In the Ciyuan Hall complex, not far from Concubine Yan's original sleeping pavilion, a pepper room was rebuilt.
During the Han Dynasty, there was a Jiao Fang Hall in Weiyang Palace, where the queen lived. It was called "Jiao Fang" because the walls were painted with Sichuan peppercorns and mud, which symbolized warmth, fragrance and fertility.
The pepper room here is naturally not as huge as that of Weiyang Palace. It is just a special greenhouse built by the Zhao Guan family for Concubine Yan after she became pregnant.
The pepper room uses a hollow sandwich wall with a fire channel underneath. A fire is lit in the furnace under the outdoor eaves, so that hot air is poured into the fire channel sandwich wall to increase the indoor temperature. It is a relatively primitive form of heating.
The effect is still good, but it consumes a huge amount of high-quality charcoal, and because the outer wall also dissipates heat, it is actually a huge waste. In addition, a lot of manual work is required to keep the blower running.
In the room, the roof is covered with various precious furs as a thermal insulation layer, wild goose feathers are made into layers of curtains, the floor is covered with thick blankets, and the best spices are burning in every corner, filling the room with an elegant fragrance.
There was an extremely luxurious rocking bed in the room, with a fat little baby lying inside, kicking his legs and waving his hands, babbling and playing happily.
A group of women of different ages stood around the crib, ready to provide various services to the little baby.
The woman leaning against the crib and peering in was well-dressed, under thirty years old, and had a shrewd and capable temperament.
This woman's surname was Miao. She entered the palace at the age of twelve and had served Concubine Yan for seven or eight years. She was considered a confidant. She also served as "Shang Gong", one of the six ministers, in charge of the palace's money, silk, expenditure, financial planning and other matters.
Since the last incident, when Concubine Yan's confidants Lu Yunsheng and others were brought to justice, Zhao Guan's family did not allow her to have eunuchs in charge to prevent her from traveling inside and outside the palace. There were only some small yellow men left in the palace who did menial work.
Therefore, Miao Shanggong became the most powerful person around Concubine Yan, and she was the only one who could still use her position to maintain some contact with people outside the palace.
Miao Shanggong saw the lively little baby and couldn't help but praise, "Madam, our young man is really healthy, strong and full of energy. He will definitely have a long life, be wise and mighty, and become the most amazing official in the Song Dynasty!" "
"Ahem! I don't want to say this casually. If word spreads, others will think that I have any wrongdoings."
Concubine Yan lay on the warm bed and lectured casually.
Miao Shanggong was not nervous after hearing this. He walked to the bed and sat down, "Why do you need to be so cautious? If anyone dares to speak too much and spread the words of our palace to the outside, the slave family will make her life worse than death!"
After saying that, he glanced at everyone in the room, and everyone in the palace couldn't help but shudder.
Concubine Yan was lazy, as if she had no desires, "With you in charge, I can naturally trust you, but there is no airtight wall in this world... At the moment, I don't have any other ideas. I hope Ao'er can grow up safely..."
The little prince has not been officially named yet, "Ao" is the nickname given to him by Concubine Yan herself.
Of course Miao Shanggong knew Yan Fei's true thoughts, so he said softly, "Madam, although it is true that you have to wait until the young man is older before you can pursue big things, you still have to make arrangements as soon as possible."
"How to arrange it? I am trapped in this small area. I am weak and unable to do anything..."
"Madam, the momentum on the other end is getting stronger and stronger. If he is allowed to go down, where will there be room for the husband? With that woman's deceitful and ruthless temperament, it may be difficult for our husband to become a wealthy and idle man... …”
"Then what do you think we can do?"
"Speaking of which, that person is not really that popular. There are still many people in the government and the public who can't stand him. If we connect with these people, wouldn't it be of great help?"
"That's what I said, but those people in the outer court don't give in to the rabbits, and I can't benefit from it now. How can they help us?"
Concubine Yan frowned. Although Zhao Guan's family was indeed becoming more and more fond of her now, they were also very guarded. She was not allowed to get involved in the affairs of the outer dynasty and could no longer seek positions for ministers like before.
"Madam, you don't actually need to do anything. You just need to put up a big flag and connect those people together."
As he spoke, Miao Shanggong took out a sachet from his arms, opened it and took out a stack of
The good letter was handed to Concubine Yan, "This is from the Zhang family to you."
"Which Zhang family?" Concubine Yan was stunned.
"Follow the Wang family." Miao Shanggong whispered.
Concubine Yan's face was filled with joy. Just as she was about to open the letter, she heard a palace maid outside reporting through the door, "Madam, the official family is coming soon..."
"Come when you come." Concubine Yan didn't take it seriously and just carefully hid the secret message, but what she said next shocked her greatly.
"...Coming with us are His Royal Highness King Yan and the two princesses of Zhou and Feng. They are almost outside the palace..."
"What is he doing here!?" Concubine Yan was panicking as she tried to save others by herself, "Is he so impatient to take action!? Miao Ye, take Ao'er and hide!"
"Madam, don't panic, don't panic..." Miao Shanggong held down Yan Fei's dancing hands, "As long as the officials are here, nothing will happen to her, otherwise there is no use hiding anywhere."
Concubine Yan calmed down a little, "Uh... yes, the official family is here, the official family is here, but that kid must not have good intentions when he comes here!"
Miao Shanggong was still rational, "Madam, relax, no matter what bad intentions he has, he won't dare to be presumptuous in front of the officials..."
But before she finished speaking, a wild shout came from outside, "Seventh brother! Seventh brother! Come out quickly, brother is here to see you. If you don't come out, I will come in..."
Zhao Guan's family, who was still outside the door of the pepper room, saw that Zhao Mengqi not only entered the house suddenly ahead of him, but also screamed at the top of his voice. He couldn't help but become very angry. He chased after him in several steps and kicked him.
"Evil! Do you want to scare your brother to death!?"
Zhao Mengqi rubbed his butt and muttered, "Dad, your voice is louder than mine..."
"Me! I'm so fucking mad at you..." Zhao Guanjia pinched his forehead and looked at Zhao Mengqi with murderous eyes, "Do you think I'm old and it won't hurt or itch when I hit you, so you act unscrupulously?" ? I can’t touch you, why can’t I let others do it!?”
"Don't say goodbye! Dad, aren't I eager to meet my brother? I can't help myself for a moment. It's not worth your anger. It's not worth it. Think about it, although you have another son, you are not Haven’t you hugged your grandson yet? Please take care of yourself.”
This careless remark made Zhao Guan's family feel angry and laugh at the same time. They didn't know what to do with this scoundrel-like son.
"We just came back from outside. How can the little kid withstand this cold weather? Let's sit down for a while and then let Wu Lang be taken out."
After saying that, Zhao Guanjia took the lead to sit down. The palace servants immediately brought the tea. He took a sip to moisten his throat and looked at Zhao Mengqi sideways.
"Your brother is clearly the fifth brother, why are you calling him the seventh brother?"
According to Song people's custom, he should actually be called Fifth Brother.
Zhao Mengqi shrugged, "I am the fourth child, Mainiang is the fifth child, and Jian Niang is the sixth child. Isn't he the seventh child? Seven, the righteousness of Yang, seven emotions, seven colors, seven stars of the Big Dipper, seven kittens, seven gourd babies, Very six plus one, this number is so auspicious..."
"It's full of nonsense...forget it, you can call me whatever you want, I don't care about you."
Zhao Guan's family was very tired and did not want to continue to struggle with this innocuous matter.
The voices spoken outside could naturally be heard in the inner room. Seeing that the Zhao Guan family indulged King Yan so much, Concubine Yan and Miao Shanggong showed deep fear in their eyes, and they were particularly anxious.
After a cup of tea, Zhao Guanjia ordered through the door, "Ms. Yan, take Wu Lang out and meet his brother and sister."
After waiting for a while, Miao Shanggong came out holding the little prince wrapped into a big rice dumpling.
Zhao Mengqi didn't wait for the others to react, rushed over, and instantly grabbed the swaddling clothes in his hands. Miao Shanggong screamed in fright, and Concubine Yan, who peeked through the crack in the door, was also heart-beating.
Zhao Guan's family was also frightened by this scene. They stood up suddenly but did not dare to go and grab them for fear of hurting their children. "You bastard, what do you want to do!?"
Zhao Mengqi didn't seem to hear anything. He held the child in his hands and raised it up, looking like Liu Bei throwing Adou into a trap.
If Zhao Mengqi really fell down like this, even if he didn't pay for his life, he probably wouldn't get anything good to eat, but it wouldn't be possible if nothing happened.
It's not completely impossible, after all, he is currently the only heir to the royal family.
Of course, that was when Zhao Guan's family still had reason, so they might have to cover up for Zhao Mengqi.
Everyone present was stunned, their eyes fixed on the baby in Zhao Mengqi's hand.
But he suddenly smiled, "Seventh brother, you smile so happily, you must like my brother very much, haha, it seems that we are very compatible."
"Kekeke..."
The little baby's laughter was really loud, and it was still twisting and turning. If it wasn't wrapped in swaddling clothes, it would be dancing.
Maybe he thought the red-scarred face in front of him was funny.
"Since we two brothers are so close to each other, I will definitely give you a big gift as a brother. However, if it is for food or something, I guess your mother will not dare to give it to you. If you give it to me, it will be in vain. Let's do it this way, brother. I will give you 10% of the shares of Liuqiu Development Company and the profits and other things, and I will hand it over after you are crowned. Hmm, this seems a bit insufficient. How about I give you another name, which will last a lifetime... Let me think about it... Ha, yes, Lu! From now on, you will be called Zhao Lu. Dad, what do you think?"
The princes of the Song Dynasty were usually named in the "Baizui naming" ceremony, that is, they were named at the 100-day celebration banquet and received the first title. Some were named at the latest when they were one year old.
Zhao Mengqi must be messing around with the name at this time, and it's not his turn to choose it.
As for the word "green", although it is caused by Zhao Mengqi's bad taste, it is in line with the custom of naming the sons of Zhao Guan's family with twists next to them. His three sons who died in infancy were named Zhao Ji, Zhao Yi, and Zhao Wei, and Zhao Mengqi was For adoptive parents, this convention is not followed.
Zhao Guan's family saw Zhao Mengqi holding up their youngest son and shaking it in amusement. His heart was in suspense and his face was green, "Zhao Mengqi! Don't mess around. How could you name him so early?"
"The word "green" is so good. It is full of greenery, which represents vitality. It also implies the word "lu", which means enjoying wealth and wealth. In addition, I suggest that the seventh brother be given the title of military governor of Liuqiu Army."
The princes in the Song Dynasty would eventually be crowned kings, but the title was not achieved in one step. Generally, the first time was to be granted the title of Jiedu Envoy, Defense Envoy or the like, and then the title would gradually increase.
"Are you serious?" The Zhao family couldn't understand why Zhao Mengqi had to ask for the naming rights, but in his hands, it was like a disguised kidnapping.
Zhao Mengqi smiled and nodded, "Very serious!"
Well, even if the Zhao Guan family does not agree at this time, when Zhao Mengqi comes to power in the future, it will only be a matter of one sentence to change his brother's name.
"Okay, okay, it's really a crime to meet such a bastard like you." Zhao Guan's family was helpless.
Then Zhao Mengqi finally put the little prince down, held it in his arms with one hand, and stretched out his finger with the other hand to point at the little prince's nose, "Brother Lu, from now on, my brother will protect you. If anyone dares to bully you, you will Tell me my name, it will definitely help...Finiang, Niang, come here and see this little guy, he is quite lovable..."
Seeing the four brothers and sisters enjoying themselves, and hearing their youngest son laughing non-stop, Zhao Guan's family was completely relieved, with deep relief in his eyes, just like an ordinary old father.
Although Zhao Mengqi's behavior was very out of character, for some reason, Lao Zhao felt deeply that he did not have any ill intentions towards his younger brother.
That's fine. As for the possible fratricide that may occur in the future, I believe that with the brat's ability, he will definitely be able to handle it. If he can't handle it well, it will be his fate, and he will be gone anyway...
The three older children played with a younger child for half an hour. It was not until Zhao Lu seemed to have spent too much energy that he blew bubbles on his mouth and looked like he wanted to sleep. Zhao Mengqi returned the swaddling clothes to him. Miao Shanggong said, "You must take good care of my brother, and don't let him learn to be bad, otherwise, hehe..."
Miao Shanggong hugged the baby, saluted hurriedly, and then ran into the inner room as if he was running away.
Then, the father and son also walked out together. As soon as they went out, Zhao Guanjia kicked Zhao Mengqi in the butt again.
"Get out of the palace quickly and don't come back again if you have nothing to do, so as not to cause trouble for me!"
Zhao Mengqi patted the non-existent footprints with a playful smile, "If you're bothering me so much, what are you doing?"
Are you still urging me to come back? "
"You deserve a beating, don't you!?" Zhao Guanjia was angry and looked around, trying to find someone who could take advantage of him and beat his son again.
Zhao Mengqi ran away, and Zhao Fei and Zhao Han hurried to catch up.
"Miniang, come back!" Zhao Guan's family quickly shouted, "Have you gotten used to being wild outside and forgotten about your home!?"
Zhao Fei, who failed to escape, did not have the courage to be disobedient like Zhao Mengqi, so he had to stop, walked back with a grimace, and muttered, "Isn't the fourth brother's home also my home..."
"Haha, we haven't seen each other for half a year and you've learned to talk back? That bastard has led you into trouble. From now on, you just stay in the palace and you're not allowed to go anywhere!"
If you can’t do anything about your son, why can’t you teach your daughter a lesson? ?
Zhao Guanjia put on a majestic look and said, "You will go to your eldest lady to pay her respects later. The Chinese New Year happens to be the year of the Great Competition. I have already discussed with your eldest lady to find a young talent to be your consort. Get married as soon as possible to avoid becoming a wild girl!"
Zhao Fei heard a thunderbolt from the blue, and her little head was buzzing, "No... Dad, shouldn't we wait for the fourth brother to get married first before talking about me? How..."
"Your fourth brother and you are two different things. Don't you want to get married if he doesn't get married!? You don't want to get married, but I still want to have a grandson! Each and every one of them makes you worry-free. You can go to Renming now. temple."
After saying that, Zhao Guanjia stopped looking at his daughter's crying face, turned around and walked back to the pepper room.
