Chapter 55

Officials in Beijing and China have never been allowed to entertain their colleagues in private. This is probably to prevent the formation of cliques for personal gain. However, in this way, the exchanges between family members have become more frequent.

In the past, the Prince Regent could be said to be the most orderly because the only relative in her family, Princess Yunping, disliked banquets very much and rarely visited others, let alone hosting a banquet by herself, but the reason for hosting the banquet this time was also very simple; her birthday is on June 17th, so she rarely wants to do host a banquet.

But now there is no one in Beijing to hold a big banquet.

In May, on Her Majesty’s birthday, she held the Qisheng Festival but only set up a few tables in the Chaoyang Hall and entertained the clan relatives and close ministers. At the banquet, Her Majesty lamented that the country is in a troubled autumn, and there are droughts and locust plagues. The king rebelled, which shows how difficult the life of the people is. Therefore, thrift should be advocated both at home and abroad, and banquets should not be grandiose.

Since Her Majesty said so, others naturally cannot go past Her Majesty; therefore, Princess Yunping only hosted a small banquet today.

However, after the morning court that day, Her Majesty invited the Regent in the palace again, saying that she wanted to ask her some academic and political questions. This was simply a favor and there was no excuse for it.

Her Majesty asked her about water and water transportation, and then she talked about Princess Yunping and sighed: “Now that the frontline battle is at a stalemate, I don't have time. I hope sister Yunping will not be angry.”

“Your Majesty has already treated her with too much favor.”

Fu Ping’An said with a smile: “I grew up with her in friendship, and she is my aunt's only relative now, there is no such thing as too much favor, and now... my aunt is also my closest relative.”

Fu Lingxian bowed her head and saluted: “Your Majesty values ​​the minister so much, it makes the minister panic.”

“Why does my aunt salute? I have already said my aunt is not allowed to be so polite in front of me and I have always said that if there is something wrong with my aunt, you must tell me, and I will explain everything one by one. We must not have any gaps now, such as not letting my aunt lead the army, I am really worried that my aunt will feel uncomfortable, the three kings are all blood relatives, how can we do it?”

Fu Lingxian hurriedly said: “It's natural, I know it well, and it’s Her Majesty's love and protection.”

To be honest, Fu Ling Xian’s was going to faint when she heard said some of the things Fu Ping’An’s said. Now that she thought of the other party, Fu Lingxian could only remember the way she said sincerely, “We are relatives”.

Really dizzy.

Just as she was dizzy, the palace man next to her handed over a wooden box, and Her Majesty said: “Although I can't come in person, I have prepared another gift. Auntie can bring it to Sister Yunping for me.”

…

When Luo Qionghua came to the Prince Regent's Mansion, there were already many people inside. She doesn't know if this was because the banquet was not placed in the hall but in the garden in order not to show extravagance. However, in late spring and early summer, the climate is pleasant and the vegetation Lush and lush, the lotus in the lake is in full bloom, like a lantern, standing in a pavilion, hidden in the dark green and light green lotus leaves, and the breeze blows sending a light fragrance.

The people attending the banquet either stood or sat around the lake, watching the scenery and chatting comfortably, which is quite interesting.

As soon as Luo Qionghua came, she was invited by Yunping Princess Mu Tingyun to the water pavilion on the lake. Two servants were waiting in the water pavilion, burning incense and making tea, and there was a lyre. Luo Qionghua came at that time, Mu Tingyun was playing the piano, the sound of the piano was melodious and soft as if weeping, Luo Qionghua sat for a while, Mu Tingyun also finished playing, and the sound of the piano gradually died down, Luo Qionghua said: “It sounds good, but it’s a “Cool Song”?”

Mu Tingyun smiled: “Exactly, are you also interested in rhythm?”

Luo Qionghua said: “I don't know how to play an instrument, but I just like to listen to it. My father also asked me to learn it before. Yaoqin, but I can't bear my temper...”

As she said this, she stared at Mu Tingyun and said, “Princess, your skirt is so beautiful.”

Mu Tingyun was wearing a water-green pleated skirt and bright yellow jacket in this slightly hot early summer, it looks fresh like a spring onion. Speaking of which, the top and bottom are also the styles that are used to wearing in summer, but for some reason, I feel that Mu Tingyun’s is a little different.

Maybe it's because the jacket is shorter, or because the material is light and thin, or more likely a combination of both, so it looks graceful and fairy-like.

Mu Tingyun said casually: “It's from Her Majesty; it seems to be a style that Her Majesty thought up.”

Luo Qionghua's eyes lit up, and said: “Your Majesty is so powerful; she can even make clothes?”

Mu Tingyun smiled and said: “How is it possible, the clothes are naturally made by Shangyi Mansion.”

Luo Qionghua said: “That is already very powerful, and that poem is also regarded as a masterpiece now, but your Majesty's ambition is not here, so I won't talk about it this matter.”

If we want to talk about it, we have to go back to the deer feast. It is said that the servants in the Changli Palace were packing up the utensils, only to find that there was a poem written on a scroll of bamboo slips pressed on the desk of Her Majesty.

“The wind returns to Yuyu and the sound of Xiaoxiao is far away, and the sun is setting between Qionglin Peiying.”

In the beginning, because of the rebellion of the three kings, the court and the people were in turmoil, and no one talked about it. Now that the situation has gradually stabilized and the frontlines fights are also infrequent. Some people began to ask whether this is Her Majesty's poem.

Speaking of it, it is impossible for others to dare to go to Her Majesty's desk to leave calligraphy? And it has been more than a month, and no one has claimed it. From this point of view, it is indeed Her Majesty’s work.

Your Majesty has such a poetic talent. Just swaying the ink randomly, there is a lot of inspiration. Is what contained in the poem is Her Majesty's feelings of worrying about the country and the people? Since it is spring sorrow, it must be sorrowful. When will you be able to come to the world?

Your majesty's jade quality and golden appearance, beautiful poetry and prose, can be said to be both internal and external, which makes people fascinated. Suddenly, among the young Confucian scholars, your majesty has overshadowed the regent. Mu Tingyun showed a subtle expression.

She asked Her Majesty in the palace, and Her Majesty told her very definitely: “It was copied.”

But who it was copied from, she didn't say it.

As far as Mu Tingyun is concerned, most of the talents in this world only want to be favored by Her Majesty. Her Majesty has copied this man's poems. This man has a promising future and no regrets in his life, so he doesn't ask for poetry to be named to him at all.

It seems to be understandable.

Mu Tingyun didn't tell Luo Qionghua about this but said: “It doesn't matter whether your majesty's poems are good or not. Isn't there someone who said that if your majesty is obsessed with poetry, it is not doing business properly?”

Luo Qionghua said: “But Your Majesty's writing is really good.”

Mu Tingyun nodded casually, and then asked: “Do you want some tea?”

Luo Qionghua nodded but saw that the poured tea soup was clear, with fruity and floral aromas different from ordinary tea soup, and she asked curiously: “Why is this tea water like this?”

Mu Tingyun said: “Your Majesty doesn't like tea soup, so she soaked tea leaves, flowers, and fruits together, and added some sugar.”

Luo Qionghua took a sip, only felt that the lips and teeth were fragrant, sweet, and delicious, without any smell, and couldn't help sighing: “Your Majesty can do everything.”

Mu Tingyun thought for a while and said for a long time: “Because it is Your Majesty.”

When she was a child, she didn't look anything special; just a thin and weak child, maybe it looked a little weird at that time; for example, she likes to look at an open space, likes to talk to herself, likes to say something you don't understand; is this the so-called domineering air?

Luo Qionghua stared at Mu Tingyun, enviously saying for a while: “The relationship between the Princess and Her Majesty must be very, very good.”

Mu Tingyun said: “It's not bad.”

Luo Qionghua moved closer to her, and whispered: “Will the princess become a queen in the future?”

The attendant quickly came over with a handkerchief and wiped off the tea, Mu Tingyun coughed for a while, finally calmed down, pulled Luo Qionghua, and asked: “Why do you have such an idea?”

Luo Qionghua said: “Everyone says that. Ah…”

Mu Tingyun said: “Then what else are you talking about?”

Luo Qionghua thought for a while: “I also said that because there is nothing left to be rewarded to the Regent, the reward had to give to you.”

Mu Tingyun looked helpless, was about to speak, and the servants came to report that the regent had returned.

Mu Tingyun rushed to the hall to meet the regent, but saw Luo Qionghua following her, asking with sparkling eyes: “Can I come together?”

Looking at the little child, Mu Tingyun felt some long-lost feelings in her heart.

The feeling of wanting to get close to people; she couldn't help thinking that when Her Majesty was a child, she always looked at her expectantly, usually asking—‘Sister Yunping, how do you pronounce this word.’ Later, Her Majesty was not so cute. Seeing this year, it is quite different.

If Mu Tingyun wanted to talk about the difference, she probably felt that Her Majesty was not as sincere as before. Of course, this might be because of Fu Ling Xian’s presence, but even if she was alone, she was serious. The thoughtful look in her eyes made Mu Tingyun a little sad.

Even, what she said seemed to be playing charades.

In the only chance to be alone in the palace at that time, Her Majesty told her to get in touch with the family members more, hold more banquets, and then be more arrogant and indulgent towards her. Mu Tingyun still doesn't know why.

She just did it.

In contrast, Ah Hua is still very sincere and energetic.

Mu Tingyun nodded and said: “Okay, you can come with me.”

Luo Qionghua was very happy, took Mu Tingyun's lead and followed them in the front hall, saw the regent sitting on her seat with her eyes closed, and heard footsteps. She didn't open her eyes, just said: “Your Majesty also brought you a gift, saying that she apologized for not being able to come to see you due to busy government affairs.”

Mu Tingyun was dissatisfied when she heard the words: “What is this; I am so sorry for her gift?”

Luo Qionghua was taken aback for a moment and looked at Mu Tingyun with some doubt.

Fu Lingxian opened her eyes, frowned, and said: “Tingyun, you are presumptuous...”

Seeing Luo Qionghua, probably because she didn't want to teach Mu Tingyun a lesson in front of outsiders, Fu Lingxian was silent for a moment, and then said: “Shut up. Don't be so arrogant in front of Her Majesty.”

Mu Tingyun snorted coldly, and said, “I don't care.”

After that, she didn't take the gift, and turned to leave—but she didn't move.

Luo Qionghua grabbed the hem of her clothes and said weakly: “I...I want to see.”

Mu Tingyun: “...”

Luo Qionghua mustered up her courage: “I want to see what Her Majesty gave you.”

After saying a word, the stagnant air in the room couldn't help but disperse, Fu Lingxian smiled and said: “She wants to see it; you can take it back and show it to her.”

Mu Tingyun was also helpless, but the play still needs to be done to the end, so she said angrily: “Okay, let's go back to the room and show it to you.”

Luo Qionghua nodded like a chicken pecking at rice, but she was still a little strange in her heart.

Judging from the conversation in the water pavilion just now, Princess Yunping doesn't seem to be such an arrogant person who would not even give Her Majesty face.

Although the other party didn't speak too strongly, it was obvious that she was very close to Her Majesty.

Luo Qionghua followed Mu Tingyun step by step and soon arrived at a room. Mu Tingyun signaled the attendant with her eyes to put the gift and put it on the table. When the attendant left, she asked the attendant to wait outside; picked up the box and opened it.

Inside is a jade bracelet with a bright color, like a handful of spring water, scooped up from a pond.

Mu Tingyun couldn't help laughing, and after laughing, she remembered that Luo Qionghua was still there, coughed dryly, and said, “Here, that's it.”

Luo Qionghua still stared at her, and after a while suddenly bit her lips and said: “Is it a bad thing?”

Mu Tingyun was taken aback, and Luo Qionghua said again: “The princess's arrogance; is she pretending?”

Mu Tingyun's heart skipped a beat, and she blurted out: “Is it that obvious?”

After finishing speaking she consciously made a slip of the tongue, frowned slightly, and Luo Qionghua said: “It's not obvious, but the Princess didn't cover up in front of me. Before, the Princess was very close to Her Majesty. How could she be angry with Your Majesty this time because of such a thing?”

“...”

She grabbed Mu Tingyun's sleeve, and said: “So I don't hide it from the Princess, am I right? If it's right, I'll make sure that nothing bad will happen next time.”

Mu Tingyun pursed her lips, nodded for a while, and then “shh” again.

She lowered her voice and said, “How could I blame Her Majesty for not being able to leave the palace...”

It would be strange if Her Majesty left the palace just after going through the time of plots against her.

Thinking of this, she looked at the girl in front of her again.

The girl still had baby fat on her cheeks, showing a pink blood color. She looked like a doll carved with jade, but unexpectedly, she was very smart.

Because of this, the two got closer, and Luo Qionghua even wanted to stay overnight, but unfortunately, Princess Ying was watching at the door and wanted to take her away, so she had no choice but to leave.

And that night Mu Tingyun looked at the gift list reported by the butler, and the more she looked at it, the more frightened she became.

Among them, jewelry, antiques, valuable utensils, and silk brocades are innumerable. There are also a few of the most precious ones. The housekeeper specially marked them out, and flattered him: “Even in the palace, there may not be any.”

Mu Tingyun remained silent; she gradually had some guesses in my heart.

...

In mid-August, the court decided the attack the food route of the Qi-Chu coalition army, causing the two armies to lose their logistics, their morale was in turmoil, and then their main force was broken.

The remnant soldiers fled to Hunan, but the king of Hunan refused to send troops and issued a letter of loyalty to the emperor. The remnant soldiers were trapped in Qianjiang and were soon wiped out. Bao Wei committed suicide, and the two kings of Qi and Chu were captured and taken to Wei Jing.

The rebellion, which seemed massive at the beginning, came to an end in four months. Official Ying returned to the court. Her Majesty greeted him with the highest standard of ceremonies on that day and hosted a banquet to reward the army and officials.

Duke Ying enjoyed himself and got drunk at the banquet, so emotionally he shed tears and said: “The minister is old, and it's time to disarm and return to the fields.”

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