Crown Tang emperor

At this moment, although Li Tong needs help from others to strengthen himself, he is actually not very willing to get it through marriage.But the choice is not up to him, and neither is the timing.Although there are some plans in mind, it is still difficult to discuss this topic with Wei Tuan'er.

"Clothes are new, and people love old ones. When newcomers first enter, there is little responsibility for affection. Since they are destined to live in the same mansion, they will take the lead in getting along with each other. The lady has a lot of experience in personnel affairs, so I can rest assured. Ruren Li The matter is simple, if there is any negligence in whereabouts, I hope the lady can make up for it."

Li Tong's worry mainly came from his grandma's pressure.

This woman is really too strong when dealing with family relations. There may be blood and political considerations for them, but she has zero tolerance for the female relatives.Regardless of his fourth uncle's concubines, or Wu Sansi's wife and daughter who just suffered, they all proved this fact with their own misery.

At the same time, in the Great Neiliu Cup Hall, the banquet is about to begin.

This time, there are a total of more than a dozen families who expressed their wish to marry His Royal Highness.This number may not seem large, but there are only more than 200 people who are above the fifth rank in Beijing. After deducting some poor family background, or there is no marriageable woman in the election, and other reasons, the proportion is already extremely high.

Right now, all the families are being ushered outside the Liubei Palace, waiting for His Majesty the Holy Emperor to arrive.At this time, in the outer hall, under the care of Xi's family, they were a little bit shy, but they all had an aura of doing their part.

All the families who can be selected are naturally extraordinary, and they may be related to each other, but they gather together in order to fight for a son-in-law, which is always a bit unsightly.

For example, Zhang Xi, who is also the Minister of the Heavenly Official, represented the Zhang family of Qinghe, and had little extended contact with his colleague Zheng Gao.But Zheng Gao and Zheng Xin, the right guard of the same clan, did not communicate with each other except for nodding their heads.

Although the scene was very embarrassing, few people regretted such a choice.Since the Holy Emperor came to court, especially after the arch, there have been many bloody events in the Tian family, but happy events about family and friendship are rare.

In particular, His Majesty the Holy Emperor deliberately set aside a day to preside over this matter in person, and the depth of his care for His Royal Highness Daiwang is truly reflected.And it has to be said that both the talent and interest of Dai Wang, as well as the ability he has shown since he joined the business, are also worthy of everyone's eager competition regardless of embarrassment.

As for the ladies attending with their parents, they are already so nervous that they don't know what embarrassment is.Although Qian Hua Nongshi's face also looked solemn and elegant, his hands under the case were also tightly clenched, and sweat kept dripping from the palms of his hands.

After all the families gathered together, two more people entered the hall. They were the prime minister Wei Yuanzhong and the secretary Wu Chonggui.After each family got up to see the ceremony, another female official came, and it was Shangguan Wan'er, who was wearing a solemn palace dress, and after entering the hall, she said: "Your Majesty called the wives and ladies of all families into the inner hall to meet and worship."

After everyone heard the words, they got up quickly. When that Madam Zheng saw Shangguan Wan'er walking in, even the prime minister Bing Zong Wang stood up to meet her. She was shocked in her heart and couldn't help huddled behind her husband. He whispered: "This Shangguan should be controlled internally, how can he be so honored?"

Zheng Gao looked back at his wife, and quickly whispered: "The Shangguan should control the confidentiality of the internal reference and control the life. I don't have time to go into details right now. Remember not to be rude!"

When Mrs. Zheng heard this, her complexion became a little ugly, but she didn't dare to say anything more, she just led her own ladies, followed by a few high-ranking wives, and walked towards the inner hall with her head bowed. .

In the inner hall at this time, the Holy Emperor Wu Zetian was already sitting on the table, and the left and right seats were Princess Taiping and Concubine Fang of Yongwang. In addition, there was an old woman with half-white hair in the table, which was Princess Anding.

When the women of each family came to the hall to pay their respects, several people in the hall also lowered their eyes to look, especially Fang Shi, the concubine of Prince Yong, stared at her carefully, lest she might miss someone.

"I'm not in the ceremony today, the ladies don't have to stick to the ceremony, just sit at your table."

Wu Zetian said with a friendly expression, waving his hands, and his introverted eyes were also carefully looking at the details of the demeanor of several of the women.

Probably because of being too nervous, the movements of all the women seem to be slow and slightly dull, and the same is true for Zheng Wenyin who is following Mrs. Zheng.

But when she was about to take the seat, she saw an utensil left on the mat on the side of the seat. It seemed that a palace official had accidentally knocked it down to meet her. The back dropped his hand and hooked it into his hand, and taking advantage of the unsteady sitting posture of the accompanying lady, he reached out and handed it to Mrs. Zheng behind the front table.Mrs. Zheng was slightly taken aback, and after a while she suddenly realized, and when she took over the case, she casually placed it on the case.

At the same time, suddenly there was an exclamation from another seat, I don't know that the lady of the He family fell down on the seat because the seat was tilted.At the same time, after taking their seats, some women realized that the hem of their skirts had been covered with red or yellow stains at some point, and their complexions changed one after another.

Chapter 0396 what troubles do not have power, come in a flash

In the inner hall, Wu Zetian frowned slightly when he saw that some ladies and gentlemen lost their manners due to improper setup, and then glanced at Princess Taiping on the left seat.

Princess Taiping just sat upright, and waited until she felt that her mother's eyes had left her, then turned her head and smiled slightly at Fang Taifei on the other side.Seeing this, Mrs. Fang was slightly taken aback. After a while, he lowered his head and smiled slightly, and nodded to Princess Taiping.

Several female officials in the palace of servants rushed in to plead guilty, Wu Zetian knew who was the instigator, and didn't bother to pursue it, so she just waved her hands and ordered Zhang She to be replaced quickly.

Although it was just a small episode, everyone in the palace felt differently.These ingenious little tricks make people feel a little disgusted, after all, no one can guarantee to be vigilant at all times.

And some noble ladies also realized at this moment that the Tian family's situation is dangerous. Although the acting king is a rare good match in this world, but the family is so eager to recommend the lady in the family, it may not be able to get the desired result. I couldn't help but retreated in my heart.

As for the concubine Fang in the hall, she was grateful for the arrangements made by Princess Taiping.Although she lives in the royal mansion and does not care about foreign affairs, she knows that it is not easy for her son to make a living in this world. If the bride she marries is only from a high-ranking family, but she is not meticulous in her life, it is really unpredictable.

After Zhang She replaced the utensils again, the banquet officially began.Although His Majesty the Holy Emperor is the absolute protagonist in the palace, he doesn't talk much. Although they are all women, she really has very little in common with these wives. topic of.

On the contrary, Princess Taiping was more active. She ran a theater in the capital and was already familiar with the wives of various families. Even when the young king returned to the capital in the old days, it was she who instigated various families to fight for luck. Nature is more at ease.

It's just that after the previous small incidents, each family feels differently and reacts differently.Some people become more enthusiastic, while others are more restrained.

Mrs. Zheng looked down at a bright yellow spot on the corner of her niece and niece's skirt, and looked at the objects on the table, and she couldn't help sighing in her heart.

Although I was still a little reluctant, when the topic came to me a few times, I tried my best to cite my cousin Zheng Wenyin in the back seat, which was acquiescing to my husband's judgment and leaving the opportunity to someone who was more likely in the family .

However, what made Mrs. Zheng a little dissatisfied was that these three ladies usually seemed to be generous, and they were careful just now, and they did not lose their composure, but their performance was not good after they were seated.After passing the huatou several times, the tone of voice seemed weak, without any previous style.

A banquet lasted for more than an hour, and some singing, dancing and vocal performances were interspersed. Mrs. Zheng originally planned to try to let the third lady appear on the stage to pluck the strings and show off her musical skills, but when she turned her head, she saw that the other party was so nervous that cold sweat was looming on his temples, and he was pale. He couldn't even hide his complexion, and he couldn't help but feel even more disappointed. He was worried that it would be a show of shame, so he had no choice but to give up.

Afterwards, all the wives led the women from all families to stand up and leave. Zheng Wenyin was so nervous that her legs trembled frequently, and she could barely walk.When she exited the hall, Mrs. Zheng turned her head and gave the lady a bitter look, full of disappointment, and didn't know what to say.

Originally, he planned to find an opportunity to chat with Shangguan Wan'er outside the hall, but after waiting for a while, she was nowhere to be seen. In desperation, he could only withdraw nervously.Seeing her husband's head full of expectant eyes, Mrs. Zheng didn't dare to elaborate, she was vague, and the family followed the team and left Da Nei from Xuanwu Gate.

After the wives left, Princess Taiping in the inner palace suddenly stood up from the table, pointed at the concubine Fang and said with a smile on her face, "Sister-in-law, don't feel sorry just because your wife promised to come to my house. This time, in order to help I really put my heart into choosing a bride for your family!"

It was fine if she didn't say this, but once she said it, Wu Zetian, who was sitting in the hall, snorted coldly: "I have already guessed that your lady is taking the initiative to solicit affairs, and she must be using a secret trick! But the worshipers are all respectful and beautiful girls. , Such a fraudulent attempt, can people not fear my family style? You still have the face to show your clumsiness here, if you lose your good relationship because of your nonsense, how will you face the younger generation in the future!"

Hearing the holy emperor's reprimand, before Princess Taiping could answer, Fang had already got up and said: "The poor woman is in the court, trembling, fearing that the family entrusts her to teach the children. Housewives, husbands and children, no matter how careful you are, you will be afraid." Insufficient. The concubine does not expect the bride to be able to promote power, but she can be careful and attentive to the court affairs, so that the son can have no other distractions, donate his talent and repay the king, so he has nothing to ask for, and I implore your majesty not to pursue the princess."

Wu Zetian calmed down a little after hearing the words, pointed at Princess Taiping and continued to laugh and scold: "It's rare that your sister-in-law is willing to tolerate your nonsense, so what kind of good wife did you find out?"

"Aunt, you are too hasty to ask questions. If I reveal my hidden scheme, I am afraid that my mother will also praise me for my talent!"

Princess Taiping looked triumphantly, stepped into the table, looked at it and said: "First of all, let me make a statement. Even if the lady I plan to choose is not a big wife, she must be worthy of the king's residence, and she will never humiliate her." My nephew!"

Hearing her words with certainty, everyone became curious for a moment, and they all probed to see what kind of hidden scheme made Princess Taiping so confident.

Princess Taiping wandered among the seats, and suddenly stopped in front of a seat, pointed her finger down and said, "Which lady is sitting at this seat?"

"It's the family of Tianguan Zheng Shilang."

Shangguan Wan'er was concerned about this, so she gave an answer directly, then looked back at His Majesty and said, "It's that little lady Zheng Wenyin."

When saying this, Shangguan Wan'er was also full of doubts.She has always paid attention to this little lady of the Zheng family, and even noticed that the other party carefully picked up the objects on the ground and handed them back without leaving a trace, so she applauded in her heart.

But as the banquet started, the little lady's performance gradually became vulgar. Even Mrs. Zheng Gao wanted to show off the other party several times, but the other party didn't respond appropriately.

This also made Shangguan Wan'er disappointed with this lady, only saying that she may be dignified on weekdays, but stage fright is unavoidable when things happen.If it is a normal situation, this is not a big problem, it just needs to be practiced.

But now, His Majesty the Holy Emperor is making great fanfare in choosing a concubine for the king, and he must choose a candidate who is impeccable in all aspects. It is difficult for the young lady of the Zheng family to be in the eyes of His Majesty the Holy Emperor.But why did Princess Taiping specifically point out this little lady?

Seeing that everyone was puzzled, Princess Taiping bent down and tore off the brocade cloth covering the table, revealing the bamboo table.Everyone looked more carefully, only to find that the bamboo support of the table was not smooth, but angular and oblique.

"This, this... how long does that young lady of the Zheng family sit on her knees all the time during the banquet and at the end of the banquet?"

Wu Zetian from the hall also strode down, looked at the specially made seat and asked a few questions.

"That's right, that's how it is!"

Shangguan Wan'er was also stunned when she saw this, and at the same time, she couldn't help but stepped forward, covered the brocade cloth and knelt on it, her knees touched the raised bamboo edge, she couldn't help taking a deep breath, and endured it for a while. Zhong felt a pain like a knife saw in his knees and leg bones, and finally couldn't help waving his hands, stood up with the help of the palace maid, looked at Princess Taiping and said, "Your Highness, the princess is really, really..."

Princess Taiping didn't think this method was cruel, she just looked around the palace, pointed at the female officials and maidservants and said with a smile: "I said this lady is dignified to the bone, if you don't believe me, you can come in and try."

"Try them all."

Wu Zetian was also quite interested, and waved to everyone.

After seeing this, all the female officials stepped forward one after another, and after a small test, their eyebrows twitched and the corners of their mouths twitched from the pain.One can't help thinking that the whole banquet lasted for more than an hour, and the little lady sat on such a table without making a sound. Her patience is really admirable.

"If a lady of this kind of physique and character is unworthy, who else is better? Erlang is very lucky, thank you Your Majesty, thank you Princess for choosing such a beautiful woman!"

Seeing this, Concubine Fang went straight to His Majesty the Holy Emperor and kowtowed deeply.

As the daughter-in-law of the Holy Emperor, she is qualified to say what kind of character can enter such a family, even if the rest is ignored, she does not want to miss such a bride.

There is no shortage of people from famous families in the world, and there are also many dignified and beautiful people, but only by enduring pain and suffering can one survive in such a family.I can't help it, no matter how high the family background is, it will not only harm myself, but also tire others!

"Interesting, interesting!"

Wu Zetian asked someone to hold the seat in front of her, raised his palm to press it, nodded heavily after a while, and asked someone to help Fang up: "As you wish, this girl is worthy of my grandson! It's hard to hide Wang's talent, and there should be the inner conflict of Liangshu's beauty."

While speaking, she returned to the hall and said to Shangguan Wan'er: "Go and get the full name of this daughter of the Zheng family, and prepare the ancestral certificate with King Gaoping, and choose a good time to book it to the acting princess."

Shangguan Wan'er turned back and forth, Wu Zetian took the name book and flipped through it for a while, then handed it to Concubine Fang, and said with a smile: "Let's see, can such a family background match the Young King?"

After Fang Shi heard the words, he quickly waved his hands and said: "Comparison of family status is just an idle plan of the world. Why should we be trapped in such a vulgar plan to enjoy favors on behalf of Wang Tian's family. But it is a good match to be appointed by His Majesty, and the poor woman has no objection .”

After Wu Zetian heard this, she laughed again: "A beautiful girl from a famous family is so self-confident, it's not easy to share joys and sorrows! This Zheng's woman has enough talent and character. I just hope that the younger generation will not blame their parents for their wrong match."

Princess Taiping's leisurely tricks were not enough for Wu Zetian to choose this Zheng's daughter.But this woman didn't have many deeds, but she was able to get the praise of everyone, and Wu Zetian was very satisfied with this.

She flipped back to the name book that Fang's family did not accept, and she was more satisfied with her eyebrows and eyes, and said with a smile: "Why is there no trouble, it will come in a flash! Being able to cultivate such a lady shows the family's intentions, and quickly summoned her." This Zheng Rong and his family will enter the capital!"

In Chapter 0397, the envoy boarded the mansion and moved the genealogy

In Shendu Square, the aftertaste of the Shangsi Festival is still strong. Even if it is the curfew time, the voices of young men and women singing in response can still be heard everywhere in the square.

In the Zheng family's mansion in Taohuafang, the family who had just returned to the mansion after attending the banquet in the palace gathered in the middle hall, but the atmosphere was a bit dull.

Zheng Gao was anxious to know how the banquet in the inner hall was going. Although he was wasting a lot of favors outside, he also understood that the final decision on this matter rested with His Majesty the Holy Emperor in the inner hall.There is not much room for the outer court to comment on such a matter.

Although his wife hesitated and spoke vaguely along the way, Zheng Gao generally knew that the result of the banquet in the inner hall was not good, or even bad.

"Third lady, do you live up to your family's expectations of you with your performance? When you were not in the business, what did you say that you were dressed in a suit, but after entering the palace, you are more timid than ordinary girls from a small family! I provoked you several times. You show your talent, but you don't understand it at all!"

Mrs. Zheng peeked at her husband's gloomy expression, then turned her head to stare at Zheng Wenyin, and said complainingly.

Zheng Wenyin lowered her head, her lips were bloodless, she just said in a low voice: "I don't know, but I..."

"Actually what? It's not that you panic when things happen! You yourself are so clean, but you don't care about your family. Such scheming is hidden inside, and you are as timid as a chicken after entering the palace! The whole family's hard work for several months has been ruined by you." !"

Hearing that Zheng Wenyin continued to argue, Mrs. Zheng became even more furious, shouting angrily, looking extremely angry.

In fact, the most worrying thing in her heart was not Zheng Wenyin's lack of performance in the inner hall, but that her attitude was really not good when Shangguan Wan'er in the Shendu Garden came to see her, and she was just perfunctory in what she entrusted. He even chased away the guests directly in order to welcome Princess Yong.

In addition to her husband's exhortations, Mrs. Zheng saw with her own eyes how calm Shangguan Wan'er behaved in front of her majesty in the inner hall, and only then did she realize that she really offended someone who shouldn't be offended.

But she also has her own difficulties. In the early years, she followed her husband as an official in other states, and it took only a few years to settle in the gods. And it was not until after her husband became the servant of the heavenly official that all kinds of human relations became lively. There was no way or time. Go and inquire carefully about the rules of forbidden favors.At that time, he was full of family plans, and he really didn't have the mood to deal with a palace official who came from a criminal family.

Now, Mrs. Zheng is only worried that Shangguan Wan'er is holding a grudge.Their family is already clumsy in the inner hall, if a female official who is close to the imperial court is added to obstruct it, this matter can basically be declared a failure.

Mrs. Zheng knew that her husband had placed a lot of hope on this matter, and now that the matter had come to an end, even if she told the past about offending Shangguan Wan'er, it would be of no avail, so she simply blamed Zheng Wenyin for all the faults.The fact is that, if it wasn't for the lady's timidity in the palace and her poor response, things wouldn't have been hopeless.

Hearing Mrs. Zheng's reprimand, Zheng Wenyin's pretty face was even colder. She made a deep obeisance at the table, and choked up: "Thank you for your kindness, my servant, and my good fortune. Thank you for your care, my lady. , Poor qualifications, failed to win the favor of nobles, and failed the expectations of relatives. Tomorrow, pack up and return to the countryside, and dare not disturb the mansion again. As for the favor of the servant, I can only report it at a later date."

Zheng Gao was full of depression at the moment. Hearing what Zheng Wenyin said, although he couldn't bear it, he was too lazy to respond for a while, so he just waved his hands and said: "The third lady is also tired, go back to the dormitory and rest. Tomorrow, we will discuss tomorrow .”

Zheng Wenyin stood up with support from the mat, walking was still somewhat difficult, the servant girl Chun'er hastily stepped forward to help her wife exit the middle hall.

After returning to the guest house, the maid, Shu'er, turned around and closed the door, and couldn't help complaining: "My lady is really unreasonable, and this family is also... full of men, but they have to rely on a few ladies to beg for luck from the nobles to gain a future. , it was already underestimated. If you can’t get things done, you’ll blame the lady instead, please don’t take it to heart, lady... What’s the matter with you, lady?”

While speaking, the servant girl turned around and saw her own lady lying on the ground with her arms wrapped around her knees, trembling all over, she was startled, and rushed forward to help her up, but she heard her voice weakly said: "Slow down, slow down, okay pain……"

There was still a breath of support outside, but after returning to the house, the pain exploded even more, and the lady finally couldn't bear it anymore.

"Miss, how could it be? How could it be like this... Madam, are you going to a banquet or a sentence?"

The maid carefully helped her wife back to the couch, removed her socks, opened her clothes, and saw that her two calves, which were originally white as jade, were completely bruised, she was even more panicked.

The lady of the Zheng family lay on her back on the couch, tried to move her toes, although her muscles hurt, but she could still move, she gasped and smiled bitterly, "It's okay, it's okay, it's just swelling and pain, no muscles and bones are hurt. "

"Lady, lie down, and the servant girl will go find someone for consultation!"

While speaking, the servant girl was about to get up to go out, Zheng Wenyin quickly raised her hand to stop her and said: "No need, the servant is bored, and I have become an annoying guest in his house, so don't bother me any more. Apply light compresses tonight, if it doesn't get better, After saying goodbye tomorrow, we will go to the city for medical treatment. You are happy, we may stay for a few days and have time to visit Nanshi."

"Why am I happy? The lady is hurt like this! What's going on?"

The maid turned back wiping her tears, looked at her own wife's swollen legs, and frowned again in distress.

Zheng Wenyin made a small statement about the banquet in the inner hall, and shook her head and sighed: "Oh, I miscalculated. At that time, all the ladies got up to change the table, but I just wanted to keep my manners. It's really hard to bear, and this patience has become so You look so bad, you overestimate yourself, and you hurt fate..."

The servant girl became even more angry after hearing the words: "Even if you are a nobleman of the Tian family, this is not a choice of relatives, it is clearly a pleasure to use others to humiliate you! My lady, are you stupid? Even if you endure it, what can you do..."

"Heh, even if your wife is a bit shrewd, how can she be alert and deal with it when she first enters such a situation? Of course she is stupid, otherwise how dare she make such unreasonable demands? But she finally did something. It's in my own hands, I can be willing."

Zheng Wenyin lay on her back for a while, recovering some energy, she was able to sit up and lightly tap her painful calf, with a wry smile on her lips: "At that time, I was sitting in the hall, every time I was hit, I felt that I was going to die of pain, but thinking that every time I got a point, I might be able to The closer you get to him, the more you end up."

"You are really stupid, stupid and stupid lady! How can there be a good relationship in the world that you have to torture yourself like this to get it? Even if you get it, what kind of good relationship is it!"

The maid patted the lady's fist away, and rubbed it lightly by herself, with an indisputable tone of anger: "Now that you are hurt like this, besides being close to others, who can feel sorry for you? That Xun Qing, can he look at you more?"

"It's just my own thoughts, so what does it have to do with him? I've endured this kind of pain, and if I don't want to think about it in the future, how much can I encourage people? It's just, just an explanation for myself..."

Zheng Wenyin blinked her eyes, took a deep breath, leaned on the couch, her eyesight gradually blurred, and she fell asleep quietly without knowing it.Her legs occasionally twitched in her sleep, and while the maid was wiping away her tears and gently rubbing her face, she looked at her wife's sleeping face covered in tears, and made a fierce reprimand by gnashing her teeth.

Early the next morning, Zheng Wenyin's legs were even more swollen, but her muscles and bones were not injured after all, and she could barely walk on the ground.After washing up early in the morning, with the help of the maidservant, I went into the inner house to bid farewell.

Zheng Gao was full of worries, so he went out early in the morning to inquire about the latest news, only Mrs. Zheng was in the inner house.

Seeing Zheng Wenyin came to say goodbye, Mrs. Zheng frowned again, and said: "The invitation to the third lady was ordered by the lord. Now the lord is not at home, so I can't decide whether to stay with my relatives or guests. Even if I don't want to bother, I have already stayed for many days. The third lady is still staying for a short time, and we can talk about it after the master returns to the mansion."

Of course, she didn't sincerely try to keep Zheng Wenyin, but she was just worried that her husband would go out and find out that she had offended Shangguan Wan'er, and when he came back and scolded her, if he kept this lady, he would have more targets to vent his anger on.

Hearing Mrs. Zheng's words, Zheng Wenyin nodded, but said: "I often live in the country, and rarely go to the city. I will go to the market to buy some items during this free time. I hope the lady will allow me."

"The third lady still has time to spare, go ahead, don't miss the time to return."

Mrs. Zheng waved her hands impatiently after hearing the words. She was not in the mood to ask about Zheng Wenyin's obviously difficult walking posture, and did not arrange for her family to accompany her to guide her.

Although Zheng Wenyin's family has lived in the village for a long time, it is not the master and maidservants who entered the capital this time, but several members of the family accompanied them and lived in the Zheng family's outer courtyard.Knowing that the lady was going on a trip, but the Zheng family didn't arrange for a car to drive, some family members went to the car shop in the square and rented a carriage to take the lady into the market.