The Founding of the Red Chamber

Concubine Zhen won the favor and thanked the queen, and returned to the imperial capital after six years of filial piety

The Lin family went back to their hometown to observe their filial piety. The Empress Dowager Lin raised Lin Jing in front of her knees. Lin Jing had a small illness every three days, and a serious illness every five days.

Emperor Zhaode felt more and more like a fish in water when he was in charge of the great power, and he felt happy and wanton.Even Emperor Zhaode felt that if Empress Dowager Lin only wanted to enjoy honor, he would still be willing to be a filial son and leave some good name behind.

In a blink of an eye, six years passed by in a hurry.

Emperor Zhaode has been in power for several years, but his heart has gradually broadened, and one day is Lin Jing's birthday.Originally, Empress Dowager Lin wanted to set up a table of wine to celebrate Lin Jing's birthday, but Lin Jing was uncomfortable, so the banquet had nothing to do with it.When Emperor Zhaode went to the Ci'en Palace to pay his respects, he saw Lin Jing leaning on the side of the Empress Dowager Lin and drinking the medicinal soup, he felt pity in his heart, and said, "Jing'er is already six years old, thinking that brother Yi has passed the filial piety period, he is right A man in his prime, as a son, should be filial to his parents. As a minister, he should also be loyal to the country. Mother has not seen brother Yi for several years, and Jinger doesn't recognize his brother, so it is better to call brother Yi back to the imperial capital. Queen Mother Look, okay?"

This is what Empress Dowager Lin wanted to celebrate Lin Jing's birthday, so how could she refuse, she smiled slightly, "Your Majesty said so."

Emperor Zhaode lowered his eyes, and a three-point smile appeared on his lips. He was not a fool. The queen mother kept Lin Jing under her knees, and mentioned Lin Jing's sixth birthday. Emperor Zhaode could naturally guess what happened.It's impossible to say that Emperor Zhaode didn't have any awkwardness in his heart.Regarding Lin Yi's return to the imperial capital, Emperor Zhaode secretly asked Tang Ying, a senior scholar.Tang Yingdao, "I think that the empress dowager has the grace to nurture and teach your majesty. Since Lin Yi has finished his filial piety, he should be called back to the imperial capital, which can also comfort the heart of the empress dowager."

Tang Ying was only 25 years old, and he was ranked as a bachelor. Naturally, Emperor Zhaode made an exception for his promotion.Emperor Zhaode recruited talents in an eclectic manner, which shows Tang Ying's ability. He is not only a good book reader, but also has a complete vision and courage. He is the confidant of Emperor Zhaode.Therefore, Emperor Zhaode could still listen to what Tang Ying said.

It's a pity that Emperor Zhaode didn't understand the meaning of Tang Ying's words: Since he wanted to declare Lin Yi to return to the imperial capital, why didn't he reward Duke Cheng'en as well?What kind of storm can an empty shell Cheng Engong cause?

Old Master Lin was killed in battle back then, Emperor Zhaode didn't pursue the Lin family's fault, but he didn't give Lin Yi a duke, Duke Cheng'en a duke, instead they put them aside.

Tang Ying felt that Emperor Zhaode made a lot of fuss about the Lin family. In his opinion, even during the few years when Empress Dowager Lin was in power, the Lin family did not overstep in the slightest. Moreover, Emperor Zhaode was in charge of the government because he was older, but there was only some friction with Empress Dowager Lin.In general, Empress Dowager Lin's contribution to the imperial court and Emperor Zhaode outweighed her demerits.Especially in the past few years, Empress Dowager Lin has become more and more lazy, and does not ask about the government affairs of the court. Emperor Zhaode is still afraid of the Lin family, but he has lost some imperial demeanor.

It's just that there are some things that you can think about in your heart, but if you say them out, it will be treasonous.

Tang Ying didn't say, whether Emperor Zhaode did it on purpose or had other plans, although he opened his mouth to allow Lin Yi to return to the imperial capital, the Duke of Cheng'en was still held in the hands of Emperor Zhaode, so he thought about it again.

Lin Jing had heard the Empress Dowager Lin tell him about his elder brother returning to his hometown to observe his filial piety. He was eccentric and often asked about irrelevant things, for example, "Auntie, is big brother fierce?"

The Empress Dowager Lin has Lin Jing at her knees, and in the past few years, she has been smiling more and more. Hearing this, she couldn't help laughing, "You are obedient, and Yi'er will naturally not attack you."

Lin Jing is already six years old. Compared to other children of the same age, he is thinner and thinner, but his eyebrows are exquisite. Coupled with the careful care of the Queen Mother Lin, he was born smart and sensitive, and there is more spirituality in the eyebrows that ordinary children do not have. Everyone's style is better than ordinary people.Lin Jing grew up beside Empress Dowager Lin since he was a child, and has always been close to Empress Dowager Lin. He leaned in Empress Dowager Lin's arms and peeled an orange. Talking like that, "Aran's elder brother is very fierce. Last time, Aran told me that he had his pants stripped and spanked by Guard Cui." In order to emphasize the ferocity of Guard Cui, Lin Jing stared at his phoenix eyes, pink Seriously, "It's all swollen. I gave Aran a bottle of good medicine."

"Auntie, you often say that elder brother is like a father. Please tell me what kind of temperament elder brother is. When elder brother comes to the imperial capital, I will go to please elder brother." Lin Yi is a human being.

Empress Dowager Lin smiled, "Your elder brother has the best temper. You are polite, and your elder brother will not dislike you."

Lin Jing asked Queen Mother Lin again, "Auntie, do elder brother and sister-in-law like something? I have a lot of treasures, and I want to pick out good ones for elder brother and sister-in-law."

Lin Jing counted with his fingers, "There are second brother, third brother and second sister, all of whom have to prepare gifts."

Empress Dowager Lin smiled softly, put her arms around Lin Jing and said, "Jing'er is still young, so it should be your elder brother and sister who gave you something."

Lin Jing was taught by Empress Dowager Lin, and he was not stingy. He said, "It's the first time I meet my brothers and sisters, so I should also greet them. Besides, I am not without it." Then he whispered to Empress Dowager Lin, "I hear Aran said that the concubine brothers in his family didn't like him, and they would quietly sue Aran in front of Lord Cui." Even though Lin Jing was in the palace, he seldom went out, but in the palace, the most respectful of rules In the place where the descendants are superior and inferior, you fight against each other, and Lin Jing's family is clear.Because Lin Jing knew that Emperor Zhaode was also born as a concubine prince, so he whispered to Queen Mother Lin, for fear that Emperor Zhaode would be overwhelmed.Having such scheming at such a young age is not a gift, but a talent.

Lin Jing muttered to Queen Mother Lin, "Second brother and third brother are both bastards, and eldest brother is my biological elder brother. Logically, eldest brother and I are the closest. However, I have never seen two brothers before. Brother and third brother, the more this is the case, it is better to be disrespectful in front of the elder brother than to be disrespectful to the second and third brothers. Auntie, tell me, is this the truth?" After hearing what Lin Jing said was reasonable and affectionate, Queen Mother Lin repeatedly Nodding, praise Lin Jing for being sensible.

Lin Jing was still young, far from being able to show emotion and anger, when he saw Empress Dowager Lin praising him, he grinned.Of course, with Lin Jing's plan, if you think that he has everything in morality, intelligence, physique, beauty and labor at a young age, you are wrong.Lin Jing is young, because he seldom goes out to play, he spends a lot of time thinking.He is completely the kind of character who obeys the words of the sage and imitates the deeds of the sage, not because he thinks the words and actions of the sage are more reasonable, but mainly because Lin Jing thinks that he first shows his good demeanor so that the world will know his goodness.When someone treats him badly in the future, he won't be criticized if he turns his face.

Lin Jing taught this method to his friend Aran, Cui Jinran, Cui Jinran used it to deal with his brother who was at odds with him, and indeed he gained a good name in front of his father and grandfather, and he was able to express his anger at the same time.Since then, Cui Jinran and Lin Jing have grown closer.

Speaking of Cui Jinran, it was the Empress Dowager Lin who watched Lin Jing grow up, but seldom went out because of physical discomfort. The eyeballs that look at children are as precious, how can they let children play with Lin Jing.So, from time to time, Empress Dowager Lin brought Cui Jinran, the third son of Xuanshou Kanghou's family who was about the same age as Lin Jing, into the palace to entertain Lin Jing as company.Over time, the two became friends.If Cui Jinran had any troubles that he couldn't share with others, he would quietly tell Lin Jing.

Lin Jing is also a character who is well-behaved on the outside and cunning on the inside. Three cobblers are like Zhuge Liang, and Lin Jing can always give Cui Jinran some advice.But for this matter in the palace, Lin Jing didn't miss a single word and listened to Cui Jinran, his mouth was very tight.

Lin Jing went to pack the gifts for his elder brother and sister. He grew up in the Palace of Mercy. When he was not well, the Empress Dowager Lin held him in her arms and put him on the bed to take care of him day and night. Over the years, Lin Jing gradually changed his mind. Well, Empress Dowager Lin was worried, so she placed him in the warm pavilion next to her bedroom.Lin Jing was served by a nanny and a palace lady alone, and most of his things were taken care of by the nanny Zhang.Lin Jing told Nanny Zhang about the matter, and Nanny Zhang smiled, "Brother is very thoughtful. If you ask me, since I am filial to my brothers and sisters, Mr. Lin is my brother's direct brother, so he is naturally the most generous one. One copy. The second master and the third master are inferior; for my sister, just prepare some jewelry and hairpins."

Lin Jing said, "My box is full of jade pendants, playthings, gold and silver locks. Where can I find hairpins and rings?"

Nanny Zhang smiled, "Why do you need to use the bottom of my brother's box for these things. My brother has ordered, and the old slave has prepared a gift list. After the empress has seen it, everything is in order. It is that my brother is close to any elder brother, extra Adding another one and a half pieces will be counted."

"But isn't this a gift from my aunt?"

After hearing this, the palace maid Ding Xiang couldn't help laughing, "Send it in my brother's name, how can it be a reward from the Empress Dowager?"

Lin Jing listened to the persuasion of the two, thinking that now that his aunt is the empress dowager, and the aunt had no children under her knees, Emperor Zhaode always treated him with closeness and distance, even for his aunt, he didn't have much sincerity, but only on the surface Rules and affection.This thing in the palace, if his aunt is with him for a day, he can enjoy it for a day, and it will not be in vain for his aunt to be the queen mother.

Lin Jing's eyes were bent into a line, and he scratched his head with a smile, "I'm stupid if I don't talk to my mother and sister."

Nanny Zhang and Ding Xiang looked at each other with a smile, and said together, "Brother is so stupid, but I didn't think of it for a while."

Seeing them go to Zhang Luo, Lin Jing went back to talk to Queen Mother Lin.After walking a few steps, I could faintly hear a woman outside sobbing and choking, as well as an extremely aggrieved voice, "The daughter-in-law just persuaded His Majesty a little, and His Majesty said that the daughter-in-law is jealous, and she refused to step in for fifteen days yesterday." The palace gate of Fengyi Palace is half a step away, where should I put the face of this daughter-in-law..." After sobbing, the voice said again, "Your Majesty only cares about Concubine Zhen of Shande Palace... Your Majesty, this daughter-in-law How is life going..."

After hearing these few words, Lin Jing turned and went back to his warm pavilion.You don't need to look at him to know that this is the Empress Empress Xie who came to complain to Empress Dowager Lin again. By the way, Empress Xie is also strange, what does it mean that she always comes to his aunt because she can't catch Her Majesty?His aunt is not His Majesty's biological mother, she avoids leisure and enjoys wealth and honor in everything, and even villains will find her slanderous, not to mention His Majesty's bed situation.As long as His Majesty doesn't meet a live goblin, even the biological mother can't care too much.

Lin Jing was not interested in listening to what he had to say. As expected, Queen Mother Lin only said, "You and Your Majesty are married, and the eldest son of the emperor is four years old. What are you worried about? Let me tell you, you just need to raise the eldest son well. You It's his first wife, the queen, who bears him children, who can he have without you in his heart?"

"Concubine Zhen of the Palace of Good Virtues..."

"Okay." Empress Dowager Lin interrupted Empress Xie and said, "What is a concubine? It's just a concubine, a thing for the emperor to relieve his boredom. Since you are the mother of a country, you must have the heart of the mother of a country. The emperor is busy every day. If you want to take a break from government affairs, there is nothing wrong with someone who relieves the emperor's boredom and pleases the emperor. Since you can't make the emperor happy, you should open your mind so that you can reward the concubine who can make the emperor happy. This is a way The bearing of the mother of the country." Then, Empress Dowager Lin ordered, "Zhang Jia, go and get some hairpins and rings to present to Shande Palace, and say that the empress and I rewarded Concubine Zhen."

Concubine Zhen is also the daughter of a good family, and her father is the prefect of one side, but compared to Empress Xie's family background, it is not worth mentioning.But the world is so strange, Emperor Zhaode didn't like Empress Xie, whom Empress Dowager Lin had chosen for him, and instead fell in love with Concubine Zhen.Concubine Zhen has been favored for several years, and just after the second princess was born, Emperor Zhaode was so happy that he rewarded the princess as a prince, and promoted Concubine Zhen to Concubine Zhen.

Concubine Zhen was so favored that she poked Empress Xie's lungs.Today, Concubine Zhen is promoted to the position of Noble Concubine after giving birth to a princess. If she gives birth to a prince in the future, wouldn't she be forced to surrender to Xianfengyi Palace!Empress Xie was angry with jealousy, disagreed with being promoted to the position of Concubine Zhen, and had a few disputes with Emperor Zhaode.Emperor Zhaode didn't like empress Xie at all, and in a fit of anger, he never set foot in Fengyi Palace again, and even more despised Empress Xie.Now that Empress Xie is here, she is really complaining.

It's just that Empress Xie didn't want to think about it, but how could Empress Dowager Lin stand up for her in the dispute between wives and concubines.

Empress Xie complained about her sufferings, Empress Dowager Lin reprimanded her a few words, and then said softly, "Empress, you are the daughter-in-law I personally chose for the emperor. I treat you like my daughter. Empress, I told you However, the emperor is the master of the world, and you have to follow him in everything."

Empress Dowager Lin looked at the early fine lines in the corners of Empress Xie's eyes, and then thought about the charming, bright, gentle and pleasant Concubine Zhen, she couldn't help sighing secretly, if she was a man, she would also like Concubine Zhen and abandon the Queen.Women always blame men for only seeing newcomers laughing, but they never know how to criticize themselves.Although Emperor Zhaode was not considered an outstanding emperor, he was not a foolish emperor either. In recent years, the eldest son of the empress had also been born, but he wanted to be favored by the emperor alone.If it wasn't for Duke Jin Xie's face, Empress Dowager Lin really wouldn't bother to talk to her.

Empress Dowager Lin tensed up and said, "Even if you and the emperor are not mentioned, you are a folk couple. You are also a person who has learned the virtues of women. How come you have forgotten the principle of marrying and obeying your husband?" Empress Dowager Lin said, " Which man has no temper, let alone your husband is the emperor. Now think about it, you and the emperor are so stubborn, who is the one who suffers? Your husband and wife are at odds, who is the cheapest?"

Empress Xie twitched, she had come to ask for help, and said in a low voice, "Mother, my daughter-in-law knows it's wrong."

Empress Dowager Lin said earnestly, "I know I made a mistake, and I have to correct it."

Empress Xie hurriedly said, "My daughter-in-law will remember what the mother said."

Seeing that Empress Xie gave in to Ruaner, Empress Dowager Lin said, "Think about it, how to tell the emperor to prepare a few meals that the emperor likes in the evening. You have been married for many years, so I don't need to teach you."

Empress Xie was a little embarrassed, and smiled, "The mother is making fun of her daughter-in-law again." Fortunately, Empress Dowager Lin was willing to help, and Empress Xie was very grateful, and after saying good things for a long time, she left.

Empress Dowager Lin always saves trouble, only the concubine Ling Gongfei, who is on the fifteenth day of the lunar new year, comes to ask An to serve her, and she raises flowers and feeds the birds when there is nothing ordinary.After finally dismissing Empress Xie, Empress Dowager Lin asked, "Where's Jinger?"

Zisu, the palace maid, replied with a smile, "At first, my brother came to look for the empress, and seeing the empress was there, so my brother went to study in the back study. The servant girl went to invite my brother to accompany the empress to relieve boredom."

Empress Dowager Lin waved her hands and said with a smile, "I've been sitting here for a while, I'll go and see him."

Lin Jing was enlightened early, but he did not read the Four Books and Five Classics, but more travel notes and miscellaneous books.Empress Dowager Lin likes travel notes, and she read and listened to Lin Jing a lot when Lin Jing was young.Occasionally, Emperor Zhaode saw that Lin Jing read a lot of miscellaneous books, and asked him, "The Four Books and Five Classics are orthodox. I think that Jinger is a natural beauty, and he is good at studying. It will not be difficult for him to be named on the gold list in the future."

Who knew that Lin Jing smiled and said crisply, "Your Majesty, I don't want to take the imperial examination."

"Then what do you want to do?" Emperor Zhaode asked with great interest.

Lin Jing thought for a while, and said seriously, "Danqiu in the East, Taihua in the West, travel to the North Sea and Cangwu in the evening."

Emperor Zhaode laughed and praised, "Jing'er has great ambitions."

Lin Jing happily showed his childishness, and said, "Now I have many treasures from His Majesty and my aunt, and I heard that they are worth a lot of money. I have money, and when I grow up, I can travel around the world. The joy of being a Jinshi in the examination."

Emperor Zhaode was not annoyed when he saw Lin Jing uttering such fallacies. Instead, he rewarded him with many things, so he loved him even more.

Lin Jing was engrossed in reading, and Queen Mother Lin was not disturbing.After Queen Mother Lin stood behind him for a while, Lin Jingfang noticed something.He hurriedly put down the scroll in his hand, got up to greet the Empress Dowager Lin, and gave up his seat to the Empress Dowager Lin.

Empress Dowager Lin sat down with a smile, picked up the book Lin Jing was reading, and asked, "What do you want for lunch, tell the small kitchen to let them prepare in advance."

Lin Jing said, "Chongyang is coming soon, it's a good time to eat crabs, but I can't eat them." As he spoke, he peeked at Queen Mother Lin with a look of disappointment and longing.

Empress Dowager Lin laughed, "Since you know you can't eat it, why are you talking about it?"

Lin Jing shook the Empress Dowager Lin's arm, and said softly, "I went to the small kitchen early this morning to have a look, and there are good big crabs, aunt, let me smell them too." Lin Jing was not ordinary. If he doesn't go anywhere else, he just walks around the palace of mercy. He is a boy, and he is just naughty at the age. of.

Empress Dowager Lin loved him very much, and couldn't bear his begging, so she had to say, "Don't eat too much."

"I know. I don't believe my aunt watched me eat." Lin Jing smiled openly. He is still young, and he is the beloved nephew of the Empress Dowager Lin. No one can do without him.Due to poor health, Lin Jing had many taboos.It's just that young people always have a bit of greed.

After staying for a while, Empress Dowager Lin and Aunt Lin Jing happily had lunch.Emperor Zhaode's lunch was placed at the place of Zhen Guifei in Shande Palace.

Concubine Zhen was born with a beautiful heart and a bright heart, which won the favor of Emperor Zhaode, and she just gave birth to her first child with Emperor Zhaode. Although she is not a prince, seeing Emperor Zhaode is also a joy. It is natural for Concubine Zhen to raise a daughter Carefully.What's more, Concubine Zhen has just given birth for a few days, her body is still a bit plump, and her every move adds to her charm.

Concubine Zhen and Emperor Zhaode talked about some interesting stories about the little princess. In fact, the milk baby who has just been full moon has interesting things to talk about.Concubine Zhen took advantage of the situation and said, "Not only Your Majesty and my concubine love the little princess to the bone, but also the Empress Dowager has rewarded my concubine and the little princess several times. Go kowtow to the empress dowager."

Emperor Zhaode smiled, "Your filial piety is well known to the Empress Dowager."

Concubine Zhen said again, "The empress has also rewarded my concubine today." Seeing Emperor Zhaode's face was slightly stern, Concubine Zhen took a cup of fragrant tea and said softly, "Concubine knows that Your Majesty loves this concubine, but this concubine The concubine thinks, the empress is His Majesty's first wife and the concubine's master. Last time, because of the concubine, His Majesty and the Empress were displeased, and the concubine felt very uncomfortable." Saying this, Concubine Zhen's jade-like fat Two lines of tears rolled down the face.

Emperor Zhaode was full of pity, and hurriedly wiped away tears for the beauty, "The empress has such a temper, what has it to do with you."

"The matter between Your Majesty and the Empress, naturally there is no place for my concubine to intervene." Concubine Zhen said softly, "The concubine also has little knowledge, but I heard my mother say before entering the palace that everything is going well with the family. This harem is Your Majesty's home. Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager are so stiff, not to mention the concubines, the Empress Dowager will also be worried."

"The concubine's carelessness is worthless, His Majesty is looking at the face of the Empress Dowager and Xie Guogong." Zhen Guifei said softly.

Emperor Zhaode's face was light, "Let's eat first."

In the evening, Emperor Zhaode went to Fengyi Palace as expected.

Concubine Zhen had her own dinner, and the palace lady Qingshi said in a low voice, "Your Majesty loves Your Majesty wholeheartedly, why would Your Majesty push His Majesty away?"

Concubine Zhen's eyebrows were light, and she said, "I don't want your Majesty to come to me. It's just that the Queen Mother and the Queen rewarded me, so what can I do." .

Thinking of Empress Dowager Lin, Concubine Zhen's beautiful eyebrows and eyes flashed a trace of displeasure.Even though she is the empress dowager, she is not the birth mother of her majesty. It is not enough to enjoy wealth and honor, but she even has to intervene in the affairs of the concubine. This hand is too long.Could it be that Empress Dowager Lin thought this was the late emperor's harem!

One day the emperor returns one courtier, if that's the case, don't blame her for clarifying the matter in front of His Majesty!

Concubine Zhen didn't mention all kinds of thoughts, but Empress Dowager Lin smiled faintly after hearing Zisu's report, and didn't say much, only made her retreat.

In a blink of an eye, Lin Yi dragged his family to the imperial capital.