Chapter 63 Section 63

In a few days it will be the Empress Dowager Cixi's Wanshou, because preparations for the wedding are busy, and next year will be her 40th birthday, there will be a lot of excitement, so this year, to show sympathy, no action is taken.Having said that, Fujin and Mingfu went to the palace to pay their respects as usual, and the eunuchs from the Shengping Department served a show, and only a few close relatives were able to accompany them to the seat. The emperor was quite happy these two days, because first, Wanshou did not go to the study for three days; The sons of King Gong, Zaicheng and Zaiying; the grandson of King Monk, Naersu, the son-in-law of King Chun; Longevity's eldest son Zhiduan.

"What?" the emperor quietly asked Xiao Li, "Why didn't you see Da Gege's son-in-law?" "Today is the day of great joy for the Holy Mother and Empress Dowager." Xiao Li knelt down on one leg and replied, "Long Live Lord, don't ask about such things!" The emperor was surprised and surprised: "What happened? Why haven't you heard about it?" Seeing that he couldn't stop him from asking, Xiao Li immediately replied: "Princess Rongshou's forehead is too sick to get out of bed." "What the hell..." the emperor asked in a low voice, "What's wrong? It's so severe!"

"He vomits blood! When you vomit, it turns into a spittoon. Doctors are no longer willing to prescribe prescriptions." After hearing this, the emperor was silent for a while, stomped his feet angrily and said, "I'm going back with the two queen mothers, I have to go and have a look!" "No, no!" Xiao Li also knelt down on the other leg, shaking his hands and said, "There is no such rule. Once the Lord Long Live sees it, he must die." The emperor has also heard of this rule. Sometimes the emperor personally visits the important ministers who are close to him when they are critically ill.It doesn't matter if the senior minister is old, Zhiduan is only eighteen years old, and his family is still holding on to the hope that if the emperor comes to see him, it will be like Yu Minzhong's imperial bestowed dharani quilt during the Qianlong period, he must die if he doesn't die!Wouldn't it hurt the "six foreheads" and Princess Rongshou too much? "Furthermore," Xiao Li was afraid that the emperor would not give up, so he added: "It's said to be tuberculosis, and you need to be far away. The two empress dowagers must not let the Lord Long Live go."

This is impossible!The emperor thought of the 18-year-old Princess Rongshou, who was going to be a widow at a young age, and his heart was like a knife, and he couldn't get rid of it no matter what. "Look where Big Grid is, I want to ask her." "I don't mind!" Xiao Li felt distressed, "What day is it today? It's inappropriate to say that Princess Rongshou is hurting her heart and crying." "Big Gege is the most sensible, and I won't make her sad. It doesn't matter, I'll wait in Chonghua Palace. You can find her quietly." Xiao Li had no choice but to change his mind. Princess Rongshou was the most favored person in front of the Empress Dowager Cixi, and it was a reunion of sisters and brothers. Even if the superiors knew about it, it would not be a crime!He promised to follow the order to find it.

Princess Rongshou was sitting behind the Empress Dowagers of the Two Palaces, and was listening to the play with her, when a court lady slipped over a piece of paper with a line of words written crookedly on it: "Long live Lord summoned in Chonghua Palace, ask the forehead If "Bo" is called "Long Live Lord", it is known that it is the emperor's close servant.When she saw this note, her heart ached.On the one hand, she was sad for her husband's illness, and on the other hand, she was also moved by the emperor's love for her sister and brother.But at this time, we must not shed a single tear, and we suppressed our hearts to calm down, and then waited until the play was over before slipping out with excuses, only to see Xiao Li coming up to greet him, but he didn't speak.

Although he didn't speak, there was a hint, and he nodded slightly, meaning to follow him. Princess Rongshou has always paid attention to these grandeur and festivals, so although she knew it, she didn't seem to have seen it, she just raised her face and walked forward. Xiao Li was also very obedient, and rushed forward, sidling up from her side, lead the way from afar. As soon as she entered Chonghua Palace, Princess Rongshou saw the emperor's shadow, and naturally, the emperor also saw her.There is no need for Xiao Li to lead the way anymore, the two sisters and younger brothers went forward to meet them, and when they reached a distance of five or six steps, Princess Rongshou knelt down, greeted the emperor first, and said as usual: "Hello, Your Majesty!"

The emperor didn't answer, and looked at Princess Rongshou blankly, as if he had a thousand words to say, but he didn't know which one to say.Of course Princess Rongshou understood his state of mind, and she couldn't say anything except being touched, because she couldn't turn the other way to comfort the emperor. "What's the matter with Zhiduan?" The emperor finally said, "I heard that he is seriously ill!" Princess Rongshou's tears were in her eyes, like a bowl of water that was full to the rim, it couldn't withstand any shaking, as long as it was shaken, it would definitely overflow.At this time, I hurriedly turned my back, held the door frame with my hands, and kept telling myself in my heart: Don't cry, don't cry!In this way, I tried my best to restrain myself, after all, I still shed a burst of tears.

"I heard that Zhiduan's illness is the same as Ama's." The emperor sighed behind her: "How did you get this illness?" Princess Rongshou felt that the emperor's words were very unpleasant. Although Zhiduan suffered from tuberculosis like the late emperor, the reason for his gradual illness was different.The first emperor used wine and women to soothe his worries. When he was sick, he didn't know how to cherish and take care of him. Zhiduan was sick before marriage, and all kinds of medicines didn't work. So she said: "Zhiduan's body is inherently weak."

"Yes!" The emperor was about to say this: "I missed you at the beginning! The empress should not have pointed Zhi Duan to you!" "Your Majesty!" Princess Rongshou turned around abruptly, and said solemnly, "I don't have the slightest resentment towards the Holy Mother, the Empress Dowager, and the Emperor must never say that. I don't know how much the Emperor treats me. ? If you cause trouble for me, then it will be a crime that cannot be punished. I really don’t blame anyone. If I put a word in my bag, I will blame myself for my poor fortune!” The four words "no one complains" show that she has a lot of people complaining. The first queen mother should not "point out marriage" to a tuberculosis ghost; the second is parents, they should plan and plan for their daughters, of course, When Yi's decree comes down, it is irreversible, but it has been discussed for many days beforehand, as long as he is willing to think of a way, it will be dispelled; the third is the "six forehead son-in-law", and he should also think about his son's illness, and he shouldn't harm others, let alone It was the niece of his own direct relative who killed him!

In the end, Princess Rongshou also had to blame herself. She shouldn't have followed suit at the beginning, and she just said: "I don't want to marry, and I am willing to serve the Queen Mother for the rest of my life!" That was an excellent excuse.The daughter guards her mother and does not marry, and no one can force her. Is it because Princess Rong An is reluctant to part with Concubine Ligui, and she is still in the palace even though she has been married? Because of this, Princess Rongshou gritted her teeth and resigned to her fate.Although I have a lot of grievances, it is not appropriate to confide in front of the emperor, so I changed the subject: "The emperor is very happy!"

The emperor was taken aback, "What do you mean?" he asked. "Sacred learning has been advancing for a while, and I said that I was very embarrassed in front of the two empress dowagers that day." Speaking of this matter, the emperor is a little sad now, but of course he can't answer: hard work is useless, no one knows.So he smiled and didn't answer. The words in the minds of the two sisters and brothers are like a mess, and they can talk endlessly if they pick up a clue, but once they stop, they have to find another clue.After a moment of silence, the emperor suddenly asked: "Where is Zaichen? What are you doing at home?" Princess Rongshou said: "I don't care about him!" Hearing this, the emperor felt very comfortable, because if she hadn't regarded herself as the closest person, she wouldn't have scolded her younger brother who was born by one mother.However, the emperor really envied Zai Cheng, he was "outside" when he could go to the study, so why bother with "nonsense"? It's enough just to have a look around! "Zai Li Gan tends to be obscene. The emperor saw him and taught him well." Princess Rongshou said again, "Every time I go to the palace, I listen to the two queen mothers talk about the emperor's homework. The emperor will be the emperor of Taiping in the future. Thinking of the eternal foundation, the whole world of the Qing Dynasty is in the hands of the emperor alone, and suffering in the study is considered to be suffering for the people of the world. I often think, I can't replace the emperor's homework, and it would be great if I could. It also saves the Empress Dowager from mentioning it, alas, I won’t talk about it, anyway, I’m not as smart as the emperor, and there’s nothing I don’t understand about the painstaking efforts of parents in the world.” This passage was to persuade the emperor to work hard, and the words were tactful and earnest. The emperor was so ashamed that he had no words to answer except for nodding his head repeatedly. "The empress dowager told me today that the queen is scheduled to be chosen in February next year, and the emperor will choose it himself. The emperor must take a good look at it." When it comes to this level, the emperor can't help but feel a little coy.After thinking about it, it was an excellent time, this matter cannot be discussed with the master, let alone Ji Yu Xiaoli, now it is the most appropriate time to discuss it with Princess Rongshou. So he said, "Sister, I was about to ask you, who do you think is better?" The future queen will be elected again and again. In February of this year, ten candidates were selected. Among the nobles of the Eight Banners, they discussed privately. Most of them thought that Chongqi's eldest daughter was tall and talented, and she was worthy of motherhood. world.Princess Rongshou has also heard these words, but she knows the general situation best, and she must not express her opinion on such a major event, because it is like supporting the emperor, it is a matter of family fortune and fortune, and fortune is a matter of fortune. Can't talk about it, she is already Princess Gu Lun, she is extremely honorable, what else do you want?In this way, there will be only misfortune but no blessing, and no stupid person will do such a stupid thing! "This is a top priority, and the emperor has to make up his own mind. No one dares to talk nonsense." "I just asked you because I had no idea. There is no one here, and I will not tell anyone what you said. To be honest, I have no second person to discuss this matter except you." The last sentence inspired Princess Rongshou's responsibility as an older sister, but it was still inconvenient to say so, so she just replied: "Ordinary people have such a saying: 'Marry a wife with virtue, and marry a concubine with sex.' The queen always regards virtue as the best. important." "Then among the remaining ten people, whose virtue is better?" "Your Majesty, don't ask me." Princess Rongshou shook her hand and said, "I don't know, even if I know, I can't tell." The emperor wanted to ask again, but he saw Xiao Li rushing over, knowing something was wrong, he looked at him and asked, "The two empress dowagers are looking for me?" "Yes!" Xiao Li knelt down and replied, "It's almost time to pass the meal. The Holy Mother and the Empress Dowager are asking Princess Rongshou, where are you going?" "Let's go!" In front of the eunuch, Princess Rongshou refused to neglect her etiquette to the emperor, so she asked An to answer: "Yes!" When she raised her body and looked at each other twice, the emperor saw her tear-stained, and immediately asked: "Eldest sister, do you have a powder box?" Princess Rongshou understood what he meant, and remembering that the powder box was carried by the nanny who accompanied her into the palace, she didn't know where to find her for a while, and she was able to find it, and it took too much time, so she couldn't help being a little embarrassed. Xiao Li was clever and immediately said: "If Princess Rongshou is not too dirty, there will be a hair comb box in the room where the girls live in the back." "Is it far?" "Not far." "Okay, you go ahead." Xiao Li led the way, and the emperor accompanied Princess Rongshou, surrounded by a group of eunuchs, to the northwest corner of the Chonghua Palace. There was a small courtyard with two rows of bungalows, which were the residences of the maids.This day, Empress Dowager Cixi, Wanshou, went on a errand, and the yard was empty, with some messy clothes hanging out. Princess Rongshou saw that this was not a place where the supreme being was lucky, so she turned her face and said, "Please stand here for a while, Your Majesty." Let's go! I'll just make a face and come right away." "Princess Rongshou doesn't need to go in." Xiao Li pointed to an empty room and said, "Please sit there, I'll go find the comb box." "Okay, you can hurry up." "Yes!" Xiao Li promised and went quickly. Sure enough, soon, Xiao Li found a hair comb box, served Princess Rongshou, evened his face in the mirror, covered up the tears, then came out, and accompanied the emperor to the side of the Empress Dowager of the Two Palaces. "Where have you been?" asked the Empress Dowager Cixi who was eating. "The emperor summoned me." Princess Rongshou didn't want to lie, and felt that there was no need to lie at all, "I talked for a while in Chonghua Palace." Empress Dowager Cixi stopped asking.She also knew that the emperor must be asking about Zhiduan's condition.Empress Dowager Cixi was also troubled by this, she really wanted to ask, but she was afraid that asking Princess Rongshou would be sad, it would be inappropriate at this time and place, so she swallowed the words again. But this time, the Empress Dowager Cixi's interest in listening to the opera was greatly reduced.Fortunately, there were not many plays, and it was over by three o'clock in the afternoon.The wife of Fujin kneeled to send the two empress dowagers and the emperor to leave their seats, but Princess Rongshou was a little hesitant. She didn't know whether to leave with everyone or wait a while, fearing that the Empress Dowager Cixi would look for her. Just then a eunuch came in a hurry and came to summon him.When Princess Rongshou came out of the palace, she saw the Empress Dowager Cixi waiting in front of the soft sedan chair. As soon as she saw her, she said, "I wanted to keep you, but I was afraid that your heart would be broken. You should go back!" "Yes!" Princess Rongshou suddenly felt infinitely distressed, "I'm afraid I won't be able to come to pay my respects to Queen Mother for several months." This means that if Zhiduan dies, he will not be able to enter the palace if he wears filial piety.The Empress Dowager Cixi naturally understood what she meant, so she quickly comforted her and said, "Don't be sad too! The calamity of the year and the moon will be dark, and you will be fine after a while. When Zhiduan is a little better, I will send someone to pick you up!" When Princess Rongshou heard this, she naturally suppressed her tears and kowtowed to say goodbye.The Empress Dowager Cixi was also very concerned about Zhiduan's condition. She sent people to ask him every day, one day was good and one day was bad. On the sixth day, she said that Zhiduan was dead! The news spread quickly to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the emperor was having a meal, he put down his chopsticks when he heard it, he was completely dazed, no matter how Xiao Li tried to persuade him, the emperor was just unhappy. "Ah!" The emperor suddenly sighed, "Life is dew!" Xiao Li couldn't understand what he said, but only knew that the emperor was very sad and listless in the study, which made Master Li's expression fluctuate again.I was very anxious and didn't know how to make the emperor happy. Xiao Li has tried many methods, but the one that is more effective is talking about the situation outside the palace.The emperor always has the opportunity to go out of the palace several times a year, but when he goes out to the police, he draws the curtain in the bright yellow sedan chair and takes a peek for a while. Are there many complicated rules like the palace?I don't understand.As for the vulgarity of the market, how lively and interesting it is, it can only be imagined from the "Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival". Therefore, when Xiao Li talked about temple fairs, Liulichang, Guangheju, and the opera garden in Dashilan, the emperor could often calm down and listen, asking questions, and had a lot of time to kill.But apart from temple fairs and opera gardens, when the emperor asked about the books at Liulichang, the peonies at Chongxiao Temple, and Master Weng's banquets in restaurants, Xiao Li couldn't answer. "It would be great to have Cheng Baylor to accompany Lord Long Live to the study!" Xiao Li's inadvertent words aroused the emperor's heart again. In his mind, Zai Cheng was the one he yearned for and even admired the most.Not to mention that he knows a lot about the outside world, it must be very interesting to be with him in the study.He heard many jokes from Xiao Li about how Zaicheng was naughty in the upper study and played tricks on his master Lin Tianling. The one he couldn't forget most was learning Lin Tianling's Fujian Jingqiang.Just listening to Zai Cheng learn the tongue, although it can make people laugh, but I don't know his beauty, until the day when Lin Tianling was summoned by the servant Xie En, listening to his accent with a big tongue in the throat, thinking of Zai Cheng imitating him The sound made the emperor almost laugh out loud, so he could only cover it up with a loud cough, which made the Minister of Military Aircraft look stunned, and the Empress Dowager Cixi was very unhappy. So he asked the Empress Dowager Ci'an to send Zai Cheng to study with him in Hongde Hall. "I'm afraid this matter will be difficult." The Empress Dowager Ci'an replied, "If Zai Li doesn't learn well, when your sixth uncle mentions it, he will be angry and sad. In my opinion, your mother will not agree." "If he doesn't learn well, should I just learn from him? That's impossible! Besides, the rules of Hongde Hall are stricter than those in the study room. Maybe Zaicheng can be managed well!" "You have the right to say that. But..." Empress Dowager Ci'an pondered for a moment, "Let's see the opportunity!" This opportunity refers to discussing with the Empress Dowager Cixi, but unexpectedly there is an unexpected opportunity. At the end of the year, Xia Weng Tonghe's mother died of illness, so please open the vacancy as usual.This accident in Weng Tonghe's "sorrow and destruction" has brought great difficulties to the empress dowagers of the two palaces, Prince Gong, Wen Xiang, and Li Hongzao. The emperor's homework is at a critical juncture, and among the three masters, Xu Tong is not taken seriously at all. , just for the sake of respecting the teacher and emphasizing the way, it is inconvenient to withdraw his "study mission", so he just stays in the Hongde Hall, pretending to be the emperor's teacher.Li Hongzao was unable to join the army due to the complicated military affairs, and the only one who could do it most was Weng Tonghe, but he couldn't contribute. So Lin Tianling, the master who went to the study room, had to go to Hongde Hall for a walk, and Zai Cheng followed him to Hongde Hall to study with him.