Zhuo Qihua

Concubine Xi presented the gift, but Ming Xun said: "Empress Dowager, I want to give you a surprise this year, can I put this gift at the end?"

As soon as Ming Xi said this, the expressions of many people on the side of the servant became a little strange.The standing maid and the concubines, except Concubine Xi, all looked at Liu Xizhu who was holding his mouth together.

The queen mother seemed to be ignorant of the embroidery, pointing to Mingming with a smile and said: "You are with Shunxi every day, and you have also learned his 'problem' of loving surprises."

Mingyu pursed his lips and smiled, Zhuo Ji followed the queen mother's words and said: "Queen mother, the ceremony of serving the body is placed behind brother Mingyu."

The queen mother turned her head: "Is your ceremony going to be the finale?"

Zhuo Ji nodded seriously: "It must be the finale."

"Haha..." The queen mother patted Zhuo Ji's hand affectionately, and said, "Okay, the birthday gift for you two is the finale."

At this time, Huang Guixie said: "Mingxi, didn't you ask Liu Yaren to prepare a gift for you? Why is it the finale? But Liu Yaren's birthday gift is very extraordinary?"

The corners of Mingyu's mouth smiled, but his eyes lightened a little and said: "Liu Yaren prepared for Sishen, but after seeing Sishen, he still felt that he had prepared a copy. It just so happened that Shunxi had something that Sishen could use. With that said, Mingyu signaled to Ah Gui, who took a rolled up embroidery picture from a maid behind him, walked up to the Empress Dowager, knelt down, and raised her hands.Shen Gu stepped forward to take the embroidered picture, and Liu Xizhu became uneasy. He had checked the embroidered picture several times before sending it, and there was absolutely no problem!If Ming Xun dared to slander him, even if he died, Ming Xun would not make Ming Xun feel better!

Zhuo Ji helped Shen Gu to open the embroidered picture, and seeing that it was embroidered with Buddhist scriptures, he was speechless: "It takes a lot of work."

Mingyu: "It takes a lot of work, so this embroidery picture should be regarded as a birthday gift prepared by Liu Yaren for the Empress Dowager."

The queen mother was very satisfied looking at such a carefully embroidered Buddhist scriptures, but thinking of Liu Xizhu's thoughts, the queen mother did not express her opinion immediately.The entire embroidered picture is fully unfolded, nearly two meters long, and a passage from a Buddhist scripture is embroidered on it.The Empress Dowager still gave Liu Xizhu, or rather the Andinghou Mansion behind Liu Xizhu, some face, and looked over each line very carefully.But after reading it, the queen mother took off her reading glasses and said: "It is really hard work. Since Mingyu said so, let this Buddhist scripture be Liu Yaren's birthday gift." She didn't say whether she liked it or not.

Liu Xizhu was a little apprehensive, stepped forward and knelt down: "It's nothing to serve as the empress dowager." Then, Liu Xizhu bowed in the direction of Mingyu, "Thank you for your love." , Liu Xizhu was a little uneasy, Mingyu would really be so kind?Moreover, the queen mother did not directly say that she liked it, which also made him very disturbed.

Queen Mother: "Get up."

Liu Xizhu stood up, seeing that the Queen Mother's expression was normal, and Ming Xun was also normal, so he retreated.But no matter how I think about it, it feels wrong.Not to mention Liu Xizhu was puzzled, many people present were very puzzled.If Ming Xi (俍俍) was so kind, why did he insist on making things difficult for Liu Xizhu?Huang Guixie, Deguixie, and Concubine Xigui knew about it, because tomorrow she said that she would prepare a birthday gift for herself.Huang Guixie just brought up this matter because everyone knew about the embroidered pictures. If Mingyu didn't mention it, there might be something unfavorable to Mingxi afterward.As long as Ming Xun gives a reasonable explanation on this occasion, even if Liu Xizhu feels dissatisfied with this matter, he will not be able to make any waves.

The Empress Dowager didn't say anything about the embroidered picture, and Concubine Xiao got up when she saw this.The gifts offered by the concubines and concubines in the harem are usually not too expensive.If the queen mother likes luxurious things, it's fine, but the queen mother is used to frugality, if the gifts they give are too expensive, not only will it not leave a good impression on the queen mother, but it will cause fire.Concubine Xiao's gift was a pot of beautiful peonies, and Concubine Wen's gift was a small ivory statue of Guanyin.Concubine Jing's is Yu Ruyi, a handle of topaz.

What Chun Ni sent was a Fu Lu Shou screen.What Zhaoyi sent was a pair of jade gourds, engraved with blessing inscriptions on the gourds, which were obtained from the temple.Hanging on the head of the old man's bed can ensure good health.The noble lords of the main palace have finished giving gifts, and none of the gifts from the remaining young masters are more expensive than those of the noble lords.The gift that Liu Xizhu gave to Mingyu was returned to him by Mingyu, so he didn't have to take the gift that he had prepared for the queen mother in a hurry.Liu Yimu injured his hand, and he gave Liu Xizhu the gift he had prepared, but now that Liu Xizhu was no longer needed, he took it back and gave it to the Queen Mother, it was an embroidered birthday peach.

Everyone's presents have been delivered, only Mingjue and Zhuoji are left.Ah Gui came forward holding a lacquered wooden box, and a young eunuch beside him opened the box. Inside the box was a cylindrical glass bottle and two palm-sized glass bottles.Curious from behind, she glanced at Zhuo Ji beside her, and saw Zhuo Ji had a clear smile on her face, obviously knowing what it was.Mingyu got up and went over, pointing to the glass bottle and said: "Queen Mother, this is shampoo. This shampoo can not only wash the hair very clean, but also not hurt the hair, and it will give the hair a different fragrance. Wash it After finishing the hair, when the hair is half dry, apply some tea oil, when the hair is dry, the hair will become very smooth, this tea oil also has the effect of nourishing hair."

With that said, Ming Xun picked up one of the glass bottles. "Y'X'D'J".

Concubine Xi asked the feelings of many people present: "This camellia oil, isn't it the kind of tea oil we eat?"

Mingyu nodded and said: "It's that kind of tea oil, but the method of refining the tea oil used by Shishen is different from that of the tea oil we eat, it is clearer and more translucent. If your skin feels uncomfortable, you can apply it directly. There will be any smell."

The queen mother is very novel.Although she has to apply hair oil after washing her hair every time, otherwise her hair will be too dry to comb, and it will be very uncomfortable.But after applying hair oil, the hair is easy to get dirty again.

Mingyu continued: "When the Queen Mother washes her hair with this tea oil, even if she doesn't wash her hair for seven or eight days, it won't get dirty."

Will it get dirty if it is not washed for seven or eight days? !

The queen mother's eyes lit up, and many people's eyes lit up.For people with long hair, every hair wash is a big project.

Mingyu put down the glass bottle in his hand, picked up another glass bottle, and said, "This is ginger essential oil. It's cold. When the queen mother washes her hair, she puts a few drops of ginger essential oil, which can relieve head wind and relieve headaches. The queen mother soaks it at night. Put a few drops on the feet to activate the blood circulation. When it is cold, the Queen Mother often uses this essential oil to soak her hands and feet to avoid frostbite. However, this ginger essential oil cannot be used directly on the skin, and it should not be used in the bath, so as not to get it on the face It's too hot."

The Queen Mother smiled and said: "This thing is good, no wonder you want to be the finale."

Ming Xun put the glass bottle back, and said with a smile: "Be bold, please use it more."

The queen mother immediately understood what Mingyu meant, and said, "I will use it tonight."

Ah Gui took the box over, Shen Gu took it away.Mingyu sat back, and Zhuo Ji said, "The birthday ceremony for the attendant is somewhat similar to that of brother Mingyu."

The queen mother laughed and said: "You want to be the finale, if your birthday ceremony is not as good as Mingyu's, I will punish you."

Zhuo Ji smiled and asked back: "Then if the birthday gift of the attendant is better than that of brother Mingyu?"

Queen Mother: "That is a reward, of course."

So many people presented gifts to the Queen Mother without saying that they would reward them, and the Queen Mother said they would reward them before they were brought out.Everyone's mood... Anyway, the royal concubine and the others laughed along.Liu Xizhu lowered his head and swallowed the hatred in his heart.All the speeches he had prepared were disrupted by Mingyu.The queen mother seemed to have glanced at his birthday gift a few more times, but so what.The queen mother just accepted it, and didn't say whether she liked it or not, let alone put it in the Buddhist hall.On the other hand, Mingxi... Liu Xizhu really hated Mingxi to death.

Xiaohui also came over with a red lacquered wooden box.On days like this, red is the best color.Chang Jing opened the box, and there were three rows of nine palm-sized cubes neatly stacked inside, all wrapped in colored grease.The queen mother asked curiously: "Is it dim sum?"

Others are also eager to see.Emperor Yong'an didn't know what Zhuo Ji gave him, and at first glance he thought it was a snack.Zhuo Ji said: "The Queen Mother will take a look."

Shen Gu immediately stepped forward to take the box, then half-kneeled in front of the Empress Dowager, and handed out the box.A fresh fragrance wafted out, smelling like flowers, the Queen Mother smiled and said: "This is dessert."

As she spoke, the Queen Mother picked up a piece of "snack" and unwrapped the oiled paper.When the contents inside were exposed, the queen mother let out a "huh".Huang Guixie probed: "Is this dessert?"

In the palm of the queen mother is a honey-colored, square "snack" exuding the aroma of honey.The queen mother raised her nose and smelled it, and it really smelled like honey.

Zhuo Ji: "Bring a basin of water."

Soon a court lady came over with a basin of water, Zhuo Ji said: "The Empress Dowager uses this to wash her hands."

This is for hand washing? !Not dim sum? !

The queen mother is very novel.The Queen Mother put the snacks back, Shen Gu and Zhuo Ji gently rolled up the Queen Mother's sleeves together, the Queen Mother's hands were immersed in the water basin, Zhuo Ji gave the "snacks" to the Queen Mother, and the Queen Mother showed a surprised expression on her face .

"Queen Mother, rub it on the palm of your hand and the back of your hand."

The queen mother did so, and then Zhuo Ji signaled the queen mother to put it back.The queen mother put the "snack" back into the box, and according to Zhuo Ji's instructions, she rubbed her hands together, then soaked them in a basin of water to clean them.After the queen mother dried her hands, she couldn't hide the surprise on her face.

Zhuo Ji: "Queen Mother, you can hear it."

The queen mother sniffed it, and said pleasantly, "My hands smell like honey!" Then she touched her hands again. After washing them, not only did they feel much refreshed, they were not dry, and they were very moisturised. !

Zhuo Ji held the queen mother's hand and said: "Queen mother, this is honey essential oil soap. It can not only wash hands and face, but also wash the whole body. It has the effect of moisturizing the skin itself, and the cleaning effect is better. Every piece of essential oil in this box The soaps are all different, and their effects are also different, should the Queen Mother take them apart and have a look?"

"well!"

Like a child, the Queen Mother couldn't wait to open her present.When the other people heard that each of the nine so-called essential oil soaps in the box was different, they also became interested.Emperor Yong'an shook his head in his heart, this man got these beauty-beautifiers for his mother, but he didn't see him use for himself.

The queen mother picked up the second piece, opened it, and she knew it as soon as she smelled it: "Is this lavender?"

Zhuo Ji: "Yes."

Lavender?What is lavender?Many people present did not understand.

On the third piece, Concubine Xi said curiously, "Is that a rose?"

I saw some flower petals in the light red, transparent essential oil soap.Zhuo Ji smiled and said, "This is rose essential oil soap."

The queen mother smelled it and really liked it.

The fourth piece is light green. When the Queen Mother smelled it, she was surprised: "This is... the tea industry?"

Zhuo Ji nodded: "Yes, I used green tea essential oil."

The queen mother sniffed it again and again, and put it back.

At the fifth block, there was a small exclamation at the scene.It was a piece of essential oil soap that looked like a chrysanthemum on the surface, and it was very pleasing just by looking at the color.The queen mother smelled it and was surprised: "What kind of flower is this? Why doesn't it smell like a chrysanthemum? It looks like an osmanthus?"

Zhuo Ji smiled and said: "It is indeed osmanthus essential oil soap, but in the process of making it, it was made into the shape of chrysanthemum petals. In order to make this essential oil soap, the waiter picked all the golden osmanthus flowers in Danyang Palace. "

The queen mother smiled and said: "You pick it, if it is not enough, let people grow more."

The queen mother really likes it, she likes every piece.

The sixth piece is dark.The queen mother looked at Zhuo Ji: "This..."

Zhuo Ji: "This is bamboo charcoal soap, which has strong cleaning power. When the Empress Dowager took off her makeup, she first used this bamboo charcoal soap to wash her face, and then used honey soap or goat's milk soap. It will cleanse and moisturize the skin."

The queen mother immediately asked, "Goat's milk soap?"

Zhuo Ji: "Queen Mother, you haven't finished dismantling it yet."

The Queen Mother immediately put down the dark bamboo charcoal soap and took off the seventh piece.Sure enough, the seventh piece turned out to be a milky "snack" exuding a milky fragrance.The Empress Dowager smiled until the corners of her eyes became more wrinkled: "This is goat's milk."

"Yes, goat's milk. Honey soap and goat's milk soap are best when the weather is dry."

The queen mother put it down and opened the eighth piece, she said directly: "Is this jasmine essential oil soap?"

Zhuo Ji: "Yes." The jasmine in the garden was brutally murdered recently because of this.

The queen mother heard it, put it down happily, and picked up the last piece.Upon hearing this, the queen mother was stunned for a moment, she glanced at Zhuo Ji, and then unwrapped the oil paper.What was wrapped in the oil paper was a piece of soap that was darker than honey soap. The Empress Dowager smelled it again and said, "This is incense."

Zhuo Ji: "This is sandalwood essential oil soap. The Empress Dowager believes in Buddhism, and there is no shortage of old sandalwood in the palace. She found a suitable core wood and extracted sandalwood essential oil. This sandalwood soap is most suitable for the empress dowager. You also You can put it next to your pillow to relax your mind and help you sleep. When the technology matures in the future, you will not only have these essential oil soaps, but also the same essential oils at any time. Brother Ming has already been able to extract ginger essential oil. These essential oils I'm afraid it won't take too long." Zhuo Ji refined a little this time and used it to make essential oil soap.

Ming Xun immediately answered, "Queen Mother, when I turn around, I will ask Shun Xun for the formula. From now on, I will give your essential oil soap to Si Xing."

The queen mother smiled and said: "Okay, okay. From now on, I will only use this essential oil soap and your shampoo. You should do more."

"Yes."

The queen mother looked down at the beautiful pieces of essential oil soap in the box, and said, "Guy Shen, wrap it up for me, and I will use it today..." After choosing for a long time, the queen mother didn't know which one to choose.She likes them all.

The imperial concubine said: "Queen Mother, it's cold and dry, why don't you use honey soap or goat's milk soap first?"

The Queen Mother nodded: "Then use honey first."

Shen Gu took the box away, picked out the honey soap that the Queen Mother would use, and rewrapped the rest.The queen mother held Zhuo Ji's hand and said with emotion: "I have seen and used all the good things in my life. But today, I still like the birthday gifts I received very much. Your essential oil soap , the old man is reluctant to use it. This is a good gift, and the old man wants to reward it."

Zhuo Ji went on to say: "Queen Mother, Your Majesty is not allowed to drink with you. Today is your birthday. Please give me a few more pots of wine."

The queen mother laughed and patted Zhuo Ji's hand: "Okay! Tonight's birthday banquet, drink as much as you want, I won't let the emperor control you."

"Thank you Queen Mother!"

Emperor Yong'an put on a tiger face: "You are the one who suffers when you are drunk."

Zhuo Ji: "I won't get drunk."

Emperor Yong'an didn't care about him anymore.

Many people didn't understand that the Queen Mother wanted a reward, but Shunxi only wanted wine.Many people also understand that for Shunxi (忍俍), he can't get what he wants.It makes no difference whether to reward or not.They are here again to see how His Majesty and the Queen Mother dote on Shunxi (俍俍).

After the gift was received, it was time for the court wives who were already waiting outside the gate of Danyang Palace to enter the palace to offer gifts.Emperor Yong'an allowed Concubine Xi to go back and rest first, and Zhuo Ji helped Concubine Xi go away.On subsequent occasions he did not attend, nor was he asked to attend.It seemed quite normal for him to avoid such occasions.Zhuo Ji and Concubine Xi left the stage, and Ming Xi asked Ah Gui to send the good tea in his house to Yuxian Palace.

Coming out of Shoukang Palace, Concubine Xi held Zhuo Ji's hand tightly and said in a low voice, "Shun Xi, thank you."

Zhuo Ji pretended to be confused: "Thank you? If the imperial concubine was not pregnant and could leave the banquet, I would have to go back alone to pass the time."

Concubine Xi smiled and said no more.Zhuo Ji doesn't want her thanks, she will bury it in her heart.