In November of the 26th year of the Jiajing reign, a major event occurred in the capital: the third empress of the current emperor, Fang, passed away.
It must be said that Emperor Jiajing was indeed very troublesome. He changed three empresses in just over twenty years after he ascended the throne.
Logically speaking, the queen is the mother of the country and her status should be highly respected.
Unfortunately, his three queens all had miserable endeavors.
The first Empress Chen was already pregnant with Emperor Jiajing's child at that time. Because she was jealous that Emperor Jiajing glanced at Concubine Shun's hand while drinking tea, she talked back to Emperor Jiajing and was severely scolded by him.
Empress Chen was terrified and worried that she would lose her favor. As a result, she suffered a miscarriage under great pressure.
Shortly thereafter, Empress Chen died of illness.
The Jiajing Emperor was not too sad and later canonized his second empress, Zhang. Interestingly, this empress was the former Concubine Shun.
Empress Zhang also met a tragic end. Because she pleaded for the brother of her aunt, Empress Dowager Zhang (wife of Emperor Hongzhi), she angered Emperor Jiajing and was deposed. She died soon after.
Finally, there is the third queen, Fang.
It is said that Empress Fang saved Emperor Jiajing's life.
In the 21st year of the Jiajing reign, the famous Renyin Palace Coup occurred, and Emperor Jiajing was almost strangled to death by palace maids such as Yang Jinying.
Unexpectedly, the palace maid Zhang Jinlian turned against her and ran to Queen Fang's palace for help.
Empress Fang arrived in time to rescue Emperor Jiajing.
Afterwards, Empress Fang executed the palace maid involved and Concubine Cao Duan, who slept with her that night.
Because of her meritorious service in protecting the emperor, Emperor Jiajing once favored Empress Fang very much. But later he heard that Concubine Cao Duan was wrongly accused, and Empress Fang took the opportunity to execute Concubine Cao Duan as well.
When Emperor Jiajing heard the news, he was furious, and the other queen also turned from love to hate.
He was determined to avenge Concubine Cao Duan, but he could never find an opportunity.
Until the night of November in the 26th year of the Jiajing reign, a fire suddenly broke out in Empress Fang's bedroom. According to palace rules, the palace gates were locked at night, so people inside could not escape and people outside could not enter.
But in theory, as long as the fire was put out in time, Queen Fang's life could have been saved.
But no one went to put out the fire.
This bizarre fire directly burned down Queen Fang's bedroom and burned all the eunuchs and maids in the palace to death.
Many people speculated that this was Emperor Jiajing's revenge against Empress Fang, but this is just speculation and there is no evidence.
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But on this day, Xu Yan was reading a book when Yang Pengju came to the study and said breathlessly, "Brother, it's snowing! It's snowing outside. Come and see!"
Xu Yan looked out the window and saw a lot of snowflakes floating down.
Although there is no accumulated snow yet, it is not impossible for a layer of snow to fall every day.
The south of the Yangtze River is different from the north, and snowfall in the eleventh month of the lunar calendar is indeed rare.
It has been a long time since it snowed in Ningbo, otherwise the little fat man wouldn’t be so excited.
"Let's go out and take a look."
Xu Yan put down the book, stood up, and walked into the yard with Yang Pengju.
"Auspicious snow indicates a good harvest!"
Looking at the falling snowflakes landing on the grass and trees, Xu Yan sighed sincerely.
For an agricultural nation, their livelihood really depends on the weather.
If the crops die of drought and famine occurs due to a long period of no rain, I don’t know how many people will starve to death.
There were actually many famines in the Ming Dynasty, and there were also many famines during the Jiajing period. The Xu family was in the grain business and had a deep understanding of this.
"A good harvest is a good thing. There are many delicious foods in a good harvest year."
Yang Pengju added a very timely sentence.
Xu Yan shook his head. This guy is really a stupid son of a landlord.
"In the morning, I woke up in the painted hall to hear the news of falling snow. I rolled up the curtains to see the auspicious sign, the white mist in the distance blurred the courtyard walls.
The radiant air draws smoke from the furnace, and the cold grass grows jade pendants. It must be a celestial being, drunken, scattering the white clouds.
Xu Yan was so moved that he recited a poem.
As soon as he finished reciting, Yang Pengju immediately applauded.
"Everyone says you are a poet and lyricist. Today I have finally witnessed your true power."
Xu Yan was speechless.
"Uh, Brother Pengju, this is Li Bai's Qingpingle."
"I thought it was my eldest brother who did it."
Yang Pengju scratched his head.
Xu Yan thought that good poetry should be used to the best effect, and it would be a pity to waste it like this.
"This is so flowery, could you explain it to me, big brother?"
"Look at the auspicious snow flying, white snow fills the courtyard steps. Snowflakes dance wildly like smoke rising from a furnace, and the white flowers and plants gleam with cold light, like a jade-like body. It's like the gods in the sky are drunk, crushing the clouds..."
Xu Yan explained very leisurely.
"Brother is really talented."
Yang Pengju praised.
Xu Yan thought to himself, this is totally different.
"I'm not nagging you, Brother Pengju, but you still need to understand some necessary poems."
Xu Yan considered his words and said, "You should definitely memorize the poetry of great writers like Li Bai and Su Dongpo. Otherwise, it would be really embarrassing if others talked about you without knowing about you."
Unexpectedly, Yang Pengju said with a playful smile: "What am I afraid of? I have my big brother by my side, so why would it be my turn to stand up?"
Seeing his reckless look, Xu Yan was at a loss whether to laugh or cry.
But it's really fun to have such a funny guy around.
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In Xixi Hong Garden, Hong Miaoyun was also reciting the same words.
This poem by Li Bai has a unique charm when recited by a young woman.
"What are you thinking about, young lady?"
"nothing."
Hong Miaoyun shook her head and said, "It's just random thoughts."
"Miss, you are thinking about Mr. Xu, right?"
Cuiwen covered her mouth and smiled, "Mr. Xu might be thinking about Miss too."
"You damn bitch."
Hong Miaoyun glared at Cuiwen and said angrily.
"Mr. Xu is so young, but he has already won the top three prizes. If he can win the provincial competition again, he will have made great achievements and can marry a young lady. By then, I am afraid I will have to call him brother-in-law."
Cuiwen, however, showed no intention of stopping.
"I hope so."
Hong Miaoyun said secretly.
It's so tiring to think about it all day long.
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