Zhuo Qihua

Xiangfu Palace, the imperial chef is making a cream cake.Inside the house, Zhuo Ji put a few golden melon seeds into the purse embroidered by Aunt Hua.It's late autumn, it's already cold outside, and the charcoal brazier inside the house is also burning.Zhuo Ji's hands and feet are usually not warm enough, and when the weather is cold, his hands and feet are even colder.After autumn cools down, charcoal braziers are placed in Xiangfu Palace.

It's the end of the year again, and all departments are very busy.Emperor Yong'an either went to court or summoned ministers in Qinwen Palace, and he was too busy for several days to come to Xiangfu Palace for the night.

After dark, Zhuo Ji ate dinner early, and then went into the house to read.Emperor Yong'an didn't have time to accompany Zhuo Ji recently, so he asked Zhang Xian to get a lot of new scripts to relieve his boredom.When Zhuo Ji was not working, it was really relaxing to read the script.

The master was reading in the room, but Chang Jing, Xiao Hui, Wang Bao and Yuan Xiu were not around to wait on him.Chang Jing carried a box, and the four left Xiangfu Palace.

In Fengtian Hall, Zhang Xian and Feng Xi were still serving His Majesty.A little eunuch knocked on the door, Feng Xi went over, opened the door and asked in a low voice, "What's the matter?"

The little eunuch replied softly: "Eunuch Feng, Eunuch Chang and the others came over and said that they have something to ask for you and Director Zhang."

"understood."

Feng Xi closed the door, returned to Master and whispered.Zhang Xian bowed and walked to the dragon case, and coughed softly.Emperor Yong'an asked without raising his head, "What's the matter?"

Zhang Xian: "Long live, Chang Jing is here, saying that he is looking for slaves and Feng Xi for business."

Emperor Yong'an raised his head: "What did you say?"

Zhang Xian: "No."

Emperor Yong'an: "Then you go."

"Yes."

Zhang Xian called other people to come in to wait on him, and he and Feng Xi left in a hurry.

Chang Jing and the others were waiting for him in Zhang Xian's room.As soon as Zhang Xian brought Feng Xi in, Wang Bao took the lead in singing "Happy birthday to you...Happy birthday to you..."

Zhang Xianleng was on the spot, even Feng Xi was a little silly.When Feng Xi came to his senses, he called excitedly: "Master! Today is your birthday!"

Zhang Xian's heart was beating violently.After several people sang the birthday song, Wang Bao first stepped forward and stuffed the prepared birthday gift into Zhang Xian's hand, who was completely dumbfounded, and blessed with a smile: "I wish Mr. Zhang a happy birthday and good luck."

Zhang Xian only felt that the purse in his hand was heavy, and his eyes began to blur.

Yuan Xiu was the second to step forward.Feng Xi took the gift from Yuan Xiu for Master, his eyes were also red, he forgot that today is Master's birthday!

Xiaohui and Chang Jing both gave a purse, which contained the birthday presents they had prepared for Zhang Xian.Zhang Xian's tears flowed down, and he choked up: "We, we all forgot, today is ours, it's our birthday..."

At this time, Wang Bao took out another red purse and handed it to Zhang Xian: "This is for Mr. Zhang to take care of you."

Zhang Xian cried aloud, took the red envelope with blurred eyes, and packed it tightly.

Xiaohui has already opened the box, and there is a birthday cake inside.Chang Jing helped to plug in the candles, so he just plugged in one and lit it.Several people lowered their voices like thieves and said, "Boss Zhang, come here to make a wish and blow out the candles."

Zhang Xian cried like a child.After becoming His Majesty's personal eunuch and one of the three chief stewards in the palace, Zhang Xian has the status and the conditions to celebrate his birthday.But this year's birthday hit him hard on the heart.

Zhang Xian cried and made a wish, wishing long live good health, long live long live.I hope you are in good health and may live forever.The third unspoken wish, Zhang Xian made - hope that in the next life, he can still be the slave of Wansui and Zuo, and serve them.

After blowing out the candles, Zhang Xian cut the cake with tears and took a bite.He was crying too "broken" to eat.Wang Bao, Yuan Xiu, Xiaohui and Chang Jing each said another auspicious word of blessing and left.Feng Xi wiped away tears for Master, and kept sniffling: "Master, this disciple is damned, I forgot your birthday."

Zhang Xian: "No wonder, you... I myself, I forgot..."

Many eunuchs in the palace count the day they entered the palace as their birthday.Entering the palace, castration, and becoming eunuchs, they in the past also died.This day is Zhang Xian's birthday, so why not his sad day.But at this moment, he was not sad, not sad at all, even though he was crying so hard.If he doesn't enter the palace, how can he serve Wansui, and how can he meet Zuzu.

Long live still had to serve him, Zhang Xian tried his best to calm down.Feng Xi quickly ate a piece of cake and wiped his mouth.Zhang Xian smiled and took two bites.When he calmed down, he wiped his face with a cool cloth towel. It was hard to see that he had cried just now, and Zhang Xian took Feng Xi back to Qinwen Hall.

As soon as Zhang Xian came back, Emperor Yong'an, who was still reviewing the memorabilia, asked without looking up: "Why did Chang Jing find you two?"

Zhang Xian said with a smile: "My love, remember that today is the birthday of the servant, Chang Jing, Wang Bao, Yuan Xiu and Xiaohui came over and gave the servant a cake."

Emperor Yong'an raised his head and put down his pen.

Zhang Xian took the initiative to go over, and took out the red envelope given by Chu Chu: "This is for Chu Chu to reward slaves and maidservants."

Emperor Yong'an took it over and poured out the contents of his purse, which were seven or eight golden melon seeds.Emperor Yong'an put it back and returned it to Zhang Xian: "He knows what you like."

Zhang Xian held the purse and said with a smile: "I like whatever slaves I give to my servants." He knew in his heart that as a gift, he would not be criticized for giving him this gift, and he could accept it smoothly.

Emperor Yong'an stretched his body, and said: "It's getting late. I haven't been to Xiangfu Palace for a long time, but I want to go along with it. Forget it, I'll see the rest of the memorial tomorrow and go to Xiangfu Palace."

"Yes!"

Zhuo Ji was quite surprised when Emperor Yong'an temporarily decided to drive Xiangfu Palace.Zhuo Ji had a chance to ask after Emperor Yong'an entered the room, washed and went to bed, "Your Majesty, are you done?"

Emperor Yong'an: "I haven't been here for a long time, and I want to take a good rest."

Zhuo Ji immediately said: "It is necessary to have a good rest."'

Emperor Yong'an grabbed Zhuo Ji's hand on his neck, and Zhuo Ji adjusted his posture to massage Emperor Yong'an's shoulders and neck.Emperor Yong'an closed his eyes and said casually: "In the palace, you are the only one who doesn't have a master. You still have to give rewards to slaves on their birthdays."

Zhuo Ji: "There are only a few of them around me. Xiaohui celebrated her birthday last month, and I found that I didn't even care about Zhang Xian and Feng Xi's birthdays. You know, Your Majesty, it's hard for me to put them in the moment. People. In the palace, His Majesty protects me, and thanks to them taking care of me, I can be carefree."

Emperor Yong'an snorted: "Without my protection, even if they serve you wholeheartedly, you will only be in constant trouble."

Zhuo Ji lowered his head and gnawed on Emperor Yong'an's face: "Yes, yes, the best thing is Your Majesty. If there is no Your Majesty, I would be pitiful. Your Majesty has not been here for several days, and I miss you very much."

Emperor Yong'an was satisfied.

Emperor Yong'an was too tired recently, but he still grabbed Zhuo Ji and asked for it, and it didn't take long.After the two masters fell asleep and left the night watcher behind, Zhang Xian went to his temporary residence in Xiangfu Palace and cut himself a piece of cake.Feng Xi came in, knelt down in front of Master and kowtowed three times, then stood up and handed him the gift he hastily prepared with both hands: "Master, happy birthday."

Zhang Xian took the gift and said, "Eat."

"Thank you, Master!"

Feng Xi cut himself a large piece of cake and sat down to eat it.Zhang Xian ate very slowly, and his eyes turned red from time to time.Feng Xi looked at his master like this, and said, "Master, my disciple asked Chang Jing. Chang Jing said that Xiaohui's birthday was last month, so I asked you and me about your birthday, and I remembered it without thinking. The day before yesterday, I told Uncle Wang (Bao) to remember to make you a birthday cake today, and asked Uncle Wang and the others to prepare birthday presents."

Zhang Xian's tears were streaming down, Feng Xi leaned over to wipe the master's tears, his own eyes were also red, and said: "I said, my birthday is over, and I will make a cake for me next year." Here, Feng Xi said enviously: "It turns out that Xiao Hui and Chang Jing have celebrated their birthdays every year since they came to Chu Chu's side."

Zhang Xian: "Cuchu is different from other lords. He really treats us as human beings, as our own people."

Feng Xi nodded vigorously: "I know."

Zhang Xian wiped away his tears: "Eat it, I have to finish eating the cake I gave you."

That night, Zhang Xian tossed and turned.The next day, Feng Xi knew that Master didn't sleep well last night, so he asked Master to rest, and he waited on His Majesty.Zhang Xian made up for an hour of sleep, hurried over and insisted on replacing Feng Xi.He is Long Live's personal eunuch, some things are not convenient for Feng Xi to do.Emperor Yong'an did not blame Zhang Xian for being "late".If Zhang Xian was indifferent to Zhuo Ji celebrating his birthday, he would blame him instead.

There is no grand meeting today, but Emperor Yong'an needs to go to Wenyuan Pavilion.On this day, Emperor Yong'an stayed in Wenyuan Pavilion, and had lunch with several cabinet ministers in Wenyuan Pavilion.When he came back in the afternoon, Emperor Yong'an ordered to go to Shoukang Palace. He has not paid his respects to his mother today.On the way to the Shoukang Palace, there was a girl's clear laughter, and the guard of honor stopped.After a while, three girls dressed as court ladies ran out from the corner playing around.Zhang Xian coughed heavily, and the three maids were startled, looking at the sound, all of them turned pale and knelt down.

"Your Majesty's forgiveness!"

Zhang Xian stepped forward: "Rowling in the palace! Which steward do you belong to!"

"Forgive Your Majesty! Forgive Your Majesty!"

Two court ladies kowtowed to plead guilty, and they dared not say who their direct supervisors were.The court lady kneeling in the middle raised her head, looked boldly at the majestic emperor sitting on the chariot, and said, "Your Majesty, the three slaves and servants have received a commendation for stewardship today, and they made fun of each other while they were happy, and offended His Majesty, please Your Majesty can forgive sins!"

After she finished speaking, she kowtowed heavily.

Emperor Yong'an couldn't help but take a few more glances at this bold court lady.Zhang Xian and Feng Xi's eyes turned cold.Emperor Yong'an: "The other side of you got the steward's award, but this one offended me...Which steward do you belong to?"

Still the maid, she straightened her upper body again and looked at the emperor: "Your Majesty, the servant made a mistake and should be punished. The steward taught the servant wholeheartedly. The servant should not implicate the steward. It is the slave who is reckless. Your Majesty is wise!"

Kowtow again.

Emperor Yong'an: "If I punish your stewards, is it unwise?"

The maid kowtowed again: "Your Majesty, please punish me for being reckless, slave!"

Emperor Yong'an: "You guys are not willing to tell who is in charge, but you are somewhat loyal. The rules in the palace are strict, and the three of you will be punished for disregarding the palace rules. Let's go."

Emperor Yong'an said that he would be punished, but the next sentence was to go.The three maids still didn't understand what His Majesty meant, Zhang Xian had already shouted "Let's drive—"

The guard of honor moved forward again, but Feng Xi and the two eunuchs stayed behind.

After His Majesty's guard of honor was gone, Feng Xi stepped forward and said expressionlessly: "Clash with Your Majesty, let's kneel for four hours first."

Four hours!

The faces of the three maids turned green.

After Feng Xi finished speaking, he left the two young eunuchs to watch, and he was about to leave.It was still the court lady, she grabbed Feng Xi's clothes and said, "Eunuch Feng, the servants are wrong, please forgive me."

As she said that, she pulled out a hairpin from her head and gave it to Feng Xi.Feng Xi looked down at her and said: "Miss thinking of 'Hui Jie', this hairpin can be used in the future, we can't take it away." Then he said to the two eunuchs: "Look at them, four hours, Not a breath less."

Kicking that maid away, Feng Xi left.

Emperor Yong'an, a big pig's hoof, turned around and put this matter behind him.He greeted his mother and talked with her. Before dinner, he went to Xiangfu Palace because he had a daughter-in-law and forgot his mother.He needs to discuss with Zhuo Ji about some things in the previous court, so he will also share dinner with Zhuo Ji.

After Emperor Yong'an and Zhuo Ji fell asleep, Feng Xi said to Master: "Master, those three maids are newly recruited maidservants this year. They have been trained for half a year and are going to be sent to serve by the two Highnesses. That's why they got carried away. , fighting on the palace road. The most daring one, called Lingzhi, is going to be sent to His Royal Highness Qi Wang's side."

Zhang Xian: "No wonder the three of them look good." Especially this spirit branch.

Feng Xi: "I punished them to kneel for four hours, and then asked the steward of the maidservant hall to take them back." After a pause, Feng Xi said: "Master, the disciple looks at that spirit branch, it doesn't seem like a peaceful person. of."

Zhang Xian: "You go to Huang Guixie tomorrow, and say that this spiritual branch has rushed to the holy car, long live the punishment, I am afraid that you will not be able to send it to His Royal Highness Qi Wang to serve."

"The disciple understands."

Early the next morning, Feng Xi went to Huayang Palace.On his way back to Fengtian Palace, the royal maidservant went to the Limaidang Hall, and the three maids who were supposed to serve the two Highnesses were replaced. He was fined and sent to the Clothes Bureau.After a few days, three ordinary-looking court ladies who were honest enough were sent to the side of the two highnesses.The father-in-law and nanny who were in charge of the original maid hall were also sent to other places to do coolies.

The new father-in-law and nanny who were in charge of the maidservant hall knelt on the ground, and Ziyuan, the eldest maid of the royal concubine, sat on a chair and tapped: "The ones sent by the maidservant hall to serve His Highness, don't want those who are enchanting and thoughtful. Your Majesty is still young, what do you want to do by sending someone with a lot of thought? It’s all right, but you still want to seduce His Majesty, who really gave you the courage? "

"The slaves dare not!"

Zi Yuan: "The two of you should be more thoughtful, and don't punish the Pope."

"Slaves save it! Slaves save it!"

After beating the two new stewards, Zi Yuan left.

This matter did not cause much disturbance in the palace at all.However, some court ladies tried to seduce His Majesty, so the noble lords of all the palaces hurriedly beat up the palace ladies, except Xiangfu Palace.No one in Xiangfu Palace knew about it.

In Shoukang Palace, the Empress Dowager asked Shen Gu gossipingly: "Is there really a court lady seducing the emperor on the road?"

Shen Gu: "Your Majesty is wise and majestic, and it is His Majesty, so it is common sense for someone to try to seduce His Majesty."

The Empress Dowager sighed and shook her head: "It's all unclear. How dare the emperor find a beautiful court lady to place in Fengtian Hall."

Shen Gu chuckled: "Isn't that right. It's the Shoukang Palace of yours, the master, who got rid of all those beautiful ones. It would be a bad thing if it is called Shunxiu."

The queen mother smiled and said: "Go and remind the empresses and the others that there is no such thing as too beautiful in their palace. It's nothing if the emperor takes a fancy to it, but if Shunzhen takes a fancy to it, the palace will be turned upside down. "

"The slave is going here."

Seeing Aunt Shen leave, the Queen Mother smiled helplessly.In the past, when there were beauties in the palace, they were afraid that the emperor would love one and bring them into the harem.But her son's Danyang Palace is different.This beautiful court lady is not afraid of being admired by the emperor, but she is afraid of being admired by Shunxi.There is a handicapped servant in the palace, which is enough for the emperor to have a headache.

Emperor Yong'an never mentioned that incident again, and Zhang Xian also remained silent.A few days later, Emperor Yong'an suddenly remembered that incident on his way to Shoukang Palace to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager. He asked, "Zhang Xian, who are the three court ladies who fought that day?"

Zhang Xian thumped in his heart, and replied calmly: "Long live back, it's the servant hall. Originally, it was to be sent to serve by the two highnesses, but the noble lady felt that they were not stable enough, so she didn't want to." gone."

Emperor Yong'an frowned: "For those who serve Chen and Chen, why choose such a beautiful one? How old are Chen and Chen?"

Zhang Xian immediately settled down, and said: "Your Highness has punished the original steward and replaced him with a new steward."

Emperor Yong'an: "The most daring one should be placed in a remote place, or directly sent out of the palace. If it doesn't go well, I might be admitted to the harem for a while, and now..." Emperor Yong'an did not avoid his big pig's trotters. nature.

Zhang Xian immediately said: "Chu Chu will definitely not say anything, but he won't be sure in his heart."

Emperor Yong'an: "I hope he will be jealous and make trouble with me. If Shunxi notices this, and the other party tries to please him again, then I will have a bad life."

Zhang Xian nodded sharply: "Isn't that so. The servant is also worried. The servant heard that the imperial concubine dispatched that court lady to the Clothes Bureau."

Emperor Yong'an said "um" and didn't say anything else.

Emperors are ruthless.Emperor Yong'an would be ruthless to the concubines in the harem when he should be ruthless, how could he show much affection to a court lady who obviously cared about him.Zhang Xian thought to himself, even if His Majesty really loves that maid, he will make His Majesty despise him.In this palace, no one can take away the favor of Lu Chu, and no one can bring threat to Lu Chu.

As for the Clothes Bureau, a little maid who originally wanted to use her boldness to attract His Majesty's attention, and thus ascend to the sky and become the noble lord, was washing a huge amount of clothes without tears.She couldn't figure out why His Majesty looked down on her.