Chapter 12 Chapter Twelve

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, almost every palace was filled with the sound of firecrackers.Perhaps for the long-term lonely concubines and the eunuchs who live a boring life, this day is truly festive and joyful. Wake up early to dress up, put on the red brocade clothes for the New Year's meeting, and four flower-pink hairpins.The fur on the collar of the brocade suit was in excellent condition, oily and slippery, gently brushing against the furry itch on the cheek, like a child's hand scratching lightly when itching. Getting up to go out, Pei'er was very happy and took the crane cloak in the white fox with a big red feather veil and wanted to put it on with me.The crane cloak is a wide-sleeved coat made of twisted crane feather yarn. It is pure white in color, soft and elegant, and was specially sent by the Ministry of Internal Affairs as a tribute to it.

I took a deep look at Pei'er who was happy, and said lightly: "Do you think it's suitable?" She was overwhelmed by my expression, looked at Jinxi at a loss and asked her for help. Jinxi took a honey-colored wind-fur cloak and put it on with me, and put a small flat gold stove in my arms, and stretched out her hand to help me out. On the day of the court meeting, I really don't need to be too outstanding.Especially when I met the Queen Mother for the first time, humility is the best gesture. It was snowing and the sun was clear, the glazed tiles and white jade railings of Yining Palace, the residence of the Empress Dowager, shone brilliantly in the morning light, making people feel a sense of admiration and not daring to look directly at them.

Standing in the midst of the colorful concubines, I suddenly felt nervous.This is the first time since I have been in the palace for more than a year that I have formally paid a formal visit to the Empress Dowager and watched her up close. The eunuch's characteristic high-pitched voice had already called my name, took a deep breath, stepped out, bowed three times and kowtowed nine times, and said in his mouth: "The Queen Mother is in good health, and I will be blessed for thousands of years." The Empress Dowager's eyes fell on me, she smiled and said: "I heard that the Emperor likes you very much, let me look up."

I raised my head as I said, with respectful eyes. The Empress Dowager's eyes froze for a moment, and the Empress beside her said, "Zhen Jieyu is very sensible and has a gentle disposition." The Queen Mother just nodded slightly when she heard the words, "What's your name?" "Concubine Zhen Huan, this is the first time to pay respects to the Empress Dowager, please accept the gift from the concubine again, the concubine is overjoyed." Saying goodbye. "Oh..." The Queen Mother groaned and looked at me intently.Her eyes were calm and composed, but I felt that those eyes seemed to be everywhere, and I felt uneasy for no reason, blushing and bowing my head, not knowing what to do.

Looking up again, the Queen Mother was already smiling: "Very well, this child is indeed very sensible." I bowed my head and said softly: "The concubine is young and not familiar with the rules of the palace. Fortunately, the Empress Dowager has blessed her, the emperor is generous, and the queen and all the sisters are willing to teach the concubine, so that I will not lose my manners." The queen mother nodded, "It's no wonder that the emperor likes you, and Aijia also likes you very much." She ordered the maid to take clothes and ornaments to reward me.

I bowed my head to thank you, and the Queen Mother suddenly asked, "Can you write?" Slightly stunned, I was about to speak, but the queen had already answered for me, "Jieyu is very talented, she can write well if she wants to." The queen mother looked sideways at the queen slightly, and the queen kept silent and stopped talking. I said: "The concubine is a little proficient in handwriting, but the handwriting is clumsy. I'm afraid I won't be able to catch the eyes of the Queen Mother." The Empress Dowager smiled kindly: "It's good if you know how to write, come to Yining Palace to accompany Ai's family when you have time, and copy scriptures for Ai's family."

I was delighted in my heart, and said: "As long as the queen mother does not dislike the clumsiness of the concubine, the concubine is willing to serve the queen mother wholeheartedly." The Empress Dowager smiled more and more. Kneeling in front of the Empress Dowager, I could see clearly when she smiled. The Empress Dowager who was in her prime was not well-maintained or because of other reasons. In her prime, she was much more haggard than women of the same age, with wrinkles at the corners of her eyes. Sweeping away densely like a fish's tail.Perhaps it was my delusion, I actually felt that there was a trace of inexplicable sadness and burnout in the smile surrounded by pearls and jade.

Since the fourteenth day of the first lunar month, my mood has been surrounded by anticipation and hope. Finally, on the morning of the fifteenth day, I woke up at the fourth watch and couldn’t sleep again. Jinxi was startled by me and said with a smile: Woke up so early, it’s still early, Mr. Zhen has to pay homage to the emperor first, and then he can come and talk to the young master at noon.” I sat leaning in the quilt with my knees hugged, thought for a while and said, "It's really early. I just thought that I haven't seen my brother since entering the palace, and the frontier is bitterly cold, so I always miss him very much."

Jinxi said: "Young Master, let's sleep a little longer, you will be refreshed at noon." I agreed "yes", but I was worried, and I couldn't sleep after tossing and turning several times. Finally at noon, I suddenly heard Zhu Huanxi's voice outside: "Young master is here." I was about to get up to greet him, but Jinxi hurriedly said: "Young master can't get up, it's not in accordance with etiquette." I had no choice but to sit down again.So three or four maids and inner eunuchs competed to open the curtains and cages, and said in their mouths, "The little master is very happy." My brother strode in, and after performing the ceremony of a monarch and minister, I dared to stand up, holding back tears, and called "Brother." -"

After years of not seeing each other, my elder brother's face has grown a lot more weathered, and his facial expressions have also become more resolute and heroic.It's just that the look in his eyes is still the doting and pampering I had when I was in the boudoir. I sat down with my elder brother before ordering someone to have lunch. My elder brother said: "Just now the emperor asked me to use it together in Jie Shoutang." I was slightly surprised, "Did the emperor use it with elder brother?" "Yes. The emperor is very polite to me, probably because you are favored."

After thinking about it for a while, I understood it, and said with a smile: "Today is the Lantern Festival, brother, why don't you eat a bowl of Lantern Festival with me." The Lantern Festival in the palace is exquisitely crafted, with honey and sesame stuffing mixed with rose petals, water-milled powder skin, and golden osmanthus stamens in the soup.I personally put a bowl in front of my brother, and said: "The frontier is guarded by the bitter cold, and there must be no exquisite food. Let my sister do her best today." The elder brother said with a smile: "I'm fine, I'm just worried that you are not used to the life in the palace. Now it seems that the emperor treats you very well, so I am relieved." I pursed my lips and lowered my head, "Is it good or not, it's just the emperor's grace." After chatting for a while, my brother suddenly hesitated, and I felt very strange, he finally said: "Before entering the palace, my father asked me to make up my mind about one thing—" but he stopped talking. I thought about it for a while, covered my mouth and said with a smile: "It's about marrying my brother's sister-in-law. I don't know which mansion's lady it is?" The elder brother took out a piece of paper, on which was written the name of a woman of three or five years, followed by her family background and age, "Father has already selected a few candidates, and I have to ask you to make up your mind." I was slightly surprised, "I don't know these ladies, how can I make up my mind." "Father said that my sister is now the emperor's concubine, and you have to make a decision." I thought about it and said: "That's right. If I decide, this is also the glory of our Zhen family." As he said that, he said with a mischievous smile: "Whoever my brother likes in his heart, my sister can choose whoever she wants." My brother shook his head, his eyes fell on the brocade handkerchief in my hand, "I don't have anyone I'm interested in." His eyes settled down, but his voice was a little erratic. I looked carefully in doubt, and the brocade handkerchief in my hand was the mausoleum of the day before. Rong Xin embroidered the one given to me. The embroidery was a sparse oleander tree, light pink falling flowers, surrounded by light gold Sihe Ruyi cloud pattern edging, and her usual fine and light stitches. I was startled, and suddenly reminded me of my past, and said with a faint smile, "Brother seems to like oleander flowers very much?" I pointed to a woman named Xue Qiantao on the list and said, "This Miss Xue comes from a family and is well-educated. I also heard about it when I was in the boudoir, what do you think brother?" The elder brother's smile was a little alienated, "Father wants you to choose, what objection do I have?" I was determined and said: "My brother's own wife, how can I have no idea?" The silver spoon in my brother's hand knocked on the porcelain bowl with a soft "ding" sound, and he said in a low voice, "So what if you have an idea? I remember that you used to be unwilling to enter the palace as a concubine, but now it's not very good. It doesn't matter if you have an idea or not." It's a foregone conclusion, to be honest, I don't know any women on this list, anyone is fine." I gasped, the main hall was as warm as spring, and I could hardly bear the chill in my brother's words.As soon as I turned my gaze, Jinxi immediately smiled and said, "Young Master, I haven't seen you for a long time. I'm afraid I have a lot to say about myself, so let's go out first." Saying so, she took someone to say hello and left. Only then did I change my color slightly, put the handkerchief in my hand on the table, and smiled again: "The embroidery technique of Lingrong is getting better and better. During the summer vacation, I embroidered a picture of peach blossoms with peach blossoms for the emperor, and the emperor liked it very much." The elder brother gave a faint "Oh", as if he didn't care very much, and just said: "The young master of Lingrong is the daughter of the county magistrate, and her family background is not high. It is not easy to think about it today." Seeing his expression, I was slightly relieved, and said: "Brother just said that, but did he have a crush? If there is, let Huan'er go and tell Dad, it must not be too difficult." After a moment of silence, my brother said: "No." He paused and said, "Miss Xue is fine." His voice was slightly low, "Qian Tao, that's a good name, Yishi IKEA." As he was talking, he suddenly saw a handsome figure standing outside the window, and he didn't know when he came over.I almost suspected it was Huanbi, and the tone in my mouth intensified three points, and said: "Who is outside?" Suddenly the brocade curtain was lifted, but a figure Yingying came in, and said with a smile: "I was about to come in, but who knew that Jinxi said that Young Master Zhen was also there, and wanted to tell people to put down the narcissus before leaving, but my sister saw me. He said: "Long time no see, Mr. Zhen is all right?" The elder brother hurriedly got up to salute before he dared to sit down. Seeing that it was Ling Rong, I was almost startled, thinking that if I let her hear what I just said, I would inevitably be sad again, so I couldn't help but feel a little embarrassing.But in his eyes, he only paid attention to whether the expressions of the two of them were abnormal. The mausoleum looks the same as usual, but there is a man around, it's just a little reserved, the elder brother also observes the etiquette of seeing concubines, he dare not raise his head and speak casually, there is no difference between the two of them. It's just that sitting in such a rigid manner, on the contrary, I feel a little restrained, and I feel bored for a while.In the Jinluo curtain tent, a touch of Baihe incense was smoked, and the smoke curled up in the gap between the intertwined flowers and branches of the gilt Boshan stove, and when they gathered and dispersed, who knew whether it was integrated or disappeared. Everything doesn't look real. I had no choice but to find something to say: "Brother, do you want another bowl of glutinous rice balls, I'm afraid I won't be full." The elder brother said: "No need. Today's teeth are always aching, it's better to eat less sweets." "What kind of medicine is that brother taking now, and his toothache is always bad." Brother smiled gently, "It's not that you don't know that although I am a man, I am most afraid of taking bitter medicine, so I would rather let it hurt." Ling Rong suddenly closed his eyes and sniffed lightly, and said softly: "The raw material for preparing Baihe incense is clove, which is made from the buds of clove, and it can relieve toothache when you put it in your mouth. Not only is it not bitter, but it also has a lingering fragrance. try." Brother's eyes seemed to glance over her face unintentionally, and said: "Thank you, little master." Lingrong trembled slightly, and laughed himself, "I just came in from the outside, and I still feel a little chilly." After saying a few words of greeting to his brother, he said goodbye: "There are still some things in Lingrong Palace, so let's go first." Retire." I saw her go.Fang sat down and gently scooped up the silver spoon in his hand. The hard texture touched the soft gnocchi, almost as if he couldn't bear it.I just smiled: "It's good that my brother likes Miss Xue's family. I don't know when the wedding will be held, but Huan'er should congratulate my brother well." My brother had a happy smile on his face, but I couldn't see the happy expression.He said: "It shouldn't be soon. I will go back to the border in three days. The emperor allows me to come back every three months to report on my duties." circle of golden halo. I couldn't continue the conversation about my brother's marriage, so I could only say: "Has the emperor told you already?" Hearing these words, his gaze was no longer as light as before, and he said solemnly: "I obey the emperor's will, and I will never hesitate to die." I nodded, "The emperor and I are relieved to have my brother's words. King Runan and the Murong family are not kind people, you must be careful when dealing with them." My words choked up slightly, "Don't say anything else. If you don’t hesitate to die, you’re trying to make me sad on purpose, aren’t you?” My brother fondly reached out and stroked my forehead hair, "Such a coquettish, it's still the same as before, and it hasn't grown up at all. Well, I promise you, I will not let anything happen to me." I "puchi" laughed out loud, "My brother is going to marry his sister-in-law, can Huan'er still not grow up?" I smiled slightly, took out a roll of paper and handed it to my brother, "If there is any accident, please pass it on immediately. If this book is published, someone will respond to it.” The elder brother said in a deep voice, "Okay." Although they are relatives, after all, they are hindered by palace rules and cannot stay for a long time.I personally sent my brother to the door of Chuihua, I couldn't help the red eyes, I just struggled not to cry.The elder brother said softly: "In three months, maybe we can meet again." He looked at the surrounding court ladies and eunuchs, and whispered: "There are so many people, don't lose your bearing." I nodded vigorously, "I can't be with my parents all the time, so I ask my brother to show my condolences to my parents, and tell Yu Yao and Yu Rao to be obedient." My throat was choked up and I couldn't continue, turning around not to look at my brother's leaving back. When I turned back to the palace, I suddenly saw two pots of narcissus placed under the steps in front of the hall, and asked casually, "Did the young master of Lingrong send it just now?" Jingqing respectfully said: "Yes." I pondered for a moment and asked, "How long did the young master of Lingrong stay outside when he came?" Jing Qing said: "It didn't take long, my lord, you asked who was outside." Only then did I feel relieved, and said angrily: "I'm getting more angry, and I didn't report this kind of thing early." Jingqing couldn't help being wronged, "The young master of Lingrong said that it would not hinder the reunion of the young master and the young master, that's why he didn't let the slaves pass it on." Seeing my eyebrows slightly frowned, I didn't dare to say any more. However, no matter how careful I was, Ling Rong was just as usual, accompanying Xuan Ling and talking to me, which made me suspect that I was thinking too much. Life was going well, my brother proposed marriage to the Xue family after returning home, and the marriage was gradually settled.