For two or three days, Cen Muning had never seen Zhuang Chen.

It is said that the time of the upper and lower dynasties has hardly changed, and even if a courtier enters the palace to discuss political affairs, it is only an hour or two before he retires. But he had never been to Fengling Palace. This feeling made Cen Muning a little uneasy.

It's like not knowing when he's coming, and you can do your own thing, but you're thinking about when he's coming.

This feeling haunted him for two or three days, and Cen Mu Ning simply decided to go to see him first.

"Qingli, can you go and see the gastrodia chicken soup stewed in the small kitchen? If it's okay, let's give it to the emperor later. Cen Mooning said thoughtfully.

"It's been ready for a long time." Qingli was very happy to hear her say that she would bring it over in person. "The slave maid asked people to send a cup to the Queen Mother's Fengluan Palace. Niangniang personally sent it to the emperor, and the emperor must be very happy. ”

"There are just some things I want to ask the emperor about his holy will." Cen Muning said to Bingling: "Bring the booklet that the palace has prepared in the past two days with you." ”

"Yes." Bingling smiled and nodded.

The Ming and Qing dynasties led the shoulders, and the group soon arrived at the Qingxuan Palace.

Qingli deliberately glanced around, but he really didn't see the concubine's sedan chair, thinking that the emperor must be free at this time. "Liang Bao, the queen mother is here, don't hurry up and lead the way."

Liang Bao was enjoying the shade under a begonia tree in the front hall, and when he heard the sound of the green plow, he realized that the queen had entered the palace gate.

"The slave asked the queen to say goodbye, but the slave was overlooked for a while, and did not greet him from afar, and asked the queen to forgive her sins."

"It's okay." Cen Muning said gently: "You always serve by the emperor's side, and it's rare to take a nap." By the way, does the emperor have time to see the palace at this time? ”

"This ......" Liang Bao hesitated a little: "Please also ask the queen mother to wait for a while, and the slave will go to pass it on." ”

Qingli couldn't help but be curious: "Could it be that the emperor is not idle at this time?" ”

The original words she wanted to say was, could it be that there was a concubine pestering the master at this time? But when the words came out, with a little embellishment, they became decent.

"This ......" Liang Bao was a little embarrassed: "Queen Mother, why don't you let the servants go and spread the word first." ”

Looking at his embarrassed appearance, there seems to be something hidden. Cen Muning was also in a hurry to know at this moment, so she nodded. "Go ahead."

Qingli frowned and walked to the queen's side, and said in her ear: "Niangniang, the slave always feels that something is wrong. ”

"Don't worry, we'll find out later." Cen Mu froze and saw Liang Bao greet him with a raised eyebrow, and then followed him into the inner hall.

In the inner hall, there was a very peculiar smell of spices.

Cen Muning remembered that Zhuang Xianchen only liked the precipitated and bitter aroma, and he never liked this kind of slightly thin and too sweet aroma. It's really strange that it is so rich in the middle of summer.

Liang Bao led her into the inner room and waited respectfully outside the door. Qingli and Bingling went in together because they were carrying things.

"The concubine asks the emperor for peace." After entering the inner room, Cen Muning understood everything.

At the same time as she greeted the emperor, Joor also stood up and saluted her. "The concubine has seen the queen's mother."

"The queen is here." Zhuang Chenchen motioned for her to sit down and speak: "I haven't been to Fengling Hall for a few days, and I was thinking about using lunch in your palace, so you came over." ”

I'm afraid this is not true. When he went to eat, he didn't tell her in advance to prepare. But today is already this time, and he is accompanied by beautiful women, where does he have spare time to accompany others for lunch.

Cen Muning just listened to it, and did not intend to expose it: "The concubine and the emperor have the same heart. Thinking that the emperor hadn't drunk the soup prepared by his concubines for several days, he asked Qingli to bring Tianma chicken soup over. Does the emperor want to try it? ”

"Exactly." Zhuang Yanchen nodded slightly: "I am worried about the queen's craftsmanship." ”

Qingli personally sent the soup to the emperor, and Concubine Ying wanted to take it, but she deliberately refused. "Master, try it, the queen knows that you are worried about this taste, from the selection of ingredients to the stew, it is all done by the mother herself."

The moment the lid is lifted, the aroma of chicken broth hits your face. I have to say that she is really careful, there is only a little oil on the surface of the soup, which looks clear and delicious.

"Gross-"

At this time, with such a voice, Cen Muning and Zhuang Chenchen both looked at Ruan Er.

"What's wrong with Concubine Yingniang?" Qingli was also taken aback by her actions, and her brows were tightly locked. "The soup stewed by the queen mother, can't you stand it like this?"

"It's all bad for concubines." Ruan Er hurriedly took a few steps back and saluted the queen: "It's not that Niangniang's soup is bad. ”

"That's it." Zhuang Chenchen frowned and said to Qingli: "Let's serve it first, and then drink it after I have it." ”

"But master, the soup won't taste good when it's cold." Qingli didn't understand what was going on. "Or ......"

"Withdraw." Cen Muning said gently: "I think it's because Concubine Ying is not used to the smell of gastrodia." ”

"But Niangniang...... Qing Li glanced at Rou Er in disgust: "You have spent a lot of effort to make the soup." It's not so tasty when it's cool. ”

Cen Mu Ning shook her head at her and motioned for her not to say anything more.

"The slave and maid are gone." Qingli walked out with the soup cup in a huff. I really want to smash the soup on Ruan Er's body and make her vomit enough.

In order to ease the awkward atmosphere, Zhuang Chenchen asked Cen Muning: "What did Bingling take when he was injured?" Does the queen still have anything else important? ”

This sentence sounded to Cen Muning, as if her appearance disturbed him and Concubine Ying. Putting up with the displeasure in her heart for the time being, she said slowly: "In the past few days, the concubines have carefully sorted out the list of concubines in the palace and the palace where they stayed. The concubines found that the harem was much more used than when the emperor was there. However, because of the continuous wars outside, the emperor implemented benevolent government tax reductions and exemptions, which led to a shortage of national strength. So the concubines made some adjustments, and asked the emperor to take a look. ”

"Please take a look at the emperor." Bingling neatly presented the booklet.

Zhuang Chenchen took it and scanned the two pages carefully: "The queen is really attentive, these in and out, looking at it like this, can indeed be adjusted." ”

"And that's not all." Cen Muning continued: "The concubine also has a proposal, starting from the concubine, all the concubines in the palace can do some things within their ability. For example, grow some fruits and vegetables in your garden, which can be both ornamental and edible. Another example is the clothes that change the season, which can be cut in the palace by yourself. Not only the palace maids, but also the concubines. Besides, the low-ranking concubines have not been able to see the emperor for a long time, and they are easy to make trouble if they don't talk about it every day. It is better to arrange some work for them, as they are in the house. A small part of the money exchanged for labor can be used to subsidize the expenses of the palaces, and the rest can be used by themselves. It will not cause other incidents because of the lack of monthly silver, but it can also do something for everyone and pass the morning. ”

"Very good." Zhuang Chenchen nodded with satisfaction: "The queen will go ahead and arrange it." ”

"Yes." Cen Muning couldn't feel it from beginning to end, and Zhuang Chenchen didn't seem to want her to stay here. So she got up lightly and saluted him: "The concubine will not delay the emperor to talk to the concubine, and the concubine will retire." ”

"Wait." Zhuang Chenchen stopped her thoughtfully. "How is Ziyang's marriage arranged?"

"It's done." Cen Mooning said truthfully.

"Very good." Zhuang Chenchen nodded with satisfaction: "The queen is doing things more and more properly." In ten days, Pei Yuan will return. This triumph is very gratifying. Just in time for double happiness. ”

"Thank you for the emperor's appreciation, the concubine will thank the lord Longen for my cousin." Cen Muning saluted again, maintaining the decency and calmness that a queen should have. But he never looked into his eyes again.

"Okay, you go back first, and I'll see you when I'm free." Zhuang Chenchen said this, but his eyes never left her face.

"The concubine retired." Cen Mooning took a few steps back before turning to leave.

She didn't smile, and there seemed to be loss in her eyes.

This is, jealous!

The corners of Zhuang Chenchen's lips rose slightly, and his eyes were slightly proud.

"Your Majesty, the concubine has just been rude to the queen, I don't know if the queen will blame...... Why don't you find an opportunity for the concubine to go to Fengling Hall to apologize to the mother? Soft Er said this worriedly because she also sensed the queen's displeasure.

"Hmm. Weigh it yourself. Zhuang Chenchen only said this.

"Yes." Ruan Er smiled and said, "The emperor feels hungry, so is it okay for the concubine to order someone to prepare lunch?" ”

"Hmm." Zhuang Chenchen looked at her face with warm eyes, and sometimes in a trance, she really felt that Zi Xuan was back. But just thinking so, after all, it's different.

On the way back, Cen Muning didn't make a sound. But the green plough is not quiet.

Bingling looked at her, and then at her, both of them were expressionless as if their faces had been frozen into ice mounds.

When he returned to his place, Bingling made a cup of chrysanthemum tea, put a few wolfberries and rock sugar: "Miss, drink it to extinguish the fire." ”

"What's the use of drinking this?" When Qing Li was angry, his face collapsed tightly: "The slave and maid asked the people around the master, Concubine Ying has been living in Qingxuan Hall for the past few days. So I didn't see her palanquin parked outside the palace gate. I'm afraid this is also the reason why the emperor didn't come to accompany Niangniang. This fake, which deceives the monarch with its appearance, can really be done. She has only been in the palace for a long time, and she has reached this point. Mother, no matter what, you can't pamper her anymore. ”

"Look at you." Cen Muning said to Bingling: "Make her a cup of chrysanthemum tea and put a few more chrysanthemums." ”

"Niangniang, aren't you angry?" Qingli looked at the queen curiously: "She used these means in order to rob your husband of your favor." The emperor's favor is only so much, and if she takes away yours, you will lose those. ”

"If it weren't for the emperor's nod, would she be able to live in the Qingxuan Hall at will?" Cen Mu smiled faintly: "It's like that cup of soup, if she doesn't like it, the emperor won't touch it." Even if she wants to share it, the emperor has to be willing to let her share it. ”

"What does Niangniang mean...... Qingli couldn't help but shudder. Does the emperor really like her? But she's just a substitute for the old man, no, she's a fake! ”

"How is a fake, the emperor pities it, it is a treasure." Cen Mu smiled and said, "If you have time to worry here, it's better to do what we should do." In the harem, there has always been a scene of a hundred flowers blooming, and this is just the beginning. ”