According to the ritual system of the Great Zhou Dynasty, when the concubines returned to the palace, the first important thing was to greet the queen mother.
Qin Jie was wearing a long peach-colored dress that dragged the floor, and her head was inlaid with gems and cloud patterns, and her temples were covered with gold and silver.
The queen mother smiled and said, "Get up and sit down."
"Thank you, Empress Dowager." Qin Jie got up and said.
The Empress Dowager Chu said, "Qin Zhaoyi returned to the house today to save her relatives. Are all the relatives at home okay?"
Qin Yan said: "Everything is fine at the concubine's house, thank the Queen Mother for thinking about her."
The Empress Dowager Chu looked up and down at Qin Yan's dress and makeup, and said thoughtfully, "Zhaoyi is in her right age, and it really suits this fresh color. It's no wonder that Your Majesty likes you, even Aijia, and would like to take a few more glances."
Now Xiao Yu has to rest in Jingren Palace for most of the month, and the word "favored concubine" has been engraved on Qin Yu's forehead. His attitude and proper clothing obviously cannot decorate the peace in this palace.
The more forbearance she is, the more calm the situation is, the more empress dowager Chu dislikes her, the more she will embankment her.
Taking everything calmly, that's the attitude that a superior should have. What Empress Dowager Chu wants to see is the appearance of people who can't hold their minds and get carried away.
Qin Xue said: "It is a blessing for the concubine to be able to like the queen mother and her majesty."
The Empress Dowager Chu said again: "Qin Zhaoyi was always feeling unwell a few days ago, but have you looked at Ning Yuanzheng carefully?"
Qin Jie nodded and said, "Ning Yuan is saying that my concubine's qi and blood are a little weak, but it's not a big problem."
"Then take care of your body as soon as possible." Empress Dowager Chu looked straight at her stomach and said, "Aijia knows that Your Majesty loves you, so let's do the math. In a month, His Majesty spends more than half of his time in Jingren Palace. Opening branches and spreading leaves is a major event for the country, and Qin Zhaoyi must keep it in mind."
On the surface, these words are talking about the country, but in fact, they are beating Qin Xie, who should not enjoy the favor of the emperor alone.
Qin Xuequan didn't understand. Following the eyes of Empress Dowager Chu, she lowered her head and glanced at her stomach, and said shyly, "Chen and concubine, please remember."
After speaking lukewarmly for a while, the Empress Dowager Chu yawned, waved her hand and said that she was tired, and Qin Xuefuli withdrew.
Eunuch Zhang squinted to look at Qianying at the door, and said with a choked voice, "Why do you think this servant Zhaoyi's temperament has changed?"
"How can people's hearts in the palace stay the same? It's inevitable that they are a bit arrogant in the deep palace. If they don't change at all, then Aijia will look at it differently." Empress Dowager Chu chuckled and said, "I just don't know if it changes. , the emperor is still willing to treat her as before."
In the Zhuqiang, not only the Empress Dowager Chu, in fact, everyone knows that the emperor loves Qin Zhaoyi because he can't forget his wife.
Eunuch Zhang smiled and said, "The slave has been in the palace for all these years, and he knows a reason."
Empress Dowager Chu squinted at him, "What's the reason?"
Zhang Gong said: "Anyone who climbs high or falls heavy, most of them can't figure out their identity."
Empress Dowager Chu raised the corner of her mouth thoughtfully.
Eunuch Zhang shook his sleeves and said with a smile: "You have to look at it with your humble eyes. The Qin family's heritage is still far from that of a century-old family, and it's a little bit worse in bearing. After all, it's not that kind of stuff." That stuff. , refers to the right position of the harem.
The Empress Dowager Chu smiled and said: "Okay, let's not talk about this, you can tell Ai's family first, how is the affair with the concubine going?"
According to the rules of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the queen mother, the emperor and the minister of the Ministry of Rites first select the candidates, and then the princess chooses.
The Queen Mother said, "Who did the Ministry of Rites recommend?"
Zhang Gong said: "This year's champion of the Golden Division is currently the editor of the Hanlin Academy, Huaijing."
"That poor family champion?" The Queen Mother frowned and said, "Where are the three people ordered by Aijia?"
Princess Changning chose the concubine, and the queen mother ordered a total of three people.
The first is Luo Yongbin, the Shilang of the British government. He is the direct descendant of the British princess. He is a masculine Zhou Zheng in life. At present, Ren Zheng Liupin is in command of the Shi Duan Affairs Department.
The second is Zhu Jiulang from Uncle Chengyang's mansion. Uncle Chengyang's wife is a direct descendant of both talents and looks. If there is one flaw, he is a little short in stature, but his character is excellent and his temperament is kind.
The third is the nephew of Concubine Sun Taifei. Although her background was low, because Princess Changning was favored, the previous emperor gave the most oily and watery salt envoy to the second son of the Sun family.
Although the queen mother said that she wanted to force the marriage, the three princes, even the emperor could not say a word when they saw them.
The queen mother circled the beads in her hand and said, "Where is the emperor?"
Zhang Gong said: "Your Majesty ordered two, one is Zhang Leisheng, the cousin of Marquis Chunnan, and the other is Zhao Zixian, the son of Zhao Yuan, a scholar of Wenyuan Pavilion."
These two are also top candidates.
The queen raised her cup, took a sip, and said calmly, "What did Changning say?"
Eunuch Zhang smiled awkwardly: "Where the princess is..."
"She didn't choose the three that Aijia chose for her?" Empress Dowager Chu looked at Eunuch Zhang's eyes and frowned, "Aijia knows what kind of temperament she is and what she's thinking, just say it directly, don't be vague. ."
"Yes." Fairy Zhang said, "Princess Changning said that Luo Shilang of the British government has a good friend in the Qin Building, and this character is not worthy of her. She also said that Zhu Jiulang has a mediocre appearance and is too low in stature. If you have a child, it is easy to follow him, and it is easy to break... Royal blood."
Empress Dowager Chu slapped the table in front of her with her palm and said, "Does she really say that?"
Eunuch Zhang nodded and said, "Every word is correct."
The Empress Dowager Chu said: "I used to be arrogant and self-willed, but recently it has become more and more unbelievable. Even if it is intentional, it is too much! As for Sun Erlang, that is her mother's nephew, how can she say it!"
Zhang Gong said: "The princess said that she and Sun Erlang are brothers and sisters, I'm afraid they can't live under one roof."
"Aijia sees that she can't let go of the Su clan's remnant! It's a pity that she is affectionate, but Su Huaian is very heartless. She has chosen a concubine and no one is seen." Empress Dowager Chu took a breath and said, "She chose the emperor. order?"
"That's not true." Eunuch Zhang whispered: "She said that Marquis Chunan's cousin is too old, like an elder, and now there are only the champion recommended by the Ministry of Rites, and Zhao Zixian, the son of a scholar from Wenyuan Pavilion. ."
"From the perspective of slaves, the eldest princess will probably choose the champion."
Empress Dowager Chu snorted coldly and said, "Just because of the Huai family's background, it's easy to play with whether there are parents or not."
Zhang Gong said: "The empress dowager is wise."
"Let her make trouble. The bigger the trouble, the better." Empress Dowager Chu said, "Aijia looks at her mother's face and wants to let her have a happy birthday. "
After a while, the Empress Dowager Chu said, "How about that?"
Zhang Gong said: "According to the news from outside, there is still no trace of the Su Clan's remnant."
The Empress Dowager Chu said: "A piece of infatuation is wrong, and Changning is also pitiful."
—
Leaving from the Cining Palace, Qin Xie changed the clothes of the inner servant, passed through the door along the wall, nodded and walked towards the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
When she reached the door, she was looking back at Eunuch Sheng when she was slapped on the shoulder, and the eunuch dressed in turquoise said, "Is there any rules, what are you looking at here, hurry up and go."
Qin Xue cleared her throat and said, "Where's Eunuch Sheng?"
"What's the matter with your father-in-law?" The little eunuch said with a stern face. Seeing that the clothes on her body were one level lower than his, he said, "Look up, why are you so humble and where do you work?"
As soon as the words fell, the little eunuch covered his head with a "hiss" and turned around and said, "Why did the father-in-law beat the slaves?"
Sheng Gonggong thought that you really don't want to die, and dared to let the empress look up to show you, he waved his hand and said, "You will be on duty in the east in these two days, so you don't have to come here."
"Father-in-law! Slaves..."
Eunuch Sheng waved his hand and said, "Let's go."
After the little eunuch in Tsing Yi left, Eunuch Sheng turned his head and smiled, lowered his voice and said, "Elder Ge is in there to discuss matters with the emperor."
Qin Wei frowned and said, "Elder Ge is inside? But I'm also in a hurry..."
Eunuch Sheng said again: "Niangniang, please wait."
This wait is an hour.
The full moon was hanging in the air, and the voices of the elders of the pavilion continued. The price of rice rose for a while, and there was a problem with the inn. Qin Xue thought about it in her heart, but she felt that these things were not in her rush, so she would be fair with Sheng Gong. : "I'd better bring tea in."
When Qin Zhaoyi said something, Eunuch Sheng naturally did not dare to refuse, and after waiting for a moment, he brought tea over.
Qin Ye opened the door and entered the hall, and Liu Wenshi spit splattered, "During the Yongchang years, there were still five horses and three donkeys in each station, but these years have passed, and the donkeys and horses have reached their lifespan, and many of the stations have only one old horse left. The efficiency is not as good as before, the minister thought that His Majesty should add horses to each post station, and…”
Qin Ye walked to Xiao Yu's side and poured him a cup of tea. Xiao Yu stared at Master Liu intently, reached out to take it, and said, "Elder Ge, sit down and have a cup of tea first."
Sitting in the position of the chief assistant of the cabinet, his eyes naturally didn't need to be said. He knew that what he said today was a long time ago, so he bowed and said: "Thank you, Your Majesty, but this tea minister will not drink it. Your Majesty should rest early."
Xiao Yu said: "The repair of the city wall will be discussed tomorrow. As for the horses in the post station, we will do as the old man said."
Liu Wenshi bowed and said, "Your Majesty is wise."
After Liu Wenshi left, Xiao Yu looked back at her and said softly, "Just came back from the Queen Mother?"
"The concubine has been back for more than an hour, and the queen mother doesn't have much to talk about with her concubine now." Qin Yue said with a serious expression: "Have you talked to His Majesty about the Qin residence?"
Xiao Yu nodded, "I know it all."
Qin Ran said: "When the concubine tested him today, I didn't know if I was thinking too much. I always felt that he was also testing the concubine. The concubine was afraid that he would react and the person would be lost. When will your majesty plan to arrest him? ?"
"Before that, can Marquis Chunnan lead the elder brother away?"
At this time, there were only the two of them in the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Xiao Yu put his hand on her waist and patted her, "Don't worry, you have already made a great contribution to recognize him, and wait."
After a while, there was a sound from the door of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, and Lu Ze, Su Huaian, and Zhuang Sheng actually arrived at the same time.
When Lu Ze saw Qin Yan, his heart couldn't help trembling.
In fact, he had already guessed something, but he didn't dare to think about it, and he didn't dare to recognize it.
He really wanted to look at Qin Xun more, but he didn't know how to behave.
Thinking of this, Lu Ze suddenly thought of Zhuang Sheng.
Lu Ze raised his eyes, looked at Qin Jie with a fair face, and introduced: "Qiqi Niangniang, this is a famous person in the capital..."
Before Lu Ze finished speaking, Qin Wei and Zhuang Sheng looked at each other.
Because of those old dreams from the previous life, Xiao Yu must have known that they had met before, but Qin Jie did not hide it, and said directly: "Why did Mr. Zhuang come here?"
Zhuang Sheng was also a bit embarrassed. After all, the two of them had "deceived" the emperor together, "I came here under the emperor's order."
Qin Yu nodded.
Lu Ze frowned slightly.
What's the matter, how does Qin Zhaoyi know Zhuang Sheng
Qin Xue was thinking about April in her heart. April's name circled on the tip of her tongue, and she still asked, "How are the four girls lately?"
Zhuang Sheng was stunned and nodded, "I'm sorry to worry, she's fine."
Apart from not being with him, she is really good everywhere, even the Minister of Punishment has to go to her shop to hang out if there is anything.
Lu Ze nodded suddenly, and said with a smile, "Four girls, but Zhuang Fourth girl?"
Zhuang Sheng said, "No, Lord Hou doesn't know him."
Lu Ze was stagnant, looked up at the beam of the house, shook the embroidered spring knife in his hand, and let out a long sigh.
His dignified Jinyiwei commander, Da Zhou's news database...
In a hurry, Zhuang Sheng took out a scroll of more than half a zhang from behind him. The moment it unfolded, Qin Jie knew why the partition had ears.
The picture scroll is not a painting, but Qin Wang's recent whereabouts.
The fact that Zhuang Sheng can have such well-informed information is not due to those pigeons in Qingfeng Tower who are playing tricks.
The god of the vegetable market, the beggars on the street, the servants of the Ministry of Punishment, and the girls in the flower building may all be the ears of the partition wall of Qingfeng Building.
Zhuang Sheng said: "The number of people Qin Wang made friends with after he came to Beijing is not many, but there are only two people who have met recently. One is Zuo Zhengyu, the minister of Taichang Temple, and the other is Zeng Hening, the young minister of Guanglu Temple. They talked. The content is more careful and rarely talks about court affairs.”
Tantai Yi will not meet useless people.
Taichang Temple is in charge of offering sacrifices.
Guanglu Temple is in charge of the banquet.
Although the rank of these two officials is not low, they have no real power in the court.
Lu Ze said: "What is he doing... There will be a sacrifice next month on May 5th. Could it be that... Tantai Yi's plan was to assassinate him?"
Zhuang Sheng said: "Assassination...? The emperor sacrificed with great momentum, not to mention that Jinyiwei and the five army governor's mansion will send troops, the entire Meridian Gate and the street leading to the Beicheng Taiping Gate are completely blocked, and there are 100 guards of honor alone. Even if Tantai Yi has helpers in the capital, how many people can he have?"
"Even if he has hundreds of people, it is impossible for him to succeed."
Guanglu Temple is in charge of shopping in the palace. Qin Wei is more familiar with it. She whispered: "What about the people from Guanglu Temple? There are more than 3,000 people in the entire Guanglu Temple."
Lu Ze shook his head and said, "No, there won't be that many people."
After a moment of silence, Xiao Yu pointed a few cases with his fingertips, looked at Su Huaian and said, "Is there any news from Qian'an?"
Mentioning Qian'an, and looking at the three words of Guanglu Temple, Su Huaian took a deep breath and said, "Your Majesty, the Qin family has recently received a business, which is fireworks, transported from south to north."
fireworks.
Fireworks refer to fire.
Xiao Yu's expression changed, and he said, "No wonder, he will find Guanglu Temple, Taichang Temple..."
Lu Ze was right in what he said before, there are not many people for fifteen years, this time Tantai Yi can't wait.
Qin Wei frowned and said, "What does this mean?"
Xiao Yu clicked on the words of Guanglu Temple and said, "A Ling, what is the most in Guanglu Temple?"
Qin Wei thought about it for a long time, and suddenly said, "Wine."
Yuquan wine.
Guanglu Temple has a planning department.
There are thousands of jars of fine wine there.