When Brother Nine came over, Zhao Chang had already returned from Changchun Palace.
It really made Shu Shu guess.
Zhao Chang's mouth is like a clam shell.
No matter how Brother Jiu asked, he would respectfully say: "It's hard for me to say."
Brother Jiu was not annoyed, he just said: "Then when will you return to Changchun Garden?"
Zhao Chang didn't say anything this time, and said honestly: "I have to go to pay my respects to Madam Zhang Bin. I guess it's her first time."
It is Chenzheng now, which will be half an hour later.
Brother Jiu nodded and said: "Okay, then you can wait for me at Shenwu Gate, and I will go to Changchun Garden with you."
Zhao Chang bowed and agreed.
Brother Jiu took He Yuzhu and Sun Jin and hurried to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Today's official business must be dealt with as soon as possible, otherwise if you forget about it for personal reasons, it will be unreasonable to be justified before the emperor.
*
Yanxi Palace, front and east side hall.
Zhang Bin stayed here temporarily.
This is a house that was renovated a few years ago. The wallpaper is all new and the furniture has been replaced with new ones. It looks clean and elegant.
This was prepared for several princesses from the Zhijun Prince's Palace.
Concubine Hui took them into the palace for a short stay, so that they could be easily accommodated.
Therefore, the house here is often swept.
Zhang Bin stayed here yesterday, which was more convenient.
Looking at Zhao Chang, Concubine Zhang was not as restrained as the concubine Wang.
She had woken up and realized that she had made a mistake before.
Seeing Concubine Hui's happy and contented days again, I was deeply moved.
She was very calm, and she said everything she said that was difficult for Concubine Hui to say yesterday.
"In addition to calling me a 'skinny horse' and a 'prostitute', she also mentioned my time in the longevity palace, saying that I acted frivolously and cut off the favor of the imperial concubine, which made the imperial concubine depressed and unhappy, and her life was short."
"He also said that the tenth brother is already old and has some scores in his heart. He will always settle it with me. If he doesn't retaliate against me, he will take revenge on me and the princesses..."
"You also asked me if I was working as a bedchamber in the Qing Palace with the people I promised. It's the tone of the flower house. Only a few people working together can attract the emperor's attention for more than ten years..."
"It's also said that a daughter will follow her mother. The princess I gave birth to will definitely be like me. She has a watery nature in her bones. She is also good at attracting people and can make Mongolian men happy."
What mother can tolerate others talking about her daughter like this?
At that time, Zhang Bin wished she could just stab Duan Bin with scissors and then die.
But she didn't dare.
I am afraid that I will become a sinner and my children will be implicated.
Next to Zhao Chang was the eunuch who took notes and wrote quickly.
After Zhang Bin finished speaking, the recording was also completed over there.
Zhao Chang reached out for the record book, handed it to Zhang Concubine with both hands, and bowed and said: "This is to be presented to the emperor. I would like to trouble you to check whether there are any additions or omissions. If not, please give me the ink."
Zhang Bin's face turned red. Although when she said it just now, she knew that these words would reach the imperial court, but she was still embarrassed and panicked.
But she knew it was the lesser of two evils.
Perhaps after these words came out, the emperor was completely disgusted with her, but she had no regrets.
If Duan concubine is not condemned to death this time, she will not be able to cope with her illness.
She read it carefully. Every word was dictated by her, with no additions or additions.
She didn't hesitate, took the pen directly, and signed her name.
However, Zhao Chang had no intention of leaving. He took the book with both hands and said, "I have a few more words to ask Mr. Guo, and I would like to ask my concubine to stay away for now."
Mrs. Guo, the female servant next to Zhang Pin, went to Yanxi Palace together yesterday.
Zhang Bin nodded, glanced at Aunt Guo, and whispered: "I didn't rest well last night and my head hurts. If you reply, come in quickly and rub it for me."
Aunt Guo agreed softly.
Zhang Bin then slowly entered the north room.
Zhao Chang did not ask questions in the main room, but motioned for Aunt Guo to follow him to the south room.
In this way, it is separated from the north room by two walls. If you don't raise your voice, you can't hear it from the other side.
"Some palace people said that the concubine once hid scissors under her pillow and had thoughts of committing suicide?"
Zhao Changdao.
Aunt Guo's eyes were red and she said: "As early as February, when the emperor came out of the palace, Empress Duanbi either sent my master to him every day, or came to the back hall to ask why there was no master on the list, and whether he was disliked by the emperor.
Already?"
"Our master also listened to the back and forth, and the smile disappeared from his face."
"It was after the Dragon Boat Festival. News came from the imperial court, saying that they had chosen a companion for fifteen squares. She was the eldest daughter of Cao Yin, a weaver in Jiangning, who would accompany the emperor to Beijing..."
"Ms. Duan concubine came to the back hall again and said that there is no need to wait. Now that my brother and the princesses are implicated in our master's life, it will be difficult..."
"The emperor has a 'house-loving' temperament. If he doesn't like her, he will definitely be fed up with her brother and the princesses as well. Otherwise, he would not have chosen a slave, Yangzi, to be the princess's companion. The other princess companions are all daughters of distinguished nobles.
, or the princess of the Jueluo family..."
"There is also the case of Lady Dai Jia. Back then, the emperor was disgusted with her for giving birth to an incomplete Seventh Brother. He has not summoned him again in the past twenty years. Now he seems to be doing a good job for the Seventh Lord and is also showing it to Chunjing Prince Fujin...
"
"Our master's health is getting worse and worse, he has new illnesses, and he has bad thoughts, so I stopped him..."
Having said this, she stretched out her right hand and spread her palm.
There is a scar running across the palm of the hand.
It has been nearly a month, and the scar has just healed, and it has become pink and fleshy. It is obvious that the wound is not shallow.
"I remember there are rules in the palace. Concubines are not allowed to commit suicide, otherwise it will be a serious crime. The mother clan will be blamed for the crime, so I told the master. The master also remembered this and was afraid, so he took away the scissors..."
"It's just that after that, the master became a little discouraged and didn't want to eat..."
"The ice warehouse delivered ice last morning. It was the first one from Qianxi Tousuo. I heard that our elder brother begged Master Jiu to put the ice from Tousuo to the back hall of Changchun Palace..."
"I took this opportunity to ask our master to request a move to the palace. Due to his unwell health, the master also believed Duan Concubine's lies and was afraid that he would really implicate my elder brother and princesses and make the emperor displeased.
There was still no business, but Concubine Duan brought people over to investigate, so our master held his breath and left the Changchun Palace..."
Zhao Chang knew everything that happened next.
The eunuch behind Zhao Chang recorded quickly.
Zhao Chang glanced at Grandma Guo.
He is a smart one.
Not much to say, but it’s not just about the fight between the two concubines in Changchun Palace.
In Duan Concubine's words, she was also suspected of instigating the prince's elder brother, of being disrespectful to the prince and princess, and of making false accusations against the emperor.
However, Zhao Chang didn't say anything. A loyal servant deserves some respect at all times. He just asked her to sign and post the oral record.
Zhang Bin was already very anxious in the north room.
She stood at the door of the north room, her ears pressed against the crack of the door, but she still couldn't hear what was said in the south room.
She bit her lip.
Yesterday, she heard from Concubine Hui that all the palace servants and eunuchs from Changchun Palace were detained in the Sentence Department.
Among them were eunuchs and maids under her name.
However, most of them were gathered in by the concubines and almost intimidated.
There was only one Aunt Guo who guarded her from beginning to end.
She was afraid that Grandma Guo would also be taken away.
Separated by the palace wall, the feelings of flesh and blood are distant.
The children also have their own palaces, and the mother and son are rarely seen.
The only one accompanying her was Grandma Guo.
When she heard something moving outside, Zhang Bi couldn't wait to come out of the north room.
Seeing that Aunt Guo was in complete trouble, Zhang Bin didn't dare to relax completely and looked at Zhao Chang.
Zhao Chang bowed and said: "Concubine, please rest, I will return to the imperial palace soon."
Zhang Bin didn't reply yet, she seemed a little weak and her stance was unsteady.
Seeing this, Grandma Guo quickly stepped forward to help her.
Zhang Bin leaned her body against Aunt Guo, then smiled weakly, and said to Zhao Chang: "Then I won't keep the manager. Please ask the manager to apologize to the emperor for me. I have no future, I can't stand on my own, and I already regret it in my heart."
Yes, it will never be like this again.”
Zhao Chang listened carefully and recited it twice in his mind without missing a word before he bowed and said: "I have written it down. Concubine, please take care of yourself. You will have a long time to come."
Others didn't know it, but they, the close servants, knew that in the Emperor's heart, Concubine Zhang, who had given birth to a son and two daughters, still had some status.
Even if there is punishment this time, it won't be too severe.
The thirteenth elder brother is fourteen years old and has both civil and military skills. Even if the emperor has a new favorite, he will miss his old love and will not completely neglect Zhang Bin, so as not to damage his son's dignity.
In the emperor's heart, his son is more important than his concubines.
Zhang Bin nodded slightly and said, "Thank you, Manager, for your comfort."
Zhao Chang took people out.
Zhang Bin then grabbed Grandma Guo's arm tightly and said, "I was scared to death!"
Grandma Guo's tears also came out, and she choked and said: "This slave is also scared to death. I am not afraid of the punishment department, but I don't want to leave my master..."
We have been dependent on each other for more than ten years, and the love between master and servant is deep.
At this moment, what the master and servant are afraid of is not the other side, but separation and death.
Zhang Bin's hand was still holding Aunt Guo's arm tightly and said: "Then don't leave. We will be good in the future. Concubine Hui is kind-hearted and has already mentioned the matter of moving the palace to the emperor. When Chu Xiu arrives,
Your Majesty, our life will be much easier!"
Aunt Guo also brought out her expectations and said: "That's great. Chuxiu Palace is close to my brother's house. When the time comes, it will be inconvenient for the master, but the slave will not be in the way. In the year of your master's death, it is suitable for your master to live every day."
I sent people to my brother’s house, but no one said anything..."
Concubine Wen Xi died in the 33rd year of Kangxi's reign. It was only five years ago that Zhang Bin also remembered this.
She was lost in memories, and after a while she exhaled and said: "I was too stupid before, and my eyes were blurry. There are evil people like Duan Concubine in the palace, but there are also people like Concubine Hui and Concubine Yi.
A magnanimous person…”
*
The entrance of Shenwu Gate.
Zhao Chang came over first, and after waiting for a quarter of an hour to estimate the time, he saw Brother Jiu coming quickly.
"Is it too late, sir?" he asked breathlessly.
To compress the whole morning's official work into half an hour, Brother Ninth also hurriedly hurriedly hurriedly.
Zhao Chang said hurriedly: "The bell hasn't rung yet. It's because I came early."
Outside the Forbidden City and within the Imperial City, there are the Bell and Drum Towers.
On weekdays, bells are sounded during the day and drums are beaten at night. This is called "morning bell and evening drum", which is also a scene in the imperial city.
When there is a national mourning, it is used to pay tribute.
Brother Jiu said: "Then let's go."
It was obvious that the father and son met yesterday morning, but Brother Jiu actually had the feeling that "one day without seeing each other is like three autumns."
I thought that life in the palace would be peaceful and he would be able to take off the reins and be free.
Who would have thought that such a thing could happen again.
Brother Jiu did not ride a horse, but called a carriage.
Along the way, he didn't speak.
He calmed down and realized that he was confused if he cared.
If the empress was so cowardly and incompetent, she would not have been a beloved concubine for more than twenty years.
Khan Amma doesn’t like stupid people, and the empress is not stupid either.
However, the empress was not just one of the four concubines at the beginning. She was also young and served as a noble and a concubine.
Have you ever been bullied before?
Brother Jiu drooped his head and couldn't help but start to curse in his heart.
Why do you have so many concubines?
Why do you have so many children?
Can’t we cherish it?
The carriage did not stop all the way, and when it was right, it arrived at Changchun Garden.
As the ninth elder brother, one can directly enter Changchun Garden, but cannot directly enter Qingxi Bookstore.
He was waiting outside the Qingxi Bookstore and said, "Manager Zhao, please tell Ama Khan and tell me that I have something to ask your Majesty to see."
Zhao Chang was taciturn on weekdays, and rarely interacted with the princes and elder brothers. The ninth elder brother really didn't dare to be as presumptuous as he was in front of Liang Jiugong and Wei Zhu, and his attitude was a bit polite.
Zhao Chang bowed in agreement and entered Qingxi Bookstore.
The blazing sun hangs high in the sky.
At this time, if you were in the palace, you would have to start using ice.
But because the garden is full of water, it is indeed much cooler than the palace.
Brother Jiu entered the duty room next to him and waited for the summons.
Now is not the time to look at the signs. There is no one waiting to see your majesty inside, only two eunuchs in charge of tea.
I respectfully greeted Brother Jiu and served tea.
Brother Jiu didn't drink.
He was thinking about what to say.
It is not good to forget about official duties for personal reasons, then it is best to meet the driver for official duties.