Chapter 14 Chapter 14 Pepper Room

When he woke up, the sky was dim, but he was alone on the imperial couch, and Xuan Ling had disappeared.I was anxious, and raised my voice: "Who is outside?" A group of maids guarding outside the palace came in one after another, carrying toiletries and clothes, and Fang Ruo was the first one.Seeing her old friend for the first time, I was suddenly overjoyed, and couldn't help calling her: "Aunt Fangruo." Fangruo also looked overjoyed, but she had to abide by the rules, leading the people to kneel down and salute: "My lord Jin'an." I hurriedly motioned her to get up, Fangruo said with a smile: "The emperor will go to the morning court at five o'clock. Seeing that the little master is sleeping soundly, I specifically ordered you not to be disturbed."

I recalled being tired last night and bowed my head in shame.Fangruo didn't realize it, and said: "My maidservant is helping the young master to change clothes." After saying that, she and Jinxi helped me up one by one. I just let them wash and wash, Fang asked Fangruo: "Why are you working here?" Fang Ruo said: "The servant girl has been serving the Empress Dowager and chanting scriptures before. A few days ago, she was transferred to serve as an errand in front of the imperial court." "It's a good job. How old is it now?" "Thanks to the great love of the emperor and the queen mother, I am now a fifth-rank warm person."

I took off a pair of gold bracelets from my hand and put them in her palm: "I didn't expect to meet you, and I didn't even prepare a gift, so I just accept you." Fangruo knelt down and said, "I dare not be a servant." I took her hand with a smile: "At this moment, I don't care about master and servant with you, but only talk about our past friendship." Seeing what I said, Fang Ruo had no choice but to accept it, got up and put a cup of soup in front of me: "This is a medicine for pain relief and tranquilization. Take it first, my lord. I will go to Zhaoyang Hall to give it to the empress after breakfast." Please."

The queen doesn't like to burn incense by nature, and she thinks the fragrance of only women's powder in the palace is too vulgar, so every day she asks someone to put fresh melons and fruits in the palace, or put them in a water jar, or put them on the table.According to Shi Meiren, with such a coincidence from the queen, if in summer, the corridor is filled with fragrance, even the breath will feel sweet and comfortable.If it's winter, once you lift the curtain and go in, the heating will rush over with its fragrance, and you will feel soft and crispy all over your body, without a fresh smell.

According to the rules, concubines should kneel three times and kowtow nine times to greet the queen the first time they go to bed the next day. The brocade mat has already been laid under the phoenix seat, and the queen sat upright to receive the ceremony.After the ceremony, a maid in the palace helped me up. The empress was very polite, she asked me to sit down, and said with a pleasant face, "I'm here to accept you. I'm in good health and I have to perform such a big gift, but this is the ancestor's rule that I have to follow." I answered "yes" lightly, and said: "How dare the concubine say the word 'life and subject', the queen's mother is honored all over the world, and she is in charge of the six palaces, if she can see the queen is well every day, then the six palaces are all blessed. "

The queen was really happy when she heard the words, and said: "No wonder the emperor likes you, and your words and actions are really flattering." After speaking, she sighed slightly, "With your talent and appearance, Concubine Wan, this kind of favor should have been granted long ago. Wait until today... ...But it’s okay, even though it took a long time for the good things to happen, at last the clouds will open and the moon will shine.” Thank you in reply. The queen said again: "Now serving the holy driver, this body is not just your own body. You must take good care of it so that you can comfort the sky and inherit the heirs."

"The concubines must keep every word of your empress's words in mind, and dare not neglect them." After the queen said, a court lady brought up the teacup, and the queen took it to drink. A palace maid beside her said with a smile, "Since the young master Wan has been ill, the queen has repeatedly wanted to see the disease in person. However, the imperial doctor said that the young master was sick. It's a seasonal illness, afraid of hurting the empress's phoenix body, so I had no choice but to give up, the empress always remembers the young master in her heart."

I saw that she was about twenty-seven or eight years old, her clothes were far above other court ladies, she was very delicate, and she was quick to speak, she must be the honorable court lady next to the empress, she hurriedly got up and said: "Madam Lao is concerned, my servant The concubine has the blessing of her mother to be able to be healthy, and it is really hard to cry." The queen smiled and nodded, "It's always easy for a woman in the palace to be favored, but it's difficult to be spoiled. A concubine must do her best to serve the emperor, be careful, and don't go against the emperor's wishes. The concubines in the harem must not be jealous when getting along with each other, which will ruin the peace of the palace. .” I listened to them one by one.After chatting for a long time, seeing Lu's concubines coming to pay their respects one after another, he got up to leave.

The queen turned to the maid who spoke just now and said, "Jianqiu, send Concubine Guan out." Jian Qiuyin stood in front of me on my left, and said with a smile: "The young master came very early today, the empress is very happy to see the young master is so respectful." "Why didn't the concubine come to pay her respects? I think I'm too early today." Jian Qiu pursed his lips and smiled, "Concubine Hua is always later than others, but these few days are special." My heart moved slightly, and I told me what to do for no reason, but I just kept silent, and said: "The concubine Hua has always assisted in the six palaces. I think it's because of hard work, and sometimes she gets up late."

Jian Qiu chuckled lightly, with a hint of complacency and disdain between his brows, "Master Wan is so favored, I'm afraid Empress Concubine Hua is feeling uncomfortable. But no matter what she does, she dare not not come." I glanced at her quickly, and Jian Qiu immediately lowered her head and said, "My lord, forgive me. This slave is also talking nonsense." I changed my mind a bit, after all, I am the person next to the queen, how can I let her see my face.Immediately smiled brightly and said: "Miss Jianqiu said this, it taught me, I am very grateful. Although I have been in the palace for half a year, I have been shutting up in my own palace, and I need the girl to remind me of everything. So as not to make a mistake.”

Hearing what I said, Fang relented and said with a smile: "The young master really killed the slaves by saying that." In a blink of an eye, she was outside Fengyi Palace, and Jian Qiufang went back.Jinxi held my hand and walked slowly towards Tangli Palace, I said, "What do you say?" "Jian Qiu is the person who serves the Queen closely, so it is reasonable to say that he would not speak carelessly like this." I said "hmm" and said: "The empress has always acted prudently, and it doesn't seem like she ordered Jianqiu to say that." "When Concubine Hua has been favored for a long time, it is inevitable that her words and deeds will be somewhat out of proportion. Even if the queen is lenient, it is difficult to guarantee that the people around her will not be angry and complain." I smiled lightly: "I just want to tell me how hostile Concubine Hua is to me, but no matter what Concubine Hua can't get past the queen, the queen is the lord of the six palaces after all. Let's just listen." Walking to the place near Yongxiang, I saw Xiao Yunzi waiting there, seeing me coming, Jinxi hurriedly stepped forward, Jinxi wondered: "Why don't you stay in the palace at this hour to fight famine?" Xiao Yunzi slapped Qian'er with a happy face: "Congratulate the little master first." Jinxi laughed and said, "Monkey boy, you have come all the way to beg for rewards, and you will be indispensable." "Auntie is wrong to blame me. The slave came here according to the order, please don't go back to the palace for the time being, my lord." I was surprised: "What is the reason?" Xiao Yunzi said with a mysterious face: "Young master, don't ask, please go to Shanglin Garden to relax, and you can go back to the palace immediately." Shanglin Garden doesn’t have many atmospheric scenery of the northern country, but more of the beautiful and fresh artistic conception of the south of the Yangtze River. The trees are lush and shining like brocade flowers, and there are several small and unique palaces and pavilions scattered here and there. affectionate.The Taiye Pool has a beautiful loop, with thick shade on both sides facing the ground, fragrant flowers and vines blooming endlessly, and the breeze blowing through the layers of green weeds in the middle of the clear water and soft waves, the ripples slightly move like waves in the heart lake. It was still early, and there was no one in Shanglin Garden.In the weather of March, the flowers in Shanglin are in full bloom, and the dewy air and the sweet fragrance of the flowers are glued together, making people want to be drunk.Walking quietly, as if last night became clear again.Standing in the Shanglin Garden and seeing the bright yellow glazed eaves of the Yiyuan Hall shining like gold under the morning sun, I gradually had a real feeling, and felt that what happened last night was real and not a scene in a dream. Thinking all the way, suddenly someone jumped out and knelt down in front of him, said respectfully: "See my concubine Guan, my master Jin An." The voice was very familiar, seeing him kneeling down, for a moment Can't remember who it was. He was ordered to get up, but it was Kang Luhai.Seeing that it was him, Xiao Yunzi couldn't help showing a look of contempt on her face.I just didn't realize it, and then smiled and said: "Eunuch Kang is so early, why didn't you follow Concubine Li Gui?" "Mistress Li and Cao Ronghua went together to pay respects to Empress Empress. The servant knew that the young master must pass through Shanglin Garden when returning to the palace, so he specially waited here." "Oh?" I wondered, "Is there anything your master wants you to tell me?" Kang Luhai smiled all over his face, lowered his voice and said, "It's not about Master Li, it's because this slave has something in his heart to ask the little master." I glanced at him, "Say it." Kang Luhai looked at Jinxi and Xiao Yunzi on the left and right of me, rubbed his hands and hesitated for a moment, and finally couldn't help but said: "My servant first congratulates Xiao Chengen. Ever since I heard that the young master was promoted to be a concubine, the slave has always wanted to come to give the little sister a concubine." The Lord please An Daoxi, but there are too many random things and I can’t go away. The emperor made another decree not to disturb the young master’s rest. The slave looks forward to the stars and the moon so much that his neck grows so he always wants to say hello to the young master Only then can I feel at ease..." I heard him rambling, interrupted him and said, "What are you talking about?" Hearing my direct question, Kang Luhai hesitated for a moment, smiled flatteringly and said: "The young master was promoted to be a concubine, so there is inevitably not enough manpower in the palace, and the people transferred from outside may not be agile enough. The slaves miss the young master day and night, and privately Thinking that the servants have served the young master before, they know how to serve the young master better than the servants from outside. If the young master does not dislike the clumsiness of the slave, as long as he orders, the slave is willing to serve the young master, and he will die." What he said was disgusting, even Jinxi couldn't help frowning in disdain. I said, "Does your master know what you're thinking?" "This……" "Now that you are Mistress Li's person, if your mistress finds out about this idea, I'm afraid she will be unhappy. What's more, how can I ask Concubine Li to ask for people around her at will?" Kang Luhai leaned forward and said, "My lord, don't worry. Now my lord is very kind, as long as you say a word, who would dare to go against your will? Just a word from my lord will do it." I just wanted to sneer in my heart, shameless and stalking, but that's what Kang Luhai looks like. A crisp female voice sounded coldly behind him, like throwing stones into the water and causing ripples: "No wonder I didn't see you serving me when I entered the Zhaoyang Palace, so I met the old master!" Hearing the sound, she turned to look, her complexion was beautiful and her figure was plump, who was it not Ligui Concubine?Concubine Ligui was standing beside Cao Ronghua. Compared with him, although Cao Ronghua was handsome and tall, he couldn't help but lose a bit of color.I went to pay my respects in a calm manner, Concubine Li Gui just stood there holding on to the maid's hand, sneered slightly and said nothing, but Cao Ronghua politely let me get up. Concubine Li Gui didn't say a word, but only glanced at Kang Luhai.Kang Luhai was very afraid of her, so he stepped forward and knelt down. Concubine Li Gui turned to me and said: "I heard that the emperor has sent a lot of servants to Concubine Wan's palace, why is there not enough manpower around Concubine Guan? I can see this useless servant next to this Palace." I smiled slightly, and said neither humble nor overbearing: "My sister's words are wrong. Kang Luhai was originally a slave in my palace. Thanks to my sister's perseverance, I summoned him to my side. Since he is already a slave of my sister, how can There is a reason for my sister to take it casually. Although I am young and not sensible, my sister will definitely not make such a mistake." Concubine Li Gui snorted coldly, "Sister understands the rules, no wonder the emperor dotes on you so much, and promoted you to your position before going to bed. Of course, my sister is far behind." "Sister Gui concubine said so, how dare my younger sister be. The emperor just felt sorry for my sister because she was seriously ill a few days ago. In the emperor's heart, he naturally values ​​sister Gui concubine a hundred times more than his younger sister." Concubine Ligui's expression turned pale when she heard what I said.Turning his face away without saying a word, Kang Luhai slapped him across the face, causing one side of Kang Luhai's face to swell immediately.The palace maid supporting her hurriedly persuaded: "Master, be careful that your hand hurts." Then she gave Kang Luhai a hard look: "Confused slave, you made your mother angry early in the morning! Don't you slap yourself!" Kang Luhai was so frightened that he didn't say a word. Not daring to argue, he hurriedly backhanded "cracking" and opened his mouth.The court lady was not very old, and naturally her rank was not higher than Kang Luhai's. She dared to speak harshly to him like this, which showed that life was not easy for Kang Luhai with Concubine Li Gui. I just watched coldly, and even if I had compassion, I would not give him anything.The world turns around, if I knew today, why bother. Concubine Li's behavior is more like that of a concubine Hua, but her temper is more violent and irritable, her emotions and anger are all visible, she can't bear it even a little bit, and it is common for her to teach her servants a lesson.Cao Ronghua thought he had seen it a lot, so he didn't even raise his eyebrows, he just tried to persuade: "Sister Li, why are you so angry about this screwdriver slave, she probably ruined her body." Concubine Li Gui said: "I just focus on climbing high branches, going from side to side! It can be seen that the inner eunuch is a rootless thing, he has no heart at all, and he doesn't remember any kind of old kindness! Could it be that this palace has treated him poorly?" Cao Ronghua frowned slightly when he heard her vulgar language, but he didn't answer, he just wiped his lips with a silk cloth to cover it up. Concubine Ligui took a break, and said bitterly: "Now these servants don't take Ben Gong seriously any more, they are doing it blatantly. Do they think Ben Gong is dead? It's just because of their eyes. It’s just hot now, and I don’t think about how I begged Ben Gong to get him out of that place like the tomb of the living dead? Now I’ve learned to be in Cao Ying and my heart is in Han!” What he said was so clear that he scolded me in front of him.The atmosphere was a bit awkward, Cao Ronghua heard something wrong, hurriedly tugged on the sleeve of Concubine Li, and said softly: "Sister Li." Concubine Li shrank her sleeves, raised her eyebrows at me and said: "I will teach the slaves a lesson, but Concubine Guan will laugh at me." While speaking, Kang Luhai had been slapped forty or fifty times in the mouth, because it was in front of Concubine Li Gui, his subordinates did not dare to show mercy, they used a lot of strength, their skin was bruised and swollen, and their cheeks and chin were bloody.I saw that he was really beating hard, and I couldn't help but feel unbearable. There was still a slight smile on his face, as if I wasn't the one who was scolded repeatedly in Concubine Li's words, and said: "Since the servant of Concubine Gui's sister doesn't know how to behave, sister will teach me a lesson, even if you want to It's just that my sister is thinking of your concubine and sister. There are so many people in Shanglin Garden, and it is inevitable that others will gossip if you teach this slave here. If my sister really thinks this slave is hateful, you can take it back to the palace. Go to reprimand me. What does my sister think?" Concubine Li Gui gave up just now, glanced at Kang Luhai and said, "That's all." After saying that, she nodded slightly at me, and the group walked away. Seeing that she had gone too far, Kang Luhai walked up to me on his knees, kowtowed heavily and said in shame, "Thank you, my lord, for saving my life." I didn't even look at him, "You should be nice." Kang Luhai leaned on the ground, "Young Master, if you don't say that, how can Master Li let the slave go so easily?" After supporting Jinxi's hand, she was about to leave without turning her head, "Concubine Li Gui may not be willing to let you off lightly, you can do it yourself." "My lord..." I stopped in my tracks, and the wind blew past my ears, and I only heard him say: "My lord, take care too, the little lord just got the favor and it was very popular for a while, Li...they are already very dissatisfied." , I'm afraid it's..." Kang Luhai hesitated and stopped talking, I walked forward slowly, and said softly: "If everyone wants to be happy, how can there be such a good thing? If I can get my own wish, I will be lucky." Seeing that I was just walking forward, Xiao Yunzi remained motionless, hesitating for a moment before probing, "What Concubine Li Gui said is really..." There was an arc at the corner of her mouth, "What's the matter? I really like Concubine Li Gui's personality." Xiao Yunzi couldn't help but look up at me when she saw that I said something strange. There have always been open and secret fights in the palace, one after another, when did it stop?It just depends on what kind of opponent you meet.Concubine Li Gui has such a temper, she can't hide the slightest bit of thought, but let her show off her tongue for a while.On the contrary, those who stab people in the back without showing their faces are the real horrors. Gritting her teeth secretly, she was favored only last night, so is she going to set up a strong enemy today?That's all for Concubine Li Gui, but no one knows that Concubine Hua is behind Concubine Li Gui.As long as I live in this palace for one day, even if I am as honorable as a queen, I am afraid that there will be endless grievances and troubles, not to mention that I am just a little concubine, I am just patient. The crows and crows knelt on the ground outside Tangli Palace, all of them could not hide their joy.Squinting and seeing Huang Guiquan there, he wondered secretly.After entering the courtyard, Tangli Palace seems to be different from the past. Huang Guiquan slapped a thousand children, the wrinkles on his face were full of smiles, and his voice was very high-pitched: "Congratulations to the little master, this is the most honored favor, the most honored favor." After entering the Yingxin Hall, it really looks brand new inside and out, and the walls seem to have a new layer of paint, which is particularly fragrant. Huang Guiquan said: "This morning, the servants rushed out according to the emperor's order. I hope the young master is satisfied." Jinxi also smiled: "The pepper room is a rule only for big weddings in the palace. Except for the queens of the past, other concubines can't get this special favor. The only exceptions to this kind of favor are Concubine Shu from the previous dynasty and Concubine Hua today." , the young master is the third person in this palace." The pepper room is the most honorable honor in the palace.The wall is painted with pepper and mud, taking the meaning of warmth, fragrance, and fertility, which means "the fruit of pepper chatting is full of prosperity."Thinking of this, his face became hot.Duozi, Xuan Ling, do you want me to give birth to our child? Huang Guiquan led me into the bedroom with one hand: "My lord, please look carefully at the couch." I saw that the curtains had been replaced with brand new embroidered silk curtains with cherry fruit and red pearls, and the mandarin ducks covered with cherry red gold threads were neatly covered. , other than that, there is no difference.Confused, he stepped forward to lift the quilt and saw that the quilt was covered with golden copper coins and dried fruits such as longan, red dates, lotus seeds, and peanuts.With a warm heart, he took my words to heart like this.His eyes suddenly warmed up, and tears welled up in his eyelashes.Fearing that people would see it, he wiped it quietly before turning around and saying, "This is..." "The emperor heard that there is a custom of marrying among the people, so he specially ordered the servants to do the same." Seeing me nodding my head slightly, Jinxi said: "The young master is also tired, you all step back first, and Liu Zhu Huanbi stays to serve the young master to rest." So he led everyone out. Liu Zhu was so happy that he just grabbed my hand and said "yes".There was light in Huanbi's eyes: "In the current situation, the emperor is very concerned about the young master. After suffering for more than half a year, we slaves can rest assured." Everything came too fast and wonderful, and the good was far beyond my expectation. It was difficult to adapt for a while, like falling into the daze of five miles of clouds.Countless emotions surged in my heart, and I said with emotion: "I didn't expect the emperor to treat me like this." It has always been difficult to win favor in the palace, and it is even more difficult to keep favor. Who knows whether it is my appearance and wit that make Xuan Ling treat me so favorably, or the long-term attachment to him that makes him feel fresh and rare?Maybe both, or maybe neither.After rubbing his tired and swollen brain, he ordered Zhu Huanbi to put away the utensils for "spreading the tent" before he put on his clothes and went to sleep.The bright red brocade color that fills the bed and the tent is embroidered with mandarin ducks and cherries all over, which means love and reconciliation, and continuous descendants.Mandarin ducks, mandarin ducks, I wish to get thousands of red horses, embroidering mandarin ducks all over the sky... -------------------------------------------------- --- Notes: