Chapter 26 first quarter

At a court meeting, the ministers suddenly discovered that Long Live Lord's dragon robe was actually adorned with patches! "Today is thrifty", what an important message!All of a sudden, the ministers followed suit, and the business of the old clothes shop was in a mess... The phony and tattered clothes of the court did not bring the Qing officials back to life, but the sad song of the big-eyed women overturned the situation. More than forty pairs of crown-wearing flower feathers... Zhang Geer's rebellion finally subsided, and the Qing Dynasty was finally at peace again.Emperor Daoguang let out a long breath.After the court was over, he returned to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, and was about to review the memorials as usual, when he suddenly remembered that he hadn't been to the Palace of Compassion and Ning for a long time to accompany Xiao and the Empress Dowager, so he brought two personal eunuchs to the harem.

When Daoguang came to the gate of the Compassionate Palace, the maid and eunuch guarding the gate hurriedly saw Shengjia and was about to go in to report, but Daoguang stopped him and ordered the eunuchs who followed him to wait outside the gate, and went into the palace alone.From afar, I heard the chatter and laughter of the women in the Empress Dowager's room, and Emperor Daoguang arrived at the door.Empress Xiao and the Empress Dowager were playing cards with the Empress, Concubine Quan, and Qi'er, but they didn't see the current emperor coming outside the door.Daoguang saw that they were having a lot of fun, so he didn't bother them, and quietly stood behind Qi'er and watched.The Empress Dowager, who was sitting opposite to Qier, raised her head and saw the Emperor standing in front of her, she was taken aback for a moment, and immediately laughed: "You gentlemen, you only care about playing cards, and you want to see who is coming!"

Only then did the three realize that the emperor had arrived, and hurriedly left their seats to greet them in a panic.Daoguang smiled and stretched out his hand to stop him: "Forget it, this is the harem, a family, there is no need to be formal." After finishing speaking, he turned to the queen mother, bowed and said, "Mother is auspicious." Before the queen mother could answer, Quanfei followed Daoguang's example. The voice stretched out his hand to stop it and said: "Forget it, this is the harem, a family, there is no need to be formal." This sentence made everyone laugh.The Empress Dowager stopped laughing, and reproached half-truthfully: "The emperor is modest and doesn't stick to formalities, but you are so up and down like this."

Concubine Quan hastily apologized and said: "The Queen Mother is right, this servant is convicted. Don't be angry with the Queen Mother." After speaking, she stepped forward to gently beat the Queen Mother's waist.The queen mother laughed at everyone: "Look at how well-behaved this little hoof is. If she was not wrong, she wouldn't be so filial." Everyone sat down again, and Daoguang sat down beside the queen mother. The queen mother looked at Daoguang's thin cheeks and said with concern: "The emperor works hard for the country all day long, and he is much thinner."

The words of concern made Daoguang feel a burst of warmth in his heart, and he said emotionally: "Thank you for your mother's concern. My son is in good health. Fortunately, the Xinjiang rebellion subsided and the rebel Zhang Geer was executed. My son is very happy and came to accompany my mother." "Okay, okay... The Qing Dynasty is finally at peace. After eight years of rebellion in Xinjiang, the emperor has worked day and night, and now he can relax." "The emperor also wants to relax, but the country is in decline, so he dare not slack off." Daoguang replied.

"What the queen mother said is also true. The emperor came to the harem today just to relax." Concubine Quan took the words, winked at the queen mother, and said slyly: "Why don't the queen mother let girl Sujuan come over and sing a joke for the emperor." "Forget it! Sujuan has been restless these days, and seems to have something on her mind, so it's not easy for me to ask." Concubine Quan was relentless. "I'm afraid the queen mother has let the emperor see you, so go ahead and ask for it. This Sujuan girl is a 'rare thing to live in'." Everyone laughed at her.Only Daoguang asked inexplicably: "Who is Sujuan? How did she become a rare commodity?"

The queen mother had no choice but to say: "This Sujuan is a girl I have recently taken in by my side. She is smart and good at singing and dancing, especially she sings with a Beijing accent, which is full of charm. Since the emperor wants to meet, let her sing a verse, so as not to waste the money." Concubine Quan said I was petty." After speaking, she ordered her maid, Qiu Hong, to call Sujuan in the back room. Qiuhong agreed to go out.It was not very long, and a woman was led in.Daoguang took a closer look. This woman was about seventeen or eighteen years old, wearing a well-fitting cheongsam, holding an erhu in her arms, with a pointed chin, thin lips, and a pair of extremely flexible black eyes with a touch of sadness.Sujuan walked up to the Empress Dowager, knelt down and saluted, the Empress Dowager hurriedly stretched out her hands to help her up, then pointed to Daoguang and said, "Girl Sujuan, hurry up and see the current emperor."

"The current emperor!" Sujuan turned her head and looked at Daoguang in surprise, as if she couldn't believe that the person in front of her was the current emperor of the Wan Cheng Zhizun. "He is indeed the current emperor." Seeing Sujuan losing her composure, Concubine Quan hurriedly reminded her. Only then did Sujuan wake up, with a look of surprise on her face, she hurriedly prostrated herself at the entrance of the ground and said: "My servant Lin Sujuan has seen the emperor, may my emperor live forever! Long live!" Daoguang waved his hand and said: "Get up! I heard the queen mother say You can sing with a good Beijing accent, why don't you sing a joke so that I can enjoy it for my ears."

"Folk girl obeys the order." Sujuan got up, sat sideways on the lower head, tuned the erhu strings, and set the tone. "Sujuan, the emperor has quelled the rebellion in Huijiang. Now the world is peaceful, the country is prosperous and the people are safe. The emperor is happy today, so let's sing a cheerful joke!" The queen mother said, looking at Sujuan's sad eyes. "The country is peaceful and the people are safe, the world is peaceful." Sujuan repeated softly, with a mocking smile on the corner of her mouth, and gently pulled the key, a series of sad and angry melodies echoed in the palace.

The queen mother and others looked at her in surprise, puzzled. Sujuan didn't care about it at all, and sang slowly: "There are sun and moon hanging in the morning and evening, and there are ghosts and gods who hold the power of life and death. Heaven and earth, how can you distinguish the clear from the turbid, and how can you misjudge Robber Zhi and Yan Yuan! It's a good thing to accept." Poverty makes life shorter, and those who do evil enjoy wealth and prolong life. Heaven and earth, made to be afraid of the strong and bully the weak, but they also push the boat like this. The earth, you don’t distinguish between good and evil, what is earth? Heaven, you mistakenly survey What a virtuous and foolish man! Hey, I only shed two tears." Up to this point, Sujuan's tears were pouring down like rain, and her voice choked.

The Empress Dowager, Empress, Concubine Quan, and Qi'er listened with surprise and uneasiness on their faces, but seeing Daoguang listening attentively, they remained silent. Sujuan continued to sing: "It's a pity that I am alone and have no relatives, so I have to swallow my breath and complain..." Sujuan couldn't cry, and suddenly the erhu in her hand fell to the ground with a "choke" and fell to her knees at Daoguang's feet with a "plop". Daoguang and others were shocked, Qiuhong hurried forward to help her up, Concubine Quan and Qier hurried forward, Concubine Quan pinched Sujuan with her hand, Qiuhong hurriedly freed her hand to beat her back, after tossing for a long time, Sujuan woke up leisurely , cried out: "Your Majesty, the daughter of the people has been wronged!" Daoguang has already seen that Sujuan has grievances, so he hurriedly agreed: "Miss Sujuan, but if you have grievances, just complain, and I will definitely make decisions for you. Don't worry first." He said and helped him up. Supported by Qiu Hong, Sujuan sat down again, and it took a long time to calm down, and she said slowly: "Your Majesty, there is a grievance against the daughters of the people, and it is hard to say..." This Sujuan, originally surnamed Lin, was from Huazhuang Town, Suzhou, Anhui, and was the only daughter of the Lin family.She promised to marry Zhao Mingfei, the son of Zhao Wuxian, a martial artist in Zhaolou Town, forty miles away, since she was a child.Lin Sujuan's grandfather used to be the magistrate of Suzhou during the Qianjia period, but it was only in her father's generation that the family fortune declined.When Sujuan was sixteen years old, there was a flood in Suzhou. After the flood, the plague prevailed. Sujuan's parents died of illness one after another, leaving poor Sujuan alone.Seeing the decline of the Lin family, Zhao Wuxian took Sujuan to the Zhao family and treated her like a daughter.At this time, Zhao Mingfei had grown into a tall and handsome young man. He and Sujuan had been engaged since childhood. Although they had never met each other, they fell in love at first sight. Sujuan looked at Mingfei with joy in her heart, thinking that she would be depended on for life, and the pain of losing her parents Gradually calm down. Zhao Mingfei's mother died early, and his father, Zhao Wuxian, was a well-known martial artist in the local area. Hurry up, when he was sixteen years old, he was already good at riding swords and horses, shooting with long fists and short punches. In this year, Daoguang quelled the Huijiang rebellion, and the court opened a course to recruit scholars.Zhao Mingfei has practiced martial arts for many years, and when he heard that the imperial court opened martial arts, he didn't feel itchy, so he wanted to go to Beijing to have a try.He told Sujuan his thoughts first, Sujuan was a little bit reluctant at first, but after thinking about it, a man can't stay at home all his life, besides, Ming Fei has a lot of skills, a hero must have a place to use, and in the future, he will have a bright future and shine in the family .Thinking of this, he readily agreed.Seeing that she agreed, Ming Fei went to tell his father.Zhao Wuxian was a sensible person, although he was reluctant, he agreed. That night, Ming Fei prepared to pack his luggage, but Zhao Wuxian repeatedly told him to be careful all the way.Sujuan sat by and watched blankly.Suddenly burst into tears.Zhao Wu was taken aback for a moment, but Ming Fei became a little impatient, and said loudly: "Sujuan, why are you crying? It's not like I won't be coming back." But Sujuan didn't seem to hear, she kept crying.Zhao Wuxian seemed to have realized something, pulled Ming Fei outside the door, and said quietly: "Sujuan is afraid that you will be hit by the Wu Juren and the people will look down on her." "How can it be?" Ming Fei blushed anxiously. Zhao Wuxian lowered his head and pondered for a while and said: "How about this, dad will marry you guys tomorrow, anyway, you are all grown up, how about you leave after getting married?" "Let father decide everything!" Ming Fei blushed and said. The crying had already stopped, and Sujuan, who was hiding in the door and eavesdropping, had a smile on her face. On the second day, Zhao Wu sent several apprentices to invite relatives, friends and elders separately, and married Mingfei and Sujuan today. At dusk, the guests gradually dispersed, and the couple entered the bridal chamber. Needless to say. In the early morning of the next day, Ming Fei bid farewell to his father and set off on the road.As a newlywed, Sujuan couldn't leave her alone, so she sent her off one way after another, all the way to Suzhou on the official road leading to the capital, and happened to meet Chen Liang, a military student from the county who was going to Beijing for the exam, so Ming Fei and Chen The good couple made an appointment to go together, but the prostitute was too embarrassed to see her off again, so she gave a few more words of advice, and the young couple parted with tears. After Zhao Mingfei left, Sujuan counted the schedule with her fingers at home. Half a year later, there was still no news from Mingfei. Her father-in-law, Zhao Wuxian, was also worried, but he comforted him: "It's because Mingfei made friends in Beijing. Hang around for a few more days." "Probably so!" Sujuan was also comforting herself. Another half a year passed, and there was still no news from Ming Fei.Zhao Wuxian comforted Sujuan with his mouth, but he was very worried in his heart, this time he was in a hurry, but he fell ill in a hurry, and because of his age, he fell ill in bed all of a sudden, and could no longer teach his disciples how to practice martial arts. After more than a month of treatment, Zhao Wusheng was finally able to get out of bed, and hurriedly called Sujuan to him and said, "Son, Ming Fei has been gone for a year and there is still no news. Daddy is worried. Daddy is getting old. I'm really afraid that I won't see you again." To Mingfei. Father thinks we might as well go to Beijing to look for it.” "Father!" Sujuan cried, "My daughter-in-law is also worried about Ming Fei, and has long wanted to go to Beijing to look for her, but father's illness can't stand the dust all the way." "I can't take care of these things now. I'm afraid Ming Fei will be more or less fortunate. Even if he crawls, he will climb to the capital to see my son." "Father, I can't!" Sujuan cried and dissuaded her: "Right now, father's health is the most important thing. Ming Fei came to Beijing with a military student from this county named Chen Liang. Father is recuperating at home in peace of mind, and daughter-in-law will go to Suzhou Inquire if this martial artist named Chen Liang is back, and also inquire about Ming Fei's news." "Okay!" Zhao Wuxian agreed. Sujuan got up before dawn the next day, and by the time the sun came out, she had already arrived in Suzhou.Because she didn't know Chen Liang's address, she had to ask everyone she met. Fortunately, the Chen family was also a big local family, so she soon found out that Chen Liang's home was two miles southwest of the city. Sujuan stopped in front of a tall mansion, and knocked on the door lightly. After a while, the door opened, and a young lady stuck out her head and asked, "Who are you looking for?" "Is this Chen Liang's home?" "yes." "I have something to do with Chen Liang." "Please come in!" Sujuan walked into the yard.Xiao Tan walked in front and deliberately shouted loudly: "Master, a young lady is looking for you." "Who is looking for me?" A young man walked out from behind the rockery.Sujuan fixed her eyes and saw that it was Chen Liang, she hurriedly stepped forward to pay respects, and said, "How is Mr. Chen?" "Okay..." Chen Liang was stunned for a moment: "You are not Zhao Mingfei's...how did you come here?" "It's the Nu family." Sujuan blushed, and said after a while: "The Nu family wants to inquire about my Ming Fei." "Didn't Zhao Mingfei win the champion of martial arts?" Chen Liang asked in puzzlement, "Didn't you follow to enjoy the glory and wealth?" "He won the first prize!" Sujuan felt ecstatic in her heart.Quickly asked: "Why didn't he go home, at least he should send a letter to his family." Chen Liang said in surprise: "Zhao Mingfei really didn't send a letter home." "Could it be that the slave family still wants to lie to Mr. Chen? My father-in-law wants his son to be sick." Chen Liang was silent for a while, then suddenly said politely: "Please invite sister-in-law to have tea indoors, I have something to say." Sujuan followed Chen Liang to sit indoors, and Xiao Chan offered fragrant tea.Chen Liang took a sip of tea and said slowly, "Sister-in-law, I'll tell you straight. Zhao Mingfei may be the second Chen Shimei!" "The second Chen Shimei..." Sujuan said puzzledly, "Mr. Chen, please clarify." Chen Liang smiled wryly and said: "If it wasn't for my little brother's personal experience, I'm afraid I wouldn't believe that Ming Fei is such a person. Along the way, Ming Fei and I stayed together and took care of each other, and it was very speculative. When we arrived in the capital, we lived in an inn. The exam is also one before the other. I take the test first, and he takes the test. It’s a pity that the younger brother is incompetent, and he only passed two of the three tests. It’s Ming Fei’s turn. He is skilled in swords and horses, with superb skills. The martial arts students burst into applause and several examiners admired. After the home martial arts exams, no one could surpass him. Although the younger brother is famous, he is happy and proud of Ming Fei. "Walking out of the examination room, Ming Fei and I were chatting and laughing, and were about to go back to the inn. At this time, a man dressed as a housekeeper of the palace walked up to Ming Fei and saluted: "Mr. Zhao, the younger one is Gou Ken, the housekeeper of the Ministry of War. Please ask Mr. Zhao's mansion to talk." Ming Fei was stunned when he heard that, and hurriedly said: "I have never lived with your prince, how can I bother you!" When I heard that Rong An, the Minister of the Ministry of War, invited me, Ming Fei will surely become a great success. He hurriedly agreed on his behalf: "The manager please lead the way." Ming Fei was forced to have no choice but to grab me and said: "Go, let's go together." "Following Gou Ken for a long time, we finally came to the gate of the Minister's Mansion of the Ministry of War. We all dismounted, but Gou Ken stopped me and said: 'My lord ordered that only Mr. Zhao be invited. This Mr. please wait a moment. Wait for the little one to report to the lord, and then take this young master into the mansion." I was so angry when I heard it, but for Ming Fei, I have to endure it. Gou Ken bowed to Ming Fei again and said: "Mr. Zhao, Please." Ming Fei glanced at me and said: "Forget it, I don't want to go in either." I quickly put on a magnanimous look and said with a smile: "Ming Fei, you go in first, I'll just wait at the door for a while .' Ming Fei had no choice but to follow Gou Ken into the Shangshu Mansion. "I waited for a long time at the gate of Shangshu's mansion, but I didn't see Gou Ken coming out. I wanted the guards to go in and report, but they refused. It was getting dark, and I was so anxious that I had no choice but to keep knocking on the door for a long time. , the door just opened, Gou Ken scolded with a bluffing face: "What are you waiting for, kid? Get out of here." I was furious when I heard that, and said loudly: "I'm waiting for Mr. Zhao, Mr. Zhao hasn't come out yet." Gou Ken sneered and said: "You are also worthy of being a friend of Mr. Zhao. Our master has appointed Mr. Zhao as the No. The champion wants to drive you away. He is drinking with my master now, and he thinks you are annoying outside the door, so he asked me to drive you away.' When I heard this, my heart suddenly became cold. Alas! Now he is the champion of martial arts, I'm still stuck at the door. Anyway, I didn't pass the exam, and I don't have to wait to see the results. Thinking of this, I hurried back to the inn, packed my luggage, and set off overnight to return home." After Chen Liang finished speaking, he bowed his head and remained silent. Sujuan was fascinated by what he heard, and when he saw that he was silent, she said, "Master Chen therefore asserts that Ming Fei is greedy for glory and wealth, and doesn't want to miss old love?" Chen Liang nodded lightly and said: "Now that he has abandoned his married wife and biological father, it can be seen that what my younger brother said is true." Sujuan couldn't believe it, she just shook her head lightly, stood up quickly and said, "Thank you Mr. Chen for telling me. My family is leaving." Chen Liang also stood up and said, "Since that's the case, it's inconvenient for my younger brother to keep guests." Turning around, he told Xiao Tan, "Quickly ask someone to set up a carriage to take my sister-in-law home." In Zhao's courtyard. Listening to Sujuan's narration, Zhao Wu first paced up and down uncomfortably, and sighed: "Could it be that this bastard has really become Chen Shimei!" Suddenly he shook his head and said: "Impossible, impossible, my own son, I know best .” "But why didn't he go home or send a message?" Sujuan asked uneasily. Zhao Wuxian pondered for a while, then made up his mind and said: "Son, pack your luggage and pack your bags. Both of us will go to the capital tomorrow to find this wolf-hearted thing." Sujuan said worriedly: "But, Dad's body hasn't recovered yet." "It doesn't matter, Dad can hold on."