A Thousand Hills

Chapter 51

Mrs. Shou'an had just finished her birthday banquet. In fact, Empress Dowager Hu was injured yesterday, but she didn't know how the injury was, so she didn't dare to tell Mrs. Shou'an for fear of scaring the old lady.Now that she knew it was just a sprained foot, Princess Ningrong told the old lady Shou'an that the old lady Shou'an was going to the palace to visit the queen mother's daughter immediately.

Princess Ningrong comforted, "Don't be in a hurry, old lady. I am afraid that you are in a hurry, so I dare not tell you. What time is it? I will accompany the old lady into the palace tomorrow." I have to say to old lady Shou'an again, How to resign tomorrow? The Empress Dowager said to preside over the ceremony for Princess Yongfu and Princess Changtai.Mrs. Shou'an has grown old, and the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law whispered for a long time.

On the second day, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law entered the palace early in the morning.

This Chinese New Year, the common people are busy, the officials are busy, the princes are busy, and the emperor is also busy.The mother-in-law fell down, and Emperor Mu Yuan came to greet him during lunch.The Empress Dowager was injured, Zhu Gao ordered to come in to say hello, people like Mrs. Xie also came today, but the famous concubines have been serving the Empress Dowager all the time, so they have no chance to talk to the concubine and daughters when they are full of words, kowtow then went out.Concubine Xie had a heart, and ordered her confidant palace man to give Mrs. Xie a ride, and Mrs. Xie had the opportunity to talk to this confidant palace man.

When Emperor Mu Yuan came, all the eunuchs left the palace, and those in the Palace of Grace were the princes and princesses, as well as Princess Ningrong, Princess Wenkang, Princess Yi'an, and Mrs. Shou'an.As soon as Emperor Mu Yuan came, everyone stood up and saluted. Emperor Mu Yuan excused himself and greeted his mother. Empress Dowager Hu smiled, "It's all right, the swelling is almost gone, and you can walk in a few days. The emperor is the busiest at this time." , why are you here?"

Emperor Mu Yuan smiled, "No matter how busy you are, you have to see the queen mother to be at ease."

Empress Dowager Hu rejoiced, "The emperor is always like this."

Seeing that Mrs. Shou'an was still standing, Emperor Mu Yuan smiled and said, "Grandmother sit down." He asked Mrs. Shou'an again how she was.

Mrs. Shou'an sat tremblingly on the embroidered stool, and said, "You didn't tell me yesterday, if you did, I would have come yesterday."

Princess Ningrong laughed, "At your age, I was also taken aback at that time, and entered the palace in a hurry. How dare I tell you so suddenly." Then she said to Empress Dowager Hu, "Last night I told the old lady that I was in a hurry to enter the palace immediately. I woke up at three o'clock in the morning and asked the maid to help me get up."

Empress Dowager Hu and Mrs. Shou'an said, "It's right not to tell mother. Mother has always been timid and can't handle things. I'm afraid she didn't sleep well last night."

Old Madam Shou'an said, "I'm relieved to see that my mother is fine."

Emperor Mu Yuan smiled, "Since my grandmother is here, Aunt Ningrong, Wenkang, and Yongfu Changtai are all here, so I will hold a banquet at my mother's queen at noon. There are many people and it is lively."

Emperor Mu Yuan wanted to accompany him, but he didn't want the cabinet to have something to play, so he got up and went.Empress Dowager Hu sighed, "For Chinese New Year, other people's houses take a break, but the emperor is so busy." She ordered the female officer, "Give the emperor a cup of milk and bird's nest sooner or later, so as to make up for it." Let the female officer pass the meal.

After a lively lunch in the Mercy Palace, in the afternoon, all the people whose families were outside the palace left.When Emperor Mu Yuan came over in the evening, Empress Dowager Hu said a few words to the emperor's son, and discussed with him, "I can't walk with my legs, what about Yongfu and Changtai's Jiji ceremony?"

Emperor Mu Yuan slowly sipped his tea and said, "What does the queen mother mean?"

"The Ai family originally thought that your grandmother was of high seniority. In this life, you will have both children and great blessings. Today your grandmother came and told me about this. She is of high seniority, but she is not a royal family. It's not very suitable. Your uncle's family is a cautious person now, and the Ai family can't force it. If the Ai family fails, and there is no queen in the palace, the next step is Concubine Zhao, Concubine Xie, what does the emperor say?" In the end, the emperor's son call the shots.

"Yongfu and Changtai are both concubines. Although noble concubines are expensive, they are also concubines. How can I preside over the princess's wedding ceremony?"

Empress Dowager Hu said, "That is Ning Rong Wenkang."

Emperor Mu Yuan nodded, "Wenkang is very good."

"Just do as the emperor said." Empress Dowager Hu let out a long sigh and remained silent.Emperor Mu Yuan smiled, "What's wrong with the queen mother? Wenkang is the aunt of the princesses, and she is a compatriot with my mother, isn't it good?"

"My dear daughter, how can I feel bad." Empress Dowager Hu turned her head to wipe away her tears, "I just feel that I am not lucky enough, or why I don't have the life to preside over Jiji ceremony."

Emperor Mu Yuan immediately knew why his mother was sad. When he ascended the throne after the death of the emperor's father, Wenkang was the eldest princess, but his biological mother did not become the empress dowager because of the Empress Dowager Cheng. You have to be a concubine.Later, when the Empress Dowager passed away, he was only eight years old, and all political affairs were entrusted to Princess Ningping.When my younger sister, Princess Wenkang, conceived Ji, my mother wanted to conceive Ji for her own daughter, but Princess Ningping refused, saying that a noble concubine is not an empress dowager.In the end, Princess Ningping presided over Princess Wenkang's Jiji Ceremony in person.

Emperor Mu Yuan didn't want to bring up the past, persuaded, "The queen mother thinks too much, and there are three princesses, Xu Meiren, Li Meiren, and Liu Zhaoyi in the palace are about to give birth, if they are princesses, the queen mother will preside over their wedding ceremony in the future. "I wiped my tears for my mother.

Empress Dowager Hu smiled, "I still look forward to the emperor's grandson, of course, the princess does not dislike it either."

Emperor Mu Yuan smiled and comforted his mother, seeing that it was not early, he returned to Zhaode Hall.As soon as Emperor Mu Yuan left, Empress Dowager Hu summoned her confidants in the palace and gave them such and such orders.

On the second day, there were rumors in the palace that the imperial concubine was going to preside over the Jiji ceremony for the princess.

Concubine Zhao talked about this matter with Concubine Xie in private, Concubine Xie smiled, "I'm afraid it's my sister who is talking about this. My sister is the mother of the First Prince, and she entered the palace earlier than me. No matter what, I am not as good as my sister."

Concubine Zhao smiled, "Sister, this is too modest. I just find it strange that the former Empress Dowager didn't say that Mrs. Shou'an will be the host. Why is there such gossip in the palace?"

Concubine Xie said, "Mrs. Shou'an entered the palace yesterday." Let Concubine Xie say that Mrs. Shou'an is indeed not suitable, but she is His Majesty's grandmother, not His Majesty's grandmother.If you are not a member of the royal family, how can you preside over the Jiji ceremony for the princess on behalf of the queen mother.Princess Yongfu and Princess Changtai are the first princesses!Thinking of what her mother said yesterday, Concubine Xie also thought that Princess Wenkang was the most suitable.Who knew there were such rumors today, could it be that the Empress Dowager wanted to see her fight with Concubine Zhao?She simply gave in first.No matter who presides over Jiji ceremony, why bother to go to this muddy water.

The two said a few words, and went to the Empress Dowager's palace together to serve the sick.

The princesses also came very early. After seeing her daughter, Princess Wenkang, Empress Dowager Hu said, "The Ai family has discussed with your imperial brother. How about you preside over the ceremony of Yongfu Changtai on behalf of the Ai family?"

Princess Wenkang was fine, but when she heard this, she said with a calm face, "I don't have time that day, the queen mother should choose someone else."

Empress Dowager Hu said, "How can you not be free? Don't you come?"

"Not coming."

If others can't tell you, Queen Mother Hu will definitely say, don't come here for the rest of your life.This is her own daughter, and the daughter has such a temperament, Queen Mother Hu can't do anything, she asked, "If you don't come, what are you going to do? Why are you so busy."

"Don't come, stay at home." Princess Wenkang said, "Didn't the empress appoint Mrs. Shou'an?"

Empress Dowager Hu sighed, "The Ai family just said it casually, without thinking too much. Your grandmother resigned from me yesterday, and it's not appropriate to say it."

"Mrs. Shou'an is not suitable. Isn't there Mrs. Cheng'en?" Princess Wenkang said, "If Mrs. Cheng'an is not suitable, then please invite Princess Ningrong. Wouldn't it be good for both?" The princess flicked her sleeves and left.

The whole room was dumbfounded.

Knowing that Princess Wenkang has a bad temper, she used to send it to others. Princess Wenkang has always given face to the Hu family. I don't want the Queen Mother and the Hu family to get angry with Princess Wenkang this time.

Empress Dowager Hu choked half her life to her own daughter.

Princess Ningrong wanted to persuade Princess Wenkang, but Princess Wenkang seemed to have resentment towards her just now, and she didn't want to rush to take Princess Wenkang's hand.Princess Changtai hurriedly followed Princess Wenkang out, and came back shortly and said, "My aunt has left the palace."

Empress Dowager Hu complained, "What kind of temper is this? Is she here to serve the sick in the palace, or to be angry with me!"

Eldest Princess Ning Rong hurriedly persuaded, "Your Majesty, Wen Kang has always been outspoken, mother and daughter, so he is really angry."

"That's right, the eldest princess is straightforward, you don't need to take it to heart, empress."

No matter how majestic the Empress Dowager Hu is usually, she made a fuss about Princess Wenkang, and everyone had no choice but to persuade her like this: The princess has such a temper, you just have to bear with it.

Empress Dowager Hu has to bear it if she can bear it, and there is nothing she can do if she can't bear it.

Unexpectedly, the emperor's son was not here today, and he went out to worship the mausoleum. It was already late when Emperor Mu Yuan returned to the palace, and it was already evening when Emperor Mu Yuan went to the Palace of Mercy to pay his respects.Empress Dowager Hu first asked the emperor's son if the ceremony was going well, and if it was cold outside, don't freeze.The mother and son talked about some serious business first, before the Empress Dowager Hu complained to the emperor's son, "Wenkang's temper, I won't give up until I'm so mad. It was your grandmother who just passed her big birthday. It's a blessing for the old man to have this lifespan. I didn't think much about it, so I brought up your grandmother. Your grandmother knew she was avoiding suspicion, so let her come. She will be unhappy again, and I can't help it." Holding my breath, I didn't even call myself Aijia .

Emperor Mu Yuan didn't persuade his mother, but instead said, "The queen mother is also, Wenkang is very strong since she was born, of course she will be unhappy if you put her behind Mrs. Shou'an."

Empress Dowager Hu sighed, and said earnestly, "I didn't think too much about it. I was relieved when your grandmother came to resign from the post. I was partial to the Hu family, but Wenkang is my own daughter. How can I ignore her face. Second, how many years have we mother and son endured? Not only we endured in the palace, but your grandmother and uncle also endured it outside the palace. When the first emperor was around, he wanted to make me his queen. In this way, you brothers and sisters will be born in the same place. The empress dowager did not allow it. When the emperor was buried, I had nightmares every day and couldn’t sleep all night. I was afraid that the empress dowager would change her mind and establish King Jingjiang. Fortunately, you are enthroned, and I am the noble Concubine, the concubine is the concubine. The empress dowager has always looked down on the Hu family. You are already enthroned, but your uncle's family is not allowed to be a knight, and you are ridiculed by others outside. It is so difficult for you to take charge of the government. It takes a few years to live a comfortable life. There are so many empress dowager families in history, which one is as aggrieved as the Hu family. Your grandmother is so old, and her life is getting worse every day, just in time for her [-]th birthday. God, I was thinking about this, so I didn't pay attention."

Emperor Mu Yuan said, "Don't worry, Queen Mother. Wenkang always has something to say. She is not happy, so she will naturally say it, let alone in front of the Queen Mother. Others treat you as a high-ranking queen mother, but Wenkang only treats you as a mother. You are angry." Just let it go. You really can't argue with her."

Empress Dowager Hu said, "I don't care about this, it's just that this is Yongfu Changtai's Jiji ceremony, and she lost her temper again, but what's the matter. We can't delay the auspicious day."

Emperor Mu Yuan smiled, "I'll just try to persuade her."

Empress Dowager Hu said, "It's better to settle this matter quickly, otherwise there will be gossip in the palace."

"My mother said yes."

The mother and son talked for a while, and Emperor Mu Yuan had dinner with his mother before leaving.

Emperor Mu Yuan went to Zhaoyang Palace.

Concubine Zhao was naturally happy when she saw the emperor came. After saluting, she asked if she could have dinner, knowing that she had used it in the Palace of Mercy. Just take it easy."

Emperor Mu Yuan said, "One thing after another, how can you rest assured?"

Concubine Zhao knew that His Majesty was talking about the Eldest Princess, so she hurriedly said, "The Eldest Princess has a straighter temper, her temper comes and goes quickly, the concubine was thinking, let Yanxi go and persuade her, after three to five days , that's all right." Mu Yanxi, the eldest son of the emperor born to Concubine Zhao.

Emperor Mu Yuan sipped his tea and said, "After three to five days, it will be the Jiji ceremony. What if it doesn't get better?"

Concubine Zhao said, "No way? The Eldest Princess is only bickering with the Empress Dowager, how can she be so generous. How about your Majesty persuade the Eldest Princess?"

Emperor Mu Yuan put the tea aside and sighed, "Wenkang's temperament is indeed a bit domineering. If she really doesn't want to, I can't force it. It's not impossible to take the position of concubine and noble concubine and preside over the ceremony on behalf of the queen mother."

Concubine Zhao quickly got up and said humbly, "The concubine would never dare, I should thank my sister, who has always been considerate and proper, and is more suitable than the concubine."

Emperor Mu Yuan drank a cup of tea and left Zhaoyang Palace.

Concubine Zhao sent Sheng Jia away, and made a wink for the palace servants to go out to inquire. After a while, the palace servants came back and said softly, "Your Majesty has gone to Linzhi Palace."

Concubine Zhao's face was full of coldness, she twisted her handkerchief and said nothing, His Majesty will not really let Concubine Xie to preside over it!If it's Princess Wenkang, there's nothing to say, but if Concubine Xie Guifei snatches this job, where will she lose face!
Linzhi Palace.

Concubine Xie Guifei was doing needlework under the lamp, when she heard the arrival of the holy driver, she didn't care to change her clothes, she put on a big fur cloak, and hurried out to meet him.Emperor Mu Yuan took her hand and said, "Come in, it's cold outside."

Concubine Xie smiled, "I don't know that His Majesty is coming, but my concubine has changed into ordinary clothes."

Emperor Mu Yuan smiled, "In my own palace, it's natural to be at ease."

The two went to the inner room together. Concubine Xie put the hand stove she used in Emperor Mu Yuan's hands to warm it up, and said, "It's cold at night." Then she ordered the maid to make ginger tea.

Emperor Mu Yuan laughed, "What is Concubine Ai doing?"

"Now the days are short and the nights are long, I want to make a tunic for Your Majesty." Concubine Xie showed the unfinished needlework to Emperor Mu Yuan, and Emperor Mu Yuan praised, "My concubine is good at needlework."

"The needle and thread are flat, let your Majesty wear it inside, and no one can see it anyway." Concubine Xie Guifei is also the mother of a ten-year-old child, and she smiled a little cutely. It’s okay to do it when you’re free.”

Concubine Xie smiled, "Don't worry, Your Majesty, I know."

Concubine Xie picked up some things in the palace and talked to Emperor Mu Yuan. It was inevitable that she would talk about the princess and the ceremony. Li, it’s not impossible.”

Concubine Xie quickly said, "Your Majesty, please take this back. The concubine will never dare to respond. Your Majesty trusts the concubine. Because the Queen Mother is old, it is the concubine's responsibility to let the concubine take care of the palace affairs and help you." Blessings. Princess Yongfu and Princess Changtai are both concubines, and concubines are loved by His Majesty. After all, they are noble concubines. The concubine's mother is not suitable for etiquette or law. The queen mother is injured, so she should be the eldest princess. The eldest princess is just straightforward Why is your Majesty the elder brother, and you are serious with your younger sister? For the eldest princess, just find a suitable person to persuade her. Just like the empress dowager, who complained about the eldest princess in the first day, but it will be fine in the next afternoon. It's a family, so there's no reason to be really angry."

Emperor Mu Yuan laughed, "It's not that my concubine sent me an article."

"The concubine is talking about the matter." Concubine Xie said angrily, "His Majesty finds a suitable person to pave the way for the eldest princess."

Emperor Mu Yuan asked, "Which one is suitable for my concubine?"

Concubine Xie didn't hold back, and said, "The concubine has been thinking about this matter for a long time. I thought that His Majesty would not ask. Since His Majesty asked the concubine, Your Majesty said, how about Princess Changtai?"

Emperor Mu Yuan finally smiled, "Changtai has always been well-behaved and clever, not bad."

"The concubine also thinks the same way. In fact, Princess Yongfu and Princess Changtai have more similar tempers. It's just that this matter of persuading people has to be tactful. And when Princess Changtai left the Palace of Mercy today, Princess Changtai hurriedly followed her. Going out, thinking about it, I persuaded the eldest princess. Tomorrow, I asked Princess Changtai to go to the eldest princess's mansion, and to kiss her niece. How could the eldest princess refuse because of her niece's face? The matter is settled, and the second eldest princess will come into the palace to greet the queen mother, and the mother and daughter will be fine." Apologizing or something, that's nothing to think about.The eldest princess is not this tempered.

Emperor Mu Yuan said that he was kind, and said, "Let the palace be quiet, and don't discuss this matter." After all, there is still my sister's face.

"Your Majesty, just rest assured, the concubine and sister Zhao have already ordered them to go on, and the palace people are not allowed to talk too much."

Emperor Mu Yuan's jaw rested in Linzhi Palace that night.

Empress Dowager Hu also felt that the idea proposed by Concubine Xie was suitable, so she asked Princess Changtai to go to the residence of Princess Wenkang.

Princess Wenkang was angry with Queen Mother Hu, and did not anger Princess Changtai.First persuade Princess Wenkang, and then Princess Changtai said, "Grandmother's foot hurts, and she still misses Auntie. Auntie looks at Grandmother's age, so don't worry the old man. I will take care of Auntie. How is the palace?"

Princess Wenkang sighed, "The third princess is young, so I won't mention it for now. Looking at it now, Changtai and you are still a sensible person."

Princess Changtai smiled.

In the Mercy Palace is the mother, Princess Wenkang once had a fit, and she couldn't do anything else, so she entered the palace together with Princess Wenkang.Emperor Mu Yuan showed his sister a lot of face, so he went to the Charity Palace to have dinner together at noon, and smiled, "If you don't come, I will have to invite you in person."

Concubine Xie brought a plate of fresh oranges to Princess Wenkang. Princess Wenkang took one and said, "I'm just reminding the empress that the empress and the empress are in front of me. People are ahead of me, I don't care what the year is or what the festival is!"

Empress Dowager Hu said helplessly, "That's your grandmother."

Princess Wenkang said, "I am the emperor's sister! My brother is the emperor, my father is the emperor, and my mother is the empress dowager." She was polite enough to the Hu family on weekdays. , Princess Wenkang doesn't care about these things.But if the Hu family wanted to overwhelm her, she would not be polite.

Hearing her daughter's words, Empress Dowager Hu immediately got a little shorter, and muttered, "It's better not to come, it will also make me angry."

"Why don't I come, this is my natal family, I can come whenever I want."

Emperor Mu Yuan laughed, and Empress Dowager Hu also laughed angrily.

Concubine Zhao's complexion darkened slightly, Princess Ningrong's smile remained unchanged, but in her heart she did not expect that something bad would happen to Princess Wenkang suddenly, the previously set meter was greatly discounted because of Wenkang!

(End of this chapter)