New Year's Eve, royal family banquet.
Gu Jiu followed Princess Pei into the palace.
Enter the palace from the Mingde gate and get off the carriage in front of the second palace gate.
Then go to Changchun Palace to meet Concubine Shu.
The three unmarried girls in the palace have been living in the palace during this period of time, performing filial piety in front of Concubine Shu.
As soon as Gu Jiu and his party entered the gate of the Changchun Palace, three girls from the palace greeted them.
"Meet my concubine, three sisters-in-law."
"Free gift!"
Concubine Pei first glanced at the main hall of Changchun Palace, and then asked, "How is Madam Shu these days? Are you naughty?"
"I told my mother and concubine that my daughter dare not be naughty. There is just one thing that has been bothering grandma."
It was Liu Wei who spoke, and she was also the eldest of the three sisters.
Mrs. Pei first uttered, "Why is Concubine Shu bothered?"
Liu Wei looked around, and said in a low voice, "Who should host the family banquet tonight? Tomorrow, who should be respected when worshiping?"
When Pei Shi heard it, her heart was beating non-stop.
Since Empress Ruizhen Cui passed away, there have been voices in the court asking for a queen, but the emperor turned a deaf ear to these voices.
The fact that the emperor turned a deaf ear to it doesn't mean that the concubines in the harem can stand aloof and don't care about the position of queen.
Once he is canonized as a queen, his son can become a legitimate son.
The attraction of the word "dizi" to concubines is like the attraction of a magnet to an iron nail, unparalleled.
Pei suppressed the flustered emotions in her heart and told Liu Wei, "Don't say anything about this, just pretend you don't know anything."
"The daughter listens to the concubine mother."
Mrs. Pei cheered up and took her daughter and daughter-in-law to the main hall to meet Concubine Shu.
Gu Jiu exchanged a glance with Ouyang Fu.
The emperor hasn't decided who will be honored at tonight's family banquet. I'm afraid that tonight's family banquet will not be peaceful.
Don't look at the concubines in the palace, all of them have kind faces, but when they fight in private, they are more ruthless than men.
The light of the sword and the shadow of the sword, if there is a disagreement, there will be blood and death.
Entering the sleeping hall, Concubine Shu lazily leaned on the couch.
"Greetings to my concubine, my concubine has a happy life and a healthy life."
Concubine Shu glanced at Mrs. Pei, "Here we come! Sit down and talk."
After that, Gu Jiu, as the eldest grandson-in-law, led the two sisters-in-law to greet her.
Concubine Shu hummed, and said lazily, "Sit down and talk."
Pei asked with concern: "How is the concubine mother?"
Concubine Shu changed to a more relaxed posture, "The old way, neither good nor bad. When you are old, you don't want to move all day long."
Mrs. Pei immediately pleaded guilty, "My daughter-in-law is not filial and cannot serve her mother and concubine."
Concubine Shu smiled, "Okay, don't say that these things are not available. How is the palace? I heard that Huyang asked her brother Wang for money again a few days ago?"
Mrs. Pei nodded, "A few days ago, Hu Yang did go to the palace and talked a lot with the prince."
Concubine Shu asked, "Why didn't the prince come?"
"He is currently leading the children to pay respects to Father Emperor in Xingqing Palace."
Concubine Shu snorted, obviously not interested in speaking.
Mrs. Pei asked cautiously: "Is the concubine mother worried about tonight's family banquet?"
Concubine Shu was noncommittal.
Mrs. Pei muttered softly enough for Concubine Shu to hear, "I don't know what's going on with Concubine Gui."
Concubine Shu sneered, "She's been making a lot of noise. No one in this palace knows that the noble concubine wants to ascend to the throne. The Xue family is a pawn, and they are waving the flag for her. Look at her vigor, she really thinks the queen The place belongs to her.”
When Concubine Shu talked about Concubine Xue Gui, she was really full of resentment.
The two have been fighting since they entered the palace. They have been fighting for decades, but neither of them accepts the other.
Now we have to continue to fight, to fight for the throne, but also to fight for the throne.
Mrs. Pei hurriedly said: "Mother and concubine calm down. The noble concubine is too flamboyant, and the emperor will definitely not like it. She will never succeed."
Concubine Shu frowned, she was not as optimistic as Pei.
Recently, the Xiao family is also running for her.
As a prince, Ning Wang couldn't directly speak out, so he had to arrange the people below to speak out for him.
With the authority of the Son of Heaven, if the Son of Heaven decides who to be queen, no one will be able to change the Son of Heaven's decision. Therefore, it is necessary to act before the emperor makes up his mind, and influence the emperor's determination as much as possible.
Is it just that the Son of Heaven really has such a good influence
Ruizhen Empress Cui spent a decade or two, but she still failed to dispel the emperor's prejudice against the prince.
It can be seen that the emperor is a person with firm will, domineering behavior, and will not be easily influenced by others.
It is difficult and difficult to influence the emperor's decision.
Gu Jiu's heart skipped a beat, and the harem fought again because of the queen's position.
Any movement in the harem will inevitably affect the court.
When the court moved, the princes and princes couldn't sit still.
It is a matter of vital interests, so naturally we must do our best.
At this time, the palace servants reported that Princess Huyang had arrived.
Concubine Shu finally had a smile on her face, "Invite Huyang in quickly."
After a while, Princess Huyang was invited into the bedroom.
Princess Huyang looks like Concubine Shu. When looking at people, her eyebrows and eyes are a bit sharp.
Princess Huyang is full of smiles. She is in her early thirties and has already given birth to two children, and she still maintains a very good figure. From the back, she looks like a young girl.
Of course, her face is no longer young, and has been stained with the traces of time.
Her smile is arrogant.
She also has the ability to be arrogant, she is a princess, the proud daughter of heaven. There are few women in the world who can be more noble than her.
She was in Changchun Palace, as if she was at home.
As soon as he entered the bedroom, he walked directly towards Concubine Shu and sat down next to Concubine Shu.
"Mother and concubine, my daughter misses you."
She held Concubine Shu's hand, acting like a spoiled child like that delicate little girl.
Concubine Shu rarely showed a loving smile, "But you're being naughty again? I heard that you went to see your brother Wang a few days ago. Your brother Wang must have bothered you."
As soon as this matter was mentioned, Princess Huyang was filled with anger.
That bastard Liu Zhao was so vicious that the son-in-law could not get out of bed even after lying on the bed for several days.
Today's family banquet, the son-in-law has to drag his unhealed body to the palace to have a banquet. When the banquet was over, the son-in-law didn't know how miserable it was.
Princess Huyang's eyes were resentful, "Mother, concubine, you have to tell me about Brother Wang later. He just asked him to do a little favor, but he sent Liu Zhao to beat up the son-in-law. The son-in-law is so miserable that he couldn't leave until two days ago." Bed, I will enter the palace for a banquet today. My daughter is worried that after today, the son-in-law's injuries will worsen."
Concubine Shu is not confused about major matters. Although she dotes on Huyang, she does not just dote on her without principle.
She said: "Your brother-in-law must have his reasons for beating the son-in-law. Did you and the son-in-law do something wrong again and angered your brother-in-law?"
Princess Huyang stomped her feet anxiously, "Concubine Mother, the son-in-law has suffered such a great grievance, yet you still speak up for Brother Wang."
Concubine Shu's face turned cold instantly, "You and your brother Wang are the children of this palace. As for the son-in-law, even if he dies, at worst, I will choose another one for you."
Princess Huyang's expression froze, her heart turned cold, "Concubine mother, daughter..."
"Okay, I don't want to hear what your son-in-law is long and short."
Princess Huyang lowered her head aggrievedly, "Even if the concubine doesn't care about the son-in-law, at least she should be concerned about your two grandchildren."
The two children of Princess Huyang are still standing in the hall.
One son and one daughter. The eldest is a son named Chen Lu, and the youngest is a daughter named Chen Min. They're all still childish.
The two brothers and sisters said in unison: "Grandson (daughter) pays respects to grandma, wishing grandma a long life and good health."
Concubine Shu laughed again, "Good boy, please sit down and talk."
The two siblings consciously sat in the lower seats.
Princess Huyang pulled Concubine Shu's sleeves and pleaded, "Concubine Mother!"
Concubine Shu snorted, noncommittal.
Pei coughed twice, ready to speak.
She really couldn't stand it anymore. Huyang is very shameless.
Mrs. Pei said: "Sister Huyang, why haven't you seen this set of head jewelry before? Newly made?"
Princess Huyang smiled, and said indifferently: "I want my sister-in-law to know that the craftsmen spent several months making this set of head jewelry, costing thousands of taels. The jewelry on it alone is priceless."
Mrs. Pei looked at her with a half-smile, "Sister Huyang is really rich. But I don't know why she wants to go to the palace every year? Why is that?"
In front of Concubine Shu, Mrs. Pei still saved some face for Princess Huyang, and did not expose the fact that Princess Huyang came to beat the autumn wind.
But even if Mrs. Pei doesn't say anything, Concubine Shu is still well-versed.
Huyang goes to the palace every year to play the autumn wind, can she not know
She just saves some face for her daughter.
Gu Jiu and the others lowered their heads and smiled.
The Pei family, Princess Huyang, and their aunt and sister-in-law confronted each other, and they had a good show in front of Concubine Shu.
In fact, people in the palace are not angry that Princess Huyang comes to the house every year to beat the autumn wind.
You said it's fine if you ask for a few hundred taels each time, but Huyang doesn't. Every time you come to the door, there are no three to five thousand taels, tens of thousands of taels, and you can never send her away.
Xiao Qin'er was very dissatisfied, the money belonged to the Wangfu, and she would also have a share of the Wangfu in the future.
Princess Huyang's visit to fight the autumn wind is to divide her and Liu Yi's property, how can she be happy.
On the other hand, Ouyang Fu looked down on Princess Huyang's character, showing off in front of others, but wanting to play the autumn wind behind her, really shameless.
The corners of Gu Jiu's mouth curled up slightly. No matter what era it is, people who are shameless and skinless live more comfortably.
They took other people's money, so of course they should be chic and extravagant.
As for the feelings of others, they never care.
You live frugally, save some money with great difficulty, and end up being borrowed for various reasons.
Borrowers carry thousands of bags on their backs, wear expensive shoes, wear the most expensive cosmetics, go out in style every three days, and travel in a month or two, luxurious and extravagant.
When you ask her to pay back the money, she is still confident: if I lend you a little money, why ask every day, whether it is annoying or not. Last but not least, no money.
No money to pay back, but money to travel, money to buy the latest bags.
When you see it, you must be pissed off.
Princess Huyang is exactly the same as some people in later generations in some respects.
The difference is that Princess Huyang comes from a noble background, has the capital to show off, and someone will cover her for her.
So Huyang dies every year, but never dies every year. At the age of thirty, he still looks like a spoiled child with a mental retardation.
Princess Huyang said to Mrs. Pei confidently, "I'm going to talk to Brother Wang, and my sister-in-law will also take care of me?"
Mrs. Pei snorted coldly to herself, if Concubine Shu was not present, she really wanted to step up and slap Princess Huyang. Shameless, shameless, shameless, and angry.
Concubine Shu knew that Mrs. Pei had resentment in her heart, so she stepped forward to appease her: "Don't say a few words. Huyang, don't be rude to your sister-in-law, speak with respect."
Princess Huyang bowed her head and admitted her mistake, "My concubine taught me that my daughter was wrong. Sister-in-law, you must not be as knowledgeable as I am."
Mrs. Pei coughed lightly, "How dare I argue with you."
Princess Huyang covered her lips and smiled, "I knew my sister-in-law was the most generous."
Pei's heart was annoyed, and his fart was magnanimous.
She doesn't want to be generous.
When I was young, I was fed up with concubines. Now that he is getting older, he still has to be angry with Huyang.
There is no reason for this.
Concubine Shu rubbed the center of her eyebrows. Since ancient times, aunts and sisters-in-law have been natural enemies.
She simply said: "Qin'er, come here. I ask you, is there any mischief in the palace?"
Xiao Qin'er's heart was full of joy, Concubine Shu finally noticed her.
She glanced at Gu Jiu, hum, you don't want to overwhelm me.
Gu Jiu stared at the sky speechlessly, Xiao Qin'er must be too good at brainstorming.
Before she made a move, Xiao Qin'er looked as if she wanted to compete with her.
When she really did something, Xiao Qin'er was going to tear her apart.
Xiao Qin'er looks delicate and pretty, and her voice is as clear as an oriole.
She replied respectfully, only saying good things, not bad things. Pei occasionally added a few sentences.
The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law cooperated very well.
Xiao Qin'er was overjoyed, thinking that the concubine's kindness to her today might have given up her anger
When she returned to the palace, she was filial to the concubine to consolidate her position.
While talking, the palace servants reported that King Ning led the emperors and grandsons over.
Immediately afterwards, I saw King Ning walking in like the wind, wearing a dark brown coat.
"How is the concubine?"
King Ning's voice was loud and full of energy.
It can be seen that although the people of King Ning are absurd, they pay great attention to maintaining their health.
Just because of the beard, it looks a little old. If you shave off your beard, maybe you will be a beautiful middle-aged man again.
"I don't need you to worry about it. Where is your father, okay?"
King Ning sat down directly on the first seat on the left, "You don't know the old man's temper. He never had a good time. Today, we scolded all our brothers, and I was almost hit by an inkstone. Luckily I was able to hide quickly."
Concubine Shu exclaimed, "Why is your father so angry? But you have caused trouble again."
King Ning shook his head, "How can it be? The household department has no money, and the Shaofu subsidizes it every year. The old man is very angry.
It has been said for a long time that the household debts will be cleared, and it seems that this time it is going to be true.
There are several brothers among us, and each of us owes a lot of money to the Ministry of Household Affairs, which adds up to a large sum.
In the first book of the Minister of the Household Department, he pointed the finger at us princes, threatening that as long as we pay back the debts owed by the Household Department, the Household Department will have no worries from now on, and the war will be safe.
That old man from Hubu, who only finds faults, is really deceiving people too much.
The old man really believed the old man's words and forced us to pay back the money. Where do I have money to pay back.
Brother Yan and I defended a few words together, and the old man started to go crazy, wishing he could kill us. "
Listening to Ning Wang's complaints, Concubine Shu's heart almost jumped out.
"You, you, you can't be serious when you talk to your father. You have to make a lot of noise and anger your father."
Pei Shi also looked nervous.
Princess Huyang was flustered.
The Princess Mansion also borrowed a lot of money from the Ministry of Household Affairs. She doesn't know the exact amount, but it must be quite a lot.
Princess Huyang asked nervously: "Brother Wang, does Emperor Father really want to clear up the household debts?"
King Ning laughed, "How can there be a fake. After the Lantern Festival is over, there will be a decree."
Hu Yang had a mournful face, "I have no money."
King Ning was not at all sympathetic, "If you don't have money, you can figure it out on your own, and this king doesn't have money either. Boss, how did you do with what this king told you last time?"
Liu Zhao frowned, looked at King Ning, really want to discuss these things here
King Ning said with a straight face, "If you tell me, you can say it."
Liu Zhao said in a deep voice, "There is no progress."
King Ning was dissatisfied, "Why has there been no progress for such a long time?"
Liu Zhao's tone was calm, "One is that the government has a lot of expenses, the other is that my son doesn't care about the accounts, and the third is that my son has been in the barracks for a long time and has no time to take care of this matter."
As soon as Gu Jiu heard it, he knew that Liu Zhao and King Ning were talking about money.
Money is the guts of a person.
Even if you are a prince, if you don't have money, you can't move an inch.
King Ning had long expected that the emperor was very determined to clean up the debts of the household department, and it would be a matter of time. Therefore, before going to the imperial mausoleum, he ordered Liu Zhao to collect money and make preparations early.
Liu Zhao did collect some money, but the amount was limited, he added all the betrothal gifts to Gu Jiu.
Originally, Princess Pei only prepared a dowry gift of 10,000 taels.
Liu Zhao thought it was too little, so he added 15,000 taels in private.
Afterwards, he was busy all the time, plus he didn't care about the accounts, and he was in the military camp for a long time, so the money he could collect was naturally very little.
In fact, the most critical reason was that Liu Zhao didn't care.
He wanted to teach King Ning a lesson by cleaning up the debts owed by the household department.
It's also good to let King Ning know that money didn't fall from the sky.
The palace seems to be full of flowers, rich and extravagant, but in fact, there are already signs of decay inside.
If it continues like this, maybe one day, the palace will be like those poor relatives, going to another house every three days to play the autumn wind.
The household debts gave Liu Zhao a chance.
Liu Zhao wants to let Ning Wang know that he should not be his son every time something happens.
As Lao Tzu, you should also set an example, take the lead and shoulder the big problem of money.