Queen's Road in the Red House

Seeing that the Empress Dowager went to remove another red gold dragon and phoenix hairpin inlaid with beads, the Supreme Emperor couldn't help saying: "Don't take the pearls if they turn yellow, why bother."

The queen mother paused slightly: "These were all rewarded by you that day, and they are also your favorite things that have been worn for many years." Then she suddenly smiled, and compared the pearl hairpin in her hair mixed with silver threads: "But I am old and the pearls are yellow, so they are a good match. , don’t you think so?”

The Taishanghuang felt embarrassed when he said something wrong.Fortunately, the Empress Dowager quickly changed the subject: "You are so concerned about Cheng'er's concubine, are you finally letting go?"

Songkou agreed with the emperor to establish a prince.

The Supreme Emperor stroked his beard, pretending to be deep: "The matter of the Crown Prince is a big one..."

The queen mother waved her hand: "Forget it, don't talk about it, I don't want to hear it, so as not to fall into a crime."

The Supreme Emperor, who was full of desire to confide, was choked back.

Fortunately, the palace servants who walked in broke the silence: "Go back to the Supreme Emperor, the Empress Dowager, and the eldest princess, please see me."

Unlike the rest of the clan, the eldest princess enters the palace as freely as she goes home.

The queen mother subconsciously glanced at the western wall clock on the ground: "An Shu has come to the palace? Cheng'er went to her house early in the morning, isn't it just over an hour?"

Princess Anshu came in with a straight face, followed by Xin Hongcheng with a low eyebrow and a pleasing eye.

The Queen Mother made a rough guess: Seeing An Shu like this, she seems to have come in to file a complaint.This child will not express his views of both talent and appearance in front of the eldest princess.

--

An hour ago, the residence of Princess Anshu.

Xin Hongcheng met an aunt and four cousins.

This Aunt Zhu, who has never met before, is five years younger than Empress Xiaoyi. She is exactly 35 this year. She is gentle and amiable, with slender and soft eyes. The moment she saw Xin Hongcheng, her eye circles turned red, and she wiped her eyes tremblingly with a handkerchief : "Like, it really looks like my poor sister."

The eldest princess is getting old, and although she looks aloof and respectful, she actually hates this kind of reunion drama the most, and she can't help but feel sore. It's a pity that before she picked up the handkerchief, Xin Hongcheng has already said: "Auntie, My father said that I resembled him very much, and you said that I resembled my mother very much, but unfortunately, when my mother left, I was so young that I couldn’t remember clearly. Instead, tell me, who am I like?”

Aunt Zhu's hand that wiped her tears froze: Well, how can this be more serious? Isn't this just a polite remark?Not to mention that the older Xin Hongcheng is, the more lively he looks like Emperor Xuanhe when he was young. Even if he really looks like Empress Xiaoyi, who would dare to object if the emperor Jinkou said that his son is like him?

So facing Xin Hongcheng's seeking knowledge eyes, Aunt Zhu could only respond with tears and speechless.

At this time, the four girls behind Aunt Zhu came up to persuade her—the gesture of handing over the handkerchief was extraordinarily graceful, and the words of comfort were delicate and soft.

Xin Hongcheng then saluted the Eldest Princess: "Auntie, Auntie lost her composure in front of you, I apologize for her."

Aunt Zhu didn't dare to cry any more. After all, the eldest princess is getting old. It's really a bit unlucky for you to cry miserably in other people's house.

Only then can everyone be seated.

The three daughters-in-law lined up beside the eldest princess like swallow wings, and they all called Aunt Zhu to sit with the girls. By the way, they also took a step to open their eyes and talk nonsense: "Mrs. Zhu, the girls behind you are really outstanding. Is it your girl?"

Aunt Zhu hurriedly came down the steps and introduced them to the eldest princess one by one.

Xin Hongcheng next to him naturally listened too: These four, from the concubine daughter in the third room of Changyuan Hou's mansion to the concubine girl in the eighth room outside, there is a huge gap.It is very humane, although there are only four people, from side concubines to concubines, they can pick out those who meet their status and send them to the palace.

Xin Hongcheng sighed: My grandfather and uncle are interested.

--

Far away in Fujian, Changyuan Hou Shizi was furious, pointing to his wife who was crying on the bed and said, "You are crazy! How dare you send the girls to the capital while my father and I are going to inspect the army!"

Mrs. Zhong whined: "You didn't send our daughter to Beijing, why are you in a hurry? I also know that this time I went to be concubines, so I don't want to give up our hearts. As for the few who are willing to go, they are also It was my parents who came to me to beg me, and I didn't force them to go!"

Zhong Shizi was so angry that he almost lost his brain: "Our Changyuanhou's mansion is shameful! The Fourth Highness has the Supreme Emperor who is in charge. He really likes our girl. Wouldn't he issue an imperial decree! It seems like you want to sacrifice the girl in your family like this!" You have no shame in sending them to the capital, and you are really ashamed and disgraced all over the capital! The military exploits of my father and I have been ruined by your stupidity."

Thinking about how the nobles in the middle of the capital were laughing at the Marquis of Changyuan behind their backs for some reason, and trying so hard to tease the nepotism of the Fourth Highness, Zhong Zhen wanted to vomit blood.

Mrs. Zhong was so frightened that she stopped crying, and said in a low voice: "Yes, but my aunt's name is to go to Beijing to visit relatives, and I have agreed with the eldest princess's mansion, but let the Fourth Highness meet as a guest..."

At first, Zhong Zhen only thought that Aunt Zhu was bringing someone to Beijing, but he didn't want to have such bad news like a thunderbolt from the blue sky, so he was ashamed to be thrown into the clan, and he waved his hand and smashed a teapot on the spot: "Okay, okay, it's really a bad marriage that brings harm to the family. "

Mrs. Zhong was scolded and couldn't help crying on the bed.

--

Let's put aside the matter of Fujian for the time being, and just say that Xin Hongcheng is sitting on the chairman of the Grand Duke, smiling happily.

The eunuch Wang Zhong who was accompanying him shivered when he saw the smile of his master.

Xin Hongcheng took a sip of the Jasper teacup: "After drinking the good tea from my aunt, it reminded me that when my mother was alive, I wrote a few prescriptions for scented tea, and this winter my father asked someone to make plum blossoms according to them." Tea out."

He stretched out his hand, and Wang Zhong quickly handed over a small white porcelain jar.

Xin Hongcheng smiled: "I heard that this is what my mother often made in her boudoir, so I brought it here today, and let my aunt taste it, so as to comfort my nostalgic heart."

The female officer next to the eldest princess hurriedly stepped forward to take it, and went down to make tea.

Seeing Xin Hongcheng's gentle attitude, Aunt Zhu felt at ease. Hearing this, she quickly smiled and said: "My sister was the most dexterous in her boudoir, and she was ingenious in everything she ate and drank. Ever since my sister got married, I have been thinking about this taste day and night. , today I entrust the blessing of the Fourth Highness."

The temple is filled with the quiet fragrance of plum blossoms.

The eldest princess casually asked the girls what books they were reading.

If Zhou Ling were here, she would definitely cry and treat them differently: How did the princess judge them with lightning and thunder back then, but today it's just so casual.

After all, for the eldest princess, the main concubine is different from the concubine's room. As long as the concubine's room is beautiful, understanding and able to serve good people, it is fine.

Seeing the eldest princess asking questions, the girls of the Zhong family took out the answers they had memorized countless times, trying to show their best side.

Xin Hongcheng played with the green jade cup in his hand, listening to the girls' answers with a smile on his lips.

I don't know what Daiyu looked like facing the eldest princess that day?

I heard from the elder brother that the elder sister-in-law still trembles when she hears the name of the eldest princess.

The Eldest Princess prided herself on her status, and facing this group of girls who were at most side concubines, it was enough to ask a few questions.Xin Hongcheng saw that the aunt had come to an end, so he took it over and asked, "Auntie, why did you go to Beijing?"

Aunt Zhu smiled happily: "I went back to Fujian to visit my father half a year ago. When I was not leaving, some relatives asked me to take the girls to Beijing to see the world."

Xin Hongcheng raised his eyebrows: "By the way? Isn't uncle an official in Shandong?"

How did you return to Fujian from Shandong, and then come to the capital from Fujian?

There was no embarrassment on Aunt Zhu's face, and she still had an honest and friendly smile: "The Zhu family and the Zhong family are quite old in Beijing, so I have to come and see them after not seeing each other for many years. Besides..." Her loving eyes fell on Xin Hongcheng There were faint tears on her body: "This time I went back to the house to visit my parents and brothers, and I missed my sister even more. I saw her in a dream a few days ago, and the sisters met. The only thing my sister can't let go of is His Highness, so I have to If you come to Beijing, even if you don’t see him, you can feel at ease if you hear more about the Fourth Highness.”

Then he turned to the eldest princess, with gratitude on his face: "Thanks to the kindness and generosity of the eldest princess, I have the honor to meet your highness today."

The eldest princess was obviously caught by this flattery: "Second Mrs. Zhu is serious."

Xin Hongcheng wrote the word "obedience" to her in his heart: his mother-in-law is weak and can be bullied, and if he has the ability of his younger sister, there is no such thing as a Ming concubine or noble concubine.

At this time, plum tea is served.

Aunt Zhu held up the teacup, the tears in her eyes turned into tears.

An exceptionally beautiful girl behind her said softly: "Plum blossoms are very strong, and they are used in tea to make the tea more refreshing. The empress is really unique." She took a sip lightly: "This is from the old year. Snow water?"

The eldest princess's third daughter-in-law smiled: "This girl has a good tongue."

The daughter of the third wife of Changyuan Hou's mansion next to her couldn't help but clenched the veil in her hand: Pretending to be in front of His Highness!With your shabby hukou in the eighth house, the ones from the first son only dare to spin in front of our third house to ask for an errand, but it's your turn, the daughter of the concubine, to shake up?

Speaking of closeness, it is naturally her, the daughter of the third wife, the niece of Empress Xiaoyi's direct relative, and Xin Hongcheng's cousin.The other eight rooms are almost out of five clothes, okay?

So not to be outdone, he smiled and said, "Did my cousin only bring plum tea today? I heard from my father that my mother used to make scented tea according to the flowers of the four seasons. She once said that the lotus tea she made was the best of all scented teas. Cousin, why don't you give us a taste too?"

The girl had a bit of dimples, a sweet smile, and a friendly tone, which would melt a normal man's heart when he saw it.

Xin Hongcheng thought about it for a while, maybe I was abnormal, and then said casually: "I think my cousin is very suitable for drinking pure green tea."

The girl didn't realize that it was a bad word, but just lowered her head shyly.

Aunt Zhu took a sip of tea lightly, and the two tears that were about to fall in her eyes finally flowed down slowly. Her acting skills amazed Xin Hongcheng. The last time he saw such proficient acting skills was on Qin Wuqin's father-in-law .

"Sure enough, it's exactly the same as what my sister made by hand. The emperor is so gracious to restore my sister's prescription. It can be seen that I miss my sister, and the Zhong family will remember it in my heart."

Xin Hongcheng still had a smile on his face, and took a sip of tea, then suddenly let out a "huh", looked at Wang Zhong, and his face darkened.

"what happened?"

Wang Zhong looked terrified, and handed over another identical white porcelain bottle: "Damn it, slave! I took the wrong tea just now! The pot just now is Jingzhong Haoyun Zhai's scented tea, because it is very popular in Beijing, so you I sent my servant to buy it, but who would have thought that I would have taken it by mistake just now! The servant should be damned!"

Xin Hongcheng nodded: "Well, then you should be damned. How can Haoyunzhai's flower tea compare with my mother's recipe back then! More importantly, aren't you delaying me, Aunt Zhu, from missing my elder sister?"

Aunt Zhu's eyes were red, her face was dull, and she couldn't cry anymore.

Xin Hongcheng got up with a flick of his sleeves: "Aunt Zhu, it's easy to get confused when you get older, so it's no wonder you can't tell mother's tea recipe. But since you're confused, don't go out, or uncle will have to worry, right? Especially if you still Iron shoulders carry a heavy burden, not to mention running around and bringing a few cousins ​​with me, how about making them confused?"

Surprisingly, people who are accustomed to the situation like the eldest princess can't help showing a little color.

Looking at Xin Hongcheng with stern eyebrows, she was in a daze, as if she had seen the young Supreme Emperor rising up in a huff.

At that time, their father was eccentric, and neither she nor the Supreme Emperor could be regarded as a favored prince or princess.

She is obviously a descendant of a dragon and a grandson, but she will be despised by the family who favored her concubine back then.The other princes all endured it, but the Supreme Emperor walked away without showing any face.

Xin Hongcheng didn't finish his words, he stood with his hands behind his back, looked at Aunt Zhu's blank face, and his tone was as sharp as a knife: "Just now when my aunt talked about my mother's past, she said that she liked Qian Se, and every time the sisters shared things, they would pick Qian Se's purse But that's not the case, my mother never liked Qianse, she liked Shuilan and Tianbi. Mother's character is gentle and forbearing, she must have asked my aunt to choose Qianse's purse."

He thought he forgot.After all, when he came here, Zhong was already weak, but passed away in just a few months.

It turned out that I remembered it so clearly.

I don't know if it's because of the inseparable blood relationship of the body. So far, when Xin Hongcheng thinks of Zhong, she doesn't need to concentrate on it, and she can still vividly remember it: she likes blue water and blue sky, and curtains embroidered with gourds and pomegranates.And even if bats are homophonic, this trick is often used in the palace, she never likes it, she is timid and afraid of all small animals.

Look, the one who remembered her was actually his cheap son who passed by halfway, and her father, brother, and direct sister all only wanted to step on her bones to climb up.

Xin Hongcheng forced back the enthusiasm in his eyes.

Before Zhong's death, he told him to live well, and he never failed to live up to these words.

"Cheng'er! Why did you talk to the elders?" The eldest princess finally spoke.Although there was reproach in the tone, it did not make Xin Hong admit his mistake: even if the Xin family made a mistake, they could only ask others to take care of it.Where is the statement of admitting mistakes.

Aunt Zhu sat stubbornly for another quarter of an hour under Xin Hongcheng's indifferent and mocking gaze, and then she resigned, which can be called fleeing in despair.

The girls behind all gritted their teeth: What's the matter? Why is this aunt so unreliable? Didn't she say that she has a deep love for Empress Xiaoyi and sisters?This is good, it is estimated that His Royal Highness even despised them.

As soon as Aunt Zhu left, the Eldest Princess immediately brought Xin Hongcheng into the palace to find the Supreme Emperor to file a complaint.

Look at your grandson, when someone draws a red line for him, he acts like he wants to stab Yuelao to death.

Fortunately, the eldest princess just started, and the emperor came to her like timely rain, only saying that something happened in the previous dynasty and took away her son.

The Supreme Emperor also only heard the result, even if there was no result, he also flung his sleeves and left.

Only the Empress Dowager was left to face the eldest princess who sued.

The empress dowager put down the things in her hands, and said calmly: "Anshu, what are you angry about? Is it because Cheng'er refuses to take a concubine? Or is it because of this matter that you are the one who got married and angry that Cheng'er brushed your face?"

The eldest princess suffocated slightly, and faced the Queen Mother's Qing Lingling gaze, she simply said directly: "I won't hide it from the emperor's sister-in-law, but I got angry in front of Cheng'er, which hurt my face more."

The queen mother's tone was calm: "Yes. I also know your temperament. Whether it is the Zhu family or the Zhong family, if you bring up your daughter and send it up, you just want to make a relationship with Cheng'er in advance to make a profit in the future. Only You are different, you want to be a respectable elder in front of Cheng'er - if you want to find him a concubine, he will have to bear it."

Princess Anshu frowned slightly.

The queen mother looked at her with her hands full: "An Shu, have you been spoiled by being No.1 among the clan for so many years?"

"Sister-in-law!"

"Look, you are not happy even when I say a few words about you, so what will he think if you directly suppress him as an elder?" The Queen Mother's eyes fell on her face: "You and the Supreme Emperor are direct brothers and sisters, and you must be too." I know that Cheng'er has the greatest possibility of ascending to the crown prince."

The eldest princess is silent: It's not that the possibility is the greatest, but that if there is no accident, it will be Xin Hongcheng.

The natural advantage of the son-in-law, as long as he is not a mediocre and stubborn person, he is the number one candidate for the prince.What's more, now he has passed the hurdle in the heart of the Supreme Emperor.

Although the Queen Mother's voice was soft, it sounded like thunder in the ears of the Eldest Princess: "Anshu, our sister-in-law for many years, let me open the skylight to speak honestly with you. To the Supreme Emperor, you are the one who supports each other and goes through the difficult years together. My dear sister, as far as the emperor is concerned, you have spoken good words for him, which was quite helpful in his enthronement. Therefore, in these two dynasties, you have a detached status and will always be the eldest princess who everyone respects and fears.

But for Cheng'er, from today onwards, you are an aunt who has a secret deal with the Zhong family and wants to force him into a concubine as an elder! "

Princess Anshu suddenly raised her head.

"You are wrong about this matter. Anshu, you stretched your hand too long! Maybe you were moved because you saw that I picked seven or eight court ladies for Cheng'er. But it was the Supreme Emperor himself, who urged him every day. I have to do it, and Cheng'er understands it in her heart."

The eldest princess's lips moved slightly.

She didn't even need to speak, the queen mother knew what she was thinking: "You want to say that I, the queen mother, a legitimate grandmother, should worry about my grandson's likes and dislikes, isn't it so useless?"

She looked at the eldest princess who had been proud all her life, and her voice calmed down: "I have nothing to worry about, I just don't want to be an annoying person! But An Shu, are you like me, can you put down the big family? You are the status Noble eldest princess, will your three sons and six or seven grandchildren one day live under Cheng'er's hands? At that time, you hope Cheng'er will think of you as a bullying aunt, Or a kind and respectful elder?"

It was clearly winter, but the eldest princess saw sweat on her forehead.She sat and wrestled with her own face for a long time, and finally got up to salute the queen mother: "Thank you, sister-in-law, for your guidance."

After thinking about it, she broke into a cold sweat.

Not to mention the prince Xin Hongcheng, even if he is a countryman, he doesn't want to be put on his head!

After calming down, the Eldest Princess got up and said, "Sister-in-law, Cheng'er really resembles the young brother Huang."

The queen mother flipped the button of the stove in her hand and smiled lightly.

--

When the empress dowager approached, the Eldest Princess complained but was suppressed, while when the emperor approached, Xin Hongcheng sued very smoothly.

The emperor felt that he was the one who missed Empress Xiaoyi most sincerely in the world. Even Xin Hongcheng's son had to be ranked at the back, let alone others.

The main reason is that this Aunt Zhu only honed her acting skills and forgot to supplement the connotation. She even revealed her secrets with a poke. She didn't even know Empress Xiaoyi's preferences and tea recipes, which made the emperor very angry.

"It's really hateful to dare to borrow the name of the former queen!"

Xin Hongcheng continued to add firewood: "That's right, I don't think this aunt has Kong Rong's temper, but she is very good at acting. Maybe my mother suffered from her when she was young."

The emperor nodded again and again: "Your mother is the most gentle and kind-hearted, she will not argue with others, she only knows that she is at a disadvantage. I used to think that she is your mother's only younger sister, so there are many rewards, but now it seems that there is no need for it! By the way, which family did she marry?"

Xin Hongcheng confessed to his uncle without hesitation: "Shandong Chief Envoy Zhu's family."

--

Now let's keep the two parties who have sued each other silent, and only say that the Supreme Emperor is pacing out, a little depressed.

In fact, after more than a year of observation, he is already very satisfied with Xin Hongcheng. Although he is a little tender, he already has all the basic elements to be a qualified emperor in the future.

Except one point.

Extended descendants.

In the beginning, the Supreme Emperor just casually ordered the Queen Mother to pick two maids to serve according to the old rules, but as the number of maids sweeping the grounds of Wende Palace increased, the Supreme Emperor was a little suspicious: I have never heard of a prince who can sit still Liu Xiahui's.

To this day, the suspicion is getting heavier: If you say that you have high vision and look down on court ladies, the girls from the Zhong family must not be low-born court ladies, and they can be regarded as meeting his standards of being both talented and beautiful, but Xin Hongcheng still refuses.

The Taishanghuang's footsteps suddenly stopped, his face darkened.

A long line of palace people following behind also braked urgently.The Supreme Emperor ordered one person: "Go, call someone for me."

--

Tai Hospital.

Fan Yunyi explained it to Zhou Huangwei, and Zhou Huangwei nodded: "Well, I thought our Fourth Highness had gone to the countryside to do as the Romans did, and could accept cousins."

After asking Daiyu about it, she handed over the ointment she had prepared: "If you are knocked by a bamboo whip and get red and swollen, use the red box; if you fall from a horse and hurt your muscles and bones, use the green box; After removing the skin, you must remember to debride the wound first and then apply the yellow box." She smiled and said, "I'm just asking for nothing, there is a note here that is clearly written."

Fan Yunyi lowered his head, holding a whole box of ointment in his arms.

"It will expire." He said suddenly.

Zhou Xuanwei smiled: "It's okay, I only worked for one year. After Miss Lin enters the palace, the Fourth Highness will go to court, and you, the companion, will be liberated at that time."

He raised his head and asked, "Are you going to leave the capital by then?"

Zhou Xuanwei nodded: "Yes, Mr. Fan, don't forget to prepare a generous gift for me. Of course, if you are willing to invest in my pharmacy, I will not refuse."

Before Fan Yunyi could speak, he saw a little eunuch from Wende Palace running over out of breath: "Oh, Jian Anbo, you are a slave, it's easy to find, the Supreme Emperor is eager to pass you on!"

Subconsciously, Fan Yunyi felt that Xin Hongcheng must have caused trouble at the eldest princess's residence, and the Supreme Emperor would not mess with each other, so let's beat him up together!

Seeing that he didn't move, Zhou Huangwei quickly pushed him: "The Supreme Emperor has summoned you, why don't you hurry up!"

Fan Yunyi glanced at her, suddenly crumpled up the letter in his sleeve, and stuffed it into Zhou Huangwei's hand when the little eunuch lowered his head, then turned and strode away.

--

Fan Yunyi knelt in front of the Supreme Emperor, a little confused: Xin Hongcheng is not here, what is he doing here?You can't just hit him!

The Supreme Emperor folded his hands on his chest, and looked at him carefully: "I remember, when I pointed you to Cheng'er as a companion, you were only seven years old."

Fan Yunyi couldn't figure it out, he just bowed his head and agreed.

The Supreme Emperor sighed softly: "The Jian'anbo Mansion is full of loyal families, and you are the only man left. Now that you are 17 years old, the old lady didn't think about telling you about a marriage?"

Fan Yunyi's heart skipped a beat.

Grandmother did always talk about this matter in his ears, and even cried about the ancestors of the Fan family while she was talking.

It seemed that if Fan Yunyi didn't get married and have children right away, her old man would have no face to live on.

But Fan Yunyi kept dragging.

He knew that with Zhou Huangwei's current background, he couldn't be Mrs. Jian'an. As long as he mentioned that Mrs. Fan, who always said that she would not live for a few years, would immediately jump up and object, and went to find Zhou Huangwei and her family. trouble.

Not to mention that she will be tricky to push the flowers, so as not to delay her showing the grandson to the rich and noble daughter.

So he just procrastinated, hoping to procrastinate until the day when his grandmother let go and said, "As long as you are willing to marry a wife, you can be whoever you like."

The Supreme Emperor frowned: "I'm asking a question!"

Fan Yunyi didn't dare to lie, so he could only say: "Grandmother mentioned this matter, but I don't want to get married for the time being."

The overlord's eyes became darker, and he asked in a cold voice: "I heard that you and Cheng'er have a very close friendship. When he was in Xunwang's mansion, he often left home to live in your Jian'anbo mansion, and sometimes he didn't go home for a few days. .Even every time you buy a shop, he will personally carry the calligraphy and painting."

Fan Yunyi was even more panicked: At that time, they were planning day and night, looking for traversers all over the capital.Later, he came up with the idea of ​​opening a shop. Every time he opened a shop, Xin Hongcheng drew five rings and hung it on it.

Why did the Supreme Emperor suddenly ask this? Could it be that the old man knew something?

Fan Yunyi's face turned greener and greener: What about Xin Hongcheng, couldn't he have been captured as a goblin and burned to death?

Seeing that his expression was completely different from usual, the Taishang Emperor was flustered, so he believed in his guess even more, so he slapped the table with his palm and shouted angrily: "Absurd! I will tell you today, no matter what kind of friendship you have before, from today I will cut it off! If he refuses to marry a wife and take concubines, and continue to have children, I only ask you!"

Fan Yunyi was stunned.

The author has something to say: Fan Yunyi: I am not, I am not, I am as innocent as snow.