Early the next morning, Xiao Qi took Murong Chengze into the palace to visit the old people in the palace.
She first came to Shengrui Palace to visit her mother.
Knowing that Xiao Qi and Murong Chengze were coming, Empress Dowager Zhu ordered people to prepare her daughter's favorite pastries early in the morning. Seeing that they had arrived so early, she was extremely happy.
Empress Dowager Zhu was the biological mother of the former emperor Zhezong. After the death of Empress Dowager Gao, who was in charge of politics from behind the curtain, Zhezong had always wanted to canonize his biological mother Zhu, who came from a humble background, as empress dowager. However, Xiang was the empress of the previous Shenzong, so it was logical. She became the empress dowager, but Zhu was only respected as the concubine.
Later, Zhezong unfortunately died of illness and Huizong succeeded to the throne. Because he was from a side sect and the imperial line was not upright, he begged the Queen Mother to listen to the affairs behind the curtain. At the Queen Mother's suggestion, Zhu's position as Crown Princess was canonized as the Queen Mother, and she was given the title of Queen Mother. The Empress Dowager was changed to the Empress Dowager, in order to dispel the criticism of him by the ministers in the court without losing the virtue of kindness and filial piety and the holy will of the late emperor.
However, although Empress Dowager Zhu is the Queen Mother, she has no real power and only lives in the Shengrui Palace for a long time.
Seeing that Xiao Qi had indeed brought her good grandson, Empress Dowager Zhu's face was full of smiles, and she held Murong Chengze's hand affectionately, her eyes as kind as if she were looking at her own grandson.
Even the carefully prepared pastries were given to his good grandson. Instead, his daughter, Xiao Qi, sat on the bench. ?.?????.???
Just when the atmosphere was harmonious, the palace maid came to report: "To report to the Queen Mother, the Imperial Concubine and Princess Deqing have come to say hello."
When Queen Mother Zhu heard this, the smile on her face did not diminish, but she said a little more: "Please invite them in quickly!"
After that, he held Xiao Qi's hand and said, "What a wonderful day it is today. How come there are so many happy guests coming to our door?"
Xiao Qi smiled and said, "Speaking of which, maybe I haven't seen Concubine Zheng and Princess Deqing for a long time. Concubine Zheng still likes to come to the Queen Mother's Shengrui Palace as usual?"
Concubine Zheng was the first of the four concubines in the harem. She gave birth to the emperor's eldest daughter, Princess Deqing, Zhao Yupan, and four other little princesses. She originally had a son, Zhao Tao, but he died in infancy the next day and was posthumously named King Yan.
However, Concubine Zheng was virtuous, courteous and courteous, and was extremely favored by Huizong. Although she did not have a son, she was canonized as the first of the four concubines.
Concubine Zheng and Empress Dowager Zhu were very close to each other, so after entering the palace, they would often visit each other in Shengrui Palace.
While they were chatting, the three of them saw a gentle woman with good appearance walking in with a girl of seven or eight years old.
The girl has a delicate and lovely appearance, and a pair of watery and lively eyes. She seems to have a lively personality, but in fact, her temperament is as graceful as her biological mother. When Concubine Zheng saluted Empress Dowager Zhu, she also bowed respectfully.
Empress Dowager Zhu smiled and said: "Concubine Zheng and the princess don't need to be polite. Pan'er, come to me quickly."
As he spoke, he waved to the girl. The girl looked at the boy next to the Queen Mother curiously, then walked to the other side and sat down.
Concubine Zheng and Xiao Qi were very familiar with each other. As soon as they met, they started talking to each other, feeling quite happy about meeting old friends again.
"Ze'er, this is Pan'er. You two are not much different in age. We can be friends in the future."
Empress Dowager Zhu held one hand by the other, with a smile on her face.
Although Murong Chengze was young, he already looked like a grown-up. Then he said with a serious expression and a slightly respectful tone: "Murong Chengze, the Crown Prince of Yan, has met Princess Deqing."
Zhao Yupan's blushing face was adorable, and her voice was clear and judo: "You are the Crown Prince of Yan, no...you don't have to be polite to me."
In addition to playing with his naughty sister every day, Murong Chengze met a woman of the same age for the first time. When he saw that Zhao Yupan's temperament was somewhat similar to Li Qinglu's, he couldn't help but feel close to her.
After Empress Dowager Zhu introduced the two little guys, they became familiar with each other. In addition, Murong Chengze had a cheerful personality, and soon they could chat without the need for Empress Dowager Zhu to interrupt. Very happy.
Concubine Zheng and Xiao Qi laughed and said, "It's rare that Concubine Yan still knows how to go back to Beijing to visit old friends like us. This time she has to stay a little longer."
Xiao Qi said: "Sister, please stop teasing me. I heard that I need to stay longer this time!"
Anyway, Murong Fu went to the northern battlefield, and she was not in a hurry to return to Yanbei.
Concubine Zheng was overjoyed when she heard this: "I have not forgotten the dishes you like to eat. I don't think I have a chance to come today, but I will come to my palace tomorrow."
"I'm going to have to work hard for my sister again!"
Xiao Qi did not refuse, thinking that one day she would leave and leave her mother alone in the palace. If she had these old friends to take care of her, she would be much more at ease!
At this time, the palace maid came in again and reported: "To the Queen Mother, Concubine Shu and Princess Kangfu have come to say hello."
Empress Dowager Zhu and others were stunned for a moment, but they were not surprised.
Concubine Shu Liu came from a humble background, and her life experience was quite similar to that of Empress Dowager Zhu. Empress Dowager Zhu was also popular in the harem, so she often interacted with many concubines.
Last year, Mrs. Liu gave birth to two dragon sons for Huizong, so she was promoted to Wanyi from Wanrong, and then from Zhengyipin Defei in January this year to Zhengyipin Shufei the following month.
The people who came were all the concubines with whom she had good friendships on weekdays. Empress Dowager Zhu could only sigh that today was a good day, and then asked the palace maid to bring in the concubine Shu and the princess.
Concubine Liu is a beautiful woman with a good appearance, beautiful eyebrows, jade cheeks and cherry lips. Although she comes from a humble background, even if she is a lady, few people can match her beauty.
The little Princess Kangfu, who is only six years old next to her, has also perfectly inherited her mother's beauty. Her eyebrows are very beautiful, her shallow cherry mouth is as smooth as jade, and her face is as delicate as if it were carved. Although she is young, But at first glance, one can tell that she is a rare beauty.
Concubine Shu took the little princess to salute the Empress Dowager Zhu, and then stayed with Xiao Qi and the others. As for the little princess, the Empress Dowager Zhu pulled her to her side and introduced them.
Zhao Yupan and Zhao Fujin were half-sisters, and they often met at Shengrui Palace, so the relationship between the two sisters was relatively deep. It didn't take long for the three little guys to become familiar with each other.
Looking at the three young girls beside Cheng Huan, the smile on Queen Mother Zhu's face grew wider. She thought that no one would come to visit today, but she heard the palace maid came to report again: "Queen Mother Qi, the Emperor... The Queen, along with Prince Ding and Princess Rongfu, came to say hello."
Queen Wang has a reputation as a virtuous person, but she does not have much personal relationship with Queen Mother Zhu. Today, she suddenly brought Prince Ding and Princess Rongfu to Shengrui Palace. Combined with the appearance of the noble concubine and Concubine Shu, this made Queen Mother Zhu feel faintly. A feeling of uneasiness came.
