The ladies of the family looked surprised, as if they did not believe it. There are rumors outside the palace from time to time that the queen of the middle palace is extremely unfavored, and she guards the palace wall alone every night. When they were young, they all entered the palace and saw the official family, and now when they meet again, they feel that he is more handsome and elegant than they have in their impressions, and they see that he is so pampered and gentle to the queen, and they are more and more admired.

Jing Shu looked at the slender and powerful big hand in front of her, as if she was still in a dream, she called softly, "Official!" ”

Zhao Zhen saw that she was still holding the pestle, so he took her hand, shook it, and said softly: "On a hot day, why are your hands so cold, let the imperial doctor pick up a few pairs of health medicine and eat it." ”

Jing Shu was flattered, her face turned red, and she replied in a low voice: "Xu is because he just took the ice fruit, it is not in the way, and the Xie official family cares." They respected each other like guests, and others seemed to be extremely affectionate.

Zhao Zhen nodded and smiled at everyone, "Minhua has lived in the palace for a long time, it is rare to get together with you and talk to her well." The crowd leaned over, "Yes." ”

When he got up to look again, the emperor and queen had already walked out of the palace gate.

Zhao Zhen led Jingshu step by step to the outside of the hall, turned the palace gate, and walked to the corridor before letting go of his hand. Jingshu followed behind without hurry, "Official, why are you ...... today?"

Zhao Zhen smiled helplessly, "You are my wife, the queen mother of the Great Song Dynasty, how can you let the children of the retainers make irresponsible remarks, they are not qualified to judge you." They embarrass you, they embarrass me. If such a thing happens again in the future, you will definitely show the majesty of your queen. ”

Speaking of this, Zhao Zhen glanced at Jingshu with pity, and after the wedding, the days he stayed in Ciyuan Hall were numbered. He hesitated for a moment before he said, "I summoned Lu Xiang to discuss matters in the Chongzheng Palace, you go back to the palace first." After speaking, he was about to leave, but Jingshu pulled his sleeve, and he looked back at her with a frown.

Jingshu pleaded slightly: "If the concubine can go with you, just go to the Chongzheng Palace." ”

Zhao Zhen couldn't bear to refuse, and nodded in agreement.

Jingshu was overjoyed in her heart, as if she had received something very beloved, revealing a sweet smile. Zhao Zhen was stunned for a moment, and felt quite moved, if she was not the main palace chosen by the Queen Mother, maybe they would also be warm and affectionate, and they would also be harmonious, after all, she was his wife. Whether they love each other or not, they are destined to be entangled in this life, sharing honor and disgrace.

That night, Li Meiren took the maid Zhuan Bi to Huifu Garden.

Shang Lindong had just had dinner, and when he saw her coming, he was very enthusiastic, and hurriedly rinsed his mouth and cleaned his face and talked to her. Because it is the height of summer, the sky is dark slowly, the sky is still bright at this time, the sunset has just set, the sunset burns all over the sky, and the red light is reflected on people's faces through the new thin green light veil on the window, which is really like a peach blossom.

Li Meiren fiddled with the fresh begonias on the rosewood cabinet in the hall, pursed her lips and said with a light smile: "Do you guess where the official family is sleeping today?" ”

Lin Dong leaned on the rattan chair and twisted his hand in Supa, "I heard early that the official family took the queen to the Siyuan Division to appreciate Xinpei's begonias, and naturally stayed in the Ciyuan Palace." ”

Li Meiren turned around and pinched a begonia flower bone in her hand, "If that's the case, I have nothing to say." Just ......"

Lin Dong listened to what she said, and she was secretive, and she hurriedly glanced at her, and withdrew from everyone, "Just what?" ”

Li Meiren moved the lotus step lightly, sat on Lin Dong's side, leaned on the chair and whispered mysteriously: "The official family has stayed in the Funing Hall for half a month, and they have not summoned the concubines. Usually it's only two or three days, and I'm going to come to Huifu Yuan to see you, but now it's been more than half a month, and I haven't seen the holy driver, don't you think it's strange? ”

At this time, the sky was dark, and there was no light, and some attendants came in to light the lamps, and the candles soaked into the darkness, and gradually brightened the scenery in the temple. Lin Dong smiled slowly under the lamp: "I heard that there has been a famine in the Jianghuai region recently, and it is common for officials to not call concubines when they often watch the chapters. ”

Li Meiren lowered her voice again, "I heard from the palace that the official family has a personal relationship with the palace maid in front of the palace. ”

Lin Dong didn't feel a shake in her hands, she was also promoted from a tea palace maid to a concubine in front of the palace that day, and now someone dares to follow in her footsteps. Li Meiren said again: "Last time in Gongyi, I heard that the official family took the palace maid to the palace to enjoy the fun, but I don't believe it first, the official family is an emperor who abides by the rules, how can he take the palace maid out?" Now that I think about it, I just feel that there is a lot of article. ”

Lin Dong was shocked, how could she not know this? Even the plot Qi'er slandered Moran, and this is also the reason. Fortunately, Qi'er hanged herself, otherwise the consequences would be unpredictable. Originally, she made people stare at Moran for a long time, but she didn't see that the official family had anything to do with her, and the official family didn't reward her, so she was frustrated for a while, and she hadn't asked about it for a long time.

Li Meiren saw that Lin Dong was silent in thought, and sighed again and said: "The mouth of the person in front of the emperor is the tightest, I made a lot of silver, and I didn't ask who it was, do you have a way?" ”

After speaking, he kept looking at Lin Dong's face and was silent.

After a long time, Lin Dong bowed his head and said, "I know who it is." So he told Mo Lan that he was accused by the Shang Zheng Bureau of having an affair with Chu Zifu, being demoted to the Renming Palace, being promoted to a six-rank Shang imperial attendant, and being slandered and having an affair with Su and He, and so on, and only ordered her to make a purse for herself and give it to the official family. When I lived with her in Cuiwei Pavilion, I often saw her meet with the guard, who was her childhood sweetheart's cousin, named Chu Zifu. Last time in Gongyi, the official family took her out of the palace, and she was so anxious that the Praetorian Guards almost searched the city! ”

Li Meiren looked at Lin Dong with charming eyes, and asked, "Since you know, why don't you know me?" It's good that I'm a little wary. ”

Seeing that there was anger on her face, Lin Dong hurriedly took her hand and smiled softly: "I'm afraid that you will worry about it in vain, although that Zhang Moran has not been promoted, now it seems that she has some status in the heart of the official family, and she walks around in front of the emperor, facing the saint every day, much more convenient than you and me, and she is undoubtedly the woman who wants to stay in the Funing Palace." ”

Li Meiren slapped the table unconsciously, indignant, "Before you are promoted to a concubine, you dare to act so boldly and recklessly to prevent the official family from entering the harem." If the Queen Mother knows, see how she ends. ”

Lin Dong deliberately said weakly: "Now the official family is deliberately hiding this matter, who dares to go to the Queen Mother to say it." provoked the official family, let's not think about it! ”

Li Meiren's eyes rolled, she hooked her lips and smiled, and said proudly: "Since I know this, I can't pass it like this in vain." Since you and I can't say it, let others say it. I don't believe that the Queen Mother can spare this bewitching girl. ”

Lin Dong smiled slightly, and said sincerely: "You are careful in everything, you must not show your own deeds, it is better to be quiet." ”

Li Meiren smiled, "It's late today, wait for me to go back and think about it, and I'll come back tomorrow to discuss with you." ”

Sending Li Meiren away, Qianhua used a chrysanthemum petal small plate to hold the Chinese medicine powder researched by the Imperial Medicine Institute, mixed it with rose juice, carefully wiped it on Lindong's face, and avoided the eyes and mouth, "This is the slave maid asked the Imperial Medicine Institute of Imperial Medicine Doctor Xu to personally match, saying that it used Baiji, Angelica Angelica, White Petunia, Tribulus terrestris, Atractylodes, White Aconite, White Poria Cocos, White Lilac Eight Flavor Herbs, and sent the medical woman to grind it into powder and prepare it with fresh rose juice. Doctor Xu said that if this slurry is applied to the face every two or three days, it can nourish yin and nourish the skin and make the skin fair. ”

Lindong let the shallow birch fiddle on his face, and his face was cool and pleasant. After applying the face and washing it, he spread a soft cushion in the dormitory, and learned the yoga scriptures handed down from the Tang Dynasty to practice pranayama, meditation, and meditation. Knowing that he could not be disturbed for half an hour, Qianhua retreated to the porch and instructed the palace people to prepare for the beauty bath.

At this time, Zhao Zhen was still discussing with the courtiers in the Chongzheng Palace, and several ministers wearing shirts and hats sat on the ground to discuss the death of Zhao Mingde in the Western Xia Department and the official succession of the child Yuanhao and other political affairs.

Now that the Great Song Dynasty is not as strong as before, if it uses tough means to fight against Western Xia, it is difficult to have a chance of winning. Zhao Zhen also didn't want the border war to continue, and the people were not happy, so he had to compromise and seek perfection, and specially awarded Yuanhao as the king of Xiping, and made him the envoy of the military festival, and also canonized him as a special entry, the inspector of the school and the middle official position, and specially appointed the Ministry of Labor Langzhong Yang Zhao as the official envoy of the festival, and Zhu Yungong as the deputy envoy to go to Xixia to confer the title.

Another right secretary Fan Zhongyan admonished: "Qi Qi Guanjia, now that the Jianghuai area is seriously affected, please send officials to the local area to comfort the affected people." ”

Zhao Zhen sat on the dragon chair and asked in a loud voice, "Do any of the Qing family volunteer to go?" ”

Although his words are so, he also knows that in the wilderness and disaster-stricken places, how can the pampered Beijing officials go voluntarily to go? When he saw that no one answered, he was about to speak.

Someone in the hall raised his voice and said, "The minister is willing to go to the land of Jianghuai." ”

This person is Fan Zhongyan.

Zhao Zhen was very pleased, and immediately issued an order: "Order Fan Zhongyan to be a pacification envoy to the Jianghuai region, so that he can help the poor, have the right to be exempted from taxes, and set off tomorrow." ”

Fan Zhongyan kowtowed to the ground and said loudly: "The minister will live up to the emperor's order and die." ”

After everyone retreated, Zhou Huaizheng went to the emperor and asked respectfully: "Which palace does the official family want to go to today?" ”

Zhao Zhen pondered for a while, remembered the queen's sweet smile in the daytime, and felt pity, "Tell Ciyuan Hall to prepare to take over." When Zhou Huaizheng heard this, he hurriedly sent the palace people to report.

Jingshu was already preparing to go to bed, but when she heard the order from the chamberlain that the official family was coming, she asked twice: "You said the official family is coming?" ”

Ruoli smiled and replied, "It's true." After a pause, he said, "Which dress does the queen want to wear?" ”

Jing Shu said happily: "Just wear the new Tianshui Bisi embroidered gauze skirt made yesterday, I look good." "If you are gone, you will be prepared.

Because the official family is coming, the attendants of the Ciyuan Hall have re-lit the palace lamps everywhere, and prepared many fruit soups that the officials love to eat, and the palace people are also happy to open the lock and open the door. Jingshu changed her clothes, re-traced her makeup, and waited in the hall for the official family to arrive.

When Jingshu waited for her son, she still hadn't seen the official family. was about to send someone to ask, but saw the imperial Zhou Huaizheng come to the Ciyuan Hall in person, knelt on the ground and said: "The official family has already driven to the Ciyuan Palace, and suddenly remembered that there are still a few important court matters that have not been handled, and then turned back to the Funing Palace. ”

The night sky is full of stars, the Milky Way is falling into the sky, and the moon is as round as a silver plate, softly pouring its light on the earth. Jingshu's heart seemed to have fallen into endless darkness, surrounded by despair and chills.

I remember that on the wedding night, she was also waiting for him like this, full of red robes, wearing a crown of nine dragons and four phoenixes, and wearing a white jade double pendant around her waist, what a majesty. She waited for a long, long time, for him to lift his head, for him to hang down the red silk tent. My heart is full of longing and joy, such a flowery scene and noble status are actually at my fingertips. As if falling into a dream, I couldn't believe that I was going to get married, and marry the most noble person in the world, and from then on I would honor the world.

She waited all night, sleepless all night, but she did not wait for her beloved. The next day, I heard from the palace that he was drunk, drunk in the main hall, and fell asleep. On the wedding night, he fell asleep, and this shame was engraved on her heart like a brand, and every time she remembered it, she couldn't help but want to cry, but she was a queen, and no one could lend her shoulder.

Seeing that Jingshu's face was uncertain, Zhou Huaizheng was more cautious in his words and deeds, kneeling on the ground and waiting for his life.

Jing Shu held back her frustration and said lightly: "That being the case, it is naturally a matter of national importance. ”

Zhou Huaizheng got up at this time and replied respectfully: "Yes." ”

Jingshu put half a box of ice fruits specially prepared for the official family and handed it to Zhou Huaizheng, and advised: "It's late at night, you should remind the official family to rest early, although the state affairs are urgent, the dragon body should also be taken care of." These fruits were originally prepared for the official family, so you can take them back and share them with the palace people who are on duty at night, and they will be spoiled if they are left. ”

Zhou Huaizheng respectfully accepted it, thanked him, and then retreated. Out of the Ciyuan Palace, he sighed and handed the box to the attendant who followed. Although the chamberlain was young, he was a ghost elf, and he said with a lot of mouth: "Do you want to present this fruit to the official family?" The slave looked at the queen's face really badly, and the official family should also be thinking about it. ”

Zhou Huaizheng slapped the waiter on the mouth, "Mouthy!" Still want to make trouble? ”

Frightened, the waiter hurriedly booed, and didn't dare to speak again.

Mo Lan was already on duty, and when he returned to Cuiwei Pavilion, he happened to meet the official family, and he was busy standing on the side and waiting. He was going to the harem concubine hall, she knew it in her heart, and she didn't feel that it was wrong. But she didn't want Zhao Zhen to see her, so she didn't want to go anywhere else, she just wanted to go back to Funing Hall to drink the tea she brewed, so she found an excuse to call her back and stay in Funing Palace.

At night, I was afraid that she would go back alone to blow the wind, so I wrapped her in a cloak and sent Zhou Huaizheng back to Cuiwei Pavilion in person to feel at ease. On the second day, she was given a holiday, and she was not on duty until the afternoon.

Since Mo Lan returned to serve the tea division, Dai Qiu felt very strange, often saw her return to her residence in the middle of the night, although the official family liked the tea she cooked, but they would not ask her in the middle of the night, and it was not easy to ask, so she only told Xia Zhi.

Xia Zhi's heart leaned towards Mo Lan, and helped her: "In the past few months, it has been the war in Liangzhou and the Jianghuai famine, and the official family often watches the music all night, and it is normal to serve the tea priest. ”

Jiaoxi was on the side of the soles of her shoes, listening to her two talking, sullen. When Moran didn't come before, the official family praised her from time to time, and would also say a few words to her, but since Moran was transferred back, the official family never looked at her directly. Dai Qiu has always been calm and calm, and when he heard Xia Zhi say this, he hurriedly said: "That's right." ”

As the summer days get longer, the concubines like to spend time in the imperial gardens after sunset and after dark. Flowers and trees are planted in the imperial garden, the weather is warm at this time, and the peony and peony are competing to open, which can be described as purple and red, and the flower branches are oblique, which is very lovely.

Lin Dong took Li Meiren, Wen Jieyu and a few other slightly favored concubines to ride in the shade under the tree, and saw a sedan chair leading a large group of palace people to Ciyuan Palace, Wen Jieyu said quickly: "Isn't that Concubine Feng Xian's sedan chair?" I don't see any grace, this concubine's posture is still there. ”

Li Meiren covered her mouth with a handkerchief and laughed, "Don't talk nonsense, grace or not is nothing, the rank is still there, and no one can help her." Besides, her father's family is powerful, and the official family also has to take care of face. ”

Lindong doesn't like the words of the family background, her father is just a small official from the eighth grade, and her mother is a peasant woman, and she is her father's fourth concubine. When she was at home in winter, sometimes she didn't even take care of her food. Since she was favored, her father was slowly reused and ascended to the sky in one step.

She said quietly: "What if the family is big? If the official family doesn't like her, she will not have to die alone. ”

Li Meiren reacted at this time, and hurriedly laughed, "That's natural, in this harem, who can compare to Sister Shang's grace now?" He smiled at the others again: "Last time Shang Meiren was born, her father was promoted several levels in a row, and I don't know how many people envy me." ”

The concubines and concubines hurriedly echoed and laughed, Lin Dong listened to it, and was quite useful, rolled up her sleeves, and let everyone see the gold and jade pendant bracelet on her wrist, "The official family gave it a few days ago, although the gold inlaid is cheesy, this green and white jade is indeed the best, and it is also popular to look at." ”

Everyone looked at it, and saw that the chain was decorated with more than ten moist and bright bluestone jade, and the jade was carved with small cirrus clouds, and the cloud tail was floating, lined with the beauty's snow-like hands, which felt more delicate and exquisite. A few people talked about hairpin jewelry and daily makeup, and they had their own experiences, so they didn't talk about it anymore.

It was getting dark, and they went back to the dormitory together. After walking to a rockery, I suddenly heard someone talking in the shade of flowers, because I heard the words "official, palace maid, Qixi Festival", they stopped their steps, stood behind the rockery and listened quietly.

A soft voice came: "I don't believe what you said, how could the official family have a private meeting with the palace maid in front of the palace?" Up and down the palace, who doesn't obey the orders of the officials? If the official family likes it, they can take it back to the Funing Hall directly, so why bother sneaking around. Could you be mistaken? He whispered again: "Maybe it's the palace maid guards who secretly have a tryst......"

Another palace man said in a rough voice: "I recognize the crown jade, which is carved with a dragon!" On that day, I also passed by the Yuming Palace, where it was barren and populated, I just wanted to go quickly, but I saw a lot of fireflies suddenly flying out under the ancient trees, looking at it from afar, it was really beautiful. I also heard from the official family......" The palace maid learned Zhao Zhen's tone again, and said: "I will only take off the mask for you in this life, and there will never be a second person." He exclaimed again, and then said: "It's so enviable, I don't know which palace is so lucky." ”

The palace maid who was the first to speak "cut" a sound, as if she didn't believe it, and said disdainfully: "You still hear the talk?" Why is the official family so tender and sweet to the palace maid? You're just making it up here! ”

The rough-voiced palace maid hurriedly said, "Why don't you believe it? Wasn't the favored beauty of Huifu Yuan also the maid of the tea palace in front of the emperor before? has no family background, his father is just a petty official, doesn't he still favor the Sixth Palace? Perhaps, the official family just prefers our palace people. ”

Lindong didn't like others to talk about her family background, and in front of the concubines, she felt even more embarrassed, she was so angry that she didn't care about the etiquette of the concubines, lifted her skirt and turned out of the rockery, pointed to the palace people who were sweeping under the shade of flowers, and shouted: "Dare to talk about the official family behind your back, see how I tear your mouth!" As he spoke, he rushed forward and slapped the two palace people with two mouths each, so frightened that the palace people knelt on the ground and begged for mercy.

She was still angry, so she ordered the chamberlain to tie up the two, send them to the violent room and beat them with twenty rods, and then they were assigned to the dyeing workshop on duty. The punishment and dispatch of the palace people should have been ordered by the Shang Zheng Bureau, or the emperor and queen decreed, and even the queen mother's increase or decrease of the palace people had to be dealt with through the Shang Zheng Bureau.

Ten days later, the queen mother was seriously ill and did not eat for three days, and the emperor and queen panicked, and she could not untie her clothes and serve the decoction by her side. Every morning, the concubines of each palace go to the Cining Hall to visit, wait in the side hall, and serve the emperor and queen according to their rank. Princess Minhua couldn't care about being angry at this time, so she hurried over with the palace people and stayed by the queen mother's side, restless.

Mo Lan hadn't seen Zhao Zhen for a few days, and it was difficult to inquire about the situation of the Queen Mother, so he was quite worried. It happened that she was ordered by Shen Sanru of the Tea Sishang Palace to send the tea that the official family loved to eat every day to the Cining Palace, so she had the opportunity to go to the Cining Palace to find out. Zhao Zhen stayed in the Cining Hall for several days in a row, often staying up all night. At this time, his expression was sluggish, and his face was extremely bad. When the Queen Mother was asleep, she dared to drink tea in the apse and take a break.

The concubines were all waiting in the apse, and when they saw the official family coming, they all looked happy and hurriedly got up to say goodbye.

Zhao Zhen wanted to find a clean place, but he didn't want to be a lady standing in a room full of Yingying Yanyan, and he had more and more headaches. He walked straight to the inner hall, casually pointed to Lindong and said, "Come and serve." ”

Lin Dong's heart was overjoyed, his face was arrogant, and he followed the official family lightly and went to the inner hall.

Although the other concubines were unwilling, they didn't dare to say much, and still waited in the outer hall, because the official family was inside, they didn't dare to speak, and the palace seemed dull. Since being fortunate by the official family, Langyue has never seen the official family up close, and today again, I feel more upright and handsome than that day, and I am discouraged when I see that he only wants to bring Shang Mei by his side.

Seeing her like this, the concubines of similar rank couldn't help laughing softly: "Zhang Cairen is jealous? ”

Lang Yue was stunned for a moment, "ah" and didn't know how to answer, and the concubine said softly: "It is a well-known thing that the official family loves Shang Meiren, and you can't be hurt by this." She was kind, shook her hand again, and whispered in her ear: "Don't show a sad appearance, the official family is even more upset when they see it." ”

Lang Yue barely squeezed out a smile, nodded and said, "Sister Xie reminds." ”

Half an hour later, Zhao Zhen came out of the inner hall and saw that all the concubines were sitting silently, their faces tired, and they felt pity. He had just taken a nap and was still in good spirits, so he sat in the first place, re-announced the tea, and drank tea with the concubines.

Although Concubine Feng Xian's rank is high, it is rare for her to see the official family once, and she is also very happy at this time. Among the concubines in the palace, she has the highest status, and according to her rank, she was about to get up and go over to personally serve the tea of the official family, but she didn't want Lin Dong to stand by the side of the official family first, Concubine Feng Xian's face changed, and she didn't dare to say anything.

At this time, a palace maid Yingying came in with tea, Zhao Zhen looked at it, and blurted out: "Mo Lan, why are you here?" ”