Chunman Palace

Chapter 69

On the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, in the early summer of Yiyang, in Dalu, millet is cooked for porridge and beans. On this day, snowflakes are flying, and the palace is covered with a thin layer of snow. From a distance, it looks like a silver yarn flowing, plain white.

Fengyi Palace was filled with a sweet atmosphere, and all the concubines came upon invitation, except Concubine Min, all of them showed joy, and Yu Changzai even praised: "The concubine feels that the empress is suffering in this palace. Why does the cooked Laba porridge taste more fragrant and stronger than the concubine's palace, did the empress use some secret recipe?"

Concubine Lan on the side continued: "Eight-treasure porridge cooked in each palace is just peanuts, red dates, walnuts, lotus seeds and other eight precious ingredients, supplemented by various kinds of beans and rice. It tastes sweet and greasy."

Yu Chang lived with Concubine Min in the Guanju Palace, and what she said added a few more meanings, Concubine Min couldn't help sneering when she heard Yu Changzai's words: "There is no secret recipe for this eight-treasure porridge, it's just that the Queen invited Sisters, come and taste it, if there is not much rice, how can it be enough, and the water will form a lake."

"Sister Minfei is so sure, I must have experienced it myself?" Lan Fei smiled, stroked the teacup gently with her hand, and raised her voice a little: "Sister almost forgot, Sister Minfei is from Liguo, The tribal branches there gather to form a country, and the pots there must be able to cook Peng and Kun, otherwise how can there be enough points?"

After Concubine Lan finished speaking, all the concubines couldn't help laughing, only Concubine Min's eyes were gloomy and terrifying.

Concubine Min pursed her lips and said in a cold voice: "Concubine Lan has become more and more acquainted with her relationship since she came back from the Cyan Treasure Temple. Anyone who sees her will call sister and sister. Is it because the temple is too lonely, and those Taoist nuns don't want to be with Lan? The concubine is chatting."

Concubine Lan didn't feel any disturbance in her heart, she stopped her smile and said, "Sister Concubine Min was joking, we are both the emperor's concubines, so we serve the emperor as sisters with one heart, and as for the Cyan Treasure Temple, they are all practicing women's crowns, just for practicing Pray for blessings, not for idle chatting. Sister Minfei must be cautious when speaking."

Concubine Min dismissed it: "A Taoist nun is just a Taoist nun, what are you talking about a female crown? Concubine Lan is too fussy, isn't she?"

Mu Pingting couldn't see it, and said, "Miss Concubine Lan is not fussy, but Concubine Min's name is really a contemptuous term, and the Cyan Treasure Temple is a place to pray for the Holy Dynasty, if this is used to describe the female practitioners in the Cyan Treasure Temple Crown, I'm afraid something is wrong."

Concubine Min retorted: "Concubine Jin is really knowledgeable and knowledgeable. No wonder the emperor loves you so much. You have been promoted from nobleman to concubine in the blink of an eye. Since you have such talents and learning, why didn't you find a quiet and quiet person in Guanyu Temple early in the morning?" Xiu, but what kind of knowledge is imparted in this palace?"

The corners of Mu Pingting's mouth curled up slightly, but there was no smile in her eyes, and she said slowly: "Ms. Concubine Min is joking, this female crown is well known in the Holy Dynasty, even a three-year-old child understands what it means, how can it be counted?" Is it the knowledge of the Dao? It’s just common sense, it’s strange if Concubine Min doesn’t see her.”

Concubine Lan picked up a green plum dipped in rose syrup, and said by the way: "Sister Min is originally from a foreign country, so it is reasonable to not know the culture of the Central Plains. If you are not allergic, you should read more books in your spare time. That's good."

Concubine Min was so choked up that she couldn't speak, and stared dryly.

Such tit-for-tat scenes were staged again, and Lin Qingyu was no longer surprised. She remained silent and drank a cup of clear tea by herself.

Now there are only a few people in the palace, and there are only a few low-ranking concubines on good terms with Concubine Min, and she is at odds with Concubine Lan and others. Is alone.

The current situation is very different. Whether Concubine Min's restoration is a flash in the pan or a rebirth from Nirvana is already very clear. Now I am afraid that if I don't need myself, even if others push me lightly, I will make things worse. Everyone will step on Concubine Min. in a desperate situation.

Lin Qingyu tasted tea in silence, and looked into the hall, the curtains were rolled up high, reflecting the misty morning light, two camellia-colored plum blossoms were inserted in the pure jade porcelain vase in front of the hall, with lush flowers and leaves, graceful branches, light green flowers Yingying is like mutton fat and fine jade, with wisps of fragrance slowly overflowing, filling the palace room, the quiet and sweet fragrance is like a bottle of fine wine and clear spring, which makes people want to get drunk.

This is actually a green plum.

That day in the plum garden, she only found white plums, but she had never heard of green plums. After all, she was the lord of the palace. Even though there were only plum blossoms left to admire in the cold winter months, there were still such unusual green plums.

It's just that everyone didn't seem to notice the green plum in the vase, and they lowered their heads without saying a word, leaving a deep silence.Lin Qingyu looked at Mu Pingting, the two looked at each other and smiled, and casually took a honey pickled plum into their mouths.

At this time, the empress sat down in a red-gold tufted gold peony brocade dress, looking very interested. On her forehead, a pair of red gold filigree dotted emerald pearls phoenix steps dangled, and the thumb-sized pearls moved one after another. She raised her lips and said, : "My sisters came very early, but have you been waiting for a long time?"

All the concubines got up and saluted.

The queen smiled and said: "Get up, everyone. Today is the Laba Festival. My palace also ordered people to cook some eight-treasure porridge. You sisters, please try it." She nodded and asked Shuxiang to bring the palace people to distribute the eight-treasure porridge.

The palace servants held the wooden trays and brought the emerald carved porcelain bowls containing eight-treasure porridge to the concubines. They were served with crispy and delicious small dishes and several glutinous rice buns.

Yu Changzai took a sip, and immediately said happily: "The concubine's palace also cooked some eight-treasure porridge, but it was far less sweet and soft than the empress's. The taste is really irresistible."

Lin Qingyu got up and said: "Today is Laba, and my concubine's hometown has always had the custom of making Laba garlic with vinegar. These Laba garlic are made by my concubine. Please ask the empress to taste something fresh."

Mo'er stepped forward to offer a light yellow glass bottle, which was filled with green garlic cloves, which looked like emeralds from a distance.

Concubine Min sneered and said: "If the nobles of Qing really have nothing to give, you don't have to. With such a shabby gift, do the nobles of Qing think that they are actually walking around the countryside to meet friends?" Concubine Min's eyes were full of contempt, she held up her handkerchief Stop your mouth and nose.

Lin Qingyu suddenly felt embarrassed. This matter was indeed her lack of thoughtfulness. Although it was normal to eat Laba garlic in her hometown, garlic was only used as an auxiliary ingredient in the palace. Who would really eat garlic cloves directly, even if they were soaked into emerald garlic? Crunchy and delicious, its taste is still a bit pungent.

She lowered her head and pursed her lips, pinching her palms with her hands hidden in her sleeves, slowly digesting what Concubine Min said just now.

The queen smiled: "This is the heart, and why should the heart be high or low? I like this gift very much. Please sit down, Qing nobleman, and don't worry about it. Concubine Min is just not used to the smell of garlic." She He murmured: "Shuxiang, put it away."

Lin Qingyu heaved a sigh of relief, sat down and smiled at the person, dug some eight-treasure porridge with a spoon, tasted it, and said, "It's so delicious, did the Empress add white fungus and black dates to the eight-treasure porridge?"

The queen smiled and said: "You are a noble person and are intelligent."

Yuchang smiled and said with a sudden realization: "It turns out that the white fungus has been stewed so soft that it melts in the mouth, making the porridge more sweet and sticky, and the black dates are peeled and ground into powder, no wonder there is a strong smell. Jujube smells!"

The queen nodded: "It's just a fresh picture, as long as you sisters like it."

Yuchang shrugged his head, with a sad expression on his face, complaining to himself: "The empress has a clever mind, she can even make porridge first-class, unlike concubines who are clumsy, if you bring those eight-treasure porridge cooked in the palace Share it, I'm afraid no one will care about it."

The queen smiled and said: "This eight-treasure porridge is not a rare thing, but it is only drunk once a year. The taste must be made well so that people will miss this taste every year."

This remark meant something, and Yu Chang knew it when he heard it, and said: "What the empress said is very true, my concubine will definitely study it carefully when she returns."

"Yeah." The queen raised her eyes and looked down, wondering, "Hey, why don't you see Concubine Chang?"

Everyone was indifferent, there was no one among them who was close to Concubine Chang, so they didn't know her movements.

Lin Qingyu struggled for a moment, but when Fang wanted to speak, Concubine Min preempted her and said, "The empress forgot? The younger sister of the concubine Chang couldn't get out of being grounded by the empress dowager. After all, it's a good day, but even if the queen mother didn't ground her feet, after that kneeling, in the future I don't know if I can stand up." After speaking, Concubine Min chuckled.

The queen sighed and said: "Concubine Chang is also pitiful. That day the eldest princess and the queen mother had a quarrel for some reason, and the queen mother ordered the eldest princess to contemplate her mistakes behind closed doors, and then punished the concubine Chang who was close to the eldest princess to kneel and ground her feet. I also went to persuade her , but the queen mother is furious, and this palace is also helpless."

Yu Chang said weakly: "In the blink of an eye, there are many fewer sisters in the palace. The concubines are really afraid."

Concubine Min glanced at him, smiled and said, "Yu Chang is here, what are you afraid of?"

"Accidents happened one after another in the harem. In previous years, the empress's palace was full of excitement, but this year..." Yu Chang stopped his voice and stopped talking.

The queen smiled calmly, stirred the porridge with a spoon, and said, "I understand what you mean. There are fewer people in the harem, so it is inevitable that I will not get used to it. In fact, this morning, I got news that Loulan sent someone to send a woman. , the appearance and posture are all first-class, and she is also very obedient and sensible, the emperor has agreed."

The queen pinched a green plum in the vase, put it under her nose and sniffed it lightly, said: "Now people have rested, and tomorrow I will come to pay my respects to this palace. Concubine Min, you have just returned to the concubine position, so you must take care of this status. Take good care of this little sister."

Concubine Min's expression was indifferent: "I don't know what the name of this promised sister is? It's easy to arrange for the concubine to go back."

The queen thought for a moment, and said, "It seems to be called Vulano."

Yu Changzai was full of interest: "My concubine heard that there are beauties from the Western Regions, but where does this sister live now? I want to meet her."

"In Huazao Palace." The queen's eyes darkened, and she gave a meaningful smile: "It's just Tao Ran Hall on the west side of Huazao Palace, which is some distance away from the main hall."

Everyone was silent, each with complicated expressions.

The queen turned her eyes away and landed on the red jade crabapple hairpin on Mu Pingting's head. She changed the subject and said, "The hairpin on Concubine Jin's head is not vulgar. No worries, Yu Jinpin is a perfect match."

Mu Pingting was not surprised by favor or humiliation, and said with a faint smile: "Thank you, Empress, for your compliment."

Concubine Min suddenly said: "The concubine is looking at how the crabapple flower hairpin on Concubine Jin's head is so similar to the one on Concubine Lan's head?"

The queen looked over after hearing the words: "It is indeed similar, but the color is slightly different."

Mu Pingting said: "This hairpin is a gift from Concubine Lan."

The queen raised her eyebrows, and said with great interest: "Oh? When did the relationship between Concubine Jin and Concubine Lan get so good? I thought the hairpin on your head should be a pair with the Qing nobleman."

Lin Qingyu was mentioned inexplicably, and looked up in bewilderment, only to see that Concubine Lan and Concubine Jin were indeed wearing a begonia hairpin on their heads, their eyes drooping silently, drinking porridge silently.

"Your Qing nobleman has a green jade hairpin on his head, right? The empress said that the difference between Haitang and Fuqu is so different, so they can't be counted as a couple, right?" Concubine Min snorted disdainfully, stroking the red gold hairpin in her hand. Huanzhu Nine-Turn Linglong Bracelet, said meaningfully: "This bracelet in my concubine's hand was rewarded by the Emperor himself. It is the same as the pattern on the emperor's red gold glazed ring. This is a pair."

The queen pursed her lips and said with a smile: "This Palace is just strange. Concubine Jin has always been on good terms with Qing nobles, but now she has a sisterly relationship with Concubine Lan. I just feel a little puzzled."

Mu Pingting said: "Empress, in fact, the concubine and Concubine Lan are old acquaintances before entering the palace."

The queen nodded: "I see, no wonder."

A trace of surprise flashed in Concubine Min's eyes, and she raised her eyes to stare at Concubine Lan and Concubine Jin for a long time.

The queen raised her head and said: "Okay, it's getting late, all sisters, go back to the palace, Mr. Qing, you stay."

Lin Qingyu was stunned, and sat on the seat in a daze.This was the first time the queen asked her to stay. She felt strange, but she also guessed about the queen's intentions.

The queen smiled kindly, and called Lin Qingyu to sit beside her, and said: "I heard that the emperor went to the palace of the nobles before concubine Jin, but he didn't stay overnight, so he turned to Fujingxuan, right?"

Lin Qingyu nodded.

The queen asked with a smile: "I'm curious, since the emperor has arrived at your place, why don't you seize the opportunity to accompany the emperor well?"

Lin Qingyu wanted to speak, but she didn't know what to say, bit her lips in confusion, and said after a long while: "I know that my concubine is useless, and I can't keep the emperor."

"Is that true?" The queen raised her eyebrows, and then said with hatred: "It's not my palace that blames you. Qing nobleman, you are too confused! The emperor's favor is extremely important to the women in the harem. If there is no favor, only I'm afraid I'll be looked down upon."

"The concubine knows...that day the concubine was really unable to do what she wanted, so I let the emperor..."

The queen stared at her, and interrupted in a deep voice: "Master Qing, what did you do to think that I don't know? Do you think the world will be peaceful if the sisters in the harem are humble? If you let the first time, you will let the second time." , the third time, how do you plan to deal with yourself in the future?"

Lin Qingyu smiled embarrassingly: "The concubine will always remember the teachings of the empress."

The queen frowned, waved her hands and said: "Forget it, I see that you won't listen to me anymore, take care of yourself, go back and think about it."

(End of this chapter)