Although the two girls did not want to compete for any high status, because they knew that their father and brother were rebelling in the south, and it was Huang Qiong's magnanimity that they did not get implicated. They had never even thought about having such a high status. But they didn't expect that the once arrogant Duan Jin would do so many things for a cold woman like Situ Huanshuang.
As for Situ Huanshuang's identity, they only learned about it from Huang Qiong's edict appointing the queen. They and Situ Huanshuang had never met each other before, even though they lived together in the Guilin County Prince's Mansion. Even the two girls didn't know that their father and brother had done such cruel things as killing their husbands and seizing their wives. However, considering how well the two girls knew their father and brother, it was not unusual for him to do such a thing.
It's just that they don't understand why Duan Jin would do such a thing for the empress of the palace? Not only did she expose the princess of Dali, she also knelt down and bowed to Situ Huanshuang. Is she really generous, or is there another reason? The two girls, who had always been alienated from Duan Jin in their hearts and were somewhat unwelcome to see her, or were angry because of their own experiences, looked at Duan Jin with somewhat different eyes.
Seeing the slightly different look from the past when the two Liu girls looked at him, Duan Jin smiled slightly and didn't care. Huang Qiong, who also saw it, smiled knowingly. I already have an idea secretly in my mind as to what I should do tonight. However, what Duan Jin did today was somewhat beyond Huang Qiong's own expectations. He originally thought that the most he could do was give a big gift.
Unexpectedly, Duan Jin and He Yao chose the heaviest etiquette, which made Huang Qiong somewhat apologetic. Moreover, the surprise on Situ Huanshuang's face, who was sitting next to him, was clearly not fake. Obviously, at least Duan Jin and He Yao did not mention this kneeling to Situ Huanshuang. Duan Jin was the most noble among the women around him, and he could go so far to protect Shuang'er.
This really made Huang Qiong feel both relieved and ashamed. He knew that Duan Jin did this ostensibly for Shuang'er, but in fact it was all for himself and to keep the chaos in his harem. There are also He Yao and Lin Hanyan who are kneeling together. It can be said that they are taking great pains for themselves. Even if it is for them, for these women who love him deeply, he must not lose this battle.
Huang Qiong was constantly thinking about it, but Duan Jin was a little nervous when he saw everyone toasting and saluting, so he smiled and said: "Don't be restrained, everyone, try the flavor of our hometown. The flavor of Dali is not something that ordinary people can eat." I won’t be able to. When I have the chance, let me take us to Dali together to see the camellias all over the mountains and plains, and the Cangshan Mountain, which is covered with snow all year round.”
Duan Jin's words made everyone relax a lot, and they all picked up their chopsticks to taste it. Of course, the wine on the table is just a decoration. What we are really tasting is the finest Pu'er tea produced in Dali. And it was specially brewed by Duan Jin using the Dali palace tea brewing method. These Pu'er teas, which are rare in China, were specially given to Duan Jin by Huang Qiong.
During the banquet, in order to make everyone feel more relaxed, Duan Jin rarely changed his previous dignified attitude, but instead started talking and laughing. I talked a little bit with everyone about the beautiful scenery of Dali. But although Duan Jin was talking and laughing with a smile on his face, Huang Qiong could hear a strong sense of nostalgia in Duan Jin's words. Especially when I talk about the evening singing of fishing boats in Erhai Lake, I look a little sad.
The Princess of Dali once lived a free and unrestrained life, riding horses and singing by the Erhai Lake at the foot of Cangshan Mountain. Now, for his own sake, he can only stay in this palace, which is magnificent but without freedom and warmth. Not only do you have to give birth to children for yourself, but you also have to make such a big sacrifice for the harmony of your harem. Huang Qiong really felt that he felt sorry for this woman.
Turning his head, he looked at Duan Jin, who was still as handsome as a person in his thirties. There was also the inextricable nostalgia in the corner of his eyes. Huang Qiong sighed softly in his heart and tightly grasped Duan Jin's little hand under the table. And feeling that the calluses on the hilt of the sword's hand had disappeared because of not using the sword for many years, and now only the warmth and delicacy remained, Huang Qiong felt even more apologetic.
Maybe the two of them have been married for many years and really have a good understanding. At this time, Huang Qiong was full of apology, and Duan Jin seemed to feel it. Although he didn't say anything, he gently patted the back of Huang Qiong's hand, seemingly saying that he had never regretted it. However, Duan Jin's comfort did not reduce Huang Qiong's guilt. Huang Qiong did not let go of Duan Jin's hand until the entire banquet was over.
Compared to Duan Jin, who was chatting and laughing all the time at the banquet, Situ Huanshuang was always very cold. She is somewhat indifferent by nature, so she is obviously not suitable for this kind of scene. Even though I was extremely moved by Duan Jin and He Yao's previous actions, I still couldn't be too enthusiastic. The same goes for other girls, even if she is the youngest among them.
She also tried to find ways to communicate with others in depth. But her naturally cold temperament means that she still cannot have her own ideas on many things. At the last hurdle, I can't get out. Those who know her personality know that she has this cold temperament deep in her bones. Those who didn't know better thought that she was just showing off as a royal official.
As Huang Qiong's mother said, Situ Huanshuang, who did not have the ability to dance well, had a temperament that was not suitable for the middle palace. Needless to say, according to the ancestral tradition, every year on her birthday, the ladies of the court would come to the palace to congratulate her. She wants an audience and a reward. But Situ Huanshuang didn't take anything seriously, and had a cold temperament towards everything except his parents' hatred.
Just sitting there, I felt like I was far away from others. Even if she is willing to be a decoration, the decoration also needs to be done? Many times, looking at Situ Huanshuang's cold expression, Huang Qiong finally understood why her mother insisted on not taking over the position of queen after she passed away in the middle palace. And if he hadn't met himself, the best ending for Situ Huanshuang in the second half of his life would probably be the Green Lantern Ancient Buddha.
Fortunately, Situ Huanshuang also knew that he had a cold temper and didn't understand many things. So when I was the princess, I was just a hands-off shopkeeper. Now that she has become a queen, she has never asked about the rights and wrongs of the harem, leaving everything to He Yao. He Yao makes the decision on small matters, and everyone discusses the big ones. And during discussions, she almost never expresses her opinions, but just listens silently.
Her temperament is better now. In the future, no one may be able to spy on her position. Especially since she never gave birth to a prince. Even though Huang Qiong was protecting her, Duan Jin and He Yao were still doing things they shouldn't do for this little sister. But who can guarantee that in the future there will be that person who relies on his strong family background to keep his eyes open?
That's why we have this feast today. Everything Duan Jin and He Yao did today was to help Huang Qiong consolidate Situ Huanshuang's position as a successor. I, the mother of the emperor's eldest son, and the eldest princess of Dali Kingdom, both respect the Zhonggong so much, what do you people have to disrespect? In fact, when He Yao and Duan Jin did this, they were not worried about the women who followed Huang Qiong in Zhengzhou.
They all knew the temperaments of Lin Wanqing and the other girls. Especially He Yao, she raised several girls single-handedly and is quite prestigious among the girls. Although they have become sisters now, the grace and power are still there. As long as He Yao is here, those women will not dare to show it even if they really have that ambition. The second daughter Jin'er's behavior was actually done for the women who came to Huang Qiong later.
The two girls worked really hard for Situ Huanshuang. Huang Qiong is well aware of the two women's painstaking efforts. So after the banquet ended, Huang Qiong held the two girls for a while and was very affectionate. When He Yao was about to leave, Huang Qiong also stayed behind: "Sister Yao, don't leave today. Come and stay with me, sister Jin. The three of us haven't been together for some time." .”
"I know that what you are doing today is all for Shuang'er, but in fact it is more for me. So to you two, I still want to say thank you. Without two good wives, Shuang'er is the cold one. I don’t know what the harem is like now. I’m so lucky to have met you and Sister Jin, two good wives who are dedicated to me. I owe you all.”
Hearing Huang Qiong's words, He Yao, who was nestling in his arms, said softly: "Ordinary people know that everything can be prosperous only if the family is harmonious. How can we, as your women, not know this? I am exhausted in front of you." The tiring work is not only for the people of this world, but also for us? This little thing is actually nothing. What's more, we also treat Shuang'er as a girl."
After He Yao finished speaking, Duan Jin, who was busy trying to pull Huang Qiong out from under his clothes, also said quietly: "We only ask you, because we worry about you so much. , Don’t mess with flowers and plants that shouldn’t be messed with. Although this palace is big, not everyone can bring it in. Don’t bring those rotten peach blossoms back to the palace as well."
"I don't mean to compete for favor. As an emperor, we are already satisfied with your favor. But in this world, it is not only men who have ambitions, but many women also have ambitions. Your brothers, Back then, we fought to the death for the old man's position. Neither Xiaoyao nor I hope that our son will follow the same path as your brothers."
"More than half of a child's personality comes from his mother. The remaining part comes from the environment in which he grew up. As a prince, what kind of temperament will he develop when he grows up? It is very important for his mother to teach him from an early age. The prince under your knees now , the number is increasing. In addition to being raised in the palace, I’m afraid there are also some raised outside. Isn’t the eldest son of the Fan family your flesh and blood? "
"Also, Zhang Qiaoer's third son is also your flesh and blood. Wanqing and the others in the palace are also thinking about giving birth to a child for you. The emperor has been the seventy-two partial concubines of the three palaces and six courtyards since ancient times. This It's a legacy that we can't change. In addition, you have a romantic and somewhat obscene temperament. You may have many people and sons in the future, but you only have one position."
"If you don't want your son to kill each other, the child's mother must have good character. A person who only indulges his son or is ambitious himself will only ruin the child's life. Even let his own son... Involved in a deeper whirlpool. You have reached the point where you are today, and the empress surrendered herself. And the life of King Song was ruined at the hands of that ambitious concubine De."
"Half of the reason why I am doing this today is for the sake of the future. I don't want our children to make the same mistakes as your brothers when they grow up. The killing of flesh and blood in the Tian family is really cruel and bloody. In the past dynasties, It has never been more like this in all ages. Oh, why can't you be honest for a while? Please be gentle, it's all about flesh.
