After returning to the palace for more than a month, the first snow in the imperial city was ushered in.

And at this time, it is only about 20 days away from the beginning of spring.

At the New Year's banquet, Zhuang Chenchen prepared to treat the ministers of the imperial court and the meritorious generals in the Qingxuan Palace. From the thirtieth to the fifth day of the first month, feasts are held one after another. It made the entire palace more festive.

It's a pity that the ladies of the harem are looking forward to the emperor's grace like autumn water, and their necks are longer.

Cen Muning had nothing to do and invited the concubines to listen to the play.

The place where I listened to the play was the place where the noble concubine fell from the building in the past, and many people were reluctant to come to this kind of place at such a time.

However, Zhou Meiren came early and walked back and forth on these floors.

"Beauty, are we here too early?" The maid bell asked in a low voice: "Except for the palace people who cleaned up, I didn't see a little master, let alone the queen." Otherwise, let's go back first, the slave always feels that this place is a little cold and unsettling. ”

"It's snowing, so it's naturally cold." Zhou Meiren glanced at her displeasedly: "It's still the New Year, can you pay more attention to what you say." ”

"The slave knows what is wrong." The bell hurriedly lowered his head: "The slave just thinks that this place is ...... after all I don't know why the queen chose to listen to the play here, you see, the stage downstairs is built, and the actors are ready. But the concubines were reluctant to come, and they were somewhat taboo. Beauty, why don't we go downstairs to listen to the play, don't hang around in this building, the slave is a little scared. ”

"Where did you get all this nonsense?" Zhou Meiren was a little unhappy, and her eyebrows frowned slightly: "Whether Concubine Mao fell from here that day or not, it has nothing to do with us." We haven't harmed her, so naturally we don't have to do it. What's more, in the imperial city for thousands of years, is there a place that has not been stained with red and has not been killed? Even if we live in a smoking house, we can't guarantee how many such things there are. ”

"Beauty......" The bell was feeling creepy, and he didn't know how to respond, so he saw a group of three people, coming this way. Beauty, the queen has arrived. ”

Zhou Meiren turned around, and sure enough, she saw Bingling and Qingli walking over with the queen, and immediately saluted. "The concubine greets the queen."

"It's Zhou Meiren." Cen Mu Ning saw that she came early, and couldn't help but be curious: "It's not yet time to listen to the play, but you came early." ”

"The concubine thinks this snow scene is particularly beautiful, so she wants to come and see it first." Zhou Meiren's appearance when she smiled was particularly sweet: "Niangniang also came so early." ”

"Like you, this palace also wants to come to see this snow scene." Cen Mu Ningwu walked forward a little, holding on to the railing, and at a glance, there was a white scene in the imperial city. Occasionally, a few restless red lanterns swayed in the wind, shaking down the covered snow, and the red was eye-catching. It embellishes the joy of the New Year's Festival.

Zhou Meiren stayed by the queen's side, quietly watching the snow scene, and did not make a sound for a long time.

But there has always been one thing in my heart, I want to say it to the queen, but I have never found a chance. Maybe today is the right time.

After standing for a while, concubines came one after another, and the gongs and drums on the first floor also sounded.

Cen Muning said to Qingli: "Let the palace maids prepare pastries and tea, and the ceremony will start when the time comes." ”

"Yes." The green plough retreated first.

Bingling said in a low voice: "Niangniang, let's go down and sit too." There are a lot of new hearths added below, and they are also warm. ”

"It's fine." Cen Mu nodded slightly: "Zhou Meiren also go down and sit down." ”

"Queen Mother, please stay." Zhou Meiren stiffened her head and saluted Cen Muning: "Queen Mother, the concubine has something that is not unhappy, and I am afraid that it is inappropriate to say it at this time, but ......"

"It doesn't matter." Cen Muning rarely had the time to talk to her, and it didn't count out what kind of character she was, so she just watched quietly.

"Don't hide it from the queen, that day I found that the Ming and Qing dynasties around you were buried in the imperial garden, and the concubines also saw it nearby. At that time, everyone noticed that it was the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and they couldn't help but panic, but Concubine Liao's reaction was completely different. She seemed to particularly want to know the cause of Ming Qing's death. ”

"Concubine Liao." Cen Muning was a little surprised, but she didn't expect that there were still people in this palace who could see Concubine Liao's different faces. And it's still a tepid, graceless character. "Why didn't you come to the Ming Palace at that time?"

Zhou Meiren was a little embarrassed, and her voice was not too loud: "It's not that the slave maid is unwilling to show the queen's mother, there is really no evidence." You can't complain to you because of your own speculation, then Concubine Liao is pregnant with the imperial heir, in case the matter is not what the concubine thinks about like this, she is shocked by Concubine Liao, and the concubine may not be able to afford it. But...... But the concubines dreamed of the Ming and Qing dynasties several times, sometimes they went to the Fengling Palace to ask for peace, he raised his voice to announce that the ministers and concubines were in the palace, and sometimes they watched him serve the mother in front of the saddle and behind the horse in the imperial garden. After waking up, I always felt that if I didn't make this suspicion clear, I would always feel ashamed. So ......"

"Got it." Cen Muning didn't have any other expression, and her tone was also peaceful. "On a good day, it's important to go to the theater."

"Yes." Zhou Meiren nodded hurriedly, and then went downstairs with the queen.

Along the way, she muttered to herself. Did the queen believe her or not? Did she make a mistake by explaining this matter to the queen for no reason? I went downstairs nervously, and I met Xin Concubine who came with Liao Concubine, just glanced at Liao Concubine, she began to be nervous, and her hands clenched into fists.

Cen Muning saw that she was afraid of Concubine Liao, so she said gently: "Just listen to the drama and enjoy the snow today, and don't mention anything else." Hongu has never heard of it, and you have never said it, understand? ”

"Yes." Zhou Meiren hurriedly responded: "Remember, concubine." ”

In this way, she is also a lot more sure-footed. The queen mother kept her silent, which was naturally a maintenance for him.

"The queen mother Wan'an." Liao Rongyu and Xin Wei invited An together.

Xin Wei found that Zhou Meiren was the only one who spoke to the queen. "It's all at this time, why is there only Zhou Mei. Haven't the rest of the sisters come yet? ”

"yes. I saw that the actors on the stage were ready. Liao Rongyu took two steps forward slowly with Xinyi's hand.

Cen Mu Ning saw that her abdomen was already obviously bulging, and she was wearing thick clothes, so she couldn't help but smile: "I heard from the deputy court that she has been quietly recuperating recently, and Concubine Liao's dragon fetus is stable and healthy, and this palace is also pleased." It's just that it's so cold today, and the road is slippery when it's snowy, so it's hard for you to come. ”

Liao Rongyu wanted to say shyly, and her face was flushed: "Thanks to the queen's mother, the deputy court sentenced to take care of the concubine's dragon fetus." This is how the concubine can survive the most dangerous time. Now my body is much better, but I can't be idle. Such a good snow scene, such a good show, and at such a happy time for the festival, how could the concubines not come. ”

"Then come in and sit. There is a hearth in it, and it is the warmest. Cen Muning gestured and said to lead the way for Concubine Liao.

"The queen first, please." Liao Rongyu still didn't want to break the rules.

Cen Muning then turned around and walked in with Bingling's hand.

Liao Rongyu and Xin Wei followed, and Zhou Meiren followed quietly at the end. From beginning to end, Concubine Liao didn't take her seriously, and didn't care about her existence as a person. On the contrary, it was Concubine Xin, who glanced at her from time to time, and couldn't say why, she always felt a little strange.

Before a few people could sit down, they raised their voices outside, and Rongxiang Guifei, Palace Concubine, and Concubine Ying arrived.

This made Xin Wei a little resentful: "It is said that it doesn't matter if anyone comes here, after all, there is a clear conscience." I didn't expect the concubine to dare to come. I'm really not afraid of unjust souls asking for their lives. ”

"What is my sister talking about, the queen is not afraid of taboos in front of her." Liao Rongyu gave her a look and signaled her not to speak rashly again.

It's just that Xinwei didn't seem to care, looking at the mercy who came in, and there was a hint of banter in her smile: "The initiator doesn't feel afraid, what is there to fear about the concubine." When it comes to taboos, the concubines feel that there is nothing to say to others. Everyone else can face it calmly, why can't the concubine be a spectator. ”

"Sister......" Liao Rongyu failed to persuade her, and Cang Lian and her party had already walked in front of the queen to salute, and she was silent. After they had saluted, they stood up to say hello.

Cang took pity on his position and sat down, and then turned to look at Xin Wei: "It is said that they are all people trained by the Queen Mother, but their temperaments are very different. This concubine became more and more calm and quiet, and she would not say anything else except about Zizhou. Xin Concubine is completely different, she always treats herself as a cannonball, she blows it up if she wants to, she turns her face when she says it, and she doesn't pick what place it is. It's really funny. ”

Xinwei was about to reply to her a few words, when she saw Cang Lian looking at her with a smile.

"You don't have to be so angry, it's snowing today, and the queen invited us to listen to the play. This palace is in a good mood, and I don't have the time to worry about you. Cang Lian cleaned up her face slightly, and looked a little serious: "What's more, the previous matter has passed, and the emperor has not pursued it, so naturally we don't have to mention it again." If Concubine Xin really steps over this hurdle, just go and talk to the emperor first, if you can reverse the situation, it will not be too late for the palace to argue with you. Otherwise, it will be boring to talk dry, and it will be a waste of lips and tongues. Queen, do you think that's the truth? ”

"The concubine is really thorough and intelligent, and she can see the root cause of everything." Cen Mu Ning met Cang Pity's ill-intentioned gaze, and her eyes flashed with a cold streamer: "Come on, the play can be sung." ”

"Yes." Bingling lightly high-fived, and the Qingli over there got the news, and the horns on the stage began to perform.

Lei Zhen only opened her mouth at this time, and said with a smile: "Actually, the life in this palace is more interesting than that drama. The concubines always felt that if they wanted the concubines of the harem to write plays, they would definitely be more exciting than those sour talents on the rivers and lakes. What do you say, Queen Mother? ”

"yes." Cen Muning looked at the hairpin on Lei Zhen's sideburns a little dazzling, and couldn't help but smile: "Concubine Gong's golden hairpin was given by the emperor, right?" Look like stars, shining brightly. ”

"Sure enough, it's the queen who has the best vision." Lei Zhen smiled and stroked her golden hairpin, and the corners of her lips rose: "It was said that it was only paid tribute from outside, and it was just such a one, and the emperor gave it to the concubine." Originally, it was not a particularly luxurious thing, but it was rare, and the concubine liked it, so it was pinned to the sideburns. ”

"Things don't have to be luxurious." Cen Mu Ning said with a pleasant face: "Just like the people in this palace." It is not necessary to be born noble to have noble opportunities, and it is not necessarily to be born lowly, so it is not valued. It always depends on whether this person is rare and rare in the crowd, and if he can be different, he will naturally be favored. I think the emperor is the same for Concubine Gong. ”

Lei Zhen smiled slightly, the smile on her lips was a little brighter, she got up and saluted the queen, and her tone was warm: "The concubine has a happy event for the queen's mother, she was not happy yesterday, and the imperial doctor has seen that the concubine has been pregnant for nearly two months." ”

"What?" Cang Lian thought that she had misheard, and a slight cold light burst out of her eyes: "Nearly two months, isn't that more than a month pregnant?" It's only been a month since the Holy Driver returned to Luang, how did your child come about? ”

She asked so bluntly that some concubines who had never given birth sounded particularly embarrassed. The crowd only lowered their heads and did not make a sound.

Cen Muning's heart moved slightly, thinking that Zhuang Xianchen was really not delaying. While fighting, you can also enjoy gentleness. How else to say that it's better to be a man. You don't lose anything.

"Concubine Niangniang......" Lei Zhen blushed, a little coquettish and a little embarrassed to smile at her: "What do you say?" Does it have to be after the return of the Holy Driver? It can't be ......."

"What nonsense are you talking about." Cang Lian couldn't help but get angry, and her tone was not good. "How could it not be after the Holy Driver's Return to Luan. At that time in Central South, you ...... Where do you have a chance to ......?"

"The Sacred Heart is unfathomable, that's what it often means." Yang Yunbi suddenly said this, and her body trembled in fright.

"When did you come and stand behind me silently, trying to scare people?" Cang Lian glared at her dissatisfied, and before her breath calmed down, this breath came up again.

Yang Yunbi saluted the queen, and then said with a smile: "The gongs and drums are noisy, the drama is lively, and the concubine can't hear the footsteps of the concubine." But when the concubine came in, the queen mother and the people who served here saw it. How can you say that the concubine is deliberately scaring you? Besides, others are not scared, why are you so afraid? Don't you have a ghost in your heart? ”

"You don't have to talk nonsense here." Cang Lian couldn't hold back her emotions, and she couldn't wait to clean up these nasty sluts. But in front of people, many things can't be done too obviously. After all, the emperor had already reminded her that the master of the harem was the queen. The sullenness in her heart did not dissipate, she turned her face away and stopped squeaking.

"I haven't congratulated Concubine Gong yet." Yang Yunbi nodded at Concubine Gong.

"Sister doesn't have to be so polite." Lei Zhen got up with the hand of the servant silver branch and sat down peacefully. The red heat on his face has not subsided. "The concubine heard that drinking Sydney white fungus in winter is the most moisturizing for the lungs, so she specially prepared some for the queen and the sisters."

When Cang Lian heard her words, she immediately laughed. "Concubine Gong is really understanding, and she has prepared these in advance when she is pregnant. If you don't say that you have served people well, it's different. The Queen Mother is really really good at training you, and it's different from us. ”

The implication is that the queen mother trains others to serve the emperor, but this Lei Zhen is just a lowly servant, and her training ability is just to serve the master.

is so simple that others can't help but listen to it. Lei Zhen was indifferent: "The concubine used to be just the personal maid of the Queen Mother. What I do is just serving tea and pouring water, and the errand of sharing worries for the master, so I naturally have to be more delicate. You don't have to be so considerate of the concubine Niangniang everywhere for the emperor. ”

"Isn't it?" Xin Wei felt that this was a good opportunity, so she chose the topic and said: "If Concubine Gong's child is pregnant in the belly of the concubine, the concubine can't think of any Sydney white fungus, and she can't walk the road without keeping the precious ones." Ten or eight servants must kneel beside the bed and rub her feet. Women, like the concubine, can serve men, naturally there is no need to worry about the love between sisters, to be such a good person. ”

"What do you mean to serve men?" Cang Lian thought of Chu Peiyuan at once, and the fire in his chest burned violently. "Will the queen let them humiliate their concubines like this? Don't even care? ”

The spearhead was pointed at Cen Muning, which made her embarrassed. "Maybe it's because Xin Concubine used the wrong words. She said that the concubine would serve the emperor. The rest of the stuff really doesn't have to worry about. Originally, this time to capture Zhongnan, the concubine also contributed a lot. People who do big things are not informal. Come and listen to the drama and enjoy the snow, don't be so angry. It just so happens that it is also good to drink a Sydney white fungus to dispel the fire. ”

Cang Lian snorted coldly, and the essence light under her eyes flashed with a cold light like an ice blade: "I can't complain that the emperor told the concubines to be more patient in the palace, and take the queen mother as an example." The concubine's ability is really not in the eyes of the queen. ”

Sydney white fungus soup was served, and the concubines slowly ate some of it, and the atmosphere eased a lot.

Compared with the anger of the concubine, they are more willing to pay more attention to the belly of the concubine. Even Liao Rongyu is no exception. As if intentionally or unintentionally, his eyes slipped from the stage to Concubine Gong's body. She is a close maid who has been used by the Queen Mother's side for many years, she knows the deep mother-son relationship between the Queen Mother and the Emperor, and she is even more familiar with the set of rules that the Queen Mother has controlled over the years. Not to mention the meritorious service to the war, now that he has a child again, it is really a great moment.

The more I thought about it, the more uneasy I became. Liao Rongyu's heart was trembling, and she could only pretend to be happy to hide her dissatisfaction.

I listened to this play for a while, but few people knew what it was singing. It's not interesting.

Cen Muning also lost interest, and said to Bingling on the side: "The snow outside hasn't stopped yet, I'm afraid it's even more difficult to walk later." informed the troupe, and the curtain call was after this play. ”

"Yes." Bingling nodded in response.

Zhuang Chenchen walked in at this time.

He lifted the heavy curtain, and a cold wind poured in. Cen Muling looked over and hurriedly got up with Bingling's hand.

Even the horns on the stage knelt down.

"It's all excused." Zhuang Chenchen walked in quickly: "The queen has placed the play, and I am interested, so I will come over and take a look." You go on. ”

The sound of gongs and drums sounded again, and the concubines also sat down with the emperor.

Zhuang Chenchen seems to be in a good mood these days, and there is always a smile on his face. "It's really warm here. This hibiscus tent is hung up like spring. ”

"yes." Cen Muning lowered her eyebrows and smiled: "The concubine also happens to have a happy event to present to the emperor." ”

"Oh?" Zhuang Chenchen looked at her puzzled. "Where does the joy come from?"

"After Concubine Liao, there was good news in the palace again. Concubine Gong has been pregnant for more than a month, and the concubine congratulates the emperor. Cen Muning saluted him again. Even Lei Zhen also stood up.

"Yes." Zhuang Chenchen glanced at Lei Zhen: "Very good." ”

Lei Zhen's face was hot, and her head was lowered.

Cang Lian looked at her like that, and she didn't get angry. But because of the emperor's face, she only smiled lightly and walked to the emperor with white fungus pear soup. "Your Majesty, this is specially prepared by Concubine Gong, saying that it is to moisten our lungs. The concubine is not as blessed as Concubine Gong, and she can also get the emperor's heir, but the emperor must not refuse the bowl of soup from the concubine. How much also let the concubines do their best. ”

Zhuang Chenchen frowned slightly, and took the bowl from her hand: "I rarely eat these sweets." ”

"Your Majesty." Mercy leaned over to him.

Zhuang Chenchen subconsciously moved to the queen's side.

Cen Muning was extremely sensitive to such movements, and also moved a little.

"Poof." Xin Wei couldn't help laughing, as if she was afraid that Cang Lian wouldn't hear it, she deliberately said: "Queen Mother, be careful, don't be squeezed down by the concubine." ”

These words obviously have a double meaning, which makes Cang Lian angry. "What squeeze down, Concubine Xin, why do you always have thorns in your words?"

It was clear that the concubine deliberately went into the emperor's arms, and the emperor didn't want to lose his dignity in front of people, so he had to move some to the queen's side. The queen didn't want the emperor to be caught in the middle of it, so she moved her position and let you sit down. But if you only move it this time, if you squeeze some more, won't the queen really have to be squeezed down. Xin Wei frowned, and said with a solemn expression: "I know that the emperor cherishes the concubine very much, and it is not easy to refuse, but if it affects the queen mother because of this, wouldn't it be bad." Guifei Niangniang, would you better come back to your place and sit down and listen to the play? ”

Zhuang Chenchen glanced at Cen Muning with some embarrassment, and immediately let go of the hand holding Cang Lian: "Yes, let's listen to the play." ”

Cang Lian was embarrassed, but nodded obediently: "It's all bad for concubines." I miss the emperor too much, so I can't help but get around the emperor. Queen Mother, the concubine really has no other thoughts, don't get me wrong. ”

"Nature." Cen Mooning smiled and glanced at her: "In the past month, the emperor has been obsessed with government affairs, and he rarely comes to the harem to walk around. Presumably, all the sisters here are so longing for the emperor. ”

In other words, no one else has come over, so you are special, special and shameless.

Of course, these words are inconvenient for the queen to say.

"Don't be surprised, the queen." Cang Lian lowered her eyebrows, and behaved like usual: "The concubine knows that many things in the past are the fault of the concubine. But this time Zhongnan suppressed the thieves, and the concubines only had an epiphany when they died for the rest of their lives, as long as they could live peacefully by the emperor's side, they could let the concubines do anything. The queen is like the emperor, and she is also the master of the concubines, and the concubines are willing to listen to your teachings and demolition. ”

She did this to show Zhuang Chen.

Cen Muning couldn't help but hook her lips: "The concubine said so, and she saw the outside." You were originally the person the emperor has been looking for for many years, and now you have become a concubine and a family member of the palace. If you can add another prince to the emperor in the future, it will be even more complete. The emperor must be looking forward to it. ”

His eyes touched Zhuang Chenchen, and Cen Muning's clear eyes made him feel a coolness.

"Naturally." Zhuang Yanchen stretched out his hand to hold Cen Muning's hand: "Empress Moruo, who knows me." ”