Queen Ma said angrily: "Erlang, don't be naughty."
Zhao Yue pursed her lips and smiled.
It was a coincidence that today, he and Cui Wenxi had the same clothes, wearing a tooth-colored round-neck narrow-sleeved shirt with regular clothes. The golden embroidered Baoxiang flower group was solemn and steady, and he had a piece of blood jade around his waist. He had a graceful manner and a calm demeanor.
The young man looks gentle and elegant, but he has an invisible courage, which is the dignity that comes from the political battles in the court.
The three of them sat down separately, but Cui Wenxi did not shy away.
Empress Ma looked at her son and asked, "Has Erlang finished handling the government affairs?"
Zhao Yue: "Last night, I heard from my grandma that my mother was not feeling well, so I came to take a look." He then asked, "Can I ask the imperial doctor to check her pulse?"
Queen Ma said: "Maybe I caught a cold the day before yesterday and was not very energetic. I took two patches of medicine and I feel much better today."
Zhao Yue expressed concern: "The weather is unstable in spring, so I'd better pay more attention to it." After saying that, he looked at Cui Wenxi and asked, "The Fourth Emperor's Aunt came into the palace today, but she chatted with her to relieve her fatigue?"
Cui Wenxi didn't like to hear this. She knew that this nephew was smart and must also know the differences between her and Prince Qing.
This question was obviously intended to be gossip, so she replied with a smile: "Just now, I was talking to your Majesty. Your Highness will be crowned in two years, but there is no one to take care of you in the East Palace. Your Majesty is very busy."
As soon as these words came out, Empress Ma slapped her thigh and said, "No, my hair has turned a lot gray." She immediately babbled to Zhao Yue, "Look at your elder brother, he already has three children. How about you?" Not even a single concubine."
Zhao Yue: "..."
Cui Wenxi was well versed in the ways of women and successfully transferred the gossip to him, saying: "It's pitiful for the hearts of parents in the world. Your Highness should be more attentive."
Empress Ma was very interested in this topic, and she immediately started gossiping with Cui Wenxi about the girls of high-ranking families in the capital. The two women talked enthusiastically about the ladies who had not yet left the cabinet, and Zhao Yue's head was as big as a stick after hearing this.
He originally wanted to check out Cui Wenxi's quarrel with Prince Qing, but he never thought that she would defeat an entire army. He didn't dare to speak at all, for fear of getting burned, but he didn't want to run away, so he simply went in and out of one ear shamelessly.
Cui Wenxi felt that Zhou Niang of Uncle Zhongyi's family was very outstanding. She had a good figure, good character, and was outstanding. She was just hair-haired and was the same age as the prince. The palace should pay more attention to her.
Empress Ma took it seriously and said to her: "When marrying a wife, you should marry a virtuous one. You have to choose someone who is capable of accepting others." She added, "There are always three wives and four concubines in the palace to continue the heirs. If they are jealous every day, it will be troublesome." "
Cui Wenxi nodded and said: "That's true. You must not be as stingy and jealous as me."
Empress Ma was amused by her teasing tone, pointed at her and said, "You are self-aware."
Cui Wenxi also laughed.
Zhao Yue secretly glanced at her, and his eyes accidentally fell on her earlobe. The mole was quite sexy.
Empress Ma looked at him and asked, "Erlang has never mentioned a girl he likes. Which one do you like? I can help you look for her in the future."
Cui Wenxi also looked over.
Zhao Yue avoided it with a guilty conscience and replied: "Of course it is good to be polite and prudent."
His attitude is serious, as noble and arrogant as the Buddha, as if ordinary people can't even notice him.
Everyone inside and outside the palace knew that the prince had restrained himself and returned to etiquette. Such a noble and self-sustained husband naturally had high vision, otherwise the marriage would not have been delayed until now.
After a while, Eunuch Wei came into the palace and announced that the saint was looking for something.
Zhao Yue stood up and saluted Queen Ma to leave. Cui Wenxi also stood up and saluted. Zhao Yue returned the salute, but did not dare to peek for fear that his eyes would wander and offend her dignity.
After he left, the two sisters-in-law continued to chat.
Cui Wenxi had a meal in the palace at noon, and in the afternoon he and Queen Ma visited the Royal Garden. They did not leave the palace until very late, but they did not return to the Duke's Palace, but to Prince Qing's Palace.
Since Zhao Chengyan has brought out all the people in the palace to serve as lobbyists, he has to give him some face no matter what.
No, Jin felt relieved when she heard that Fengling came to report that Princess Qing had returned to her mansion, and asked curiously: "Did Yuan Niang say something?"
Fang Ling smiled and said, "My lady said, let the madam rest assured that she knows what to do."
Jin sighed, "I just hope that she will be well, go smoothly, and be safe."
Then she asked some trivial questions, and Fang Ling answered them all.
Cui Wenxi left a lot of things in Jinyuyuan, and Fang Ling came back to pick them up.
After Cui Wenxi on the other side returned to the house, it didn't take long for Zhao Chengyan to come back from duty. When he heard that his mistress had returned, he rushed over to see her.
Cui Wenxi avoided seeing him, saying he was tired.
Zhao Chengyan stood in the courtyard for a long time, for fear of offending her, he said cautiously: "Yuan Niang, please rest well. I will come over to see you tomorrow morning."
Cui Wenxi didn't answer, just sat on the couch with a calm expression.
There was no movement in the house, and Zhao Chengyan returned angrily.
After hearing the footsteps leaving, Cui Wenxi stood up and looked outside. He suddenly felt tired and immediately ordered someone to prepare hot water for a bath.
While Queen Ma in the palace was talking to the saint about today's advice during the meal, Zhao Junqi said: "If Mrs. Cui insists on making peace with Shiro, it will be her fault."
Queen Ma: "It's not easy for a girl to live in a family after all. I have made it clear to her the stakes of divorce. If she listens, she will naturally know how to make a decision. If she doesn't listen, I have nothing to do."
Zhao Yue on the opposite side did not say a word, but slowly picked up the bamboo shoots and listened with her ears raised to listen to the elders talking about Cui.
It seemed that he would listen patiently to any topic related to her.
As the two elders talked, the topic turned to him again, thinking that it was time for the Eastern Palace to marry the crown princess.
This time Zhao Yue was so smart that he deliberately asked his father, "Dad, the local tax reported by the governor of Hexikou..."
Before he finished speaking, Zhao Junqi hurriedly put down the bowl and chopsticks as if he had seen a ghost, wiped his mouth and said: "Ah, I forgot to deal with one thing. You two take it easy, I'll go back first."
Zhao Yue: "..."
Queen Ma: "..."
The two of them watched Zhao Junqi's leaving figure silently, feeling speechless for a moment.
Zhao Yue raised her eyebrows, thoughtfully filled a bowl of white fungus soup and handed it to Queen Ma, saying, "Tremella fuciformis nourishes yin and moisturizes the lungs. Mom, use more."
Empress Ma complained: "Fortunately your father has you as his legitimate son to support him, otherwise his life would be completely over."
She was extremely grateful that her belly was strong enough to give birth to such a son. Otherwise, the whole family would have to go to the countryside to drink, and how could they have the prosperity they have today
The white fungus soup was sweet and quite appetizing, and Queen Ma was very happy with it.
Zhao Yue had something hidden in her mind and asked tentatively: "I heard a while ago that there was something wrong in the Fourth Emperor's uncle's family. Is this why the Fourth Emperor's aunt came into the palace today?"
Empress Ma: "Your uncle, the Fourth Emperor, has brought back a girl who is pregnant. Cui Changyue refuses to accept her and wants to go down to court. Silang asked me to come forward and persuade her."
Zhao Yue glanced at her sideways, "Aunt Four Emperors has always been aloof and arrogant. Are you willing to listen to my mother's advice?"
Queen Ma: "I heard that she returned to Prince Qing's Mansion today. If she is not confused, she should understand that leaving Prince Qing will not do her any good."
Zhao Yue said nothing, only looked down at the soup in the bowl, wondering what he was thinking.
After returning to Yong'an Palace after dinner, Zhao Yue tossed and turned and couldn't sleep that night. The alluring white snow and the small mole on her earlobe always appeared in her mind.
The empty palace was pitch dark, and he felt upset. He sat up with disheveled hair, unable to suppress the excitement in his heart.
She is making peace with her.
Those who once felt they did not dare to blaspheme suddenly seem to be within easy reach.
That kind of eagerness, like a cat scratching, tugged at his heartstrings from time to time, and could not help but breed many unspeakable and unreasonable thoughts.
I don't know how long it took before Zhao Yue got out of bed, lit the candle, picked up a hosta and pulled up her hair.
A little bit of black hair hung down and was tucked behind her ears by him.
Wearing obscene clothes, he picked up the candlestick and walked behind the screen. He only heard a subtle friction sound, and the secret cabinet behind the screen quietly opened, and Zhao Yue walked in.
The space inside is not large and is enclosed.
He put the candlestick on the table, and eight pictures of ladies were hung on the surrounding walls, all of which were made by him.
The girls in the paintings have different shapes, some are sitting upright and smiling, some are turning their heads and staring, and some are standing under a tree and looking out...
No matter what shape they are in, they all have the same silver plate face, willow-shaped eyebrows, shy almond-shaped eyes, and a small mole on the earlobe.
Zhao Yue picked up the candlestick and walked to the painting to stare at the person in the painting. She couldn't help but think of the girl she saw during the day. She always looked dignified and proud no matter what time she was.
Now, her pride was broken by Prince Qing.
His fingertips slowly landed on the face that made him think about him day and night, with a hint of provocation in his charming peach blossom eyes.
The man had a very arrogant temper, and if he wanted to get her, he would have to use clever tricks to get her.
After sitting in the dark pavilion for a long time, the surroundings were silent and empty, with only the candlelight dancing uneasily, like someone's ups and downs of mood.
Now that spring has begun, it’s the perfect time to hold a spring banquet.
Normally, Zhao Yue would be the least interested in attending any gatherings, as she found it too noisy.
But this time he was in high spirits.
His eyes slowly fell on the scroll on the wall, and he stared carefully into those almond-shaped eyes. The restrained desire would no longer be hidden, just like when he was a child, he tried his best to keep the East Palace and please Emperor Wu.
The teacher Chen Ping told him that if he wanted to hunt perfectly, he must first learn to disguise himself as prey.
This was easy for him to do.
Two days later, the eldest sister, Princess Pingyang, came to the palace to visit Queen Ma. In the early years when the saint was still the crown prince of the East Palace, the whole family was not favored and was hampered everywhere.
At that time, life was difficult for the princesses and princes, and they all learned to watch their actions. Now they are finally getting better, but Pingyang has lost her husband in middle age, which really makes Empress Ma feel distressed.
In the past, Pingyang liked to be lively and often entertained people, whether it was chrysanthemum viewing or bow shooting, there were many tricks.
But since her consort died of illness at the age of thirty, she rarely entertained guests.
When I entered the palace today to chat with Empress Ma, Empress Ma told her about the spring banquet and said that it was Zhao Yue who asked for it.
Pingyang was quite surprised and asked curiously: "Erlang never likes to make noise, so why do you want to ask my mother-in-law to hold a spring banquet?"