[Red Mansions] The Road to Empress Dowager

The first day of December is an auspicious day.

The Queen's class teacher returned to the court, because she was "the imperial conquest" on behalf of Tu Yuanyi, and now Tu Yuanyi is really the imperial conquest in Youliao area, so there is no ceremony of presenting prisoners in front of Suzaku's gate.

However, Prince Annan, generals (disabled not excluded), and the severed heads of generals and their battle armors must be brought back to the officials and common people to see, at least there must be evidence.The king of Annan has died of illness, the princes died, and the captives were captured. The Zheng Dynasty in Annan has completely ceased.In the poor land in the south, it is said that there is a remnant of the Ruan family who proclaimed themselves king, but it is still very chaotic.

With the banners flying, the canopy covering the sun, and the hooves of the war horses, the soldiers and horses of the Nine Cities have long cleared the way to maintain order.

Baiguan has already left the city to pick him up, and is about to enter the city now.

After crossing the Yangtze River, Xing Xiuyan also reunited with her beloved horse A Jin after a long absence. At this time, she was wearing a red embroidered phoenix cloak and riding a golden war horse, looking very majestic.

Gong Shengjun and Jin Yiwei guarded the front and back, and behind them were generals such as Lu Kun and Zhang Hu who returned to the court together.The important court officials who left the city followed behind, including the clan prince who stayed in Beijing.

The common people knelt down to worship, and shouted that the empress was a thousand years old. After being flattened, in addition to seeing the captured Fan Chieftain thieves, they were also surprised to see some new troops and yellow shirts performing in a queue.

Although the Supreme Emperor did not manage politics, he was still in good health. He said that he wanted to welcome the Queen back to the court, and the Ministry of Rites naturally made proper arrangements.

The empress led civil and military officials to pay homage to the Supreme Emperor, but the empress still satisfied the curiosity of the Supreme Emperor and asked the generals in the queue to pay their respects one by one.He also asked people to bring the second and fourth princes of Annan who were captured alive to show him.

Afterwards, the old man was elated and satisfied, and the empress flattered him and entered the gate of Suzaku, being careful not to leave half his body behind.

The Supreme Emperor stroked his beard and sighed: "It turns out that Prince Annan is so ugly, he really isn't a real dragon."

The queen and the disciple who followed her surrounded her: "..."

The Supreme Emperor smiled at them again: "Look at my sons, needless to say the emperor, there is no one in the world who looks better than him. Even Rong, Ying, and Fu are not as good as me."

Tu Yuanyuan let out a chuckle and asked, "Grandfather, did you choose your father's Zen seat because your father was the best looking?"

The Supreme Emperor said: "In terms of good looks, none of the princes looked bad back then, but after your father ascended the throne, he became more energetic, and no one else could compare to him. It must be destiny."

Xing Xiuyan couldn't help smiling, is the Supreme Emperor a standard face control?Well, how many people in the world do not control their appearance.

Tu Yuanyuan smiled and said, "Grandfather compiled the "Ceremony of Qianzheng", did you collect any books on physiognomy?"

The Supreme Emperor stroked his beard and laughed loudly, and said: "Looking at your face, you have been honored, favored and rich all your life, and you are the most proud princess of my Great Zhou!"

……

On the ninth day of December, Mrs. Cheng'en's [-]th birthday, Cheng'en's mansion was full of guests.

Cheng'en Gong's Mansion was originally the mansion of Prince Zhongxin. Later, due to the rebellion of the three kings, he was demoted to a commoner, and the imperial court took back the mansion.Afterwards, Empress Xing was canonized, and Xing Zhongrong was promoted to the Duke of the State. The original Prince's Mansion had already taken away the objects regulated by the Prince, and several buildings in the Prince's Mansion were also changed to the State Duke system, which was given to Xing Zhong to live in.

After the queen was away for a few years, the prince and princess often lived in the Duke's Mansion. The emperor ordered the reconstruction and expansion of the garden behind the Duke's Mansion, including the gardens of Prince Zhongyong's Mansion next door, so that his precious son and daughter could live conveniently.

At this time, if the garden is included, in such a central place, there is no mansion covering an area of ​​more than 300 mu.Decades later, Xing Zhong and his wife passed away, and Uncle Xing Guo could not be ennobled for his meritorious service, so the mansion was no longer named Xing.

The main gate, side gate, and corner gates of the Duke's Mansion were all wide open, and the traffic of the crowd was still overwhelming.Whether the Fuzhong is on secondment today, or the nanny who went out from the Fuzhong in the past, they have to go back to the Fuzhong to help.

Baochai, Mrs. Shi Song, and Shi Wan'er entered the mansion through the side door. The maid in charge who greeted the female guests recognized Baochai, and had come here several times with Shi Zhang and Shi Hui.

The nurse in charge smiled and greeted them and asked the little girl to lead them to the women's seats, so that they could find the corresponding seats according to their identities.

Shi Wan'er was fascinated by the prosperity as soon as she arrived at this avenue where the clans gathered, and she was very heartbroken by the arrogance of the gate of the Duke's Mansion.Compared with this, the Shaoyin's mansion, which she thought to be majestic, was too shabby.

Baochai is still acquainted with many young women in the capital. She is not of high status, but she knows a lot of people.Looking at her daughter-in-law's socializing, asking her to introduce herself, Mrs. Shi Song didn't like it either.Obviously knowing that it is only good for the daughter-in-law to face her son with such a face, but the old lady can't control her paranoid temper as she gets older.

Although they are also surnamed Shi, they have already separated and are not from the third house, and now Baochai did not come here with Shizhang.There are two Jingzhao Shaoyins. In the past, they were still officials of the fourth rank. In the tenth year of Qianyuan, Tu Yuanyi made a small reform of the administrative organization of Kyoto and refined the separation of powers. Shaoyin is now an official of the fifth rank.

Shi Song went to Beijing to report on his work, and was promoted to fourth-rank member Wailang.

At this birthday banquet, if the officials and family members of the fourth and fifth ranks were not friendly, they would not receive invitations to participate in the banquet, but could only receive gifts in return.

So the seats are at the back, and there are Mrs. Jingzhaoyin and Mrs. Zhao's wife, grandma, and Mrs. and Mrs. Shilang's family, greeting each other.

Mrs. Jing Zhaoyin's Mrs. Feng knew Baochai. After all, Shi Li worked under Mr. Zhao, and Feng knew that she was on good terms with powerful women, so she was very polite to her in the past.

Feng looked at Shi Wan'er who was obviously over 20 years old, but she was secretly amazed by her girly hairstyle.As for Shi family's affairs, family ugliness should not be publicized, even if they are relatives of Lin and Jia's family, others don't know about it.Besides, more than ten years have passed, this Miss Shi has been living in the Buddhist hall.

When Shi Wan'er arrived at the Duke's mansion, she had long expected to see the same thing everywhere, but Baochai repeatedly warned her not to wander around, and Mrs. Shi Song agreed with Baochai's tone.

Shi Wan'er was also scheming, she whispered that she was going to change clothes, there were too many guests at this time, and they could only bring two maids, so letting Xuan'er accompany her was also to keep an eye on her.

The dressing rooms in the Duke's Mansion are open to the public, of course men and women are separated, and they are also very clean, even too clean, with ceramic flush toilets.This thing is not a high-tech thing, it can be fired naturally, and the principle is also simple. In recent years, places like the Imperial Palace and the Duke's Mansion have been installed and remodeled in pieces.

Shaoyin’s government office has not yet, that’s because there is no running water in that area. To install the running water, you have to pay a large sum of money to the Ministry of Industry every year, and you have to have a priority of status.

Shi Wan'er came out after changing clothes, and looked at Xuan'er following closely, thinking about it.

Although grandma loved her a little, she couldn't find a good husband for her. That vicious woman delayed her until now, and she still hasn't given her heart.Besides, she could find something good for her alone.For the sake of his dignity for the rest of his life, he had no choice but to win. A daughter like her who was originally married did not fight for herself, and could only be wronged by them until she was tortured to death.She doesn't want to be a peddler.

"Oh, I'm afraid it wasn't convenient just now!" Once at the gate of the changing courtyard, Shi Wan'er held her stomach and said, "Xuan'er, wait for me here."

Xuan'er said: "Miss, the madam and the old lady are waiting for you. This is the Duke's mansion, so everything must be done according to the rules."

Shi Wan'er got annoyed, and said, "Presumptuous! Am I the lady or are you the lady? What do you mean by saying that because I feel sick to my stomach? Is that woman deliberately trying to ruin my reputation?"

Xuan'er is Baochai's confidant, she understands what Baochai wants her to keep an eye on, but she doesn't want people walking nearby to see the joke, which embarrasses her master.

When Shi Wan'er entered the yard again, Xuan'er firmly guarded the door, Shi Wan'er pretended to enter the hut, but seeing a group of people coming, Xuan'er stepped aside, and in this gap, Shi Wan'er ran to the other side.When she went to the latrine just now, she saw a small door through the back window, but Xuan'er wanted to look at her, of course she had never been in the latrine, so she couldn't see the door at the back corner.

Xuan'er thought Shi Wan'er had gone in, so she kept waiting, but Shi Wan'er ran away.

The Duke's Mansion is already busy with their duties today, and there are many distinguished guests, so the servants in the mansion will not be embarrassed when they see the well-dressed ones.

Xing Xiuyan has already returned to court. Although Tu Yuanyi is still exploring the northern border and cannot come back, she still wants to give her mother face.

It was rare for the phoenix to set up the guard of honor and go to the Duke's mansion in a mighty manner, but it is not far from the palace.

The phoenix chariot drove into the gate, and the hosts and guests lined up to meet them, shouting for Chitose to bow down.

The eunuch Gong'e followed, and the queen brought Mrs. Cheng'en into the birthday banquet, and announced the imperial decree.Tu Yuanyi was in Liaodong, and North Korea presented a batch of high-quality snow ginseng to flatter the horse, and also rewarded a lot of good leather and Dongzhu from outside the Guan.And the queen herself honored her mother with special products from the south, especially the treasures seized from the original Thang Long City Palace, which was an eye-opener.

Then there is the beginning of the three princesses, paying homage to the grandmother's birthday and saying auspicious words.Yu Nu and the two princes are in Liaodong with Tu Yuanyi.However, the children of the three adoptive daughters wished her birthday in order of age, and those who could walk were lined up, and the scale was quite spectacular.

Xing Xiuyan has not been in Beijing for two years, and has traveled between Beijing and Sichuan a few years ago, most likely because she has never met the female relatives, even the children of her cousin's cousin's relatives are not fully recognized.

Behind him, he saw a little Douding kowtowing in a milky voice, but when he kowtowed, he rolled over. Xing Xiu laughed and said, "Which house is this? This is the first time I have seen it."

Mrs. Xing and Li are familiar with the children of each family, and said with a smile: "This is the third brother of the Feng family. Yingchun gave birth to a kid last year, but he can't walk yet."

Xing Xiuyan couldn't help laughing and said: "My cousin is blessed with many children." In this way, Yingchun has given birth to four sons and two daughters, which is beyond her reach.

Xing Li gave him a purse, Xing Xiuyan watched him fall, comforted him, and gave him something as well.

After Third Brother Feng went down, there was a younger girl who was Su Fuer's youngest daughter. Xing Xiuyan smiled and said, "Come to Auntie!"

Su Fu'er had also given birth to three sons, and this one daughter was as painful as a jewel.

"The queen is cool and auspicious!"

Xing Xiuyan hadn't seen so many children for a long time, she was very happy, and gave Sister Tan a Pisces jade pendant in her arms.

"This girl's eyes really look like my sister's. I seem to have returned to more than [-] years ago."

Tu Yuanyuan smiled and said: "Mother, all the aunts have not had a younger sister for so many years. Pan'er and I are so lonely. My aunt finally gave birth to a younger sister!"

Xing Xiuyan smiled and said, "Eldest sister is an obedient lady, not like you."

Xiao Pan'er laughed and said, "Your Majesty, you have forgotten our old ones when you have new ones."

The female relatives, big and small, who were nearby laughed, and the banquet was in full swing, but a stage sang an opera, which was "Five Daughters Blessing Birthday".Mrs. Xing and Li feel that today's prosperity and honor are probably due to the blessings of ten lifetimes.

For many imperial wives, although some people feel that the queen does not abide by the "Precepts for Women", but there is such a mother who values ​​women more than women, and they can only envy them.

Mrs. Shi Song and Baochai heard Xuan'er say that Shi Wan'er was gone, but the Empress Feng was arriving, and everyone went to line up and kneel to meet her. Of course they couldn't control Shi Wan'er, they could only feel anxious.

Even though the empress had to meet with the courtiers when dealing with government affairs, men and women were still separated at today's birthday banquet, and Xing Zhong accompanied the male guests.

While drinking and drinking, I suddenly heard a report from the servant, saying that a female relative had offended the second prince.

"Which family does it belong to?" There are so many guests today, it's not a happy day to make it unhappy.

The boy said: "I didn't ask clearly. The second prince was walking in the garden to sober up, and he bumped into this female family member unexpectedly." The girls' school is on holiday today, and there are no noble girls in the garden. It doesn't hurt to let the guests walk around to sober up.

The second prince already had a bit of flirtatious intentions, he knew that Cheng En Gong's mansion was a "noble girls' school", not to mention those young ladies, even the female gentlemen invited were not ordinary people.There was no one in the garden today, and he also wanted to see what this girls' school, which was more exciting than the harem, was like.

Shi Wan'er also became more and more brilliant along the way, but someone asked her, she said that she was a female family member of the Shi family, and the Duke's Mansion would not stop her.She found the garden and was shocked by the sight.

Then, she lingered until she saw a handsome young man wearing a python robe and a jade belt around his waist. She had never seen such a noble and handsome man.Although Tu Yuanyi knew that the second prince was a person with only appearances, although he was not as ridiculous as in his previous life, he did not have any great ambitions, but that was fine.But Shi Wan'er didn't know, she felt that a married man should marry such a young man, and would kill both her little aunt and that woman.

So he single-handedly created the scene of accidentally bumping into his arms.The second prince originally came to the garden because of drunkenness and Qi Nian, but at this time another woman who was dressed up as a servant girl came.

When Shi Wan'er raised her head, she was still Xiaojiabiyu. The appearance of the Shi family was good, and Shi Wan'er was not disabled.

She is not young, but women in ancient times were not married and had children, and did not have to work in the fields, so they would not show their age. The second prince only thought that she was in her early twenties.

Although it wasn't stunning, it also had a different taste. If she wanted to act coquettish, he also kindly asked her.

Shi Wan'er sprained her foot and fell into his arms. He even put his arms around her waist, and helped her to sit on the side of the flower bed.

After coming and going, the two hugged each other, but the eldest prince bumped into this matter.The eldest prince didn't want to blame the second prince as an elder brother by making jokes at Mrs. Cheng'en's birthday banquet.

This matter was also heard by the young man, and he went to report to Xing Zhong.

Shi Wan'er was surprised and delighted when she heard what the eldest prince and the second prince said, because her lover called another handsome man "Elder Brother".Who in this world can call her that, and she has a dragon son beside her!

The second prince was half awake, and was about to leave with the first prince, Shi Wan'er hurriedly hugged his arm and wouldn't let go.

The second prince wanted to push her to scold boldly, but Shi Wan'er claimed to be the daughter of the Shi family and asked him to propose marriage.

When the second prince heard about the Shi family, he couldn't help swallowing back the words he was about to curse.Which other Shi family in the capital has a good relationship with Duke Cheng'en's mansion?

He has only been crowned a county king so far, and he has not had the slightest honor and favor after marriage. His father made him look after him, and the civil and military officials actually didn't take his status as a prince seriously.Because in the eyes of Tu Yuanyi, there are only two sons born to Empress Xing.

But the Shi family is a powerful minister, and there are many connections behind it. It is good for him to accept a daughter of the Shi family.I can't ask for it on weekdays, but this one was sent up by myself.

……

Mrs. Xing and Li were shocked when she received the news from Nanny Yun, how could there be a female family member who ran into the second prince, and she was also a female family member of the Shi family.

She knew what "collision" was, Xing and Li couldn't help but let Nanny Yun secretly talk to Shi Zhang, thinking about it.

With Xing Xiuyan's current spiritual power, he naturally heard Nanny Yun's whisper, and thought what's the matter.

Mrs. Shi Zhang, Mrs. Qi, Shi Hui, etc. were all sitting together. When Mrs. Shi Zhang heard the report from Madam Yun, she was startled, and then asked the girl to pass Baochai over and asked her if Shi Wan'er was also coming to the birthday banquet up.

The Shi family has no other daughters in the capital, and the second bedroom is in Fujian, and Shi Hui is beside her.Baochai answered truthfully, and also said that Shi Wan'er went to change clothes and never came back.Mrs. Shi Zhang couldn't help being furious, suppressed her voice, and said, "Sister-in-law is confused, and you are also confused. Do you want your sister Ning's future?"

Baochai's expression changed drastically.

……

Neither the royal family nor the Shi family, nor the host Cheng'en Gong's mansion wanted to make a big fuss about this matter.

Accompanied by her servants and confidants, the queen summoned the second prince to question her in the inner hall. The second prince knelt down and said that he accidentally bumped into Miss Shi and was willing to take responsibility.

With a sullen face, the queen looked at the first prince who was the witness, and saw the second prince, and only asked, "Did you force her?"

The second prince paid homage: "My son absolutely dare not, it's just an accident, but my son's helping her can be regarded as having...a skin-to-skin relationship, I dare not shirk."

Xing Xiuyan hehe, said: "Then what about your concubine Wu?" Wu is a niece of Concubine Wu, and the Wu family is not doing well now, it is not bad to be able to produce a county princess, at least there is no drop in rank.

"My son is willing to accept Mrs. Shi as my side concubine."

Xing Xiuyan's eyes turned cold, and he said, "The side concubine?"

The second prince paid homage: "My minister is still able to accept two side concubines according to the system, and my minister is willing to accept the Shi family to settle the matter."

Xing Xiuyan said: "Do you want the imperial court to pay you to raise your side concubine?"

"..."

Xing Xiuyan sneered: "Your father worked so hard to support the war between the North and the South. The court's national salary should be honored by loyal ministers and righteous men and outstanding people of the day. This is the foundation of the country's prosperity. Raising a concubine for you is the beauty of your imagination!" You pay as much as you like, you have money to support yourself, but the imperial court has no money for you. Don't say I am partial, Tie Zhu and the others will not give a penny to take concubines and play with women except for marrying regular wives."

The second prince was startled, and said: "Madam, I dare not, but...that is the daughter of the Shi family."

Xing Xiuyan said: "Even my daughter is useless!"

The second prince refused to accept it, and said: "The uncles all have side concubines, and the ministers have not violated the rules..."

Xing Xiuyan said: "Because you are your father's son! I can't control others. Your elder brother is already a poor leader in the budget department, and he can handle many things by himself. How long will you hang around?"

Why is the second prince willing to go to the Yamen every day, only to play during festivals?He is also staying in the Ministry of Rites, but it is more like hanging a job and getting a salary for nothing.

The second prince felt that it was not his turn to be the emperor anyway, and as a county king, he was not lacking in dignity, so there was no need for him to be the same as those who came from Jinshi.

The second prince said: "Father and empress have a lot of talents, and I am not alone."

Xing Xiuyan said: "It's good that you know. If you don't do something, give up your official position to someone who can do it."

Will the empress take away even the official position of head of the Ministry of Rites?

Xing Xiuyan sighed: "Although you are a bastard, you are also the emperor's son. If you don't want to make progress, what about your son?"

The second prince bowed his head and remained silent. He also told himself that his father and queen would not want him to make progress.In fact, although the emperor father could not pass on the throne to him, he did not raise and abolish him, but his temperament is lewd, frivolous and hard to change.

After hearing the report from outside, the women of the Shi family came to plead guilty, Xing Xiuyan winked at the first prince and avoided, while the second prince got up and stood carefully aside.

Mrs. Shi Zhang accompanied Mrs. Shi Song, Baochai, and Shi Wan'er to pay their respects.

Mrs. Shi Song and Shi Wan'er saw the queen for the first time, and Shi Wan'er was very excited.She also saw the queen, that man is still the prince, she will be much richer and richer than the little aunt in the future.Ke Ke, they still looked like they didn't trust her and blamed her, and when she became the princess, they asked them to greet her one by one.

"Be flat."

The four women got up, and Baochai took a step forward to plead guilty, saying: "My wife, Shi Xue, has no way to teach her daughter, please punish her."

Shi Wan'er was annoyed in her heart, and also knelt down, saying: "Empress, Wan'er is not there! Wan'er accidentally met the prince, and she did nothing wrong, it's just because I... I didn't have a mother since I was a child, and everyone belittled me ..."

Mrs. Shi Song felt her eyes go dark, and Mrs. Shi Zhang supported her, so she didn't fall to the ground.

"Wan'er, don't talk nonsense." Mrs. Shi Song sternly shouted.

Shi Wan'er walked towards Xing Xiuyan, but Zhao Gui stopped her from the side: "Bold!"

Shi Wan'er was afraid now, she felt too much dissatisfaction and grievance in her heart, as if she could turn over today, this feeling overwhelmed everything else.

Xing Xiuyan said: "It's really pitiful that you can come to Cheng'en Gong's mansion today, your wife is so contemptuous to you."

Baochai couldn't help crying, she was actually very grateful to Xing Xiuyan, because she also understood what her future would be without her.There is nothing to say about Xing Xiuyan's preference for Daiyu's daughters, but she is the one who can protect her after all.

Shi Wan'er kowtowed and said, "Your Majesty, forgive me, that's not what Wan'er meant!"

"I'm not interested in knowing what you mean." Xing Xiuyan paused and said, "I don't want to see you again!"

"Your Majesty, please forgive me!" Shi Wan'er kowtowed, and walked up to the second prince, "His Royal Highness, please help me, I wish to serve Your Highness for the rest of my life..."

The second prince had other thoughts before and couldn't see clearly what kind of virtue this woman was, but now he can see clearly.Even if the queen doesn't stop this kind of person from becoming a side concubine, he has no interest.

"I don't need you to serve me." The second prince took a step back, and said to Xing Xiuyan, "Empress Empress, I have nothing to do with this girl, she bumped into her herself, and it has nothing to do with me."

Mrs. Shi Song finally knelt down to plead guilty, Xing Xiuyan sighed: "Today is Mrs. Cheng'en Gong's birthday, I don't want to cause any unpleasant things. Mrs. Shi should take him back by herself, I will pretend that nothing happened. "

The reputation of the Shi family daughter still needs to be maintained, and it will not be good for the Shi family to spread it out.Xing Xiuyan still has to give Shi Hui this bit of face, but smart people know how to do it.