"Please go this way," the eunuch who led the way led Qiurier and Bedoko through the palace. The two did not dare to look up, but they just kept their heads down and followed behind the green eunuch without saying a word. If so, don't take a step further.
"Eunuch He, the prince and princess of Li Kingdom are here." After the green-robed eunuch led the two of them outside the Zichen Palace, he did not go down any further, but bowed and bowed to He Ming who was standing at the door.
He Ming nodded and bowed to Qiurier and Bedokko: "Prince and Princess, please wait a moment, this little one will report to the Emperor and Empress."
"It's a job." Bedoko quickly thanked him. Although the other party was only a eunuch, how could he dare to offend such a character as a little prince like him.
He Ming smiled and cupped his hands towards the two of them, then entered the door of the main hall, and the blue figure soon disappeared.
Bedokko never thought that His Majesty the Emperor Dafeng would actually be willing to meet them. He was a little excited and a little nervous. He touched the credentials on his chest, and then carefully pulled the corner of his clothes, hoping that he would be in front of His Majesty the Emperor. Show your strengths as much as possible.
Qiurier bit her lower lip and took a deep breath.
This is their only chance, they can only succeed, not fail.
After a while, He Ming came out. He saluted the two of them and said, "Prince and Princess, please."
"There is Mr. Lao." Bedoko hurriedly bowed to He Ming.
He Ming turned sideways, avoided the ceremony, and walked in with the two of them.
As the emperor's sleeping quarters, the Zichen Hall was built very comfortably. The brother and sister Li Guo, the more they walked in, the more exquisite they felt everywhere. Even the floor tiles they stepped on were very different.
Entering the inner hall, a very light fragrance enters the nose, which makes people feel relaxed and happy without realizing it.
Qiurier once heard from a female official in the palace that Dafeng has a lot of precious spices, some of which are invaluable. She, the princess of the Li Kingdom, would be stunned when she heard the price, and she would not even dare to mention the purchase and use.
The three stopped outside a hall, Qiurier looked up and found a plaque hanging at the entrance of the hall with the word "Meditation" written on it.
"Reporting to the empress, the prince and princess of Li have arrived."
When Qiurier heard the report from the eunuch who led the way, she was a little curious. Could it be that His Majesty the Emperor is not there
Soon, a palace maid in green came out. She was smiling all over her face. She also wore precious Zhu hairpins and palace flowers in her hair, and a twisted silk gold bracelet on her wrist was looming on her cuff.
"His Royal Highness, Princess, please come in."
Seeing the other party salute her, Qiulier hurriedly stepped forward to support her. Although she didn't know who the palace maid was, she was dressed gorgeously and even wore gold ornaments.
Crossing the threshold engraved with the lotus pattern, Qiurier and Bedokko met the most honorable woman in Dafeng. I saw that she was wearing a wide-sleeved palace dress with a light plum pattern, and the blue silk was tied into a simple bun.
The current empress is very different from what they saw at the state banquet, and even the aura around her body is much gentler.
"You two, please sit down," Gu Rujiu saw that the two of them seemed a little embarrassed, and let them sit down with a smile, and then asked the palace maid to serve them tea and snacks, "The official has an audience with Your Majesty, so he is not here at the moment. You two. Sit down for a while, and stay in Zichen Hall for lunch today?"
With such a good opportunity, how could Bedokko and Qiurier refuse, they agreed with joy, but they couldn't let go, so they didn't dare to look up at the empress who was seated.
"I heard that there is a food called moon fruit in your country. There is a very sweet milky white juice in the hard shell," Gu Rujiu said with a small smile, holding up the teacup, "I wonder if the taste is really as delicious as the rumors say?"
"My country does have such fruits, but it is nothing to Dafeng Shangguo, which is rich in products." Qiulier got up and replied, "In addition, the country has been experiencing drought for the past two years, and crops and yields have been greatly reduced. The moon fruit is not as sweet and delicious as it used to be."
Gu Rujiu blew the tea foam and sighed, "That's really a pity."
Seeing that the queen didn't seem to have any intention of asking about the drought in Li Kingdom, Qiurier was anxious, but she didn't dare to speak without permission, so she had to stand silently.
"The visitor is a guest, the prince and princess don't have to be so restrained, sit down quickly," Gu Rujiu smiled and let Qiurier sit down, standing up before she could reply, "I don't like to pay attention to these rules, princess. Never again."
Although the Li Kingdom is a poor and weak country that needs to rely on Dafeng to continue, no matter how weak it is, as long as it is a country in name and has no bad intentions towards Dafeng, Gu Rujiu will not let the other party's face. ugly.
After talking about the customs and relationships on both sides, Gu Rujiu's gentle attitude finally allowed the two brothers and sisters to let go of their hands and feet a little, at least they dared to take the initiative to speak, without Gu Rujiu asking a question or answering a sentence.
In Qiulier's view, Dafeng's Empress is the most perfect, beautiful and elegant woman among all the women she has ever met. She even thinks that the Dafeng Emperor who has such a woman must be the luckiest in the world man.
"It's very good that the women of your country can be officials," Gu Rujiu said with emotion, "In this respect, we are not as good as you in Dafeng."
"The country of Li is poor and backward, and I don't dare to compare with the country of Shang," Qiulier said, "It's just that the country is sparsely populated, and there are fewer capable and talented people, so some noble women who are familiar with poetry and books have the opportunity. Get involved in politics."
Gu Rujiu smiled and shook her head, she didn't say anything, she just asked the maid to exchange a cup of hot tea for the two of them.
When Jin Yang returned from the imperial study to the meditation hall, he heard Gu Rujiu's laughter coming from inside, and he couldn't help raising the corners of his mouth. He strode into the hall and said, "What makes Jiujiu so happy?"
Qiurier and Bedokko saw a man in a black dragon-patterned robe walk in, and hurriedly stood up and bowed to salute: "I have seen His Majesty the Emperor of Shangguo."
"You two don't need to be polite, please take your seats." Jin Yang's legs are long, so he walked to Gu Rujiu's side and sat down in a few steps, then picked up the teacup that Gu Rujiu had drank, and he looked up and took a few sips without thinking about anything.
Qiurier accidentally saw that His Majesty the Emperor was drinking water directly from the teacup used by the Empress. She hurriedly lowered her head and did not dare to look again, and then she heard the conversation of the Empress.
"Your Majesty, why are you here now?" Seeing Jin Yang secretly using his own teacup, Gu Rujiu glared at him, snatched the teacup from his hand, and then took a cup of tea from the tray held by Qiuluo and stuffed it into the In his hand, "The tea just now is cold, you can't drink too much."
Jin Yang lifted the lid of the teacup in his hand and saw that it was the hawthorn tea he usually drank. After taking two sips obediently, he said, "I will never do it again next time."
"Your Majesty's golden mouth is worth a thousand dollars," Gu Rujiu raised her eyebrows and said with a half-smile, "If I find you stealing your mouth, then..."
"Cough," Jin Yang turned his head and looked at Bedokko, "I heard that the prince and princess want to see me on something important, what is it?"
Gu Rujiu put her hand on his waist with a smile, then twisted a piece of meat and gently rotated it 180 degrees.
Don't think that pretending to be serious can cover up the fact of stealing.
Jin Yang laughed until the corners of his mouth twitched, he reached out and squeezed the back of Gu Rujiu's hand lightly, showing her a pleasing smile.
Gu Rujiu raised her eyebrows, withdrew her hand, and then got up and said, "Bengong will let the people below prepare lunch, you guys can talk slowly."
"Congratulations to the Empress." Bedoko and Qiurier stood up and saluted, until Gu Rujiu disappeared behind the door, and they took their seats again.
After the Empress left, the atmosphere of the meditation hall suddenly became a lot more serious, and even the emperor, who had just been gentle and gentle in front of the empress, changed his aura.
"Kara." This was Jin Yang's voice when he put the teacup back on the table.
Bedokko became inexplicably nervous because of such a simple action. He stood up abruptly and saluted Jin Yang: "Your Majesty the Emperor of the Shang Kingdom, the minister has something important to report."
"His Royal Highness, please speak," Jin Yang's expression was calm, and there was no change in Bedokko's reaction.
Seeing his reaction, Bedoko uneasily spoke out about the conspiracy of Gao Luoguo.
"The Gaoluo country wants to use the adjacent position between the country and the upper country, and wants to garrison the army in the country," Bedok said, "What is the intention of the country of Gaoluo, the minister does not know, but the minister feels that this move It is very inappropriate, so I came here to report to Your Majesty."
Jin Yang swept his gaze over Bedoko, and then said, "Has your Royal Highness ever thought about telling me about this, it might anger Gao Luo"
"Biguo is a subordinate country of Shangguo, so it is natural to be loyal to Shangguo and obey Shangguo's orders," Bedoko gave Jin Yang a grand ceremony of Liguo, "All subjects of Liguo and subordinates obey Shangguo's command."
Jin Yang has read the records of the Dafeng royal family, that Li Kingdom became a Dafeng affiliated state twenty years after the founding of Dafeng, and it has been almost two hundred years since then. For the past two hundred years, this country has always been honest. If there are good things, it will send half of it to Dafeng.
"I heard that the Li Kingdom has suffered disasters every year in recent years, and the crops have not been harvested well. Is there such a thing?" Jin Yang finally opened his mouth and mentioned the things that Bedokke and Qiurier had in mind.
"Please, Your Honorable Majesty Shangguo, save the people of this country from the fire and water," Bedokko got up and knelt in front of Jin Yang, and presented the national letter written by his father with both hands before he left, "The Li country is willing to bow down to your country ."
Bowing down and being a subject are two concepts. The former is still a country, and the latter will be incorporated into the Dafeng territory, and there will be no Li country in the world.
Jin Yang took the credential from Bedokko, and after reading it, he bent down and helped Bedokko: "Your Highness, please don't worry, Li Guo and I have been yelling at Dafeng for so many years, how could I just watch the people of your country? Suffer."
Although he said so, he did not return this credential to Bedokko.
Bedoko and Qiurier had a vague understanding in their hearts, some lost and some fortunate, and finally these emotions turned into submissiveness.
"With me, Dafeng, there will be no day when they will dominate the Gaoluo Kingdom," Jin Yang handed the letter of credentials to Bai Xian behind him, raised his hand and said, "It's getting late, please come with me to the front hall for dinner. ."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Bedoko saluted respectfully, followed behind Jin Yang with his sister, and left the meditation hall.
From beginning to end, he never took another look at the national letter in Bai Xian's hands.
In the front hall, the maids and eunuchs had just set the tableware when Gu Rujiu saw Jin Yang walk in with the prince and princess of Li Kingdom.
"Jiu Jiu," Jin Yang walked up to her and said with a smile, "I heard that you specially prepared lunch today?"
Gu Rujiu smiled; "I'll just move my mouth, and the royal chef in the imperial kitchen will do it." After she finished speaking, she nodded slightly to Qiu Luo who was behind her, and Qiu Luo went out to let the maids waiting outside wait for the nobles to wash their hands.
Qiurier found that after stepping into this front hall, the aura of His Majesty the Emperor became gentle again.
After the four of them were seated, Qiurier and Bedokko saw the rules of the Dafeng royal family.
It turned out that several jinpas were used to wipe hands, the cups for gargling were made of sterling silver, and the dishes were even more precious and rare porcelain.
As soon as the dishes were served, Qiulier found that in addition to the delicious Dafeng food, there were several dishes unique to Li Kingdom on this wide and long dining table.
Seeing these Li national dishes, Qiurier and Bedokko warmed their hearts. Bedoko couldn't help but think that with such emperors and queens, even if they merged into Dafeng, it would not be so unacceptable.
After lunch was over, Qiurier and Baker retired very wisely. After the two left, Gu Rujiu said, "Do you want to ask Li Guo for something?"
Jin Yang nodded, took Gu Rujiu's hand, and walked slowly in the garden outside, "The country of Li has been in drought for several years, and the people are hungry, so I want to ask us to help them."
"Your Majesty agreed." Gu Rujiu turned to look at Jin Yang.
Jin Yang nodded and said silently for a moment, "The country of Li is willing to bow down to us."
"Being a vassal?!" Gu Rujiu looked at Jin Yang in surprise, "Why did Li State do this?" In her opinion, Li State, as a vassal of Dafeng, is in a bad state, and Dafeng cannot sit idly by. Reasonable, not to ask them to bow their heads and be courtiers to help.
Seeing Jiujiu's surprised look, Jin Yang explained with a smile: "The current king of Li Kingdom is very timid and cowardly. After he became king, he was often oppressed by neighboring countries. Li Kingdom has long been divided up by other countries."
"It's been all these years, why..." Gu Rujiu suddenly stopped, she stopped abruptly, "Because of Gao Luoguo?"
"Jiu Jiu is always so smart," Jin Yang smiled helplessly, "I originally wanted to pretend to be a smart person in front of you."
"What Your Majesty has thought of for a long time, I only think of it now," Gu Rujiu shook Jin Yang's right index finger with his left index finger, "It can be seen that Your Majesty is smarter than me."
Looking at the two index fingers hooked together, Jin Yang smiled and said, "There's one thing I've always wanted to tell Jiujiu."
"What's the matter?" Gu Rujiu looked at him, her index fingers clenched tightly.
"Don't call me Your Majesty for a long time in the future, can you call me Dalang or Chen Jun?" Jin Yang said a little uncomfortable, "No one in the world dares to call me by my name taboo, only Jiujiu is different from others."
"Dalang?" Gu Rujiu called out these two words softly, and the two words trembled on the tip of her tongue, turning into the most beautiful notes in the world.
Jin Yang looked at her and smiled.
"Dalang, Lord Chen," Gu Rujiu tilted his head and smiled at him, "others dare not call me, is Dalang happy?"
"I'm very happy." Jin Yang laughed softly, held Gu Rujiu's hand tightly, and said softly, "In this world, only Jiujiu is different from others."
In one's life, there is always someone who can't bear it. For him, this person is the woman beside him.
"Lord Qilian?" The guard saw that Qilian suddenly tightened the reins and stopped the horse, and looked at Qilian somewhat puzzled.
Qi Lian squinted at the vermilion gate of the Gu family's house, and after a while, he whipped the horse's butt with his horse whip and continued on his way.
Halfway through the road, a red-topped carriage passed by in front of him. He stopped the horse, and then retreated to the side with the guard.
Dafeng stipulates that non-noble people are not allowed to ride in red-topped carriages, except during weddings. Therefore, the carriage on the opposite side must be a nobleman with a title in the capital.
"Master Chen, are you going to visit Lord Gu?"
"Exactly, exactly, where is Mr. Wu going?"
Hearing this conversation, Qi Lian glanced at the two people who were talking. They were two young men in brocade robes. One of them was riding a horse to accompany the carriage.
How many Master Gu can there be in the capital
Qi Lian quickly guessed who was sitting in the carriage.
It is rumored that after Emperor Delong got married, he promoted his father-in-law as a prince, and even the queen's brothers and sisters were all given titles.
The person in the carriage should be Gu Changling's eldest daughter.
He watched this delicate carriage slowly pass by his horse, lowered his eyelids slightly, and said coldly, "Let's go."
More than ten years ago, when he fled the capital in a hurry, the Gu family was only a small third-class mansion. Now that more than ten years have passed, the original second-class aristocratic family has become the object of many people in the capital to please.
It can be seen that these families are only relying on the glory given by the royal family to maintain their own dignity.
That being the case, how could these aristocratic families look down on the nouveau riche? Compared with the nouveau riche, they only have more than a few hundred years of family history. Then, through the skin of an aristocratic family, he did the same thing as the new rich.
"Master Qilian, Emperor Delong has met the prince and princess of Li Kingdom." When Qilian returned to the courtyard of the other palace, someone told him about it.
"He actually saw Li Kingdom first?" Qi Lian frowned when he heard this. This Emperor Delong seems to be different from the previous emperor, at least in terms of behavior, the two emperors are very different.
"Is there any news?" he asked blankly.
"Is there any news, Dafeng officials' mouths are as tight as mussels, and they can't be opened by prying," Posenger felt a rush of anger in his heart when he thought of the aloof appearance of Dafeng officials. "It's just that I heard that the empress's feelings are not as good as they seem."
"It's been a long time ago, and no one knows if it's true or not," Qi Lian pushed the teacup in his hand, "It's better to think about how to put our people in Dafeng."
Posinger was instantly speechless.
"Sir, I once heard an interesting story." A guard whispered, "It is rumored that the third house of the Sima family has an old grudge with the Gu family."
Qi Lian raised his eyebrows and said with great interest, "Continue."
The guard explained the grievances between the third house of the Sima family and the Gu family one by one, and also sent a lot of gossip.
"The Sima family once intended to send their daughter to the palace, but it was the low-key girl from the Gu family who finally became the queen," Qi Lian smiled, "It's really interesting, this capital is getting more and more interesting."
Posenger's thick black eyebrows moved.
"Since that's the case, let's find a chance to meet this aggrieved Miss Sima," Qi Lian said with a mocking smile on his face, "I just don't know how useful this Miss Sima is."
Since Sima Xiang moved into the big house, he has been honestly staying in his small courtyard, rarely going out, and rarely seeing outsiders. But even so, life is much easier now than in the past, at least no one forced her to learn about another strange man's hobbies, and then changed her words and deeds to accommodate this person's hobbies.
Her treatment in the big room was all based on Sima Ling's standard before she got married. The servants were respectful, and the elders were strict but reasonable.
But she knew in her heart that this perfection was not because of how much the Dafang people liked her, but because the Dafang people had to be nice to her for the sake of the Sima family's face.
But what does it matter, what she wants is the last resort of the big house, because only in this way can she continue to rely on the surname Sima to maintain the honor and dignity of her noble daughter.
So when she followed her previous habit of going out once a month, and when she happened to meet the envoy of Gao Luo, she guessed that it was not a coincidence, but a planned encounter.
The other party invited her to the teahouse to drink tea, but she refused without hesitation.
No matter what plans or intentions the other party has, she will not drink tea with people from other countries at such a time.
Qi Lian looked at the leaving carriage, smiled casually, then gently turned the teacup in his hand, and said to the guard beside him: "This Miss Sima Family, it's really nothing..."
The guard looked at him suspiciously, wondering why he didn't continue talking.
Qi Lian smiled, put down the teacup, and got up to let the guard pay the bill.
This woman reminded him of a woman he met when he was fleeing back then. The woman was beautiful and weak, and looked like a delicate flower that could be shattered when touched.
But he saw with his own eyes that woman strangled her best companion with her own hands in order to become a dancer in a noble house, and then, with tears and grief on her face, entered the noble mansion under the consolation of others. door.
When he walked out of the teahouse, he saw again the red-topped carriage he had encountered on the street a few days ago.
The carriage stopped outside a jewelry store, and a beautiful and extravagant woman walked out of the carriage.
He stopped, looked at the woman intently, then got on his horse and left the teahouse without looking back.
Remember when she was a teenager, she was just a little girl.