Golden branches and jade leaves

Chapter 67
Chapter 10: Hard to compete in late spring
Whether it is the birth of the prince or the defeat of Daqi, the news that comes one after another is so shocking!It must be that the palace is about to turn upside down now, but I don't know if it is because of the lag of the news in the summer palace, or because the environment of the waterfront pavilions is too quiet, no matter how big the news is, it is difficult to stir up waves in Su Mi's heart. See the austere and treacherous aura in the harem, where the storm is about to come.

The short life seems to be as calm as the water flow on the side of Lingyan Pavilion, no matter how big a stone is, it is difficult to make a disturbing sound.Those drastic changes that can overwhelm the country are like calm flowing water, and people can watch them flow slowly with a lazy attitude.

Recalling this month's life, Su Mi suddenly realized that it was the rare leisure and relaxation since she entered the palace. Maybe it was the overly beautiful scenery that sapped her will.

Now, the majestic and majestic vermilion palace gate slowly comes into view, and the endless long palace walls on both sides are gradually approaching.The chariot finally drove into the deep palace gate again, and the wheels of the chariot rolled on the white marble paved ground in the palace, making regular and familiar sounds.

Su Mi's mood fluctuated, and a long-lost sense of tension dominated her again.Although I understand that whether it is the palace or the imperial city, they are all in the same place and the same power, but the atmosphere in the palace makes Su Mi feel a kind of unreasonable tension and courage.

Qi Long got out of the chariot and hurried to Qianqing Palace to summon the frontline envoys and officials from various ministries.Su Mi and the concubines from each palace went back to the palace to rest.

"Your Majesty, please rest for a while. This journey has been exhausting." After entering the Caiwei Palace, Mi Qing saw Su Mi's tired face and said.

The journey back to Beijing this time is not as leisurely as when we went there.Qi Taki was so anxious that he ordered him to hurry up. The journey that would have taken three days with a light car slowed down, but he returned within one and a half days.

"No need, let's talk about it in the evening." Su Mi sat in front of the dressing table, adjusted her posture a little, then stood up, "Come with me to Xifu Palace, I want to see Concubine Liu."

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The Xifu Palace is still the old style of wealth and luxury, the resplendent and resplendent buildings set off the colorful flowers, and even the costumes of the palace guests are a bit more luxurious than other palaces.

Seeing Su Mi's chariot, naturally the female officer in charge came up to meet him.

"Where is the imperial concubine?" Su Mi asked casually.

"Your Majesty went to Hanyan Palace to visit the little Diji." The clever palace servant reported back.

"Well," Su Mi said, "I'm here to visit His Highness the Little Prince this time. Is Concubine Liu okay?"

"Concubine Liu and the little prince are doing well recently..." The palace maid followed Qiyan's recent situation and led Su Mi into the side courtyard of Xifu Palace.

The layout of a simple small courtyard also has a special flavor. Although it does not look as exquisite and elegant as Su Mi's, the architecture of Xifu Palace is far more exquisite and unique than Caiwei Palace, and even the side courtyard looks grand and luxurious.

The little girl at the door saluted while setting up the curtain, and Su Mi entered the inner room.

Liu Qiyan was lying on the bed, with a soft scarlet brocade quilt spread out under her body, and in the hot summer weather, a thin blanket was tightly draped over her body.There are large buckets of ice cubes placed on the four corners of the room, which is cool and refreshing.

Seeing Su Mi coming in, Qi Yan showed surprise on her face: "My sister is here. It's been a long time since I've seen her. Now that my sister has arrived at the Summer Palace, I thought I won't be able to see my sister until two or three months later."

"I heard such great news, how could I not rush back to see this little prince." Su Mi smiled, while walking forward and holding down Qi Yan who was about to get up: "You are still weak Come on, don't do these vulgar rituals now. I heard that my sister really suffered a lot at that time. Are you in good health now?"

Su Mi carefully looked at her face. Although she was covered with powder, she could still see a faint sallow color. It seemed that the delivery this time really boosted her vitality.

"I have suffered a lot, but for him, everything is worth it." Qi Yan lay back on the bed as she said, and turned to look at the child next to her with a smile.

Su Mi's gaze followed her, and there was a new baby crib next to the bed. The gold and silver quilt was wrapped with a pink and tender little thing, which was made of pink and jade. Kindly like it.

Su Mi's eyes couldn't help showing joy.

Qi Yan gave a slight signal, and the servants who served beside her carried the child over.Su Mi took it and hugged it in her arms, she just felt as if she was hugging a group of soft animals, making people feel pity and love, a sweet and warm joy naturally filled her heart.

Su Mi sat sideways on the bed, and the two started teasing the baby. The baby was lethargic, and after playing around for a while, she felt a little tired.Su Mi handed over the child in her arms to the palace man, with a hint of reluctance in her eyes.

Qi Yan suddenly asked: "Sister, is the emperor back yet?"

"I'm back." Su Mi said casually.

"My sister came to my place as soon as she returned to the palace, and she was tired all the way. I heard that the emperor and sister are inseparable now, and all the sisters in the harem are very envious." Qi Yan suddenly laughed.

Su Mi smiled and said: "Even if all the sisters in the palace envy me, I want to envy you. The emperor's heir is more important to the emperor than any favor."

"En." Qi Yan nodded a little depressed, and then asked enthusiastically: "By the way, did the emperor mention me when he was in the palace?"
Su Mi was startled when she heard these words, she suddenly realized that Qi Long seemed to seldom mention other concubines in front of her.Even including Qi Yan, who was pregnant with a dragon descendant, only after the news of giving birth to a child, did the two talk about her a few times, but within a few days, the news of Wang She's defeat came, and Qi Taki was very anxious. In the mood to manage the harem.

Su Mi was thinking about how to answer, but Qi Yan already smiled and said: "My sister is very popular in front of the emperor now, I am afraid that the emperor will never mention other sisters in front of my sister except for sweet words, right? Blessed people." Although his expression was still natural, Su Mi couldn't hear the sourness in it.

"Sister is too worried. There is no father who doesn't forget about his children. Regarding his sister and the little prince, the emperor talks about it from time to time." Su Mi comforted.

"I thought the emperor would come back to have a look immediately after the baby was born." Qi Yan's expression turned gloomy for a while, and she forced a smile: "It must be because the scenery in the summer palace is too charming, and with my sister accompanying me, Naturally, I only envy mandarin ducks and not immortals."

Su Mi knew that she was complaining that when the news of the birth of the emperor's heir came, Qi Long didn't put up an act and went back to Beijing to visit the child immediately, and now that he returned to the capital, he didn't rush to Xifu Palace right away.Immediately smiled and comforted: "The emperor has important military affairs to deal with, otherwise who else can be more important than children?" The consequences of Wang She's defeat this time were extremely serious. Chen has already waved his troops to the north, pressing hard at every step.So Qi Taki hurried to Qianqing Palace to summon the ministers to deal with military affairs after getting off the car.In the heart of a proud emperor, heirs are certainly important, but the ambition to unify the world is more attractive than anything else.

"As for the younger sister, mother and child, the emperor has always been thinking about it, but the road to the summer palace is far away, and it is inconvenient to walk in summer, and the emperor is busy with government affairs, so he has to temporarily entrust the empress and the imperial concubine to take care of it." Su Mi explained.

"Sister really knows what she wants for the emperor. Alas, it's not like me. These days when I have a child, let alone accepting favor, the emperor just comes here three or five times a month to ask a few words about basic necessities I just left. Sometimes, I really feel that if it wasn't because there is still a child in my stomach, the emperor would have forgotten about me." Qi Yan said sarcastically.

Su Mi secretly sighed, once a concubine in the harem becomes pregnant, including pregnancy and childbirth, it will take more than a year for her to be unable to be favored. What is the situation?In a year's time, no matter how deep the affection is, I'm afraid it will slowly fade away.So, she can't have children at all.

Seeing Qi Yan's gloomy expression, Su Mi smiled and said: "Where is this? My sister is beautiful and considerate, and she is pregnant again, so of course she is the emperor's favorite. A few days ago, the emperor personally summoned the imperial physician, Ask my sister how your health is, whether you eat, wear, sleep and sleep well."

A smile welled up in Qi Yan's eyes, "My sister is ugly, I will trouble you to promote her in the future."

Su Mi felt a sense of uneasiness surfaced, and her heart was slightly chilled.

"However, it's really not easy to take care of children in this midsummer weather," Qi Yan said with a smile: "Just look at this blanket, it's already so hot that it's dying, but you still have to cover it tightly."

"This period of time is indeed hard work." Su Mi said with a smile: "It's just that how many people in the palace are looking forward to having a younger sister, and this hard work will not be available."

"The most unbearable thing is that I can't even spread a mat under my body. Speaking of which, my sister has a jade mat for the concubine Xiang recently rewarded by the emperor?" Qi Yan asked with a smile.

Recently, some jade mats for concubines of Xiang came over from southern Xinjiang as a tribute. They are woven from a kind of extremely rare cold jade silk in southern Xinjiang. It is as cool as jade in nature. It is most suitable for use in summer. The skin is cool and sweaty when lying on it.A total of four tributes were sent, and Qi Long kept one for his own palace. The Empress Dowager was unwell and did not dare to use these cool things, so Qi Long gave the remaining three to the Empress, Concubine Ni and Su Mi.

"Yeah." Su Mi nodded.

Qi Yan's eyelids drooped slightly, and a look of envy flashed past.

"If my sister likes it, just take it for her to use." Su Mi said.Anyway, she lived with Qi Long most of the time, and there were not many opportunities to use the one in her palace.

"Sister is too polite, how dare I want what the emperor gave to my sister." Qi Yan laughed and said, "Besides, I am weak now, so I can't afford to use them. The prince is still young, so I can't use them either."

Su Mi didn't speak, hesitated for a moment, and finally asked: "Qiyan, you are still young and not in good health, do you want to take care of this child yourself?"

"Of course, since the emperor has promoted me to be a concubine, my younger sister will of course have to raise the child by herself." Qi Yan's expression became somewhat unnatural.

In the harem, concubines above the rank of concubine can bring the prince, while concubines below the rank of concubine do not have the right to raise the emperor's heir, and the children born must be raised by the concubine with high status.

Seeing Qi Yan's firm and guarded expression, Su Mi hesitated for a moment, and then asked: "I once heard someone gossip at a banquet that when Mrs. Liu came to visit you in the palace, she promised Concubine Ni Gui that she would hand over the child to her." Raising, adopting as an adopted son..." Su Mi has never heard such rumors, this is actually her idea, she once asked Chen Lie to send a message to Liu Quan, let Liu Quan join the Ni family, in order to save her daughter and child .Liu Quan's actions were also thoughtful, not only bribed a large sum of money to the Ni family, but also let his wife enter the palace to express to Concubine Ni Gui that he would dedicate the child to her for upbringing.Therefore, only with Qi Yan's status and status as a minor in the palace can she have the opportunity to give birth to this child safely.

"This..." Qi Yan smiled unnaturally, and said: "It's also my parents who are busy, I just thought that my status was too low at that time, and according to the rules in the palace, naturally I couldn't raise children .Actually, the status can be raised slowly? And now I have..."

"Qi Yan," Su Mi's expression became solemn: "You have suffered a lot in giving birth to this child, and I know you are reluctant to give your own son to others, but you also know Concubine Ni's temperament, if you You go back and forth like this, when the time comes..."

"What will happen then... Could it be that she can still grab it?" Qi Yan's voice rose for an instant: "And the emperor has already issued a decree to entrust our mother and child to her care. If something happens to me, won't the emperor not Hold her accountable?"

Su Mi simply didn't know what to say. It's good that Qi Long values ​​the child now, but it doesn't mean that Qi Long also values ​​the child's mother. Thinking of the incident in the palace where Qi Long couldn't even remember Qi Yan's name, Su Mi Mi Chang sighed and said, "Now Da Qi lost in the battle of Nan Chen, Duke Ding Wang She, the empress's father, died in the battle."

Qi Yan looked at Su Mi inexplicably, not knowing why she mentioned this at all.

Su Mi continued: "This situation shows that the Wang family's loss of power is a foregone conclusion. Originally, for the sake of the queen mother, Qi Long might have scruples about the Wang family, but now the queen mother and her elderly illness have..." Su Mi sighed With a sigh of relief, there was the queen mother, even if Qi Long suspected that the queen mother killed the mother and seized the son, but due to the righteous name of the word "filial piety", the punishment for the Wang family will not be too much.But just got the news that the Empress Dowager's illness may have happened in the past few days.

"...In this way, the emperor will definitely use Ni Yuan in the upcoming battle. Do you know what this means?"

Qi Yan didn't speak, she was not stupid, she understood that Su Mi was reminding her that in the future, Concubine Ni Gui would definitely have the power in the harem.

"So what?" Qiyan bit her bright red lips with her white teeth, hesitated for a while, looked up at Su Mi and said, "As long as I recover from my illness as soon as possible, with the emperor's love for me, I will definitely protect you." Why should my sister worry?"

"But……"

"My sister's favor is already unparalleled. After being favored to this point, do you still have to be afraid that your sister will divide your favor?" Qi Yan blurted out sharp words.

Su Mi felt powerless for a while: "I'm doing this for you..."

"Sister, I don't need to say any more, but my sister forgot. My sister is now the lord of the first palace. If I really want to raise the little prince, I'm afraid that the emperor's love for my sister may not necessarily give the prince to Concubine Ni. I'm leaving it to my sister." Qi Yan said angrily.

Su Mi felt dazed for a while. In summer, the sun outside seemed to spew out fire, dazzling people's eyes.But in this far-reaching palace, the sunlight was completely blocked, leaving only the crystal ice cubes in the ice bucket on the four corners exuding a faint light, which gradually melted away, making the room filled with a cold and wet feeling.Mixed with the breath of ambergris, the moisture is sticky on the skin, lingering, cold, cold, it seems to be directly cooling down to the heart.

"Sister, it's me talking nonsense, don't be angry, it's my fault." Seeing Su Mi's face, Qi Yan immediately knew that she had made a slip of the tongue, and quickly grabbed Su Mi's hand and said, "Now my sister is the most favored in the harem, I also have the emperor's heir by my side, when I recover, in the harem, you and my sister join hands, will the emperor's favor fall on others?"

Su Mi's smile almost froze, she just nodded silently and stiffly.

……

Seeing Su Mi's pale face, Mi Qing couldn't help exclaiming: "Ma'am, what's wrong with you?" Because there is a newborn prince in Qiyan's room, no one else can enter casually, she has been outside waiting.

Su Mi didn't answer, the master and servant walked out of the gate of Xifu Palace.

The sunset glow lowered, revealing a little bit of glow from behind the scaly white clouds in the sky, and the golden red light dyed the clouds blocking the front into a bright red and lovely color.

Su Mi walked on the way back to the palace, the midsummer wind blew through her clothes, and there was always a lingering feeling of stickiness and stagnation.It seemed that she was going to sink like this, and it would be hard to escape forever. Su Mi looked up at the sky, and the changing colors occupied her sight. Finally, she asked: "Tell me, is there anything in this world that will never change? where?"

The voice is ethereal and ethereal, if there is nothing.

(To be continued, if you want to know what happens next, please visit www.CMFU.COM, more chapters, support the author, support genuine reading!)
(End of this chapter)