Chapter 17 Section five

It was almost noon, and according to the scheduled arrangement, the Empress Dowager ordered all the concubines to gather together and go to Yanbo Zhishuang Hall to lay a drink for Emperor Daxing.So a group of concubines in their early twenties, all dressed in plain clothes, took off the fringe decorations on the "two handles", wiped their tears, and came to the central palace—the concubine Yigui is not required to visit according to Yi's decree The strange thing is that Concubine Li didn't come for a long time. The queen mother kept asking, but there was no result. Finally, Shuangxi walked up to her and said quietly, "Don't wait, queen mother, Concubine Li can't come for a while!"

"how?" "Don't ask the Queen Mother. I will talk to the Queen Mother in detail when I come back." The Empress Dowager listened to the maid's words the most, so she didn't ask any questions, and led the concubines to the Yanbo Zhishuang Palace to drink and mourn, and pay respects to the remains of Emperor Daxing. With two slender fingers, she lifted the white silk, and what appeared in front of the Empress Dowager was a "dead face" with gray skin, sunken cheeks and eyes, and her mouth and eyes were never closed.According to the common saying, this is a sign that the deceased has something to let go of, or that he is unwilling to die.So, the queen mother who had just mourned, shed tears like broken pearls.

"Your Majesty!" She stretched out her fingers, gently wiped Emperor Daxing's eyelids, and prayed silently: "You can go to heaven with peace of mind! The eldest elder brother has already ascended the throne, so it's hard for him. The six-year-old child has no stage fright. It seems that he will be promising and blessed in the future.Sushun is very well behaved, and Concubine Yigui is also very good. These people are considered conscientious and have not forgotten what the emperor ordered them to do.that is……. " The Queen Mother thought of Concubine Li, and couldn't continue praying!She was very disturbed, Emperor Daxing had specially told her to protect Concubine Li before his death, and now that the body has not been put into the coffin, it seems that something has happened to Concubine Li, is this worthy of the late Emperor?

Thinking of this, the Empress Dowager was anxious to go back to the palace to inquire carefully, and then she left the East Nuan Pavilion, and the other concubines naturally followed, and they left after the Empress Dowager got into the soft sedan chair. "Double Happiness?" The Empress Dowager asked loudly once she returned to her bedroom. "Double Happiness has gone to Concubine Li's palace." "I was about to ask, what happened to Concubine Li?" The court lady whom the Queen Mother asked was only thirteen years old, very honest and not very sensible, she timidly replied: "Wait for Shuangxi to come back and talk to the Queen Mother! Shuangxi doesn't allow us to talk too much."

This made the Empress Dowager anxious, she stamped her feet and said, "You ignorant girls! Why are you so awkward! " "Yes...," the little maid finally said hesitantly, "It is said that Concubine Li has taken poison!" "Ah!" The Queen Mother lost her composure and yelled, "Why, why didn't you tell me earlier!" "Here we come, here we come!" The little palace maid pointed and shouted with relief, "Shuangxi is here!" Uneasy, worried about being scolded, but he knew what happened just now. Therefore, her first sentence was: "It doesn't matter, Concubine Li has woken up."

"What? You said you took poison, what kind of poison?" Concubine Li took opium cream.A month ago, Emperor Daxing had a stomachache. It was Zaiyuan's idea, saying that smoking a few tubes of opium would immediately relieve diarrhea and refresh himself. It just so happened that Concubine Li once served her father who smoked opium and could make bubbles, so he bought a The emperor Daxing hid in Concubine Li's place, smoked an extremely delicate cigarette tray two or three times, and stopped smoking once the diarrhea healed.Maybe Li Concubine had already made up her mind, so she returned the cigarette tray, but kept a silver box containing the smoke paste. Fortunately, there was not much smoke paste left, and the poisoning was not deep. A life was taken back from Emperor Daxing.

"I didn't know what was going on just now, I was afraid that the Queen Mother would be anxious and didn't dare to speak. At this moment, please rest assured, Queen Mother! " "Alas...!" The Empress Dowager sighed, feeling that Concubine Li was respectable and pitiful, so she said, "I'll go and see her." "Queen Dowager, wait a moment! Concubine Li has taken the medicine right now, so she has to sleep for a while. After seeing the Queen Mother, she has to get up and salute again, and she will be sad again, which is not good!" It was not bad after thinking about it, the queen mother dismissed the idea, and Shuangxi advised her to go back to the palace to rest.The Empress Dowager had the habit of taking an afternoon nap, and stayed up all night, and experienced so many major events in the morning, she was physically and mentally exhausted, and she really needed to take a good rest, but she couldn't calm down, the more relaxed her body became, the busier she was. She has deeply experienced that being the "head of the family" is not easy, her shoulders are heavy, she is terrified, her heart is hanging, and she can't sleep well.

I don't know how much time has passed, when I heard the door knocking "Yeah", and seeing a figure from the western pearl tent, the Empress Dowager shouted: "Double Happiness!" "The Queen Mother is awake?" Shuangxi hung up the curtain and asked. "Can I sleep there?" "Su Zhongtang and the others have come and said that there are many important events, and they want to see the Queen Mother return." The queen mother sighed silently: "See you!" So Shuangxi walked to the door, patted her hands lightly twice, and found the maids, helped the Empress Dowager get up, washed her face and changed her clothes, and went to meet Sushun and the others.

It was Gu Ming's eight ministers who came to see the queen mother. According to the rules of "meeting" between military ministers and the "emperor", Zaiyuan led the way with a yellow box in his hands. So Zaiyuan opened the yellow box, first took out an edict, and held it to the empress dowager with both hands: "This is a mourning edict forwarded by the cabinet, please have a look at it, the empress dowager." The Empress Dowager had self-knowledge, she couldn't read many characters, so if she didn't read it, she waved her hand and said, "Read it to me!"

Zaiyuan also had self-knowledge. There were many idioms in the mourning edict and sentences commonly used in the edict. He could understand it but couldn't read it out, so he looked back at Jiao Youying and said, "It's your main manuscript. You can read it to the Queen Mother!" Jiao Youying promised energetically, stooped over and took the mourning edict from Zaiyuan, held it up in both hands, and read upwards: "The cabinet: I was educated by the emperor of the imperial examination and Daxing, Gu Fu thought deeply, Haotian Wangji , Shengshoufu is more than thirty years old, and I serve the court, and I am fortunate that the love will last forever, and the period is imminent..."

But just read the beginning, the Queen Mother was already anxious.People from Tianjin have a loud voice, and Jiao Youying, who is really loud and loud, can't help reading his own articles with great vigor, and the whole room can only hear the sound of explosions. "Emperor" These few words, except that I can hear clearly, I don't know what he is reading! Therefore, after finishing the reading, the queen mother could only nod in a daze, expressing her agreement. The second edict is to appoint a Minister of Funeral Rituals, which has already been agreed, and the Queen Mother can't say anything more.Then, Sushun, as a minister of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, recalled some court affairs by the way. The most important one was that the emperor, as a "filial son", accompanied the spirit, and according to the rules, he had to "sit on the ground" and moved to Yanbozhishuang. The hall is called "Yilu". What Sushun meant was that when the body of Emperor Daxing was put into the Golden Chamber and the East Nuan Pavilion was vacated, the Empress Dowager would also be asked to move there to wish this way. One would be convenient for taking care of the emperor, and the other would be convenient for summoning the ministers.The Empress Dowager originally felt that it was inappropriate to meet the ministers in her own palace, so she accepted Sushun's suggestion without hesitation. So the maids of the Empress Dowager finished their filial piety and then went to "move". Shuangxi was in charge of supervising these trivial matters, and the Empress Dowager asked someone to bring a chair and sit by the lotus pond at the back of the hall.Not many days ago, Emperor Daxing had talked to her about many behind-the-scenes affairs here. Although his voice was sad, he was still a couple of the Tian family after all. The autumn wind and the remnants of the lotus are really sad! One person wiped away tears for a long time, and thought about it over and over again, but gritted her teeth and supported herself, remembering the situation when she summoned Minister Gu Ming just now, she couldn't help but think this way: it would be nice to have Laner together up!However, according to the family law of this dynasty, except for the queen mother who can occasionally inquire about state affairs, any family members are not allowed to interfere in government affairs, let alone summon ministers.Concubine Yigui should ask about politics together, unless she is also the Queen Mother. That's what she is!Thinking of this, the Empress Dowager felt that this was also one of the most important things that needed to be done urgently. After thinking about it for a while, she ordered the chief eunuch to pass on Yi's decree: to summon Minister Gu Ming in the imperial study, the whole class does not have to be present, but Sushun must come. As a result, three came: Zaiyuan, Sushun, and Duhan.At this moment, the loyal queen mother also understood that there were only three of Gu Ming's eight ministers who could make up their minds, and among these three, Sushun was the leader, which is even more self-evident. Therefore, the Empress Dowager directly asked the boss to talk: "Sushun, I remembered something. The emperor has already ascended the throne. What should I say about the title of Concubine Yigui?" Su Shun originally thought that what the Empress Dowager was inquiring about was not the funeral ceremony of the Emperor Daxing, or the general affairs of the court, but he did not expect that it was the identity of Concubine Tan Yigui!The arrow is on the string, there is no way to delay, and after thinking for a while, he replied: "According to the family law of this dynasty, the mother is more valuable than the son, and Concubine Yigui should be respected as the queen mother, but it must be sealed by the emperor himself." "It's easy to handle! I'll let the emperor tell you personally." Why did the Queen Mother protect Concubine Yigui so much?Sushun was quite confused, but he was the most quick-witted, and quickly replied: "Return to the Queen Mother. Concubine Yigui is respected as the Queen Mother. Although it is done as usual, it is a big event after all! The meaning of the slave, it is best to have it tomorrow. Before the emperor's funeral, it is solemn to ask the emperor to personally seal it in front of the princes and ministers. "Sushun's meaning is very good." Du Han then said, "Please accept the Queen Mother!" How could the Queen Mother have thought that Sushun intends to separate the two palaces?Originally, I thought Sushun's words were reasonable, and with Du Han's echo, he naturally "agreed" without hesitation. At night, when everything was settled, the Empress Dowager was thinking about the two concubines Yi and Li, and planned to visit them in person, so she discussed with Shuangxi.Shuangxi still advised the Queen Mother not to visit Concubine Li, but she might as well enjoy some food as comfort.After listening to her words, the queen mother asked Shuangxi to send the bird's nest stewed in rock sugar that she ate, and then persuaded Concubine Li well.Then he supported a maid's shoulder.Slowly walked to Concubine Yigui's palace. Naturally, someone will report to Concubine Yigui first.During this day, she felt infinitely depressed, but the Empress Dowager condescended to see her illness in person, and she was moved, so she hurriedly greeted her, and treated her as a grand gift with grievances.The Empress Dowager personally supported her, held her hand, looked at each other with moist eye sockets, and after a long time, the Empress Dowager called out: "Sister!" This "sister" is really convincing people with virtue!Concubine Yigui knelt down and kowtowed again, and invited the Queen Mother inside to have a private conversation behind closed doors. After sitting down, the two young widows, under the plain lamp, were relatively gloomy, and they both had a feeling of being dependent on each other. "Lan'er!" the queen mother said without reservation, "From now on, you and I will be considered sisters! I am two years younger than you, but I entered the palace earlier than you, so I am the elder." After hearing this, Concubine Yigui's anger subsided.But her private feelings are not as good as her public status, so she retreated and said: "Thank you Queen Mother for your kindness, but the status is different after all, I will not be so bold, and dare to call the Queen Mother sister." "Your and my identities will be the same tomorrow." The Queen Mother replied, "I brought Su Liu here this afternoon and asked him: What about your title? If he answers me, the emperor must seal it himself. At that time, I This matter was about to be done, Su Liu said again, before the big burial tomorrow, the princes and ministers will arrive, and let the emperor say something himself, that would be more solemn. I think his words are not bad!" When the Empress Dowager summoned Minister Gu Ming, no eunuchs were allowed to be present according to the emperor's rule of summoning military planes, so Concubine Yigui was not able to get a report of this situation.At this time, after listening to the Queen Mother's explanation, it is really hard for a dumb person to eat yellow lotus!The queen mother was fooled by Sushun and thought he was "good".But in any case, the empress dowager's affection is palpable, so I can't say much about it, I can only feel bored in my heart. Concubine Yigui couldn't live with sulking, so her liver qi hurt faintly between her chest and diaphragm again! "Lan'er, we have to discuss it. In the past, when the Emperor Daxing told me about important events in the court or other provinces, I could almost understand them all. Now, Su Liu and the others have something to do with me, and I'm almost blind. This is What's the matter?" Concubine Yigui thought for a while and asked, "Since the Queen Mother can't understand, what should I do?" "What else can I do? Naturally, what they say, I promise them!" "This is Su Liu's treachery!" Concubine Yigui burst out the words through her teeth, "He deliberately made the Empress Dowager unable to understand, so that he could be deceived according to his thoughts." "Ah!" The queen mother suddenly understood. "I'll show the Queen Mother some evidence," said Concubine Yigui, "For example, isn't it the responsibility of the Ministry of Rites to manage the funeral ceremony? Why respect the funeral minister, the hall official of the Ministry of Rites None? Isn’t this arrogance and intentional crowding out?” Concubine Yigui didn't know that the two ministers of the Ministry of Rites, Manchu and Han Dynasty, one was cowardly and cowardly, and the other was old and sick, neither of them could do anything.But on the surface, her words are really plausible, so the queen mother kept nodding her head deeply. "Hmph!" Concubine Yigui sneered again, "Su Liu, look at his big white face, he is Cao Cao! I think it's time to sing "Forcing the Palace"." This sneer and this metaphor made the queen mother shudder, "Lan'er!" She said hastily, "I'm here to discuss this with you. If you have any ideas, just tell me!" "I'll ask the queen mother to tell me first, what does the queen mother mean when Emperor Daxing gave those two seals?" "Naturally, I thought that your identity will be the same as mine, so only you and I will each have a cherry blossom." The Queen Mother saw it very well.However, by giving me the seal of 'Tongdaotang', I dare say that the meaning of Emperor Daxing is to let me govern the great affairs together with the Queen Mother. " The Queen Mother nodded deeply: "That's right! Sister, this time, you have to help me even more." Concubine Yigui responded with a brief silence, which meant that she did not recognize the meaning of the word "help" - the two palaces have the same respect, it doesn't matter who helps whom!Of course, the Queen Mother would not understand her profound and subtle attitude. "Uh," the queen mother suddenly thought of something, and got an idea naturally: "Su Liu told me that the emperor's 'Yi Lu' is located in Yanbo Zhishuang Hall, and I live in Dongnuan Pavilion, so everything is convenient. I Thinking, isn’t Xinuang Pavilion just right for you to live in? You can move tomorrow!” This is the best courtesy she can get, and at the end of the day, she can only be the empress dowager of the West Palace in terms of status, so she can only resent her fate!Concubine Yigui was not satisfied, but she had to thank the Queen Mother. "From tomorrow onwards, we sisters will meet Su Liu and the others together. Please pay more attention and listen carefully to what they have to say." "It's meaningless to just meet them and listen to what they have to say. "Of course," the queen mother hurriedly added, "we can't just listen, if they are wrong, we should let them know." Concubine Yigui spoke faster than her: "What if they don't listen?" "This..." The queen mother hesitated, "They don't dare?" "Queen Mother, you are too loyal, you won't believe their tricks even if I tell you. But there is one thing," Concubine Yigui thought about it and asked: "'Shangyu' and 'Tingji' are posted as soon as we meet. If there is something wrong, it can be corrected with a red pen. Empress Dowager, you can move it." pen? " This seemed to be a deliberate attempt to expose weaknesses. The Empress Dowager felt slightly displeased, blushed a little, shook her head and said, "I can't do it. Can you do it?" "I can't do it either." Concubine Yigui replied calmly, "That's the problem. I told them to change it, but they didn't change it, and they posted it out. Whose responsibility is this?" "That's right!" The Empress Dowager immediately agreed with Concubine Yigui's opinion completely, "This must be guarded against. If you have an idea, just say it!" "Don't you have the two seals bestowed by the late emperor, in our hands? It's easy to handle..." "Ah!" The Empress Dowager suddenly became shrewd, "That's right, no matter whether it's an edict or a court order, we have to seal it." "Also, you have to do the same if there is a shortage." Dowager Yigui made further regulations: "The Empress Dowager's 'Imperial Reward' seal is stamped at the beginning, and my 'Tongdaotang' seal is stamped at the end. Two It doesn’t matter if there is one less seal. Empress Dowager, do you think it’s possible to do this?” "Make, make!" The queen mother's intention of coming has been fully realized, and the wish of the concubine Yigui has also been fully realized at this moment! Seeing off the queen mother, she felt an indescribable excitement in her heart, trembling with excitement, and she knew that this was because she was not yet fully sure of whether she could hold the power that was about to be held in her hands. You have to think about it!Concubine Yigui said to herself.So, she stayed alone in the corridor, dazed in the melting moonlight. For a long time, she whispered to herself: "Queen Mother, twenty-seven-year-old Queen Mother! These days, alas!" The richer you are, the more lonely you are!Can the empty days in the future be filled with power?She was thinking so blankly.