Chapter 59 Section fifty-ninth

When the emperor and queen both went to the bed of the dragon and the phoenix, everyone in the palace, from the Empress Dowager Cixi to the maids and eunuchs, had already woken up, and some people, such as Princess Rongshou and Li Lianying, never slept at all that night. For this great event, Princess Rongshou is the link between the past and the future, and she hasn't slept peacefully for many days.Seeing her yellow and thin face, Empress Dowager Cixi couldn't bear it, so she said lovingly at this time: "You are tired enough! You are finally busy now, take a rest for a while! Come back and listen to the play with me."

"Not tired." Princess Rongshou said with a smile, "Not tired at all." "Nonsense! If you don't sleep all night, is there someone who is not tired?" "People are happy when they have happy events!" "Don't play tricks on me, go back to sleep! Don't come to me until it's time for dinner." She is so considerate, Princess Rongshou can't help but be obedient.But please An exited Chuxiu Palace, but did not return to the residence of Le Zhixuan in the west chamber of Changchun Palace, but took the eunuchs and maids all the way forward, passed through Tihe Palace, and entered Yikun Palace to see Concubine Jin and Concubine Zhen .

Yikun Palace was called Wan'an Palace in the Ming Dynasty, and it used to be the residence of concubines. When Empress Dowager Cixi was a noble concubine, she lived here and gave birth to Mu Zong.Now Concubine Jin and Concubine Zhen live together in Yikun Palace according to Yi's decree. It can be regarded as Empress Dowager Cixi's love for these two sisters, but it can also be said that they are placed under the elbow and armpit, so they are easy to monitor. But Princess Rongshou's visit here was not malicious surveillance, she was purely out of kindness.Concubine Jin is fifteen years old, and Concubine Zhen is even younger, only thirteen years old. Although they are very sensible, after all, they have just entered the deep palace. Confused, longing for someone to point and comfort.

That's what she's here for.So as soon as he entered the palace, he first summoned the chief eunuch Wang Deshou in the courtyard, and asked loudly: "The two new masters have just entered the palace, and many regulations are still unclear. Have you reported it to the two masters?" "I have reported it. There are too many regulations, and I can't talk about it for a while, so I have to return slowly." "It doesn't matter if you come back slowly, but remember to stick to your duty, do what you want. Don't think that the two new masters are new here and are polite to you, so you dare to have no rules!"

Princess Rongshou's voice is clear and crisp, and it can send far away the most. The two Jinzhen sisters in Qingyunzhai in the East Chamber can naturally hear her voice. They all stood up. As soon as Concubine Jin stood up, she sat down again, because she was suddenly aware of her identity and the warnings from her parents and elders when she was at home: there are strict rules in the palace, every move must be prudent, and don't walk around and talk randomly.Although Concubine Zhen also remembered these warnings, she didn't think that her actions should be so restrained, she lifted the cotton curtain and went out to welcome her.

At this time, Princess Rongshou had already climbed the steps, and when they met in the corridor, Concubine Zhen shouted happily: "Princess!" Then she squatted on her legs to greet her. Princess Rongshou is the elder sister of the emperor, not only the eldest princess, but also the oldest among the sisters, the eldest princess. Except for the queen, she met her concubines of the same generation as equals, so she returned home without haste. Li, stood up and asked, "Where's your sister?" "In the house." The concubine Jin who was inside had already asked the maid in charge that she should come out of the hall to greet her. Like her sister, she first called Princess Ying Rongshou, then went into the main room of Qingyunzhai, and called the maid to fetch a red felt strip, intending to formally greet her.

"No need!" Princess Rongshou corrected bluntly, "I'll salute the Empress Dowager, and I'll see you later. I just took time to take a look, so you're welcome." As she said that, she moved her steps and went straight to Pin Jin's bedroom.He entered the room but did not sit down, looked around for a while, then turned around and asked: "This room is not warm enough, is it?" "It's okay!" Jinpin replied. Concubine Zhen didn't know the ways of the world like her elder sister, and said honestly: "I think it's quite cold. This brick floor should be covered with a thick carpet."

There are "rules" for the furnishing and supply in the palace. If you want to change the carpet, you must ask for an order. Princess Rongshou can't make the decision, and it's inconvenient to explain the reason to her at this time.However, it is true that the cold air is severe, so I thought about it for a while and said: "Change to a big brazier first!" She turned her face and told her personal maid: "Xi'er, don't forget, tell them as soon as you get back, and immediately find that extra-large Yunbai copper brazier that Lafayette gave you last year, and send it here."

"No, no!" Concubine Jin said quickly, "The eldest princess wants to use it herself." "I don't need it. What am I doing with such a big brazier by myself?" Princess Rongshou said again: "There are many old rules in the palace. You will know it after you live in it for a long time. Sometimes it's really uncomfortable to ask them for something. Convenience. If you two need anything, send someone to me to ask for it." She pointed at Xi'er again, "Just tell her!" "Yes!" Jinzhen and sisters both greeted each other: "Thank you, princess."

"What about you?" Princess Rongshou asked Concubine Zhen, "Do you live in Daodetang?" "yes." "Go to your place and have a look." Daodetang is the west wing of Yikun Palace, and its layout is similar to that of Qingyunzhai.But the compartments of the house are different, small and exquisite, and feel more comfortable than Qingyun Zhai.Princess Rongshou sat down, put one hand on Concubine Zhen's knee, and asked with a smile, "How is it? Are you homesick?" This question touched Concubine Zhen's heartache and grievance, and her eyes immediately turned red.This made the elder sister very anxious. She just entered the palace and it was an auspicious day for her wedding. If she shed tears, wouldn't she greatly violate the taboo?So Jinpin coughed again and again.

The shrewd concubine Zhen immediately understood.Her sadness came and went quickly, she took out the handkerchief tucked under her arm, wiped her eyes, and said with a sweet smile: "At first, I thought about it, but I don't want to after seeing the eldest princess." Knowing that she just picked nice words, Princess Rongshou was still very happy, and strangely, she actually had the same affection and love for her own little sister, pitying her for her innocence, as if she didn't know the tricks and evils of the world .But in this deep palace of intrigues, thorns and thorns every step of the way, and heavy constraints, who knows when and where in the future, will fall into the misfortune? Thinking about it like this, I couldn't help but have an idea: while she is still "waiting for the new year", it is best to let her live with me, and teach and give advice day and night.With her intelligence, it only takes a year or two to teach her etiquette, words and deeds, how to protect herself, and how to control her servants?Only then did he live up to his compassionate heart. If she makes such a request with the Empress Dowager Cixi, she will be promised, and she is sure of this level.However, thinking about it deeply, I felt that it was not right.It's hard to say what kind of person the queen is and how the emperor feels about the queen.If the concubine competes for favor in the future, and he and his concubine form such a deep relationship, they will inevitably be involved in the whirlpool, not only can't secretly protect the one they love, they may even be expelled from the palace.Then what face do you have to show people? Princess Rongshou was terrified, and thanked herself for not going the wrong way. At the same time, she realized something and cherished her own status even more.In front of the Empress Dowager Cixi, I was the only one who could correct her shortcomings, just because I was impartial and impartial.Once such a position is lost, the words spoken, no matter how reasonable they are, will no longer be valued by the Empress Dowager Cixi. Sister Jinzhen saw her staring out the window in a daze, wondering what she was thinking?I just felt that the situation was a bit cold and uncomfortable, especially Concubine Zhen, who was eager to break the deadlock, so she asked Princess Rongshou for the square bamboo and emerald cigarette pouch from the maid, and filled a pouch with herself. Pass it to her. "Oh," Princess Rongshou realized that she had lost her mind at this moment, and thanked her apologetically, "Excuse me, please excuse me, I really dare not take it!" Smoking and chatting, talking about Jinzhen's uncle Changshan, both of them couldn't help feeling sad.Changshan had been living in Beijing for several years. Not long ago, General Hangzhou was released. As soon as he took office, he fell ill and died.The bad news arrived in Beijing on the eve of the wedding, when King Dun was critically ill.Good people don't live long, and during the "pied dress period", funerals cannot be held, which makes both Jinzhen and Princess Rongshou feel wronged for their uncle. When Changshan talked about the celebrities he recruited during his tenure as a general in Guangzhou, Princess Rongshou asked: "I heard that there is a man named Wen who taught your sisters to read. Is there such a thing?" "Yes!" Pin Jin replied, "It's just recently." 'Oh, what's the name of this Wen?Is it Hanlin? " "No, Teacher Wen is a Juren. His name is Wen Tingshi, from Jiangxi." "What do I teach you to read?" "Teaching "Historical Records" also teaches poetry." "Then you guys know how to make poems!" Princess Rongshou asked, "There is always a window manuscript, let me have a look." "Where do I know how to write poetry? I still don't know how to do it." Pin Jin said to her sister, "Take out your manuscript and ask the eldest princess to read it!" "It's so ugly! It's shameful." Concubine Zhen laughed, "I'll ask the Eldest Princess to teach me after I've learned it." Princess Rongshou is limited in writing and ink, so it's just fun to read the poems of their sisters.Since they are unwilling to make a move, there is no need to force it.After chatting for a while, he said goodbye and left. Before leaving, he once again told her earnestly that if you have anything to do, you can find her, and you don't need to see outsiders.