The little lady in the dining room

Chapter 68
Since then, the emperor has been rather bored, and even Zichen Palace is lifeless.

Everyone in front of the imperial court was unavoidably nervous, and the imperial dining room was also worried, but Xie Li took a closer look...it seemed that he hadn't heard that His Majesty was angry at all.

He didn't even say anything when an eunuch was too afraid to spill water on his desk when serving tea—he didn't have a good face, but just frowned and said "retire" instead of "stick dead" or something On the contrary, it was Chen Jijiang who took him down in private and taught him a lesson.

He is sulking...

Sydney was a little surprised when she thought of the word "sulking".She had seen the emperor get angry before, he was killed with a stick and fed to the lions, and later he beat the bean paste, and now seeing him sulking felt unexpected.Think about it carefully, although it is terrible for His Majesty to get angry, the so-called "the emperor lays down millions of corpses in one anger" or something... But in fact, that is more reasonable than sulking?

It's unbelievable that a person who is above ten thousand and has the right to get angry at anyone wants to sulk himself!

Sydney's thoughts were in a mess again, so before she figured out what His Majesty was thinking now, she could only be nervous with the people in front of the imperial court, and she behaved very obediently when she "reported" to Zichen Palace every day, but fortunately, she didn't have much to say If not, she would be scared to death.

On the fourth day of November, Lu Yong's wife He Shi entered the palace to have an audience.

As usual, the emperor had to go to the morning court first, and arrange this matter while washing in the early morning.Six days have passed since his birthday, and Chen Jijiang heard His Majesty say three words in a row: "If Mrs. Lu comes, I have not yet come down to court, please go to the side hall and serve good tea. Refreshments are served in the imperial dining room." Prepare a few more things, don't be negligent. She may be cautious if she has never been in the palace, so find someone to talk to her."

"No." Chen Jijiang hurriedly responded, raised his eyes and saw that His Majesty's complexion was gloomy, held his breath and waited for a while, and heard him say again: "Don't bother Concubine Hui, Concubine Shu, you decide to choose a suitable one."

Chen Jijiang answered the "promise" again, bowed and served tea over, already thinking about who would be the right person to invite.Concubine Hui and Concubine Shu can't do it, and even those whose status is too low-not to mention whether they are "Wang Concubine" or not, His Majesty has personally said that Lord Lu is like a brother, so he still has to find someone who can match his status.

The previous incident made him feel that this Lu He family was not easy to deal with.At that time, His Majesty also had good intentions, prepared a generous reward and sent him to take someone to deliver it in person, and then invited Mrs. Lu to the palace to see her.As a result, a group of people sent by the emperor were blocked at the gate of Lu's house, and the maidservant who came out to respond lowered her eyes and said coldly: "My wife said that there are so many things to do during the hot filial piety, and I can't spare myself to enter the palace for an audience. Things are also welcome. Take it back, Master Lu did not sacrifice his life for the sake of money, the generous reward sent in at this time, I am afraid that it will make Master Lu's soul restless."

——The words shocked Chen Jijiang.It's fine if you don't let him in, but even the things that His Majesty personally rewards are also turned away?never heard of that!

In the end, Chen Jijiang invited Xu Shuyi from the second rank, who was one of the two big court ladies who were sent to the East Palace by the Shang Dynasty.This person was well invited, he was respected when he was older, and he was familiar with the etiquette and rules. It would not be disrespectful to be the ninth concubine to speak with a "Wang Concubine", and she was also from the same hometown as the He family.

Xu Shuyi was strict in handling affairs, and came immediately after hearing the letter, and didn't want the guests to wait.Therefore, Lu He's family hadn't arrived when she arrived, and Chen Jijiang happened to ask Xu Shuyi what her food preferences were, so that the imperial dining room could prepare snacks.They are from the same country, so if you ask a question, it will probably suit the tastes of both of them.

Xu Shuyi casually said three or four things, thought about it, and added a cold cake, she said: "The kind made of rice flour and glutinous rice flour, put agar on it. Tell the imperial dining room, don't put it in it directly." Put sugar, and pour a spoonful of brown sugar on top after it’s done.”

Chen Jijiang agreed, fearing that something might go wrong, he went to deliver the message in person, and then simply waited there, and brought back in person when a few pastries were ready.

After thinking about it for a while, he turned around and called Xueli out again, and asked her to go with him. He said, "This matter has something to do with Mr. Lu, and His Majesty has been in a bad mood these days. Go, Your Majesty may be happier."

Xue Li: "..." There is an inexplicable feeling of being pulled to block the sword.

So they went together, entered the hall and saw that Mrs. Lu He had arrived and was chatting with Xu Shuyi in the side hall.

A few palace maids brought over snacks, and Xue Li brought a teapot to refill the tea.When I got a closer look, I couldn't help being surprised - Lu He's "big belly" looked like she was seven or eight months pregnant.

His complexion was particularly bad, his emaciated face looked pale even after applying makeup, and his lips were also pale and slightly purple, in short, he looked extremely haggard.

When she was so frightened, the hand that was pouring tea inevitably shook, although it was only for a short moment, it was quite obvious. He Jiao looked up at her and said with an apologetic smile, "I'm not in a good mood recently, and I've scared the girl."

"Ma'am, don't say that..." Xue Li hurriedly responded, feeling extremely uncomfortable, and felt that she shouldn't be troubled to go to the palace.

Anyway, it's just a formality.

Then she retreated to the outside of the hall with a few big maids of honor, so as not to disturb Xu Shuyi and Mrs. Lu.Outside the hall, I couldn't help but glance inside from time to time, thinking of Mr. Lu, and then feeling even more uncomfortable.

Such a good person, just gone, his wife is still pregnant...

The sadness in Xueli's heart surged like a sea tide, and it couldn't be stopped.

When Xie Zhao came back, he had just stepped through the gate of the hall and saw her crying on the side hall, with her head lowered, her black eyebrows tightly frowned, her childish face was full of bitterness, and there seemed to be some tears in the corners of her eyes.

He paused for a moment, then vaguely heard conversations in the side hall, guessing that Mrs. Lu He had arrived, lowered his voice and waved to her: "Sydney."

Xue Li was still immersed in grief, Wen Huan was taken aback, raised her head and fixed her eyes, and then blessed herself quickly: "Your Majesty..."

"Come out." Xie Zhao immediately stopped her, calling her out of the hall, and asked, "So sad? What sad things are there?"

He wanted to ask one or two questions first, so as not to accidentally sprinkle salt on Lu He's wound, but Xue Li shook his head: "No..."

This is real.Although she was always sad, she also paid attention to the movement inside. The two of them kept talking politely. After chatting from tea to refreshment, they began to talk about the cold cake.Both of them recalled what they did at home when they were young. As for Master Lu's death in the line of duty, they seemed to have a tacit understanding not to mention it.

"Then what's wrong with you?" He asked her in a deep voice, but he tapped her forehead with his index finger and middle finger with a little intentional joke.

Xue Li's eyes were slightly red: "Mrs. Lu is pregnant, she looks bad, and she is so skinny. This servant looks sad."

Xie Zhao was stunned, and after gathering his composure, he stepped into the hall.

After the emperor finished changing his clothes, Chen Jijiang went to the side hall to respectfully ask Xu Shuyi to go back to the palace first. Xu Shuyi politely said goodbye to Lu He. After she left, Chen Jijiang bowed to Lu He: "Madam, where are you?" please."

He Jiao followed him into the inner hall, and there were always two court ladies behind him protecting him without any trace.

Stepping over the threshold and seeing the emperor standing three or five steps away, he was busy waiting to be greeted, but the emperor quickly stopped him: "Madam Lu, sit down."

Xie Zhao scolded herself in her heart for not being able to do things—but she really didn't expect that she was pregnant!
He Jiao was graciously seated with the help of a court lady, and after she sat firmly, she bowed to the emperor again: "A few days ago, my concubine was summoned by His Majesty but did not enter the palace, because my husband was so filial that I couldn't get away. , Your Majesty Haihan."

With an neither humble nor overbearing tone, Chen Jijiang said in his heart: Admiration!

When he was rejected, he only felt that Lu He's grief might be too much, but now he realized that he was really stubborn.When the incident got serious, it could be regarded as a rebellion, but she could still calmly say "Hai Han" instead of "forgive me".

The emperor nodded apologetically: "I shouldn't have disturbed Madam at that time."

After saying this, he fell silent.He originally thought of some "polite and appropriate" comforting words, but seeing Mrs. Lu's current state, he couldn't say it.

After thinking about it, he said, "Is there any trouble in the house?"

He felt that something else was bothering her.Otherwise, even though Lu Yong's sad news came suddenly, she was too emaciated like this - she was still pregnant with a child, she should have taken care of herself.

As soon as the words came out, He Jiao's expression froze.Startled, but bowed his head and said nothing.

Chen Jijiang persuasively persuaded: "If you have any difficulties with Mrs. Lu, please tell me. Your Majesty is also very sad about Mr. Lu."

He Jiao still lowered his head and was silent for a long time before he made a sound. He was a little self-deprecating in his murmur: "I can't say 'trouble', but my husband left suddenly. I couldn't handle the family affairs for a while, and I dismissed many people." She smiled wryly, "Everything at home is his decision."

No wonder it's so weak.The emperor sighed silently: "Madam, let's go to the palace to give birth. After the child is born, I will have the people in the mansion ready for you, and Madam will go back."

"How can this be done?!" He Jiao blurted out. After regaining his senses, he hurriedly slowed down his expression, and lowered his head, "Thank you for your kindness. But as a concubine... I still want to stay where my husband used to be."

Just as Xie Zhao was about to persuade him again, he raised his eyes and saw Xue Li standing by the door of the inner hall secretly wiping tears.It was inappropriate to coax Mrs. Lu in front of her, but it suddenly made him think of something else.

"There is a suitable place for you." The emperor said sincerely, "It is also the place where Lu Yong is always. If Madam is willing, the imperial guards who used to be familiar with Lu Yong can also visit Madam often."

He Jiao was taken aback, and Xue Li was also taken aback. As soon as she looked at the emperor, she raised her hand and pointed at her: "The meal will be prepared by the imperial dining room, and I will send the imperial dining lady to accompany you."

Suddenly, Xue Li was so shocked that she even forgot to wipe her tears away, and the two tear streaks stretched longer and longer on her face.Seeing her like this, Xie Zhao couldn't laugh or cry, and told her solemnly: "Come back to report once a day, do whatever you want to eat, madam, but you need to ask the imperial doctor first. And..."

He paused, said "madam, wait a moment", then strode towards the door, and pulled Xueli to the outside of the threshold: "If Concubine Hui and Concubine Shu intervene, please tell me in time."

Well, Concubine Hui and Concubine Shu are upset about this, she heard that day!And His Majesty has been sullen for a few days!
Sydney nodded immediately without hesitation.

The next moment, he clearly saw a little smile on her tear-stained face, looking at Lu Heshi full of curiosity.

"What are you looking at?" The emperor frowned, she closed her eyes awkwardly, and heard him say, "Ask."

"Your Majesty, how many months is Madam Lu pregnant now?" Sydney blinked her eyes, brightened by tears, "How old is the child now? Can I know if it's a boy or a girl? If you put a person in your stomach, will it become particularly edible?"

"Why are you talking so much? This is what you should ask?!" Xie Zhao was stern, but he was thinking in his heart: How could I know this?I have no children!

Suddenly feel a little lost.

Xue Li kept her mouth shut, and looked at the emperor's gloomy face, holding back any doubts in her mind.He said quietly in his heart: What's so terrible about this, ask the imperial doctor another day!
"I want to free up that small courtyard for her to have a baby. You know it too. Let's go there tomorrow." The emperor didn't know that she was teasing a little in his heart, calmed down, and comforted her, "Don't be afraid, let you I want you to talk to her, and you can have fun yourself."

"Oh..." After hearing these words, Xueli felt that her teasing just now was inappropriate, and looked up at him with a guilty conscience, and solemnly said "No".

(End of this chapter)