Golden branches and jade leaves

Chapter 20
The Compassionate Palace where the Empress Dowager lives is located in the northwest of the harem. It is located in a quiet location, with elegant and unique architecture, for the widowed concubines and concubines to live in.

Because most of the widowed concubines believe in Buddhism, there are the most Buddhist halls in the Cining Palace. Jiyun Tower, Yixin Hall, and Lianhua Room are all worshiped by the concubines when they are free.Even the flowers and trees are mostly sycamore, ginkgo, pines and cypresses, in order to seek peace and tranquility.The Empress Dowager herself has always been not very lively, she prefers to pay respects to the Buddha carefully, coupled with years of physical discomfort, so now she no longer participates in the lively feasts in the harem, and even last night's New Year's royal family banquet was only present for a while before returning palace.

Today is the first day of the new year, and it is inevitable that it will be lively here.According to the rules, the queen needs to bring all the concubines and sisters to greet the queen mothers and concubines.The family members of all the officials in the outer court, and the wives and concubines also have to enter the palace to pay homage to the Queen Mother to congratulate the new year.

When visiting the Empress Dowager, although there is no requirement to wear imperial attire, most of the concubines naturally choose the phoenix crown. After all, the Empress Dowager is not an emperor, and she does not need to rely on her beauty to flatter her. What is most important is the virtue of virtuousness and simplicity of concubines.Today's empress dowager is known in the world for her wisdom.Two years ago, Qi Long once saw that several buildings in the Palace of Compassion and Ning were a little old, and he was afraid that the Queen Mother would not live well, so he proposed to renovate the Palace of Compassion and Ning to show his filial piety.They were all resolutely rejected by the queen mother, and Qi Long said: "...the foundation of politics is the most important thing. The merits of civil engineering cannot be accomplished at the same time. This palace was first built, Nanying Cuiwei, it was not too late, and Yuhua created it. Borrowing mountains and rivers, it is not without the labor of erection; if it is damaged again and again, it is quite labor-intensive. In the end, the covenant with Maots is like the exhaustion of trees and stones; if it is used and hired people, it is not without the disadvantages of trouble. Low palaces and rich food are the place of the holy master; golden houses and Yaotai are the pride of the proud master. Therefore, the king of the way will take pleasure in the people; The power is inexhaustible; use it and let it rest, and people will be happy." He believes that "now that the country is busy with military affairs, and there are many places to use troops, don't waste money and food for such trivial things...".Therefore, both the harem and the people praised the empress dowager for her thrifty and virtuous virtues.

Moreover, the queen mother is the aunt of the current queen and the sister of the general Wang She.Of course no concubine would steal the queen's limelight on such an occasion.

The queen brought all the concubines to the Ci Ning Palace early in the morning.

The solemn and solemn Palace of Compassion and Ning is also very festive at this time. Regardless of the curtains and curtains, they have been replaced with bright red brocades for festivals, embroidered with golden and red peony flowers and wishful flower patterns, and even incense burners, pillars and other objects There is also a rich gold-plated blessing on it...

Walking through the four doors with double intersections and four bowls of water chestnut flowers, there were already a group of maids and nuns waiting there, and the soft felt curtains with red and gold sprinkled were lifted, and all the concubines entered the Hall of Compassion.

Several charcoal basins were burning warmly in the room, and a peaceful and peaceful aroma slowly emanated from the four gilt-copper incense burners in the corner.The house is shrouded in a hazy haze, like a fairyland.

On a row of carved rattan chairs in the middle, several dignified old ladies were sitting upright, one of them was calm and upright, with a faint resemblance to the Queen, who was Daqi's current queen mother.

The empress dowager, who is the most noble and prominent woman in the entire Daqi class, is 52 years old this year. From her clothes, it can be seen that this famous empress dowager is really frugal and simple. For the joy and auspiciousness of the new year, she is wearing a The double-breasted jacket with silver and red broken gold flowers is elegantly dressed, with an ordinary bun on his head and a jade hairpin carved in the shape of auspicious clouds. The luster and color are ordinary.There are not many decorations on the body, only a string of sandalwood beads around the neck, and the clothes are not as luxurious as the few concubines around him.Perhaps it was because of her long-term eating vegetarian diet, reciting Buddha's name and devoting herself to meditation, her face still looked like she was in her forties, and her long-term high position made her demeanor naturally reveal a kind of noble bearing.

At this time, when she saw the queen bringing all the concubines in, a kind smile appeared on her face: "Are you all here?"

The concubines beside her who were talking to her also turned their heads to look at the crowd, their faces couldn't help showing joy.For these concubines who have been in the palace for a long time, today is an extremely rare and lively time.

The queen and her concubines followed court etiquette and saluted the first queen mother and all the concubines.

The Empress Dowager calmly motioned to flatten her body, and then, the eunuch who was about to stand beside her sang loudly the annual gift rewards for the concubines.

The concubines kowtowed to thank them.

The queen mother looked at the dozens of concubines who Yingying bowed down, and happily confessed a few words of auspicious celebration, and said: "Now that you are in the harem, you are members of the royal family. You should pay attention to the harmony between sisters and breed for the royal family. Son, don't be like those country women who are jealous and make the emperor worry for nothing." Then he turned to the queen and said, "As the head of the six palaces, you must teach strictly, and the royal etiquette must not be abolished. Don't make troubles in the harem again , causing the emperor to worry, and the people to criticize. This is the blessing of Daqi."

The queen bowed her head, the concubines knew it well, and it seemed that the empress dowager had also heard about Concubine Yun.

After the ceremony, today's task is considered complete, and most of the concubines retired respectfully and calmly.

The Empress Dowager said: "It's rare to come here today, Ning Qiu, you can stay for a while and talk to us old ladies." Ning Qiu is the Queen's name.The queen, of course, gladly complied.

Su Mi was also about to leave with everyone, when the Queen Mother suddenly asked, "By the way, who is Concubine Su?

Su Mi hurriedly knelt down to answer, and said, "The concubine is Su Mi."

"Well, you can also keep it for a while, and let my old lady take a look at it," the queen mother nodded and said.

After a while, the other concubines retreated, and only Su Mi and the queen were left in the hall.The clever palace man arranged the seats immediately.

"Son, come here and let Ai's family take a good look." The queen mother said to Su Mi kindly, like an elder in a family greeting a younger generation.

Su Mi walked forward according to her words, trying to make her posture more down-to-earth, humble and polite.

The Empress Dowager took her hand and took a closer look at Su Mi's face. Su Mi lowered her head. Today she only wore a double-breasted dress with a silver bottom and emerald edges, with no decorative patterns on it. None, and the buttons are just ordinary satin twisted into a butterfly shape, without the popular oriental beads and jasper inlaid.Her hair was neatly combed with an emerald, coiled behind her head, and her appearance was elegant.

The queen mother showed a satisfied look on her face, nodded and said: "Sure enough, she looks good." Then she smiled happily at the concubines around her and said, "Looking at them now, but I really know that I am really old."

Su Mi looked a little flustered, lowered her head timidly, and said in a low voice, "The Empress Dowager is a world-renowned queen, with a noble demeanor, which can't be compared with the humble appearance of a servant girl."

"The Empress Dowager is in her prime, how dare she speak lightly of the old words?" Dowager Mingde beside the Empress Dowager said with a smile: "If we want to say that, wouldn't we be more likely to enter the coffin?"

The queen also said: "My mother is in the prime of life, how can I speak old characters?"

The queen mother smiled, but between the opening and closing of her eyebrows, she revealed a majesty and shrewdness: "How can a person not be old? Old is old, alas, old is fine, there is no need to get involved in any affairs, waste What are you thinking. But I am just worried about you. After all, you are too young, do you have any experience in dealing with things? What if something really happens in the harem? Needless to say, if you are as lawless as that concubine Yun, who is born with love Jiao, if there are a few more people who dare to do things like poisoning the emperor's heir, what should we do!"

The queen lowered her head, not daring to say anything.

"The empress dowager is really worrying too much," said concubine Miaoyi, who was lowered by the empress dowager, and said with a smile: "Now the emperor is filial and wise, the empress is well-educated, and the six palaces are peaceful and peaceful, so there is no trouble. Occasionally, there are one or two concubines who don't know how to praise you Yes, not to mention the queen, even the rules of the emperor and ancestors cannot tolerate her."

The Empress Dowager had no excuse, she smiled at Su Mi again, and said kindly, "You don't need to be so restrained in front of this palace, come, please sit down, let's have a good chat today."The little eunuch moved over the soft stool.

Su Mi had no choice but to thank her seat as she said, and sat down nervously.

The queen mother said to her again: "Although you are young, you are not small in courage. It is really rare to be able to save the emperor from life and death at such a critical moment. Speaking of which, even the Ai family should thank you."

"As the emperor's concubine, the concubine should of course do her best for the emperor, but it's just a matter of duty, how dare she accept the Queen Mother's gratitude." Su Mi said hastily.

"Well," the queen mother nodded, "although you are young, you also know the name of etiquette, which is very good, there are many troubles in the palace now, you should learn the precepts of women's rules, cultivate your character diligently, assist the queen, and share the worries of the emperor. "

Su Mi bowed her head softly and said yes.The concubines chatted for a few more words, and seeing that the queen mother had no intention of letting her go, Su Mi sat down with her head down, with a neat demeanor.After a while, I saw the little eunuch outside the door coming in to announce that the wives inside and outside came to pay their respects.

The Empress Dowager said happily, "Come in quickly."

When the gate of the palace opened, many ladies with hairpins in cloud buns and beautiful dresses walked in, all of them were princes and concubines of Daqi, women of counties and counties.

Su Mi only felt that she was restless. According to the rules, although there is no need to shy away from court women and concubines, but she is a humble person, and the etiquette of sitting here to accept many orders from the court is quite inappropriate.

The queen was also aware of this, and smiled at Su Mi who was beside her, "Go to the small living room and bring me a cup of tea first." Su Mi just left as she said.

After leaving the main hall, Su Mi waited for a while on the soft couch in the small side hall, and saw the little eunuch report back. After paying homage, she returned to the main hall with a teacup.

At this time, most of the noble ladies in the hall have already resigned, and only a few were left behind by the queen mother, talking affectionately about family affairs.Sitting at the top is Daqi's first-class imperial lady Anguo, the hereditary first-class An Guogong and the wife of the general Wang She, who is also the queen's biological mother.She was about forty years old, wearing a long royal blue dress and a small jacket with green wisteria pattern.A soft fox fur shawl was draped over her shoulders, and her outline was somewhat round and elegant like a queen's. She looked like a rare beauty even when she was young.It's just that compared with the queen's charm, it lacks a bit of elegance, and it looks more rich and noble.At this time, he was whispering something to the Queen Mother, with a somewhat humble and respectful smile on his face.

Seeing Su Mi walking in, the noble ladies did not look like ordinary girls, so they naturally knew that it was the empress's concubine, so they quickly stood up and saluted.Knowing that the few people in front of him were all dignitaries with high positions in the Great Qi, Su Mi also respectfully returned the gift and sat back in her seat.

Several wives were talking about family fun to make the queen mother happy, Su Mi was very bored, especially since she didn't sleep last night, she was even more tired at this time, her eyes were dry, but she knew not to be rude and forced herself support.

But she didn't know if it was an illusion, she always felt that there were a few meaningful eyes lingering on her body, which made her feel uneasy all the time.Are you too sensitive?Perhaps these noble ladies are just naturally curious about the emperor's new favorite concubine.

A prince and concubine told a funny story at home and brought out a joke, which made everyone in the palace laugh. The queen mother laughed a few times, and suddenly coughed.

Mrs. Dingguo said: "Is the Queen Mother's condition still not good?"

"It's an old problem, what's the matter?" The queen mother said with a smile.

"My husband is planning to send people to the south to look for famous doctors after the Chinese New Year." Mrs. Dingguo said, she was talking about the Empress Dowager's younger brother, Duke Dingguo Wang She.As the highest guarantee of the royal family's power, the queen mother is the strongest backer of the royal family, so she is naturally caring.

"Why do you need to go to some magical doctor? The imperial doctor in the palace is the best. How can an outsider heal a disease that can't be cured even in the palace? According to me, don't bother with such labor." The queen mother said: "I am not seriously ill. Why bother to take so much thought."

"The imperial physicians in the palace are not necessarily the best. How could a real famous physician, Hermit, care about these rich and vain articles in the palace? For example, people all over the world are rumored that Su Weiming, the Xuanji genius doctor, if he can be found, the Queen Mother's condition will be of no use. Do you have to worry?" Mrs. Dingguo said with a smile.

Miracle Doctor Xuanji! ! !

This claim is light and normal, but when it hit Su Mi's ears, it was like a thunderbolt. She couldn't help trembling, raised her head quickly, and glanced calmly, seeing that no one was paying attention. Only then did he lower his head a little relieved.

"I heard that Miracle Xuanji's medical skills are superb. As long as he takes action, there will be no incurable disease or people who cannot be saved." Another lady next to her said with a smile.

"Where is there such a doctor? Wouldn't he be like a god? I'm afraid it's just an exaggeration by some ignorant people in the folk world." The Empress Dowager said with a smile: "Those people, where have they seen anything?"

"What the queen mother said is true, but there are many strange people and strange people among the people," said a prince and concubine, "I have also heard the name of Xuanji's miracle doctor. He was a strange person who was famous all over the world back then, and many difficult and complicated diseases were solved by him. It would be a good thing to be invited.”

Concubine Miaoyi said: "Since there are rumors among the people, I'm afraid they have some real skills. It would be good if we could invite you here. What's more, even if the Empress Dowager's condition is not beneficial, it can also show that our Great Qi is eager to seek talents. Mind."

"Miaoyi is right." The queen mother nodded.

"It's just that the whereabouts of this genius doctor Xuanji is known?" the princess asked: "I heard that he retired from the world 20 years ago and didn't care about world affairs. Many people have tried to find it, but there is no clue. "

"If you're not sure, how dare you show off in front of the Queen Mother?" Mrs. Dingguo said with a somewhat smug smile, "Recently, I have received reliable news that the miracle doctor is said to be living in seclusion in Wanzhou. The news I got from a person in the rivers and lakes."

"Wanzhou, isn't that the original Weiguo area?" Several concubines and noble ladies were discussing one after another.

Su Mi lowered her head silently, expressing her meekness and shallowness.In fact, there was a huge wave in her heart at this time.Who spread the news about his adoptive father?The news that the adoptive father lived in seclusion in the mountains was an extreme secret. Who else would know besides my own family?
However, it doesn't matter anymore.

A mocking sneer overflowed from the corner of his mouth, his adoptive father passed away unfortunately when he was 13 years old.Let them turn the whole Wanzhou upside down, and they are doomed to waste their time.

After talking for a while, the Empress Dowager began to show tiredness, and several imperial concubines and concubines got up to leave one after another.Only the empress was left to speak by the empress dowager, so Su Mi got up and left.

(End of this chapter)