It's late autumn, and the autumn leaves are fluttering.

No matter how good the autumn colors are, the young man in white who walks in it has no intention of being nostalgic.

After walking a few more steps, he was about to turn out of the Imperial Garden, but his own East Palace and the place he longed for in his heart were two directions.

I heard that she was sick, so she didn't come today, Song Chi suddenly tasted the taste of longing, and wanted to step into the Lanlin Palace to visit her. But in his capacity, it was forbidden land.

Even if her father doesn't like her, maybe her father will never step into it, but as his father's child and as a crown prince, he is not qualified.

So he could only choose such a way, deliberately took a long detour, passed by her door, and chatted to comfort the unspeakable thoughts in his heart.

The eunuchs of the East Palace behind him were a little strange, the way back to the East Palace was obviously to the east, but His Royal Highness wanted to go around to the west, and said that he would eat more at noon and take a few more steps to eliminate food, but they clearly saw that His Royal Highness's appetite was not very good at the luncheon! Although he was confused, the slaves knew that they shouldn't say much, so they just kept their heads down and followed, accompanying the prince on this part of the road of "eating".

Seeing that he was about to pass by the Zhu Gate, the young man who deliberately slowed down his pace brightened, and sure enough, he saw several palace people walking out of the Lanlin Palace.

When the little palace maids saw him, they naturally knew how to salute, so the prince, who was usually cold and ignored people, paused in his steps, nodded, and asked casually: "I heard that Concubine Ning is sick, how is it now?" ”

The little palace maid hurriedly lowered her head and replied: "If you go back to Your Highness, Niangniang, she is just a little tired, and the imperial doctor said that she can recover after a few more days of recuperation, and there is no big problem." ”

After bowing his head slightly, the young man put his mind at ease, and then without saying more, he raised his feet and walked forward.

~~

After returning to the East Palace for an hour, it was estimated that he had finished resting, and the Queen Mother's decree arrived, and the female official Ning Yuan said that after the study class was finished tomorrow, the Queen Mother invited him to go to Funing Palace to discuss the matter of marriage, and the young man's heart was relieved a little and suddenly calmed down, and he responded lightly.

Ning Yuan didn't stay long, and after the words arrived, he retired and left, and the hall was not clean for long, and the people from Yufu Palace came to spread the word again.

Entrusted by the Queen Mother, and his titular stepson, even if Chu Xue really didn't want to care about Song Chi's affairs, he still had to ask him to care for a few words. The palace people of Yufu Palace handed over a message to Song Chi, saying that if he was not busy, he would ask him to come over. The queen spoke, and his stepson had no reason to refuse, so he straightened his appearance again and went to Yufu Palace.

In Yufu Palace, the three children who had just finished resting were playing lively.

Xuan'er and An An have been eight months old, and it's time to climb, Xuan'er is very active, her little arms and legs are also dexterous, crawling around on the laid bamboo mat; An An was a little lazy, although the palace people were coaxing in harmony, the villain just grabbed his mother's hand and leaned on it, but he didn't want to climb with his brother. Le'er wanted to teach her sister, so she also went up to the mat to demonstrate in person, and kept looking back, "An'an, watch my sister, learn from my sister." ”

An An opened two big black grape-like eyes, looked at her sister for a while, looked at her brother for a while, hesitated again and again, and still threw herself into her mother's arms. Le Er was disappointed, so she simply went to play with Xuan'er, who was climbing happily.

Xuan'er, the little overlord, didn't come to make trouble, Chu Xue hugged her little daughter steadily, An An was really well-behaved, and when she entered her mother's arms, she babbled vigorously, and she had endless words with her mother. The little girl's little tender voice is soft, and her mother's heart is so soft that she can't help but kiss and kiss.

was playing here, and it was rumored outside that Song Chi had arrived, Chu Xue nodded, and after a while, the young man stepped into the hall.

Seeing the scene in the hall, Song Chi was stunned.

He has been strictly raised by his mother since he was a child, and he rarely has the opportunity to play with his younger brother Song Qian like this.

When he came back to his senses, he hurriedly bowed to Chu Xue, "Erchen has seen the queen mother." ”

Chu Xue nodded and asked someone to give him a seat.

Seeing someone come in, the children who were playing were also stunned. Le'er recognized the eldest brother, although she was not usually very close, but the little girl was born familiar with people, so she called sweetly at this time, "Big brother." ”

Song Chi nodded in response.

Seeing that Xuan'er also looked up, Chu Xue called with a smile: "Xuan'er, this is your eldest brother, can you say hello to your eldest brother?" ”

Xuan'er and her sister are not much different in temperament, and when she saw a handsome brother in front of her, she also grinned and said "ah", which was a way to greet him.

The little guy looked energetic and his voice was loud, Song Chi was a little surprised that the villain had a good impression of him, and couldn't help but show a rare smile and said, "Brother is good." ”

Seeing that there was a response, the little guy continued his efforts, ahped again, and then climbed back and forth on his own.

Now that only An An is left, Chu Xue bowed her head gently and said, "An An, come, you can also say hello to the eldest brother." ”

The pink little man snuggled in his mother's arms, looked at the eldest brother who was the same as an adult, and finally became shy, only grinned, and buried his face in his mother's arms again.

Song Chi found out for the first time today that this pair of younger brothers and sisters were so cute, and for the first time, he felt pity for being a big brother. In addition to warmth, he felt even more ashamed, his mother Xu Jinhe had poisoned them at the beginning, if they really had any accidents, his mother was really too guilty!

Because she had something to say to Song Chi, Chu Xue handed over the little people to the nurse and led the young man to the side hall.

The young man was already much taller than her, which made Chu Xue sigh in her heart that time was fast, when she first entered the palace, Song Chi was only eleven years old, and in a blink of an eye, five years had passed.

Came to the side hall and sat down, retiring the idlers, Chu Xue smiled slightly, and said: "The palace summoned you today, there is nothing important, I just want to ask, how are you doing with your daily life and homework recently?" ”

Song Chi bowed his head and responded, "Thank you for your mother's care, everything is fine in the Erchen Palace, please rest assured." ”

Chu Xue nodded and said straight to the point, "Bengong Jue, you don't seem to be very interested in today's flower viewing banquet, Chi'er, you tell the queen mother, are you already interested in someone?" If there is, you can say it, if the other party's conditions are suitable, the palace will go to ask your father to issue an edict to make her the crown princess, if she is from a poor background, in fact, it doesn't matter, let's set it as a side concubine first. Although this matter is decided by the elders, your grandmother, father, and the palace will try their best to respect your wishes. ”

Unlike her biological mother's usual tough attitude, Song Chi was surprised by her problems and even more surprised by her stepmother's gentle attitude. For a moment, hope rose in his heart, and he wanted to admit that there was indeed someone in his heart, and he wanted to ask this stepmother, who was deeply favored by his father, to help him.

But the brain is still rational after all, not to mention that the identity of him and Concubine Ning is impossible, not to mention that since his father and the emperor ordained this stepmother, the auxiliary ministers around him have always reminded themselves openly and secretly to beware that he should not tell the other party his biggest secret now.

Song Chi shook his head, "Erchen thanks the queen mother for her kindness, Erchen...... There is nothing to like. ”

I had already expected this to be the case, Chu Xue was not reluctant, and said: "Okay, then leave this matter to the Queen Mother, after all, the Queen Mother is inexperienced, and your Imperial Grandmother will definitely choose better." ”

In a word, put aside your own involvement.

Song Chi replied.

After this matter was said, there was nothing to worry about, Chu Xue took a few more words, and Song Chi was about to retire.

Chu Xue naturally didn't force him to stay, but he thought of the expressions he saw when he came in just now, and said with a gentle smile: "If you have time to come and sit more, you are the eldest brother, and the younger brothers and sisters don't know how much they like you, especially Xuan'er, who likes her brother the most." ”

Song Chi also smiled again, lowered his head and responded, and then retired.

Looking at the young man walking away, Chu Xue sighed in her heart, she had lowered her posture, but the other party was still on guard, it was not something she could control. Thinking about what Xu Jinhe has done, she can do this now, which can be regarded as benevolent and righteous.

~~

The second day, Funing Palace.

Because of the decree in advance, in the afternoon, the young man arrived as promised.

Chu Xue also came in advance, not only to discuss marriage, but she, the queen mother, must come, even if she doesn't have an idea, she still has to be full of appearance.

The young man entered the door, first to the queen mother and the imperial grandmother to say goodbye, the queen mother looked at the eldest grandson, ordered someone to give a seat, and then went straight to the point to mention the matter of marriage.

Song Chi had expected it a long time ago, so there was no surprise on his face, and he only lowered his eyes to listen to the words of the imperial grandmother.

The Queen Mother said: "I summoned you today, I just want to ask your own opinion, the mourning family has seen three girls here, your mother also thinks it is good, the Hou family of Anping, and your Taifu family, the girl has outstanding character and high background, she can be a candidate for the concubine, the niece of Lord Zhu, the secretary of the Ministry of Shangshu Zhu, looks at the temperament is also gentle, and it is also good to want to come to seal a side concubine, what is your opinion?" ”

Song Chi's mood did not fluctuate for a minute, because he had thought of the answer before, so he only bowed his head and responded: "Grandson has no opinion, just leave everything to the imperial grandmother and queen mother." ”

The Queen Mother was a little surprised, looked at Chu Xue, and said tentatively to the eldest grandson: "Then set these three girls, one on both sides, just right, how about it?" ”

This finally made the young man have some reaction, and when he thought that there would be three strange women living in his palace in the future, he was a little furious, and hurriedly refused: "Sun Er thinks that three is too much, and one concubine is good." ”

He had some ideas of his own, and the Queen Mother was finally relieved, and asked with Heyan: "Then according to you, which one to choose between the Marquis of Anping and the Taifu Yao?" ”

The young man thought of his uncle's advice, and the power of Anping Hou was obviously much stronger than his own Taifu, so he lowered his head and said softly: "Just Anping Hou's Mansion." ”

The strength and weakness of the two are obvious, such a choice is not stupid, the queen mother is more satisfied, Chu Xue has no opinion, so she said to her mother-in-law: "Since Chi'er has settled, the concubine will make it clear to the emperor in the evening, and ask the emperor to marry Chi'er." ”

The Queen Mother was very satisfied with her non-intervention, and smiled her head, "Then you will have to work." ”

When the major matter is resolved, the grandparents-in-law and daughter-in-law will say a few more words, and then they will disperse.

Stepping out of Funing Palace, the young man looked up at the blue sky, although the late autumn sun was still good, but he felt that such a life seemed to have no fun at all.

The ghost sent the god to caress the square handkerchief hidden on his chest again, and a pair of beautiful eyes were covered with gloom again.

~~

At nightfall, the man returns home.

The dinner that had just been prepared on the table was fragrant, and several children greeted each other with smiling faces, and the king was in a good mood, and took the beauty to have dinner comfortably.

Le'er eats by herself, it's enough to have a nursing mother on the side, only two small ones still need to stick to her mother, Xuan'er has a good appetite, staring at the spoon in her mother's hand in a daze, and the fragrant porridge is sent to her mouth and she can't wait to open her mouth. Chu Xue smiled softly, and fed the little girl a bite, and the food was also delicious.

To tell the truth, in addition to being sticky, two children are easier to raise than one child, and the two little babies were fed quickly, Chu Xue finally got free and ate well with Song Chen.

Seeing her busyness, Song Chen was a little distressed, and persuaded: "Just let the two little nurses feed, you have to eat well." ”

She smiled gently, "In the past, there was only one Le'er, and they were all fed by the concubines themselves, but now if you don't feed the two small ones, the concubines don't want to go." ”

"What a good mother." He caressed her hand tenderly.

After eating for a while, she remembered something important and said to him: "Today, the concubine and the queen mother asked the prince's opinion, and the candidate for the crown princess was temporarily decided. As he spoke, he poured a glass of wine for him, "The Queen Mother thinks that the ladies of Anpinghou, Yao, and Lord Zhu of the Ministry are all good, and she wanted to settle down, but the prince only chose one concubine, who is the eldest granddaughter of Anpinghou." ”

Song Chen nodded and said: "The wind of the Anping Marquis Mansion is good, since you are all optimistic about it, and he agrees with it, then settle down." ”

"Yes." Chu Xue responded, poured another cup for him, and said, "The concubine will wait for the emperor's marriage decree to come down and then handle the follow-up matters." ”

"Okay."

After he answered, he just raised his eyebrows to look at her, and seeing that she was full of doubts, he also looked down at himself, and asked, "Is there anything wrong with the concubine?" Why does the emperor think so? ”

He leaned into her ear and asked softly, "What is the queen's plan to pour wine for me like this?" ”

What could she do, she wanted him to relieve his fatigue. Before the words could be spoken, his brain quickly turned around, reacted, and glanced at him with a red face.

obviously wanted to give an eye knife, but it fell on the man's heart but became a flattering eye, Song Chen was very useful, and drank a few more glasses to himself.

There is a late-blooming golden cinnamon in the courtyard, taking advantage of the night breeze to send a sweet fragrance, just like the emperor and queen in this palace, gentle as waves, refreshing.

~~

On the second day, after the early court, the Marquis of Anping was invited into the imperial study, and after a little discussion with the king, he decided on a family affair, and agreed that two years later, the prince would hold a big wedding after his eighteenth birthday.

After marrying the royal family, seeing that the future wealth and glory have added another layer of protection, Anping Hou is naturally happy, and as soon as the news is announced after returning home, the whole house is happy.

It's just in the deep palace, but it has a different taste.

Avoided in her palace for a few days, as if she was isolated from the outside world, Concubine Ning herself was used to being quiet and didn't feel anything, but a few little palace maids in Lanlin Palace had already been suffocated, and as soon as they got fresh news today, they started talking about it.

The personal palace maid Lianqiu stepped into the hall, saw the master who was quietly embroidering, and sighed slightly.

The master has been quiet and well-behaved since he was a child, but he was sent into the palace by the elders in the Hou Mansion, the master has such a temperament, he will not compete for favor at all, not to mention that there is now a favorite queen on his head, poor master is young, do you want to be a nominal princess for a lifetime?

Hearing a sound, Concubine Ning raised her head, saw the loneliness on Lianqiu's face, was a little strange, and asked her, "What's wrong?" I saw them in the courtyard in a group, what were they talking about? ”

Lianqiu was afraid that she would be even more sad to see her master like this, so she hurriedly changed her smile and said, "It's nothing, I heard that the emperor issued a holy decree this morning and gave marriage to His Royal Highness the Prince......

Before he finished speaking, he only heard a "hiss", took a moment's notice, looked at the master, and sure enough, he saw blood beads on Concubine Ning's tender fingertips. She pierced herself.

Lianqiu hurriedly walked over and wiped it for her, and said with disgust in her mouth: "Why is the master so careless, he has embroidered so many times, how can he hurt himself today." ”

Concubine Ning's face flushed, "It's nothing, I listened to you just now, and I didn't pay attention to it." She was a little apprehensive, but she pretended to be unintentional and asked casually: "I don't know which daughter the emperor has chosen to be the crown princess?" ”

Lian Qiu said: "It is said that it is the eldest granddaughter of the Hou family of Anping, master, haven't you also seen it before, the Miss Xu whose name is called Fangfang." It's really fast, that Miss Fangfang was still a yellow-haired girl back then, and it's only been a few years, and she has also decided on a family affair! ”

Lianqiu thought about it for a while, smiled and comforted the master: "But it will be two years before we get married, and then we will have acquaintances in the East Palace, and we can often visit the door to relieve boredom!" You're a generation older than her! ”

Lian Qiu is right, as a noble daughter of the same generation in the past, Concubine Ning did often meet with this Miss Xu family, and she can be regarded as acquaintances, but she thought that this girl who was four years younger than herself was already Song Chi's fiancée, and she would become an official princess in the near future.

Shocked that this feeling was too dangerous, Concubine Ning forced herself to settle down and focused her attention on the flower support in her hand again.

On the second day, the warm hat was finally embroidered, and Concubine Ning personally brought it and stepped into Yaohua Palace.

Although the age difference is more than ten years, because of their similar temperaments, Concubine Ning and Li Jiaoyun can still talk very well, and Song Ning is here, for Concubine Ning, the Yaohua Palace is indeed a good place to relieve boredom.

"The concubine asks for peace to the concubine."

As soon as she entered the door, Concubine Ning gave Li Jiaoyun a salute first, Li Jiaoyun was promoted to concubine before Chu Xuefeng was sealed, according to reason, as the only concubine in the palace today, Concubine Ning should give her a greeting.

Li Jiaoyun also likes this quiet girl, and said with a smile: "There are not so many rules in my place, my sister doesn't have to be restrained, sit down." As he spoke, he ordered someone to give him a seat to watch the tea.

Concubine Ning took out the newly embroidered warm hat yesterday and presented it to Li Jiaoyun and said, "This is my newly embroidered hat yesterday, I don't know if my sister likes it or not." ”

Li Jiaoyun took it in surprise, looked at it carefully, and sighed: "It's really my sister's skill, look at this embroidery, it's not much worse than the Needlework Bureau!" My sister embroidered these, I think I'm tired, right? ”

She shook her head and said with a smile: "No, there is nothing to do in my palace, and I don't like to do anything else, just pass the time in idleness, my sister likes it, it's not hard at all." ”

"I like it, I will wear it when it's cold." Li Jiaoyun happily let the rain bamboo be put away, and continued to sigh to her, "It's really difficult for you, you can still calm down and do these delicate jobs at a young age." I can't be when I'm your age. ”

Concubine Ning's smile was a little stiff, she lowered her head and whispered, "Sister, don't praise me, I don't have anything to do...... When my sister was my age, she was already a mother, right? ”

Li Jiaoyun was stunned, and suddenly realized that she had said the wrong thing.

She entered the palace sixteen, and soon became pregnant and gave birth to Song Qi, and at Concubine Ning's current age, she was indeed a mother. Concubine Ke Ning has been in the palace for almost three years, except for Song Chen who went to see it once at the beginning, until now, she has never stepped into Lanlin Palace for half a step.

The best age of the girl is so delayed......

Li Jiaoyun hurriedly comforted her and talked about her own experience, "I have nothing to envy, when you were so old, you did give birth to Qi'er, but that child was born, and he couldn't raise it by his side for the first few years. ”

Li Jiaoyun looked at her and further persuaded: "My sister doesn't have to envy me, our emperor is such a character, there is only one person in his heart, and no one can force this." ”

Concubine Ning blushed and nodded, "I understand, it's still not good for me to arouse your sadness." ”

Li Jiaoyun smiled, "It's all over, where is there any sadness or not, we people, outsiders may be envious, but only I understand the true taste." At this point, she sighed, "If you have to blame, it's still a bad fate, and if you are reborn in a civilian family in the next life, you may be able to live a simple life." ”

Concubine Ning didn't think so, if she wasn't a young lady in the Hou Mansion, she wouldn't have been sent into the palace by the elders in exchange for glory and wealth. To be honest, throughout the ages, how many women like Chu Xue, the new queen, can there be? Most of the people in the harem, Zuo is just two destinies, one is like Concubine Wan, who is in the limelight, and in the end she can't escape a tragic death; The other is actually good, such as her and Li Jiaoyun, hiding in their own world to live their own stable life, occasionally showing their faces in front of everyone to support the façade of the royal family, although a little lonely, it is much better than Xiang Xiaoyu dying.

But in the end, Li Jiaoyun is better, at least she still has a pair of children, but what about herself? is so lonely, I'm afraid that in the future, I will have to learn from those old ladies and raise flowers and grass to relieve boredom.

After spending half a day in Yaohua Palace, Concubine Ning returned to her pure Lanlin Palace.

Looking at the laurel tree in the courtyard that I don't know how many years it has grown, the girl suddenly felt a little relieved, some things, it is better to not taste it than to have it and lose it, she remembered the Buddhist scriptures she had read before, as long as there are no distracting thoughts, everything in the world is just a moment. Come to think of it, decades of time, it should be very soon.

She breathed a sigh of relief and stepped into the quiet of the temple. 166 Reading Network