Zhu Xian held the prince in his arms, and the two fathers and sons entered the main hall together. The main hall of Kunning Palace is luxurious, the bright and smooth bluestone slabs, the red gold group phoenix chair shining with golden light, the simple and elegant bronze tripod burning with agarwood, and the red giant candles with the thickness of the baby's arm on both sides, all of which show the noble status of the master under one person and above ten thousand people.

Empress Guo wore a red phoenix robe embroidered with a hundred birds and a phoenix picture, and wore a delicate and gorgeous phoenix crown, and took Yao and a palace maid to kneel and salute by the door.

"Get up!" Zhu Xian hurriedly put down the prince and stepped forward to help Queen Guo. After not setting foot in Kunning Palace for two months, Zhu Xian found that Empress Guo's brow was pressed out by the heavy phoenix crown. No matter how good the fat powder is, it can't hide the bruises under her eyes and the tiredness in her eyes. Zhu Xian's eyes flashed, and then he turned his gaze away.

Empress Guo stood up, with a hint of a smile on her lips, and said: "I specially prepared a few baskets of extremely fat crabs and chrysanthemum wine today, just waiting for the emperor to come and taste it together, just in time for the scene." ”

Hearing that there were crabs, Zhu Xian suddenly became interested, and hurriedly said: "Concubine Li is a Jiangnan person, and she loves to eat crabs the most, remember to leave some for her, presumably it can relieve her homesickness." ”

Empress Guo's hand squeezed hard, and the sharp and gorgeous armor almost cut through her delicate palm. There was a warm smile on her face, and she said angrily: "The emperor is too partial, there are many concubines from Jiangnan in the palace, and the emperor can't just think about Concubine Li." Besides, there are not many crabs, except for the queen mother's weak spleen and stomach who can't eat crabs, that is, the emperor's Qianqing Palace and the concubine's Kunning Palace left five baskets. The rest of the four concubines are all three baskets in the palace, and the rest of the low-ranking concubines are one basket per person. It was already clearly divided, the emperor's words. It's going to make it difficult for the concubines again. ”

Zhu Xian just said casually, originally the routine rewards of this harem have always been decided by the queen, and the emperor also came up with an idea from the side, just and impartially. If it is arbitrarily distributed by the emperor's temperament, there will be favoritism, and over time, everyone in the harem will complain.

Of course, there is no such thing as absolute fairness and justice. Although the queen orders like this, when it comes to the execution below, there will always be a difference between the eyebrows and the eyebrows. Take the simplest crab as an example. Those who are fresh and fat will definitely be singled out and sent to the palace of those favored concubines, and those who are thin and even dead. will be sent to the palace of those concubines who have not been favored for a long time. But one way or another. No one dared to change the rules set by the queen without authorization, because it involved the prestige of a country after that.

As soon as the words came out, Zhu Xian regretted it a little, especially when he was teased by Queen Guo so cleverly, he felt even more uncomfortable. So he coughed lightly and said, "Since everything has already been allocated, even if I think of it occasionally, I just say it casually." ”

Empress Guo raised her eyebrows lazily. The smile stretched out and said, "Since the emperor has opened his mouth." This favored concubine is naturally to be given. But the other concubines have already been sent, and now they can't be even. Fortunately, today's concubine only asked someone to steam two baskets, and the remaining three baskets, when the concubine will be sent to Concubine Li in private, in order to relieve her homesickness. After speaking, she instructed Lady Yao, "Send our remaining crabs to Lingxiao Pavilion." ”

"Yes." Lady Yao bent her knees and blessed, and went down to command.

Empress Guo looked back at Zhu Xian and smiled: "But there is one thing, this crab is an extremely cold thing, and the concubine is afraid that Concubine Li will eat bad stomach if she is greedy." The emperor wants to let the imperial doctor keep an eye on it. ”

Empress Guo's movements were fast, and Zhu Xian didn't even have a chance to stop them. He couldn't help but feel a little guilty when he saw that he made her a dignified queen give up her share with a casual word.

At this time, Zhu Houde pursed his red lips unhappily, and his little face showed unhappiness. Zhu Xian hurriedly asked, "What's the matter, why is the prince unhappy?" ”

Zhu Houde said in a milky voice: "Children also like to eat crabs, and the queen mother gave all the crabs to Concubine Li, and the children can't eat them." As he spoke, he bit his finger and glanced at Empress Guo secretly, as if he was very afraid that she would blame.

Empress Guo frowned and was about to speak, but Zhu Xian preemptively said: "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, my father still has five baskets!" Later, I will ask Zhao Quan to bring them all, and my father will accompany you to eat. ”

"Great, my father is so good." Zhu Houde's eyes were shining, his little slap was also crackling, and he was very generous to send a fragrant kiss stained with saliva on Zhu Xian's face, and Zhu Xian suddenly smiled from ear to ear.

Empress Guo was helpless, so she had to say angrily: "Your Majesty, you obviously know that the prince is still young and can't eat so many crabs, how can you still promise him?" ”

"Don't be afraid, don't be afraid." Zhu Xian smiled and hugged the prince in his arms again, and said: "I remember that you also love to eat, even if you bring my share, you two will accompany me to eat together." ”

Soon, a table of exquisite and luxurious food, and a plate of orange-red, fragrant umbilical crabs were served by the palace maids. Zhao Quan immediately cleaned his hands and personally stood beside the emperor to peel the crab meat and remove the crab paste. Lady Yao also specially brought chrysanthemum wine and poured a glass for each of them.

Crab has been said to have "four flavors" since ancient times. "Thigh meat", the flesh is short and slender, and the taste is the same as that of dried scallops; "Calf meat", the silk is long and delicate, as beautiful as a whitebait; "Crab body meat", white and crystalline, better than white fish; "Crab roe", bright color, delicious and fragrant, abundant. Served with soy sauce and vinegar, it is really delicious in the world.

Zhu Xian and Empress Guo both ate very happily, but the prince was too young after all, and Empress Guo only gave him a little crab meat, so he was not allowed to eat more. Seeing that the prince's face was unhappy, and he looked aggrieved but did not dare to speak, Lady Yao took out some exquisite pastries to amuse him, so he quickly left the crab behind.

After signaling Lady Yao to take the prince away, Queen Guo personally picked out a shell of golden and plump crab paste, poured it with sauce vinegar and handed it to Zhu Xian. Zhu Xian ate it and said with a smile: "Don't just stick to me, you can eat some too." ”

"Yes." Empress Guo smiled and ate slowly, she asked while eating, "I heard that the fifth brother really invited that Xuanyuan real person?" ”

Zhu Xian frowned and put down the silver chopsticks in his hand. said: "Yes, the fifth brother is very capable, and he did invite that Xuanyuan real person out of the mountain." ”

Empress Guo saw that he did not show a particularly happy expression on his face. I couldn't help but ask in surprise: "I heard that in the last few years, the emperor of the previous dynasty always wanted to invite Xuanyuan Zhenren to go out of the mountain to teach the art of immortality, but he never succeeded, so that he never forgot it before he died, which was regarded as the biggest regret in his life." When he arrived at the emperor, he also spent a lot of manpower and material resources to find this Xuanyuan real person. Now it's hard to find it. He was also invited to the palace, why is the emperor still unhappy? Could it be that Xuanyuan is not as famous as meeting real people? ”

"Not really." Zhu Xian took the wine glass in front of him and drank it down, and said, "That Xuanyuan Zhenren I have summoned me alone. It is indeed a fairy wind bone, and he talks well. It's just that the immortality technique rumored in the world is actually his alchemy. When he entered the palace this time, he also specially paid tribute to a hundred longevity pills that he had personally refined. It is said that he took this longevity pill every day. He is now one hundred and eight years old. Still going up the mountain and down to the sea, as if walking on the ground. ”

Empress Guo was stunned for a moment, and said puzzledly: "Listening to this longevity pill, it is excellent, but the emperor, you are in the prime of life, and it seems that it is not yet time to take these pills." ”

"But according to the real person himself, the sooner this Wanshou Pill is taken the better. He only refined this longevity pill when he was eighty years old, but unfortunately he was already white at that time. However, since taking Wanshou Dan, he has not continued to age. On the contrary, the spirit and physical strength are getting better and better. "Speaking of which. Zhu Xian's gaze became very complicated: "It's a pity that these are all said by himself, or rumors in the world, but I haven't seen them with my own eyes." ”

is worthy of being a husband and wife for many years, Queen Guo instantly understood Zhu Xian's thoughts. He wanted to live forever, but he was afraid that Xuanyuan Zhenren's elixir would not have such a magical effect, and would even be harmful to his body, and his mood at the moment was extremely conflicted.

Empress Guo smiled slightly and said, "The emperor has obtained such a good thing, but he can't forget those old courtiers who have worked hard for the Zhu family's country. Today happens to be the Mid-Autumn Festival, why don't the emperor personally reward those old ministers, let them feel the emperor's grace, and they will definitely do their best to assist the emperor in the future. Empress Guo's tone was soft and soft, but the meaning of her words made Zhu Xian's eyes shine.

In fact, the implication of Empress Guo's words is that since you want to eat it and are afraid that there will be problems, it is better to let those old courtiers help test the medicine first. In this way, it can not only make those old courtiers grateful to Dade, but also try to find out whether the longevity pill is really effective, which can be regarded as killing two birds with one stone.

Zhu Xian hesitated for a moment and asked: "There are only a hundred longevity pills in this elixir, and it is impossible for everyone to have a share, according to the queen's wishes, which adult should I give it to?" ”

Empress Guo thought for a while and said: "The palace looks at Yang Shangshu of the Ministry of Rites, who is close to ancient times, but he is still working hard for the emperor's country, the emperor might as well reward him personally!" "The real reason is that Yang Shangshu is the oldest Shangshu master in the six departments

Today's Muxiu, it is the Mid-Autumn Festival again, and the gate of Yang Shangshu's Mansion is very lively at the moment, and the carriages are almost lined up outside the alley, and the servants sent by his student subordinates to give him a festival gift. I saw a table and chair set up at the gate of the Yang Mansion, and the old housekeeper of the Yang Mansion was sweating profusely registering the gift list, and those who gave gifts were waiting in front of the door respectfully.

And depending on the official position, their servants were treated differently. There are those with low official positions, and they are directly blasted out after giving gifts, while those with high official positions and heavy positions can often get a cup of tea and a chair to let you take a breath.

"Zhang Shilang of the Ministry of Officials, 50 baskets of seafood, 50 baskets of various fresh fruits, and a statue of Guanyin in the South China Sea" After the servants of Zhang Shilang's family finished reporting this long list of gifts, the old housekeeper of the Yang Mansion hurriedly stood up, accompanied by a smiling face, and said: "It turned out that Zhang Shilang's family came, I don't know if Zhang Shilang himself has arrived?" ”

The servant of Zhang Shilang's family nodded hurriedly and said, "It's here, it's here, I'm waiting in the carriage!" ”

The old housekeeper smiled and said, "Hurry up and invite Zhang Shilang in, our master has been waiting inside for a long time." ”

"Yes."

Zhang Shilang thought about it at home, and always felt that his identity could not compete with Guo Chengsi and Zhu Fei. If you want to bring them down, you have to rely on your mentor Yang Shangshu to come forward, so he will come in person. Yang Shangshu seemed to have the same mind as him, and he actually ordered the housekeeper to pay attention to it early.

Soon, under the leadership of the servants of the Yang Mansion, Zhang Shilang arrived at the lobby of the Yang Mansion and met his mentor Yang Shangshu. It is said that the household is rich, the officials are noble, the criminal department is mighty, the military department is martial, the Ministry of Rites is poor and the Ministry of Industry is cheap, this Yang Shangshu is the head of the Ministry of Rites, and he is actually wearing a half-new maroon embroidered robe, and on his feet is a pair of thick-soled black-faced cloth boots, but the cotton socks on the feet have turned slightly yellow because of many times of pulp washing. His almost white hair pulled into a lazy bun, and he casually put a green hosta.

"Xianning, you're here, sit down." Xianning is Zhang Shilang's cousin, and Yang Shangshu has always called him his cousin in private in order to show his closeness to this proud protégé.

"I've seen my teacher." Zhang Shilang hurriedly stepped forward and saluted with his fists.

"Well, no need to be polite, sit down! Serve tea. ”

Immediately, a maid brought a freshly brewed Biluochun, Zhang Shilang picked up the teacup and took a sip, but found that this Biluochun was actually last year's old tea. He couldn't help but curse in his heart, I gave so many gifts, but I was sent away by an old Biluochun, this dead old man is really good enough to pick the door, is he pretending to be poor like this!

Yang Shangshu stroked the gray beard on his chin and said with a smile: "I heard that Guo Shilang took away your housekeeper yesterday, I guessed that you should come to me!" ”

Zhang Shilang suppressed the dissatisfaction in his heart, and deliberately said with shame: "It's the students who are useless, and they are actually bluffed by them, and I am afraid in my heart." But they are really too deceitful" So he beat his son innocently, and the housekeeper was lynched in his own house, and these words were added to Yang Shangshu's words. Of course, he would not say that his son intended to abuse the maid in advance, and Steward Wang also stabbed someone before he was lynched.

Don't look at Yang Shangshu's age, but he is very protective, and he also knows that he is old, and he can't do it for long. And none of his descendants are particularly outstanding, so he thought about trying to win over Zhang Shilang as much as possible, so as to find a big tree for his children and grandchildren that can shelter from the wind and rain. Of course, the big tree he is looking for is definitely not only Zhang Shilang, but Zhang Shilang is because he is in the ministry, and he will be the most effective in the future.

So he smiled and said, "Xianning, you need" Before he finished speaking, a servant hurriedly ran outside and said, "Master, go to the door and have a look!" Zhao Gonggong in the palace came to announce the decree" (to be continued......)