"Don't give up what you love because of the heroes and virtuous people? Don't give up onions and scallions because fish and meat are cheap?" [A trip to the pond]
Weiyang Palace, Changning Palace.
The clouds flowing outside the hall were stagnant, and there was no breeze. The atmosphere inside the hall was dull and stiff. Whether it was Empress Dong who was sitting in the middle, who was mainly anti-visiting, or the Song nobles and Fu nobles sitting in rows below, the expressions on their faces were different.
Nature.
As the new owner of the Chang Ning Palace, the noble lady Zhen Mi sat upright at the end of the seat, with a humble and polite attitude, neither humble nor overbearing, and her every move was quite elegant. She considered the words to respond to Empress Dong, Fu, the second noble lady of Song Dynasty, please reply.
Hebei customs, the emperor's words and deeds during his journey, etc., while carefully observing these three people with different appearances.
The quiet and dignified Fu Guiren was the person the emperor mentioned to Zhen Mi the most during his long journey. He also told Zhen Mi that she would get along well with Fu Shou after arriving in Chang'an. Now it seems that the emperor was indeed right.
In this way, the other party's appearance may not be the best among the three, but it is the easiest to like.
"Did you sleep well last night?" Fu Shou took the tea bowl brought by the palace attendants and held it in her hand without moving it. Her face showed concern: "The Chang Ning Palace was built not long ago, and I smelled an odor in the palace when I came. Otherwise.
Let me change your residence first, or let you stay with me temporarily. Firstly, you can wait for the smell here to dissipate, and secondly, I can talk to you more and teach you some palace rules."
After saying that, she looked at Empress Dong, as if asking her for instructions.
Because the Weiyang Palace was abandoned in the early years, many palaces with less important functions were in disrepair. Even the emperor who had lived in Chang'an for a long time did not have the intention to carry out large-scale construction. When Empress Dong entered the Jiao Fang, she made a special inspection of Ye Ting because she could not see these.
The walls were in ruins, so he ordered people to pick out the broken bricks and throw them away.
The Changning Palace allocated to Zhen Mi had been renovated by an edict as early as when the emperor was stationed in Yecheng. There would always be some residual smell in the newly renovated palace. Empress Dong didn't like smelling the smell of renovation either. She looked at it
With Fu Shou's sincere expression, she didn't know for a moment whether the other party was showing respect to her in front of Zhen Mi, or whether the other party was just showing off in a formal way.
Empress Dong still remembered that when the Chang Ning Palace was being renovated not long ago, almost everyone knew that a new nobleman was going to live in the Weiyang Palace, and she was from a wealthy family in Hebei. People inside and outside the palace secretly compared this daughter of a wealthy family in Hebei to Empress Guo back then. Just like the world
Compare the emperor to Guangwu the Second.
He was virtuous, handsome, and talented, and there were already many rumors even before he entered the palace. Empress Dong dealt with many people for this, but the people in the palace were forced to shut up due to his majesty, and the rumors outside the palace became more and more intense.
.As a result, Empress Dong had a very bad impression of Zhen Mi and felt deeply threatened. She didn't know where the rumors originated, but she knew that the target was aimed at her.
What about the second ‘Queen Guo’? No matter how powerful the wealthy family in Hebei is, won’t they be deposed?
Empress Dong returned from her wandering mind, sniffing the smell of tung oil paint in the air, frowned impatiently, and said in a clear voice: "Zhen Gui is a wealthy family in Hebei, a well-established family, and the rules are no less than those in the palace... Fu
Noble people don't need to be so enthusiastic, be careful to make others laugh."
Fu Shou was not annoyed, he stroked the tea bowl with one hand, nodded with a smile and replied: "Your Highness is right, besides, the wind will blow in the next few days, and after the autumn rain, the smell will also dissipate."
Then, she turned back to Zhen Mi and said: "The maids and eunuchs you have here are also new, and the service will inevitably be a bit rusty. Don't hide it and bear it when you encounter something, but talk more to the queen, our sisters, etc."
explain."
"Have you met Ye Tingling when you entered the palace yesterday?" Empress Dong raised her face slightly.
"Jinnuo, it was Ye Ting who brought me into the palace yesterday." Zhen Mi nodded in thanks. As a newcomer and the emperor's 'new favorite', she should be cautious in her words and deeds and be careful in everything she does.
The women here are not simple. Fu Shou seems to have good intentions in her eyes, but he may not have the intention to win over her. Although Empress Dong spoke coldly, she maintained her identity and did not do anything to her explicitly...
After a few words, Zhen Mi had a general understanding of the two people's temperaments. Empress Dong and Fu Shou were both thoughtful people. Even Fu Shou, who had a gentle temper, had some power, but only the one who was popular with the emperor
The doting nobleman of Song Dynasty had no scheming and spoke bluntly:
"Your Majesty doesn't like this smell." Song Du wrinkled his nose and looked at the hastily repaired and impersonal interior of the Chang Ning Palace with disgust. He then placed the cup of slightly astringent tea on the table, completely ignoring it.
The other three people on the seat changed their colors almost at the same time: "I remember that when the Pixiang Palace was built a few years ago, His Majesty said this, and asked Sister Fu and I to stay in the old palace where the eldest princess lived before.
It was ten months later, and I didn’t move there until the smell was gone.”
"That's true." Fu Shou was drinking tea. He put down his tea bowl and looked at Song Du and said with a smile, "The smell was not as strong as it is today."
As if receiving Fu Shou's response, Song Du raised his chin slightly.
Empress Dong felt a little bit in trouble now. If the emperor was lonely on the march, he just wanted to taste something new, but Zhen Mi was still suspected of being pregnant. If she remained indifferent to Zhen Mi despite Song Du's unintentional 'reminding', and neglected Zhen Mi,
If anything goes wrong, won't the emperor blame her?
And if Zhen Mi moves elsewhere, given the importance the emperor now attaches to her, the emperor will follow her wherever she moves. This is tantamount to good news from heaven for the people in Yeting who have not seen the emperor for a long time.
Empress Dong was deeply troubled. She could neither place Zhen Mi at will nor take Zhen Mi to the house. Firstly, there was no such rule, and secondly, it would only elevate the other party's status in disguise. In addition, she couldn't stand Zhen Mi at all.
Mi Fu stirred up troubles as soon as he entered the palace. How could he tolerate the other party being under his nose all the time?
She didn't know if she should thank Song Du for his unintentional act!
"Where is the imperial doctor's order?" Empress Dong put aside this topic for the time being and changed the subject. She finally thought of the other protagonist today: "It has been passed for a long time, why can't you come over?"
Dachangqiu Miao Si, who was waiting quietly beside him, immediately bowed and said: "Maybe he is on the palace road. Your Highness might as well ask your servant to rush you again."
Empress Dong looked at the other party deeply: "Okay."
Not long after, imperial physician Ling Zhixi bowed his head and walked into the hall. He stopped hurriedly outside the threshold, knelt down outside the door and bowed, and then entered the hall under the three invitations of Empress Dong.
"Have you been diagnosed?" Empress Dong knew that this result was of great importance, not only related to the stability of Yeting, her own status, but also the future direction of the Han Dynasty. She straightened her back slightly and folded one of her hands on her abdomen.
I couldn't help but press it on the desk.
Song Du, who was stroking his beautiful clothes, was distracted at this time and couldn't help but look towards Zhi Xi and Zhen Mi frequently. Fu Shou, however, was calmer and drank quietly from the small bowl.
of tea, and the movement of picking up the tea bowl covered half of her face.
Zhen Mi, who was originally generous in temperament, held her breath at this time and stared nervously at her snow-white wrist, as if there were words written on it.
Zhi Xi closed his eyes and thought deeply. Hearing this, he quickly removed his right hand that was feeling his pulse. He quickly turned around and knelt on the ground without daring to raise his head: "Your Highness, Mr. Zhen Gui is in good health. It's just that he was tired from the journey and didn't have a good rest. In addition, Hebei
It is different from the water and soil in Guanzhong..."
"Is this what I'm asking?" Empress Dong's heart suddenly jumped, as if her heart had been knocked. She suppressed the smile that was about to rise at the corner of her mouth, and quickly asked again: "Your Majesty summoned you for this reason.
This little thing?"
Zhen Mi trembled, as if she had been stung, and then she retracted her hand as if she had been stung. She held the wrist whose pulse was being checked with one hand and lowered her head without saying a word.
"Health matters are particularly important. Let's listen to what Zhiling says." Seeing this, Fu Shou quickly put down the tea bowl and folded his wide sleeves. When she heard this, she actually breathed a sigh of relief.
Fu Shou didn't mind this beauty from Hebei very much, because she knew that the emperor couldn't be alone with the three of them. Her upbringing from childhood had taught her how to accept everything magnanimously. However, no matter how magnanimous she was, she would be suspicious of her when she first arrived.
Zhen Mi was pregnant, and Fu Shou still felt a little unhappy as Zhen Mi was getting so much attention.
For example, he has been with the emperor for so long, but there is still no news about his belly. If Zhen Mi is pregnant with the emperor's heir as soon as he arrives, not only will the entire Yeting be disrupted, but it will also do more harm than good to Zhen Mi.
Now Empress Dong and three other people came to Zhen Mi's residence by chance, not only to see her beauty and welcome the new couple, but also to verify with their own eyes whether the news that Zhen Mi was pregnant was true.
Zhi Xi was still lying on the ground: "Zhen Gui has no pregnancy pulse. He is just too tired and not suitable for the water and soil in Guanzhong."
After hearing the final decision, Zhen Mi sighed softly, not knowing whether it was regret or joy.
"In that case, go down and prescribe medicine. You can take care of yourself as you should. Don't neglect it." Empress Dong's tight back immediately relaxed, and she resumed her original graceful and solemn posture. She raised her eyes without any thought.
Looking at Zhen Mi affectionately, the coldness in his words was still the same, but the hostility was a little less: "The smell of Changning Palace is still there, and it is not easy for people to rest. During this period, I will stay in Pixiang Palace temporarily."
Since she is not pregnant, Zhen Mi's placement is no longer difficult. Empress Dong saw that Song Du was hostile to Zhen Mi, so she deliberately put the two together to see if they could cause any disputes and make the usually delicate Song Du
Take the lead for her.
Fu Shou raised his eyes to look at Empress Dong, and couldn't help but say: "The old palace where the eldest princess lived in the palace still exists, so she can move there..."
"The eldest princess and her family will bring their son into the palace in the near future." Empress Dong interrupted forcefully before Fu Shou finished speaking: "Your Majesty will receive your nephew there and hold a banquet. If the eldest princess knows that her old residence has been given to
What will Mr. Zhen think?"
When it came to Liu Jiang, who was kind to him, Fu Shou couldn't say anything anymore. He had no choice but to look at the reluctant Song Du and shook his head slightly.
After learning that Zhen Mi's pregnancy was just a false alarm, the atmosphere in Chang Ning Palace immediately relaxed. Fu Shou's grudge disappeared, and even Empress Dong and Song Du looked a little better.
Empress Dong put on the airs of the middle palace and sent her late greetings and housewarming gifts. She also ordered Miao Si to immediately inform the emperor in the Xuan room about the matter so that the emperor could rest assured. Fu Shou's attitude became more sincere.
Song Du also endured his lukewarm temper and said a few words.
Soon after, at noon, the emperor ordered someone to give Zhen Mi a few ordinary items, and agreed to Empress Dong's suggestion to let Zhen Mi live with the Song capital temporarily, and the matter was settled.
Empress Dong ate leisurely with everyone, chatted for a few words, and then left.
After Zhen Mi said goodbye to everyone, the smile on her face could no longer be maintained. She stood up from the couch without anyone's support.
"My lord..." A palace maid wanted to reach out to help her.
"No need." Zhen Mi said slowly, her skirt dragged on the ground for a long time, and soon she moved to the corner leading to the inner room at the back of the palace: "You go and clean up yourself, let me rest for a while."
"But Your Majesty has an edict, and you have to move to the Xiang Hall today..." Cainu, who had not had time to get familiar with Zhen Mi's temperament and habits, didn't know what Zhen Mi was thinking, so she couldn't help but remind her.
"Don't worry, the days are still long."
After saying that, this slender beauty who looked like a goddess disappeared around the corner, and a sigh of loss and relief seemed to be heard from her in the air.
"It's already afternoon, and moving those things can't be done in an hour or two, so why aren't you in a hurry?" Cainu said a little unhappy. After all, it was she who moved things, not Zhen Guiren. She
I just want to finish my work for the day as soon as possible and then do some embroidery work of my own.
"If you understand, then you are a noble person." Another person hissed in a low voice.
After Fu Shou returned to Yuan Luan Hall, Cainv Zou and others who did not follow him immediately came up to him. As soon as they touched Fu Shou's sleeves, they felt a wet and cool feeling: "Oh, noble man, please go out.
Why are these sleeves wet?”
"I was negligent." Fu Shou looked at Zou and the others apologetically, and especially smiled and said to Zhao Cainu, who looked worried next to him: "I wasn't careful when I was drinking tea and spilled some on my sleeves. Fortunately, my clothes
The sleeves are dark, so no one will see me making a fool of myself."
Zou didn't doubt that he was there, so she welcomed Fu Shou into the palace and changed Fu Shou's clothes. At this time, Zhao Cainu also asked the palace maid to bring hot soup, filled a bucket, and went to Fu Shou with Zou and others.
Shou served and bathed.
While taking a bath, Feng Fangnv poured hot water on Fu Shou and asked curiously: "They say that the new Zhen Guiren is as beautiful as a goddess. You went to see her today, but is this rumor true?
"
"Nv Fang." Zhao Cainv glared at the other party with dissatisfaction, and Feng Fangnv stuck out the tip of her tongue, as if she had done something wrong.
"It's true." Fu Shou didn't seem to have anything on his mind. She raised her arm and pinched Feng Fangnu's nose: "It's so beautiful that I can't bear to take another look. Fortunately, I didn't take you with me today.
past."
"Why?" Feng Fangnu was a little curious and said unwillingly, "Is she still more beautiful than me?"
Seeing that Zhao Cainu's expression was not good, Mrs. Zou gave Feng Fangnu a gentle push at the right time and pushed her away to get the silk cloth. At the same time, she also joked: "Even noble people can't bear to look at it, let alone you? Of course I'm afraid that you will see it.
I’m so embarrassed that I’m looking for holes everywhere.”
"You're making fun of me again." Feng Fangnu was squeezed away by Zou, and she turned around and left pretending to be embarrassed.
This naturally made Fu Shou laugh happily.
After bathing, Fu Shou put on a slightly wider dress, covered with a plain gauze jacket, and sat on the couch where she usually sat. There was also an unfinished embroidery for the emperor on the table.
Silk shoes, and beside it is a round fan with a handle painted with a pattern of several leaves of orchid.
Fu Shou picked up the needle and thread and was about to start, when she suddenly remembered the rumor that Zhen Mi could also be a female worker, and couldn't help comforting herself that in the future, she would have more companions to weave and embroider with, and talk about anything. Thinking of this, she couldn't help but
I couldn't help but recall every moment I had with the emperor in the past, and I felt so sad and uncomfortable.
In the end, she didn't give a single shot and knew that she couldn't think of anything to do today: "Fang Nu."
After hearing this, Feng Fangnu, who was secretly eating candied fruit, immediately ran over and said, "Noble sir."
"Where is the verandah where you used to laze and sleep? Take me to sit there."
"Ah?" Feng Fangnu was taken aback and subconsciously said, "I, I don't have this place."
"Go if you are told." Zou winked at her.
The group of people was soon led reluctantly by Feng Fangnu to a verandah that was not easy to find. Fu Shou sat on the mats arranged, enjoying the majestic wind blowing on the verandah and the sunlight shining through the branches, surrounded by the quiet surroundings.
She couldn't even hear the footsteps of the palace people walking. She closed her eyes happily: "It is indeed a good place."
Fu Shou still held the round fan in his hand. The orchid grass on the fan was sparsely growing, and mottled sunlight danced on it.