Since the sacrifice, Emperor Wu ordered his ministers not to propose the establishment of a crown prince. Another ten years passed, during which the Northern Wei Dynasty also took the initiative to deliver the peace book, taking Huaizhou City as a pilot for commercial exchanges, Liang Wei and Liang Guo exchanged trade, and the father of Empress Youlan also died of illness.

This made the court calm down on the surface. The supporters of the two factions can not compete openly now, and they have begun to make bad things in secret, and the older generation of officials who originally supported Xiao Jing, since the death of Youlan Chengde, many people have begun to defect, secretly plotting to take sides, and accepting bribes from lower-level officials.

Emperor Wu of Liang had already heard of all this, and every time he privately called Xue Taifu to discuss, Xue Taifu also had his own thoughts, and only said in front of Emperor Wu, "The more people stand on the side of the great prince, the better it is", but he thought in his heart, since ancient times: the water is full, it is overflowing, and the moon is full. Fighting for the throne is not a group battle, and if there are more people, you will definitely win. In contrast, he valued his own interests more, so he secretly helped Xiao Wen in private, teaching him how to behave in front of Emperor Wu and how to show weakness in front of Emperor Wu, which made Emperor Wu more and more fond and appreciative of this child.

Now that Xiao Zhong has passed the year of the crown, familiar with the scriptures and history, Emperor Wu let him serve in Menxia Province, and the advice of local officials can be grasped at the first time, and it is also convenient to understand the suffering of local officials and people. Sometimes Emperor Wu would also ask their opinions, and both of them could answer them decently.

Besides, Xiao Jing is useless if he doesn't practice martial arts. In addition, he was lazy and afraid of tiredness, so he finally picked an official of the ancestral department, mainly responsible for counting the fields, sacrificial ceremonies, receiving foreign envoys and other miscellaneous matters, and the people of the ancestral hall were not easy to call him, so he also went to the corpse vegetarian meal.

And Chen Xian's outstanding performance in the Cavalry and Archery Academy was also appreciated by Liu Dutong and Emperor Wu, and he was also named a second lieutenant in the forbidden army in the palace.

One afternoon, Xiao Zhong and Chen Xian came to Chunning Palace to visit Concubine Hu.

The three of them sat in the house and ate their meals.

Xiao Zhong said: "My son has been in Menxia Province in recent days, and my mother has been in good health recently?" Is it good to eat? Did you sleep well? Also, did the queen come to her mother's trouble? ”

After hearing this, Concubine Hu said: "You kid, but you've only been there for a month, as if you've been there for a few years, I'm fine, no one came to me for trouble, but it's rare for the two of you to come back together once, eat more!" ”

Concubine Hu asked Qingwen to ask the kitchen if the squirrel fish was ready.

Concubine Hu said while sandwiching the chicken leg between Chen Xian: "Chen Xian, you are very tired in the forbidden military camp, I see that you have lost weight, but you need to eat more!" Knowing that you love to eat osmanthus cakes, I asked Qingwen to order the small kitchen to make it for you, and take it with you when you leave! ”

Xiao Zhong pretended to be jealous and said: "Mother is really eccentric, obviously I have lost weight, why don't you care about me?" ”

Concubine Hu said angrily: "You kid, you are easier in Menxia Province than Chen Xian in the forbidden army, the wind can't blow on weekdays, and the rain can't get wet; How much hardship does Chen Xian have to endure in the forbidden army? I have to train on weekdays, patrol at night, and sleep at night, so I naturally have to hurt him more! ”

Chen Xian stood up and said, "Thank you for your concern." ”

Concubine Hu smiled: "Don't be polite to me, you have been in the palace since you were a child, and you are like brothers with Zhong'er, and I also regard you as my own child in my heart." ”

Chen Xian said again: "The slave can enter the palace thanks to His Royal Highness, and after entering the palace, he is taken care of by the mother and His Royal Highness, which is really the creation of a slave." Then he got up and bowed down.

Xiao Zhong hurriedly got up and pulled Chen Xian up and said, "Chen Xian, get up quickly!" In the future, don't do this great ceremony in front of me and my mother, and in the future, don't call yourself a servant in front of us, sit down and eat. ”

Chen Xian replied, "Slave ......."

I saw Xiao Zhong staring directly at him.

Then he said, "I see." ”

The three of them looked at each other and smiled.

At this time, Qing Wen brought up the squirrel fish from outside.

Concubine Hu said: "This is a fish specially brought up from Xuanwu Lake, you two must eat more." ”

Qingwen smiled: "It's been a long time since I've seen Niangniang so happy, seeing Niangniang and His Royal Highness and Ensign Chen happy together, and the slave maid is also happy." ”

Xiao Zhong and Chen Xian looked at each other and smiled.

Concubine Hu said: "There will be more days like this in the future, and when the bright moon comes, this Chunning Palace will be lively!" ”

Xiao Zhong said: "Is it Mingyue's cousin in Huaizhou City?" ”

Concubine Hu said: "Yes, it's a pity that your cousin is in military affairs, otherwise I would have been able to see my cousin." ”

After speaking, his expression was a little gloomy.

Xiao Zhong hurriedly comforted and said: "Now, Liang Wei has just established business and trade exchanges, and my cousin is in an important position at the border, so naturally he can't get out, and after two years of stable relations, I will go to ask my father and let my cousin's family come back!" ”

Hu Shi smiled: "Your father is busy with state affairs, we shouldn't trouble him, Mingyue can come to Jiankang, I am very happy!" ”

Xiao Zhong said: "When my cousin comes, Chen Xian and I will take her around the entire Jiankang City and go to the suburbs to ride horses and row boats." ”

The three of them laughed and talked for a long time, Chen Xianfang returned to the forbidden army, Xiao Zhong also went to see his father, and then returned to Menxia Province.

Outside Jiankang City in March, spring is full of joy.

The green grass in the suburbs is one by one, and the willow trees on both sides are also sending out green branches, and the yellow warbler is "chirping" on the tree, forming a picture of "several early warblers competing for warm trees".

A few carriages came running from not far away, and at the front was a four-wheeled carriage with a lotus pink curtain, and in addition to the coachman, there was also a girl dressed in black sitting next to her, with a double bun tied on her head, dozing off.

I heard the coachman say, "Girl, we have arrived in Jiankang City!" ”

The little girl hurriedly woke up, and happily said to the people in the sedan chair: "Miss, we are here, I should freshen up and dress you up." After speaking, he lifted the sedan curtain.

I saw that a young lady of the official family wearing bamboo-green clothes and combing a single screw bun on her head, about thirteen or fourteen years old, was reading the "Historical Records" in her hand, her face was blocked by a book, a pair of almond eyes were smiling, and her full white and tender forehead was exposed, which made people forget the vulgarity. ”

With that, he continued to read.

The little girl smiled and said, "Miss, when I was at home, the general and his wife specially instructed me to let Miss dress up beautifully and go to the palace." ”

The young lady in the car blinked and said, "My aunt won't dislike me for not being beautiful!" Those little clothes and shoes that my aunt gave me when I was a child are enough to prove that my aunt is a gentle and kind person! ”

The little girl nodded and said: "Concubine Hu is naturally a tolerant and generous person, but, miss, you represent the image of our border pass, if you are laughed at by other princesses and county lords, it will be ......."

The young lady continued to look at the book and said to the little girl, "So what? ”

"So, let's dress up again!" The little girl laughed and pounced over and said.

The young lady screamed coquettishly and said, "I don't want it! I don't want it! ”

In the dressing room, the coachman had already taken out the directions and paperwork.

After the officers and soldiers guarding the city saw it, they knew that it was Miss Xiao Mingyue, the daughter of General Xiao of the border pass, and after they were tidyed up, they personally led the way.

The carriage passed through the bustling city of Jiankang, and the first market street it passed, flanked by vendors doing business, selling fruits, vegetables, snacks, rouge gouache and jewelry. There are also jugglers. The streets were bustling with people, and if it weren't for the officers and soldiers leading the way, they would really not be able to get out for a while.

The second street is lined with shops, dim sum shops, jewelry shops, pharmacies, restaurants, silk villages, etc., and there is an endless stream of customers.

The little girl couldn't help but sigh: "Jiankang City, so lively, so prosperous!" ”

He turned back to Xiao Mingyue inside and smiled: "Miss, Jiankang City is so big, when we meet Concubine Hu, we must let the eldest prince take us out to have a good time and take a walk!" ”

Xiao Mingyue in the car said in agreement: "Okay! ”

After passing a few more streets, they came to the gate of the palace, and after the soldier explained to the forbidden army at the gate of the palace, the leading forbidden army said: "It turned out to be Miss Xiao, there is an explanation above, let me wait here." Please also ask the young lady to get out of the car and follow me to Concubine Hu's palace. ”

Xiao Mingyue said: "There is labor. ”

With the support of the little girl, he got out of the car and walked to Chunning Palace with the forbidden army.

Meet several groups of palace maids along the way.

Two of them were bold, and after looking at Xiao Mingyue, one of them whispered: "What a beautiful girl!" ”

The other stared intently and said, "Yes, I don't know which palace you went to?" ”

After walking through four or five palace streets, passing through three or four long corridors, and finally turning two corners, I arrived at Chunning Palace.

There was a leading palace maid waiting at the gate of the palace, and when she saw the guards coming with Xiao Mingyue, she hurriedly said to the palace maid next to her: "Go in and inform Niangniang, Miss Mingyue has arrived!" ”

When Xiao Mingyue walked up, she smiled and saluted: "Slave Qingwen, see Miss!" ”

Xiao Mingyue also smiled: "Sister, please get up, I'm afraid I'll have to bother my sister in the future." ”

Qingwen said: "Miss has something to do, just tell the minions." ”

Xiao Mingyue said again: "Then Mingyue thanked my sister first." ”

As soon as the words fell, Concubine Hu came out and said, "Mingyue, my aunt has finally looked forward to you!" ”

Xiao Mingyue was pleasantly surprised when she saw Concubine Hu: "Auntie! ”

After saying that, he ran over and threw himself into Hu's arms.

The little girl knelt down to Concubine Hu and said, "Slave Amber, knock on Niangniang!" ”

Concubine Hu said: "Don't be polite, get up quickly!" ”

The two cried with joy and hugged for a while.

Hu Shi carefully looked at Xiao Mingyue from top to bottom.

said happily: "I'm about to become a big girl!" This looks as good as your mother! ”

Amber next to her smiled: "In Huaizhou City, there are many people who ask for a kiss from the young lady, if it weren't for the general to stop it, the team would ......."

"Amber, shut up!" Xiao Mingyue said angrily.

Concubine Hu smiled after hearing this: "I'm afraid I don't know how many men's hearts will be broken in the future!" ”

After Xiao Mingyue heard this, her face suddenly turned crimson, and she said anxiously: "Auntie, you also make fun of me!" ”

Concubine Hu said: "Okay, my aunt is joking with you, I must be tired after so many days of traveling." My aunt has prepared a lot of delicious food for you, let's go, my aunt will take you to see your room first. ”

Concubine Hu hugged Xiao Mingyue, and the two of them talked while walking.

It didn't take long to get to the room.

Hu Shi asked, "Mingyue, do you still like this room?" If you don't like it, your aunt will rearrange it for you. ”

Xiao Mingyue replied: "This is already much bigger than my room when I was at home!" Auntie don't bother anymore. ”

Hu said: "You must be hungry, my aunt has already prepared meals and fruit snacks, so let's go to eat with my aunt." ”

Amber screams in her stomach as soon as she hears that she is going to eat.

And they all laughed.

On the dinner table.

There are salted duck, salted loin, chicken matsutake mushroom, five-spice sauce chicken, braised beef, adzuki bean cake, water chestnut cake, and lotus leaf porridge

Hu Shi said while serving Xiao Mingyue vegetables: "I don't know what you like to eat, so I made the decision and let the kitchen make these." ”

Xiao Mingyue said: "I also grew up in the north, and I love to eat these sweets and salty foods on the table. ”

Hu Shi smiled: "That's good." Your cousin has been working as an errand boy in Menxia Province recently, and he will be able to take you out to play in a few days. For the past two days, you and Amber will go around the palace first. ”