Zhuo Qihua

The eighth day of August is the Evergreen Festival.As Zhuo Ji said, the recent expenses in the palace are indeed relatively high.First, His Highness San San, followed by the Empress Dowager’s birthday, and then His Highness’s full moon. After the full moon, the Chongyang ancestor worship followed, and after the Chongyang ancestor worship, the Third Highness’s hundred days.For the ancients, the child's third day of washing, full moon and hundred days are very important days, which must not be reduced.After the hundred days have passed, it will be the end of the year, and it is time to spend money again.Not to mention there are still a few waiting to be born later.Others don't mention it, Huang Guixie and Mingxi's children must spend money for Xisan, Full Moon and Hundred Days.If the Secretary of the Household Department hadn't been sane during the New Year's celebration, and a lot of money had been confiscated in the previous "Witch Gu Case", he would have hanged himself in the Qinwen Palace long ago. The treasury is really empty!

On the night of the seventh day, Zhuo Ji went to Shoukang Palace after dinner.The Queen Mother was worshiping the Buddha, and she was very surprised when she heard that Zhuo Ji had come.When Zhuo Ji came in, he was followed by Wang Bao and Yuan Xiu, who were carrying a square frame as tall as a person.As soon as she saw the box, the Queen Mother knew what it was.Zhuo Ji supported the square frame and asked Wang Bao and Yuan Xiu to retreat. Seeing this, the queen mother also asked the others in the room to retreat, except Shen Gu.

"By the way, it's my old man's birthday tomorrow, are you planning to show up?" the queen mother asked, not displeased.

Zhuo Ji replied: "Queen Mother, I don't want to present your birthday present in public tomorrow. So I will send it to you one day in advance."

The queen mother was surprised: "Isn't it a painting?"

"It's a painting. But I just want you to see it alone, Queen Mother."

Shen Gu restrained her eyes and said: "Queen Mother, you should go and uncover it. This painting is so beautiful that it took a lot of thought."

Aunt Shen went to Xiangfu Palace every day these few days, and asked her what she was going to do, but Aunt Shen refused to say, the queen mother immediately thought that this painting must be related to Aunt Shen.She was supported by Aunt Shen and walked to the painting, a little nervous for no reason.Taking a deep breath secretly, to calm her mind, the Empress Dowager reached out and grabbed the yellow silk cloth covering the picture frame, and uncovered it.

When the whole painting appeared in front of the Empress Dowager, the silk cloth she was still holding fell to the ground, and the Empress Dowager was stunned, dumbfounded, and stunned.In the painting, it is the newly married queen and emperor.The queen is young and beautiful, with shy eyebrows.The emperor was handsome and handsome. Although his face was serious, there was the joy of newlyweds in his eyes, but the emperor's face was a little thin.

The empress dowager's eyes were moist, and tears rolled down her cheeks.Shen Gu, who had endured it for many days, cried, and finally told the truth: "Queen Dowager, by the way, I have called my servants over for the past few days because of this painting. I want to paint a picture of you and Emperor Shenzong's wedding , Let the servants dictate the appearance of Emperor Shenzong. Empress Dowager, look, how similar the painting is."

The queen mother covered her mouth with one hand, looked at the painting with blurred eyes, and the crying gradually became clear.At this time, how could she not understand why Zhuo Ji didn't wait until her birthday banquet tomorrow to show this painting.

Zhuo Ji stayed in Shoukang Palace for an hour before returning to Xiangfu Palace.In Shoukang Palace, after Zhuo Ji left, the Empress Dowager sat on the bed in the palace, watching the painting and weeping silently, Shen Gu accompanied her.Zhuo Ji's painting made up for the regrets of the Empress Dowager over the years, and also left a deep thought for the Empress Dowager.She almost couldn't remember what Emperor Shenzong looked like, but now, the only man she ever loved was vivid in her memory again.

When Zhuo Ji returned to Xiangfu Palace, it was no surprise that Emperor Yong'an was already waiting for him in the bedroom.As soon as he came in, Emperor Yong'an asked: "Have you taken the birthday gift for the Queen Mother in advance?"

Zhuo Ji nodded.

Emperor Yong'an: "What exactly did you draw for the Empress Dowager?"

There was no one else in the room, Zhuo Ji replied truthfully: "It is a portrait of the empress dowager and Emperor Shenzong getting married as empress and emperor."

Emperor Yong'an's pupils tightened obviously, and his jaw tightened.Zhuo Ji walked over, and Emperor Yong'an suddenly stretched out his hand and pulled him into his arms.Emperor Yong'an's voice was hoarse: "You call Mother Shen to come..."

"I can't ask the Queen Mother, let alone ask Your Majesty what your Emperor Shenzong looks like. I can only ask Mother Shen."

Emperor Yong'an's hand around Zhuo Ji's waist hurt Zhuo Ji's waist.Zhuo Ji touched his hand: "I also drew a sketch of Emperor Shenzong, do you want it, Your Majesty?"

"where!"

Zhuo Ji got up from the arms of Emperor Yong'an, took out his picture folder from the bookshelf, and took out a painting inside.When Emperor Yong'an saw the quill pen face sketch of the man on the painting, his eye sockets were slightly moist.When Emperor Shenzong died, Emperor Yong'an was only six years old.The memory of his father has long been blurred to him.At this moment, looking at the extremely thin man in the painting, the strict but loving father emperor became clear in Emperor Yong'an's mind.

Zhuo Ji knelt in front of Emperor Yong'an and put his hands on his knees: "Your Majesty, every year from now on, I will draw a picture for Emperor Shenzong and the Empress Dowager."

Emperor Yong'an's Adam's apple slowly floated, he raised his left hand and placed it on Zhuo Ji's head, stroking gently: "Okay."

This night, Emperor Yong'an did not possess Zhuo Ji.He kissed Zhuo Ji, then hugged him, and covered him with a thin quilt.Emperor Yong'an told Zhuo Ji in a low voice about his limited memory of his father.After Emperor Yong'an finished speaking, Zhuo Ji asked: "Emperor Shenzong only has a queen mother? No concubine, maid?"

"Yes. Emperor Shenzong left a legacy. Anyone who has nothing to do will be sent out of the palace after his death. In order to prevent Emperor Shenzong from being manipulated by his relatives because of his weak health, Emperor Mingzong chose concubines for Emperor Shenzong. Those with low status. After the death of Emperor Shenzong, Emperor Mingzong sent all the concubines and servants out of the palace except the mother."

Zhuo Ji came to a sudden: "No wonder. I have always wondered that the Empress Dowager doesn't look like her mother's family."

Emperor Yong'an: "Emperor Mingzong knew very well what disasters a strong mother and a weak son would bring to the country. After the death of Emperor Shenzong, Emperor Mingzong left behind his mother, but he decreed that no one from the mother's natal family would ever be allowed to serve as an official. According to the decree, the queen mother must not have any involvement with her natal family for life, and I am not allowed to take care of them after ascending the throne. Emperor Mingzong also left a will before his death. Those who have nothing to leave the harem will be sent out of the palace, and those who have left the palace will live with their children. After the Three Kings Rebellion, the mothers of the three kings died and were demoted, and there was only one elder in the harem. Emperor Mingzong took great pains for me, but he wronged his mother. This is why the Cheng family is in the harem So domineering, the queen mother, as the queen mother, has nothing to do with her."

Zhuo Ji really admired the Emperor Mingzong. If Zhu Yuanzhang had thought about Zhu Yunqi's affairs in this way, Zhu Di would not have taken Zhu Yunqi's power. Zhu Yuanzhang would have killed him a long time ago.

Emperor Yong'an continued: "Kuang's father has some blood relationship with his mother's natal family, neither far nor near. In order to appease his mother, Emperor Mingzong allowed Zhen to accept Kuang's family as his side concubine. Because of this, my mother loved Kuang's family so much. , it’s just that Kuang was too ignorant before.”

Zhuo Ji patted Emperor Yong'an on the chest, and he didn't mind if it was all over.

"However, I intend to bring up the two elder brothers of the Kuang family. I need some people who can be used by me. The Kuang family is weak, and it has a lot to do with her natal family's low status. But I need to be cautious. If I don't use it well, it will be the opposite. It will bring disaster to me."

Zhuo Ji: "Your Majesty, I think there are a few people you can try."

"Which people?"

"Wu Shaowang's son and the others."

"Those dudes?"

Zhuo Ji: "Your Majesty, there are also dudes who are loyal and affectionate. Don't forget that when the muzzle broke out, the Wu Shao Palace and the Xianyi Palace strictly implemented your request, and those two dudes were among them." Your Majesty, the elite has the usage of the elite. The dandy also has the means of the dandy. It sounds harsh, but sometimes it is also very useful. If you can make the dandy loyal to you, maybe you can use it more smoothly than those elites The reason why dandies can become dandies is that they are not short of money and are not afraid of trouble. Elites may be full of knowledge and handle things well, but just because they are elites, they will want more and have more small things in their hearts. "

Emperor Yong'an showed deep thought, Zhuo Ji suddenly smiled.Emperor Yong'an looked down at him.

"Your Majesty, tell me, if you train the sons of King Wu Shao and Prince Xianyi to become scholars and juren, will King Wu Shao and King Xianyi be grateful to you?"

Emperor Yong'an also laughed: "Just those two who can't support the wall, let them win? It's impossible for the Golden Crow to come out from the west."

Zhuo Ji squinted his eyes: "It's not necessarily impossible."

Emperor Yong'an: "What can you do?"

"let me see."

Early the next morning, Emperor Yong'an went to Shoukang Palace first after having breakfast.Zhuo Ji is not a queen, and Emperor Yong'an cannot go to Shoukang Palace with him.Zhuo Ji ate breakfast leisurely and asked Xiaohui to dress him up.He was going to show up today, Emperor Yong'an said that he didn't have to wear makeup but he had to dress up.

The Queen Mother didn't sleep deeply that night, but she was very energetic.When Emperor Yong'an went to Shoukang Palace, the first thing he did was to see the painting that Zhuo Ji gave to the Queen Mother.The empress dowager let the emperor see it, and the mother and son stood together looking at the painting. The empress dowager smiled with tears, and Emperor Yong'an hugged the empress mother's shoulders tightly.At that time, all the concubines, royal family members, and court wives all came to Shoukang Palace to present gifts to the Queen Mother.Deguixie was unable to come during her confinement period, but she also sent the head eunuch of Yunyue Palace to present a birthday gift.

In Danyang Palace, concubines and servants of concubines and above dressed up in splendid attire, and brought their recruiters to Shoukang Palace.The pregnant Huang Guixie and Mingxie walked into the Shoukang Palace with the help of the personal eunuch.Concubine Xi Gui, who was dressed in a splendid attire, walked into the Shoukang Palace with the help of her personal maid.These noble masters of the harem greeted and saluted wherever they passed.Concubine Hui and Concubine Xiao who had returned to the main palace also came in chariots, and they both brought the princess with them.Compared with before, the two who returned to the main palace also had a little more confidence in front of other concubines.

The third princess, Nan Rong Xin'er, was carried by the palace people, and she was dressed very beautifully today.The noble lords of all the palaces entered the Shoukang Palace one after another, and the royal family members and court wives also arrived one after another.The queen mother and the emperor sat together, smiling and accepting gifts from all parties.The first to present the birthday gift was naturally Emperor Yong'an.The birthday gift he presented to the Queen Mother was a mirror that he ordered the Ministry of Industry to study before the Evergreen Festival.The mirror sent by Emperor Yong'an is a full-length mirror with a height of one person. According to Zhuo Ji's suggestion, a mirror frame is specially equipped.As soon as the mirror was taken out, everyone in the audience exclaimed.A group of people stood around the queen mother in front of the mirror, seeing themselves so clearly for the first time.Everyone present wanted a mirror like this, but Emperor Yong'an had no intention of rewarding concubines, and the concubine didn't say anything, and no one dared to mention it.

Only the Queen Mother present guessed the real origin of this mirror.She liked it so much that the servants of the Shoukang Palace took the mirror back to the Shoukang Palace, their faces beaming with joy.

Next, Nan Rong Chen Mu and Nan Rong Chen Mu presented the Buddhist scriptures they personally wrote for the imperial grandmother.Nan Rongchen was still young, so he only wrote one page, but Nan Rongchen wrote a full five pages, the queen mother liked it very much.The princesses sent the purses embroidered by themselves, and the queen mother was also very happy.Zhuo Ji didn't show up, but everyone present knew that he gave a birthday gift last night.

The birthday gifts of Qi Yiguo and Tong Yifeng are Buddhist beads and Buddhist altars respectively.After the two retired, Emperor Yong'an said, "Queen, Qi Yiguo and Tong Yifeng still have birthday presents that I haven't given to you first."

Queen Mother: "Oh? What is it?"

Qi Yiguo and Tong Yifeng looked at His Majesty, not understanding what His Majesty meant.Emperor Yong'an said with a smile: "The two of them are pregnant, almost three months."

As soon as Emperor Yong'an said this, most of the people present exclaimed, and the Empress Dowager laughed after being stunned: "Okay! This is another best birthday gift I have received today!"

Unexpectedly, the Holy Majesty would take the initiative to speak out, and Tong Yifeng pulled Qi Yiguo forward: "Queen Mother, the imperial concubine said that she will talk about it after three months of pregnancy, so as not to prevent the child from being stingy, so Yifeng and Yiguo just kept it secret. gone."

The Empress Dowager pressed her hands, telling them not to be nervous, and said with a smile: "I know about this. Okay. Since the emperor said it, it has been three months, right?"

Tong Yifeng: "I still have two days."

Qi Yiguo: "I'm full."

"Okay." The Queen Mother said happily: "One amulet each for Tong Yaren and Qi Yaren, to bless their births safe and sound."

"Thank you, Empress."

Tong Yifeng and Qi Yiguo took the amulet bestowed by the Queen Mother and retreated, and many people from the servant's side looked at them.Liu Xizhu pursed her lips tightly. It turned out that the two people didn't drink tea not to avoid pregnancy, but to be pregnant!

On the concubine's side, Shi Fangyun, Liu Yanling, Jing Lanzhen, and Yuan Susu, who were known to all the courts after being pregnant for just one month, were a little panicked.The handbook given to them by the imperial concubine stated that the fetus was unstable three months ago, and it was announced to the public three months later. Because they wanted to compete for favor, they immediately called the imperial physician as soon as they realized that they might be pregnant. After the imperial physician diagnosed that they were pregnant, they I couldn't wait to publicize it.The four looked at His Majesty anxiously, but found that His Majesty didn't look at them at all.

There were two maids who were pregnant. After the surprise, the royal family and wives naturally congratulated.But in the congratulations, everyone also saw the difference.It was confirmed that De Guixie and Mingxie were pregnant, and the Holy Majesty immediately bestowed a gift on Wusi.Shi Fangyun said that several people were pregnant, and the Holy One did not give Wu Temple.Tong Yifeng and Qi Yiguo, the two maids, are pregnant, and His Majesty did not give Wusi.It seems that His Majesty still values ​​those noble masters.But it is also true, no matter how favored the newcomer is, the highest status is only elegant and noble, how can he compare with high-ranking masters like Huang Guixie, Guixie, and Xie.

The birthday gifts were all presented, and Emperor Yong'an took the Queen Mother to move to Fengtian Hall.The birthday banquet will be held in Fengtian Hall.A group of people headed to Fengtian Temple in a mighty way, but one person was already waiting in Fengtian Temple.As soon as she saw him, the Queen Mother smiled: "Shun, I thought you were too lazy to come today."

Zhuo Ji, who can also be said to be well-dressed, stepped forward to support the Queen Mother, and said with a smile: "Your Majesty's birthday attendant can be lazy, and your birthday attendant, Queen Mother, can't be lazy. The attendant is specially prepared for you, Queen Mother." Fun show."

"Hahaha, okay, okay, once you come, Laoshen's birthday will be complete."

Emperor Yong'an feigned anger: "What are you talking about! You can't be lazy on my birthday, it's just that I'm still punishing you for thinking about it!"

Zhuo Ji gave Emperor Yong'an a helpless look, as if coaxing a child: "Yeah, the waiter is still in the punishment period."

"Hehehe, you."

The queen mother held Zhuo Ji's hand with one hand, and put the other hand on Zhuo Ji's hand.Even Huang Guixie walked half a step behind Zhuo Ji.Zhuo Ji wore a simple hairstyle, but the hairpin on his head was inlaid with a large round pearl, and the other two hair accessories that fit the hair were inlaid with extremely rare red coral stones, which were from the Fusang Kingdom. It is a special product, and it is a treasure second only to the first-class Nanzhu.Looking at his clothes again, it is the same Su brocade purple uniform as Huang Guixie and Guixie, and all the embroidery on it is made of gold thread!Even Mingyu's clothes are a class worse than his.

Look at his accessories again.Not to mention suet jade with whitening and gold, there are also first-class Nanzhu!It is a great blessing for them to be rewarded with a Nanzhu, and Shunxi even made a first-class Nanzhu into an ornament!His pair of shoes are also studded with gems of various colors!On his left wrist was a string of beeswax bracelets bestowed by the Empress Dowager, and six rings on both hands, two of which were inlaid with first-class pearls.A proper one who is not inferior to the first-class Nanzhu.

Zhuo Ji's makeup is definitely not the brightest among the concubines, he only wears lip balm, but he is absolutely full of jewels from head to toe, and it is absolutely radiant.

The only person in the audience who could rival him was Huang Guixie.But the identity of the noble concubine is there!She is the deputy queen!You're dressed like a royal concubine, even taller than a concubine or concubine, what do you mean!And you are half a step ahead of the noble concubine!You didn't pay attention to the noble concubine, did you!