Lady Huarui followed Jingniang, walked through the long corridor between the red walls, turned north, and entered a courtyard, which was probably where Jingniang lived.
Looking back at the corridor that looked like an alley between the red walls, Lady Huarui seemed to have walked through a tunnel leading to another world. The corridor was very neat, with a stone-paved floor, exquisite carvings on the wood on both sides, and stone-carved lampstands on the roadside; but it always made people feel that something was missing, that is, vitality, because there were no flowers or trees on both sides, which was completely different from the beautiful scene of the Shu Kingdom's palace and courtyards with lush vegetation.
Compared with the Shu Kingdom Palace, this place is square and dull, lacking in spirit. But Lady Huarui did not feel unaccustomed, because she did not live in a carved building and enjoy fine clothes and delicious food since she was born; although her hometown in her childhood looked beautiful, it was cold and damp in winter and full of mosquitoes in summer, and people had a hard life, so living there was not as good as it seemed. The Tokyo Imperial City was not so beautiful, but it was indeed very comfortable; the key was that the people here were extraordinary and attracted the attention of the world. After all, it was the capital of the largest country, Da Zhou.
Madam Huarui had a vague feeling that this place was like a stage. Because all the stories that happened would attract the attention of countless people as long as they were spread out, and some things would even be circulated in official and unofficial history for many years.
When she walked into the courtyard, several palace maids saw Jingniang and knelt down to avoid her. Jingniang ignored them and walked forward along the road under the eaves.
Madam Huarui took the initiative to speak: After the fall of Shu Kingdom, Jingniang took care of me many times, and I am grateful from the bottom of my heart.
Jingniang said without turning her head: No need.
Jingniang was just like that, so Madam Huarui naturally didn't care about her. But Madam Huarui was speaking from her heart. She should have repaid Jingniang for her kindness in the past. Even if she stopped paying attention to her now, it was not right or wrong.
The two walked into the house, and Jingniang first asked Madam Huarui to sit down in the living room. Madam Huarui looked around and found that the furnishings here were very luxurious, most of which were prepared by the palace servants. Jingniang was obviously not interested in those luxury goods.
A palace lady came up respectfully to serve tea. She placed the teacup gently in front of Jingniang and said softly: Eunuch Wang sent someone to say that the emperor will come here to see you at you hour.
Although the palace lady spoke in a low voice, Madam Huarui was sitting opposite her and heard it clearly. For a moment, her mood was a little fluctuating. Although this place seemed very peaceful at first glance, it was actually a restless place where power and wealth were concentrated.
Jingniang said: I understand, you can go down.
The palace woman said: Yes.
Lady Huarui looked at Jingniang wearing a futou and a wide robe. Apart from her face, she did not show anything unique to a woman. She could not help but say: Jingniang, I have something to say but I don't know if I should say it or not.
Jingniang said: Madam, please say whatever you want to say.
Madam Huarui said softly: The emperor values Jingniang, not only because you are capable or because he trusts you.
Jingniang looked at her and said calmly: How can you say that
Madam Huarui believed that although Jingniang acted very free and easy, she was also a thoughtful person, otherwise she would not have been able to do the job of managing spies.
Madam Huarui said slowly: "The ruler loves talents, and men are the best talents. It is more convenient for the husband to run the practical affairs, and he has to support the family, glorify the ancestors and think about the future generations, so he will concentrate on the official affairs. The official values Jingniang because of his affection."
Jingniang did not deny it.
Madam Huarui couldn't help but blurt out: There are more than one or two women in the palace who are affectionate to the emperor. If you don't compete for favor, others will. Jingniang can't be too impulsive. If you don't manage it, someone will plot against you from time to time, which is also very uncomfortable.
How to manage Jing Niang asked calmly, his eyes resting on her beautiful face.
Madam Huarui felt awkward when she felt this gaze. She couldn't say a word in her heart: With Jingniang's status, it is impossible for her to monopolize an emperor. Instead of being jealous, it is better to find some allies. Of course, Madam Huarui is the best ally. The two of them have known each other for a long time. She is a rare person who can be trusted a little.
Madam Huarui couldn't say this, even she herself felt ashamed, because her identity was Meng Chang's woman. A woman's reputation and integrity in public were still very important. If she was criticized in this regard, she would easily be attacked by the crowd. Even she herself felt that it was wrong to abandon her old master and actively seduce others. I'm afraid that Jingniang would despise herself for her character.
But Lady Huarui had seen the world before she was ten years old, and was proficient in poetry, books, music and chess. Reading can make people think. She knew her situation very well. As Meng Chang, Duke of Qin, she was actually a captive. Lady Huarui's status and everything were maintained by the Emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty and even Jingniang. The last time a small official in Tokyo wanted to humiliate her, it was evident.
She was very conflicted. First, she was struggling with the question of right and wrong. Second, she felt that acting too hastily would be shameless and might lead to her ruining her reputation.
Madam Huarui immediately showed a very forced smile, and said softly: We haven't seen each other for a long time, let's not talk about such serious things. She turned her head to look at the position of the sun outside the window, and smiled, Jingniang has helped me so much, I have nothing to repay you, how about I make you a few side dishes.
Jingniang hurriedly said: There is a cook in the yard, how can we let the lady do such work.
Madam Huarui pursed her red lips and said briskly: "When I was in Chengdu, my cooking skills were very famous, and ordinary people could not taste them. This is also one of my skills. I am willing to make it for Jingniang. When you are done, you can send someone to send me back."
Jingniang pondered and said: Since Madam means so well, please stay and have dinner together. His Majesty will also come at 4 p.m.
Madam Huarui shook her head: That won't do. If we go back after dinner, it will be dark. People will say bad things about us.
As the sun set, Guo Shao left Jinxiang Palace and, surrounded by a large crowd, rode in a carriage towards Xuanyou Gate and into the harem.
He sat on it with his eyes straight ahead, and when he met palace ladies along the way, he knelt down to give way to them. Guo Shao was already accustomed to this kind of noble situation, and he felt very good. In life, after satisfying the basic needs of food, clothing, shelter and transportation, and losing interest in modern toys, there is not much difference between ancient and modern times. In the end, what people pay attention to is the relationship between people, dignity, status and self-worth, which become more important.
The Imperial City is a place where people can inflate themselves. Guo Shao is the center of the Imperial City. He is more important than anything else, even the center of the world. Billions of people respect his will.
The chariot moved slowly and steadily. Guo Shao sat on it without saying a word. He was lost in his thoughts for a long time. He sometimes felt very strange. It might be because he became emperor too quickly. He was too young. A few years ago, he was still a person at the bottom of the world. Now, those powerful people who were once awe-inspiring and powerful were all under his feet. He occasionally felt a little uneasy.
However, Guo Shao decided to use real achievements to firmly prove his value and status, and do what no one in the world can do.
Jingniang had already known the emperor's schedule, so she had brought her maids and eunuchs to greet him outside the courtyard. After a simple ceremony, Guo Shao entered her courtyard. He immediately saw several exquisite side dishes already placed on the table, and smiled: Jingniang is becoming more and more attentive.
Jingniang had a strange look on her face, her eyes flickering, and finally she whispered: Madam Huarui was here, and she cooked these dishes.
Oh, Guo Shao blurted out, where are the people
Jingniang said, "Let's go." I asked her to stay, but she said it would be bad to go back after dark.
Guo Shao lowered his head slightly and glanced at Jingniang's face. The old friendship between Jingniang and Madam Huarui flashed through his mind. He sat down at the round table and said: Now that everything is ready, let's eat together. I'm really hungry.
He picked up the chopsticks with a swagger and casually picked up a piece of white thin slice. He didn't know what kind of dish it was, but it looked delicious. He put it directly into his mouth and chewed it.
At this moment, Guo Shao's expression changed slightly, and he slowed down his chewing. This thing is very delicious. It is crispy and crunchy in the mouth, with a fragrance, and it feels very refreshing after eating meat. Not only that, the taste is layered, and after swallowing it, it leaves a lingering fragrance and sweetness, which is very delicate.
Guo Shao took another piece and looked at it carefully. He saw that the round slices were white and crystal clear, with a layer of white powder sprinkled evenly on the outside. They were also cut very delicately and carefully. He took a bite and tasted it carefully. He felt that the main part of the dish should be yam, and the powder might be accompanied by lotus powder and some seasonings.
This dish is served on a white jade plate with lace edges and embellished with pickled sugar apricots in the middle. It can be called a work of art. It looks like a lotus and it is easy to tell that the person who cooked it was very attentive and serious.
He seemed to see a graceful woman in front of him, busy in the kitchen, thinking about who she was cooking for, her skirt fluttering gently with her figure. The dishes seemed to still retain the fragrance and affection between her jade-white fingers.
Guo Shao felt warm in his heart. He felt that he had not become numb because of the baptism of blood and fire. He was still easily moved by these little things.
It took him a long time to come back to his senses and find Jingniang staring at him intently. Guo Shao then realized that he had lost his composure just now.
This dish is really so amazing that it has captured your heart, Jingniang whispered.
Guo Shao hurriedly said: "It's true that his cooking skills are amazing, much better than the imperial chefs in the palace. Jingniang, try it too." After he said that, he put the slice he had bitten into his own small bowl, picked up a piece with his chopsticks and gave it to Jingniang, and said awkwardly, "Try it. Madam Huarui cooked this dish for you, and I am just enjoying it."
Jingniang said: She made it specially for you because she knew you were coming.