The little lady in the dining room

Chapter 158
A few feet away from a threshold of the Zichen Hall, Chen Jijiang looked at the people kneeling down the long steps outside the hall, who were like stone sculptures in the vast night, and thought to himself what are you doing to die.

The entanglement between the Empress Dowager and His Majesty is, in the final analysis, a matter between mother and child. If others use the word "filial piety" to mix up this relationship, it is intentional to annoy people——what's wrong with this matter, my lords?What happened to the peace of the world?Talking about high-sounding reasons one by one, I really feel that I am on the side of justice!

The most annoying thing is to overwhelm others with morality!
Chen Jijiang complained for His Majesty in his heart, while poking here and watching with cold eyes.At first, he was still thinking about persuading him, or offering him some tea, but after two or three hours in a row, these people still didn't leave...

Oh, then do whatever you want, no one can stop you from being willing to bury the Qu family, right?Ben who is easily provoked does not deserve sympathy.

Tsk tsk yawned again, and when he closed his mouth, Chen Jijiang smelled a smell of meat.He stepped forward a few steps to the gate of the hall to have a look, but he didn't understand.

Just now I heard from Liugeyuan that Mrs. Ruan was the host to pass on the meal, but it doesn't look like she is here to present the meal - two eunuchs walked this way under the long steps, each holding a Sandalwood plate, the plate is still the same thing - rock sugar elbow.

With the light from the palace man holding the lamp beside the road, the stewed dark red elbow was illuminated shinyly.I don't know when it came out of the food box, but it shouldn't be long, and it was still steaming when it was served, not to mention how fragrant the strong meaty smell is.

After the two eunuchs ascended the long steps, they bowed to Chen Jijiang: "My lord, the younger ones belong to the food bureau. Mrs. Ruan ordered that these two dishes should be placed in the side hall first when they are brought in, and not presented inside. If anyone wants to Eat it, just take it back to the imperial dining room and warm it up - would you like one, my lord?"

Yo, the meaning behind the words is that this elbow was not presented to His Majesty?Why did Mrs. Ruan think of giving a dental sacrifice to the people in front of the imperial court?
Chen Jijiang raised his eyelids: "Okay, bring it in."

The two eunuchs bowed again and entered the side hall.After a while, two more people came from afar.

It was also a very strong fragrance, this time it smelled like a spicy fragrance.From such a distance, Chen Jijiang could imagine the kind of chili oil with red pepper skin and chili seeds, and waited for the two people below to serve it and bowed to him...

Oh, boiled fish and boiled pork slices.

It was still the same as before, Chen Jijiang ordered them to bring it in as usual.After they backed away, he couldn't help but growl in his stomach. After checking that there was no outsider beside him, he stepped into the side hall in a blink of an eye.

Hey, this boiled fish is so well done, the white meat is very tender at first glance!
Chen Jijiang, whose index finger was moved by the two waves of aroma, picked up the chopsticks and put a mouthful of fish meat into his mouth. Immediately, the aroma and spicy taste overflowed between his teeth, and he immediately wanted a bowl of rice very much!
After savoring the fish carefully, Chen Jijiang returned to the entrance of the hall calmly and continued to stare at the kneeling crowd below.After a while, another person came to present the meal.

This time there were three of them, one in front and two in the back, holding things and bowing their heads, walking this way very neatly.

Whoa...the taste is too much!

As soon as Chen Jijiang took a breath, he could smell that there must be a stew pot inside.Your Majesty has been eating this food for a while, and one of its characteristics is that the moment the lid is lifted, there will be a very strong aroma of sauce mixed with the aroma of various meats in the pot, and as long as the pot is not cold and the food is not finished, The scent will always be there.

There was a sudden commotion among the crowd kneeling as if they were in a trance, and some even couldn't help but look up at the passing eunuch——Chen Jijiang, who was judging the types of food with here, suddenly realized: Miss Ruan, you have learned badly!

No wonder you send it slowly two or three times and don't send it in. Are you trying to starve these people to death?
They came here in the morning, and they didn't eat lunch or dinner. Such delicious and attractive things were sent in from outside the hall...

Hey, he needs a favor!

Chen Jijiang took Fuchen from his apprentice, and greeted him leisurely.He walked fast, and when he came to the front, the three eunuchs hadn't started to go up the long steps, and he happened to block them among the crowd.

Chen Jijiang's expression was light: "From Shangshi Bureau? What is this gift?"

"Master Chen." The leader bowed with a smile, "This is the stew pot that Emperor Ji Ping'an likes. It's not spicy, with more seafood added, and the meat is fresh and tender. All kinds of fish balls and shrimp balls in it are boiled fresh. Yes, I also put a few pieces of pork chops, marinated in advance, and braised like this... Tsk, it's delicious!"

What he said was clear and pleasant, even if Chen Jijiang had no brains, he knew that someone had told him to say so.

With a leisurely smile, he took out the broken silver and put it on the eunuch's tray: "Yes, don't be greedy. Sajia is in a good mood today, you can take it back and order the same pot with the female official Shangshi."

After finishing speaking, he looked at the two behind: "What are you guys doing?"

The tall man on the left said first: "The little one is chicken shredded noodles in soup, which is also the favorite of Emperor Ping'an. The soup uses chicken soup that has been stewed for two days and one night. The shredded chicken is torn out by hand, and the texture is loose and easy to eat." Delicious. It is served with pork cartilage and char siu, and some chopped peanuts are sprinkled on the side. It is warm and not greasy to eat this season.”

Chen Jijiang is hungry...

Also took some broken silver and put it on the tray, this time the words were: "Go and order me a bowl of the same one, don't worry, just bring it to me in the evening."

The eunuch quickly made an apologetic smile and stuffed the money back: "How can I accept money from you, I will treat you like a little one! I will lay an egg for you, make it runny, and it will be comfortable to eat!"

Chen Jijiang took the money back with peace of mind.The two courtiers kneeling close swallowed their saliva.

Then the one on the right who was slightly shorter said: "This is glutinous rice pork roll, poured with oyster sauce and steamed. The outside is glutinous rice, and the pork filling inside is mixed with dried shrimps, eggs, and shiitake mushrooms. Miss Ruan asked for it by name. I heard that she raised it. I also like to eat the fish flavor. There is half a plate with salt and half a plate without salt. The unsalted one is for fish flavor—you see, this one without salt is bigger and has more meat. It’s a pleasure to eat .”

Miss Ruan, you lack great virtue today!

Chen Jijiang laughed so happily in his heart teasingly!After a few conversations, the scent and heat had almost dissipated, he waved his hand to let the two of them in, and he simply waited here.

The following dishes are lighter in weight, and are basically sent by the maids.When it was time to deliver the dishes, more people came, but there were also one or two who obviously turned to Chen Jijiang and waited to ask questions, so he sang with them knowingly.

Counting from the time the first elbow went in, two quarters passed before I finally heard the voice of a child laughing and laughing.

Chen Jijiang turned his head to look to the west, and saw that Lady Ruan was coming this way supported by a court lady, Emperor Ping'an and the eldest son of the emperor followed hand in hand, and Yuxiang strolled behind, so he hurried over to pay respects: "Madam Ruan Well, Diji is well, Your Highness is well."

Xie Yuan, who had clearly heard his mother's order before, his eyes lit up when he saw Chen Jijiang, and he raised his head and asked crisply: "Master Chen! Did the dry pot go in!"

Stomachs of the people kneeling in the front row: Gulu...

Chen Jijiang bowed again and again: "Go in, go in! What kind of dry pot do you want, Your Highness? You can order more if you don't like it."

Xie Yuan began to think seriously, and after thinking for a while, he looked at his sister—he didn't understand!Every time he eats what his mother calls him, he doesn't know what's in it, he just thinks it's delicious.

Ah Yao also thought about it, raised his head and said clearly: "I want chicken wings, chicken legs, fatty intestines, prawns, whatever you want, and more potato chips!"

Diji, you are amazing!Really know how to eat!

Chen Jijiang applauded her in his heart, turned his head and ordered someone to pass the message to the imperial dining room, then bowed and retreated to the side.

Xueli took her daughter's hand and continued walking, ignoring the figure a few steps away.

She can only help His Majesty in this matter, and it doesn't matter to her what other people do—besides, they are willing to compete here, and she can't go there with a big belly and kneel face to face and beg them to leave!

"Dry pot chicken wings, dry pot chicken wings, dry pot chicken wings!" Xie Yuan held his sister's hand and jumped up and down.

"I want to eat sweet-scented osmanthus ice powder tonight... Hey! It's a pity that Jin Shu came home, and she likes this too!" Ah Yao felt a little regretful thinking that Jin Shu went home today, and Xue Li immediately said that he would wait for Jin Shu to come back in a few days. Do it again for her.

In the night, a figure reluctantly stood up, but Xueli glanced at it and ignored it.

When the group of people reached the long steps, that figure also staggered nearby: "Miss Ruan!"

Xue Li frowned slightly, stopped and turned around, smiling: "Who do you dare to ask?"

The other party held on to the handrail of the long steps, and gritted his teeth: "Roujia Palace has seen Mrs. Ruan from the eighth-rank Chengyi Xue family."

From the Ninth Rank Good Envoy to the Eighth Rank Chengyi, they all belong to the casual number. They are regarded as concubines, but in fact they are better than palace maids. They also serve tea and pour water when they are with the main palace concubines, and only those from the palace maid background These seats will be sealed.

Xueli nodded, and tried to look kindly: "Ms. Xue has something to do with me?"

"Miss Ruan, you..." Mrs. Xue knelt until her face turned pale, and looked at her angrily, "This situation is right in front of you, and it may be inappropriate for you to go in and serve the emperor at this time, Miss Ruan."

Sydney looked at her and frowned, only one sentence came to mind.

——Where did you get the courage to point out the country here? !
So she smiled slightly: "I brought Ayao and Ayuan here for dinner. No matter what the situation is, you have to eat, right? Besides..." She took half a step forward, speaking softly, "Miss, you are alone from eight What is Pin Chengyi doing to force this out? Do you think the days of peace have passed for too long? This muddy water is not something you can afford, so go back quickly, don't let others die for nothing."

Having been with the emperor day and night for so long, she more or less knew the way.The bigger the event, the easier it is for more insignificant people to be pushed to the front to die.For example, if she headed back to the Zichen Palace to deliver the supper, it was because His Majesty was in a bad mood, and the Imperial Palace just pushed her in to make trouble for them. At that time, she was the only one who needed her. Right now, the Qu family's wealth and life will be involved. , it is not surprising to encourage everyone to come and intercede for them.

But when she saw that her words fell, Xue was very angry...

Well, then she doesn't need to talk.

Xue Li curled her lips, and went up with A Yao and A Yuan, Xue Shi was slightly stunned, and was about to chase her, Yu Xiang turned her head and let out a low growl.

"Yuxiang!" Xue Li drank a little, turned her head at Yuxiang who was baring her teeth at Xue Shi, and ran up the stone steps with little bumps on her feet, entering the hall one step ahead of them.

In the inner hall, the emperor couldn't laugh or cry when he was barged in by the smell of fish that began to roll and grope, so he had to squat down and rub it until Xue Li came in with the child.

The dry pot called after A Yao and A Yuan soon came, and the whole family sat down, and then Chen Jijiang whispered a few words in the emperor's ear, the emperor frowned, and then relaxed again.

He looked at Sydney: "It's bad enough, knowing that they didn't eat two meals."

"It's not that I didn't let them eat!" Xue Li poked at the rice angrily.The gang outside is really an eyesore, no matter what the Qu family uses to persuade them to sacrifice their lives to intercede, they will always ask for a future or a lot of money.

——To meddle in other people's family affairs and kneel outside to make His Majesty look like a human is too much just for this!
He picked up a dry pot chicken wing and put it on the empty plate in front of her. Just as Xueli was about to pick it up and gnaw it directly, she spotted a huge "greedy" in A Yuan's eyes from the corner of her eye, and silently stuffed it for him to gnaw on. , I caught another one myself.

The taste of dry pot is full and strong, and it is most suitable to eat with rice. While eating, Xueli asked him: "Where did this come from? The queen mother..."

The emperor sighed for a long time: "This time, I really don't care about the empress."

The Empress Dowager was already seriously ill, so it would be nice to be awake for two out of twelve hours a day.The rest is an hour, either insane or lethargic.The seventh brother has not had a good rest for several days because of this, and he rushed back to the mansion just a few days ago when Mrs. Yi gave birth.

Therefore, the Queen Mother said that she wanted to see him, and indeed she had invited someone to invite him, but she was determined not to have the ability to cause so many troubles.

These things outside were probably instigated by the Qu family through the fact that the Queen Mother invited him to meet.He did have the idea of ​​becoming a composer recently, so they were naturally in a hurry.But thinking about it on the other hand, even if he went to see the queen mother, it would be useless for the queen mother to intercede for the family.

Qu Jiaxian can only be a dead horse as a living horse doctor.

"Go out and tell them." The emperor raised his head slightly and told Chen Jijiang, "Sydney just wanted to persuade me to see that they had gas in their fetuses. If they don't leave, the baby in her womb will be unwell. I want them to be buried!"

"No." Chen Jijiang bowed, and went out calmly.

Sydney held back her laughter, took a piece of fat sausage from the dry pot, put it in a bowl, opened her chopsticks, added the fat sausage and a small mouthful of rice, and put it in her mouth. .

That day the emperor used her fetus to send people away anyway, and she also used the process of passing meals to put a block on those people.

But a few days later, when the whole family was having fun in the square in front of Zichen Hall, the Seven Kings came to ask for an audience.

His straight dress was a bit disheveled, apparently he hadn't bothered to change it for a few days.As soon as Yu Xiang smelled the unpleasant smell, he rushed over to block it, baring his fangs in front of him to prevent him from passing.

"Uncle Seven!" A Yao called him and ran over, waved Yu Xiang away, and Yu Xiang got into A Yao's arms aggrievedly, arching and rubbing. Wrong! But that's Uncle Qi, you can't beat him up, okay!"

"Aww." Yu Xiang continued to rub A Yao, and A Yuan came to help her sister coax her.

Xie Han bowed in front of the emperor: "Brother Emperor..."

"Tell me." The emperor's smile disappeared, and Xueli also looked at him.

"Brother Huang, you should go see the queen mother. The doctor said..." Xie Han's nose soured, "The doctor said that the queen mother might be here this month."

Xueli's expression trembled, and she raised her eyes to look at the emperor.

The emperor's face was so heavy that she couldn't speak.

He stood with his hands behind his back, standing between the heaven and the earth in the Zichen Palace, there was no smile on his frowning brows, but there was no trace of panic or sadness in his eyes.For a moment, she felt a long-lost sense of distance in her heart. She felt that the man in front of her was cold and heartless. He was just the emperor of Daqi, and he was very far away from her.

But it was only for a short moment, and she came back to her senses immediately, and shook his hand involuntarily: "Your Majesty?"

He didn't move.His eyes trembled slightly, as if he didn't want to pay attention to anyone.

Even Xueli almost stepped aside to not disturb him because of his expression, after a while of silence, she squeezed his hand again: "Xie Zhao..."

Xie Han's eyes trembled, and he took a few steps back without making a sound, pretending he didn't hear the two words just now.

Xie Zhao looked at Xue Li with a slightly relaxed expression: "You want to persuade me to go?"

"...No." Xueli shook her head after a while, "I want to know what you think, and see if I should persuade you."

If he has any intention of going, she will persuade him, otherwise he will regret for the rest of his life when the Queen Mother leaves.

Xie Zhao's eyes were slightly condensed, and Er Er's eyelids drooped: "The queen mother...too many people died because of her."

"Oh." Xueli gave him a soft response, and after waiting for a while to see that there was no more to say, she said, "If Your Majesty thinks it's right not to go, I... I will also believe it is right."

Xie Zhao nodded slightly: "Thank you."

Then he looked at Xie Han, but Xie Han only looked at Xueli in shock: "Xueli, you..."

His eyes were full of disbelief, Ruju's gaze was so fixed on Xue Li that she didn't even dare to lift her head.

She could only say in a muffled voice: "His Royal Highness, don't blame me. I know that the front court and the rear palace are talking about filial piety, but... But you and I know how many entanglements there are in this matter. I can't just use those things for nothing. The truth is your majesty."

Xie Han didn't pay much attention to her, frowned tightly, and looked at the emperor tremblingly: "Brother Emperor...you really don't want to see the queen mother for the last time?"

After he finished speaking, he felt like a stick in his throat.

These days were too difficult for him, he watched his once graceful mother become dizzy and weak day by day.

He tried so hard to ease the relationship between his mother and brother, and now...

Now my mother has softened her heart in the few days left, but Brother Huang... the indifference in his eyes that can't find the edge makes Xie Han feel terrified.

(End of this chapter)