The autumn rain is dripping and cold, like an elf falling into the mortal world. On the glittering glazed tiles, on the wide green plantain leaves, and on the bright bluestone pavement, they danced wantonly. A cold wind blew, and the desolate autumn drizzle was like smoke and mist, silently infiltrating the whole earth.

"Mother, be careful." Durian Xi opened the thin bamboo bone ink oil paper umbrella in his hand and carefully covered Concubine Li's head. Concubine Li got off the sedan chair, put her shoulders on her shoulders and sprinkled with gold flowers and satin, raised her eyes and glanced at the imperial study that was still solemn in the drizzle, and the palace maid eunuch who was drenched in the drizzle outside the door, but was silent. The red lips were slightly hooked, and the man said, "Let's go!" "There was a lot of ringing and jingling between the actions, and the fragrance was fine.

Zhao Quan, who was originally guarding under the porch, greeted him with a smile: "I've seen Concubine Li." ”

"Hmm!" Concubine Li helped the long string of falling beads and glazed colored phoenixes on the sideburns that were about to slip off, and said lightly: "Who is talking inside?" ”

Zhao Quan replied respectfully: "It was Guo Shilang from the Criminal Department who replied inside." ”

"Guo Shilang of the Criminal Department?" Concubine Li tilted her head and thought for a moment, then realized: "It turned out to be the younger brother of our queen mother who occupied a high position at a young age. ”

Hearing her tone seem to be disrespectful, Zhao Quan didn't know how to answer, so he had to laugh a few times. Concubine Li glanced at him, stretched out her hand to take the vermilion lacquer carved flying dragon food box held by a little palace maid behind her, and said lightly: "I saw that the emperor had a cough a few days ago, so I sent some rock sugar stewed loquat leaves, which can best suppress cough and relieve phlegm." After speaking, she moved the lotus step lightly and prepared to step forward.

Zhao Quan hurriedly stepped forward and blocked the closed palace gate. He bowed slightly and said, "If the emperor knows the heart of the mother, he will be very happy." After a pause, he continued: "But the emperor ordered it to come down. No one will be seen here. It's better to ask the mother to give this rock sugar stewed loquat leaf to the slave, and let the slave pass it over to the emperor to enjoy. ”

Concubine Li touched the glass butterfly earrings in her ears and didn't make a sound, only glanced at Durian Xi obliquely. Durian Xi immediately stepped forward and said sharply: "Gonggong Zhao, do you know that the loquat leaves in this are all picked by our mother's own hands, washed one by one, and then stewed by hand." The doctor said that this can only be effective if it is drunk hot, so our mother sent it over. Over to you? I don't know when it will be sent to the emperor. Isn't this a waste of our mother's heart! ”

Zhao Quan's cheeks twitched, and the courteous smile on his face faded a little. Durian Xi didn't notice it, and still said reluctantly: "Say it again." This imperial study, our mother has always come when she wants to, when will you see the emperor and not allow it? You'd better not be too troubled! As she spoke, she squeezed Zhao Quan open and pushed open the door of the imperial study with one hand. Respectfully said to Concubine Li: "Niangniang, please." ”

"Hmm!" Concubine Li responded lightly. didn't look at Zhao Quan, who was anxious, and walked in with the food box. Zhao Quanyou wanted to stop it, but thinking that this concubine had always been a saint, he didn't dare to offend him. After all, this hesitation could only look at Concubine Li's slender back and walk slowly to the imperial study.

The study is deep and vast, with long corridors separating the inside from the outside. She had just walked outside the study. Listening to a crisp sound inside, Zhu Xian scolded angrily: "This is a dignified three-grade master." The arm on which I leaned. Not only is his temperament cruel and cruel, but he also treats human life like a mustard. He even colluded with hundreds of merchants to smuggle smuggled salt. Compete with the country for profit. What are those guards doing all day? Collect some trivial things, such a big thing has been active under their noses for so long, and it has not been discovered. Are they all blind and deaf? ”

Guo Chengsi's voice was a little low when he answered, and Concubine Li couldn't really hear it. However, she didn't care too much, and only carefully carried the hem of her skirt and slowly walked towards the imperial study. She stepped on the bluestone slab steps full of water, making a slight "creaking" sound.

"Who's out there?" Zhu Xian's voice was faintly majestic.

Concubine Li's heart jumped, and she hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, it was the concubine who brought you stewed loquat leaves with rock sugar." ”

It was quiet inside, and I heard Zhu Xian slow down his voice and say, "Come in!" ”

Concubine Li opened the cloud brocade curtain with bat patterns in the Ming Dynasty and walked in. I saw a puddle of dark yellow tea stains on the bright white jade slab floor, and a few pieces of broken blue and white porcelain. Zhu Xian leaned on the wide Tuanlong golden chair, closed his eyes and rubbed the corners of his forehead, and said to Guo Chenghe, who was below: "Forget it, don't meddle in this matter, retreat!" ”

Guo Chengsi didn't dare to look directly at the palace concubine, so he had to honestly half-hang his head. I only saw the hem of the cloak with half a honey-colored scattered golden flower, and the corners of the skirt wrapped in akane embroidered water ripples passed lightly in front of my eyes. Along with this, there is also a faint and distant fragrance of orchids.

"Yes." Guo Chengsi was full of discomfort, and when he heard the words, he was like being amnestied. He respectfully agreed, and quickly stepped out.

Concubine Li untied her cloak, took out the rock sugar stewed loquat leaves from the food box, and put them on the big table in front of him. Then he asked quietly: "The concubine didn't quarrel with the emperor, right?" ”

Zhu Xian shook his head and said, "No, it's almost over." What is it? ”

Concubine Li smiled slightly and said, "Two days ago, the concubine heard that the emperor had some coughs, and she kept it in mind. I went to pick loquat leaves early this morning and stewed them with rock sugar. Drinking a bowl of hot is the most antitussive and expectorant, isn't it better than drinking those bitter dregs. ”

Zhu Xian's eyebrows and eyes relaxed, he stretched out his hand to wrap his hand around Concubine Li's slender waist, and teased with a smile: "Since you remember me so much, why did I go to see you yesterday, and you closed your door and said that you were sick, and resolutely refused to see me?" ”

Concubine Li twisted the corners of her clothes and pouted: "Seeing that there are new sisters in the palace, and the emperor wants to have a caring person, don't you allow the concubines to feel uncomfortable for a while?" ”

When Zhu Xian heard this, he laughed abruptly, he picked up his index finger and scraped it on the tip of her upturned nose, and said dotingly: "The little vinegar jar is full of the inner courtyard of the palace, and only you dare to throw my face." ”

Maybe Concubine Li is not the most beautiful one in the harem, nor is she the youngest one in the harem. It's not the most versatile one in the harem. It's just that she is the only one in the harem who dares to throw her face and lose her temper for the emperor.

Zhu Xian is also accustomed to being held high by others, and finally got this beauty who does not put his authority in his eyes. suddenly felt very fresh, so she treated her a little more pampered and sincere than others. In the final analysis, whether it is a flat-headed common man or a high-ranking emperor, he is a lowly master in his bones.

Zhu Xian's ridicule made Concubine Li's face more ashamed, she pushed the enamel colored yellow peony bowl with rock sugar stewed loquat leaves forward, and said coquettishly: "Just drink it quickly!" When it gets cold later, it will have no effect, and it will be a waste of the concubine's mind. Zhu Xianyan smiled. So he took a silver spoon and scooped it up, and drank it slowly.

There was nothing to do, and Concubine Li reached out to caress the slender leaves of the dew of the ocean that were placed on the side. There are also blue flowers dotted with stars, and they are surprised: "I don't know where the prince of Shu found this strange flower, every time he comes to this imperial study, the concubines only need to smell this faint fragrance of flowers." You'll feel refreshed. Spirited hundredfold. ”

The amount of loquat leaves stewed in rock sugar was not much, and Zhu Xian had already drunk it in three or two sips while speaking. He wiped the corners of his mouth, glanced at the basin of ocean dew, and praised: "Yes, since the Queen Mother ordered someone to place this ocean dew here, I also felt a lot lighter in my mind when I reviewed the recital in the past two days. Although this Zhu Fei has a poor background and many problems, this thing is done well. I'm going to find a good chance to reward him. ”

Concubine Li flicked her sleeves and said angrily: "The emperor's words are not right. They are all flesh and blood of the heavenly family, how can their background be considered bad? So. Even if they don't have a lot of things on weekdays, they still care about family affection and the emperor in their bones. After all, as long as the emperor sits in this world, they are the royal relatives and nobles of the powerful and powerful side. is no better than those foreign ministers, who only have their own power and interests in their eyes, and completely ignore the emperor's embarrassment and difficulties. ”

Although her words came out casually, they were word for word, if someone else said it, Zhu Xian would definitely be furious, thinking that the person who said it had ulterior motives. It's just that Concubine Li is different, her heirs are difficult, although she is in the position of a concubine, her family is from a merchant, and none of her children are officials in the court. Those royal relatives and nobles have nothing to do with the Jiangnan Mei family.

So after listening to her words, Zhu Xian not only did not get angry, but sighed: "In the end, it is a woman's opinion, but I don't know that in all dynasties, the heaviest killing, and the heaviest thoughts are the flesh and blood of these heavenly families." He patted the armrest of the dragon gold chair and said, "Although this chair is uncomfortable to sit on, there are countless people who want to sit on it." ”

Concubine Li pouted and said, "That's a disaster that only occurs when the society is uneasy, natural disasters are rampant, and people's hearts are uneasy." Now under the emperor's governance, the world is peaceful, and all the people are in their hearts. The vassal kings of various places are in their own ways, and they do not give in to each other, who will have the heart to worry about the emperor's throne? Besides, the emperor now has a crown prince. Although the prince is young, he is very intelligent. That Zhenguo Gong has accumulated a lot of prestige in the army, and he responds to every call, and even Guo Shizi is young and promising. With such a mother's family to protect him, the prince will definitely have a great future in the future. Why should the emperor worry about this inconsequential matter. ”

If it is Queen Guo or Concubine Shu, Concubine Shun, Concubine Rou, or any of the idle concubines, they will kneel down in fear and ask for guilt after listening to the emperor's words. It's just that Concubine Li is always different. Not only did she crack and choke Zhu Xian, but she actually stepped forward in three or two steps and sat down next to him on the Tuanlong gold chair. After feeling it silently, he said with a disgusted face: "Sure enough, it was cold and stiff, and the people on the other side were panicking." There is no chair in the concubine Lingxiao Pavilion to sit on. ”

In Zhu Xian's stunned gaze, she flicked her sleeves and got up to leave. Zhu Xian hurriedly hugged her soft waist, and said with a smile: "Since you sit on my Tuanlong golden chair, don't think about walking away so easily." I'm going to punish you. ”

Concubine Li's beautiful eyes flowed, like sparkling waves, and she said coquettishly: "What does the emperor want to punish his concubines?" ”

Zhu Xian stroked the three-inch green beard under his chin, and said with a smile: "Of course, if you want to be punished a little more elegantly, I will punish you for laying paper for my ink." ”

"Yes"

Zhao Quan didn't stop Concubine Li and let her break into the imperial study, he was always uneasy in his heart, he quietly went to the window lattice to take a look. Through the heavy curtains, you can faintly see Zhu Xian holding Concubine Li's hand and writing, and it seems that he is in a good mood. He couldn't help but let out a long breath quietly, and tiptoed back to the door of the imperial study to stand.

Duxi also said with a smile: "Father-in-law Zhao, they all said that the emperor will not blame our mother, this time you should believe it!" ”

Zhao Quan pulled the corners of his mouth without words, through the drizzle, he saw a group of people in the distance, and he couldn't help but secretly complain: "This cold wind and drizzle, all the masters and mothers are not good to stay in the palace, why do they all run to the imperial study!" ”

Durian Xi said disdainfully: "Father-in-law, don't worry, whoever comes with her, as long as my mother is accompanied inside, the emperor will not see it." The father-in-law only needs to stop this master with the words he said to stop our mother. ”

"Shut up." Zhao Quan suddenly shouted angrily: "If you talk nonsense, be careful to pull your teeth." It's the queen who came. He ignored the noisy greeting and hurried up to meet him with a smile on his face. Durian pouted secretly, but still knelt down obediently.

Empress Guo's phoenix driver soon came to the courtyard of the imperial study, and Zhao Quan braved the drizzle to personally greet Empress Guo's Luan driver, curtsied, and said, "I've seen the queen's mother." ”

Female Officer Yao lifted the curtain, revealing Empress Guo's smooth face. She asked with a kind smile, "Father-in-law Zhao, is the emperor still discussing with the adults inside?" ”

Zhao Quan hurriedly replied: "Originally, I was discussing with Master Guo inside, and I also ordered that no one should disturb me." However, Lord Guo had already said goodbye and left, and now Concubine Li was driving inside. ”

"Since Concubine Li is inside, the palace will not go in." Empress Guo's smile did not decrease when she heard this, and she only lost a look at Female Officer Yao. Lady Yao immediately took out a big red carved peony food box from Luan's driver, and said with a smile: "The weather has turned cold in the past two days, and the queen mother is worried about the emperor's hard work in reviewing the chapter every day, so she stewed this purple ginseng pheasant soup to replenish the emperor's body." There is also this stack of the prince's recent homework, please also bring it to the emperor to read. As she spoke, she secretly stuffed a bulging purse into Zhao Quan's palm.

Zhao Quan secretly accepted the purse, and the smile on his face became more and more attentive. He took the food box and the thick stack of quicksand sticks, and complimented: "The prince is working harder and harder, and the emperor must be very happy when he sees it." Please also rest assured that the slave will definitely send this purple ginseng pheasant soup and the prince's homework to the emperor. ”

"Hmm." Female official Yao smiled and said, "Then there is Father-in-law Lao Zhao." Empress Guo lowered the curtain and took a group of palace maids and eunuchs to brave the drizzle to turn around Kunning Palace. (To be continued......)