In the Rouyi Hall where the lanterns were coming on, Liu Shaojian had just walked in and said softly: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty has ordered the Privy Council to appoint generals to prepare for the Western Expedition."
"I know." Queen Zhong seemed to be absent-minded. She was sitting in front of a smooth bronze mirror, twisting slightly from left to right to look at her Fengyi. Although the reflection was not clear, even Liu Shaojian behind her was not. It turned into a blurry black shadow, but Mrs. Zhong still used the stars and candlelight in the hall to admire her hazy self in the mirror with a smile.
Liu Shaojian, who has been in this palace for many years, understands that if you want to survive for a long time, being diligent and eloquent will always be just the icing on the cake. The most important thing is to recognize your identity and abide by the rules.
Therefore, since the queen is immersed in her own world at this time, she cannot speak randomly and just stand still.
"Mother, we're here!" A young and beautiful maid hurried in with her head lowered, followed by two middle-aged maids with cold faces.
Liu Shaojian immediately understood and winked at the two chamberlains guarding the entrance of the palace. Then there was a muffled "squeak" sound, and the doors of Rouyi Palace were slowly closed from the outside.
Mrs. Zhong glanced at the expressions of the two middle-aged maids, hesitated for a moment, then slowly stood up, lifted the exquisitely decorated bead curtain, entered the Nuan Pavilion, and sat down gracefully on the soft bed.
The two maids followed closely, taking the little palace maid with them, and went straight into the place where Zhong slept. Shaojian Liu habitually bowed in the direction of Nuan Pavilion, then turned around expressionlessly and stood there like a guard.
When the young palace maid stood in front of the queen at close range, her face was already pale. She suddenly fell to her knees on the ground and sobbed: "Mother, please let me go! I really don't know anything!"
Mrs. Zhong seemed to have been accustomed to such words, and did not react at all. She just said in a calm tone: "I haven't asked you anything yet, why are you panicking? I only want to ask you, what has Concubine Zhang done recently?" , causing His Majesty to stay in Nichang Pavilion every night?"
The little palace maid tremblingly fell at Mrs. Zhong's feet, trembling constantly: "Your Majesty, slave, I really don't know... Please forgive me, slave!"
Mrs. Zhong just frowned slightly. She had always been known for her solemnity in the palace and was extremely friendly to the eunuchs and maids below, but at this time she really couldn't hold back.
Today is her birthday.
After the dinner, Li Jing had promised her that she would stay at the Rouyi Palace tonight. She was more excited than before. She also waved away her dissatisfaction at being left out for many days. She went back to the palace early to bathe and change clothes, and dressed up happily. waiting. As a result, after waiting for several hours, the carefully prepared snacks were already cold, but the long-awaited "Your Majesty has arrived" was still not heard.
Ever since she married Li Jing and became the princess, she has never suffered such grievances. In the past, even if she was busy with government affairs, even if she had to meet other concubines, Li Jing would calm down and explain in a nice way, and of course she would also be quite magnanimous. It fully demonstrates the tolerance of the harem master.
But just after the New Year, Li Jing suddenly seemed to have forgotten her and disappeared for several days. He occasionally went to Chengxintang to look for her, but all he got was perfunctory words. What's more, today is such an important day for me.
After missing her appointment tonight, Zhong felt that her heart was as cold as the lonely pastries on the table.
So Mr. Zhong finally changed his normal behavior, gritted his teeth and said coldly: "I give you a chance. If you don't tell the truth, don't blame me for being ruthless."
The little palace maid trembled all over, as if she was eroded by the sudden chill. The queen in the eyes of the palace people was not like this at all. But she came back to her senses and thought that no matter what she became, the queen was still the queen and the real master of the harem. Do you really want to throw away your life for the imperial concubine who bosses you around... But Zhang Guifei has always done things unscrupulously. She also has a very powerful cousin Feng Xiangye in the court. If she betrays her, her family will What should parents do...
"Slave, I don't dare to say it, I'm afraid of death..."
Mrs. Zhong seemed to see the entanglement and fear of the little palace maid, but she still could not calm down. She sighed and coaxed: "Now that you have entered the Rouyi Palace, as the queen, I will protect you. No matter what, It will kill you. From now on, you will follow me!"
After a long inner struggle, the little palace maid finally spoke hesitantly with a trembling voice: "Hui, Hui, empress, this servant entered the palace not long ago, and is just an ordinary personal maid in the imperial concubine's palace... But This servant knows that the imperial concubine recently invited an expert from outside the palace, and that person seemed to have given the imperial concubine a wooden box, inside which were several packages of medicine powder and a piece of clothing."
Mrs. Zhong raised her eyebrows in confusion and said, "Let's talk about the medicine powder and clothes. What next?"
The little palace maid then whispered: "Then that day, your majesty came. The imperial concubine put on the clothes, and then ordered several sisters to powder the medicine in the tea soup and let the slaves bring it in. Then the slaves kept watch At the entrance of the temple. After that, it was like this for the next few days..."
After being married for many years, Ms. Zhong, who has always been worried about her husband's safety, instantly darkened her face and reacted subconsciously: "Then do you know what kind of medicinal powder it is? What effect does it have? What's going on with that piece of clothing?"
The little palace maid hurriedly said: "How can I dare to ask more questions? But later I heard from some sisters that the imperial concubine specially asked an expert to prepare it for your majesty. What is the medicine for replenishing the body? What is it called Yiduosan? The slave in clothes just whispered After taking a few glances, it seems to be made of fine silk and satin, but the materials used are a little less. It does look a bit fresh, but I can’t describe it..."
Seeing the little palace maid gesticulating slightly on her chest, Mrs. Zhong's face instantly turned red.
"You are standing guard at the entrance of the palace, what are you listening to?"
The little palace maid seemed young and innocent, but how could she not be ashamed after being exposed to all kinds of things all day long? Then she said with a blushing face: "Slave, I really can't say anything, not to mention that it is the bed between His Majesty and the imperial concubine, how dare I do it..." .”
"Slut! This bitch!" Zhong gritted his teeth and couldn't help but cursed. With a "hiss" sound, his obviously weak hands actually tore the hem of his clothes.
Although she didn't understand what Nayiduosan was, she had already understood Concubine Zhang's intention through the general description given by the little palace maid. Concubine Zhang could do the most despicable method in the harem - drugging. She was unscrupulous, but she couldn't believe that Li Jing, who had always been wise, had been doing this for many days. How could she not see through Concubine Zhang's tricks? Are you saying that His Majesty is really just doing this?
But a woman's intuition made Ms. Zhong feel that Concubine Zhang's intention of forcing Li Jing to stay overnight was more than simple. So she tried hard to adjust her breathing, then closed her eyes and said coldly: "Except Apart from bed matters, what else has the noble concubine said to His Majesty on weekdays? For example, what requests has she made?"
Now that she has said so much, the little palace lady has long been determined about her fate. She simply said in a low voice: "I don't remember the slaves from the past few days. But today, the imperial concubine said, um, that your majesty is busy. In state affairs, you must take good care of your body and not work too hard. She will prepare tonics for His Majesty every day to restore His Majesty's glory...
Also, Feng Xiangzhong is patriotic and has won the favor of His Majesty. Your Majesty should use him more. This is the duty of Feng Xiang as a minister...
The imperial concubine also said that Your Majesty is about to march to the west. Zhang Shilang's two young masters are proficient in martial arts and familiar with military books. They also serve in the army, so it is just right for them to serve Your Majesty...
Your Majesty also agreed. In the end, the Imperial Concubine said that she would serve His Majesty well and would make His Majesty feel more comfortable day by day..."
"That's enough!" Ms. Zhong bit her lip tightly. She couldn't believe it at this time. Why did the man she once regarded as the most perfect man in the world become so strange now? Doesn’t he hate the fight for power in the harem the most?
Concubine Zhang's intentions are obvious, why can't he see it? Even when he mentioned Chen Jue and Li Yuan to him that day, he was careful to test them out, for fear of angering him. Why did he agree to all Zhang Guifei's requests?
Suddenly thinking of the scene of Li Jing and Concubine Zhang being in love, Zhong felt dizzy for a while. At this time, she no longer had the intention to listen to what the little palace maid continued to say. She suppressed the nausea and turned away everyone, lying on her bed blankly. On the phoenix couch...
The next day, just after five o'clock, Mrs. Zhong called the maid serving at the side and summoned Shaojian Liu to the Nuan Pavilion.
Due to a nightmare he had all night long, Zhong's face looked very bad, and he had not yet taken off the remaining makeup from last night. Liu Shaojian observed the queen's slightly swaying body through the bed curtain, and then recalled the scene last night, and concluded that something unpleasant must have happened in the Nuan Pavilion last night, causing the queen to toss and turn in sleep.
"Young Supervisor, you told me last night that His Majesty has ordered the Privy Council to order the general, right?"
Liu Shaojian raised his head dully, and then replied: "Back to your Majesty, Your Majesty has ordered that Minister Chen of the Privy Council be appointed as the commander-in-chief of the Western Expedition. As for the candidates for the two deputy generals and other assistant generals, Prime Minister Feng and Minister Chen are currently discussing."
"Go to the Privy Council. If you see Chen Jue, send him a message on my behalf. The person recommended by Feng Yansi will be considered by him. Also, His Majesty attaches great importance to this Western Expedition. Since Chen Jue is the commander, It’s best to make the decision yourself when choosing the deputy general. Of course, this is just my suggestion, please think about it carefully.”
Liu Shaojian almost staggered in shock, as if he couldn't believe that these sharp words would come from the mouth of this gentle queen in the past, but he still kept his expression calm and cautiously replied: "Young master, I obey!"
