National Division

Qi Jun was slightly taken aback.These days are too busy, he has almost forgotten that he picked two Liang Dies back then.The Crown Princess is more honorable than ordinary princes and concubines. To show respect, the rest of the concubine Liangdi and Yuan can only enter the palace at least three months after their wedding. Qi Jun really forgot about this.According to what Zhao Yue meant, did the queen mention it today?

"Is it the Queen Mother's order?" Qi Jun's voice couldn't help but soften, no wonder Zhao Yue was a little emotional, didn't the Queen grit her teeth with hatred when she mentioned Concubine Ye Gui?

"Yes." Zhao Yue was wronged in her heart. After all, she was young, and she was not good at hiding it. Although she knew it was wrong, she still couldn't help but have some resentment in her voice.

"The queen mother is also afraid that you will be lonely in the palace." Qi Jun warmly defended the queen, and then said, "But it is the end of the year, and you will have things to do by then, so how can you distract them? I will talk to the queen mother." , you can rest assured."

Zhao Yue raised her head in surprise: "Your Highness—is it true?"

"Naturally." Qi Jun smiled instantly when he saw her, as if his whole face lit up, and he liked it in his heart.When he was young, he was still ignorant, he once complained to the palace people around him why Emperor Jing'an had to accept so many concubines, the palace people replied that Emperor Jing'an was the Son of Heaven, and according to the regulations, there should be so many concubines.At that time, he secretly thought that if he grows up and gets married in the future, he will definitely not get so many women.Now that he is older, he also knows that the affairs of the harem are inseparable from the previous dynasty. If there is only the empress in the harem, it is really impossible, but he will always try his best to make Zhao Yue happy.

"Your Highness, go and tell the Queen Mother... just because the Queen Mother thinks it's me who refuses..." Zhao Yue smiled, and then she retracted it, bowing her head and twisting the handkerchief in her hand.

Qi Jun patted her hand: "Don't worry, I have a reason."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Zhao Yue was smiling all over her face, and while the palace servants were at her side, she reached out and hooked Qi Jun's sleeve, shaking it lightly, "How about having dinner here tonight, Your Highness? The small kitchen trial-produced a new dish." The dish, what is it called shrimp balls, please try it, Your Highness?"

Qi Jun nodded happily, and seeing Zhao Yue happily took the maid to pass the dishes, he nodded and called Feng En: "Who has been to Zichen Palace today?"

Feng En has been with the crown prince for so many years, and he has already practiced the ability to see the two palaces and hear the three palaces, and he said: "Concubine Ye Gui went today, it seems to be asking the empress to let the two side concubines of the Second Highness enter the palace. "Qi Zhang's two side concubines also want to avoid the main concubine to show respect, but a delay of one month is enough. After all, Qi Zhang has been married for two months, and the two side concubines should come in. up.Because Qizhang has not yet left the palace to open the mansion, he still lives in the palace, so when the side concubine enters the door, she enters the palace, so naturally she has to report to the queen before proceeding.

"Guess it's her!" Qi Jun sneered, the queen was very happy because of his wedding, if it wasn't for Concubine Ye Gui to mention some side concubine, how could the queen remember Liang Di's matter, "You go to Zichen Hall yourself Talking back to the queen mother, I said that I heard that the second brother wanted to accept a side concubine. I am the crown prince, and the eldest son is the most important thing. It is best to wait for the crown prince to have a son before accepting others into the palace. In this matter, let the queen mother try to block it for me, so as not to cause more troubles in the Eastern Palace."

"This—" Feng En hesitated, "Didn't the empress ask the empress and concubine to bring people in?" How could she block this matter in reverse?

"Just go." Qi Jun smiled.If she said that she didn't want to let the two concubine Liang enter the palace, the empress must have suspected that Zhao Yue had said something, but if she pushed this matter to Concubine Ye Gui, the empress would immediately put her feathers on like a hen with ruffled feathers. Zhao Yue protects it as her own chick.Of course, this matter is definitely not wronging Concubine Ye Gui. Even though Concubine Ye Gui entered the palace to welcome Qizhang's side concubine, she must be very happy to take advantage of the opportunity to disturb the waters of the East Palace.As for whether the queen can figure this out—fortunately, at least the queen believes in her son.

"Your Highness—" Feng En took the order, but still did not leave, hesitating to speak.

Qi Jun glanced at him: "Say what you have to say, what do you hesitate to do?" Feng En has entered the palace to serve him since he was five years old, and to be honest, he is still talking to Feng En in this harem now. It is more comfortable than talking to the queen, and there is no need to have scruples.

Feng En lowered his head: "The servant said these words, knowing that he was committing a crime of death, but... Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess——in the future, when Her Highness ascends the throne, the number of concubines in the harem can range from dozens to hundreds, and Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess will be the master of the harem." , if this is the case, if this is intolerant, then..." Empress Zhonggong, jealousy is a big taboo.Today's empress was not a jealous person when she was a concubine in the mansion, but because Concubine Ye Gui threatened her status after being favored, she was regarded as an enemy. Now because of the dispute between Qi Jun and Qi Zhang, the two sides have deepened their feud.And now that Zhao Yue is only a crown princess and cannot tolerate Di Liang entering the palace, if she becomes a queen in the future...

Qi Jun frowned slightly: "The Crown Princess and I are one, Feng En, you have indeed overstepped." However, Feng En's loyalty is also evident, "For the sake of your loyalty, I am no exception. The Crown Princess is now You are still young, and you have just entered the palace, so you will be fine in the future."

Feng En didn't dare to speak any more, kowtowed and went to Zichen Hall.Zhao Yue didn't know that the two of them were talking, and led the palace maid to pass the dishes in with a smile, and served Qi Jun's food with her own hands.Seeing that their jobs were robbed, the Chinese who tasted the food next to them didn't know what to do.Qi Jun knew that this was against the rules, but seeing Zhao Yuexi's smiling face, he swallowed back the words—forget it, the girl who just entered the palace, she will be taught slowly in the future, the days in the palace are long, why bother? Time brushed her kindness.

Qi Jun seized the opportunity this time, and before the Southwest's memorial to report the cold winter was submitted, he first sent a letter to the Ministry of Households to allocate the Northwest's salary for this year.After a few days, the southwestern side also submitted a paperwork to apply for an increase in payment, and the household department's face became ugly, and they went back and forth for dozens of days. Until the day of the stove sacrifice on the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month, the approval was still "as usual".

According to the custom of the prosperous dynasty, after the stove sacrifice day, all the yamen will be on vacation, and only officials will be kept on duty. If there is no major event of the Yellow River breaking the embankment and foreigners breaking through the customs, they will be dealt with after the Shangyuan Festival.Therefore, sending this book back to the southwest means that the southwest defenders have lived in such a poor year.

Because I could imagine General Ye's face when he received this reply, Qi Jun was quite happy at the end of the year even though he was busy.After the kitchen sacrifice day, he only needs to go to Hanying Hall every morning to make sure there is no urgent book, and then he can go back.Qi Jun has always disliked a backlog of papers, so although there is a practice, he still has to deal with all the papers for a day.It's just that there were very few brochures handed in at this time, so it only took half an hour before he left Hanying Hall and went to Zichen Hall to visit the queen.

At the palace banquet at the end of the year, the queen is in charge of the palace affairs, so it is naturally very busy. When Qi Jun passed by, he heard the queen and Zhao Yue talking: "This year, there are two new plays in the palace, one is called "Sajinhu" It is about a mother and son who depend on each other for life. Although the son is willing to study, but because of poverty, he has to abandon the book and take care of his mother. Later, on the way to do business, he picked up a piece of fine jade with natural golden spots on it. The person knew this Jade is priceless, but he does not bully the dark room, nor is he tempted by the poverty of his family. He finds the owner and returns it. The owner is grateful to him, and he refuses to accept gold and silver as rewards. Who knows that the owner bought it for the prime minister of the current dynasty. The disciple of the birthday ceremony told the story after returning to the mansion, and the prime minister ordered the son to study in the hut, and provide him with some silver and rice every year to support the family. After that, the son worked hard to study books, won three prizes in a row, and was appointed the number one scholar by the emperor. At this time Only then did the prime minister recognize him, and he carved that piece of jade into a wat board and gave it to him, because there are golden spots on the board like sprinkling gold, so it is called sprinkling gold wat."

Qi Jun stood outside the inner hall door and shook his head.What kind of play is this line up for?The opera gardens in the palace may be more exquisite in libretto than those outside, but when it comes to the opera, it has the same effect as the outside, that is, it is completely fabricated about things that one does not know.

For example, let's take this wat board, not all the courtiers can take it.Even if he is the champion of Lianzhong Sanyuan, at first he would be no more than a sixth-rank editor in the Hanlin Academy, not to mention Yuhu, even if he goes to court every morning, he can't be listed in the hall.In this matter, the female historians and middle-aged people who wrote dramas in the harem are as ignorant as the outsiders, because they have never been qualified to go to the Tai Chi Hall.

As for the matter of going into the granary to get rice for offering without fame, that is simply more ignorant than outsiders. Although the prime minister has great power, he can't control the matter of learning Taoism, let alone order to take care of a local scholar.In the end, he bought a birthday gift for the current prime minister, but lost the birthday gift. It is expected that none of the disciples would be able to hide it, so who would report it instead?

But——Qi Jun shook his head and smiled. The queen loves to listen to operas. According to her own words, when she was a girl, although her family was in ruins, she had to invite her troupe to sing a few times during festivals. Emperor Jing'an didn't like to watch operas, so there were fewer opportunities to sing operas in the palace. This year it was rare to have a new opera, and the empress was naturally happy. As for whether the plot was reasonable—it was just for celebration anyway.

"Jun'er——" the queen looked up and saw her son, very happy, "Come on, come and choose for me, shall I sing "Scattering the Golden Wat" or "Picking up the Jade Hairpin" tonight? This "Picking Up the Jade Hairpin" "Ah, it's about..."

Qi Jun had never been interested in opera, singing and dancing, so he flipped through the list while listening to the Queen's ramblings: "Why, this year the banquet was changed to Qingliang Palace?" Qingliang Palace faces Taiye Pool, where lotus flowers bloom in summer It is indeed a good place to enjoy the cool air, but New Year's Eve is winter, and the Qingliang Hall has long windows on all sides, and the light pouring into it is unbearable. How can one keep the New Year's Eve there?

The Queen's face darkened when she heard the words.Qingliang Hall is very close to Concubine Ye's Liangyi Hall, and she doesn't like to go there in summer, she just thinks it's too close to Concubine Ye, let alone Shou Sui: "Isn't Ye Shi telling the emperor! Minghe Hall is ready, I have to toss about it again!"

Shao Yao whispered beside her: "It must be for the purpose of presenting a dance to His Majesty this year."

The queen curled her lips: "Dancing and dancing, what else does she have besides singing and dancing? She doesn't look like a noble concubine, she is clearly like a kabuki in the workshop!" She snorted heavily, "She performs her singing and dancing, I just watch mine play!"

This can't be said to be unkind, nor can it be said to be unruly.Originally, the concubines in the palace had to put women's morals first, and they believed that the royal family's branches and leaves were meritorious. As for the singing and dancing, there was Kabuki from the Jiaofang Division. I never heard of which concubine was selected to enter the palace to let her Sing a ditty.But apart from legal principles, there are also human feelings. Emperor Jing'an loves singing and dancing the most, and Concubine Ye Gui is exactly what she likes.

Qi Jun's lips moved slightly, and he swallowed the words again.To please her husband, even if the empress is the mother of the world, she should do it. She only complains that Emperor Jing'an favors Concubine Ye Gui, but she doesn't bother to please Emperor Jing'an herself. It seems that Emperor Jing'an and the empress cannot be blamed Not close.

Shao Yao also thought the same way, but unfortunately she is a court lady, and she is not qualified to point and point, so she could only try her best to be tactful: "Madam, actually it is not convenient to watch a play in Qingliang Palace, if not - how about asking them to come to our palace to sing?" The empresses will listen to it by themselves, don’t let them listen!” Emperor Jing’an didn’t like to watch operas, so why did he have to ask people to sing at the palace banquet on New Year’s Eve?

"What's the point of listening alone." The queen rejected Shao Yao's proposal without thinking, and she was a little displeased when she heard Shao Yao's meaning, "Why, can't I even listen to a play, and have to follow that bitch Ye No?"

Shaoyao dare not speak anymore.Qi Jun sighed secretly, motioned Shao Yao to back down, and winked at Zhao Yue, motioning her to change the topic.Zhao Yue was listening to them in a daze, when she received Qi Jun's gaze, she was stunned for a moment before she understood, and quickly said: "Mother, what do you think I should wear on New Year's Eve? If I wear a ruby ​​head, will it be too much?" Show off?"

Qi Jun was not interested in this topic, but the queen was obviously very interested, so she immediately turned her attention to it.Qi Jun listened to him for a while, then he retired and went straight to the observatory.

Although it is the end of the year, the observatory is still peaceful. As soon as Qi Jun walks into the gate of the garden, he feels the surroundings are quiet, as if he is in two worlds with the palace full of worldly joys, making people's heart quickly turn from restlessness to tranquility , and even subconsciously lightened his steps.

The observatory is more like a garden, built on the highest point of the imperial palace, surrounded by exotic flowers and plants, although it is cold winter, there are still some vines that Qi Jun can't name, which are as green as jade, entangled on the low fence of the rockery, Exudes a faint fragrance.Along the path paved with five-color cobblestones, you can go directly to the palace deep in the garden.In front of the hall, there are three floors of wide white marble steps, and on both sides of each floor are placed ancient instruments brought from the Qin Tianjian. The platform adds an indescribable sense of antiquity.But these things—well, Immortal Master Xiuming never uses them.

As usual, there was no one to serve in the palace. Immortal Master Xiuming was very quiet, and he didn't like to be disturbed in his practice. On weekdays, people stayed in the servant room on the side of the garden, and didn't come out unless called.When Qi Jun walked into the inner hall, Zhibai was holding Xingtie in one hand and a scroll in the other, leaning on the short couch with his feet crossed, with hot tea on his left hand and candied snacks on his right, feeling very happy.

"You are at ease." Qi Jun dragged a chair and sat down unceremoniously, picked up a piece of candied fruit and put it in his mouth. Only then did he remember that he hadn't had a sip of water since he arrived at Hanying Hall in the morning .

"Hey--" Zhibai hurriedly put down the star iron and the book, took the teapot and poured tea for Qi Jun, "Why is Your Highness here?"

Qi Jun drank half a cup of tea, and glanced at the star iron placed at his feet: "The auspiciousness of the country, huh?" Just put it with your feet so carelessly?But to be honest, Zhibai's feet are much more beautiful than the dark star iron.

Zhibai let out another hey in embarrassment, and jumped down barefoot, intending to send Xingtie back to the incense table.The interior of this hall is paved with black and white marble with landscape patterns, more black than white, the color is thick and solemn, making it more apparent that the white feet are as white as jade.Qi Jun followed his feet subconsciously, and blurted out: "Why don't you wear socks? In such cold weather, you don't have to worry about catching a cold!"

Zhibai didn't care at all: "It's not cold."

"Nonsense!" There is no earth dragon in this hall, how can it not be cold in winter?Qi Jun was also punished when he was a child. He was locked up in the palace in winter and punished for copying books. Would he not know how cold the floor was?Standing up and taking a few steps, he stretched out his hand to pinch Zhibai's waist, lifted him up and pressed him back on the couch, and touched his feet, "Why aren't you cold? Don't tell me you're a king kong—"

Before he finished speaking, the second half of the sentence was gone. Zhibai's feet were warm, and he really didn't mean to catch cold at all.Qi Jun's kindness seemed to give him the feeling that he had fed the dog, and his face couldn't help but look a little ugly.However, Zhibai didn't notice it, and smiled and twisted his toes: "Although I dare not say that King Kong is not bad, but it takes two or three minutes to prevent the cold and heat from invading."

Qi Jun pulled his face and said nothing, but his eyes followed Zhibai's toes.This kid is really well-born, especially this one with smooth skin and rosy skin.Looking at him as thin and thin, he seems to be able to withstand the wind, but his feet are quite fleshy. The ten toes are round and pink, twisting like ten round little piglets, very cute.Qi Jun was a bit angry at first, but he couldn't help laughing when he saw his toes twisting around: "What are you twisting! If this is the case, you don't have to burn the earth dragon in your inner hall, and you can save charcoal fire, and in summer, you can also save ice. When you can practice bigu, you don't even need to make offerings."

"This——" Zhibai found that the cowhide was about to be blown apart again, so he quickly suppressed his complacency and laughed cheekily, "Your Highness, don't... Bigu, I really haven't practiced it yet." Bigu, why was he caught by Qi Jun for a bag of dry food in the southwest mountains?

Qi Jun snorted, holding the tea without speaking or moving.Zhibai leaned forward and said with an apologetic smile, "Your Highness, what's bothering you?"

Qi Jun put on airs for a while, and finally heaved a long sigh: "There is..."

An hour later, Feng En saw the expression on His Highness the Prince's face when he came out outside the hall, he was relieved and at the same time secretly pondered—what did Immortal Master Xiuming say to make His Highness's expression so much easier?It would be great if the Crown Princess and Empress Dowager could also have this ability...