Golden branches and jade leaves

Chapter 6
Su Mi looked at the empty bed, lost her mind for a while, as if something was missing in her heart, it was also empty, Wei Qing'er's body was sent out by the Ministry of Internal Affairs for cremation early in the morning, because she died of illness, she could not stay for long.

The things to build the small Buddhist hall according to the rules have already been sent in.Because funerals are taboo in the harem, except for the emperor, empress and queen mother, concubines must be above noble concubine status to be able to publicly hold funerals in the palace.Ordinary concubines, the funeral cannot be called a funeral, it can only be called a Buddhist event, and the mourning hall cannot be called a mourning hall, but a small Buddhist hall.

It was already night, and finally I was the only one left in this palace.Su Mi sat down under the lamp, a cold and lonely chill filled her heart.

She was staring at the candlelight in a daze, when there was a commotion outside, the door was suddenly opened, Su Mi looked up, and it turned out that the person who came in was Gao Shengnuo who was supposed to serve in front of the emperor at this time.

"Are you someone close to Wei Cairen?" He asked.

Su Mi nodded: "This servant is right, I don't know what your father-in-law ordered?"

"That's right, let's go with the miscellaneous family. Your Majesty and Concubine Yun want to see you?"

Su Mi stood up, she knew in her heart that it must be because of that painting.

Followed Gao Shengnuo through the Bibo Pool, arrived at Juhe Palace, and entered the main hall.Su Mi raised her head slightly, and Concubine Yun and the emperor were both there, Concubine Yun was holding a scroll painting, and said to the emperor beside her with a happy face: "The concubine couldn't believe it at first, but who knew it was Dong Youyuan's authentic work, Unfolding water lingers, ethereal and clear. No wonder the late emperor often said 'true gods are also'." The voice is soft and moving.

Concubine Yun has been restless these days.

She has been well-known in her hometown of Qianzhou since she was a child. Who in Qianzhou doesn't know that she, Qu Yiran, has both talents and looks. threshold.However, no matter whether the person who came to propose marriage was rich and powerful, or a scholarly family, her father would not allow it at all.He often said to her: "My daughter has the best looks and talents in the world, and she must be blessed by the best people in the world." Until she was 16 years old, the officials in charge of selection in the palace came here admiringly. Only then was she beaming with joy, thinking that with her daughter's beauty, she would definitely win the favor of the emperor, and that prosperity and wealth would be at her fingertips.

After entering the palace, Qu Yiran realized how superficial her beauty is that no one can match in the small Qianzhou. Although her own appearance is indeed hard to match in the entire court, how many beautiful women are there in the harem?Looking around, it is full of picturesque features, bead rings and emerald rings.Although those concubines are not as beautiful as her own, they are richer and more proud than her.

Fortunately, she is not only a rare beauty, but also a talented woman famous in Qianzhou.Daqi established the country with military force, so the women of powerful families are mostly inferior in terms of literary talent.Moreover, she got the help of nobles not long after she entered the palace, so she quickly attracted the attention of the emperor, and won unparalleled favor.His father also got the wealth and fame he dreamed of.

In the eyes of others, they can see that since she entered the palace, she has had a rich family that no one can match, but she herself is very clear that her true and deep family is only in the first three or four months of entering the palace. , the emperor is really tender and caring towards her.He was full of praise for her appearance and talent, and often stayed in her room until dawn, and personally painted her eyebrows and made up when she got up in the morning. Sometimes, the more indifferent she was to the emperor, the more enthusiastic the emperor would be.

But after a few months, she felt with a woman's intuition that the emperor's enthusiasm for her had obviously faded.However, the number of times the emperor flipped her sign has not decreased.Could it be that she is too suspicious?This made her start to doubt her own judgment. She tactfully asked for pets several times, but her insinuating temptations had no effect.

But it wasn't long before she found out that she was pregnant with a child.

The emperor's heirs have always been very thin. Many concubines in the harem were pregnant, but most of them could not be preserved. Miscarriages were common. Everyone said that because the harem was full of women and eunuchs, the yin was too heavy, so it was difficult for the children to survive.In private, there is a more secretive and taboo rumor that Daqi has fought in the north and south in the past few decades, and the transition of killing and cutting has caused too much resentment for killing evil, which has diluted the source of blessing, so it has affected his sons and daughters.

So far, in the entire harem, only Concubine Wen gave birth to an emperor concubine safely for the emperor.Although Concubine Wen has been out of favor for a long time, the emperor still often goes there to visit Di Ji, and with a child by his side, she will never lose a share of any reward.The servants in the palace have always been respectful to her, not daring to neglect her in the slightest because of falling out of favor.

This child is undoubtedly the true and safest guarantee of her doting,
She tried every means, tried her best, and carefully looked after her best hope, but all was in vain, and the child was still miscarried.After the miscarriage, the sensitive woman often felt a kind of panic that was close to despair, maybe her favor would not be too long, and the emperor's displeasure was beyond words.Not long afterward, news came that Concubine Ni's father, General Zhenwei Ni Yuan had defeated Nan Chen in the front line and forced Chen Jun to retreat for more than three hundred miles.

Who knew that the emperor became close to her again, even disregarding everyone's objection on her birthday, and made a decree to celebrate it with colorful flowers and glory, maybe the emperor really has affection for her in his heart, she comforted herself like this.

It's just that in this harem, there are newcomers coming in constantly, so it's hard to guarantee that I won't grow old and decrepit that day. Before I fall out of favor, maybe I should think about the way out.A few days ago, when the emperor was in a good mood, she asked for an official position for her father's family members. Even if she fell out of favor in the future, she would not be without support. Ni Yelin was so arrogant because of her father and brother.

Who knew that the emperor's face lost all joy when he heard her request, and he just responded lightly and prevaricated her a few words.She didn't dare to come up with all the means she had planned, so she had to resign in embarrassment.

Within a few days, Liu Qiyan was favored again in her own palace. She was provoked by Ni Yelin, and she was so angry that she lost control and beat someone.Although the emperor did not say anything clearly, the reward and promotion to Liu Qiyan clearly told the court: the direction of the wind may be changing.Especially on her birthday, she didn't stay in her room, but went to Liu Qiyan's place, which made her feel an indescribable crisis more than ever.

In order to win back the emperor's favor, she has tried her best these days, but unfortunately, all the previous methods have failed. The emperor's love for Liu Qiyan is getting deeper and deeper, which makes Liugong look sideways, just like she did when she first entered the palace. so-so.

What should we do?Could this birthday be his last glory?

The emperor hadn't entered her room for several days, and when she was looking through the gifts from various palaces to pass the time, she accidentally found this picture of Dong Youyuan's Fairy in Yaochi among them.

Dong Youyuan, whose style name is Qianguang, was born in the Qianliang period. He is famous for his ink paintings. Among them, he is good at painting flowers. The famous people later generations, the "Five Beautiful Pictures" handed down from generation to generation refers to the five flower pictures he is most proud of, which is said to be a metaphor for his life. Among the five beauties I saw, this picture of the immortals in Yaochi is one of them. Unfortunately, wars broke out frequently, and they were all scattered in the troubled times.When the late emperor was alive, he loved his paintings very much, and always wanted to collect these five pictures, and offered a huge reward for this, but unfortunately, he only collected three of them in his entire life, and the late emperor always regarded it as a pity.

Concubine Yun specially waited until evening before sending someone to invite the emperor over.

Sure enough, using this picture as a reference made the emperor Longyan very happy.

"The emperor looked at this lotus flower, which is graceful and graceful, and the brushwork is elegant. Master Dong's original handwriting is really extraordinary."

"Well, when my father was alive, he wanted to collect all these paintings, but unfortunately he couldn't get his wish. As a child, I should serve myself. When I collect these pictures, I will burn them together to comfort my father's spirit in heaven. , and all my filial piety." Qi Long nodded lightly, obviously in a good mood.

"Your Majesty's blessings are equal to the sky, and his filial piety touches the sky. With the blessing of the gods, he will definitely be able to do it for the late emperor." Concubine Yun said softly.

Qi Taki smiled and said nothing.

Concubine Yun raised her head and saw Su Mi kneeling under her highness, she smiled and said, "Here comes, just in time, I called you here to ask your master where he got this fairy picture of Yaochi? Except this one Besides, is there any other news about it?"

"Picture of the Immortals of Yaochi? Please let the emperor and the empress know. What my master sent to the empress is not the authentic work of Master Dong. It is her own copy of Master Dong's work in her spare time. How can my empress be so rare? The real work." Su Mi panicked.

"What?! You said this picture is not..." Concubine Yun's expression changed immediately, so she has committed the crime of deceiving the emperor. Even if the emperor will not pursue her, her reputation as a talented woman...

"Bold slave, what evidence do you have for saying that this painting is fake? The seal and signature in this painting are all from Mr. Dong. Could it be that Wei Cairen deliberately used a fake painting to fool me?" Concubine Yun yelled angrily.We can only put the blame on that hapless Wei Cairen first.

"Please be enlightened, Madam, about the authenticity of the painting, we have already explained it in the words sent over." Su Mi quickly argued.

Character? !There was also a pair of words sent along with this painting. Concubine Yun still remembered that the words seemed to be a poem about palace grievances, but Concubine Yun saw this painting, and she was still in the mood to read the words there. Throw it aside.

At this moment, there are already clever palace people around to search for it.

"Hmph, isn't Concubine Yun a talented woman famous in Qianzhou, she can't even tell the authenticity of a painting," the emperor said displeased.

Concubine Yun quickly knelt down and pleaded guilty.She stole a glance at the emperor, his brows were tightly frowned, his expression was gloomy, obviously very disappointed, he couldn't help but his heart sank, unexpectedly this time it would be self-defeating.

At this time, the palace man handed over the poem he had just found, Qi Taki opened it and saw that it was a poem of self-harm
Entering Chengming Palace for the first time, I deeply repay Weiyang.

Nagato hangs up in vain and never sees the king again.

The cold spring is deep into the bones, and I lie alone and worry about the empty room.

Walking in the court, you are empty and sentimental.

I cherish the new ones on weekdays, and I have a lot to talk about.

Beauty is turned into abandonment, how can life be measured?
The king's grace is far away, and the concubine's intentions are hesitant.

Does the family have no flesh and bones?Partial relative to the old Beitang.

This side has no wings, so how can we build a high wall.

Life is the most important thing, and abandoning the good can hurt.

He resolutely died and returned to the land of the dead.

After reading it, Qi Long couldn't help feeling a little moved. He usually saw concubines singing praises, flattering and inviting favors in the palace. This kind of lingering, sad, sad and desolate poems were only seen in ancient books, so naturally no one would send them to them. In front of him, let him realize that there is such a miserable woman beside him.

"These poems and paintings are all made by Wei Cairen himself? Where is this Wei Cairen now?" He couldn't help asking.

"Wei Cairen passed away yesterday." Su Mi raised her head and said.

Qi Taki couldn't help but feel lost for a moment, never thought that such a soft-hearted woman would not have met sooner.Looking up at the girl in front of her again, under the flickering candlelight, her figure was slim and slim. Because she lowered her head, she only saw the soft white and smooth chin, and felt that her beauty was not inferior to that of the newly-appointed Liu family a few days ago.I don't know if the slave is born like this, what will happen to the master?Qi Taki was fascinated for a while, and asked: "What about Wei Cairen's body..."

"It has been cremated by people from the Ministry of Internal Affairs."

"It's a pity, it's such a beauty, I don't have the chance to meet her." He sighed.

"If the emperor wants to see Wei Cairen, it's not difficult. The servants still keep Wei Cairen's self-portrait." Su Mi said cautiously.

"Well," Qi Long replied noncommittally, and asked after a while, "Since your master has copied the painting, he must have seen the real one, do you know where it is?"

"This... usually talented people do a lot of painting, and slaves can't tell the difference..." Su Mi hesitated.

Qi Long pondered for a moment, and said: "In this case, I'll go over and take a look, Gao Shengnuo, show me!" After finishing speaking, he ignored Concubine Yun beside him, flicked his sleeves, turned around and left.

Concubine Yun knelt down in fear to send her off, and she stood up only after the person had gone far away. Looking at the back of the imperial chariot, her face turned red and white, ashamed and annoyed. This time it was really a miscalculation. On the side of Xifu Palace, I don't know how proud Ni Yelin will be.

Concubine Yun picked up the poem, she read this poem earlier, when she saw the beginning, she thought it must be some unfavorable concubine complaining, begging her to speak well in front of the emperor, so she put it aside casually, now Looking carefully, the inscription after the poem really reads, "feelings under the moon, make poems and paintings, and talk about expressing your heart" and other words.

Concubine Yun threw down the scroll of poetry bitterly, and the cautious expressions of the palace servants standing with their hands hanging down turned into mockery in her eyes. She suppressed her anger, shouted back the servants around her, and sat slumped on the soft couch After a while, he turned to smile and said, "Hmph, luckily he is a short-lived ghost who is already dead."

"These are all made by Wei Cai before his life?" Qi Long opened a scroll, and unexpectedly, there was a beauty in the painting, with exquisite eyebrows and natural beauty. .Yumei thanked Houyang and came, scattered and fragrant in spring.

"This is Wei Cairen's original self-portrait." Su Mi said.

Qi Taki couldn't help being fascinated.After a while, he asked again, "Do you still remember when Wei Cairen copied the 'Yaochi Fairy'?"

"I remember that when Cairen was 14 years old, Cairen's biological mother, Concubine Rou, got such a painting. Later, Cairen saw that she liked it and asked for it. Unfortunately, Concubine Rou didn't give it to her, so she had to copy it herself. .”

"Do you remember clearly?"

"Although I have a bad memory, I still remember that I saw it when I was in the court of the Wei Kingdom. Cairen always said that this painting is the most like a copy, and he is quite proud of it, so he later entered the Qi Palace. Always carry it with you.”

"I don't even know that this painting has been kept in the Wei Palace. Where is this painting now?" Qi Long's tone couldn't help being a little eager.

"When Lord Hou returned to Da Qi, all the collections in the palace were sealed up, and General Ni ordered people to guard the points, and they were escorted to Beijing together. They must have been brought into the Qi palace. Didn't the emperor see it?"

General Ni is Ni Yuan, the biological father of Concubine Ni, who led the troops to destroy the Kingdom of Wei. After the King of Wei returned to the Kingdom of Qi, he was named the Marquis of Southern Return.

Qi Long didn't speak. After Ni Yuan's class teacher returned to Beijing, he handed over all the women's property captured by Wei Guo, but this painting was not handed over to the palace.

It is an unwritten rule for soldiers to plunder the wealth and women of the enemy country. As long as it is not too excessive, generally no one will pursue it, but this painting is what the late emperor wanted, and everyone in the court knows it.

"Hmph, I don't know what else he left for himself..." Qi Long felt unhappy for a while.He thought for a moment, then came back to his senses, looked up and saw Su Mi was looking at him quietly, his eyes were like a clear spring, full of agility, making one drunk without drinking.

"What's your name?" He looked at the woman in front of him and asked with great interest.

"My servant's name is Su Mi." Su Mi bowed her head shyly.Under the candlelight, the skin is moist, like pearls and jade.Qi Taki couldn't help being a little emotional, rolled up the scroll in his hand, approached Su Mi and said, "How long have you been in the palace?"

"The servant has been in the palace for almost a year." Su Mi said shyly.

Qi Long couldn't help but approached Su Mi and helped him up. He felt the warmth of the tentacles and the smell, and said with a smile, "No wonder people often say that Wei Nu is very charming, but I still say it's exaggerated. When I see you two, master and servant, I will I just believed it." While taking advantage of the trend, he took Su Mi into his arms.

"Your Majesty," Su Mi bowed her head slightly, and broke free from Qi Taki's arms, "Master Wei just left, how can a slave..."

"So what, I will seal you as a dresser, and being a Wei Cairen can be regarded as your loyalty."

"I also hope that the emperor will forgive the crime. Wei Cairen has great kindness with Su Mi, and treats slaves as sisters. Su Mi dare not be unfaithful." Su Mi took a few steps back, raised her head and looked directly at the emperor. There is persistence in Qingshui's wonderful eyes that are charming and charming.

Qi Taki looked at the pair of eyes in front of him, which seemed to be as cold as ice, but also seemed to be full of affection. In a trance, he just felt as if he had seen it somewhere before, intoxicating.There is a trace of quiet and moving fragrance lingering at the end of the nose, if there is any, it is sultry and makes people feel more and more uncontrollable.

Qi Taki raised his hand to brush the bangs in front of Su Mi, and praised, "What a pair of autumn waters are gods, why do you have to cover them up?"

"Your Majesty..." Su Mi bowed her head gracefully, extremely shy.

"Gao Shengnuo!"

"The servant is here!" Gao Shengnuo hurriedly ran outside the door and responded loudly.

"In my edict, the talented Wei family is pure, beautiful, talented and virtuous, and he was named a concubine, and buried in the imperial mausoleum with the gift of the second rank and six concubines by the House of Internal Affairs." After a pause, he said: "Palace Su The family is loyal and filial, chaste, obedient and virtuous, and it is registered as changing clothes from the eighth rank."

Su Mi knelt down to thank her, "My concubine thanked you on behalf of Concubine Wei."

"Don't you just thank Concubine Wei for your kindness and not yourself?" Qi Long asked with a smile.

"Grace has its own priority, please forgive me, the emperor." Su Mi looked directly at the emperor quietly, "Concubine Wei's great kindness to my concubine, it is already difficult for my concubine to repay, but the kindness of the emperor...in the future..." He said As she spoke, Su Mi's face suddenly turned red, and she fiddled with the corner of her clothes uncomfortably, shyly moving.

Qi Taki was in a good mood immediately, "The ground is too cold, don't just kneel." He laughed.

"The concubine thanked the emperor for his innocence."

Qi Long said softly: "How can I blame you, you have not owed Bin Wei's grace, so naturally you will not owe my grace in the future." He raised his hand to help Su Mi up, and when he touched it, he felt that Su Mi's fingers were like jade The ordinary color is just, but also as cold as jade.

Su Mi withdrew her hand imperceptibly from his hand.

"Since you have repaid Concubine Wei's kindness, why don't you repay my kindness now." He raised Su Mi's chin with his hand and said with a teasing smile.

"Your Majesty..." Su Mi's voice trembled slightly, half ashamed and half timid, with tears streaming down her eyelashes, charming and beautiful, beyond words, "Please have mercy..."

Qi Taki couldn't bear it any longer, and kissed Yanhong heavily in front of him...

The silver-red curtain fell, and the flower tinseled...

The lights in the room were flickering and flickering, and the wick burst with a "snap", the sound was soft and clear, and it seemed that it couldn't startle the slightest ripple...

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When Su Mi woke up, it was already daylight, the bed was empty, and Qi Taki had already left.

As soon as she raised her head, she heard a crisp cheer: "Su Changyi has woken up!"

Su Mi turned her head and saw that there were more than a dozen court ladies and eunuchs kneeling in the room, holding toiletries and clothing.Seeing her wake up, the maid in charge immediately helped her up, and the four maids holding a gold basin, a jade bowl, a silver pot, and silk towels stepped forward to wash and change Su Mi.

Su Mi struggled to remember, but her body was sore and unbearable.The foster father's medical skills are unparalleled in the world. In the small bamboo forest where the foster father and foster mother live in seclusion, there are all kinds of ancient and modern medical books, even the collections of imperial hospitals in big countries such as Qi, Chen, and Liao are not as good. I was bored when I was young. I often go to look through it alone. I once accidentally found an ancient secret art of yin and yang harmony. At that time, my face was flushed, like a thief. Unable to stop, I watched it secretly for a long time.

I never thought I would use it one day!She curled up her lips mockingly.

"Is the emperor gone?" Su Mi asked.

"The emperor has already gone to the early court, and before leaving, he specially asked not to wake up and change clothes." The clever palace man said immediately.This new master is really rare, the emperor actually stayed with her for a whole night, and even today's morning court was almost postponed.

No wonder there are so many people in the palace, everyone is looking forward to being the master, Su Mi relaxes and enjoys the considerate service of the palace staff.

Wiping off the drops of water on her face, she passed the towel in her hand aside, and several young maids immediately came forward with trays for her to choose from.According to the rules in the palace, the Ministry of Internal Affairs will prepare new clothes for the concubines after they wake up in the morning.

Su Mi randomly picked out a set with plain colors and simple floral decorations.Putting on her middle coat, Su Mi sat in front of the dressing table, two nuns came up to comb her hair, looking at her pretty face in the mirror, Su Mi smiled lightly, took the comb from the palace maid beside her, and said, "I'll do it myself."

How long has it been since I groomed myself so carefully?In the past, it was my mother-in-law who taught me the skills of drawing eyebrows and lips, and pasting pearls and flowers.

I still remember what my mother-in-law said when she combed her hair,

"My family's Mi'er will fascinate many men in the future."

"The step-mother is canceling Ah Mi again, the step-mother and mother are the real beauties."

"Mother-in-law is not talking nonsense, our family, Mi, will definitely turn all living beings upside down in the future."

……

Su Mi put down the comb in her hand, picked up the bright red rouge and mixed it up. The secret powder and perfume in the palace are all mixed with the dew on the petals collected in the early morning. The color is pure and the fragrance is pleasant.

After Su Mi inserted the last hairpin, she put on the light yellow double-breasted double-woven satin dress with thin silver beads on the cuffs and skirt,
Everyone couldn't help but brighten their eyes. They didn't expect that the newly sealed dresser looked so beautiful. Although he only wore the most common flying swallow bun in the palace, and didn't adorn it with many precious pearls and hairpins. It's so charming that people can't take their eyes off it.

Su Mi smiled sweetly and said, "According to the palace rules, you should go to see the empress."

Fengyi Palace is still as lively as ever.Su Mi bowed down to Empress Shi Shiran in the eyes of all the concubines.

The queen smiled and said, "You are the emperor's newly-appointed Su Changyi yesterday? Sure enough, you look so good that I can't take my eyes off her. The Liu family from a few days ago is exactly Chunlan Qiuju, each of whom is good at winning. .” Turning his head, he smiled at the crowd and said, “It’s true that they’ve all been compared to each other, right?”

"Hmph," immediately some concubines became unhappy.

"Women are born beautiful, and they are beyond words. Su Mi's feeble body can't compare with them." Su Mi buried her head low and replied respectfully.

The faces of the concubines eased a little.

"I heard that the emperor has been staying in your room until almost midnight." Concubine Ni handed the tea cup in her hand to the palace servants, straightened her figure, and said sternly, "When we serve the emperor, we should first know that the emperor belongs to the world." All the people are at stake in the country, as a concubine, I should advise the emperor that the dragon's body is the most important thing, how can I use my beauty to act recklessly and let the emperor indulge in pleasure."

Surrounded by probing or jealous eyes that hurt people, Su Mi bowed her head only to be taught. She knew very well that she and she were not qualified to refute anyone in this temple. All you have to do is keep yourself down as much as possible.

The queen was much gentler, and said, "The imperial concubine doesn't have to be too strict. Su Changyi has just been promoted, so he must not understand the rules of being a master."

"The concubine realizes that she is wrong, thank you Empress Empress and Empress Noble Concubine for teaching me." Su Mi quickly knelt down and said.

"Well, I've heard about Concubine Wei. It's rare for you to be loyal to the Lord. I'm also moved by it. I've already explained the matter to the Ministry of Internal Affairs." The Queen changed the subject.

"Your Majesty is very grateful to Master Wei for his great kindness, and I can't repay you." Su Mi said with a look of tears and gratitude.

The queen nodded in satisfaction, thinking of what happened yesterday, she couldn't help secretly proud.She proposed to handle Wei Cairen's funeral properly, originally just to show her virtuousness and buy people's hearts. By the way, she suppressed Ni Yelin's arrogance. She never thought that this little girl would have such an opportunity, and she received unexpected results for no reason.

"Recently there have been a lot of happy events in the palace. A few days ago it was Mrs. Liu, and now it's you again. Since you have to be named concubine and promoted to master son, you must serve the emperor with all your heart and extend the succession of the emperor's heirs. Remember the rules of the palace and behave in the palace. Don't be rash." The queen paused, and then said, "In a few days, I will naturally arrange for the nun to teach you the palace rules and etiquette, you must study carefully, and you must not disappoint the kindness of the heavenly family."

Su Mi nodded in agreement.

At this time, the palace people outside the gate reported that Liu promised to arrive.

Liu Qiyan walked into the hall, and saw Su Mi standing in the hall at a glance, she was stunned, her face turned red, hesitated for a while, and finally stepped forward to hold Su Mi's hand and said, "Sister, I..."

"Is Liu Ying and Su Changyi old acquaintances?" Concubine Wen asked immediately.

"I'm going to report to you, Madam, we used to have a relationship several times when we were both palace maids." Just as Qi Yan was about to speak, Su Mi replied.While calmly breaking away from Qiyan's hand.

"Since this is the case, we should get along well, the sisters are in harmony," the queen laughed. "Both of you are destined to be favored, and your sisters can be regarded as a good story in the palace."

"Thank you for the empress' teaching. The courtiers and concubines will definitely remember it in their hearts." Su Mi said respectfully.

Back at Caiwei Palace, the courtyard was full of people, He Yuwang, the eunuch in charge of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and a dozen court ladies and eunuchs were waiting outside.

Seeing Su Mi coming back from afar, he hurried forward and said, "Su is back after changing his clothes. It's freezing cold, master has worked hard. The slave said why the magpies in the palace kept calling non-stop these days." , presumably there is going to be some great event in the palace, and it turns out that it should be on the master. Seeing that the old slave is so clumsy, he is blind. He has never recognized nobles. The slave congratulates the master first. Fufen will definitely make a concubine Jinfei in the future, no problem..." While talking non-stop, he secretly glanced at Su Mi's expression.

When Su Mi was a court lady, she did not deal with him less. Usually, he was arrogant and scolded Su Mi, a low-level court lady.Seeing his respectful appearance at this time, Su Mi couldn't help but want to say something sarcastic, thought about it, and shook her head.Follow red and step on white, who in this palace is not like this?Why bother with such a villain.

Su Mi said, "I'm sorry to bother you, Eunuch."

He Yuwang looked at Su Mi's indifferent and peaceful face, and then breathed a sigh of relief, saying: "A few days ago, because things in the House of Internal Affairs were a little tighter, and the slaves below didn't have eyes, they even gave Wei Cairen's silver share. The example was delayed, it was really the negligence of the old slave, the old slave has severely punished them, and sent them here today specially for Wei Cairen, alas, it is a pity that the talented person is already... But fortunately, there is still Master Su, you Yes. I can only trouble you to count the points, so I accept it.”

He waved his hand, and immediately the little eunuch beside him brought a tray.

Su Mi lifted the red cloth and took a quick look: there were a few envelopes worth about 100 taels of silver, and there were more than a dozen pearls and hairpins inlaid with gold and silver, as well as earrings, bracelets, and jade pendants.

Of course, you can’t use so many compensations, and most of them are obviously "filial" to yourself. She didn't want to worry too much, and immediately smiled, "It's hard to be a father-in-law. I also know the hard work of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. In the future, many chores will still be done." It is necessary to trouble the father-in-law, please forgive me when the time comes."

"It's easy to say, easy to talk," He Yuwang smiled all of a sudden.As long as Su Mi is willing to accept things and follow the private rules of the palace, it means that everything in the past will not be pursued.

"This time, the old slave specially brought a few people here for the master to choose. According to the rules, the master is asked to pick a eunuch and two maids for daily duties. Let Su Changyi choose the one he likes."

She looked at the maidservants and eunuchs, all of them looked expectant.

The harem of Daqi is strictly hierarchical, and Emperor Gaozu once issued an edict: "...afterwards, for those who choose envoy women in the palaces of queens, concubines, and concubines, daughters of official families can still be selected. In case of Select women below the concubines, not the daughters of official families." The concubines with low status in the harem can only order the maids with low status.It can be said that the master is humble and the slave is humble.

These court ladies and eunuchs in front of them are undoubtedly the lowest family background in the palace.If they can follow their favored and promising master, it will be a step up to the sky for them.

Su Mi took a glance and saw a familiar figure. She pointed to the two maids in the last row calmly and said, "Just these two."

"Miqing, Mihong, don't hurry to meet the master." He Yuwang immediately shouted from the side.

The two immediately went forward to kowtow to Su Mi.

"Get up." Su Mi said calmly.

Mi Hong is about fifteen or sixteen years old, with dark complexion, delicate eyebrows, bright and big eyes, very energetic.

Mi Qingsheng's quiet and elegant appearance is quite eye-catching. Although the palace clothes are old, they are clean and tidy.The most important thing is that Su Mi remembers that she is also a guard, and she met once when she entered the palace. She followed a Zong concubine to the palace, and that Zong concubine was beaten because of careless words that offended the queen. Entering the cold palace, she died soon after, and then she was assigned to the Department of Hard Labor, doing laundry and other chores.

"There is no need to choose the inner eunuch. I think Xiao Luzi who was originally in the east backyard of Caiwei Palace is good, so let him come over and take this job." Su Mi turned around and said with a smile.

"Being able to see him in changing clothes is a blessing he has cultivated in eight lifetimes." He Yuwang smiled obsequiously, and turned his head to the little eunuch beside him and shouted: "What are you doing in a daze? Hurry up and call someone over!" An order was issued , the little eunuch hurried to call someone.

"By the way, master, do you want to live in another place?" He Yuwang looked around and asked hesitantly, "I heard that here..."

"No need, just stay here, the place is quiet and familiar." Su Mi said with a smile, the place where she lives is Dongnuange in the east courtyard, and it is also the place where Hui'er was a few days ago.

Regarding this little maid, I am afraid that the emperor has no memory at all. There are so many palaces, so many concubines, how can the most noble Ninth Five-Year Supreme in the world remember a little court lady who just happened to be lucky because of a whim? ?Su Mi couldn't help but sneer in her heart.

"Yes, yes, the master has a clever idea." He Yuwang replied, but couldn't help but muttered in his heart, "Why doesn't this master know taboo at all?"

You must know that the palace has always respected ghosts and gods the most, and is most afraid of unlucky things.As long as he thinks that the East and West Nuan Pavilions in this courtyard have all died...he can't help but feel a chill down his back.It seems that it is better for me to come here less in the future.

Soon after, Wei Qing'er's funeral also began to be arranged.

Originally, the end of the year was approaching, and all funerals should be kept simple, but since the emperor personally ordered it, the arrangements were naturally more grand than usual.The concubines of each courtyard also prepared joss sticks and paper money and ordered people to send them condolences.The day before yesterday, Qi Long made another decree to promote Wei Qing'er's father, Nanguihou, from the third-waiting to the first-waiting, and rewarded a lot of gold and silver property. As a subjugated minister, the cautious and fearful life will be a little easier, right?

Layers upon layers of pure white curtains hang down to the ground, shrouding an illusion of isolation from the world.The cremated ashes were placed in a dark red pure wood coffin.An indescribable solemnity spread.In the empty mourning hall, only the sound of the cold wind howling past was left.

Su Mi stood in front of the spirit tablet, let the wind blow her clothes, and stared at the coffin in a daze, "This is the last thing I can do for you, and it's not in vain for you and my sister. Go clean, but you left cleanly, leaving me to struggle and perish in this filthy world..."

Qi Shisi's bedroom supervisor Tong Shiji: On November [-]th of the third year of Longhui, Liu Shi, a palace official in Juhe Palace, changed his clothes. After a few days, he received moss, the emperor pityed him, and Jin agreed. Su Shi seals and changes clothes, and both of them are favored.Soon, Liu Shijin was always there, and Su Shijin agreed.

Concubine Wei, the daughter of the original Wei country, was ordered to enter the palace after the emperor destroyed Wei. She was talented, good at poetry and painting, and died without being favored. The emperor mourned her and buried her as a concubine. His parents returned to the south.

(End of this chapter)