Records of the King of Xin'an County

After returning to the palace, Princess Changning told the sage and the queen about the matter of traveling to the princess' mansion, which aroused the two people's interest.Empress Du also remembered that she had such an idea a few months ago, and she had never been out of the Tai Chi Palace all these years due to recuperation, so it was time for her to leave the palace for a walk.The saint also felt that since it was the princess mansion where his beloved daughter would live in the future, it was natural for them to have a look first.If there is any discomfort, it is better to rebuild it as soon as possible until he is satisfied.

Therefore, the originally scheduled three or five friends met in Taqiu, and it became a mighty trip with the saint and Queen Du.Now that the sage and Empress Du have come, Princess Changning simply posted a post to invite Princess Linchuan, Princess Qinghe, their respective sons-in-law, Princess Pu Yan and other elders.In this way, the elders enjoy themselves, and these younger generations also have time to play by themselves.

Of course, Yan Zhan would never miss such an opportunity.He proposed that he also wanted to see the Princess Mansion after it was completed. Princess Changning had no reason to refuse, so she acquiesced in allowing him to go with him—since the wedding date is approaching, there is no need for her to have any disputes with the future consort over trivial matters, right?

On the day of arriving at Deyou Mansion, the Emperor and Empress slowly left Taiji Palace with her beloved daughter.Empress Du was sitting in Zhai's car, listening to the sound of the ruts and the noise from afar, with a rare sense of loss on her face.Princess Yong'an was still playing beside her carefree, but Princess Changning held her hand: "Does A Niang feel that these noises have a trace of vitality, which is completely different from the silence in Tai Chi Palace?"

"Perhaps." Empress Du smiled slightly, "I haven't been out of the palace for many years, and I don't know if the capital has changed. Speaking of which, I haven't seen you for some days... Grandpa, Mother, and Brother." Therefore, he also won the title of Duke of Qing.However, Duke Qing's mansion is almost unknown in the capital, not only Duke Qing doesn't appear often due to his infirmity, but Mrs. Guo seldom attends banquets.Du Dalang, who is the only one who has become an official, has also been in a distant foreign state. Now he has been promoted to governor, but his political achievements are mediocre.

After Princess Changning thought of her mother's clan, she couldn't help but sighed softly in her heart.The three generations of the Du family were single-handed, his uncle and cousin were not outstanding figures, and their temperament was too gentle, so they were completely unsuitable for getting involved in court struggles.Moreover, they have been away all year round, and they have almost never met each other. Although there is blood and family relationship, there is no trust and reliance.It was also because compared with them, her cousin Li Huifang, who treated her as close as a real brother, came into Empress Du's sight and got the approval of being able to entrust her life.

"Er also ordered someone to deliver a message to Duke Qing's mansion, and my grandmother sent someone to reply saying that this time it's fine, she will come to the palace to visit A ​​Niang some other day. After a while, I will pick A Niang out and accompany her. How about living with my son? It is also convenient for Auntie to go around. The Tai Chi Palace is not suitable for rest and recuperation, and Daming Palace does not know when it will be repaired, so it is impossible for Auntie to live with my son and take care of her body better."

"Silly boy, if I come, how can I teach my son-in-law what to do? Besides, if I'm not in the palace for a day, I won't feel at ease with them. Our mother and daughter can't relax completely for a moment. As for the rest, they are just It’s just a few trivial matters. No matter how hot the Taiji Palace is, I’ve lived in it for so many years, and I’m used to it.”

Princess Changning lay in her arms and asked in a low voice, "Then when will Aunt give birth to younger brothers and sisters for us?"

Empress Du stroked her raven hair lightly: "Just follow fate. Even if it's only you sisters, I already feel complete in this life."

Princess Changning's eyes gradually turned red, but soon she controlled her tears, and said coquettishly: "I just look at those self-righteous people who are not pleasing to the eye. I thought they were so precious, but they were pregnant. , and raised their ambitions."

"People always have to look at Shu, and they can't be satisfied." Empress Du bent her lips, "This is the case with the Yang family, and so is the Yuan family. The young Yang family and the small Yuan family are no exception. Just look at them coldly, and they have not yet settled down. , how can I easily become enemies with our mother and daughter? If there are fewer people in this palace and fewer children, my position in the middle palace will not be stable. It is said that it is not easy for a good queen, but it is actually very easy... "It just depends on where your heart is.

When Yu Jia came to the princess mansion, the rest of the people had already arrived, saluting the empress together.The saint looked around the grand outer courtyard, nodded slightly, and asked Li Hui, Wang Zixian, Yan Zhan, and Yan Balang to follow him: "Since Xuan Qi is in charge of supervising the construction of the Princess Mansion, then lead us around for a while. , look at the scenery."

It is Li Hui's duty to do so.He has been to the Princess Mansion many times, and he memorizes the style diagrams by heart, so he naturally knows which scenery to enjoy in autumn.So, he easily led the way ahead, focusing on letting the empress and several elders look at several palaces such as the main courtyard bedroom in the middle road, and then went around to the garden to watch the ginkgo, red maple and unopened chrysanthemums wait.

Standing in the Zanjiao Pavilion by the lake, looking far away, there is a hill standing on the quiet lake shore.The golden and fiery red on the mountain are intertwined, like light and flames, extending gorgeously in the field of vision, which is really too beautiful to behold.The clear water of the lake reflects the mountains, and it is like being in a fairyland in a painting.

"That's right!" The saint's eyes moved slightly, and he felt that his mood became more open, "This scenery is even better than the imperial garden of the Taiji Palace. I heard that the style map was modified by Yan Aiqing? The two brothers are indeed suitable to be master craftsmen." For the position, today's great craftsman lacks a bit of aura—" After finishing speaking, he looked back at Yan Balang: "I heard that your grandson inherited the ancestor's business, and you have also entered the general prison?"

"Reporting to the sage, under the shadow of my grandfather, I have a vacancy in the general prison. I thought that the general prison was far inferior to those noble positions, but now I find it very interesting. Moreover, they are all loyal to the saint. There is only a difference in merit, so what is the difference between superior and inferior?" Yan Balang said sincerely, his eyes were extremely calm.

The sage loved such a young man, so he couldn't help but praise Li Hui for his conscientiousness: "No matter how many things are assigned to you, you seem to be able to do it with ease. Now let you be Zongzheng Shaoqing, but leave you idle No. This is not good, I think about it carefully, I still have to find another job for you."

Many courtiers have two jobs, or even several jobs.As long as they have outstanding abilities, it will not delay their handling of official duties.For example, when the sage was still the prince, many of the subjects of the East Palace were concurrently served by important officials of the court.Now the sage managed to find Wang Fu for King Qi and King Shu, who were originally fourth-rank court officials.

"It's hard for my nephew to relax. I've been busy supervising the construction of my own county palace recently." Li Hui continued, "Uncle will allow my nephew to rest for a while. Besides, hasn't my nephew been following me these days?" Do you learn how to behave by the side of your uncle and uncle? If you don’t learn to be a teacher, how dare you take on another responsibility?”

"Young man, it doesn't matter if you learn more." The sage laughed, "I'll let you go to Sinong Temple and learn from your uncle." He glanced at Yan Zhan next to him, and said, "It's just right, You and Yan Dalang can also be more familiar." He saw that the son-in-law seemed not familiar with his nephew, so he deliberately created opportunities for them to get close.You can't let your daughter be caught between your brother and the son-in-law, it's a dilemma.

"Nephew understands." Li Hui reluctantly agreed.Since it was the sage's hint, even if he felt that it was difficult to get close to Yan Zhan, he had to give it a try.After all, he will be Yue Niang's son-in-law in the future, so we can't keep him and Duke Cheng's house out forever.As for the behavior of Cheng Guogong's mansion, after getting close to him, can he be persuaded?

"My child has always admired the king of the county." Yan Zhan showed a happy smile, "I will definitely ask the king of the county for advice, and strive to relieve the saint's worries as soon as possible." It seems that he is very active, as if he became intimate in a moment average.However, Wang Zixian, who was standing on the side, keenly noticed that there was a gloomy look in his eyes, and his fists were slightly clenched.

The sage nodded in satisfaction, and sent out all the young people, leaving only Qin Shen and Zhou Ziwu, the two sons-in-law: "I will sit here for a while, with my brother-in-law and brother-in-law to accompany me, so feel free to move around. Let's take a look. If Zitong is tired, why don't you go and rest for a while?"

"My concubine wants to invite my elder sister (Princess Linchuan) and younger sister (Princess Qinghe) to take a walk in the nearby Pavilion." Empress Du's pale face was a bit bloody, and she said softly, "By the way But take a nap, the sage don't worry." Princess Linchuan and Princess Qinghe responded with smiles, took her arm and left slowly.

Therefore, Princess Changning finally had the opportunity to entertain her close friends, and introduced Li Hui and others to them.At this time, Li Huifang discovered that Mrs. Du had also come.She was dressed in an autumn-colored dress, and she still looked very unremarkable among the little ladies in primrose-colored or bright red dresses.However, when she looked over lightly, she could also attract people's attention.

Among these few little ladies, the one who impressed Li Hui quite deeply was the little lady who was covered in red like a flame.It's not because of anything else, but her surname is An, and she is the younger sister of An's concubine, the heir to Chu.When he accompanied Li Jue to get married, he was almost beaten by this little lady.At that time, he felt that this woman must be different from her elder sister, she definitely had no gentle temperament, and now she really is.

Wang Zixian saw that he was looking at one of the young ladies with the corners of his lips curled up, and raised his eyebrows slightly: "Sister of Princess Si Chu? Have you ever met her?" For a moment, he thought that Li Hui had met this girl A little lady An has discussed marriage.But if you think about it carefully, the An family has already produced a concubine of Chu Chu, how can it be possible to produce another concubine of Xin'an County?

"Brother Jueqing met once before when he got married. It's just that Yue Niang actually became friends with her." Li Hui said, "No, the two of them have very congenial temperaments, and it's not surprising that they can become close friends. Accident. Going around, they are all relatives, and it is very interesting."

"It's really interesting." Wang Zixian said a little bit out of interest.To be honest, every time he saw Mrs. Du, he would inevitably feel a little cloudy in his heart.Of course, this has nothing to do with Du Niangzi, and he has no intention of angering anyone, it's just that it is difficult to make progress in resolving Li Hui's marriage.

Li Hui noticed his carelessness, seeing Princess Changning talking and laughing with the little ladies, and even Yan Zhan chatting and laughing with Qin Cheng, Zhou Yi, and Yan Balang, a thought suddenly came to his mind.Taking advantage of no one paying attention to them, he lowered his voice and asked, "Do you want to go to the county palace next door to have a look?"

The warm breath rushed to his ears, and Wang Zixian's mood suddenly improved: "Of course I want to. But how do I go?"

"I have my own way." Li Hui laughed softly, turned around and left quickly.He quietly sent people to build the secret passages in the princess mansion, and there were more than one secret passages leading to the prince's mansion in the next county.

Wang Zixian raised the corners of his mouth, and immediately followed him unhurriedly.

Both of them didn't know that Mrs. Du Jialan Du looked at the backs of them leaving from a distance, and then looked away without a trace.