moment, and naturally agreed. Xinghe pursed his lips and smiled, holding his robe and went towards Qianbu Gallery.
At this time, the eunuch in charge of ceremonies shouted at the door, saying that women from other clans who had passed the imperial examination were allowed to go to the palace where the empress dowager lived to present their names and congratulate her. The huge crowd instantly quieted down, and everyone followed the order of rank and moved slowly step by step following the guide. The distance from the Sun Palace to the Xingqing Palace was only a thousand steps, but it took nearly three incense sticks to walk.
This wave was so powerful that more than ten people around him waved their wide sleeves. Xuanduan's sleeves were originally wide, so there was a whistling sound, and in the chaos, the crown of the prince's hair was almost blown off.
Chang Rong County Lady was very nice to Madam Su because her daughter and Xinghe were on duty together, and Xinghe served the prince before Yinchen, so they would have to live under the same roof in the future. This time, seeing her daughter being led in by Xinghe, and Yinchen holding her affectionately, she said to Madam Su with a smile, "The child is young, and it seems that she gets along well with Jinyi. This is bad, there will be times when she won't let go, and this child has been so clingy since she was young."
"My father has finally decided to appoint a queen. I can understand his difficulties, and I'm sure I can, too. But I'm not entirely satisfied with the choice of the successor queen. If I'm dissatisfied, please tell my father in your dream. I'm getting older now, and I'm overwhelmed by the heavy workload. I thought returning to the East Palace would help, but... Xinghe often goes against me and makes me worried. If I'm free, please talk to her."
Entering the inner palace, the female officials stood on both sides, and the ladies of the inner and outer courts lined up neatly, kneeling three times and kowtowed nine times on the square in front of the hall. The sun rose slowly, and the golden rays of light spread over the ladies' long hair and red robes like water. The sleeves of the red large-sleeved clothes stretched out and spread evenly on the white marble tiles, like broken butterfly wings. Clusters of flowers and rings and pendants looked bleak even in the cold winter. The empress dowager sat on the throne under the corridor, her sagging cheeks could not bear the pull of time, and under her gorgeous dress, she had the appearance of the empresses who died of old age in the Fengxian Hall.
The Empress Dowager had always been in poor health and had been used to quietness for many years. She was very impatient with the mess and crowds of people in the palace. After the ceremony, she let out a long sigh and told the long-serving servant beside her to disperse. Just like relatives visiting, there was no reason to just come and leave. The emperor entertained his ministers in the evening, and the Empress Dowager entertained the ladies at noon.
Zuo Zhaoyi was still the first among the inner ladies. She was the one who led the harem. Even You Zhaoyi had to lag behind her by half a body. She was one step away from the throne of the queen. If it weren't for Princess Xialing's mess, she would have been the next one to receive the kowtow. Xinghe looked at her with some pity. Her face was stiff when she was solemn. She was quite beautiful when she was young, but as she got older, her beauty became more and more mean.
Zuo Zhaoyi was still the first among the inner ladies. She was the one who led the harem. Even You Zhaoyi had to lag behind her by half a body. She was one step away from the throne of the queen. If it weren't for Princess Xialing's mess, she would have been the next one to receive the kowtow. Xinghe looked at her with some pity. Her face was stiff when she was solemn. She was quite beautiful when she was young, but as she got older, her beauty became more and more mean.
Although Madam Su doesn't like to fight for fame, she has a temper and will take revenge for any slight, which is very similar to Xinghe. Her eyes darted towards Fengchu Palace, and she muttered, "That master is going to have a hard time this time. If I see her and have a chance to talk to her, I will scold her. Why would she beat my child? Who should be hers? Why should she be her slave? This master's surname is Huo, and that master's surname is also Huo, but her son should be the master?"
Xinghe walked slowly to the bridge head and listened carefully. She could hear the music of the emperor returning to the palace, but now she could not hear it anymore. She thought the emperor's carriage had already reached Hengjie. If her estimate was correct, the prince would be back in two sticks of incense. She was always in a hurry and didn't have many opportunities to calm down and look at the scenery. It was rare for her to have this leisure time, so she leaned against the bridge pillar and looked at the scene under the bridge.
Anyway, she was very good at shirking responsibility. The prince knelt on his heels, turned his head to look at his mother's portrait, and secretly begged in his heart: "Mother, please open this wooden head and pray that one day in the future, she will love me more than I love her, so that her son can be proud and stand up straight and be a man again."
They each said their own thing, and I don't know if Empress Gong understood it. Prince Xin arrived too late. The Crown Prince had already finished his worship, and he had just entered the hall. He knelt on the futon, with nothing else to say. His only request was to find a good wife, and asked his mother to bless him to marry a beautiful, virtuous, smart, and capable princess. Xinghe thought with some sadness that the late Empress was so pitiful. It was not easy for her to see her sons, but she had to listen to their complaints and worry about their marriages. She couldn't have peace even after death.
The eunuchs in charge of ceremonies sang the ritual loudly, and the ladies of state stood up and then prostrated themselves. However, it was these female officials who, after the initial kowtow, withdrew to the side and did nothing.
The prince felt that this was not proper, so he coughed heavily and said to Prince Xin, "Go back and change your crown and clothes, and go to Fengxian Palace at noon."
As for things like putting on eye drops, it was a specialty of the ladies in the mansion. Xinghe tugged at her mother's clothes, signaling her not to go too far. After all, the edict to establish the queen had not been issued yet, and no one knew what the final result would be. If the emperor became obsessed with her, the road ahead would be difficult.
A piece of paper separated life and death. He looked up and saw that his mother's appearance had long become unreal. No matter how good the painter was, he could not paint her vividly. The initial pain had gradually faded after eight years of tempering, but he knew that she was his only relative, a relative with whom he had no conflicts of interest and whose blood was thicker than water.
You Zhaoyi was greatly surprised. However, such to-the-point words would never be too thorough. Their ambiguity seemed to have deep meaning, which was enough to make people savor them carefully.
Other ladies-in-waiting had already arrived in the palace. When mother and daughter met, they talked together. Yinchen found her mother in the crowd and screamed, "Mother!"
This kind of tenderness and respectful attitude, although not explicit, clearly showed signs of getting closer. You Zhaoyi was stunned for a moment, and naturally agreed. Xinghe pursed his lips and smiled, holding his robe and went towards Qianbu Gallery.
Zuo Zhaoyi was still the first among the inner ladies. She was the one who led the harem. Even You Zhaoyi had to lag behind her by half a body. She was one step away from the throne of the queen. If it weren't for Princess Xialing's mess, she would have been the next one to receive the kowtow. Xinghe looked at her with some pity. Her face was stiff when she was solemn. She was quite beautiful when she was young, but as she got older, her beauty became more and more mean.
He was wearing the official robe of the Control Army Department, and had his hair tied up and a flower crown on his head. It was none other than the Crown Prince's men.
Finally, when Prince Xin finished worshipping, everyone packed up and prepared to go back. Prince Xin smiled and put his arm around his brother's shoulder, "Tonight, let's drink three big jars of wine."
Other ladies-in-waiting had already arrived in the palace. When mother and daughter met, they talked together. Yinchen found her mother in the crowd and screamed, "Mother!"
The most difficult thing for her at this time was that she was unworthy of her position. Every look behind her was full of mockery, pricking her spine like thorns. She gritted her teeth, with a stubborn curve at the corner of her lips, and she would never admit defeat until the end.
The prince chased after him, "Why are you running so fast?"
Everyone was waiting outside, and Xinghe was the only one in the empty palace. She listened to him telling her about the things he encountered in the court, some of which were difficult, and some of which made people laugh. This was almost the prince's annual worship routine, telling Empress Gong about his circumstances, happy and unhappy, as if his mother was still alive.
Mrs. Su said, "You're busy..." As she spoke, she pulled her to a place where people could not see her, looked at her left and right, and then talked in private. She looked her up and down again, "My child, you've been wronged. I couldn't bear to touch Qing, but you sent her to the palace to be taught a lesson." Her eyes were red as she spoke.
Mrs. Su smiled and responded. She looked up and saw her daughter in her dazzling crown and clothes. At first she was worried that the three slaps from Zuo Zhaoyi had worn out her spirit, but now she felt inexplicably relieved.
The most difficult thing for her at this time was that she was unworthy of her position. Every look behind her was full of mockery, pricking her spine like thorns. She gritted her teeth, with a stubborn curve at the corner of her lips, and she would never admit defeat until the end.
Zuo Zhaoyi was still the first among the inner ladies. She was the one who led the harem. Even You Zhaoyi had to lag behind her by half a body. She was one step away from the throne of the queen. If it weren't for Princess Xialing's mess, she would have been the next one to receive the kowtow. Xinghe looked at her with some pity. Her face was stiff when she was solemn. She was quite beautiful when she was young, but as she got older, her beauty became more and more mean.
A piece of paper separated life and death. He looked up and saw that his mother's appearance had long become unreal. No matter how good the painter was, he could not paint her vividly. The initial pain had gradually faded after eight years of tempering, but he knew that she was his only relative, a relative with whom he had no conflicts of interest and whose blood was thicker than water.
For those who have never had a dream before, the first time is precious, so the love will never fade. However, the Su family and Prince Jian were too close, and he had no one to rely on at the time, and was in a weak position. One-sided wishing was a dead end. Fortunately, he had gradually become stronger over the years, and he had enough money to indulge her within the permitted scope - as for what is the permitted scope, probably except for rebellion, everything else applies.
The prince glanced at Xinghe with his erratic eyes, pulled Prince Xin's hand down, and said sternly: "Don't lose your manners in front of the emperor and the ministers. No matter how much you can drink, you should drink slowly. I am impatient to drink there, so I will just give a little bit of respect... Someone cried and said he wanted to treat me to a drink, and I have an appointment later."
The Empress Dowager had always been in poor health and had been used to quietness for many years. She was very impatient with the mess and crowds of people in the palace. After the ceremony, she let out a long sigh and told the long-serving servant beside her to disperse. Just like relatives visiting, there was no reason to just come and leave. The emperor entertained his ministers in the evening, and the Empress Dowager entertained the ladies at noon.
Anyway, she was very good at shirking responsibility. The prince knelt on his heels, turned his head to look at his mother's portrait, and secretly begged in his heart: "Mother, please open this wooden head and pray that one day in the future, she will love me more than I love her, so that her son can be proud and stand up straight and be a man again."
On the stone steps outside the courtyard, she met You Zhaoyi who had arrived late. She was supported by a palace maid and walked leisurely. Xinghe stopped and bowed to her as usual. She looked up and smiled, "Yesterday by the Jinshui River, I saw that her figure looked like Master Su. Is it true?"
The prince was the only one left, his heart was filled with excitement. He had to pretend to be reserved, his face was calm and composed, and his feet were running faster than ever.
After hearing this, Prince Xin immediately restrained himself, lowered his head and said yes, then pushed and shoved with the gang of villains and went obediently to Gongli Gate.
The banquet was held in Shanchiyuan, an exquisite courtyard with mountains and water. It was quietly located in a corner of Taiji Palace and very close to the inner gate, making it convenient for travel.
Although Madam Su doesn't like to fight for fame, she has a temper and will take revenge for any slight, which is very similar to Xinghe. Her eyes darted towards Fengchu Palace, and she muttered, "That master is going to have a hard time this time. If I see her and have a chance to talk to her, I will scold her. Why would she beat my child? Who should be hers? Why should she be her slave? This master's surname is Huo, and that master's surname is also Huo, but her son should be the master?"
Although Madam Su doesn't like to fight for fame, she has a temper and will take revenge for any slight, which is very similar to Xinghe. Her eyes darted towards Fengchu Palace, and she muttered, "That master is going to have a hard time this time. If I see her and have a chance to talk to her, I will scold her. Why would she beat my child? Who should be hers? Why should she be her slave? This master's surname is Huo, and that master's surname is also Huo, but her son should be the master?"
The banquet was held in Shanchiyuan, an exquisite courtyard with mountains and water. It was quietly located in a corner of Taiji Palace and very close to the inner gate, making it convenient for travel.
Xinghe's smile turned into resentment, "I thought that person was you."
What was he talking about? He came to the late queen to file a complaint and wanted her to talk to him
Xinghe walked slowly to the bridge head and listened carefully. She could hear the music of the emperor returning to the palace, but now she could not hear it anymore. She thought the emperor's carriage had already reached Hengjie. If her estimate was correct, the prince would be back in two sticks of incense. She was always in a hurry and didn't have many opportunities to calm down and look at the scenery. It was rare for her to have this leisure time, so she leaned against the bridge pillar and looked at the scene under the bridge.
She was so embarrassed that her face turned red and her neck became thick. She knelt down in front of the altar with a plop and said, "My queen, I am wronged. I have always served my master diligently, and I was concerned about her concerns and thoughts. My master refused to accept a concubine and said that she liked old maids. I selected the right one from among the thousands of palace maids and sent her to her. My master did not appreciate my kindness and even asked you to come to me... I think this is completely unnecessary because what my master said is not true. Please understand, my queen."
Zuo Zhaoyi was still the first among the inner ladies. She was the one who led the harem. Even You Zhaoyi had to lag behind her by half a body. She was one step away from the throne of the queen. If it weren't for Princess Xialing's mess, she would have been the next one to receive the kowtow. Xinghe looked at her with some pity. Her face was stiff when she was solemn. She was quite beautiful when she was young, but as she got older, her beauty became more and more mean.
The eunuchs in charge of ceremonies sang the ritual loudly, and the ladies of state stood up and then prostrated themselves. However, it was these female officials who, after the initial kowtow, withdrew to the side and did nothing.
Xinghe sent her mother across the garden, and turned her head to see Yinchen also holding her mother's arm, sighing and telling her how bad the palace was and how much she missed home. Fortunately, Xinghe helped her, otherwise she would have asked to go home without caring about her face.
Prince Xin had not arrived yet, probably because the people around him were slow in doing things. The prince could not wait for him, so he burned incense in front of the portrait first.
Mrs. Su glanced behind her and asked in a low voice, "Did the prince follow us again?"
The eunuchs in charge of ceremonies sang the ritual loudly, and the ladies of state stood up and then prostrated themselves. However, it was these female officials who, after the initial kowtow, withdrew to the side and did nothing.
His words were unpleasant to the ear, and she didn't want to pay any more attention to him. She turned around and walked towards the other side of the bridge, muttering: "I told you to come pick him up, you deserve it!"
The Jade Belt Bridge that she and the prince talked about was next to the Zuozangku outside Gongli Gate, and could be seen a little to the south when passing Tongxun Gate. However, Zuozangku was one of the national treasuries, and was usually heavily guarded, so ordinary people would not go there to seek bad luck.
What was he talking about? He came to the late queen to file a complaint and wanted her to talk to him
She was so embarrassed that her face turned red and her neck became thick. She knelt down in front of the altar with a plop and said, "My queen, I am wronged. I have always served my master diligently, and I was concerned about her concerns and thoughts. My master refused to accept a concubine and said that she liked old maids. I selected the right one from among the thousands of palace maids and sent her to her. My master did not appreciate my kindness and even asked you to come to me... I think this is completely unnecessary because what my master said is not true. Please understand, my queen."
Her mother called her "blood ancestor", which should be a higher level of address than "living ancestor". She said in a low voice: "Don't dare. Be careful when you come back or your father will break your legs."
Although Madam Su doesn't like to fight for fame, she has a temper and will take revenge for any slight, which is very similar to Xinghe. Her eyes darted towards Fengchu Palace, and she muttered, "That master is going to have a hard time this time. If I see her and have a chance to talk to her, I will scold her. Why would she beat my child? Who should be hers? Why should she be her slave? This master's surname is Huo, and that master's surname is also Huo, but her son should be the master?"
The prince said everything went smoothly, "You are also doing well? Otherwise, you wouldn't have the time to wave to a man."
Xinghe laughed, "Mom is confused. Today is the day to offer sacrifices to heaven and earth, so she is busy."
As for things like putting on eye drops, it was a specialty of the ladies in the mansion. Xinghe tugged at her mother's clothes, signaling her not to go too far. After all, the edict to establish the queen had not been issued yet, and no one knew what the final result would be. If the emperor became obsessed with her, the road ahead would be difficult.
Yinchen had a sad face and kept muttering to herself complaints. Mrs. Su smiled faintly after hearing this. Judging from her cunningness, she would not pose a threat to Xinghe.
As for things like putting on eye drops, it was a specialty of the ladies in the mansion. Xinghe tugged at her mother's clothes, signaling her not to go too far. After all, the edict to establish the queen had not been issued yet, and no one knew what the final result would be. If the emperor became obsessed with her, the road ahead would be difficult.
Prince Xin had not arrived yet, probably because the people around him were slow in doing things. The prince could not wait for him, so he burned incense in front of the portrait first.
The group went to the Shanchi Courtyard. The ladies in the inner court formed cliques and factions. The former treatment of Zuo Zhaoyi as the center of attention was gone. Only two or three small fish and shrimps were left to surround her. As they gradually approached, Mrs. Su came to greet them and said with a smile on her face: "I have always wanted to come to pay my respects to the queen, but I never had the chance. I have received the dendrobium that the queen asked someone to pass on to me last time. Thank you for thinking of me. Our Xinghe is in the palace, and the queen has taken care of her. She is young and ignorant, running back and forth in and out of the palace, so it is inevitable that there are some shortcomings. If the queen sees that she has done something wrong, just teach her a lesson. Children, they will not become useful unless they are beaten..."
Xinghe knew that she was full of complaints, so he let her vent.
Everyone was talking in a low voice, and when she shouted, the ladies were stunned at first, and then they laughed. Princess Changrong complained to the people around her with an apologetic look: "This child is always so noisy."
They each said their own thing, and I don't know if Empress Gong understood it. Prince Xin arrived too late. The Crown Prince had already finished his worship, and he had just entered the hall. He knelt on the futon, with nothing else to say. His only request was to find a good wife, and asked his mother to bless him to marry a beautiful, virtuous, smart, and capable princess. Xinghe thought with some sadness that the late Empress was so pitiful. It was not easy for her to see her sons, but she had to listen to their complaints and worry about their marriages. She couldn't have peace even after death.
Xinghe laughed, "Mom is confused. Today is the day to offer sacrifices to heaven and earth, so she is busy."
The prince felt that this was not proper, so he coughed heavily and said to Prince Xin, "Go back and change your crown and clothes, and go to Fengxian Palace at noon."
As for things like putting on eye drops, it was a specialty of the ladies in the mansion. Xinghe tugged at her mother's clothes, signaling her not to go too far. After all, the edict to establish the queen had not been issued yet, and no one knew what the final result would be. If the emperor became obsessed with her, the road ahead would be difficult.
He pressed his forehead against the cold blue bricks and said, "Mother, your son is here to see you. There are many things to do in the court this year, and I am always busy..."
You Zhaoyi was greatly surprised. However, such to-the-point words would never be too thorough. Their ambiguity seemed to have deep meaning, which was enough to make people savor them carefully.
As for things like putting on eye drops, it was a specialty of the ladies in the mansion. Xinghe tugged at her mother's clothes, signaling her not to go too far. After all, the edict to establish the queen had not been issued yet, and no one knew what the final result would be. If the emperor became obsessed with her, the road ahead would be difficult.
Xinghe's smile turned into resentment, "I thought that person was you."
"I still have to serve His Royal Highness the Crown Prince in the Fengtian Hall to pay tribute to the late queen, so I will take my leave first." She saluted to Zuo Zhaoyi, bowed to her mother, exchanged a few words of greeting, and then left Shanchiyuan on the pretext of something.
Xinghe, who was standing by, was a little surprised to find his name in the prince's prayer. But when he listened to the rest of the story, he almost broke out in a sweat.
Xinghe walked slowly to the bridge head and listened carefully. She could hear the music of the emperor returning to the palace, but now she could not hear it anymore. She thought the emperor's carriage had already reached Hengjie. If her estimate was correct, the prince would be back in two sticks of incense. She was always in a hurry and didn't have many opportunities to calm down and look at the scenery. It was rare for her to have this leisure time, so she leaned against the bridge pillar and looked at the scene under the bridge.
There were not many people accompanying him, except for the two eunuchs close to the prince and Xinghe. There were guards at all the gates along the way, and the prince was absolutely majestic and inviolable in front of people. He walked with his head held high, with a righteous manner, and kowtowed every three steps into the Fengxian Hall, until he knelt in front of Empress Gong's shrine.
Prince Xin covered his nose and joked with the gang, "Whose pickle jar was overturned? It's so sour and smelly." As he spoke, he waved his sleeves and shouted to his second sister-in-law. The people on the bridge finally found them. Because they were a little far away, they might not have heard what Prince Xin shouted clearly. But when she saw the other party waving his hand, she also waved her sleeves in response.
On the stone steps outside the courtyard, she met You Zhaoyi who had arrived late. She was supported by a palace maid and walked leisurely. Xinghe stopped and bowed to her as usual. She looked up and smiled, "Yesterday by the Jinshui River, I saw that her figure looked like Master Su. Is it true?"
The prince came out in a black shirt with a crimson collar and collar, which made him look less solemn than his imperial robes and more elegant and bookish. She bowed and led the way. Fengxian Hall was separated from Yeting Palace by a wall, and was built inside Huizheng Gate at the far west of the Central Dynasty. It was a long way from the East Palace.
The prince chased after him, "Why are you running so fast?"
Xinghe said yes, "I came out of Taiji Hall and went to Beigong to see Jing'er, and happened to meet the queen." As he said this, he lowered his waist and put his hands down, and went forward to support her.
Xinghe took a gulp of cold air, choking on it until tears welled up in his eyes. He walked and said, "It's almost noon. If we don't hurry up, we'll miss it."
You Zhaoyi was greatly surprised. However, such to-the-point words would never be too thorough. Their ambiguity seemed to have deep meaning, which was enough to make people savor them carefully.
Xinghe quickly took over the conversation, "The Crown Prince said that the late Queen is no longer with us, but he actually respects and loves the Queen in his heart. Whenever he sees her, it's like seeing his mother."
Xinghe and Yinchen were originally from the palace, and they were not subject to those restrictions. It was not the right time yet, so there was no need to go straight into Xingqing Palace. After thinking about it, he went around the edge of Nanhaizi and quietly entered the Jiuri Palace.
The prince glanced at Xinghe with his erratic eyes, pulled Prince Xin's hand down, and said sternly: "Don't lose your manners in front of the emperor and the ministers. No matter how much you can drink, you should drink slowly. I am impatient to drink there, so I will just give a little bit of respect... Someone cried and said he wanted to treat me to a drink, and I have an appointment later."
You Zhaoyi looked ashamed, "You are a female official of the Eastern Palace, not of the Northern Palace. I am a mediocre person, how can I deserve your courtesy."
Xinghe looked back at the Shanchi Courtyard and said, "Your Majesty, please go into the courtyard. It's windy outside and the weather may change at night." He smiled and said, "My mother is also in the courtyard. She is not good at socializing. I beg Your Majesty to take care of her."
Xinghe just clasped his hands together and bowed, muttering, "You are so busy, Queen. I am incompetent and unworthy of your summons. I will serve my master even more wholeheartedly in the future. If my master doesn't like this, I will find him another one until he is satisfied. Please rest assured, Queen..."
She walked over quickly and called out to her master, "Did everything go well at the ceremony today?"
This bridge was originally built by the most famous craftsman. The stone railings at the bottom of the bridge are carved with dragon patterns. On the railings, three beautifully carved dragon heads are arranged in a row, and water is spitting out from the dragon mouths. In normal calm weather, it is probably the running water that drives the dragon head, making the dragon head a waste of its resources. If it rains in summer and the river water surges, it will be a big deal. The fierce water flow can spray out several feet away, and it can be heard in the Guangtian Hall of the East Palace.
Everyone was waiting outside, and Xinghe was the only one in the empty palace. She listened to him telling her about the things he encountered in the court, some of which were difficult, and some of which made people laugh. This was almost the prince's annual worship routine, telling Empress Gong about his circumstances, happy and unhappy, as if his mother was still alive.
Xinghe smiled and said, "Your Majesty, you are so embarrassed by what I said. You are the highest-ranking official in the inner court. Who dares to look down on you? Yesterday, the prince mentioned you to me. He said that when he was a child, he went to your palace to see Princess Yanling. You gave him steamed cakes to eat. He still remembers the taste. But later, when the late queen passed away, he moved into the East Palace and no longer lived in Shaoyang Court. He was miles away from you, and he felt very sad."
Mrs. Su said, "You're busy..." As she spoke, she pulled her to a place where people could not see her, looked at her left and right, and then talked in private. She looked her up and down again, "My child, you've been wronged. I couldn't bear to touch Qing, but you sent her to the palace to be taught a lesson." Her eyes were red as she spoke.
Someone responded: "Like the Control Rong Division?"
After hearing this, You Zhaoyi looked bewildered, "Thank goodness, Prince, you still remember what happened back then. When the late Queen was alive, I had a deep affection for her. The Prince and Yanling also played together until they were about ten years old..."
This wave was so powerful that more than ten people around him waved their wide sleeves. Xuanduan's sleeves were originally wide, so there was a whistling sound, and in the chaos, the crown of the prince's hair was almost blown off.
Xinghe walked slowly to the bridge head and listened carefully. She could hear the music of the emperor returning to the palace, but now she could not hear it anymore. She thought the emperor's carriage had already reached Hengjie. If her estimate was correct, the prince would be back in two sticks of incense. She was always in a hurry and didn't have many opportunities to calm down and look at the scenery. It was rare for her to have this leisure time, so she leaned against the bridge pillar and looked at the scene under the bridge.
The prince felt that this was not proper, so he coughed heavily and said to Prince Xin, "Go back and change your crown and clothes, and go to Fengxian Palace at noon."
Getting closer and closer... That kind of eager joy can probably only be understood by those who are just beginning to fall in love.
They each said their own thing, and I don't know if Empress Gong understood it. Prince Xin arrived too late. The Crown Prince had already finished his worship, and he had just entered the hall. He knelt on the futon, with nothing else to say. His only request was to find a good wife, and asked his mother to bless him to marry a beautiful, virtuous, smart, and capable princess. Xinghe thought with some sadness that the late Empress was so pitiful. It was not easy for her to see her sons, but she had to listen to their complaints and worry about their marriages. She couldn't have peace even after death.
Xinghe looked back at the Shanchi Courtyard and said, "Your Majesty, please go into the courtyard. It's windy outside and the weather may change at night." He smiled and said, "My mother is also in the courtyard. She is not good at socializing. I beg Your Majesty to take care of her."
Xinghe knew that her mother was never an ambitious person. Her greatest wish was to live in poverty and take care of her husband and children. But there was no way. When Su Daxueshi boarded the ship of Prince Jian, he had to pay a heavy price to get off. If he couldn't even bear this little grievance, he would never achieve great things in the future.
Yinchen had a sad face and kept muttering to herself complaints. Mrs. Su smiled faintly after hearing this. Judging from her cunningness, she would not pose a threat to Xinghe.
Xinghe quickly took over the conversation, "The Crown Prince said that the late Queen is no longer with us, but he actually respects and loves the Queen in his heart. Whenever he sees her, it's like seeing his mother."
Xinghe knew that her mother was never an ambitious person. Her greatest wish was to live in poverty and take care of her husband and children. But there was no way. When Su Daxueshi boarded the ship of Prince Jian, he had to pay a heavy price to get off. If he couldn't even bear this little grievance, he would never achieve great things in the future.
Although Madam Su doesn't like to fight for fame, she has a temper and will take revenge for any slight, which is very similar to Xinghe. Her eyes darted towards Fengchu Palace, and she muttered, "That master is going to have a hard time this time. If I see her and have a chance to talk to her, I will scold her. Why would she beat my child? Who should be hers? Why should she be her slave? This master's surname is Huo, and that master's surname is also Huo, but her son should be the master?"
She walked over quickly and called out to her master, "Did everything go well at the ceremony today?"
Everyone was waiting outside, and Xinghe was the only one in the empty palace. She listened to him telling her about the things he encountered in the court, some of which were difficult, and some of which made people laugh. This was almost the prince's annual worship routine, telling Empress Gong about his circumstances, happy and unhappy, as if his mother was still alive.
The eunuchs in charge of ceremonies sang the ritual loudly, and the ladies of state stood up and then prostrated themselves. However, it was these female officials who, after the initial kowtow, withdrew to the side and did nothing.
Xinghe's smile turned into resentment, "I thought that person was you."
He pressed his forehead against the cold blue bricks and said, "Mother, your son is here to see you. There are many things to do in the court this year, and I am always busy..."
Xinghe, who was standing by, was a little surprised to find his name in the prince's prayer. But when he listened to the rest of the story, he almost broke out in a sweat.
You Zhaoyi was greatly surprised. However, such to-the-point words would never be too thorough. Their ambiguity seemed to have deep meaning, which was enough to make people savor them carefully.
The prince felt that this was not proper, so he coughed heavily and said to Prince Xin, "Go back and change your crown and clothes, and go to Fengxian Palace at noon."
A piece of paper separated life and death. He looked up and saw that his mother's appearance had long become unreal. No matter how good the painter was, he could not paint her vividly. The initial pain had gradually faded after eight years of tempering, but he knew that she was his only relative, a relative with whom he had no conflicts of interest and whose blood was thicker than water.
Other ladies-in-waiting had already arrived in the palace. When mother and daughter met, they talked together. Yinchen found her mother in the crowd and screamed, "Mother!"
After hearing this, You Zhaoyi looked bewildered, "Thank goodness, Prince, you still remember what happened back then. When the late Queen was alive, I had a deep affection for her. The Prince and Yanling also played together until they were about ten years old..."
A piece of paper separated life and death. He looked up and saw that his mother's appearance had long become unreal. No matter how good the painter was, he could not paint her vividly. The initial pain had gradually faded after eight years of tempering, but he knew that she was his only relative, a relative with whom he had no conflicts of interest and whose blood was thicker than water.
Xinghe looked back at the Shanchi Courtyard and said, "Your Majesty, please go into the courtyard. It's windy outside and the weather may change at night." He smiled and said, "My mother is also in the courtyard. She is not good at socializing. I beg Your Majesty to take care of her."
Prince Xin turned his head to look at the crown prince: "She is my second sister-in-law, isn't she?"
Mrs. Su glanced behind her and asked in a low voice, "Did the prince follow us again?"
Xinghe and Yinchen were originally from the palace, and they were not subject to those restrictions. It was not the right time yet, so there was no need to go straight into Xingqing Palace. After thinking about it, he went around the edge of Nanhaizi and quietly entered the Jiuri Palace.