The capital city was extremely cold this winter; even the water in the old well in Changshou Palace was frozen.
The eunuch who came to fetch water threw the wooden bucket tied to the well rope into the well several times before he broke the ice on the surface of the well and drew water.
The old eunuch at the side put his hands in his sleeves, glanced in the direction of the Empress Dowager's bedroom, and shook his head secretly: "This well hasn't frozen for decades. It's not a good sign if it freezes this year. I'm afraid the Empress Dowager is not going to make it."
The young eunuch was so terrified that he dared not respond.
The Empress Dowager had been ill for some time. The imperial doctors from the Imperial Medical Bureau came in waves every day, only to be scolded away by Empress Gao in anger after a short while.
Empress Gao's belly was already showing. She was the niece of the empress dowager and would come to visit her every morning and evening.
On the contrary, the new emperor was busy suppressing the rebellion and appeasing the one in Cangjiao Palace. He seldom had time to come over. Even if he came, he would leave within a quarter of an hour. The mother and son of the Tian family were never in a good mood.
In the Empress Dowager's bedroom, thick curtains were hung on the windows and doors to block the wind. An unpleasant smell of medicine filled the room. The serving maids stood on both sides of the bed with their heads lowered, not daring to breathe.
Empress Gao sat in front of the couch and personally fed the empress dowager medicine. After a few spoonfuls of the medicine, the empress dowager made a few dry heaving sounds in her throat, tilted her head, and vomited out the medicine she had just drunk. The palace maid beside her hurriedly took the spittoon to catch it.
When Empress Gao saw this, tears started to fall from her eyes: "Aunt..."
She hurriedly took a handkerchief to wipe the medicine stains on the empress dowager's lips, but the empress dowager was still retching and convulsing all over.
"The Grand Princess is here—" a young eunuch's voice came from outside the palace.
The heavy windproof door curtain was lifted, and a ray of light appeared in the dark bedroom. The eldest princess walked into the hall against the light. She was wearing a palace dress embroidered with peony flowers in gold thread. Her long sleeves dragged behind her. The gold hairpins in her hair swayed gently as she walked. Her face was delicately made up, and she looked elegant and luxurious.
Seeing the crying Queen Gao, the eldest princess frowned and scolded: "Why are you crying on the New Year's Day?"
Empress Gao was scolded by the Grand Princess so much that she dared not sob anymore, but her tears still flowed down.
The eldest princess walked to the bed, looked at the gloomy face of the queen mother, sat down and held the queen mother's slightly cold hand, "You are a bunch of people who don't know how to serve people. You have been lying down for so long just because of a cold."
The Queen Mother's hair had turned a lot whiter. She was a few years older than the Grand Princess, but now she seemed like a generation younger than her.
The Queen Mother had difficulty speaking, and she panted and said, "Ayu, you're here."
Feng Yu is the name of the most noble and honorable princess in the world.
The eldest princess said, "Shi Yan is making trouble. During the days when he was away from the capital, I had to keep the whole court under control for him, so I didn't have time to come and see you."
Although the eldest princess had no real power in the court, all the dukes and ministers had to bow their heads in front of her.
The Queen Mother grabbed the eldest princess's hand with some force and said with difficulty: "Ayu, you have to help him. You are his aunt, he can only count on you..."
The Princess said, "Of course."
The Queen Mother then let go of her hand. She looked like she was about to die. There was no shallow ambition and desire in her eyes anymore. She only had a last gasp for life. "I have been dreaming about your brother these days. I know that my time is coming soon."
The eldest princess said: "You just like to have wild thoughts. It's just a cold. You will be fine after taking some medicine."
The Queen Mother shook her head: "I know my own destiny, the only thing I am worried about is this child..."
She turned her head to look at Queen Gao.
Empress Gao covered her face and cried bitterly.
The Queen Mother looked at her and said slowly: "You have been spoiled by me. You have not suffered much injustice in your life, but from now on, you must learn to endure and tolerate grievances."
Empress Gao looked sad, but there was also a hint of confusion on her face.
The eldest princess said, "She is the queen of Daxuan. If she gives birth to a prince, she will be the mother of the future crown prince. No one dares to touch her, not even the emperor."
The Queen Mother nodded, then looked at her niece and said earnestly, "All the women in the harem have survived. The Emperor is now bewitched by a ghost. You should wait until the child is born. When the man has his own flesh and blood, he will stop thinking about her."
Queen Gao nodded with tears in her eyes.
After saying these words, the Queen Mother was already very tired. Her eyes were half closed, like a candle in the wind, half extinguished.
The eldest princess gave Queen Gao a look, then turned and left the bedroom.
Empress Gao glanced at the Queen Mother before wiping her tears and going out with the Grand Princess.
When they arrived at the outer hall, the eldest princess asked Empress Gao, "Has the Emperor come to see the Empress Dowager?"
Empress Gao shook her head in embarrassment: "I came here once half a month ago, but I had an argument with my mother, and I haven't come here since then."
The eldest princess's eyes were so sharp that no one dared to look at her directly. "Since you are the queen, you should not regard yourself as just a wife who is not loved by your husband. How can you cry all day long?"
Empress Gao's face turned red and white at the words of the Grand Princess.
The eldest princess continued, "In the past two years since the emperor ascended the throne, the Gao family has relied on your power and the empress dowager's influence, and has repeatedly used their merits in following the emperor to hinder the emperor in the court. How can the emperor not be resentful of you?"
Empress Gao's eyes were reddened by what she said: "I... I will remind father later."
The eldest princess frowned, and the lotus flower carefully painted on her forehead also frowned: "Teacher Gao's current posture seems to be trying to sideline the emperor and take over the government himself."
Empress Gao's face turned pale instantly: "Aunt, father's loyalty to Your Majesty is witnessed by heaven and earth, and the sun and the moon can show it!"
The eldest princess said coldly: "It is useless for you to say these words to me. Your Majesty must see them."
After saying this, she left Changshou Palace, leaving Queen Gao standing there stiffly.
After a while, Empress Gao touched her bulging belly, and the panic on her face disappeared. A sneer formed on the corner of her mouth: "Overthrowing the emperor?"
Before Feng Shiyan ascended the throne, the Gao family had always been keeping a low profile. The fact that she was sent to the palace did not mean she was really ignorant of everything.
It’s just that Feng Shiyan likes a fool like Xipin, so she imitates Xipin’s words and deeds, trying to make Feng Shiyan fall in love with her.
After the death of Empress Dowager Gao, it was inevitable that Feng Shiyan would intensify his suppression of the Gao family.
Rather than waiting for her family to weaken and for her to linger in the palace, it would be better for her not to have the child in her belly to replace Feng Shiyan's throne!
****
When the eldest princess walked out of the palace gate, a dead leaf that had been hanging on a branch for a whole autumn and winter swirled and fell to her feet. She looked at the gray sky, and the coldness on her face that kept strangers away showed a little loss: "Those people in the old days, some left, some died. Sometimes when I look at this imperial city, I also feel that it is strange and deserted."
The maid who followed her advised: "Princess, don't think too much. No one can escape the cycle of life and death."
The cold raindrops fell on the eldest princess's face, and it started to sleet.
The maid was busy holding an umbrella. The eldest princess was looking at the solemn and cold corridor and the vermilion palace walls on both sides, wondering what she was thinking.
A team of patrolling imperial guards came towards them. The leader of the imperial guards was nine feet tall, with a resolute face and an imposing bearing.
The eldest princess looked dazed for a moment. As she watched the imperial guard approaching, she seemed to see the scene many years ago when Chu Changping left the palace with his colleagues after court session.
When the imperial guards arrived at the palace gate, the leader of the imperial guards clasped his fists towards the Grand Princess and said, "Greetings, Grand Princess."
The eldest princess finally came to her senses, put away the dazed look on her face, and turned into the noble and unattainable jewel in the palm of the late emperor again.
She nodded coldly and asked the guard, "What's your name?"
The imperial guards clasped their fists and said respectfully, "Your humble servant is Leng Zhen."
The eldest princess nodded without saying anything else, and walked towards the carriage in the distance, escorted by her maid holding an umbrella.
After getting in the car, the maid asked cautiously: "Did the princess think of Mr. Chu Sanye again?"
She had been with the Grand Princess since she was a child and had a special relationship with her. Naturally, she knew a little about her master's thoughts.
The eldest princess supported her forehead with one hand and said nothing.
In this life, some people are missed and they are gone. If we meet again, we will become enemies, so it is better not to meet again.
*****
Western state.
It was already the sixth day of the first lunar month, the day for shop openings, and almost all shops in Xizhou were open.
Ruyilou and Noodle House also set off firecrackers to celebrate their New Year opening.
The porcelain kiln has been officially taken over by the government. Jiang Yanyi is one of the first merchants to obtain the documents for porcelain export. She has lived in the Chu family for so long, and she has to go back to take care of business.
After the beginning of spring, arable land in the suburbs began to be bought and sold. Jiang Yanyi planned to wait until it stopped snowing and go to the suburbs in person to buy a few acres of land suitable for growing peppers.
Chu Chengbai was sent to a farm in the country. He told Old Madam Chu that he was going there to study in peace and quiet. The old lady did not doubt it at all and hoped that he would have a bright future. Although Uncle Chu said some harsh words, he still did not go to the farm with him.
When Jiang Yanyi went to Old Madam Chu's courtyard to say goodbye to her, he happened to meet a guest there.
The Chu family is a new noble family in Xizhou. They rarely take the initiative to make friends with others. Those who come to pay New Year's greetings are Chu Changping's subordinates and colleagues in the army. This is the first time that a female family member has come to the house.
"This is the third son's daughter." Old Madam Chu introduced her to the old lady sitting next to her with a smile.
The old lady was wearing a half-worn royal blue jacket with twined branches, and the headband on her forehead was only embroidered with a ruyi pattern and no gemstones. It was estimated that her family was not as well off as the Chu family.
When she saw Jiang Yanyi, she nodded frequently: "No wonder the King of Liaonan values her so much. Old sister, I'm afraid there's no one in the world who can be more iconic than your granddaughter."
There was also a young girl sitting next to her, about 20 years old, wearing a pomegranate skirt, but she kept her head down so her face could not be seen clearly.
Jiang Yanyi was praised but just lowered her head shyly and said nothing, leaving it to Old Madam Chu to reply.
Madam Chu and the old lady chatted about a lot of family matters. During the conversation, Jiang Yanyi noticed that Madam Chu kept staring at the girl from time to time. She guessed that Madam Chu was probably looking for a marriage partner for Chu Chengmao. But she felt at first sight that this girl was not the type that Chu Chengmao, a mean-mouthed and venomous guy, would like.
Moreover, most girls of this era got married at the age of fifteen or sixteen, and it was rare to be a girl at this age. Jiang Yanyi was just marveling at the open-mindedness of Old Madam Chu, but when she heard Old Madam Chu instruct the maid to invite Chu Changping over, she realized that something was wrong.
The girl in front of him was probably not there for Chu Chengmao to see, but was intended to be Chu Changping's second wife.
Not long after, the maid who received Madam Chu's order came back and whispered something in Madam Chu's ear. Madam Chu's face changed slightly, and she looked at the old lady apologetically and said, "I'm sorry, old sister. There is something going on in the army. Sanlang went to the military camp."
The old lady smiled and said it was okay. Madam Chu chatted with her for a few more words. After sending her away, she said to Jiang Yanyi, "This girl was originally engaged, but she had to observe mourning for her mother for three years, and the man couldn't wait any longer, so he broke off the engagement and left her at home as an old maid. Her character and appearance are impeccable, but the third son refused to remarry! Do you think that when Mao-ge gets married in the future, there will be no mistress in this family? Is that reasonable?"
Hearing the old lady's words, Jiang Yanyi knew that Chu Changping had not gone to the army, but just refused to come. As for the elders' marriage, Jiang Yanyi didn't say much, just said: "Father has his own plans, grandma, don't worry."
"How can I not be worried? Mao Ge'er's marriage has not been settled yet!"
When it comes to Chu Chengmao, Mrs. Chu's worries become even heavier. She looked at Jiang Yanyi and said, "Ayi, tell grandma the truth. I heard that on the first night of the New Year, Mao went out and brought a girl back, and he kept it a secret from everyone in the family. What is his relationship with that girl?"
Old Madam Chu was a decent person. She had been quite critical of the improper behavior of Chu Chengbai and his maid Yue Niang in the early years. She was worried that Chu Chengmao would follow those bad guys and keep a mistress.
Jiang Yanyi was afraid that if he lied to Chu Chengmao and Xue, he would be exposed, so he just pretended to be stupid and said, "Brought a girl back? I haven't heard about it. But my second brother is a man of measure. Grandmother, don't think too much. He will tell you what he thinks he should tell you."
The author has something to say: Jiang Yanyi: My life is so difficult, I just want to go back and make money
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