Queen Xiaoxi

Chapter 348 The Dowry
The Empress Dowager, Wanxian, Galudai, grandfather and grandson got on the boat together.

After the masters were all seated, the eunuch rowing the boat slowly rowed towards the Peach Blossom Causeway on the opposite side.

Wanxian sat on the edge of the boat, looking at the sparkling water on the lake, and said quickly: "It would be very beautiful if there were a few water birds or mandarin ducks on the lake."

"It's not difficult. Just give the instructions and the lake will be there tomorrow." The Empress Dowager also thought Wanxian's suggestion was very good, so she said.

Nanny Ning, who was serving at the side, quickly reported: "Please don't worry, Queen Mother, I will give you orders later."

Galudai added: "Looking at the willow trees on the shore, the willow branches are hanging down to the water. It is in line with the poem "Ode to the Willow" written by He Zhizhang, a poet of the Tang Dynasty: jasper makes up a tree high, and thousands of green silk ribbons hang down. I don't know the details. Who cuts the leaves? The spring breeze in February is like scissors. Although it is not spring, it still fits the scenery."

The Empress Dowager was born in Mongolia, and it was not until the Qing Dynasty that she began to learn Manchu, let alone ancient Chinese poetry.

Let’s talk about Wanxian, because no one called her carefully when she was a child, so she only knew a few words.

However, Wanxian was eager to learn and asked Galudai: "Galudai, can you tell me the specific meaning of this poem?"

"Yes. The specific meaning is: the tall willow trees are covered with new green leaves, and the hanging willow branches are like thousands of gently fluttering green ribbons floating by the lake. I don't know who these thin willow leaves are. What is cut is the spring breeze in February, like magic scissors." Galudai quickly explained the meaning.

Not only Wanxian understood the meaning, but the Empress Dowager also nodded secretly to show that she understood.

"Galu Dai, you are still amazing. At a young age, you can understand the ancient poems written by previous poets." Wanxian praised sincerely.

Galudai was embarrassed by Wanxian's praise, and quickly said: "These are all taught by E Niang to her granddaughter. E Niang said that as a royal heir, naturally he should study hard and study hard, so as not to fall into the name of the royal family."

The Empress Dowager also said: "It is precisely because your mother is virtuous, virtuous, and dignified. That's why Huang Mafa chose your mother out of thousands of choices to marry you. It's just that your brother doesn't cherish it. That's all." The Queen Mother sighed after finishing speaking.

Galudai's mood also dropped.What child doesn't want his parents to be harmonious?
Seeing that the Empress Dowager and Galudai were in a low mood, Wanxian said quickly: "Let's not talk about this anymore. Galudai, please read the poem just now and teach me. After listening to your explanation just now, I seem to have some understanding. "

Galudai quickly put away his disappointed mood and quickly repeated the poem just now.

Listening to Galudai's words, Wanxian followed slowly and said: "The jasper makeup is as high as a tree, with thousands of green silk ribbons hanging down. I don't know who cut out the thin leaves. The spring breeze in February is like scissors."

Seeing Wanxian reciting the poem, Galudai quickly praised: "Suma Ma's memory is really good. My granddaughter only said it two or three times, and you can master it."

Wanxian said sheepishly: "I just know how to read it. I don't know the specific words yet."

"What's so difficult about this? Just ask Galudai to write this poem for you later. What's important is that you are eager to learn, which is really rare." The Queen Mother admired Wanxian's eagerness to learn. After all, Isn’t this how I learned Mongolian?This is good, now I have another person in the palace who can talk to me directly.To be honest, it’s a bit uncomfortable to have someone interpreting when you talk to people every day.

"Okay, I'm sorry to bother you, Lu Dai." Wan Xian thanked Lu Dai.

Galudai quickly replied: "It is my granddaughter's honor to be able to write for Grandma Suma."

While the three of them were talking, the boat docked at the shore of Peach Blossom Embankment.

The slaves quickly helped Wanxian and Galudai to the shore first.

When the Queen Mother came ashore, Wanxian and Galudai carefully helped the Queen Mother ashore, one on the left and the other on the right.

The Empress Dowager patted the hands of Wanxian and Galudai with satisfaction, and her eyes became softer when looking at Wanxian and Galudai.

The three of them walked along the road of Peach Blossom Embankment.Peach trees are planted on both sides of the road.

Now that it is early summer, the peach blossoms on the peach trees have long fallen, and even the peaches have been picked.Wanxian helped the Queen Mother walk and said, "It would be fun to set up a swing here in spring."

"Yes, it must be fun and beautiful to watch the peach blossoms falling while swinging on the swing." Galudai, who was on the other side of the Empress Dowager, also hurriedly chatted.

The Empress Dowager then ordered: "Just wait until next spring and let them build one."

"Okay, okay, but I don't know next year. Can Galudai sit on it?" Wanxian looked at Galudai and said with a smile.

"Suma Ma, what do you mean?" Galudai became anxious as soon as he heard what Wanxian said.

The Queen Mother's heart also lifted.

Wanxian did not show off, and said quickly: "Last night, I heard what Long Live Lord said. I have sent people to inquire carefully at the homes of the distinguished ministers in the capital. We must give Galu Daiyuan a man who is both talented and beautiful, and versatile in both civil and military affairs." Come out."

When Galudai heard this, he immediately blushed, lowered his head and stopped talking.

After hearing this, the Empress Dowager said happily: "This is a great thing. If things are really settled, the Ai family will be relieved." As the Empress Dowager spoke, she patted her great-granddaughter's little hand.

"This slave is thinking that choosing a consort for Galudai is a big deal. He must have the best family background, moral character, talent, and treatment of others, so that he can be the best choice." Wanxian said.

The Empress Dowager nodded and said: "That's what you said. Galudai is the legitimate daughter of our Qing Dynasty. Naturally, she wants to find the best son-in-law. This way she will not lose her status. Concubine Shu, you must be the emperor's daughter." Say a few more words in front of me. And you have to choose carefully." The Queen Mother solemnly warned Wanxian again.

Galudai also raised his head and looked at Wanxian with expectant eyes.

Wanxian patted her chest and said confidently: "Please rest assured, the Queen Mother and Galudai, I will definitely tell the long live master." Wanxian also likes Galudai, so she naturally hopes that Galudai will marry her. A wishful man.

The Queen Mother and Galudai felt relieved after hearing Wanxian's assurance.After all, who doesn't know that Concubine Shu is the favorite of Lord Long Live, and Lord Long Live will naturally listen to her words.

"According to the Ai family, we should first select the candidates and make a marriage contract. As for the marriage, there is no rush. The Ai family is still thinking of keeping Galudai for a few more years. How can you be a daughter-in-law in someone else's family, how can you do it in your own family? My aunt is here at your pleasure." The Empress Dowager touched Gallu Dai's head lovingly.

"Mother Uku." Galudai also shouted with attachment.

"I'll wait until night, then I'll mention it to Lord Long Live. Lord Long Live feels sorry for Lu Dai, so he must also agree," Wan Xian said.Wanxian also has her own selfish motives. Now she has finally become familiar with Gallu Dai. If Gallu Dai gets married so soon.Then I have no playmates again.

"Okay, go and tell the emperor. Of course the emperor is willing." The empress dowager added with satisfaction: "Tomorrow is the Dragon Boat Festival. You young people should wear some bright clothes and jewelry. We will return to Ningchun Hall later. , you both go to the Ai family's warehouse to pick. There are a lot of jewelry from the Ai family's youth in the warehouse. It would be a pity to just keep them lying around. You all need to pick some."

"I don't want it, my slave. Queen Mother, you should keep it for Galudai's dowry. By then, the first dowry has been carried to her husband's house, and the last dowry has not left the gate of the East Palace." Wan Xian smiled teasingly at Galudai.

"Suma Ma, you are making fun of your granddaughter. Mother Uku, you see, Shu Ma is making fun of your grand daughter. You have to make the decision for your grand daughter." Galudai had already blushed with embarrassment. Due to the presence of the Queen Mother, it hindered her. Wanxian was an elder, so she had no choice but to act coquettishly to the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager also started teasing her, and nodded: "What's so embarrassing about this? You are marrying someone else's older girl, not to mention the dignity you deserve as a person. Also, why don't you take care of yourself now?" I want to act coquettishly with you, Mama Shu, so that she can give you a few tons of dowry when the time comes."

"What the Queen Mother said is true. Galudai, you must please me well, otherwise, when the time comes, I will not give you a dowry." Wanxian said to Galudaihu.

"I don't care about it. It's enough for me to have Mother Uku's pain." Galudai said coquettishly to the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager tapped Gallu Dai's forehead and said, "That's nonsense. How can any girl dislike her own large dowry?"

(End of this chapter)