Guo Shao had told many lies and acted because he had to pretend sometimes. But in front of Fu Jinzhan, he couldn't lie.
Jinzhan did not press the issue. She was smiling, and her curved eyes were as bright as the moon. Not only did she seem to be able to see through people's hearts, but she was also so beautiful that it was hard to resist deceiving her. She reached out and gently touched her black hair. The ring on her finger reflected the light, which just happened to slightly sting Guo Shao's eyes.
He had no choice but to confess honestly: I once thought that I was inexplicably happy when I entered the harem.
He really loved Fu Jinzhan in his heart, but he was still so interested when he saw a lot of beauties. This feeling was like following his girlfriend into the girls' dormitory. It was even more refreshing and exciting than this metaphor. After all, girls in the girls' dormitory cannot be messed with casually. When you see a beautiful woman, you can do whatever you want. For men, this kind of temptation is really hard to hide.
Fu Jinzhan still had a smile on her face: "I can understand, all men are like this, especially those who have power. I have never seen an exception. Everyone has three wives and four concubines. This is your nature."
Guo Shao pondered and said: "But if I do that, Jinzhan will be angry, but I can still restrain myself. After all, those strange women are really not as good as you."
No, I won't do that. Fu Jinzhan smiled and said, "People who don't want more will be bound by their feet. A man who is already satisfied and feels that he has everything, without ambition and desire, why should he continue to persevere in obtaining victory? It is not enough just for others."
Guo Shao sighed: Jinzhan is really a great woman.
Fu Jinzhan tilted her head slightly, thinking about what Guo Shao said, but shook her head and said: I am also a little woman, I don't want to be a husband among women, it's too tiring; otherwise, you said before that you would assist me to become the empress, I am afraid I would also like to try it. I am a little woman, I also want you to love me alone, I want you to love only me, I feel uncomfortable knowing that you are making love with other women. I am not happy for you to hug me left and right.
But I have watched Shao Ge'er grow from a hungry and cold young boy to where he is now. I am happy to see you gradually move up, so I don't want to hold you back. I have to encourage you, because I am not satisfied either, and I want more, and you can give it to me.
Guo Shao looked at Fu Jinzhan's sparkling eyes and indeed felt that women also had strong desires, but they were different from men.
He asked in a deep voice: What else does Jinzhan want
Her smile suddenly became a little playful: I won’t tell you
Guo Shao was stunned for a moment, helpless, then he took a breath and said: It's just a thought. There must be tens of thousands of women in this palace. Let alone touching them, I can't even look at them all. When I entered the harem, I also had some thoughts. I felt that the women in the palace were really pitiful.
Where is the pity Fu Jinzhan asked.
Guo Shaodao: They are almost never allowed to go out for their entire lives, and are locked up in this small place all the time. They have to engage in intrigue and often do not receive love from their husbands.
Fu Jinzhan said: You really think for others. But it would be the same if they didn't enter the palace. In any family with a decent status, wives and concubines can't go out casually. If they are from a small family, not only can they not go out, but they also have to work hard. In a wealthy family, you have to compete for favor, but who can be sure that you can win? Besides, you can't choose what kind of person your husband is, his appearance, his character, and how he treats others. Anyway, life is the same. In the palace, at least you don't have to worry about food and clothing. If you have a little status, you can also live a life of luxury.
Guo Shao thought about it and said: That’s true.
Fu Jinzhan said: If you don't believe me, I will issue an imperial decree to allow some palace maids to leave the palace voluntarily. There will definitely be very few people who are willing to leave.
Guo Shaodao: The reason is that women cannot make decisions for themselves.
Fu Jinzhan smiled and said: Shao Ge'er is right. She looked Guo Shao up and down with a smile, you have those wives and concubines because you are lucky.
Guo Shao felt a little embarrassed by the praise and said: By the way, I have to send someone home to bring them to the palace first.
The palace sent people to Guo's house one day in advance to inform the people there to pack up their belongings and move.
When Yulian heard that Guo Shao had proclaimed himself emperor, she had guessed that he would go to the palace. The emperor's wives and concubines should of course live in the palace. She was busy preparing for those things recently. In addition to checking the family assets and property of the mansion, she also helped Guo Shao pack up the personal belongings left at home.
Of course, the most troublesome thing was to prepare Yu Lian for herself. She was very excited and could not fall asleep until very late at night. She was thinking about the scene when she entered the palace. As the emperor's wife or concubine, she must be extremely noble and would be admired and admired by many people. Then she would be named a concubine and be honored and noble at the ceremony: what would it look like to appear in front of thousands of people
The names of the emperor's most important concubines would be announced to the world, especially the wives and concubines before the emperor ascended the throne would be talked about by the people. For example, the wife of Emperor Taizu Guo Wei before he ascended the throne was no longer alive at that time, and Yu Lian was often talked about in the market. Those who had bullied her, scolded her and insulted her, how would they feel after knowing it? They might be jealous, but also feel inferior and pitiful. The vulgar and shameless evil woman never thought that I would have this day. Be jealous, they will never get it.
The title of imperial concubine is her status and position. Yu Lian knew that she was no longer a slave or a humble person. No matter what her status was, how could a woman be so rude to the imperial concubine? You can say bad things about me and say a few words behind my back, but when you say it, you should always think about your own status and what qualifications you have to say about me. You have such a good mouth, why do you kneel down when you see me
These were all given to her by Shao Ge'er. Yu Lian was extremely grateful and felt warm in her heart. She wanted to serve him wholeheartedly and get close to him immediately.
Yulian quietly opened a closet in her bedroom. She was wearing old cloth clothes, her hair was casual, and she didn't wear any jewelry. But most of the clothes in the closet were brand new, with only one old skirt. Although it was not as good as the old clothes she wore at home now, it was her only relatively decent dress with few patches. It was what she wore when she came to Guo's house from Longjinfang. She was reluctant to throw it away, after all, it was a treasure from her downfall.
Back then, she didn't even have enough to eat, but she managed to save money and buy a decent set of skirts. This is how women think. Others don't understand, but Yu Lian knows it clearly.
Some of these were bought by Guo Shao for her. They were all made of good materials. She usually didn't wear them, so she kept them very well and they were still as good as new. If she wore them, she could see the straight fold marks, but other than that the fabric was smooth and new.
Unfortunately, although these clothes are elegant and beautiful, they are not luxurious enough for a concubine. Yulian felt that she would look petty if she wore them in the palace, so she sent someone to find Shen Chenli to make a set of more gorgeous clothes. It was really expensive. Usually, Yulian was very frugal and afraid of wasting money, but this time she almost took out all her private savings.
She pursed her lips, took out a box from under the cabinet, and took out a key from the pillow to open the box, and took out several pieces of jewelry from it. Guo Shao brought back from Shu, and Madam Fu gave her a few pieces. A necklace, a pair of earrings, and hairpins and hair ornaments.
Yulian put it on carefully, sat in front of the bronze mirror and looked at herself for a while, then fiddled with the rouge and powder she had just bought on the dressing table.
At this moment, Dong Sanmei gently opened the door and said: Sister Yulian, there is someone outside looking for you. It's a woman named Shen Chenli, the weaver. She said she has an appointment with you.
Ask someone to send her in. Yu Lian turned around and said.
Dong Sanmei smiled and said: Sister Yulian looks really beautiful wearing jewelry.
This girl is usually timid and is only close to Yulian. It may be because they are from the same surname in Hedong, and Yulian is usually simple and friendly.
After hearing this, Yu Lian said: Wait a moment, come in first.
Dong Sanmei walked in obediently. She was not afraid of Yulian. Yulian looked her up and down and said, "You are young and small. I picked the smallest clothes for you, but they may still be a little big. But it's okay if the dress is a little bigger. You can still wear it when you grow up two years."
I have clothes to wear, said Dong Sanmei.
Yu Lian said: I haven't worn it twice, it's still new. You will come with me to the palace tomorrow, and follow me in the future. If you don't wear something nice, others will look down on you.
All right, said Dong Sanmei.
Yulian gave her a set of clothes to try on, and then sent her away. Dong Sanmei went out to pass on the message.
Yulian quickly took off her jewelry and put it away again. She walked out of the house and waited under the eaves. She looked back and saw the lake in the north, and suddenly she felt a little sad.
She was leaving here tomorrow, and besides being excited, she was also a little reluctant. She had lived here for four or five years and had hardly ever left. This was her world; the place where she made her home. She couldn't explain her feelings for this place. This yard was where she escaped from endless suffering and bullying. It was beautiful and quiet.
Yulian suddenly felt a pang in her heart. If she didn't hold back her tears, they would flow out. She quickly took out her handkerchief and pressed her eyes, muttering: I shouldn't have come out to watch. If someone saw me, they would laugh at me.
But she couldn't help it. Under the eaves at the back door of the house, by the lake, Guo Shao held her hand many times and talked with her. Sometimes when he felt unwell, he would cover his belly with his warm palm. At that time, his wife Fu Ermei had not yet entered the house, Yang Yue'e was still in Nan Tang, and Li Yuan'er had not yet been taken in. There were very few people in the house, and only Yu Lian accompanied him.
Although Guo Shao was just an ordinary general at that time and his status was not very high, Yu Lian felt that the best time was still during that period. It would be great if she could be alone with Guo Shao forever and live a simple life. Yu Lian choked up again and said: How silly!
She knew it was impossible. At that time, Guo Shao was old and promising. Even if he had always been a mid-level military commander, he would still marry a virtuous woman who could give birth to children. Even a man of his status should definitely take a concubine.