spend time

Jiang Shaohua slept for three hours and was full of energy when he opened his eyes. Except for the redness of his eyes, it was almost impossible to tell that he had stayed up for five days and five nights.

"You continue to guard here." Jiang Shaohua whispered: "I'm going to see the Queen Mother now."

Chen Jinyu and the other three nodded in agreement.

After Jiang Shaohua left, Yinzhu suddenly sighed: "We can't do anything in the palace. We are almost becoming a burden to the princess."

Tu Bai said, "This is the emperor's national mourning. There are strict rules in the palace. The princess is afraid that we will make mistakes if we speak or act inappropriately. Let us stay in the house to protect our safety. The princess cherishes us, not dislikes us."

Chen Jinyu nodded in agreement: "Tubai is right. Yinzhu, don't think nonsense. We can't do anything at the moment, and we can't cause trouble to the princess."

Yin Zhu scratched his head in embarrassment and whispered: "I'm used to being around the princess. I can't follow the princess these days. I feel so empty. No wonder I feel like that."

This is true.

Chen Jinyu looked at the direction Jiang Shaohua was leaving, feeling secretly sad. She's actually not used to it either.

This is the Daliang Palace, the highest place of power in Daliang, and the battlefield for the princess.

……

Jiang Shaohua waited outside Empress Dowager Zheng's bedroom for a while, and then was led into the bedroom by palace lady Su Fang.

After spending several days together, Jiang Shaohua became the "popular person" around Empress Dowager Zheng at an astonishing speed.

Regardless of her identity, Empress Dowager Zheng is just a poor old woman who has lost her son. Parting through life and death, no matter how precious the identity is, cannot exchange for the life of Emperor Taikang. Empress Dowager Zheng's heartbreak was never an act.

The younger generation whom Empress Dowager Zheng is closest to and loves most is of course the prince, and then Princess Baohua and the second prince. The prince's companions and the two county heads who live in the palace all year round are also loved by Empress Dowager Zheng.

However, the current situation is special. The prince, Zheng Chen and others are all guarding the mourning hall, and Princess Baohua and others are all in the inner mourning hall. There is no junior beside her. Jiang Shaohua happened to come to her side, and he was so gentle and quiet. Be filial and considerate.

In just a few days, Queen Mother Zheng became accustomed to Jiang Shaohua's company.

"Shaohua, come here and have breakfast with the Ai family."

Jiang Shaohua agreed softly, sat down next to Empress Dowager Zheng, served Empress Dowager Zheng with a bowl of warm rice soup, put a piece of jujube paste cake on the plate, and then put a pair of chopsticks into the stir-fried vegetables and silver sprouts.

Empress Dowager Zheng ate the food very smoothly: "You girl, you know the Ai family's taste preferences very well."

Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly and continued to serve Empress Dowager Zheng.

How could it be unclear?

Back then, she entered the palace alone. In order to gain a foothold in the palace, she tried her best to please Queen Mother Zheng. He knew Empress Dowager Zheng's personality and preferences well.

Empress Dowager Zheng thought she had good intentions, but in fact, she just did it casually.

After breakfast, Empress Dowager Zheng whispered: "The Ai family is going to the inner mourning hall today. You should also go with the Ai family. You will just meet Concubine Li."

The prince is about to ascend the throne, Empress Dowager Zheng is about to be promoted to empress dowager, and Concubine Li is the empress dowager of Liang. It is of course important and necessary to establish a good relationship with Concubine Li.

Empress Dowager Zheng took Jiang Shaohua to the harem to meet Concubine Li, which was really a good intention.

Jiang Shaohua's face showed gratitude: "Thank you, Queen Mother."

While getting up, he helped Empress Dowager Zheng.

Empress Dowager Zheng was obsessed with the pain of losing her son these days. Her mood was gloomy and her body was extremely weak. He must be supported by at least two palace attendants when he walks. At this time, Jiang Shaohua easily supported Empress Dowager Zheng with one hand.

Queen Mother Zheng couldn't help but glance at Jiang Shaohua: "You are quite strong."

Jiang Shaohua responded softly: "I have been practicing martial arts since I was a child. I am good at mounting, archery, boxing and kicking. I am naturally stronger than ordinary girls."

To say yes is, of course, a modest statement.

Anyone who claims to be good is a master. Empress Dowager Zheng was a little surprised, but also a little disapproving: "The girl's family is gentle and quiet, and those who wield swords and guns are all men's business. From now on, you stay with the Ai family, study, play the piano, and paint, and recite Buddha's name when you have time."

Jiang Shaohua didn't argue.

Empress Dowager Zheng has always had this self-centered attitude, and she is like a gust of wind, blowing by without leaving a trace.

……

The inner mourning hall is located in Jiaofang Hall.

Since the death of Queen Ji, the Jiaofang Palace has been vacant. Concubine Li struggled silently for several years but failed to move into Jiaofang Hall.

Emperor Taikang passed away and his coffin was placed in the Zhaohe Hall. There is also a coffin here in Jiaofang Hall, which contains a set of Emperor Taikang's clothes during his lifetime.

Madams of rank five or above must enter the palace and kneel in mourning. Empress Dowager Zheng has been in Zhaohe Hall, and Concubine Li is in charge of Jiaofang Hall.

The beautiful and graceful Concubine Li has become old and thin in just one month, and there are also a few wrinkles around the corners of her eyes. The young and charming Fan Guiren also seemed to have suffered from a violent storm, and was visibly haggard.

Princess Baohua's beautiful eyes were already swollen from crying, and her voice was almost speechless.

In comparison, the sorrow of Mrs. Gaoming seemed much lighter.

It’s not like they lost their husband, father or son, so they naturally don’t feel so sad. Furthermore, it has been a month since I stopped working, so there are still so many tears.

Mrs. Anguo covered her face with a handkerchief stained with ginger juice. The spicy smell washed over her face, and her eyes quickly turned red, with tears rolling down her face.

"The Queen Mother has arrived."

Eunuch Zhao's familiar high-pitched voice suddenly sounded. Concubine Li was the first to stand up to greet her. Fan Guiren and other concubines in the harem also stood up one after another.

The fastest one was Princess Baohua.

Princess Baohua's voice was hoarse and her eyes were full of heartache: "I haven't seen you for a few days, why is the imperial grandmother so haggard?"

Concubine Li choked with sobs and continued: "Your Majesty is our backbone, we must not let her body collapse."

There were at least a hundred people in the inner mourning hall, and there were only a few who were qualified to speak.

Among all the imperial edicts, Prime Minister Wang's old wife, Mrs. Wang, was the head of the imperial edicts, and Mrs. Zheng from Duke Anguo's residence was Empress Dowager Zheng's direct nephew and daughter-in-law, so they were the only two who had the confidence to intervene.

"My condolences to the Queen Mother."

"Is the girl next to you the princess of Nanyang?"

Empress Dowager Zheng nodded slightly: "Exactly, this is Jiang Shaohua, Princess of Nanyang."

"Shaohua, you came to meet Concubine Li and Baohua."

With so many female relatives, the only ones qualified for Jiang Shaohua to salute were Concubine Li and Princess Baohua.

Under the gaze of everyone, Jiang Shaohua stepped forward and bowed with his hands folded: "Shaohua has met the imperial concubine and cousin Baohua."

Concubine Li was not in the mood for small talk and nodded slightly.

Princess Baohua came forward and helped Jiang Shaohua up: "Cousin Shaohua, get up quickly."

It is not appropriate to talk too much in the mourning hall. After seeing the ceremony, everyone goes to kneel in the mourning hall.

Jiang Shaohua naturally knelt down beside Princess Baohua. Jiang Wanhua and Jiang Yuehua looked at each other quietly.

Everything comes on a first-come, first-served basis!

That is, we have lived in the palace for several years, and she is obviously a later comer, so why should she pass over the two of us? (End of chapter)