The sweltering heat of summer made the concubines in the harem very unbearable.

After Tuyou succeeded to the throne, according to etiquette, he was supposed to wait until the official enthronement ceremony to canonize the queen and the concubines below, but out of consideration for the enveloping of the Yu Yuan and the Yu family, he broke the convention on the second day after the succession and canonized the princess of Yu Yuanwei and other good di, widows, ladies, and family members, who were originally the princesses of Prince Yongcheng, Liangdi, widows, ladies, and family members, and moved into the palace with Xiao Tuyou and Luo Yuanwei, and were respectively promoted to the queen, Zhaoyi, Jieyu, and Ju'e. The queen and all the concubines who entered the palace for the first time all lived in the palaces on the west side where the Changqiu Palace was located. Due to the large number of concubines, so many concubines live in the palaces on the west side, and the palaces on the west side are very crowded.

These newly sealed concubines, when they were originally in Prince Yongcheng's mansion, were used to following Prince Yongcheng to drink and feast everywhere, and every time they entered the summer, they had to follow Prince Yongcheng to his Zhongnan Farewell to escape the summer. Now that they have entered the palace, although their status is more respectful, they are no longer comfortable in all their actions, and they live in the deep palace with high walls all day long, and they are not allowed to play around, which is tantamount to a confinement for them. This is the first summer day after they enter the palace, and the hot and cramped deep palace makes them feel even more uncomfortable.

The queen felt the same way, so she specially played Tuyou and begged her to allow her to take a concubine to the northwest of the holy capital, surrounded by lakes and streams, lush forests, refreshing and cool palaces, to build a chapter palace to escape the summer. In order to ensure the safety of Yun Ju'e's mother and child, Yun Ju'e was specially allowed not to go to Jianzhang Palace, but still stayed in Yinglu Palace to protect the fetus.

After receiving the recital of the queen, he was very relieved and surprised, and immediately agreed, and made all preparations together with the Chang Changqiu Liuwu, and all the things must be ready, and there must be no loss. The emperor also made a special comment: The queen's move was benevolent and thoughtful, and I was very relieved.

After getting the permission of Tu Youen, Queen Yu moved to Jianzhang Palace the next day with a concubine.

Jianzhang Palace was built in the northwest of the holy capital. Before the construction of the palace, it was originally a forest, lake and stream, covering a very wide area, with large rivers and streams running through it, Juze Xingtan dotted in between, and on the land was a dense forest with towering trees and abundant forests and grasses. Although the Holy Capital is located in the north, the summer days are surprisingly hot. Hundreds of years ago, in order to escape the scorching heat of the palace, the emperor at that time began to build sporadic summer palace rooms near the lake and river here. Originally, these summer palaces were built by successive emperors and did not have an overall plan, so they were scattered along the sides of various lakes and streams, but after hundreds of years of careful management, this place has gradually become a magnificent palace complex. In the Dagao period, the emperor began to integrate various palaces, and finally connected, repaired, and perfected, and then gave the name Jianzhang Palace.

Empress Yu and her entourage arrived at Jianzhang Palace at noon. Due to the bumpy road, the sedan chair was stuffy, although there were ice basins in the sedan car, but the queen and the concubines were still sweating profusely and miserable.

As soon as you enter the Longbai Yongdao of Jianzhang Palace, cool water vapor faintly attacks from all sides. As the group entered the Jianzhang Palace deeper and deeper, the queen and the concubines gradually began to feel a refreshing coolness.

Chun Tuo and Da Chang Qiu Liu arranged the palace according to the rank of the concubines:

The Empress lived in the palace directly north of the Taiye Pond.

Dou Zhaoyi lived in the Xiaodang Palace directly west of the copper pond.

Meng Jieyu lives in the Sasa Palace directly east of Tongchi.

Li lived in Tianliang Palace, just south of Tongchi.

Tong Ronghua lives in the Drum Spring Palace next to the Liangfeng Terrace.

Gongsun Ronghua lived in the Hehuan Palace north of the Lonely Tree Pond.

Chi Meiren lives in the Lanlin Palace next to the Chenglu plate.

Lu Meiren lives in Fayue Palace.

These are the concubines of the prince of the county who are divided by their own sons, and their status is naturally slightly higher. In addition, the rest of the concubines with lower ranks, such as the eighth son, Chongyi, the seventh son, the beloved, the long envoy, the young envoy, the five senses, the smooth, and the unhooked, lived in the Qihua Palace, the Shupu Palace, the Hande Palace, the Tang Middle Palace, the Jingganlou and other places.

Due to the special purpose of the picture, and the Zhongchang servant Chuntuo also participated in the preparations, the palace rooms of all the concubines were very properly configured.

The carriage and horses stopped, and Liu Wu passed down the edict of the queen: "The road is bumpy and tired, and the concubines do not have to come to kneel and salute, but go back to the palaces first and settle down to rest." At the beginning of the hour, I went to the palace to meet the queen and feast together. When drinking and feasting, there is no need for large makeup and formal clothes, everything should be cool and simple. ”

This is a decree that the ceremonial queen has never made. The concubines were surprised, although they were grateful for the unexpected generosity of the queen, but because they had a deep understanding of the queen's strictness, the fear of the queen in their hearts had been deeply rooted in the bone marrow, therefore, before the time came, all the concubines were still dressed up, dressed in big makeup, gathered outside the main hall of the palace, and respectfully waited for the queen to come to the banquet.

At the beginning of the hour, the queen walked in from the side door of the main hall of the palace on time. Liu Wei sang loudly: "The queen has arrived." ”

All the concubines knelt down and said with a big salute: "The queen mother is immortal. ”

Queen Yu stood on the steps of the main hall, glanced at the kneeling concubines, all of them were dignified and upright in makeup and formal clothes, her face was quite unhappy, and she looked at Liu Wu and said, "Liu Wu, didn't you make it clear what I meant, didn't you want everyone to use such big makeup and formal clothes?" ”

Liu Wu didn't speak, just hung his head.

Dou Zhaoyi said: "Don't blame Da Changqiu. Da Changqiu passed on the will of the mother. But the concubines thought that although this was another palace, the rules of respect and inferiority of the elders and the young could not be lost. ”

Queen Yu smiled and said, "It seems that I am wrong to blame Liu Wei." Liu Fu's head was lowered, but with a smile on his face. Queen Yu said again: "Liu Wu, on such a hot day, don't sing loudly at every turn in the future." This is not a palace, and there is no need for such big rules. Then he turned to the prostrate concubines and said, "Get up, all of you." ”

This tone is also unheard of before. The concubines stood up in confusion and secretly stared at the queen with their eyes. The queen was really dressed in plain clothes, without makeup, without hairpins on her head, and with a loose bun. If it weren't for the slight fat figure and noble temperament, judging from the clothes and hair accessories alone, it would be almost no different from a low-class palace lady.

The queen smiled and said, "Come, come in." It's cooler than the palace, but it's still summer. You see, the day was very spicy, and it hasn't gone down yet. As he spoke, he turned around and entered the palace, and walked straight to the dining table in the middle of the front and sat down.

Dou Zhaoyi and Meng Jieyu each stood on one side and beat their heads, with two rows of concubines, with small steps, and quickly followed, after they all stood still, Dou Zhaoyi and Meng Jieyu glanced at each other, and then tacitly arranged their clothes and prepared to kneel down and salute again.

Queen Yu spoke first: "Forget it." There are only our own people here, so we don't need these false courtesies. Sit down, all of you. It's rare for us to come out and relax quickly. Since I entered the palace, I have been so detained that I am almost suffocated and sick. The heads of the palaces go back quickly and bring the cool civilian clothes of your masters. You and I are here to change clothes. You guys are dressed like this, and I feel hot when I look at it. When it was time to change clothes, I simply washed the makeup on my face. It's refreshing and profitable, let's sisters eat to cool off. ”

"Slave and maid, thank the queen for her grace."

When everyone finished changing clothes and freshening up, Liu Wu began to direct the chamberlains and palace maids to serve melons, fruits, and tea one by one. Those melons and fruits, tea, and utensils are all very delicate and gorgeous, and they are obviously thoughtful. These were things that had never been seen before in the palace of the Empress Do. The queen is very strict, and there is no fun, rarely feasting, even if it is a ceremony that has to be done during the big festival, every time it is more solemn and not interesting enough, the queen herself has never been smiling and even always nitpicky about everyone's clothing and behavior. Therefore, all the concubines and concubines took going to the queen's banquet as a hard thing. The people who feast are not friendly, the people who are feasted are not relaxed, and every time they drink and feast, they all end hastily and break up unhappily. This is a common thing for the queen, so everyone never thinks it is unusual.

Because of this, everything at today's feast is even more unusual. Everyone didn't speak, they kept their heads down, and they didn't dare to move.

Empress Yu smiled bitterly and said, "Today, while our sisters are together, Your Majesty is not around, and there is no trouble with the palace affairs of those Laoshizi. Let's relax and talk about ourselves. ”

"Yes, sissy."

Queen Yu smiled bitterly again and said, "Sisters, over the years, I have restrained you too tightly and made my sisters suffer. ”

The queen's self-reproach is by no means a good sign. Starting from Dou Zhaoyi, all the concubines immediately stood up, panicked for a while, some said "Niangniang's words are serious", some said "Torture the slave and maid", and some of the concubines with low rank even trembled and said, "The slave and maid should die, and it made Niangniang angry again." ”

Queen Yu also stood up, picked up the marigold on the case, and found that it was herbal tea, so she said happily: "Liu Fu, give me a bottle of wine." ”

Liu Wei, who was accustomed to seeing the queen's commanding appearance, looked a little stunned. After listening to what the queen said, she stood there and froze, without answering.

What's even more surprising is that Queen Yu didn't get angry with Liu Wei, but smiled, turned sideways, and teased: "Lord Da Changqiu, give me a bottle of wine." The tone was quite witty, without the slightest annoyance.

Liu Wei was stunned for a moment, but soon realized that the queen was not angry, so she smiled very knowingly, and said in a relaxed tone: "Niangniang tortured the slave maid, tortured the slave maid." Please forgive me. The slave maid was a little distracted. Please forgive me. What kind of wine do you want to drink today? ”

"What's the wine?"

"Niangniang, there are three kinds of wine today, there is wine made by the new method from the national tribute of Shanggu County, there is rice wine from the national tribute of Huanshui County, and there is wild fruit wine from the national tribute of Canaan County. They are all chilled in the side hall with a large amount of ice. ”

"Good. Just give me the wild fruit bar from the national tribute of Canaan. Put all three kinds of wine on the dining table of all the ladies and let everyone take it as they please. The queen saw that all the concubines were still standing, so she smiled again and said, "You all sit down, all sit down." ”

"Whoa."

The three wines are served in three different containers. The wild fruit wine of Canaan is made in a purple bamboo tube unique to Canaan, the rice wine is made in a white pottery amphora unique to Huishui County, and the wine of Kamiya is made in a glass bottle. Correspondingly, the three kinds of wine are also drunk in different vessels, such as wild fruit wine with green bamboo root carved bottles, rice wine with white pottery phoenix tail bottles, and jade peony bottles for wine.

The queen motioned to Liu Wu to pour fruit wine into the green bamboo root carved bottle in front of her, and then instructed Liu Wu to pour wine into the three different bottles for the concubines. The queen looked around at the concubines and said, "Whatever wine you like to drink, you can just take it." Today, we must learn from His Majesty's usual banquet and drink happily. I also have something to say today. I'll start with the words, don't get up at every turn to make amends and give thanks, let's just sit down and talk well. Today, let's not talk about those big rules. ”

And all the people were troubled. Queen Yu is so abnormal, it really makes people feel uncomfortable.

The Empress sat down and said, "We are all sisters, serving Your Majesty together, raising Your Majesty's children together, and we are a family. To tell you the truth, I've been too you all these years. ”

A few of the low-ranking concubines sitting at the end stood up tremblingly, and the queen glanced at them, shook her head and smiled bitterly: "Look at it, it's my usual strictness that scares my sisters." No matter what I say, you are all afraid. Anyway, it's still mine, it's not. Ay! ”

The low-ranking concubines who stood up were frightened and immediately knelt down, but they didn't know what to say to the queen, so they kept kowtowing.

The queen pressed the table with her hand and said, "Get up quickly." Sit down. As I have already said, today, let's speak for ourselves and speak for ourselves. Let's all sit down, okay? Dou Zhaoyi? Meng Jieyu? What do you two talk about? ”

Dou Zhaoyi straightened up slightly and said, "Follow the instructions of the mother." The concubine and others thanked Niangniang Longen. ”

Meng Jieyu also said: "The concubines and others must follow the instructions of the mother. ”

When Queen Yu saw those low-level concubines get up and sit down, she said, "We have been sisters for many years, and we have been sisters for a long time, like Dou Zhaoyi and Meng Jieyu, you have been for more than 20 years; The young ones are also four or five years old. You all know my temperament best. Even if you don't say it, I know it in my own heart. Over the past few years, I have been more strict with you than lenient. You have all suffered all these years. Come, this first bottle, I salute you. ”

Dou Zhaoyi is the most respected concubine below the queen, at such a special moment, she has to come forward to speak, Dou Zhaoyi got up and said: "Niangniang blames herself too much." The concubines and others were deeply disturbed, and they couldn't help but say a few words. Others don't know Niangniang, the concubine has entered the palace to serve His Majesty and Niangniang since she was fourteen years old, and she is also the most cared for by Niangniang, and she thinks she knows Niangniang best. When the concubine first entered the palace, she was young and ignorant, and she didn't know how many mistakes she had made, but the mother had never accused the concubine word by word, and she always had to protect the concubine. The concubine still remembers that when Mu'er was born, the concubine had a difficult birth and had abdominal pain for two days, and the mother held the concubine's hand in front of the couch and stayed with the concubine for two days and two nights. At the moment when Mu'er was born and the concubine escaped, Niangniang happily hugged her concubine and cried, and then Niangniang fainted due to overwork. Niangniang, these things are the best and most loving nature of you. The concubine risked death today to say a rebellious word, in the past few years, there have been more and more foxes in the palace, if it weren't for the strict housekeeping and the way of the emperor, we don't know what the chaos will be in the palace. Niangniang has repeatedly taught the concubines, and the concubines know Niangniang's pure conscience and good intentions, and Niangniang's prudence is not for anything else, but for the purity of His Majesty's bloodline, and also for His Majesty's prestige. ”

Dou Zhaoyi's words went to Queen Zhaoyi's heart, and also hit the soft and sore spot in Queen Luo's heart, and when Dou Zhaoyi finished speaking, Queen Luo was already in tears, she looked at Dou Zhaoyi, nodded and said, "Dou Zhaoyi really knows me." But people outside don't think so. I always felt that I was jealous and harsh. As for jealousy, let's not talk about it for now. However, I still do occupy a little bit of this harshness, which makes everyone suffer a lot, which is also true. Come, all of you raise your bottles, and we will drink a bottle together. ”

The queen lifted the green bamboo root carving bottle, raised her head and drank a whole bottle of wild fruit wine, the wild fruit wine was sweet and cold, the queen was in good spirits, and said: "It is really a good wine, and it is very refreshing to drink in this summer." You all taste it. ”

The concubines hurriedly lifted the green bamboo root carving bottle on the case and drank the wild fruit wine inside.

Liu Wei took the palace maid and poured a second glass of wild fruit wine for Queen Yu and everyone.

Empress Yu continued: "Just now Dou Zhaoyi said that I am careful to keep my family, so that His Majesty's bloodline is pure. These are the words that know my heart from the bottom of my heart. Whether you believe it or not, I ask myself, everything I have done over the years has indeed been for this one. I think that over the years, I have guarded the bloodline for His Majesty, and I have done my duty. Now, the situation is different. His Majesty ascended the throne and implemented a new policy, and the sons of his sisters over the age of sixteen were made kings of the county and went to the county to defend one side for His Majesty. This comes, it shows that my hard work over the years has not been in vain, our sons are still competitive, and they have not wasted the hard work of my mother for so many years. Come, this second cup, for our sons! ”

The concubines drank the second cup with the queen raising their heads. The third cup was full.

Queen Yu stood up, took her own green bamboo root carved bottle, walked down, started with Dou Zhaoyi, walked slowly, looked at the concubines one by one, and then walked back to the dining table, turned around and said: "Sisters, look at you, just like me, my son has been raised, and I am old." You see, even the youngest Lu Meiren already has wrinkles at the corners of her eyes. I remember that when Lu Meiren first entered the palace, it was like a jade carving. If you look at the present, you are also seeing the old. Sisters, let's be women, after all, aren't we all for our sons?! Now that they're all here, we don't have anything to worry about. Originally, with them by our side, they were making a lot of noise, and they didn't think anything was wrong. Now, one by one, they have gone to the county, and our old sisters are left in the palace. That day, Ji'er came to resign to me and wanted to go to Yunzhong County to be the king of the county. We're all old! You should also enjoy the blessings. This third bottle is for the days to come. In the future, we sisters, we will be so loose and happy. When there are no outsiders, don't talk about those big rules. Just like Dou Zhaoyi said, my previous demeanor, you really haven't seen it. When I was in our mansion, I was also a bright and splendid girl, not as fierce and vicious as you usually see. Hahaha. My sisters all know my temperament. As for me, I have a clear love and hate, straightforward character, never know how to hide it, and I will not be false and wronged. Today, I have spoken to you of something that is heart-wrenching. If I have said so, I will do so. The coming day is long, so you can wait and see. Come! ”

The concubines raised their heads and did the third bottle. The chilled wine is sweet and refreshing, and when you drink it in a bottle, the comfort is directly immersed in everyone's liver, lungs, heart and spleen. However, what made them feel more comfortable was the sudden and huge change of Queen Yu. Queen Yu is right, she is straightforward and never hypocritical. Moreover, what Queen Yu said today is completely reasonable.

All the concubines felt that they had worked hard for so many years, and now they could finally live a few days of comfort. Although it is still unclear why Queen Yu has changed so drastically, all the concubines believe that Queen Yu is no longer the jealous woman who used to reprimand and insult her concubines at every turn.

After the queen had three bottles, the concubines began to have the courage to offer wine to the queen.

The first one to walk up was Dou Zhaoyi, Dou Zhaoyi held a jade peony bottle, which contained bright red wine from Shanggu County, Dou Zhaoyi squatted near the queen's food table and bowed, and said: "The concubine specially uses this jade peony bottle to honor Niangniang, and I would like to congratulate the world for Niangniang's mother!" ”

Empress Yu looked at Dou Zhaoyi and stood up with a smile on her face. Slowly stepped forward, looked at Dou Zhaoyi, and said to Liu Wu: "Liu Wu, pour me a bottle of this wine." ”

Queen Yu held Dou Zhaoyi's forearm, and Dou Zhaoyi trembled nervously.

Dou Zhaoyi lowered her head and said, "Niangniang, the concubine advises Niangniang not to drink too much cold wine." Niangniang's spleen and stomach are weak and cold, so it is not advisable to drink more cold things. Why don't you drink some warm wine? ”

Empress Yu held Dou Zhaoyi with one hand, and raised her other hand to Dou Zhaoyi's earlobe, saying, "Sister, I remember that when you first entered the mansion, Your Majesty looked at your pair of big round earlobes and said, you are a blessed person." Sure enough, you are the only one of our sisters who has given birth to two sons to His Majesty. Mu'er is also the best upbringing among these children. Blessed are you. ”

Dou Zhaoyi's face flushed. She gave birth to two sons and a daughter, the eldest son is Xiao Mu, who is twenty-one years old, has an excellent upbringing, and is all-round in civil and military affairs; The youngest son, Xiao Zhen, is eleven years old, and has a fourteen-year-old daughter, who has been crowned Princess Fu and is the only daughter of Xiao Tuyou. Especially Na Xiao Mu, who is very much loved by Tu You, and has followed his uncle Dou Ji to learn the art of war since he was a child, so he is the most outstanding among his sons. Princess Fu is the pearl of the palm of Tuyu, and she is far more favored than all the other princes.

Although the queen's commendation seemed to be sincere, Dou Zhaoyi didn't dare to take credit, and said to the queen with tears: "Niangniang, Mu'er is reckless and blunt by nature, if it weren't for Niangniang's blessing and protection, he probably went before he was born." Although he crawled out of my intestines, his life was indeed given by his mother. Also, since Mu Er was born, everything should be done, which one is not personally settled and taken care of by the mother, and the mother's kindness to him is far better than that of the concubine. If he still has something to use, it is all good to be taught by Niangniang herself. ”

Queen Yu nodded, took the jade peony bottle handed over by Liu Wei, touched the bottle, and said: "Liu Wu, Zhaoyi has already said that my spleen and stomach are cold, and I am persuaded not to drink ice wine, this is Zhaoyi's filial piety, and I can't help but understand her filial piety." You can change me a bottle of warm wine. Then he looked at Dou Zhaoyi, then at the concubines, and said, "Today, I am very happy in my heart." I'm going to play a new trick with you. Though you salute me with your favorite wine, I will respond with your favorite wine, but you will use ice wine, and I will use warm wine. How is it? We've been here for so many years, and you haven't seen my mass. Hahaha. ”

It can be seen that Queen Yu is really happy. With her drive, the atmosphere in the palace soon became warm. All the concubines stepped forward to toast, and some bold young concubines also took the initiative to block the wine for the queen. Some of the concubines who drank lightly were already ruddy and crumbling, but the queen still looked forward to Shenfei and was not drunk.

The last dish, steamed okra, was served. The queen gently pinched an okra, took a bite, then held up her favorite wild fruit wine, stood up, and said, "Sisters." Today, I have one more idea to share with you. At the beginning of autumn, after we return to the palace, you don't have to live with me in the West Palace anymore, according to the rank, you all move to the palace where you should go. When the time comes, Chun Tuo and Liu Wei will settle you down. ”

The concubines froze again. Because of this will, I really don't know how to respond to it. If you say "Xie Niangniang's grace", it seems that she is unwilling to live with the queen in the palaces on the west side. If it is said that "the concubine is willing to live in the West Palace and accompany the maid", it seems that she does not know how to lift, and it is too pretentious, I am sorry for the sincerity of the queen.

The queen smiled and said, "You don't have to be careful. Originally, our sisters were supposed to live in their own palaces, but when I first entered the palace, I was worried that my sisters would not know the rules of the palace when they first entered the palace, so they would cause trouble for Your Majesty and make outsiders laugh at us. Now, the sisters have been in the palace for more than three months, and everyone who should know the rules is almost gone, and there is no need to huddle together anymore. Let's live apart, and it's more convenient for the children to come back from the county to visit you. Besides, I'm more spacious and relaxed myself, aren't I? You all live next to me, and I'm very depressed. Hahahaha. ”

"Whoa."

"Well, it's getting late today. We have drunk this bottle together, and each of you shall go back and rest. ”

"Whoa!"