"In Ningguta, being afraid is a good thing. If you are afraid, you will become submissive and obedient. Only then can you survive." Lao Jiang patted Achou's face, turned around and left humming a little tune.
Ah Chou's legs softened and he suddenly slid down and sat down at the foot of the wall.
…
After crying enough, Ah Chou sat in front of the stove. She ate all the sticky rice dumplings and buns left by Zhong Mingwei. She felt a little full, and was too lazy to get up, so she fell backwards. She fell into the quilt, staring at the dark roof, and gently covered her neck with her fingers. It was empty. Except for the extra red mark, Ah Chou touched it back and forth, and it was a little stinging.
From now on, the little connection I had with my parents was gone.
Ah Chou buried himself in the quilt. After a while, he let out a long sigh.
May 28, 2013
The capital.
Cining Palace.
The Queen Mother had just recovered from a long illness. She was finally able to go out of bed these two days, and His Majesty Zhong Zhiheng was in a good mood. Whenever he had time, he would come to accompany the Queen Mother for meals and chats, and the concubines from the harem would also come to the Cining Palace to hang out, but the Queen Mother was too lazy to see them. However, she was still willing to see concubines of such status as Concubine Zhao and Concubine Shu.
"Empress Dowager, Concubine Shu and Concubine Zhao are here together. They are both waiting outside now." The Empress Dowager was reading scriptures in the side hall when she saw her personal maid Bi Qiao coming in. "Does the Empress Dowager want to see you?"
"It's rare that they are so harmonious. Let them in," the Queen Mother said slowly, gently turning her Buddhist beads, looking out the window, and sighing softly, "Summer is here again so soon."
"Yes, I obey your command." Bi Qiao bowed and retreated hurriedly. After a while, she led Concubine Zhao and Concubine Shu in.
"Your servant greets the Queen Mother. May you stay healthy!" The two of them paid their respects to the Queen Mother together.
"Get up," the Queen Mother said slowly, lowering her head to take a sip of the Mengdingshihua in the cup, and said to Bi Qiao, "Please take a seat."
"Yes." Bi Qiao was busy moving two embroidered cushions over.
"Thank you, Queen Mother." Concubine Zhao and Concubine Shu sat down. Although they were sitting, they were just sitting in a corner. At this time, their backs were straightened, and with their complicated and heavy jewelry, Bi Qiao felt tired just watching them. But she was used to it. The Queen Mother was always serious and all the concubines were afraid of her. Even the most favored Concubine Zhao did not dare to make any mistakes.
"I see that the Empress Dowager looks much better than before, which shows that she is in good health," said Concubine Shu with a smile. She took out a sachet from her sleeve and handed it to the Empress Dowager. "A few days ago, Ming'e came to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager said that she smelled bitterly of medicine. Ming'e asked me to make a sachet for her after returning home. However, I am not good at making sachets, so I hope the Empress Dowager will not mind."
Zhong Ming'e was the second prince born to Concubine Cui.
The Queen Mother took the sachet and saw that it was embroidered with daylilies. She nodded with satisfaction and said, "Ming'e is a thoughtful and filial child."
"Yes, Ming'e is filial. When His Majesty was not feeling well a while ago, didn't Ming'e beg Sister Shufei to make a sachet for His Majesty?" Concubine Zhao said, looking at Sister Shufei and smiling, "It's also thanks to Sister's quick hands. If it was my younger sister, I'm afraid she wouldn't be as fast as Ming'e in filial piety."
Concubine Shu's face suddenly froze, then she smiled again: "Sister, you are joking. Teaching children to be filial is the duty of parents. I am just doing my duty as a mother."
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