March 16 of the second year of Yonghui.

Tai Chi Palace.

In front of the Lizheng Palace.

The flowers are blooming.

Mei Niang yawned, and watched Ryan take a group of little maids well, a group of east and west, pick those fresh flowers, and then separate them one by one, and dry them in a cool place, just waiting to dry, you can make sachet flower cakes or something.

While Wen Niang stood with a smile, she watched Mei Niang take the tonic medicine prepared by Sun Simiao well, and then nodded and said:

"My sister has eaten it......

I thought my sister was going to wait until she got cold before eating. ”

Mei Niang put down the medicine bowl, frowned and smacked the bitter, sweet and slightly pungent aftertaste in her mouth, and couldn't help but say:

"If I really wait for a cold to get cold......

Wouldn't that even this last bit of sweetness be gone?

What's more, Brother Sun's prescription of this medicine is indeed miraculous......

In the past, no matter what I ate every day, I had to vomit cleanly.

But since taking this medicine, both the feeling of nausea and the feeling of chest fullness have improved a lot, and I can eat some things......

Nature is meant to be eaten. ”

Wen Niang nodded and said yes with a smile.

After a while, Mei Niang asked:

"Recently, there seems to be no movement between the queen and the concubine......"

She turned around, and from the table full of small snacks on the side of the small Hu Ji (it is a kind of furniture in the Tang Dynasty, with low feet and low faces, a bit similar to today's floor table), she took a piece of snow-white jade-like jade cake into the import, (unlike the soft and elastic jade core cake, this jade cake is a relatively hard pastry, which arose in the army at the end of the Sui Dynasty, and it was first rumored that Li Yuan's wife Dou loved sweets, so Li Yuan made it by the chef in the army.) Its biggest feature is very, very sweet and fragrant - there was no such thing as sugar in the Tang Dynasty, but only in the Song Dynasty, so its raw material is said to be something like beet fruit, dried and ground into powder, and then half and half mixed with rice flour mixed with water and dough and steamed in a pot. The reason why it is called jade cake is because after steaming, it is generally used to sprinkle something like goose-yellow bean flour and eat. The snow-white cake with goose-yellow powder looks like a blooming flower, so it is called jade cake. During the reign of Emperor Gojong, the chefs in the court got some inspiration from the conversations of the maids, and began to shape all the pastries made in the court at that time into a five-petal flower the size of a thumb, and the center of the flower was steamed with soybean flour. When it is steamed, it is more like a flower stamen. Later, this kind of atmosphere also began to develop among the aristocracy and the people. He chewed it carefully, then nodded:

"The chefs in this imperial dining room are getting more and more interested in making these things......

Not to mention anything else, this jade cake is very palatable. ”

Wen Niang saw that Mei Niang was eating happily, and she didn't like it in her heart, so she smiled and said:

"It's best if my sister likes it.

These things are not worth anything. ”

When Mei Niang heard this, she felt quite surprised, looked at her and said:

"Could it be this...... But you taught them to do it? ”

Wen Niang said with a smile:

But it wasn't...... This jade cake is something that has been around for a long time, and Wen Niang just told those masters that my sister is pregnant now, and those pastries that can be seen every day, although there are still a few things that fit the taste, but in the end it is still too big, it is inconvenient to eat, and it is easy to get tired.

So the chefs came up with this ingenious method, making these pastries to the size of their fingers, and then sorting them into small plates and eating them according to the amount.

In this way, my sister can eat one or two of all kinds of small snacks, and she won't be unable to eat......"

Mei Niang nodded and said with a smile:

"Isn't it?

You've really put a lot of thought into it. ”

Wen Niang hung her head and smiled silently.

After a while, Mei Niang looked at her again and asked softly:

"Speaking of which, last night, did Jiro summon Li Yun and Master Li to come?"

When Wen Niang heard this, she said:

"Yes."

"What did you say......

DID YOU KNOW? ”

"It seems that the Lord ordered Lord Li to try to spread the news of the British Duke and Lord Di Renjiedi entering together today......

I don't know how. ”

Mei Niang frowned, nodded, and said softly after a while:

If so...... That's it. ”

After talking for a while, Wen Niang went to help him clean up the petals because of Ryan's call.

And Mei Niang thought about it here, and after a few thoughtful times, she finally made up her mind and said to Liu'er, who came to the side to clean up the tea:

"Come, I've got something for you."

Liu'er stepped forward as ordered, Mei Niang whispered a few words, and saw a look of surprise on his face.

But Mei Niang didn't care at all, just said solemnly:

"Remember, you must not know about this.

Got it? ”

Liu'er hesitated for a while, not knowing what to do.

After all, since he served Mei Niang, it was the first time he heard that Mei Niang wanted to completely avoid Li Zhi.

Although there have been things to avoid Li Zhi before......

But that has nothing to do with the courtiers.

However, he thought about it for a long time, thinking that Mei Niang would not betray Li Zhi and would not teach him to be sad. So he nodded cautiously and said:

"Sister is at ease, Liu'er will definitely do it well."

"That's fine...... You must remember, whether it's Ryan, or Wen Niang, or anyone......"

Mei Niang looked at Ryan and the others not far ahead, and said in a volume that only the two of them could hear:

"They can't be told right now. Especially Jiro. Got it? ”

It's just for now......

Liu'er breathed a sigh of relief, nodded without hesitation:

"Yes!"

It's night.

Tai Chi Palace.

In the west side of the Zhaode Palace.

British Gong Li Ji, because of Li Zhi's edict, ordered him to enter the history museum to help the historian repair the history of the night more than half of it, so he was given to the west side of the Zhaode Hall for a temporary rest.

However, it was already more than half of the third watch, but Li Ji didn't feel sleepy at all, just stared at the front fixedly, as if waiting for someone.

Soon, the man he was waiting for arrived.

When Mei Niang, who was dressed in a black coat, appeared alone on the pond bridge outside the West Side Palace, Li Ji didn't think about it, and he didn't think about how she got here.

"I've seen Wu Niangzi."

Li Ji just stepped forward and waved his hand and saluted prudently.

Mei Niang smiled and said lightly:

"The British Lord must not be so polite......

Speaking of which, it should be Mei Niang's gift to the British public. ”

Li Ji said with a straight face:

"Not really.

As the lady said, the old minister is enthroned, and it seems to be slightly above the lady, but the lady now has a son in the womb, which is unspeakably expensive, and it is naturally the old minister's courtesy. ”

Mei Niang glanced at him, and suddenly smiled faintly:

"It seems that the Lord today, really for the sake of Mei Niang's concubine, summoned the British Duke to discuss with Lord Di......"

Li Ji was stunned, and his eyes couldn't help but show some admiration and surprise:

"The lady is smart and rare in the world."

Mei Niang was not too modest, she only went to the circle chair on the side of the small table by herself, slowly sat down with Li Ji, and then did not turn around, and went straight to the road:

"And it seems......

What the Lord asks for is what the British Duke and Lord Di think is impossible! ”

Li Ji was stunned again, and his heart was even more admired, but his face was still faint:

"Exactly."

Mei Niang nodded again:

"That's why Mei Niang will come.

There is no mention of gossip, British public time is like gold, and Mei Niang has no intention of spending it in vain, so she said it bluntly.

Mei Niang dared to ask the British public one thing......

The Lord's mind is not to abolish Concubine Lu Xian and make Mei Niang a virtuous concubine? ”

Li Ji was stunned for a while, and then said softly:

"Sure enough, the martial lady is clever."

"So, presumably the British Duke is the same as Mei Niang, don't think so?"

Li Jimeng looked up at Mei Niang, and said after a while:

"Wu Niangzi also thinks it's impossible?"

Mei Niang nodded and said lightly:

"Let's not mention that Mei Niang has no title at the moment, if she directly seals the concubine, it will be a big deal......

Just discussing the family history of Mei Niang and Concubine Lu Xian, you can know that this matter will attract discussion from all over the world.

In the final analysis, although Concubine Lu Xian had a small history a few days ago, she has never had a bad reputation.

If she is abolished, not to mention the important members of the clan and the Lu clan, even the members of the Guan Long faction who have always been on good terms with the clan will be unbearable.

So presumably cure...... Presumably, the Lord also wants to take the opportunity to find some mistakes, so as to teach the Lu family to find their own way back, yes or no? ”

Mei Niang's question really taught Li Ji to sigh more than once:

Sure enough, the person who knows Li Zhi best in the world is this woman.

He nodded slowly, although he knew that Mei Niang intended this, but he didn't know Mei Niang's intentions, so he just said:

"I don't know the martial lady......

But what does that mean? ”

Mei Niang was silent, and only after a while did she look up and ask Li Jidao:

"British duke, Mei Niang dares to ask, in the opinion of the national duke, what is the chance of winning this design?"

Li Ji thought for a while, nodded and said:

"If the Lord is ......

That's impossible, and it's possible.

To say the least, there is a 70% chance of winning. ”

"However, presumably, if you act like this, it will inevitably lead to a toss in the DPRK......

Yes and no? ”

Mei Niang asked lightly.

Li Ji nodded.

Mei Niang let out a long sigh:

"That'......

Mei Niang is brave, please borrow the mouth of the British public. ”

Li Ji was stunned, and before he could ask, he heard Mei Niang say:

"Since the left and right are going to cause chaos in the DPRK and China......

That's just going to make a big fuss.

I also asked the British public to speak to the Lord, so that the position of a virtuous concubine would be imposed, and if she was forced to do so, she would definitely not be able to.

If it is not to point to the east and the west, it can also attract everyone's attention. ”

Li Jiyi was stunned and said:

"Wu Niangzi means ......"

"The ancestral system of the Tang Dynasty was formed by attacking the previous dynasty.

Under the late queen, there are only four ladies.

If it is for Mei Niang, add a lady, it can show that the Lord loves Mei Niang, and it can make the concubines and mothers from various clans feel at ease.

After all, unlike the ladies in the palace, what they value is not the level of the concubine, but whether there is a concubine. ”

Li Ji immediately understood:

"Not bad...... The clan has always regarded itself as a nobleman.

When I sent a woman to the palace before to seek the position of wife, I just took it for granted.

Therefore, there is no concept of whether the position of the lady is high or low - to put it bluntly, as long as it is one of the four ladies, whether it is high or low, it does not matter to the people in the maternal family of the fourth concubine.

Therefore, compared with the abolition of one of the martial arts girls...... In fact, adding another concubine is more acceptable to all races.

I'm just afraid......

Even if you add a low-ranking concubine, it will be a lot of twists and turns! ”

Mei Niang raised her eyebrows and said with a surprised smile:

"British duke, Mei Niang wants, but she is not a low-ranking concubine......

Mei Niang's intention is to add a concubine position that is higher than the fourth lady and only half a rank lower than the queen......"

Li Ji immediately changed color:

"Is this true?"

"Naturally, take it seriously."

Mei Niang smiled confidently:

"If not, why did Mei Niang come to beg the British duke?"

"Then there is nothing the old minister can do.

Since ancient times, this queen is the cause of the emperor's couple, and because of the way of yin and yang, it is natural that the queen does not need to seal the rank, and the fourth lady is a positive product......

If you want to add a rank higher than the concubine of the fourth lady, isn't it the same as having an emperor and two queens? ”

Mei Niang smiled lightly:

"Yes, it's to be an emperor and two queens."

Li Ji stared at Mei Niang for a long time, and then said:

"If it weren't for the fact that the old minister had known the lady for a long time, I was afraid that he would have to say goodbye.

Lady, please also make it clear what it means to refer to the east and the west. ”

Mei Niang clapped her hands and smiled, looking innocent like a girl:

"Sure enough, it was still a British public, and I immediately understood Mei Niang's intentions......

Yes, Mei Niang didn't really ask for the position of one of the queens......

If Mei Niang insisted on it, she was afraid that others would not mention it, and Uncle Yuan would be the first to jump out and not agree......

Therefore, what Mei Niang begged was to be able to call the front and back courts, everyone thought that Mei Niang lost a game of chess, and they all thought that the power of the Tang Dynasty was still firmly in their hands. ”

Li Ji was stunned, and immediately understood:

"Could it be that the lady is asking for ......?"

A look of surprise appeared on his face.

Mei Niang nodded with a smile, stretched out her hand to stroke her lower abdomen and said:

"It's already halfway through March, and there will be no more than six or seven months, when it will be time to give birth.

Although Mei Niang has no intention of being a concubine, but for the sake of this child, she still has to have a high rank to be protected by the mother and son.

But at the moment, all the ministers and concubines, which one is not eyeing each other, just waiting for Mei Niang to make a mistake and strike a good blow?

It's Uncle Yuan...... I'm afraid that although he has expressed his willingness to protect Mei Niang's mother and son, most of the people around him are also trying to kill his mother and keep her son after Mei Niang gives birth in the future......

For the sake of the child, Mei Niang just doesn't want to fight anymore, she has to fight this time.

But Mei Niang knew that Mei Niang's background and Mei Niang's experience were not enough to stand on the position of lady.

Even if the Lord is merciful and insists on this, it will only teach the monarch and the ministers to be discordant, and the court and the central government will be unstable.

But despite this, Mei Niang also knows that with the power of the Lord, she must be able to do it......

But in that case, for those courtiers and concubines, it is equivalent to Mei Niang winning.

For them, who have held real power for many years, this move is tantamount to giving them a wake-up call in advance, reminding them that the Lord has decided to take over the power of the court.

This...... It's not good, and once Mei Niang wins this battle, it will inevitably attract more murderous intentions and intrigue.

So for the sake of the children, for the sake of the Lord, and for the future of Mei Niang...... In this battle, Mei Niang must lose, and she must lose completely. ”

Mei Niang's eyes were resolute, and she looked at Li Jidao, who was shocked:

"Thinking about it, the two compared......

Mei Niang thinks that the most suitable thing for Mei Niang at the moment is to seek the back position and get the concubine position.

The head of the nine concubines, the seal of Zhaoyi, is the most suitable for the current Mei Niang. ”

Li Ji was so shocked by the woman in front of him that he couldn't speak for a while:

Indeed, he has known Mei Niang for more than a day or two.

But......

But he never thought that the woman in front of him would be able to integrate the art of war into the affairs of the court and the government in such a way!

In his chest, a feeling was about to move, teaching him not to dare to face it:

Or...... Just or ......

This woman ......

This woman can be more than a queen......

Suddenly, he woke up, and immediately took a breath before saying:

"What does that lady mean......

Ming fights for the back position, and is actually established as a concubine?

In this battle, in the back court, the lady can pretend to lose to the queen and the four concubines, and within the previous court, the lord will also lose to the ministers.

In this way, those people in the former and back courts will think that the power of the court is still firmly in their hands, and they will naturally despise it......"

"The proud army will be defeated.

It's a pity that the Tang Dynasty ministers and concubines are all extraordinary sons, so to make them proud, we must only think more about it. ”

Li Ji held his breath, looked at Mei Niang for a while, and finally said:

"The Lady could have spoken directly to the Lord......

In this way, the lady must be more loved by the Lord......"

"The Lord has always acted prudently.

But since Mei Niang returned to the palace for the second time, the lord, who has always been cautious, has made some small mistakes several times. Why? It's all because it's about Mei Niang, and it's all about love.

Therefore, for Mei Niang, if Mei Niang sues the Lord, I am afraid that although she can get more mercy from the Lord, she will inevitably not be able to implement it.

On the contrary, the British public position is different from Mei Niang. The Lord is the most patriotic ......

Therefore, this plan will not work out in anyone's words-even the Lord Di--but if the English Lord shows his strength to the Lord, he will certainly adopt it.

This is also the reason why Mei Niang wants to avoid the eyes and ears of the Lord, and is single and willing to commit the crime of deceitful to come to the secret meeting of the prince.

Naturally, in the future, if the prince wants the Lord to know about this, then he might as well tell him clearly.

But now, whether the Duke of the Kingdom is willing to act according to Mei Niang's plan or not, he must still keep this matter in his belly and never leak it. ”

Li Jichang sighed, full of emotion and determination.

Slowly, he raised his hands high, bowed his head, and firmly made an inappropriate gift to this woman who was lower than himself with nine grades (Mei Niang is a palace attendant, and she doesn't even have a title, so she is lower than Li Ji Jiupin, who used to be in the first rank and is actually in the position of the first rank now, and in this way, Zheng Yipin bowed his head to Mei Niang, and when Tang Shi, who had not yet asked the minister to kneel and bow when he saw the concubines, it was equivalent to saluting Mei Niang like the queen):

"The winner is so loving to his wife, Li Ji-

Never give up! ”

His eyes flashed with firmness and conviction:

That's right......

After all, he chose the right good lord and Empress Ming!!