Mrs. Qin Xiangguo

108

months later.

From winter to spring, the send-off team from Chu State staggered for a long time, and finally entered Xianyang.

"Princess."

Outside the car, the maid's voice came: "We have arrived in Xianyang."

When the voice fell to the ground, there was only a slight "pop", and the curtain was lifted by the people in the car, revealing a young girl's face.

The girl in the car looked no more than double ten, with peach cheeks and apricot face, red lips and bright teeth, quite bright.Her peach blossom eyes were wide open, and she couldn't help saying: "So lively?"

This is not a lie.

Just stepping into the Outer Kingdom, the streets are bustling with people.Xianyang City was built in an extremely square way, with workshops, mills, and post houses and embassies of various colors lined up on both sides of the main road, neatly and distinctly.There are many restaurants, restaurants, shops and caravans around the post house, which is very lively.

Even in Shouchun, there is no such scene.

"Princess Zimi?" the maid asked.

"Ah, it's nothing." Zi Mi came back to his senses: "I didn't expect Xianyang to be so prosperous."

In her imagination, the Qin State in the northwest is a remote and remote place, lacking water and land, and full of militarism. It should be a dilapidated and desolate place.

But the scene in front of her was completely different from what she expected—and luckily it was different.

Zi Mi breathed a sigh of relief subconsciously: "At least I won't suffer in the future."

The maid was surprised when she heard the words: "Princess is the first wife to marry the King of Qin. She may be the queen in the future. How can she suffer?"

Zi Mi said nothing, just sighed.

Although she is the daughter of King Wan of Chu, or even a direct descendant, there are too many children from the queen father and queen mother, and Zi Mi is the third from the bottom.

It has to be valued, but it is far from being loved in the palm of your hand.The reason why it was decided that she would marry to Qin country was because her fiancé just died.

The father wanted to send a concubine daughter there, and only she was the right age, so he chose her.

Hearing the news that she was going to marry Qin, Zi Mi's heart turned cold for the most part, and the queen mother was also very reluctant to let go, holding her and crying for a long time.

Fortunately, King Qin was young in the past and said he would wait a few years before getting married.

Over the past few years, Zi Mi has tried very hard to inquire about news from Qin, but the more she inquired, the more frightened she became.

It is said that Qin State is a country of tigers and wolves. In just a few years, Qin State launched wars one after another, attacking South Korea and Wei, without stopping.Some courtiers even said that Qin Guo has the heart to destroy Han, and this is to destroy a prince!

As for King Qin, he had just ascended the throne in the early years, and everyone said that the new king was young, and Qin Xiangguo and his wife controlled the government.From this, Zi Mi conceived an image of a submissive child.

But later, such rumors quickly dissipated, and the aristocratic ministers of the Chu State said that King Qin was ambitious, but his methods were extremely tough at a young age, and he was afraid that the sky would be turned upside down.Listening to the words, Zi Mi imagined Qin Wangzheng as a tyrant again.

It's not a positive image after all, and the more Zi Mi thinks about it, the sadder she becomes.

But she was sad, she still learned some etiquette and characters from the female officials from Qin, what "Three Character Classics" and "Thousand Character Classics" were brought by the caravan from Xianyang, and other books and discussions, Zi Mi also sent people I took it to the palace and read it.

Now she knows Xiaozhuan, but she still can't understand the dialect of Xianyang area.

The people on the street don't speak elegant words, but Zimi can't hear the babble.

Fortunately, the convoy entered Xianyang Palace, and the situation was much better.

At least the Empress Dowager Qin and the concubine who came out to greet her were very nice.

Zi Mi was still a little scared, but seeing that the Queen Mother Qin was only in her thirties, her beautiful face was full of kindness, and she was very satisfied with herself in her words, so she was a little relieved.

However, Zi Mi did not see King Qin himself.

Not only this day, but the next day, the third day, and even the seventh day, he didn't come.

This……

After staying in Xianyang Palace and somewhat adapting to the environment, Zi Mi became a little angry.

Do you dislike her that much?

The young girl couldn't help muttering in her heart: She knows that royal marriage is a major event between countries, and the relationship between husband and wife is not important.

But no matter how you say it, you can't wait until the wedding day to see what your husband looks like!

Zi Mi, who was already a little scared, couldn't help but start to think: I haven't met anyone, I don't know anything about it, so the king of Qin must not have a problem with her, but probably has a problem with the state of Chu.

Zi Mi heard that in the early years of Qin State, the power of the Empress Dowager Huayang was deeply intertwined. It was Qin Xiangguo Lu Buwei and Mrs. Meng Kui, Xia Yangjun, who jointly eradicated her to ensure that the current King Qin of Qin ascended the throne safely.

Could it be that Qin Wangzheng didn't want to see him because of this?

He needs a marriage, but he doesn't need a Chu wife.The best way is to deal with it coldly and be a familiar stranger.

Thinking of this, Zi Mi felt sad.

She, she is in Xianyang City, and she doesn't know anyone except the dowry maids and female officials.

No one here speaks Chu dialect, no one writes Chu texts, let alone hear Chu Ci or see Chu Wu.

Is she going to be alone in this deep palace for the rest of her life?

Zi Mi was immersed in sadness and bewilderment for a long time.

It was the female officer who saw that she was not in the right condition, so she picked a day with good weather and invited her to take a walk outside the hall.

What I didn't expect was that Xianyang Palace was huge, and Zi Mi was unfamiliar with the place, but in the blink of an eye, she separated from the female official.

But the young princess is not afraid - anyway, she can't get out of Xianyang Palace, just find a palace official to lead the way.She didn't think much, and went to the place with the most voices.

After walking like this, Zi Mi came to the kitchen in the palace.

Add ten maids to Zimi's side, and the firework in the hall will not be as strong as the kitchen.From a long distance, Zi Mi saw people coming and going at the kitchen door, eunuchs and servants coming and going to carry things in the warehouse.Zi Mi approached with her clothes in her hands. She looked left and right, and finally her eyes fell on the woman standing beside her.

The woman standing next to the caravan looked like she was only [-] years old, so she was only a few years older than herself.She was wearing dark, light-colored clothing with plain fabrics and simple hair accessories.But standing aside, she was tall and straight, yet graceful and composed, as if she was used to giving orders.

This is certainly not an ordinary female officer.

Zi Mi decided in her heart.

So she stepped forward boldly: "Excuse me, madam..."

The young woman turned her head when she heard this.

Seeing the other person's face, Zi Mi was slightly taken aback.

This lady is also beautiful and dignified, tall and tall, with slightly darker features, she looks like a girl from the Northland.

The four eyes met, and it was the other party who came to his senses first.

The woman blinked, then raised her hand to salute: "Princess Zimi, why are you in the kitchen?"

Huh?

The lady clasped her hands together and pushed Zi Mi forward, which was clearly a gentleman's etiquette.

This is the first time Zi Mi sees a woman doing a gentleman's salute!

"Ah..." Zimi blinked and said in a polite way, "Madam knows me."

The other party smiled.

"Nowadays, the princess is probably the only one who wears Chu clothes in Xianyang Palace." The woman replied.

Zi Mi blushed.

The Empress Dowager Qin and the concubine gave her a lot of dresses from Qin, but Zi Mi didn't want to wear them.

"It's okay."

The young woman seemed to see her embarrassment, and kindly rescued her: "After marriage, there are times to wear Qin clothes. The princess has just arrived, and she is unfamiliar with the place, so she is not in a hurry to change her living habits. The princess came to the kitchen, but lost her way?"

"Yeah." Zi Mi nodded.

"Then I'll take the princess..."

In the middle of the woman's words, she was keenly aware that Zi Mi's gaze turned away from the waiter who was carrying the ingredients.

"Is that wild rice?" Zi Mi asked in a low voice.

"Yes." The woman replied with a smile: "Is the princess hungry? The wild rice stew should have been cooked in the kitchen, why don't you follow me in and use some first?"

"Into the kitchen?"

Zi Mi couldn't believe it: "This, isn't this out of etiquette?"

The woman smiled slyly: "I don't say it, you don't say it, who knows? Don't worry, princess, my people won't talk nonsense."

That, that's all right!

Although the young woman was dressed plainly, Zi Mi could tell that she was not an ordinary person just by her demeanor.

Ordinary women don't know how to behave like a gentleman!Zi Mi thought to herself, she decided to listen to this lady.And she really misses the wild rice in the wild city.So Zimi nodded without much hesitation.

The woman immediately raised her hand: "Princess please."

It was the first time for Zi Mi to step into the kitchen when she was so old.

The kitchen in Xianyang Palace is very clean, the people inside and outside are busy, but they are orderly.Most of all, cooks are not at all surprised to see a lady come in with a girl in aristocratic dress.At most, they freed their hands to salute the two, and then went about their own business.

"Wei Xing." Madam ordered her entourage: "Go and serve two bowls of stewed pork with wild rice."

Then she turned around and called to a cook next to her: "Go get another plate of pickled vegetables."

The cook immediately responded, "Yes."

In a short time, a clean blanket was spread in the yard of the kitchen, and a long futon was placed on it.The woman sat down first, and then raised her hand calmly: "Princess, please."

With such a posture, it seemed that the surrounding fireworks had no effect on her at all.

Who says a gentleman stays away from the kitchen?Zi Mi thought inexplicably: She thinks that this lady is more daring than those gentlemen in the school who sit upright in the kitchen.

The other party's magnanimity infected Zi Mi, and she simply sat down with her clothes in her hands.

"Let's eat something first."

The woman said softly, "It's the wild rice brought by the caravan from the wild city, and it's the food in the princess' hometown."

Is it really wild rice from Wild City?

Zi Mi was shocked.

You must know that the output of wild rice is very low, and it is a luxury among luxury goods in Chu State.Zi Migui is a princess, but she is not favored, nor can she be eaten often.

Now the hot stew is full of dishes, Zi Mi is not polite, after thanking his wife, he picks up the chopsticks.

She took a big mouthful of pickled vegetables, and the familiar taste spread in her mouth——

Zi Mi laughed contentedly, and began to eat seriously.

The pickles are salty and fresh, showing a brownish yellow color, which is a taste that Zimi has never eaten in Shouchun.But this salty fragrance and the sweetness of wild rice complement each other perfectly. Two completely different flavors explode in the taste buds, fresher and sweeter.

As expected, Xianyang is rich. Zi Mi thought while eating, can wild rice be eaten like this?

The food from her hometown satisfied her stomach, and Zimi couldn't help but return to Chu.

She had been away from home for a few months, and she was only anxious before, but when her tongue tasted the taste of memory, Zi Mi felt uncontrollable sadness in her heart.

As the young princess ate and ate, Dou Da's tears couldn't stop falling into the eating utensil.

The lady opposite: "..."

Seeing Zimi crying, she paused, but she didn't say anything to comfort her.The young woman pulled out the handkerchief from her sleeve, and silently handed it to Zi Mi: "Wipe it before eating."

"Mrs. Xie."

Zi Mi took the handkerchief in embarrassment and wiped away the tears on her face: "Let Madam laugh."

The woman frowned slightly: "But the people in the palace neglected you?"

"No, no!"

Zi Mi hurriedly shook her head: "The people in the palace treat me very well, but, it's just—"

"It's okay, you can tell me." The woman said nicely, "I'm not from Xianyang Palace, I don't participate in palace affairs, I'm completely an outsider, it doesn't matter."

outsider?

Zi Mi was still taken aback before realizing what it meant.

"Madam is a good metaphor." Zi Mi forced a smile: "Zi Mi is just homesick."

"You don't want to marry Qin Lian?" Madam asked.

"It...isn't really a matter of willingness or not." Zi Mi stopped her tears when she heard this, and replied very seriously: "The matter of family and country is more important than Zi Mi's personal wishes. I am willing to marry to Qin State for the sake of the two countries to end the war and continue the marriage. But..."

In the end, she was thin-skinned after all: "I am not familiar with this Xianyang Palace. The cost of food and clothing is different from that in Shouchun, and I can't understand the dialect of Qin Dynasty. Although I have learned Xiaozhuan, the living You can't be dumb, can you? Even, even—”

"even?"

"King Qin didn't even take a look."

Zi Mi blushed, and her voice was muffled like a mosquito.Her beautiful face is both shy and fearful, and it also carries a bit of despair and grief that cannot be concealed: "Zi Mi is thinking, is it because I am from Chu? In the past, there were ministers of Chu in the Qin court, but now The King of Qin will definitely not allow the second Empress Dowager Huayang to be spoiled and deliberately alienate me."

A look of incomprehensibility appeared on the face of the young lady.

"Zi Mi is not complaining." Zi Mi added: "It's just a worry... Qin Wang is too ruthless by nature, and I am afraid that we will not get along well in the future."

"I see."

After a long time, the woman withdrew Zi Mi's incomprehensible expression and nodded slightly.

As if she didn't hear the complaint just now, she looked at the half-empty utensils in front of Zi Mi again: "Do you want another bowl of soup?"

Zi Mi: "...um!"

Complaining is already beyond the norm, she does not expect a woman who lives outside the palace to solve the problem for herself.

The female officer persuaded her to go out for a walk, with the intention of changing her mood.Now that she had a delicious meal and complained nonchalantly, she was indeed in a much better mood.

Fortunately, after returning home, the female officer taught Zi Mi a lesson with lingering fear, but Zi Mi didn't pay attention.

It's just that she ate a lot in the afternoon, so she wasn't very hungry at night.The cook in the palace brought the food, but Zi Mi didn't have any appetite, so she put down after wiggling a few chopsticks.

The waiter removed the food, and Zi Mi had nothing else to do, so she was going to flip through the book to pass the time, but when she picked up the paper book, she saw the female officer came in with a hurried look, and lowered her voice: "Princess, the King of Qin is here."

Zi Mi:! !

For a moment, she was so shocked that she threw all the scrolls in her hands on the ground.

Zi Mi looked up in astonishment, and saw a thin black shadow stepping into the side hall.He strode forward, without waiting for words or seeing others salute, he went straight to Zi Mi and picked up the book on the ground.

Qin Wang shook the dust on the book, opened it to read: "Are you reading "Shang Jun Shu"?"

Zi Mi: "Ah...um."

King Qin: "Do you understand?"

Only then did Zimi come back to her senses.

The monarch in front of him was tall and thin, with sharp features and an indifferent temperament.He has a pair of phoenix eyes, looking over with pitch-black eyes, coupled with a cold tone, as if he was interrogating Zi Mi.

But he is also very young.

Zi Mi suddenly thought that the queen mother said that Qin Wangzheng is only 17 years old this year.

Although his appearance was sharp, he looked like a young man.Even though he is much taller than Zi Mi, he can still tell that he is younger than himself.

Such Qin Wangzheng is completely different from what she thought.

Neither a weak child nor a tyrant.

He is a young man who has an idea at first glance, and he is also very good-looking.

Zi Mi's face was blushing again, but she still answered the question neatly: "I don't quite understand, I don't quite understand many important principles."

"If you don't understand, you can ask me." King Qin said.

"Yes."

Zi Mi said timidly, "Why is Your Majesty here?"

King Qin replied calmly: "Jun Xia Yang came to scold me."

Mr. Xia Yang?

Is it Mrs. Meng Kai, the only woman in Qin State who entered the court as an official?Zi Mi heard a lot of rumors about her, and it is said that even Xun Qing praised her.

It would be a lie to say that I am not envious.

Just ask, who wouldn't want to sit under one person!Not to mention that she is a woman, I don't know how many women in the world will admire and look forward to it.

Xia Yangjun is the Grand Master of the Qin State, and the teacher of the King of Qin, if he speaks out to reprimand the monarch, it is nothing.

But why?

Zi Mi was a little puzzled: "Why?"

"Say that the widow has neglected you."

The king of Qin responded truthfully: "The widow did not intend to alienate you... I have never met you before, and I don't know how to get along."

At the end, his tone was still calm, but the pair of phoenix eyes were avoided.

It's a little embarrassing, Zi Mi thought.It turns out that King Qin would also be embarrassed.

He is not at all like the rumored King of Tiger and Wolf.

"If you want to see the widow, just send someone to Zhangtai Palace to tell." King Qin ordered: "The cook from Chu State will come to the palace in a few days. If you want to eat anything, just tell the cook."

Zi Mi:?

what?

Why did you suddenly ask Chu's chef to enter the palace?

Qin Wangzheng said expressionlessly: "Did Xia Yangjun eat several bowls of rice, but didn't recognize her?"

Zi Mi:? ? ?