After bidding farewell to the Queen, the eunuch led her out of the palace gate and saw Xu Junying's tall figure standing in the shadows of the flowers and trees waiting. He did not have the patience to accompany her to see the lanterns as the Emperor had said. He only said one sentence:
"Let's go back home!"
Strangely enough, even though she understood the awkward relationship between them, Mei Niang could still immediately find a sense of security and solidity when she approached Xu Junying, just like, how should I put it, he was not her good man in the vast sea of people, but he was the first person she identified as the closest and the one she wanted to rely on when she first came to this world. Well, just think of it as meeting a fellow villager in a foreign place, it would be nice to get some spiritual comfort from him.
Leaving the palace late at night, the rows of lanterns hanging outside the palace gate made it as bright as day. Cars were flowing like water, horses were riding like dragons, and the ladies outside the palace got on their cars to go home. The wife of Duke Dingguo had not left yet. When she saw Mei Niang, she wanted to come over. Mei Niang took the initiative to greet her. Pang Shi led Duke Dingguo to meet her, and Xu Junying had to come forward to pay his respects as well. While they were talking, several other lords and wives of marquises also joined in. They said goodbye to each other and left one after another.
The driver put down the pedal, and Mei Niang got on the car, still looking around. She stepped on empty air and her body tilted. Xu Junying subconsciously reached out his hand, and she grabbed it quickly. Their hands were held together, and then they quickly let go without looking at each other. Mei Niang complained in her heart and quickly got into the car to avoid embarrassment.
Xu Junying did not take the carriage, but rode on horseback with Baoju and Baizhan and followed the carriage.
Mei Niang sat alone in the car, in a trance for a while, and then she began to laugh secretly: Great! I've married the Queen! The most important thing is that the Emperor loves the Queen, and the Emperor is willing to listen to what the Queen says. There is hope! Take it slow, there will always be a way out. There is no need to be locked up in the mansion for a lifetime. Good days will come, just be patient!
Seeing a little sunshine, I thought spring had arrived. Unexpectedly, it started to snow and rain again two days later. The spring cold could still freeze people to death, and with the strong wind, Mei Niang was afraid of the cold. In addition to going to Ziyun Hall and Qiuhua Courtyard to see her son, she could not find excuses to go to the old lady's place. Didn't she have Xu Junying? He could go every day. The old lady cared about him, her eldest grandson, not Mei Niang.
Tired of reading in the evening, I took up the crochet needle and crocheted a sweater. The purple sweater I knitted with great care was given to the queen. I was disappointed again. At least I could crochet a vest. I could wear a vest in spring. I also promised the queen that the little prince would find something to do, right? I was free.
Xu Junying walked in, and without asking Cuisi to help him take off his cloak, he just handed a bundle in his hand to Cuisi, looked at Mei Niang and said:
"The Queen asked me to give it to you. She said that the weather has been cold these days, so she asked you to make a piece of clothing for the Emperor!"
Cui Si brought the bundle to Mei Niang. Mei Niang opened it and found that it contained several kinds of woolen yarn of excellent quality and color. She understood what the Queen meant. She felt comfortable and warm wearing a sweater herself, so she asked for one for the Emperor as well.
Mei Niang smiled and said to Xu Junying: "I understand. Thank you, Lord Hou!"
Xu Junying nodded, turned and left.
Mei Niang first picked out bright yellow yarn, a royal feature. After a moment's thought, she put it aside and picked out purple yarn. The one for the queen was purple. They were a loving couple, so wouldn't it be better if they wore couple clothes? Next time, she would use bright yellow for their vests.
They decided on the same pattern and worked overtime, asking the three maids to take turns to work together, trying their best to make the stitches as fine and even as if they were made by one person. At dawn on the third day, Cui Xi carefully packed the finished sweater and sent it to the East Courtyard, handing it over to Xu Junying:
"Grandma said: This is the sweater that the Queen wanted. Please ask the eunuch to deliver it to the Queen!"
Xu Junying glanced at Cuixi and asked, "Is your grandmother busy with this these days?"
Cui Xi lowered her head and said, "Yes. Grandma is afraid of the cold and refuses to go out. Except for going to Qiuhua Courtyard to pay respects to Madam, she stays in her room doing needlework."
Xu Junying said, "Go back and tell your grandmother to go to the old lady's room and see how long she has been gone."
"Yes, I will tell grandma when I get back!"
Cui Xi responded, and then took out a small bundle and handed it to Xu Junying. Xu Junying took it and asked, "What is this?"
Cui Xi said, "This sweater was knitted by grandma for Grandpa Hou. The spring cold is very harsh. It's windy outside. Please wear it, Grandpa Hou!"
Xu Junying took the bundle, was silent for a moment, put it on the table, and said, "Keep it, and say thank you to your grandma for her hard work!"
Cui Xi breathed a sigh of relief, took a step back, bowed, and left quickly.
She, Cuilian and Cuisi were not fools, how could they not see the rift between Lord Hou and grandma? Cuisi said bitterly that it was the damn cousin who was to blame, but she and Cuilian felt that the matter was not that simple. Grandma was looked down upon in the Hou Mansion and no one cared about her. The Seventh Master protected her righteously. After giving birth to Heng Ge'er, the Seventh Master gave her many valuable things. Although they were later moved away by the cousin, grandma accepted them at that time. As the saying goes, there is no wall that is impenetrable. Mother Wang was strict. She reported to the wife and found an excuse to drive away the old women in the yard and not to have so many servants and maids. But how could she know that no one outside saw the Seventh Master bringing things in? Lord Hou was not at home, and the younger brother-in-law and sister-in-law were close. It was not good for others to see it, and gossip was born. At that time, they advised grandma, but grandma just didn't take it seriously. She was afraid that someone would pass the word to Lord Hou, which caused the rift between the couple. Now it has become like this, Lord Hou wants to divorce his wife and remarry. Grandma's life in the Hou Mansion in the future will be difficult.
Cui Xi, Cui Lian and Cui Si grew up in the Qin Mansion since childhood. Although the Qin Mansion has gradually declined, they have long regarded it as their own home. The mistress is kind and treats servants well, the young master is amiable, and the young lady is gentle and gentle. They have never beaten or scolded the servants. The three of them became the young lady's dowry maids and came to the Hou Mansion. They obeyed the mistress's instructions wholeheartedly and, together with Mother Wang, served and cared for the young lady. They had long been determined that the master and servant would prosper and suffer together. The young lady died and came back to life, like a different person. She looked down on the glory and wealth of the Hou Mansion and wanted to leave. Cui Xi and the others understood and agreed, but Mother Wang disagreed. Mother Wang firmly adhered to the mistress's wishes and pressured them to do everything possible to help the Hou Master and grandmother reconcile, even if there were two wives living side by side, as long as they did not leave the Hou Mansion, otherwise, the reputation of grandmother and the Qin family would be ruined!
Cuixi, Cuilian and Cuisi secretly disagreed: There are many women who divorced, but some of them married better and their families were just as prosperous, right? What kind of person is grandma? After leaving the Marquis's house, she is not afraid of not being able to get married, but she is afraid that the matchmaker will step on the Qin family's threshold!
But Mother Wang has been taking care of them since they were young, so they have to listen to her words. They have to obey Mother Wang without affecting grandma's plan. So, early in the morning, grandma didn't get up yet, and told Cui Xi in the tent to take the knitted sweater and give it to Lord Hou to take into the palace. Mother Wang quietly stuffed the sweater that grandma had knitted into her hands, whispered instructions, and taught her what to say to make sure Lord Hou accepted it.
Cui Xi walked while shaking her head and smiling: I finally did it, Lord Hou accepted it and didn't show any disgust.
Then he thought again: Grandma has excellent craftsmanship. She gave the first piece of clothing to him. The emperor and the empress also wore it. How dare the marquis despise it
Cui Xi finished her task and left happily, but she didn't know that Xu Junying in Wenjinxuan was staring at the sweater for a while. He had his reasons for accepting the sweater. The emperor was wearing the sweater knitted by Mei Niang, so how would people see her as her husband if she didn't have one
He laid the sweater flat on the table. It was a clean, fresh blue after rain, which was his favorite color. The stitches were fine and the pattern was elegant and generous. He remembered that day when Mei Niang sat at the stone table in the courtyard, listening to him talk while lowering her head to twist the woolen thread. How could she make a piece of clothing with one stitch and one thread
Slowly unbuttoning his outer robe and taking off his vest, he never liked wearing thick and stuffy quilted vests. He looked at the sweater again and again, determined which side was in front and which was in the back, and put it on his head. The clothes were not big, but he, a stout man, could wear them. He wrapped his body lightly, feeling warm. The elasticity of the cuffs was just right. Mei Niang seemed to have measured him. Suddenly, he remembered that night when he was drunk and "drunk on tea", feeling extremely uncomfortable, weak all over, and his limbs trembling slightly. Mei Niang came to the bed and touched his face and forehead, and held his hand...
Last night, when getting on the carriage at the palace gate, she was absent-minded as usual and almost fell off the carriage. He naturally stretched out his hand, which was held tightly by her. Her hands were soft and warm, and her pointed nails pinched him so hard that it hurt. His heart stopped beating at that moment. From the moment of holding hands to letting go, it seemed like a long time had passed in just a short moment. If Bai Zhan hadn't reminded him, he would have forgotten to ride the horse and was going to follow the carriage home.
Xu Junying felt confused and uneasy. At first he was just a little confused, but now
Qin Meiniang, she had confused him since the night of her resurrection. He would fall into those colorful and bright eyes if he wasn't careful. The previous Meiniang was not like this. When she was newly married, her eyes were weak and timid, which made people feel pity. After giving birth to Heng'er, her eyes became dark and dark, like a bottomless well, always on guard, and her heart could not be explored at all. After crawling out of the coffin, she was completely changed, quirky, and her eyes were as bright as stars. Even when she was showing weakness, her eyes did not dim. She was very strong-willed. This Qin Meiniang, she was not a weak person.
If it is true as those strange articles say, that the souls exchanged bodies, and she is not Qin Meiniang, that would be great!
Xu Junying sighed slightly, smoothed his sweater, pulled up his outer robe, called out to Baizhan loudly to dispel the messy and strange thoughts in his mind, and prepared to go out to attend court.
Xu Junying entered the palace from the front gate. He did not follow the others to the palace to wait for the court session, but entered the inner palace from the side gate of Huairen. He did not need to wear a waist badge or anything like that. His face was his pass. However, he would not violate etiquette. He only went to the middle gate and then went inside. He would never casually enter the inner courtyard where concubines and palace maids were walking. He asked the eunuch guarding the middle gate to call the chief steward of internal affairs, Eunuch Liu, and handed him the bundle:
"This is something that Madam Weiyuan presented to the Queen. Please, eunuch, send it in!"
Eunuch Liu smiled and said, "The Empress asked about this yesterday. I'm here just in time. Thank you for your hard work, Lord Hou! I'll bring it in right away to make the Empress happy!"
Xu Junying and Eunuch Liu bowed to each other and walked away.
When the Queen received the sweater, she unfolded it and looked at it. She could not contain her joy and was extremely satisfied. When she heard the eunuch announce that the Emperor was coming, she quickly stood up to greet him. She looked so light and agile that she startled the maids and palace maids beside her.
The emperor also hurriedly supported her and said, "Slowly, slowly, don't be anxious! No matter how late I go to court, I will always come to have breakfast with the queen first, in case you refuse to eat well."
The queen smiled and said, "I have found something good today. Your Majesty, come and have a look!"
The emperor was very interested: "What is it?"
The queen opened the sweater and said, "Look! Doesn't the emperor like the sweater I'm wearing? I asked Mei Niang to knit one for the emperor, too!"
The emperor was really delighted: "Ah! This Qin Mei Niang is really extraordinary. She can weave as soon as she says she will? Could she be the Weaver Girl who has descended to earth? And it's the same color as yours! Good, good! I like it!"
The queen glanced at him coquettishly: "The emperor's words are golden, you can't say anything outside - if Mei Niang is the Weaver Girl who came down to earth, she is not worthy of General Xu Junying!"
"Yes, she should be paired with a cowherd..." The emperor unfolded the sweater and looked at it. Suddenly he remembered something and laughed:
"You really can't talk nonsense. You know the Sixth King of Qi. He has a weird temper since he was a child. When he was seven or eight years old, he raised a cow. We called him Cowherd at that time!"
"Where's the cow? Where did it go?"
"Where else could he have gone? He stole someone else's cow from outside the palace, raised it for a few years, and it died of old age... Oh, let's not talk about him, what a foolish child!"
The queen smiled and beckoned the maid to come over, and together they helped the emperor take off his dragon robe, untie the thick fur vest inside, put on a sweater, and wanted to put the vest back on, but the emperor blocked her way:
"This sweater is great! It's soft, warm, and breathable. The quilted vest is too stuffy and uncomfortable to wear. In this kind of weather, this sweater is enough!"
The queen said worriedly, "Your Majesty, it's windy outside!"
The emperor waved his hand and said, "It's okay. It's the east wind, weak and powerless. And with the interlayer of the outer robe, it's warm enough!"
After having breakfast with the Queen, the Emperor walked all the way to the Qinzheng Hall. He saw Xu Junying standing by the jade railing and talking to Anyuan Hou. He waved his hand to stop the eunuch from reporting, quietly walked over, and pulled open his collar:
"Let me see, what color is your sweater?"
Xu Junying grabbed his hand: "Your Majesty, so many people are watching!"
"Just look at it, what do they know?"
The emperor let go of his hand in dissatisfaction: "Your style is not the same as mine! I also like this sky blue color, why don't you give it to me?"
He brushed his sleeves and said with a smile, "This sweater is much better than a quilted vest. It's light and warm, so comfortable! Did you already have one to wear, but didn't tell me?"
Xu Junying said: "No, I just put it on!"
The emperor patted his shoulder and laughed: "You are so honest! What good things do you have that you can hide from me? Fortunately, you gave it to me and the queen, otherwise..."
He came closer and whispered in Xu Junying's ear: "We have to get it even if we have to!"
Xu Junying pushed him away: "Your Majesty, you are joking. The time has come. Let's go to court!"
The emperor pointed at him and walked into the Qinzheng Palace with a smile on his face, surrounded by guards and eunuchs. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets on Qidian. Your support is my greatest motivation.) (To be continued)