Chapter 133 It seems that something precious has been left behind
The next day, at daybreak, the palace gates were locked, and two rows of imperial guards escorted three carriages as they slowly drove out of the Meridian Gate.
Empress Dowager Jiang and her people from Changchun Palace moved to Shanghe Garden today.
In the leading carriage sat Empress Dowager Jiang and Zang Xiu.
Meng Yan held Doukou in her arms and sat in a subsequent carriage with Bai Yuxin.
The carriage that followed was loaded with the boxes and bags of the two concubines.
They got up too early today, and the little baby Doukou couldn't even open his eyes. Now he was lying in Meng Yan's arms and fell asleep again.
Meng Yan stroked the child's head, her heart fluctuating with the turning of the wheels.
Bai Yuxin looked at the scenery outside the car window and said softly, "We're almost across the moat."
Meng Yan's heart moved slightly, and she also looked out of the car window.
All I could see were the majestic buildings and towering corner towers of the imperial city, gradually disappearing into the distance in the dim morning light.
This was the first time she had walked out of the palace in two lifetimes since she entered it.
What kind of changes will happen to Meng Yan's life in the future?
Is the book that influenced her life still exerting its power in the dark?
She doesn't know what the future holds, but no matter what awaits her, she has no regrets.
But, somehow, she seemed to have left something extremely important and precious in the imperial city behind her.
Lu Haozhi stood atop the imperial city's corner tower, gazing down at the convoy slowly moving along the capital's streets. The wind blew his clothes, and a subtle touch of sadness lingered beneath his handsome face.
"Your Majesty," Rong An came over holding a scroll and bowed to him. "The Imperial Concubine sent this scroll back and asked me to pass a message to Your Majesty. The Imperial Concubine said that she would come back to get it when she had thought it through."
Lu Haozhi nodded slightly, but did not take it.
Without even looking, he knew it was the "Goddess of Luo River" painting he had given her before.
"Go back!"
After saying this, Lu Haozhi turned around and strode down the corner tower.
It's futile to stand here and feel sad. It's better to go back and deal with state affairs. The sooner I finish them, the sooner I can have some free time, and the sooner I can go to the garden.
Yan'er, don't even think about being separated from me in this life.
Shanghe Garden was about forty miles from the capital. Empress Dowager Jiang was old, so the carriage should not drive too fast. They drove slowly all the way. By the time they arrived at the garden, it was already noon.
Doukou was already very hungry, and she rubbed Meng Yan's knees in the carriage to beg for food.
Not to mention such a small child, even the two adults were starving.
After finally entering Shanghe Garden, Empress Dowager Jiang told them to settle down first and not to rush to greet them. They could talk after lunch and a nap.
When the late emperor was alive, Empress Dowager Jiang often came to this royal garden to escape the summer heat. Now she still lives in Shou'an Academy where she is used to living.
Meng Yan went to Chunze Zhai.
Chunze Zhai is located at the east end of the garden, covering a large area. It consists of three courtyards, dozens of houses in front and back, and a building. It faces a clear pond in front and a lake in the back. It is an excellent place for viewing the scenery.
Meng Yan lived in the main hall, Doukou naturally lived next to her, and Bai Yuxin was placed in the back wing.
While the palace servants were packing their bags, the two of them took their children up to the pavilion.
When Bai Yuxin first arrived here, she climbed up to a height and gazed far into the distance. As far as the eye could see, she saw only distant green mountains and azure waters. On the lake, she could see vast lotus fields, with several lotus-picking boats crisscrossing. Even the sound of fishermen's songs could be heard on the wind. She felt incredibly happy and smiled at Meng Yan, saying, "Sister, this place is much more comfortable than the Imperial City."
Unexpectedly, Meng Yan was stroking the carved window frame, staring at the lake in a daze, as if she didn't hear anything at all.
Bai Yuxin was a smart girl. When she saw her like that, she guessed it immediately.
Sister Yan has been a concubine for many years, and I believe she has come here to live many times in previous years. It goes without saying who she came with.
Originally, I came out this time to avoid the emperor, but I'm afraid Shanghe Garden is not a quiet place.
But, thinking too much is useless.
Bai Yuxin stepped forward, put her arm around her, and said with a soft smile, "Sister, I'm hungry, and Doukou is also very hungry. Let's go have dinner?"
Meng Yan raised her head and smiled at her, "That's good. The cooking skills of Shanghe Garden are quite different from those of the Imperial Kitchen in the Imperial City."
Bai Yuxin raised an eyebrow and said playfully, "Really? I don't believe it until I've tried it. I've had enough of those official-looking dishes in the imperial kitchen. With the same master and the same apprentice, how could they come out different?"
"The craftsmanship of the imperial kitchen is good for serving the New Year banquet, but if you savor it carefully, it's not very interesting. After all, it's too artificial."
Meng Yan said this casually, but she knew in her heart that Bai Yuxin was not a picky person, and she only said this to make her think about other things.
She had lived in this garden with Lu Haozhi when he was the crown prince.
Later, he ascended the throne and came here several times.
I felt nothing before coming here, but after entering the garden, I found that the remnants of the past were everywhere I walked.
Especially this Chunzezhai, which was her usual residence when she came here several times before.
When Lu Haozhi had nothing to do, he would come to accompany her. The two of them had also stood side by side downstairs, leaning on the railing to admire the lotus.
Looking at the plump lotus pods in the lake, Lu Haozhi picked one off and threw it into her arms, smiling at her, "Lotus pods have many seeds."
Meng Yan didn't think any more about it. She just held Bai Yuxin's hand and took Doukou downstairs.
Ruizhu just came to report that lunch had arrived, and Meng Yan ordered it to be placed in the hall on the first floor.
The lobby on the first floor is an open room with windows on all sides. When the breeze from the lake comes, it brings coolness to the body.
Since there were no outsiders present, there was no need to go through the formalities and the two of them sat opposite each other.
The lunch was not as sumptuous as that in the palace, but it was particularly delicate and elegant, with a wild flavor.
Magnolia chicken slices, crucian carp tofu, fresh bamboo shoots and pig's trotters, shredded pork with mugwort, Yunyang soup, water chestnut flour cake, lotus fragrance rice, most of the seasonal fresh food in summer.
Meng Yan picked up a small bowl of rice, put a few pieces of fish and vegetables in it, mixed it with soup, and brought it to Doukou. While urging her to eat, she smiled at Bai Yuxin and said, "Most of the fish, shrimp, and vegetables used in this dish are grown in this garden. They are quite fresh. Try them."
Doukou pouted and refused to eat. She stretched out her little hand to take the cake, but was hit by Meng Yan.
"You are not allowed to have snacks before you finish your meal. I will not tolerate your picky eating habits anymore!"
Doukou looked at Meng Yan with a bitter face, her lips pursed a few times, and she forced out two tears. But seeing that there was no trace of smile on her mother's tense face, she knew that there was no room for negotiation, so she had to eat her meal in silence.
Bai Yuxin tasted the Magnolia Chicken Slices and found them crispy and tender. Looking at Meng Yan taking care of the child, she couldn't help but smile sweetly.
She didn't really care how the food tasted. As long as Sister Yan didn't always think about those annoying things and make herself suffer, it would be fine.
After lunch, it was inconvenient to take a nap immediately, so the two of them moved to the window, drank tea, looked at the scenery, and chatted.
Meng Yan was discussing the various scenic spots and stories in the garden with Bai Yuxin when she suddenly heard a man's voice outside. "Master sent me over here to bring some cooling tea."
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