After listening to Zhao Zhen running over to memorize the "Three Character Classic", Liu Xiuyi did not pick him up as he wanted, but asked him to stand still and praised him seriously: "Brother Six, he memorized it really well. Tell sister, daddy taught you earlier." How many times?"
The princes and princesses of the Song Dynasty called their biological mothers, who were concubines, their sisters, and the queens as their empress. 【Read full text】
Zhao Zhen tilted his head and thought for a while, then replied crisply: "Three times." After saying that, he stretched out his hand for a hug.
Liu Xiuyi hugged him and patted his back gently with her slender hands to show encouragement. There is a big difference between reciting something and reciting it after listening to it three times. A smart prince is more worthy of her teaching and the emperor's love.
The emperor laughed heartily when he heard this: "Our sixth brother is really smart. He can remember what dad taught him many times. I have to choose your future princess carefully, and choose a wife who is as smart as you."
His previous five sons all died in infancy, especially King Zhou who was born to Queen Guo. He was so smart that he finally grew up to nine years old, but he died just like that. It still hurts his heart to this day.
Therefore, he now values Zhao Zhen very much and will definitely select his future wife carefully.
Hearing what the emperor said, Liu Xiuyi curled her lips and said with a smile: "Guan family, my concubine met a smart enough lady today. It's a pity that she is old and her family background is not enough, otherwise she would be a good candidate."
Liu Xiuyi rarely spoke a word. After hearing this, the emperor immediately became interested and asked with a smile: "Which family is she from? Family background is not a problem. As long as she is talented, educated and has a good temperament, it is enough. The age is not much different. Think about it. Tell me, what kind of woman can catch your eye?"
Liu Xiuyi had a very high vision, and the emperor understood it very well. Every time he gave her something, he had to be very thoughtful.
"She is the daughter of the new doctor from the Ministry of Industry." Liu Xiuyi smiled softly. His voice was extremely soft, as if he had only just met the emperor and lacked the aura he had when he was outside.
"Wenchang's daughter? Could it be that Xu Liuniang?" The emperor was impressed by Xu Nuo because her disappearance caused his valued ministers to serve as officials for many years. Now when he returns to the capital, he can only be a small doctor in the Ministry of Industry. …
The sky was getting dark, and the palace maid turned on the lamps in the four corners of the room one by one. The light in the room was extremely soft.
The emperor asked someone to prepare a meal and wanted to leave it at Liu Xiuyi's place.
As for Zhao Zhen. The nanny had already carried her to Yang Jieyu's residence. Although Liu Xiuyi is Zhao Zhen's nominal biological mother. But she was old, so she left Zhao Zhen to be raised by Yang Jieyu, who was a close sister to her. She did not eat or sleep with her on weekdays.
After dinner. The emperor suddenly said: "I have never seen the red plum blossoms in the snow in Prince Ning's Mansion." While speaking, there was a trace of regret on his face.
Naturally, Liu Xiuyi would not miss any expression on the emperor's face, and said softly: "The officials are busy with state affairs and worrying about the people. It doesn't hurt to go out for a day of fun when you are tired."
"A few years ago, I was annoyed by the imperial censor and my ears hurt. In order not to be upset, I could only..."
Those censors. He is enough.
Liu Xiuyi smiled, turned around and gave some instructions to the maid behind her. The maid nodded and went out, and soon came in holding a long and narrow box in both hands.
Liu Xiuyi pretended to be mysterious. Let the emperor close his eyes, take out the contents of the box, and slowly unfold them.
"Guan family. That's it."
The emperor opened his eyes and saw a picture of snow.
Dots of red. But it makes people truly feel the scene of red plum blossoms blooming and heavy snow falling on the branches.
There was a hint of surprise in the emperor's eyes, and then a smile appeared on his face: "Who painted it?" He recognized the plum grove in Prince Ning's Mansion and the pavilions on both sides of the plum grove. He could tell at a glance that it was painted by someone who was appreciating plum blossoms today, but who could paint the scenery? Such an image contains a vague atmosphere that embraces heaven and earth.
"It's the Liu Niang of the Xu family that I told you about." Liu Xiuyi had asked the emperor to close his eyes before to create a surprise, but now there was no need to pretend to be mysterious and she directly revealed the identity of the painter.
The reason why the emperor loves Liu Xiuyi, who is no longer young, is precisely because of her ability to know how to advance and retreat. He reached out and took the plum picture, looked at it carefully, and nodded from time to time.
Then, Liu Xiuyi briefly explained the process of promising to play the piano, order tea, paint and write poems today, and waited for the emperor's evaluation.
Sure enough, after the emperor put down Mei Tu, he immediately asked: "Which one does Xiu Yi think Xu Liu Niang is the strongest in?"
Liu Xiuyi looked at the emperor with a smile on her face, her red lips slightly opened, and she uttered one word: "Word."
The emperor put his palms together and praised: "Xiu Yi and I are indeed in tune with each other. Those ladies are so blind that they only read the words but did not realize that this word is the best."
In the eyes of the emperor, Xu Xu played the qin well because of the profound artistic conception of the music and the guidance of a mother like Lu who was good at playing the qin. Moreover, there were many ladies in the capital who were good at playing the qin.
The tea ceremony is good because of Xu Nuo's background and because she has a very good master.
As for the picture of snow plum blossoms, although it is very vivid, the emperor has seen a lady of her age create paintings with such artistic conception in the past.
As for the amazing poems, they may have been prepared in advance.
Only this handwriting with full ink was real. He had never seen a young lady write with such good handwriting. It was no weaker than those conceited and knowledgeable ministers who handed him notes all day long.
The emperor was immediately curious that a twelve-year-old girl, who had grown up outside her home, could write with such good handwriting.
At the same time, it was a pity that the sixth brother was too young and that the King of Zhou died young.
If the King of Zhou were still alive, he would be the right age for this wife of the Xu family.
The emperor had great trust in Liu Xiuyi's vision. After only hearing a few words from her, he thought that promising to be his daughter-in-law was enough.
Liu Xiuyi once accompanied the emperor to review memorials and saw Xu Gucheng's handwriting, and said: "I thought Xu Liuniang's handwriting was somewhat similar to her father's handwriting."
The emperor nodded and agreed with Liu Xiuyi's statement: "Wen Chang's calligraphy is very good. I discovered it a few years ago. I didn't expect his daughter to have such good calligraphy. It shows that he attaches great importance to this daughter." Otherwise, he would not have put in the effort to teach her. She practices calligraphy.
"Years ago, when Wen Chang was still in the capital, I tasted the tea he ordered, and it seemed to be better than the tea ordered by the people in the palace. If you feel bored in a few days, tell the Xu family that this lady will come to the palace to accompany you for a few days. Let’s try the tea she ordered.”
Early morning on the second day. All officials learned that the emperor had consecrated Liu Xiuyi as Concubine Liu Def.
This news made them couldn't help but talk about it while walking on the road.
"Does the official really want to make her the queen? How can she be the mother of a country with that status?"
"She has a son."
"Is that her son? Don't think she did it without noticing. Although the walls in the palace are high, sometimes they are not thick enough and air leaks..."
"Shut up now. It's your turn to say what the officials have promised."
Hu Ling came to Xu's house at the warmest time of the day to look for Xu Nuo. When she went to Mingjin Pavilion, Mrs. Qiao was teaching Xu Nuo how to embroider plum blossoms.
Chuntang stood behind the promise. Looking at Xu Nuo's clumsy appearance, he was so anxious that he was sweating in the winter.
It wasn't until she saw Hu Ling lifting the curtain and coming in that she felt relieved and walked over: "Why didn't Mrs. Hu Sanniang let anyone..."
"It's none of the business of those maids outside. It's because I walked too fast and they couldn't catch up. Don't lecture them. I know you are the steward of this courtyard..." Hu Ling said. He took off his cloak and threw it on the hanger, then moved closer to Xu Nuo. The word "schadenfreude" was written all over his face.
It's really hard to learn how to work as a female worker. Fortunately, she didn't listen to her mother's advice.
Chuntang blushed with embarrassment at the thought of being called a housekeeper. She was stunned for a moment before going to tidy up the cloak that Hu Ling had thrown on the hanger. And retreated outside the house.
Xunuo put down the needle and thread that had tortured her for a long time, glanced at Hu Ling, and said in a very low voice: "I don't have a housekeeper here. Chun Tang is thin-skinned, don't talk to her in a joking tone."
"Okay, okay. If you don't joke with her, how are you learning?" After saying this, Hu Lingcai greeted Madam Qiao, but did not have the courage to look directly into Madam Qiao's eyes.
In the capital city, there is no shortage of places for women like her who are not good at working as female workers.
Apart from her, only the daughters of poor families who could not afford needlework were left who did not know how to do needlework. Fortunately, Xu Liuniang, who worked extremely hard as a female worker, was at the same level as her.
They should really be good friends, otherwise they wouldn't be so unanimously indifferent to the female workers.
Her mother mentioned to her more than once that she wanted to bring Madam Qiao into her home and teach her how to become a female worker, but she always ignored her. However, she was extremely reluctant to see Madam Qiao, as if she would only realize it after seeing Madam Qiao. It's embarrassing to be a woman who doesn't know how to work.
Xu Nuo said awkwardly: "There has been some progress today." She glanced at Hu Ling and did not dare to look at Madam Qiao.
After studying for a month, not only did she not make progress, but she regressed. It was simply a shame, not only a shame for her, but also a shame for Madam Qiao.
Has Mrs. Qiao ever taught such a student?
If it weren't for the seriousness of her promise, Mrs. Qiao would have walked away long ago.
"I remember you gave me a handkerchief you embroidered, and I asked you to teach me, but you never replied. Please teach me now." Xu Nuo suddenly remembered that Hu Ling knew embroidery.
"Ah?" Cold sweat broke out on Hu Ling's forehead. The handkerchief was given to her by Xiao Yuan. She had never touched such a thing before. She was stunned and said: "Ms. Qiao, I'm looking for Xu Liu Niang to play. You're tired too, why not Will you teach her another day?"
"Okay." Mrs. Qiao nodded to the two of them, packed up, got up and left.
After Mrs. Qiao left, Hu Lingcai said: "If I don't lie to you, I won't do it at all."
This time it was Xu Nuo's turn to be surprised and looked at Hu Ling doubtfully.
Hu Ling shrugged and said helplessly: "It's my second senior brother, he insisted on me doing this..." After saying this, he realized that he had lost his words and hurriedly covered his mouth.
Xu Nuo was even more surprised. She had been curious about Hu Ling's two senior brothers for a long time, and now the second senior brother actually did such a thing?
He didn't know her, so why did he do this?
Could it be that Hu Ling's second senior brother was someone she knew?
Hu Ling knew that Xu Nuo was smart and said hurriedly: "My second senior brother gave me an idea and asked me to find someone to embroider the veil to fool my mother." Her head turned quickly and she hurriedly found a reason, but she also knew that Xu Nuo As smart as a monkey, I'm afraid he can't be fooled. (To be continued)
ps: I bow to thank Qing Erqi for the peace talisman. I recommend my friend Ning Luoli’s article "Due to Heir": After resurrecting her life, Qiao Zili’s goal is to work hard to become a boudoir lady and train her husband at the same time. Become a great man who loves and cares about his family.
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