The next day, Zong Cong woke up before dawn.
He gently let go of the person in his arms, pulled his arms out again, turned over and got off the couch. During this period, the pan moved, but the person didn't wake up.
At the same time, Fu Lu has already led people in.
Zong Cong walked outside the screen, and Fu Lu came up to him, picked up the clothes from the tray held by the eunuch, and changed his master's clothes.
When a tray was empty, the little eunuch who was holding the tray stepped back immediately and brought up another one. The whole process was silent, and it must be ensured that no sound was made.
Since the imperial concubine has not woken up, she definitely doesn't intend to get up. His Majesty has always spoiled the imperial concubine, and always let her sleep, not to make noise. Once a little eunuch said something ignorant, His Majesty looked over immediately, and the little eunuch was replaced the next day.
They were swept away from serving in front of the Long Live Lord, even if they were still serving in the Qianqing Palace, their status was completely different, so these people knew it in their hearts and dared not make a sound.
Fu Lu adjusted Zong Cong's clothes, his eyes paused on his neck, and his hands didn't move.
Zong Cong was so sensitive, he just touched it, but he didn't feel it. It was only when he went to Pan'er's dressing table that he saw something on his neck in the mirror.
The position is impartial, just above the collar.
Not covered.
He touched it again, remembering what happened last night, he couldn't help but blush. When he went outside the screen, he returned to his usual majestic and calm appearance.
Needless to say, Fu Lu had already ordered someone to change into another set of clothes, and after putting them on again, it just covered the mark.
So in the morning court, all the ministers found that His Majesty was wearing extra thick clothes today, tightly wrapped in such a hot day.
Of course, on the surface, no one dared to say anything more.
There were several days of banquets held in the palace, and the places where banquets could be held in the Forbidden City went all over the place.
From the relatives of the emperor to the honorable ministers, Pan Er saw this revolving banquet, and felt that this was Zong Cong's most generous entertaining of foreign envoys. It is estimated that officials above the fourth rank in Beijing were reincarnated.
Since it was an entertainment, An Nanguo's envoys could not be absent. Zhao Wu was present, and so were the two princes.
But Prince Zhao Qi was beaten by Zong Qian until his nose was blue and his face was swollen.
So Prince Zhao Qi ate palace banquets with this face for several days, he didn't think there was anything wrong with him, even he didn't know Zong Qian, and he was quite close.
But Zhao Wu and Zhao Ying were very angry.
Without him, such an eye-catching figure, but with a bruised nose and swollen face, everyone would secretly ask what's wrong? So Annan was beaten instead of making provocations, and the story of the third prince fighting against Prince Annan spread throughout the capital.
Everyone talked about it endlessly, even Zhao Wu and others lived in the Sifang Pavilion, they could hear people discussing secretly, and they were attracted by strange attention, and their moods can be imagined.
So Zong Cong was full of smiles at every banquet, which seemed normal at first glance, but Pan Er smelled a conspiracy from it.
Combined with the current situation, this person is really getting smaller and smaller as he gets older.
Originally, Pan'er thought that this was the end of the matter, but she never expected that another incident would happen, which caused a storm in the palace for a while.
Prince Zhao Ying of An Nanguo proposed to marry the princess of Dazhou at a palace banquet in public. It is said that it is good to have two surnames, and Annan will also be the eternal vassal state of Da Zhou, and Da Zhou will be the master.
And this is not only his own idea, but also his father's expectation.
Pan'er wasn't there at the time, and only knew that after the palace banquet was over, the news spread.
Zong Cong didn't agree on the spot, but he didn't refuse either.
But Pan'er was not the only one in the palace who knew his character well. His Majesty was always decisive in dealing with matters. Since he didn't refuse, it meant that this matter was very likely to happen.
After the news reached Yanxi Palace, Concubine Xu Xian smashed the teacup on the spot.
At this point, she finally understood what tricks the queen was playing. It was fake to delay Wanxian's marriage, but it was real to want to take Wanxian to marry her.
And Concubine Shu, if it was said that Concubine Shu didn't know about this, Concubine Xu Xian would absolutely not believe it. Concubine Shu has always been indifferent to Wanchan's marriage. When she was choosing a son-in-law for Wanxian, she always said that Wanchan was still young and she was not in a hurry.
Suddenly it was time to choose a son-in-law for Wanchan. She thought it was the empress and Concubine Shu working together to control her, but she didn't expect that Concubine Shu really chose a concubine for her daughter. At that time, she still felt that she was thinking too much and didn't take it to heart.
All together are waiting for this to come out.
Wanxian also panicked, and started crying as soon as she walked into the gate of Yanxi Palace.
Concubine Xu Xian was already in an irritable mood, but when she saw her crying again, she felt that she really owed her in her previous life. It's good for her to spend all her time trying to figure it out for her, and she lost her temper with herself. If it wasn't for her losing her temper, the marriage would have been delayed until now
At this time, Concubine Xu Xian completely forgot that it was she and her daughter who were angry and let go of it, so the matter of choosing a son-in-law was suspended.
"What's the use of crying now? Why didn't you listen to the kind words I told you? Now I know it's urgent, it's too late!"
Wanxian just cried and didn't speak.
Choosing a son-in-law at random and marrying in Fanbang are two different things, she is naturally unwilling in her heart, and she has seen Prince Zhao Ying from afar, if she were to marry such a person, she would shudder thinking about it.
She was already aggrieved in her heart, but hearing what Concubine Xian said, she cried even harder.
"Okay, okay, don't just cry, mother and concubine come and think of a way."
"Is there really a way?"
Wanxian is not stupid either, the marriage of Wanshu and Wanchan has already been decided, and the imperial decree has been issued, so naturally it will not be changed. And Wanrong is too young, besides, it is impossible for the imperial concubine to let Wanrong go for a marriage. As far as the father loves Wanrong, she will not take any daughter to make a marriage marriage, so it can only be her, her age is most appropriate.
Facing her daughter's question, Concubine Xu Xian remained silent, but no matter what, she was unwilling to ask Wanxian to kiss her.
Because this matter has aroused so many discussions and turmoil in the palace, without going into details, the eldest wife of the Xu family, Mrs. Hou, entered the palace the next day.
Although the foundation of the Xu family is in Xuanhua, since they are generals and relatives of the emperor, how could they not keep people in Beijing, so the Xu family also has a mansion in Beijing, and the eldest wife Hou lived in Beijing with a few children.
The other is that it is convenient to contact Concubine Xian. If Concubine Xian has something to do in the palace, the news can be sent back to the Xu family through the Hou family.
When Hou arrived, he and Concubine Xu Xian hid in the inner room to talk.
Hou Shi also heard the news, so she naturally knew that her niece was worried this time, she was outside the palace, and the Xu family also had their own news channels in Beijing, so they knew more than Concubine Xian.
In the past two days, His Majesty is discussing this matter with a group of cabinet elders. Both the court and the Chinese government agree with this matter. After all, Annan's offer is very attractive.
In addition to the fact that Annan will always regard Dazhou as the main country and unite with Dazhou forever, Annan also took out two silver mines as dowry gifts.
This matter was not brought up on the table, only Annan's envoy and Dazhou's minister in charge of receiving foreign guests revealed their tone in private. As for why Annan Kingdom suddenly defected to Dazhou, it was actually related to these mines.
These mines originally belonged to Annan's territory, but they were taken away by Myanmar many years ago. However, Myanmar did not know that there were silver mines in this place, and only the high-ranking royal family in Annan knew the inside story. But just looking at the names of Dongshan Dynasty and Xishan Dynasty, it can be seen that the two are very involved. The king of Xishan Dynasty and the king of Dongshan Dynasty are actually brothers, so he naturally knows the inside story.
Now that the Xishan Dynasty has unified Annan, they naturally want to take back their own things. They also took advantage of the civil strife to take this place back, because this place is extremely barren, there is no grass, and there are few people, so Myanmar does not take it seriously.
But just to take back the mine, you have to mine it to get out of the mine. Once it is mined, it will be known by the Burmese country. Can the Burmese country not fight over
This is why Annan will send envoys to pay tribute to the Great Zhou this time and propose a marriage.
Annan was naturally not at ease when Da Zhou made a verbal promise, and said that several mines were used as betrothal gifts, but in fact the two countries jointly exploited them.
Only marriage can make each other feel at ease.
"In other words, His Majesty is likely to agree this time?"
Hou nodded, and said, "Although the territory of the Great Zhou Dynasty is vast, there are very few silver mines. Why did the court know that Jinghaihou was suspected of taking the lead in smuggling sea goods, but never heard of it? It's because Jinghaihou was able to bring back a large amount of money from the Japanese kingdom. If the imperial court can win two silver mines this time, the benefits it will bring to Dazhou are self-evident."
After listening to sister-in-law's words, Concubine Xu Xian fell into silence.
Hou patted her hand and comforted her, "Actually, if you think about it differently, this matter is completely different."
"What does sister-in-law mean?"
"Think about it, it takes at least ten years or even decades to mine a silver mine, let alone two, which means that the imperial court has to maintain harmony with Annan for more than ten years. If Wanxian can marry, it is tantamount to changing It has become the key point, not only Annan wants to offer her up as a Bodhisattva, why not Da Zhou
"And you, as a concubine in the harem, if you can take the initiative to share your worries for His Majesty, what will His Majesty think of it? Even if the imperial concubine is favored again, His Majesty will not give you face in this matter. If His Majesty gives you another prince ?”
Hearing this, Concubine Xu Xian laughed, "Sister-in-law, what are you talking about, how old am I?"
Concubine Xu Xian is over 30 this year, a woman after 30 is no longer a flower and a green leaf, and at this age, she should hold her own identity. Even in an ordinary wealthy family, the mistress would not dare to keep her husband in the same room after thirty, because she would be ridiculed as a misbehaving person, and it was time to find young concubines for her husband.
Concubine Xu Xian's mother is like this, so why not Hou Shi, this is another reason why Hou Shi is left alone in Beijing. In fact, Hou's husband is Concubine Xu Xian's eldest brother, and there are many young and beautiful concubines in Xuanhua, so there is no need for Hou to serve him.
Although there is an unwritten rule in the palace, the concubine will no longer serve the bed after the age of thirty.
This no longer serving the bed refers to not wearing the green head card, because the original reason for the green head card is to reproduce for the royal family. Of course, if the emperor likes that concubine, it is fine to go to her palace, but at this time it is not for the purpose of breeding children. For the purpose.
This is another reason why Concubine Hu Shu and others have been very peaceful in recent years, after all, time is not forgiving.
"Even if His Majesty doesn't give it to the prince, then His Majesty will definitely pay attention to the fifth prince. Think about it, the elder sister of the fifth prince was married to Annan. Can the fifth prince not follow the trend? This is a matter of great benefit and no harm. It depends on you. I'm not willing to give up on Wanxian."
Concubine Xu Xian didn't speak, apparently Hou's words moved her.
"The fifth prince was raised by you before he could remember anything, and he recognized you as a mother. It's fine if he is nice to you. Women still have to count on their son. Let's not talk too far, just take me as an example, if it weren't for you The first few sons of eldest brother were all born to me, and those little fairies in Xuanhua still don’t know what to do, but just because Hao’er and the others are here, my position is not secure.”
"Sister-in-law, brother, they also mean that?"
Hou said, "This story can't spread so quickly. This is what I thought. Think about it. Is this the reason? But I have already written to your elder brother and the others. It took eight hundred miles to hurry. It must have been two days. A letter will be delivered.”
Concubine Xu Xian let out a sigh of relief and said, "Then wait for a while and see what elder brother has to say, I'd better think about it."
"Think about it carefully."
But what Concubine Xu Xian didn't expect was that Wanxian listened to all these words.
When Wanxian heard that her aunt was coming, she wondered if the Xu family had thought of something, but when she came, the maid said that the mother and uncle were talking inside.
Wanxian grew up in the Palace of Yanxi Palace, so she was naturally very familiar with the situation in the palace. She excused herself to go to the side hall to read a book, and when all the maids had gone down, she went to the main hall through the small bathroom door at the back.
So when Concubine Xu Xian talked to Hou Shi, she listened inside.
After listening, she wiped her tears and went back to the supporting hall.
After a while, someone came to invite Wanxian, saying that the empress told her to go over and talk, but in fact it was Hou Shi who came to the palace, knowing that Wanxian was there, it was impossible not to miss her.
"Okay, don't worry about it, both of you. After all, it's your own. Could it be that your mother and concubine don't care about you? Auntie has already written to your uncle. Don't panic, Wanxian, we will definitely think about it." There is a way."
Wanxian lowered her eyes and was hugged by Hou Shi, but her heart felt bitter like never before.
In the past, she only hoped to grow up quickly so that she could help her mother and younger brother, but now she would rather not grow up, and maybe her world would not completely collapse like it is now.