Zhu Xian took the opportunity to hold her white wrist and said gently: "I haven't seen you and the prince for a long time for the sake of your concubine during this time, and I am really worried about it. ”

Empress Guo's cheeks flew up a touch of red, she glanced at him coquettishly, and said with a shy face: "Aren't the concubines worried about the emperor every day, and even the crown prince is always clamoring to see his father." Speaking of this, she quietly raised her eyes to look at him, and continued: "It's just that Imperial Doctor Zhong, who was protecting the fetus for Concubine Li at that time, was recommended by his concubine. Unexpectedly, he has always been an old man, but he made such a mistake, and the concubine was really ashamed. ”

There was a cold chill in Zhu Xian's eyes, and he inadvertently let go of Empress Guo's hand, picked up the Lion Peak Longjing and took a sip, and then said, "Forget it, you can't be blamed for this." Originally, I looked at Zhong Jinchuan as a good thing, but who knew that he was a confused thing. Now let him reflect in the prison of the Criminal Department, and did not immediately cut off his head, that is also for the sake of the Queen Mother's intercession. ”

Speaking of this, he slowed down again and said, "It's just that after the concubine lost her child, she was always cowardly, and her appetite was not good, and she even lost a lot of food. Fortunately, with the blood swallow soup you send every day, she can still use some. ”

Empress Guo smiled faintly and said, "That's good, it's not in vain for the concubines to boil this blood soup every day." ”

The two chatted for a while, and Zhu Xian suddenly said: "I remember that when Concubine Li was just pregnant with a dragon fetus, I wanted her to be promoted to a higher position. As a result, because she was weak and the procedures for sealing the concubine were cumbersome, she was delayed. I thought about it in a few days, when she was well. And what do you think of the decree of canonization? ”

Empress Guo nodded and said, "That's fine." I hope that after the noble concubine sister is canonized, she can open her mind and no longer be happy like this, so as not to live up to the emperor's intention to treat her. ”

Zhu Xian glanced at her in surprise, but she looked at him calmly. He finally smiled and said, "That's very good." After sitting for a while, Zhu Xian got up and went back to the Heart Cultivation Palace.

Empress Guo was stunned, and suddenly said to Lady Yao: "It's good to look at this day." Let's go for a stroll in the Upper Forest Garden! ”

"Yes."

Empress Guo asked the female eunuchs of the palace to follow from a distance, leaving only the female official Yao to serve closely, pacing slowly in the garden. There is a superb pear tree in the upper forest garden. The immaculate white flowers are now in full bloom. From afar, the branch looked like a snowball that hadn't yet melted.

Standing under the pear tree, a spring breeze blew, and the petals broke free from the shackles of the branches and leaves. Fluttering and falling like snow. There was a lot of staining on her shoulder dress. She couldn't help but reach out and pick up the elves that had fallen. Casually read: "The pear blossom has thoughts and leaves, and a tree and a river head are annoyed and kills you." Most like a widowed young woman, with white makeup and plain sleeves and a blue gauze skirt. ”

Lady Yao was shocked, hurriedly bent her knees, and said hurriedly: "Please also ask the mother to be cautious." She couldn't understand anything else, but the word "widow" here referred to a woman whose husband had died. As Queen Guo, she spit out such resentful words and let people hear it, which is a great crime of disrespect.

She frowned slightly. A little bored, he said, "It's boring! Now it's just the two of us, and we don't need to be so cautious when we speak. ”

Lady Yao quietly glanced at her expression. After pondering, he asked, "Niangniang is worried about the fact that your concubine is about to be crowned a concubine?" ”

Empress Guo smiled coldly and said, "She's not worth it." This slippery tire completely hurt her body, she had no heirs, her mother's status was not obvious, and she was so hypocritical every day. Our emperor will do everything possible to coax him like this when he sees the freshness, but there is always a time when his patience runs out. At that point, she suddenly stopped.

Lady Yao nodded clearly, and asked with some puzzlement: "It's not for her, why is Niangniang so troubled." ”

Empress Guo slowly tilted her palm, causing those petals to fall straight into the mud. She looked at the petals that had lost their whiteness, stained with dust, and looked decadent, withered, and corrupt, and said, "Bengong was originally delicate and lovely in his eyes. But I don't know when it began, but this palace has to be on guard against his suspicions from time to time. ”

Lady Yao thought for a while, and then said in surprise: "Niangniang is saying that the Zhong Yuan envoy was negligent this time, and the emperor suspects that he was instructed by you?" ”

"Even if there are no tens, I'm afraid there are eights." Empress Guo actually agreed.

Lady Yao said in surprise: "In this case, why did Niangniang take the initiative to mention it in front of the emperor before?" ”

At this time, a spring breeze blew again, and the pear blossoms fell like spring rain, Empress Guo raised her face, let the petals brush on her face, and said with a smile: "If the palace doesn't take the initiative to mention it, I'm afraid that this matter will become a tumor in the emperor's heart." It's better to pick it up yourself, and when you see the sun, even if you will leave scars, there will be times for healing. ”

"Lady Takami." The longer Lady Yao served by Empress Guo's side, the more she admired her in her heart. Throughout the harem, there are many concubines who are as beautiful as flowers, talented, and empathetic. Although there has been less love between her and the emperor over the years, in the emperor's heart, she has always maintained a respect. Even if it has a certain relationship with the prestige of her mother's family, it is not because she can stretch and bend and have excellent means.

The two of them quietly admired the rare beauty in front of them, and there was a burst of warblers and swallows talking and chaotic footsteps not far away. Empress Guo smiled slightly and turned around. Immediately, someone exclaimed, and then bowed down together: "I've seen the queen mother." ”

Empress Guo raised her palm lightly and said, "Get up!" ”

"Thank you, Queen Mother."

The leading concubine said with a smile: "Why is the queen so elegant today, come here to enjoy the flowers in the forest garden?" ”

Empress Guo smiled and said: "This pear blossom has a short flowering period, if you miss it, you will have to wait until next year to see their style." This palace is a person who cherishes flowers, and he definitely won't miss it. Concubine Shu, you can walk with this palace! ”

"Yes." Concubine Shu immediately stepped forward and accompanied Queen Guo to walk slowly in this garden. The rest of the low-ranking concubines cautiously followed behind them.

After gossiping for a while, Empress Guo showed a trace of exhaustion on her face. She turned her head sideways and said to Concubine Shu: "After walking for a long time, this palace is also a little tired. She stretched out her hand to Lady Yao. Lady Yao immediately supported her and said, "Since that's the case." Let's go back to the palace to rest! ”

Empress Guo bowed slightly. Concubine Shu and the rest of the concubines immediately bowed down: "Congratulations to the queen." ”

Empress Guo raised her legs and wanted to leave, but suddenly she seemed to remember something, turned around and said: "By the way, I am afraid that the holy decree of the concubine Li has already been drawn up." Now that the concubine has another sister on the throne, it is really gratifying. Lady Concubine, you have to go back to the palace to prepare a congratulatory gift. After saying that, she ignored Concubine Shu's stunned and distorted face. Smiled and left gracefully.

As soon as Empress Guo left, those low-ranking concubines immediately discussed: "What, the noble concubine wants to be a concubine." That's too fast, isn't it? ”

"That is, how can she be virtuous? There is no achievement with the heirs, and the time to serve the emperor is short, and I heard that he is still petty in front of the emperor every day. Such virtue can also be crowned a concubine? ”

I said. It's also the queen who is too tolerant and generous. will let this fox seduce the emperor unscrupulously. ”

"Shhhh She is now a concubine, how can you and I be in vain? ”

"To say that our queen is really generous, I heard that Concubine Li slipped and injured her body this time. The queen mother stewed blood bird's soup every day and sent her to replenish her body. ”

"Shut up y'all of you." Concubine Shu suddenly said angrily with a dark face: "It's really noisy to retreat." ”

Those low-ranking concubines were all taken aback, and after saluting, they all retreated. One of the nobles was in a hurry, and a string of agate beads hung from a branch around his neck. There was a "bang" sound, and it scattered like raindrops. But she didn't dare to pick it up. Just keep your head down and leave quickly.

Seeing that the people were gone, Concubine Shu clenched her fists and said contemptuously: "What kind of generosity, do you need to stew it like this every day and send it away?" really has the heart to make up for her, just give a few catties of blood swallows. Sending it like this every day is nothing more than making it for the emperor to see. Concubine Li? Hmph" The palace maids around her all looked at her with a frightened expression, she snorted coldly, and didn't dare to say any more after all. But his mind was quietly calculated

Zhong Ziyuan and Fu Bo began to look for a house in Chang'an City. Mrs. Zhong didn't leave her much money, only more than 2,300 taels. If that bag of jewelry and jade is used, it can also be used as a lot of silver. But Zhong Ziyuan felt that there were many small stories on everything, and she was very reluctant. That day's visit to the prison and accommodation, a lot of medicine for cardamom has been used. So at the moment she only has two thousand taels left.

After looking at it for a few days, I finally found a yard in the west of the city that was some distance from the street. There are not many rooms in this courtyard, and it is also a bit shabby. Its only advantage is that it has a well in its yard, so you don't have to travel far to carry water, which is very necessary for three girls and one old man. Even if the second elder of the Zhong family comes out in the future, it is very convenient to live here. Zhong Ziyuan also deliberately took a sip of water, which was clear and sweet, which made her very satisfied.

Although the courtyard was some distance from the street, because of this well, Zhong Ziyuan still spent 1,500 taels of silver to buy it. I found a craftsman, bought materials and repaired it well, and bought all the furniture and daily necessities, which cost two hundred taels of silver. Now Zhong Ziyuan only had three hundred taels of silver left on hand. But no matter what, she can be considered to have a home again.

As soon as it was ready, it was the day of checkout. The proprietor lady was still reluctant, and the alarming Zhong Ziyuan hid in the carriage and didn't dare to come out, so it was Fu Bo who settled the account.

After they left, the lady of the proprietor was furious, and finally the shopkeeper said helplessly: "Girl, you should die!" I can also see clearly, this Doctor Jia is not a thing in the pool, and he is friendly with the queen's own brother. There will always be a day when he will soar. If you are like this, he will not look down on you. I advise you to be the daughter-in-law of the arbor carpenter with peace of mind. As soon as she said that, the lady who said it had completely lost her temper.

Finally got out of the Shengping Inn, away from the resentful gaze, Zhong Ziyuan opened the curtain and exhaled happily. Back in the courtyard, the master and servant circled around the courtyard, chattering and rejoicing.

Qingdai pointed to the corner of the yard and said with a smile: "Childe, we can build a fence here and raise a few chickens, so that we don't have to worry about not having eggs for Cardamom and you to make up for yourself in the future." ”

"Okay! 一qiē according to you. ”

Fu Bo also said with great interest: "Childe, I want to build a stable in the corner of the house." Let our horse have a den of its own. ”

"Okay! 一qiē according to you. ”

Cardamom also said playfully: "Childe, why don't we cook a few more dishes tonight and invite all the neighbors next door to sit down." Get to know each other. It's good to have a response in the future, what do you think? ”

"Okay! 一qiē according to you. As soon as the words ended, all four of them laughed.

The four of them worked together to clean the house. Zhong Ziyuan returned to the room and lay on his back on a pine stepping bed covered with cheesecloth. She looked around, and though all the furniture was bought, it was the cheapest wood. Think of the only three hundred taels of silver you have. There are still four mouths to eat, and to continue to beat the jailers. I'm afraid that this silver won't last long, and it seems that I have to think of something to make money. Thinking about it. She gradually fell asleep.

When she woke up, she found that the room was dark, but there was a burst of laughter outside, some of which were very unfamiliar. Zhong Ziyuan sat up in a daze. It took me a long time to figure out where I was. She tapped herself on the head with some amusement. I tidied up my clothes again and walked out.

I saw two lanterns hanging on the grape trellis in the courtyard, and a table of eight immortals was placed underneath, and a table of food was set up on the table at the moment. What potatoes stewed beans, roasted eggplant, homemade shredded tofu, scrambled eggs, fried spring rolls. Shredded white radish with shrimp sauce, tofu fish head. Corn flour dumplings, and a large pot of japonica rice porridge. There is also a jar of Sanbai wine under the table.

There were already a lot of people sitting at the table, and when she came out, Qing Dai hurriedly stepped forward and pulled her sleeve, and said with a smile: "Childe can be regarded as waking up, and our guests have been waiting for a long time." ”

After speaking, she pointed and introduced them one by one. The couple living on the left are about twenty-five or sixteen years old. The man was a burly man, but his face was covered with many scars, and he looked like he had been whipped with a whip. His surname is Zhuang, and he walks the streets and alleys on weekdays, selling groceries for a living. His wife is very beautiful, perhaps because she has no children, and her figure is also very enchanting. It's just that she doesn't seem to care, and a dark blue coarse cloth dress hides most of her bright color. I heard that she doesn't like to go out on weekdays, but just grows some vegetables in the yard and raises some chickens and ducks to supplement them.

The couple who live on the right is a couple who have only been married for half a year. The man is a showman, who looks a little thin but not to the point of being unbearable. His surname is Li, and he is also in his early twenties. But his wife, who was in the best years of eighteen or nineteen, had dry hair, a sallow complexion, and a thin body.

Although Qingdai and Cardamom didn't remember, Zhong Ziyuan recognized it at a glance, this couple was the Xiucai couple who guessed the lantern riddle correctly in front of them on the day of the Shangyuan Festival and won the little emerald silver flower. However, she seemed to remember that although the talented lady at that time was also thin, her face was very ruddy, not like the sick and crooked appearance she has now.

Thinking of that crazy night now, Zhong Ziyuan feels like something happened in his previous life, a little trance-like, but very clear. Qingdai was still chattering: "Childe, this spring roll and wine were brought by Mrs. Zhuang, and this cornmeal vegetable dumpling was brought by Mrs. Li." ”

The sister-in-law Zhuang laughed, and she said heartily: "The little girl is Wen Xuan, what Mrs. Zhuang, I feel uncomfortable when I hear it." If you don't dislike it, you still call me Sister-in-law Zhuang! ”

The Xiucai lady coughed a few times, and said a little shyly: "That's it, don't call me Mrs. Li, just call me Sister-in-law Li." She pointed to the plate of cornmeal dumplings and said a little embarrassedly: "It's just that there are not many white noodles at home, only these vegetable dumplings are mixed with cornmeal, which are very rough, I hope you don't dislike them." ”

"Sister-in-law Li is too humble." Zhong Ziyuan immediately took a big bite, and then said with a smile: "I think this cornmeal vegetable dumpling is very fragrant, Li Xiucai, you said yes?" Li Xiucai smiled and didn't speak, but he also grabbed a corn dumpling and took a big bite to show his support for his wife.

After eating this meal for a long time, several men were very drunk, including Zhong Ziyuan, a fake man, of course. In the end, it was the women who worked together to clean up the aftermath. However, after this night, the three families also moved around frequently.

Early the next morning, Zhong Ziyuan woke up from a splitting headache. She rubbed her swollen forehead and moaned quietly, hey! I really don't understand why those men like to drink so much, and the hangover is so uncomfortable.

"Childe woke up?" Hearing movement in the house, Cardamom opened the curtain and walked in with toiletries. It seems that she has been waiting outside the house for a long time. Zhong Ziyuan felt sorry for her body that had just recovered, and sighed and said, "In this situation, there is no need to still abide by the previous rules, it is better to be more comfortable." ”

Who knew that Cardamom said seriously: "Childe's words are not right, I think the more this is the case, the more we have to abide by the previous rules." We can't make people laugh at us because we are really from a small family, and if something goes wrong, we will lose all the rules. ”

Zhong Ziyuan muttered, "Let's live our lives behind closed doors, who knows?" Besides, when I was in the house before, I didn't see you so well-behaved. ”

"This time and that time." Cardamom had a small face, and said seriously: "The rules are in people's hearts, not for outsiders." Zhong Ziyuan saw that she was obviously immature, but she had a stern face, and she knew that this time Zhongfu had a catastrophe from the sky, which not only hit herself hard, but also had a big impact on these two little girls, so they were growing up rapidly in their own way. Zhong Ziyuan's heart couldn't help but soften, so she had to let her go.

Under the service of cardamom, Zhong Ziyuan finished washing up, drank another bowl of decanting soup, and then walked out of the house. Outside, the spring is bright, and the yellow warbler is chirping in the branches, which makes people feel a lot more comfortable.

Qing Dai really set up a fence in the corner, and there were two hens pecking happily inside. When she saw Zhong Ziyuan coming out, she said excitedly: "Childe, these two hens were caught from Sister-in-law Zhuang, and they laid an egg just after they came, you see, it's still hot!" As she spoke, she held it in front of Zhong Ziyuan as if offering a treasure.

Zhong Ziyuan nodded with a smile and said, "You can't take other people's things for nothing." ”

Qing Dai pursed her lips and said dissatisfiedly: "Am I like such an ignorant person? Sister-in-law Zhuang refused to accept the cashier's money, so I helped her do all the work at home. Zhong Ziyuan looked at her much thinner face and felt that her eye sockets were hot. Is this still the same foodie who only thinks about food in the past? Sure enough, suffering is a good antidote to growth.

However, Qing Dai's dissatisfaction was fleeting, and she held the egg and said happily: "Childe, wait a while, I'll go and help you warm up the breakfast, and by the way, spread the eggs." ”

"No, keep it for Cardamom!" Zhong Ziyuan hurriedly stopped it.

Qingdai said with a smile: "That sister-in-law Zhuang said, these two hens can be diligent in laying eggs!" There won't be less cardamom. With that, she hopped back to the kitchen.

Leaving Zhong Ziyuan there alone and sighing, he said that he should abide by the rules! Why do the two of them take their words as a deaf ear, which discipline are they keeping? (To be continued......)