It was an hour later when Chu Li woke up.
Chuyi helped him wash up, and Chusan prepared breakfast. Chu Li rinsed his mouth in a daze and sat down at the table.
"Miss, are you going to the palace later?"
"Um."
She picked up the bowl and took a sip of porridge when her mind suddenly seemed to clear up and she changed her words: "I don't want to enter the palace. I want to embroider."
"ah?"
Both of them opened their mouths wide.
embroidered?
Miss, can you embroider?
Chu Li said seriously: "Yes."
embroidered.
Yesterday, the Emperor's uncle praised her for being gentle, virtuous, and generous, and for having the qualities that a mistress of the house should have. Excellent needlework was a necessary skill, and she must not disappoint the Emperor's uncle's expectations.
Eat a full meal quickly.
"Bring me a needle and thread."
Chusan hesitated and said, "Miss, perhaps you should first choose the brocade, take the ruler and scissors, decide what you want to embroider and what colors to use, and then thread the needle."
"Um?"
Is that so?
"Go to the storehouse and pick out some fine brocade so I can embroider a purse."
"yes."
Chu Li rolled up his sleeves and started working immediately, full of energy. But after a while, Chu San's anxious voice sounded hurriedly:
“That’s not how it’s cut!”
"It's broken!"
"Miss, that's not how you hold a needle... your finger is about to reach the sky!"
"..."
Half an hour later.
Chu Li looked at the embroidery on the purse in her hand, lost in thought.
Chuyi glared at Chusan in private and whispered, "Young lady can do whatever she likes. We just need to praise her. If we make Young Lady unhappy, what's the use of this purse even if it is embroidered with flowers?"
Chusan finally reacted and bit his tongue:
"I, I didn't mean it..."
Why is the lady silent?
Could it be that the duck was embroidered too ugly and it was a blow to you?
Although the lady's needlework is... not very good, at least she managed to embroider it.
"Miss, please don't be too sad. Otherwise, I will teach you..."
“I embroider really well!”
Chu Li finished thinking, and looked at the purse with both hands, his eyes were bright, "Look at these two mandarin ducks, their wings and eyes are so lifelike."
I didn't expect she had this talent.
You can be a man, and you can also wear makeup.
good.
The first time she did it, she was particularly satisfied.
No wonder the emperor's uncle praised her so much, it turned out he had a keen eye for talent.
Grade 3: "?"
"But if I keep this purse close to my body, won't I be unable to show off my needlework?" She pondered again, and suddenly picked up her needle and thread.
"I have to change that."
By adding tassels and sewing on laces, a close-fitting purse is transformed into a sachet to be worn outside.
Now you can hang it on your belt and hang it wherever you go.
Satisfied.
Chu Li hung it around his waist, looked at it from left to right in the bronze mirror, and admired it in several different postures.
The first and third grades of junior high school suddenly became very quiet.
Chusan whispered: "Miss, are you really not kidding?"
She embroidered...
What the hell is this.
Chuyi pondered seriously: "The young lady is of noble status, has been to school, and has received an education. Naturally, her thoughts are different from those of us servants. If we can have the same vision as the young lady, then wouldn't we also be rich young ladies?"
Chusan suddenly realized: "That's true."
It turns out that their vision is too mediocre.
Miss, that’s a good idea!
"Go prepare the sedan chair. The young lady must go to the palace."
"You know this again?"
"Women's desire to share."
That makes a lot of sense!
Chusan turned around and went out first, but he didn't expect that as soon as he left the main courtyard, he smelled a very foul smell.
“Eh…what’s that smell?”
Pinch your nose.
It stinks!
It was like an old lady’s foot binding, wrapped so thick and long, and smelling foul for a month.
Over there, he bumped into the figure who had just walked over. He subconsciously clutched his sleeves and hid the shovel and broom behind him.
"Lord Jingying?"
Why is he in the palace?
Didn’t he go to the palace with the Regent?
Chusan walked forward and bowed. Unexpectedly, when he opened his mouth, the foul smell filled his mouth and went straight to the roof of his mouth. He couldn't help but:
"Ugh... Lord Jingying, what do you smell... Ugh... I'm sorry, I... Ugh... I didn't mean to... Ugh!"
I can't stand it anymore.
Chu San covered his red eyes and ran away in embarrassment.
Jingying stood there, his whole body disheveled in the wind.
She looked at him and vomited.
His character, his image, his face... were broken, broken!
Why would his master let him, a secret guard with great martial arts skills, shovel horse manure!
-
Imperial study.
"What did you say!"
"Anping City was breached and Qin Muyu was captured!!"
Chu Aotian’s shocked voice almost blew off the roof.
Chu Dichi looked at him and said, "Should we shout louder and stand at the gate of the Prince Regent's Mansion?"
Chu Aotian covered his mouth.
Dare not!
If the ninth sister knew about this, she would definitely be worried about Qin Muyu.
Haste leads to chaos.
He immediately whispered to the messenger, "General Qin's matter should be suppressed for the time being, and no one should make it public. Please leave."
"yes!"
The messenger withdrew.
Xiao Yexing said: "I will go there myself and leave immediately."
Chu Dichi said, "This is a matter between Chu Yeli and me. You stay and I'll go."
"No, the new emperor has just ascended the throne, and many people are waiting to cause trouble. If you are not in the imperial capital, chaos will surely occur."
Xiao Yexing stood up, "After all, he is my nephew. I cannot watch him get into trouble. But you must remember not to let Miss Xie know. Worrying will only lead to confusion. Be careful not to fall into the trap set by Prince Dong Ling."
The matter has been settled.
Xiao Yexing went on the expedition.
He left the palace and rode away quickly. As soon as the sedan chair stopped, Chu Li saw Xiao Yexing's back as he left in a hurry.
Why are you in such a hurry? Could something have happened?
She brushed the corner of her clothes and walked into the palace.
The guard was about to reach out to stop him, but the man next to him suddenly changed his expression and hurriedly stopped him.
"you……"
"Stop talking!"
The two men lowered their heads and saw the corner of the woman's clothes fluttering past them and into the palace. They only raised their heads after she was far away.
"Why did you stop me just now? How can you let anyone into the palace so easily?"
"You're asking for your life! That's Miss Xie!"
"Thank you, Miss..."
"That's the one next to the Regent!"
Just now, if they dared to block Miss Xie's way, the Regent would not know how to punish them.
The Royal Guard clenched his fists and gritted his teeth:
"Just because she's Miss Xie, does that mean she doesn't need to be examined? If she takes advantage of this and takes advantage of a loophole, bringing danger into the palace, and something happens, wouldn't it be that we've neglected our duties?"
"fool!"
The person next to him hit him on the head.
"Miss Xie is the regent's person. If she dares to betray the regent, she will be the first to suffer. Why should we worry about it?"
"Open your eyes wider and be respectful to her next time you see her. For more than 20 years, the Prince Regent's Mansion has been cold and icy. The Prince Regent, who doesn't even have a maid, may soon have a Princess Regent!"
In the palace.
Chu Li walked towards the harem with ease, but unexpectedly, she was stopped at the fork in the long street:
"stop!"
"How can you be so ignorant of the rules? You can't go over there!"
Chu Li stopped and turned to look at the long street next to him. There were many young ladies dressed in red and green, with lots of jewels. They were dressed up, as if they were well prepared.
This is……
Is there any special festival in the palace today?
How come there are so many young ladies entering the palace?
"I'm talking to you. Are you deaf? Don't you know how to reply?" A maid pointed at Chu Li.
Chu Yi was about to speak, but Chu Li raised his hand to stop him.
"Miss……"
"They all seem to be daughters of officials. The new emperor has just ascended the throne and is not yet able to sit on the throne steadily. It is better not to cause trouble for him."
"yes."
I could only endure it on the first day of the new year.
The maid was annoyed: "We all come to the palace to be seen by Concubine Xin, why are you putting on airs? Come and meet my Miss Qin Zhuzhu!"
See each other?
Is the eighth prince going to confer titles on the harem?
Chu Li was surprised.
How come she doesn't know about this?
“When was this decree issued?”
Qin Zhuzhu frowned slightly and looked at Chu Li critically.
There was not a single piece of embroidery on her body, the hairpin on her head consisted of a single white pearl, and around her waist hung an ugly sachet. Apart from her pretty face, there was nothing else to recommend her.
Whose daughter is this?
Are you worthy of entering the palace?
"Early this morning, the Emperor's decree to fill the harem has been conveyed to all officials and families. We are all here to be seen by Concubine Xin, but you have evil intentions and want to take shortcuts!"
These two long streets, one leads to the front hall, where there are many daughters of the rich.
The other one goes directly to the harem.
He didn't even consider his own identity and wanted to go straight to the harem!
Do you want to bribe Concubine Xin?
snort!
Chu Li felt strange.
From childhood to adulthood, when did Eighth Prince start to like women?
Whenever a girl expressed her love to him, he would first say: Wait a minute, my cricket is about to win the fight!
But now he wants to fill his harem with ten or eight women...
Is this still Chu Aotian?
"I'm not here to see the concubines. I wish you good luck."
Chu Li turned around to leave, but someone grabbed her wrist. "Follow us, don't cause any trouble, don't run around. Even if you enter the palace, you won't be in the eyes of Concubine Xin. I advise you not to have any bad intentions or do anything stupid!"
Chu Li frowned.
His eyes moved up along the wrist and looked at the woman named Qin Zhuzhu.
"I don't think I've seen you before?"
Qin Zhuzhu said coldly: "I am the youngest daughter of Master Qin. I am only fourteen years old this year. This is my first time in the palace. How can you see me whenever you want?"
"I'm telling you, my father is the current imperial tutor, and my mother is the daughter of a wealthy merchant. I will definitely be favored by Concubine Xin and chosen as a concubine, and you are just here for the sake of formality at best!"
"oh."
Chu Li twisted her wrist and shook her off. "Then I wish you good luck, Miss Qin."
"stop!"
Qin Zhuzhu was annoyed and couldn't believe that she ignored her like that.
So bold!
She had been spoiled since she was a child. As the youngest daughter in the family, she had almost everything she wanted. This was the first time she was embarrassed in front of so many people.
Just when I was about to get angry, I caught a glimpse of a bright yellow dress from the corner of my eye...
She turned her eyes and immediately stepped forward to block Chu Li:
"presumptuous!"
"Do you think I'm afraid of you just because you're a few years older than me?"
"I have always supported the weak and fought against the strong since I was young. I am not afraid of evil. If it is wrong, it is wrong. Even if you are the emperor, I am not afraid of you. We are all human beings and are born equal!"
Chu Li: “?”
The topic seemed to be jumping around a little too quickly. What was he talking about? Why couldn't she understand?
Qin Zhuzhu said in a gentle and generous voice:
"Daddy has always told me that I should follow the rules, know my limits, and not be afraid of...ah~ Your Majesty!"
There was a scream, and everyone fell to their knees in fright.
Chu Aotian was standing at the corner of the long street, followed by six eunuchs. He was holding a small bamboo basket filled with crickets in his hand. He had already seen the whole scene.
Biejiu then raised his voice to announce: "The Emperor has arrived——"
"What are you arguing about?" He put on the dragon robe, had a stern face, lowered his voice, and looked quite majestic.
Qin Zhuzhu immediately replied:
"Your Majesty, I am Qin Zhuzhu, the youngest daughter of Master Qin. She did not follow the rules and tried to enter the harem. I tried to persuade her with good intentions, but she turned a deaf ear and was unruly. It is all my fault for disturbing Your Majesty's peace!"
Chu Aotian sneered.
Her voice was so loud just now that it really disturbed him.
Chu Li waved his hand, "Forget it."
They are all young girls who seldom enter the palace on weekdays, so it is understandable that they have never seen her.
Qin Zhuzhu knelt on the ground, lowered her head and laughed secretly.
Still want to let it go?
It's not that easy.
Her words just now created an image of herself as straightforward, daring to love and hate, breaking the rigidity and boredom of traditional rich daughters. The emperor must have noticed her.
Which man would not like such a generous, interesting and cheerful woman?
She said in a tender voice, "Since my sister said forget it, then forget it. Your Majesty, please don't pursue it. Everything is my fault. I am willing to leave the palace and stop disturbing you. Your Majesty, please don't blame my sister."
Wipe the corners of your eyes with a handkerchief:
"Look at your sister. It's not easy to come to the palace. I don't want to ruin her mood because of me."
Who wouldn't be confused when seeing that considerate, sensible and tearful look?
She slowly raised her pair of clear eyes stained with tiny water droplets and looked at the young and handsome king like a deer.
Chu Aotian is also famous for his good temper:
"Since you said forget it, then forget it."
Qin Zhuzhu was delighted.
The emperor actually listened to her words!
The emperor must have remembered her.
"Someone, escort Miss Qin out of the palace."
Qin Zhuzhu was shocked: "?"
What?
Why her?
When she was surprised, two eunuchs came forward and said, "Miss Qin, please come in."
"Why? What did I do wrong? Why wasn't it her..."
Qin Zhuzhu pointed, but saw the king approaching Chu Li with a smile on his face and said:
"Miss Xie, why didn't you tell me that you were going to the palace? I will assign two people to follow you and inform you wherever you go, so that no one will know you and disturb your peace."
Thank you Miss!
It turns out that she is Miss Xie who is beside the Regent!
Chu Li whispered: "I've already said forget it, don't ruin your good fortune."
"I did listen to you, but Miss Qin asked to leave the palace on her own initiative, so I am doing this to fulfill her wish."
"But……"
"Don't say but, I have something to tell you." Chu Aotian raised his long hand and hooked Chu Li's neck, and the two of them walked away arm in arm.
Qin Zhuzhu opened her mouth in surprise and had no time to beg for mercy.
Their relationship is so good!
"Miss Qin, please." The eunuch urged.
"I didn't know she was Miss Xie. I...I can't leave the palace. I'm here to be seen by Concubine Xin. I can't leave the palace!"
The emperor has already spoken, how could the two eunuchs allow her to act recklessly?
Forcibly send people out of the palace.
"Let me go! Let me go! I want to see Concubine Xin!"
When the other daughters saw this, they were still shocked for a long time, and they also became more aware of one thing in their minds: Miss Xie is not to be messed with.
This further transforms into:
Miss Xie is a popular figure around the emperor.
Then it turns into: Miss Xie is the designated regent princess.
However, that’s a story for later.
This way.
Chu Aotian hooked Chu Li's arm and walked to a deserted place, then he threw his sleeves and started to act like an emperor, which made him exhausted.
"You want to choose a concubine?"
Chu Li was surprised as if he had seen a ghost.
"Yes, I'm going to give fifty."
"?"
Are you crazy?
Chu Li touched his forehead.
"Ouch!" Chu Aotian took her hand away, "I don't have a fever, I'm serious, and I hope you can help me personally, you have good taste."
It's crazy.
When did he become so enlightened?
"Eighth brother, tell me, is there anyone forcing you? Or are the civil and military officials putting pressure on you? If you don't want to, no one can force you."
"No one forced me."
Chu Aotian said: "Since ancient times, which emperor did not have three palaces, six courtyards and seventy-two concubines? Naturally, I will do the same. Okay, okay, this matter is settled. You must help me take care of it personally. You are the person I trust the most!"
A pat on the shoulder.
A heavy burden.
Finalized!
The selection of concubines is very busy and will take at least two months. If Ninth Sister had focused on this, she would not have known that General Qin was captured...
Chu Li was still confused. He couldn't believe that a man who only loved eating, drinking, having fun and fighting crickets suddenly fell in love with playing with women.
"Brother Aotian!"
Not far away, a slender and light woman like a butterfly came trotting over, holding up her skirt, with a sweet voice.
"Look, look, this is the joy of a group of women."
Chu Aotian laughed loudly, flicked his sleeves and strode over to greet him, "Minghua is here."
The woman was Princess Minghua, the daughter of King Xiaoyao, but not his biological daughter. Rather, she was the orphan of a retainer who was taken in and raised by him.
"Brother Aotian wants to visit the Imperial Garden, why didn't he call Minghua? Minghua also likes to visit."
Princess Minghua clings to Chu Aotian's arm, and is about to lean against him with her soft body, but Chu Aotian pulls his hand away calmly, saying in a calm voice:
"Let's go."
The two left.
Chu Li stood where he was, looking at the two people's departing backs with deep eyes.
Chuyi observed her expression and said carefully: "Miss, are you worried about something?"
After a moment, Chu Li said:
"Did you see that woman just now? She is Princess Minghua of Xiaoyao Palace. As far as I can remember, Xiaoyao King has always lived in his fiefdom and rarely returned to the capital. But this time, he actually brought his family with him."
It seems that he will live in the imperial capital permanently.
This is a reversal of the norm of the past twenty years.
"Besides, I believe that even if the Eighth Prince married a cricket, he would not take in so many women."
Puff——
This made Chuyi laugh.
"Watch carefully."
"Yes, I've made note of it."
Chu Li withdrew his gaze and then entered the harem.
When it comes to selecting a concubine, the busiest person is Concubine Xin. She is too busy to handle it alone, so she calls Concubine Wen to join her.
The two of them were looking at the portraits and discussing it enthusiastically:
"This is good."
"This birth sign... looks like it will give birth to a boy..."
As the two were talking, Aunt Cui came over and said, "Madam, Miss Xie is here."
"Please come in!"
When Chu Li arrived, he bowed. Concubine Xin immediately dismissed the palace maids and left a few trusted people to serve. Concubine Wen then waved:
"Tanuki."
"Mother, what's going on with the eighth prince's selection of a concubine?"
"People should do what they should do at their age. Isn't this reasonable? What else can be wrong?" Concubine Wen led her to sit down and immediately saw the sachet hanging around her waist.
What is this?
Why are you hanging something so ugly?
Just as she was about to blurt out the word "so ugly", Concubine Wen stopped herself in time.
The Regent's Palace is not so poor that it cannot even afford a sachet.
This sachet...could it have been made by the Regent?
After all, she was an old lady who had lived in the palace for more than ten years. She knew that this matter must be very complicated. She took the sachet on her waist and praised her:
"This sachet is embroidered very beautifully. Judging from the material and the embroidery skills, it must be unique in the imperial capital. No other embroiderer can copy it."
Chu Li was unexpectedly delighted:
"Does mother really think so?"
"Of course. Would mother lie to you?"
Concubine Wen held the sachet in both hands, "Look at this mandarin duck, it's embroidered with so much... well, soul, Sister Xin, take a look."
Concubine Xin took a look and her expression was indescribable.
He swallowed and choked, as if to give Concubine Wen face, and said:
"It's true. Wanyue's outfit today is modest and restrained, and very noble. But what I saw at first glance was not Wanyue's beauty, but this sachet, which shows how well it is embroidered."
Upon hearing this, Chuyi thought to himself:
Fortunately, she didn't make the same mistake as in the third grade, Miss Laughing.
The young lady is a daughter of a wealthy family, and her vision is indeed different from that of ordinary people like them.
Even Concubine Wen and Concubine Xin praised her highly.
Concubine Wen said kindly, "I wonder who made this sachet? It's so exquisite and special, I want one too."
Chu Li stroked the sachet with a bit of shy pride:
“I embroidered this myself.”
"?"
No wonder it's so ugly!
Since she embroidered it herself, her mother doesn't need to give her face.
So ugly!
"I plan to give it to the Regent."
Concubine Wen kept her mouth shut and quickly kicked the door.
It turned out to be a gift to the Regent.
"No wonder it looks so beautiful. Li'er put so much effort into it. The Regent will definitely like it." Concubine Wen touched her head.
Chu Li was overjoyed and full of confidence:
"If you like, mother, I will embroider some handkerchiefs, purses, handkerchiefs, bellybands and pillowcases for you when I have time."
"No, no, let's not do that!" Concubine Wen waved her hands hurriedly. "Needlework is a waste of your eyes, Li'er, if you have time in the future, you should eat when you want to, play when you want to, do whatever you want, don't force yourself..."
"Don't force it!"
She loves to do it.
This gave her a sense of accomplishment.
Chu Li smiled and said, "The emperor's uncle praised me for being gentle and virtuous, having amazing talent, and having the demeanor of a mistress. Not only can I do needlework, I can also cook. The emperor's uncle said it was delicious. Moreover, I can manage the household, feed the horses, and..."
She played with the tassels on the sachet and twisted the string several times with satisfaction.
It looks really good.
Concubine Xin suddenly became very silent.
Concubine Wen held a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from her forehead.
She asked why Li Er suddenly started embroidering, and it turned out that the Regent had fooled her...
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