Queen's Road in the Red House

If Xue Baochai could go to the palace every two months like Daiyu, she should be able to find another reason why she couldn't be the second prince's side concubine.

The queen's illness was only one of the reasons, and another secret that was only circulated in the palace was: the second prince's backyard caught fire.

The fire was so strong that Xin Hongcheng, who had been pinching the second prince for two years, couldn't bear to attack him from this aspect.

This incident can be traced from the second prince's wedding.

Others thought that the second prince married Xu Ying because he sincerely wanted to promote the status of his mother's family. Only some insiders knew how the second prince regretted missing the prostitute daughter of the Zhen family and was forced to marry his cousin.

Therefore, Xin Hongyuan was as cold as ice to Xu Ying, and even refused to hand over all the affairs of Wende Palace to his wife, and still put them in the hands of the maids he was familiar with.

Xu Ying is just the second concubine on the surface.Outside, she had to act as an eyebrow-raising case with the second prince, and when she returned to Wende Palace, under the instruction of the second prince, everyone treated her as air.

Such a gloomy newlywed life is indeed easy to drive people crazy.

Xu Ying naturally didn't dare to go crazy with others in the palace, so Concubine Liu, who entered the palace a month later, became her punching bag.

Concubine Liu's father, Master Liu, Shaoqing of Taichang Temple, is a rigid and upright person. Concubine Liu resembles his father, and her face is also like a judge, which does not match softness.Therefore, the second prince didn't like this side concubine either, so he simply put her on the shelf as he did with Xu Ying.

If she was favored, Xu Ying might be able to restrain herself a little bit. Seeing that the side concubine Liu was not favored, Xu Ying was ready to spread all the evil fire on her.

But this side concubine Liu is not a vegetarian.

Mrs. Liu came from a hard background, she was promoted step by step through the imperial examinations, and only saved some wealth in the past few years. So far, there are only a dozen or so servants in the family. Calculated as a child, Concubine Liu lived as a commoner who did everything by herself.

This hands-on work is not like that of historians. Girls only need to do their own clothes, sewing and other sewing work, and the food is still delivered to the house by themselves.

Such as chopping firewood, carrying water, cooking fire, killing chickens and herding cattle, Concubine Liu learned from her brothers and sisters when she was a child, and she did it very well.

Here Xu Ying just reprimanded you, you must not be extravagant but be frugal, and turning around, Concubine Liu put on coarse clothes and chopped firewood herself in the courtyard.

The eldest concubine Zhou Ling, who was asked to visit the door, bumped into it, and was immediately dumbfounded, and it spread all over the palace in the next day.

As the main concubine, Xu Ying has received a lot of back-stabbing gazes, the meaning of which is nothing more than: Look at how you are so unvirtuous and what you have forced the side concubine into!Actually chopped firewood and carried water by himself.

However, after two days of silence, she bought the small kitchen of Wende Palace and asked them to deliver cold meals to Concubine Liu every day.

Xu Ying could see clearly that this side concubine Liu was very poor, and she was wearing the rough cloth clothes for chopping firewood, which could not be found in the palace at all, and she brought them in herself.She definitely doesn't have much money to unclog the small kitchen. If she doesn't come to bow her head to herself, she will be prepared to eat cold food for many years.

However, Concubine Liu set up a stove at the door of her house after eating cold meals for two days.

Xu Ying was born as an official and didn't know stoves. At first she didn't know what this boxy thing was. It wasn't until an iron pot was set up on it and the firewood smoked into her room that she finally figured it out. Set up a stove to cook by yourself!

Aren't the dishes delivered by the small kitchen raw or cold? It doesn't matter if you return them to the pot and eat them hot.

Xu Ying was also stunned.

Who is this person, where did the big iron pot come from!

This dynasty really pays attention to women's dowry, especially the noble family of the Hou Mansion. The dowry prepared for daughters is not only hard currency such as land and shop silver, but also as large as beds, tables, boxes and chairs, as small as clothes hairpins, and even washbasins, combs, and silver needles. Silk threads and other bits and pieces are all in good order, just for the husband's family to see: the girl in our house married, and even the shrouds for food and clothing are all made by us, since we don't eat and use yours, it's shameful Don't treat our daughter harshly.

But that is marrying into an ordinary family. For girls like them entering the palace, even if they are concubines, it is impossible to bring in dozens of dowry. They can only bring five or six boxes and cages at most. Such a precious space naturally needs to be packed inside. The silver at the bottom of the box and the expensive clothes and jewelry are things that can support the facade in the palace.

Where did side concubine Liu come from!

Could it be that the four boxes she brought into the palace were either coarse clothes or iron pots and copper basins?

When Xu Ying was stunned, several groups of people came to Wende Palace.

After all, there is smoke here, and the palace is most afraid of flooding, and the nearby palace eunuchs all ran in in a panic: This is Wende Palace, and the princes live in it, and their heads will have to move if the water leaks !

However, after finding out the truth of the matter, the maids and eunuchs everywhere slipped away with the face of almost laughing.

The spread of this incident is wider, and even the Supreme Emperor and the Empress Dowager have heard about it—the Concubine Zhengui has some opinions on Concubine Ming because of the matter of Zhen Ran. listen.

Originally, the Supreme Emperor had been admonishing his grandchildren for more than a year, and he rarely reprimanded his emperor's son, but this time he still brought the empress over and questioned him.

Look at the two of you, the concubine who was chosen for the second child has a private meeting with the prince, but she is narrow-minded; , The one who caused the palace to be full of smog, if it spreads, it is not the person who lost the royal family.

After being scolded by the Supreme Emperor for a long time, the emperor turned his face to look for the bad luck of Concubine Ming and the Second Prince.

Concubine Ming was furious: What the hell are you marrying two of?

The Empress also called Concubine Ming over as the lord of the six palaces, scolded Concubine Ming, and finally said: "Last time you said that you would accept a side concubine for Yuan'er in the next year, I don't think so! Now he The only two people around me are making trouble like this, so it’s okay to have another one? The emperor also said, when his inner house is safe, when will he recruit new people!"

Concubine Ming hates it!

So the matter of Baochai was delayed like this years ago.

Concubine Ming originally wanted to take advantage of the Chinese New Year to beg the emperor, but the empress became ill after the Chinese New Year, and Concubine Ming immediately stayed behind closed doors, for fear of causing trouble.

Xin Hongcheng told Daiyu these things in the letter, not to see Xin Hongyuan's jokes, or the main purpose is not this.

He was very worried about Daiyu.

From his point of view, Xu Ying and Concubine Liu had a bloody feud, as if they were jealous, and devoted themselves to finding faults in various places every day.

And Concubine Liu is really a fierce person, and her various counterattack methods are astounding.

Even Zhou Ling, the daughter of a military general who was born in the northwest, and a chivalrous figure who can ride horses and shoot arrows, now avoids the second prince's palace, for fear of seeing these two sisters-in-law.

So Xin Hongcheng vaccinated Daiyu early, for fear that she would suffer losses in the future.

Don't be afraid of the smart ones, but be afraid of the crazy ones!

Seeing Xin Hongcheng's letter this time, Daiyu was interested in continuing to gossip about the second prince, so she breathed a sigh of relief: It can be seen that the empress is fine.

--

Royal Palace.

After Xin Hongcheng returned to the study from Fengyi Palace, he was startled when he saw the figure inside, and then he greeted him: "Third brother, it's such an hour, why are you here?"

The third prince has a beautiful face, and because he suffers from asthma, he never needs to practice riding and archery, so his skin is a little transparent and pale, at first glance he looks like a quiet girl.

Xin Hongying's tone of voice was always slow and gentle: "Fourth brother, let me take back some books that I don't need."

Xin Hongcheng smiled and cupped his hands: "Yes, the third brother will get married in March." Then he couldn't help but said with emotion: "From now on, there will only be me and the fifth brother here."

The third prince smiled: "The emperor's grandfather punished him more severely after he went to court to discuss politics, which may not be a good thing."

Xin Hongcheng grinned: "But a big marriage is always a good thing. I heard that the third sister-in-law is gentle and gentle, and was chosen by Concubine Kang herself. Let me congratulate the third brother first."

Ever since the second prince's backyard caught fire, Concubine Kang has rejoiced countless times in front of the queen: I still have to choose a good-tempered daughter-in-law!

Xin Hongying lowered her head, and when she raised her head again, there was embarrassment in her eyes, and she hesitated, "Fourth brother, can you do me a favor."

Xin Hongcheng was surprised, this third brother had always avoided them like snakes and scorpions, for fear that the crown prince's dispute would affect him, a wealthy idler, why would he take the initiative to ask him for help today.

"Third Brother, please tell me."

Xin Hongying's eyes dodged slightly: "This year's Chinese New Year, the emperor sealed the Sixth Palace, Zhuang's concubine and empress have already been promoted to the concubine position, but my mother and concubine are still only concubines..." Seeing Xin Hongcheng's serious expression, he quickly explained: "Four Brother, I know this is all the grace of the father. As princes, we have no reason to interfere with the status of the harem. I just want to ask you, the father always treats you the closest, did you show it? When we get married, what does it mean to raise my mother as a concubine?"

Xin Hongcheng looked at the expectant eyes of the third brother, and suddenly felt a little guilty.

The queen's words came to his ears: "Cheng'er, your father treats you very well. This year, the sixth palace was sealed off. I originally thought that Concubine Kang has served the emperor for 20 years, and there are three princes. She should be promoted to the concubine. Who Knowing that your father refuted it back, saying that there is no need to change the position of the concubine of the prince."

When the empress said this, her face shone with joy: "It's rare that even the Supreme Emperor didn't speak out against it! This time Concubine Zhuang and Concubine Yin stand up together, and there is no longer only Concubine Ming on the concubine position, and the background of the second prince is even less obvious. .”

Xin Hongcheng said softly: "Third Brother, Father seldom tells me about the harem."

A blush appeared on Xin Hongying's face: "I'm sorry, fourth brother, I was in a hurry." Then he changed the subject and asked about the Queen's condition.

Xin Hongcheng said with a smile: "My mother is getting better and better, and now my father is in Fengyi Palace, so I came back."

--

Fengyi Palace.

The queen leaned on the pillow, her face was like a full moon, with a little vanity.

The emperor was not polite: "I have already said that your disease is caused by gluttony and sleepiness! Didn't Wu Rui tell you that you are too fat and tell you to reduce your diet? Why did you lose weight for more than a year? You got a lot fatter before?"

The imperial physician kneeling below made Wu Rui sweat like rain.

Your Majesty, when did I say that the empress is too fat, and what I said was that I have a slightly plump body, okay?You are taking the old life of the minister.

The queen closed her eyes, selectively not listening to the emperor's words.

Since she married in Beijing, no matter in the palace or in the palace, the two noble concubines and concubines have always found trouble for her, and there are also a bunch of concubines with their own thoughts.

She copes extremely hard and exhaustingly, and often suffers losses.

But in the past year, her son's marriage has been settled, and she likes her daughter-in-law very much.The noble concubine suddenly changed her temper, although she was still not very respectful, she never made trouble for her again; the concubine Ming was rejected by the emperor, she couldn't afford to make waves, and she even stumbled twice in her son's marriage.

Every time Empress Yang heard about the excitement in the second prince's harem, she would be happy to eat two more bowls of rice.

The so-called broad-minded and fat, she now has nothing to worry about, so she naturally shifted her greater enthusiasm to eating and drinking.It is said that the diet is reduced, but who dares to really serve the queen with coarse grains and wild vegetables?

Xin Hongcheng's side was the dessert for the empress, but Empress Yang turned her attention to the dinner.

The body is getting fat day by day.

During the Chinese New Year, due to the busy palace affairs and having to take care of everything, Empress Yang suddenly became dizzy and couldn't stand, and fell ill for more than a month.

The emperor is not turning a blind eye to Queen Yang now, he always comes to have a look in his spare time.

But hearing what he said, Empress Yang would rather he not come!When he didn't come just now, Xin Hongcheng was here, and he didn't know how happy he was.

The emperor did not feel unpopular, and continued to sit and talk to Queen Yang.

"Although the year is over, March will soon be the marriage of the third child, and April will be the father's birthday, both of which are major events. You should have relieved your palace duties and take good care of yourself."

In the past, Empress Yang was unwilling, and the emperor asked the noble concubine Mingfei to assist the sixth palace just to slap her in the face.

But now, after thinking about it, she agreed: "Who is the emperor going to hand over to?"

The emperor had obviously thought about it a long time ago, so he just came to inform her: "Your concubine and Concubine Zhuang. Your concubine has assisted in palace affairs before, but she is a bit impatient. Concubine Zhuang is cautious and careful, so she can help her." Then the emperor bowed his head. He knocked on the table with his fingers and said: "You need to take care of yourself quickly, I still rest assured that you will handle Cheng'er's marriage!"

Speaking of this, Empress Yang's eyes lit up, and she hurriedly said: "The concubine also thinks the same way! Don't worry about leaving it to others. Look at the marriage of the second child, it is far worse than the eldest. It can be seen that the noble concubine is more capable than the Ming concubine."

The emperor sneered: He also came here to beat up the prince, how could he not know about this slave in the palace.

It's not that the noble concubine is more capable than the Ming concubine, but that the noble concubine has more money than the Ming concubine.

The emperor picked up a plate of snacks on the table, took a bite, then spat it out with a frown, wondering repeatedly: "Where did such an unpalatable thing come from? What is it? Could it be bran?"

Empress Yang nodded: "Oh, this is Concubine Kang's filial piety. She said she asked the Tai Hospital that I can't eat greasy and heavy sugar, so I made this rough snack for me. Your majesty, you also tasted it, isn't it? Even pigs don’t want to eat it?”

The emperor who just ate: ...

Lady Zou hurriedly served tea to the emperor and asked him to rinse his mouth.

Speaking of Concubine Kang, the Empress couldn't bear it: "Your Majesty, Concubine Kang has served you for 20 years, and now it would be embarrassing to call Concubine Zhuang a young one. The concubine knows that the Emperor loves Cheng'er, but the third child is weak, so she will take care of you." It shouldn't matter if it's to promote his concubine mother, or raise her role as concubine?"

The emperor frowned: "A woman's opinion! Don't you know to think about it when things happen? If I promote Concubine Kang now, wouldn't she follow the assistant to the Sixth Palace? Power can arouse ambition the most, although this child Yinger is sick and weak , but Taifu Qin has personally praised her for being smart and quick-witted. If it is settled, I will make up for her."

After finishing speaking, he got up and left: he was going back to Mingzheng Palace to get some sweets to eat.

Physician Wu, who was frightened half of his life, also ran away with the excuse of decocting medicine.

After Miss Zou saw that the emperor had left, Empress Yang was still in a daze, and she couldn't help worrying: "Your Majesty is not feeling well?"

Empress Yang shook her head: "I was just thinking, if I hadn't treated Cheng'er sincerely, how would the emperor treat me today?"

If she had been wooed by the imperial concubine or Ming concubine and had chosen to support their son, what would happen to her as a queen now?

"Do you think the emperor will kill me?"

Miss Zou was so frightened that she hurriedly covered the empress's mouth.

The Queen pulled her hand away.When a person is sick, he is fragile and loves to think wildly.Just now when the emperor came up, he didn't have another word of comfort, but just arranged the affairs of the harem like the government.Empress Yang was inevitably depressed.

She never loved poetry and books, but now she suddenly remembered the book of poetry that her sister recited repeatedly before she was married when she was a child: "You are a girl! You can't be with scholars. If you are a scholar, you can still get rid of it. If you are a woman, you can get away." , you can’t take it off.”

At that time, she asked her sister what it meant, and her sister said that it was the chagrin of a woman who married the wrong person.

At that time, Empress Yang didn't understand why there were so many worries and melancholy in the family of a daughter who was about to get married.

It wasn't until she herself fell into the palace and fell into the deep palace that she gradually realized the unspeakable suffering in such a simple sentence.

Miss Zou and Jing Su had seen her get angry and angry, but they rarely saw her so sad, so they inevitably shed two tears.

It was still Jing Su who explained something else: "Madam, Miss Lin will enter the palace tomorrow, it would be nice if someone can talk with you."

--

The next day, after Daiyu entered Fengyi Palace, she saw Zhou Ling and Xu Ying were already there, and behind Xu Ying stood a serious and upright woman, presumably the famous side concubine Liu.

As the aunt's mother, the empress is not in good health, so the first princess and the second concubine naturally have to serve her.

In the past, Empress Yang only asked them to hand over the cups symbolically and let them go on the pretext of taking a rest. Today, thinking about Daiyu's entry into the palace, she kept them.

Zhou Ling winked at Daiyu and smiled since she came in.

Daiyu met Empress Yang, and then she was going to greet the princess, Zhou Ling supported her: "Why bother making such nonsense?" In a few months, everyone will be sisters-in-law.

Xu Ying really wanted to accept Daiyu's gift, but in front of Empress Yang, she could only smile without smiling, so she refused.

Empress Yang just drank the medicine and was a little tired, so she said to Daiyu: "I heard that the plum blossoms in the plum garden are blooming well, you and the eldest princess go to pick two good ones, come back and put the vases in."

Everyone left, Zhou Ling took Daiyu's hand and went to the plum garden.

Xu Ying didn't want to go with the two of them, she only said that she wanted to go back to deal with the affairs of the palace, but Liu Fangfei said: "I have nothing to deal with, I want to go to the Plum Garden, I heard that the scenery there is very beautiful."

Speaking of Meiyuan, Xu Ying couldn't help thinking of the private meeting with the second prince that day, but was caught by King Rui and Xin Hongcheng on the spot.

Now the second prince is indifferent to her, all thanks to that day!

Now she also doesn't think that if she didn't have that day, she wouldn't be able to be the second concubine. She can only resent others, so that she can survive in this lonely and cold palace.

So she listened to Concubine Liu's words, gave Daiyu a cold look, turned around and left.

Zhou Ling said angrily: "Why is she crazy?"

Concubine Liu suddenly answered: "Princess, don't be annoyed, our empress is not feeling well in the past few days, so naturally her words and deeds are out of order."

Daiyu couldn't help looking at her, but Zhou Ling laughed outright.

After entering the Plum Garden, Concubine Liu took the court lady to the right alone in a very upright manner, not disturbing Zhou Ling and Daiyu to reminisce about the old days.

Zhou Ling then said to Daiyu: "I really hope that you will come to the palace to accompany me soon, see? Two crazy women." Seeing that Concubine Liu's back had gone away, Zhou Ling raised her head in that direction. Chin: "Seeing is better than hearing a hundred times. You just saw her attitude and rhetoric towards Xu Ying. And this one not only dares to speak, but also dares to act."

"During the Chinese New Year this year, the Supreme Emperor and the Emperor were very interested. They said that the two princes got married, so on the first day of the first lunar month, after rewarding the ministers with a big banquet in the previous court, they rushed back to participate in the family banquet in the harem."

Daiyu was startled and couldn't help asking: "Why, don't the two of them dare to make a scene in front of two saints?"

No, if there is such a big event, Xin Hongcheng will definitely tell her.

Zhou Ling shook her head: "They didn't make a fuss, it's because of their attire that attracted people's attention. There are many banquets in the first month, and the empress dowager and the empress dowager have to summon orders in turn. For her own face, Xu Ying asked the needlework bureau to replace her. A lot of clothes were made in a hurry, but the needlework bureau was so busy during the New Year's Eve, and she didn't dare to delay her as the main concubine. Naturally, Concubine Liu's clothes were less, only the four sets that were rushed out according to the rules, and they were not Very detailed."

"Then during the first lunar month, Concubine Liu wore these four slightly crude clothes, and the face of her head remained unchanged from the beginning to the end. You don't know, Concubine Ming's face turned purple."

The imperial concubine was overjoyed for a month.