Empress and Empress

The largest restaurant in the capital, Zhaohuilou.

A few people dressed as noble sons walked into the restaurant and asked for a private room.Now it is the imperial examination held every three years, and the two of them just came here for the imperial examination. When they came, they asked what restaurant in the capital was the best. Almost eight out of ten answered that it was Zhaohuilou.

Now that Emperor Linwu has been in power for three years, this is the first Enke for Emperor Linwu, and many students have come here, hoping that the first Enke can pass the exam and leave an impression on the emperor, honoring the ancestors.

Several people ordered a table of food, because it was not meal time and there were not many guests, so the food was served quickly.A young master took a bite and couldn't help saying, "It's really good."

Several other people also quickly ate a few mouthfuls and praised it again and again.Zhaohuilou not only has delicious dishes, but the most important thing is that there are almost all kinds of dishes here.Made very authentic.

A few people ate and drank, and soon let go of their courage to chat.

"Do you know? This Zhaohui Building is so famous, mainly because the owner here has a great backing." One person said.

"Backer?" Others became interested. In the capital, where there are officials everywhere, what kind of backer can be called a big one?

"Everyone knows that the emperor loves the queen, so do you know who the emperor's first confidant is?"

"Of course it's Marshal Luo Yan, everyone knows that."

"I heard that the boss here is Luo Yan's wife." The first person whispered.

"What? Isn't Marshal Luoyan a woman? Could it be---" the others exclaimed.

Those who knew shook their heads, "Many officials know this, and I also found out by accident. I heard that Marshal Luoyan also married a woman, but it was very low-key. I heard that even the queen called this woman elder sister."

Everyone looked at each other in blank dismay, this backing was too big.

And the object of their gossip is now working hard in the former General Feng Yong's Mansion and now the Marshal's Mansion.

Today is Luoyan's birthday, she has been busy a few days ago, she has to cook a table of dishes for Luoyan by herself.The post has been posted.Although Luoyan doesn't like crowds, some people still want to be invited.

This is also helpless, who made Luoyan the emperor's confidant, besides Xia's, Marshal's Mansion is the most popular place nowadays.Yin Suxin wore a bunt for convenience, but it was neat.It's just that on her head she wears an emerald step rock inlaid with gold silk, and what hangs on the step rock is nothing but emerald gemstones, crystal clear, which doesn't match her body at all.

This was brought back by Luoyan last night, and she said it was stolen from the Queen's Palace.When she changed into bunt, she did not change her headgear.

Thinking of this, Yin Suxin couldn't help laughing, thinking it was another tribute from Bangguo, Luoyan was brazenly coming.Luoyan doesn't like these things, but likes to bring them back to her.

Buying, rewarding, and robbing the emperor, Luoyan has done it all.She has so many clothes and jewelry that she doesn't know what else she has.

The sufferings of the past can no longer be seen on Yin Suxin's face. Last year Luoyan formally married her because of her past status, plus the fact that the former King of the Moon is still alive now.Neither of them said much, they simply set up a banquet and invited some courtiers and friends.Yuan Xingye and Xia Zimo also came to congratulate.

At this time in the palace, Yuan Xingye and Xia Zimo said that when she saw Bangguo paying tribute yesterday, there was a beautiful Buyao. The shape and color of the auspicious cloud carved in emerald perfectly complemented the emerald falling below.

Unexpectedly, Luo Yan preempted it, and put it into her sleeve in front of her.Xia Zimo couldn't help laughing, looking at the unique tribute items in front of him, he said with a smile, "Today is Luoyan's birthday, and I have already sent someone to deliver a gift."

"I want to fine her salary." Yuan Xingye said.

Luo Yan, who was reviewing the military situation at the Ministry of War, sneezed.I thought it must be Yuan Xingye who was denouncing her with Xia Zimo.Yuan Xingye ascended the throne, and has been aggressively mobilizing his troops for the past few years, and Luo Yan is also very busy.But fortunately, any sign was suppressed by them.Yuan Xingye finally secured his position as emperor.

Seeing this, the surrounding small countries also hurriedly paid tribute.Every year, some rare things will be sent over.

The things sent in the first year, because the treasury was empty, Xia Zimo took all of them for silver.In the second year, half of them changed their money, but this year did not. The harvest has been very good for three consecutive years.

Luoyan finished approving all papers and planned to return home.Today is her birthday, Yin Suxin told her to go back earlier.

Yin Suxin prepared all the materials, checked them carefully, and suddenly found that she had forgotten the honey.She opened her mouth to ask someone to buy it, and suddenly thought that she had sent all the servants to the front yard to decorate, and she was the only one here.

There is a small door in the kitchen courtyard, and there is a shop not far away, Yin Suxin didn't plan to call anyone, and set out to go by herself.

The Marshal's Mansion is in Dongcheng, very close to the Imperial Palace. A large area here is full of official residences, and there is only one shop in the large area.This shop goes from heaven to earth, claiming to have everything.

The one who can open a shop here is naturally not an ordinary person, the owner of this shop happens to be Yin Suxin.

Seeing Yin Suxin, the shopkeeper hurried over to pay his respects. "Don't be too polite, there is still honey in the store, bring me some."

"I'm going to get it right now, ma'am, wait a moment." The shopkeeper said, and hurriedly went to the back to get the best ones, and the waiter brought tea for Yin Suxin.

"By the way, you go tell the shopkeeper to prepare some ginseng for me." Yin Suxin thought of something and said lightly.Xiaoer responded and went to find the shopkeeper, but Yin Suxin was the only one left in the shop.

It was only then that she remembered that the only ginseng in the mansion was the one that the queen rewarded, and it was a waste to use it for stewing soup, and she still had to save it for Luoyan to replenish her body.Anyway, there are still people coming to eat today, so they just use other things to get rid of it.

Speaking of which, Yin Suxin and Xia Zimo are similar in terms of housekeeping.

Soon, Yin Suxin went back to the mansion to prepare the dishes, and after paying attention to keeping warm, Yin Suxin went back to the room to change her clothes.Counting the time, Luo Yan will be back too.

She changed into a light green gold silk embroidered long dress, and pinned a golden lotus root hairpin on her head, and three small hairpins stuck in the back.A pair of pierced gold earrings, and a white marble twisted silk bracelet on the hand.Insert the steps obliquely into the temples.Just finished.Luoyan walked in, and Yin Suxin greeted her with a smile.Help Luoyan take off her court clothes and put on plain clothes.

Luo Yan always wears plain men's clothing, simple and elegant, and only uses a simple golden crown to tie her hair.She pulled Yin Suxin towards her, and said with a smile, "Are you tired? Just leave the cooking to the servants."

Yin Suxin smiled and said, "When I entered the palace a few days ago, the empress said that she and the emperor would come back today, so naturally I should be careful, not to mention that I made only one table by myself."

Luo Yan smiled and said, "I'm going to court today, and I've asked the emperor for a month's leave to go out with you." Yin Su was pleasantly surprised.Luo Yan smiled, "Your ancestral home is in Shu, let's go to the land of abundance,

Yin Suxin didn't expect that when she left Beijing again, there would be such a big difference from the first time.

When getting married, I only thought that I might never see the smoke and clouds in the capital again, and stay away from my relatives in my hometown.Leaving again, but only full of joy, watching the mountains and rivers with the one I love deeply.

------

After the two left for a few days, the two guards of Anxi Dufu Mansion returned to the capital.They submitted a paperwork and asked to report on their work and visit their relatives before, and Yuan Xingye came back after getting the approval.

After Shen Bing entered the capital and went to face the saint in the palace, he returned to his mansion in the capital.He is not in Beijing all year round, and there are only a few people in the mansion.When Shen Bing came back this time, Yuan Xingye saw that there was no one in his house, so he sent a few people to take care of him.

Pei Shiyuan, who went to Beijing together, returned home early.

The Pei family was originally a big family, his grandfather was an official in the court, and his father was also a general, but when he came to him, his reputation became even more prominent.After all, he is also one of the great officials of the frontier, and most importantly, he is one of Yuan Xingye's confidantes.

Except for Luo Yan, Yuan Xingye's other confidants are all lonely and have no way to curry favor. Only Pei Shiyuan has a family and a job.

As soon as Pei Shiyuan came home, he saw his mother instructing the housekeeper to sort out the congratulatory gifts one by one. He stepped forward and said, "Mother."

Although she knew her son was back early, mother Pei couldn't help crying when she saw her son, and pulled her son to look him up and down.

"Mother, what are these?" Pei Shiyuan was afraid that his mother would cry, so he quickly changed the subject.

"These are gifts from other ministers. Your father asked me to write them down and return them one by one," Mother Pei said. "Your father is waiting for you in the study."

"Yes." Pei Shiyuan walked quickly to the study, and only after entering the study did he realize that something was wrong.

In the study was not only his father, but also three young women, and several ministers in official clothes.Pei Shiyuan immediately understood what was going on.Bite the bullet and say hello.

The others stood up to salute Pei Shiyuan, and the three women also stood up to salute.

As Emperor Linwu's confidant, Pei Shiyuan, who holds great power, is naturally the dream lover of many girls.Pei Shiyuan laughed a few times, but he couldn't go against his parents' wishes, so he had to sit down and deal with it.

These people stayed for dinner and then left.

Just as Pei Shiyuan wanted to go back to his room, his mother pulled him aside and asked his opinion.

"Mother thinks that Ms. Zhao is pretty good, with a dignified appearance and good knowledge. She is suitable for a daughter-in-law. Ms. Sun is also very good. I heard that Ms. Zhou is a well-known talented woman in Beijing." Let Pei Shiyuan marry them all.

Pei Shiyuan only felt a headache. This time when he went home to visit relatives, his parents wrote a letter saying that Pei's mother was sick and asked him to go home.He naturally knew what it meant, but the pressure from his family was tight, so he had no choice but to come back.

Pei Shiyuan was a little worried after sending Mother Pei away.Seeing no one around, he sneaked out and soon arrived at Shen Bing's residence.

There weren't many people in Shen's residence, but when Shen Bing came back, many people naturally gave gifts. The housekeeper was checking the gift list. Pei Shiyuan didn't want to disturb others, so he went directly to Shen Bing's study.

The light in the study was still on, and Shen Bing was wearing a single shirt and sitting on the soft couch drinking tea and reading a book, with a chill on his handsome face that strangers should not get close to.Pei Shiyuan sat on the roof and watched, and sighed in his heart, what a beautiful skin.

At this time, someone came from the backyard, Pei Shiyuan was taken aback, and saw a person dressed as a maid walking in with a tray, saying, "General, it's time for dinner."

"Put it on the stone table in the courtyard." Shen Bing said coldly.In hot summer, he likes to eat in the courtyard.

"Yes." The maid put down the tray and arranged the dishes on it one by one.Shen Bing came out without making a sound to chase her away, and just sat down to eat.The servant girl was helping the cloth.

"Just now the steward asked the servant to ask the general, what about the gifts from the adults?" the servant girl asked.

"Everyone in the mansion chooses one, and puts the rest in the warehouse. Let the housekeeper hand over the list to me." Shen Bing said.The servant girl was overjoyed, "Thank you, General."

Pei Shiyuan heard it clearly, feeling a little annoyed.

Shen Bing usually doesn't lie to anyone, why did she talk so much to a maid today?And give her a gift.He didn't believe that Shen Bing didn't know that he was coming, and still didn't make a sound to let the maid leave.

Gritting his teeth for a while, Pei Shiyuan suddenly thought.Shen Bing didn't ask the servant girl to leave, maybe he hoped that the one who left was himself.

Pei Shiyuan squatted on the roof, looking at the two people below.Although Shen Bing was still cold, she would still have a few words with the maid.The servant girl chuckled a few times, and these laughs pierced his heart like nails.

He didn't look any further, but left the Shen residence directly.

Walking down the street in a daze, not knowing where I'm going?After walking for a while, Pei Shiyuan gritted his teeth, turned around and returned to Shen's residence.

As expected, the maid left, and Shen Bing resumed reading.He flew down, walked up to Shen Bing, and said, "Have you taken a fancy to the maid just now?"

Shen Bing put down the book and said lightly, "No."

Pei Shiyuan was angry, "Why are you so close to her without you?" Shen Bing glanced at him, then said. "She was pointed out to me by the emperor. I am away all year round, and the Shen residence should also have a mistress."

Pei Shiyuan only felt coaxed, but he couldn't tell what it was like.It's like a thousand knives, and it's like burning oil.He pulled Shen Bing's wrist and shouted, "Then what am I?"

The two have been inseparable all these years, even sleeping in the same room at night.Pei Shiyuan knew that Shen Bing was waiting for him to figure it out.So they don't even have the simplest kiss on weekdays.

It's not that he doesn't like it, it's just that he retreats when he thinks of his parents and his family.

Shen Bing pulled his hand away and said, "You are my foster brother. Yesterday your father wrote to the emperor to ask for marriage for you."

Pei Shiyuan wanted to see something in his eyes, but found that Shen Bing's eyes were like a pool of clear water, calm and without waves.There was no emotion at all.He was a little panicked. Could it be that his own hesitation over the years had chilled Shen Bing's heart.

"I won't get married." Pei Shiyuan said, "Tomorrow we will return to Anxi."

Shen Bing couldn't deny it, and Pei Shiyuan didn't know what to say.Shen Bing had always been conniving towards him, but now he suddenly changed his attitude, which made it difficult for him to resist.

When Pei Shiyuan returned to Pei's mansion, he almost didn't sleep all night.Without Shen Bing's company by his side, he felt a little uncomfortable.When he left last night, Shen Bing didn't respond at all.Doesn't seem to care at all.

Pei Shiyuan only felt that he had never been so sad. When he thought that Shen Bing would really marry someone else, his heart seemed to be cut by a knife.

So General Pei fell ill very disappointingly, and still had a high fever.The imperial doctor came and took a few doses of medicine, but Pei Shiyuan still didn't improve.

The illness lasted for ten days, and he lost a lot of weight.During these ten days, Shen Bing only asked someone to deliver medicinal materials, but did not come to visit.As for the three ladies that day, they would come here almost every other day.

Daqi has always been open-minded, and he doesn't shy away from anything. Every time the three of them sit for a while, chatting with Pei Shiyuan.Day by day, the person Pei Shiyuan wanted to see the most never showed up.Only occasionally someone came to visit, saying that Shen Bing was discussing with the emperor about the abolition of the Protectorate.

Pei's mother saw her son getting more and more haggard day by day, praying to God and worshiping Buddha every day, but Pei Shiyuan didn't get better.Pei Shiyuan knew that he would not send these three people away, so it was estimated that Shen Bing would not come to see him.I talked to Pei's mother several times, but I still couldn't match Pei's mother's tears.

Half a month later, it was time for the two of them to return to Anxi.Although Pei Shiyuan was sick, he ordered someone to prepare his luggage.At this time, a general of the army in black came to Pei's mansion.

"General Pei, the general said that he will go back today first. You are not feeling well, and the emperor has allowed you to rest in Beijing for a few days."

"What?" Pei Shiyuan was caught off guard, he knew that Shen Bing was angry, but he didn't expect that Shen Bing would throw himself in the capital.Regardless of illness, he got up and wrote a letter to his parents, and chased after Shen Bing with someone.

In his letter, he said that the Pei family still has a few young brothers, so don't think about spreading branches and leaves on him, because he won't get married.After reading the letter, Pei's mother cried, but it didn't affect Pei Shiyuan's determination to chase her husband thousands of miles away.

On the way outside Beijing, the corner of Shen Bing's mouth couldn't help but raise an arc.Pei Shiyuan would have to chase him again, wouldn't he?

After the two left, Luo Yan and Yin Suxin also returned to the capital, and the capital returned to calm.Soon, it's winter.

Soon, New Year's Eve also passed.The Lantern Festival is coming.The whole of Chang'an is covered with lanterns, and the streets are full of fireworks and the sound of drums, which is a scene of prosperity.

Xia Zimo and Yuan Xingye walked on the road hand in hand, holding an unknown bouquet of white wild flowers in one hand.He smiled and said, "It reminds me of the Lantern Festival in Youzhou. We also went shopping like this."

Yuan Xingye smiled and said, "The scene today is much more lively than it was back then."

"Everyone was there back then. I don't know if they are a little old. They always think about the past. When will they all be called back to the capital?"

"In recent years, the border has not been very stable. In a few years, we can all return to the capital." Yuan Xingye also felt a little sad when he thought of the days when they fought together.

She looked at Xia Zimo. Fortunately, the people around her were still there, and everyone else was safe.The southeast and northwest are all in the forbidden army, and Zhao Guang and Zang Qi also hold great power in their hands, and they are powerful at the border.

Outside the city, a person walked towards a cemetery.She took the food box and soon arrived at her destination.

"Zi Li, I'm here to see you." She said, took out the food in the food box, and arranged it bit by bit.The moonlight reflected on her face, and it was obvious that this person was Mo Ran.

During the Lantern Festival, everyone probably forgot about this person.Mo Ran smiled wryly and stopped suddenly.She didn't pay attention to it just now, but only now did she realize that there was an unknown bunch of white wild flowers in front of Zhou Zili's tomb.