"The green hairpin is made of gold, and butterflies dance on it. Who knows what's going on in my heart? The moon is bright and the branches are full of flowers." [Bodhisattva Man]
Yeting, Jiaofang Hall.
Queen Guo, dressed in ordinary palace attire, walked in from the outside with her head lowered, holding boiled tea in her hand. After entering the palace, she was stopped by Chang Yu before she had even taken a few steps.
Chang Yu glanced at the other party, reached out to take the tea, and signaled Queen Guo to step back with his eyes. Queen Guo did not say anything, smiled slightly, then took a few steps back to stand outside the palace door. Chang Yu saw this.
, then she turned around with satisfaction and put the tea on the table next to Empress Dong. She picked up the teapot and poured a cup of tea for Empress Dong who was lying on the couch and taking a nap. Seeing Empress Dong lying silently, she
He said softly: "Do you want someone to keep an eye on me again?"
"Who are you staring at?" Empress Dong glanced down at the yellow tea, as if unaware.
Chang Yu lowered his voice and added: "Of course it's the imperial doctor's order, and... Zhen Guiren. Even though Zhi Ling said that, we still can't believe it. We still have to be careful about the story of Queen Linghuai."
"Queen Linghuai?" After hearing this, Empress Dong couldn't help but laugh scornfully: "What are you comparing me to by saying this? Is it the He family?"
"I don't dare." Chang Yu quickly confessed. Although it was very inappropriate to use the emperor's biological mother to conceive the empress to conceal her pregnancy, this was her concern. After all, Yin Jian was not far away, and there was no guarantee that Zhen Mi would not follow suit.
"It's rare that you can think of this." Empress Dong suddenly sighed softly, and was about to stand up and sit upright. Chang Yu hurriedly reached out to help her. Empress Dong put an arm on Chang Yu's hand, straightened up as she did, and whispered softly
Said: "But do you know where Zhi Xi is from?"
"Zhi Ling seems to be from Jingzhao." Chang Yu recalled Zhi Xi's Chang'an accent.
Empress Dong pointed to the bowl of tea poured on the table, and Chang Yu immediately brought it to her. Then she continued: "Zhen Mi is a Hebei native who just came to Guanzhong. If she is indeed pregnant, why should Zhi Xi help her?"
hide?"
"But I heard that Zhiling is quite friendly with Duke Kong, the envoy of Dushui." Chang Yu thought about it carefully and said, "This Duke Kong is from Guandong."
"The people of Guandong are not one family. They are divided into Ruying, Hebei, Jianghuai, Gongyang, Guliang, and Zuo. How can they be led by one family?" Empress Dong took a sip of tea and spoke slowly.
Swallowing it, he said disapprovingly: "Although the Zhen family in Xinfu, Hebei Province is powerful, they may not be able to get together with Kong Rong and others so quickly. Besides... this matter is related to His Majesty's heirs. No matter how much Zhen Mi dares to conceal it, she will not be able to get together so quickly."
I will hide it from His Majesty."
Chang Yu asked softly: "What about your Majesty?"
"No." Empress Dong knew Chang Yu's unspoken doubts. She looked down at the light yellow tea soup in the tea bowl. There was not even a leaf stem in the clear tea: "Your Majesty is not Emperor Xiaoling, and I...
I can’t be the He family either.”
In the Han Dynasty, if a concubine murdered an emperor's heir, it was either because the emperor was cowardly and incompetent, blindly doting on the concubine, or because he was afraid of the power of the concubine. However, the current emperor has no such concerns at all, and Empress Dong does not have such capital. If Zhen Mi really
Her pregnancy was announced openly and openly, inspiring the hearts of scholars and people all over the world. Why hide it so much?
Therefore, Empress Dong believed that the possibility of Zhen Mi colluding with Zhi Xi to conceal the truth was not high, and there was no need for the emperor to use this method to guard against her.
"Your Highness Ruijian, I have been thinking about it for so long, but my worry has been in vain." Chang Yu also felt relieved and flattered with a smile.
"Humph." Empress Dong chuckled lightly, holding the tea bowl in her hand. Even so, she could not relax her vigilance. Judging from today's observation, Zhen Mi was not ignorant: "Zhen Mi moved
Went to the Pixiang Hall?"
"Not long after the meal, Mr. Zhen moved over." As Empress Dong's eyes and ears, Chang Yu always paid attention to the news everywhere: "It is said that he only brought one or two boxes and three or four palace people, and his luggage was simple.
There wasn’t much movement.”
"She also knows not to make trouble, but it's hard to say this Song noble." Empress Dong said with a sneer.
Chang Yu also laughed and said: "Everyone inside and outside Yeting knows that Song Guiren is charming and pretty, but they don't know what your Majesty likes about her. He tolerates her in every way."
"Despite your majesty's cold temperament, you are actually a person who misses old friendships." Empress Dong said with emotion. Although she disliked Song Du in every aspect, she could not help but compare herself to others on this point. She was distracted for a moment,
Empress Dong still ordered: "Over at Pixiang Hall, I'd better ask people to pay more attention. Pay attention to what you eat on weekdays."
"I promise." Changyu replied.
Although Zhen Mi was not pregnant, the emperor attached great importance to Zhen Mi as soon as he returned to the palace, which undoubtedly caused a lot of crisis and pressure for Empress Dong. She thought that there would be more and more women in Yeting in the future, and she
Even the queen should not be too arrogant and alone. People like Fu Shou and Song Du will support each other, and things will be more advantageous in the future. What's more, during the emperor's Eastern Expedition, he almost got into trouble in Chang'an, whether it was a solid favor or an invitation to favor.
, all require advance planning.
Originally, the newcomer Zhen Mi could be the target of Empress Dong's win over, but Empress Dong really resented others comparing her to "Guo Shengtong", so she did not consider getting close to her. Moreover, Zhen Mi was from a wealthy family, and naturally she had a family behind her.
Support may not necessarily be favorable to Dong.
After thinking about it, Empress Dong considered that if she wanted to support someone to be her helper, this person must have outstanding appearance and a humble family background. It is best not to have too much ambition so that she can control it. In addition, she must have
Only when you promote yourself, the other party will be grateful.
Thinking like this, Empress Dong raised her eyes and looked at Chang Yu, who was closest to her.
Chang Yu was at a loss when she saw him, and couldn't help but reach out and touch his face, as if there was something on it.
"You raise your face." Empress Dong said this and looked at Chang Yu carefully.
Changyu had been living among the people since he was a child. Because of the famine, his parents took him away from him and gave him a son. He finally escaped by chance. After wandering for a period of time, he was brought into the palace by Dong Cheng's servants and worked as a maid for Empress Dong.
With his loyal character and ability honed while fleeing from famine, Changyu successfully became Empress Dong's confidant. Following the empress into the Jiaofang Palace, Changyu became the empress's next to her with a status comparable to that of a servant.
Although her loyalty and ability are worthy of Empress Dong's trust, Chang Yu has suffered from childhood pain, lack of stature, and a slightly rough voice. Empress Dong looked at her for a long time, and finally gave up the idea that flashed through her mind, as if nothing happened to her.
He lowered his head and took a sip of tea, and suddenly said: "This tea soup is good, who made it?"
Chang Yu seemed to know that she had missed a great opportunity, and her heart suddenly dropped. She pursed her lips and said, "It's Guo Zhao."
When she heard that the other party had forgotten to say "return", Empress Dong raised her eyebrows, put the tea bowl on the table, held Chang Yu's hands affectionately, stroked the fine calluses on Chang Yu's palms, and finally whispered
He sighed and said: "What kind of place do you think this Yeting is? Don't say that I haven't thought about you. As long as I give birth to a prince, I will allow you to leave the palace and become the wife of a prince, as the main wife."
, not better than the master of a palace?"
Chang Yu finally lost his resentment in his heart. All he wanted was wealth and honor. He asked for nothing else. As long as he had Empress Dong's support, was he afraid that he would not be able to enjoy wealth?
"Okay." Seeing that Chang Yu had been comforted, Empress Dong gradually regained her calm tone and asked, "How old is Guo Zhao?"
"Your Highness, I should have had it when I was twelve or thirteen years old." Changyu calmed down and began to answer with less scruples.
"She's still young." Empress Dong said with some regret. Guo Zhao had attracted a lot of attention in front of her recently. He was smart and well-spoken, and his family was in decline. He was brought up from her side. It was a pity that he was at this age: "Your Majesty doesn't like it.
He is too young, but if he is seventeen or eighteen years old, or above, it would be feasible."
Chang Yu also knew that this would be the result, so he immediately revealed it with a smile and poured new tea for Empress Dong: "The reason for the fluctuation of people's hearts in the palace is because Your Majesty has no heir. As long as His Majesty gives birth to a prince, his status will naturally be as stable as Mount Tai.
Why bother with others’ support?”
"You're right, but it's a pity..." Empress Dong looked down at her flat belly regretfully, and she suddenly remembered: "Where is the woman who gave birth to you last time? Is it true that it can promote pregnancy?"
"I dare not hide it." Chang Yu said repeatedly: "Otherwise, I will let them come up now?"
"They have all entered the palace? Where are they now?" Queen Dong asked.
This matter was handled by Chang Yu, and he was very concerned about it. However, the emperor was not in the palace at the time, and these people could not be used for the time being after entering the palace, so they had to be idle and distributed: "There are many of these people in Yeting.
, they are all recruited from the private sector by Da Changqiu and Ye Tingling, and they specialize in doing sweeping work in Yongxiang and other places."
"Choose two good ones and call them up, and they will stay with you from now on. You don't have to do anything, just walk with them." Empress Dong didn't know whether this folk remedy was useful or how to use it, and she didn't have much idea about it.
I had great confidence, so I had no choice but to do this first.
"Jin Nuo." Chang Yu agreed and then went to Yongxiang.
In the evening, the emperor came to the Jiaofang Palace to have dinner with Empress Dong. After the meal, he rinsed his mouth. Holding hot tea in his hand, the emperor looked around the familiar environment and then said: "No matter where you go, your place will be the brightest."
The emperor, who was still a modern man at heart, still longed for the brightly lit nights of later generations, so he had always let Empress Dong indulge in such extravagant behavior of lighting up candles.
"When His Majesty is not here, the lights here will be half as low as before." Empress Dong said the subject in an understatement, and then moved the stork-shaped bronze lamp on the table to the side.
After hearing this, the emperor smiled, took a sip of tea, and said in a casual tone: "You are the queen, and Jiaofang Palace is your residence. As long as you like it, why do you care whether I am here or not?"
Empress Dong's expression froze, she tried her best to calm down her facial expression, and said with a stiff smile: "What are you talking about, Your Majesty? I am His Majesty's wife, how dare I do anything special?" She pretended to take back the hand holding the lamp,
As if unintentionally, he waved his sleeves to the side. Chang Yu, who was waiting, immediately understood and quietly exited the pepper room with a group of people.
The emperor ignored her for the moment and just took another sip of tea. He then put the tea bowl on the table and looked at her with a smile: "Really? If the eldest princess doesn't stop her that day, what are you going to do?"
"Your Majesty!" Empress Dong knew that this incident was unavoidable. Although she had been prepared for it, she was still panicked when the incident came. She immediately left the table and prostrated: "On that day, Yongliang rebelled, and the disaster spread to Guanzhong. All the princes in the court said their own opinions.
There is no one in charge of this matter. I don’t want to see your majesty’s hard work ruined in one day, so I want to risk my life to come forward and stabilize people’s hearts. I have no intention of being special!”
"Look, you just said she is my queen and my wife, why are you kneeling down after just saying a few words?" The emperor bowed slightly and stretched out his right hand to grab Empress Dong's arm: "Sit down and talk.
I'm asking what you are going to do, not why you are doing it."
Empress Dong sat back on the couch in fear. She read a hint of peace in the emperor's calm eyes. After taking a few breaths, she said timidly: "I remember His Majesty's instructions before the Eastern Expedition.
I ordered my concubine to take good care of the palace. I thought that it would not be easy for the imperial court to conquer, and there must be no chaos in Guanzhong..."
She heard the emperor say 'hmm', and then said bluntly: "I am thinking, firstly, to choose the person in charge in the court, and secondly, to choose the general to defend against the Qiang plague. Finally, I described the situation in detail one by one and sued him.
Your Majesty, I will wait for ten months for you to issue an edict, and if there are any other appointments, you will comply with them... I just want to calm people's hearts, and I will not dare to interfere with anything from now on."
"Is this all your idea?" The emperor's expression did not change much after hearing this. He put one arm on the table and leaned slightly, which put a lot of pressure on Empress Dong.
Empress Dong hesitated for a moment, nodded and replied: "Wei, Wei."
"Eh." After getting this expected answer, the emperor suddenly sighed. He immediately left the table and leaned back on the jade table. The emperor pressed the acupuncture points at the corners of his eyes with his hands and closed them slightly.
Eyelids, he said softly: "Although you have a strong temper, you have always known what to do and what not to do. Needless to say, you also know it. In Jiaofang these years, you have really made me worry a lot.
It's just that this ridiculous move...may not be your idea, right?"
After being told the truth by the emperor, Empress Dong lowered her head and remained silent. The emperor's words made her feel uncomfortable and distressed. In fact, she did not want to interfere in the affairs of the previous dynasty. She was the queen as soon as she entered the palace. As long as she gave birth to a child,
As long as the eldest prince does not threaten her status, she can always be tolerant and generous.
But she is not just a person, behind her there is an ambitious and talented father, and a family that has suffered a disaster and is in desperate need of recovery.
Empress Dong liked the emperor, but she sometimes had to listen to Dong Cheng's requests. Who thought about the dilemma she was faced with?
Fortunately, the emperor understood it clearly, which made Empress Dong very happy.
"Your grandson..." The emperor didn't know how to say it. Sometimes he found that he seemed to just drive and appoint Dong Cheng blindly, but did not tell him which direction to go in. In fact, the emperor and his ministers had a tacit understanding and understanding.
, I shouldn’t have told him directly.
However, Dong Cheng was ambitious and could not stand the encouragement of those around him, which made the emperor's use increasingly uncomfortable and unsatisfactory. At present, suitable replacement candidates have not yet matured, and the forces of all parties are complicated, so the emperor has to put away his share.
With his ruthless thoughts, he planned to make do with it again, but this time, in order to prevent Dong Cheng from losing control, the emperor chose to use another method.
"I have the courage to do things, but my ability to distinguish right from wrong, good and bad, is far worse than others." The emperor then commented.
Empress Dong actually breathed a sigh of relief, but she seemed to be embarrassed and said: "I am impatient. I have tried to persuade you many times, but I don't know what to say."
"It will happen in the future." The emperor stood up at this time and stretched his arms: "Sleep in peace."