After the decree was announced, Xu Junying entered the palace at an auspicious time. He asked his grandmother what other preparations needed to be made. Old Lady Xu said, "Just let them help Lan'er dress up quickly, and then she can enter the palace."
The people in the back hall had heard the noise outside a long time ago. Mother Ji, Ruixue, Ruiyu and Jinsuo helped and pulled Zhuang Yulan back to Jinhua Hall to dress. If it were any other time, Zhuang Yulan would never let them drag her around like that. She would lose all her ladylike manners. Someone's nails were a little longer, but they scratched a dark purple cut on the back of her snow-white and delicate hand.
But she said nothing, and let them pull her around, whatever they wanted, she was happy and excited: she also had the chance to enter the palace with Mei Niang! Although she didn't have the dazzling golden phoenix crown and bridal robe yet, she believed that she would have it in the future, definitely!
Mei Niang brought Cui Lian and Cui Si to serve her. Cui Xi had her period and was not feeling well, so she asked her and Mother Wang to stay at home to look after Heng'er.
Xu Junying and the second master Xu Xiping escorted the female family members into the palace. Three carriages from the Xu family left the mansion. Baoju and Baizhan led the guards in front to clear the way. It was almost noon, and there were many pedestrians and carriages, but the ceremonial guards at the mansion were very special. No loud shouting could be heard, only a few whip cracks. The guards looked straight ahead with solemn faces, riding their tall horses slowly. A passage was naturally cleared on the street, and the Xu family's carriages were able to pass through the street smoothly.
Cui Si leaned against the window, looking through the gauze curtain, and marveled: "It's such a crowded street, but they gave way to them. In the past, we couldn't find a way out even if we ran around here and there!"
Mei Niang smiled: This is not difficult to imagine, Baoju and his men are soldiers, they have experienced life and death on the battlefield, killed the enemies and made meritorious service, and came back to stay by the leader's side, they are considered special soldiers, they have their own advantages. People see that they are not saying anything, but have the style of a military force ready to go, so they are afraid at first, and then seeing their cold and arrogant attitude and their domineering momentum, who dares to compete with them for the road
Turning into Xuanping Street leading to the Imperial Palace, they saw more than a dozen cars driving slowly ahead. Master Xu Er said to Xu Junying, "We are still a little late. We are behind others!"
Xu Junying smiled and said, "It's okay. Just go to the palace at the right time. There is another auspicious time to enter the Buddhist temple. Uncle, remember to remind me later. Please ask grandma to be on time!"
The second master Xu nodded: "I understand! If your grandmother had listened to you and got on the carriage earlier, our Xu Mansion's carriage would have been the first to enter the palace... Alas!"
The guards of the Xu mansion stayed outside the palace gate. Xu Junying and Master Xu II entered the palace gate with the female relatives' carriage. The guards at the palace gate led them to where the carriage was parked. Master Xu II hurried to help his mother get off the carriage. Xu Junying stood beside Mei Niang's carriage. Cui Si came out and lifted the curtain. Mei Niang crawled out of the carriage. She had lifted up her skirt and jumped down. She had done that before, but that depended on the occasion. It was inappropriate in the palace. She had no choice but to extend her hand to Xu Junying and let him help her get off the carriage.
Zhuang Yulan and Old Lady Xu were in the same car. Mother Ji and Ruixue helped her get off. Zhuang Yulan looked past the old lady and Second Master Xu, searching for Xu Junying, but saw him holding Mei Niang's hand and walking a few steps towards a couple who looked like a man and a woman. The two people walking in the distance were smiling. The man was wearing a dragon robe and a golden crown, was fat, had a mustache, and was about fifty years old. The woman was also wearing a gorgeous and bright phoenix crown and bridal robe. I think she had the same imperial status as Mei Niang. After both parties exchanged greetings, the woman held Mei Niang and talked affectionately. Zhuang Yulan was twisting her hands, feeling sour in her heart, and the old lady said lightly from the side: "That's the Duke of Dingguo and his wife. You will recognize her in the future!"
Master Xu II supported the old lady, ignored what they said, and reminded again: "Mother, you must remember the auspicious time. You can't be too late when entering the Buddhist temple. It will make people think that our Xu family is not sincere enough, which is not good!"
The old lady glanced at him and said, "Don't worry, I know my limits!"
Xu Junying and Mei Niang led Duke Dingguo Sun Kongduan and Duke Guo's wife Pang to come and greet the old lady. Sun Liduan spoke a few words to Master Xu Er and left with his wife. Master Xu Er accompanied them for five or six steps, bowed and greeted them, and returned to the old lady after they were far away.
The Buddhist temple in the palace was originally the place where the late emperor's favorite concubine, Concubine Zhang, practiced in seclusion. It was located in the northwest corner of the inner courtyard. Concubine Zhang was the sister of the hereditary Duke of Jingguo, Zhang Wuyang. She was both talented and beautiful. When the old Duke of Jingguo occasionally failed to behave morally and was in danger of being stripped of his title, he sent his daughter to the palace, and she was deeply loved by the late emperor. Although she did not give birth to any princes or princesses, she was favored for many years. She was directly granted the title of Imperial Concubine from a talented person, and then the title of Virtuous Concubine, ranking first among the four concubines. Concubine Zhang was very smart and knew the cruelty and horror of competing for favor in the deep palace. Although she was favored by the late emperor, she did not dare to be arrogant. She tried her best to please the late queen and became her confidant. Therefore, before the late emperor died, he left a will, asking the new emperor to respect Zhang and build a Buddhist temple in the inner courtyard of the palace for her to study Buddhism and cultivate her character. The new emperor did as he was told, and the empress dowager had nothing to say. She allowed her to live in the palace and did not disturb her. The other concubines of the previous emperor who had not given birth to royal heirs were not so lucky. Regardless of whether they were pleasing or not, they were all forced to shave their heads and sent to nunneries in the deep mountains and forests, where they recited scriptures and worshipped Buddha every day to accumulate good karma for the previous emperor.
Xu Junying and Master Xu II were not allowed to enter the inner courtyard of the imperial palace. Xu Junying told Mei Niang: "Take good care of grandma. Cousin Lan must be a little nervous since this is her first time in the palace. You should also take good care of her!"
The old lady was very happy to hear her grandson's words. She smiled more happily and nodded frequently. She greeted the ladies of the Imperial Court, whether they knew her or not, and said, "You're here? Great! Go ahead. We'll be there soon!"
Mei Niang thought to herself that she didn't know who would take care of whom. She was not familiar with the inner courtyard of the imperial palace at all. The last time she came, she only stayed in the Queen's bedroom. When she went upstairs to admire the lanterns, there were three layers of palace maids and eunuchs following her. It was so crowded that she couldn't figure out the direction except by looking at the road under her feet. Xu Junying was entrusting the wrong person to take care of the old and the child.
I thought so in my heart, but it was hard to say anything in front of the public: "Don't worry, Lord Hou, it's okay!"
Isn't the old lady a relative of the Queen Mother? She often goes to the palace, so it's strange that she needs Mei Niang to take care of her, and Zhuang Yulan doesn't need her to worry about it. This girl looks weak and delicate, but she has inherited the old lady's true teachings. She is very scheming, careful and cautious, and very vigilant. She will only follow the old lady closely and will never trust Mei Niang, for fear that Mei Niang will sell her out.
Xu Junying watched them go in with the other ladies, and then they disappeared after turning into the fake stone mountain. Then he turned around and walked out with his uncle Xu Xiping. When they reached a corner of the hall, a slightly fat eunuch in yellow clothes hurriedly caught up with them, kneeling and shouting:
"Marquis Weiyuan! Marquis Weiyuan, please wait a moment!"
Xu Junying turned around and looked at the person in surprise: "Ji Qing, why are you here if you are not following the emperor?"
Ji Qing stopped running and stood still three or four steps away. He opened his mouth to breathe and pointed to the nearby building: "Your Majesty, please, please, please come over!"
Xu Junying and Master Xu II looked over together. Across three or five palaces, on a terrace extending out, the emperor, wearing a light dragon robe, leaned against the railing in the wind and waved at him. Ji Qing took a breath and added:
"The Emperor was reviewing documents in the Qinzheng Hall, and he was thinking about the Empress, so he came to see if the ladies had arrived. He saw you leaving, and hurriedly asked me to come and call... Is this the Second Master, Xu Yuanwailang? The Emperor said that if you have time, you can go up as well!"
Xu Xiping was so overjoyed that he almost fainted. He bowed and said, "I dare not! I..."
"Go!" Ji Qing smiled and said, "The Emperor said that since you and Marquis Weiyuan are here to escort the old lady, you've worked so hard, so it's not good for Yuanwailang to go back alone. Go up and sit down and have a cup of fragrant tea!"
Xu Xiping was flattered, his voice trembling a little: "Thank you, thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty!"
He is Xu Junying's uncle, and he became an official with the recommendation of his brother. Xu Junying has been good friends with the prince since he was a child. It is common for him to go in and out of the palace to meet the prince. However, his uncle has never even seen the shadow of the prince. Every time the prince goes to Xu's mansion to find Junying, the palace guards first go through the Xu's mansion inside and outside, guarding the places that should be guarded, and then a large group of people and horses escort the prince into the Xu's mansion, but only into Xu Junying's East Courtyard. Who in Xu's mansion, young or old, can easily see the prince's face? The two children have been in contact for several years, and the old lady has only seen the prince twice. It was Xu Junying who forced the prince to see his grandmother.
After the prince ascended the throne and became the emperor, Xu Xiping often saw the emperor in the court. However, his official position was not high and he was ranked last. The emperor could not see him and did not recognize him. Before his rank could move up further, he was ordered to go to the disaster area to provide disaster relief. He was framed and fell into the water by mistake. He almost lost his job and his life. Fortunately, Junying happened to return to Beijing. The emperor, for the sake of his old friend, suppressed his anger, asked him to pay some compensation, demoted his official rank, and let the matter go. He thought he would never be able to win the emperor's favor in this life, but he did not expect that he would have such an opportunity today!
While Xu Xiping was ecstatic and having wild thoughts, the uncle and nephew had already arrived at the Jingxin Pavilion where the emperor was, and met him together with his uncle. Xu Junying could not be as casual as usual when he was with the emperor. He had to pay homage to the emperor with the etiquette of a monarch and his subject, and only after being allowed to stand up and sit down did he help his uncle sit in the lower seat.
The emperor glanced at Xu Xiping, who was leaning forward, and asked, "Is the official all right now?"
Xu Xiping stood up and almost knelt down again. Xu Junying supported his elbow, and he bowed his head and replied: "Your Majesty, I am grateful for your kindness! Now I am fine... very good!"
The emperor waved his hand: "Sit down, no need to stand up to answer! If you are good, you must perform your duties seriously and make achievements, and they will be seen!"
"I obey your order!"
Xu Xiping sat down slowly, took a breath, and a thin layer of sweat appeared on his forehead.
The emperor turned to ask Xu Junying: "I saw Mei Niang on the balcony just now. Who is the one next to the old lady?"
Xu Junying leaned forward slightly, lowered his eyes and said, "Grandmother's niece, Zhuang's cousin!"
The emperor smiled and said, "Is it her? The queen mother asked me, but I didn't say anything, nor did I tell the queen. The queen should not have any distracting thoughts now, but after she gives birth to the child and passes this hurdle, I wonder how she will talk about this matter! Have you thought about it, do you want a co-wife or a concubine?" (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian. to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.) (To be continued)