The carriage only goes as far as the palace gate, and you can only walk further inside.
The carriages from each palace were parked neatly outside the palace city, and the nobles in luxurious clothes got off the carriages one after another. When they met those they met, they greeted them at the entrance of the palace in advance.
Shanshan followed his mother out of the carriage. They were strangers and attracted a lot of attention when they showed their faces.
Shanshan nervously held her mother's hand and passed by countless curious and probing eyes. Even though she was an optimistic little girl, she still knew what kind of place the palace was. The palace gate was right in front of her, so she didn't dare to show her anger and stayed close to her mother.
"Shan Shan?"
Shanshan turned around following the sound and saw Wen Jiahe standing on the carriage not far away, with a look of surprise on his face: "Is it really you?"
Shanshan grinned: "Sister Jiahe!"
"Shanshan, why are you here?" Wen Jiahe quickly jumped out of the carriage. The eldest princess walked out of the carriage behind her. When she looked up, she saw her daughter running far away.
"I also received the invitation." Shanshan had been holding back for many days, and now she was finally able to say it. She showed the invitation to Wen Jiahe like a treasure, with a look of pride that couldn't be hidden on her round face: "Look , it’s my name on it!”
Wen Jiahe was really surprised, and then said happily: "That's great, Shanshan. You can sit with me later and I will play with you."
"Jiahe." The eldest princess came slowly.
Wen Jiahe turned around and said happily: "Mom, Shanshan is also here to attend the birthday banquet of the Imperial Grandmother today."
The eldest princess lowered her head and looked at the child in front of her. The little girl had been carefully dressed up and was even more delicate and cute tonight. She was standing with Wen Jiahe. The two little girls were holding hands, like a pair of dolls in a New Year picture. She smiled gently at Shanshan before looking at Wen Yiqing.
Wen Yiqing was about to salute, but she stopped him first.
"Ms. Wen, I know you. Jiahe talks about your daughter every day at home."
The eldest princess looked at the person in front of her carefully. She had already heard that her gentle mother opened a shop and did business. She had only thought that she was an ordinary business woman, but she did not expect her appearance to be so outstanding. Her skin is as good as snow, her teeth are white and her lips are red, her eyebrows are like mountain daisy, her apricot eyes are like autumn stars, her black hair is like a cloud waterfall, and her head and face are as gorgeous and elegant as gemstones. She is not like a commoner business woman, but more elegant than a noble daughter from a noble family.
The eldest princess paused.
Strange. Why did she feel so familiar when she saw this mother and son?
She didn't show any emotion on her face and took the initiative to say, "The color of your lipstick is quite bright."
Wen Yiqing's heart moved.
She was in the business of rouge and gouache. Knowing that the eldest princess was mentioning it on purpose, she responded, "It's something from a common woman's own family."
The two families talked while walking. Shanshan held the hand of his good friend, handed the invitation to the guard at the palace gate, and nervously walked into the palace gate.
She had never been to a place like this. The uncle's mansion is already noble, but it can never be compared with the imperial palace. The hands of the guards guarding the entrance to the palace shone with a cold light, and they all had serious expressions and serious expressions. Her feet stepped on the ashlar bricks, and her heart beat repeatedly.
Wen Jiahe comforted her at the side: "Shanshan, don't be afraid. The imperial grandmother is very kind, the imperial concubine is also a good person, the prince brother also knows you, and you have met the others in the school."
There were other people who entered the palace together. Shanshan looked around and saw a familiar classmate.
The children in the same class also noticed her and waved to her from a distance, but were quickly pushed back by their parents. On the contrary, it made Shanshan feel at ease.
The palace people held lanterns to lead the way, and after passing through the palace gates, they saw a magnificent palace. There were guards guarding the door with knives, and palace people were busy coming in and out carrying trays. Inside, people were drinking and drinking.
Qi Wenyue arrived early at the palace banquet today.
She was dressed up today, surrounded by three or two official ladies, talking and laughing. Her husband, Marquis Xuanping, held a high position and had become more important in the past two years. Along with this, her status among official women also increased, and she was quite flattered. Mrs. Jiang was not far away, talking to an old lady she knew well.
Suddenly someone next to me said: "The eldest princess is here."
Qi Wenyue hurriedly looked outside the palace.
Her Royal Highness, the eldest princess, is the emperor's biological sister. She is married to a general of the dynasty and is very honorable. She also has a desire to make friends.
I saw the eldest princess, General Wen, stepping into the palace together. They were followed by their only daughter, Wen Jiahe, who stepped into the palace door, holding another cute little girl Yuxue in his hand. Qi Wenyue stood up for a moment, and the next moment, her eyes widened in disbelief.
A beautiful woman followed closely behind her. She was gentle, graceful and elegant. She attracted the attention of several people in the hall as soon as she entered the door. If others couldn't recognize it, how could she not recognize it? !
Why is Wen Yiqing here? !
Qi Wenyue clenched the handkerchief tightly.
A lady next to her noticed something strange about her: "Mrs. Jiang?"
Qi Wenyue calmed down, sat back, forced a smile, and continued to chat with the other married women.
But she no longer had the calmness and calmness she had just now. Instead, she was in a state of confusion, panic, and her eyes kept glancing in that direction.
Wen Yiqing is a commoner businesswoman. This is a royal palace and a birthday party for the Queen Mother. How could she get in here! ?
She was walking beside the eldest princess. Could it be that she had a relationship with the eldest princess?
Qi Wenyue looked to the other side hesitantly. Not far away, everyone from Uncle Zhongyong's Mansion had also arrived. They also noticed the few people who had just entered, and they all looked shocked.
"Why is Qing Niang here?!" Mrs. Qi said in shock: "Why is she still walking with Her Royal Highness the Eldest Princess?"
The eldest lady was also surprised. After Wen Yiqing moved out of the uncle's house, she occasionally noticed that she had opened a shop to make a living. Seeing that she had no difficulties, she didn't ask any more questions, and kept in touch with her at a distance.
The other people in the uncle's house didn't care, and no one expected to see him suddenly at the palace banquet. Mrs. Qi was uneasy and looked there frequently. She wanted to ask, but because the eldest princess was nearby, she did not dare to reveal her relationship with Wen Yiqing.
Along the way from the palace gate, the eldest princess deliberately made friends with her. The two talked and laughed, and their relationship became quite close.
Wen Jiahe held Shanshan's hand, and remembering that he wanted to be a good friend and supporter, he asked the palace maid to change places when he came in. Shanshan was sitting in an inconspicuous corner in the palace. The eldest princess nodded and her seat was moved to the front row.
Suddenly, more and more eyes came in the palace.
Shanshan was oblivious and happily sat down next to Wen Jiahe. She opened her eyes wide and looked at everyone in the hall curiously. She saw many classmates and acquaintances from Zhongyong's residence.
She said "Hey" and said, "I saw my eldest cousin. Why didn't Qi Qing come?"
Wen Jiahe said: "She couldn't come in the first place."
But that's not what Qi Qing said in the school a few days ago.
Shanshan didn't pay attention and listened to Wen Jiahe introduce it to her one by one. In her ears, it was this duke, that duke, this lord, that lord, which made her head feel dizzy, remembering this and then forgetting that. Seeing this, Wen Jiahe picked up a piece of pastry from the table and handed it to her.
This is a snack made by the royal chef in the palace. Shanshan has been thinking about it for a long time. When he tasted it, it was indeed sweet, delicious and delicious.
She said vaguely: "I seem to have eaten it somewhere."
"Xu ate it at my house."
"I didn't see His Royal Highness."
"He is coming with the emperor."
Wen Yiqing also sat down.
Unlike the big-hearted little girl in her family, she was keenly aware of the eyes falling on her, but she did not suffer from stage fright and openly let others look at her.
There was also a noble woman sitting next to her. The eldest princess introduced her: "This is Mrs. Zheng."
Wen Yiqing knew who she was.
To attend the palace banquet, she had already inquired about the situation in the capital. There was only one Zheng family with a transcendent status in the capital, and that was Concubine Zheng's mother clan. Today, the Holy Emperor's harem is empty, and none of the four concubines or concubines have been registered. Only one noble concubine was appointed when he first ascended the throne. Concubine Zheng is several years older than the emperor. Although she has not ascended to the throne, she has been favored by the emperor for more than ten years. Even Concubine Zheng's younger brother has been given the title of uncle, which shows her great honor.
Mrs. Zheng nodded at her, and she nodded in greeting.
Guests arrived one after another, and soon the hall was filled with people.
Everyone sat together and whispered, until the eunuch's sharp voice sounded.
"The Emperor has arrived——"
"The Queen Mother has arrived——"
"The royal concubine has arrived——"
Everyone in the hall quickly stood up.
Shanshan was a little slow, and was pulled up by his mother. He hurriedly knelt down with everyone else.
Her head hit the ground, and she heard footsteps approaching from far away, as if ringing in her ears. Her toes hidden in her shoes moved restlessly, and she quietly opened her eyes to see a bright yellow piece of clothing passing by.
Before she could take a second look, her mother noticed her little movement and poked her gently under the cover of her complicated dress. She immediately closed her eyes, not daring to look anymore.
Before entering the palace, her mother told her the rules.
She said that everyone in the palace was a noble person, and when she met the noble people, she had to bow politely, without even looking at their appearance.
…
It's the center of the feast.
The dishes carefully cooked in the imperial dining room were served to the palace people like flowing water. The musicians played drums and pipes, and the dancers were graceful. They were accompanied by fine wines and delicacies. After three rounds of wine, everyone was already half intoxicated.
"I heard that the emperor specially appointed a child to enter the palace?" The queen mother smiled and said, "Whose child is it?"
Concubine Zheng on the side smiled and said: "It's called Wen Shan."
"Wen Shan?" The Queen Mother thought for a while: "Is there anyone named Wen in the capital?"
"She is not from the capital, but a fellow countryman of Mr. Xiao He." Concubine Zheng said warmly: "I heard that Mr. Xiao He is pursuing the mother of the child."
The Queen Mother was surprised: "He Lanzhou? Master Xiao He?"
"Exactly."
"That's strange." The Queen Mother said: "Previously, someone asked the Ai family to propose marriage to Mr. He, but Mr. He refused. At that time, the emperor still interceded for him. The Ai family had previously said that he, their monarch and his ministers The two are of the same virtue. What kind of girl is it that makes Master He fall in love?"
Concubine Zheng looked towards everyone in your highness. She arranged all the seats in the palace. The place originally assigned for the Wen family's mother and daughter now sat a middle-aged woman, who was not He Lanzhou's sweetheart. She hesitated.
The eldest eunuch cleverly took a step forward and said attentively: "The Queen Mother is the person sitting next to Her Royal Highness the eldest princess now."
When the Queen Mother heard the words, she looked over and saw her granddaughter Jiahe sitting next to her, a fair and cute little child with two small hairpins. She was immersed in the exquisite meal on the table. Her cheeks were bulging after eating, and her face was stained with cakes. Minced, it tastes particularly sweet. Her eyebrows were widened with a smile, the wrinkles at the end of her eyes were wrinkled, and her appetite seemed to be a little brighter after the meal.
At her age, she loves to see children's vitality the most.
Maybe that little girl tasted too sweet, and it particularly suited her eyes.
The Queen Mother turned her head and asked again: "What's her name?"
"It's called Wen Shan."
"Why didn't you invite her mother? Why did you invite her?"
The atmosphere was just right, and even the eunuch smiled and said: "The Queen Mother does not know something. A few days ago, the emperor went to the temple to worship Buddha. This young lady of the Wen family is really brave. She was not afraid even if she saw the emperor. A few days ago, the emperor When I returned to Beijing, I met him again, it was really fate."
"Oh?" The Queen Mother looked at the emperor in surprise: "Really?"
The emperor held on to the wine cup without commenting.
Recently, he had a lot of official duties, and it was also the Queen Mother's birthday party. He had already forgotten the worldly things, but now when he heard the Queen Mother mention it, he remembered another thing.
He personally invited a child to the palace banquet by name. First, he couldn't bear to see that she was bullied by her clansmen in Zhongyong Bo's Mansion. She would be thrown out of the carriage after school and summoned to the palace to support her and make her life in the Bo's Mansion easier in the future. Secondly, he did it deliberately and wanted to scare the little girl.
She was so bold that even the emperor dared to make friends.
It's just that this idea is so childish that even he himself is quite surprised and it's hard to tell others.
But thinking of the little girl's reaction, the emperor's brows slightly relaxed. He looked casually and saw the cute child not far away.
Then his eyes paused, and he stayed there for a long time.
The little girl has a childish and cute face, and she is dressed like a little fairy child that fell from the sky. She was originally invited by him by name, and she is also one of the people he focuses on today. But at this moment, he couldn't care less. He only glanced at her, his eyes completely attracted by the woman beside Shanshan.
Her eyes and face were slightly lowered, and she turned her head to listen attentively to the words of the person next to her. The exposed neck was slender and white. The complicated bun is decorated with sparkling gems, but her face is more eye-catching than the luxurious accessories.
The cup in the emperor's hand fell to the ground with a bang, and the golden wine splashed all over him, soaking the corners of his clothes and the toes of his shoes. The eunuch hurriedly came to wipe it. He stood up suddenly, banging his knees on the table in front of him, and the cups and cups clinked. He was not aware of it, and his eyes were fixed on that place.
The movement on the high seat caused a moment of silence in the hall. No one dared to look directly at the holy face and hurriedly knelt down.
Queen Mother: "Emperor?"
The emperor seemed to have lost all five senses.
All the sounds around him suddenly faded away like a tide, and he looked straight at that place. He could not see the eldest princess, nor could he see Shanshan. All living things in the world had turned into nothingness. At this time, only the woman who was kneeling and worshiping not far away was left in his eyes.
He opened his mouth, but his throat seemed to be strangled by an invisible hand, and no sound could come out. The dark eyes were forced to turn red.
The emperor subconsciously raised his feet and wanted to walk that way, but was tripped by the eunuch. He came to his senses in a daze, and everything seemed to fall into place.
The Queen Mother looked at him worriedly: "Emperor?!"
Emperor: "I..."
The emperor paused.
He closed his eyes hard, turned his head again, and opened his eyes again.
The little girl was so engrossed in eating that she didn't even realize what she was doing. Her little face was confused and she was pulled by her mother beside her, and she knelt down slowly, still holding half of the unfinished snack in her hand.
A thud. The snacks fell to the ground with a dull, almost imperceptible sound.
The severe pain came after a while.
What he saw before him was not a drunken hallucination.
Nor was it a phantom that appeared in his dreams.
His Ah Qing, his supposedly dead lover.
Appeared in front of me!
