Although the temple is a place of cultivation, Baoming Temple, a place where noble women practice, cannot meet the requirements of ordinary temples. For the sake of those wealthy women, there is also a small garden in the temple.

The garden occupies a small area, but the flowers and plants planted in it are all precious treasures, and at this time the flowers are in full bloom, or the wind is bright red like fire, or its powder is like a glow. All kinds of flowers and plants have different colors, forming a beautiful sea of flowers, which makes people dizzy and forget to return.

The spring breeze blows, the flowers and branches tremble, and the fragrant fragrance floats in the wind, which is refreshing. A bee wanders among the flowers, sometimes stopping on one flower to collect nectar, sometimes flying up with the wind and landing on another flower. Qingfeng Langyue, who happened to be here, looked at this scene, then looked at Li Cailian, and said with a smile: "Madam, do you see, does this bee look like Fan Gongzi?" Isn't what he's doing now about this bee? ”

Li Cailian's face flushed slightly, and she scolded with a smile: "You two little hooves can't stand it by yourself, right?" Can you say such things? It's okay to talk about it here, go out of the palace and say, see if I don't tear your mouth! ”

"It's okay, we're just here to talk about it, when we leave the palace, we naturally know the severity and won't talk nonsense. I just think it's not worth it for Mrs., peony flowers like you have bloomed for him, and the bees go to other flowers to collect nectar, isn't it damned? ”

Qingfeng said: "Yes, madam, you let Fan Gongzi live happily here, but he went to the palace to do things for him, no matter how you look at it, it looks like the kind of stupid woman who was deceived by the little white face you said at the beginning, beware that you are single-mindedly against him, and in the end you will be tricked." ”

"No...... He won't lie to me. You don't understand, I ...... I see people very accurately. Li Cailian had a serious expression and said word by word, in order to strengthen the persuasiveness of her words, she explained:

"He didn't let me enter the palace at all, I asked for it myself. What do you know? I am happy from the bottom of my heart to be able to do something for him, and when you really fall in love with a man, you will understand this kind of thought, and you will be willing to do anything for the person you love. Besides, I can't give him anything here, man, come up on the fire, how can you get it if you don't find some women for him to put out the fire? Besides, those women are not easy, and it is rare to meet a satisfactory one, so I will reward them. Didn't you notice that since they had Fan Gongzi, their tempers are much better than in the past, and they rarely cause trouble for me? Just when I did a good job of helping the victims, it was just hard work for Fan Lang. ”

"He's hard? I don't know how happy he is. Qingfeng said with a pout.

Li Cailian smiled, "If your eyes are hot, you can also make a hand, anyway, sooner or later, it will be the meat in his mouth, I don't blame you." ”

"Don't want it, it's embarrassing to think about it." Qingfeng blushed like a lump, shook his head and said, "Madam, didn't you say that we just asked about the government?" Is this a bad rule? ”

"You and I are both the people of the Ming Dynasty, and we are the royal family, and this Ming matter is our family affair. What's wrong with caring about your family's affairs? Besides, even if it wasn't for Fan Lang, I had to go into the palace, and after listening to what he said, I estimated that the Queen Mother was also trying to find someone to talk to, who could she go to besides me? ”

As the Empress Dowager of the Ming Dynasty, the Li family's authority in the palace is unmatched, especially before the Son of Heaven was in power, and she basically had the final say in the entire Da Nei. However, just as the emperor is called a widow, although there are many people around the Li family, there are actually few people who can confide their hearts.

The palace is full of intrigues and intrigues, which are far more complicated than the inner houses of ordinary merchants, and if you want to survive in this environment, you have higher requirements for scheming and means. A woman who can wear a phoenix ribbon and lead the six palaces during the Longqing period will naturally not be a simple role. But as long as you are human, you have emotional needs, especially after the death of her husband, Li must support the appearance of a strong woman in order to stabilize her position and prevent political opponents from finding her flaws, so as not to damage her own interests.

A strong and wise queen mother can stabilize people's hearts, ensure the stability of the government and government, and not lose her authority. People before and after must make a strong appearance, and because of this, even the people around them often ignore the fact that she is only a thirty-year-old woman.

Like other women, she also has the need to talk, especially when she is in trouble, she wants to find someone to talk to, but looking around, such a person is difficult to find. Empress Dowager Chen is loyal and useless, what to say to her is tantamount to saying in vain, not to mention that the Li family doesn't want to show weakness in front of her. Feng Bao is just a slave, it is okay to use him to do things, and to be a confidant is to bring disaster upon himself.

Originally, Zhang Juzheng could shelter her from the wind and rain, even if the monarch and the minister were different, there could be no contact. But as long as he saw this tall and handsome man appear in the court, the Li family had the backbone in his heart, no matter what was a big thing, there was this man who carried it for him, and he didn't need to work hard. But now, this wall to protect against the wind has been suddenly lost, and the pressure that could have been shared must be borne by herself, especially when there is an accident beyond her ability to handle, she needs to find someone to talk to, to confide in her weakness and helplessness.

Therefore, when Li Cailian asked to see her, Empress Dowager Li was really happy in her heart. After meeting, the two sisters sat together holding hands and talking to themselves, as they had done at home. At least at this moment, Empress Dowager Li can forget her identity and responsibilities and be an ordinary woman again.

"The Queen Mother's longevity is coming, and this year, the concubine and Feng Sili have joined forces to prepare to give you a big gift, and you will be happy when the time comes."

"Sister Huang, don't say anything between you and me. You are not a bastard like my father, and you will not act in my name, so I will recognize you as a sister, and don't mention anything about the monarch. You think about me in your heart, I'm very grateful, but this life can't be done, it's hard to say, I don't have this mind anyway. ”

"Why did the Queen Mother say this? At present, the world is peaceful, and the people live and work in peace and contentment, which is a rare peaceful time. At this time, it is not extravagant to have some celebrations, not to mention that the Queen Mother has never been extravagant, nor has she withdrawn money from the treasury. At most, the slaves and ministers are filial piety and not faulty. Everyone has been preparing for so long, if the Queen Mother doesn't have a birthday, won't they be busy in vain? This filial piety is rare, and they should not have the heart to repay it, and there is nowhere to start. ”

"That's what I said, but when I encounter something annoying, I really can't think about it." Empress Dowager Li sighed, "I can say this to the imperial sister, it's not easy to mention it outside, you keep it in mind, don't say it yet." I blush when I mention the embarrassing things. ”

"What's wrong, what's wrong?"

"Over there in Yunnan, there is a mess. Didn't Mu Chaofu, the Duke of Qianguo, die a few years ago, and his brother Mu Chaobi temporarily took over the post, waiting for his nephew to grow up and then return the title? As a result, Feng Baona just got a blood certificate, which was written by Mu Chaofu's mother-in-law, Li, accusing Mu Chaofu of his brother, sister-in-law, killing his nephew, imprisoning his mother, and seizing the throne. Think about it, can I be happy in my heart that this nobleman who has retired with the country has done such a rebellious thing? ”

Although Li Cailian had already gotten the news from Fan Jin, she still pretended to be surprised and asked, "Is there such a thing?" Mu Chaobi killed his brother, occupied his sister-in-law, and killed his own nephew, which is an unforgivable crime. ”

"It's not just my sister-in-law, I have children." Li shook his head, "When I mention this, it makes people panic, that Mu Chaofu's wife once donated three thousand taels of silver to help the great work when she was in the temple, and she was rewarded by the Son of Heaven. Now that she has been humiliated, she can't redress her grievances, and at the age of Mrs. Li, she still has to write a bloody complaint, and she doesn't know how miserable the situation is. It is said that such a wolf should be brought into Beijing to ask for the crime, he is still a real power vassal lord, Yunnan is located in a remote area, Mu Chaobi has tens of thousands of military power, like a big hedgehog. If you don't care about it like this, and you damage the prestige of the court, you don't care about it, and his Mu family won't rebel in the future? Now the court is in a dilemma, I don't know what to do, the mourning family is only sad in their hearts, how can they still have the heart to celebrate their birthday. ”

Li Cailian said: "Queen Mother, in fact, although this thing sounds hateful, it is not worth being so irritable. The eldest son of the family has a minister, this is a matter of civil and military officials, shouldn't we women worry about it, isn't there a first assistant? Let him make up his mind, what is the Queen Mother doing with this mind. ”

"If Shousuke is useful, I don't have to worry so much." Empress Dowager Li sighed and said, "I only dare to say this in front of the imperial sister." There are no mountains and no flat land, and in the past, I felt that Lu Tiaoyang was old and serious, and he was a very good minister. But now that I look at it, this person is not good when he is old, and if he doesn't say anything else, he will say that this is a big difference in spirit. When he gave a lecture to the emperor yesterday, he almost fell asleep, and he finally remembered that he couldn't lose his dignity in front of the king, and he could barely cope with it, but that look...... Tsk, even I was sleepy for him. ”

Li Cailian said: "Then maybe you're tired, right?" When the concubines listened to those gossip among the people, some people also said that Old Man Lu was very diligent, and he was busy in the cabinet until midnight every day. ”

"What kind of diligence is he? His hands were too slow to keep him busy. In order to wait for him, the celebrant is now divided into two groups, one group is dedicated to staring at the daytime, and the other group is dedicated to staying up late. And you said that at night, the lights and candles are unknown, and he is presbyopia, if he looks at the wrong place, it will be a big mess. ”

Li Cailian said: "It's not good if that's the case." Let's not say that we have made the wrong concerto, what should I do if someone of this age is not careful and knocks down the lamp and candle? In addition to paper and wood in the cabinet, this is ......"

Empress Dowager Li shook her head again and again, "Don't say it, I am very scared of what you said, as if something like this is really going to happen." I have to let a few people go to the cabinet to keep an eye on it, lest something really go wrong. Not to mention this, let's just say that the speed of this errand is not comparable to Zhang Juzheng. When Mr. Zhang was the first assistant, he did not delay in lecturing and commenting on the chapters, and the major matters were handled in an orderly manner. Now Lu Tiaoyang is listless in lecturing, and he procrastinates on an errand. Originally, I was going to let him be in charge, but now I have to hesitate, long live I am still young, and I am not at ease to hand over the world to such a person for several years. ”

"Yes, when the concubine heard what the Queen Mother said, she also felt uneasy. In the past, I only knew that the old man Lu Ge was loyal and honest, but other reputations were just like that. This is the first assistant, just like the big housekeeper of a family, it is not enough to not deduct the money of the main family, the most important thing is that he has to be able to work. Especially if Banzai hasn't gotten married yet, if the first assistant is not effective, how can he get it after a long time? ”

"It's not going to be a long time, it's just a problem right now. The complaint was reported to the cabinet, but Lu Tiaoyang couldn't approve it for a long time, and he couldn't make up his mind himself, so he didn't know what to do. I would like to ask Banzai to cut it. ”

"Huh? Isn't this a burden thrown back and forth? When Zhang Ge was in the court, there was never a time when he had no ideas. ”

Empress Dowager Li nodded, and the tall and handsome figure of the first assistant seemed to appear in front of her again. As a woman, she also wants to find a reliable shoulder to rely on, but even when her husband was alive, he did not have the prestige that a king should have, and he was suppressed to death by the high pavilion elders, and he was basically completely laissez-faire in court politics. If it weren't for this, Gao Gong would not have been so domineering, and he almost fought with Qunfu in the cabinet. Only Zhang Juzheng has given her a feeling of being reliable, and with this man, she will not be in danger.

There was never any problem that stumped the man, even when the treasury was empty and the warehouse was empty, he could calmly deal with it and think about countermeasures. He must have had times when he was hesitant or in a difficult situation, but he could always think of a way to deal with it calmly, at least he would not transmit this pressure to himself and the emperor. In contrast, Lu Tiaoyang's contradictory method of handing over naturally could not satisfy Empress Dowager Li.

Clothes are not as good as new, and people are not as good as old. Looking at the court, none of the ministers she knows can compare with Zhang Juzheng. But he ...... encountered such adversity again, in addition to complaining about God's injustice, Empress Dowager Li didn't know what to say.

Li Cailian saw that the timing was about the same, and asked appropriately: "Queen Mother, the concubines have heard those female dependents talk about it, as if the minister's filial piety is a grace, not a matter of course?" If you don't give this grace, will it be possible? ”

"Sister Huang, you don't understand, the grace you are talking about is like that, in fact, there is filial piety that must be kept. Unless it is a sword soldier, then the minister can stay to deal with official business, and there is a saying called seizing affection...... Lust ......" Empress Dowager Li repeated the word, her eyes sometimes brightened, sometimes dimmed. Shaking his head, he said, "This can't be done...... Doesn't that hurt Mr. Zhang? He worked hard for the Ming Dynasty, we shouldn't treat loyal ministers like this. ”

At this time, the little eunuch spread the word that the son of Wanli asked to see his mother. Mother and son are human, and naturally there is no reason to refuse. As for Li Cailian, the relationship between the imperial aunt and Wanli is also passable, and there is no need to hide. After the meeting and ceremony, Wanli asked in a panic:

"Queen Mother, the matter of the Duke of Qianguo, Lu Qing's family still pushed it to me to decide. Queen Mother, you say, what should I do? ”

Empress Dowager Li sighed and said, "What do you want the mourning family to say about this?" If the mourning family had an idea, they would have said it a long time ago. A well-educated person like Lu Tiaoyang can't come up with a way, what can we do if we are a widow and you are an ignorant child? ”

Wanli blinked, looked at his mother, and then at Li Cailian, and asked, "Queen Mother, Imperial Aunt." I remembered that I read the story of Yue a few days ago, and it was mentioned that the minister's closest relatives died of illness, and he did not necessarily have to go home to guard the system. The emperor can let the ministers stay and continue to work, called seizing love, is there any rule in my dynasty? I asked Feng Daban, but Daban couldn't say clearly, so I only asked my mother. ”

Empress Dowager Li thought for a moment, "Lu Ge Lao is known as the living rules of the country, and he knows the most about etiquette and law, the emperor might as well send someone to ask Lu Ge Lao, no matter how confused he is, this matter is always clear." ”