Golden branches and jade leaves

Chapter 33 The Queen Mother's Birthday Banquet
Daqi's court is still the same as before.

Su Mi's return did not bring any disturbance to the increasingly busy palace, only a few favored concubines secretly complained that their favor might be getting less.

Originally, according to what Qi Long said, Su Mi was going to live in Qianqing Palace for a few days before the end of the show girl election, but since Su Mi's body was not recovered, the queen purposely kept Caiwei Palace still, and found another place. The palace is ready to arrange a show girl.So now Su Mi is still lying peacefully in her bedroom.It's only been a short month since I left, the palace is already full of beautiful flowers in full bloom, the fragrance of flowers from the yard is faintly wafting into the house, the flowers are thick and willows are green, and the beautiful trees are verdant.

Su Mi pulled the goose-yellow fine velvet blanket on her body, the weather in early spring was still a bit cold.She was looking at the blue sky outside the window in a trance, and the sun shone in through the panes, warming her body.Slowly the drowsiness spread, the eyes closed unconsciously, and the silk handkerchief in his hand fell to the ground without knowing it.

In the haze, I heard a resentful voice outside saying: "I'm really mad."

"Keep down, a slight voice came, I just looked at it, the master has fallen asleep in the room, do you want to quarrel the master?" It was Mi Qing's voice, she asked: "What's the matter? Who offended you, Eunuch Lu?"

"Don't mention it," Xiao Luzi's voice lowered accordingly, "I didn't know it at first, do you know what I heard when I went to the Ministry of Internal Affairs just now?"

"What's wrong? What did you say?" Mi Qing asked.

"Those lowly people, in the next life, let them fall into the water and turn into bastards. They even commented that the reason why our master lived in the mountains for so long was not because of recuperation, but because he had a relationship with a man named Ni at the Hanshan Temple a few days ago. All the guards fell off the cliff together, and they said that they stayed together for a day and a night together, sharing weal and woe, sleeping in each other's embrace... and other obscene words. Can I not be angry? A few mean-spirited servants gave me a hard lesson..."

Su Mi was leaning on the bed in a daze, but upon hearing these words, it was as if a thunderbolt exploded in her mind, and she woke up suddenly.

When did such rumors begin to spread in the palace?With Zen Master Kuye personally dispelling the rumors for himself, no one should doubt it anymore.If these words spread, his own reputation... At that time, Ni Tingxuan stayed in the mountains to recuperate because of his serious injuries. He took it back.During the month that I was in the mountains, I did spend such a period of time with him.Although at that time Su Mi lived in a separate courtyard and never went out, and the two of them had never met each other, but they were not in the deep palace at that time, and they were surrounded by people from her palace. If such rumors spread, it would be impossible to argue. She couldn't even open her mouth to argue.

If these words were rumored to Qi Long's ears, Qi Long would not believe them for a while with the words of Zen Master Kuye, but did he hear too much?Thinking of Qi Long who was suspicious of the Queen's few words when he was on the mountain, Su Mi felt chills.

Everyone speaks gold, accumulates and destroys bones.These rumors are like soft knives. Although they don't look fatal, they are the most painful.She originally thought that the queen was busy with drafting matters and was unable to care about herself, but now it seems.She couldn't wait to kill herself.Su Mi turned over upset in her heart.

"How could there be such rumors?" Mi Qing also knew that something was wrong, so her expression changed.She looked back into the room, Su Mi seemed to be still asleep, she turned her head and said to Xiao Luzi: "Keep your voice down, don't let such words reach the master's ears, the master's health is not good... ..."

The two walked farther and farther.

Under the midday sun, the bright rays of light pass through the treetops and fall on the ground of white marble carved bricks, on the vermilion colorful corridors, and on the autumn-scented silks and satins.The warm feeling on her body is still so clear, but Su Mi only feels that her heart is cold, and she still came. After breaking up with the queen, she knew that there would be such a day sooner or later, but she didn't expect them to act so quickly. Now she She's just a little Jieyu, with no internal support, no external support, she might be crushed to pieces by someone's slap at any time, what should she do next?
She was in a trance when she suddenly heard a small sound.It was Mi Qing who tiptoed in with a plate of things.

Seeing that Su Mi's eyes were open, she was taken aback, and then said with heavy steps: "Master, you are awake, you may catch a cold if you sleep like this, you are not in good shape yet..."

"I don't have anything." Su Mi said, then looked at the colorful plate of fruit in Mi Qing's hand and asked, "What is this, and where is it a tribute from?"

"This..." Mi Qing looked up at Su Mi, "Master, don't you remember?"

"What's the matter?" Su Mi asked reflexively.

Mi Qing replied: "Tomorrow is the birthday of the Empress Dowager. This is the birthday fruit that was sent by the Palace of Compassion and Peace just now as a reward for all the concubines. Didn't the servants tell you a few days ago?"

Queen Mother's birthday? !

Only then did Su Mi suddenly realize that tomorrow is the ninth day of March.

Mi Qing hesitated for a moment and asked: "Master, there will be a harem family banquet in the Palace of Compassion and Ning Tomorrow night, and it has just been sent an order that all the concubines in the harem should attend, master, do you think this time you are sick... You are not in good health. it is good……"

It's a blessing or a curse, it's a disaster that can't be avoided. Thinking of the rumors I heard just now, Su Mi sneered, "Go, why not go, since it's the Queen Mother's invitation. As a concubine, of course I have to show my filial piety. "

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After simply dressing up, Su Mi went out without taking a chariot, so she supported Mi Qing's hand and followed the eunuch who came to deliver the message to the Palace of Compassion.

Although the Empress Dowager has repeatedly said that she should be frugal, she still needs to show a grandeur at the birthday banquet of the Royal Empress Dowager.Banquets in the inner court, rewards from the court, and congratulatory forms from civil and military officials... are all indispensable.

The banquet this time was held in the Hall of Compassion and Peace.The hall of the Compassionate Palace lacks the opulence and luxury of ordinary palaces, but it does not have a serene and peaceful demeanor.Even when the harem feast was about to start, there was not much noise and noise, and the palace servants walking in the palace were also exceptionally quiet and docile.

When Su Mi arrived, many concubines had already arrived, chatting and laughing around several tables of fruits.

In the middle of the main hall is a phoenix algae jade table. The legs of the table are carved in the shape of auspicious clouds flying into the sky holding longevity peaches, which symbolizes longevity and boundless life. It is the seat of the Queen Mother.On both sides is the seat of the emperor and empress, on the left is Qi Long's dragon case, and on the right is the queen's phoenix case.None of the three arrived.

Su Mi sat down in the reserved seat according to her status.Several concubines nearby looked at her unnaturally, Su Mi knew it was because of the rumor.

It's not yet the time for the banquet, and the concubines are still gossiping and chatting, nothing more than the topic of jewelry, hairpins, treasures and clothing.Not long after Su Mi sat down, the conversation around her began to turn to her.Concubine Wen first laughed and said: "Sister is really hydrated a lot. Although she was seriously ill a while ago, now it seems that even if she is sick, she is still a sick beauty."

"Sister Concubine Wen has won the prize, how can it compare to her elegant and charming sister?" Su Mi laughed.

"I heard that my sister was frightened a lot that time in Danfeng Mountain. Thanks to someone who rescued me, she was able to escape from those vicious assassins? But is it true?" Concubine Wen asked, "Oh, I After listening to those experiences, I couldn’t help but be terrified.”

All the concubines looked at Su Mi unconsciously, waiting for her answer.

"It's because of the blessing of the emperor that we have the chance to escape from this catastrophe." Su Mi smiled calmly.

"It's a pity that my sister was frightened and fell seriously ill. I don't know if recuperating in the mountains is as suitable as in our palace?"

Sure enough, it came!Su Mi secretly said in her heart, with a calm face, she said with a smile: "At that time, it was because the concubine was weak and unable to move. The emperor was sympathetic, so he allowed me to recuperate there."

Concubine Zhu Gui who was next to him smiled and said, "I'm afraid that someone in the temple tripped my sister up? It made my sister reluctant to leave."

The princesses laughed lightly.This is really a blatant provocation.

Su Mi followed suit with a calm smile, and said: "What my sister said is that Zen Master Kuye is an unparalleled master in the world, and his maids and concubines really admire him, and wish he could serve and be taught every day. It's a pity that he is an old man. Ru Xian, it is difficult for me to listen to the teachings for a long time, it is really a pity for my generation." Then he turned to Concubine Wen with a smile and said, "Could it be that my sister also wants to live in the mountains for a while?"

Concubine Wen smiled and said: "I would like to, but unfortunately there is no such opportunity, how can there be such a fate as a younger sister?"

"If you want fate, why is it so difficult?" Su Mi smiled and said, "As long as my sister is dedicated to the Buddha, I can just ask the emperor instead of my sister. Now that the Empress Dowager is ill, it is natural to pray to the Buddha like this." The more the better. My sister's sincerity will definitely move the emperor and empress."

Concubine Wen's face showed anger, but Su Mi still smiled and said, "Could it be that sister doesn't want to pray for the queen mother and her old man?"

Concubine Zhu Gui next to him couldn't help but interrupted: "Chan Master Kuye is naturally a master of Taoism, but I heard that there is not only the master in Hanshan Temple, but also..."

"What else?" A gorgeous and delicate voice came, choking back the half-sentence that Concubine Zhu Gui had said.

The concubines looked back and saw that Concubine Ni was standing behind everyone in a bright red embroidered dress with trembling hairpin rings and dotted with pearls.The scene suddenly quieted down.

Knowing how simple the Empress Dowager is, at this birthday banquet, most of the concubines were dressed in a simple and elegant way. Looking around, all the seats were light blue, soft and clear, light yellow and light green.She alone was dressed in a gorgeous palace dress embroidered with hundreds of flowers and flying butterflies, with a butterfly wing golden step inlaid with rubies, and a ring of pearls strung with gold thread around her forehead, shining brightly and shining brightly, making her stand out among the crowd. Surrounded by concubines, it is like a blooming peony, gorgeous and proud.

Those concubines who were deliberately simple and elegant, instead became her foil.

On one side of her figure, there was a person behind her, which turned out to be Liu Qiyan.These days, she has been concentrating on raising her baby, staying at home, and even Su Mi hasn't seen her for a long time.At this time, she was more than five months pregnant. She was wearing a loose and plain long skirt, and her abdomen was clearly bulging. The maids beside her were all carefully serving her.

Seeing Su Mi's eyes resting on her body, Qi Yan gave her a gentle smile, and then shrank back.It seems that she is having a good time these days.

Ni Yelin smiled sweetly, with a charming and elegant posture: "What did everyone say just now? Hearing what everyone said seemed to be very happy, why don't you listen to it now. Let me be happy together." She looked at Concubine Zhu Gui and smiled. : "I just wish my sister said what else is in Hanshan Temple? I haven't heard clearly yet."

Concubine Zhu Gui's complexion changed.The concubines were silent like cicadas, not daring to speak.Only then did they suddenly realize that the rumors they were talking about not only involved a simple concubine in front of them, but also involved...

"Sister Concubine Wen and concubine Zhu Gui seem to know a lot about Hanshan Temple, which really opened my eyes." Concubine Ni stretched out her hand as she spoke, and lightly touched it from the plain white jade plate on the table. Lightly picked up a red pearl fruit.The two-inch long nails did not have the gold and jade armor that is popular among concubines, but were painted with gorgeous impatiens flower juice, and the gold powder mixed in the flower juice made the bright color extraordinarily dazzling. The hollow armor sets inlaid with gold and jade for the concubines are even more coquettish and moving.It looks even more moist than the fresh and tender pearl fruit below.Her gaze swept across the concubines with a chill, paused for a moment when passing by Su Mi, and then naturally moved away.

"Since you're so happy, why don't you let me come over to have fun." Ni Guifei smiled, and turned to look at the crowd: "Why don't you say anything? Sister Wenfei?"

Concubine Wen shivered.Ni Yuan is now almost in a state of semi-retirement, which makes Concubine Ni's momentum not as good as before, but under the long-term accumulation of power, no concubine dares to disobey her intentions.The scene froze for a moment.

Finally, it was Concubine Li Xian who laughed and broke the deadlock and said: "Just now we were talking about the amulets of Hanshan Temple that are particularly effective. I heard that Zen Master Kuye is there right now. Zen Master is an eminent monk. I don't know if there is such honor for him. The old man asks for a magic talisman."

"That's right," Concubine Wen smiled, "I've also heard a lot about Hanshan Temple, and they all praised the aura there and the blessings of the gods. So I always wanted to go to the temple for the little emperor." Looking for a talisman, recently Xiao Diji has some coughing symptoms from time to time."

"Then you have to be careful in serving Diji, the emperor has such a little blood now," Ni Guifei said with a smile: "Sister Wenfei is a lucky person after all."

All the concubines breathed a sigh of relief, and the topic turned to Xiao Diji again. Although the smile was still a bit embarrassing, the atmosphere became warmer.

Concubine Li Xian smiled and said: "Speaking of children, the one inside Liu Cairen's stomach is the most delicate. It's only five months now, I'm afraid the fetal image is not stable yet, don't just stand there, take a seat quickly."

"The imperial concubine is taking care of Sister Liu's baby these days. It's really hard work." Luo Zhaoyi also said.After the queen mother fell ill, the queen couldn't leave her body, so the task of taking care of the fetus in Qiyan's womb naturally fell to Ni Yelin.

"This is also my palace's devotion to the emperor." Ni Yelin smiled and said: "After all, he is the heir of the royal family. The empress is too busy with her, even if I am working hard, it is worth it for the emperor."

The concubines flattered and flattered again.Just as he was speaking, the inner eunuch outside the door made a long announcement, and then the queen walked into the hall holding the hand of the queen mother.

All the concubines hurriedly stood up and saluted.

The empress dowager sat behind the jade table kindly, looked at the people below, and said with a smile: "It's just my family's banquet, so there is no need to pay attention to so many rules, let's all be flat." He was haggard a lot, and there were faint signs of grayness between his eyebrows, but his spirit was still good.

The Empress Dowager chatted with the concubines, then turned to Su Mi with a gentle smile, and asked, "I heard that you really suffered a lot a few days ago, are you feeling better now?"

"If you go back to the queen mother, the concubine's health will be much better." Su Mi stood up respectfully and replied, "It is the concubine's fault to make the queen mother worry."

"That's good. The emperor has always been thinking about you. Last time he came to Ai's house, he still mentioned you. This time, the incident at Hanshan Temple really wronged you. Those gangsters are really lawless." The queen mother shook her head. sighed.

Regarding the attack on Hanshan Temple, naturally the "culprit" was quickly found, that is, Donglianghui, who attempted to assassinate Qi Taki last time. From the clues at the scene and the investigation of the Ministry of Criminal Justice in the capital, we have come to such a conclusion. Nothing could be more normal.After the assassination of Qi Long failed, the group of rebels who hated Da Qi turned to show their anger to the innocent concubine, and this time the person in charge of protection was the son of the traitor Ni Yuan whom they were eager to get rid of.

Of course, this is just an official article. What was actually found out and what was involved? Whether it is the court or the harem, when it comes to this matter, they all shy away.

"My concubine would like to thank the Empress Dowager for her concern. The concubine is grateful for her great kindness. It is because of the blessings of the Empress Dowager and the emperor that this concubine can recover so quickly." Su Mi smiled gratefully.

After the Queen Mother confessed a few words on the occasion, she ordered Su Mi to take her seat.

Almost all the concubines and concubines in the palace were present, and they were all together, laughing and talking sweetly.The concubines were either talking about the jokes about the slaves in the palace, or complimenting the Empress Dowager and the Queen's virtues. After a few words, someone brought the topic to Liu Qiyan.

As for the only pregnant concubine in the palace, although her status is low, she is the focus of everyone's attention.

"I heard that Liu Cairen's father intends to ask for an official title?" Concubine Li Xian asked.

"That's right. My father is dedicated to serving the country. Unfortunately, he came from a humble background and has not been able to fulfill his wish. Fortunately, the emperor has issued a decree to select talents, regardless of their origins, so this is the opportunity. It is the result of the emperor's love for talents. "Surrounded by high-ranking concubines, Qi Yan is also cautious when speaking.

"Since he is the father of a nobleman, he should be rewarded with a family background. Didn't Concubine Yun's father have been promoted three or four levels within a year? Even for the sake of the emperor's heir, it should be the same." Wen Wen When Concubine mentioned Yun Concubine now, there was still a bit of sourness in her words.

"How dare Qiyan go beyond that." Qiyan smiled humbly.

Su Mi smiled lightly, she also looked more tactful, this palace is indeed the place where people can grow up the most.

Suddenly the queen asked, "Since even Liu Cairen can find a family background, I don't know why Lian Jieyu didn't find a family background too. Why don't we report it together, let this palace be the master, how about giving advice to the emperor?" She The smile is gentle and charming, considerate and thoughtful.

There were contempt on the faces of several concubines on the spot. They all knew that Su Mi's background was not as good as that of Liu Qiyan. Although in the eyes of these concubines, the stench of copper is stronger, they can still be regarded as a decent and wealthy family, but Su Mi...

Suddenly a bad idea came to Su Mi's mind, her face remained unchanged, and she replied respectfully: "The concubine's background is humble, how dare you think about it."

"It's true, even if our Daqi rewards the title and transforms from a concubine to a scholar, it is good to be a good citizen of three generations. How can we let the guards fill the role." Concubine Zhu Gui smiled lightly.

"Where are there Wei people? They are all Qi people. Does Concubine Zhu think that there is still a Wei country in this world?" The queen said with a cold glance at her.

Concubine Zhu Gui immediately knew that what she said just now violated a big taboo, her face turned pale with fright, but fortunately, the queen just said something to her in a nonchalant way, and then ignored her, and continued to face Su Mirou He said: "Speaking of which, what was Lian Jieyu's original background? Now that the state of Wei belongs to us Daqi, the original Wei minister should naturally be a Qi minister. I heard that Lian Jieyu used to be Wei's servant, presumably You are also from a famous family, right?"

She sent someone to investigate herself? !
Su Mi's mind exploded, how much did she know, could it be... no, if she really knew her true identity, there would be no need to spend time spying and chatting here.

By the way, it is spying!
"The concubine's life experience is really not worth mentioning," Su Mi said with a bit of shame on her face: "The concubine's father is just a country doctor, who happened to heal the concubine's concubine in the Wei Palace at that time. Concubine Rou saw that the concubine was acting neatly, so she left the concubine in the palace to accompany Di Ji." This is Su Mi's well-known identity to the outside world.Even in Wei Gong, the vast majority of people think so about Su Mi's life experience.

Hearing Su Mi's words, the contempt on the faces of the concubines became a bit more serious, but Su Mi claimed to be humble, and they couldn't make any more sarcastic remarks.

"A doctor is also a decent profession," the queen said with a smile, "Lian Jieyu doesn't have to hurt herself, as long as you report your father's name, I will ask you to be granted a title. We Daqi rule the world with filial piety. How can there be a daughter?" honor, but the reason why my father’s family is down and out in the countryside.”

The jealousy on the faces of the concubines was fleeting.

Su Mi was about to refuse again, at this moment, the eunuch outside the door sang loudly, "The emperor is here!" Then the bead curtain was raised, and Qi Long walked in.

After entering the main hall, Qi Long first saluted and greeted the Empress Dowager, and the Empress Dowager smiled and signaled before sitting behind the dragon case.

Scanning the hall, his eyes fell on Su Mi, and there was a hint of surprise in his eyes: "Mi'er just recovered and came here?"

It was Su Mi who was the first to ask Qi Long, and the faces of all the concubines were not very good-looking.

Su Mi hurriedly bowed and said: "The body of the concubine has recovered after recuperating in the mountains. Today is the birthday of the Empress Dowager, how can I not be filial."

Qi Long nodded, then turned around and asked the Queen: "Just now I heard some words about the desolate countryside from a distance outside, what are you talking about?"

The queen covered her mouth with a smile and said, "The concubine Cai was discussing the matter of Lian Jieyu's father with the sisters just now."

"Oh." Hearing that it was Su Mi's family, Qi Taki became interested and asked the queen repeatedly.

Su Mi secretly groaned in her heart, the queen probably insisted on this because she knew something.Now that Qi Long knew it again, wouldn't he be even more dangerous.

"It's my negligence, thanks to the queen's reminder," Qi Long nodded repeatedly after hearing what the queen said, then turned to Su Mi and said, "Where is Mi'er's father from? Why don't you tell me in detail, so that I can reward you." .”

"Thank you for the great love of the emperor and empress," Su Mi said with a grateful expression, "It's a pity that my father was unlucky, and died of illness not long after the concubine entered the palace." After speaking, she suppressed her sadness.

Qi Long couldn't help but feel sorry for him and said: "Mi'er don't need to be sad..."

The queen smiled at the side: "What the emperor said is true, but since the emperor wants to comfort my sister, why not find the ancestral grave of my sister's family, have a grand burial, and give her honorary title, wouldn't it be more of my sister's heart?" .”

As she spoke, she carefully observed Su Mi's face. The spies of the Wang family got a vague message unintentionally, which made her doubt about Su Mi's life experience, but she sent someone to investigate secretly. There were some clues, but all the clues were suddenly cut off overnight, and the people involved were either killed inexplicably or disappeared.The members of the Wang family were very puzzled, is there someone who is secretly helping this girl?But it also made the queen more and more convinced that Su Mi's identity was not that simple.

Su Mi's expression changed, what should she do now?The tomb of my adoptive father must not be moved, not to mention the buried objects, as long as one looks at it, one can know the identity and secret of the owner of the tomb. The relationship between father and mother is clearly clear!
No matter how much Qi Long wanted to protect himself, he would not put a woman with evil intentions by his side. Besides, it was worth considering how much Qi Long thought about him. When he was watching the mountain, he said a few words because of the queen I knew it when I became suspicious.

Jiangshan and beautiful women, which is more important, is self-evident.

Su Mi looked up at the stage, Qi Taki looked excited, obviously thinking that the Queen's suggestion was very satisfactory.

"Your Majesty, tonight is the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, why did it turn into talking about Mi'er's life experience. Anyway, this matter is not urgent, how can I let the concubine's little things delay the mood of the Empress Dowager?"

At the queen mother's birthday banquet, it was really inappropriate to talk about the posthumous concubine's parents who passed away. Qi Long turned his head, looked at the queen mother, and said with a smile: "That's right. Let's discuss this matter later. Today's son I will first wish my mother and queen a blessing like the East Sea, and a longer life than Nanshan."

……

(End of this chapter)