Chapter 35 Accidents

"The terrain of the small square pot is rugged, so it's better for my younger brother to help the emperor's grandmother." Gong Xiangxiao ignored the surprised gazes of the empresses and concubines, and after getting off the rockery, he greeted the empress dowager, and greeted the empress, noble concubine and other high-ranking concubines At the end, he said to the queen, "I have been here several times when I was young, and I am quite familiar with the terrain."

Gu Zhen was stunned for a moment before returning to his senses, and together with Yun Fenghuang, he stepped aside and said, "Then I will trouble the world... I will trouble the Marquis."

Gong Xiangxiao said calmly: "Emperor's sister-in-law is serious. The emperor's grandmother is also my younger brother's direct grandmother. This is what my younger brother should do."

So he supported the Empress Dowager to lead the way, and Liugong followed behind.

I just listened to Gong Xiangxiao and the Empress Dowager chatting as they walked, pointing out the surrounding scenery from time to time, recalling the late emperor Xiaozong occasionally, and occasionally asking each other about the current situation. Kind Sun Xiao's warmth.

Well, at least it looks cozy.

Because of the rugged path and the fact that it was the first time for the empresses and concubines to come here, they were not suitable for climbing up and down. Familiar with him, he quickly threw away the concubines headed by the queen for a while.

The queen took the opportunity to ask Yun Fenghuang: "Why is Marquis Shouning here?"

"It seems that the Empress Dowager called people over quietly." Yun Fenghuang said, "Didn't we all startled when Marquis Shou Ning came out just now? The Empress Dowager was not surprised at all."

"But the incident he caused, although not many people have mentioned it now, has it only been a few days?" The Queen frowned and said, "People are here again at this moment, I am afraid that many people will whisper again soon. .”

I feel that the empress dowager is too capricious, "Even if the imperial grandmother misses him, when is it difficult to see him in private, do you have to call him to this banquet?"

Yun Fenghuang said: "Your Majesty, you forgot? At this banquet today, ladies from various families will also be present. And Marquis Shouning is still unmarried. How did the regent and the second concubine treat Marquis Shouning?" I don’t know? Back then, the king regent personally asked for the abandonment of the prince. If the empress dowager Gu Nianqing hadn’t intervened to stop him, I don’t know what would have happened. Now the king regent and the second concubine would definitely not worry about his marriage, even if Worry, I'm afraid the ones you are looking for are not good ones, how can the Empress Dowager rest assured?"

Therefore, the Empress Dowager can only take advantage of today's opportunity to order Shou Ninghou to attend, and by the way, resolve his lifelong affairs.

"... Ben Gong forgot about this matter." Hearing this, the empress showed obvious annoyance on her face.

But I was thinking that I had expected such an encounter earlier, so I should send a message to the family to let the sisters in the family prepare.

Before, when Gong Xiangxiao was still the heir of the regent prince, his title was higher than it is now.

After all, even if Gongxiang Ruoji is not the regent, his lineage's title is also a hereditary prince, which is two levels higher than the marquis.

But the market for his marriage was not very good at that time.

One is that betrothing his daughter to him means standing in line with the regent, and the future of the regent is not so smooth and beautiful when Chunjia is in the prime of life and showing steady performance; Considering that he has a stepmother with a not-so-virtuous reputation, and a half-brother who is said to be young but very smart, either he cannot support himself, or he is not valued by the regent.

No matter which one it is, girls who are carefully cultivated by high-ranking families will definitely not easily bet on him.

However, after the abolition of the position of the eldest son and leaving the imperial capital in a rather embarrassing posture, nobles like the queen thought that he was a good marriage partner.

After all, after such a farce, anyone would want to separate him from the Prince Regent's Palace.

Even if the Prince Regent fails in the future, it may not necessarily implicate Gong Xiangxiao.

On the other hand, if the regent's affairs are successful, it's almost impossible to settle accounts with him after the autumn... Is he the son of the first wife?

Maybe he will also mention the title of title and make him a king.

With such a secure future, even if his own ability is lacking a bit, there is no serious moral problem.

... Everyone knows what is wrong with disrespecting his stepmother. Anyway, Lu's family background can't stand on the stage in the eyes of a serious family, and he doesn't think it is such a bad thing for Gong Xiangxiao to disrespect Lu's family.

In short, Marquis Shouning is young, handsome, good-natured, has a noble title, his mother has passed away, and his stepmother and father have almost lost contact with each other, and he earned a lot of sympathy when he left... This is really suitable House those real apples, too.

As soon as you enter the door, you can be the master of the house, there is no in-laws above you, and you don't need to set rules for your mother-in-law in daily life.

If you are lucky, you can still be a princess in the future.

Gu Zhen is thinking of three or two pampered cousins ​​at the moment, and she will come to the banquet today, but because she didn't expect Gong Xiangxiao's festival, not only did she not tell them to dress up beautifully and gentlely in advance. A little bit, and even sent a word to them to keep a low profile.

Don't steal the limelight from Princess Minghui...

I regret it very much right now.

Concubine Shu and Concubine De and the others who would also feel annoyed, so when they sat down in the main hall, the Empress Dowager turned around and saw that all the concubines were lingering with desolation and regret, and she laughed a little: "Go so far Lu, the old bones of the Ai family can still endure, but you are young, but you can't do it?"

"Grandmother, what are you talking about? How are you old?" Gu Zhen quickly collected his thoughts, stepped forward and said, "You are young, if you don't believe me, ask Lord Hou, do you look as old as us? It’s not that we are all out of breath and restless, and you are still full of energy here?”

The Empress Dowager smiled and said: "The Ai family always thought that you are an honest queen, but who knew that you were also very glib."

"Your granddaughter-in-law won't admit it when you say that." Gu Zhen said angrily, "My grandson-in-law dare not say anything else, but if you want to tell the truth, there is no one in the palace who can compare with your grandson-in-law. If you don't believe me, just ask me." Concubine and the others, is this the reason?"

In this way, you talked with the empress dowager for a while, and there were people from the palace to report that the two empress dowagers had also landed on the island accompanied by Princess Kunze. After all, the empress dowager was "still sick", and she was afraid that there would be too many people coming to the main hall, so that she wouldn't get dizzy and disturb the interest of the banquet, so she planned to go to a more remote pavilion.

This was agreed before, although the Empress Dowager knew that they probably didn't want to come over to see her face, she didn't bother to care about it, so she responded lightly and didn't intend to care.

But the palace man who came to complain stood where he was and didn't leave, instead he had a look of embarrassment.

"What's the matter?" Seeing this, Gu Zhen frowned slightly and asked.

The palace man said cautiously: "The loving mother Empress Dowager wants to go to the Jiuying Hall to rest, but the Holy Mother Empress Dowager said that the Jiuying Hall is too far away, and she wants Princess Kunze to help her to Zezhi Xiaozhu."

... Yun Fenghuang looked left and right, and Qingdu, who had known about it in advance, hurried up and whispered in his ear. The Jiuying Pavilion is located in the northwest corner, on a rockery several people high. The rockery is full of plum blossoms. Although there are no flowers in this season, it is You can overlook the osmanthus and chrysanthemums around the foot of the mountain; as for Zezhi Xiaozhu, it is a small courtyard on the edge of a depression in the southeast corner. In midsummer, the fields of lotus leaves are really lovely. At this moment, most of them are left to listen to the rain. sounded.

With just these two places, who would believe that the two empress dowagers are not different?

The queen's face was a bit ugly. Although the conflict between the two empress dowagers had not exploded, the empresses knew that they were not very harmonious.

The problem is, no matter how unharmonious it is, Chunjia's adoptive mother and biological mother will make trouble like this in front of the Empress Dowager and Shouninghou. Have you ever thought about Chunjia?

Her lips moved, and she looked at the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager looked indifferent, and said: "It's good to let Princess Kunze decide this matter. Is it possible that Ai's family should make up his mind?"

The palace man apologized and said with a smile: "The princess is also in a dilemma. I don't know which empress dowager to send first."

Princess Kunze was indeed in a dilemma. After all, one was the aunt and the other was the adoptive mother. According to her rank, she should send the Empress Dowager Yuan first.

But according to her love, she couldn't embarrass Queen Mother Qu.

No wonder it froze.

The empress interjected with embarrassment: "Grandmother, granddaughter-in-law thinks..."

But the Empress Dowager didn't give her a chance to feel that, and said directly to her fellow palace servants: "Didn't the osmanthus banquet today be held for their relaxation? Why did they get excited by themselves before the banquet started? That being the case, there is no need to worry about how noisy the Ai family is, and they all come to Ai's house."

"To avoid embarrassing children, I don't have the bearing that royal elders should have!"

Although the concubines who said this were all low-browed and pleasing to the eye, they didn't dare to make a sound, but they thought it was very reasonable in their hearts.

Although the Empress Dowager and Chunjia are not together, but in terms of bearing, she is much stronger than those two empress dowagers...

After a while, Empress Dowager Yuan and Empress Dowager Qu came together, accompanied by Princess Kunze. After all, these two were chronically ill and widows, so their clothes were not bright, and they hadn't put on any makeup.

Princess Kunze, who was following behind them, tidied things up well. He wore a double snail bun, decorated with emerald gilt phoenix bird holding sesame pearls, earrings with emerald ganoderma lucidum earrings, and gorgeous Peach blossom makeup.

Wearing half-sleeves with lily embroidered over the shoulders with black bottom, the placket and sleeve edges are inlaid with vermilion, and the neckline reveals a little snow color. It is a tea-and-white plain pattern narrow-sleeved short jacket inside, and the carved bat peony is pressed on the chest, which means wealth and honor. There is a pair of wreath rings, and underneath is a vermilion-colored black dress. The vermilion skirt has winding grape patterns, and it opens and closes suddenly when walking. Because of the exquisite texture, it looks like a peacock. The tail feathers have a soft luster.

She held her head up slightly, and at first glance she did look like a proud little peacock. After the two empress dowagers finished their salutes, she was about to retreat to the side and wait.

As a result, she had just started to move, and was stopped by the Empress Dowager, telling her to go forward.

Princess Kunze didn't know why, so she subconsciously glanced at Empress Dowager Yuan, and then at Empress Dowager Qu. Seeing that the two didn't say anything, she hesitated to walk up to the Empress Dowager, blessed her again, and said hello again in a low voice.

It can be seen that the Princess is a little nervous, which is no wonder. Speaking of which, she has been in the palace for ten years, but the number of times she has seen the Empress Dowager can be counted on one hand.

If the common man Ji Sheng was around, Kunze would still be a little familiar with Ji Sheng.

Because playing with the three eldest princesses together, there are more chances to see Ji Sheng.

For Ming Hui's sake, Ji Sheng treated Yun'an and Sui'an fairly well, and he didn't bother to embarrass Kunze.

Over the years, even if Kunze occasionally had the opportunity to see the Empress Dowager, when she saw the Empress Dowager, the Empress Dowager did not see her in her eyes.

Therefore, this was the first time she was held by the empress dowager and spoke.

And what he said was not a good thing: "In a blink of an eye, this child has grown up, so it's time to discuss marriage? This is a girl from your Fuyang County lineage, and the Ai family doesn't want to do it for you. But since the child is old, it's time to marry her." I can no longer tease her like I did when I was a child. Especially today, the grandson-in-law and the others specially made the laurel feast for the two of you. But you fought immediately after landing, and Kunze didn't know what to do That's good, just now when the news came, the empress and the others were in a hurry...the majestic empress dowager, this is too absurd!"

Empress Dowager Yuan and Empress Dowager Qu knew they were wrong, and they were inferior in seniority, so they couldn't say anything to justify them at the moment, so they could only answer vaguely with a stiff face.

But the Empress Dowager still didn't let them go, and continued, "I just said that the child is old, and it's time to discuss marriage. You two are aunts and adoptive mothers, do you have a plan in mind?"

"..." Empress Dowager Yuan frowned and said, "If you go back to the Empress Dowager, the previous king only had such a daughter, but he still wants to keep it for a year or so."

She wasn't sure what the Empress Dowager meant, so she planned to delay it first.

The Empress Dowager then looked at Empress Dowager Qu, and Empress Dowager Qu was silent for a while, but said: "What the Empress Dowager said is reasonable, Kunze should also say kiss. It's just that this child and I have always lived in seclusion, but I don't know what is suitable outside. "

"Isn't today an opportunity?" The Empress Dowager said without waiting for the Empress Dowager Yuan to speak, "In order to entertain you today, the Empress specially invited important ministers and their families to the palace for a banquet. Just show it to Kunze."

"We also appreciate the kindness of the Empress Dowager, but the lineage of King Fuyang now has heirs, and such matters should be asked of the current King of Fuyang." The Queen Mother Yuan choked, and immediately pushed back, " After all, Ruoheng is the one who is serious enough to make decisions for Kunze."

The Empress Dowager said indifferently: "Parents are the masters of marriage. The King of Fuyang is far away in Fuyang County. He may not come to the Imperial Capital for a year or so. If he doesn't see it in person, how could he still be confused? Betrothed out? Let the Queen Mother raise Kunze Princess who is not the master, so who else will be the master?"

The corners of her mouth curled up slightly, and she said slowly, "Oh, I forgot, Yuan Shi, although you are Kunze's aunt, you have never raised Kunze yourself, so it's no wonder that you are not sure what kind of county horse you should choose for Kunze , so much so that he wanted to push Fuyang King out. But in the eyes of the Ai family, it is unnecessary, and it is most appropriate to listen to Queen Mother Qu's opinion on such matters."

"The empress dowager praises me, I must keep my eyes open, and I am determined not to wrong the flesh and blood of the late king." The empress dowager immediately took up the conversation, and looked at Kunze again, "Silly boy, why don't you thank the empress dowager for your concern?"

Kunze saluted blankly and subconsciously: "Thank you, Empress Dowager."

"Let's go." The Empress Dowager achieved her goal and did not want to keep her anymore. She waved her hand to signal Kunze to retreat, but after thinking for a while, she stopped her again and took off a mutton fat jade wishful cloud pattern from her wrist. Putting the bracelet on Kunze, he said, "You rarely come to Ai's house, and it seems that Ai's family hasn't given you a meeting gift, and they haven't prepared any today, so let's play with it."

This time, Queen Mother Qu didn't need to remind her, Kunze hurriedly saluted again, and then retreated behind Queen Mother Qu with her head bowed.

Empress Dowager Yuan's face turned livid, looking at the mother and daughter, her eyes almost burst into flames: it's so stupid to not understand that Queen Mother Qu and Empress Dowager have colluded together in the morning! ! !