[Red Mansions] The Road to Empress Dowager

Xin Xiuyan didn't have the chance to talk to the emperor alone when she was in the Zichen Palace, and the way he wore the emperor's mianfu was even more different than when he came to see her before.She is definitely a domineering demeanor. Even the governor of Sichuan, who is full of gangsters like her, was shocked, and he did not dare to lose his composure in public and let his script collapse.

After retreating from the court, she followed the imperial chariot on a phoenix chariot to Taiji Palace.

She originally wanted to ask after getting off the chariot, but when she arrived outside the Ganlu Hall, all the ladies and eunuchs of the Tai Chi Palace, Hei Yaya, knelt down and paid respects to welcome her back to the palace.

Except for the three buns who came back early and waited around, raised their heads and called "Mother Queen", and looked at her with three pairs of eyes full of admiration and love/caress and kisses and hugs, she couldn't speak privately to Tu Yuanyi up.

In the past four years, the former maidservants of the dyeing house are already in their early twenties, with a beautiful face, bright eyes and bright teeth, watching her cry.They are all female officials now, in charge of palace affairs.

Two years earlier, the affairs of the harem were managed by Princess Hedechang, but Princess Hedechang married last year, and Tu Yuanyi further reformed the management method of the harem.

In terms of expenses, Tu Yuanyi not only strictly controlled each palace and each pavilion could not exceed the old rules, but also imitated Xin Xiuyan's "military committee" of the chief eunuch and monk palaces to set up a "palace affairs committee", and then let the "committee" be directly responsible to him .He can directly dismiss the committee members by looking at the accounting situation, and there is no need for elections. They are slaves, and they are obedient if they don't want to be rejected.

When she arrived at Ganlu Hall, she looked around, but she saw luxury and royal style everywhere.

Entering the living room, there are red roses in the vase in the house, which are delicate and charming, and seasonal fruits and exquisite pastries are placed on the table.

How could she enjoy such enjoyment in Sichuan.

The whole family sat down on the couch, Xin Xiuyan hugged her daughter on her knees, the two sons sat next to her, Tu Yuanyi shot back.

Tie Zhu picked up a piece of pastry for her and said, "Queen, eat walnut cake."

When the little bun was delivered to her mouth, Xin Xiuyan had no choice but to open her mouth wide, bit down, and said with a smile, "It's so delicious!"

Then, the children competed to show their filial piety and fed her cakes and fruits one by one, but Tu Yuanyi refused to save her.

Xin Xiuyan also wanted to change the subject, hugging the buns and asking, "How are you doing with your books now?"

Tie Zhu said: "At my grandmother's house, Aunt Lin and Aunt Su taught us to finish reading "The Analects of Confucius". Aunt Lin will teach "Mencius" next time."

Da Zhu said, "Queen Mother, I'll recite it to you."

Then Dazhu got off the couch, stood up straight, and began to recite in the child's Qingyue voice. The three babies were enlightened together, and Tie Zhu and Yuanyuan also obediently stayed on the bed and recited together with Dazhu.The ancient people were not casual about reading, and they paid attention to manners, let alone a prince or princess, naturally they couldn't be lazy in their mother's arms when reciting.

The children memorized three pieces of "The Analects of Confucius", and Xin Xiuyan clapped her hands and praised them all, and kissed them all.She really felt amazing.When she was five years old, she probably didn't even know a few words, but they actually finished reading "The Analects of Confucius" and recited it fluently.

Tu Yuanyi smiled and said: "You haven't returned to the palace, I had to send them to live in Cheng'en Gong's mansion these few years, and only returned to the palace on festivals. They were under three years old, and they were taught to read by several aunts. I didn't expect you This sister is really extraordinary, no worse than Jinshi."

Originally, they were five years old and should be enlightened by the Taifu, but the queen had not yet returned to court, and Tu Yuanyi still fostered the children in Cheng'en Gong's mansion most of the time.A primary school was built in Cheng'en Gong's mansion, and several relatives and children, including Yu Nu, were studying there, taught by Lin and Su, who often lived in Cheng'en Gong's mansion.Hui, Ying, Xiang, and Chai also often visit. They are different from Lin and Su after all. Even if the husband's family wants them to go around with the Cheng'en government, there are many things about the husband's family.Up to this year, the courtiers have also proposed to enlighten the two princes, but the original East Five School has been dismantled, because the current Royal Academy has been preliminarily completed, and many noble children have been enrolled.

Tu Yuanyi wanted the children to enter the boarding school at the Royal Academy at the age of seven and receive the strictest upbringing.

Xin Xiuyan thought about the peerless beauties, noble ladies and a few buns she saw in the attic on the street, and couldn't help sighing: "So, I really made my mother and a few sisters worry about it. Think of them."

Tu Yuanyi said: "It's good for you to come back, and you can take your time for the rest. People always have to look forward and create new memories before they think about it."

Xin Xiuyan turned her head to look at him with very strange eyes, but Tu Yuanyi got what she meant.

He is known as "Prince Heng", but now he is wearing a dragon robe. Because of her amnesia, he made up a lie and lied for two years.

Xin Xiuyan really said: "You are very good at 'creating memories'!"

Tu Yuanyi did not maintain the demeanor of a "cold-faced emperor". He smiled at her and said, "You are still in court. We will live a good life in the future, and there will still be many bright futures."

Xin Xiuyan put her arms around the buns and said, "I went back to my mother's house with the children."

Tu Yuanyi said: "You don't remember them when you go back to your mother's house, so you should be more familiar with me."

Xin Xiuyan said, "I'm going because I don't know you well."

Tu Yuanyi coughed, and then said to Tie Zhu, "Tie Zhu, father and queen are about to change their clothes, you take your younger brothers and sisters back to Hanliang Hall to study first."

Although the three buns are pampered, they have been influenced by the ethics of monarchs, ministers, fathers and sons since they could speak. Tu Yuanyi said so, of course they got up and knelt obediently and exited the Ganlu hall first.

After retreating to the left and right, Tu Yuanyi sat a little closer and held her hand. Xin Xiuyan broke away, and he held her hand again.

Tu Yuanyi said: "Xiuxiu, stop making trouble, I didn't mean to lie to you."

Xin Xiuyan said, "You meant it."

Tu Yuanyi said: "If the subordinates knew your real identity at that time, I'm afraid it would be even more troublesome. You have not yet achieved great success, and the officials in the court will drown you in their saliva."

Xin Xiuyan asked back: "At this time, the ministers of the DPRK and China have no objections?"

Tu Yuanyi said: "Tigers can be killed by wolves when they are young, but adult tigers have never been afraid of wolves. Literati and bureaucrats will prevent women from participating in politics, but since ancient times they have recognized heroines who have become facts."

Xin Xiuyan sighed: "I never wanted to be a heroine, but there was never a second way in front of me."

Tu Yuanyi said: "The preciousness of a hero is that he can walk the only way at that time."

Tu Yuanyi hugged her, but this time she didn't struggle, she snuggled into his arms, Missing is like a wall-climbing tiger with vigorous vitality, it will wrap people around until they are submerged.

……

It's night, beautiful scenery on a good day, rest when drunk, romantic all night.

The next day, Tu Yuanyi woke up and went to bed at Maoshi, but Xin Xiuyan, who got up early every day, slept for half an hour longer.

After getting up, she was washed and dressed by the servants. Xin Xiuyan was not used to wearing the queen's phoenix robe. Over the past few years, she either wore men's official robes or the "new army uniform".

Sitting in front of the luxurious dressing mirror, Ziyue and Qingxuan combed her hair, while Xue Jue, Jinyao, and Lan Jiu held the trays. They couldn't help crying when they saw that her hair was only shawl and she couldn't do a beautiful bun.

Ziyue said: "Your Majesty, why don't you wear a phoenix crown?"

Xin Xiuyan said yes, but when she took out the phoenix crown that looked like it weighed ten catties, she shook her head again and again: "I don't want to wear this kind of thing! You will get cervical spondylosis."

Maids: ...

As a result, the queen only had a ball tied on her head. She chose a beautiful golden hairpin and a headband to wear, and the hairstyle was done.

While eating breakfast, I heard Zhao Quanlai report: "Concubine Wu Hui and all the masters have come to pay their respects to the empress."

Xin Xiuyan spat out a mouthful of porridge, startling all the maidservants present.

Xin Xiuyan put down the bowl with a bang, and asked with a cold light in her eyes, "Say it again!"

Zhao Quan was so frightened that he knelt down: "Your Majesty, forgive me! The servant deserves to die!"

Xin Xiuyan said: "Get up for me, who made you kneel?"

Zhao Quan was completely puzzled, and trembled under Xin Xiuyan's repeated scolding.The queen empress is different from before. She used to be majestic, but she didn't have such a heavy killing spirit.I am so surprised!

Xin Xiuyan scanned all the people present with a pair of cold stars, and asked, "How many concubines are there in the harem?"

After Xin Xiuyan entered the palace, there was no general election, and there were even few minor elections. Most of the maids were sent out of the palace. Last year, some young palace ladies were recruited from the people, in case the young palace ladies in the palace were cut off in a few years.

There are less than [-] famous concubines in the palace now, which is very few compared with other emperors in history. Besides, the ones who are actually favored are only those who came out of the hidden residence.Both Yang and Concubine De died, only Concubine Wu Hui, Concubine Gong, Concubine Min and two noble concubines who were born as concubines. Tu Yuanyi couldn't even remember what they looked like, they were women from his "previous life".

Xin Xiuyan couldn't help being furious after understanding the data. Of course, the servant girls did not say that the emperor had never entered the harem before, so it is not good to talk about the emperor's private life. The mother of the second son, the eldest princess and the second princess came from a humble background.

Xin Xiuyan didn't care so much, she dropped the Ru Kiln teacup and said, "What a disciple Yuanyi, how dare you lie to me!"

All the servants and servants present were so frightened that they all knelt down when they heard the name of the emperor. Xin Xiuyan said: "Why are you kneeling? It's none of your business, get up!"

Ziyue still persuaded: "Your Majesty, calm down! Your Majesty's love for Your Majesty is as deep as the sea, so please don't misunderstand me..."

Xin Xiuyan tapped her fingers on the table, she twitched her eyebrows, and said: "There is no misunderstanding, since I'm here, I'll see you."

Wanting to go out of the house, look at the phoenix robe that is in the way, think of the "harem", no matter what, it is not pleasing to the eye, and said: "Come on, I want to change!"

Concubine Wu Hui, Concubine Zhao Gong, Concubine Li Min, Concubine Liu Wen, Concubine Shen Jing, the Eldest Princess, the Second Princess, and all the middle-ranked masters were waiting in the lobby of the Ganlu Hall, with different thoughts.

Their lives are unfortunate, and they all hoped that the biggest source of their tragedy, Empress Xing (in their opinion), died tragically a few years ago. This is the best result they think.Although the emperor still regards them as air, he can vent his grievances and relieve his heart.

But Empress Xing is back!They had to come to see and greet according to the etiquette.

"The Empress is here!"

But I saw more than a dozen ladies and eunuchs of all sizes coming out of the inner hall, surrounded by a stunning woman with curly hair wearing a crimson python robe. She was wearing black official boots and a horizontal knife on her jade belt.

"For concubines/children/concubines, please refer to the empress empress, empress is a thousand years old!"

Xin Xiuyan sat down on the left side, with the maids standing on both sides, her starry eyes glanced at the jeweled concubines and princesses with dark cloud hair.

She said lightly: "Pingshen."

"Thank you, Empress!"

All the girls raised their heads to look at the queen when they were flattened. Although they despised the queen for living outside and dressed like this, they didn't say anything.

Concubine Wu Hui said with a smile: "The concubine was overjoyed to hear that the empress had returned to court safely, and she was also blessed by the Lord Buddha. It is really gratifying to see that the empress is still in style today."

Xin Xiuyan looked at Concubine Wu Hui, she must be quite old, and thought that Tu Yuanyi also played "Sister and Brother Love", the taste is really rich.

Concubine Wu Hui came from Qiandi. She is actually the same age as Tu Yuanyi, but you can refer to the difference between celebrities and ordinary people.Concubine Wu Hui was in her early thirties and felt a bit old, but Tu Yuanyi still looked like a fresh meat.

Xin Xiuyan also guessed that this was Concubine Wu Hui, who was the highest ranking other than her, and said lightly, "Thank you Concubine Hui for your concern, I... I haven't been here for a few years, how are you all?"

The concubines thought to themselves: how can we be better with you in this world.

Concubine Wu Hui said with a smile: "Thanks to your mother's blessings, life is still safe."

Xin Xiuyan looked at the eldest princess and the second princess again. They had girly hairstyles, which were different from other concubines, so she guessed it.

Xin Xiuyan asked: "How old are you?"

The Eldest Princess still harbors deep-seated hatred for Xin Xiuyan, but she is a daughter of the Yang family who is looked down upon by everyone, and she is not bullied in the harem thanks to her brother, the Eldest Prince.Although the eldest prince was not favored, the emperor did not give up on him, and now let him go to the Royal Academy to study.

The eldest princess said: "... son... minister, eighteen."

The second princess said: "My son is sixteen."

Xin Xiuyan's eyeballs are about to fall off, Tu Yuanyi has such a big child?So how old is he?It is said that men hide their height and women hide their age. Does he also hide his age?

He also said that she was chasing him back then.How could she go after the emperor who already had many concubines and had sons and daughters? !

Xin Xiuyan, who was fascinated by male sex, was suspicious for the first time.

Xin Xiuyan asked: "Hey, it's so big, can it be settled?"

The expressions of the two princesses changed. With their backgrounds, they didn't say whether they were high or low, and there was no one who could make the decision.Princess Ruhe Dechang is favored after all, and she can still marry the prince of Xining County. Such a good marriage makes people jealous.Even Princess He Xiaochang, Empress Dowager Liu was there, and last year she couldn't keep it anymore. Empress Dowager Liu cried to the Supreme Emperor, and grabbed the unmarried second eldest son of Duke Li's family and gave her a marriage.

The biological mothers of the eldest princess and the second princess are people whom Tu Yuanyi despises, an adopted daughter who was a traitor in this life did those things, and an adopted daughter who helped her son launch a coup in the previous life wanted his life.Even if the two daughters became nuns, Tu Yuanyi might not even blink his eyes.

Concubine Wu Hui said: "Your Majesty has not yet returned to court, and there is not even a master in the palace. The two princesses have not yet made a decision."

Xin Xiuyan twitched her lips and said, "Concubine Hui is accusing me of not finding someone for the two princesses?"

Concubine Wu Hui was taken aback, and hurriedly said: "The concubine dare not!"

Xin Xiuyan put her hand on the horizontal knife on the table, but tapped her fingers lightly, and suddenly said: "No matter what happened to me before, I don't have to beat around the bush. I understand that everyone's life may not always go smoothly, but don't treat me as a fool." Just a fool."

Concubine Wu Hui's face turned pale, and she said: "The concubine is guilty, please forgive me!"

Xin Xiuyan was actually not sure if Concubine Wu Hui was beating around the bush, or what Concubine Wu Hui said was reasonable, she was just upset.Any woman, no matter how high her status is or how smart she is, will always make trouble for no reason, and Xin Xiuyan is not immune to it.

Xin Xiuyan said: "Come on, I don't want to pursue it."

The eldest princess suddenly said: "Empress, son... I don't know... The empress originally wanted to investigate the matter of Concubine Hui, please enlighten me."

Xin Xiuyan met the eldest princess's complex eyes, but felt uncomfortable all over, and looked at all the concubines present with their heads bowed in silence, feeling something was wrong.

But she didn't know what was wrong.

Xin Xiuyan chuckled, and said: "It turned out to be my fault. The eldest princess really wanted to marry, but I was negligent because I was far away in Sichuan with military affairs. Seeing that you and Concubine Hui have a strong relationship, I am also relieved. "

Concubine Wu Hui's face froze, everyone in the palace avoided the evil star of the Eldest Princess, because there were rumors that the Queen's exile in the rivers and lakes a few years ago was caused by the remnants of the Yang family.But Tu Yuanyi knew that the eldest princess's three views did not suit him, so he asked her to copy a lot of Buddhist scriptures.But Concubine Wu Hui couldn't deny it in public at this time, and even argued in public that her relationship with the eldest princess was not good at all.That is not in line with the way of life of the Central Plains people.

Xin Xiuyan smiled slightly, and said: "I am in charge of a province's military and political affairs, raising three children, and serving the emperor. Concubine Hui will share the emperor's worries, and the eldest princess's marriage will be left to you. You should do your best for the princess." Choosing a good son-in-law should indeed leave the cabinet. You have a good relationship and can talk, and you know what the princess likes and dislikes."

Concubine Wu Hui said: "My concubine... I have little talent and learning, and I am clumsy and clumsy. I'm afraid it will be difficult... to take on this important task."

Xin Xiuyan said: "What kind of literary skills do you need to choose a son-in-law? And there is an official Iceman matchmaker, so you don't need to be eloquent, just have bright eyes."

Concubine Wu Hui really regretted talking nonsense in her heart, and she also found that the current queen is much more difficult to deal with, and even... a bit rascal.

Although the Eldest Princess hated Empress Xing, but at this moment she seized this matter and asked back, Empress Xing made another move, which made her see Concubine Wu Hui's true attitude towards her, and she also blamed Concubine Wu Hui for this.Originally, Empress Yang didn't like Concubine Wu Hui very much back then, and the eldest princess would not know it.

Xin Xiuyan was secretly amused, it's really cool to bring disaster to the east.

If you want to pick a thorn, you don't even look at who the governor is.