East Palace, Yuehua Courtyard.
This is a small courtyard with only seven or eight houses. Not to mention the East Palace, many private houses in Kaifeng City are wider than this.
There are some signs of renovation throughout the courtyard, but old things are everywhere. The brand-new one is probably the newly hung door plaque.
The location is also somewhat remote, at least it is separated by dozens of doors and walls from the prince's palace, so it seems very quiet, or in other words, deserted. Only the red silk flowers that have not yet been removed in the courtyard gallery add a festive atmosphere to the small courtyard.
This Yuehua Courtyard is where Xiao Liangyuan, the new crown prince, is located. It has to be said that although she has this level and status, the treatment does not seem to be good.
Of course, in the East Palace, there is an independent courtyard with dedicated eunuchs and maidservants. This is already a manifestation of the earth's behavior and is enough to arouse the envy, jealousy and hatred of others. Especially, the owner of this courtyard is a Khitan. .
In the entire Yue Huayuan, the hall is probably the most decorated, with a complete set of furniture. Apart from that, there are no gold or jade ornaments, but it is clean enough, simple enough, and neat enough.
The servants were dismissed outside the hall, while the Xiao father and daughter sat in the middle, talking in a low voice. Xiao Siwen's old face showed a slightly complicated expression, while Xiao Yanyan personally poured him tea and water. Every move she made was sassy and capable, with a confident and bright smile between her cheeks.
"In such a huge East Palace, doesn't there be a better or larger courtyard?" Xiao Siwen took a sip of tea, pointed to the simple living room, and sighed softly.
Hearing this, the smile on Xiao Yanyan's lips widened a little, and the expression on her face was as calm as she was in front of Liu Yang, and as respectful as she was in front of Concubine Murong: "This is what my daughter asked for. She is praised by His Highness and the Crown Princess. Although Fortunately, I have received the title, but I should also be aware that my daughter is just a maid beside His Highness and the Crown Princess..."
Hearing Xiao Yanyan say these words in a calm tone, and then noticing the indifference on her face, Xiao Siwen couldn't help but reveal a slightly complicated look on his wrinkled old face.
As an old father, Xiao Siwen knew very well what kind of proud and self-reliant person his youngest daughter was. However, in the East Palace, even if he was only facing his own father at this time, he could still only say these timid words cautiously. The humble words are like showing loyalty to others.
Complex emotions surged into his heart, and he opened his mouth. Xiao Siwen hesitated to speak. In the end, all his words of comfort turned into a sigh: "It's just that I have wronged you too much!"
"Dad is serious. This is also the daughter's own choice, so why talk about grievances?" Xiao Yanyan remained calm.
In fact, since Nantou Han Dynasty, Xiao Siwen has been trying hard to integrate into the upper class of the Han Dynasty court, which is obviously very difficult.
He was not one of those Khitan tribesmen who generally surrendered. He only needed to submit to the rule of the Han Dynasty, feed horses to the court, and pay tribute.
He, Xiao Siwen, was a Khitan minister and an important minister of the four internal ministries. His status was more noble and he was also more sensitive. Although after coming to the south, Emperor Liu set him as an example for people from far away and treated him well.
However, Xiao Siwen was not willing to be just a symbolic symbol and hold the title of Minister of War in name only. Because of that, it is very likely that the entire Xiao family will fall into ruin in the future.
This gift from the court is not guaranteed. If something goes wrong, the current treatment will be in vain, and your life may even be in danger. After all, the Han Emperor's fear of the Mobei Khitan could be felt even by his newly surrendered minister. Under such circumstances, while Xiao Siwen benefits from his status, he may also be affected by it.
At least, during the three or two years he stayed in Dahan, Xiao Siwen could clearly feel the rejection and contempt of him from the ministers and nobles who occupied the top level of power in Dahan.
Even after all the worldly events, such a stimulation that touched his heart still made Xiao Siwen feel uncomfortable. It was as if there was an invisible chasm lying in front of him. They were the real superstructure and the core of power of the Han Empire. They were there high up, attracting people's imagination, and If you want to blend in, you have to cross the chasm in front of you.
In the past few years, Xiao Siwen did his best, and it can be said that he served the Han wholeheartedly. He knew everything about Emperor Liu and the princes of the court, sold everything he knew about the Khitan situation, and also He often exerts his subjective initiative, seeks opportunities to make meritorious deeds, and does his best to demonstrate his value.
These efforts are effective. At least Xiao Siwen can feel that Emperor Liu is very satisfied with himself. However, this satisfaction has a limit. At least so far, he has never held any real power. Even if he recruits the Mobei Khitan tribe, there is pervasive surveillance and defense from the surrounding areas.
If you want to truly integrate into the Han Dynasty, in addition to being loyal and sincere and showing your value, the most convenient and effective way is undoubtedly marriage. It just so happens that Xiao Siwen also has a daughter that he is proud of.
Initially, Xiao Siwen planned to choose one of the prominent dignitaries in the Han Dynasty to promote Xiao Yanyan, and quietly observed and weighed the pros and cons. Of course, the most important consideration was whether the backing was strong enough.
However, this idea was rejected by Xiao Yanyan herself, and she firmly proposed that instead of clinging to those powerful people, it would be better to enter the Han Palace and directly choose the East Palace.
In Xiao Yanyan's view, the Xiao family asked for a guarantee, an invitation to integrate into the upper class of the Han Dynasty, and there was nothing more effective than establishing a relationship with the court.
Those powerful people, no matter how distinguished they are, are ministers after all. As for Xiao Yanyan personally, instead of using them as political bargaining chips to marry some powerful children who cannot see the future, it is better to take the initiative in their own hands, even if it is just from a slave. Start.
With Xiao Yanyan's status, it is very difficult to marry a prince, prince, or even the legitimate son of some powerful family. Xiao Yanyan, who is unwilling to bury herself, has also chosen the most difficult path.
It is not easy for a well-known Shuyuan raised by a noble family of the Han Dynasty, let alone Xiao Siwen, to enter the palace as a concubine. However, it is obviously much easier to send Xiao Yanyan to the Han palace as a palace maid and a maid.
Therefore, under Xiao Siwen's operation, the eighteen-year-old Xiao Yanyan successfully entered the East Palace and became an ordinary palace maid. The only one who was slightly more eye-catching was probably a Khitan woman.
As for Xiao Yanyan's experience in the East Palace, it is naturally another story. She was lucky, it was fate, or her own qualifications gave her the opportunity to advance.
The most important point is that being appreciated by Concubine Murong and being promoted to maidservant is a leap forward. Being with the Crown Princess means getting closer to His Highness.
What happened next seemed to come naturally. Xiao Yanyan successfully attracted Liu Yang's attention with her character, appearance, knowledge, and temperament.
Of course, during this process, Xiao Yanyan always maintained her respect and loyalty to the Crown Princess. Even if she promoted a Liang Yuan, it was Murong who took the initiative.
It has to be said that since Concubine Zhao gave birth to a child, she has become more and more favored, which has brought endless pressure to the Crown Princess and also created opportunities for Xiao Yanyan.
Until now, her status has been determined, but Xiao Yanyan does not feel any complacency. She still has a clear understanding of her identity and positions herself as a slave beside the Crown Prince and Concubine Murong without any change.
During these few days, Concubine Murong was served with even more respect, loyalty and humility, making it impossible for anyone to find anything wrong with her. Even in front of his own father, he still showed this attitude that almost formed an instinctive reaction, and his words and deeds did not have any out-of-the-way gestures.
"There is a more complicated world inside the palace than outside the palace walls. Yanyan, you need to be careful!" Looking at his daughter, Xiao Siwen's tone was full of care and his eyes were full of pity.
In response, Xiao Yanyan smiled slightly and nodded lightly: "My daughter understands!"
Seeing this, Xiao Siwen opened his mouth again, and finally showed a wry smile. I thought to myself, yes, I don’t understand my daughter yet, why do I need him to teach her how to behave and how to survive in the palace.
So, putting aside the slightly complicated emotions and thoughts, Xiao Siwen sighed: "When you were young, I asserted that you would become a great person in the future. Now it seems that I am not dim-sighted. The future of the entire Xiao family depends on it." It’s all on you alone…”
Listening to Xiao Siwen's heartfelt words, Xiao Yanyan's expression finally became more serious.
