Zhao Defang left at night, originally he wanted to stay until the next morning, but the place of accommodation arranged by the temple, the Empress Dowager Song, Queen Wang, and Jiao Wanwan lived in a courtyard, and Zhao Defang was arranged in the front guest house, which was a little far away. I had to go to court early the next morning, and I didn't have time to say goodbye to Jiao Wanwan again, so I simply ate dinner and planned to leave first.

Jiao Wanwan sent people to the door, Zhao Defang raised her hand and rubbed her hair: "Don't take the draft matter to heart, my mother also said that she would not send people to our palace, and I will also talk about it on the royal brother's side, you just need to wait happily to give birth to a child for me, don't worry about anything else." ”

"I see." Jiao Wanwan nodded obediently and pinched Zhao Defang's palm: "I believe everything you say, so I'm not worried, you go back quickly, it's not easy to hurry when it's dark, I'll go back in two days, when I'm not at home, you have to eat on time, rest on time, and take care of yourself, you know?" ”

Zhao Defang nodded in response, kissed her on the forehead, and then turned over on the horse. Jiao Wanwan watched people leave, and stood at the door for a while before turning back. Empress Dowager Song was holding a book and flipping through it, Jiao Wanwan thought it was a Buddhist scripture, leaned over to look at it twice, and couldn't help twitching the corners of her mouth.

It's not a Buddhist scripture, it's just some short stories, but it's mostly about karma and so on. In Jiao Wanwan's view, it is a kind of propaganda book with a strong sense of religious propaganda.

"The little monk sent it before, and it's very interesting for me to look at this book." Empress Dowager Song said with a smile, Jiao Wanwan took the small hammer in her hand and gently beat the Empress Dowager Song: "What about the imperial sister-in-law?" ”

"It's said that I'm a little tired from rushing today, go back and rest first, you can also put it down, I'm tired for a day, and I have to serve my old wife, in case I'm tired, even if Defang is not distressed, I also want to feel distressed." Empress Dowager Song said with a smile, motioned to the palace maid behind her to pick up the hammer, and pulled Jiao Wanwan to sit down beside her: "Have you eaten dinner?" Why don't you go back and take a hot bath and rest first? ”

"I want to talk to my mother more." Jiao Wanwan said with a smile, she wasn't so tired, she was in a carriage when she was in a hurry, and the road in Bianliang was paved with bluestone slabs, and the car was not bumpy. After I came, I sat for a long time, barely moved, and really didn't feel very tired.

The smile on Empress Dowager Song's face was more kind: "I know that you are a filial person, but you don't lack this moment, you are tired for a day, go back and rest early." ”

Jiao Wanwan nodded: "That's okay, my mother also has to rest early, doesn't Ming'er want to go to the morning class?" I'm with my mother. ”

It was decided, and then he got up and left. Queen Wang's room had already darkened, thinking that she was asleep, Jiao Wanwan didn't bother, she went back to the room by herself, washed up, thought that she was not tired or sleepy, she should not be able to sleep, but she didn't expect that not long after lying down, she fell asleep to death.

When Lamei woke her up the next day, she didn't react, looking at the sky outside, she muttered and buried herself in the quilt again: "Isn't it dawn yet?" Let me sleep a little longer. ”

"Niangniang, you can't sleep anymore, the Queen Mother has already gotten up." Lamei hurriedly said, Jiao Wanwan was excited, and then remembered that she had accompanied the Empress Dowager Song to live in Daxiangguo Temple for a few days, and sat up busily, but she was still a little sleepy, and couldn't help yawning two or three times, and was frozen by the maid with a cloth towel, which was slightly sober.

When she packed up and came out, Queen Wang also came out, and the two looked at each other, and Queen Wang smiled first: "Look at my brother and sister's face, didn't you sleep well last night?" The younger sibling and the fourth brother have always been husband and wife, I'm afraid it's rare to separate, right? Are you not used to it at night? ”

Jiao Wanwan hurriedly shook her head, a little shy: "I slept very well last night, but I didn't get up until the sun rose in the past, and I occasionally got up early, I was a little unaccustomed, but the imperial sister-in-law rested well last night?" ”

Queen Wang nodded with a smile: "I went to bed early at night, so I didn't feel uncomfortable at this time." Do you want to eat some snacks and fill your stomach first? This morning class will take an hour. ”

Jiao Wanwan thanked Queen Wang for her kindness, pinched a piece of dim sum and ate it slowly, and after eating it together, Empress Dowager Song also cleaned it up. The three mothers-in-law and daughter-in-law went to the front hall, and they said hello yesterday, so there are three more futons in this hall today.

The morning class is actually quite boring, that is, listening to the monk chanting the scriptures, and if you can keep up, you will follow it, and if you can't keep up, you will listen carefully. The Empress Dowager Song and Queen Wang are very religious, these scriptures will be memorized early, although Jiao Wanwan said that she also believes in ghosts and gods after crossing, but in the end she is not so pious, and the scriptures are very awkward, it is not easy to memorize, she has never memorized them, and she can only listen to them with her head down.

In less than half an hour, her legs were a little numb, Jiao Wanwan secretly glanced at the people around her, they were still kneeling in a regular manner, she didn't dare to move, she closed her eyes and continued to listen, but her legs became more and more uncomfortable, and her waist was a little sore, so she couldn't help but want to raise her hand and rub it, but as soon as she looked up, she saw the abbot master above, who looked a little fairy on weekdays, but now she looks very solemn and solemn, so Jiao Wanwan didn't dare to move anymore and continued to endure.

She endured it and got used to it, and when the morning class was over, the big guys got up, but she couldn't get up. Queen Wang smiled and came to help her in person, Jiao Wanwan was embarrassed and panicked: "Don't be the imperial sister-in-law, I will be able to move myself later, otherwise, the imperial sister-in-law will call the maid outside." ”

Queen Wang raised her eyebrows: "How about being polite to me?" Let's be a concubine, and we're not outsiders, so let's hurry up, how about it? Can it still stand? ”

has already stretched out her hand, Jiao Wanwan is not hypocritical, she got up with the strength of Queen Wang, and carefully looked at the Empress Dowager Song's expression, don't let your mother-in-law think that she is insincere. Empress Dowager Song really didn't care, she only smiled: "It can be seen that you have never knelt down in the Buddhist scriptures to pick up Buddha beans, so you can't stand it, and you will get used to it after coming a few more times in the future." Let's go, let's have breakfast, after breakfast, Master Fuhui will personally help your father do things, and you all come and kowtow. ”

Of course, the breakfast is the same as that of the monks of Daxiangguo Temple, boiled cabbage, cold tofu, and two steamed buns. The boiled cabbage is really boiled, and it has nothing to do with the famous boiled cabbage, the tofu is also a little old, and the steamed bun is soft, but it should have been put for a while, and it is not so hot. Luckily, there was also a bowl of hot soup.

Jiao Wanwan sighed while eating, if you let those girls who lose weight come to Daxiangguo Temple to eat for two months...... No, in a month, you can drop five catties of meat in a moment.

After eating, I went to the front hall to practice things, Zhao Kuangyin has passed away for more than two years, and this ritual also has more meaning of praying, and there is not too much sadness. Jiao Wanwan and Queen Wang knelt behind the Empress Dowager Song, kowtowing when it was time to kowtow, and chanting the scriptures when it was time to chant the scriptures.

The morning passed. In the afternoon, as usual. Only lunch gave Jiao Wanwan some comfort, although it was still vegetarian, but there were more vegetarian chickens, and the taste was quite good. I had to do this for three days, and to be honest, I was a little tired.

I had dinner with the Empress Dowager Song in the evening, and I didn't have the strength to talk anymore, so I went back to my room, washed and slept, and then got up the next day as usual.

Queen Wang is the mother of a country in the end, and it is not good to stay outside the palace all the time, and it is not easy to come out for four days. So, after the Dharma was done, I was busy going to worship the Buddha, asked for a sign, and asked Master Fuhui to solve the sign alone, and then I took my leave and planned to leave.

Before leaving, he took Jiao Wanwan's hand and told him: "Take care of my mother, and persuade my mother to go back to the palace as soon as possible. ”

Jiao Wanwan came down one by one, sent Queen Wang away, and turned back to find the Empress Dowager Song, the Empress Dowager Song rarely didn't read the scriptures, and when she saw her come in, she beckoned with a smile: "Your imperial sister-in-law is gone?" Did it take another long time to let you come back? ”

"The imperial sister-in-law is also concerned about her mother's body, saying that the imperial doctor has not taken the pulse for several days, and the imperial brother and the imperial sister-in-law are a little uneasy, so let the mother go back early." Jiao Wanwan said with a smile, and wondered: "I don't know if the imperial sister-in-law drew a lot, I look at the imperial sister-in-law's face is a little unpleasant." ”

The Empress Dowager Song was also silent, and sighed for a long time: "This woman, you still have to give birth to a son, your imperial sister-in-law has had a smooth life all her life, and it is on this heir that Fuyuan is too thin, but fortunately, the official family is not so unkind." ”

Jiao Wanwan pursed her lips, a little flustered, what if she couldn't give birth to a son? Do you want to give birth forever? Same as a sow?

was in a panic, and as soon as the back of her hand was hot, she saw that the Empress Dowager Song looked at her with great concern: "Feeling unwell? Why don't you look at your face a little wrong? ”

"No, I'm just a little hungry." Jiao Wanwan said with a smile and leaned over to the Empress Dowager Song: "Let's tell my mother the truth, in fact, I'm a little greedy, I haven't seen meat for four days, and some want to eat it, doesn't my mother want to?" ”

Empress Dowager Song couldn't cry or laugh, and stretched out her hand to poke her forehead: "You, you dare to say anything, this Buddha Gate Pure Land, you dare to talk nonsense, okay, okay, bear with me, in a few days, let's go back, and then you can eat whatever you want." I've been chanting the scriptures for a few days, and I'm going to ask for a child for you and Defang. ”

The corners of Jiao Wanwan's mouth twitched: "If you ask for a child, shouldn't you worship Guanyin?" ”

"Naturally, I want to worship Guanyin." Empress Dowager Song glanced at her and pushed her: "Okay, you don't have to stay with me, feel free to go out for a walk, I should also recite the scriptures." If you have time these two days, look at this book more often. ”

Jiao Wanwan had no choice but to go back and read the scriptures by herself, and when she was upset to read, she went out for a walk by herself. The Empress Dowager Song is a kind person, and when she sees her going out to play, she never stops her, but only tells her to bring the maid and mother-in-law.

After staying in Daxiangguo Temple for two or three days, the queen sent someone to invite the Empress Dowager Song back to the palace, and Zhao Defang came with her.

"What the official family means is that the draft will start in mid-March, and the imperial sister-in-law is young, so she has not gone through such a thing, so let her mother go back to help palm her eyes." Zhao Defang said with a smile, Empress Dowager Song frowned slightly, thought for a while, and sighed: "I don't have much experience, this is good, both of them are going to be blind." ”

Zhao Kuangyin at that time, the initial was to fight the country, although there was no need to do anything like rebellion after the yellow robe was added, but the five countries and ten generations of wars were chaotic, almost a government is a country, Zhao Kuangyin's goal is not to be a governor, naturally to unify the world.

Fighting every day, where does I get the free time to do this about the draft? The most is to get beauties like Mrs. Blossom back and raise them in their own backyard.

In the later stage, it is necessary to stabilize the country, it is not a matter of just hitting it, and the etiquette and music are broken, and they have to be repaired in the same way. The population is too small, the society is unstable, the laws are not sound, the institutions are incomplete, these are all things.

was busy and worked hard until he died, and Zhao Kuangyin didn't have a chance to get any draft. When Zhao Dezhao arrived, there was no reference experience, and the Empress Dowager Song was also a little worried: "What are you choosing for this draft?" It stands to reason that the one who was selected was to serve the emperor, and there was a queen in the middle palace, so as long as she looked good, but just looking at her face, it seemed a little too inappropriate. ”

Jiao Wanwan blinked: "Isn't there an example in the previous dynasty?" ”

Without waiting for the Empress Dowager Song to speak, Zhao Defang couldn't help but smile and said: "At that time in the Tang Dynasty, the girls of good families were selected to enter the palace in the people, and they did not □□ the noble or low, if they had an opportunity, they could also ascend to the sky in one step, if they didn't have a chance, they would be in the palace for a few years, and when they were old, they would naturally be released from the palace." ”

He turned his head to the Empress Dowager Song and said: "What the official family means is that our Great Song Dynasty is not as good as the Tang Dynasty now, and the population is sparse. ”

Empress Dowager Song nodded: "It's good for the official family to decide like this, then ......" After thinking for a while, she continued: "Start with the Jiupin officials, each family will send a little lady into the palace, and then choose through guò, and leave a few." ”

After making up her mind, the Empress Dowager Song set off to return to the palace.

Zhao Dezhao handed over all the draft matters to the Empress Dowager Song and Empress Wang. Therefore, the will of the draft was also issued by the Empress Dowager Song. By the beginning of March, there were suddenly many more delicate little ladies in the capital. Some were escorted by their families from other places, and some were originally from Bianliang City, especially the shops that sold rouge gouache, gold and silver jewelry, as well as cloth and clothes, and the business in the past half month was almost comparable to the business in the past two months.

Jiao Wanwan rarely went out, and when she lifted the curtain and looked outside as before, she was almost not startled, and felt that all the people on the street suddenly became like little ladies.

"Tsk, there are so many people here, I just don't know, how many people will be able to enter the palace at that time." sighed and put down the curtain, anyway, with Zhao Defang's guarantee, this draft should have nothing to do with his own family.

Lamei also leaned on the window and looked out, and when she saw the good-looking one, she wanted Jiao Wanwan to join in the fun: "That little lady's accent seems to be from the northwest, her facial features are very delicate, but her skin is slightly dark, but the black one is also very good-looking, and the maid looks quite individual." By the way, princess Niangniang, what kind of little lady is used to in the official family? ”

Jiao Wanwan was stunned for a moment, then raised her hand and pinched Lamei's cheek: "You little girl, what kind of official family likes, what does it have to do with you?" You can't enter the palace, aren't you asking in vain? ”

Lamei shook her head with a smile: "It's not in vain, the princess doesn't know, the maid has pushed off the gold ingots sent to the door five or six times this month." It's really ......" stretched out his hand and covered his chest: "There is some distressed panic, the princess and the maid leaked a little bit, and the maid may be able to make another profit." ”

Jiao Wanwan poked her forehead: "You're so fat, you dare to betray the preferences of the official family?" If it is known, your master and I will not be able to protect you, be careful that trouble comes out of your mouth, where can you participate in this kind of thing? ”

Lamei hurriedly sat up straight: "Niangniang, don't worry, the maid has a thief's heart and no guts, and she will not do such a thing." After a pause, he hurriedly said: "No, no, no, the maid doesn't even have the guts of a thief, that is, in front of the mother, the maid has the courage to say a few words, and if he changes someone else, the maid guarantees that he is tight-lipped." ”

Jiao Wanwan nodded: "It's good that you know, the preferences of the official family are not something you and I can guess, don't say this kind of thing in the future, you think it's only the two of us, but you don't know that the wall has ears, in case someone hears it, this is a figure, Yan zhòng is a little bit of a bad idea, don't give people a handle." ”

Seeing what Lamei was about to say, Jiao Wanwan waved her hand: "Stop here, by the way, you said that someone came to you to inquire, how could they find you?" ”

Thinking of Zhao Defang again, Jiao Wanwan frowned: "Could it be that the drunkard is not in the bar?" "Inquire about Zhao Dezhao's preferences, shouldn't he be looking for a way to the palace? What does it mean to find a maid from the palace? Lamei will at most understand the preferences of her own prince, right?

"Who came to inquire?" Jiao Wanwan hurriedly asked, Lamei thought about it carefully, folded her fingers and began to count: "He Shilang's family, Master Meng's family, Bachelor Song's family......" Seeing Jiao Wanwan's frowning, she said again: "A few days ago, the maid followed the maid to the third princess's mansion, and the maidservants in the mansion of the adults I met by chance, they didn't say whose family they were, but they followed their little lady's side......"

It can be seen at a glance that Lamei is not without a heart.

Jiao Wanwan nodded, she had heard of the little lady of He Shilang's family, it is said that she is the most beautiful little lady in Bianliang City, she is very popular outside, everywhere she goes, there are many people watching, various festivals every year, if you go out, you can also meet a lot of people who have not been fortified to give her gifts, such as hairpin bracelets, and even handkerchiefs. Of course, He Xiaoniang will not ask for it, if these things can't be sent back, they will all be sent to Yizhuang in Xicheng, where most of them are lonely and widowed old people and poor people. So, in addition to her beauty, this little lady He also has a good reputation for kindness.

The little lady of the Song bachelor's family is a famous talented girl, who can paint at the age of ten, poetry at fifteen, singing and dancing, all of which are fine. It is said that the appearance is also excellent.

Jiao Wanwan was thinking about it, but Lamei suddenly pulled her: "Niangniang, I have already arrived at the Guanyin Temple of Sending Children." ”

Jiao Wanwan herself definitely didn't want to come to such a place, but last time in Daxiangguo Temple, since the Empress Dowager Song had already spoken, Jiao Wanwan just made a show, and she had to come and beg the Bodhisattva who sent Zi Guanyin Temple back to offer.

got out of the carriage and took Lamei into the door, she went out in a "micro-suit" today, only brought Lamei and two or three little maids, so she didn't cause any movement when she entered the door. Only one of the teachers saw them, and hurriedly stepped forward and saluted slightly: "This lady, do you want to offer incense or ask for a mother-in-law, or do you want to ask for a signature?" ”

"Our lady wants to ask for two sons and sisters." Lamei hurriedly said, the master was too clear, made a gesture of please, and walked inside with Jiao Wanwan, while saying: "There are several kinds of Guanyin Niangniang in our temple, wood carving, jade carving, gold carving, I don't know what kind of lady wants to invite." ”

Jiao Wanwan hesitated: "Jade carving, can there be good white jade?" If not, you might be able to consecrate it here? ”

She also plans to give the queen mother, if the material is too ordinary, it seems that she doesn't pay much attention to it, right?

Shi Tai hurriedly smiled: "There are good jasper and white jade, why don't you take a look at it first?" ”

Jiao Wanwan was a little speechless for a moment, this is just like doing business, a little weird, on the one hand, I think that this kind of thing should be quite sacred, and there should be no such money transaction. But on the one hand, I think it's quite normal, people also need materials to carve gods, isn't it troublesome to open the light and chant the scriptures? After three or five days, at least you have to pay a salary, right?

As soon as the two thoughts were entangled, Jiao Wanwan almost wanted to get the two gods by herself, but she only let them open the light.

But it's all here, and it's not good to say such things again at this time, so I have to silently follow Shitai to see the statue of Guanyin. Sending the child Guanyin is basically a style, all Guanyin Niangniang is holding the child, Jiao Wanwan picked two jade carvings, and after giving the silver respectfully, she knelt down and knocked down the statue of the god three times.

Mrs. Shi said on the side: "This has been opened, after the lady please go back, you must first settle it, the first month, three incense sticks a day, and then one incense stick a day, and when the lady is pregnant, you must bring the statue to repay the vow, remember to come to repay the vow." ”

Jiao Wanwan nodded hurriedly, and didn't ask Lamei to help, she took matters into her own hands, put the idol in the box and packed it, and then went to the front to give the sesame oil money, and then brought the idol back.

As soon as I returned home, I saw Zhao Defang coming back, and when I saw her holding two boxes in her arms, I couldn't help but raise my eyebrows: "This is the mother who sent the child when you went out early in the morning to invite her back?" ”

Seeing Jiao Wanwan nodded, Zhao Defang reached out to help her take it, and said while walking in together: "Actually, we don't need this, we are still young...... Before, it was in Shouxiao...... Besides, if you send it to the imperial sister-in-law, if it is really useful, it is fine, or it is better not at all, in case you have a child and the imperial sister-in-law does not, maybe you will think that you are laughing at her. Isn't it that people can't do it, and they have to provoke idleness? ”