There were strict rules in the palace. At night, the eunuchs would sleep in the small house outside the palace gate. Two auspicious jars filled with water were placed outside the palace gate to prevent fire.
The weather was getting colder, and the house had already started to light red charcoal, which was sent by Concubine Hong. Some of the charcoal they used was the original quota sent by the Xixinsi, and the better charcoal was sent by Concubine Hong.
Most of these charcoals are made from high-quality wood from places like Zhuozhou, Tongzhou, and Daxinganling. When they are burned, you can seem to smell a faint fragrance.
Yao Niang was reading by the fire. Her hands were stiff from the cold weather. She didn't want to do needlework anymore, as it would easily cause frostbite. She spent the first half of the day studying and writing, and didn't have to study in the second half. But she knew that one day here was worth several days of study at home, and all the teachers were top-notch people of the time.
She had just put down the book and was about to take a rest on the bed when the door opened. Tang Huijun and Hong Shuyi came in together. They were both smiling, as if there was no grudge between them.
"Sister Luo, we are just coming from Master Hong. Here, some hot chestnut cake for you to try." Hong Shuyi asked the maid to bring it.
Yao Niang stood up and saluted the two of them. They saluted in return. Then she smiled and said, "Thank you for still thinking of me. Why did you come together?"
Tang Huijun smiled but said nothing, while Hong Shuyi said, "We just met by chance."
She chatted casually with Yao Niang for a few words, and whispered with Tang Huijun. Yao Niang naturally focused her attention on her book. She was a little puzzled as to why Hong Shuyi and Tang Huijun suddenly became so close.
After Hong Shuyi left, Tang Huijun still had a smile on her face.
Yao Niang was completely confused by this change. The next day, everyone went to Wenqizhai together. During, Yao Niang and Tang Huijun had lunch together. She couldn't help but ask, "Sister Tang, how come you and Sister Hong have become so close?"
When Tang Huijun saw Yao Niang asking about it, she couldn't help but say, "I had a persistent cough and a severe cold. The Queen sent Doctor Yu to treat me, but it didn't work. Who would have known that after she found out about this, she specially asked someone to get a prescription from outside the palace, and I was cured."
In fact, Tang Huijun originally listened to Yao Niang's words and thought that she would take her position. She even suspected that her illness was likely caused by Hong Shuyi's drugging. Unexpectedly, she went to see Doctor Zu and found nothing. Instead, she heard what Hong Shuyi said secretly to Princess Zhenyang.
She asked the princess to pay more attention to her and not to mention her being a study companion in the future. If the princess mentioned it, she would leave the palace, as this would really make it impossible for them to get along in the future.
Only then did Hong Shuyi realize that she had misunderstood her. Later, she mentioned the medicine to Concubine Hong, who asked her to try it. Tang Huijun was a little skeptical at first, but she had to listen to Concubine Hong's words, so she gritted her teeth and took the medicine. Unexpectedly, she became completely cured.
Tang Huijun felt that he was really a mean person, judging others by his own mean character.
She was an orphan. Although her aunt, the Empress, was kind to her, she was the Empress and too old to take care of many things. At her uncle's house, her uncle was a good person, but her aunt only treated her out of respect.
Moreover, after a conversation with Hong Shuyi, she realized that she was overthinking.
When the second master Gao Xuanmu and the third master Gao Xuance came over just now, Hong Shuyi was the first one to hide away, and she looked very polite.
That's why she felt so ashamed.
Yao Niang smiled and said, "So that's how it is. It looks like Sister Tang really has to thank Sister Hong."
Tang Huijun nodded.
The second half of the afternoon was spent painting winter plums. Yao Niang was a very serious learner. Although she had not reached the level of others who could paint with divine power, she was already much better than before.
She knew how to mix colors and how to observe how to paint winter plum blossoms. She devoted herself to painting this red plum blossom snow scene, and even when everyone was leaving, she still persevered and finished the painting.
It was not until late at night that Xiulin and Xiujuan became extremely anxious, and Yao Niang finally stood up and said, "Let's go."
The two of them breathed a relief of relief. Xiujuan also said, "You've worked too hard. Today, Miss Tang is accompanying the princess back. Miss Tang has a good relationship with Lady Hong. You..."
"It's okay." How could Yao Niang really think that Hong Shuyi was a good person? Instead, she thought that she was a person who had a plan and a deep mind.
Tang Huijun is lonely by nature and has never enjoyed the love of her parents, so she naturally takes other people's treatment of her seriously. Yao Niang has her mother's unconditional love. Although her father is a bit harsh in his words, he also protects her from the wind and rain. Even her younger brother Jinghao is full of her.
Tang Huijun looked like she had just returned to the Luo family from the countryside in Fujian. Luo Jingrou helped her, although it wasn't actually that good, but she was also moved.
The Winter Solstice has always been a very important day. Last year, a group of people at home had a great time celebrating, but this year, Concubine Hong hosted a banquet for them to have fun together. Of course, the real reason was that it was the Winter Solstice Banquet, and only the main concubine could attend such an occasion.
In addition to Concubine Lin, the princesses also went.
Concubine Hong was also quite happy herself. She simply ate with these girl companions, chatting and laughing, without any discomfort at all.
After dinner, everyone sat together and talked with her.
Tang Huijun and Yao Niang sat on the west side, while Hong Shuyi sat on the east side. Hong Shuyi was talking to Concubine Hong about plum blossoms: "My aunt has always liked yellow plum blossoms. I heard that the ones in Chengde Palace are in full bloom."
It turns out that Concubine Hong likes yellow plum blossoms. Yao Niang smiled and said, "I just painted a picture of red plum blossoms in the snow a few days ago. It's not a good idea to show it now."
Everyone knows that the painting of red plum blossoms in the snow that Xiao Yaoniang painted a few days ago was praised by the teacher, but Hong Shuyi specifically mentioned the yellow plum blossoms, and she would not forgive her.
It's fine if you want to have a lingering crush on Tang Huijun, but I don't believe in your nonsense.
Concubine Hong was very interested when she heard this and said, "There are not only yellow plum blossoms, but also red plum blossoms, green plum blossoms, and even pink plum blossoms. I like them all."
Tang Huijun is too useless and cannot compete with Hong Shuyi. She has to show herself, otherwise, she will have no sense of existence and people will join forces to fight against her in the future.
Being too low-key means being easy to bully.
People need to be extremely good at coping with rapidly changing situations.
The three princes of the eldest prince all died young and were not good matches. After some calculations, Yao Niang found that there were only two candidates that suited her taste.
One is the ninth prince, who is quite talented and has no ambitions. The other is the youngest son of the eldest prince, Madam Yan's son, who is two years younger than him. In his previous life, he had no grudges against Emperor Tianlu, and he was enfeoffed after getting married. Emperor Tianlu also gave him a lot of fiefdom property in the fertile Weihui Prefecture.
Since she was selected based on her talent, she also wants to amaze everyone with her talent.
In the eyes of the eldest prince, Concubine Hong has a lot of influence. If she helps, her words are worth ten words from others.
In the future, if nothing changes according to the previous life, the eldest prince will inherit the throne within a year.
When the painting of red plum blossoms in the cold snow was brought to her, Concubine Hong took a look at it, especially the red plum blossoms in full bloom. She couldn't help but chant: "The palace is round and solemn, and the day is broken and fragrant."
"Your Majesty, you have a good idea. Others are looking at the red plum blossoms, but you can see the light of snow. I have always liked Li He's poems." Yao Niang was very happy. She didn't expect that Concubine Hong also liked Li He's poems.
Of all these poets, Yao Niang's favorite was Li He.
Hong Shuyi glanced at Yao Niang. She knew that Li He was a pity. He was short-lived and had no hope for a career in politics. So why would Luo Yao Niang like her?
On such an auspicious night, it is appropriate to say something rich and noble.
Concubine Hong suddenly smiled and said, "Yes, Li He, I like Li He's poems too."
"That's good. I can ask you for more advice in the future." Yao Niang was very happy.
Then, Concubine Hong said, "You will all leave the palace in a few days. It's hard for you to come to the palace at such a young age. I have prepared some gifts for you to take back when you return home, so that your family members can be happy."
Yao Niang and Tang Huijun quickly stood up to express their gratitude.
Concubine Hong waved her hands and said, "What are you thanking me for? This is what I should do."
After a while, Concubine Hong said she was tired and went to rest. Hong Shuyi, Tang Huijun and her were left alone. The three of them looked at each other, and it was Hong Shuyi who spoke up: "Sister Luo, Concubine Hong has always liked plums and daylilies, flowers that have a sense of wealth and nobility. You must pay attention to them in the future."
Tang Huijun thought to herself, Sister Hong is really considerate. Just now, Luo Yaoniang almost broke a taboo.
Yao Niang said, "Thank you, Sister Hong, for reminding me. But there is a saying that goes, 'carving a round bamboo stick into a square shape, and lacquering a broken zither.' My mother always says that I have a stubborn temper. If I really do that, I will be cutting my feet to fit the shoes, and I will not be myself anymore."
The meaning of "carving a round and square bamboo stick and painting a broken-patterned zither" is to squander natural resources. When painting the branches of red plum blossoms, you need to be vigorous, use less water on the brush, dip the gray ink in dark ink, and paint them section by section. Only in this way can you draw the shape of the old trunk. The yellow plum blossoms also stand proudly against the frost and snow, with a strong and clear fragrance, gorgeous but not vulgar, and long-lasting without withering.
They are all obviously excellent and have different preferences. Why do we have to please others and cater to them?
People are not cartilaginous insects. If everyone is the same, what's the point?
Hong Shuyi smiled but said nothing.
Of course, someone told Concubine Hong, who was in the inner room, about these things. She said, "Shuyi is just too cautious. It's just a casual chat. It's nothing serious."
"That's also because she's considerate and thoughtful. Miss Luo's father is well-known in the court for his tough character, so his daughter is naturally different from others." The confidant laughed.
Of course, these words are exaggerated. In fact, they are saying that Yao Niang is not good. Generally, mothers-in-law naturally prioritize obedience when choosing daughters-in-law, and this is especially true for someone like Concubine Hong. Who would want someone who goes against the grain everywhere?
Even if you are a royal family, who would want to marry someone with a bad temper?
Concubine Hong looked at her straightly: "How much silver did you receive?"
The confidant was stunned and didn't dare to say more.
Yao Niang and others outside had already left. Wei Feng came over specifically to talk to Yao Niang. Yao Niang handed her a small quilt that she had cut out and put it on her legs. The two of them drank hot tea and talked about everything.
"In less than half a month, we will leave the palace. Sister Wei, you will not be able to make your own decisions at home. I will ask my mother to send a New Year gift to you and then send you an invitation. When the time comes, you can come to my house and you don't have to deal with your family."
Wei Feng was delighted: "That would be great, but I'm sorry to bother you."
Yao Niang shook her head: "What's the problem? My family isn't that big. I live in the east wing, so it's just right for us to be together. I'll also take you to play in my garden, and meet my brother. He has really long eyelashes."
Wei Feng agreed, and she sighed: "We have been in the palace for so long, and the farthest place we have been to is only the Yu Garden. My family will probably ask me what I saw in the palace, but I know nothing. Now I don't even know what the eldest prince looks like."
"Everyone is like this. My family wants me to talk about my experiences, so we can only talk about studying. I plan to paint more pictures in a few days and give them back to my family. It will be my harvest in the past few months."
Wei Feng added: "You should be careful these days. You may not know, but I heard from Shao Jin that someone died in Concubine Liao's palace. If we leave the palace this year, we don't know what will happen next year."
Yao Niang thought that perhaps the old emperor was in poor health, and all the officials supported the eldest prince. Prince Heng showed no signs of taking the throne. How could she not be anxious?
The lives of the maids in this palace are worthless.
Concubine Liao's today is Concubine Hong's tomorrow. Concubine Liao cannot depose the eldest prince when the Empress is childless, and Concubine Hong is in an even more difficult situation because Concubine Lin already has a son.
Thinking of this, Yao Niang looked at her own small body and realized that she was still young in this life.
Why get involved in this dispute so early?
It is also said that while the two of them were talking, word spread outside that the eldest prince had returned home, so Wei Feng quickly slipped away. The next day, Princess Zhenyang was telling them in vivid detail about the grand ice-skating event yesterday.
"We went down to play for a while. There were a few eunuchs in front of us pulling an ice bed. We watched the guards playing for the ball on the ice. It was really lively."
Tang Huijun is always afraid of cold weather and has no interest in it. But Yao Niang listened very carefully, especially when she heard about the ice sculptures. She said enviously, "I never thought this would work. I don't have the luxury of seeing it."
Princess Zhenyang said, "This time I went to see my seventh aunt, Princess Zhaoping, so I brought her two study companions with me. Next year, you can also go with me. I will only ask you to be my maids. This way, you can also see her."
"This is too troublesome." Yao Niang said with a smile.
"It's not a problem. You guys follow me through thick and thin on weekdays, especially Luo Bandu, who is the most serious about you." Princess Zhenyang knew what was going on.
She didn't like Tang Huijun very much. She was petty, always quarrelsome, and very sensitive. She would be cold to others at any time. If you didn't know her, you would think she was a princess.
In this respect, she is far inferior to Yao Niang. Although she is not as tactful as Cousin Hong, she is quick-witted, very resourceful, dares to speak out, has a strong sense of justice, and is not afraid of what others say.
When Princess Yongqing occasionally verbally bullied her, she did not stand up every time, but she would stand up at the critical moment.
"Your Highness, that's really flattering. If there's a chance, I'd like to go with you to see it for myself." Yao Niang said with a smile.
Princess Zhenyang originally planned to take them to pay respects to Concubine Hong, but when she heard that her two brothers were there, she backed off.
Indoor
Concubine Hong asked about her two sons' well-being. Her eldest son, Gao Xuanmu, was born with a cold face and a look that said "no strangers allowed". However, since he grew up under Concubine Lin's care, he did not have a close relationship with Concubine Hong. Seeing that his younger brother was more favored, he got up and left.
When he left, Concubine Hong also looked at him coldly.
"He thinks he has a way out as long as he obeys the eldest son, despises me, his stepmother, and tries to curry favor with her. I think he is just daydreaming. If it weren't for me, he wouldn't be able to be so respectable. Look at the fourth son." Concubine Hong was very angry.
The fourth child she was talking about was Gao Xuancheng, the son of Madam Yan. Madam Yan was silent and came from a humble family. The fourth child rarely saw his father, the eldest son, several times a year. Unlike her, the eldest son stayed here every night, so her children were valued.
The youngest son Gao Xuance laughed and said, "My second brother may not really be like that. He just believes too much in the system of the emperor and his subjects. According to the rules, you are the first wife of the eldest prince. If the Lin family had not deliberately created some auspicious signs, how could she exist? Everything in the world is governed by reason."
Concubine Hong nodded: "Yes, everyone is like this, as if occupying that position means everything is right. No matter how despicable she is in occupying it, no one cares."
This was the pain of her life. She stood out among three thousand beauties and carried the hope of the whole family. The position of the eldest prince's wife was within her grasp, almost a sure thing. However, she never knew that the position would be lost and she could only be relegated to being a secondary concubine.
From then on, her children were inferior to others. At that time, when the biological mother of the eldest prince was still alive, she said that it was for her own good and forcibly took her eldest son to Concubine Lin.
Children in the palace have always matured early, and Gao Xuance is no exception. He said, "Mother, there is no need to mention this matter. I heard that Concubine Liao killed two palace maids. Concubine Liao's today is your tomorrow."
Concubine Hong suddenly realized and broke out in a cold sweat: "Your father is kind and will not do anything to Concubine Liao, but the eldest brother is cruel and ruthless, he will definitely not let me off."
"So, mother, do you still remember the film "The Drunken Princess" that you once watched?" Gao Xuance suddenly asked.
Concubine Hong was puzzled: "Why are you asking this all of a sudden?"
Gao Xuance smiled and said, "This is the eldest daughter of Princess Shengping and Guo Yan in the film The Drunken Princess. She has a distinguished family background. She is also the granddaughter of Emperor Daizong of Tang, the niece of Emperor Dezong of Tang, and the cousin of Emperor Shunzong of Tang. Later, she was chosen as the princess consort of Li Chun, the eldest son of the crown prince of Emperor Dezong of Tang. This Guo also gave birth to three sons and one daughter, and was also named the crown princess. You said that when the crown prince ascends the throne, will she become the empress?"
Concubine Hong answered without hesitation: "Of course."
"But she only conferred the title of noble concubine on him. Instead, Emperor Xianzong's eldest illegitimate son, Prince Deng Li Ning, was canonized as the crown prince. Although Li Ning died early, it was the turn of Concubine Guo's son, but what if he had not died early?" Gao Xuance said.
Concubine Hong was in deep thought.
Gao Xuance saw that it was getting late and was about to leave when he heard Concubine Hong ask, "Can you bring me a few copies of Li He's poetry collection?"
"When did mother start to like Li He's poems?" Gao Xuance found it strange. His mother usually loved to read Jianghu novels like "Three Heroes and Five Gallants" and often asked eunuchs to go out and buy them for her. So when did she start to like poetry and songs?
Concubine Hong said awkwardly, "I heard you recite a line that day, and I happened to see Miss Luo's White Snow and Red Plum Blossoms. I recited it when I saw the heavy snow. She said it was a line from Li He's poem. How could I know this? But in front of her, I had to admit that I like Li He's poems."
Miss Luo?
Gao Xuance did remember that among the people he knew in his previous life, the only one who liked Li He very much was Luo Yaoniang. Could it be her?
No, it won't.
It shouldn't be her. When he saw her in his previous life, she was still very fat. She said she wanted to become slim and that she had never lost weight in her life. Besides, she was not outstanding.
He didn't really want it to be her. In his previous life, after he was named Prince of Chen, everything was fine at first, but when his father was not in good health, people often poisoned him, and there were traps everywhere.
He knew that Lin Zhengfei and her son were already sharpening their knives, so his mother came up with an idea. At that time, she thought that his father was seriously ill and his life was coming to an end, and it was not safe for him to stay in the palace, so she faked her own death and left the palace, and then she would commit suicide to save King Zhou.
But she had a condition, which was that the King of Zhou take him to a fiefdom and save his life.
If nothing else, those people were so crazy that they even poisoned his mouthwash.
In order to hide his identity, he tanned his face very dark. Originally, he lived in peace with the Lin family, which was Gao Xuanzhan's foreign family never expected. After all, the most dangerous place is the safest place.
Little did he know that one day he would be drugged by a little girl, and when he woke up, he would be caught committing adultery with Lin Weinan's wife.
He also didn't like the Luo family, where Lin Weinan's wife Luo belonged. After all, if it weren't for that old bastard Luo Zhizheng stirring up trouble, why couldn't he rule the country properly?
He also disliked the Lin family, which had brought ruin to his mother and him for their entire lives.
But just because of this incident, he was forced to marry Luo Yaoniang. Luo Yaoniang was also blinded by greed. He had made it clear that the two of them would not interfere with each other.
How could he know that in order to climb up the social ladder, she had to have sex with him, and ended up having to work as a wet nurse in the mansion in order to give birth to a child. Once in the mansion, she was not allowed to leave for many years.
He and she also slept in separate beds, and according to the original plan, he even had to pretend to be missing and live in seclusion in the mountains to practice Taoism, waiting for an opportunity to meet her when his father went to the south of the Yangtze River to plan for the future.
However, his father had been in poor health in his later years, and the government was controlled by Emperor Tianlu. After his father passed away, he had already grown powerful in secret, but his elder brother threatened him with the lives of his two sons and Luo Yaoniang to stop acting rashly. Only then did he give up and wait for the opportunity to rescue them before making plans.
Little did he know that Emperor Tianlu died suddenly, and King Zhou entered the palace and ascended the throne under the selection of civil and military officials. He could kill Emperor Tianlu, after all, he was his enemy, but King Zhou was his own brother. No matter how distant they were, it was King Zhou who took him in when he escaped from the palace, and only under his wings could he feel safe.
Although my mother was partial, she still saved my brother in the end.
Moreover, when King Zhou was enthroned, he immediately ordered his nephew to inherit the throne. The first thing he did was to restore the status of his mother. His eldest son was also given an important position, and even Luo Yao was given the title of a first-rank lady.
In this case, what is the point of destroying living beings for one's own selfish reasons?
What he did was neither right nor reasonable. Now that he was well, he did not want to be involved in the mundane world and continued to cultivate immortality, hoping to ascend to heaven one day. Little did he know that he did not ascend to heaven but was reborn instead.
Now he gets a headache whenever he hears the surname Luo. That old bastard Luo Zhizheng is stirring up trouble. Relying on his relationship with the Lin family, he strongly supports Lin Zhengfei's faction in the court.
Not to mention Luo Yaoniang, who was too skilled in the art of sex and tried her best to be his wet nurse, so much so that he couldn't get up all day.
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