The Sanqing Hall is very quiet, with the occasional sound of bronze chimes. Because it only sounds once in a long time, the clear sound makes it seem very mysterious.
The era of Taizu Guo Wei has become a thing of the past, but many past events and traces are still left behind. Guo Shao walked between the ancient and quiet temples, and the shadows of the pillars on the corridors were arranged in the sunset, giving him the illusion of walking in the corridor of time.
Looking back with respect in his heart, Guo Shao looked serious and felt that the troubles of those trivial matters gradually became unimportant.
When they reached a door, the female Taoist priest leading the way bowed and said: "Your Majesty the Grand Concubine, His Majesty has arrived."
Please meet your majesty, a quiet voice said.
When Guo Shao heard the beautiful voice in the quietness, he suddenly felt a little strange. Maybe it was someone around the imperial concubine who was talking. At this time, the female Taoist priest gently opened the wooden door, and Guo Shao lifted the hem of his robe and stepped in.
He was stunned to see a very young woman sitting at a table in front of the window. She was alone, and she was able to sit there even when the emperor came in. Obviously, she was not an ordinary Taoist priest or palace maid. This person was Grand Imperial Concubine Zhang.
Zhang stood up slowly and looked at him.
Guo Shao came back to his senses and said, "You are the Grand Concubine.
Zhang said, "Yes. Your Majesty, I am sorry that you have come in person. Your Majesty, please." She stretched out her robe sleeve and gestured to the futon opposite the wooden table.
Guo Shao felt very uncomfortable for a moment, because the scene was completely different from what he expected. This woman was not only very young, but also could not be described as pretty, but rather quite charming. Many young women were pretty, but there were very few women who could naturally exude a certain temperament. In Guo Shao's eyes, Fu Jinzhan was very charming, even Fu Ermei was not as charming, Ermei was just cute and kind.
But since he had come here, Guo Shao couldn't leave immediately, so he glanced at the open wooden door, took a deep breath, and knelt down on the futon. This was his least favorite position, but after all, the other party was unfamiliar and had status, so Guo Shao also showed some courtesy and did not sit cross-legged directly.
He was speechless for a moment.
Zhang, however, acted very casually and said: I just patiently brewed a pot of tea, and a saint was coming and going, so I went to get it.
Guo Shao said: How can I do that? What he meant was that although he was the emperor, the other party was a generation older than him.
Guo Shao saw that she was walking in a hurry, and he had a feeling that this woman was not pure and indifferent. On the surface, she looked calm, but there was something complicated hidden in her eyes. She was not satisfied with the status quo and was a little sad. It was just Guo Shao's personal intuition.
Zhang came back soon. She put the small sand porcelain teacup on the table, and then picked up a flat teapot to pour tea. Guo Shao hurriedly and politely reached out to hold the teacup, and then heard His Majesty take his hand away, saying that it would be bad if he burned you. He let go of his hand and glanced at Zhang who was pouring tea. She looked at the teapot and teacup, but at this moment she pursed her lips slightly, lowered her eyebrows and eyes as if she was restrained. She had a beautiful and well-proportioned oval face. She looked a little smaller than the average northerner, but not thin. Her chest was pressed against the edge of the table, and the curve was very obvious. Her skin was plump and tight, and her characteristic was that it was very white.
Some women are like this, they dress very warmly, but one look at them can still give rise to evil thoughts.
Guo Shao suddenly felt that it was wrong for him to blaspheme his predecessors, so he straightened his mindset and sat up straight.
Zhang's voice continued: I see Your Majesty is a little surprised, do you think I am very old
Guo Shao said seriously: "The noble concubine has a keen eye. But I have understood that it has been less than ten years since the founding of our Great Zhou Dynasty; it has only been a few years since the death of Taizu." He sighed again, "Taizu swept the world, left a legacy, and has benefited future generations to this day. Let the younger generations feel grateful and admire him."
Zhang's expression changed slightly after hearing this, she put down her teacup and sat silently opposite. She also looked very emotional.
Guo Shao planned to drink a cup of tea, then say a few polite words and leave. He said: I will inherit the throne and still serve Taizu. I will treat Tai Guifei as an elder and will definitely treat her well.
Alas, Zhang sighed softly, looking at the sunset outside the window, her eyes a little dull, as if she had lost all life.
Guo Shao was a sensitive person, and of course he could see Zhang's emotions. But he still said only what was necessary: Grand Concubine's nephew Cao Bin is still serving the country in Southern Tang, and your family will not be treated unfairly.
He then took a sip from the teacup to show his trust and acceptance of the good intention. Zhang had been trying to find something to say just now, but now she said nothing and became very silent.
Guo Shao felt that they were strangers to begin with. As a new emperor, he was actually usurping the throne. He had no relatives with Guo Wei and Chai Rong, and his identity was just a cover. He had replaced the emperor's power, and he was very kind to show his generosity towards the old ministers and concubines.
So after he finished speaking, he put down the cup, clasped his fists and said: The Imperial Concubine is in seclusion here, I don't want to bother you for too long, I'll take my leave now.
Zhang seemed very rude at this time. She seemed a little angry, kept silent and ignored him.
Guo Shao glanced at her, then stood up, bowed, and turned to leave. At this moment, Zhang's voice suddenly said: Wait a minute.
Guo Shao turned around and asked if the Grand Concubine had any other instructions.
Zhang's face was full of complex expressions, with sadness, entanglement and melancholy appearing alternately. She opened her mouth, as if she had swallowed the words into her stomach, and her tone became cold: It's been a long time since anyone played chess with me. Here is a chessboard. Your Majesty, can you play a game with me
Guo Shao took a look at the two porcelain cups on the table and recognized them as Go. He was completely illiterate in the ancient arts of music, chess, calligraphy and painting, and knew nothing about them. He immediately looked embarrassed and tried to find an excuse to refuse.
Zhang looked at his face and said sadly: Your Majesty must pity me
"The Imperial Concubine is too kind," Guo Shao said hurriedly. He felt a sense of pity and sympathy for women, especially beautiful women, who could make men sympathize with them. Guo Shao was no exception, he was not a heartless person at all.
I stopped refusing and thought: Why should I be afraid of a woman who lives in seclusion? As long as I abide by etiquette, a woman can force me to do something I don't want to do.
Guo Shao turned around and sat back on the futon.
Zhang heaved a sigh of relief, and hurriedly took out the chessboard and put it on the board. Then she asked: "Your Majesty, do you want black pieces or white pieces?"
Guo Shaodao: Black and white can be divided into high and low
Zhang said: It’s up to you.
Guo Shao had a headache just looking at Go. He roughly understood a little bit of the rules, that is, if there were no empty spaces on all four sides, the pieces inside would have to be removed. But if he could play Go just by knowing this, wouldn't those national players who have devoted their whole lives to studying Go be bored
Guo Shao looked at the chessboard and muttered to himself: What should I do? Playing chess randomly might spoil the fun. If I admit that I can't do it, Zhang might think it's an excuse.