Han Palace, Yaohua Palace.
Whether it is Kaifeng or Luoyang, there is such a palace, which is the dormitory of Concubine Gao. At this time, the palace was immersed in a relaxed and joyful atmosphere. Lanterns were decorated, and happy words such as happiness and longevity were posted in conspicuous places. The palace maids were waiting inside, everyone was smiling, and even the spring light was a bit brighter. Congratulations on your birthday.
Today is Concubine Gao's forty-third birthday.
In the bedroom, there are a large number of beautifully packaged and various birthday gifts neatly placed. Although Concubine Gao does not plan to make a big deal about this birthday, there is no discount on the gifts for those who are interested inside and outside the palace, including the concubine. , the prince's children and relatives and nobles all consciously expressed their feelings.
Of course, Concubine Gao didn't pay too much attention to these icing on the cake gifts. She just ordered the palace staff to keep them and record them by name. When she found the opportunity, she would still return the gifts one by one.
Concubine Gao was wearing a luxurious palace dress, and her gorgeous attire concealed her old age. However, what she cared about most was obviously not these gifts, no matter how attentive she was.
"Your Majesty, Yan Zhongguan is here!" the female official in the palace reported excitedly, and Concubine Gao suddenly became more energetic.
"Congratulations on your birthday, little one!" Soon, the chamberlain Xing Shouyan took off his clothes and entered the hall to salute with a respectful attitude.
"No courtesy!" Although Yantuo was a popular person around Emperor Liu and a personal eunuch, Concubine Gao did not flatter him at all, but her attitude seemed gentler.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Yan Tuo straightened up, immediately greeted the two eunuchs who came with him, presented a bright red coral tree, and said with a smile: "This is the birthday gift prepared by the official family for the Empress. Send it!"
The graceful Concubine Gao finally showed a smile, looked at it twice, and was very happy. It was not that she cared how valuable this coral was, but that she felt Emperor Liu's heart. She also knew this tree. It was the Huaihai King Qian Hongchu who spent a lot of money to buy it from Guangzhou maritime merchants and presented it to the court.
"Where are the officials?" However, no matter how beautiful the gift is, the person who cares more about it is the person who gave it.
Yantuo responded with a smile: "The official said, in the evening I should be lucky enough to celebrate Yaohua's congratulations!"
Hearing this, Concubine Gao immediately beamed with joy, and immediately showed her appreciation to others, but Yan Tuo refused. He usually received rewards from Concubine Gao, but today he had to wait and see.
Emperor Liu's gift arrived, and Concubine Gao didn't care so much about the rest. She sat down safely and listened to the congratulations from all sides while talking to Princess Liu Jian.
Until the third prince Jin Gong Liu Xi and his family arrived. Accompanied by his wife Song, Liu Xi personally held his infant son in his arms, still showing the same calmness and indifference as before.
The couple bowed to celebrate their birthdays, their children and grandchildren gathered together, and Concubine Gao also put away her usual seriousness. He naturally took the grandson from Liu Xi with a loving expression on his face.
Liu Xi's son was only six months old. Emperor Liu named him Wenhai, and he was also the third imperial grandson of the Han Dynasty. Seeing Concubine Gao teasing her grandson, Liu Xi also laughed along with her and said, "On mother's birthday, it's better to be a good student and take care of it!"
The imperial concubine's eyes were full of indelible love for her grandson, and she responded casually: "It's not a big birthday. Your father's birthday was not a grand celebration in the end. If it were a grand celebration here, I'm afraid rumors would inevitably spread. Rumor has it that I am extravagant and extravagant! That’s fine, it’s just us as a family, just get together!”
After saying that, Concubine Gao couldn't help but sigh: "It's a pity that your uncle is not in Beijing..."
"My uncle still remembers your birthday. No, he has prepared birthday gifts a long time ago and asked me to send them to the palace together!" Liu Xi said when he saw that the imperial concubine was in a slightly depressed mood.
Hearing this, the imperial concubine smiled, seemed to have thought of something, and let out a silent sigh.
After so many years, Concubine Gao has maintained a high status in the palace and her honor and favor are everlasting. She is the queen below the queen. But it is inevitable that I will feel depressed and often feel lonely.
It wasn't because she was jealous of the beauties of the Han Palace. She no longer cared about it, and basically no one in the palace could shake her position. She is a resolute and independent woman, and her heart has never been broken for Liu Xi. However, neither her son nor her brother seem to understand her or share her thoughts.
It has been more than ten years since Emperor Liu appointed the crown prince, and his position has become increasingly stable. The imperial concubine has temporarily restrained herself, but she still cannot let go.
Thinking of the sadness in the past, the imperial concubine looked at Liu Xi with a "unkind" look and asked, "How are you doing with your official duties these days? Are you busy?"
Liu Xi replied casually: "Uncle Murong is in charge of the Ministry of Industry, so I will naturally be free and do not need to worry about it. I am very comfortable!"
Hearing his words and seeing his appearance, Concubine Gao suddenly raised her eyebrows. What she couldn't see the most was Liu Xi's lack of ambition, and she immediately scolded: "Uncle Murong is already old, how can you bear to let him run around and work hard? Your father placed you in the Ministry of Works just to share the heavy workload for him. You should have been more helpful, but why are you still so lazy!"
Noticing Concubine Gao's eyes, Liu Xi suddenly became excited, rolled his eyes, and smiled: "Mom taught me a lesson, I will definitely change it!"
There was really not much sincerity in Liu Xi's reaction, and Concubine Gao felt a sigh of relief in her heart. As her son grew older, became a noble, and started a family, it became more and more difficult for her to discipline her.
He sighed and said: "The same goes for your father. Even Liu Xu is already in charge of the vassal court, but he puts you in the Ministry of Works and puts you under others!"
"My eldest brother has made great achievements and has proven that he is talented enough to take charge of his own role. I am short-sighted and lack experience!" Liu Xi said.
After hearing what he said, Concubine Gao immediately said: "During the Northern Expedition, you were also in front of the emperor for a long time, assisting in important matters. Didn't your father also praise you greatly?"
Concubine Gao showed her dissatisfaction, and Liu Xi hurriedly said: "Uncle Murong is highly virtuous and respected. I can learn a lot by following him."
Seeing that the imperial concubine wanted to say something about this matter, Liu Xi quickly changed the subject, looked at his sister Liu Jian beside him, and asked with a smile: "Has your sister's wedding date been decided?"
Liu Jian was always calm during the conversations between her mother and her brother. She had seen many similar scenes since she was a child. When Liu Xi asked her questions, he blinked twice. Seeing this, the girl also smiled gently and said: "We haven't decided yet, just follow the arrangements of our parents!"
"At that time, as my brother, I will definitely prepare a generous gift!" Liu Xi said.
Concubine Gao also noticed the eye contact between the brother and sister. She was also familiar with it. When she was young, Liu Xi was very good at changing the subject through Liu Jian in front of her.
Sighing secretly in her heart, Concubine Gao did not bother anymore, but said: "Zong Xun will be your brother-in-law from now on, so we should keep in touch with each other. He has not yet entered an official position. If there is a chance, he should be promoted more..."
Liu Xi did not have the slightest impatience with Concubine Gao's nagging education. He just said with a smile: "He is the son of Ying Gong and his father's son-in-law. My father and the Chai family have made arrangements for him. How can I be so virtuous as to promote him?" He can just let nature take its course..."
"You! Are you here to wish me a birthday today, or are you here to make me angry!" Seeing that Liu Xi always had a problem with her persuasion, Concubine Gao finally couldn't stand it any longer.
Observing the reaction of the imperial concubine, Liu Xi also hurriedly said: "Son, how dare you! What you taught me is that I must obey orders and contact my brother-in-law more often..."
Seeing Liu Xi's submissive look, Concubine Gao always felt flustered and depressed for no reason. Thinking that it was his birthday, he finally stopped worrying about it and became serious about it. He turned to ask another question: "I heard that your father is planning to make your brother a king?"
Hearing this, Liu Xi was a little surprised: "Where did you hear the rumors?"
"Don't pretend to be stupid, tell me the truth, what do you think?" Concubine Gao stared.
"Where did I get the idea?" Liu Xi chuckled.
But under the look of the imperial concubine, Liu Xi became more honest and said: "This matter depends entirely on what dad thinks!"
"That must be true?" Concubine Gao asked.
Noticing his mother's expectant gaze, Liu Xi pondered for a moment and nodded: "If there is no accident, it should be!"
"Since the beginning of the new year, the heroes and soldiers of the Northern Expedition have been rewarded one after another. I am still surprised that you brothers have also achieved special honors, how can you not be rewarded!" the imperial concubine said.
Liu Xi said calmly: "You work hard for your own affairs, how can you expect a reward!"
Hearing what he said, Concubine Gao was stunned, then nodded and said: "You are right, I made a mistake! You should keep up your efforts, do more work for the court, and share your father's worries!"
"Could it be that your father was waiting for the return of Liu Fang and Liu Min when he suppressed the matter of being crowned king?" Concubine Gao suddenly asked.
This time, Liu Xi responded directly: "Yes!"
Mentioning this, the imperial concubine couldn't help but said: "Look at Liu Fang, he has made such a big name this time. I'm afraid you will benefit from the Sacred Heart in the future, so you can't imitate him?"
Hearing this, Liu Xi said a little heartlessly: "If I had the bravery and strategy of my fourth brother, I would definitely invite a troop of soldiers and horses from my father to go to Mobei to fight..."
