Chapter 233 Blue and White Clothes
That day, Xiao Heng stayed in Yaoyue Palace until the next day when he went to court.
The sky was clear when I woke up in the morning, but by the time the sun set it was covered with lead-gray clouds and rain was falling slantingly.
Dark water marks instantly appeared on the hem of his yellow court robe, and Zhou Defu hurriedly opened his oil-paper umbrella and hit Xiao Heng on the head.
"Your Majesty, it's raining now. Are you still going to the Yueyue Palace?"
Xiao Heng looked at the falling rain and asked, "Is Concubine Xi supposed to be in Weiyang Palace right now?"
"Your Majesty, you left court early this morning. Concubine Xi should have just arrived at Weiyang Palace a short while ago."
Xiao Heng glanced at his court robes and said, "Then change into casual clothes and go to Weiyang Palace."
Zhou Defu held an umbrella for Xiao Heng and said with a smile, "Is the Emperor going to pick up Concubine Xi?"
Xiao Heng did not answer, but just raised his lips with a smile.
She was afraid of cold by nature, and her hands and feet used to be cold even in the middle of summer.
It was now the dead of winter, with frequent rain and snow, and it was really hard for her to go to the Weiyang Palace to pay her respects every day.
But if I favor her so much, it will definitely make the six palaces jealous.
Then let's wait until the first snow falls and let the Queen personally ask to exempt her from the ceremony of paying respects.
When they arrived at the Purple Palace, Xiao Heng ordered, "Go find that bluish-white robe, and also the cloak, which should be bluish-white."
Bluish-white? Zhou Defu was slightly taken aback.
"Your Majesty, your cloaks are usually dark in color. I will need to find a bluish-white one."
"If you don't have that, then order someone to do it."
Xiao Heng gave the order, and Zhou Defu quickly responded: "Yes, then I will order the Imperial Household Department to make a few blue-white capes and cloaks for Your Majesty.
After saying this, he hurried forward to help Xiao Heng undress. Seeing that he looked calm, he asked with a broad smile, "Your Majesty, don't you always avoid wearing light colors?"
He had been with Xiao Heng for many years and still remembered that after Empress Wen Yi passed away, the Emperor was taken back to the side of the current Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager always said that the Emperor had been raised a little naughty by Empress Wen Yi, and that he lacked the steadiness and composure of a prince.
From then on, the emperor read and wrote every day, never indulged in play, and gradually, even the clothes he wore began to choose mature and stable black or blue robes.
After becoming emperor, he rarely wore light-colored clothes.
Why do I suddenly prefer this bluish-white color today?
Xiao Heng's tone sank slightly, but a hint of smile appeared on the corner of his mouth: "Why, does this bluish-white color not look good on me?"
Zhou Defu said quickly, "It looks good! It looks good! In fact, Your Majesty, you should have worn simpler clothes a long time ago. You look very elegant."
Xiao Heng picked up the sachet and stroked it. The sachet was embroidered by her. She specially replaced the fragrant flowers and hay that had lost their scent last night.
This subtle and sweet scent is also her unique scent.
Thinking of her curled up in his arms last night, her face against his chest as she fell asleep, Xiao Heng couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth slightly.
It turns out that there is no need for men and women to toss and turn in love. Just sleeping in each other's arms like this can make them feel at peace and affectionate.
After changing into robes, the palace maid presented the bluish-white cloak with both hands.
Xiao Heng tied his cloak and looked at himself in the bronze mirror.
Perhaps it was because he had never worn light-colored clothes before, so he looked a little uncomfortable for a moment.
He lost his usual calm and composed demeanor, and for no reason developed a bit of childishness that was not befitting of an emperor.
However, since she looked happy, let her be happy.
Weiyang Palace.
The Queen looked at the heavy rain and said to Liu Yuetang, "Xi Fei, you are pregnant. Please wait until the rain subsides before returning to the palace."
Liu Yuetang nodded: "Yes."
After the concubines left, the Queen looked at her and said with a smile, "Hurry up and sit down. It has been a while since I have had a good talk with you."
"Fu Liu, go and bring the eldest prince here."
The Queen picked up the teacup beside her and said, "An'er has told me several times that she wants to see the brother or sister in your belly."
Liu Yuetang placed her bare hands gently on her belly: "It has been a long time since I last saw the eldest prince."
As soon as he finished speaking, a voice came from outside the door saying "The Emperor has arrived."
The Queen put down her teacup and knelt down with Liu Yuetang to welcome him.
"Your Highness, I pay my respects to you."
When Xiao Heng stepped into the hall, his eyes fell only on Liu Yuetang.
He helped her up with his own hands, and then gently lifted the queen's hand.
"Queen and Concubine Xi, there's no need to be so polite."
The queen stood up gracefully and was slightly stunned when she touched Xiao Heng's clothes.
This was the first time she had seen an emperor with such a gentle temperament and elegant demeanor like a pine tree.
"Why is the emperor here?"
Xiao Heng took the seat and said, "I have been thinking about visiting An'er for a long time."
Just as Xiao Cheng'an was mentioned, Fu Liu brought him over.
He walked into the hall and saluted Xiao Heng and the Queen: "Your son pays his respects to the Emperor and the Queen."
After saying this, he turned to Liu Yuetang and said, "Greetings to Concubine Liu."
Xiao Heng smiled and waved: "An'er, come to father."
Xiao Chengan walked to Xiao Heng obediently.
Xiao Heng pulled him aside and asked, "What has the Grand Tutor taught you recently?"
Xiao Cheng'an is now almost eight years old and has lost the timidity of his childhood.
He was no longer like before, when he would tremble at the sight of Xiao Heng, fearing that he would be tested on his studies.
He bravely said slowly: "I have studied the Analects of Confucius and learned to govern with virtue. I have also copied ten pieces of thin gold calligraphy!"
"Oh? Then let me ask you, what does it mean to govern with virtue?"
Xiao Cheng'an's dark jade eyes rolled. "It's said... Confucius believed that if a ruler practices virtuous governance, the people will support him like the stars surrounding the North Star."
Xiao Heng nodded in satisfaction, and then Xiao Cheng'an continued, "My Queen Mother once told me that as a prince, if I want to help my father share his worries, I must first learn benevolence. And benevolence starts with being considerate of the palace maids and not getting angry easily. Now I no longer get angry with the palace maids, and I respect my teachers and elders. In the future, I will also care for my younger brothers and sisters."
"Well said!" Xiao Heng looked at the Queen, his eyes full of admiration.
"The Queen has taught me well! I am very pleased."
The Queen nodded and said, "As her mother, this is all my duty. And it is also because An'er has her own understanding."
At this time, Liu Yuetang said: "Your Majesty governs the harem with benevolence and virtue, and now she has educated the eldest prince so well. I will also learn from you how to raise children."
In the past, Xiao Cheng'an was so violent that he would either beat or scold the palace maids. He was extremely playful and never studied hard.
Now that the changes are so great, it is obvious that the Queen must have put in a lot of effort.
The Queen smiled gently, her tenderness like snow melting in a spring stream. "You are so kind, Concubine Xi. I believe you will also be a good mother."
Xiao Cheng'an walked up to Liu Yuetang with a smile and looked at her belly. "Mother Liu, when will we know whether you are carrying a little brother or a little sister?"
Liu Yuetang smiled gently and said, "You won't know until the baby is born."
"So, does the eldest prince prefer a younger brother or a younger sister?"
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