On the first day of the first year of Jiajing, there was a great court meeting.
At five o'clock in the morning, the sound of firecrackers woke up Zhu Houcong and Lin Qingping.
Sister Lin was a little panicked.
The dragon couch was not wide, so the two of them were squeezed together.
Zhu Houcong looked at her with a smile and asked, "If it still hurts, just take a rest."
Lin Qingping gritted her teeth and shook her head: "Slave..."
"Um?"
"...I still have to serve His Majesty and prepare for the big court meeting." Lin Qingping blushed, feeling sweet in her heart.
Although he was much younger than her, she had long been accustomed to the emperor's natural and calm demeanor after serving him for so long since he entered the capital, and she always felt that he had more experience than her years.
This is a very strange feeling. It feels like a little daughter's embarrassment when facing an elder, but she also feels his strong blood.
Only then did Zhu Houcong get closer and show off his words again.
After working on state affairs for so long, I finally tasted the joy of the imperial palace for the first time on the occasion of the New Year.
What kind of love is this? He is the only one in charge of the harem.
Furthermore, with the dignity of an emperor, it is indeed a matter of taking and asking for everything.
Even though my sister is familiar, she is still a bit tight. This is true physically and mentally.
I have been guarded by etiquette since I was a child. I can only say that it has a special meaning.
"Crack! Crack! Crack!"
Hearing three faint sounds in front of the main hall door, Zhu Houcong asked doubtfully: "What is the sound?"
"...It's a loss of a thousand gold." Lin Qingping explained in a low voice, "The door latch fell into the gold paper of firecrackers. This is called 'a loss of a thousand gold', and I hope that the wealth will come rolling in."
Zhu Houcong couldn't help but smile.
Since you are going to a large court meeting, you must dress in a grand manner.
After Zhu Houcong was dressed, he said to Lin Qingping: "You should also dress better and change your bun. When I come back from the imperial meeting, you can go with me to pay New Year's greetings to my mother. After the wedding, we will be canonized together, and we will feel aggrieved for a while." "
"...I thank you for your grace."
What an honor is this? Now that the emperor has no concubines or heirs, there is no need to accept the salutes of concubines, princes, and grandsons on the first day of the Lunar New Year.
But today, this special New Year’s Day, will there still be this link?
Before she could think too much, when she saw the emperor and her coming out, Huang Jin had already knelt down with a smile: "I wish your majesty a happy new year! May your majesty live forever, be peaceful all over the world, and be praised by all the people. I also wish your majesty a happy new year! May your majesty wish you a happy new year! The beauty will last forever, and the dragon will be born early."
"Listen to Qianggen," Zhu Houcong scolded with a smile, "I will reward you when I come back. Let's go to worship and attend the court meeting first. Have you prepared the steamed buns from the past few days?"
Lin Qingping had not yet adapted to the change in status. When she heard Huang Jin wishing her new year's greetings like this, and thinking about what this guy's ears heard last night, she felt warm again.
Huang Jin's face glowed brightly and he said, "Your Majesty, everything is ready."
Zhu Houcong nodded: "Let's go. After you come back, you can receive the reward and then go to sleep. But I can't rest for a while. Ignore the congratulatory ceremony and the big banquet. Is there someone in the palace who will pay you New Year's greetings?"
"Today's change of Yuan will make me happy and not sleepy."
The standard of the Great Chao Hui is a little higher than that of the Synodic Chao Hui in ordinary months. In other words, only the Chao Hui on Zhengdan, Winter Solstice and Wanshou Festival are called Da Chao Hui.
In other words, on the first day of the first lunar month, the first thing that officials in the capital do is not to pay New Year greetings at home, but to kowtow and congratulate the emperor. Outside the capital, there is also the ritual of worshiping from afar.
The king of heaven and earth is his master, after heaven and earth, the emperor is first.
Heaven and earth are the emperor's business. Before the imperial meeting, the emperor would go to the Ancestral Temple to worship his ancestors and the heaven and earth.
During the great court meetings, in addition to courtiers and relatives, there were also foreign envoys. The destined wife will enter the palace to congratulate the Empress Dowager, the Empress Dowager, and the Empress.
After the big court meeting, there will be a banquet.
Yesterday, Zhu Houcong was relaxed and happy, but many eunuchs, maids and officials who needed to prepare for the court meeting were not allowed to rest: after all, this was the first court meeting in the first year of Jiajing.
As for the steamed buns Zhu Houcong mentioned, they are an important part of the Zhengdan Festival banquet.
According to legend, the original name of steamed buns is "mantou".
Zhu Houcong also heard from them that there was an ancient book in the Song Dynasty, which recorded: When Zhuge Wuhou conquered Menghuo, people said: "There are many evil arts in the barbarian land, so we must pray to the gods and use fake Yin soldiers to help." However, the barbarians will kill people and sacrifice their heads, and the gods will send troops to them. Marquis Wu refused, because he mixed the meat of sheep and hogs and wrapped it with noodles to resemble a human head for a shrine. God also went to Yan to send out troops. Later generations called it steamed buns.
Therefore, steamed buns, as "a must-have item for worshiping gods", are quite sacred. After the meeting, a banquet was given, and the emperor also ate some steamed buns as a symbol. The excess can be given to ministers as a symbol of glory.
Wrapped in yellow cloth.
After this "steamed bun" is invited home, it must be placed in a prominent place at home.
Zhu Houcong said he was very shocked, but he should do as the Romans do when traveling through time.
After the tedious etiquette of the court ceremony was over, when Zhu Houcong returned to Qianqing Palace, Lin Qingping had already put on a more festive outfit and changed her bun.
According to palace regulations, there is no stipulation on the color of the palace maid's clothes. Although Zhu Yuanzhang stipulated that the palace ladies should wear purple clothes with round collars, narrow sleeves, and small sunflower embroidery with folded branches, he later became less strict.
But by this time, cross-collar short coats and horse-faced skirts were the common configuration. In addition, female officials also wore black gauze hats, which were different from the exquisite and complicated headdresses of real harem concubines.
Now, although Lin Qingping is still wearing her usual clothes, although she has chosen clothes with very bright colors and exquisite embroidery, her hair is combed into a bun that symbolizes marriage. The so-called bun is a hair net made of various materials after the hair is tied up, and a hat or other jewelry can be easily worn on the outside.
At this time, Lin Qingping only had a simple silver hairnet.
Huang Jin already held up a plate with a very understanding look: "Your Majesty, although your status has not yet been determined, since you are going to visit the Queen Mother, you still need to be more solemn. I have also prepared Zhai Yi."
So even with Lin Qingping's understanding of Huang Jin in the past, she couldn't help but look at him one more time with gratitude in her eyes.
On the plate is a piece of Zhai clothing.
The level of Zhai clothing is determined by the number of long-tailed pheasants embroidered on it. Two are a pair, and the queen is in twelve rows, with twelve pairs in each row.
On the plate held by Huang Jin, this piece of Zhai clothing was naturally the lowest grade.
According to the Ming Dynasty palace rules, all the women in the palace who are worthy of the emperor's status are the wives of the emperor.
But not every married woman can wear Zhai clothes as a dress.
So far, in the palace, in addition to queen, there are also various titles such as concubine, concubine, Zhaorong, nobleman, etc. However, the woman behind the concubine has a title but no canonization ceremony.
Among them, Xuanzong had no concubines before, and there were concubines under the queen.
Zhu Houcong didn't quite understand the difference between their treasures, titles, and titles when it came to the harem hierarchy, but Lin Qingping knew that to be able to wear Zhai clothes, one must at least be canonized.
So there is nothing wrong with the lowest level. After all, it has not been canonized yet. It will be changed after His Majesty decides on it in the future, right? There is no shortage of clothes in the palace.
After Zhu Houcong listened to his introduction, he smiled and patted his shoulder: "Okay, you are so smart, go get some more jewelry."
So he changed into regular clothes and waited for Lin Qingping to come out. She looked more graceful and luxurious in front of him, but Zhu Houcong felt that the dress was a bit strange - why was there a pheasant embroidered on the dress?
"...Your Majesty, I wish your Majesty endless happiness and longevity, peace in the world, and admiration from all the people."
Lin Qingping also took the opportunity to send her only New Year's greetings. After next year, a group of concubines from Wuyangyang will congratulate him.
"Get up..." Seeing her solemnity, Zhu Houcong remembered something, "At this time, my wife is still in Renshou Palace and Qingning Palace. You don't have a name, but it is inconvenient to go to see her first. Wait for my wife After leaving the palace."
"...I, my concubine, obey your decree."
Zhu Houcong didn't care what she was thinking: "Before the canonization ceremony, you will still live in Qianqing Palace. We will make arrangements in the future."
Lin Qingping felt happy again and agreed.
Seeing Huang Jin turn around and wink at her when His Majesty left, Lin Qingping stopped thinking about it.
Your Majesty was very considerate. She dressed so solemnly to pay homage to the Queen Mother. When the foreigner saw her, why didn’t she immediately spread the news throughout the capital? The most important thing is that His Majesty can accept her formal congratulations.
Although I never thought about what kind of status I would get after "teaching" His Majesty, last night I heard that His Majesty seemed to have another plan, which was a turning point in Lin Qingping's fate.
Before the canonization ceremony, she had been living in Qianqing Palace... Her chances of giving birth to the emperor's eldest son were much higher than others.
But she became worried again: Your Majesty is planning so that the eldest son will not come from the middle palace. Do you really not have to worry about disputes in the future?
…
There are too many ceremonial tasks for the Emperor's Spring Festival. Some of the steamed buns are given to the Minister of National Policy and several officials such as Guo Xun and Xia Yan who had "outstanding work results" last year.
In the next few days, people of various statuses will come to visit and give banquets.
For Zhu Houcong, a very special point is that every time he passes through a door of the palace, he must light firecrackers.
The excitement is lively enough.
In the relaxing Spring Festival life, Lin Qingping, who is already in her twenties, looks rosy to the naked eye.
The Empress Dowager Jiang already knew about her affairs, but when Sun Wang and Sun Ming came alone to meet her on the fifth day of the lunar month, the Empress Dowager Jiang still smiled happily and calmly called her son who did not have to deal with state affairs.
This was the first time Zhu Houcong saw Sun Ming in person.
His figure is surprisingly slender. I heard he is one year younger than him, but he is already almost...over 1.6 meters, right? In this day and age, he is considered tall.
But he looks really thin. Her clothes were loose, and nothing else could be seen. She lowered her head nervously, and her elegant bookishness was obvious.
Sun Wang quickly took her to visit Zhu Houcong.
The emperor is the emperor, and the mother-in-law has to salute when she sees it, not to mention that the wedding is not officially yet held?
Zhu Houcong invited them to get up very affectionately, and then said: "My father always missed me when he was alive. When I see you today, I can comfort my father, and I also like it very much. You don't have to be so restrained, I will call you Ming'er. Although I already have parents." The matchmaker's words also determine the person, but you still have to see that I like it. If you hadn't had this fate in the dormitory, you wouldn't be able to meet me before the wedding. You have secretly glanced at me. No?"
The fifteen-year-old Sun Ming was completely at a loss as a real girl in a boudoir. After hearing what Zhu Houcong said, she even hid half of her body behind the Sun Wang family with blushing cheeks, and replied in a low voice: "... A daughter of the people... take a look boldly." pass……"
Zhu Houcong laughed. Is this called bold?
She has no identity of her own, so calling herself a civilian girl is nothing.
It was also the first time for Sun Wang to see the emperor in person. At this time, she only felt that he was generous and particularly heroic.
"Before Ming'er entered the palace, I was afraid that this would be unethical. Now that I heard His Majesty's words, my wife is no longer afraid. Ming'er, please stand aside..."
Sun Ming was pulled by her sleeves, lowered her head and moved two steps to the side, and then finally raised her head and took a bold look at Zhu Houcong.
This time, he was just as frightened as a deer, and then he quickly lowered his head, his face even redder.
When Zhu Houcong took a surprised look, he felt that her eyes were very clear.
Looking at her posture again, I thought to myself: In the Ming Dynasty, where the etiquette system has increasingly strict requirements on women, the daughter of an important minister in a high position like Sun Ming probably has this kind of character, right?
Or at least that's how it was when I first met him.
I heard from the Empress Dowager Jiang that the queen-to-be never left the house or left the house. Her usual pastimes were playing the piano and painting, reading poetry or playing chess with her father and brother.
A typical lady.
"I grew up with my elder sister and younger sister, but usually I only talk to Huang Ban and one of my brothers. Now that Huang Ban is still around, Lu Bingzhen has sent him to study hard. After he ascended the throne and became emperor, state affairs became complicated. . Huang Ban has become the most important person in the palace, and I can't say anything like before." Zhu Houcong looked unscrupulously at Sun Ming, who was probably squeezing his fingers crazily in his sleeves, "I discuss state affairs with the elders and ministers all day long. I often forget that I am still young. Ming'er can enter the palace from time to time, and besides learning the palace rules and etiquette, I also want to see and talk to you more."
"...the daughter of the people obeys the decree."
"Queen Mother, you are all watching here, it seems too solemn. Where are Qingyuan and Qingyi? The four of us will play leaf play together. I will go to court again tomorrow."
Sun Ming suddenly felt horrified: Why do we have to play cards when we meet for the first time? She only knows this leaf play, but she doesn't play it very much!
Sun Wang didn't care so much, and kept giving encouraging glances.
After her daughter followed the emperor to the back hall where the two eldest princesses lived, Sun Wang smiled at the Empress Dowager Jiang and asked: "It turns out that Your Majesty also likes leaf opera..."
Empress Dowager Jiang's face was full of confusion: "I haven't seen the emperor playing with leaves..."
She didn't know what kind of medicine her son was selling in his gourd, and she was bored sitting here: "Let's go and take a look together."
So when they got there, Sun Ming saw that her mother was there, and felt a lot more at ease.
Zhu Houcong was indeed just relaxing and playing.
Among the four young people, Sun Ming was probably the only one who always felt nervous.
But as he continued to play each game and listened to the emperor and the two eldest princesses arguing about something, Sun Ming gradually looked at him more and more, and she felt a little more like "he is also a person of flesh and blood" in her heart.
At least not like the majestic and intelligent emperor his father described.
When the emperor looked at her with a smile and waited for her to play his cards, Sun Ming was finally infected by his smile and pursed her lips and smiled slightly.
Do you want to get closer to him first? Along with this smile, she also had a clear face in her heart.
After she and her mother left the palace before nightfall, she heard her mother sigh again: "Ming'er, although the marriage has been decided before we met, your majesty intends to get closer to you. In the future, you and your majesty will have more love in the harem." Some friendship. Even if you marry into another family, you will probably be like your mother. Only after you get married will you know what your father is like."
Sun Ming recalled the emperor's openness and kindness, and felt a little more lucky in her heart.
In the palace, Empress Dowager Jiang was asking Zhu Houcong doubtfully: "Your Majesty, when did you become fond of leaf opera?"
"You can't come over and leave after just one meeting, right? What if you misunderstand that your son doesn't like her? Besides, my son also needs to change his mind. He thinks too much about state affairs, and sometimes he can't help but want to do something."
Empress Dowager Jiang pulled him over and asked in a low voice: "Tell the truth to the empress. Since I specifically propose marriage to Mr. Sun Ge and haven't gotten married yet, if Qingping gets pregnant first..."
Zhu Houcong replied calmly: "My son has been on the throne for more than eight months, and he has been very restrained in his sexual desire. Since Xiaomiao, it has been difficult for the royal family to have heirs. If a prince is born, it is really a blessing for the country. Throughout the ages, it has been common for the eldest son of the emperor to be born in a non-legitimate child. Don’t worry.”
Empress Dowager Jiang sighed slightly: "Gong Zhongde is no longer here. I thought that the emperor would rely on Mr. Sunge..."
Zhu Houcong shook his head: "What my son has done in the past few months has not been completely ineffective. Now, how can I say which ministers my son needs to rely on? My son wants to appoint the daughter of Mr. Sun Ge as his queen, and he is lucky enough to meet Qingping. There is indeed a plan. This plan is related to the great plan of this dynasty, and the queen will understand it in the future."
After he finished speaking, he smiled and said: "Besides, the number of concubines selected into the palace this time is probably only around fifteen. My son wants to stabilize the country as soon as possible, how can he worry too much? Qingping is very good."
Empress Dowager Jiang had a strange face.
You're very good at this, don't you mean anything else?
How do you know so much at your age?
Could it be that Qingping had other ideas and taught her how to be more fertile at an older age?
After nightfall, if Lin Qingping knew that the Queen Mother was thinking about her in this way, she would definitely cry out that she was wronged.
Why does he need someone to teach him?
The little slave who has learned your decree from the Queen Mother is not as good as him!
But Lin Qingping also thought that the emperor was very good.
She had lived in the palace for more than twenty years without thinking about anything, and only in these few days did she know what it was like to be a woman.
I don’t know if it’s because His Majesty is running, or because he is too energetic now.
Sometimes I feel like I'm dying.
——Zhu Houcong lived his first "Spring" Festival as emperor in such a relaxed and refreshing way.
(End of chapter)
