Chapter 4 Chapter 4 Concubine Hua Shilan

I just took a nap, and I still feel lazy.Jinxi took the maids Pin'er, Pei'er, Jingqing, and Juqing to help me get dressed and get up.The four of them are not very old, Pin'er Pei'er looks about 14 or 15 years old, Jing Qing and Ju Qing are older, at 18 years old, and they follow Jinxi to learn the rules and learn how to serve their master, and they also look very smart. After I finished dressing, the inner supervisor Xiao Yinzi reported outside the door that Shi Meiren and Chun often came to see me. Shi Meiren is slender and pretty, especially her nose is very beautiful.It's just that the expression on her brows is a little lonely, thinking that life in the palace is not easy, but she is very polite to me, even a little flattering.Chunchang is still young, only thirteen years old, petite, innocent, with a childish face.Everyone greeted the ceremony very politely and sat down to drink tea.

Although Meiren Shi's status was lower than mine, she was still older than me and entered the palace earlier. I was very courteous to her, calling her "Sister Shi" over and over again, and asked people to sit and eat with snacks.When Chunchang was young and had just entered the palace, she was still timid, so he asked someone to exchange fresh milk tea for her, and brought more beautiful sweets such as sugar buns, sugar cakes, fried buns, crispy seals, hibiscus cakes, etc. give her.She was really happy, and within a short time, she already called me "Sister Wan" very affectionately.

I really like her, thinking of Yu Yao and Yu Rao at home, I feel very kind.When they got up to resign, I asked Pin'er to bring her a bag of pastries. Seeing them returning to their dormitories, I said to Jinxi calmly: "Mei Ren Shi is indeed beautiful." She froze for a moment and immediately reacted.I quickly glanced around and saw no one, so Fang walked up to me and said, "Concubine Hua is both talented and beautiful, and she favors the harem." I secretly praised her for being cautious in her words and deeds. Although it seems that the bull's head is not right, but I already know in my heart that Shi Meiren is indeed out of favour.

No wonder she looked at me quite strangely just now, with jealousy mixed with anticipation, and her tone was very humble.Mostly I hope that after I am favored, I can share some of your favor by living in the same house with me.I shook my head slightly, feeling sorry for her, and didn't want to think about her anymore. Having dinner alone, I saw Jinxi leading Liu Zhu Huanbi standing aside with his hands down. Although there were a group of court ladies and eunuchs standing outside the door, there was no sound of crows or sparrows, not even heavy breathing. The rules in the dark palace were strict , unusually comparable.

After the meal was finished, a little court lady brought tea on a small black lacquered tea tray.Aunt Fangruo once said that the first cup of tea served after a meal in the palace was for gargling, so as to relieve the greasy mouth after the meal.Sure enough, he brought the gargling bowl to let me rinse my mouth, and then served the tea to drink.I took a sip and said with a smile: "Don't take away the food yet. You don't have to stand up, just eat these dishes. Don't starve yourself to death just to serve me." A few people were busy thanking you and took them to eat. I walked into the warm pavilion by myself and rested on a crooked side, looking at the azurite flowered chair on the opposite chair, my mind was in a daze, disturbing like endless scattered patterns embroidered on the chair.

Nothing to say all night. The next day, after getting up and washing, and having breakfast, Kang Luhai outside the door announced in a high-pitched voice that Jiang Fuhai, the attendant of the Huangmen, had come to deliver the decree.I hurriedly got up and went to the Yingxin Hall to indirect the decree, knowing that the servant of the Huangmen is the eunuch who specializes in serving the queen, so there must be a decree from Yi. Kneel down respectfully and listen to Yi's decree: "According to the Queen's decree, it is said that the newly promoted concubines will go to the Zhaoyang Hall of Fengyi Palace to see the queen and concubines in the harem at Maoshi three days later."

Aunt Fangruo said that only after seeing the concubine can she arrange to sleep with her.These three days of work allow the newly promoted concubines to adapt to life in the palace. I hastily accepted the order and ordered Jinxi to send it out nicely. As soon as the attendant in the yellow gate left, he reported that Concubine Hua had a reward. Concubine Hua’s chief internal supervisor, Zhou Ninghai, came forward to greet her, waved her hands and ordered the small internal supervisor behind him to bring three big boxes of gifts, and said to me with a smile on her face, “The concubine Hua specially ordered the slaves to give these gifts to the little ones. host."

I said with a smile on my face, "Thank you for your kindness. Eunuch, please pass on the concubine's thanks to your empress. Eunuch, please have a cup of tea and rest before leaving." Zhou Ninghai bowed and said: "This servant will definitely convey it. This servant has to rush to the other young masters. I really don't have the time to let down the kindness of the nobleman." I glanced at Huanbi, and she immediately took out two ingots and presented them.I smiled and said, "I'm in trouble, father-in-law. Then I won't delay my father-in-law's business." Zhou Ninghai lowered his eyes slightly, put them in his sleeves and resigned with a smile.

Pin'er and Pei'er opened the box, and the box was full of gold and silver jewellery, silk and satin.Pin'er said happily: "Congratulations, young master. Master Hua is very fond of young master." I glanced at the others, and my face was also full of joy, so I ordered the inner eunuch to carry it into the warehouse for registration. Seeing that everyone dispersed, Liu Zhu followed up and said, "I just inquired about it, except for the young master of Meizhuang who is almost the same as the young lady, there is no such generous reward from other young masters."

The smile on the corner of my mouth gradually receded, Liu Zhu looked at my face, and said in a low voice: "I am afraid that the concubine Hua's reward is so generous that she wants to win over the little master Meizhuang and you." I looked at the thick tissue paper pasted on the vermilion window lattice, and said in a deep voice, "It's too early to say if that means it." As soon as Concubine Hua's reward arrived, Concubine Li Gui and Cao Ronghua's rewards followed.I have already learned from Jinxi that Concubine Li Gui and Cao Ronghua are concubine Hua's confidantes, they were carefully cultivated and promoted by Concubine Hua along the way, and they are also somewhat favored by the emperor.Although it cannot be compared with Concubine Hua, it is much better than other concubines.

Rewards from other concubines were also continuously delivered, and there was a lot of traffic throughout the morning. After noon, I feel tired.He only ordered Jinxi, Liuzhu and Huanbi to receive the presents in the front room, while he himself read a book under the window of the second room of the Nuan Pavilion in his homely clothes.After watching for a while, seeing the sun gradually dimming, casting golden and red mottled light and shadows on the small table with plum blossoms and vermilion lacquer, people are a little lazy.Suddenly I heard the news outside the door that Shen Xiaoyi came to see me, and I was so happy, I put down my book and got up to meet me.After walking to the west main room, Mei Zhuang walked in with a smile, and said, "Sister is so leisurely." I smiled and said: "What's the busy person who just entered the palace?" Pretending to blame, I said: "Sister Mei didn't come to see me early, which made me feel so bored!" Mei Zhuang said with a smile: "Are you still so bored? I'm afraid it's because you're too soft on receiving rewards." My smile faded, and when I saw Caiyue, Mei Zhuang's personal servant girl, by my side, I said, "Don't sister know that I don't want to have these things?" Mei Zhuang took my hand and sat down, then said in a low voice: "I have received a lot of rewards, which is a good thing. But I'm afraid it's too ostentatious, causing other new concubines to stare." I sighed slightly: "I know. I'm the only one who can do it for himself." After chatting for a while, Kang Luhai came in and asked, "Dinner is ready, should you use it now or pass it on later." I said: "Come on immediately, it's good if it's hot. I'll use it with Xiaozhu Xiaoyi." Mei Zhuang said with a smile: "Come to see you, and disturb your meal." I looked at her and said, "It's fun when my sister eats with me. I see that my sister can eat another bowl of rice." Mei Zhuang wondered, "How do you say that?" I blinked, imitating Mr. Xi's appearance, stroked my beard and said, "Don't you hear the ancients say 'beauty is delicious'." Mei Zhuang spat at me with a smile: "It doesn't look like a young lady!" After dinner, I sat under the lamp with Meizhuang to watch the embroidery. When he looked up and saw An Lingrong standing under the green gauze cupboard with a smile, he was pleasantly surprised, and hurriedly asked her to sit down with him, while blaming the inner eunuch outside for not notifying him.Ling Rong was a little embarrassed, and said: "Sister Wan, don't blame them, I didn't let them pass it on, I wanted to surprise my sister, but unexpectedly made my sister annoyed, it's Ling Rong's fault." I hastily smiled and said, "Where did you make a mistake? You meant well. I'm just talking about them in vain. Don't worry." Only then did Ling Rong smile and sit down together.She said to Mei Zhuang: "Just now I went to Chang'an Palace to see my sister, and I wanted to visit my sister Wan with my sister. Unexpectedly, the palace maid of my sister's Cunju Hall said that my sister came here first, but my sister was a step late." Mei Zhuang said with a smile: "It's not too late, we just happened to watch the embroidery together. Sister Huan is very skillful." I blushed slightly and didn't answer her words. Huanbi poured tea: "Servant An Xuan, please use tea. Huanbi knew that servant Xuan didn't like to drink Lu'an tea, so he specially changed the tea." Ling Rong smiled and said, "Thank you for taking the trouble to remember." Huanbi blessed Fu and said: "The young master of Lingrong and the young master of Meizhuang and my young lady are like sisters, how dare the servant be careless?" Mei Zhuang laughed: "What a clever mouth! Sure enough, they are the people around you. If there is a master, there must be a servant." My face turned even redder: "Sister Mei always likes to make fun of me. She's not smart, but it's just that she has served me for a long time and has a longer memory than others." Mei Zhuang said: "Naturally, the girls who have served us since childhood are more considerate." Then he asked Ling Rong: "You didn't bring your personal maids here, how many maids are serving you now? Are they serving you well?" Ling Rong replied: "It's okay, there are four of them, but two of them are only twelve, and I can't expect them to do anything. Fortunately, I save a lot of trouble, and it's enough." I frowned: "How can there be enough people for this idea? It's outrageous to take it out!" Called Jinxi who was outside the room to come in, and said: "First go and report to the empress, and then point out one of the eighteenth-year-old maids under my name to serve An Xuan." Jinxi agreed, and came back after a while: "The servant pointed to Juqing, she used to work in the fourth warehouse, and she is quite stable." I nodded, let her go down, and said to Lingrong: "Let her go back with you later. If you have any shortcomings, please tell me and Sister Mei." Mei Zhuang nodded and said: "If there is ours, there will be yours too. Don't worry. I got some new rewards today. There are some bolts of satin that are just right for you to wear. I will send someone to send them to your Mingse residence later." Ling Rong was very grateful: "The sisters' friendship can only be appreciated by the heart." I interjected, "What's the point? You and my sisters should take care of each other in this palace." The three of us stared at each other and smiled, knowing each other's thoughts, and the six hands were tightly clasped together. Three days later, on the fourth watch, I woke up, took a shower, changed clothes, and dressed up.This is the first time to see the concubines in the harem after entering the palace, which is no small matter.The servants of Yigong were a little nervous, and they were extremely careful and thoughtful in serving them. Liu Zhu Huanbi quickly served me rouge and gouache, and Peier held a plate of jewelry beside her and said, "This is the first time I have an audience with the queen, so I need to dress up more grandly, so that I can be the best in the world." Liu Zhu turned her head in silence Glancing at her, she immediately lowered her head and dared not speak any more. I smoothed my hair back to the back of my head, and said lightly: "You can do it in a wishful bun." This is the most common bun in the palace.Pei'er brought up the jewelry, and I picked a pair of tortoise shells to make chrysanthemum hairpins, which were in season and the color was simple and generous.Done a small silver and gold-plated one behind the bun.He also picked a light red flowing color dark flower cloud brocade palace gown to wear, the color is festive but not too overpowering, no matter what you can't go wrong.I know that I have taken the lead among the new concubines to attract people's attention, and this time there is Concubine Hua present, it is really not appropriate to attract too much attention, the more low-key and humble the better.Jinxi came in and saw me dressed like this, and smiled knowingly at me.I knew she was in favor of my attire, and her mind was far superior to all others.I intend to praise Jinxi, but I haven't gotten along with her for a long time, and I don't know the bottom line, so I dare not trust her rashly and put her in a good position. The palace sedan chair is already waiting at the door, and Chun Changzai has washed up and dressed up and is waiting for me.The two got into the sedan chair respectively, and Kang Luhai and Jinxi followed behind the sedan chair.After a while, I heard a shrill voice outside the sedan chair shouting: "Fengyi Palace is here, please get off the sedan chair." Then an inner eunuch raised the curtain, and Kang Luhai stepped forward to hold my hand, and walked all the way Entered Zhaoyang Hall. Fifteen beautiful women have arrived in August or September, and the concubines have also arrived one after another.They sat down one by one according to their status, in awe and silence.Only the sound of dense footsteps, the jingling of rings, and the gentle breeze of fragrance could be heard, and the empress was surrounded and seated on the throne.Everyone hastily knelt down to pay their respects, and said neatly, "The empress is safe." The queen wears a purple gold Zhai Fengzhu crown, and a court dress with a crimson gold and silver silk phoenix embroidered pattern, with a calm and graceful demeanor.The queen smiled and said: "My sisters came early. Let's get down!" Jiang Fuhai led a group of newly promoted concubines to bow down to the queen.The queen accepted the gift, and ordered the eunuch to reward the gift, and everyone thanked her. The first seat to the left of the queen was vacant, the queen lowered her eyes slightly, and Jiang Fuhai said: "The concubine Duan is ill, so she can't come again today." The queen said with a "huh": "Concubine Duan's health is not getting better, after the ceremony is over, you send someone to take a look." Jiang Fuhai pointed to the first person on the queen's right, and said, "All young masters, please see Concubine Hua." I quickly glanced at Concubine Hua, and a pair of red phoenix eyes flew up slightly, indescribably charming and fierce.Concubine Hua's clothes are only inferior to the queen's in luxury, her body is slender and fit, her skin is delicate, her face is like a peach blossom with dew on her face, her fingers are like spring onions and her lips are coagulated, and thousands of strands of green silk are combed into a gorgeous and complicated hairpin, only decorated with red gold and ruby ​​hairpins , but more radiant.It really is a natural beauty, bright and colorful. Concubine Hua gave a "hmm" and didn't say "get up" or speak. She just fiddled with an emerald inlaid jewel ring on her finger leisurely, looked at it for a while, and then smiled and said to the queen: The jade sent by the Ministry of Internal Affairs is not very good, the color is not green at all." The queen smiled slightly, and only said: "If the jade color of the ring on your hand is not good, who else's is better? Let the younger sisters get up first." Concubine Hua then turned her head and said to us as if she suddenly remembered something, "I was only focused on talking to the queen, and I forgot that you are still so polite. Sisters, don't blame me. Get up." Only then did the young masters dare to stand up, I said "not dare" in my mouth, but I said in my heart: What a big blow!It forced all the concubines except the queen to be jealous of her. Suddenly Concubine Hua smiled and asked, "Who are Shen Xiaoyi and Mr. Guan Gui?" Immediately, Meizhuang and I knelt down to salute again, and said: "My concubine, Xiaoyi, Shen Meizhuang." "The noble concubine Zhen Huan visits the concubine Hua, wishing her good luck." Concubine Hua smiled and avoided the ceremony, and said: "The two younger sisters are indeed very beautiful, no wonder the emperor's attention." Mei Zhuang and I changed our expressions slightly, Mei Zhuang replied: "Your Majesty is beautiful, graceful and luxurious, that's what really attracts people's attention." Concubine Hua chuckled: "Sister Shen has such a sweet mouth. But if she is beautiful and elegant, isn't it more suitable for a queen?" I thought to myself: What a powerful concubine Hua, she must raise her eyebrows as soon as she speaks.So she said: "The queen's mother is beautiful in the world, the empress is graceful and luxurious, and the courtiers and concubines can't match it." Only then did Concubine Hua smile, and left us to chat with other concubines. Concubine Hua is the concubine Kui.The emperor had a lot of pets, but the highest-ranking concubines under the empress were Concubine Hua, Concubine Duan, and Concubine Cui.Not only are the seats of the first-rank noble, virtuous and virtuous concubines vacant, but even the first-rank wife is useless.Concubine Duan Qi Yuebin, the daughter of General Huben Qi Fu, was the first to enter the palace and was the first concubine next to the emperor. She was also canonized as a concubine on the same day as the current empress. Still occupying the concubine position, most likely because she has nothing to do, and I heard that she is weak and sick, and sees the king only a few times all the year round.Concubine Cui is the biological mother of the eldest son of the emperor. Although the mother was promoted to the imperial concubine position by virtue of her son, she was not seen by the emperor because of the mediocre qualifications of the eldest son, and even the birth mother was not favored for many years.Concubine Hua has only been in the palace for three or four years, and it is a great honor to be ranked first among the three concubines. The current empress is the imperial concubine of the past, second only to her sister Chunyuan Empress. In addition to the empress dowager, there is also a empress and concubine. Her power is prominent in the world and cannot be matched.The concubine De and Concubine Xian, who were side by side with the noble concubine back then, have all passed away.I heard that the deaths of the two concubines were all related to the death of Empress Chunyuan. In one day, the emperor lost one empress, two concubines and a prince who died at birth. The status of the women in the harem is not high except for those who have given birth. After seeing all the concubines one by one, my legs are already a little sore.The queen said kindly: "Your sisters are all clever and clever. From now on in the palace, you must serve the emperor with all your heart and continue to extend the descendants of the royal family. The younger sisters must also be of one heart and one mind and live in harmony." Everyone answered respectfully. "yes".The queen asked Jiang Fuhai again: "What does the queen mother say?" Jiang Fuhai replied: "The Empress Dowager said everyone's intentions are understood. But we must calmly worship the Buddha, so that the empress and all the concubines and young masters don't have to go to Yining Palace to pay their respects." The queen nodded, and said to everyone: "My sisters are all tired, please kneel down first." After a while, everyone dispersed, and I walked with Meizhuang and Lingrong.Someone behind laughed and said: "Just now, the two elder sisters are very eloquent, and the younger sister admires it." The three of them turned their heads and saw that it was Liang Cairen who entered the palace in the same year. She stepped forward and said provocatively: " The two elder sisters let the servants take so many rewards, can the palace still let them go?" Mei Zhuang smiled, and said kindly: "Your Majesty Guan and I both feel that all sisters should share the grace of the Heavenly Family, and we just want to have someone pick some good ones to send to your sisters' palace after returning to the palace. The younger sister arrives first, so let's pick some favorites and take them." Then he asked the eunuch to hold the things that the queen rewarded to Liang Cairen. Unexpectedly, Liang Cairen didn't even look at it, and sneered slightly: "My sister is really virtuous, no wonder the emperor also praised it that day. It seems that my sister is really good at buying people's hearts!" Even though Mei Zhuang was honest and self-cultivated, after hearing such blunt words, his face couldn't calm down immediately, he was so embarrassed, his face flushed with anger.I was not angry in my heart, such a virtuous person could be selected into the palace, it was a waste of her good looks!But me and Mei Zhuang's actions have already attracted attention, if there is another incident, I'm afraid I will get burned.While hesitating, Mei Zhuang held my sleeve tightly, signaling me not to be impulsive. I saw Ling Rong, who was usually timid, flashed from behind, walked up to Liang Cairen and said with a smile: "I heard that sister Liang came from a scholarly family? My sister is so admired!" Liang Cairen said proudly: "My family is a well-known scholarly family in Xunyang, how can it be compared with the daughter of your little county magistrate? It's really vulgar!" Ling Rong was neither sullen nor annoyed, still maintaining a decent smile, and said neither humble nor overbearing: "My younger sister has been admiring my elder sister for a long time, but it's a pity that seeing is better than seeing once. My younger sister really suspects that the rumors about my older sister's family background are false rumors." Liang Cairen was still puzzled, and said slowly: "If you don't believe me, you can go to the Xunyang area to inquire..." Lingrong Meizhuang and I couldn't help laughing, and even the inner eunuch behind us covered their mouths and stole it. laugh.There is such a stupid person in the world who can still be called a talented person, what a joke in the world!Seeing that we laughed so badly, Liang Cairen realized it.Immediately, he became angry, and stretched out his palm to slap Ling Rong's face.I quickly moved forward and stretched out my palm to avoid her slap. Unexpectedly, she reacted so quickly with her hand, and swung her other hand high. Seeing that I couldn't avoid it, I was about to suffer the humiliation of her slap for life.Her hand was grabbed by someone in mid-air, and she couldn't move anymore. I looked behind Liang Cairen, and immediately bowed my knees and saluted: "Concubine Hua is auspicious!" Lingrong Meizhuang and the rest of the palace were startled by Liang Cairen's actions. hello. Liang Cairen was firmly grasped by Concubine Hua's personal supervisor, Zhou Ninghai. He couldn't see what was going on behind him, and he couldn't resist. Seeing us salute, he was so frightened that his whole body was paralyzed.Concubine Hua shouted, "Let her go!" Liang Cairen couldn't stand on his feet, and he fell to the ground and kowtowed like garlic. He couldn't even finish his sentence, so he only knew how to say desperately, "Concubine Hua, please forgive me." The three of us also lowered our heads, wondering how Concubine Hua would deal with us.Concubine Hua sat on the chair brought by the palace people, and said leisurely: "The scenery in the palace in autumn is very beautiful. Why didn't Liang Cairen appreciate it and instead behave so recklessly in Shanglin Garden?" Liang Cairen burst into tears, and cried: "Servant An Xuan's words are rude, and this concubine just wants to reprimand her." Concubine Hua didn't even look at her, and smiled softly: "I thought Zhonggong and I were gone, it's really hard to bother Liang Cairen to admonish the concubine." She glanced at Liang who was trembling on the ground. Cairen said, "It's just that I'm afraid that you won't be able to afford such a hard work, why don't you let Eunuch Zhou take you to a good place!" Her voice was indescribably charming, but the situation and the scene made people feel like words The word shocking, as if hidden in this indescribable charm is indescribable danger. She looked at the bright red maple trees in Shanglin Garden leisurely and contentedly, and said slowly: "This year's maple leaves are so red, let's appreciate Liang Cairen's redness." I was horrified when I heard the words, "Yizhanghong" is a punishment used in the palace to punish concubines and courtiers who made mistakes. A two-inch thick and five-foot-long board was used to beat the female prisoner below the buttocks, regardless of the number of times. Until it is blurred, it looks bright red from a distance, hence the name "Yizhanghong".With such torture, Liang Cairen's legs are useless! Zhou Ninghai responded, and dragged Liang Cairen away with several strong internal eunuchs.There was deathly silence all around, and Liang Cairen had passed out! My heart was beating wildly, Concubine Hua was really cruel, she ruined Liang Cairen's legs while talking and laughing.The more I thought about it, the more frightened I became, and after a moment of silence, I heard Concubine Hua say: "Just now, Mrs. Liang's subordinates committed crimes against the nobles with the intention of beating the nobles with their lowly status, which frightened the three younger sisters. Go down and rest first." Everyone hurriedly said goodbye as if they were receiving an amnesty.There was only a groan of "Ouch", but Ling Rong was already so frightened that his legs went limp.Concubine Hua chuckled lightly, very pleased with herself. Mei Zhuang and I immediately helped Ling Rong to leave, and we walked for a stick of incense before stopping.I told all the accompanying palace people to go back first and sit down with the two of them in the "Songfeng Pavilion" deep in Shanglin Garden.Then I took out the silk scarf and wiped the cold sweat on my forehead, the silk scarf was completely wet; I looked up at Meizhuang, her face was pale, as if recovering from a long illness; Lingrong's body trembled slightly; the three of them looked at each other, all feeling terrified Word.It was only after Jiujiu Lingrong said, "I was scared to death". I pondered for a moment and said: "I have heard that Concubine Hua is a favorite and no one dares to hide her, but I don't want her to be so ruthless..." Mei Zhuang sighed: "It's just a pity for Liang Cairen. Although she is stupid and arrogant, her crime is not so serious." Ling Rong hurriedly looked to the left and right, for fear of being overheard by Concubine Hua, until she was sure that there was no one around, then said in a very low voice: "Concubine Hua punishes Liang Cairen severely, and seems to intend to win us over." I was silent for a long time, and seeing that there was doubt in Mei Zhuang's eyes, she said in a low voice, "I will have to rely on others in the future, life will be difficult..." The three of them were speechless for a long time as they listened to the rustling of fallen leaves in the autumn wind. -------------------------------------------------- --- Notes: