The Empire and the Kingdom

The two chatted until very late, Feng Jingsu saw that it was getting late, so he could only get up and leave. "Shuangniang, the days ahead are long, I will visit you often in the future."

Concubine De laughed and said: "Now that I really have the ability, I can avoid the eyes of the Ouchi guards, and I won't be depressed at night."

The virtuous concubine Qi Yuanshuang had been best friends with Li Jieyu before she entered the palace, but after the two entered the palace one after another, their friendship never faded in the slightest.At that time, Concubine De blatantly took Li Jieyu under her wings and defended everything, which allowed Li Jieyu to give birth to Feng Jingsu smoothly.

Who knows that heaven is jealous of beauty, when Feng Jingsu was four years old, Li Jieyu suddenly became seriously ill and passed away soon.Concubine De also had the idea of ​​raising Feng Jingsu under her knees, and the emperor agreed, but when she heard that Feiyejin Academy's reputation had risen, she persuaded the emperor and sent Feng Jingsu to Feiyejin.For the next ten years, Feng Jingsu went back to the palace every year, but the two of them never had any contact on the surface, and all their true feelings were hidden behind the scenes. This was De Fei's idea.As for why, Concubine De didn't say anything, now Feng Jingsu guessed that Concubine De should have discovered some danger back then, so she tried her best to send her away to keep her safe.The danger that even a dignified concubine would be afraid of is really easy to guess.

The next day, Feng Jingsu changed into the costume of the princess and got up early to greet the queen.The time for the princess to pay her respects was slightly later than that of the concubines. If she arrived earlier, she would wait in the side hall of Fengde Palace.It was the first day Feng Jingsu came to greet her, so it was not advisable to make a mistake, so she came early, but unexpectedly, someone else arrived earlier than her.

Princess De'an, who was born by Cao Jieyu, had been waiting in the side hall for a long time. Seeing Feng Jingsu come in, she hurriedly got up to greet her, "Good morning, Fifth Sister."

Feng Jingsu returned the gift, "De'an, why did you come so early?"

Princess De'an said: "I live far away from Fengde Palace, if I don't come earlier, if something happens to delay me along the way, I will be late."

"So you come so early every day?" This is the time for concubines to pay their respects.

Princess De'an nodded, "I came with my mother."

"It's hard for you." Feng Jingsu actually didn't have much impression of this youngest sister.But her biological mother is also Jieyu, so she can understand De'an's cautiousness.Speaking of which, their current situation is the same.Strictly speaking, she is not even as good as De'an. After all, Princess De'an still has a biological mother, but she can only rely on herself for everything.

"Fifth Sister, I heard that you just came back yesterday. It was a hard journey, right?" De'an smiled gently, showing the greatest kindness.

"It's okay. Thank you for your concern."

While the two were talking, another one arrived early.Princess Mingxin, who was only half a year younger than Feng Jingsu, came in and saw the two hurried over to greet her. "Seventh Sister always arrives early, I didn't expect Fifth Sister to be so early."

"I just came back, and it's my first time to say hello to the empress, but I must not be late." Feng Jingsu explained.

Several other princesses came one after another, and the last one to arrive was Princess Hejia from the queen.Checking the time, the princesses tidied up their clothes and jewelry to avoid any faux pas and were ready to go out.

"Where is the second sister? Aren't you coming?" Feng Jingsu found out that among the seven princesses, Princess Yongning, born of the Jian family, did not appear.

"Second sister has to take care of the concubine Xian, so the empress has deliberately spared the second sister's greeting." Princess Zhenshu, the eldest sister, explained.

In Feng Jingsu's impression, Concubine Jian Xian who lives in Zhiqiong Palace has been ill, she can't remember what Concubine Jian Xian looks like, and her second sister, Princess Yongning, has been accompanying her mother and concubine in Zhiqiong Palace, Never go out.Many newcomers to the palace do not know that there is such a concubine and such a princess in the palace.

While talking, a court lady came and asked the princesses to go to the main hall to greet the queen.

In the main hall, the concubines had just left, and the maids were changing the tea.The six princesses respectfully knelt down to greet the queen, and the queen asked the princesses to stand up and take their seats.

"Usually the five princesses pay their respects. Starting today, Yun Yi is back, and you have another good sister. Although Yun Yi returns to China every year, it is not common after all. You all have to be as close as possible to her." That's good. I think she has just returned to the palace and she is very tired. Let her rest for a few days. After a few days, she will also go to Xingyi Palace to attend classes with you, so you should take care of her more." The queen explained. This is a lot, the princesses should get up quickly.

"Yunyi, they are all my sisters, so you don't have to be cautious. If you don't understand something, if it's not convenient for you to ask me, you can ask the sisters." The queen pointed out one by one, with a loving mother.

"Yun Yi knows, thank you for your advice." Feng Jingsu got up and said.

Seeing that the queen had nothing to say, everyone drank tea and chatted, and then dispersed after sitting for a while.

Walking out of the gate of Fengde Palace, the sun had already risen so high, and Princess Hejia stretched out her hands to cover the dazzling sunlight, "Yun Yi, I heard that you are the apprentice of a very powerful master in Feiyejin Academy. What name? Is it a famous Confucian on the mainland?"

Feng Jingsu laughed and said, "Third Sister is joking. Fei Yejin's disciples are all women, and there are no famous Confucian scholars on the mainland."

"Oh?" Princess Hejia seemed to be interested, "I don't know which is the most convenient for your master? Is it female red embroidery?" This is a bit ironic.

"Martial arts." Feng Jingsu said slowly.

Hearing this, Princess De'an's eyes showed curiosity, and Princess Wenchun was also a little envious.

"So you're a martial artist." Princess Hejia lacked interest, "I said that you will go to Xingyi Palace to study with us in a few days, I'm afraid you won't be able to keep up. Father invited the most famous teacher on the mainland for us." The great Confucianist Chen Duanxing is teaching his master, and his master is very strict, so be careful not to get slapped on the palm of your hand."

"Yes, I still have a lot to learn. Thank you, Third Sister, for your advice." Feng Jingsu was still not in a hurry, and could not see any emotional changes.

Talking so much with Princess Jia actually couldn't arouse her anger, and felt that it was boring, so she took people away.

After Princess Hejia left, Princess Zhenshu walked over slowly, "Yunyi, don't worry. Hejia is a princess born in the first place, so she is naturally a little bit more angry. In fact, she is just a little bit coquettish and domineering. As long as you don't mess with her, She's not difficult to get along with."

"Thank you big sister for your guidance." Feng Jingsu's attitude was still lukewarm. Princess Zhenshu understood that Feng Jingsu had just returned to the palace and was in the stage of probing and understanding everyone, and it was difficult to make friends. .

The other princesses also left, leaving only Feng Jingsu and her court lady Cuidie on the road.In fact, as the maid in charge of Cuidie First Palace, she no longer had to follow Feng Jingsu out, but she was afraid that Xiaozhu and Xiaoduo would not be able to cope with today's complicated situation because of their ignorance, so she followed out in person.

"Princess, shall we go back to the palace?" Cuidie asked, seeing that Feng Jingsu was not in a hurry.

"Go to Fenghua Hall."

Fenghua Hall is a place where the Buddha is worshiped and the dead are worshipped.Cuidie understands that Feng Jingsu is going to pay homage to her biological mother, Li Jieyu.

The Fenghua Hall is full of prayer flags, and the ranks of the deceased concubines are enshrined in the main hall.Seeing Feng Jingsu coming, the little eunuch at the door was very surprised, and was stunned for a moment.

Cuidie stepped forward and said: "This is Princess Yunyi, she just returned to the palace."

The little eunuch is working here, so he is naturally familiar with the situation of the masters in the palace.This is actually not the first time Feng Jingsu has come here. Every year when she returns to the palace during the Chinese New Year, she will come to pay homage to her late mother. It's just that she is at the age of growth and development, and she didn't return to the palace last year. Some were so big that the little eunuch couldn't recognize them for a while.

"Princess, please, the slaves are going to prepare the sacrificial offerings." The little eunuch stepped aside quickly and ran to get the paper money and joss sticks.

Feng Jingsu knelt in front of Li Jieyu's seat, lit incense sticks, and burned paper money, "Mother, my daughter is back." Without too many words, she was not a talkative person in the first place.There is a master who is so talkative, she and her junior sister Gu Li are a bit cold and talkative, probably because they are afraid that they will become like the master.

There was only one sentence in her words, but she knelt in front of the queue for a long time.Until Cuidie behind her whispered in her ear: "Princess, Empress Chongyi is here."

Feng Jingsu turned her head and saw a beautiful woman in gorgeous court gowns walking towards her, followed by only one maid.

"Yun Yi met Empress Chongyi." Feng Jingsu got up to greet her.

"You child, you are so polite to me." Chen Chongyi hurriedly reached out to support her, "I heard that you went back to the palace yesterday, and I know you are busy and don't want to disturb you, so I just wanted to come and see your mother today. Tell her that her daughter has returned to the palace, and she met you without even thinking about it. Let me see it, she really has changed at the age of [-], look at you, you are such a rare beauty in the world, your mother will be so happy to know "Chen Chongyi said with tears in his eyes. "Bengong and your mother are like sisters. I originally thought that this deep palace would be lonely, and there would always be a sister to accompany me. It's a pity that your mother left at a young age. She stayed with me for so many years and didn't take good care of you. Gong is sorry for your mother!"

Feng Jingsu hurriedly took out a handkerchief to wipe away tears for Chen Chongyi, "Your Majesty, please don't say that. Yun Yi lost his mother when he was young, and fortunately he has his mother to take care of him, so he can grow up to this day. I remember."

Chen Chongyi nodded while wiping her tears, "Good boy, I know you are a good boy. But I still want to remind you that the relationship in the palace is complicated. You have just returned to the palace. Be careful in everything and don't get involved in any parties. In a relationship." She took Feng Jingsu's hand and patted it, "You are a princess, you are old enough, and you will get married in a few years, I will try my best to help you marry a good family, and then you will have a lifetime , this palace is worthy of the sisterhood with your mother."