[Red Mansions] The Road to Empress Dowager

Mrs. Song told Li Xiuqi on her way home from the embroidery workshop. This matter has been haunting the couple's minds for two months.After the autumn harvest, the Li family made up their minds to go to Beijing to find relatives.However, the whole family fell ill on the way, and it took them three months to arrive in Beijing. They rented a house in the civilian area of ​​Nancheng, Kyoto, passed the new year smoothly, and then inquired about the location of the Xing Mansion.But during this period of time, the little money accumulated over the years has also been spent.

Xing Li said: "The empress is not seen by everyone. Only the madam and the official daughter can enter the palace to greet the empress. You want to congratulate the empress, but you can't do it. If you have this heart, I will be a mother. Take it for your empress."

Mrs. Song fell to her knees with a thud, and cried, "I haven't seen my sister-in-law for more than ten years, so I shouldn't have said it, but I want to be close relatives of the same family, so where is the overnight hatred..."

Just as I was talking, I heard a report from a maid outside, saying that someone from the palace had sent someone to deliver something.Mrs. Xing and Li came to the kang under the orderly service of a group of maids, and went to the hall, and ordered Bilian to entertain the Li family members in the side room for a snack first.

However, a servant girl put a red blanket on Mrs. Xing and Li, surrounded by many well-dressed servants and nurses, and went out of the house to the main hall. She had no time to pay attention to the Li family.

Li Xiuqi and his wife looked at the demeanor of this super princess, and they felt awe, envy, inferiority, regret, and worry, all mixed feelings.

The palace rewarded Tan Qian with a set of expensive four treasures of the study, but the empress knew that her brother-in-law was back and made a contribution, so the emperor was "stingy" and didn't take away any money.They also gave two plates of preserved plums to the pregnant Su Fu'er, and a box of snacks to Mrs. Xing and Li. These were not worth much, but they were the Queen's wishes, and everyone in the house was delighted.

Xing Zhong also came back to the house, and when the couple had dinner alone, Mrs. Xing and Li talked about the arrival of the Li family.

Xing Zhong couldn't help frowning, and said: "Although I was responsible for what happened back then, it was because I couldn't be the support of your mother and daughter, which made my uncle's family look down on me. However, my uncle and the Song family can't treat me that way. You, they deducted your dowry, and even slapped you, the kinship was also lost at that time, otherwise it is absolutely impossible to ignore the past."

Xing Li asked: "Then what is the master going to do?"

Xing Zhong thought for a while and said: "Give me some money, send them back to their hometown, and let them use the money to buy a few more acres of land."

In today's Jiangnan, the tax-free land for people with fame and official status is extra. Landlords who have land and no fame also have to pay land taxes. It is about between "eight taxes one" and "ten taxes one". There is still stability in buying land. of income.

Mrs. Xing and Li couldn't bear to think of her old father, but thinking about the heartlessness of her brother and sister-in-law that day, it was hard to swallow the breath in her heart.

Mrs. Xing Li ordered people to take the Li family to an ordinary guest room to stay overnight, but they disappeared tonight.

There was a girl who reported that they hadn't eaten yet, so Xing and Li couldn't laugh or cry, so they asked the kitchen to prepare some meals for the guest room.

But it is said that Li Xiuqi's family was led to a small courtyard of an ordinary guest room, but this place is ten thousand times stronger than the tile-roofed houses of their hometown, and it is not the same as the place they rented in the southern city of Kyoto.

Song Shi, Zhang Shi, Yao Shi, and Li Qingqing were shocked by the wealth. Seeing this Xing Manor, even an ordinary maid is much more respectable than them.

The family only ate two steamed buns when they went out in the morning. When they were waiting in the side room, they were so hungry and tired that they ate all three plates of dim sum, which made the maids laugh secretly.However, under the guidance of a few powerful nuns in the Xing Mansion, the Xing Mansion is also a new rich man, and there are no children from such a complicated family, so the rules are very strict, and they cannot laugh at guests in public.

But snacks can't satisfy the hunger. At this time, a maid finally set up a meal in the back hall of the guest room. The whole family squeezed together on the same table, gobbling the white rice for a while, but saw four dishes and one soup: one A plate of chicken, a plate of braised pork, a plate of radish, a plate of Xianggu, and a large bowl of broth.That's what they do at most during Chinese New Year, but this is just an example of a table of second-class maids.

Everyone hiccupped after eating, and when they returned to each house, they saw the kang burning, which was warm. The whole family remembered the hardships of the journey to Beijing, and couldn't help but shed tears.

Li Xiuqi 1 regrets that he didn't listen to his old father's words, and he and his sister-in-law helped each other to live a good life, so he listened to Song's words, coveting the dowry his parents prepared for his sister and the two tile-roofed houses that his sister-in-law and his family borrowed.

At that time, he and the Song family were still discussing that the tile house would be vacated, and the son would marry a daughter-in-law when he grew up, saving a sum of money to buy a house, and taking away the dowry from his younger sister, so he would not have to worry about marrying a daughter-in-law in the future.

Seeing Mrs. Song touching the comfortable soft quilt on the kang, Li Xiuqi said: "If we see my sister again tomorrow, we will desperately ask for their forgiveness. If you dare to do bad things and make my sister unhappy, I will divorce you." .”

Song came back to her senses and said: "You have no conscience, I have been taking care of the family for decades, you are telling me this now! Who would have expected that my sister and brother-in-law would have such a good fortune? Do you think If you get close to your sister, you can divorce me so that you can marry a fresh one? You are dreaming!"

Li Xiuqi was furious and said, "You... are unreasonable!"

As soon as Mrs. Song heard this, she burst into tears, and it was the eldest son and daughter-in-law who came to see them from the next door and persuaded them again.

Mrs. Song pulled Li Tingxuan back and said, "Tingxuan, your aunt loved you the most in the past, so please beg her well tomorrow, and we'll come all the way to recognize this relative! Mom, it's for you and Dong'er. ah!"

Li Tingxuan was nine years old when Xing Zhong and Xing Li were kicked out of the Li family, and was so frightened that he cried loudly.Li Xiucai's wife passed away a few years ago, and Li Tingxuan was born less than a year ago, and the Song family was pregnant with Li Tinglang again, and Li Tingxuan was taken care of by his sister-in-law.At that time, the whole family was too busy, Xing Zhong came, and was just adding someone else. Li Xiucai agreed with his son-in-law to live at home, and they lived together for many years like that.Although the brothers and sisters had quarrels, under the concession of Xing Zhong and his wife and the suppression of Li Xiucai's filial piety, there was no major conflict.

But when Li Xiucai died, Song always felt that his younger sister's family had taken advantage of her, Li Xiuqi was also moved, and finally the relatives made trouble like that.

Li Tingxuan was eight years old as far back as he could remember. He was very reluctant to leave his aunt in his heart, but an eight-year-old child couldn't change the adult's affairs.But my aunt is no longer the aunt she was back then, she is Mrs. Cheng Engong, a super class, and she didn't look at him too much today.

Seeing that Li Tingxuan was dull, Mrs. Song patted him and said, "You just don't have a conscience and don't think about your family. Dong'er is your own son, so don't you think about his future? If your aunt nods, then the empress will You kiss your cousin! It’s your cousin! It’s Dong’er’s aunt!”

Li Tingxuan was the eldest son, because the Song family later gave birth to Li Tinglang, and he grew up with his aunt, so the Song family naturally loved the younger son more.He has been neglected by his mother for a long time, so his character is much weaker and duller.

"Aunt... I'm afraid she won't recognize me."

……

In the morning of the next day, Xing Zhong and Xing Li met the Li family in the flower hall of the main courtyard. They had already prepared 500 taels of silver bills, which was enough for them to chew on for a few years before buying some land.

However, when Li Xiuqi and Song Shi saw him, they burst into tears, talking about the difficulty of the past ten years and the hardships of the journey from the north to Beijing.

Mrs. Song pushed the eldest son forward, and said to Mrs. Xing and Li, "Sister, look at this is Tingxuan. Tingxuan was only nine years old when you left. That year he cried every night for his aunt. dear aunt and nephew."

Mrs. Xing Li looked at her nephew. He raised his head and called her timidly.Mrs. Xing and Li saw that he looked seven points like Li Xiucai, and he was with him back then, so she couldn't help but feel sad.

When Xing Zhong thought of his father-in-law's care for him back then, he couldn't help but feel unbearable.So, let them stay in the guest room for a while, and wait until the emperor's empress sacrifices to Tianxun Street.

Xing Zhong relied on Chen Yan a lot in his actions, and now he also relies a lot on Tan Qian. He can't hide his background. How to deal with this matter, even if he asks in private, he can't defend himself.

So I asked the two of them to drink tea and discuss. Xing Zhong talked about the estrangement between himself and his uncle in the past, as well as his original plan.

Chen Yan said with a smile: "Then will the father-in-law send someone back to his hometown tomorrow?"

Xing Zhong sighed: "Speaking of which, I did something wrong back then, which caused my wife and daughter to suffer. My father-in-law treated me well, and even though my brother-in-law looked down on me, it didn't count as abuse. It's just that Mrs. Song was a bit mean, and my wife was really wronged back then. Now, I am also in a dilemma, if I send this family away ruthlessly, I will feel sorry for my father-in-law, if I stay, I will feel uncomfortable."

Chen Yan got up suddenly and gave a salute to Xing Zhong, Xing Zhong was startled and said, "Why does Mr. Chen do such a great gift?"

Chen Yandao: "The Lord is kind and generous, and he deserves my worship."

Xing Zhong couldn't help being happy when he heard his praise.

Xing Zhong smiled and said: "I just saw that the child is so old, and it is useless to pursue it. Thinking about it carefully, the uncle and his wife hadn't kicked our family out, and we would not have rented the Panxiang Temple. The empress would not Sister Fu teaches poetry and books, if my mother doesn't understand poetry and books, she won't get the meaning of a sage, and I don't have this kind of grace. And I lost a sister Fu as a daughter, so I naturally lost my son-in-law Qian'er."

Chen Yan said: "The so-called 'misfortune comes with blessings', but this sad incident has brought about even greater blessings. Although the Li family's brothers have faults, if the Li family has merits, the Duke of the State should still use them if he wants to use them." of."

Xing Zhong asked again: "I don't know how to say this?"

Chen Yandao: "For the sake of future generations, the Duke of the Kingdom already has Uncle Xiaoguo. Uncle Xiaoguo will have someone to help him in the court in the future, but there must always be someone under his command. It is common sense for people in this world to welcome the high and step down. The Lord is clear in his heart, are the people who come to support the Duke’s mansion now better than the Li family? A husband has a clear distinction between grievances and grievances, and managing a family needs to guard against the passing of time, but it also needs to realize that no one is perfect in the world, and when the water is clear, there will be no fish."

Xing Zhong nodded and said: "Listening to Mr.'s words, I always feel enlightened."

Chen Yandao: "There is one more thing. I said it, but I was afraid that the father-in-law would be angry."

Xing Zhong said with a smile: "Why is this between you and me? I have today, and I have to rely on Mr. to point out, and Mr. is loyal. How can I not know the good people and turn the other way?"

Chen Yan cupped his hands and said, "My lord is already honored and favored like no other, but if he is in the court, I don't know how the lord can stand himself?"

Xing Zhong couldn't help being puzzled, and said: "I'm only on duty at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, but I don't have deep contacts with the previous court, but I only have deep contacts with Lin and Shi."

Chen Yandao: "My father-in-law was born in a poor family, and his civil and military skills are ordinary, but he is in such a high position. This is the time when everyone is jealous. My father-in-law thinks that if there is no favor from the emperor and his wife, what will my father-in-law do in the honorable civil and martial arts?"

Xing Zhong couldn't help being shocked, and said with a wry smile: "I can't do it myself, and you don't have to come and make fun of me, sir."

Chen Yandao: "I'm not joking, my lord. If you are in a high position without civil and military skills and meritorious deeds in governing the country, it is difficult to convince people. This is human nature. Although Uncle Li is wrong, but if it is easy, he will dismiss people." When returning home, people who don’t know it but are envious of the father-in-law’s wealth and wealth will inevitably think that the father-in-law is a cold person, a villain who succeeds, and turns his face and denies him. In this way, Chaowen Wu and the people also look down on the father-in-law. This country If the Duke cannot rely on his talents in civil and military affairs, then the word of mouth among the people in the court is very important. Although the Li family was ruthless first, but because of the father of the village, Mr. Li, if the Duke does this right now How can someone who is already on good terms look at my father-in-law?"

To put it bluntly, your family background is weak, you can't kill enemies for the king without martial arts, and you can't rule the country for the king if you don't pass the Jinshi exam.What Chen Yan told him was that it depends on character.It sounds ridiculous, but that's the way people are.Wen failed, martial arts failed, and even his character was lost. Gao Ju Guogong was like a grasshopper in autumn, unable to jump for a few days.

Xing Zhong thought for a while and said: "Brother Lin and Brother Shi also said that I only know relatives who are rich and honored, but we can share wealth and honor, not adversity. The few families are still good friends, but they are far away from each other in their hearts."

Chen Yandao: "Brother Li's husband and wife matters are minor matters, but the father-in-law's reputation is a major issue."

Xing Zhong clapped his hands and said, "Sir, you are far-sighted, different from ordinary people like me."

Chen Yan said with a smile: "My lord is no ordinary person. If he is an ordinary person, I'm afraid there will be no hesitation and embarrassment at this time. He will never recognize the Li family."

Tan Qian also interjected at this time: "Father-in-law, you also have to look at the character and talents of the relatives of Li's uncle's family. If you can pick someone to cultivate, whether it's studying or doing business, as long as you can stand up, there is nothing wrong with the Duke's mansion." loss."

Tan Qian also added what Chen Yan said earlier, to cultivate the idea of ​​"reserve cadres" for the "family business" of the Xing family.The Li family is not as scandalous as Xing Dequan, for example, how old is the little grandson.Tan Qian had seen those two cousins ​​before, and they didn't look like treacherous and violent people.Regardless of whether it is governing the country or doing any business, the most difficult thing is that there is no one in the hands. Now the people in the Xing Mansion who can take care of the affairs are mostly people from the emperor and Xing Xiuyan who accumulated when they were in the Lin Mansion.

And the family property of the Xing Mansion is not big, let alone compared with the rich like the Lin family and the Xiao family, it is much weaker than the Shi family.At this time, it is also the time for employing people. Whoever is employed is not useful. To promote and train a slave must be loyal and selfless?

Xing Zhong is so willing to reluctantly recognize this relative.

Xing Zhong listened to the opinions of Chen Yan and Tan Qian, and when he saw Li's family again, he gave them a warning, and then said that if they want to settle in the capital, the Duke's Mansion will barely help for his father-in-law's sake.Only then did Li Xiuqi and his wife let go of the big stone in their hearts, but the Li family really produced a few useful people, but that's another story.

Even outsiders don't know about Li's coming to recognize relatives, but relatives who are close to others know about it. Everyone sees that Xing Zhongnian's father-in-law's old relationship has not turned against his ruthless brother-in-law, and they also feel that he is generous, loyal, affectionate and righteous. The villain is different, but he is too kind.

Since then, Xing Zhong has followed the line of character, respecting corporals, being willing to do good deeds, and has a good reputation among the people in the court.

……

However, it was said that the fifteenth day of the first lunar month would soon come, and Xing Xiuyan had to get up early, and let a few court ladies and many palace attendants put on the queen's make-up that was rushed to make.

Wearing a new crown of twelve dragons and twelve phoenixes made by master craftsmen of the inner palace.Today, when the weather is getting warmer, she wears a small woolen jacket, and then wears a dress with singles, Zhai clothes, and knees. It is neither cold nor bloated.Wrapped around the waist is a side belt of queen-level makeup, the big belt hangs down, and is wrapped with a jade belt. Two jade pendants the same as the emperor's hang down in front of the knees.

Under the service of the court ladies, Tu Yuanyi put on the newly-made emperor's mianfu and the twelve-pronged crown on his head.

The emperor's imperial driver Luanyu, the queen's Luanyu and the ceremonial guard of honor had already been waiting at the door of the palace early in the morning. In front of them was a yellow umbrella of Nine Dragons, followed by a yellow umbrella of Nine Phoenixes, and the drum team was also on the side.

Tu Yuanyi took Xing Xiuyan out of the dormitory, and saw the brightly dressed eunuchs and maids crowded in front of him covering the sun with banners.The Qianyuan Dynasty, which has always been frugal, is even more ostentatious today than when Gaozong was in power.

The two went to Luan Yu according to the ceremony, and Zhao Gui sang: "Get up!"

Then, Xing Xiuyan discovered that sixteen eunuchs lifted the embroidered Feng Luanyu, behind Tu Yuanyi's imperial driver, a group of people marched in the direction of Daming Palace in a mighty manner.

Amidst the sound of rites and music, Sheng Jia walked around to the south gate of Daming Palace and entered. At this time, in the vast square in front of Daming Palace, there were officials of the seventh rank and above standing in Beijing, with rows of black heads in black hats.

When Shengjia arrived, Gu Du knelt down to worship, and Xing Xiuyan sat in the Luanyu. At this time, Fang felt the shocking momentum under the monarchy.

Tu Yuanyi took a step ahead, got off the imperial car, and entered the Zichen Hall of the Daming Palace on a majestic Danxi that only the emperor could walk.

Xing Xiuyan got off Luanyu, and with the support of two Li Shanggongs, climbed up the majestic palace steps, and stepped into the hall crowded with hundreds of civil and military officials and noble clans.

She moved step by step to the position that symbolizes the pinnacle of power, from a poor girl embroidered mother to a mother in the world, all officials return to their hearts, fortune is important, but it is not easy.There is no place in the world for a soul waiting to be bestowed, only to make progress, whether it is love or power.

"The concubine pays homage to the emperor, long live my emperor, long live, long live, long live!"

Then, Tu Yuanyi ordered Honglu Temple to read the imperial edict, and named Xing Xiuyan as the queen. In accordance with the cumbersome etiquette, he knelt and knelt, chanted and chanted.In the end, Tu Yuanyi got down from the dragon seat with his own hands, and gave the empress the phoenix seal, helped her up, went up together, and sat down on the dragon chair.

The sound of the drums shook the Honglu Temple, and the minister of the temple led all the civil and military officials inside and outside the palace, as well as the nobles of the clan, to perform three worships and nine kowtows. Only the empress in the harem can afford this ceremony, and it is only available on formal occasions.

At this time, Xing Zhong, as the Duke of the state, naturally saluted among the members of the Order. Even though he was worshiping his daughter as a father, he couldn't help but burst into tears.From now on, Yan'er is the real queen.

After paying homage, the emperor brought the new queen to the ancestral temple to worship the ancestors, followed by the clan princes and concubines.

Then go all the way to Shangyang Palace to pay homage to the old saint and the queen mothers of the two palaces. After the new year, return to Ganlu Palace to accept the visits of the concubines in the inner palace.

In the evening, there was another Lantern Festival feast for the ministers and imperial orders in the Zichen Hall. After the banquet, the emperor led the ministers and high-ranking imperial orders to the tower to watch the lanterns and fireworks.Also, the officials of Honglu Temple led several people in Kyoto to pay homage to the empress under the city tower, congratulate the empress, and celebrate the festive season together.

Xing Xiuyan had already replaced Zhai Yi's makeup at this time, and the phoenix crowns of twelve dragons and twelve phoenixes were too heavy.She was wearing a bright yellow phoenix robe with a red edge, and Tu Yuanyi, who was wearing a yellow robe of the same color, looked at the continuous fireworks in the sky.Today is the Lantern Festival, and it is the day of the Queen's Closure Ceremony. As long as the residents of Kyoto are still relatively wealthy, they will buy fireworks to set off to celebrate.

Xing Xiuyan sighed: "It's still too much work and extravagance."

Tu Yuanyi said softly: "It's only once in a lifetime, don't say that the Empress Dowager Ceremony is not as good as a concubine visiting relatives."

Xing Xiuyan smiled lightly: "When have I ever been this kind of person?"

Tu Yuanyi smiled lightly and remained silent, and there were many poems chanting today's grand events on the spot by talented scholars in the Imperial Academy, which are well preserved in later generations, and are precious materials for historians who want to study Emperor Shengwu and Empress Xing.

After the canonization, the spring has already begun, the rest of the officials is over, and the common people have to start a new year to make a living.

On the first day of February, at the Temple of Heaven in Daming Palace, the empress held the second ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven after Emperor Qianyuan ascended the throne.

After the ceremony was completed, the emperor and empress Luanjia patrolled the streets under the guard of Jinyiwei and Gongshengjun, waving banners all the way, and the people knelt down to worship.

Hua Zhenzhu was calculating the accounts for the previous three days in the shop. She and Jia Huan jointly opened three North-South merchant shops, and she presided over the internal affairs of the shops.And Hua Zifang and several cousins ​​also formed a caravan to travel north and south.

Hua Zifang walked around the street, went back to the shop, saw her sister, and said, "The emperor and empress are going to pass here, why is my sister still settling accounts?"

Hua Zhenzhu couldn't help but paused, and said, "She comes whenever she comes, what does it have to do with me?"

Hua Zifang groaned, and said: "What did my sister say? People like you and me, if it weren't for this chance, we would never see the emperor and empress in our lifetime. It is a great blessing to see the holy face today!"

Hua Zhenzhu's chest felt tight, and she said, "What's wrong with us people? We didn't steal or rob, who said we have to flatter people?"

Hua Zifang couldn't help sighing, and said, "Your temperament is too left. Fortunately, there is no one else here, otherwise people will listen to it. I wonder if Third Master Huan will say anything about you!"

Hua Zhenzhu couldn't help but have mixed feelings, and she wished that the heavens were unfair, why she was born in such a poor family as Hua's family, her brother has no great ability.Otherwise, the same time-traveling girl, Xin Xiuyan is the queen's life, and she is the slave's life?

She lost her temper with herself, but she still went out of the shop and went to the street, but she saw the crowds of people, Nine City soldiers, Ma Si officers and soldiers and Jingzhao government government servants were on the street to maintain order.

Hua Zhenzhu was mixed among the people, some people were still talking about the empress, how the emperor was so wise, how the queen was so wise, and there was a legend that the queen killed the two demons last year.

In this way, the emperor became Ziwei Xing and descended to earth, and the queen descended to earth as Nine Heavens Xuannv.

Hua Zhenzhu licked the corners of her mouth in disdain, but saw several Jin Yiwei riding horses in the middle of the street to look out for safety. They went back and forth several times, and soon heard the sound of drums and music.

Hua Zhenzhu saw these ignorant ancients kneel down, so she could only half-squat and listen to others chanting: "Long live the emperor, long live, long live, queen, thousand years old, thousand years old!"

Jin Yiwei clears the way, dragons and phoenix flags flutter, a row of ceremonial drum bands play, and then the ceremonial eunuch holds a pheasant feather palace fan, a gold burner, burns imperial incense, a dragon and a phoenix parasol, and the deacon eunuch holds a incense towel , embroidered handkerchief, rinse bowl, whisk.After that, Jin Yiwei escorted a gorgeous golden-roofed carriage with carved dragons and phoenixes, pulled by eight horses, the embroidered curtain was raised, and the emperor and empress sat in the middle.The emperor is wearing a leather beibian suit, while the empress is wearing a hairpin dress, smiling at the people.

The courteous official ordered the common people to stand up, and at this moment Hua Zhenzhu couldn't help driving a large carriage that was unimaginable in her current class.What about the Queen's carriage? If it's about ostentation, the Chinese are really ancestors.

With the embroidered curtains closed, the common people could vaguely see the emperor and empress dressed in brocade clothes. The youthful and radiant peerless appearance was glimpsed from afar, and was seen by many common people.

Jia Huan never told Hua Zhenzhu what kind of person the emperor was. A man would not like to mention that his ex-girlfriend married a husband who was much better than him.Therefore, it is not in the bottom of Hua Zhenzhu's heart that she has never thought that Xin Xiuyan must serve an emperor with a pig's head to get rich.

But at a glance from a distance, the emperor's appearance was extraordinary, and he was definitely not a pig's head. Hua Zhenzhu felt a sense of frustration in his whole body.

Why does God always favor Xin Xiuyan?