Chapter 9 Chapter Nine Names (Part 2)
The Empress Dowager stood under the corridor of the Palace of Compassion and Ning, watching Aunt Fu ordering several palace servants to arrange dozens of pots of "Yellow Crane Ling" and "Zixia Cup" sent by the flower house in an orderly manner.It was dusk at that time, and the sky was filled with flowing clouds like a fine brocade, reflecting the dozens of pots of yellow chrysanthemums and purple chrysanthemums.
Aunt Fu came over with a smile and said, "The yard of the Palace of Compassion and Peace is much brighter. If it were in the Palace of Shoukang, there would be nowhere to put the feet of these dozens of pots of chrysanthemums." Seeing the Queen Mother was happy, she said more and more, "It's also the emperor's chrysanthemum. Filial piety, that day I brought the empress to invite you to move to the palace. Now I will use whatever is good for you. Even the purple chrysanthemum that blooms best in the greenhouse has been sent to you."
The Empress Dowager smiled and nodded, took Aunt Fu's hand and walked down the steps, carefully admiring the pots of flowers that bloomed like waterfalls, "In this way, it can be considered that Aijia did not hurt the Emperor in vain. It's just that although the Emperor was He and the queen came to invite, but the Ai family knows who is responsible for the credit behind this."
"The Queen Mother means Concubine Xian?"
The Empress Dowager picked up a chrysanthemum and looked at it carefully for a while, "It's such a beautiful flower, like gold, it's a pity that it hasn't bloomed yet."
Aunt Fu smiled and said, "With your love and training, wouldn't it be a flash to bloom?"
"There is no rush. The flowers in the garden are full of flowers. The front ones are blooming, and the back ones can't be rushed. Let the time and place be right." The Queen Mother let go of the fingers that were holding the flowers, patted, "The emperor only gave her It's a pity to be a concubine. According to her status in Qiandi, she should be a noble concubine or an imperial concubine."
Aunt Fu took the silk and wiped the Queen Mother's hands, "For those who are blessed, naturally they don't value status at this moment. It will be a long time in the future."
The Empress Dowager nodded and said: "Concubine Hui is very likable. Sometimes I come to Ai's house with the empress to pay my respects, and the rules are not bad at all."
Aunt Fu said: "According to the rules, morning and evening should be fixed, but the empress and concubines only come once every three to five days. This..."
"Ai's family lives in the Compassionate Ning Palace, and she is the rightful queen mother. It doesn't matter if she comes twice a day or once every three to five days. The important thing is that Ai's eyes are still looking at the harem. The queen mother The seat is not the housekeeper's old lady, so she doesn't need to be involved in everything, as long as she is a good guide in major matters. In this way, the real authority will not be left behind, and it will avoid being disgusted by others."
Only then did Aunt Fu laugh and said, "The empress dowager's intentions are not as good as the slaves'."
The Changchun Palace at night is exceptionally quiet. The bright yellow flowing clouds and bamboo tents meander quietly like flowing water, creating a small world. De Langhua leans on the emperor's shoulders, carefully plucking the clothes on the emperor's bright yellow pajamas. The golden button, just smiled and said nothing.
The emperor was not sleepy, so he laughed, "The empress has always been dignified and dignified, why is she so close to me all of a sudden?"
Lang Hua chuckled and said: "The emperor only sees the dignified and dignified concubines, don't you see that the concubines also rely on the emperor?"
The emperor looked at the top of the tent, with a faint smile on his lips, "The empress is doing her best in the harem, sharing my worries. I am very happy. But seeing the empress who is used to the empress, it is rare to look like a child."
The queen was silent for a moment, then slowly smiled and said: "The children in the harem are more affectionate, so it is inevitable that they will be more narrow-minded. If the concubines are not cautious, will they be biased and make people laugh?" She paused and looked carefully. Looking at the emperor, he said, "What the emperor means is that it is a bit inappropriate for the concubine to suggest that Concubine Xian should live in Yanxi Palace this morning."
The emperor smiled slightly, and let go of the shoulder on which Langhua was leaning, "The empress is the lord of the six palaces, so the matter of the harem should naturally be decided by the empress. Naturally, I will not object to the empress's proposal."
Langhua was slightly startled, and couldn't help feeling a little bit wronged, "The emperor really underestimated the concubine when he said this. Could it be that the concubine has been following the emperor for these years, and is still as ignorant as the nobles, who only know how to be jealous? The concubine just thinks that the emperor's recent promotion of Concubine Hui is naturally a blessing. Concubine Hui is a virtuous and quiet concubine who can bear the emperor's favor. It's just that Concubine Xian had a high status and arrogance when she was in the residence. The imperial concubine is tall, so it is inevitable that her anger will not go well. If she wants to argue with others, it is better to put her in a quiet place so that she can calm down. When her heart calms down a little, the emperor will reward her with some grace. "
The emperor stroked the queen's hair with his hand, "The queen is very thoughtful."
Lang Hua breathed a sigh of relief, stretched out his hand to embrace the emperor's arm, and said with a smile on his face, "How can the concubine's humble opinion compare to the emperor's sageness. In the past, the emperor always praised the concubine Xian Huixinlan's nature, and concubine Hui is quiet and gentle. Wan, how come the concubine Xian is given the title of Xian today, but the concubine is Hui instead? The concubine does not understand."
There was a faint wind blowing in, and the candlelight on the red copper candlestick held by a crane outside the tent flickered slightly, reflecting the fluttering curtain, trembling like water waves, flickering and flickering.The emperor's face was covered with light and shadow, a little floating, and his smile was as light as a thin floating cloud in the sky. "I just chose two words at random." He looked down at Langhua, "I ordered the Ministry of Internal Affairs to carefully arrange your Changchun Palace. Are you satisfied?"
Lang Hua smiled deeply, like a bright candle bursting from the candlelight, "The emperor stayed in the concubine's palace on the first night in the harem, which is the greatest kindness and kindness to the concubine."
The emperor patted Langhua's shoulder lightly, his voice gradually lowered, but Yiyi revealed nostalgia and tenderness, "It's good that you understand my intentions. You are my queen, and you have always been virtuous. You take care of the affairs of the harem." Come on, I'm very relieved."
Because of the funeral, the concubines were appointed as concubines, and the concubines no longer blindly wear silver ornaments.Hailan changed into a Ruyi-shoulder water-blue flag dress early in the morning, only with dots of plain white flowers embroidered on the skirt and cuffs, just like her, fresh and unobtrusive.Naturally, this is also her usual attitude.
Hailan came to wait for Ruyi to get up as usual, and had breakfast with her before going to Changchun Palace to greet Langhua.
Langhua's complexion is very good, and he has carefully modified his face. He replaced it with hibiscus and honey-colored embroidered butterfly flowers. Silver emerald pearl hairpin, and a few flowers of Tongcao.Although simple, it is also generous and hearty.Early in the morning, the second elder brother was also carried by the wet nurse, and Langhua was even more happy, and the concubines inevitably became lively, talking about the second elder brother being strong again or looking smart.
Only Jiagui Jin Yuyan looked at Langhua's attire, smiled and did not speak.Langhua noticed it for a moment, and smiled and said: "On weekdays, Jiagui people like to joke the most, why today they just laugh and don't talk, but Changchun Palace is restraining you?"
Yu Yan hurriedly laughed and said: "The concubine is looking at the flowers embroidered on the empress's body. Although there are few embroidered flowers, she really regards clarity as her beauty, and she looks refreshing and atmospheric."
Lang Hua straightened the pearl button on the front of his shirt slightly, and said with a smile: "Master Jiagui always likes to dress delicately, I would like to hear your comments."
Yuyan gave a slanted salute, like willows swinging in the wind, and said in detail: "The embroidered and folded flowers on the empress look like the most fashionable embroidery method among the palace family members when the Qing Dynasty first entered the customs. , the sparse and broad pattern of flag dress embroidery is often the most beautiful, and it also uses the Beijing embroidery technique, which pays attention to the continuous atmosphere, wealth and auspiciousness. The most fashionable thing in the palace nowadays is to use soft satin material, pursuing the light and flicking texture. Soft and beautiful, often embroidered patterns on the cuffs, skirts and skirts, and light patterns on the body, mostly using Jiangnan embroidery methods, or thinly woven with gold threads. Although the flowers and branches are dense, the softer the better. Now look at the empress's empress. The attire is really quite old-fashioned when entering the customs."
Everyone listened to Yu Yan's eloquence, and then looked at the flags on their bodies. Although the colors were different, they were indeed much lighter and thinner than the Queen's.
After hearing her finish, the queen sighed unconsciously: "It's the same dressing, I have always thought that Jiagui is delicate, but now it seems that she is really a careful person, and she can perceive Bengong's mind. When I got up this morning, I will check The bills of the Ministry of Internal Affairs revealed that the amount of clothing materials spent by the women in the harem every year is so huge. Although the clothes on the palace are embroidered, the flowers and branches are sparse, and they can be embroidered by maids in the palace and ordinary clothes craftsmen in Beijing. The lighter and softer your clothes are, the more they must be tributes from Suzhou weaving in the south of the Yangtze River. In addition, the technique of weaving gold and lacquered gold is expensive, and the cost varies greatly. Moreover, the decorations in the harem are often sought after by the people, and it has become a common practice, making the capital of the capital. The clothing materials from Zhongjiangnan have doubled, and even the embroidery has become more expensive. If this goes on for a long time, extravagance will become the norm outside the palace, how amazing it is."
Langhua continued to speak sentence by sentence, although his face was pleasant, but the concubines didn't understand the meaning, so they all lowered their heads and dared not say more.Only Concubine Chun didn't know what to do, and said with an apologetic smile: "What the empress said is true, but the emperor has always said that the late emperor and Lord Kangxi worked hard to rule, and the country is rich and the people are strong..."
Langhua smiled faintly, took the teacup and looked at her fixedly, saying: "There is an old saying in the folk that wealth cannot last for three generations. Even if the country is rich and the people are strong, the harem should not be extravagant. Otherwise, the foundation left by the ancestors will not be able to withstand it." Several generations. But having said that, you have just given birth to the third elder brother, pure concubine, and the emperor values it, so it is reasonable to spend more money. I am just talking about myself."
Su Xin understood, poured tea into the Queen's cup and said: "That's right, the Queen ordered the Ministry of Internal Affairs yesterday, even if it is the decorations of the Changchun Palace, at most only gilt and pearls are allowed, and silverware is best. Or velvet flowers and grasses, Chijin, Dongzhu, and Nanzhu are not allowed to be used at all."
Yuexian smiled leisurely, looking at the silver-embedded emerald armor in his hand, "The concubine naturally listened to what the empress said. It's no different from the pure concubine sister, with the third elder brother, the confidence in speaking and doing things is different after all."
Although the pure concubine is simple, but as far as this is concerned, there is still something I don't understand.Her face turned pale, her legs were soft, and she knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. Please forgive me. Although this concubine gave birth to an elder brother, it was all blessed by the Empress Empress, and I dare not take credit for it , let alone extravagance.”
Langhua smiled faintly, "Okay, don't just kneel down at every turn, it seems like I'm being extra strict with you. Get up."
Only then did Concubine Chun dare to get up, and sat down timidly.
Yuyan was very proud, she glanced at the concubines, took a step forward and smiled and said: "The empress's words are very true. But now that the fashion has become established, not to mention inside and outside the palace, even the clothes and jewelry that the emperor bestowed on North Korea They are all extravagant and exquisite. The ministers and concubines heard from the envoys to and from North Korea that North Korea is also very popular. If we change the clothes when we enter the customs, and reward relatives, nobles, female relatives or subjects of the country like this, won’t it make outsiders surprise?"
What she said, she thought she was very considerate of the queen, and she could also take care of her own preferences.Ruyi and Hailan looked at each other, but they just smiled without saying a word.
Lang Hua took a sip of tea lightly, and Fang Xu said: "Of course, the noble man's words are justified. No matter how the emperor rewards the outside, it's unavoidable. But inside, we who live in the sixth palace, it's better to be simple in everything. She said with a slightly stern expression, "What's more important is that the world is now stable, and we don't forget the difficulty of our ancestors entering the customs to pacify the world. As role models for women in the world, we must always remember our identities, and never forget to be listed in everything." The ancestors are."
These words carry a lot of weight, even if Jin Yuyan is eloquent, she has no choice but to bow her head and say yes.
Yue was the first to stand up and said: "Since the empress has set an example, the concubines and others must follow. From today on, I will no longer dress up in gorgeous clothes, but I must follow the example of the empress, remember the hard work of my ancestors, and live a simple life."
Lang Hua nodded, and sighed softly: "I have worked hard and hard, you must not think that I have deliberately criticized you. There are many people in the harem, if everyone spends more, the family is big and the business is big, there will always be difficult times .”
At this time, Yigui who was sitting beside him whispered softly: "This servant has served the empress for many years, and the empress has never been extravagant. Until now, even the pearl buttons used on the skirts are just the most common items in the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The kind, even the pearls for use are too wasteful."
Concubine Chun hurriedly apologized and said with a smile: "Mr. Yigui used to serve the empress personally, so naturally she knows everything. It seems that the concubines have always been too careless to follow the empress well."
The queen looked at Yigui with a smile and said: "Okay. Now they are all nobles officially conferred by the emperor, and they still have slaves one by one. What's the dignity?"
Mrs. Yigui hurriedly said respectfully: "The concubine will obey the queen's orders."
Yue suddenly turned her head and glanced at Ruyi, "Sister Concubine Xian has been silent all this time, don't you agree with what the queen said, or do you have another idea?"
Ruyi raised her eyes, and said slowly: "The so-called teaching by precepts and deeds, the queen empress does it by herself, so we naturally only have to listen to her words and follow her actions, so why bother talking about it."
Hailan hurriedly said "yes" in a low voice, and said: "The concubine dare not speak too much, because she is afraid that she will be stupid and make a mistake. So learn from the queen carefully, and dare not say more."
Ruyi smiled slightly, "No, what the queen means is what the emperor means. Let's listen and learn, and we will benefit a lot."
Yue smiled lightly, covered her lips and said: "Sister Concubine Xian's words mean that the emperor stayed in Changchun Palace last night, it seems a bit sour."
Ruyi smiled lightly and said: "What I said just now, people who are in harmony will naturally hear the meaning of the empress's unity and harmony in the harem; those who are sad, will naturally hear the sourness."
Yuexiu raised her eyebrows, seemingly displeased.Langhua smiled pleasantly, "Okay. Last night, the emperor took care of this empress's face. The future will be long. You have all prepared carefully, and the emperor will naturally come to see you one by one."
Everyone answered yes, Ruyi raised the emerald bead-wrapped red gold lotus bracelet on her wrist and said: "Although this bracelet was given by the empress herself not long after the concubine entered the hidden mansion, but now the palace is frugal, and the concubine does not dare to wear it." Wear it again. Please allow the empress to allow it."
After she said that, Yue also hurriedly stood up.
The queen's expression sank slightly, like frosty weeds smeared in the cold autumn smoke.However, soon the autumn sun was shining brightly, and the chill evaporated without a trace.The empress still had that impeccable smile, "Since it was rewarded by my palace in the past, that's okay. Besides, one of you is a noble concubine and the other is a concubine Xian, so you can't be wronged." The two agreed, and then they left.
The autumn scenery outside is as bright as a picture scroll, Luyun and Hailan accompany Ruyi out, and the three of them are silent.Jin Yuyan and Yigui walked in front, still complaining, "Oh, from now on, I can no longer wear such soft satin from Jiangnan. When I think of the embroidered cheongsam worn by the empress, although it is beautiful, it is not at all worthless." Elegant beauty, alas..."
Yigui smiled lightly and said: "Jiagui is beautiful, so naturally she looks good in whatever she wears. No matter how bad you are, you have always put your heart into dressing up, and the emperor will definitely pay attention to it."
Yuyan gave a soft "Yeah" and said, "Mr. Yigui has been with the queen for a long time, so she naturally understands the queen's thoughts. With the example of the queen, how dare I not follow her."
The two talked and laughed, and walked to the front.
Ruyi patted Luyun's hand comfortingly, "Don't take today's matter to heart. The empress only cares about the family law of the ancestors, and didn't mean to criticize you."
Luyun frowned slightly, "Why don't I understand what the queen means? The elder brother's mother is a member of the queen's family. Although she died, her status is still noble. The second elder brother was born to the queen's mother, which is even more honorable." Concubine. Only me. My status is neither embarrassing nor embarrassing. My Ama is just a postscript. If I hadn’t been lucky enough to give birth to the third elder brother, how could the emperor give me the concubine? points, but the empress still cares..." She was about to speak, with tears in her eyes.Hailan quickly put a silk cloth against Luyun's mouth, and said softly: "My good sister, of course you are respectful to the queen, but my sister is simple-minded, so what can I say? This is outside, so it's too much right and wrong for people to hear it." .”
Lüyun froze in fright, quickly took the silk and wiped away the tears.There was silence all around, and even the maids who accompanied her only followed at a distance.
Ruyi glanced at Hailan approvingly, and said softly: "Okay. If you have anything to say, you can talk about it in my palace. Now, don't lose your word again."
Luyun nodded repeatedly, and the three of them went to the imperial garden while talking.
At that time, autumn was in full bloom, and all kinds of autumn chrysanthemums in the Imperial Garden bloomed extraordinarily gorgeously, colorful, quite as beautiful and prosperous as spring.After the beautiful scenery, the three of them also lost the dullness just now.All the way around the Xieliu rockery, Ruyi saw Yuyan and Yigui in the pavilion in front of them were sitting and chatting, so she, Luyun and Hailan watched the red fish jumping lightly in the pond, and made fun of themselves.
Yuyan and Yigui turned their backs to them, they didn't realize it for a while, they just cared about talking loudly.
Yuyan smiled and said: "Actually, my sister was conferred the title Concubine Xian. I think it's really appropriate for the emperor to choose the word 'Xian' as the title."
Mrs. Yi twirled the silk and smiled: "Sister, let's listen to it, so that we can know the emperor's mind."
Yuyan pulled out the white jade gilt hairpin with the word "Fu" on her head, dipped in the tea and wrote a big "Xian" character on the stone table, and said with a smile: "Xian word, female side. After the emperor ascended the throne, he loves to go to the empress empress and concubine Hui There, Concubine Xian hasn't seen the emperor for quite a while, isn't she just an idle woman with nothing to do?"
Mrs. Yi covered her mouth with a silk cloth and smiled, but the court lady next to Mrs. Yi was very clever. When she saw Ruyi standing nearby, she hurriedly whispered, "The nobleman is tired, why don't we go back to the palace to rest earlier."
Such an abrupt sentence made even Yuyan feel that it was wrong, and looked back to see Ruyi and his party.Yuyan was not afraid, she simply looked at Ruyi contemptuously, and said delicately: "The concubine is just explaining Chinese and Chinese characters, so what can I say, don't be angry, Concubine Xian."
Lady Yi glanced at Ruyi, "Where is the concubine Xian going to be angry? If she gets angry, won't she carry out what Lady Jia said? No, no."
Ruyi felt angry when she heard them taunting her, but she held it back forcefully.
Hailan really couldn't listen anymore, and boldly retorted: "In front of Concubine Xian, even though we are all sisters of Qiandi, we can't be so disrespectful."
Yuyan narrowed her eyes slightly, waved her hands and said, "Hai Chang is here, come and talk."
Yuyan's status is higher than Hailan's. When she saw Yuyan calling, she hesitated a little, but still dared not go.When Hailan came closer, Yuyan lifted Hailan's chin with her hand, and looked at it carefully, "The maid in the embroidery room is now a permanent presence, and her throat is getting louder."
Hailan blushed with embarrassment and was speechless.Jin Yuyan became more and more amused, the silver armor inlaid with glazed beads flashed across Hailan's face, and there was a faint light.Hai Lan felt goosebumps all over her body, and said in a trembling voice, "Mr. Jiagui, what do you want to do?"
Yuyan approached her with a smile, "I think..."
Before she finished speaking, Yuyan's hand was already pushed away by Ruyi.
Ruyi smiled coldly, and protected Hailan behind her, "What's the point of scaring a Chang Zai with your status as a nobleman? You can only make jokes in front of me. When you see me, why don't you say hello to me?" Bend your knees and salute respectfully."
Luyun hurriedly advised: "Mr. Jiagui, if you are joking with Haichang, then forget it. She has always been timid and can't bear jokes."
Yuyan snorted softly, and said contemptuously: "What is Hailan's identity, am I willing to joke with her?"
Ruyi glanced at her, and said slowly: "Whatever one's status is, one should do what one should do. If you think it's reasonable for Concubine Hui to criticize me harshly, then it's okay for me to embarrass you. Reasonably, you should bear it."
The corner of Yuyan's mouth raised, showing no sign of weakness, "Although you are a concubine far above me, you are a descendant of the Ulanara family, but I am the princess of the Korean clan. In terms of status, I am naturally nobler than you A lot. Even though I was below you for a while, do you think that you have secured the imperial concubine position and I have no future?"
Ruyi smiled slightly, "You rely on the royal family of the Korean family, but you don't think about it. No matter how good North Korea is, it is just a country under my Qing Dynasty. A small country with few people, even the king has to bow his head and profess his ministers, let alone a mere royal family daughter? If you If you really want to discuss with me what status is and what is noble, you should control yourself well and do words and deeds that are in line with your status, so that people will be convinced and truly noble."
Ruyi hadn't finished speaking, but she heard a tactful voice behind her, "Who should I be? Concubine Xian is the only one who is so sharp-tongued and unwilling to forgive others."
Ruyi leaned slightly and looked at her coldly, "In the old mansion, the imperial concubine was docile and well-behaved, but she is not what she looks like today."
Concubine Hui glanced at Ruyi, disdainful, "One moment at another, at that time you were above me, so I naturally had to respect you. Now this palace is a noble concubine, and you are just a concubine. The rank and order are like clouds. Mud is different, you naturally want to be under me at all times. If you don’t even know this, you don’t have to stay in this harem any longer.”
Ruyi remained silent, and the imperial concubine raised her thin willow eyebrows, "Why, are you not convinced?"
Ruyi smiled lightly. "The etiquette is already comprehensive, does the noble concubine even have to control the hearts of the people with one hand? If this is the case, it is not to suppress people with prestige, but to convince people with virtue." I will not be disrespectful. But please understand, your noble concubine, your nobility should come from admiration, not deterrence."
After Ruyi finished speaking, she left.Concubine Chun and Hailan exchanged glances, and hurriedly followed.
Seeing that Concubine Hui was in a daze with anger, Yuyan immediately smiled and said: "My concubine, don't listen to her babbling, seeing that her life will be difficult in the future, why should you bother with her. Concubine Xian is under you, I am afraid that I will not be able to deal with it in the future lost her?"
Concubine Hui frowned slightly, she smiled at Yuyan and said, "Your nobleman is of one mind with me, so I have nothing to worry about."
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