Li Zhen reluctantly accepted Xianfeng's order and could only spend as much time as possible with Zhilan.
According to Han Laiyu, he could only stay in Beijing for more than a month at most, and then he would return to Guangzhou and lead his soldiers to Nanjing to suppress the bandits. Because there was not much time left, Li Zhen cherished this time and the relationship between the two. During this period, the situation also heated up rapidly. You and I were envious of many servants.
At the same time, another young eunuch from the palace arrived at the Shangshu Mansion. This time, it was not a decree, but a concubine from the palace who invited Li Zhen and Zhilan to a banquet in the palace.
Zhilan agreed without hesitation, and the young eunuch went back first to report the news.
Li Zhen and Zhilan returned to the backyard, changed clothes and prepared for the banquet.
Li Zhen stood in the room, confused, and asked puzzledly: "Zhilan, what kind of concubines are the women in the palace, or the imperial concubine, the queen, when did a concubine appear?"
Li Zhen was not particularly clear about the level of the harem.
Zhilan smiled and explained: "Husband, the hierarchy of women in the palace is divided into queens. This is the highest level. There is no need to explain. The following are the imperial concubines, the concubines, the concubines, the concubines, the nobles, the always present, and the promised ones. Imperial concubines, imperial concubines, concubines, concubines, noble people are all easy to understand, they are all the emperor's women, and they also have a certain status."
After a pause, Zhilan continued: "Chang Zai and Xuanying are different. They are the lowest-level palace maids. They have no power and cannot rely on the strength of others. It is almost difficult to get ahead. Many women have become old in the palace. The palace maid did not receive the emperor's blessing when she died, and the person who entertained us was a concubine, who is one level higher than the nobleman."
Li Zhen frowned and said, "A small concubine has to hold a banquet. It's not classy, so I might as well not go."
He was very reluctant to go and didn't want to go either.
First, Li Zhen was at least an admiral, and also held the position of governor of Guangdong. He was a feudal official in the court, and a trusted minister of Xianfeng. He was so powerful that he could be a noble concubine in the palace, an imperial concubine, or an invitation from the queen to a banquet. That's all, I didn't expect that a little concubine would come to hold a banquet, which made Li Zhen feel so embarrassed.
Secondly, Li Zhen did not want to take Zhilan to the banquet because Zhilan was pregnant with twins. She looked like an animal in the zoo wherever she went, and everyone wanted to take a look. This made Li Zhen very disgusted.
He deliberately refused, but what he got in return was Zhi Lan's eyes.
Zhi Lan said with a smile: "Husband, my concubine's status is indeed not high, but she is the most favored woman by the emperor. After I returned to Beijing from Guangzhou, E Niang specially told me the things in the palace and asked me to Don’t offend Yibin, I must go this time.”
Li Zhen scratched his head and asked in confusion: "Who is Yibin?"
Zhilan explained: "Yi's concubine is Yehenara's family, her name is Xingzhen. She was drafted into the palace at the age of 18 and was given the name Lan Noble by the emperor. Now she is Yi's concubine. With the emperor's favor, Yi's concubine will become the harem in the future. Maybe the noble concubine."
"Yehenala, a noble man of Lan."
Li Zhen murmured twice, a flash of light suddenly flashed in his eyes, and he exclaimed: "Cixi."
Li Zhen was not very clear about the rank of concubines in the harem, but he knew very well about this woman who had influenced China for half a century. Cixi was born in Yehenala, and was named Lan Guiren when she entered the palace. Favored by Xianfeng, she gradually became one of the mistresses of the harem, and finally took control of the power of the Qing Dynasty, aiming for death.
Zhilan was confused and asked: "Husband, who is Cixi?"
Li Zhen smiled and said quickly: "It's nothing, I just sighed."
Zhilan felt that Li Zhen was not telling the truth, but did not ask further questions. She said, "I am waiting in the palace. Please change your clothes quickly to avoid being late and making people think that we do not respect each other."
Li Zhen thought of the woman who had influenced China for half a century, and he was a little curious. He took the initiative to change his clothes, and took a carriage with Zhilan out of the Shangshu Mansion and headed towards the palace. Because he was summoned by Yibin, the carriage was at the palace gate. After stopping outside, Li Zhen and Zhi Lan walked directly towards Yi Bin's residence.
At this time, Cixi was just a little concubine, and the palace and garden she lived in was not gorgeous.
When Li Zhen and Zhi Lan arrived, Yi Bin took the initiative to greet them at the gate.
She held Zhilan's right hand and said with a spring breeze-like smile on her face: "My sister is really blessed by God. She is pregnant with twins. My sister is so jealous. Let's go in and talk."
Li Zhen followed behind and looked at Ci Xi closely.
She is neither tall nor short. According to Li Zhen's visual inspection, she is a little over 16 meters tall. Cixi's appearance cannot be called exquisite, but it is very coordinated, giving people a well-behaved feeling, and an exquisite and translucent flavor. Li Zhen Seeing this side of Cixi, I feel that this person is a little girl, not like the domineering and cruel Cixi.
A group of people entered the hall, where a banquet had already been prepared. This time there was no wine, only light vegetables, etc., all cooked according to Zhilan's taste.
Seeing this, Zhilan said gratefully: "Looking at the dishes on the table, you can tell that Yibin put her heart into it."
Yibin smiled and said: "I usually eat relatively light food. These are my favorite foods. I don't know if these are in line with my sister's taste. Come on, my sister will try a meatball. This is made by the chef of the imperial kitchen. Yes, it took a lot of effort."
Zhilan immediately thanked her, took a sip, and praised it repeatedly.
At this time, Li Zhen became a mute and could only serve as a companion. Li Zhen could notice that Cixi's eyes would pass over him from time to time. This woman entertained Zhilan because she wanted to have a relationship with him. After Cixi entered the palace, it was all on her own. , North Korea and China do not have strong official support and need the support of an official.
Her thoughts fell on Li Zhen, and she wanted to contact Li Zhen through Zhi Lan.
During the meal and chat, Yibin didn't say a word to Li Zhen, but only talked to Zhilan. When they finally left, Yibin just saw off Li Zhen and Zhilan in a normal manner.
This situation made Li Zhen secretly vigilant.
This woman has a calm personality, can endure, and can bend down. She is not a simple thing. The two returned together. Zhilan whispered on the road and had a very good impression of Cixi. She also planned to let Cixi leave the palace for a banquet at the Shangshu Mansion. Li Zhen doesn't interfere, he just wants Zhilan to do whatever he wants, as long as nothing happens to Zhilan.
…
In Yangxin Hall, Xianfeng is handling official business.
Han Laiyu walked in and said in a low voice: "Your Majesty, concubine Yi is hosting a banquet in the palace for Li Zhen and his wife."
"Oh, there are other things like this."
Hearing this, Xianfeng suddenly smiled and said: "Yi Bin is smart, well-behaved and translucent. She is indeed a sensible woman. I just ordered Zhi Lan to stay in Beijing. Li Zhen must have complained. Now Yi Bin invites Zhi Lan and Li Zhi Lan to stay in Beijing." Zhen, you did a very good job of comforting the two of them for me. There are so many women in the harem, but she is the only one who has this kind of thought. It is really rare. Well, I will reward you with a luminous pearl, two maids, and a hundred pieces of brocade."
"twitter."
Han Laiyu bowed in agreement and immediately prepared to go.
As soon as he turned around, he heard Xianfeng say: "Forget it, you don't need to go and deliver the order. I will go and sit at Yipin's place myself, and take the reward with me by the way, so as not to bother the troops."
After finishing speaking, Xianfeng got up and left the Yangxin Hall and drove to where Cixi was.
