"It is something that cannot be disclosed to others, but it is still unbearable to announce it to the public." [Xianzhi Shutang Jichao·]
The first day of July in the first year of Jian'an.
Weiyang Palace, Pixiang Palace.
In recent days, Dr. Song Hong, a doctor at Zhongsan, often sends things to the palace. He says that he is thinking about his daughter and wants to give something to express his longing for him. For example, a few days ago, he sent Qibao hairpin, Wenyuhuan, Mingyuehuan and other pearls and jade jewelry. The workmanship is very good.
It is exquisite and exquisite, and the materials are hard to find nowadays, even in the inner treasury of the palace, it is rare. Song Du was at the age where he loved to dress up, and he had won the favor of his family, so he was naturally very happy and accepted them all.
This morning, Song Hong asked someone to donate three more things: an incense snail, a copper lamp, and an incense burner.
"This fragrant snail is said to be produced in the South China Sea. It is also called red snail. Each one is only a few minutes larger than a cat's eye. It is rare to find one as big as the palm of your hand." Hu Chong, the magistrate of Zhongzang Prefecture, was in charge of the coins, silk, gold and silver in the palace.
On the side, he introduced enthusiastically: "The Xiangluo is made of jade and gold as the cover. It is one and the same, without any carvings at all. If you put wine in it, the darker the wine will be, the more mellow the aroma will be, and the smell will be better."
He gets drunk all the time."
"Is this made of a whole snail shell? It's so interesting." Song Du held the diamond-shaped snail in his hands that was of the right weight, red in color, and had a layer of jade luster inside. After playing with it with interest for a while,
Song Du sighed again and said in a regretful tone: "It's good, it's good. I don't drink, so it's useless to keep it."
Hu Chong was stunned for a moment, and just as he was about to speak, Guo Cainv, who was watching quietly from the side, interrupted with a smile: "Your Majesty, you might as well keep it. When the country comes, use it to serve wine. Isn't it better than other wines?"
"Yes, you can stay! This way Aweng's thoughts will not be wasted." Song Dou held up the exquisite Xiangluo with satisfaction and made the decision in one breath. She has gradually grown up now, and there are many things that she can do regardless of the situation.
No, they all have their own ideas and can make their own decisions: "What's the point of these two?"
"The name of this thing is 'Changman Lamp'." Hu Chong carefully held the bottom of the copper lamp with one hand and the body of the lamp with the other hand, slowly turning it in the palm of his hand, showing the hibiscus and lotus roots on this bronze lamp to the Song Dynasty.
Kingfisher and other strange decorations: "There are two layers in the lamp. When it is lit, a phoenix shadow is cast on the inner wall. Once this lamp is lit, it can last for several days, and its light shines on the ground like the moon.
It is round, with flowers and birds coiled around it, so it is called 'Eternally Full'."
"Eternal perfection, this has a good meaning." Guo Cainv added with a smile: "There are hundreds of large and small lamps in the Queen's Palace, but none can be as exquisite as this one."
The queen liked to collect all kinds of lamps and lit them every night, and the light was as bright as day. This was a well-known fact among the people in Yeting Palace. When Song Du heard about this lamp, even though the queen might not have it, he didn't think much about it.
I feel even happier. The other incense burner is also unusual. It is called the quilt incense burner. No matter how you play with it, the middle layer will always be horizontal and the incense ashes will not leak out. Its shape is small and exquisite, and it is most suitable for placing on bedding.
, sleep with it all night, and your whole body will be filled with fragrance.
Hu Chong carefully explained the origin, use, workmanship and meaning of these treasures to the Song Dynasty. The Song Dynasty was very happy to hear this.
Guo Cainu stood aside with her hands down, looking at the two of them silently. Hu Chongzheng was talking in excitement when he suddenly raised his head and glanced at Guo Cainu. He immediately woke up and left the rest of the matter to the other party. After saying a few words, he said goodbye.
went.
Even after Hu Chong retired, Song Du still couldn't put it down. She took the fragrant conch and played with it for a long time. Suddenly, a feeling of missing her parents suddenly came to her heart. Her mother passed away many years ago, and her father
Song Hong hadn't seen her for four or five years since she entered the palace. There was no system for concubines in the Han Dynasty, and the Song Dynasty only knew that her father Song Hong had moved to Beique Jiadi in the past two years. The mansion was very spacious and the door
There was still a gatekeeper standing in front of the house, but she had never seen her family members. Even whenever her family members brought in gifts, they had to be sent to the Shaofu first and handed over by order of Zhongzang Prefecture. They could not meet her face to face.
Now that he saw the house full of things sent by his family, Song Du felt happy for a while, then felt sad and even his eyes were red.
At this time, other palace officials and eunuchs were not around. After sending Hu Chong away, Guo Cainv quietly walked back, bowed to Song Du, and whispered: "My lord, Song Gong has encountered a difficult situation recently. I want to
Please help me, sir."
Song Hong seldom had anything to ask for, and this was the first time that Guo Cainu acted so seriously. Song Du reluctantly put down the snails on hand and asked curiously: "What's the problem?"
Guo Cainv replied in a low voice: "It's not just to pray for rain."
It turns out that there has been a long drought in Guanzhong with no rain falling, and the locust swarm from Liangzhou flew in, causing disasters thousands of miles away. So many ministers wrote letters and asked the emperor to come forward to pray for rain for the people. This was a matter of course, but
But by coincidence, it happened when the emperor finally suppressed the price of grain, punished merchants, and prepared to further formulate market rules. This made the extremely sensitive emperor aware of something, and he hesitated and refused to agree, only willing to issue an edict.
Let local governments pray for rain on their own, which has been delayed until now.
Compared with officials with ulterior motives, more of the courtiers who followed them were just routine stories. They simply wanted the emperor to set an example and host a rain praying ceremony. However, the emperor always avoided the matter and ignored it, which made many people
Became anxious.
"It's a good thing to ask for rain, why doesn't the Emperor brother agree?" Song Du didn't quite understand what was going on here and asked in confusion.
In fact, Guo Cainu didn't understand. She was just asked by Song Hong to ask Song Du to come forward and say: "This is exactly what I want you to inquire about. If you know the reason, you may be able to get your Majesty to grant permission to pray for rain and benefit Guanzhong."
People, this is also your merit, noble man."
"Oh." Song Du nodded in understanding. Since this was her father's request, Song Du had no reason to refuse: "Raining is a good thing after all. It's as hot as a furnace this year. It's not hot at all."
Not happy! Even the ice cubes are missing!"
Guo Cainv smiled coquettishly and said nothing more.
"Speaking these few words only made things hotter." Song Du picked up his fan and shook it. From the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of the fragrant snail on the table. Suddenly, he had an idea and said, "That's right! This fragrant snail is not the best."
Pour the wine, first pour a bowl of sour plum soup to try!"
Guo Cainv's expression suddenly changed, as if she had heard something appalling. She quickly stretched out her hand to cover the fragrant conch and stopped her, saying, "You can't do it now!" She quickly hid the fragrant conch in the basket and placed it carefully.
Okay, just now he slowly exhaled and said: "This is meant to hold wine, how can it be used to hold fruit drinks? External ministers value these positions and status the most. If it is passed on, if it is not kept intact, it will cause trouble."
Song Duhun curled his lips indifferently, feeling that Guo Cainu was making such a fuss.
At this time, there was a sudden call from outside the palace gate: "Come up to the Royal Pixiang Hall, and the noble Song family will come to greet you!"