The reborn sycophant

For the residents of Chang'an, this winter is extremely cold.

The wind and snow never seem to stop. It is often that the snow has not melted yet, and the snow falls again. The streets are always full of snow.Some children gathered snowballs around the snowdrift and laughed and laughed, the little buns on their heads were shaking. As they stepped on, they mixed some red firecracker crumbs into the snow, white, red, and gray, reflecting Together, there is something beautiful.

Business is cold in winter, and the vendors are bored, so they will pile up one or two snowmen in front of the door. Some people make a good pile, carrots, potatoes, whatever they have on hand, and put them on. The melon cracked the dates, causing the passers-by to burst into laughter.

In the palace city, the backs of the servants and eunuchs were bent under the weight of the snow. On this avenue and that path, they grabbed brooms and busily cleared the snow. While breathing out, the vain heat dissipated in a short while, and the little bit of warmth was taken away with it.The cold wind whimpered, and they continued to sweep the snow. On one side was a high palace wall. It was this cold and solemn high wall, like a gap, separating the heavenly family from the common people.

The steed neighed, and Zhao Ji, who was wearing a maple-red thin cotton robe, stopped at the palace gate, wrapped himself in the wind and snow, got into the soft sedan chair that had been waiting there, and kept urging the palace people to rush to the Gui Palace, with a good look Flying, even the eyebrows that slanted into the temples, exuded a compelling arrogance.

"Mother Concubine! Mother Concubine! Look at the deer I hunted!"

The cold wind howled, Zhao Ji stepped on a pair of black leather soap boots with gold bottoms, and walked quickly through the gate of the Gui Palace. The maple red robe was blown by a gust of flame-like wind, and the entourage behind her struggled to follow her. She stepped on the thin snow, He rushed in briskly, and before entering the hall, he yelled loudly a few times, although his voice was very soft, but it was two points cleaner than ordinary girls.

The noble concubine came following the sound, perhaps for the convenience of hunting. Zhao Ji tied her long hair into a big braid and tied it up high. She could see the vigor of a young man in a neat way, and her delicate little face was flushed. I don't know why. The cold was still caused by excitement, the imperial concubine hurriedly pulled her into the room, but she grabbed her mother's hand and led her to see the deer that was being placed in the yard by the panting attendant, it was a stag with majestic antlers On the head, there were white snow on the four hooves, and an arrow stuck in the heart, from where the bright red deer blood was continuously dripping down, soon dyeing the crystal snow red.

The corners of Zhao Ji's mouth hooked into a smile, and he took the imperial concubine's hand to touch the deer. The deer was still hot, and he thought it had been hunted and hurriedly sent it back: "Mother, look! The one that Seventh Brother hunted is even better!"

She happily showed her prey to her concubine mother, with her exquisite chin raised slightly, she looked a little proud, but not arrogant. In the eyes of Concubine Wan Gui, she was a child waiting to be praised.Affected by Zhao Ji's emotions, she couldn't help but smile, and she brushed the deer's body with her fingers, and only stayed for a moment before touching the two rough antlers.

The horn is the crown.The crown is the right.

A woman like Concubine Wan Gui, who is immersed in power and strategy, also likes this kind of things that symbolize power.Zhao Jicong was smart, and pouted when he saw this: "It's cold in winter, I was thinking of letting them make you a cushion with deerskin, but I didn't expect you to like the antlers more, okay, I'll tell them to take care of the antlers." Grind the big horn and bring it to you tomorrow."

What she said was soft and caring, as if she was acting like a baby. Although the imperial concubine liked the antlers, she didn't like them enough to keep them for herself. Su Shenglianai: "This is the first deer you have hunted, the antlers must be kept by yourself, if you want to give me the deerskin, then do it according to your own ideas, you are a half-sized person, Learn to make up your own mind."

After such a short period of time, the noble concubine's fingers became stiff and cold, and she also coughed twice. Zhao Ji felt distressed, scolded herself angrily, and followed her mother and concubine back to the palace. The imperial concubine's handwriting, as for the burning charcoal basin at all four corners, was ordered by Zhao Yu.

Concubine Wan Gui was pregnant once in her early years, but somehow she failed to give birth. Since then, her body has weakened, but other seasons are fine. In winter, her hands and feet are always cold, and she can't easily cover her body to keep warm.The emperor was sympathetic to her, and every winter, various resources were continuously rewarded in, sometimes exceeding the cost of the emperor's bedroom, which also aroused the jealousy of many people and caused many stumbling blocks.

But no matter what, Concubine Wan Gui is still Concubine Wan Gui, and she is the only one who has won this honor in so many years.

After drinking tea by the concubine's side for a while, Zhao Ji became happy again, and couldn't help bragging to his concubine about the deer he had hunted.The imperial concubine saw that she was a little drifting, so she poured cold water on her: "You go out to hunt in such a cold day, and you don't even think about how there will be deer in the mountains in winter. I am afraid that your followers came from the deer park to please you."

Zhao Ji choked, and waved his hands indifferently, with a sly look in his wet and beautiful eyes: "If they want to be filial, let them go. I'll have fun with you, and they can get some rewards later, both parties are happy." Why do you need to point it out, Mother Concubine?"

"Well, I'm worried that you are young, and you will be deceived by the people below. Now it seems that you are quite sober."

"Mother and concubine, you can teach me, they are so careful... They all say that venison invigorates blood, let's eat venison pot today! I let them take it down and clean it up right away, so as not to lose that smell Lively."

As Zhao Ji said, he summoned a palace man to give some instructions, then tilted his head and asked her mother and concubine: "Are you going to invite your father to come over?"

"As long as you can think of it, please, of course you have to. The first deer you hunted, if you only invite your mother but not your father, the narrow-minded will definitely feel uncomfortable again in a few days."

The latter sentence was said very lightly, and with Zhao Ji's hearing ability, she could only hear the general idea. She couldn't help but smiled with her eyes bent, and then became a little distressed: "Father, maybe he won't come."

"Whether he comes or not, you have to send someone to invite him. There is a big difference between having this experience and not having this experience."

The noble concubine let down her hair for her daughter, and combed it in a soft and innocent hairstyle, which suits her age.

If the emperor comes, he must pity his son.

"I see. Concubine Mu, I want to give the antlers to Wei Chuyan. She has worked hard with me for the past two years. I don't seem to have rewarded her with anything good."

Letting her concubine mess with her hair, Zhao Ji thought for a while, bit his lips and told her.She wanted to give the antlers to Wei Chuyan at first, and it was okay to see that the concubine mother wanted her to give it to the concubine mother. Now the concubine mother said that she should hold it by herself, and if she wanted to give it to Chuyan Wei, she had to be with her The concubine mother has made it clear, otherwise if the servants pass it on to the concubine mother, it will not make the concubine mother sad.

The hand holding the comb paused, and Concubine Wan Gui didn't quite agree: "If it's gold, silver and jewelry, it's fine, and antlers... or nothing. Besides, since you have invited your father, the pair of antlers will not It’s good to keep it, take the initiative to send it out, and please your father’s favor.”

"There are so many treasures in the royal father's private treasury, can he see my antlers?"

"The first deer you hunted, how could he not like it? Antlers are the most precious part of a deer. You give him a gift, which shows your respect for him. Just send it over after you finish it, and he will take care of it." like."

Zhao Ji understood: "Then I'll ask someone to urge them, and let them finish the work today. If the emperor comes today, I will give it to him while he is happy, and it will be icing on the cake. If he doesn't come, I will also give it to him at night." to him, that he may see what is on my mind."

"Well, very good. By the way, Wei Chuyan...is he begging for leave to return to Yunan?"

Zhao Ji nodded: "She has to go back every year. The last time was even too much. She went back to Yunan in early winter and spent the whole winter in Zhaoshui. She is not competent at all! This time I will only give her approval. I'm on half a month's leave, if she comes back late, I'll—hmph!"

The imperial concubine also knew about what happened last year, but Wei Chuyan actually encountered a bottleneck in martial arts, and went to the deep mountains to learn from his master.Thinking of this, the imperial concubine was a little relieved.After a whole winter of training, this child has lived up to her unique aptitude and the master that the imperial concubine spent a lot of money to find for her.

Knowing that you know, the imperial concubine has no intention of telling Zhao Ji the truth.How can it be so easy to practice martial arts?In those two years, Wei Chuyan suffered from major and minor injuries, once he broke two ribs, and the next day he went to study with Zhao Ji as if nothing had happened, fearing that Zhao Ji would make a fuss if he found out.Now Zhao Ji knows that Wei Chuyan has good martial arts, but she only thinks that it is because Wei Chuyan is a masterpiece. Added weight to the mind of silence.

"How about you?"

"I will, I will... In short, I will teach her a lesson, what are you laughing at, Concubine Mu?"

Seeing her like this, Concubine Wan Gui smiled, thinking of the news she learned in the morning, she became deeply worried again.She touched her daughter's small head, and said inexplicably, "This lesson, Wei Chuyan may be settled."

Zhao Ji turned to look at her when he heard the words, his eyes were full of doubts: "Could it be that she will return late?"

"During the day, your uncle sent a letter saying that Qingyuan's child is getting married."

"Third sister? Didn't my uncle already look for a home for her last year? After picking and choosing for so long, didn't he find a suitable one?"

Concubine Wan Gui showed a strange smile under Zhao Ji's puzzled eyes: "Yes, I didn't find it. There are better candidates who are well-matched, but Qingyuan's child refuses to marry, don't worry about your uncle always making faces on weekdays." , Do things impeccably, but when meeting this daughter of his, I always feel a little dizzy, and actually let Qingyuan be self-willed for such a period of time. However, this time, it seems that I have finally found someone who is satisfied."

Thinking of the words "Superior Qianyang Lord" repeatedly mentioned in her brother's letter, the imperial concubine felt a little bit like throwing stones at her feet.

She raised Wei Chuyan's apparent grade for the sake of Wei Chuyan's official career after Wei Chuyan. Zhao Ji needs help. A high-rank Qianyang Lord who can be promoted quickly is much more valuable than a low-rank Qianyang Lord, but... .....

She didn't expect that this would bring such a marriage to Wei Chuyan.

Looking at Concubine Wan Gui's expression, Zhao Ji always felt that something was wrong, her lips moved, and she always felt that there was something deep in the concubine's mother's intention to tell her about Cousin Qingyuan's marriage.

But what is it?

The next moment, she heard her mother and concubine say: "You also know the family where Qingyuan is discussing marriage, and it is Yu Nanwei's family."

Zhao Ji frowned, his spirit suddenly brightened.

"Ji'er, it's Wei Chuyan."