a pillow in autumn

The author has something to say: Thank you Heng Que and Evanlu for mine, and thank you to all the friends who helped me rate and leave comments. Your support is the motivation for me to keep going.

I wish everyone a happy Lantern Festival.The head of the willow on the moon, don’t forget to make an appointment after dusk~

In the study room of Quanqing Palace, Shuyao sorted out the volumes that Zhou Mubai brought back from Qiongzhou, one volume after another, she could roughly read some characters, and placed them on the bookshelf according to the titles of the books.Zhou Mubai was sitting in front of the window holding a volume of books, but his mind was no longer on the thin pages.Bi Yue stood aside grinding ink, seeing her in a daze, she called her softly: "Your Highness~"

"Huh?" Mu Bai recovered and looked at her.

"Your Highness, this snow rice cake was sent by the Imperial Dining Room to cool off the heat of the palace masters, but you kept it warm. Let me change it for you."

"No need. Take it down. Use the ones outside." Mu Bai put the scroll on the corner of the table and rubbed the space between his eyebrows.

"What's your Highness worrying about?" Seeing that Mubai didn't answer, Biyue picked up the Xue Ci'er on the table and sighed: "In the past, Mr. Shen and His Highness studied together, and there was someone who could help out with ideas. I don't know when Young Master Shen will come back."

Thinking of the laughter of the Shen family brothers and sisters before returning to Beijing, Mu Bai shook his head, "Youtang's family is also urging him to propose a marriage for him, I'm afraid he won't be of much help here."

wow.

There was a sound of broken porcelain, Zhou Mubai was taken aback, and hurriedly stood up, only to see a piece of shattered porcelain, white and greasy snow cakes rolled all over the ground.Shuyao put down the book and took two quick steps, seeing that Biyue was half-sitting on the ground, still standing there in a daze.

"What's wrong? Did you hurt your hand?" Zhou Mubai also came around from behind the desk.

"Your Highness, don't step forward, be careful to hurt your feet by stepping on the debris." Shu Yao grabbed Bi Yue's hands with both hands and pinched them, and Bi Yue said vaguely: "I... I just slipped my hands one time."

"I'm fine. Where is Bi Yue hurt?" Mu Bai still walked up to them, not easy to grab her hand to see, and only asked with concern.

Biyue bit her lip but didn't speak, Shuyao helped her stand up slowly, seeing that her face was still a little gray, she let her be next to him, "I'll help her back to the room to rest for a while, Your Highness, be careful not to step on the porcelain." Pieces, I'll let the maids clean them up." Said halfway with Biyue in his arms and walked away.

It was noon again, Zhou Mubai was taking a nap in the bedroom, but he couldn't fall asleep, he just closed his eyes and rested his mind.Faintly hearing the rain falling outside the window, Shuyao told the little girl to bring in the thrush under the eaves, so that the feathers would not be wet by the rain.

Mu Bai raised his voice and called out: "Shu Yao."

After a while, Shuyao pushed the door open and came in, seeing Mubai sitting on the edge of the bed half-stretched, only wearing a coat, and took a moon gauze robe that she usually wears in summer to change for her.

"Is Biyue feeling better?" Mubai spread out his arms and let Shuyao take care of changing clothes.

"It's just laziness, the circles around my eyes are red, I don't know if it's heatstroke. I asked the small kitchen to make some mung bean water, and distributed it to everyone to reduce the heat."

"That's fine." Mubai listened to the first break of the rain outside the window, "You can ask someone to invite Imperial Physician Pei to show her in a while, and I have something to discuss with Imperial Physician Pei." Before leaving the room, he turned his head and told: "Whatever medicine you want to take, just keep it in the warehouse, and you too, don't let yourself be wronged if you spend money on food and clothing."

Shuyao just smiled as she watched her tall and tall figure drifting away.

When the little girl led Pei Dongcheng to the study, Zhou Mubai had already read the government affairs volumes before the desk for a long time. After returning from Qiongzhou, the lectures given by Taifu Shen were more focused on political affairs, combining the gains and losses of the past dynasties with the current state. The measures of each department are listed and explained one by one.

Seeing Pei Dongcheng come in, Mu Bai put down the scroll, and the little girl closed the door and went out.Mu Bai asked a few words, there is nothing serious about Pei Dong's becoming Bi Yue, but he didn't know why his mind was heavy, and he also prescribed a prescription to relieve it, so that Shuyao talked to her more.

Zhou Mubai nodded, tapping on the desk with his slender fingertips, thinking about how to speak.

Seeing this, Pei Dongcheng smiled and said, "I haven't seen you for a few days. I heard that His Highness's big wedding is coming soon. Then I will come to ask for a cup of wedding wine."

"I was thinking about negotiating with Mr. Pei, but you are laughing at me." Mu Bai frowned: "How did you know? There are rumors in the palace?"

"It hasn't been spread yet. It's just that the envoy of the Imperial Hospital asked for His Majesty's pulse yesterday, and he mentioned it when he came back. He only said that the daughter of the Shen family is both talented and beautiful, and that she and His Highness are a perfect match." Pei Dongcheng looked at Zhou Mu's white cheeks. Shang Weihong couldn't help laughing and teasing, "Teacher Shen is your mentor, Shen Youtang and you can be said to have grown up together, and the daughter of the Shen family is known for being talented, this marriage is in everyone's eyes. It’s a good story that has been told for centuries.”

"It's fine if other people don't know what to say inside, but you also say that." Zhou Mubai sighed, "I was just thinking about how to avoid it and not make people suspicious."

Pei Dongcheng coughed lightly: "It's not easy to treat the root cause of this matter, but it's not difficult to treat the symptoms."

"Please also tell Mr. Pei."

"As long as you pretend to be sick for a few days, I will prescribe a few prescriptions saying that you need to take care of yourself, and that you are not suitable for marriage at the moment. After a year or so, I will slowly think of a way."

Zhou Mubai lowered his eyebrows and thought for a while and said: "That's the only way to go." He rubbed his forehead again, "After the little emperor's grandson goes to the Zhou Dynasty ceremony, I will ask my father for an order to go to Qiongzhou or other states and counties to practice again. go."

"It was only His Majesty who said that he wanted to propose a marriage for you, so you immediately claimed to be sick. I'm afraid it would be inappropriate. Stay for a while and find a suitable time."

"It must be before the marriage." Zhou Mubai put down his arms and looked at Kong Mang, but his voice was slow: "I can't, I will miss her."

Shushizhai in Shen's residence is a small two-story building, which is used for collecting books and practicing calligraphy.This building is quite well-known among colleagues for no other reason. The century-old gentry of the Shen family produced all the well-educated scholars, and passed on the fragrance of books to the family. Over the years, it can almost be called the first building of folk book collections.At this time, Taifu Shen was standing in front of a row of log-colored bookshelves, looking at an old painting on the wall.A servant reported outside the door that the eldest and second young masters had returned.

Not long after, both Shen Qixuan and Shen Qike changed into homely clothes and came in to say hello. Taifu Shen twirled a few strands of white beard and raised his hand, letting them sit down, saying that during the day, Eunuch Liu came to deliver a message, and the emperor summoned himself to the imperial study. During the conversation, he intended to propose marriage to Prince Rui, and wanted to hire my granddaughter Shen Xianxun as Princess Rui.He said he looked at his two sons, both Shen Qixuan and Shen Qike immediately became happy.

"The third prince's character is outstanding. In the future, he will assist the great cause, and he will definitely be crowned king and worship minister. My Shen family..." Shen Qike is just an official editor, after all, not as calm as her elder brother. She stood up happily and hammered her palm, saying Before he finished speaking, he saw his father narrow his eyes.

"Is my Shen family relying on this nepotism?" Taifu Shen frowned, looking at his youngest son in disappointment.

Shen Qike's face was a little embarrassed, and Shen Qixuan patted his brother's shoulder.

"How have I taught you all this time?! My Shen family has a hundred-year-old foundation, and it has never been overgrown. In the government and in the field, I rely on real talents and learning." Taifu Shen looked at the two sons, and saw Shen Qike lowered her head in panic. , I guess I knew I was wrong.His words were still a bit harsh, but his tone was a little calmer, "The third prince is a dragon and phoenix among people, but it is even rarer to have a pure heart. I have taught him for many years, and I have also tested his ambitions, only to realize that he is not interested in power, but will All the common people in the world are held in their arms, and a pure heart has no distractions." Taifu Shen said that he was very pleased with his proud disciple.

"Then what does Father mean?"

"I am naturally interested in this marriage. But after all, the palace is very important...You let Yun He talk to Xian Xun, and see if she is willing."

At sunset, Fang Yunhe gently knocked on the door of her daughter's room, and the little girl Siyuan opened the door, and Shen Xianxun leaned against the bedside, holding a book in her hand.

Fang Yunhe pushed Siyuan out, and sat by the bed by herself, seeing her daughter blooming like flowers, thinking that she might marry into the emperor's family soon, she couldn't help feeling relieved and distressed.

"What's wrong with mother?" Xian Xun put down the book and took her mother's hand.

"Just thinking about it, as if yesterday you were a baby in swaddling clothes, and in the blink of an eye you are already a big girl."

"No matter how big a girl is, she is still mother's good daughter."

Fang Yunhe smiled tearfully, stroked her daughter's long hair and said slowly: "Your father just told me that His Majesty summoned your grandfather to the palace today." She slowed down, and then continued: "Your Majesty, I want to point you Marry to Prince Rui."

"Ah!" Shen Xianxun exclaimed, her face flushed, and she threw herself into her mother's arms.

Her mother patted her on the back and said with a light smile: "Your grandfather and your father are naturally happy, but you also need to be willing."

For a long while, Shen Xianxun remained silent, and her mother asked softly again: "Are you willing to marry the third prince?"

Shen Xianxun's ears were burning slightly, a little helpless and with a little expectation, she murmured like fine lines: "Father and mother are the ones who decide."

Under the emperor's instruction, the crown prince began to lead Zhou Mubai into contact with some specific government affairs, and sometimes discussed with her the state's corvee taxation, or simple memorials. The first contact was always unfamiliar, and there were many rules in each department, so she could only Learn bit by bit.Fortunately, she was always calm and did everything one by one without missing a single bit.

Summer is coming and the days are long, Zhou Mubai keeps busy and finally gets tired.This day after dinner, I greeted the emperor and empress, and went back to the dormitory early to take a bath and rest. Fang lay down and suddenly thought of discussing with Pei Dongcheng. It has been more than half a month, so he hurriedly called Shuyao, and said that he had a headache, Shuyao While rubbing it gently for her, while letting the little girl make calming tea, I served her to drink it myself.

"Is Your Highness feeling better? Why don't you invite Imperial Physician Pei to take a look?"

"At this time, Imperial Physician Pei is not on duty. Let's invite you when you come back from court tomorrow."

"Yes."

Shu Yaofu Yifu was about to step back when he suddenly heard calls from outside, "His Royal Highness has already rested. Princess wait a moment." "Princess, please slow down" "Princess..."

The bedroom door was pushed open from left to right, Zhou Mudi stood outside the door panting lightly, his eyes were red.

"Why are you here at this time?" Zhou Mubai got off the bed, and Shuyao casually took a robe and put it on for her.

"You all go down. I have something to say to Prince Rui." Zhou Mudi looked coldly at the girls who surrounded her. Xu'er was still holding her thin cloak in her hand, her chest was heaving violently, apparently she had followed her all the way.

All the girls looked at each other in blank dismay, and Xu'er pulled her wrist boldly: "It's really late at this time, the princess might as well go to the study and wait for Prince Rui to wash up before..."

"go out!!!"