Chapter 24
Wang Huichun was already guarding the outside of the hall with the ointment he had prepared. He saw lights winding towards him from afar, and the sound of uniform footsteps from the guards.

At this time, two pedestrians entered the gate of the Hall of Mental Cultivation.The leader is wearing a silver-gray phoenix embroidered gold brocade silk robe, and a crimson fox fur. His whole body is matched only by plain jade ornaments, and he keeps spinning a string of topaz beads in his hand.The kind face that has passed through the years is now full of anxiety and worry.Beside her was a young woman, dressed in a crimson crepe dress of canary and cloud, and covered with a feather satin cloak of silvery-white emerald emerald brocade. The dark clouds were high and decorated with purple coral tassels and amethyst steps. The palace lantern with the pattern of Ruyi group flowers carefully illuminates the path under the feet of the person in front.Behind them, there are a large number of maids and eunuchs, all holding exquisite palace lanterns of Qibao Liuli, holding their breath.

The person in front walked in a hurry, and the woman behind him followed suit.Walking to the front of the hall, seeing Wang Huichun worshiped on the ground, he opened his mouth and asked, "Wang Yuan judge, how is the emperor's injury?"

"I will see the Empress Dowager, and Feng Shuyi." The court judge bowed his head, stood aside and replied: "The minister is waiting for the emperor's holy car here. Director Zhang has gone, and it is time to come back."

The queen mother nodded, sighed, and said to the woman behind her: "According to the ancestral concubine, women below the concubine level are not allowed to enter the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Just wait outside the door."

Feng Shuyi bowed: "The concubine understands, the concubine is here to wait for the holy driver."

The queen mother nodded and looked at the lights coming from a distance: "How could such a thing happen." She turned and entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

When Shen Xiyao arrived at the Hall of Mental Cultivation, he had already fallen asleep on the shoulder pad, so he didn't notice Feng Shuyi in front of the hall and Meng Zhaoyi, Liu Jieyu, Wu Guiren and others who came later.Because none of them have been concubines, they can only stay outside the palace.Seeing Shen Xiyao's return, he couldn't make a sound, he could only watch Shen Xiyao's shoulders being carried directly into the Hall of Mental Cultivation, and the door was closed with a "bang".

Shen Xiyao woke up slowly, and saw the worry on the queen mother's face at first glance, and smiled palely: "Mother queen."

The queen mother hurried forward, looking at her beloved son's swollen ankle, her heart was full of pain. "What's going on here?" She turned around, her usually kind face was only angry at this moment: "What are the servants of the Hall of Mental Cultivation doing?"

Everyone in the first hall knelt on the ground hastily, Nuonuo dared not speak out.

"Don't blame them, I went out by myself." Shen Xiyao waved his hand: "Let's all step back."

So only a few maids and Zhang Dehai were left to help the king's court judge.Zhang Dehai was still kneeling on the ground, but his heart was like a bright mirror.

The emperor must be afraid that the queen mother will see the signs of injury, after all, he can't go to the queen mother for several days to pay her respects.I had to come up with such a way, and I was wronged.As for them, the queen mother must punish them, but with the emperor's plan, they will definitely not be severely punished.If the emperor hadn't done this, the queen mother would inevitably know the cause of the injury, and his life might be in danger at that time.Even if he was severely punished this time, it would be better than losing his life.

"Zhang Dehai, I'm thirsty." Shen Xiyao glanced at Zhang Dehai who was kneeling on the ground, and said calmly, "Go and prepare some porridge."

Zhang Dehai took the order to go down, and when he saw the empress dowager's sullen expression and Shen Xiyao's sly smile before leaving, he felt relieved and sore at the same time.

After he served the Huiren rice porridge in a bowl of multicolored flowers on a coral red floor, he also prepared four kinds of golden cake rolls, chrysanthemum bergamot cakes, enoki mushrooms, and chicken breasts in a small dish with doucai scrolls and flowers. When the complementary food came in, Shen Xiyao had finished changing the medicine and sat idlely on the soft couch with the Queen Mother, talking energetically.

"The queen mother can use some with her son." Shen Xiyao motioned Zhang Dehai to put the food on the round table, and said to the queen mother with a smile.

The queen mother smiled: "Okay, I'll use it with you. Being so careless makes me anxious."

"It's my son's fault. The moonlight is like water tonight. Somehow, I remembered the horse race with my fourth brother in Xingyuan in the early years. It was also night, and I still won Xihe." Southwest, but I still want to ride the horse and relive it again.”

"You, you didn't let anyone accompany you, you fell so hard..." the queen mother sighed, wiped the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, and blamed her.

Shen Xiyao picked up a bowl of porridge with his tooth chopsticks and handed it to the Empress Dowager: "Someone followed, it's not the mood at all." He smiled lightly, like the moonlight outside the window: "That's why I went out secretly."

Hearing this, Zhang Dehai knew that the servants of the Hall of Mental Cultivation would not be severely punished.

"Is the mother still not resting so late?" Shen Xiyao asked while drinking the porridge.

"Just as I was about to sleep, I came here in a hurry when I heard someone coming to report, and I met Shuxian on the way." At this point, the Queen Mother remembered that Feng Shuyi was still guarding outside, and that Shen Xiyao had already fallen asleep when she came in, so she said: "At this moment They must be waiting outside."

Shen Xiyao didn't say anything, Zhang Dehai stepped forward and said with a smile: "Not only Madam Shuyi, but also Meng Zhaoyi, Liu Jieyu, and Wu Guiren are all guarding outside."

When Shen Xiyao heard the word "Wu Nobleman", Shen Xiyao's eyes flashed, and he immediately returned to normal: "The dew is heavy at night, I'm fine, let them all go back and rest." At the end, he said: "Siam paid tribute a few days ago. Some Japanese satins look good to me, so I will reward them."

Zhang Dehai took the order to retire, Shen Xiyao continued to chat and eat with the Queen Mother, it was quite a happy one.

Ling Xiang secretly investigated the case in Yuqiu Town, and then sent his confidants to Dongdu quietly. After a few days, the case was almost concluded.

In the evening of that day, he and Ling Xuewei sat under a big pagoda tree in the small courtyard, with fallen leaves swirling around them.Ling Xuewei added freshly boiled water to the coarse porcelain white teapot, and the pot was full of soft green, with a faint tea fragrance. Ling Xuewei didn't care about Ling Xiang's silence, but gently lifted the teapot, and slowly poured the tea soup into the pot. Pour it into a tea bowl with white porcelain orchid pattern.

"Father, please use tea." Ling Xuewei handed it to Prime Minister Ling: "There is no good tea in the mountains, but fortunately, Longjing is still fresh."

Ling Xiang took it and took a shallow sip: "The water is very good, it should be the morning dew." After tasting it carefully, he said: "It should be the dew on the flowers in the uninhabited valley in the mountains." A smile floated on his face: "It's not easy to collect this dew."

Ling Xuewei smiled, did not answer, but poured a cup for herself: "Since you want to do it wholeheartedly, even if there are thousands of difficulties, there is nothing to be afraid of."

Ling Xiang didn't say anything else, just holding the tea bowl, his eyes fell on the mountains in the distance.

The afterglow of the setting sun sprinkled in this ordinary small courtyard, and the ground was full of soft light.

"We'll go home tomorrow." After a long time, Ling Xiang said slowly.

Ling Xuewei's smile was a little distracted at that moment, but she still nodded and said with a little regret: "Yes, it's time to go back."

Although he was injured in the middle of the night the night before, but in the early morning of the next day, because the imperial doctor ordered him to rest for three days, he stopped court and met with the officials in the imperial study.After listening to the report one by one, all the ministers withdrew, and Shen Xiyao retained a few humerus ministers to discuss some state affairs slowly.It was past noon after everything was dealt with, so he ordered Chuanshan to move away from Yunlouyue Palace with several ministers.

Since the dragon robe must be worn during court affairs, and the officials also wear formal court clothes, it is inevitable to be cumbersome.Shen Xiyao first went back to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to change his clothes, and all the officials were waiting in the Hall of Kaiyunlouyue.

Kaiyun Louyue Hall is located by the Feilong Pool in the Imperial Garden. Standing on the sapphire platform, you can see the palace willows swaying in the inner court from a distance. Even in autumn, there are still blue branches and leaves fluttering in the wind, which is very soft and beautiful. posture.Some exotic flowers and beautiful trees in the palace are irrigated with hot spring water in order to keep them green all the year round, but it has some effect.

At this time, Ling Hongjian was standing on the platform, and several ministers gathered to chat about common matters. Most of them were veterans over half a century old, and he was the only one who was still young.

"Lord Ling, how is your father's illness? We haven't been to court for several days, and we are all very worried." It was Chen Yufu, Minister of the Ministry of Industry.When he said this, Tao attracted the support of others.

"My lords, my father's illness is getting better day by day, but the imperial doctor said that he needs to rest, so I can't meet with you, please forgive me." Ling Hongjian said with a smile: "But I believe it will be better in a few days."

"That's good, the court can't be without bullying for a day." The person who said this was thin and thin, with a pair of sharp eyes showing the light of a vulture.It is Wu Guiren's father.

"My lord Wu's words are wrong. Although my father is not in court, there are still my lords, all of whom are ministers of the emperor. What's more, with the emperor here, how can I say that I can't be without my father for a day?" Ling Hongjian He said with a serious face.

Master Wu smiled "hehe": "What I mean is that Prime Minister Ling's position among the officials is unrivaled."

Ling Hongjian smiled: "We each perform our duties, everyone is very important, Mr. Wu."

What Master Wu wanted to say again, Ling Hongjian saw a bright yellow umbrella flashing in the distance, which was very eye-catching under the autumn sun, and hurriedly said to all the ministers: "The holy man is here, all adults, let's go in together."

So they all took a big step and stood up according to the ranks in the hall. Master Wu was a little bit annoyed, but he still kept up with the crowd.

Shen Xiyao changed into a regular uniform with azure and black badge patterns after the rain. Although it was noon, but he was by the water, he added a short hexagram of bright yellow brocade with a circle of shiny and smooth sable fur.Xu changed his medicine and became more comfortable. He looked radiant, sat on the top with a smile, and waved his hand to signal the officials to sit down.

First, a beautiful court lady presented Shifeng Longjing, and then dried fruit and candied fruit were served. After all, it was an ordinary banquet. The emperor seemed to be in a good mood, and the officials relaxed a little bit, drinking tea and gossiping, so lively.

Afterwards, there was the second item of pastry: chestnut cake, red bean paste roll; the second item of pickled vegetables: sweet sour milk melon, sweet brocade, and the fourth item of appetizer: magpie on plum, fish fillet in ginger sauce, spiced pigeon, and spicy cabbage roll; The first grade of meal soup: the first grade of official swallow and the fourth grade of imperial vegetables: simmered deer tendon in casserole, shredded chicken and white fungus, sweet-scented osmanthus fish sticks, eight-treasure rabbit diced, jade shoots and bracken.

After all, the food in the palace is better than that of the ministers' home kitchen, but it does not suit everyone's taste.Then I prepared a little more.The ministers had a good time.Finally, a seasonal fruit platter and tea Zhulan Dafang were served.All of them are placed in the pastel longevity tableware, which is elegant and generous.

Shen Xiyao chatted with the few ministers close to him, but it was just to reap the people's livelihood.Fortunately, the war in the southwest is coming to an end, and this year is another bumper year, so it's fun.

Suddenly, as if thinking of something, Shen Xiyao looked at Mr. Wu who was whispering with Mr. Chen below, and said, "Wu Han, how are you doing at home these days?"

Master Wu didn't expect the emperor to ask such a question suddenly, so he quickly stood up and replied respectfully: "Return to the emperor, everything is fine at home."

Shen Xiyao smiled, with gentle eyes: "Mr. Wu Guiren seems to be a little homesick these days, so I will let your wife enter the palace to accompany her someday." His face was gentle, and his eyes were full of smiles.

Mr. Wu was startled, and his heart immediately blossomed. It seems that his daughter is very favored by the emperor.After all, it is a rare gift for family members to visit the palace, so I quickly thanked the emperor for his kindness.There were also tsk-tsk sounds around, and other ministers who had women in the palace were very envious, but it was not appropriate to show it, they just looked at Wu Han with a little hostility.Wu Han didn't take it seriously, and his face was full of color.

Shen Xiyao didn't look at Wu Han again, but waved his hands lightly, picked up a cup of tea and drank it, Ling Hongjian raised his head inadvertently, and happened to see the cold light flashing in the emperor's eyes, and there was a smile on the corner of his lips.

The apricot blossom spring hall is full of warmth, full of crimson pink and tender apricot colors, multicolored palace lanterns made of crystal are hung, Persian carpets covered with roses and purple embroidered spring colors are spread, and intoxicating flowers are ignited. Utensils of pastel Xinglin Chunyan.On the big sandalwood bed carved with a hundred sons, there are continuous rose-red brocade quilts of "everything goes well", and the light silver wishful group patterns turn a thousand times, and the radiance spreads.Four paintings of flowers and birds are hung on the wall, depicting the fragrance of the four seasons.

Wu Guiren sat nervously in front of the bronze mirror, looking at himself in the mirror.This is the first time the emperor has really turned her brand, and it is also the first time she has come to Xinghuachun Pavilion.At this time, he didn't bother to look at the decorations around curiously, but only cared about whether his makeup could please the emperor.

Looking at himself in the mirror, Wu Guiren somehow remembered the scene of meeting Ling Xuewei for the first time, the flickering candlelight in the room made that memory a little unreal.

Wu Guiren met Ling Xuewei at the Jiji ceremony. According to the customs of high-ranking officials in Beijing, women have to fast for three days in the temple on the day of Jiji.Coincidentally, both of them were sent to Yuchan Temple in the southern suburbs of Beijing that day.There are many temples around the capital, and Yuchan Temple is located in a remote area, so it is not well-known.It was because of this that the Ling family saw Ling Xuewei here.As for the Wu family, it was Wu Wei's distant uncle who lived in the temple back then. After all, the daughter's family was young, so it would be more reassuring to have someone to take care of her, so she sent them there.

Yuchan Temple is located in the mountains, surrounded by century-old giant trees, only one path leads to it, few outsiders, very quiet.That year they were the only two of them living in the same courtyard, so they got to know each other very well.Wu Wei will never forget the first time she saw Ling Xuewei.She arrived early, and her mother had already gone back to the house with her servants, so she played with the girl next to her under the locust tree. It was still early spring, there were no flowers and plants, but the fragrance of plants and trees was everywhere.They had to pick some leaves and play with them.Before Ling Xuewei entered the courtyard, three or four servants carried large boxes of bedding and other things, which looked extremely delicate.Because a stranger came, Wu Wei was frightened, so she hurriedly took the little girl's hand and hid behind the tree, but she couldn't bear her curiosity, so she poked her head halfway and watched quietly.Afterwards, under the cool sunlight all over the mountain, a beautiful and dignified woman walked into this small courtyard holding the hand of the young Ling Xuewei.

At that moment, Wu Wei felt that the garden was full of flowers.

The double-breasted Confucian skirt with moon white embroidered Suzhou embroidered cherry blossoms is full of sky, and the pearls the size of rice grains are gathered into clusters of flowers on the rolled-up braids. What is rare is that the pearls are all light pink in color, which echoes the flowers on the skirt.But all these exquisite objects are far inferior to the little girl's eyes that are as bright as the bright moon, her brows and eyes that are like a spring breeze, and her elegant and gentle demeanor.

Like a little fairy walking down from the clouds.Also like a delicate doll.

Wu Wei couldn't help but think of the rose-colored dress she was wearing, which was printed and dyed with ordinary crimson flowers.There is also the gold hairpin and gold hairpin that I pestered my mother to make.A set of clothes that she couldn't put it down at first, but now she just thinks it's tacky.He couldn't help pursing his lips, and quietly hid behind the tree, watching the person who was carved in pink and jade go into the right wing, and then slowly came out, and walked back to the room on his left.

Thinking of this, Guiren Wu gritted his teeth, picked up a rhino horn comb on the dressing table and combed his long hair hanging from his temples.Tonight, she deliberately gave up her favorite bright-colored clothes, but chose a light blue dress with brocade and crepe hidden flowers. forward.High hair bun, tortoiseshell bead flower hairpin inserted obliquely, plum blossom tassels in gold steps, a strand of ink-like hair hanging to the chest, and a pink begonia silk flower on the hairpin.She could be called a beauty in the first place, so she looks quite elegant when dressed up like this.

And this kind of dress was the same dress Ling Xuewei wore when she went to the Ling Mansion as a guest before she went to Jiangnan.

Wu Guiren thought that the emperor should like such a dress.Just like, the emperor likes Ling Xuewei.

Sure enough, after the emperor came in, he praised her for her warm clothes, and his eyes and eyebrows were full of love.It's just that the gaze didn't stop on her face, but penetrated everything and landed in the distance of nothingness.

"Your Majesty," Wu Guiren snuggled towards him without any trace, "I have made some snacks, and I want to invite the Emperor to taste them."

Shen Xiyao smiled, and picked up a book casually: "I didn't expect a nobleman to be able to cook." After reading it, he ignored it.

Wu Guiren tried her best to put on a very virtuous smile: "This concubine learned this from a good friend. Her family pays attention to food. After tasting it, she liked it very much, so she asked her to learn it. Hurt, thinking that the dessert is sweet and delicious, maybe the emperor will like it."

"Oh?" Shen Xiyao raised his eyebrows, as if suddenly interested: "Then I want to try it."

The smile on Wu Guiren's face was even stronger, he slapped two palms lightly, and a maid brought a plate of crisps.

Shen Xiyao looked at the crunchy, golden-yellow banana, exuding the faint sweetness of the banana, and biting it down, it was really unparalleled.

"That's right, Wei'er has worked hard." Shen Xiyao raised his hand, and Zhang Dehai stepped forward. "Reward Wu Guiren with a pearl."

Guiren Wu thanked him, and did not get up in a hurry, but looked up at the emperor in front of him, and the noodles under the crabapple were facing the emperor's eyes.

Shen Xiyao was startled, and stretched out his hand, but felt a sharp pain in his foot, and frowned: "Zhang Dehai."

Seeing the emperor's expression, Zhang Dehai knew that the pain was coming again, so he had to smile apologetically and said to Wu Guiren: "Mr. Wu, the emperor needs to change the medicine. Please stay away for now."

Wu Guiren's complexion changed slightly, but he still got up gracefully: "Your Majesty, my concubine is waiting outside."

Shen Xiyao nodded, looked at the back of Wu Wei going out, and suddenly said: "You go back to the palace. Tomorrow your mother will come to the palace to meet you, so you can talk about yourself." He then ordered Zhang Dehai: "Tomorrow Mrs. Wu enters the palace, find A capable servant is by my side."

Wu Guiren knew that this was a great favor from heaven, so he hurriedly turned around and kowtowed, feeling extremely benefited.But seeing Shen Xiyao's faint expression, his eyes fell on her face, and he didn't look away for a long time, before he said after a long while: "You live in a side hall, so you will inevitably see the master. Why don't you meet Lingtang at the Waterside Pavilion. It's better to talk about it .”

Wu Guiren didn't expect the emperor to be so considerate of her, so she couldn't help but feel a little flustered, but she still held back her expression and bowed again to leave.

Watching her retreat slowly, Shen Xiyao looked at Zhang Dehai at the side: "Is everything arranged?"

Zhang Dehai took a step forward, and said in a low voice: "Going back to the emperor, everything has been arranged. The servant arranged Duo Shun in the pavilion. In addition, there is a hidden place on the side of the waterside pavilion, and the servant also let Yuxiu hide there."

"These two are reliable?" Shen Xiyao said casually, playing with a jade pendant in his hand.

"It was trained by the servant himself, the emperor can rest assured." Zhang Dehai said seriously.

Shen Xiyao nodded: "Yes, it must be safe."

(End of this chapter)

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