There is a name that no one has ever dared to call in the current saint of Daqi: Li Hongji. Except for one person, and that is his biological mother, the Queen Mother.

On this day, Li Hongji met the Queen Mother and knelt down to say goodbye. The Queen Mother waved her hand and said, "Get up!" You haven't been here for a few days, but the mourners have heard some rumors, and as the current saint and the lord of a country, you must be more careful in your behavior. This year is indeed not peaceful, the Taiping bandits actually wandered to the vicinity of Dadu, fortunately they were beaten away by the army led by General Yan, and the whole country celebrated. Taking advantage of this opportunity, I also want to choose a few more concubines for you, which is a good thing in pairs, and I am happy! I don't know what the Holy God wills? ”

Li Hongji bowed his head and said: "The emperor respectfully follows the arrangement of the queen mother."

The news that the emperor was going to choose a concubine soon spread all over the streets and alleys of the capital, like a warm spring breeze, adding a touch of warmth to the cold air.

Zhou Wen was the secretary of the Ministry of Industry in the Beijing officials, but when he heard the news that the saint was going to choose a concubine, he was so excited that he didn't close his eyes for three consecutive nights. If you can take this opportunity to become a relative of the emperor, then the Zhou family's status in the capital will be in full swing in the future! After discussing with his only daughter, the daughter of the Zhou family nodded shyly with a red face. So, Zhou Wenzheng rolled up his sleeves and found a few fox friends to discuss, ready to do a big job.

He first bought off the father-in-law Qin beside the Queen Mother, and attached himself to the two close ministers around the saint with a lot of money, and a good show began.

"Queen Mother, the old slave heard that the saint is going to choose a concubine, your old man is full of children and grandchildren, blessed longevity and Kangning, and the good days are still ahead! The old slave congratulates the Queen Mother! As he spoke, Father-in-law Qin held a bowl of steaming bird's nest soup in both hands.

The Queen Mother took the small bowl, put it on the table on the side, and said with a smile: "The mourning family also heard that the emperor sneaked out of the palace to mess with flowers and grass, and I was afraid that he would be damaged by those unsuccessful boys, and wanted him to take it away." ”

Gonggong Qin leaned over and said, "Queen Mother, this concubine selection is a big deal!" The Jiangshan Sheji, which is related to the future of Daqi, must not only be young and beautiful, but also knowledgeable and reasonable, and have a splendid belly! It's just glamorous and charming, but I'm afraid that it will confuse the saint's temperament and cause trouble to the harem."

The Queen Mother nodded and said, "The old body also thinks the same, can Father-in-law Qin have a suitable candidate to recommend?" ”

Gonggong Qin hurriedly took two steps back, knelt on the ground and said, "Although the old slave rarely leaves the palace, he has also heard about the rumors in the market. I heard that most of them have a "first talented woman in the world", who is proficient in poetry and songs, piano, chess, calligraphy and painting. It's just that this week, the daughter of the family has never stepped out of the house, and no one has seen the true face of this beauty. However, it is rumored that she stays at home, and copies ancient and modern classics at home all day long, and has copied more than 200 copies. ”

The Queen Mother said curiously: "Oh, in this way, she is really a talented and strange woman who abides by women's morals, but I don't know what she looks like?" ”

Gonggong Qin said with a smile: "This matter is easy to do, the Queen Mother instructed a court painter to go to the Zhou Mansion to paint a portrait of her, if the Queen Mother can see it, she might as well let her quietly enter the palace." If it is really as talented as the legend, it is really the best candidate for the imperial concubine! ”。

The Queen Mother nodded again and again.

In the emperor's imperial study, Li Hongji and his two close ministers had just discussed state affairs, and at this time he asked the eunuch to serve tea, and the three of them sat down and gossiped easily.

One of the ministers bowed and smiled and said, "I heard that the Holy Lord will choose a new concubine soon, and Weichen will first congratulate the Holy Lord." ”

Li Hongji smiled and waved his hand: "It's all the intention of the Queen Mother, and it's not easy for the widow to brush off her kindness." ”

Another minister spoke: "Have you ever heard of the name of the world's most talented woman? It is rumored that the daughter of the Zhou family in the capital has read ten lines at a glance since she was a child, and she has never forgotten it. It's a pity that she is a daughter, otherwise she would be an official and a pillar of the country! ”

The saint said: "Is there such a thing? ”

"Yes, Xia Guan has also heard of it. I heard that this woman is not only talented, but also a stunning beauty. It's just that this women's football team doesn't leave the house, and no one has ever seen it. The minister who had given the Holy Blessing to him said with his black beard in his hand.

Another minister got up and knelt down and kowtowed, saying, "Wechen begged the Holy Lord to pay attention to this woman in this concubine selection, if it is really as rumored to be talented." It is a good candidate for the imperial concubine. If the saint can be accompanied and assisted by this woman, I am hopeful that Zhongxing will be great! ”。

Li Hongji's eyes lit up, and he bowed his head thoughtfully.

Liu Ruyan frowned slightly and said, "Mother-in-law, why do I always feel uneasy?" The lord just sent me so many taels of silver that I would come to the door tomorrow, but I didn't have to sing a song, I just said that I would ask a painter to draw a portrait. There won't be any danger, right? ”

The mother-in-law smiled and said: "That adult is a rich and noble official eunuch at first glance, not to mention what danger can there be in the blue sky and daylight?" Will it tie you up? If the girl really can't rest assured, the old body will accompany you. Why not put the money that can be earned so easily? ”

Liu Ruyan nodded hesitantly.

Although the court painter Master Li is also surnamed Li, he has nothing to do with the emperor's relatives. On this day, he was entrusted by Gonggong Qin and came to the door of Lord Zhou's mansion. Lord Zhou Wenzheng walked out of the mansion quickly and received him warmly. As soon as he entered the door, Lord Zhou shoved a large piece of silver ingot into his hand. Master Li smiled and said, "Don't worry, Lord Zhou, I will definitely paint Miss Fushang as beautiful as a fairy." ”

But when he saw the beauty sitting quietly under the grape trellis, he turned around and pulled Master Zhou aside, and said in a low voice: "Isn't this the girl like smoke on the Yanliu River?" I've even been to hear her sing! What about the lady in the house? ”。

Lord Zhou bowed down and said with a smile: "The little girl unfortunately feels cold and can't get up, you just paint like a smoke girl, my daughter is carved out of a mold with her!" ”。

Master Li shook his head and said, "No way, no way!" This matter is not a child's play, if the above blames it, I will lose my head if I don't get it! After saying that, he turned around to leave.

Lord Zhou hurriedly stopped him, stuffed a bag of silver taels prepared in advance into his arms and said, "Don't worry, even if someone blames it, it is the official's business, and it has nothing to do with you!" ”。

Master Li held the heavy silver, hesitated for a moment and said, "This is what you said, Lord Zhou." If you don't know what to do, you can solve something! ”。

Lord Zhou patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, wrap it up on me!" ”。

"Emperor, what do you think of the appearance of this world's most talented woman?" The Queen Mother handed the portrait in her hand to Li Hongji.

Li Hongji took it and was stunned for a moment, the beautiful woman in the painting sat quietly under a grape trellis, looking into the distance with a serene expression. With faint eyebrows, a tall nose bridge, a resentful and deep gaze, and a kind of cold arrogance that rejects people thousands of miles away, his complexion is smooth and white, as if he has blown a bullet. The cherry has a small mouth, and the corners of the lips are slightly upturned, revealing a hint of mystery. How could it be her? Is there anyone in this world who looks so alike?

Seeing Li Hongji's stupid appearance, the Queen Mother glanced back at Gonggong Qin, pursed her lips and smiled: "Three days later, I will invite this girl to the palace, if you want to see the real person, you can come and see together." ”

Li Hongji sighed, raised his head and said: "The emperor must come, the queen mother, can you hand over this painting to the child for safekeeping?" ”

The Queen Mother smiled: "If you like it, you can keep it first, I've already seen the painting." ”

Three days later, Li Hongji absentmindedly hurriedly retreated from the court and hurried to the queen mother's bedroom.

The Queen Mother couldn't help but be surprised when she saw him: "The emperor came so early? There is still half an hour left before the appointed time! She turned her head and instructed Gong Qin, "Go and bring a cup of white fungus tea to the saint." ”

Li Hongji held the tea bowl and only felt that life was like a year.

Finally, Father-in-law Qin walked in in small steps, and reported that the Empress Dowager Miss Zhou was waiting outside the door. The Queen Mother waved her hand and said, "Let her in." ”

A woman wearing a light veil walked in quickly, knelt down and saluted, "See the Queen Mother." ”

The Queen Mother said lightly: "Excuse yourself from being polite, take off your veil, and raise your head." ”

With a "bang", when he saw someone coming, the tea bowl in Li Hongji's hand fell to the ground and was shattered.

The Queen Mother glared at him dissatisfiedly, and said in her heart: As the king of a country, why is he so uncontrollable! When she looked back at the woman, she couldn't help but gasp.

From the bottom up, a pair of big feet, looped legs. Looking at his face again, the thick fat powder could not hide the freckles on his face, and he grinned with a frightening bloody mouth, revealing a row of burnt yellow teeth. Triangle eyes, dark circles, and the most striking thing is the two thick black "one" eyebrows, which look majestic and majestic on that flat face. The Queen Mother was very glad that she didn't have much breakfast at this time.

Miss Zhou opened her mouth and smiled slightly: "Queen Mother, the little girl made a small poem today, I hope the Queen Mother will taste it." ”

"Oh, read it."

Miss Zhou said with emotion: "The swallow swallow has black wings, and it falls on the eaves silently. Throw away a pebble and spread your wings and fly high without a trace. ”

Li Hongji turned his back and tried his best to hold back his laughter. At this moment, he didn't want to leave, he wanted to see how the queen mother ended up.

After being silent for a long time, the Queen Mother couldn't help but ask, "Gone?" ”

Miss Zhou innocently tilted her head and said, "It's gone." ”

"Oh" The Queen Mother said lightly: "Sure enough, she is the first talented woman in the world!" It's a pity that the mourners don't know much about poetry. She turned her face and instructed Gonggong Qin: "The mourning family is suddenly a little tired, you can send Miss Zhou back to the house." ”

When Gonggong Qin accompanied Miss Zhou to leave, the Queen Mother took the case and shouted: "Come on, pull that court painter out and behead me for the crime of bullying the king!" ”。

Gonggong Qin coldly looked at Master Zhou Wenzheng Zhou, who was kneeling on the ground trembling, and scolded: "You almost caused my father-in-law to lose his head!" Don't pee and take photos, dare to call the world's most talented woman after copying more than 200 books? Do you know that there is still the word "shame" in this world? With the face of Ling Qianjin, she went to the Qinglou to sell it and found the guest's silver, and she still wanted to be selected as the imperial concubine? ! It's also strange that my father was confused for a while, and he actually accepted your silver, and you don't want to get back half a penny of those silver taels, all of which should surprise me! ”。

After saying that, he walked a few steps, and he still felt that it was not enjoyable, so he turned around and said: "Let Ling Qianjin continue to stay in the house and copy books, don't come out and be embarrassed!" With that, he brushed his sleeves away.