A Thousand Hills

Chapter 44

Princess Ning Rong entered the palace early the next morning.

Empress Dowager Hu has a very good relationship with this sister-in-law and sister-in-law. As early as when Empress Dowager Hu was still a concubine of the late emperor, the two had a close friendship.Later, Eldest Princess Ningrong married into Duke Cheng'en's mansion and gave birth to three sons and one daughter for the old Hu family. Not to mention, even when she was in charge today, Eldest Princess Ningrong also waved the flag to cheer and contributed a lot.

After dismissing the other wives, Empress Dowager Hu left Princess Ningrong alone to talk, and asked with a smile, "Yesterday, Wu'er's Jiji ceremony was still lively."

"Thanks to your mother's blessing, it's very lively." Eldest Princess Ningrong smiled, "Many people came, and the red jade crested hairpin that my mother gave her, many people said it was a rare treasure, this child is blessed."

Empress Dowager Hu was very happy and smiled, "Her blessings are yet to come."

Princess Ning Rong suddenly got up and knelt down, Empress Dowager Hu was taken aback, and said repeatedly, "Sister, what do you mean? Get up, get up."

Eldest Princess Ningrong said, "Your Majesty, I know your Majesty likes that child, but I just thought about it. Before entering the palace, the Grand Duke repeatedly told me to resign from this matter."

Empress Dowager Hu was stunned for a moment. Didn't she say it well before? Well, why did she change her mind at the end of the matter?It is better to help Princess Ningrong first, and ask, "But something happened at home?"

Eldest Princess Ningrong returned to her seat and said, "With the empress here, what can happen at home. After all, Miss Xie's family reminded the family." Eldest Princess Ningrong briefly talked about yesterday's events, Don't look at Mrs. Shou'an who doesn't know about Wang Mang. Empress Dowager Hu has been in the palace for many years. From being an illiterate palace worker to now, her own quality has been greatly improved. She knows who Wang Mang is.Princess Ning Rong hadn't set up a bridge to stir the fire yet, Empress Dowager Hu's face was already green, she gritted her teeth and said, "What a monster! There is such a monster in the world!" Without looking at her identity, she dared to bear the burden The Engong Mansion said Wang Mang!Your grandmother risked becoming Wu Zetian back then, and you still dare to speak of Wang Mang in Cheng'en Gong's mansion!
Queen Mother Hu was angry, "How can you allow her to talk nonsense!"

Since she intends to befriend the Xie family, Princess Ningrong cannot just sit back and watch Empress Dowager Hu continue to anger Xie Moru.She stepped forward to hold the hand of Empress Dowager Hu, and said in a warm voice, "Your Majesty, in ancient times, when a virtuous monarch was in power, there must be ministers who directly admonish you. Your Majesty, please listen to me."

Empress Dowager Hu's age and position, since the reign of Emperor Taizu, she tolerated Empress Dowager Cheng, and when Empress Dowager Cheng passed away, she tolerated Princess Ningping.Endurance becomes gold, Empress Dowager Hu said coldly, "What kind of remonstrance is not straightforward? If she talks nonsense, Wu'er will not be allowed to enter the palace. Others have to say that the Hu family is afraid of Wang Mang's words!"

Princess Ning Rong smiled, "If Niang Niang said so, wouldn't it mean that Wang Mang is suspected of being in all relatives' families. In fact, the Duke and I were annoyed at first, but later we wanted to thank her." Said Then, Princess Ningrong's eyes became more earnest, "There is no relative who is not rich. Your Majesty is a filial son, Yourong's family, this is the Hu family's blessing. But, I am speaking with the Duke, Your Majesty Kindness, empress care, although I know it is the kindness of the heavenly family, but the ministers of the court, the civil officials governing the country, and the military officials are all valuable because of their merits. The Duke of the country talks about it by chance, and often feels depressed because he cannot share his majesty's worries."

"I'm already a grandmother, so I don't really care about her words just because she's a little girl. But after thinking about it, our family has a queen mother, and there are two queens in our family. We are extremely rich. At the beginning, the empress liked Wuer, and she had the intention of becoming a queen. As parents, we naturally hoped for the well-being of our daughter, so we had selfishness. But in the end, parents are not all the same. Which one has no selfishness? , I want to give the best to my children.” Princess Ningrong was both emotional and ashamed, “It was not until Miss Xie’s words yesterday that I and the Duke of the country were alerted. Respect is useless, and generosity is useless. Lao, even if there are empresses and His Majesty's preference, there are many concubines in the palace who are of noble birth, who have served His Majesty for many years, and have children who have made great achievements. Even the officials in the court, I am afraid they will not be convinced."

"In these years, the empress has always been thinking about her family. The family is also rich and dignified because of the empress. How can we let the empress have the reputation of being partial to the natal family because of the selfishness of our parents? It happened yesterday, and I think there are many mistakes The eldest sister has passed away all these years, and this descendant is still the granddaughter. The old lady in the family is getting old, and she can't let go of the matter of being the first benefactor. Sir, we are also relatives, so we posted a post to invite Mrs. Xie to come, but I didn’t want to touch the old lady’s thoughts.” Princess Ningrong sighed, “That child, speak more eloquently and speak frankly. We are elders. It's good to be more tolerant. It's not appropriate to care about a child. The Duke and I are not afraid of Wang Mang's words. Let's not talk about the loyalty of the Hu family. His Majesty has been in power for these years. The politics are clear and the world is peaceful. How can it be Emperor Han Ping I can. I think this child has reminded the Hu family. In the past, it was the empress who took care of the family, but the family had to be proud of the empress. The Hu family prospered because of the empress. The Duke said that the family also had to give The empress is making faces. The Hu family, just step by step, make progress steadily, and use real credit to win honor for the empress. It is the empress and Your Majesty who have the heart to make a succession, please don't mention the daughter of the Hu family, the palace The concubines are all virtuous people, ladies of the imperial capital, there are countless outstanding ones, and there must be those who have both talents and virtues to match the successors."

Empress Dowager Hu sighed, "What kind of hard work is needed to shut up those people's mouths. San'er is fighting with those Nanyue people every day in Nanning Pass. Ai's family can't sleep peacefully just thinking about it."

Princess Ningrong laughed, "That's exactly what he should do. Boy, it's nothing to suffer."

Empress Dowager Hu said, "That monster, really..."

Princess Ningrong hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, don't be angry, Wen Kang has already taught her. If you want to get angry because of this, I think it's because of my talking too much."

Hearing that the girl vented her anger on her behalf, Empress Dowager Hu turned pale slightly, Princess Ningrong persuaded again, "Your Majesty always prefers Cheng'en Gong's Mansion, and it is for this reason that I advise you not to really annoy Miss Xie. My Majesty, No matter what, we have to look at Mrs. Wei's face."

"Her?" Empress Dowager Hu raised her eyebrows, "How many years has she not entered the palace and did not greet her? Did the Ai family ever say something? At the beginning, because of the merits of the eldest princess, she was a married woman, and she was not implicated in her." , she didn't even touch her seal. She deserved it!"

"Your Majesty!" Princess Ningrong looked anxiously at Empress Dowager Hu, who sighed, "The Ai family knows that the eldest princess has made a contribution to the safety of the country. At this age, it is hard to be true to her." The little girl is fussy, and she will lower her status."

Princess Ning Rong was a little relieved.

Anyway, making friends with Mrs. Xie is not a one-day achievement, it takes time, there is still plenty of time.

Princess Ningrong stayed in the palace to accompany Empress Dowager Hu to have lunch before leaving the palace. When Emperor Mu Muyuan came to Ci'an Palace in the evening, Empress Dowager Hu chatted with the emperor's son, "Originally Aijia thought about it, but Empress Dowager It’s been almost ten years since you passed away. Before, you couldn’t let it go, and it was not easy for the Ai family to mention this matter. But these years, the emperor is the king of a country, and those poor people outside can’t marry a wife. How can the emperor keep being a bachelor? Well. The Ai family thought about it, I have to marry you a wife." This is the benefit of a grassroots background. It is definitely a major event in the court after being established. It is here for the Empress Dowager Hu. I am a mother-in-law. , I want to marry my son a daughter-in-law, of course I can make the decision.

Emperor Mu Yuan knew about this a long time ago, and he also knew why Princess Ningrong came, but he had to pretend not to know and asked, "I haven't heard from my mother before, it seems that someone has chosen her."

"What's the use of choosing someone from the Ai family? If the Ai family is a woman from a small family outside, it is natural that the Ai family has the final say on marrying her son. But after becoming a queen mother, her son is the emperor, and she can't rely entirely on the Ai family. It makes sense. Originally, I fell in love with Wu'er from your uncle's family. That girl is sensible and smart, and Ning Rong and your uncle are also happy. But the girl from Xie's family, alas, is the daughter of Mrs. Wei. Vicious, you are talking about Wang Mang at your uncle's house." Empress Dowager Hu angrily said, "The emperor said, what does she mean by that!"

Emperor Mu Yuan sipped his tea, and said with a groan, "It's very good, why are you talking about Wang Mang all of a sudden?"

Empress Dowager Hu didn't expect that the emperor's son didn't follow her words to dispose of the Xie family's girl, so when she asked why, Empress Dowager Hu was speechless and said vaguely, "Speak quickly."

"That's it." Emperor Mu Yuan put down the teacup and said, "Since my aunt passed away, Mrs. Wei Guo has only one daughter. This child is still young. She can't take it seriously when she speaks to a child. The queen mother doesn't have to worry about her. "

Empress Dowager Hu said, "How can it be said that Mrs. Wei Guo is only one daughter? Mrs. Wei Guo is the main wife of Xie's eldest son. The first daughter is a relative, and the concubine and concubine are her children." .

Emperor Mu Yuan said, "How can the concubines be the same."

Empress Dowager Hu knew the temper of the emperor's son, so she wisely stopped mentioning it, and instead continued to give her natal family good opinion points, brought back the topic, and said, "Your uncle and Ning Rong's temper, you can't be more careful. Be respectful in every way on weekdays. I was just afraid that the minister would say that you were biased towards the government, and I was terrified when I heard this. Ning Rong entered the palace early in the morning to tell Ai's family that the family was so honored and favored that he didn't dare to look forward to the position of Fengyi. Alas , I really don’t know what to say.”

Empress Dowager Hu sighed, "Ai's family feels that the Hu's family is kind, and I think it's because of the Ai's partiality. If the emperor has a crush on a lady from another family, just tell the Ai's family. Or if there is someone in the concubine who suits you, it's good to be the queen. .”

Mother's words contained temptation in her heart.Emperor Mu Yuan just smiled, "There are countless concubines in the son's palace, Chunlan and Qiuju, each of them is good at winning, but I don't think which one is better. There is no rush to become a queen. If the mother has time, Yanxi will stay on the fifteenth day of the next year and stay for two years." Years, it's time to get married." This was referring to the eldest prince Mu Yanxi.

Empress Dowager Hu smiled, "That's true too. I've been busy with Yi'an's dowry these days, and I thought I'd arrange it for Yi'an after his wedding. Does the emperor have any ideas?"

"Prince and concubine, knowledge of books and logic, and an open mind are enough."

"Success, I will leave this matter to the Ai family." Empress Dowager Hu said again, "Girls, you should be more gentle and honest." Xie Moru's tone was really hard to swallow.

Emperor Mu Yuan said a few words with the queen mother, and then went back to Zhaode Hall to rest.

Princess Ningrong's diplomatic activity of persuasion and loyalty in Ci'an Palace was quite successful. Both Su Buyu and Li Xuan were studying in the Imperial College, and they went to Yong'an Hou's Mansion to talk after school.

Li Xuan went to Cheng'en Gong's mansion with his mother yesterday, but he was getting older and hadn't been to the inner house, so he didn't see it with his own eyes, but he knew it later.Su Buyu said to him, "It stands to reason that your blood relationship is much closer than mine. It's better that my younger sister's mother and the eldest princess are cousins, and you are serious cousins. Ah Xuan, no matter what, the eldest princess said that the kind of life is short. It's really scary." Your eldest princess is not a commoner!It's fair to say that human life is short, and people have something good or bad, do you want to be responsible for it!
Li Xuan was also very speechless, and said, "I have persuaded my mother a long time ago. My mother said that she just said it casually, and whoever loves it should take it seriously." His mother's temper, his father can't help it, let alone him.

Su Buyu said, "The eldest princess is an elder, so it's not easy for you to persuade her, it's better to ask Master Hou to persuade her."

Li Xuandao, "My father sent someone to send some gifts to Miss Xie."

Su Buyu said aloud to the Buddha.

Li Xuan smiled, "You still know Miss Xie? Su Buyu, is there anyone in the imperial capital that you don't know?" Miss Xie is now in the imperial capital, and everyone knows you.But before yesterday, there were not many people who knew her, and Su Buyu was actually acquainted with Miss Xie.

Su Buyu smiled, "You've seen Xie Tanhua before, Mo Ru's younger sister is Xie Tanhua's niece, it's so strange for me to recognize her. I know a lot of ladies in the imperial capital."

Li Xuan knew that the book written by Su Buyu had become famous, and those ladies seemed to be insane, and they took his handwritten book as their treasure.Li Xuandao, "Could it be that Ms. Xie also likes to read the books you wrote? Ms. Xie is not like this kind of person." Children from wealthy families have better education, as long as they are willing to work hard, it is not difficult to stand out.Li Xuan is the love son of Marquis Yong'an, and Marquis Yong'an taught his son not to be indulgent. From what happened yesterday, Li Xuan really couldn't see that Xie Moru likes to read that kind of love story book.

"Sister Mo Ru said that my person is more exciting than my writing."

Li Xuan laughed.

It seems that Miss Xie is not only good at killing people with words, but also has first-class skills in flattering people. It's strange that Su Buyu came here to speak for her.

The two were gossiping, Li Xuan asked Su Buyu, "When are you going to see my eldest brother?" Actually, he didn't know Li Qiao very well. Li Qiao moved out of the Hou's Mansion very early. Hou Mansion, the number of times the two brothers meet can be counted on one hand.He will pay attention to this Shu brother, or Su Buyu's relationship.Su Buyu purposely made friends with him, and when the relationship between the two got along well, he read an article to him.The article was written quite wonderfully. When he inquired who wrote it, he knew it was written by his brother-in-law.

It turned out that Su Buyu deliberately made friends with him in order to intercede with his brother-in-law.Li Xuan was angry and speechless, Su Buyu was a straightforward person, and getting along with him was like a spring breeze, thinking about Su Buyu making such a big circle for his brother-in-law, Li Xuan was not very angry.He and Li Qiao hadn't been together since childhood, it was true that they were strangers, but if they talked about enmity, it would be nothing.But with someone like Su Buyu around for Li Qiao, Li Xuan was a little curious about Brother Shu.It's just that Li Qiao is aloof and arrogant, and Li Xuan has a good temper, but also has his own arrogance, so they don't get along very well.It was Su Buyu who asked him to inquire about the stigmatization of Li Qiao, Li Xuan agreed, he didn't ask his mother, but his father.

Marquis Yong'an didn't say anything.

Seeing his father like this, Li Xuan really had doubts about his mother, but his mother was always straightforward, and she didn't seem to like Miss Xie, so his mother said directly, "Shut up, people who talk too much tend to have a short life", that is If he doesn't like the concubine, his mother can at most tell him "don't let me see him while I'm here"... Although this kind of words are more speechless, but this kind of coaxing the concubine to bring the funeral objects to the great-grandfather as a birthday gift is really true. Not fucking style.

Li Xuan asked his mother if she was as direct as when she was to his father, he was looking at the right time, and mentioned in a rather tactful way, "Did the elder brother meet a Diao slave back then?" He really didn't believe it. Damn it.How old was Shu brother at that time, five years old!His majestic eldest princess, how could she take action against a five-year-old bastard!

Li Xuan said something like a ball on the edge, originally thinking that if his mother wanted to say it, she would say it, and if she didn't want to say it, she wouldn't say it.Who knows that his mother really said it directly, "Li Qiao, he can't blame others for his incident. It's because your father doesn't know anyone. I said that I don't like bastards, so don't appear in front of me. It's the slaves around Li Qiao who want to be in front of me." I take credit for coming up with such a bad idea."

Li Xuan said casually, "I heard from outside that elder brother has a reputation of being unfilial because of this, and the imperial examination is quite difficult."

Princess Wenkang said, "What's the use of telling me, let me tell you that he is very filial! He is a filial son!"

Li Xuan hurriedly offered a cup of fragrant tea, put pressure on her mother, and persuaded, "Brother is also my father's flesh and blood, if you can help, why not?"

Princess Wenkang took the tea very much for her son, but she didn't take a sip, and said, "I gave birth to you, so I can bear with you talking nonsense in front of me for so long! He was not born to me." Yes, it's none of my business, whoever is born will go to whom!"

"Mother, I'm also thinking of my mother." Li Xuan thought he was filial, and no one outside would believe that this was what Diao Nu did, and they all suspected that his mother did it.

Princess Wenkang doesn't care, "I love what I think! I'm afraid that others will think so and I don't need to live!" Glancing at my son, "Your surname is Li, so be careful with your words and deeds to ensure safety. My surname is Mu, why should you be aggrieved? My own size." Isn't this a disease of the brain!

With a wave of his hand, he sent his son out.

If my mother is like this, what else can I persuade.

Li Xuan took the risk of being slapped by his mother to find out what happened back then. Su Buyu couldn't do anything for a while, and even felt in his heart that if Princess Wenkang was telling the truth, then Princess Wenkang would be wronged. .

Today, when Li Xuan asked about Li Qiao, Su said without a word, "He lives in the suburbs now, when I wait for a horse race, I'll go."

Li Xuandao, "I see that big brother is struggling..."

Before he could finish speaking, Su Buyu said, "He won't even accept my sponsorship, let alone yours. He has nothing else but his backbone. If it's me, I'll rely on you You have to blackmail your family in front of the Hou's mansion, but he is not like this. If he is willing to accept other people's money, why doesn't he come to ask for it directly from Lord Hou? His ambition is not here, and his heart is not here. Don't worry, if there is something terrible matter, I will naturally not let this little leg of yours go without a hug."

Li Xuan clicked his tongue, "It's strange that Prime Minister Su took the words for you and didn't say a word."

Su Buyu smiled, "My father, in my mother's words, cherishes words like gold. So, my mother is afraid that our brothers will do the same. My father's single name is a silent word, so he can find a reason if he doesn't talk much. But I don’t know if it’s because of feng shui or not, but I’m born to be reticent, which made my mother so angry. When I came here, I finally changed my temper. My mother said that it must be because of the incense of Xishan Temple. .”

Li Xuan laughed straight away, he is not the kind of person who talks a lot, but Su Buyu is funny, but he is not annoying when he talks a lot.At the same time, he sighed in his heart, he is also a concubine, his concubine brother has been in the cold wind and rain these years, Su Buyu has been with his aunt since birth, and there is no difference between a good mother and son as a concubine.

Sometimes, it really doesn't work if you don't believe in fate.

Li Xuan said again, "If elder brother has anything, you must tell me without saying a word."

Su smiled without saying a word, "Okay."

Su Buyu talked with Li Xuan for a while, seeing that it was getting late, he was afraid that the family would miss him, so he left.

Princess Ningrong's move to enter the palace today is considered a success, Duke Cheng'en's response was too quick, which actually made many palaces feel sorry.He directly gave up his post. After all, Duke Cheng'en's Mansion is His Majesty's uncle's house, and the Hu family is so knowledgeable, so it's hard for everyone to say anything.

As for the Xie family, after receiving the comfort items from the Yong'an Hou Mansion, Mrs. Xie's heart was finally put back in her stomach.Mrs. Xie said to Xie Moru, "Princess Wenkang has a noble status, and Marquis Yong'an is a gentle person. But if anyone accidentally offends the princess, talk to Marquis Yong'an, and most of them will be safe." Although the Xie family is not afraid Princess Wenkang, but this princess is different from Princess Ningrong. Princess Ningrong and Emperor Taizu are of the same mother. To be fair, no one dared to offend Queen Mother Cheng when she was named a princess. .Princess Wenkang is different. This is the daughter of Emperor Taizu, and the younger sister of the first direct relative. The key is that she is still the only younger sister.In terms of dignity, this is the first among princesses.

Therefore, Mrs. Xie also thought about whether she should ask her natal family to say something nice to Marquis Yong'an or something.I didn't want the Yong'an Hou Mansion to be so sensible, so I sent someone to send things over first.

Xie Moru said, "I don't know who is interceding for our family?"

Mrs. Xie also had doubts, and said, "I'll ask your grandfather when he comes back."

(End of this chapter)