There are farmlands in Changchun Garden
In March, the grass has grown and the birds are singing, but the children in Changchun Garden are not allowed to fly kites even if they don't have classes.
After Shujia finished assigning the rooms, she headed straight for the main hall. For those who find the golden tiles and red walls aesthetically tiring, Wuyi Zhai is remarkably comfortable. Without the garish ornaments and dazzling displays, it possesses a distinctly graceful elegance. While the furnishings inevitably feature some specially supplied items, the overall look is relaxed. Suddenly, Shujia understood why Kangxi so often came to stay for a while.
We have chicken, duck, fish and meat every day, but you should also allow us to have some mushrooms and Chinese cabbage, right? Besides, the quality of Changchun Garden is even higher than mushrooms and Chinese cabbage.
Li Jia looked at Li Jia and saw that she had already followed, so she also twisted her handkerchief and walked forward together.
The Crown Princess walked in front, flanked by Hongxiu and Li Zhongxing. Two concubines followed, one on the left and one on the right, into the hall. Four young boys of varying sizes followed behind. Hongyang and Hongxi each left one behind to assist, while the rest went to clean up the house. With no place to stay inside and no one allowed to wander outside, they all followed into the main hall.
Hongdan and Hongtong, living with the Crown Prince and his wife, walked together, one on his own while the other continued to sleep in his arms. Their maids and eunuchs followed in formation. Zhao Guoshi, the head eunuch in the Crown Princess's office, lagged behind, closely watching the Crown Princess's two sons with Guo Chaoyong, who worked for Hongdan.
Although Changchun Garden is a garden, the living area is still a traditional palace-style building. There are five upper rooms connected in a row. There is a throne in the middle room. The main room and the secondary room are separated by a hollow partition, while the secondary room and the side room are separated by wooden walls and hinged doors.
Ceremonial fans made of peacock feathers stood on both sides of the yellow throne, and a bright red carpet was laid on the terrazzo floor. Well, there were quite a lot of colors.
When Yinreng was not present, this position naturally fell to Shujia. Before the main force arrived, the garrison had already cleaned the place, polished the furniture, and washed all the fabrics beforehand. At a glance, even though Manzi was a little worn, it was spotless.
Shujia sat down without hesitation and raised her chin towards the two rows of chairs on the ground: "Everyone, sit down."
The second fat kid was privileged; he was carried to the throne in his sleep. His three older brothers all thanked him and then took their seats according to their seniority. Hongyang and Hongxi were better off; they could already sit down independently and with relative grace. Hongdan was still a short kid, his height not proportionate to the chair. He wanted to try to climb up the chair like he was climbing a wall, using his paws to hold onto the edge and using his fat carrot legs, but that would ruin his image.
Fortunately, the waiter was very experienced. Guo Chao gave a signal and a young eunuch immediately came over and squatted down, folded his hands, palms up, and placed them in front of the fat boy's legs to act as a step. The fat boy stepped on the eunuch's hands and finally sat down on the chair with more dignity.
Li Jiashi and Li Jiashi asked for a seat, but only dared to sit on the edge. According to modern etiquette, this is in line with the norm, but at that time, it only meant one thing: you are not of high status. No one cared if the empress dowager lay on the throne.
Green Rug saw an opportunity and stepped forward to ask for instructions: "Master, I will take them to put down the things first and clean up the inner room. You can change your clothes so that you can meet the Empress Dowager. I am afraid that the rest will be too busy, so while you go to pay your respects, we will clean up."
Shujia nodded and said, "You guys can do whatever you want. If the prince has any rules, we'll follow them first. When the prince comes back in the evening, we'll discuss it again."
“Yeah.”
With a rustling sound, the things were moved in. Everyone kept the volume as low as possible whether talking or moving, for fear of waking up Erpang.
Erpang is still acting innocently and straightforwardly.
Li Zhongxing knelt and bowed: "Master, I just saw the eunuch guarding this place. Do you want to call him in for questioning?"
Shujia nodded: "Go ahead." It happened that Lu Ru had just five minutes to ask his servants to move the things in and leave. The clothes that the Crown Princess wanted to change into were prepared in advance and were specially wrapped in a bundle of different colors. Now she found the clothes and the jewelry that came with them, put the clothes on the shelf to straighten the folds, placed the jewelry on the table, opened the dressing box, and with a gesture, everyone retreated to the eaves outside the house to wait for orders.
While Li Zhongxing was out calling for help, Qing Ru had already come out and gestured to Hong Xiu.
Hongxiu also bent down and said: "Master, now that we have time, take the little prince in to sleep."
Look, this is a true model employee!
The fat kid was carried to the inner room and laid flat on the bed. He only hummed twice and then went back to sleep.
What? The bed's not made?
Have you ever seen an emperor bring his own blankets when traveling? Oh, if he were on a southern tour by boat, he'd definitely have them on board. If he were on a tour of the Great Wall, you might see one along the way. Now, it's from downtown Beijing to the western suburbs. The royal family wasn't so shabby, they couldn't find a second blanket.
The sleeping children were sent away, the maids went in to look after them, and the inner door was closed. You could almost hear the sighs of relief from the dozen or so people: Finally, we can speak louder.
The eunuch who was on duty was lucky enough to have a good time to speak louder. "Greetings to the master. I am He Changming, the eunuch on duty here. Five eunuchs are stationed at Wuyi Zhai, here to greet the master. We received instructions from our superiors and started cleaning up five days ago."
Shujia looked at the eunuch, who had no beard (naturally), and estimated his age to be around thirty. Distrusting Yinreng's original staff, she wondered if he was reliable. Her husband had a unique skill: he could always make those he interacted with look like they needed a beating.
I don't know if this skill is still in the skill list?
"How long have you been here?" Standard question.
"My Lord, since the garden was completed in the 29th year of the Kangxi reign, I have been assigned here to serve the Crown Prince. This is the tenth year now."
"Are you familiar with this garden?"
"Yes, I wouldn't dare to tell you the whole story, but I'm familiar with the west road near Wuyi Zhai. I also know the way from Wuyi Zhai to Qingxi Book House."
"Do you know how to get to the Empress Dowager?"
"Yes, when the Empress Dowager was living in the garden, the Crown Prince also went to pay his respects. I had the honor of accompanying her several times."
Shujia smiled. When the boss was away, slacking off was the norm. Working in this garden, without being required to be waited on, it wouldn't be surprising if he'd wandered around everywhere. And since he was a eunuch, there really wasn't any taboo about where he could go.
The Crown Princess only said one word: "Reward."
The reward purses had been prepared in advance. After hearing He Changming announce the five people, Lu Ru quickly pointed out the five purses. He Changming kowtowed and thanked him for the reward, knowing that he was probably being asked to leave. The Crown Princess still had to see the Queen Mother. If she didn't go, how could she clean up the house?
Before being sent away, I heard the Crown Princess say, "Since you are familiar with this place, I will inevitably ask you questions later."
He Changming knocked his head to the ground again: "The servant obeys the master's orders." That's great! If he can leave a good impression with the Crown Princess, he can be promoted to serve in the palace, or in the Eastern Palace. That would be...
Shujia said, "Wu Mingli, go and tell them to pack up quickly, put everything else aside, and find some change of clothes." Then she said to the five people sitting below, "When they have packed, go change your clothes first. We will go to the Empress Dowager to pay our respects together later."
Wu Mingli went out for a stroll and came back saying, "It's already quite complete. Please go ahead and change your clothes."
Several people stood up and took their leave. The fat boy lived in the main hall and didn't need to leave. But the brothers had all stood up, so he had to climb down again with great difficulty. Now, brothers, please leave!
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She led the little fat boy into the inner room, where their clothes had already been found. The little fat boy was still a toddler, so the mother and son changed their clothes behind a screen, washing their faces before changing. The only sounds she could hear were the gentle sounds of water and fabric rubbing against each other. The second fat boy was still dazed...
In the side rooms, a rapid change of clothes was also taking place. Time was tight, and the urgency was the same whenever you had work to do and your leader could call you at any time.
The two children were boys, so their clothes were simpler. The two women not only had to change clothes, but also had to re-do their hair and adjust their jewelry. The Crown Princess was generous with everyone's material things, and she didn't let you down at all. You looked bright no matter how you looked at it.
In this palace, appearance is crucial. Even if these two truly had a problem with the Crown Princess and wanted to complain about being mistreated, they wouldn't resort to wearing old clothes: it would be too damaging! You can't make everyone think you're "like a flower trembling in the wind on the cliff edge" and sympathize with you. It's better to dress smartly, so that the uninformed masses won't dare to provoke you (or rather, bully you).
After they were almost done, they had to queue up in the main hall to wait. Hongxi quietly opened his pocket watch to check the time. He was the only one among the four who had the courage to do such a little trick. Li Jia saw that this was a reward given by the Crown Princess to her sons during the New Year. It was said that it was bought by the Crown Princess's servants and brought in as a tribute of filial piety.
Your son is being taken care of by someone else, someone who is higher in rank, younger, and earns more than you, and who is also responsible for paying your salary. Most importantly, your son calls her "Mom," and her ownership of your husband is more legally protected than yours. This life is unbearable!
Now, looking at my son's every move, every aspect of his life is marked by her, and the feeling is really indescribable.
Just as he was lost in thought, the Crown Princess appeared. She had changed into a new outfit: a lotus-colored cheongsam embroidered with hundreds of butterflies and flowers. Her thick black hair was decorated with a white jade plaque, with gemstones peek out from both ends. She didn't have many jewelry pieces, but each one was meticulously crafted by the Imperial Household Department's workshops, selected by the Crown Prince's discerning eye at the Emperor's behest.
There are some people in this world who, even standing next to you, make you feel like you're from a different world. They can make a street stall look like a five-star hotel, devouring a burger in a minute and still seem graceful. Even a VIP card can make the hotel staff think you're a freeloader...
Li Jia's resentment was instantly extinguished, especially when she saw the Crown Princess holding the Third Prince's hand. This feeling was even stronger. Just live under her, our life is much better than Wang Shi's life with the Eighth Lady!
The Eighth Lady didn't find fault with Wang, but she was too direct with her words! Before she moved out of the palace, Li Jiashi heard about it twice. The Eighth Lady could say directly: "Why are you so timid like a sick cat?! Can I eat you?"
She said it with absolute indifference. Wang and the Eighth Concubine weren't of the same caliber, and the Eighth Concubine didn't take her opponent seriously. That was the confidence of absolute superiority, the assurance that there was no need to fear a stab in the back. Her tone was chilling. This one, at least, was much more amiable.
(Eighth Lady: My period is here. It happens a few days every month. My stomach aches. How can my breath be better?)
Now that everyone has packed up, Shujia estimates that the Empress Dowager should be almost ready too, so let's set off.
It was their first time entering the garden, and they were unfamiliar with the route, so they asked He Changming to lead the way. He Changming said, "We're not too far from where the Empress Dowager resides. The Empress Dowager's master lives in Jifengxuan, also on the west road. But the masters aren't very familiar with the route, so should we ask for a sedan chair?"
"Since it's not far, there's no need." Shujia estimated that no matter how far it was, it couldn't be farther than the distance from Yuqing Palace to Ningshou Palace, right?
He Changming, intent on showing off, had chosen a route that was both short and offered ample views. Actually, this place boasts a scenic spot every three steps and a pavilion every five. Anything worth seeing deserves a plaque or a monument. The people who live here are too poor to be backpackers in the north, so they're left to ponder their own destiny in this small space.
Shujia saw the legendary vegetable garden and rice fields next to Wuyi Zhai, but there were vegetables in the vegetable garden and only water in the rice fields - it was just the sowing season.
It was the first time for the three boys to see these rare things, and they couldn't help but walk towards this side. Zhao Guoshi hurriedly took a few quick steps and quietly followed.
Shujia shook her head. She had forgotten this: her son didn't understand the suffering of ordinary people. The course needed revisions!
As we walked along, taking in the scenery, our pace slowed down. By the time we reached Jifengxuan, it took us longer than it did to get from Yuqing Palace to Ningshou Palace.
The Empress Dowager had already packed up and was talking with Concubine Tong, Concubine Yi, Concubine Wang (the mother of the fifteenth and seventeenth princes), and the young girl from the Guwalgiya clan who had just been selected into the palace two years ago and was now quite favored by the emperor.
Everyone greeted and stood up. Shujia smiled and said, "Grandfather, I've brought your great-grandchildren to pay my respects. This is Hongyang, this is Hongzhen, and this is Hongdan. You've all met them. The youngest is still too young and asleep, so I'm afraid he'll wake up and cry if I bring him here. Tomorrow, when he's had enough sleep and isn't making noise anymore, I'll bring him back." She then briefly introduced the two concubines, "This is Hongyang and Hongzhen's mother, and this is..."
The Empress Dowager looked at her great-grandchildren, especially the fat ones. Old ladies all liked chubby lucky charms. She waved to the Crown Princess, "I know, I've seen them all. Come, come, come and sit down." "Quickly bring all my great-grandchildren here so I can pet them."
Li Jiashi's presence was even weaker than Li Jiashi's, making her a perfect substitute. Over the years, she'd resigned herself to her role as a bystander. She'd adapted quite well to her current life. Seeing Li Jiashi's years of worrying about and caring for her son while rarely seeing her husband, who recently spent less time with their son, she was able to maintain her composure.
Little people have their own way of survival. It’s not because they have great wisdom, but simply because they are forced by life.
After stepping forward to greet them, Li Jia activated her skill of diluting her presence, content to remain a bystander. However, someone was trying to stop her from doing so. Concubine Yi suddenly addressed them, "Did your master bring you along? Or is this your first visit?"
Li Jiashi and Li Jiashi looked up at the same time: "Yes, thanks to the master."
The old lady's characteristic of 'unconditionally praising anyone she likes' kicked in at this point: "Indeed, our Crown Princess is the most kindhearted. Alas, this is your first time here too, right?"
If anyone else had said this, Shujia would have definitely thought it was a way to draw hatred towards her. But the Empress Dowager...she could only accept it.
"Yeah, I never had the chance before. My ancestors never took me with them when they came."
The Queen Mother was at her wit's end when faced with such a situation. She was not good at beating around the bush and had to present facts and reason with the people: "Didn't I bring you here this time?" She ran out of words and had to change the subject, "Come on, come on, let Mother Wuku see."
The fat boy was the most familiar with the place. Suppressing his anxiety, he followed his brothers forward and saluted again. After the Empress Dowager asked Hongyang and Hongxi, "How old are you? Is the garden fun?", it was his turn. With agility that didn't match his size, he ran towards the old lady. Concubine Tong smiled and said, "Our prince is really good-looking, like a little tiger."
Concubine Yi said, "That's right, she's very pleasing to the eye."
Hongyang was a bit disappointed. He had prepared a lot of knowledge for the exam, but unfortunately, the boss was illiterate! Tragic! Her flirtatious eyes were shown to a blind man! Shujia pulled the brothers over to her, rubbing their heads one by one to make sure they didn't feel left out.
The fat kid spoke fluent Mongolian. His Mongolian teacher was a Mongolian who had lived on the grasslands. Every time this happened, the Empress Dowager would be delighted: "Another person who can speak Mongolian! La la la la! One more person I can chat with without a translator! So happy! I'll light one more stick of incense today."
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When the Empress Dowager was so happy, in her hometown, a monk who had just finished chanting scriptures, oh, it was a lama, was also very happy!
"The judges from the capital have arrived. They say they've conveyed the Emperor's decree that the lama must be punished for breaking the law!"
The author has something to say: The legendary fat brother is here——
This morning, when Mourou was struggling with work, Pangpang sent a text message. The conversation was as follows:
Fat: Sister (putting on a cute smiling face)
Rou: What's up? (I'm so busy! It's Friday, and I don't want to work overtime! If you have anything to say, please speak up.)
Fat: Just a greeting. Are you okay?
Meat: Not bad... (Although my back hurts, probably from working in front of the computer for too long, but I still don't want to worry about Pangpang)
Fat: There were so few updates yesterday @x@ (I swear he typed this emoticon at the time)
Meat: Hey, hey! You suddenly texted me saying this, do you have any conscience?! My back hurt yesterday (you fat bastard, how inconsiderate)
Fatty: I noticed something was wrong, so I asked, are you okay? (Fatty, are you... judging whether your sister is still alive based on the number of words?)
Rou: Not bad...I plan to sleep in this weekend
Fat: Take a break, take a break (Wow, this calm tone is like that dumpling from Ikkyu! The boss even came to check on me, this life is unbearable, a certain meat suddenly got angry)
Meat: Fatty! (Are you provoking me? Let me rest. Who was that text message and phone call urging me to update?!)
Fat: Are there also medical expenses?
Meat: Yes... (What are you going to do?! What do you want to say? You're asking me this while I'm resting.)
Fat: Poor kid (this adorable expression is the original one from Fat)
Meat: Damn! Fat guy, fat guy! Your whole family is fat, your whole neighborhood is fat!
Fat: And my sister is also fat.
Rou: ...Suddenly I remembered that last time my cousin TX Rou said she was a pig, and she said "you are the pig's sister".
What kind of kids are these in our family? ! ! !
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