Han Shizu

Chapter 1550 Xiao Yanyan's Story
East Palace, Yuehuayuan.

This is a small courtyard with only seven or eight rooms. Not to mention the East Palace, even many private houses in Kaifeng City are more spacious than it.

There are some traces of renovation throughout the courtyard, but the old ones are everywhere, and the newest ones are probably the newly hung door plaques.

The location is also a bit remote, at least dozens of doors and walls are separated from the prince's bedroom, so it seems very quiet, or deserted.Only the red silk flowers that have not been unloaded in the courtyard gallery add a bit of festive atmosphere to this small courtyard.

This Yuehua Courtyard is where Prince Xinna's Xiao Liangyuan resides. It has to be said that the level and status are obtained, but the treatment does not seem to be favorable.

Of course, in the East Palace, there is an independent courtyard with eunuchs and maidservants specially serving it. This is already a manifestation of the earth, and it is enough to arouse the envy and hatred of others, especially, the owner of this courtyard is still a Khitan. .

The hall is probably the best decorated in the entire Yuehua Courtyard. There is a complete set of furniture, other than that, there is no gold, jade or pearl ornaments, but it is clean enough, simple enough, and neat enough.

The servants were pushed back outside the hall, while Xiao's father and daughter sat among them, talking in a low voice.Xiao Siwen had a complex look on his old face, while Xiao Yanyan poured tea and water for him in person, with a sassy and capable look in every move, with a confident and bright smile on his jade dimple.

"Isn't there a better and bigger courtyard in the huge East Palace?" Xiao Siwen took a sip of tea, pointed to the simple living room, and sighed softly.

Hearing this, the smile on the corner of Xiao Yanyan's mouth widened a bit, and the expression on her face was as calm as she was in front of Liu Yang, and as submissive as she was in front of Concubine Murong: "This is what my daughter asked for, and Her Highness and the Crown Princess flattered her. I am honored to have the title, but I should still be aware that my daughter is just a maidservant next to His Highness and the Crown Princess."

Hearing Xiao Yanyan say these words in a calm tone, and noticing the indifference on her face, Xiao Siwen's old wrinkled face couldn't help showing a little complicated look.

As an old father, Xiao Siwen knew all too well what a proud and self-reliant person his youngest daughter was. However, in this East Palace, even if he was only facing his own father at this time, he could only speak cautiously. Humble words are like showing loyalty to others.

Complicated emotions welled up in my heart, and I opened my mouth. Xiao Siwen hesitated to speak, and finally all the comforting words turned into a sigh: "It's just that I have wronged you so much!"

"Father is serious. This is also my daughter's own choice. How can I be wronged?" Xiao Yanyan remained indifferent.

In fact, since Nantou Dahan, Xiao Siwen has been working hard to seek to integrate into the upper echelons of the Dahan court, which is obviously very difficult.

He is not the Khitan people who usually belong to them. He only needs to submit to the rule of the great Han, by grazing and raising horses for the court, and paying tribute.

He, Xiao Siwen, is a minister of Khitan, an important minister of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, his status is more noble, and he is also more sensitive.Although after coming from the south, Emperor Liu set him up as a role model, and treated people from afar, and gave him excellent treatment.

However, Xiao Siwen didn't want to be just a symbolic symbol, to have the false title of Minister of the Ministry of War.Because of that, it is very likely that the entire Xiao family will fall into ruin in the future.

This gift from the imperial court is not safe. Once something goes wrong, the current treatment will be reduced to nothing, and even life may be in danger.After all, even his new subordinate, the Emperor of Han, could feel the fear of Mobei Khitan.Under such circumstances, Xiao Siwen, while benefiting from his status, may also suffer from it.

At least, during the three or two years he stayed in the big man, Xiao Siwen could clearly feel the rejection and contempt for him by the ministers and nobles who occupied the top of the big man's power.

Even after going through the world, Xiao Siwen still felt uncomfortable when he touched his heart like this, as if there was an invisible moat lying in front of him, the real superstructure and core of power of the Han Empire, where they stood tall and attracted people's daydreams. If you want to blend in, you have to step over the natural moat in front of you.

In the past few years, Xiao Siwen has tried his best. It can be said that he has served the great man wholeheartedly. He knows everything about Emperor Liu and the princes of the court. He often exerts his subjective initiative, seeks opportunities for meritorious service, and tries his best to show his own value.

These efforts are effective, at least Xiao Siwen can feel that Emperor Liu is very satisfied with himself.However, there is a limit to this satisfaction. At least so far, he has never held any real power. Even the recruitment of the Khitan tribe in Mobei has all-pervasive surveillance and defense from the surrounding area.

And if you want to really integrate into the big man, besides being loyal and showing your value, the most convenient and effective way is undoubtedly marriage. It just so happens that Xiao Siwen also has a proud daughter.

At first, Xiao Siwen planned to choose one of the big men to sell Xiao Yanyan, and observed silently, weighing the pros and cons. Of course, the most important consideration was whether the selected backstage was strong enough.

However, this idea was vetoed by Xiao Yanyan herself, and she firmly proposed that instead of clinging to those powerful people, it is better to enter the Han Palace and directly choose the East Palace.

In Xiao Yanyan's view, the Xiao family asked for a guarantee, an invitation letter to integrate into the upper class of the Han Dynasty, and there was nothing more effective than gaining a relationship with the court.

Those dignitaries, no matter how noble they are, are ministers after all. Personally, for Xiao Yanyan, instead of using it as a political bargaining chip to marry some rich and powerful children who can't see the future clearly, it is better to hold the initiative in her own hands, even if it is only from a slave start.

As Xiao Yanyan, it was very difficult to marry a crown prince or prince, even the son of some powerful family. Xiao Yanyan, who was unwilling to bury herself, also chose the most difficult path.

If you want to enter the palace as a concubine, let alone Xiao Siwen, it is not easy for the famous Shuyuan raised by the nobles of the Han Dynasty. However, it is obviously much easier to send Xiao Yanyan to the Han Palace as a maid and servant girl.

Therefore, under Xiao Siwen's operation, Xiao Yanyan successfully entered the East Palace and became an ordinary maid in it. The one who was a little more conspicuous was probably only a Khitan woman.

As for Xiao Yanyan's experience in the East Palace, it is naturally another story. She was lucky, it was a chance meeting, or her own aptitude gave her the opportunity to make progress.

The most important point is that, being appreciated by Concubine Murong, she was promoted to be a maidservant. This was a leap forward. To be next to the concubine meant that she was closer to His Royal Highness.

What happened next seemed to be more logical. Xiao Yanyan successfully attracted Liu Yang's attention with her character, appearance, knowledge, and temperament.

Of course, during this process, what Xiao Yanyan always maintained was her respect and loyalty to the crown princess, even if the status of a good lady was promoted, it was Murong's initiative.

It also has to be said that since Concubine Zhao gave birth, she has become more and more favored, which has brought infinite pressure to the princess and also created Xiao Yanyan's opportunity.

Up to now, the status has been determined, but Xiao Yanyan does not have any complacency. She still has a clear understanding of her own identity, positioning herself as a servant of the prince and Concubine Murong, without any change.

In the past few days, serving Concubine Murong has become more respectful, loyal and humble, and no one can find any faults.Even in front of his own father, he showed such an attitude that almost formed an instinctive reaction, and there was no outrageous gesture in his words or deeds.

"Inside this palace is a more complicated world than outside the palace walls. Yanyan, you still need to be careful!" Looking at his daughter, Xiao Siwen's tone was full of concern, and his eyes were full of pity.

Regarding this, Xiao Yanyan smiled slightly and nodded slightly: "Daughter understands!"

Seeing this, Xiao Siwen opened his mouth again, and finally showed a wry smile.He secretly thought in his heart, yes, my own daughter, don’t I understand it yet? Why do I need him to talk and teach her how to behave and how to survive in the court.

So, putting aside the slightly complicated emotions and thoughts, Xiao Siwen said with emotion: "When you were young, I asserted that you would become a great weapon in the future. Now it seems that I am not old-eyed and dim-sighted. The future of the entire Xiao family depends on you. on you alone"

Hearing Xiao Siwen's heartfelt words, Xiao Yanyan's expression finally became a little more serious.

(End of this chapter)