Tangled

Outside the palace gate, Mu Xiaoxiao and Zheng Baolin chatted to relieve boredom.

"This plaque seems to be different from other places." Mu Xiaoxiao looked up, and the three characters of Zihua Palace were strong and powerful, "It seems to be newer."

"I heard people say that the names of the Lower Four Palaces were newly changed by His Majesty." Zheng Baolin raised his hand to cover the sun, and looked up.

"The next fourth palace?" Mu Xiaoxiao tilted her head, she was very unfamiliar with this word.

"The Lower Fourth Palace refers to the palace where the fourth concubine lives." Mu Luoluo just came out and continued, "Concubine Anxian's Zihua Palace, Concubine Song's Yanqing Palace, Concubine Su Shu's Shangqing Palace, Concubine Zhang De's Fulin Palace."

"I've heard people say that not only His Majesty's new name, but also the plaque is written by His Majesty, it's really a great honor." Zheng Baolin was full of envy, and only hated himself for being unable to enter the Fourth Palace.

"Then there is an upper fourth palace?" Mu Xiaoxiao simply asked a few more questions as it was okay to walk left and right on the road.

"Yes, they are Panlong Palace where His Majesty lives, Shoukang Palace where Empress Dowager lives, Fengyi Palace where Empress Dowager lives, and East Palace where Prince Edward lives." During Mu Xiaoxiao's confinement, Mu Luoluo had already figured out the layout of the palace.

"Then do you know why the name of the Lower Fourth Palace was changed?" Zheng Baolin asked.

"Slave is ignorant, I don't know." Mu Luoluo shook her head, she never thought of asking about it.

"It's better for me to explain this matter."

"See Zhou Zhaoyi, meet Shen Jieyu, the two ladies Wan An." Mu Xiaoxiao and Zheng Baolin hurriedly saluted.

"No." Zhou Zhaoyi raised his hand, "I see that you are also going in the direction of Fulin Palace, why don't you go together?"

"Thank you for your kindness." Mu Xiaoxiao lowered her head and knelt.

Mu Luoluo followed Mu Xiaoxiao to salute.If it is said that the two people with the best relationship in this palace are Zhou Zhaoyi and Shen Jieyu, Zhou Zhaoyi entered the mansion two years later than Shen Jieyu, and has been living under the same roof since the palace. Now, Zhou Zhaoyi is the master of Huiju In the main hall of the hall, Shen Jieyu lived in the side hall of Huiju Hall. The two supported and accompanied each other, and there was never any conflict.

"The four palaces here were originally Lianchun, Xixia, Yiqiu and Joyful Winter. The four palaces meant the harmony of spring, summer, autumn and winter. After His Majesty ascended the throne, he always felt that the name was not good enough, so he made a concubine and changed the name of the palace once. They are all changed according to the character of the concubine." Zhou Zhaoyi supported the maid's hand, and said slowly, "When the concubine Zhang first entered the palace, Si Tiantai once said that Zhang's life is full of hardships. His Majesty gave the palace the name Fulin Palace. The Zihua Palace of Xianfei has the meaning of poetry and calligraphy, and praises An's reading poetry and books, and praises An's scholarly family. Shufei's Shangqing Palace, It is taken from the fairyland of the upper Qing Dynasty, praised Su's immortal posture, pure and pure. As for the Yanqing Palace of the noble concubine, it has the meaning of katydid Yanqing, more children and more blessings."

As Mu Luoluo listened, she had to remember everything in her heart.

"Si Tiantai, why did you say that the concubine's fate is light on her fate?" Zheng Baolin was puzzled.

"This..." Zhou Zhaoyi looked at Shen Jieyu with some embarrassment.

"Few people in the palace know about this matter." Shen Jieyu smiled lightly and did not answer.

Those present were all discerning people. Seeing this situation, there was reason to ask more questions.

With Concubine De, Zuo just chatted a few homely things.Ever since Zhou Zhaoyi mentioned the origin of the name of Fulin Palace, Mu Luoluo has been very curious. Concubine Zhang De is so generous and approachable, and all she does is to accumulate blessings.

After leaving Fulin Palace, Zhou and Chen went back to Huiju Palace first, while Mu Xiaoxiao and Zheng Baolin continued to Yanqing Palace.

"This Yanqing Palace is far away from our courtyard, but Zihua Palace is closer. Why didn't we come to Yanqing Palace first, and then to Zihua Palace?" The question that Zheng Baolin had been suppressing in his heart finally came to an end. Ask the exit.

Mu Xiaoxiao smiled lightly, she didn't want to explain, she didn't forget Mu Luoluo's advice, not everyone in this deep palace is a friend.Seeing that Mu Xiaoxiao didn't explain, Zheng Baolin knew he was making fun of himself, so he simply kept his mouth shut.

·

On the imperial concubine's side, she didn't have any instructions, and she just chatted a few words about family matters and told her sisters to be harmonious.

Concubine Song is a sensible person, seeing that Mu Xiaoxiao is calm and has no intention of leaving, she knows that she must have something else to do.

"If there is nothing else, Sister Zheng will go back first. I have a few words in the palace, and I want to tell Mu Meiren." Song Guifei politely issued the order to evict the guest.

"Yes, the concubine is resigning." Zheng Baolin glanced suspiciously at Mu Xiaoxiao, then at Mu Luoluo who kept her head down.This is not easy for master and servant.

"Finally, what's the matter with you?" Song Guifei leaned on the cushion, her tone was lax and respectful.

"The concubine is under the care of the empress, and she has been able to get into the eyes of the majesty in recent days. The majesty wants to give the concubine a title. The concubine is afraid, thinking of her own incompetence and ignorance, so she wants to ask the empress to draw up a title. Give it to my concubine." Mu Xiaoxiao knelt on the ground, and said in a warm voice, "I think about it, the empress is a noble concubine and has served His Majesty for many years, so I think she understands His Majesty's preferences better than my concubine, so I dare to ask."

Mu Xiaoxiao fell behind, and the whole hall fell into silence.

Concubine Song was still leaning on the cushion, fiddling with her tassel earrings with one hand, while quietly looking at Mu Xiaoxiao in front of her.

Mu Xiaoxiao, who was lying on the ground, was at a loss, neither daring to raise her head nor to make a sound, her hands on the hem of her skirt couldn't help but secretly clenched.

Mu Luoluo, who was kneeling behind Mu Xiaoxiao, breathed a sigh of relief. Before coming here, she was worried that Concubine Song would not agree, but now it seems that she was thinking too much.

"I remember, the Japanese Palace rewarded you with a golden hairpin?" Song Guifei spoke slowly.

"Yes." Mu Xiaoxiao heaved a sigh of relief, the atmosphere just now was so oppressive that she couldn't breathe.

"Golden hairpin and title, you choose one." Song Guifei finished speaking, and glanced at the little maid next to her. The latter understood, and immediately came up to beat her leg.

"This..." Mu Xiaoxiao was in a bit of trouble, the current development was more and more deviated from Mu Xiaoxiao's vision, and now she didn't even know what to say and what not to say.Cold sweat trickled down the back of Mu Xiaoxiao's neck, disappearing from the collar.

"Hahahaha!" Concubine Song's clear and hearty laughter suddenly sounded, Mu Xiaoxiao raised her head in a daze, and looked at Concubine Song in bewilderment.

"Thinking about it, I haven't seen a pure and clean concubine like you for many years." Concubine Song sat upright, with a frank smile that didn't look like a person in the harem at all. The reason why Concubine Yipin was favored.

"Forget it, after all, every time a newcomer enters the palace, there will always be someone with a very high status. This palace sees you as kind, and you have the shadow of an old friend on your body. Instead of taking advantage of others, it is better to see you rising to the top." Song Guifei stood up Came in front of Mu Xiaoxiao, and gave her a "poetry" Husband He is a beautiful woman, she is a demon, she is beautiful and beautiful" ① to praise the woman's beauty and handsomeness. When I see you, I think you are a beauty. You are quiet and gentle , this word Xian, couldn't be more appropriate."

"Thank you, concubine, concubine!" Mu Xiaoxiao was so overjoyed that she almost couldn't hold back her tears.

"That's all that I can help you with, and the rest depends on your luck, but," Concubine Song paused, and slowly approached Mu Xiaoxiao, whispering in her ear, "You can make as much fuss as you want. Don't reach out to my Yanqing Palace, otherwise, even Su Qingwan won't be able to protect you."

Before Mu Xiaoxiao could restrain her smile, she was coated with a layer of fear by these words.Although Mu Luoluo behind didn't know what Song Guifei said, she could guess a thing or two from Mu Xiaoxiao's suddenly stiff body.

"As a concubine, I will definitely live up to my mother's high expectations." Mu Xiaoxiao suppressed her fear and tried her best to smile decently.

"Okay, step back, Wen'er will be here later." Concubine Song raised her eyebrows, turned around neatly, and her gestures were all domineering.Mu Luoluo didn't understand why she didn't become Zhonggong?

·

The next day, His Majesty stayed at Qinglan Courtyard, and Mu Xiaoxiao conferred the title proposed by Concubine Song.

"Xian?" His Majesty frowned slightly, and then sighed, "Husband is a beautiful woman who is a Xian Yao, a confidante who shines brightly."

Mu Luoluo, who was waiting by the side, was taken aback. Isn't this poem the origin of the word "Xian" that Song Guifei said?

"That's very good." The emperor nodded and called out, "Zhao Desheng!"

"The servant is here."②

"Order to clean up the Guanglu Hall, give the beauty Mu the title of Xian, and move into the Guanglu Hall on an auspicious day."

"The slaves obey the order."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Mu Xiaoxiao leaned on the emperor, smiling meekly.

Mu Luoluo stood at the junction of light and darkness, looked at Mu Xiaoxiao's smile, and felt a little worried for no reason. She put her heart on the emperor. Is it really possible in this deep palace?

But no matter what, Mu Luoluo lowered her eyes, since she had promised Aunt Yin, it was also for herself and Qingwan, so she must take good care of Xiaoxiao.Mu Luoluo thought, and slowly backed away, completely disappearing into the darkness.

·

"Did the Secretary of the Inner Court send you some new dried fruit recently?" Su Qingwan changed into a rare and neat dress, her long hair was casually tied behind her back, and she looked a bit cool.

"I brought it here early in the morning. I know that my mother likes to eat, and they all pick the best ones." It's been more than half of autumn, and the weather is getting colder and colder. On the one hand, Mrs. Su's wife asked, and on the other hand, Mu Luoluo asked, Zhen'er answered. He hugged a big cloak, ready to put it on for Su Qingwan.

"No need, I'm not going out." Su Qingwan dodged slightly, and winked playfully at Zhen'er, "Notify the small kitchen, heat up the stove, and I'll make some snacks later."

"Yes." Zhen'er looked at the much brighter Su Qingwan, and sighed in her heart, Miss Mu is indeed the person on the cusp of her mother's heart.

Although Su Qingwan's frailty was brought out from her mother's womb, she was still in the family of Zhongming Dingshi, and it was not too bad to take care of her since she was a child.It's just that he fell into the water that year, caught the wind and cold, and it took more than a year to get better intermittently, and he was frightened, and he couldn't sleep well at night, and his energy was far worse than before.

The imperial doctor once said that the concubine Shu's illness is the most taboo of depression, she must always be relieved, and she must not make noise and rest.The medicinal materials after entering the palace are several times better than those at home, and now that Mu Luoluo is close to her eyes, although she can't get close every day, her mood is always much clearer, and her body has also improved a lot. The emperor praised Su Qingwan for being so close. The color of the day is much ruddy.

"Why are you in the mood to make snacks today?" Zhen'er slapped hands beside her, feeling like she was still in the Su residence in a daze.

"I want to try my old skills." Su Qingwan smiled softly.

"What are you going to do? Rice cakes?" Zhen'er signaled the rest of the idlers to step back, and rolled up her sleeves a little.When I was in the Su Mansion earlier, both the master and the servant were like this.

"No, let's make glutinous rice balls today." Su Qingwan shook her head, looking at the ingredients in front of her, "Go, order someone to bring some more cane pulp and soy cheese."③

Zhen'er froze for a moment, but soon understood, and agreed.

The author has something to say:

①: Excerpted from Cao Zhi's Jing Si Fu

②: Officials in the Tang Dynasty called themselves slaves, and the word slave only appeared in the Qing Dynasty

③: Su Cheese, which is often called cheese in modern times