Gongshang Confidante

On the second day, the emperor issued an order, one is to welcome Princess Zhaoning back to the palace, and offer it to Concubine Xian at her knees; View of Huagong.

Since the day when Duan Ruohua entered the palace, all kinds of speculations have flooded forward and backward, not to mention that Huagong Temple is very close to Chengde Hall, and the people in front of the palace said that the emperor summoned Jade in Chengde Hall every night. Daoist Zhen, there were two times when she talked freely until dawn.

The concubines in the harem have repeatedly speculated about the relationship between the two, and even flattered the famous eunuch Li Chengqian in every possible way, but Li Chengqian not only covered his mouth tightly, but even his tendons were always tense. Who is this person who returned to the palace? But he is very clear that in the past, he had forgotten, but now that his faction is interfering in the affairs of the government, I'm afraid he can't hide it. Just the look of Duan Ruohua when he got off the sedan chair that day was enough to make him tremble with fear.

After the imperial decree came down, Taoist Yan Yuzhen was a relative of the empress dowager, and immediately sealed up those malicious speculations, and even heard that Taoist nun Yuzhen was very similar to the deceased queen mother in terms of figure and appearance, she spoke very little, and there was only one The servants of the palace, except for occasional visits to Chengde Palace, live in seclusion and never see guests.

It would be disrespectful if one dared to criticize the relatives of the Empress Dowager, the rumors would stop here, and no one would dare to mention it.

Moreover, the Chengde Palace is the place where political affairs are handled. The emperor met Taoist Yuzhen here, and he wanted to avoid suspicion. , won the emperor's attention.

But the officials were even more delighted when they heard that the emperor asked Li Chengqian to serve only outside the gate of Chengde Palace. Eunuchs were never allowed to intervene in court affairs. You must know that Li Chengqian had served the emperors of two dynasties. power cannot be underestimated.

The turmoil passed, and the days passed day by day. Although the emperor was still worried about state affairs, he did not work as hard as before.

Now that the boulder that weighed on his heart fell, the emperor's complexion gradually improved, and his body, which had been hollowed out by the disease, gradually recovered.

Chao'er knew Duan Ruohua's identity, but after her imperial grandmother entered the palace, her mind became more and more depressed. Except for dealing with state affairs with the emperor, she sat alone in the room, silent.

Chao'er sometimes went to the Hua Palace to watch, play chess with her, learn from her, and sometimes search for interesting things in the palace, trying to make her happy, but it is obvious that the emperor's grandmother's unavoidable, gradually thinning figure .

More than half a year has passed, Chao'er's anger towards her father has dissipated a lot, but she started thinking about it, but every time she asks someone to ask, the emperor refuses, hum, Chao'er doesn't want to see her father either, Chao'er My heart is even more angry, as if I am angry, I simply don't communicate with each other.

After Chao'er returned to the palace, the emperor handed her over to Concubine Xian, seeing that she was gentle and had no heirs, and that Concubine Xian ate fast and recited Buddha all the year round, so it would be good to treat Chao'er.

Chao'er is very active, and can't stand the loneliness in Concubine Xian's palace. Hearing that the peonies at the other end of the imperial garden are blooming well, she can't help but want to go and have a look. Before she gets close, she hears childish voices Frolicking, he looked up and saw the third prince Zhou Yue, with a short and sturdy body, lying on the railing by the pool, throwing pastries to the koi in the water,

"Yue'er, come here", a charming voice sounded, looking towards Zhao'er, she saw the imperial concubine Xue Ningrong shouting with a charming smile, and the emperor Zhou Qilin beside her, dressed in a bright golden dragon brocade robe, looked much better, Tall and tall, he was looking down lovingly at the chubby Zhou Yue who was running towards him.

"Father, concubine mother..." Zhou Yue trotted over, panting, "Look at this sweaty man", Xue Ningrong squatted to wipe his sweat, her face was pink, the emperor hugged Zhou Yue , teasing in my arms,

Zhao'er looked at it, her eyes became blurred and foggy, she raised her hand to wipe her eyes, they were wet, then turned and ran away.

For the first time, Chao'er felt terrified. She didn't monopolize her father's favor, the second prince, the third prince, and the four, five, six...

This year's New Year's Eve, the emperor's complexion was getting better and his body was getting stronger, and he held a family banquet. All the concubines, princes and princesses of the palace were present, and the concubines were in the top seats.Emperor Zhou Qilin was in a good mood, laughing constantly during the banquet, Chao'er sat under the banquet, occasionally peeking at the people in the dragon seat.

The emperor was in those days, but there were only a few heirs. Six years ago, Concubine Mei gave birth to Chao'er, who became the emperor's first child. Afterwards, after Su Xin, the daughter of the prefect Su Zhinian, entered the palace, she gave birth to the second prince. Zhou Ren, named empress, the emperor promoted prefect Su Zhinian to an official rank, and made Su Muhan the general of the town.

The following year, Shang Shu's granddaughter Xue Ningrong became a noble concubine and gave birth to the third prince Zhou Yue.

One year later, General Ning Yuanwei of Zhenbei was appointed concubine of the Ning family, who had four princes at his knees, and unfortunately died young. Shi Ling, the daughter of Shi Zhongyu, Minister of Rites, gave birth to the fifth prince.

Since then, the emperor has been bedridden with illness, seldom stayed in the harem, and there are very few royal heirs.

"Abandoning the old year and welcoming the new year, I found this sacred tree fragrance that soothes the nerves and nourishes the nature. I hope that the dragon will be healthy in the new year, and protect my people in the Zhou Dynasty." The second prince is half a year younger than Chao'er, young and mature, respectful Said politely, the emperor nodded in satisfaction,

The third prince also held the exquisite agarwood box, and his chubby body walked up to the emperor to offer a gift, stammering words of congratulations, even the little fifth prince grabbed the night pearl in his hand and put it in the emperor's hand , hugged Zhou Qilin, and kissed him on the cheek.

"Ren'er, Yue'er, I have a heart, I have a son like this, and I am very relieved." Zhou Qilin looked at the three princes dotingly, waved his hands and said, "Tonight is a family banquet, so there is no need to be formal." The fifth prince has the look of a loving father.

"Chao'er, go and say a few auspicious words to the emperor." Concubine Xian looked at Chao'er who was sitting under the mat, her cheeks puffed up, and she couldn't help but sneak a glance at the person on the dragon chair.

"No," Chao'er said awkwardly, "Chao'er, don't be self-willed, don't forget filial piety." Concubine Xian said a little more seriously,

Chao'er pouted and got up, walked in front of the emperor shyly, wearing a golden magnolia flower satin palace skirt, wearing a flowing cloud bun, fair and tender skin, eyes like cold stars, standing there pretty, The crisp voice said, "Chao'er congratulates the auspicious and holy peace of the father and emperor, don't complain about Lishang",

The emperor was looking at Chao'er with a smile, but when he heard this, his face sank slightly, as if he was caught in some kind of thought, and said lightly, "Go down", after finishing speaking, he didn't speak anymore, and asked Li Chengqian to lead the fifth prince down , a little dispirited,

The emperor lost his interest, and the banquet became quieter. Chao'er peeked at the emperor, but when he saw him, he ignored him, and sat down angrily, sulking, "Chao'er... hey", Dowager Xian sighed, and just put Chao'er embraced her and patted her lightly. Chao'er secretly wiped her tears away from others.

After the family banquet, Chao'er went to the Hua Palace to pay respects to Duan Ruohua, and saw her sitting alone in front of the window, dazed and absent-minded, with a cold back in her white shirt, as if she was an exile who was about to fly away in the blink of an eye, so lonely, lonely.

The maid was not here, and she wanted to come to celebrate New Year's Eve, so Chao'er obediently walked up to Duan Ruohua, and shouted, "Grandmother, Chao'er greets you",

"Well", Duan Ruohua raised his sleeve to cover his eyes, Fang turned around, his eyes were reddish, "Does the imperial grandmother miss Aunt Qing?", Gu Qingsheng was afraid that Chao'er would call her old, so she always asked her to call her aunt. , but Duan Ruohua's seniority is there again, every time Chao'er yelled that, Gu Qingsheng always complained dissatisfiedly, Duan Ruohua stroked Chao'er's head, thinking of that person, the corner of his mouth slightly raised, followed by bitterness again.

"The emperor is here..." There was a message from outside the temple, and the palace maid rushed to greet her in fright. She thought that after the family banquet, the emperor would rest in the harem, but unexpectedly, she drove to Huagong temple.

Before Duan Ruohua got up, the emperor had already walked in, repelled everyone, bowed and said, "I'm going to spend New Year's Eve with my mother, can I have a meal for my mother? I brought some here." After finishing speaking, people were prepared on the meal,

"Sit down", Duan Ruohua said lightly, "I don't have a good appetite, so I used it casually", "The queen mother has lost weight", the emperor said, Duan Ruohua stopped talking, so the emperor filled two glasses of wine and pushed one In front of Duan Ruohua, the two drank silently.

Between the cups and cups, "The emperor's dragon body has just recovered, drink less", Duan Ruohua said, the emperor nodded, and just sat by the table, pouring wine for Duan Ruohua.

Chao'er sat next to her, deliberately turned her back to the emperor, but her round eyes couldn't help but look at the emperor, Duan Ruohua looked into her eyes and said, "Chao'er, don't argue with your father anymore!" angry",

"No to Chao'er," said Chao'er with a stiff neck, "Chao'er, I do feel guilty about your concubine's mother. I miss Concubine Mei." The redness of the face stained the eye sockets,

"Chao'er lost her mother and concubine, and now, even her father is gone." Chao'er blushed and said angrily, "Nonsense, isn't your father here?" Duan Ruohua wiped the corners of her eyes Tears, looked at the emperor,

"Chao'er, do you hate me in your heart?" the emperor said, with a sad expression on his face, seeing Chao'er's face similar to that of Concubine Mei, his heart ached.

"Chao'er even saw the last time of mother and concubine... When Chao'er missed mother and concubine, the father was hugging the third prince, Chao'er, of course Chao'er hated", Chao'er stood up angrily and stared angrily. The emperor said, "In addition to the concubine mother, there are Concubine Ning, Concubine Yu, and the three thousand harem. Besides Chao'er, the father also has second and third younger brothers... But Chao'er has nothing left! !",

"Chao'er! You are presumptuous!", the emperor reprimanded in a deep voice, just about to stand up and hold Chao'er who was walking out, when his face suddenly changed, he clutched his chest, and fell to the ground dripping with sweat,

"Come here! Call the imperial physician!!" Duan Ruohua was startled, and shouted loudly, Li Chengqian hurried in, "Take the emperor to Chengde Hall, call the imperial physician, it is inconvenient for me to come in front of you now."

After the emperor and Chao'er broke up this time, it was even rumored that Princess Zhaoning made the emperor so angry that he had heart palpitations, and then the emperor was depressed, worried and tired. Sometimes, even the family banquet made Chao'er unnecessary. .

Princess Zhaoning, who was once most favored by the emperor and the first child she put in the palm of her hand, has completely fallen out of favor.