Chapter 2 Chapter Two

In the solemn and magnificent Zhaoyang Hall, white sandalwood incense is burning in the gilded crane furnace, and the thin green smoke curls up and permeates the air, creating a faint fragrance in the whole room. Ruan Wushuang was dressed in soft smoke and Qiluo palace attire, with a five-step shake of glass inlaid with gold thread on her head, and with her footsteps, the beaded wreath trembled slightly in her hair.She followed the maid to the temple.Outside the crystal curtain in the shape of a full moon, stood two rows of maids, waiting with lowered eyebrows. After standing still, Aunt Mu, who was beside the empress, had lifted the curtain and came out, bowed to her, and said with a smile: "Second princess, please come in quickly. The empress is waiting!" Back then, he married the current Empress Ruan into the Sixth Prince's Mansion, and later entered the palace with Empress Ruan. At this time, he is already the chief steward of Zhaoyang Palace.

Behind the crystal curtain is the queen's real living place, but she always only receives people close to her.At this moment, Empress Ruan was sitting gracefully and luxuriously on the brocade couch, and four court ladies stood beside her holding feather fans.Seeing her coming in, Empress Ruan nodded slightly and smiled. Then he waved his hands and said: "You all go down." Several court ladies hurriedly answered "Yes" and filed out neatly.Ruan Wushuang approached a little, hurriedly followed the palace rules, and bowed his head in salute.Empress Ruan smiled and said, "Excuse me! You and my aunt and nephew, what are the rules?"

I got off the brocade couch in person, came over and took Wushuang's hand: "Come, chat with Auntie." As soon as she sat down, Aunt Mu personally brought tea, pastries, preserved fruits, etc. over.He carried the white porcelain teacup with gilded branches and several delicate dots to the brocade couch one by one, and then bowed and retreated. Empress Ruan picked up the teacup, gently picked up the white porcelain tea cover with her long Danko fingers, took a breath, took a sip gracefully, and said, "Are you still used to it in the palace?" Wushuang smiled, and replied: "I'm used to it when I go back to my aunt." There's nothing I'm used to or not, it's just that there are a lot of trivial things, but there are always housekeepers, grandma Sun and others who come forward, and most of them are not used to it. It's in accordance with the old rules in the house.She doesn't need to worry too much.

Empress Ruan picked a chrysanthemum-shaped dessert, handed it to her, and said casually, "What about Zhe'er to you?" Wu Shuang blushed a little, but her eyes were indifferent, and said, "My aunt naturally understands clearly in her heart. How could he treat me badly?" If he wanted to rely on the influence of the Ruan family, he would naturally be obedient to her.But they have only been married for a few months, Baili Haozhe has to participate in the government affairs every day, and after the court, he mostly spends time with the emperor and ministers in the imperial study.The two get along more often at night - it's hard to say whether it's good or something else.She blushed more and more.

Empress Ruan took a sip of tea leisurely, and said softly: "Wu Shuang, our Ruan family has always been weak, and my aunt has always doted on you guys. I know that you are different from ordinary people. You have a gentle temperament and never care about the glory and wealth that others can only dream of. If your temperament is in an ordinary family, it is also a blessing. But if you marry Zheer now, if you don't change your temperament, you may suffer in the future." In her heart, she has always treated Baili Haoting and Baili Haozhe who she raised as equals, and there is no closeness, and no need for closeness.But now that Shuang'er is married to Baili Haozhe, her heart is biased after all.

"Even if you'll be a princess for the rest of your life, there's no guarantee that Zhe'er won't take concubines one day. Men, who doesn't yearn for a beautiful wife and concubine. If you sit in the position of aunt in the future, you will understand more clearly. The matter of the harem is not yours." If you don't fight, you can quit. Over the years, the Ai family has cultivated enough self-cultivation, and that Hu Meizi is not as aggressive." Ruan Wushuang knew in her heart that the Hu Meizi in her aunt's mouth was the first-class Concubine Shu in the current palace—Meng Lihua, the mother of the fourth son of the emperor.Since she gave birth to the prince and was canonized as concubine Shu, she competed with the queen everywhere in the palace, always wishing to replace her.

She hurriedly comforted her and said, "Auntie, why bother with her! No matter how much you are favored, it's the end." The emperor's body has been getting weaker and weaker over the years, and he has begun to not be close to women.Concubine Ren Meng Shu has the ability to reach the sky, but she is also neglected in front of the door. Empress Ruan was still angry, and said coldly: "It's nothing more than deceiving me that I don't have my own prince! Over the years, I have tried my best to get me out of this Zhaoyang Palace. After fighting for so many years, I Isn’t Gong Gong living firmly in this palace? Now I want to see, with her charming ability, how can she make her son the crown prince!”

Ruan Wushuang had no way of persuading her because of the secrets involved in the palace, so she just said indifferently: "The people in my court know that you are a virtuous and virtuous aunt, and your mother respects the world. You are deeply loved by the people all over the world. This is something that Concubine Meng Shu can't fight for. .And for decades, the Holy Majesty has loved and loved my aunt very much, and he doesn't feel the slightest grudge against her because she didn't give birth to a prince. For this alone, you are already the envy of all the women in my court!" Empress Ruan seemed Only then did he feel relieved, and smiled slightly.

Suddenly, thinking of something, Empress Ruan looked at her for a long time, and asked gently: "How are you? You have been married for more than a month? Is there no news yet? Aijia looked at her, and her body seemed to be plumper than before. Do some! Remember, everything is small, but spreading the branches and leaves for the royal family is the biggest thing in the world." Ruan Wushuang was stunned, suddenly thought of something, and couldn't help turning pale.After a long while, she finally said, "Auntie—" Empress Ruan saw her as shy, smiled and gently brushed her fine hair on her forehead, and whispered softly: "Shuang'er, Auntie!" It's just for your own good. Whether it's in the palace or in this harem, the son is the most important thing."

The candlelight shone brightly from the eight-treasure glazed lamps hanging around the Linhua Hall, covering the entire palace in a layer of pink, and the light was as clear as day.This day is September 9th, and a family banquet is held in the palace.The main hall is covered with layers of yellow satin felt, and there are banquets and stacked cups on several tables. The dishes were presented one by one by the waiter.Her mind had been on the conversation with her aunt just now, she had something to put aside in her mind, and the laughter and laughter around her were flying around, making her feel more and more impatient.

Baili Haozhe looked at his wife and was contemplating with downcast eyes. The beads fell on the side of her bun because of her movements, as if with infinite charm.Because of the closeness, he could still vaguely smell her body fragrance, which was faint like jasmine. He picked a few dishes, took a cup of bird's nest and chrysanthemum soup from the attendant, put it on the bright yellow porcelain plate in front of her, and whispered: "Eat some bird's nest." After one night, he didn't see how much she ate. .It was only then that Ruan Wushuang came to his senses, turned his head slightly, and smiled at him.Following her movements, the bead slid slightly over her jet-black hair, rippling brightly in the candlelight. I picked up a dish at random, and as soon as I took it in, I felt the smell of mutton in my mouth, and my stomach twitched, as if something was about to be vomited out.She hurriedly covered her chest with her hands, trying to stop the retching. Baili Haozhe hurriedly patted her on the back with his hands to help her calm down, and asked anxiously, "What's wrong? Are you uncomfortable? Do you want to pass on to the imperial physician?" His tone was a little hurried and unsteady.She took a few breaths, then calmed down, shook her head and said: "It's okay, there is no need to pass on the imperial doctor. It's just that the mutton smells too fishy. I feel very uncomfortable..." Baili Haozhe waved his hand at the attendant, and ordered: "Take these five strands of mutton shreds away." The attendant answered "Yes" and hurriedly took it down. On the second day, she slept very late and didn't wake up. Baili Haozhe had already gone early in the morning. Recently, the autumn air is refreshing and she has become lethargic.Dressed in black hair, she sat lazily in front of the dressing table.In the bronze mirror was a face that seemed to be full of joy and tsk. She stared at it for a while, and it was really plump as her aunt said, and her chin was not as sharp as before. Turning her head, she ordered: "Mo Lan, ask someone to go to the Imperial Hospital, and invite Imperial Physician Su Quanhong to come to the mansion." Mo Lan responded, and hurriedly went out to send someone to invite her.Mo Zhu and Grandma Sun were picking out clothes. Hearing this, they raised their heads and asked, "Miss, are you feeling well?" Ruan Wushuang looked at the mirror, stared blankly, and after a long time turned towards the girl who was giving her a bun. Mo Ju said: "Don't help me to shake the golden hairpin, just insert a jade hairpin." Su Quanhong quickly rushed over.Led by the maid, they walked through the garden and the outer hall to the inner room.Su Quanhong hurriedly saluted according to the etiquette: "My minister Su Quanhong greets the second concubine!" Ruan Wushuang said through several layers of gauze curtains, "Doctor Su, excuse me!" After finishing speaking, he gently stretched out his hand. Su Quanhong got up, walked to the bed with his head down, and put his fingers on Ruan Wushuang's warm and jade-like wrist.There were only two maids and a nanny standing in the inner room. Judging by their attire, their status should not be low.After a closer look, it was discovered that it was from the original Ruan family.The rest of the maids stood far away by the door outside the hall. The golden silk incense burner in the room emits a pleasant fragrance one by one.In fact, the stove burns rosewood incense, which has the effect of calming the mind and calming the mind. But Su Quanhong felt a little flustered at this moment, and the underwear behind his back was already slightly wet.After a while, Ruan Wushuang's voice sounded faintly: "What? Doctor Su, is my concubine seriously ill?" Su Quanhong hurriedly knelt down on the ground, nonchalantly said: "My humble minister... my humble minister... ..." He felt the gauze curtain dance slightly, and Ruan Wushuang had already lifted the curtain and came out.Su Quanhong knelt on the ground, only vaguely seeing the hem of the light-colored gold thread skirt swaying slowly with her footsteps. Ruan Wushuang leaned over to help Su Quanhong up, and said with a slight smile, "Uncle Su, please get up quickly. You are really a niece! The Ruan and Su families have been friends for many years, and you and my father have been friends for many years. Seeing Wushuang grow up, why bother to perform such a great gift!" Su Quanhong hurriedly lowered his head, and said again and again: "I dare not! Monarchs and ministers are different!" Ruan Wushuang smiled, didn't take it seriously, and waved to Nanny Sun and the others, signaling them to go down.Only then did he regain his composure and said, "Uncle Su, there is no one here. Can you tell me about my condition?" Su Quanhong only felt that his whole body was dripping with cold sweat, and his forehead was also dripping with sweat. He raised his eyes slightly, and saw Ruan Wushuang's pair of beautiful water-like eyes staring at him intently.Busily lowering her eyes, she said in a very low voice: "The Second Princess is already pregnant—according to Chen's superficial medical skills, it should be more than two months pregnant!" The air was very still, very quiet, so quiet that it was a little creepy.It seems that even the low, rustling sound of the leaves blown by the breeze outside the window can be heard clearly. The pattern of magpies making spring is carved on the window.Through the hollow, Ruan Wushuang can see the chrysanthemums all over the garden, purple, white, yellow and red, like a rainbow after the rain, colorful satin, quiet and elegant. Su Quanhong raised his eyes lightly again, and saw Ruan Wushuang was facing him with his back facing him. He was wearing a light blue tapestry palace dress, and his black hair was only tied up in a small bun, tied with a green emerald hairpin, like the fragrance of the first snow. After a long time, Ruan Wushuang heard his own voice faintly: "Uncle Su, you must have made a mistake. This princess is just entering the house to celebrate, and she is pregnant for more than a month. Isn't it?" The tone was very light and light, but to Su Quanhong's ears, it was like a drum in the evening and a bell in the morning, and he couldn't help but shudder.Walking among the emperor's family and relatives for many years, he has heard more or less of all kinds of secret scandals, and hurriedly replied: "Yes! Yes! My minister's medical skills are shallow, and I made a mistake." Busily adjusted her clothes, knelt down, made a big salute, and said loudly: "My minister congratulates the second princess, congratulations to the second princess, the second princess is pregnant for more than a month!" Ruan Wushuang called out: "Come here!" Mo Zhu and Mo Lan had already opened the door and entered, waiting for orders.Ruan Wushuang smiled and said, "Take ten ingots of gold!" Turning his head to Su Quanhong, he said softly: "Uncle Su, there is still room for your help!" Su Quanhong hurriedly said respectfully: "If the Second Princess is of use to the old minister, the old minister will definitely go through fire and water, and I will not hesitate!" Watching Su Quanhong walk out of the door, Ruan Wushuang fell limply on the brocade couch, his heart was beating like thunder, his hands and feet were cold, and he had no strength in his body. At this time, it is really difficult to ride a tiger.Suddenly, Baili Haozhe's face appeared, with starry eyes and bright brows.Since getting married for more than a month, although he is busy with official duties, he is still considerate.Although they had never met before their marriage, the two got along with each other as respectful guests.Now it's changed to such a field... Grandma Sun brought a bowl of supplements, walked over gently, and said: "Miss, this is the supplements ordered by Doctor Su!" She lay on her side, and lazily said: "You can leave it alone!" It seems that Su Quanhong has been sincerely willing to help her cover up.The best way to bribe a man is to give him your secrets.Let him clearly understand that if he knows this secret, he is already a fellow traveler. Either it is a win-win situation, or it will be death.Su Quanhong, the chief doctor of the imperial hospital, could cover up the matter of pregnancy with a little trickery.He is nothing more than being a favor! And to dare to oppose her Ruan Wushuang, don't look at her two brothers-in-law, don't look at her father who is the prime minister of the dynasty, but also look at the power of the current Empress Ruan and the Ruan family.Su Quanhong has always been a smart person, how could he not understand this truth.One click!Just sell her Ruan Wushuang as a favor.If she guessed correctly, Su Quanhong should go to congratulate the Second Prince Baili Haozhe, the Holy One and the Empress now.A wise courtier does what he knows what to do! In the huge room, there was silence.In addition to the smell of sandalwood, there is a clear and bitter medicinal smell.She sat up suddenly, walked slowly to the table, and looked at the medicine bowl quietly.The pitch-black concoction was emitting a faint heat. Many pictures flashed in Ruan Wushuang's mind.My aunt's words resounded in my ears just like I said just now: "Whether it is in the palace or in this harem, the son is the most important." She could understand the implication of her aunt's words. If she did not give birth to a son, no matter how harmonious the husband and wife were, they would always be passive and beaten in the days to come.In the final analysis, the competition between concubines in the palace and wives and concubines in ordinary mansions is the same. They are all done by all means, and they will never give up if they don't fight to the death. After a long time, she picked up the bowl and drank it down.Mouth full of bitterness!She has no way to go, it is difficult to advance, and there is no way to retreat. The door was pushed open with a "squeak", and footsteps gradually came in.She was still lying on the couch, she was in a daze, she thought it was Mo Zhu and others, she just said lazily: "Didn't you tell me not to be disturbed?" No one answered for a long time.Only then did she feel a little strange, and suddenly turned her head, only to see Baili Haozhe standing by the couch. I had never seen him at this hour of the mansion before, and I couldn't help being a little surprised that he came back earlier than expected.He sat down and prevented her from wanting to get up: "Don't move, be careful." Su Quanhong is indeed a smart person, exactly as she expected. She smiled lightly and responded in a low voice.It was an autumn afternoon at this time, and the sun slanted through the hollow lines in the window, rippling in the whole room.He was dressed in an apricot yellow court dress and a purple gold crown on his head. He was looking at her with a faint smile, as if filled with endless joy. "Nurse, take all these things away." Ruan Wushuang said without turning his head. Since she was pregnant, she has been making big and small supplements every day.Now you can almost tell what a supplement is just by smelling it. Grandma Sun glanced at the white jade cup in the maid's hand, and said, "Miss, this is the best blood bird's nest bestowed by the empress, for beauty and health!" When Empress Ruan found out that Wushuang was pregnant, she sent her servants over to reward her. Many precious medicinal supplements such as deer antler, bird's nest, and snow lotus.He also sent a message asking her to take good care of her body. Ruan Wushuang put down the book in his hand, and lazily said: "Just put it away." People are getting more and more tired, and it's winter, and they don't want to move. The nanny persuaded: "Miss, take some. Look at your thin body, how can you look like someone who is several months pregnant?" The lady seldom takes supplements on weekdays, and only occasionally takes a little supplement under the order of the imperial doctor. It's useless to talk about it. Ruan Wushuang supported her waist, and with Mo Lan's support, she slowly got up and said, "You all step back!" She is now pregnant for more than five months, but because the fetus in her womb is still small, So my stomach doesn't look too big.But in the end it was more than a month's time difference, if not careful, I'm afraid something will go wrong.It’s okay to take some anti-fetal drugs, but try to eat as little supplements as possible.Some things have to be guarded against.Even if it's for yourself or your family, you should be more careful. Only by being careful can you sail for thousands of years. There are several rosin charcoal stoves burning in the room, making the room as warm as spring.My stomach is getting bigger and bigger, and I can't sleep well when I sleep.He sleeps on the side every day, and it is not easy to turn over.I think that when the two sister-in-laws were pregnant in the past, the brothers would sleep in separate rooms with the sister-in-law.Even the nanny whispered in her ear that in a normal house, if the wives and concubines were pregnant, they would sleep separately from their husbands. Sleepiness gradually came over her, and she thought in a daze, "May I have a chance to talk about it?" The relationship between her and Baili Haozhe can be regarded as a respectful guest.Marriage until now, is still harmonious.He shared the worries and labors for his father in the court, and she took care of the trivial matters of the mansion.Just like the responsibilities of men and women since ancient times, the man is outside to develop, and the woman is responsible for taking care of everything behind the man. However, she really couldn't tell how much love between men and women was involved.He should be what the world calls a handsome man, with handsome eyebrows and bright eyes, and an extraordinary bearing.He is also considerate and courteous to her, always respects her arrangements for the affairs of the mansion, and never interferes.But she always feels vaguely vague, and she can't tell the difference clearly.Maybe she has a knot in her heart, so she always feels unacceptable.Her attitude may be gentle, and others always think it is virtuous, but she clearly understands that this gentleness contains a lot of indifference and indifference. The sun is shining brightly, scattered from the dead branches of the old trees.The entire lake surface of Taiye Lake is like a polished and smooth bronze mirror, passing by with the wind, the waves are flickering and sparkling.She paused, her eyes swept across the lake, and fixed on a certain place on the opposite side.The inner courtyard of the imperial palace is layer upon layer, all of which are pavilions. After standing there for an unknown amount of time, a gentle voice sounded from behind: "Sister and sister, you're so elegant!" Ruan Wushuang turned around, and the maids behind her had already knelt down in unison, bowed slightly and saluted according to the rules: " Greetings to the Great Emperor!" This is the way to the Zhaoyang Palace where the empress lives, and after entering the palace so many times, it is the first time that she meets Baili Haoting in the Imperial Garden. Baili Haoting stood with his hands behind his back, looked into the distance and said: "It's cold here, younger siblings are pregnant, don't catch cold!" Ruan Wushuang lowered his head, and said: "Thank you, Brother Elder Emperor, for your concern." Then he asked: "Is the imperial sister-in-law better?" For several years, she has been in poor health and lingered in bed, and she only saw her once or twice at the royal banquet. Baili Haoting said: "It's still the same. After taking a lot of medicine, it doesn't get better." After a pause, he seemed a little careless: "Why didn't the second brother come with him? Let him go!" Is he arrogant?She never seemed to feel it, but she still responded: "Yes." On weekdays, even if he returned to the mansion, he would mostly be with the counselor in the study.To her, it seems that she has not shown it. She was about to leave when Baili Haoting said: "Siblings are going to pay their respects to the queen mother? I am also going to the queen mother's bedroom, let's go together!" Entering the main hall of Zhaoyang Palace, Baili Haozhe was already in the hall.Empress Ruan wore a mink fur-trimmed Su embroidered phoenix-tailed skirt, and sat on the couch. When she saw the two people coming in, she smiled and said, "Ting'er is here too!" Baili Haozhe stood up and saluted: "Brother Emperor!" The incense burner was burning in the hall, which was very warm.Ruan Wushuang's crimson brocade mink fur cape surrounded her increasingly plump body, revealing only the white skin on her face. In Baili Haozhe's eyes, it seemed to be Hetian beautiful jade, shining like a glistening. Baili Haoting knelt down and saluted: "My son, pay your respects to your mother!" As soon as Ruan Wushuang entered the hall, two court ladies came up and helped her untie her cloak.Also ready to kneel.Empress Ruan waved her hands again and again: "No, no. As long as you have this Queen Mother in your heart, I will be at peace. Sit down!" At this time, the maid was already holding the tray and brought up the hot teacup.Empress Ruan took a sip, and then asked with concern: "Is the concubine's illness better?" Baili Haoting said: "After returning to the mother, I ate the thousand-year-old ginseng given by the mother a few days ago, and it is much better! Man'er Saying that it will be better after a few days, I will enter the palace and pay my respects to the queen mother!" Empress Ruan smiled from the corner of her mouth: "That's good! The Chinese New Year will be in half a month, and at the family banquet in the palace, it would be great if Man'er could chat and laugh with the old lady Bengong to relieve boredom. You don't need to greet me, it's freezing cold! You'll be fine if you catch the cold." Baili Haoting replied "Yes" again and again.