The Moon Over Tang Dynasty

Chapter 84: Rich and generous

Chongrenfang, which is next to the east wall of the imperial city of Taiji Palace, is where the first-class dignitaries in Chang'an gather. Because it is closest to the imperial city, it is the ceremonial courtyard where princesses get married, and the Jinzou courtyard in Luoyang, Taiyuan and other places. They are all located in this square, and the south of the square is close to Pingkang Square, which is lined with brothels. It can be said that the rich and famous are all conveniently occupied. Not only are students who go to Beijing to take the imperial examinations love to live here, it is also the residence of the great ancestors and the late emperors. Several princesses also have residences or villas here.

Even though there is such a prosperous place where every inch of land is precious, in the southeast corner of Chongren Square, the Zhao Guogong Mansion of Captain Changsun still occupies almost a quarter of the whole square. From a distance, you can see Zhu Liang Qihu and Chong Renfang exposed on the whitewashed wall. The eaves flying pavilion is set against the rockery and tall trees. At a glance, you can feel the luxurious atmosphere coming towards you.

Seeing that the carriage was approaching the gate of Duke Zhao's Mansion, Liuli lowered the curtain on the window and let out a silent sigh. Mrs. Yang saw a look of emotion on her face and said with a smile, "Compared with Duke Zhao's Palace, our Duke Ying's Palace is just like a ruined temple."

Liuli smiled and said, "Captain Changsun, in terms of merit and favor, he is the best in this dynasty, no one can match him, not to mention Zhaoyi is dedicated to the Holy One and has no selfish motives."

Mrs. Yang chuckled. Now is certainly not the time for Mei Niang to have selfish motives. As a mother, she doesn't get much glory - even if she can get it, there is no need to rush to get it. Now the family's expenses are, It is just an ordinary official family in Chang'an City, and it is really far from the reputation of the Duke's Mansion.

The carriage slowed down and didn't stop until it reached the entrance of the inner courtyard. A maid came up to open the curtain and put down the step stool. When Liuli helped Mrs. Yang get out, she saw that the Sixteenth Niang, whom she had met once before, was already there. Wearing a cloak and waiting inside the door, when she saw Liuli, a look of surprise flashed across her face. Then she saluted Mrs. Yang with a smile, came up and held her other hand, "My aunt looks good today." That's great." He nodded and smiled at Liuli, "I'm a rare visitor."

Mrs. Yang smiled and said, "Your sixth sister only wanted to come here. I never thought that Zhaoyi was not feeling well two days ago and she went to the palace to accompany her again."

The Sixteenth Mother then smiled and said, "Zhaoyi's body is also heavy now, so she should take care of herself." Then she said to Liuli, "I forgot to congratulate you, has the date been set now?"

Liuli simply said, "Not yet."

The Sixteenth Mother then turned to Mrs. Yang and said, "I heard that twenty dishes were served at the recognition banquet at General Su's house that day. Mrs. Yu is really thoughtful."

Mrs. Yang's heart sank a little. Among the three sons of the eldest grandson who were granted the title of concubine by the emperor a few days ago, there was the sixteenth mother's husband. Now she actually never mentioned this matter when they met? Since it was difficult for Yang to continue talking about Wu Zhaoyi, she could only follow Liu Niang's words while walking inside.

Three shoulder carriages have been prepared inside the door, and the three of them sat on them each and walked in along the bluestone road. Although it was already a severe winter, the lake in Zhao Guogong's mansion was frozen, and the leaves on the high trees were bare, but the continuous pavilions and courtyards were scattered. The mountains, rocks, forests and springs, reflected under the gloomy winter sky, are still dazzling to see. Most of the slaves coming and going are wearing silk and gold and silver. You can see young beauties with beautiful faces. Liuli has lived in the palace for more than a year. I was not dazzled.

Jianyu walked for two full cups of tea before he stopped in front of a courtyard door. He walked through the front yard and passed through the middle hall. In front of him was a hall with five bays and nine bays and a heavy caisson. There was already a caisson at the door. Several gorgeously dressed women were waiting outside the door, hugging a lady who looked less than fifty. When they saw Mrs. Yang, they greeted her with a smile.

　　After greeting each other twice, they arrived in the main room and sat down separately for the host and the guest. The graceful-looking lady was indeed Changsun Wuji's wife, Mrs. Gao, and the others next to her were all the daughters-in-law of Changsun's family. Liuli had learned about this trip the day before yesterday and had already secretly remembered the situation of the eldest grandson's family in her mind. At this moment, she saw that among the five daughters-in-law who came out to welcome the guests, there were no other two wives who had just sealed the bastard's wife of the Sanchao doctor. , I understood a little bit more in my heart. This incident was unexpected for her, but when she turned around, she saw that Mrs. Yang was also talking and laughing calmly, and did not show any disappointment.

Mrs. Gao had already seen Liuli, and she immediately remembered the strange incident that no one knew about among the officials in Chang'an City: Su Dingfang, the general of the palace, and his wife suddenly recognized a beautiful Hu girl who was staying in the Wu family as their righteous daughter, and turned around to take her. It was told to the Tiansha Lone Star named Pei that the Hu girl's father was just a foreign official from the Ministry of War. Who wouldn’t be surprised to hear the news? Some people think that this Hu girl is pitiful. The Su couple obviously had ulterior motives to find such a girl with no foundation. She is the legitimate daughter of a good family, young and beautiful, but they are about to die at the sight of it. Others think that this Hu girl has good fortune. , actually married a child of the Pei family. If she is a lucky person, she might become a serious wife in the future...

At this moment, she saw Liuli kneeling there quietly, wearing only a tassel-colored jacket, a snow-green hidden-flower skirt, and a deep emerald silk. Although it was not gorgeous, everything was made of excellent materials, and her behavior was also elegant. There was no trace of embarrassment, her skin was snow-white, and her face was pure and beautiful. She was really a rare beauty. However, her well-defined facial features, chestnut hair and eyes, she was not from the Central Plains at first glance. Gao secretly snorted in her heart. .

After the Gao family came from the Gao family of the Northern Qi Dynasty, they did not attach much importance to the distinction between Hu and Han. They just had a noble birth and married well. Not only did the eldest grandson's family have a queen, Princess Guang married three of them, and the Gao family's own eldest daughter-in-law was even more famous. The most noble princess, even the concubines married the daughters of the big families, so they naturally looked down upon Liuli, a daughter from a small family who was not in the upper class. What's more, because of her eldest daughter-in-law, Princess Changle, she has a pretty good relationship with Princess Linhai, who is married to Xijuan Pei, so she has naturally heard of Pei Xingjian's "ungrateful" behavior. At this time, his curiosity was slightly satisfied, and he no longer bothered to look at Liuli. Mrs. Yang looked at Mrs. Gao's face and her heart became more and more serious. When Mrs. Gao asked about Mrs. Wu smoothly, she simply smiled and said, "She went to the palace to accompany Zhaoyi a few days ago. Today I specially brought Ku Aunt Di came over, thinking that Sixteenth Niang had also met her, and it was time for the younger generation to get closer to her. If Auntie didn’t understand anything, she could ask Sixteenth Niang for advice.”

Mrs. Gao smiled faintly, "How can I dare to ask for advice? Sixteen Niang was originally a spoiled child in her family. In the past few years, she has only been joking around in front of me and doesn't understand anything. How can she be as smart and capable as my aunt? In the future I went to my husband’s house to support the family.”

Mrs. Yang seemed to have not heard the implication of Mrs. Gao's words, but she still smiled brightly, "My aunt is naturally not as good as Sixteenth Niang. She has a lady to guide her all the time. Her mother died young and her father was indifferent, so she is quite After suffering a lot, everyone now thinks that she has good fortune. In fact, if I look at it, then Peishe is not good at it. After all, the purpose of marrying is to know each other and carry on the family line. Why should I care? Those false names?”

Mrs. Gao had already anticipated Yang's intention. When she heard her say these words, the smile on her face couldn't help but become more polite, "This kind of thing is a matter of personal opinion. No matter how you say it, there is a truth."

Yang looked at her, smiled and said, "I wonder what Madam's opinion is?"

Mrs. Gao thought of her husband's words and sighed deeply, "I don't know what other people's families are like, but if we just talk about the eldest grandson's family, I am a common person. I always feel that to marry a wife, you need to be a lady from a well-known family and have a good name." The long-lasting way to run a household.”

Mrs. Yang's heart sank when she heard the words "justified". As for the famous family, that's it. Although Mei Niang is not as good as the women with the fifth surname, she is still a woman with meritorious deeds. At least she is no worse than the Gao family. Too many, but if you say "justifiable"... She lowered her eyes and was silent for a while, and then sighed, "What Madam said is reasonable, but you and I are both mothers, and we always hope that our children and younger generations can live well. Shun Xin, how can you bear it if you risk your entire life just for the sake of a false reputation?"

Mrs. Gao nodded and said, "Of course that's the case. For example, my family Chong'er and Changle died young. Although they left behind a legitimate son and daughter, they couldn't help but not have anyone around to serve them, so I took the initiative to give him two rooms. Man, this is what it means to be considerate of your children, but if you don’t ask for God’s mercy and let him marry another wife, where will this put the royal family’s face? Madam, that’s exactly what I thought, since it’s not just for fame. , why must the emperor give this position to the person in Chong'er's room?"

Mrs. Yang couldn't help but feel speechless. Although the former imperial palace had a "fake name", the position of queen could indeed be said to be a "fake name". How should she continue with this? But she heard Liuli beside her suddenly ask softly, "It turns out that the royal family still has such rules, but Liuli is a little confused. Among such princesses, if something happens to the consort, the princess will have to live with her reputation and not marry again." people?"

Yang's heart suddenly brightened up and she smiled at Liuli, "What you said is so confusing, Mrs. Gao is talking about the princess's descent. Once the princess dies, it is difficult for the prince-in-law to remarry. This royal family is originally from the heavenly family, and the ministers But we can't use this to force the princess, so I have promised to or remarried several princesses. Just like the Xincheng princess, before marrying into the eldest grandson's family, she actually promised to the Wei family first, but who can Isn’t it true that the late Emperor is half-hearted? These are matters within the Taiwei family, so you might as well ask Mrs. Gao.”

After saying that, she raised her head and smiled at Madam Gao, "It turns out that the royal family is the least particular about these false etiquettes. Otherwise, the late emperor would not have Concubine Wei, Concubine Yin De, and Concubine Yang. The Taiwei and the late emperor are very friendly to each other. When the late emperor wanted to make Concubine Yang his queen, he didn't object. I think he understood this. "

Although Liuli's voice was small, it was extremely clear. Mrs. Gao was stunned when she heard it, and Mrs. Yang's question was even more sharp: the late Emperor Taizong's wife Wei Gui was originally a widow, and Concubine Yin De's father even dug up The ancestral graves of the Li family were destroyed and the family temple of the Li family was destroyed, and the Concubine Yang she mentioned was naturally the wife of Li Yuanji, the king of the nest. After Yuanji was killed, she became the concubine of the late emperor. After the death of Empress Wende, the late emperor He once mentioned that he wanted to make her his queen, but Wei Zheng intervened and gave up... But Changsun Wuji was not Wei Zheng. The late emperor's temperament was like this. How could he dare to give advice and stroke the tiger's beard on these matters? She smiled and shook her head, "What Mrs. Yang said is all Tian family affairs. The captain probably has his own plans. I, a housewife, don't know much about it."

Having said this, Mrs. Yang simply stopped beating around the bush and nodded, "To be honest with you, Madam, I do have something to ask the Lieutenant for advice during this visit."

  p.s. Thank you dear Shanju Niu Niu, xiemiao and anymm, thank you for your pink votes and tips, thank you to all friends who like and especially subscribe to this story, I wish you all a happy Mid-Autumn Festival!

Changsun Wuji, courtesy name Jifu, was granted the title of Duke of Zhao and Taiwei. He ranked first among the heroes of Lingyan Pavilion, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty. After Changsun Wuji was demoted, the Zhao Guogong Mansion in Chongrenfang was converted into a nunnery by Emperor Gaozong to pray for Queen Changsun... Well, I wonder if the Queen would be angry to death if she knew about it underground.

 (End of this chapter)