The slightly loud voice at the door attracted almost everyone's attention, and then everyone's eyes fell on Xiaocao. So, Xiaocao's current popularity is probably much higher than she expected.
Although her mother had told her at home that the Queen Mother might summon her, so she couldn't be lazy and not go to the palace, Xiaocao was still a little surprised when it really came to this. She only went to the palace once, and the Queen Mother really remembered her? She was seventy years old, but her eyesight was good and her memory was also good. Well, these were all good.
Xiaocao responded, walked to the door, and then followed the palace maid to see the Queen Mother.
The number of people on the Empress Dowager's side was much larger than expected, including the royal consorts, princesses of different counties, and several princesses - some were Emperor Xuanren's sisters, some were of the same generation as the Empress Dowager, and some were Emperor Xuanren's daughters, all of whom were married - several old ladies from important officials' families, including the old dowager concubine of Dingbei County Prince's Mansion, and of course people from the Zhang family. None of the concubines were here at the moment.
What Xiaocao didn't know was that in situations like this, the concubines would usually come to pay their respects to the empress dowager before anyone else entered the palace, and then return to their respective palaces to receive their own family members and the ladies with whom they were on good terms. This could be considered a grace. After all, among the concubines, only a few with the rank of concubine could summon their family members, and that was only a few times a year. Those below the rank of concubine could only wait for such a large palace banquet if they wanted to see their family members.
Of course, even so, not all concubines could see their families. If their own rank was low and they were not favored, and the status of their natal family was not even enough to qualify them to enter the palace, if their natal family was always unsupportive and they themselves were always out of favor, then they really might not be able to see their families in their entire lives. However, this situation is ultimately a minority.
Xiaocao took a look and it seemed that one person was missing, that was Princess Fukang. She was the empress dowager's biological daughter and Emperor Xuanren's biological sister. She was so favored that she should not be absent.
However, when I was at home, I heard my mother vaguely mention that Princess Fukang didn't seem to be very close to the Queen Mother. But even if they were not close, she would not have refused to come to the palace even on her mother's birthday. So, she was either not here temporarily, or she had other special reasons for not coming to the palace.
Compared to the last time he entered the palace, he was still a little awkward in etiquette. Xiaocao deliberately slowed down his movements. Now his movements were smooth and still neither fast nor slow. In short, he was steady and well-behaved, and he did not lose his composure because there were so many people present.
The Queen Mother, who had a keen eye, noticed her "progress".
The Queen Mother asked her not to be polite, then waved her hand and asked her to come closer. Her friendly expression was visible to everyone present.
The attitude of this most noble woman in the world could easily determine many people's "likes and dislikes". Few of the people present had seen Xiaocao, but they were not unfamiliar with her. After all, because of their close relationship with the Queen Mother, they were deeply "influenced" by her. If they did not know her movements and words, they would be "backward" and "out of favor". Xiaocao had been praised by the Queen Mother, so naturally she would know a little bit about her.
However, these people, after all, have their status, so it's enough to just understand them. If they rush to do something, it will be inferior. If you count carefully, there are not a few girls who have been praised by the Queen Mother. Many of them are just a sentence. After that, the Queen Mother usually doesn't express anything else. But now it seems that this girl from the Wen family has been remembered by the Queen Mother.
In fact, the Queen Mother was deeply impressed by Xiao Cao, not only because of the two books, but also because of the fatigue-relieving "eye patch" Xiao Cao left behind. The Queen Mother did not use it often, but Emperor Xuanren did. For a mother, there is nothing more comforting than making her son well. She directly asked the palace servants to move a stool and put it at the lower position for Xiao Cao to sit on. This was already an undisguised love for her.
Many people below had different thoughts, but everyone had a perfect smile on their face.
The Queen Mother did not say anything special to Xiaocao. She just chatted with her in ordinary ways. Then she talked about some of her own minor ailments. They were not serious, and she did not like taking medicine, so she asked Xiaocao if there was any other solution.
They were indeed just some common problems. Since she didn't like taking medicine, Xiaocao suggested treating her with diet. To put it bluntly, the Queen Mother was a bit picky about food, and the imperial kitchen often cooked what she liked to eat, but rarely served what she didn't like. So something in her body was a bit unbalanced, but it wasn't a big problem.
It's not that the Queen Mother doesn't like to eat some things, and it's not necessary for her to eat some things she likes. Naturally, she listened to Xiaocao's suggestion and asked her aunt to write it down and then go back to tell the imperial kitchen.
"There is no need to be so troublesome. I will make a recipe for a balanced diet and note down some taboos. If the Queen Mother thinks it is suitable, she can give it to the imperial kitchen." Xiaocao said softly.
"That's perfect. It also saves me from making mistakes. It would be disastrous if something went wrong."
The Queen Mother also nodded in approval.
After chatting for a while, the Queen Mother summoned other people. Seeing that the work was almost done, she did not want anyone to stay, including those in the side hall. She asked them to leave and no longer have to stay in her palace.
Xiao Cao stayed until the end, planning to take advantage of this moment to write down the diet list, as he might not be able to find a suitable time later.
Xiaocao turned around inadvertently, and coincidentally, she met a pair of indifferent eyes. Perhaps because he saw that Xiaocao saw her, he suddenly smiled with his lips curled up. It was obviously a bright smile, but it made people feel a little creepy for no reason.
Although she had only met him a few times, Xiaocao was absolutely impressed by her. It would have been fine if she hadn't paid attention to the current Princess Ming Zhixin of Prince Cheng, but now that she had noticed, Xiaocao could naturally not hide some problems with Ming Zhixin. It could be concluded that she was injured, and judging from the way she walked, she must be in a private position, which showed that she was not having a good time in Prince Cheng's Mansion.
Xiaocao frowned. Was Prince Cheng deliberately hurting Ming Zhixin out of his anger, or did he have some special hobby
Of course, Xiaocao couldn't control these things, but maybe Muyao was right. She was hated by this Princess Cheng. Who knows, she might really blame her for marrying in a place of her own. It was really...
Xiaocao didn't take it to heart after all. Being suspicious about something that didn't happen was just asking for trouble.
She followed her aunt to write a dietary list, which was very detailed and comprehensive, taking up several pages. The Empress Dowager took a look at it herself and exclaimed, what a careful and thoughtful girl she was.
Xiao Cao was still talking to the Queen Mother in a soft voice, "If there are some of the things listed here that the Queen Mother really doesn't want to eat, don't force her, lest it ruin her appetite. Eat the others in rotation. The same things, with different cooking methods, also have different flavors. I'm sure it won't be difficult for the chefs in the Imperial Kitchen. Some of them may not look so exquisite, but they may taste good. The Queen Mother can try them once in a while."
"You are thoughtful, girl. Okay, I will listen to you." The Queen Mother smiled kindly, "You can go and have fun too. The last time I entered the palace, I didn't go around the palace. For those who are not familiar with the palace, the exquisiteness of this palace is still good."
"The Heavenly Garden is coveted by everyone in the world, so we should definitely take a good look at it." Xiao Cao said with a smile.
The Queen Mother nodded at her vaguely and said, "Go."
"Yes." Xiaocao squatted and stepped out.
The Queen Mother looked at the several pages of paper placed beside her, and sighed to the people around her with a somewhat obvious smile, "This girl is coaxing me like a child. They say that old children become younger as they get older, and this girl really does it thoroughly."
The aunt beside her laughed, "If not for this, the fourth Miss Wenren would not have said some of the things she said. It seems that she is really thinking about the Queen Mother."
"It's for the sake of the elderly."
My aunt smiled but said nothing.
The Queen Mother waved her hand and said, "Make a copy and take it to the Imperial Hospital for review. Then send it to the Imperial Kitchen and ask them to study it and come up with some more dishes. If you do well, I will reward you."
Asking the Imperial Hospital to see her did not mean that he did not trust Xiaocao, on the contrary, it was actually a kind of protection for Xiaocao. After all, in the deep palace, one should never underestimate the filthiness of human hearts. Anything could happen, and it would be bad if some people took advantage of them. So sometimes one would rather be a little more troublesome, just in case.
"only."
When Xiaocao left the Anci Palace, she saw her mother talking to the old concubine and hurried over. "Old concubine, mother."
The old concubine reached out and pulled Xiaocao, patting her hand. "You don't usually have much free time, so take advantage of today to relax. In this palace, in addition to the Imperial Garden, there are several specially built landscape gardens, each with its own unique scenery. In addition, there are several palaces without concubines where you can also enjoy the scenery. You don't have to worry about having nowhere to go, so have some fun."
Xiao Cao nodded, "Thank you, old concubine."
"I am too old to join you. I will go and have some tea with some old ladies."
Han and Xiaocao saw the old concubine off.
Xiao Cao had spent quite a while in there, "Mom, has the old concubine been here with you all this time?"
Han nodded. "I was a little worried when I saw you didn't come out, so the old concubine said you might be helping the queen mother make a meal list. Maybe she saw that I was waiting for you, so she didn't leave."
"Thank you, old lady."
"That's true, but some things don't need to be said too clearly." Han sighed, "If it weren't for Tingyu, if you married..."
"Mother, there is no if. Even if there is an if, that is not my home, so don't think too much about it." After a pause, "The Dingbei County Prince's Mansion is not a good home either." She spoke in a whisper.
Han was stunned, a little confused. The population of Prince Dingbei's mansion was simple, the old empress dowager was very good to her daughter, and Prince Dingbei seemed to be interested in her as well. Why did her daughter deny it
Xiao Cao chuckled, "The old concubine takes the Mu family too seriously, more than anything else."
Han's expression froze slightly, and she understood what Xiaocao meant. She nodded slowly, "You are right."
Now everything is fine, but if it goes against the interests of the Mu family, then probably nothing can be fine. The most obvious point is that they say that the King of Dingbei is not allowed to marry a second woman, but what if the princess cannot give birth to a boy? Should he continue to give birth, even if it means risking his life, and become a pure reproductive tool? Or should he use this as an excuse to bring in concubines one by one
Can Prince Dingbei win over the old queen dowager, or can he give up his responsibility to the Mu family
This possibility exists.
"Mom, Tingyu and I are already engaged. Even if we don't get married, I won't marry again. Really, this is the final decision and I won't waver. Do you think I am being willful for once?"
If she had hesitated before she met Tingyu, she would have thought that if her parents allowed her to get married and there was a good candidate, she would have married and lived a makeshift life. But after that, she no longer had such thoughts.
Han sighed softly. What else could she do? "It's up to you."
"Thank you, mother." Xiaocao took Han's arm and said coquettishly, "In fact, we don't need to be too pessimistic. Tingyu's situation is not completely hopeless. Maybe we will find the right method and the right medicine someday."
"You're right." Han didn't want to pour cold water on her daughter.
"Where are Seventh Sister and the others?" Xiaocao changed the subject.
"We went to the Imperial Garden first. After all, there are not many opportunities to enter the palace. This is a place where all the rare flowers and plants in the world are gathered. I must see them when I come here."
Xiaocao could not agree with the statement "gathering rare flowers and plants from all over the world". In the whole world, even in Qi Dynasty alone, the land was vast and rich in resources. The climate in the north and south and the terrain in the east and west were very different. Without the technology of controlling soil, temperature and environment, how could this small palace possibly gather so many rare flowers and plants from all over the world
Seeing Xiaocao smiling but not saying anything, Han asked, "Why, do you have any different opinions on what mother said?"
Xiao Cao tilted her head and said, "I just think that there shouldn't be any flowers and plants in this palace that I haven't seen before."
Han was slightly startled, then understood, "You are right. I have been to all corners of the world, so I have naturally seen a lot of things. After all, the palace cannot bring together all the world."
However, after entering the Imperial Garden, few people who enter here for the first time can help but be attracted by it. You know, the same flowers and trees, different management, different cultivation, different geographical locations, and different layouts will eventually form different exquisiteness.
Wen Renying smiled brightly when she saw her mother and sister. "Mother, when we went to the palace, we couldn't go anywhere except the Imperial Garden. Let's go to other gardens first today."
"You sisters go ahead."