Empress Chu

The moment they stepped into the street, two half-year-old children squatting in the corner of the street suddenly ignited fireworks, which shot up into the sky in broad daylight, startling the people around them.

"The auspicious time has come—" the two children still shouted, and then rushed into the crowd with a smile.

……

……

Standing on the highest wall of the imperial city, Deng Yi saw a firework lit up in the distance of the city.

"The auspicious time has come." He said, then turned and walked away. When he stepped down the steps, he could hear the capital rolling like a hot pot.

Although he didn't stand on the city wall, he still felt the excitement because the eunuchs kept sending him news.

"Today the streets are busier than New Year's Eve."

"There is no need to compare it with the past two years. It should be said that the New Year is more lively than many times in the past."

"Wan Qingniang's dance is even more beautiful than that in the building—cough, I mean the dance is the most beautiful for both refined and popular tastes."

"It would be great if I could get a reward, none of the people I sent could squeeze in."

"However, it was the first time to listen to the pipa in the street. When the four women played the pipa, I forgot that I was on the street. I thought I went with His Majesty again—"

"Did you play the song of breaking the formation? Si Mei Niang sells charming skills, and she has never played this kind of song before. The first time I heard it, it was really shocking."

"Many people who fled on the street cried, alas."

"But it's okay, the war is over, and the refugees should be sent back to their place of origin as soon as possible."

"Walking all the way through the market, covered in flowers, these girls, the more they play, the more addicted they become."

Hearing this, Deng Yi raised his head and looked out of the door, beyond the tall palace gate, he seemed to be able to see the scene of flying flowers all over the street.

There should be a lot more flying flowers than when His Majesty returned to court.

……

……

Chu Zhao finally crossed the street and reached the intersection. She turned around and looked back, and saw that the whole street was flooded by a sea of ​​flowers.

Through the sea of ​​flowers, she could still see the hustle and bustle of the street.

She saw a dancing girl whirling, with one leg independent on the small round stool, like a willow swinging in the wind, but no matter how the wind blows or how her posture swings, that foot is always firmly independent on the round stool——

She saw four pipa girls playing the sound of gold and iron horses, and the ice and snow melted in an instant, spring flowers bloomed, and a hundred birds sang together.

She also saw a screen where scholars splashed ink and displayed calligraphy, literature and paintings, all of which had her name on them.

She also saw fire breathing, knife dancing, and monkey playing.

She looked up and saw that the windows along the street were all open, and the women smiled and waved to her.

"Miss, miss." Ale's voice whispered in her ears, "The spring in the capital is so lively. We didn't realize it before. We came to the capital for too short a time."

Well, I didn't find out before, and she didn't find out after staying in the capital for ten years, Chu Zhao thought silently.

Ding Dachui and the others were completely dumbfounded.

"I know the capital is the most prosperous place in the world." Ding Dachui couldn't help muttering.

But this bustling is still beyond his imagination, walking in this bustling, he almost shed tears, maybe because the beautiful fairy-like dancer smiled at him, maybe because the sound of the pipa evoked sadness, or maybe it was a somersault The monkey reminded him of the forest—

"It's an honor for me, Ding Dachui, to be able to walk through this bustling scene. It's not in vain," he murmured.

The noisy ears on the street were buzzing, Chu Zhao couldn't hear what everyone was talking about, but he seemed to hear clearly.

"This lady—" came the shouts of women in front of her.

Chu Zhao turned around and saw tables in a tea shop at the corner of the street. A dozen girls were sitting or standing. Chu Tang was among them, but she didn't speak. It was Zhou Jiang who spoke.

"Miss," she said.

Chu Zhao was still wearing Mi Li.

The girls also pretended not to know her.

"We have made new tea." Zhou Jiang continued, "Please have a cup."

Chu Zhao smiled and walked over to take the tea.

Although Ding Dachui felt that he wanted to stop him, but judging by Xiaoman's reaction - Xiaoman had already stood beside the girls, even though he was a countryman and it was his first time in the capital, he could guess what was going on .

The bustle before—he turned his head to look again, it turned out that it was also for the queen.

"Miss, what did you see just now?" Zhou Jiang handed the tea to Chu Zhao and asked.

Chu Zhao took the tea, but didn't seem to hear clearly, and asked, "What did you see?"

"Miss, have you seen singing and dancing?" Zhou Jiang asked.

Chu Zhao nodded: "I see."

"Have you seen the prosperity of the world?" Zhou Jiang asked.

Chu Zhao nodded again: "I see."

"Miss, have you seen living and working in peace and contentment?" Zhou Jiang asked.

Chu Zhao nodded: "I see."

Zhou Jiang smiled: "Thank you miss, let's offer a cup of tea to miss."

Chu Zhao said: "Thank you, it is my honor." After saying that, he drank it all down.

Zhou Jiang and the other girls also drank the tea.

Chu Zhao took off the fence. At this time, everyone was attracted by the bustle of the street, and no one would look at this side. She took the reins and got on the horse, looked at the bustling street again, and urged the horse forward with a smile.

……

……

Today's court meeting is different from other times. The hall is as noisy as a market, and the officials did not stand in sequence.

"How long has it been?" An official couldn't help urging again, "Why hasn't His Majesty come yet?"

"It's rare for Your Majesty to be lazy." Another official laughed in a low voice, "After one year older, I'm not diligent."

Except for the period when Yu Jia personally conquered, the little emperor never once delayed going to court at other times.

"Actually, it doesn't matter if His Majesty is here or not." Another official frowned impatiently, "The Grand Tutor is here."

But Tai Tuo didn't come today, he just told everyone to wait.

Someone sneered: "What has the Taifu been up to lately? Has he made a fortune and organized the account books again? King Zhongshan, no, King Zhen gave him a lot, right?"

"Maybe there is no need to give it away." Another person said coldly, "Teacher Deng was originally sent up with money by the King of Zhongshan, and now is the time to receive the reward."

"Then the current court is still King Zhongshan's?" Someone sighed.

But he was immediately refuted: "That's impossible. With His Majesty and the third son Xie here, Deng Yi can't cover the sky with one hand."

There are officials who are full of hostility and officials who are idle and indifferent.

"Hurry up, finish the court sooner." An official yawned.

"Don't rush, wait, it's a good thing." Another official whispered.

These words made everyone around to close their eyes and meditate: "What's the good news?" "What private news?" "Where did it come from?"

Some people also joked, "My lord, is this Deng's or Xie's? I'm well informed."

The official smiled: "I got this news from my wife's daughter."

What does this mean?Everyone is even more puzzled.

"Recently they mysteriously said that they would congratulate the queen." The official whispered, "The queen should come back."

Queen, several officials looked at each other: "The queen is joining the army in place of her father, and she is also going to fight against the king of Zhongshan. She is very impressive. If she wants to come back, the court must prepare in advance."

I haven't heard anything lately.

These women in the inner house know the exact news?

"I guess I know." The official said in a low voice, "Today my wife's daughter got up earlier than I did. I didn't even see them at dinner. They said yes, they are busy with important matters."

Officials listened amused, but felt the same way.

"The women at home seem to be quite busy recently."

"Not only busy, but also seems to be able to spend money, a headache—"

While talking and laughing, Deng Yi walked in from the outside, seeing him, the noise in the hall stopped.

"Teacher, when will His Majesty go to court?" an official asked.

"I will go to court soon." Deng Yi said, "Not only His Majesty, but also the Empress has entered the palace."

The queen is back!

Actually came back!

The hall became even more noisy in an instant.

……

……

"elder sister--"

"Sister Chu—"

Xiao Yu was still standing on the steps, but in fact, he originally wanted to go outside the imperial city to pick him up, or even go outside the capital to wait——

Both Deng Yi and Eunuch Qi told him that the Queen should not mobilize the crowd. If Your Majesty shows up, it will be against the Queen's wishes.

So he has been waiting in the palace, really slow, although there are guards who report back and forth almost every time a cup of tea, the queen has entered the city, the queen has walked to the street, the queen is watching juggling, the queen Went to the imperial city——

It was getting closer, but he felt that time was also getting slower and slower.

Finally, finally, I saw the figure of that girl.

She was alone, wearing plain clothes, and came slowly.

Xiao Yu couldn't bear it anymore, he didn't wait any longer, he rushed down the steps and ran towards the girl.

Chu Zhao looked at the child running towards the palace in the distance, like a flying swallow, and couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Stepping into this imperial city again, she didn't feel anything at first, familiar?Not familiar, strange?I'm no stranger, let's keep my mind calm until I see the children who are rushing towards me.

This child who should not have existed, was saved by her own hands.

This is her world, her creation, a new life.

Chu Zhao also quickened his pace and greeted the child.

The two finally met, Chu Zhao reached out to hug Xiao Yu up, but almost fell down the next moment.

"Ayu." She said, "You have grown taller and gained weight, and my sister can't hold her anymore."

Xiao Yu hugged her waist tightly: "Then I'll hug my sister."

Of course he couldn't hold it.

Chu Zhao laughed.

Eunuch Qi Laobai and Xiaoman Ale both rushed over from the side, laughing at this scene.

"Your Majesty." Duke Qi said, "The Grand Tutor and court officials are waiting. Please, Your Majesty and the Empress, please go to court."

Chu Zhao was a little surprised: "Haven't you gone to court yet?"

Xiao Yu looked up at her: "Sister, I told the Taifu that we must wait for you to come back and go to court together, and the Taifu also agreed."

Chu Zhao reached out and pinched his nose.

"Okay." She said, "Let's go up together."

She looked down at her clothes again.

"I have always carried the court uniform." Ale said hurriedly, but it was used in the border county before, and it has been busy fighting, and it has not been washed, and it is crumpled——

Chu Zhao smiled and waved his hands: "No, I came here after a long journey, and I am anxious to tell everyone about the important affairs of Zhongshan County in Bianjun. I am the queen and the general who leads the army. There are no taboos in the army, so I will go to court like this." .”

After finishing speaking, he took Xiao Yu's hand.

"Walk."