In the days that followed, everyone in the Tai Chi Palace was busy with the arrival of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
While Chu Ning ordered people to prepare the banquet, he also started to prepare for the establishment of the school.
It was the first time that Cui He did such a big event. Not only did she humbly ask the female officials of the Sixth Bureau for advice every day, but she also went out of the palace several times to see it with her own eyes in the family education for the female relatives of the major families in Chang'an, and then put each family Write down the advantages and disadvantages one by one, return to the palace to report to Chu Ning, and discuss together.
However, the compact, orderly and vibrant atmosphere in the palace turned into loneliness when they arrived at the Baifu Hall.
Empress Dowager Qi is very old, and now the Qi family has semi-retired from the court, and no longer interferes in military affairs. Facing the changes in the palace, she eats fast food and recites Buddha every day, living in seclusion, and feeling more and more tired and tired.
Seeing that even the Empress was there, she finally did not want to stay in the Taiji Palace anymore, but proposed to the Empress and the Emperor to move out of the Taiji Palace and live alone in the Xingqing Palace.
Xingqing Palace is located in the east of Chang'an City, and its shape is naturally inferior to that of Taiji Palace. However, it has everything inside, and because of its superior terrain, the climate is very pleasant and comfortable.
Xiao Kezhi and the Queen Mother Qi were not incompatible with each other at first, but now they have a clear line, and they are treated as elders. After discussing this matter with the courtiers, they naturally agreed.
So, on the twelfth day of the eighth month, when the renovation of the Xingqing Palace was completed, the Queen Mother Qi moved in with the palace servants and servants around her, and even declined the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet.
Xiao Kezhi and Chu Ning sent them off in person, and did not return to Taiji Palace until they saw her settled in Xingqing Palace.
Three days later, it will be the fifteenth day of the eighth month, the Mid-Autumn Festival.
On this day, the summer heat has passed, and the weather is fine. From the emperor and courtiers to the common people, they are all looking forward to the canonization ceremony of the queen while immersed in the atmosphere of the reunion festival.
According to the ritual system, the canonization pawn is first held at the queen's family home.
Chu Ning's parents and close relatives were gone, so Xiao Kezhi asked people to find elders from other branches of the Chu family in Jingzhao, and set up a tent outside the house in Taipingfang.
Chu Ning also left the Tai Chi Palace the day before and moved into the house, and got up early in the morning to wash up and wait.
Seeing that the time was approaching, the officials of the ceremony held the books, spare parts, etc., and went north to worship before entering the house.
The elders of the Chu family immediately greeted them, while Shang Gong led the female officials into the queen's boudoir to serve the queen to wash and change her clothes.
The five-color pheasant pattern embroidered on the robe with neat accessories makes the originally gentle and dignified Chu Ning more noble and gorgeous, especially dazzling and eye-catching.
Shang Gong stood by the bronze mirror, bowed and saluted with a smile: "Your Highness has a beautiful face, no matter what kind of dress you wear, it is very suitable. Today's robe is more dignified and dignified."
Chu Ning also looked at himself in the mirror, smiled when he heard the words, and said, "There are also six rounds of credit for making this coat so beautifully."
After a while, the time came, and the female officials led her out of the house, into the courtyard, and bowed to the north.
The door in the courtyard was open. In addition to the principal, deputy envoys, and female officials, there were also members of the Chu clan and hundreds of officials who accompanied them. Even the broad road outside the entrance hall was full of people watching from a distance, which was very lively.
When everyone saw the queen coming out, the original lively sound suddenly stopped, and there was silence all around, just waiting for the instructions of the ritual officials.
After burning the incense to pay homage, the envoy read out the text of the book aloud, and then handed the book and the treasure sash into her hands.
The moment Chu Ning stretched out his hands and took the token, it was officially canonized. The officials present all moved out of the way and worshipped on both sides, while the female officials walked to the front to welcome the queen back to the palace.
Outside the gate, the heavy-duty carriage designed for the queen was already ready to stop, and the guards and the palace people retreated to both sides, waiting for the queen to board.
Chu Ning stepped out of the mansion surrounded by the crowd, and was about to board the car when there was an orderly sound of footsteps and the sound of horses and horses coming from the other side of the street.
Everyone looked at the prestige, but saw that the emperor who was supposed to be waiting in the Taiji Palace was approaching here in a car. Seeing this posture, he was going to take the queen back to the palace in person.
Chu Ning was astonished, stopped quickly, turned to meet him, and asked in surprise, "Why is Your Majesty here?"
According to the rules, there is no reason for the emperor to leave the palace to welcome the queen in person.
But Xiao Kezhi got out of the car with a calm smile and stretched out his hand to her: "Of course I'm here to pick up the queen. Aning, let's go home."
Tai Chi Palace was his home since he was a child, and now it is also her home.
It was already dusk, and the setting sun was brilliant, illuminating his silhouette with a magnificent halo.
Chu Ning looked up into his shining eyes, her heart softened, and under the amazement and stares of everyone, she stretched out her hand and put it in his open palm.
"Okay, let's go home."
The two boarded the carriage together and walked towards the Taiji Palace in the afterglow of the setting sun.
…
Outside the Taiji Palace, the Qianniu Guard guards have cleared the road, and the Chengtian Gate is also wide open.
The carriages of the two emperors and queens drove in front, and the horses of Baiguan followed behind. They entered through Chengtianmen together, and did not stop until outside the Liangyi Hall where the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet was held.
The palace servants and the servants welcomed everyone into the hall, the emperor and the queen sat down on their seats, and the hundreds of officials on the ground stood under the steps, lined up one after another, knelt down, and saluted again, not only celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival, but also Queen He was registered.
Chu Ning and Xiao Kezhi looked at each other, then raised their hands to signal everyone to get up and take their seats, and then picked up the wine glasses on the table and drank with the officials.
After a while, the music and dance on the stage gradually changed from solemn and solemn to cheerful and lively, which gradually relaxed the atmosphere in the hall.
During the banquet, the preparations were staggered, and countless officials and envoys came forward with their female relatives to toast and congratulate the emperor and the queen.
Chu Ning is not very good at drinking, and she usually goes to a banquet on weekdays, but today is different. She will not refuse anyone who comes to toast, and she drank them one by one. After a while, a faint blush appeared on her face. His eyes became hazy.
Xiao Kezhi held the hand she was about to raise, took her glass of wine, and rushed to the person with a smile: "The queen is invincible, I drink this glass for her, thank you for your kindness."
After all, he raised his head and took a sip.
When the visitor saw that the Son of Heaven had personally drank it, he didn't dare to say more, so he drank the wine in his cup, and bowed and saluted with sincerity, then turned around and stepped back.
"A-Ning, you are probably a little drunk." Xiao Kezhi put down the glass, turned to look at Chu Ning's blushing cheeks, couldn't help but stretched out his hand to stick the sticker, and it was really hot, "Go down for a rest, change clothes, okay? ?"
Chu Ning's cheeks were hot, and he couldn't help rubbing against his palm. Hearing the words, he nodded: "Okay, I did drink happier, and my head was dizzy."
It was rare for Xiao Kezhi to see her like this, so he couldn't help laughing softly. He motioned Liu Kang to send someone a bowl of sobering soup, and he personally helped her stand up and watched her walk down the steps step by step, towards the side hall. Go, and then look back again.
Leaving the main hall, the sound of singing and dancing and laughter is also far away. Although people pass by from time to time on the corridor, it still looks empty.
The cool autumn wind came through the hall, Chu Ning stood by the corridor, closed his eyes for a while, and finally felt a lot clearer in his mind.
"Is His Highness still able to walk?" Seeing that she was not moving, Cui He thought she was too drunk to walk, so she hurriedly wanted to turn around and call for someone.
"Don't be busy, I'm fine." Chu Ning waved his hand to stop her, wiped his forehead with a handkerchief, and was about to move forward, but suddenly saw a familiar figure in the corner not far away.
"Brother."
She took two quick steps and called out.
The figure suddenly stopped with its back to her, stood stiffly under the lamp for a moment, then slowly turned to face her, it was Zhao Yanzhou who had not seen him for many days.
He lowered his eyelids, bowed slowly under the flickering lights, and saluted her respectfully.
"Today is His Highness's canonization ceremony, and the minister congratulates His Highness."
Chu Ning didn't say a word. He approached step by step, stopped in front of him, looked at him for a moment, and then whispered, "Thank you, brother. How are you doing these days?"
For some reason, since she entered the Tai Chi Palace, she seldom saw him. Later, Xiao Yu was detained and imprisoned. When the truth came out, she also wanted to see him, but he sent someone to ask, but he said that he felt the cold and should not be close to the queen. After hearing the news, he went to the uncle's tomb to pay homage. I can rest my eyes.
She always felt that he did not want to see her as if he was avoiding her intentionally.
"I'm all right, Your Highness, thank you for your concern." Zhao Yanzhou still lowered his eyes, facing her gentle and familiar greeting, his eyes trembled, but his tone was calm and restrained as usual.
"Listen to His Majesty, you are about to serve as a foreigner in Jinzhou, when will you leave?"
Jinzhou is located on Hedong Road. Although it is not thousands of miles away from Chang'an, it takes several days to come and go. It will take several years to return to work.
"Yes, the saints don't give up, give me such an opportunity, and I will leave tomorrow." Zhao Yanzhou bowed to her, and then, as if he understood her worries, he slowly raised his head as if he was determined, and looked at her seriously. Looking at her, he said solemnly, "Excuse the rudeness of the minister - Aning, don't worry about me, for me to be a foreigner in Jinzhou, this is a great opportunity. I have taken my uncle as a model since I was a child, and I am determined to be upright and honest in the future. A person who is dedicated to the people. Although Jinzhou is far from Chang'an, the official position I want to hold is closely related to the daily life of the people.
Chu Ning naturally understood his talents and ambitions, and she also saw it in the past two or three years.
Now when she sees him mentioning her future career, her eyes are glowing and full of longing. While she is happy for him in her heart, she is also a little bit disappointed and emotional.
In the end, he has gone through great changes, and he is no longer the talented and famous young man he used to be.
"Brother thinks this way, I'm very happy." She endured the wetness in her eyes and helped him up with a smile, "Brother is leaving tomorrow, I'm afraid it's too late to see him off properly, so I can only stay here. I wish my brother, everything will be cherished in the future, remember to come back often..."
Zhao Yanzhou's forbearance eyes trembled again, flashing countless turbulent emotions, and finally turned into a relaxed and relieved smile.
"Okay, although there is a saint now, I don't have to worry about Aning anymore, but as a brother, I will naturally come back to see."
He is the elder brother, and only the elder brother. In this life, he can see that she has a good home, and he will be satisfied.
"It's getting late, Your Highness, go and rest."
Looking at her appearance, he probably wanted to go to the side hall to rest for a while, so he didn't stay much longer, restored the distance between the ruler and the minister again, and bowed his hands at the side of the road.
The surroundings were quiet, and then, the pair of delicate and small embroidered shoes in front of him turned around and drifted away.
The autumn wind blew again, and he slowly stood up straight, watching her smaller and smaller back, until he completely disappeared at the end of the long corridor, then he suddenly returned to his senses, turned and walked in the direction of the main hall.
However, after only taking a few steps, he suddenly met Xiao Kezhi who had appeared behind him at an unknown time.
"Your Majesty!" He was startled, and hurriedly saluted, for fear of being misunderstood, and explained, "I just met His Highness by chance, and His Highness asked about the minister's foreign affairs, so he said a few more words—"
However, before the words were finished, a powerful palm patted meaningfully on the shoulder: "Okay, I didn't ask you, you don't have to worry."
Zhao Yanzhou's words stopped abruptly, and his originally tense body slowly relaxed.
Yes, the current emperor is not the Xiao Yu of the past. The Son of Heaven, who was born to look down on all beings, was very kind to Aning, so how could he care about a man like him who couldn't even be called a "man"
"It was the minister who was reckless."
Xiao Kezhi smiled and held his arm in one hand to get him up: "Since Zhao Qing has mentioned the matter of the foreigner, I will ask you one more question. Is there any complaint in Qing's heart with this arrangement?"
Zhao Yanzhou was stunned for a moment, and immediately shook his head in awe: "Your Majesty is well-intentioned and gave this minister the opportunity to display his ambitions. The minister is grateful, how can there be complaints?"
After speaking, he endured the sadness in his eyes, and continued in a low voice: "Besides, the minister is so unbearable, and his Majesty will not abandon him, so that he can continue to be an official in the court.
The "unbearable" in his mouth naturally refers to Xiao Yu's execution of the palace. Even if Chu Ning never mentioned this matter, he thought that the two emperors and empresses should have known from Xiao Yu's confession.
As a dignified man, it is really hard to tell what happened to him like this.
But I don't know if it was intentional or not, but Xiao Kezhi didn't seem to understand what he meant, so he didn't mention the matter, just patted him on the shoulder, and said earnestly: "I'm not mistaken, Zhao Qing is indeed a person with great ambitions. I know that you have ambitions and talents, and I have read your articles. I gave you the opportunity to serve as a foreigner, not because of the Queen's face, but because I think you are a talented person. You only need a lot of experience. You can also become a figure like the Duke of Chu back then, and become the mainstay of the court. Zhao Qing, do you understand what I mean?"
Inside and outside of his words, he revealed his approval and encouragement to Zhao Yanzhou, which made Zhao Yanzhou's heart shake and had mixed feelings.
When I was underappreciated, I realized how important it is to be appreciated. Especially when the other party clearly knows your most embarrassing side, but still chooses to trust.
"I understand - I will never fail Your Majesty's trust!"
Zhao Yanzhou took two steps back and gave him a big gift meticulously.
"So, I am waiting for your future actions." Xiao Kezhi didn't help him any more, he just said, "Get up, and have a good time at today's banquet before you leave tomorrow."
After saying that, he didn't stop. After nodding at him, he turned to leave and walked in the direction of the side hall.
…
In the side hall, Chu Ning first changed his clothes, wiped his hands and face, took the hangover soup handed by Cui He and slowly drank it, which made him feel a lot more comfortable.
Cui He put a soft pillow behind her, and put a thin blanket over her body, and asked, "Do you need some food, Your Highness? At the banquet just now, I drank a lot, but I didn't eat much."
Chu Ning rubbed his clearer forehead, shook his head and said, "No, the hangover soup is full, I'll just rest for a while."
Cui He responded and was about to sit to the side to guard, when footsteps were heard outside the house, and then someone called, "Your Majesty is coming down."
The door was pushed open from the outside, Xiao Kezhi walked in quickly, walked directly to the couch, sat down next to Chu Ning, held her hand and asked, "Have you used the hangover soup? Is it better?"
"I've used it, and now my head is no longer dizzy. It's just that I drank too much and I'm a little tired." Chu Ning leaned on his shoulder and replied softly, "Why did your majesty come here? , the emperor and the queen have left the table, and others can talk about it."
"Then let them talk." Xiao Kezhi showed a nonchalant smile on his face, "Today is the grand ceremony after the book, and it is also the day of our wedding. It is human nature to leave the table early."
Chu Ning covered his lips and chuckled. He didn't expect that he would treat today as a wedding day, so he couldn't help but say, "But if you want to get married, the bedroom should also be arranged."
Xiao Kezhi thought for a while, then shook his head and said, "There is no need to arrange the bedroom, but there is one thing that must be done."
"What is it?" Chu Ning looked up at him curiously, not knowing what to think, her cheeks slowly flushed.
"Aning, what are you thinking?" He looked at her appearance, touched her hot cheeks narrowly, and suddenly picked her up, stepped directly out of the side hall, and walked in the direction of Ganlu Hall.
The autumn wind was blowing, and the two snuggled together, avoiding everyone's sight.
He had carried her through the palace many times. In the past, due to the taboo of her identity, she tried her best to hide herself and avoid the prying eyes of others, so he became the "unruly" young emperor.
Now put aside the bondage and bravely face everyone's comments, everything in the past will be dispelled by the warm sun like clouds and mists.
The palace servants who passed by on the road no longer talked about it, but stood on the side of the road with a smile on their faces, saluting and saying congratulatory words.
Really like a wedding day.
The Ganlu Palace was in front of him, Xiao Kezhi carried Chu Ning up the steps step by step, stepped into the hall, and gently put her down beside the wide bed.
Red candles, bright moon and breeze.
He sat opposite her, knees pressed together, eyes entwined.
"As a husband and wife, there is no doubt about love. Aning, although I have become the emperor, I still hope to be like ordinary people in this life. Husband and wife love and support each other."
Chu Ning's eyes moved slightly, and he silently took off the hairpin, and strands of long hair were scattered down, revealing the colorful tassels tightly tied in between.
When a husband and wife are separated from each other, they will end up with hair.
He slowly stretched out his hand, solemnly and gently untied the tasseled rope, and held it lightly in the palm of his hand.
In this life, it was entrusted to him.