As soon as the new year passes, it is the third year of the first year, the zodiac sign is Renxu, and spring is here.
But the scene of snowflakes flying in Luoyang makes it almost impossible to tell whether it is spring or the twelfth lunar month of last year's cold winter.
The Hualin Garden to the north of the palace is naturally a scene of snow-covered scenery and white snow. Hualin Garden (Fanglin Garden) is not part of the palace, but it is a royal garden close to the north wall of the palace.
The Lingzhi Palace where Empress Dowager Guo often lived, and the Xiyou Garden where she was located, was located inside the palace. However, she also liked to go to the Hualin Garden in the north because it had a larger area and richer scenery.
The Tianyuan Pool in Hualin Garden is also called the sea, which is much larger than the Ganoderma lucidum pool in Xiyou Garden. There is also Jingyang Mountain on the west side of the sea. There is a hot spring at the foot of Jingyang Mountain towards the sea.
Mrs. Guo and Mrs. Zhen were in the hot spring room at the foot of Jingyang Mountain. They were soaking in the steaming hot springs and looking at the snow-capped scenery outside the window. The cold wind poured in through the wooden windows. For a moment, Mrs. Guo didn't know whether it was cold or cold. warm.
Just like her mood, she didn't know whether it was pleasant or bitter. The images of extreme contrast were entangled together, and the taste was very complicated.
Mrs. Zhen talked about her recent experience. She described Guo’s appearance and figure to Zhongming. Zhen also said that Zhongming would imagine what Guo looked like at that time. When he saw Zhongming again next time, he even more I was bold enough to say that I often heard Guo's voice in the court, and I would think of that voice at that time.
"When he was thinking about my sister's voice, he seemed to be really more interested. I can feel it." Mrs. Zhen whispered next to Mr. Guo.
Mrs. Guo poured hot water on her body to cleanse her body. She raised her head and brushed her hands hard and slowly along the pure and clean neck. The white steam was hazy, and her eyes were a little blurry. She could no longer tell whether the air was warm or cold. It's clear, I just feel like I'm in a trance.
She saw the colorful snow flakes, and seemed to see the sky full of spring flowers and plants, and the steam seemed to be clouds. Recollections of the past and hallucinations that had not happened were intertwined in her heart, like a dream.
I don't know how long it took, but Guo gradually became more awake and couldn't help but ask: "Is the damaged inner wall and the half brick below useful?"
Mrs. Zhen nodded and said: "It's useful. When we meet again, we successfully conveyed the message."
Mrs. Guo suddenly remembered what she had thought when she summoned Qin Zhongming last year, wondering if this person could be a prime minister. She immediately laughed and said to herself that this person was really thoughtful and reliable. Ms. Guo asked again: "He Thinking of me like that, won't you feel jealous and sad?"
Mrs. Zhen shook her head gently and said softly: "If I hadn't been adopted by my late father, I don't know how difficult my life would have been. Now that I am the only one left in our family, doesn't my sister know what I am thinking?"
"Oh." Mrs. Guo was very moved after hearing this, and couldn't help but hug Ms. Zhen in front of her gently, but the two couldn't get too close unless the hug was a little stronger. Mrs. Zhen's face was wet due to the heat of the hot spring. A little red, he looked at Mr. Guo and said softly: "Next time I have to tell him what you are like."
The water vapor made Guo's breathing a little difficult. She took a deep breath and asked, "Does Zhong Ming still not know what we said?"
Mrs. Zhen said: "I didn't tell him. I agreed with him that the matter should be kept secret. He didn't know that I had already told my sister."
Guo mused: "Zhong Ming might guess it."
Mrs. Zhen smiled and said: "Not necessarily, after all, I am Your Highness. But no matter what, he would never have thought in his dreams that we could explain it in such detail."
"That's true." Mrs. Guo blushed and lowered her beautiful eyes. "Who would have the nerve to describe that kind of thing is only you." After saying this, Mrs. Guo calmly stood up from the spring water and sat down by the pool. On the bed, Zhen also slowly climbed up.
The two were silent for a long time. Zhen's eyes moved, and she looked at Guo for a while, but neither of them said anything. Guo was nervous and had difficulty breathing, and even felt a little dizzy. At this time, she I noticed that Mrs. Zhen had a slightly angry expression on her face.
"What's wrong?" Guo asked softly.
Mrs. Zhen said: "I suddenly felt it was unfair and wanted to cure him." Mrs. Guo asked puzzledly: "What's the injustice?" Mrs. Zhen pursed her lips and whispered: "It's just that he avoided danger and found it. excuse."
Guo thought for a moment and understood immediately, and asked softly: "Isn't he willing?"
"Give him some favors first." Mrs. Zhen came closer and said a few words in Mrs. Guo's ear. Mrs. Guo glared at her, and after a while, she pointed at the clothes on the wooden rack next to her and whispered, "That lining hasn't been changed or washed for two days. I was lazy for two days because of the cold weather." Zhen said with a smile, "I said it was stolen."
At this time, Zhen's bright eyes turned up, and she had another idea, and said: "Next time I meet him again, the time will be at You hour on the 30th afternoon of the first lunar month, when the doorbell will knock. The sound of drums. When you hear the sound of drums, you will know that the time is right. I will describe your appearance at this time in advance, and then let him smell your scent and recall your voice."
Guo said in a trembling voice: "You are really good at thinking about things." Zhen said with a smile: "I am a lonely person, and I like to think about random things when I have nothing to do."
"Okay, it sounds like you are really pitiful." Guo said angrily.
After talking for a while, they returned to the water, warmed up their bodies, and prepared to leave the hot spring. Although soaking in the hot spring on a cold day is very comfortable, it is not good for a long time, and the skin on the hands is prone to wrinkles.
After Mrs. Zhen got dressed, she followed His Highness's car back to the palace. Mrs. Zhen did not go to Lingzhi Palace again and let the eunuch take her out of the palace.
By the afternoon of the 30th day of the first lunar month, Mrs. Guo naturally remembered the agreement Mrs. Zhen had made. She stayed alone in the attic, burned incense and wrote essays, thus withdrawing from the surroundings.
I don't know how long it took, but sure enough, the sound of "dong dong" drums came from the south, and Guo could hear it very clearly from the attic. The sound of the drum seemed to hit Guo's heart one after another, and she became more and more nervous and agitated.
After hesitating for a moment, Mrs. Guo finally put down the brush and placed it on the inkstone. She closed her eyes gently and quickly remembered Qin Zhongming's appearance and the more detailed appearance Zhen had described. At this moment, Qin Zhongming should be in Zhen's room. In the courtyard, smelling the smell of the clothes and recalling the indoor scene of the hot spring that Zhen had described, he was imagining His Highness, as if the person under the bed was His Highness. Guo was also imagining him at this moment.
Mrs. Guo closed her eyes tightly, raised her arms, and slipped her slender fingers out of the sleeves of her wide robe, gently placing them on her collarbone. Mrs. Guo was in her early thirties and had been well-dressed for many years. Her skin was very smooth, except for her slender hair. My fingers are not that smooth, but they are stronger due to practicing playing the piano.
When she first heard the drums, Guo felt very excited and expectant, as if she smelled the aroma of stewed meat when she was empty. But after a long time, when she let out a long and faint sigh, she felt like stewed meat again. It's sour, and it's not as delicious as imagined. The inner fire that can't be fully enjoyed is like eating sour food. The food can't be digested, and there is a swell of gas in the body, which cannot be relieved no matter what. The body is anxious and irritable. The feeling has indeed subsided slightly, but I don't feel comfortable, just a feeling of emptiness and loss.
The next day is the great dynasty, and the dynasty meeting will still be held in the east hall of Tai Chi Hall.
As usual, Mrs. Guo was wearing court clothes. Surrounded by everyone, she went to the high platform beside the throne and knelt down behind the curtain.
Dozens of people knelt down to pay homage, and there were no changes in the ceremony. Guo quickly saw Qin Liang behind the crowd. He was far away, so he couldn't see clearly. Fortunately, the position on the side of the throne was high.
From a bird's-eye view, almost everyone in the court could be seen, and the ministers in front of Qin Liang could not block his view.
Qin Liang was wearing a spring blue robe today and a military crown on his head. He was holding a bamboo tablet and a scepter in his hand. He behaved very calmly without making any unnecessary movements. Naturally, he did not raise his head to look this way. Unfortunately, he could not see clearly.
With his facial expression, it is almost impossible for him to speak in court.
What Sima Yi talked about with Cao Shuang and others today was quite important. He once again mentioned Cao Shuang's younger brother Cao Xi, saying how humble and noble Cao Xi's character was and how capable he was in both civil and military affairs.
This is talking about the candidates for the leading general. The leading general is the commander-in-chief of the Luoyang Central Army and is related to the safety of the capital.
But Guo didn't care much about such an important matter. She couldn't decide anything anyway. She only focused on observing Qin Zhongming. There was only Guo in the curtain, and the people next to her couldn't turn around and look up at her, so Guo
It is clear that as long as your body and head don't move, no one will know how your eyes look.
At this time, Cao Shuang's voice said: "Your Majesty, please give me a clear warning."
Mrs. Guo was busy adjusting her mood, and was about to say something for everyone to discuss. But when she saw Qin Zhongming standing there and listening, she knew that Zhongming was quietly listening to her words carefully, and even imagined her voice at that time.
Yelling. Guo's mood was tense and excited, and she felt a "dong dong" sound in her heart.
She secretly took a breath and said in a dignified and calm voice: "The achievements of Marquis Shaoling will be passed down to future generations, and he is worthy of enjoying the temple of Taizu. Uncle Cao Zhao (Cao Xi), the son of Marquis Shaoling, is humble and prudent, and can be entrusted with important responsibilities. I hope that all ministers
Discuss carefully."
The original intention was to say a few more words and let Qin Zhongming listen more. But the few words he had to say made General Cao Shuang very satisfied. When Cao Shuang thanked him, his voice became much louder, as if he was telling everyone: Look.
Well, His Highness also said that my brother is good.
In fact, by now, it was almost certain that Cao Zhaoshu would be the leading general, and anything he said was superfluous. Guo stopped talking and just let the courtiers continue to carry out their duties.
But she still wanted to talk in her heart, she wanted Qin Liang to stay and be closer to talk. By the way, she could borrow the salt recipe and talk to him about the reward. Although they were still separated by a curtain, they were closer, Guo
Thinking of this, I look forward to it very much.
However, after a while, Guo finally felt depressed and planned to give up the summons. Qin Liang, a fifth-rank official, was left alone to talk too many times, which might easily attract the attention of the courtiers. Whatever excuses he made, he would just lie to himself, and others would still
You may have noticed that the Queen Mother treated Qin Zhongming differently.
Regarding the reward, it would be more appropriate to just ask Zhang Huan to tell him.
Mrs. Guo sighed secretly and looked out from the door of the east hall, seeing clouds surging in the sky. The view here was wide and bright, but she felt very stuffy.