The sky was gray and gloomy, with thick clouds gradually gathering, the wind was not strong, and small flakes of snow fell down. However, in the attic, the earth dragon's fire made the whole room warm, and even the windows were opened, which was spacious and allowed to enjoy the snow.
"It's a pity that these few snowfalls are just light snow, and it's not fun to enjoy the snow." Princess Xinping complained as she waited for the messenger to return.
County Lord Duanrong looked around and saw only a strip of pink walls. Although the snow was falling, he could still see the lush forests and deep bamboos surrounded by attics. The rockery was surrounded by twists and turns of water. It was quiet and elegant. He couldn't help but envy it. It was so beautiful. How much money, no wonder even the kings of Shu and Qi looked sideways.
Although I have been granted a hundred and fifty households by grace, my annual income is only 600 dan (note). But in the blink of an eye, I think that although I am the younger brother of Taizu, I was afraid of trouble when the country was founded, and did not have much credit. Being able to be named a county king by blood, I can really be satisfied with this kind of treatment.
He laughed immediately: "In the past, there would be one or two heavy snowfalls before the Chinese New Year. As the saying goes, auspicious snow heralds a good harvest, and I believe this year will be no exception."
"That would be great. But when the time comes, the young men you like may have to hold a snow-appreciation poetry party. By then, I don't know whether you will come to see your lover or come to see me as a friend." Princess Xinping's eyes flickered and she laughed.
Several noble ladies blushed at her words.
They were in the warm pavilion in the garden. The room was as warm as spring. They were talking and laughing when the palace maid came in and reported: "Princess, Li Yue is back."
Li Yue was the young eunuch who went to deliver a message to Su Ziji.
Princess Xinping likes good-looking people, and the maids and eunuchs who serve her are all better than others in appearance. This Li Yue is one of the eunuchs with some dignity, and even his name was given by Princess Xinping.
Hearing that he was back, the ladies in the room all sat down again. Princess Xinping said: "Let him come in and answer."
In full view of everyone, Li Yue came in with light steps and saluted Princess Xinping: "Princess, I brought back a letter from Mr. Su to you."
"Bring the letter here."
A palace maid walked over, took the letter from Li Yue, and delivered it to Princess Xinping.
Princess Xinping unfolded it and looked at it. Her face, which originally had a lazy smile, slowly turned gloomy.
The smiling noble ladies were as quiet as chills upon seeing this.
"Going to the southwest?" Looking at the letter, Princess Xinping frowned thoughtfully.
This letter is full of polite refusals. Su Ziji wrote in the letter that he was temporarily assigned by the Ministry of War to follow the imperial envoy to the southwest to investigate the case. He might not be able to come back for two or three months. He would leave soon and could not come. Participate in the princess's poetry meeting, but will work hard to run errands and serve the court.
"Really, who would repay you like this?"
"You know that I want you to participate in the poetry meeting, but you still refuse me instead of pushing the errand. It shows that your respect for me is limited."
Princess Xinping was very unhappy, but what should I do if such an outstanding young man couldn't get angry just thinking about it?
The other noble ladies are watching, she must be dignified and cannot let go easily!
"Hey, is there another poem here?" She took the letter away and found that there was a piece of paper underneath. Princess Xinping opened it and read it.
"The snow in the city has just begun to disappear, and mustard greens are growing. There are few people walking in the deep alleys of Jiaomen. The oriole language can be heard in the willow tips. This is the first sound of spring."
The following is signed. I got it accidentally from a dream. I am afraid that I will not be able to return in the spring. I send it to Her Royal Highness the Princess to forgive her for not being able to attend the meeting.
"Another dream?"
Princess Xinping couldn't help but smile with her mouth closed. Lord Duanrong, who was closer, saw that Princess Xinping's attitude changed drastically, as if she was angry, but now her anger turned into joy, and she couldn't help but be curious.
"Princess, could this poem be written by Mr. Su?" She was related to Princess Xinping and had a good relationship. She came over to read it and felt that she was really good at it.
"This calligraphy is good, but without more than ten years of practice and talent, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to write such good calligraphy."
The more Duanrong County Lord looked at it, the more he felt that the words were like the person. Su Ziji must be an outstanding person. He felt that it was a pity that he could not come to the meeting.
In the coming year, most of these noble ladies will be discussing marriage or preparing to get married. Although Da Zheng has always been open and open following the style of the former Wei Dynasty, I am afraid that it will be difficult to be as free as now. As for after getting married, the social circle and content will be very different from now. .
It's a pity that Yunying couldn't meet such an outstanding son when she was still married.
Princess Xinping saw the pity shown by the Lord Duanrong. Although she felt inexplicably proud, she was also a little sour. She snorted, stood up and said, "What's the pity? I'll enter the palace right now!"
When passing by Li Yue, who was still kneeling, he yelled: "You stupid slave, why don't you get up and follow me into the palace!"
He acted vigorously and resolutely, leaving the girls behind and left directly.
County Lord Duanrong and several noble ladies were immediately speechless.
But when I think of this princess, she always thinks like this, so it's not surprising.
Fortunately, they can stay in this garden for a while, or they can leave after telling the female official. Even if the princess leaves, the female official will still leave behind to deal with the aftermath, so these people only looked at each other and looked away, but in their hearts, they were already He remembered Su Ziji's name firmly.
This Su Ziji is afraid that Princess Xinping will really take notice of her.
"Princess, why don't you go see the empress first?" Li Yue and Princess Xinping entered the palace in chariots. They changed sedans in the palace. When Princess Xinping directly ordered them to go to the imperial study, Li Yue hesitated and whispered.
He was apparently chosen by Princess Xinping, but in fact, he, several of Princess Xinping's maids, and Aunt Xu were all sent to the princess by Concubine Wu.
The purpose is to hold the princess back at the critical moment and prevent her from doing something too extreme.
It was probably because they carefully followed Concubine Wu's instructions that the princess favored Bianxuan for so long and still didn't do anything too ambiguous.
But this already made the emperor unhappy when he heard the rumors.
Although Xin Pinggui is a princess and the emperor's favorite daughter, if she really angers the emperor, she can fall from the clouds into the quagmire in an instant.
Thinking about it, no one in the palace dared to mention the former prince's family's innocent ghosts, but they were still floating in the sky above the imperial city, fearing they would not be reincarnated.
Li Yue looked up at the gloomy sky. Dark clouds were pressing down on him, and it looked like it might snow again at any time. Li Yue couldn't help but shudder.
"It's too late to go see the queen after you come out from the father's place." Princess Xinping was a little drowsy due to the slow speed of the sedan chair. After hearing what Li Yue said, she only replied casually.
Li Yue did not dare to say any more, and could only sigh secretly, hoping that those who stayed in the princess's mansion would be smart enough to report the news to Concubine Wu.
"Although this matter is not a big deal, I still feel a little uneasy. My eyelids are twitching, and I feel that something is about to happen. Hey, princess, please don't make the emperor angry because of this matter."
"The emperor is busy with affairs. It would be best if he can't see the princess for the time being. It will be just in time to report to Concubine Wu and let Concubine Wu persuade the princess."
Li Yue prayed silently.
The princess's sedan quickly arrived outside the palace where the royal study room was located. This was the emperor's office, which was heavily guarded. At a glance, there were nail-like guards standing on the left and right, and a eunuch standing at the door. He looked like a fifth- or sixth-grade man. When he saw the princess Sedan, salute immediately.
