Early in the morning, Yao Ji followed the emperor and officials to pay homage to the imperial tomb. The journey and ceremony took several hours, and when I returned to the Imperial City of Zhongdu, it was already noon.

After lunch, Yao Ji changed out of the wide robe with a cyan base and a somewhat heavy phoenix crown, so she asked someone to find an old eunuch who lived in Cidi to lead the way and go to Mrs. Guo's residence to meet. The entourage carried a box, which was a gift prepared to visit Guo Yan. There were silks, new copper coins, and some rouge gouache, all sorts of supplies.

Everyone walked into a courtyard, and when Yao Ji saw Guo Yan who came out to greet her, she was immediately a little surprised.

I haven't seen her for a few years, and Guo Yan has changed a lot. She seems to have aged a lot, her pale skin is not very luster, in addition to fine lines on her face, the skin next to her nose is also sagging obviously. She didn't care too much about her plain clothes, and she looked like an ordinary woman.

After seeing the ceremony, Guo Yan led Yao Ji in. Yao Ji saw that there were bronze mirrors, combs, small boxes and other things on a table in this room. Guo Yan seemed to have dressed up before, but after the report, it didn't take long, so those things hadn't been packed yet.

"Concubine Xian hasn't changed much, she's still so beautiful." Guo Yan looked at Yao Ji and said, her eyes were a little complicated, and she subconsciously reached out to her cheek.

"Where." Yao Ji smiled, turned her head and said, "Put things away, stand down." ”

The attendants said one after another: "Yes." ”

Yao Ji glanced at the box, "This is the queen's intention." ”

Guo Yan said: "After Concubine Xian returns to Beijing, thank her for me." You may be seated here. ”

The two of them sat down on the chairs inside, Guo Yan was not far from the table, and still glanced at the bronze mirror from time to time. Yao Ji's appearance seemed to irritate her a little, after all, Yao Ji was no more than two years younger than her.

There are almost no men in the imperial city of Zhongdu, and the officials and soldiers who stay behind in the division will not come in; But Guo Yan still showed frustration on the spot about her color decay.

Yao Ji suddenly got it, and Mrs. Guo no longer had any way to turn over. Beauty is really a big advantage for women, but unfortunately there is a time limit, and it is very easy to be squandered without benefit.

"No matter what time it is, the queen has always been worried about Mrs. Guo." Yao Ji spoke, "She often mentions your childhood. ”

Guo Yan said weakly: "I should be a little guilty." ”

When Yao Ji heard this, she looked at her with a smile and said softly: "But now, I'm afraid only the queen will miss you so much." ”

Guo Yan opened her mouth slightly, but she couldn't speak. What Yao Ji said just now is undoubtedly true.

Yao Ji then said frankly: "The queen was originally reluctant to interfere with whoever the saint wanted to take with him when he left Beijing. In order to accompany the saint, I volunteered to come to visit Mrs. Guo, and the queen came up with a way. The queen has never ignored Mrs. Guo in her heart. ”

Guo Yan did not respond.

Yao Ji said again: "When the party of the abolished prince was overthrown, Mrs. Guo was able to stay in the palace, and the queen was thinking of a way. ”

Guo Yan raised her head and said, "Later, there was a fire in Fengyang, didn't everyone think that mine was a trouble?" That's why I was sent here. ”

"It's hard to be desperate for someone else." Yao Ji said, "I think Mrs. Guo understands the queen's intentions in her heart, so she has such a demand." Otherwise, if you are not a person who is not related to your family, will you criticize that person to the slightest degree? ”

Guo Yan suddenly turned her head to look at Yao Ji, her expression changed slightly and rapidly, and she was silent.

"At this point, I don't need mercy." Guo Yan said, "I'm guarding the mausoleum here very well, and I can still accompany Zhan Kai." ”

Yao Ji said calmly, "That fire has nothing to do with the Holy Empress. This morning, the Holy One got up very early. When I went out, I found that the Holy One was pacing by the burning ruins. There is no guilt in the saints, only feelings. ”

Guo Yan's upper body rose and fell for a while, her face showed resentment and pain, she seemed to be breathing a little fast, gritted her teeth and said: "Wu Zhong, the old eunuch who set the fire, is it Ma Enhui's henchman?" ”

Yao Ji looked at Guo Yan's eyes, and couldn't help but feel nervous. Yao Ji suddenly understood why Guo Yan was aging so fast, and the great sorrow in her heart was probably unbearable for ordinary people.

Originally, Yao Ji had thought about using Guo Yan's hatred to deal with Ma Enhui, but in the end she didn't put it into practice, just thinking about it. Now it seems that Yao Ji is glad that she didn't do anything wrong, otherwise things might not be out of control.

People are also changing. In the past, Yao Ji was very resentful of Ma Enhui and wanted to treat others in the same way, but in the past two years, she has seen it a little bit. Maybe it's because the days are getting smoother and smoother, and she is gradually open-minded.

"If it's really Ma Enhui's order, I'm afraid the Holy One will do something." Yao Ji said quietly, "Mrs. Guo, don't forget, Zhan Kai is not only your son, but also the nephew of the Holy Lord. Can the blood of the royal family make outsiders want to harm? ”

Guo Yan said coldly: "Will Ma Enhui admit it?" ”

Yao Ji replied without hesitation: "The heart of the saint is probably clearer than people think. ”

Guo Yan frowned and stared at Yao Ji, noncommittal. After a while, she just said, "I did misread the Holy One, I was really stupid at that time. ”

Yao Ji vaguely guessed Guo Yan's regret. Yao Ji has also heard that it is said that the person who promised Zhu Gaoxu to be the princess of Han may be Guo Yan.

"Fate is unpredictable. Whether it's a favor or a grievance, I'm afraid it's useless now, there's no way, just let it go if you can. If Mrs. Guo needs anything, ask someone to tell the queen, as long as you can do it, the queen will still help you. In the queen's heart, you have been the eldest sister all your life. Yao Ji said and stood up, "Say goodbye, there will be a period later." ”

Guo Yan gave a ride, she has a grudge against many people, but she has no grudges with Yao Ji.

Walking out of the courtyard, the breeze was blowing under the bright sun, Yao Ji suddenly felt as if there was a sullen breath stretching out, and people felt a lot better. Even after staying in Guo Yan's house for a short while, Yao Ji felt very uncomfortable, and even there seemed to be an oppressive aura in the air. Yao Ji couldn't help but feel a little emotional.

The palace maids hurriedly brought an umbrella to shade the sun, and Yao Ji then got into a sedan chair and returned to the palace where everyone stayed.

I'm leaving Zhongdu tomorrow morning, and there's nothing to do this afternoon. Yao Ji ordered the entourage to go to the place where the imperial concubine Mu Zhen lived.

At this time, the Mu family's family was in full swing, and now they are raising troops to win the world, and Mu Sheng, the prince of Qianguo, has made great contributions, and is extremely relied on by the emperor; Moreover, the people of Mufu are still guarding Yunnan, and they are the most powerful nobles with different surnames in the Ming Dynasty. In order to win over the Mu family, the saint did not hesitate to change the etiquette system, and specially added the name of "imperial concubine" to Mu Zhen, which can be described as an infinite favor.

Even the queen is very jealous of Mu Zhen, and she is often a little worried. Although Yao Ji is friendly with the queen, she doesn't need to get along with Mu Zhen for the sake of the queen; What's more, the queen and Mu Zhen are also humble to each other on weekdays, and they don't dare to grudge easily.

Mu Zhen was very enthusiastic. She seemed to be taking a nap, but when she came out to see that there was still a strand of sideburns left untied, she didn't care, and immediately took Yao Ji's hand affectionately and talked about the sound of the pipa last night. It's as if the relationship between the two is very close.

And Mu Zhen has a handsome and delicate peach face, and her eyes are very bright and clean when she smiles, which always makes people very comfortable, like a spring breeze, and never shows off her family posture. At first, Yao Ji thought that she was good at dealing with the world and was all skills, but as the days went by, Yao Ji believed it a little, and Mu Zhen seemed to be a good person.

So Yao Ji didn't hate her, but liked her a little.

The queen has a crown prince and Mu Zhen also gave birth to a prince, Yao Ji didn't treat them as opponents at all, she didn't bother to fight for anything in terms of power, and they were not equal in strength. Yao Ji just wants to compete for favor.

"It seems to be called Chen Xianzhen." Yao Ji saw that Mu Zhen was interested, so she whispered very cooperatively.

Mu Zhen tilted her body over, and said softly: "They were all sent to Fengyang, and the saint went to see her in person, why is it a little disconnected?" Does Chen Xianzhen have any past with the saint? ”

Yao Ji chuckled and said, "I heard that when the Holy Lord was in Yunnan, Chen Xianzhen came here to be a lobbyist for the people of Annan. Later, I estimated that I had been close to the saint. ”

"Close?" Mu Zhen repeated casually.

Yao Ji said softly, "Na." ”

The two glanced at each other, and Mu Zhen showed an embarrassed expression. Seeing that her gaze subconsciously avoided, Yao Ji guessed that she understood.

Yao Ji said again: "The saint is a person who misses old feelings, not just for one person. That Chen Immortal Allah moved to show his face, and the Holy Lord might not be too ruthless. ”

At this moment, Yao Ji vaguely saw Cao Fu's figure passing by the door, so she turned her head and said, "Go and call Cao Fu in." ”

The palace maid standing at the door curtsied and said, "Yes." ”

Yao Ji said to Mu Zhen: "Just ask Cao Fu to know that this eunuch is by the saint's side all day long. ”

Sure enough, Cao Fu soon came in, and he saw the two imperial concubines sitting on it, and hurriedly knelt down and kowtowed. Mu Zhen said: "Father-in-law Cao, get up quickly." ”

Cao Fu's white face was very kind, and he said with a smile: "Slave maid Xie Huang Guifei Niangniang, Xie Xian Concubine Niangniang, the two Niangniang are in good health. ”

Then Mu Zhen waved her handkerchief lightly, and several palace maids standing in the living room curtsied and left. Cao Fu turned his head to take a look, and when he turned his head, he immediately showed a flattering smile again.

Yao Ji said: "Let me ask you, how does the Holy Lord treat Chen Xianzhen?" ”

Cao Fu was puzzled: "The slave doesn't know very well, I only know that she will leave Zhongdu with us tomorrow." ”

Yao Ji said: "The imperial concubine is also here, what can't you say?" ”

Cao Fu pondered for a moment and said, "The slave really doesn't know what the emperor is going to do, but Chen Xianzhen was still by the emperor's side just now." The emperor called someone to summon her. ”

Yao Ji and Mu Zhen turned their heads in unison and glanced at each other. The two tacitly agreed not to ask more, just waiting for Cao Fu to continue.