Harem for a living

Chapter 163

In the main hall, the emperor earnestly persuaded the Empress Dowager Ci'an not to specialize Tang Wan'er.In the side hall, Chen Manrou was sitting in the upper seat, and she was also looking at Tang Wan'er who was standing below.

Probably because she was worried about what happened before, Tang Wan'er's complexion is not very good now.It's just that it can't hide the good makeup before.

Compared with the previous dress when entering the palace for the draft, it is quite different.

Before Tang Wan'er's head, there were at most two or three hairpins, or a few velvet flowers.Now, five pink velvet flowers are bustlingly squeezed in the middle of the ingot on the oblique side, the upper oblique is dotted with pearl flower hairpins, and the lower oblique is inserted with peacocks spreading their wings and hanging pearls.On the right is the water-red Begonia silk flower, and the tender green branches and leaves are attached to the cheek, which is more suitable for Tang Wan'er's skin.The eyebrows have also been trimmed. They used to be Liuye eyebrows, but now they are Hanyan eyebrows.There are plum blossoms on the forehead, lip smudges on the lips, and the complexion is tender and white, as smooth as jade.

She is dressed in goose yellow palace attire, with a light yellow cloak on her arms, and Shu brocade shoes on her feet that outline magpies climbing branches with gold threads.

It may be that Chen Manrou looked at her for too long, Tang Wan'er moved her feet under her skirt indiscriminately.Chen Manrou picked up the teacup and took a sip, frowning slightly. She had already drank a lot of tea in Yongshou Palace just now, and now she really can't drink any more. It is not a pleasant thing to be transferred to the official room in Ci'an Palace.

Chen Manrou looked at Lichun, Lichun immediately led the people away, two stood behind Chen Manrou, two stood behind the concubines, and two stood at the door.Although the distance between the side hall and the main hall is not far, there is a room between them, so there is no need to worry that the voices here will be heard by others.

Besides, at this moment, the confidants of the Empress Dowager Ci'an should be guarding the entrance of the main hall.

"I met Concubine Xian during the draft, I think you haven't seen it before." Chen Manrou put down her teacup, looked at Concubine Cheng and the others with a smile: "Right now, you should also get acquainted, Concubine Xian will also serve the emperor in the future , everyone should get along well."

Concubine Xian didn't mention anything about the meeting gift to Concubine Xian. Concubine Xian looked a little embarrassed, seeing Chen Manrou picking up the teacup again, she was a little at a loss.After a long while, it was Concubine Hui who said: "I helped the empress do the drafting before, and I also met Concubine Xian. I haven't seen you for a long time. Concubine Xian is even better."

I don't quite understand what I said, what is better, it depends on personal understanding.

Concubine Hui stood up and saluted Concubine Xian. Concubine Xian was the first among the four concubines, so normally, Concubine Hui's status was inferior to Concubine Xian's.Concubine Xian quickly smiled, and stretched out her hand to help Concubine Hui: "Concubine Hui is polite, I have heard that Concubine Hui is a Lan Xinhui, and I saw it today, it is indeed so."

As he said, he pulled the golden step from his head: "This is a little wish from this palace, don't dislike Concubine Hui."

Concubine Hui glanced at Chen Manrou, who was as immobile as a mountain above, and Chen Manrou was only holding a teacup and didn't drink tea, now she looked into Concubine Hui's eyes, nodded with a smile and said, "Since it was given by Concubine Xian, you can take it. "

"Then there are more virtuous concubines." Concubine Hui took that step, and took a step back with a smile.

Concubine De rolled her eyeballs in the back, smiled and walked forward and saluted: "We have seen each other before, when I saw Concubine Xian that day, I thought Concubine Xian was as beautiful as a fairy girl, now I look carefully, It is true that even a fairy daughter is not half as good as Concubine Xian."

Leaving aside any good intentions in these words, Concubine Xian heaved a sigh of relief just because there was no malice in them. She pulled out the other golden hairpin on her head and put it in for Concubine De, and held Concubine De's hand Hand smiled and said: "I also met Sister De Concubine before, I thought that day, Sister De Concubine is really a capable person, no wonder the Empress asked Sister De Concubine to help with the palace affairs."

This is implying that Chen Manrou is a showy queen, and Chen Manrou finally understands why Tang Wan'er did such a stupid thing today. Feelings, she really thinks that her successor is unfavored and has no palace power.

Chen Manrou didn't bother with her, and only glanced at Concubine Cheng.Concubine Cheng sneered: "Sister Concubine Xian said the wrong thing, no matter how capable Sister De Concubine is, she can't compare to Empress Empress. Otherwise, that kind of thing wouldn't have happened in Xiunu before."

At that time, Xiu Nu was arranged by Concubine Hui and Concubine De for help, but when Zhang Caiyun was disfigured, it was Chen Manrou who took care of it.No matter how you look at it, Concubine De is not as capable as Chen Manrou, and Concubine Xian even patted Concubine Hui by the way. What I said was a bit lacking in thinking.

Concubine Xian quickly smiled and shook her head: "I don't mean that, this..."

"This is Concubine Cheng, and she is also an old man in the palace. Logically speaking, she should call you elder sister, but she entered the palace much earlier than you, so concubine Xian must be wronged to call you elder sister."

Chen Manrou said with a smile, the names of sisters and sisters are based on status, qualifications, and age.Concubine Xian's status was kept there, but Chen Manrou said that if she called Concubine Cheng "sister", Concubine Xian's face immediately became unattractive.

Concubine Cheng nodded with a smile on the side: "It's such a rationale. Sister Xianfei has always been sensible, and this concubine has grown up once today."

No one is making decisions for Concubine Xian right now, and Concubine Xian also knows that the emperor in the main hall is very dissatisfied with her actions today, and he doesn't know how to deal with it later, if there is a quarrel with Concubine Cheng and others at this moment In the dispute, if Chen Manrou turns black and white again, the situation will be even more unfavorable to her.

Biting her lips, Tang Wan'er's face flashed humiliation, she lowered her head in silence for a while, then raised her head and said with a smile: "Concubine Cheng is as outspoken as I have heard before, although Concubine Cheng is indeed older than this palace, it's just up and down. There is a difference between honor and inferiority, it is better for Concubine Cheng not to say such things in the future."

After finishing speaking, without waiting for Concubine Cheng to respond, she took off a jade bracelet from her wrist and gave it to Concubine Cheng: "This is a little wish from this palace. Although it is not worth much, sister Cheng Concubine is used to seeing good things, but Don't be disgusted."

Concubine Cheng raised her eyebrows, took the bracelet and said: "I won't dislike it, but it's really worthless. When I first entered the palace, the empress rewarded my concubine with a face. Bi Yingying's , clear and pure, you can tell it's not ordinary at a glance."

This was a mockery of Concubine Xian for not getting Chen Manrou's meeting gift. Chen Manrou used her, and she used Chen Manrou again.Aren't all the women in the palace like this?
Chen Manrou lowered her eyes and only looked at the teacup in her hand seriously. The peony flower on it was so beautifully depicted.

"This is Concubine Fu, right?" Before Chen Manrou introduced her, Concubine Xian could only speak by herself: "I have not forgotten that Miss Fu back then was the student of the girls in the boudoir in the capital. I also met Concubine Fu when I was a child." On the one hand, I still haven't forgotten Miss Fu's demeanor back then."

"Concubine Xian is overwhelmed." Concubine Fu said nonchalantly, Concubine Xian didn't care, and gave another gift.Zhaoyi and others in the back also came forward to salute one by one, and after a circle, the concubine Xian was originally full of jewels, but now there are only a few velvet flowers left alone.

Just as Chen Manrou was about to speak, a nanny came in at the door: "This old servant greets the Empress Dowager, and the Empress Dowager Ci'an invites the Empress Dowager and all the empresses to the main hall."

"I'm sorry to bother you, ma'am." Chen Manrou nodded, got up and led the people to the main hall, but the emperor hadn't left yet.The Empress Dowager Ci'an did not show any face to Chen Manrou, but said with a smile: "The empress has worked hard these days, you are only busy with the affairs of the harem these few days, don't forget to take care of your body."

Chen Manrou was a little flattered, looked up at Ci'an, quickly lowered her head, shook her head with a blushing face and said: "I don't think it's hard work for the emperor to take care of the harem."

"You've always been a good person. The Ai family is watching." Ci'an said with a smile, pointing to Tang Wan'er again: "It's the concubine Xian who did something wrong today. The Ai family has already discussed with the emperor, and the Ai family will wait a while." I will issue a decree to punish Concubine Xian, the empress is generous, don't take this matter to heart."

"The concubine was only worried about the body of the concubine Xian." Chen Manrou said with a smile, glanced at Ci'an carefully, and then said: "It's just that the concubine Xian was supposed to serve tea today, and the concubine gave the concubine a meeting gift. Going to visit Xianfei with the emperor, I forgot to bring a meeting gift, next time I will make it up."

After finishing speaking, she turned to look at Concubine Xian: "Concubine Xian, don't misunderstand that I am a stingy one."

"I don't dare." Concubine Xian hurriedly saluted, the emperor squinted his eyes, the expression on his face remained unchanged.Empress Dowager Ci'an glanced at Concubine Xian with some displeasure, if Concubine Xian hadn't made her own decision today...

"Concubine Xian, today you made a big mistake, the Ai family will punish you for one year, and copy a hundred Buddhist scriptures, female precepts fifty times, and palace regulations thirty times. Do you have anything to say?" Empress Dowager Ci'an Seeing Concubine Xian ask, Concubine Xian knelt down and saluted, and put her head on the back of her hand: "I accept the punishment, I thank the Empress Dowager for her kindness, and I thank the Empress Dowager for her generosity."

"Confinement for half a year." Ci'an was about to nod, the emperor suddenly said, Ci'an was startled, the emperor turned his head and said: "Mother, Xianfei has never happened in the palace before, and it is not enough to convince the public without severe punishment."

The emperor said so, Ci'an had no choice but to shut up.

Concubine Xian's complexion was pale, and when the voice above stopped, she bit her lips and kowtowed: "The concubine is punished."

"Then you can go back now." The emperor waved his hand, Concubine Xian got up and saluted the emperor, Empress Dowager Ci'an, and Chen Manrou, and then retreated precariously and went out.Ci'an could not bear it: "Your Majesty, this punishment..."

"She's too impetuous, and it's just a matter of time to calm down for the past six months." The emperor said casually, then looked at Chen Manrou and said: "A few days ago, the queen told me that I would invite a lady for the second princess, and I already have a candidate. The queen will go back and wait, and people will enter the palace in a while."

"Yes, the concubine will retire first." Chen Manrou hurriedly stood up and saluted, the emperor waved his hand, Ci'an was a little annoyed: "Let's all go, Ai's family is also exhausted, mother Ping, go and see Hong Hao If he is here, let him come over to pay his respects to his father."

Then he turned to look at the emperor: "The emperor hasn't seen Hong Hao for a long time, right? The Ai family told you that Hong Hao is a smart boy, and he memorized all the three-character scriptures two days ago."

The emperor silently compared it with Xiaosi who had already gone to school in his heart, and just hummed, Ci'an was a little dissatisfied with this reaction, and rolled his eyes at the emperor: "Honghao hasn't gone to school yet, it's not bad to be able to study to this level. What you said last time, Ai Jia thought about it, and it really makes sense. Although Hong Hao is not in good health, but at this age, it is indeed time to study. You choose two companions for Hong Hao to read. When the weather is not so hot in July, let Hong Hao also go to study."

"Well, if the Queen Mother has any candidates in mind, please let me know first." The emperor nodded again, and tapped his fingers on the table: "Prince Chun has a grandson in his family, and his age is just right this year. It would be good to be with Hong Hao."

"Then the little grandson of Prince Chun. In addition, choose a general from the family. Hong Hao is weak, and finding a strong one can protect him a little bit. If it can drive him to exercise more, maybe he will be healthier." Points." Ci'an nodded and said, Prince Chun is the patriarchal order, this status is not low, and she couldn't be more satisfied with his grandson as Hong Hao's companion.

Just as he was talking, it was announced at the door that His Royal Highness the Third Prince had come to pay his respects.The emperor took a few glances at the third prince who entered the door, and saw that his body was still a bit thin, not even taller than his younger Xiaosi, so he was a little dissatisfied.

But in the end it was his own son, the emperor still beckoned the third prince to come closer, and asked him a few homework questions. Seeing that he could recite disciple rules and the first few chapters of the Analects of Confucius in addition to the Three Character Classic, the dissatisfaction in his heart was somewhat relieved.

Immediately, he just rubbed the third prince's head and said: "You are not in good health, you should pay more attention on weekdays, if someone is not serving you well, just tell your imperial grandmother directly, or tell me."

"Yes, son's name, thank you for your concern." The third prince looked up at the emperor with admiration and said, "The emperor's grandmother cares about her son very much. Every day, she would ask him if he is full of food and if he is sleeping well. Father, you don't have to worry about your son. of."

The emperor nodded, chatted for a while, and then got up to leave.Passing by Yongshou Palace, pursed his lips, and ordered: "Stop here, I'm going to Yongshou Palace."

The servant stopped the chariot, Liu Cheng came over to help him get out of the car, and a young eunuch rushed in to report.As soon as the emperor entered Yongshou Palace, he saw Chen Manrou hurried out of the house to greet him.

(End of this chapter)