[Red Mansions] The Road to Empress Dowager

When Tanchun got such a result back then, he was awed by the imperial power on the one hand, and on the other hand was frightened stupid by the cruelty of his relatives.

It wasn't until Jia Yuanchun died that she realized that they had never thought about her happiness at all.She also saw clearly that the dragon has reverse scales, and that the kind and generous Xing Xiuyan that all the sisters said would be fine if she didn't make a move. When she really got serious with someone, the other party would have no way out.She was able to become a monk instead of dying because she had some friendship with Daiyu and others when she was young.

Tan Chun said calmly: "Sister Lin, the poor house is contemptuous and neglected."

As he spoke, he led Daiyu to his seat, and the little girl served tea, but Tanchun didn't drink it all the time, and just twirled the Buddhist beads in his hand.

Daiyu took a sip of tea and said, "Grandmother is ill, so I came to the mansion to visit. I heard that my third sister has returned to the mansion, so I stopped by to have a look."

Tanchun said: "Sister Lin has a heart."

Daiyu said: "Since the third sister has returned home, why is she still dressed like this?"

When Tanchun heard this, he couldn't help but burst into tears, and said: "In this world, apart from Buddhism, where else can I live?"

The heart of a young girl has always been high, like a red rose with thorns. Tanchun's desire to survive is much stronger than Yingchun. Although she doesn't want to stay in Buddhism, where can she go if she doesn't?Although there is Aunt Zhao who feels pity for her now, but she is not very useful. Brother Huan is capable, but he is very impatient with her because of what happened back then. She in her twenties?

Daiyu said: "Nowadays people always come back, but everything must look forward."

Tanchun sighed: "Now that I've come down like this, you are the only one who comes to see me. Back then, I thought you were inferior to others, which shows that my vision was poor. Now, I can only blame myself for everything now. I should always be with you." Lord Buddha atones."

Daiyu is kind-hearted, as long as the bottom line is not touched, she will be tolerant, and persuaded: "Why did the third sister say that? Since the holy order ordered you to practice for two years, now it has been four years, and you will naturally be able to live a good life when you come back."

Tanchun moved his eyelids and said, "I heard from my aunt that the queen is still in court, how is the queen?"

Almost everyone in the capital knew about the Queen's return to court, and the people spread the praises of "Fan Lihua", "Mrs. Xian", and "Qin Liangyu". Of course Aunt Zhao heard about it, and she told Tanchun about it.

At this time, apart from the worldly vision, what Tanchun is really afraid of is the queen.To be able to lightly say that Jia Yuanchun's life was about to come to an end, or let his relatives do it himself, his heart is so cruel.Often the kindest and most tolerant people are also the cruelest, just like the most affectionate people are also the most ruthless. It is said that a person can bear as much slander as he can receive as much praise. A kind person is ruthless and vicious beyond ordinary people.

From Daiyu's point of view, Xing Xiuyan is of course very good, even if she is asked to die for the eldest sister, she probably will not refuse.Although she sympathized with Tanchun, she never felt that Xing Xiuyan's handling was wrong. She compared her heart to her heart, how disgusting she would be if anyone schemed into Dingzhonghou's mansion to become Xiao Jingyun's concubine.The third younger sister is not a low-level commoner with nowhere to go. She is in charge of her cousin Youhuan and even the second brother Lian. She still listens to Jia Yuanchun, so she herself was not right at the beginning.

But people are not sages, and after such a long time, she has paid the price, so Daiyu still treats it with equanimity.

Daiyu said: "Your Majesty is very well now, reunited with the sage and several His Highnesses' families. Yesterday I entered the palace to pay my respects. Your Majesty's demeanor is even better than before."

Tanchun said: "The empress is indeed very human."

Daiyu said: "I have also heard from my father and husband that the talent of the empress is far better than that of the man, and the courage of the empress is also far greater than that of the man. It is no wonder that she will stand up no matter what difficulties she encounters."

Tanchun said: "I don't know if my mother is still angry with me..."

Although Daiyu can't spread the story of Xing Xiuyan's amnesia, but based on her understanding of Xing Xiuyan, she is confident in her heart: "The third younger sister doesn't have to worry about it, and the empress may not take this matter to heart. Since the holy order allows you to practice two Years, two years have passed, as long as you don't commit any more crimes, the empress will never hold you accountable. The empress has been merciful in letting you go to the Muni Academy to practice. That is the place where sister Fu'er used to practice, and the empress herself also went to offer incense. Most of the pilgrims who come and go are people of high status. Other nunneries are not so clean, if you go, you will be ruined."

Tanchun couldn't help crying when he heard other people bluntly talk about this matter again. Daiyu said, "Third sister, it's up to you how you go forward."

Tanchun burst into tears, Daiyu said softly, and then took leave and returned home on the pretext of it being late.And Aunt Zhao accompanied Tanchun again, persuading her to take off her black clothes in the future, and plan her future well, let alone mentioning it.

……

However, it is said that Xing Xiuyan has been a husband and godson for several days since entering the palace, but a group of her subordinates who are not familiar with the place in the capital just live in the guild hall and wait for orders.The boss suddenly became a queen, and there was no leader for a while.

It was Chen Yi who was once the emperor's merchant who had some idea, so he prepared gifts, and a group of people went to see Duke Cheng'en's mansion.When I arrived at the gate of Cheng'en Gong's mansion, I saw a large red plaque above the mansion gate, with four big characters "Cheng'en Gong's mansion" cast in gold regular script on it.

Wu Dafu, Zhang Shan and others all sighed: "It's so majestic!"

Duan Zhi glanced at the inscription next to the big cast gold characters, said ah, and said, "This is the emperor's inscription!"

Zhang Shandao: "How does the old Duan know that you can still read the handwriting of the Holy One?"

Duan Zhi pointed to the inscribed seal script, which was also cast in gold, and said: "The seal engraving is the three characters of 'Tu Su Hong', Su is Prince Su, and Hong is Hong Zheng. Became 'Uncle Hong', otherwise I wouldn't be so disrespectful."

As a scholar from a poor family, although I don't know who the princes of the clan are, but I know the names of the current saints, so I can avoid taboos by writing articles on weekdays.

Zhang Shan sighed: "Our chief governor's background is too big."

Wu Dafu smiled and said, "It's better to be older!"

A few people asked Chen Yi to knock on the door again, and the guard at the door heard that it was someone from the Sichuan New Army who came to visit the master, so he rushed in to welcome him in.

Cheng'en Gong Xing Zhong has a reputation for benevolence, he often gives porridge and medicine, is respectful to the corporal, and is kind to others. If the slaves commit crimes, he never favors and oppresses the people.Even the old story between him and his brother-in-law Li's family is known to many people, and everyone is willing to associate with such a kind and honorable family.

Xing Zhong is not an official of the foreign court, and he does not go to the court every day, because the royal family adopts a budget system for expenses, and the work of departments such as the Guangchu Department is greatly reduced, so he is at home.

When receiving the generals for tea at the moment, he heard Tan Qian talk about Sichuan and knew the names and positions of several people, which made everyone flattered.

Xing Zhong took a sip of tea and said, "I also wanted to meet some generals, but it so happened that you are here today, lest I send someone to invite you."

Duan Zhi said: "I am a humble person, if I come to the door rashly, I am afraid that I will lose my manners."

Xing Zhongdao: "Back then, my mother said that heroes don't ask where they come from. In terms of background, I was just a commoner back then, and the emperor's kindness made me what I am today. In terms of real ability, I am not as good as a few of them."

Chen Yidao: "I am ashamed to say that. Your Majesty is knowledgeable about heaven and man, both civil and military. You can see the talent of your Majesty. We are all under your Majesty, and we only have the chance to serve the country by learning a little superficially."

Everyone said some good things again, Xing Zhong is a mortal after all, it was pleasing to the ear, he stroked his short beard with a smile.

He ordered a banquet to be set up again, and everyone started talking again. Hearing that none of them had families, Xing Zhong couldn't help saying: "Why did you delay until now? It's a big deal to start a family and carry on the family line. They are the pillars of the country. It's a pity that I don't have any more daughters, otherwise I would have so many good sons-in-law."

Chen Yi said with a smile: "Even if the Duke has a daughter, how can we deserve it?"

Suddenly a well-dressed boy rushed into the hall chasing a white poodle. The dog was not afraid of people, and crawled to Xing Zhong's feet.

"Bai Bai, come out!"

The boy was about to rush to catch the dog, the dog was very frightened and groaned around Xing Zhong, Xing Zhong shouted: "Yu Nu, what are you messing around with?"

That child is Yu Nu, Yu Nu said: "Daddy, you will give it to me for nothing."

Xing Zhong felt sorry for the pet and said, "Are you bullying Bai Bai again?"

Yu Nu coquettishly said: "Daddy, you don't know how useless Baibai is, he can't even beat a rooster, how can he take care of the house like this?"

Xing Zhong said: "Where did you get the rooster? Did your eldest cousin get it for you?" His eldest cousin is Li Tingxuan, and Li Tingxuan is relatively honest. Now the Xing family will pull him out and ask him to help manage some family affairs , but Song and others didn't care.

Yu Nu couldn't betray his friend, so he said: "No, it's the second cousin." Back then, he let his eldest cousin carry him out to play, and when he saw the fighting cocks on the street, Yu Nu thought it was very interesting, so he always wanted one.Tie Zhu and the others have entered the palace, and recently their studies have become a little looser. After finally getting it from their eldest cousin, Yu Nu went wild.There was only one rooster that couldn't fight, so he turned his mind on Xing Zhong's pet.A person of Xing Zhong's status, because the queen does not support and does not take concubines, he raises a few birds and a little white dog for fun, but he still suffers from his son's scourge.

Xing Zhong didn't want to get angry in front of the guests, so he asked him to come over to greet him. When Yu Nu heard that it was a guest from Sichuan, he smiled slightly: "Is it the Queen's sister's friend?"

Xing Zhong said: "He came from Sichuan together with the empress."

Yu Nu raised his hand and said, "Hi, brothers."

Duan Zhi thought he was in his late thirties, yet he was called "brother" by a six or seven-year-old child, and he couldn't laugh or cry.But thinking that this is the younger brother of the queen, they are all of the same generation as the queen, and their seniority is correct.

"Hello, little boy!"

Wu Dafu said: "The young master is really a dragon and a phoenix, the Duke is really lucky!"

Xing Zhongdao: "Your son is very naughty, and you will laugh at me."

Yu Nu also sat up and asked, "Did sister Queen fight with you in the past?"

Duan Zhi said: "Your Majesty is indeed our governor, leading us all the way."

Yu Nu asked: "The queen's sister has higher martial arts or the emperor's brother-in-law has higher martial arts?"

Others didn't know how to answer, Xing Zhong said: "Of course the martial arts are higher!"

Yu Nu said: "Father, Tie Zhu and the others have been back to the palace for several days. The emperor's brother-in-law will definitely teach them kung fu. In the future, they will all be better than me. What kind of uncle should I be...I want to enter the palace!"

Xing Zhong scolded: "Didn't you just enter the palace the day before yesterday, study hard at home, don't fight cockfights every day. If you mess around again, you will copy the "Four Books" ten times!"

Yu Nu couldn't help being frightened, he was not as good as his niece Xiao Pan'er in reading, and what he was most afraid of was copying the classics. Several sisters were good teachers, and they had to be taught by Tan Qian to finish reading "The Analects of Confucius".

Xing Zhong ordered him to retire again, and entertained the guests by himself.

……

A few days later, the Queen ordered a banquet in Beiyuan Garden.

The Mid-Autumn Festival was approaching, and the autumn air was crisp, and there were all kinds of chrysanthemums cultivated by the palace around. The 22 middle and high-level military officers who came to Beijing were curious to see the scenery of Beiyuan Garden.This is also the place where the emperor held the Qionglin Banquet every year. Naturally, it is full of royal style, rare flowers, and strange stones of Taihu Lake.

At three o'clock in the hour, but listening to the sound of ritual and music, the banners and flags in front of the exhibition, the eunuchs cleared the way, surrounded by maids, a yellow umbrella with nine phoenixes and a yellow umbrella in front, and a gold-topped phoenix Luanyu was carried by eight eunuchs, followed by twenty eunuchs. A Jin Yiwei.

I heard Li Dequan shouting: "The empress is here!"

"See empress empress, empress is a thousand years old!" All the generals paid respects according to the ceremony.

Luanyu landed on the ground, the floor was covered with carpets, but when the embroidered curtain was raised, two beautiful court ladies helped the queen out.

The queen was wearing a yellow improved men's robe embroidered with a phoenix, with a seven-treasure leather belt around her waist, and a phoenix pendant hanging on the right. She was wearing a new peacock-blue burqa with moonlight smoke and moonlight golden embroidered boots on her feet. .

Her black hair is all in high buns, and she has a golden crown on her head. There are seven oriental beads on the crown, one of which is the size of a thumb.

"Zhu Qing is flat!"

"Thank you, Empress!"

The queen sat in the middle and ordered to sit down, and the generals thanked them for their kindness and took their seats.

Yun Xiang was one of the first people to follow the queen. She was born as a servant girl, and she was the only woman who came to Beijing. Woman, the imperial court has not granted her title.

Yunxiang looked up at the queen, and thought to herself: It was a shock to learn that Yanxiu, who was rescued in Hanshui, was still a "princess". It turned out that she was actually the famous Queen Xing.

When she followed Chen Yi to the capital, there were rumors of Empress Xing's deeds in the capital, including entering the palace in March as "Chen Noble Concubine" and dominating the harem alone, patrolling the government in the north, slaying two demons bravely, defeating the enemy's spy group wisely, and returning all officials to their hearts. Exaggerated rumors of the class.

Unexpectedly, she slept in the same bed as the empress, not only once, this is the emperor's right, Yunxiang couldn't help but blush.Rue Xiang had been on guard against Yan Xiu back then, fearing that she would rob the young master with her, but he had no idea at all.It really is Empress Xing, even if she loses her memory and has nothing, she is different from other women she knew back then, and she can't do hypocritical slut things.

Xin Xiuyan asked the generals to have a drink with her first, and after drinking, she sighed: "Recently, I returned to the palace for the first time, and I was busy with things, so I was delayed. Today is free. Are you all going well in Beijing?"

Duan Zhi played: "Thanks to the care of the governor, I will be fine in Beijing."

Xin Xiuyan was very happy when she heard him call herself "Great Governor", and said with a smile: "It's rare to go to Beijing. After the Mid-Autumn Festival, I will go back to Shu, so I should take a vacation. If there is anything I want to buy or eat, I still have some money." , and don’t waste all your skills.”

"Thank you for your kindness!" The generals were very happy. Although Xin Xiuyan governed the army strictly, she was generous. She spent very little money in the army, and her salary was mostly used to support the needy subordinates. She was always very popular.

Xin Xiuyan said again: "In recent years, everyone has been busy with business affairs. Many of the brothers have not yet married. This is also my negligence. Now, do the brothers plan to marry a good wife and start a family?"

The men present couldn't help but be a little elated when they heard about "marrying a wife". Most of them came from the lower classes, including craftsmen, accountants, farmers, and martial arts masters. Which man doesn't want to find a talented and beautiful wife?Even a poor scholar wanted to marry Bai Fumei once he was in high school. Could it be that other men couldn't?This is human nature.

Wu Dafu rubbed his hands together, and said, "Commander, we are all rough people, I'm afraid...a good woman won't like me..."

Xin Xiuyan smiled and said: "You are a vulgar person yourself, and Lao Duan can be regarded as a scholar! If I try my best to find a house for Lao Duan and a wife, you can stay single!"

When all the generals heard Xin Xiuyan making fun of Wu Dafu, they all felt that they were still in Sichuan, they couldn't help laughing, and Duan Zhi also blushed.

Wu Dafu blushed with anxiety, and said, "Governor, I'm already 25..."

Xin Xiuyan smiled and said, "I don't know which girl would be willing to marry you, and I don't know if you will treat others well if you marry a wife."

The generals followed Da Le, and Xin Xiuyan suddenly said: "How about this, this time, the unmarried brothers who come to Beijing this time draw up a list of wives, and then use our army's fine tradition of being proactive, write a 'self-recommendation letter' to propose marriage, Also write down your basic requirements for marrying a wife, and I will try my best to find it for you. However, if you want to marry Fairy Chang'e, then I have no choice."

Wu Dafu said: "No way, I also know that I am not good enough for Chang'e..."

All the generals present roared with laughter again, but Xin Xiuyan saw Yunxiang sitting in the corner, she was quietly, with a very depressed expression.

Although Yunxiang was good-looking and her status in the Datong Army was not low, but she was born as a slave, and the army agreed that she was Chen Yi's woman, and no one ever thought of marrying her.And Chen Yi didn't let her serve her bed. He was obviously not very satisfied with her back then. If she married other men in the Datong army, she might be embarrassed, but who could she marry with her background elsewhere?

The banquet is about to end, Tu Yuanyi's imperial chariot arrives, the emperor and queen reconcile, the monarch and his ministers win each other, and the generals return to their hearts.

The next day, Xin Xiuyan wanted to send Rue Xiang into the palace.Xin Xiuyan is a kind person who must repay her kindness. The kindness of taking care of and feeding Ruexiang when she was in distress, and the love of being with each other for several years, and now that Ruexiang is also a "professional woman", she has to help no matter what.

Xin Xiuyan took her to the imperial garden for a smuggling chat, because she was embarrassed when asked about the marriage, and she shed tears again.

"I know that I'm not worthy, and I can't marry the young master, but I... I don't want to be a girl in the young master's house anymore, I just want to stay in the Datong army and follow the governor to do things."

Xin Xiuyan wiped her tears, and Rue Xiang suddenly threw herself into her arms and cried, saying: "My parents sold me since I was a child, and I grew up in Chen's house until I met the chief governor. Only the chief governor treats me best, and I don't want to. Once you get married, you will follow the governor forever, and it is good that the governor doesn't dislike me."

Xin Xiuyan comforted her and said: "Fool, how many things have we gone through together, how can we say we don't like it? But if you can marry, it's better to marry. This doesn't conflict with your desire to work in the Datong Army. Find someone who is more enlightened." People are fine."

Yun Xiang said: "How can there be such an open-minded man? Just talk about my former identity, and men will doubt me. What's the taste of living like that?"

Xin Xiuyan was speechless, because she knew what Ruxiang said was the truth.If you marry a man and you don't get his respect, it may not be a good thing for a woman like Yun Xiang who has accepted new ideas for several years and has professional desires.

Xin Xiuyan asked: "Is your deed of prostitution still in the Chen family?"

Yun Xiang nodded, Chen Yi didn't do it on purpose, but he didn't take such a trivial matter to heart at all, and he never went back to Zhejiang in recent years.The Chen family in Zhejiang knew that he had become an official, even if someone came to Sichuan to visit, they would not deliberately bring her deed of prostitution.

Xin Xiuyan said: "I can decide this matter, you don't have to worry about it."

Suddenly Zhao Quan came to report that several county lords, Mrs. Jia, Mrs. Shi, and Mrs. Xue had come. Xin Xiuyan said: "Let them all come to the Imperial Garden and hold a banquet here."

After Zhao Quan left, Xin Xiuyan said with a smile: "Ru Xiang, these ladies are all excellent people, I don't actually remember them, but now we meet again, and you can also make friends with them, there will be no harm."

Yunxiang knew that these wives were all nobles, different from her servant background, the empress was like this, she really supported her, she couldn't help being even more moved.

……

I have to admire the generals of the Datong Army who wanted to marry a wife. In two days, the application form and the polished "self-recommendation letter" appeared in front of Xin Xiuyan's case.

Xin Xiuyan was sitting on the couch, looking at the wonderful "self-recommendation letters", laughing non-stop.

Those "self-recommendation letters" not only stated their positions in the army, their salary standards, but also their specialties.Few of them know how to play piano, chess, calligraphy, and painting, but others like swordsmanship, martial arts, and military leadership are also good at it. A few of them even wrote that they can cook and mend clothes by themselves.Some said that they married a daughter-in-law and bought her the best Shu brocade to make clothes, and some even said that they were acquainted with so-and-so in the Datong Army, and they could probably introduce a job.

Ziyue changed the tea and said with a smile: "My lady asked them to write a 'self-recommendation letter', is it also for fun?"

Xin Xiuyan smiled and said: "You don't understand this matter. When a man sits in the sky and drops his wife, they will take it for granted. Only after they have begged for it, they will know that it is not easy. They will treat their wives differently in the future." some."

Qingxuan said: "Isn't it? Everyone talks about the orders of their parents and the words of the matchmaker, but they have parents. How can they choose the wives they marry? This benefit can't everyone sharpen their heads?"

Xin Xiuyan smiled and said: "Yes, there is also the beauty Qingxuan among them! Tell me about the beauty, who do you have a crush on?"

Qingxuan stomped her feet: "Your Majesty used to be a bully, and she still does it now!"

Suddenly, Tu Yuanyi came into the room wearing ordinary clothes, and the maidservants paid homage. After getting up, Tu Yuanyi asked, "Why is the queen bullying people again? I heard it from outside the door."

Xin Xiuyan smiled and said: "Qingxuan is going to get married, but she thinks that the dowry is too small, and she said that I bullied her!"

Qingxuan said: "Your Majesty, there are no servants, and no servants dare!"

Tu Yuanyi said: "Then the dowry is still too much?"

Qingxuan: ...

Xin Xiuyan laughed loudly, and Zi Yue said with a smile: "You little hoof still want to ask the saint to make the decision? I don't even think that the saint is the most partial person."

Tu Yuanyi watched Xin Xiuyan busy with the marriages of her subordinates, and of course she was going to pick out some concubines.Tu Yuanyi couldn't help thinking of his two concubine sons, who were getting older now, but he hadn't conferred marriage yet.

He himself was deeply hurt by the marriage bestowed by the emperor back then, and he didn't want to mess with the children.They are still studying in the Royal Academy now, but the Royal Academy is a closed boarding school with the strictest teachers, and they can only take one school boy even if they are princes.If marriage is not given, it will be difficult for them to find a wife by themselves. In this era, it is difficult for them to meet unmarried girls.

Xin Xiuyan suddenly asked: "Your Majesty, after the Mid-Autumn Festival, how about I hold a 'blind date meeting'?"

Tu Yuanyi wondered: "Blind date meeting? What should we do?"