Volume 1: Spring of Painting Hall Chapter 5: Holy Face of Baoding Mountain
The spring breeze carries the fragrance of flowers and plants, and the scenic spot of Baoding is as beautiful as new.
Emperor Xiao Che led his queen Yuan and other civil and military officials to the top of Baoding Mountain in a grand manner.
After a short break, there was a blessing ceremony. After several rounds of complicated and solemn ceremonies, the emperor took a symbolic sip of bile, ate a grain of rice bran, and then led everyone to worship the sky and the earth. The ceremony was considered complete. Then came the distribution.
The residences of various officials began their spring viewing tour.
Since Qingxi went up the mountain, she has been following her father in a disciplined manner, without saying a word or looking at another person. It was not until the prayer meeting was over and the palace servants assigned a residence that she begged: "Dad, I have nothing to do this afternoon.
, can I go see the Crown Princess?"
Ling Deyan frowned and said in a low voice: "The Crown Prince will be with the Crown Princess now, I think you'd better not disturb them."
Qingxi was quite helpless. It seemed that even after leaving the East Palace, it was not easy to see her old friend. Seeing the sun setting in the west, the waiter brought dinner. She complained for a while. There was a beautiful spring outside the house, but she didn't even step through the door.
Zeng Qidao said that he was taking her to see the scenery from the sky, but she didn't even see half a person, and yet she had to be stuck on this mountain for three or four days. How could she survive this?
Ling Deyan saw her listless appearance even after eating, and was about to say a few words of comfort when he saw Guo Rui, the emperor's personal chamberlain, walking in.
Guo Rui has been serving Xiao Che for many years. He is calm and low-key, and is deeply trusted. This makes the important officials in the court more courteous to him, and he is not arrogant because of his favor, and has never formed a clique for personal gain. This makes him more important to Xiao Che.
He has a transcendent and unique position in his heart.
After Guo Rui saluted, he said: "Sir Ling, I would like to send you the Holy Spirit to Shangkou Yu and Miss Ling to pay my respects."
As soon as he finished speaking, Ling Qingxi quickly raised his head and looked at his father with a look of astonishment. Ling Deyan's face was also full of surprise. He hurriedly asked: "Eunuch Guo, does the Holy Father have anything else to say? Do you want to summon only the little girl?"
Guo Rui smiled broadly: "My lord, there is no need to worry. The Holy One was chatting with the Queen and the Crown Princess. The Crown Princess mentioned that she and Miss Ling were close friends. The Holy Master then decided to invite Miss Ling and the Crown Princess to get together."
Hearing what Guo Rui said, Ling Deyan felt a little relieved. Without thinking about it, he said to Qingxi: "You can follow Guo Douzhi quickly."
Qingxi followed Guo Rui through most of the Baoding Palace and entered the gate of a courtyard. From a distance, she saw the emperor sitting in the hall talking relaxedly with the queen beside him. Shen Tong beside him
She also listened with a smile. Thinking that it was just an impromptu summons, she calmly walked into the hall.
After the ceremony, Xiao Zhe's calm and gentle voice came from above his head: "Get up."
Qingxi stood up slowly, raised his head slightly, and boldly observed the emperor's face carefully.
The emperor in front of him is approaching the age when he knows his destiny. His hair on the temples is already gray, but his face is slender and rosy. Although he has obvious wrinkles, his facial features are upright and delicate. Coupled with this seemingly innate imperial nobility, he certainly looks as young as his.
The charm of men.
She originally thought that the emperor should have a solemn attitude and temperament, but she didn't expect that the high-ranking man was looking at her with a faint smile and loving eyes at this moment.
Seeing her looking at him so fearlessly, Xiao Zhe suddenly laughed heartily. "What? What's wrong with me?"
Qingxi was stunned, and was shocked to realize that his behavior was disrespectful. He quickly lowered his head, calmed down, and calmly replied: "I am lucky enough to meet Tianyan. I don't understand the rules. I hope your Majesty will atone for my sins."
"It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter. Just raise your head!" Xiao Che smiled tolerantly.
Queen Yuan on the side could tell that the emperor was in a happy mood, and she became quite curious about the woman a few steps away. When Ling Qingxi raised her head again, she observed carefully, and then she saw that she was indeed a beautiful woman, elegant and beautiful. Not charming, with a dusty temperament.
She subconsciously glanced at Shen Tong, who was standing next to her, and marveled at the ingenuity of the world's arrangements.
She has been the queen for many years and has seen too many women of all kinds, so she has a good eye for discerning people. There is no doubt that Shen Tong is a stunning woman. Her beauty can captivate people's hearts at a glance, with an aggressive flamboyance. But in her bones, she is as gentle as water and delicate as a flower. Ling Qingxi seems to be different from her. Her beauty is not obvious, and she is tolerant and comfortable, but her attitude in these few words is not comparable to that of ordinary boudoir women. , possessing an inner calmness, bravery and fearlessness.
One thing she was quite puzzled about was that Shen Tong's reputation had spread all over the city, but few people knew about Ling Qingxi, at least she had never heard of it. Although the news in the palace was not as smooth as in the market, she and the Shen Tong is a close friend in the boudoir, and he should be heard about it. He can even be called a pair of gems with him, and he will never be unknown.
Just as she was thinking this, Xiao Che stood up, approached Ling Qingxi, and asked calmly: "Tell me, what impression did you make of me when you saw me for the first time?"
Qingxi's heart tightened. This was not an easy question to answer. But in the current situation, there was no time for her to think about it. Frankness was the best way. So, she respectfully replied: "Your Majesty is different from what I imagined." .”
"Oh? What's the difference?" Xiao Zhe was very interested.
"I have read a sentence: Be sincere when entering to be loyal; be humble when going out to regret yourself. This book talks about the way a gentleman should behave, but your Majesty not only has the heavenly style of an emperor, but also has the sincerity and humility The manner of a humble gentleman."
Xiao Che narrowed his eyes and looked deeply at Ling Qingxi without any expression, showing no sadness or joy.
This made Ling Qingxi feel excited after she finished her reply. Perhaps her words were too obvious as a compliment and not a particularly clever answer. But this was indeed what she was thinking in her heart. For His Majesty the Emperor in front of her, she It really made a good impression. Thinking like this, my heart gradually became calmer, and I even put on a candid expression.
When Shen Tong saw this scene, he felt a pinch of sweat for her. He was about to speak to break the silence, but was stopped by the queen's eyes.
The queen raised her skirt and stood up, smiled slightly and said softly: "Your Majesty, I think it's better to let the children have fun on their own. They are somewhat uncomfortable with us here."
Xiao Che quickly regained his smile, turned around and nodded gently to the queen, "The queen said yes, then you can go back and rest with me." After saying that, he looked at Ling Qingxi again and strode out. .