Two days have passed since Mu Huai made his tour to the east.
Rong Xi's palace has not yet been renovated, and it is inconvenient to live alone in the Qianyuan Palace where the emperor governs and governs, so he temporarily returns to the East Palace to live with Mu Jue.
Obviously, it didn't take long for the two of them to leave the East Palace, but Mu Huai was not in Yongxi Palace, and Rong Xi felt a little hurt when he saw the familiar scenes and things in front of him again.
In the past, the East Palace was called Quyun Palace.
Although Quyun Palace was expanded after Mu Huai was made a reserve, some scenery remained unchanged.
As far as Rong Xi is concerned, Qu Yun Palace also has special memories.
Recently, when she thought about the past of Quyun Palace, it was not Mu Huai's violence and arrogance to her in the past, but the gentle gentleness he occasionally showed towards her when he was the fourth prince.
And when she first met Mu Huai, his appearance of Zhilanyushu and Jiyue scenery brought her the surprise.
And after this place became the East Palace, for her, there were even more mixed memories.
When Mu Huai first found her from Hongdu, she didn't have any status, but Mu Huai said that he would allow her to be loved and give her a sharp knife.
Later, she was named Liang Di, and was bullied by Zhai Shiyin in the imperial garden next to Zirui Hall. Mu Huai gave Zhai Shiyin a hard lesson for her, and after returning to the palace, he personally applied medicine to her sprained ankle, and solemnly said: He promised her that he would be her biggest backer in the future.
He planned for a long time, and finally let her sit in the position of princess. Her younger brother Rong Hui wanted to harm him, and Mu Huai was afraid that she would be sad, so he would rather hide his depression from her.
After Jue'er was born, the quarrel between the two of them gradually subsided, and the time she spent with Mu Huai in the East Palace could be described as a honeymoon.
It was night, and Rong Xi was lying on the four-poster bed in the main hall of the East Palace, recalling all the past.
There was no change in Mu Huai's bedroom. When the palace servants learned that she was coming back to live, they simply dusted off the dust.
Everything in front of him was too familiar to Rong Xi.
She gradually closed her eyes. Although the charcoal was burning in the temple, her body was a little fragile and she still felt cold, especially her feet, which were always cold after nightfall.
Mu Huai was not by his side, no one hugged her to sleep, and no one used his body to comfort her.
Thinking of this, Rong Xi's nose felt a little sour.
She had to admit that she was spoiled by Mu Huai and became clingier.
She missed the time when Mu Jue was just born, she curled up in Mu Huai's broad arms, whispering to him about the baby's trivial matters.
Mu Huai often listens patiently, touches the top of her hair, and kisses the center of her brow.
Even thinking of all the things he did when he took advantage of her, Rong Xi felt that Mu Huai was not so annoying and shameless anymore.
Rong Xi comforted herself in her heart. It was because of the rotation of the seasons that her heart was so delicate and sentimental. She could not complain that everyone said it hurt the spring and the autumn. It must be because it was autumn that she was so hypocritical.
But the fact that she missed Mu Huai very much was true and irresistible.
Fortunately, beside her, there is a lovely son to accompany her.
In Mu Huai's absence, Rong Xi could hug Mu Jue beside the bed and sleep with his son.
Although little Ajue can't speak complete words now, he can often babble, and he also likes to wave his little hands and feet, like a white and soft ball, which makes people feel affectionate when they see it.
Rong Xi asked the nanny to carry Mu Jue into the back of the hall, and Mu Jue got up on the spacious Chinese bed, and after a few steps, he tilted his head and looked at her with his mouth slightly open.
Rong Xi's heart softened, and she hugged the child.
Mu Jue is a child who loves to laugh, and when adults tease him, he will grin from ear to ear. Rong Xi thinks that her A Jue will be a very cheerful child when he grows up.
She lowered her head and kissed the baby's soft cheek, remembering that Emperor Zhuang loved Mu Huai very much, if nothing happened to Concubine Xian, then Mu Huai's temperament would not be as surly as before.
Rong Xi hugged Xiaotuanzi horizontally, gently rocking it from side to side, humming a little song while coaxing the child to sleep.
She thought that she and Mu Huai would have a good time, and must watch A Jue grow up safely and healthily.
On the third day after Mu Huai left, Rong Xi was not sad that night and had a good and peaceful sleep with little Ajue by his side.
Early the next morning, Rong Xi went to Mu Huai's former study after eating some breakfast.
Now that Mu Huai does not have a harem, she does not need to be greeted by concubines every day, but she also needs to look at the accounts and expenses in the palace.
The East Palace Study Room is also the same as before, unchanged.
Rong Xi sat in Mu Huai's seat, his heart was turning a thousand times, and the feeling was unspeakable.
For her, this study also has too many memories.
She is not used to living in the Qianyuan Hall, and when Mu Huai was the prince, she served her in the study here.
Whether Mu Huai is studying or criticizing papers and managing politics, he is very dedicated.
The man's attentive appearance is very charming, and Rong Xi often looks at him quietly.
The number of times the two have been here in London is also countless, and every time they are a little crazy.
Fortunately, Muhuai's east tour only went for a month or two.
Rong Xi couldn't imagine that if one lover left, how the other person who remained in this world would spend the remaining days.
If Mu Huai is gone, she will definitely miss her and will not live long.
Rong Xi calmed down all his concerns, and began to carefully read the account books presented by the various divisions.
The cost of the east tour is not small, since Mu Huai left Bianjing, Rong Xi began to reduce his food consumption.
She specially ordered the people in the Shangshi Bureau not to present her food and drink according to the queen's standard, as long as each meal has meat and vegetables, four dishes and one soup are enough.
She has a small appetite, so she couldn't eat those.
Rong Xi flipped through the account books with her slender hands, and when she saw the expenses of Yan Xiang Palace, she couldn't help but paused in turning the pages.
In Emperor Zhuang's harem, apart from Concubine De, the deceased Concubine Li Gui and Concubine Shu, there was also Concubine Hui of the Zheng family among the high-ranking concubines.
Now the main seat of this Yanxiang Palace is this Concubine Hui.
Living with Concubine Hui, there is also Jieyu who was loved by Emperor Zhuang before his death.
Concubine Hui had a good relationship with Concubine Li Gui in the past. His father was originally Li Rui's subordinate and was named General Yunhui by the imperial court. The Zheng family also made military exploits for the Qi State.
It's just that although Zheng's family is a general, they can't compare with Li's, Wang's or even Yin's.
After Concubine Li Gui was burned to death by Mu Huai's design, Concubine Hui behaved quite peacefully.
Rong Xi took a closer look, and found that Concubine Hui spent a lot on food recently.
In late autumn, the crabs are plump, and Concubine Hui likes to eat crab stew with eight treasures. For several days in a row, the imperial chef of Shangshi Bureau presented this dish to Yanxiang Palace.
Rong Xi knows how to make Bazhen Crab Soup. To make this dish, it often takes a basket of crabs, that is, dozens of live crabs, and prawns, abalones, sea cucumbers and other delicacies in the sea. The preparation of the dishes is delicate, and it takes a lot of effort from the imperial chef.
It costs dozens of taels of silver to make a dish of eight treasure crab soup, which is really extravagant.
Rong Xi stared at the account book beautifully, called an errand maid, and said to her, "Go to Tongshang Food Bureau and tell the people that if Concubine Hui wants this dish again, remind her that the quota has exceeded. If Mrs. Hui When the concubine asked about it, she asked Shang Shi Jian to tell her that she should cook this dish with her mother's money."
After listening to the maid, she carefully remembered Rong Xi's words in her heart.
After the maid came out of the palace, Rong Xi continued to look through the account books, and saw that Concubine De's food and clothing were in compliance with the rules, but then remembered Chen Wang Mutao's delayed marriage.
Since Emperor Zhuang passed away, the marriage between Mu Tao and the second daughter of the Duke of the county can only be held three years later.
But after Mu Tao got married, Concubine De could leave the palace and live with her son in the palace, and be taken care of by Mu Tao.
Rong Xi was feeling regretful in his heart, when he saw the expenses of the Empress Dowager Zhai's palace, there was no peace and gentleness in her beautiful eyes.
Empress Dowager Zhai has actually taken a lot of expensive tonics these few days. It is said that although Empress Dowager Di is trapped in her old palace, she cannot get out.
But an imperial decree from Emperor Zhuang prevented Mu Huai from claiming her life.
Emperor Zhuang knew his son very well, he was afraid that if he died, Mu Huai would attack Queen Mother Zhai immediately, and he also gave Mu Huai some special instructions before he died.
No matter how ruthless Mu Huai was, he could not disregard Emperor Zhuang's will and could only continue to support the Empress Dowager Zhai.
When Rong Xi thought of Empress Dowager Zhai, it was inevitable that he would have some vicious thoughts.
The deaths of Yu Zhaorong, Huanniang, and Ye Yunlan were all related to her.
What she couldn't stand the most was that she used Concubine Shu and Zhou Yun to harm her A Jue.
Rong Xi wished that Empress Dowager Zhai would die early, but as a queen and the late emperor's daughter-in-law, she couldn't go against Emperor Zhuang's last wish.
Thinking of this, Rong Xi's white hands clenched into fists.
Dan Xiang stood by and waited, accidentally caught a glimpse of Rong Xi's expression, and was terrified in her heart.
It was hard for her to see a ruthless look on Rong Xi's delicate and beautiful face.
The usual empress is always gentle and gentle.
Now that she looks like this, with crimson lips painted, she looks like a femme fatale.
But looking at it this way, her stunning face looks more vivid.
Rong Xi quickly restrained her emotions, she felt Dan Xiang's strangeness, and knew that she must look like a poisonous woman in the palace now.
Fortunately for her, after Mu Huai left Bianjing, she finally returned to normal, no longer as sad and helpless as in the first few days.
Although this heart is still empty.
——"Empress Empress, Empress Dowager, please go there. Those concubines of the late emperor are also at the Empress Dowager's place."
The high-pitched voice of the East Palace eunuch interrupted Rong Xi's thoughts.
Rong Xi's voice was still as soft as ever, and she replied lightly: "Got it."
Dan Xiang saw that after hearing the news, the mistress didn't panic, and didn't say that she would go right away.
Instead, he ordered her to bring some fragrance of peach blossoms to the Queen Mother's palace. Although Dan Xiang didn't understand, she didn't dare to ask more questions, and only respectfully answered yes.
With a calm expression, Rong Xi went to the mirror and brushed her temples again.
The beauty in the mirror was still stunning, but her face was a little less tender, and her eyes were a little colder.
Dan Xiang prepared the fragrance of peach blossoms, but saw that Rong Xi was not in a hurry to leave the East Palace, but went to see the little prince again.
She asked puzzledly: "My lady... shall we still go to the Queen Mother's place?"
Rong Xi looked at Mu Jue with gentle eyes, and said back to Dan Xiang, "Go, of course."
Dan Xiang was a little at a loss, and her tone was a little lower: "That lady..."
Rong Xi straightened up, ordered the wet nurse to take care of Mu Jue, and then said to Dan Xiang, "Let's go."
She knew that although she was a queen, those concubines looked down on her in their hearts.
They thought she was the daughter of a petty official. Up to today's status, she was entirely dependent on the emperor's favor. She was a seductress.
Even if Empress Dowager Zhai loses power, he still wants to hold a group with her and watch the jokes of her new empress together.
After all, although the Empress Dowager Zhai was under house arrest by Mu Huai, if she wanted to summon her daughter-in-law and Mu Huai was not in the palace, if she didn't go, she would definitely be criticized.
But she doesn't have to be courteous when she's going to the Empress Dowager Zhai.
Even if she wanted to show off those concubines with malicious intentions deliberately, she also wanted to show Empress Dowager Zhai some power.
Sure enough, in the main hall of Empress Dowager Zhai's palace, the room was full of concubines who had not arrived here after seeing the new empress, and they were a little impatient to wait.
Concubine Hui asked: "What's the matter with the new empress? It's been less than half an hour since the eunuch was sent to the East Palace. Why hasn't she come?"
Empress Dowager Zhai sneered, and replied: "The daughter of a minor official was born and spoiled by the new emperor, so she won't be too observant of the rules."
As soon as the words fell, the eunuch's shrill voice came from outside the main hall—
"The Empress is here—"
The toffees in the room had different expressions, some were embarrassed, some were calm and indifferent.
Seeing that Rong Xi was wearing a beautiful crown and wearing Zhenghong Juyi so far, the concubines of the former emperor who were slightly lower in status still got up from the armchair and bowed to Rong Xi.
Rong Xi made eye contact with Concubine De, and seeing Concubine De's lips slightly twitched, she also smiled back, expressing her friendliness.
After Rong Xilue showed the etiquette, Empress Dowager Zhai gave her the seat, while she herself still sat in the main seat of the main hall.
At this time, Lan Ruo approached from outside the hall and whispered to Queen Mother Zhai, saying that there were several servants with swords standing outside the hall.
Empress Dowager Zhai nodded.
After Rong Xi took his seat, he spoke before the Empress Dowager Zhai, and asked in a respectful tone, "Your Majesty called my son and minister, what's the matter?"
Empress Dowager Zhai had an unknown smile in her eyes, this was the first time she saw Mrs. Rong since Zhai's family was raided.
So is Rong.
Empress Dowager Zhai didn't want to chat with Rong Xi too much, and was about to get straight to the point, so she winked with Lan Ruo.
After a while, Lan Ruo led a young maid into the palace.
Rong Xi looked at the maid, and saw that her gait was swaying, and her lower abdomen was also slightly curled up.
The color of her eyes changed slightly, and her brows also frown slightly, but they quickly returned to normal.
Rong Xi guessed the Queen Mother Zhai's intentions, but kept silent.
Empress Dowager Zhai said to the concubines in the room: "This maid's name is Ajin, she is a rough servant girl in the Ai family palace, and she looks quite handsome. Before the death of the late emperor, the new emperor who was still the crown prince was drunk. She was fortunate to be in the pavilions of the imperial garden."
Concubine De's expression changed, and she looked at Rong Xi, but she saw that her expression was calm and she couldn't see any emotion.
The Empress Dowager Zhai also glanced at Rong Xi, and continued: "Fortunately, fortunately, it is not a big deal. Since the new emperor has not granted this Ajin any title, then she is still the first life palace in Aijia Palace." Maid. But a few days ago, the Ai family found out that she was pregnant, and since there is a dragon heir in her womb, it would be out of order to be a palace maid."
After saying that, Rong Xi glanced at Ah Jin who was kneeling on the ground.
Seeing that her appearance can only be regarded as delicate, it has nothing to do with the word beauty.
Rong Xi knew Mu Huai's temperament well. He was very arrogant and easily looked down on other women.
An ordinary court lady like Ah Jin couldn't catch his eyes.
But during that time, Mu Huai did drink with Yin Cheng from time to time.
Rong Xi was dubious about the fact that Ah Jin was pregnant with Mu Huai's child.
Concubine De said at this time: "The emperor was not in the palace while he was on his east tour, but when the emperor left, a pregnant Ajin appeared. This is really strange, and the one-sided words of a single maid are not credible. Besides, the new emperor's character is clear to the palace, and he will definitely not do anything like randomly favoring a court lady."
Empress Dowager Zhai gave a chuckle, and looked at Rong Xi with her wrinkled eyes, her mouth seemed to be echoing Concubine De's words, but she was actually speaking to Rong Xi: "In the past, this palace Is it not uncommon for princes to employ court ladies as maidservants? There have been princes who have impregnated maidservants before. The empress should be very clear about this."
After Rong Xi listened, the corners of her lips curled up slightly, without showing any anger.
Empress Dowager Zhai was pointing fingers at Sang and scolding Huai. When she said this, she was talking about Ah Jin and Mu Huai on the surface.
It was really mocking the relationship between her and Mu Huai in the past.
Empress Dowager Zhai knew that she used to be Mu Huai's maid, and she was pregnant with his child when she had no title.
Rong Xi's tone was very calm, and he ordered Ah Jin to say, "Raise your head."
Ah Jin followed her words, adjusted her kneeling position, and looked at Rong Xi.
With scrutiny in his eyes and cross-examination in his words, Rong Xi asked again, "How long have you been alive?"
Ah Jin muttered, "It's been two months since I returned to your mother."
Counting the days, it was the period when Mu Huai often went out of the palace to drink with Yin Cheng.
Rong Xi's complexion did not change, and he asked again: "When is your majesty lucky, do you still remember?"
Ah Jin glanced at Queen Mother Zhai, who did not expect Rong Xi to interrogate Ah Jin so calmly, her expression changed slightly.
Ah Jin couldn't see any news from the Queen Mother Di, so he could only reply: "My servant...I don't remember."
After hearing this, Rong Xi singled out the exquisite Emei, but her tone was a bit heavier: "Don't remember? Since you are two months pregnant, you should have noticed it early in the morning. Why have you kept it secret? If you make a mistake What should you do if you become the heir of the emperor?"
Ah Jin was so frightened that she shed tears and her body trembled.
Seeing Rong Xi's aggressiveness, Dowager Hui said in a slightly embarrassing tone: "Queen, this court lady is still pregnant with a dragon heir. You are a bit jealous and intolerable."
But Rong Xi didn't pay any attention to Concubine Hui's harsh words, instead ordered the palace staff to summon the imperial physician, and asked the imperial physician to consult Ah Jin in front of the concubines in the hall.
The imperial physician told Rong Xi that Ah Jin was pregnant for two months.
Empress Dowager Zhai looked at Rong Xi who was sitting on the armchair with slightly cold eyes.
After Mu Huai succeeded to the throne, he didn't even set up a harem. This daughter of the Rong family must have had a very smooth life.
She knew that with her ability, she couldn't touch this woman.
She just wanted to use this Ah Jin to shield her when Mu Huai was not around, and also wanted to use this Ah Jin to create a rift between Mu Huai and Rong Shi.
Rong Xi waited for the imperial doctor to diagnose Ah Jin's pulse before saying to Concubine Hui: "I was concerned about the emperor's heir just now. Where did the concubine hear that I was speaking with jealousy? I am the empress and the harem." The lord also gave birth to the prince Mu Jue for the emperor. Even if a little court lady is pregnant with the emperor's heir, this palace can't afford to be jealous of her."
Concubine Hui choked on these words.
But what she said was right, this Ah Jin was indeed inferior to her in everything.
In terms of appearance alone, Ah Jin is far behind Rong Xi.
Empress Dowager Zhai said at this time: "How does the queen want to arrange Ah Jin?"
Rong Xi lowered her head halfway, and replied in a respectful tone: "Naturally, I will give her a palace first, and let her live temporarily to raise the baby. As for the status... the emperor will come back to make a decision."
Empress Dowager Zhai could not see the frustration, anger, or jealousy she wanted to see from Rong Xi's face, and she couldn't help feeling a little resentful.
Rong Xi had already ordered the maid behind her to take Ah Jin down, and when she looked at the queen again, her face was smiling like a spring breeze.
The Empress Dowager Zhai was a little puzzled, but she heard Rong Xi say to her in that soft voice: "This time, my son, I specially brought some peach blossom fragrance for my mother. The fragrance is long lasting."
After hearing the word Taohuaxiangze, Empress Dowager Zhai quietly inserted her fingertips into her palm.
It is inconvenient for the two of them to say some things in front of everyone.
Empress Dowager Zhai was a little unbelievable, but Rong Xi knew that she had harmed Yu Zhaorong with the fragrance of peach blossoms.
Her actions today are also warning her that she knows all the evil things she has done.
And, she won't let her go.
Empress Dowager Zhai had deep lines in the corners of her eyes, and she glanced at A Jin's back.
She had already made it clear to Ah Jin that if the queen wanted her to go there, then she must find a way to abort the child in her womb and lay it on the queen's head before Mu Huai returned to the palace.
In this way, the Rong family will bear the notoriety of being jealous and persecuting the emperor's heir.
No matter how you think about it, this Ah Jin can play her role before Mu Huai comes back.
Unexpectedly, after Queen Rong returned, she ordered two highly skilled imperial physicians and four medical girls to be by A Jin's palace at any time.
Not only are there imperial physicians and medical ladies, but Empress Rong has also placed powerful eyeliners in the palace.
Once Ah Jin wants to do something that hurts the child in his womb, he will be stopped in time.
The court lady, Ajin, accidentally became pregnant with a child because of her affair with her attendants, and her fate was at the mercy of these heavenly nobles. Knowing that her deeds were exposed, she would not end well, and her mentality became a little unbalanced.
Seeing that his actions were controlled by Rong Xi, he began to tease those imperial doctors and female doctors arrogantly.
The imperial doctor and the medical girl dared not speak out because she was pregnant with a dragon heir.
When Empress Rong found out, she came to Ajin's palace in person and asked Aunt Danxiang to slap her twenty times a day.
Speaking of which, Empress Rong's methods were really ruthless. Whenever Aunt Danxiang swollen her face, she would order the imperial physician to force-feed her with some anti-fetal drugs, and even stared at her to eat the tonic.
Ah Jin has no status, but treats the imperial physician harshly, he really deserves to be punished.
Empress Rong punished her for a reason, and it also extinguished Ah Jin's arrogance.
Such a move not only punished Ah Jin, but also preserved Ah Jin's pregnancy.
The palace man secretly said, Empress Rong is too good at humiliating people, although her methods are ruthless, but people can't find any mistakes, it's really scary.
Rong Xi sent someone to watch A Jin, and here also received the fourth letter from Mu Huai to the Forbidden City of Biandu.
Speaking of which, the first time she received a letter from Mu Huai, she was overjoyed.
But when I saw the contents of the letter, I was a little disappointed.
Mu Huai is indeed a person who doesn't understand Fengyue, every letter seems to have a template, and the format is roughly the same.
At the beginning, I often write which county I have been to.
Then the display began, which local official was unfavorable and was dismissed by him.
Finally, I will write a few words about the local people's sentiments.
Although Mu Huai has the ability to govern the country, he is actually a person without literary talents.
If it were someone with a little talent, he would be able to make this book more beautiful and readable.
But Mu Huai's family letter was flat and straightforward, and it seemed to be keeping a running account, as if reporting government affairs to her.
Among the three letters sent back before, two of them mentioned Tao Chang, Duzhi Hubu.
Looking at the few words Mu Huai mentioned about him in the letter, Rong Xi could guess that this household official must have been tortured miserably by Mu Huai.
Mu Huai is an energetic person, so he always demands others according to his own standards.
It seems that Tao Chang has been helping him with drought prevention in various counties and counties. Due to overwork, he contracted a cold and fell ill on the way.
The entire east tour team stopped, waiting for Tao Chang to recuperate, and then went to other counties in the southeast after he recovered from his illness.
Rong Xi didn't expect too much from this fourth letter from home, but when he spread the letter paper, he saw that there were only three words written on it——
I will return.
Mu Huai's handwriting is vigorous, and it is clearly three simple words.
Rong Xi's face turned red.
She even felt that the implication of the three words Mu Huai was to wait for Zhen to go back and deal with you properly.