At this time, Li Hong pushed the door in with sleepy eyes, yawned and said, "Godfather, sister Wanqing, what do you want to eat in the morning? I'll buy it."
"Uh... godfather, are you being mean to sister Wanqing again?"
"What do you mean?" Li Qing frowned, "Do I often hurt her?"
"Na na na... Big brother's eyes are sharp." The little girl said excitedly, "Big brother, you are the judge."
Li Hong: "..."
What does he think of this?
It’s simply the problem of the century: Your mother and I fell into the water at the same time, who do you save first?
But Li Hong is in trouble. One is the person he respects and the other is his beloved. How to choose?
"Ahaha... I'm sleepy. I'll go take a nap again."
"Okay, I'll eat meat buns (I'll eat fried Chinese quince)." Li Qing and Zhu Wanqing spoke at the same time.
Li Hongru was amnesty: "I'll buy it right now."
Having said that, he ran away...
Zhu Wanqing looked at his back, pouted, and laughed again, then turned her head, glanced at Li Qing, and said dullly:
"Uncle Li, if you have any objections to me, you can tell me clearly. I will change it, but can you please stop being mean to me?"
"Um…"
"Then what do you think of me?"
"...No, I was woken up so early in the morning and I was so angry when I got up."
"Really? I don't believe it!"
Li Qing teased: "Why, do you have to make me apologize?"
"I don't dare. How can an elder apologize to a junior?" The little girl pursed her lips and said, "It's so offensive, and it seems that the junior is petty. It disturbs Uncle Li's rest, but it's not the junior's fault."
Li Qing touched his nose: You understand Yin and Yang.
"Okay, don't look like a doormat. I really don't want to stay here. I'll take you back after breakfast."
"That's not necessary. My niece shouldn't be angry with Uncle Li. She just feels bad." The little girl lowered her head, wiping her tears and shaking her shoulders.
If he hadn't known about this little girl's temperament, Li Qing would really have felt guilty.
Li Qing said angrily: "It's almost done, let's explain it clearly."
"Then if... Uncle Li's New Year red envelope can be bigger, my niece will be very happy." Zhu Wanqing said tentatively.
I knew you were waiting here for me... Li Qing rolled his eyes: "I can't do without you."
"Thank you, Uncle Li, hehe..." The little girl stopped crying immediately and smiled sweetly.
Li Qing couldn't help but feel happy and laughed out loud.
This little girl just likes to be clever, but it is precisely because of this that Li Qing's heart, which has been calm for a long time and has gradually become cold, has a little more ripples and warmth.
Actually... the naughty juniors are quite likable...
…
The streets were bustling with people, including men and women, old and young, and it was very lively.
After a whole year of busy work, I can’t bear to eat or drink things in normal times, so I have to be extravagant during the New Year.
People attach great importance to the Chinese New Year, which is the happiest time of the year.
(ps: Don’t be misled by some remarks. In fact, women in the Ming Dynasty were allowed to go out. The book Jin Ping Mei describes the social phenomenon in the middle of the Ming Dynasty. From the book, it can be seen that at that time, women from ordinary families could go shopping freely. , however, there are some restrictions for women from wealthy families.)
Xiao Hengzi's little eyes kept glancing around until they were almost blinded, but still found nothing.
Of course, he was not alone, but called the most loyal Jinyi Qianhu.
A group of people dressed in common people's clothes were hanging out on the street, observing the women who came to attend the New Year's Fair.
In this day and age, those in their thirties are already mature ladies. While Xiao Hengzi was searching hard, he couldn't help but feel puzzled.
Could it be that the emperor really likes someone older than himself?
"Eunuch..." A soft call brought Xiao Hengzi back to his senses, and he asked, "Is there any progress?"
"Not yet." Qianhu said with a smile, "It's already noon, and my brothers' stomachs are also flat..."
"Okay, we're treating you to a treat. We'll look after you after dinner." Xiao Hengzi has been a palm print eunuch for so long, so he is quite wealthy.
In fact, the emperor was very tolerant to the people around him. As long as he did not make a principled mistake, he would not be punished. The ministers were all greedy, let alone the eunuchs.
…
So, five days later.
Xiao Hengzi spent more than a thousand taels just to treat guests to dinner, but still made no progress at all. This made him very worried.
Although the emperor said it would not be a crime if he could not find it, this was the first errand he took on, and it was also the emperor's private matter.
As long as you do a good job, you will definitely get points.
But these days, thousands of people wandering around the east, west, south, and north of the city almost visited the markets in the capital, but they still couldn't find the woman the emperor was looking for, which disappointed him.
The New Year's Eve is getting closer and closer, and there are fewer and fewer people attending the New Year's Fair. For no other reason, the closer it is to the New Year's Eve, the more expensive things will be. This is an unwritten rule. People's money does not come from strong winds, so naturally it does. Buy in advance.
Seeing this situation, Xiao Hengzi couldn't help but look bitter. After all, he still failed to complete the errand assigned by the emperor.
The emperor's wedding was only a few days away, and he, the eunuch in charge of etiquette, was still busy. Although Xiao Hengzi had no choice, he had to pay the money to withdraw his troops and let people continue to search. He went back to the eunuch in charge of etiquette to arrange for the emperor's wedding. .
This is a big deal and there is no room for carelessness.
The Department of Ceremonies was established by Zhu Yuanzhang. Its duty was to be in charge of and supervise palace etiquette. On the emperor's wedding day, it was not just the Department of Ceremonies that was busy, the Department of Ceremonies was even busier.
~
Clothes Bureau.
After Zhen'er finished her daily work, she stood guarding a pile of washed and neatly arranged clothes, quietly in a daze by herself.
Although she was far away from the political whirlpool, she still knew about the important events such as the death of Emperor Jingtai and the enthronement of the new emperor. She knew that the one who ascended the throne was the prince she had served since childhood.
She was very happy, but she could only be happy secretly. While she was happy, she couldn't help but feel a little self-pity and self-harm.
If she had been staying with the prince all this time, she would have to be a female official no matter what now, right?
Zhen'er thought so, a hint of bitterness appeared on the corner of her mouth.
"This is life!" She sighed, curled up and hugged her knees.
It was too cold, she had no charcoal for heating, and her clothes were not very effective in keeping out the cold. Her life was not good.
However, it was much better than washing clothes for a palace maid with chilblains on her hands. Thinking of this, she felt a little better.
Just as I was lost in thought, a high-pitched voice came: "Where are the clothes? The crown dress that the Queen Mother will wear at the Emperor's wedding, has it been washed?"
Zhen'er was excited. When she saw that the head of the Huanyi Bureau, whom she had not seen for many years, came in person, she quickly stood up and said respectfully:
"Okay, okay, father-in-law, wait a moment."
"Hurry up~" the eldest eunuch hummed, "our time is precious."
"Yes, yes." Zhen'er accompanied Xin'er and hurried away with a slight bow.
After a while, he came over dragging the wooden tray with his hands and said, "Please, father-in-law, check it."
The chief eunuch took out a handkerchief and wiped his hands, then carefully picked up the clothes and unfolded them. He inspected them for half a quarter of an hour, then put them back on the tray and said, "Fold them."
"Yes." Zhen'er stacked them skillfully, carefully and seriously.
"Okay, father-in-law." She offered her hands.
The eldest eunuch took it with both hands and accidentally saw the mole on the corner of Zhen'er's eye. He suddenly remembered something and said, "Raise your head."
Zhen'er raised her head and murmured: "Father-in-law, do you have any other instructions?"
This little lady looks like the godfather is looking for someone. Could it be her... This eunuch usually comes only twice a year, and when he comes, it's just a formality. Basically, he lets his godson do the work. I have paid attention to the low-key Zhen'er.
Today, it was because of his godfather's request that he made the trip in person to show his respect.
Looking more carefully, it still looks like it, but not that much. How could the relative the godfather was looking for be in the palace... He shook his head and laughed, feeling that he was overthinking.
'However, although this young lady is a little older, she has good looks and would be a good couple. Why haven't you noticed it before? '
Thinking of this, the eldest eunuch was not anxious for a moment, smiled and said: "Come, give us a smile."
"..." Zhen'er couldn't tell what the old eunuch was thinking. There were many maids and eunuchs in the palace who were paired up, so she naturally understood the subtext.
Zhen'er was angry in her heart, but she didn't dare to show it and forced a smile.
One smile brings two pear vortexes.
I didn't think they looked alike at first, but this smile is so similar.
The big eunuch's smile froze, and he looked at her deeply, and the more he looked at her, the more she looked like her.
He didn't dare to neglect, not to mention whether they were married or not, what if it was really the person his godfather was looking for?
He could still tell what was light and what was serious, so he hurried away with his clothes without saying a word.
"Huh~" Zhen'er relaxed a little and thought to herself: If I am really pressed, I can only sacrifice Yongqinghou.
…
Supervisor of Ceremonies.
"Godfather, godfather..."
"What are you yelling about... Ouch, don't you know how important the back crown clothes you are holding are?" Xiao Hengzi stepped forward to take the clothes and cursed, "If this falls on the ground, the lightest thing will be Spread your ass."
"Uh...yes, godfather taught me a lesson." The eunuch of the Clothes Bureau quickly apologized, and then he saw the portrait spread out on the desk.
He said nonchalantly: "It's very similar."
"What's so similar?"
"Godfather, it seems that my son has found a relative of yours."
Xiao Hengzi was startled, then overjoyed and shouted anxiously: "Where, where...?"
"Here, at the Clothes Bureau." Seeing his godfather like this, he became a little uneasy. If this joy was in vain, he would have to be scolded again!
"It just looks similar, not sure," he added.
Xiao Hengzi couldn't care less about this, "Take our family there quickly."
"yes."
…
"It looks like, it does look like, oh... I think about it, it's probably correct." Xiao Hengzi was so excited that he was incoherent.
But he still kept the emperor's instructions in mind and did not come forward to disturb him. He only glanced at it from a distance.
"Godfather, why don't you come up and recognize me?"
"I admit you...forget it, it's none of your business." Xiao Hengzi's face flushed with excitement, and she didn't bother to meet him.
This is really hard to find, and it takes no effort at all!
The position of the palm eunuch is most likely to be saved.
He was so excited that he told her, "Don't disturb her. Everything remains as usual."
"Uh... yes." The eldest eunuch looked at his godfather's running back. He was confused. After thinking for a while, he finally did not dare to disturb him again.
~
Qianqing Palace.
Xiao Hengzi rushed in, even a little elated, "Your Majesty, I've found my servant, I've found it."
"What are you looking for..." Zhu Jianshen was suddenly startled and waved his hand quickly, "Everyone, step back!"
"Yes." Several young eunuchs bowed and exited the hall.
Zhu Jianshen stepped forward quickly and asked urgently: "Are you sure?"
Xiao Hengzi asked: "The emperor is looking for... a woman who has served the emperor in the East Palace before?"
"That's right," Zhu Jianshen was so excited, "Where is she, where is she..."
Xiao Hengzi didn't dare to show off, so he said concisely and to the point: "It's in the Huanyi Bureau west of Desheng Gate in the Imperial City."
"Huanyi Bureau..." Zhu Jianshen murmured, his eyes suddenly widened, "You mean, she is still a palace maid now?"
"Yes, Your Majesty." Xiao Hengzi nodded.
Ah ~ Old thief Li Qing, you really deceived me... Zhu Jianshen was angry and happy at the same time, but soon, ecstasy took over and he was out of control: "Show it, swing it, hurry up...!"
