Relaxed? The old lady shook her head slightly: "Niangniang is thinking deeply in the palace, how can there be one thing easy in front of her and behind her?" ”

Meng Xilan smiled when she heard this: "Sure enough, it is my grandmother who understands the palace best." ”

This harem seems to be deserted, but there are a lot of things.

"By the way, the old body heard that Wen Jieyu is going back to the palace, what is the mother going to do with her?"

Zhang Ronger...... Meng Xilan really hadn't thought of her for a while.

"Zhang Rong'er is not a ruthless character, even if she comes back, she can't afford to make any waves." Meng Xilan took a sip of tea and replied unhurriedly.

If she doesn't want to become the second "Song Wenxiu", she will be honest and obedient.

The old lady did not doubt this.

"Recently, there have been many people outside, and they are going to choose a concubine for the emperor."

It stands to reason that the emperor has to choose a concubine every three years to enrich the harem and extend the imperial heir.

Zhou Youchen has been on the throne for five years and has only chosen a concubine once.

Today's harem is so deserted, and it is a matter of time before a concubine is chosen.

Meng Xilan knew in her heart: "If the emperor nods, the palace can make a show for him." ”

The old lady glanced at her, and her expression was a little more entangled: "Niangniang really doesn't mind?" ”

Zhou Youchen also asked her this question, and it seemed that everyone would think she minded.

"Grandmother, as far as this palace is concerned, as long as the emperor's heart is here, here in this palace, how many women are around him, this palace doesn't care."

Meng Xilan looked at the ups and downs of the tea leaves in the cup, she had nothing to worry about, even if there were many women in this harem, she was the only one in this world.

"Niangniang thinks so, the old body really doesn't know whether to be happy or unhappy." The old lady sighed softly.

Meng Xilan put down the tea bowl and said, "The sun is good outside today, so it's better for my grandmother to go out for a walk with me." ”

The old lady was naturally willing, and the two went to the courtyard to enjoy the flowers and see the scenery together, and after walking for a while, the old lady was a little exhausted and wanted to sit down and rest for a while.

"It seems that the old body is going to sweep away the mother's Yaxing today."

Meng Xilan shook her head slowly and sat down with her. "No, it's that Hongu is not considerate of grandmother enough."

She hadn't looked at her old man in a while. Her sideburns are gray, and there are many more wrinkles at the corners of her eyes.

In the past two years, Xu is worrying about too many things, she is aging very quickly, which makes people feel a little heartache.

"Grandmother must ensure your health, although it is good for you to enter the palace, but after all, you should not always toss yourself." Meng Xilan said softly.

Mrs. Meng shook her head slightly: "People, the more idle you are, the easier it is to get sick." It's better to move more, and the old body also wants to come and see His Royal Highness the Prince. ”

Looking at Changsheng, she seemed to see the infinitely bright future of the Meng family. There are no words to express that joy.

After Mrs. Meng left, Xiao Chunzi came in and replied as soon as possible, "Niangniang, the slave has something to report." ”

"Get up and speak." Meng Xilan asked Jade to change a cup of hot tea for herself.

Emerald took the order, and the orb immediately stepped forward and waited beside her.

"Niangniang, the servants of the Internal Affairs Office just came to ask for instructions, today is the day when Wen Jieyu returns to the palace, should the palace send someone over?"

Meng Xilan raised her eyebrows slightly when she heard this: "What is there to ask for?" Let them follow the rules. ”

She looked at the sky outside, and it was already this hour. It is estimated that Zhang Ronger's heart must be panicked enough at this time.

Haruko took the order and left. However, it is too late to prepare the carriage and horses, and we will have to leave tomorrow at the earliest.

Leave in the morning and arrive in the evening.

Zhang Rong'er just waited for one more day, and she was already uneasy, and when she saw the carriage in the palace, she immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

The only thing she is glad about now is that she can still keep Jieyu's identity and continue to live in the palace.

On the way back to the palace, Jing'er couldn't help but be excited, lifted the curtain, and looked around.

Zhang Rong'er looked at the bustling streets outside and was preoccupied.

In the final analysis, she was still a little afraid to face Meng Xilan, she was afraid that she would see through her own mind.

In front of her, no one has nowhere to hide.

As a concubine, the first thing to do when she returns to the palace is naturally to meet the emperor and the queen.

However, Zhou Youchen had no time to take care of her, so Zhang Ronger went to Cining Palace as soon as possible.

Zhang Rong'er respectfully bowed to her.

Meng Xilan instructed lightly: "Get up and speak, let the palace take a good look at you." ”

The temple is a quiet place, and the most important thing is to cultivate people's temperament, but I don't know if it can be useful for people like her?

Zhang Rong'er slowly raised her face, her eyes flickering, and she was slightly uneasy.

Meng Xilan stared at her face and said meaningfully: "It seems that life in the temple is very hard." My sister has lost a lot of weight, and her face is not very good-looking. Why, those masters in the temple didn't treat my sister harshly, right? ”

Zhang Rong'er lowered her eyes and said: "Thank you for the queen's care, the concubine lives very well in the temple." ”

Those sisters-in-law were embarrassed for her, but they didn't treat her preferentially, every day was the same coarse tea and light meal, and the food and clothing were extremely frugal.

The coarse cloth clothes made her uncomfortable, and the wooden bed covered with straw mats kept her awake.

Zhang Rong'er really didn't want to think back to the days there.

"These days, my sister has worked so hard. However, the most important thing to pay attention to in worshiping the Buddha is to have a pure heart and few desires, and it is good to endure some hardships. ”

Meng Xilan's tone was gentle, and there was no oppression at all.

Zhang Rong'er didn't dare to raise her eyes to look at her, but just looked at the ground fixedly, and said: "What Niangniang said is that the concubine should suffer more in order to appreciate Niangniang's great grace." ”

Meng Xilan smiled lightly: "Okay, you're tired after a day of tossing, go back and rest early." ”

She didn't want to listen to her flattery, she listened awkwardly, and she said it even more uncomfortable.

The moment she walked out of Cining Palace, Zhang Rong'er breathed a sigh of relief.

The palace maid beside her, Jing'er took the initiative to greet her.

"Niangniang, are you okay?"

At this moment, Zhang Rong'er's face was really ugly.

Zhang Rong'er held her arm and walked down slowly, and after a few steps, her legs were sore, as if she had lost her strength.

Jing'er was slightly stunned, she didn't expect her master to be so scared.

Is this queen really so terrible?

……

The triennial election of concubines is coming soon.

Although Zhou Youchen didn't say a word, Meng Xilan had already begun to prepare.

She had in her hands two lists from the Ministry of Household Affairs and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, as well as detailed information from the Meng family first-hand.

There are definitely not a few officials of the fifth rank or above in the DPRK and the Central Committee who have a daughter to marry at home. In this case, it is necessary to take the time to make a good selection.

Zhou Youchen didn't know that she was talking about it, so when he found out, his mood was not ordinary helplessness and anger.

"You actually want to choose a concubine for me again?"

Facing Zhou Youchen's questioning, Meng Xilan hurriedly got up and knelt down and said, "The emperor is angry. ”

Zhou Youchen took her hand, took her whole person up, looked into her eyes and said, "You know that I will be angry, but you still want to do this?" ”

Meng Xilan's wrist ached slightly, and she said in a calm tone: "Your Majesty, didn't you say it before, the imperial court is now the time to employ people!" The concubines just wanted to find a way to win the hearts of the emperor. Even if it is for the sake of the crown prince, the imperial power is unstable, and the prince's future will be in jeopardy. ”

Zhou Youchen slowly let go of her hand when he heard this, and shook his head again and again: "You will only make it difficult for me to do this." ”

Meng Xilan rubbed her wrist and said in a low voice: "The concubine knows, so the concubine will not make up her mind for the emperor." After speaking, she only asked Zhuqing to send the list up. The women above are all the daughters of officials above the fifth rank in the court, and the emperor can choose by himself, and the concubines will never interfere. ”

Zhou Youchen stared at her: "I won't choose, if you want to choose, then you choose." Just don't forget Song Wenxiu, she was also chosen by you back then. ”

Meng Xilan met his displeased gaze and said quietly: "The concubine obeys the order." ”

Her answer made Zhou Youchen frown. "Do you have to do this? With the lessons of the Song family, who else dares to send their daughter to my side? ”

"There will always be. There will always be those who are eager to climb up and want to have a relationship with the royal family at any cost. Meng Xilan lowered her eyes slightly and said: "A gentleman has the usefulness of a gentleman, and a villain also has the usefulness of a villain." ”

Song Wenxiu's fault is not in the competition for favor, but in the tricks she played behind her back to slander the prince who was not yet born.

Zhou Youchen held her wrist again and secretly exerted force: "You know that there will only be such people, why do you want to let them enter the palace?" ”

Meng Xilan raised her hand, and her palm gently covered the back of his hand: "Your Majesty, there are some things that must be done." Even if you know that there are only enemies standing on the opposite side, only jackals, tigers and leopards. ”

Zhou Youchen understood the meaning of her words, he let out a long sigh, turned around and stood with her on the ground.

He lowered his head, met her forehead, closed his eyes and sighed, "You really let ...... Let me have nothing to say. Do you know? There is no more stupid woman in this world than you. ”

Meng Xilan stretched out her hands and hugged him back: "Yes, the concubine is really stupid." ”

The two embraced each other silently.

Suddenly, Zhou Youchen's eyes fell on the two lists she had just brought, and asked in a deep voice, "Do you have a suitable candidate in mind?" ”

Hearing this, Meng Xilan slowly let go of her hand: "Since you want to choose, you naturally have to choose the person who is most beneficial to the emperor." Among the six departments, there are many suitable candidates among the military department, the criminal department, and the engineering department. And among the concubines of the adults in the state capitals, there are also many of them of appropriate age. The concubine felt that since she wanted to choose, it was better to do everything. Three provinces, six departments, five temples and other mansions, none of them should be left behind. ”

Zhou Youchen couldn't laugh or cry when he heard this, "Lan'er, do you have to let me fill this harem with people inside and out, so that you are happy, aren't you?" You woman......"

Meng Xilan stretched out her hand to stretch her brows for him, and said softly: "The harem is full, which is a good thing. The emperor doesn't need to worry about the concubine, the concubine is the lord of the six palaces, and the phoenix seal is in her hand, so she can protect herself at any time. ”