On the night of the 11th, lanterns hung all over the street outside the palace gate. In the same way, the carriages of the eunuchs also surrounded the long street.

The ruby carved tassel hairpin on the head swept across my neck with the shaking of the carriage, and I was used to being dressed up plainly all year round. Even the eldest lady's dowry at the bottom of the box was properly put on my neck, and now this head is complicated, and I feel that my head is much heavier. I specially invited the five embroidery girls of the Chengnan Huashang Pavilion to work day and night, and only then did they rush to produce this set of gorgeous clothes the day before. There were five layers inside and out, and the strained belt almost made me breathe.

I slowly put on the rouge from the eldest lady and looked at myself in the bronze mirror. I couldn't help but mutter, "I can't wear it so grandly when I get married." The eldest lady casually painted a flower on my forehead, "Xiao Qi, we are going to meet the saint face to face, not to mention how gorgeous and expensive the costumes are, but they must be decent, so as not to neglect the imperial power." After that, he brought me saliva and wiped my lips, "It is precisely because of the constraints of the hairpin ring of the dress that your behavior will unconsciously slow down and soften." "I wiped the lipstick off my lips, and the fragrance of roses filled my mouth." Xiao Qi knows, thank you Mrs. ”

It took me about an hour to dress up, and the eldest lady looked at it carefully for a while, as if she was looking at a work of art polished by her. Praise my little seven has grown up, and she is one of the most beautiful girls in Kyoto. Zhihong also happily agreed, but I was thinking about how sore my neck and waist would be overnight after such a dress, it seems that the famous ladies of our clan are not so easy to be.

The carriage stopped, and the brightly lit hustle and bustle of the car curtain illuminated my eyes. The high palace wall is adorned with lanterns with no end in sight, adding a little more vermilion to the palace wall.

I unconsciously wanted to look around, but I was pulled back to my thoughts by a cough from the eldest lady. Hurriedly lowered his head and remembered what the eldest lady said in the palace, you must pay attention to everything you do, and you can't break the rules if you look left and right. I respectfully stood with Zhihong behind Daddy and the eldest lady, and a red-clothed officer saluted Daddy and showed us the way.

Listening to the greetings between the internal official and Daddy, it seemed that he was Li Zhan, the chief official of Di Yuan's side, because Di Yuan attached great importance to Daddy's merits, and sent him to greet him in person at the palace gate.

I watched our shadows move on the ground, and secretly thought that the palace was so big, that I had not yet reached the second gate, and I tried to hold my heart to look around.

Finally, I don't know how long I walked, but I listened to the sound of silk and bamboo wind music as it approached, fluttering like the sound of the sky, and the human voice gradually became noisy. The greetings between the internal official Li Chong and Daddy finally arrived, and the general was invited to the table, and before Daddy sat down, people around him flocked to congratulate Daddy on his triumph.

Daddy waved his hand to me and the eldest lady, and we went to the women's seat.

As I sat down, I was already sweating profusely. I didn't have time to care about whether the makeup was smudged, and I saw the gorgeous decoration. Four three-person dragon pillars supported the palace, and the proud dragon on it looked like it was about to climb down. The moon shadow veil of foreign tribute hung on both sides, embroidered with the thousands of miles of rivers and mountains of the Yanqi Dynasty. At every other table stood two palace servants, either pouring wine or adding food. The central dancer in the hall has a graceful waist and limbs, which seems to be the dance of the Li Kingdom.

Zhihong bowed her head and whispered to me, "Miss, the palace is really magnificent, the night is deep, and the palace is still bright as daylight. I bowed slightly, and the dishes were ready. But because the clothes are really too slim, I didn't have the opportunity to enjoy the delicacies at this table.

Suddenly, I heard someone call me Xiaoqi, and when I looked to the left, it was Liang Yunzhi, the daughter of Shaoqing of Dali Temple, who was good friends with me. At this moment, Yun Zhi is also full of pearls and hairpins, and he is a little far away, so I smiled at Yun Zhi and said hello.

"Xiao Qi, just now I asked the palace attendant and learned that the maid's table was a new plum wine brewed this year, which was sweet and delicious. Raise a glass with me and try the wine. The eldest lady nodded, and the palace maid filled my wine cup, and smelled the fragrance of green plums. After a drink with the eldest lady, she nodded at me, and I knew that the eldest lady was making me feel more comfortable. But the crowd in this hall was noisy, and I was dazzled.

After a dance, a sharp voice remembered, "His Majesty the Emperor has arrived!" Concubine Chen's mother has arrived! ”

The people in the table got up one after another, walked outside the table and knelt down in turn.

"Long live my emperor, long live, long live."

"Concubine Chen's mother is a thousand years old, a thousand years old, a thousand years old."

I lowered my head and held my breath, the last time I saw Di Yuan, oh no, it was Uncle Zhou Yuan or eight years ago. At that time, he was not Emperor Yuan, and Daddy was not yet the general of Zhenguo. Now, eight years have passed, and my uncle, who once held me high on his shoulders just to make me happy to ride a big horse, has become the emperor of the unified empire, majestic and inviolable, and I have the illusion of being in a different world.

A touch of bright yellow walked in front of him, followed by a purple silk, with pearl-inlaid embroidered edges, flipped out of sparkling dazzling colors in the candlelight, it is a rare silk of the Pila country, and it is said that a horse can be worth ten thousand gold.

"Zhong Aiqing usually has a family banquet today, so there is no need to be polite." Uncle Zhou Yuan's voice is still the same as before, but it is not as friendly as when he was holding a sugar gourd to make me happy, mixed with an indescribable indifference and majesty.

Sit back on the table, and the sound of silk and bamboo surrounds. I turned to the highest part of the hall and saw Uncle Zhou Yuan, whom I hadn't seen for eight years. He was thinner than before, and he didn't have a kind smile on his face. The bright yellow clothes were embroidered with flying dragons, and his face was slightly ruddy.

And by his side is Concubine Chen, who has countless legends in Yanqi Kingdom. To this day, no one knows where she came from, from which family, and by what name. only knew that Di Yuan had a deep affection for her, and even directly vacated the position of the middle palace because the ministers opposed Di Yuan accepting a concubine of unknown origin, so that Yanqi Kai Dynasty has never had a queen.

And in order to show her dignity, Di Yuan personally gave the name "Linlang", which means a priceless treasure, and specially gave the word "Chen", which means the emperor, as her title. Although there are other concubines in the harem, Concubine Chen is pampered and does not rank in the middle palace, but she is no different from the queen. There is also a good story that Concubine Chen is seriously ill and Di Yuan sobs in front of the bed. In the people, this concubine has almost become the envy of most women.

Concubine Chen sat on the right side of Emperor Yuan, her jet-black hair was curled into a fallen horse bun, her left hairpin was a golden phoenix and peony hairpin, and her right sideburns were decorated with ruby hairpins, which looked graceful and luxurious. A plum blossom is imprinted on the forehead, adding a touch of charm.

Concubine Chen is worthy of being the first beauty in the rumors, her skin is like clotted fat, and her mouth is like a pill. The face is as plump as the full moon, a pair of almond eyes are low, and long eyelashes are like fans. The straight nose is not similar to the woman in the Central Plains, and the two distant mountain eyebrows add a touch of pity to the brokenness. I vaguely feel that Concubine Chen's charm is very similar to my Auntie, but Auntie loves to laugh very much, and Concubine Chen does not look as delicate as the wind and willows.

I smiled at each other, fulfilling our wish to see the first beauty in the world. I suddenly felt that all the hardships of today were very worthwhile after meeting such a beauty.

After a polite greeting, Di Yuan raised his glass and drank with everyone.

"Yi Lin, this time I went to Yundu to guard. Fierce soldiers and horses have traveled thousands of miles, and you have worked hard with the soldiers of the expedition. Here, the people of Yanqi are alone in a toast to you. Daddy got up from his seat with a cup and bowed to Emperor Yuan. This is the duty of the minister, for the peace of the border passes, the stability of the people, never give up. ”

After the two of them finished drinking, Di Yuan waved his hand and motioned for Daddy to sit down, "Yi Lin is a family banquet today, so there is no need to be formal." After looking around Daddy, Di Yuan's expression began to become subtle. Yi Lin, you and I have known each other for many years, and they have been close friends since the time when they were lone and hidden dragons, and they have accompanied Lone all the way to become the emperor of Yanqi. ”

After that, he poured himself another glass of wine, "But Lonely, I miss the days when we drank and talked happily." I miss the days when you were lonely and charged together. It's rare to get together today, why don't you see Xiao Qi? ”

I felt a slight shock in my heart, as if I was happy and panicked. Uncle Zhou Yuan still remembered my name, but at the banquet full of the palace of the official palace in Kyoto, Di Yuan's words silenced everyone, as if they were all looking at who this girl named Xiao Qi was, which made Di Yuan so worried.

The eldest lady was the first to get up, and Zhihong also hurriedly helped me up. As the eldest lady walked to the center of the hall, I could feel everyone's eyes moving with me.

"Concubine Zhang, knock to see Your Majesty, knock to see Concubine Chen."

"Courtiers Sun Qixing, knock to see Your Majesty, knock to see Concubine Chen, may Your Majesty and Concubine Chen's mother have a prosperous place and prolong their age." I bowed to the eldest lady and bowed down in front of the hall. I am secretly happy that I have succeeded in studying etiquette in the past few days, and I have not even shaken a single point of the hairpin.

"Mrs. Zhang, please, so is Xiao Qi. Lone said, today's family banquet does not need to be polite. Di Yuan's voice came from overhead, and I stood side by side with the eldest lady, feeling the baptism of everyone's hot eyes. I remember to bow my head, not speak, stand still, and look at the lotus flower on my sleeve.

Gu remembered that he hadn't seen Xiao Qi since he moved into this big palace, and now he looked like he had grown up a lot. I don't know if Xiao Qi still remembers Lonely, and raised his head. ”

My hands tightened and I slowly raised my head.

Di Yuan held the wine cup and looked at me, with that expression. Is it fun? But there was not a serious smile on his face. Could it be that you are angry? But there was no anger either. It was as if he was just looking at someone else through me. The familiar Uncle Zhou Yuan is gone, and now in front of me is only Emperor Kang Yuan of Yanqi.

"The courtiers were frightened, so that His Majesty bothered. The courtiers always remember Your Majesty and wish Your Majesty a long and healthy life and all the best. I didn't dare to look at Di Yuan again, and panned my gaze to the golden dragon with teeth and claws on his chest.

"What an amazing girl." Concubine Chen, who had been sitting next to Di Yuan, suddenly spoke, "Even if it is placed in Kyoto, it is also one of the best." ”

I was a little surprised, but Concubine Chen's accent made me believe the rumored that she was from a foreign land.

I smiled at Concubine Chen, "Concubine Chen's mother praised it falsely, Niangniang is the glory of the female middle school." The courtiers are not as good as ten thousand. ”

Di Yuan laughed heartily when he heard my words, "Gu remembers that Xiao Qi should have turned fourteen, right?" ”

"Back to Your Majesty, the courtiers have passed in March this year." I secretly scolded Di Yuan in my heart, but when I was a child, you were the one who remembered my birthday the most.

"Yes, very good." Di Yuan turned his head to look at Concubine Chen, and spoke thoughtfully. "Xiao Qi, now you are in time. Concubine Chen is in the palace every day, our children are thin, I don't know if you are willing to enter the palace to accompany the orphan and Concubine Chen, and let Concubine Chen accept you as a righteous daughter? ”

As soon as these words came out, the sound of the staggered cups during the banquet was much quieter. I suddenly had no master in my heart, and I didn't tell this in advance before entering the palace. Righteous daughter? What kind of sudden arrangement is this?

I looked at the eldest lady, and she was also shocked, but then quietly reined and returned to normal. Xiang Di Yuan brushed her body, "The little girl has dull qualifications and a stubborn personality. I'm afraid it will disturb the purity of Your Majesty and Niangniang, and Your Majesty and Niangniang are really in the prime of life, and there will be wishful children and grandchildren coming to the palace. ”

Daddy also got up from the table, "The little girl has no rules since she was a child, but fortunately she has been taught by her wife." I'm afraid that if I don't know anything, I will collide with Your Majesty and Niangniang, if Niangniang doesn't think the little girl is rude, she can often enter the palace to talk to Niangniang, and she can share her worries with Niangniang, and it is also the blessing of the little girl. ”

Concubine Chen also turned her head to look at Di Yuan with a little confusion, as if she didn't know about Di Yuan's sudden attack. Di Yuan shook his head, as if he didn't agree with the words of Daddy and the eldest lady. "Xiao Qi is a child who grew up alone, even if she hasn't seen her for eight years, she will never be a girl with poor qualifications. Yi Lin, you have both children and daughters, but every day Chenghuan knees and does not understand the worries of being alone and having only four sons. ”

Di Yuan patted Concubine Chen, "Linlang has no children so far, and she is lonely under her knees." It would be great if there was a girl as beautiful as Xiao Qi to accompany him. What do you say, Linlang? ”

Concubine Chen smiled slightly, as if she understood Di Yuan's thoughts. It doesn't matter if she wants a daughter or not, what matters is that Di Yuan wants her to want it. "Yes, the concubine looks lovely when she looks at the praying star, has a well-behaved personality, and is very happy."

Di Yuan turned to look at Daddy, and he actually had a smug look. The eldest lady frowned slightly, and was interrupted by Daddy just as she wanted to open her mouth. "The little girl is favored by His Majesty and Niangniang, which is really a blessing for my grandson family. I hope that the little girl will accompany her, and Your Majesty and Niangniang can smile and relax your body and mind, which is the greatest blessing for the little girl. "My heart chuckled, Daddy's words were to agree to Di Yuan's request, and I actually had a kind of crampedness that was difficult to ride a tiger. But now our family stands in the temple, and countless pairs of eyes are watching. I can't think too much about it, so I have to bow deeply.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, thank you Niangniang for your grace." He bowed solemnly.

At that time, I didn't know that entering this palace would change me and change the fate of our family. For many nights to come, I wondered if I had been brave enough to refuse Di Yuan's request that day, and if I had had a different trajectory in my life.

"Hahaha, good!" Di Yuan waved his hand and asked the palace maid to fill the wine cup, "Everyone, Aiqing, today you have a lonely daughter, and you are overjoyed." ”

Di Yuan raised the wine cup high, and everyone present stood up and raised their glasses.

"The daughter of the general of the country in Tefeng Town, Sun, is the lord of Qitong County, and she will reward the three towns and twelve villages of Lin County in the fiefdom, and 2,000 households."

"Congratulations to Your Majesty, Concubine Chen, and congratulations to the Lord of Qitong." The blessing of Qi Qi and the grace that came with it shook my head a little, and suddenly it became clear that this was a premeditated situation.

But everything is a foregone conclusion, and the eldest lady and I have to return to the table to toast and congratulate each other, and to greet everyone's warm wishes.

Then everyone gathered around the banquet of the eldest lady and the eldest father to congratulate them, and the eldest lady politely pulled me to return the salute. I had a gut feeling that my feet were on the clouds, and my head was a mess with no thoughts.

Looking at Di Yuan through the gap in the crowd, he clinked glasses with Concubine Chen, as if celebrating his victory. The blessings of the compliments around him turned into buzzing whispers, and the wine returned the toast with glass after glass. Daddy's face was a little ugly, and I knew that I would face many storms in the world alone in the future.