Pingyang Fu of the Red Chamber

Chapter 694: Xiao Shixuan’s Thoughts

"Ding, ding, ding!"

In Changle Palace,

There was the sound of the bronze bells.

Nowadays, the extravagant decorations are no longer seen in the entire Changle Palace. The brocade hangings that once boasted of are no longer seen.
right now,

Hanging on the walls were Taoist black and white Tai Chi diagrams, as well as long strips of black and white brocade. From the main hall of Changle Palace all the way to the inner hall bedroom, they stood on both sides, with overlapping shadows. Not only did it block the vision, but even if you stood inside, you couldn't tell the direction.

There is also a hall outside.

The Changle Palace plaque was still hanging, but it was moved to the side.
In the center,
It was replaced with a large plaque made of topaz, with the words "Palace of Inaction" written on it.

Following the palace gate, we entered the main hall. There was an altar in the middle, with a large bronze tripod that was found from somewhere placed on it. There were also sunken silver, lamps, candles and other decorations placed around it.

The high seat not far away was also replaced with a bed used for monastics, and there was a bronze bell inside. The sound just now was the sound made by the emperor using his golden cudgel.

As soon as it rings,
The eunuch Taijian who was waiting outside, or the chief steward Xia Shouzhong, would go in and know that the retired emperor had something to say. Now the rules of Changle Palace had long been changed, and everyone had to obey orders by the sound and sight of the bronze bell.

Three feet outside the inner door,

Xia Shouzhong pushed open the door and walked in quickly. Through several layers of gauze curtains, he looked at the emperor sitting cross-legged in the tent, knelt down and said;
"What does the Emperor want to tell you?"

"Well, it's good that you're here. Tell the emperor that this year, the expenses of Wuwei Palace will increase threefold. I need to refine elixirs. If the expenses of the palace do not decrease, the loss is inevitable, and the deficit will naturally be huge."

The retired emperor closed his eyes and only opened his mouth slightly. He was wearing a Taoist robe and the hair crown on his head was changed to look like a Taoist priest. He also held a Buddhist whisk with a handle made of golden nanmu wood in his hand. He had a long beard and at first glance, he did have the demeanor of a Taoist priest.

Xia Shouzhong, who was kneeling in the palace, was stunned for a moment after hearing this. Then he realized that Changle Palace was the "Palace of Inaction,"

He kowtowed quickly and replied;

"Yes, Your Majesty, I understand. I will go right away."

He got up in a panic and walked outside. Before he turned around, he was stopped by the Emperor.
"Wait, why are you in such a hurry? Once you enter the Taoist temple, you should be calm. I, ahem, Pingdao, thought today that the day of the imperial examination has arrived, which is a great joyous event for the royal family. Suddenly, I thought about the legitimate daughter sent to the palace by Rongguo Mansion. How is she doing?"

Although the emperor had just started practicing Taoism, his aura was that of a truly accomplished Taoist master. Even the Heavenly Master did not have such a pomp and ceremony.
He wanted to have a few days of leisure, but the retired emperor Zhou Shengzhuo felt something in his heart and kept thinking of the Jia family of Rongguo Mansion. He thought it was a divine connection and kept it in mind.
"Reporting to the Emperor, Jia Yuanchun, the legitimate daughter sent to the palace by Rongguo Mansion, is now living in Chunyun Palace, and everything remains the same."

Xia Shouzhong felt nervous. This girl from the Jia family was about to reach the age of marriage. If she was not given a status, she would have to leave the palace when the time came. Thinking of the many favors she had received from the Jia family in the past, he added,
"Your Majesty, the girl from the Jia family is almost old, which means next year, and I'm afraid she won't be able to stay here any longer."

"So fast,"

The retired emperor sitting in the gauze tent opened his eyes. They were a little cloudy, but his shrewd look remained unchanged. Thinking of the two dukes of the Jia family, he sighed in his heart. He owed them the friendship and it was time to repay them. That girl had been here long enough. Even if she had no merits, she had worked hard. It was not too much for her to be a noble concubine.

"That girl has been in the palace for quite some time now. It's the eighth year of Yuanfeng now, ten years. It's been hard for her. When you go to tell His Majesty, tell him that Jia Yuanchun of Rongguo Mansion has reached the age of retirement. Don't say anything else."

After that, he slowly closed his eyes and said, "Wulian Tianzun", then picked up the golden hoop beside him and knocked it against the bronze bell.
"when"

The echo lingers and lingers.
After hearing this, Xia Shouzhong knelt down again and kowtowed before he stood up and left.
Explain.
Let a few servants guard outside the door,
"All of you, keep your ears open. As soon as you hear the bell ring, go in and take a look. Don't be careless, or I will not forgive you when I come back."

Several eunuchs in charge of Changle Duke hurriedly nodded in agreement. A few days ago, all the disobedient eunuchs were sent to the laundry department, where they lived a life worse than death. That was a terrible end.

Seeing that the men were honest, Eunuch Xia felt relieved and took the eunuch to the Yangxin Palace.

During this time,

The harem seemed to be somewhat calm. No matter whether it was Concubine Wu of Chunli Palace or Concubine Zhou of Biyun Palace, they were quiet for a few days after being reprimanded by the Queen. The talented people and concubines who were waiting to see the joke and looking for an opportunity were also very disappointed.

As the matter of selecting a concubine has been dragged on for so long, many people know that this time the selection of a concubine was probably due to rumors. Come to think of it, who would be so prestigious as to be able to ascend to the position of a noble concubine in one step? Even in their dreams, they would never do that.

This is not,

Xiao Shixuan, along with a maidservant, came to Chunli Palace again to pay respects to Concubine Wu.
Just entered the door,

He handed the cakes he brought to Lady Song Shuang.

"It's Concubine Song. Is the Queen in the room?"

"In reply to Minister Xiao, the queen is waiting in the inner room."

Song Shuang bowed and saluted, took the things, and led the person into the east warm room in the hall.

Entering the warm room,

I smelled a faint fragrance, which was the finest spice from Jiangnan, probably made with an exclusive method. The decorations were not so luxurious, but rather simple. Speaking of which, Concubine Wu's family was from a scholarly family, so it was no wonder that they were decorated like this.

When turning the corner, there is a screen with a picture of a lady, which is obviously painted by a famous artist, and it is very lifelike. After walking around the screen, I saw Concubine Wu, who was wearing a light yellow palace dress, with her hair tied up and a wooden hairpin inserted. She was sitting there alone, drinking tea.

The imperial concubine Xiao Yi was puzzled. She had never seen anyone in the palace wearing a wooden hairpin in their hair. Everyone in the palace was wearing gold and silver.
"Oh, sister, why are you drinking tea here alone? The weather is warm now, why don't you go out for a walk in the yard and enjoy some fresh air?"

Concubine Wu put down the tea bowl in her hand and stared at the visitor with a half-smile. She was from the Xiao family in Jingnan. Xiao Yi was wearing a water-green palace dress. Her graceful figure made even herself feel moved. Who wouldn't have ideas if they could enter the palace?

"It turns out that it's Sister Xiao who's here. I'm all alone and helpless, and I dare not say a word when being bullied by a noble. How dare I go out and cause trouble again? It's better for me to hide here and drink tea to relieve my boredom, so as not to get into trouble and be punished by the queen."

There was some resentment in her tone, but no one knew what was going on inside. Xiao was a little confused. When Concubine Wu was doing things in the harem, she was sometimes bold and reckless, and sometimes cautious. Concubine Zhou only criticized her with words, but how could she be bullied? Besides, Empress Jiang also scolded Concubine Zhou, but didn't really scold her, so how could she not dare to speak?

smiled,
He walked a few steps to the opposite side of Concubine Wu's table, slowly sat down, and gently advised;
"Sister, what did you say? I felt very uncomfortable. It has spread all over the harem. Concubine Zhou went to complain to the Empress and was scolded by her. She left Kunning Palace in disgrace. I haven't seen her come out these days. This shows that she is unreasonable and afraid of sister."

Xiao Shixuan's smiling face and flattering words made Concubine Wu alert. It is said that people in the palace are smiling but hiding daggers. It seems that this person must have hidden several daggers when he came.

"No matter whether she is really scared or just pretending to be scared, my sister has lost all her face. It is better for her to stay in her room, do her needlework, drink some tea, and live a peaceful life. However, you came here today, do you have something to ask?" "I still can't hide it from my sister's sharp eyes. It's a coincidence that many people from Concubine Wu have gone there. It seems that they have heard about the selection of concubines in the harem. Concubine Zhou should not have a chance. When the news came out, Concubine Xu used to go to Biyun Palace to pay her respects early in the morning, but now she doesn't go either. It seems that they have broken up. In this case, I don't know who will be the concubine?"

Xiao sat there and told the situation she had found out in the past few days. She did not hide anything. The affairs of the harem were not big or small, and anyone could find out as long as they paid attention. However, many people envied Yang Hanyu.

I never thought of leaving the palace.

After she entered Luo Yunhou's mansion as a concubine, everyone thought that she was not living a happy life. However, she actually lived such a carefree life. I heard that the old empress dowager sent a lot of special products from the capital, and they all said that Yang Hanyu had someone bring them over. It seems that the woman has a lot of money.

"Oh, since you asked, don't blame me for being nosy. You asked the wrong person. Conferring a title of consort in the palace is no small matter. There are rules for how to confer a title. Of course, if His Majesty shows mercy, that's another matter. Consort Zhou is very beautiful. If it weren't for this incident, it wouldn't be impossible for her to be consort. What a pity."

She sighed softly, with a look of regret on her face. People who didn't know would think that Concubine Wu really felt sorry for her. However, when Xiao saw this scene, she felt a little cold. The current situation was all because of you, Concubine Wu, who had interfered and ruined Concubine Zhou's chance to rise to the top.

His face was a little embarrassed, he picked up the handkerchief on his body, covered his mouth to hide it, and then said;

"That's not what sister said. She ruined a good thing by herself. Anyone who sees it will feel sad. But sister, this Concubine Zhou can't be made a concubine. Sister said that this opportunity is gone. Isn't there someone else waiting there?"

Xiao Shixuan asked this deliberately, because in the harem, apart from the queen, there were only a few concubines, and they could be counted on one hand. There had long been rumors that there would be more concubines. She entered the palace from the Xiao family of Jingnan. Although she was not as good as the daughters of noble families, she was not from a small family. If she wanted to keep the three provinces of Jingnan stable, she still had to rely on the help of the Xiao family.

Before I came to Beijing, my father told me that once I arrived at the palace, I would be appointed a concubine in the shortest possible time and lay out the overall situation for the family.

So a few months after entering the palace, when Concubine Wu and Concubine Zhou were having a conflict in the harem, many people with ulterior motives gathered around, looking for an opportunity to bid for her.

Concubine Wu reached out and took a cloud cake, and tasted it carefully. It was soft, tender, crispy and fragrant, worthy of being a tribute from Yaoji Company. It was unknown when the habit of Marquis Luo Yun to eat snacks spread throughout the harem. Many concubines would eat snacks when they were free.

"Look at what you said. Who dares to stop His Majesty from appointing a concubine? I don't know what you asked, but as the saying goes, what you want is a God-given opportunity. It depends on whether you can grasp it. Things in the palace are not the same as at home."

After Concubine Wu finished speaking, she picked up the scented tea, took a sip, and stopped talking, as if she was going to serve the tea to the guest. Xiao Shixuan smiled, stood up and said goodbye.

"Sister, you are right. I have learned my lesson. I came here just to see you. I have no other intentions. I will be leaving now."

After paying respects,
He left the palace gate with his attendants.
After seeing the man off to the door, Lady Song Shuang hurried back.

"Master, this Xiao Shi's selection is strange. Why is she so anxious about whether Concubine Zhou will be promoted to concubine?"

"Humph, isn't it obvious? She wants to sit in that position. How can the legitimate daughter of the Xiao family in Jingnan be so humble? I was almost deceived by her before. Fortunately, Concubine Zhou went to Kunning Palace and was scolded. This alerted me and I stopped to take a look. I didn't expect that..."

Speaking of this, her face was gloomy, and she almost fell into a ditch. If she hadn't asked her father to investigate, she would not have known that this person was the eldest daughter of the Xiao family. She was really good at pretending.

"Then my master, will Xiao Shixuan be able to rise to the top overnight? After all, Concubine Zhou has no chance, and there is no news about the rest of the palace. Only those who have just entered the palace, will they have already made arrangements?"

Female historian Song Shuang was a little worried. None of them was easy to deal with. Now the matter of conferring the title of concubine had not yet passed, and the harem would probably be in chaos for a while. She just didn't know how chaotic it would be. Speaking of which, if Concubine Zhou was conferred the title of concubine, her family was of small status and had no power, but it was better than those people. When this thought arose, she suppressed it. Bah!
"Just relying on them, they still want to be crowned as concubines. They are dreaming. Not to mention the old people in the harem, there are many daughters of noble families who are waiting for the chance. How can it be her turn as a newcomer to the palace? If I hadn't greeted her, the Xiao family of Jingnan is quite powerful. Unfortunately, they are only arrogant in Jingnan County. Although the family is powerful, they have never produced a high-ranking official, let alone a Jiedushi.

Whenever the imperial court sent an inspector, they would serve him attentively. For example, when Marquis Luo Yun arrived, he would even offer his wife to him."

Concubine Wu spitted. It would be easy to say that the Xiao family was in Qingchuan County and had such power, but unfortunately it was too far to the south, separated by many vassal kings. It was possible that those vassal kings were eyeing the Xiao family. Just thinking about it, she suddenly felt strange in her heart.

It is said that heroes emerge in troubled times and capable ministers emerge in prosperous times. In today's world, power alone is not enough without soldiers.
Having soldiers alone is not enough without power. Therefore, in today's world, the princes, including Marquis Luo Yun, still have the final say. When my father's plans encountered these people, wasn't it like a scholar encountering a soldier, unable to explain himself?

He couldn't tell what he was thinking in his heart. Although those princes of the royal family had military power, they were all pampered and had large armies but could not make full use of them. He guessed that even if he met those military governors, he might not be able to defeat them. He also had to consider his future. The only person he could contact was Marquis Luo Yun. This man was lustful, which was his weakness. However, looking at his trusted female historian Song Shuang beside him, although she had a good-looking face, she was still a little lacking in Marquis Luo Yun's eyes. Could it be that he needed to go there in person!

this.
Outside the palace,

"Master, Concubine Wu clearly didn't say anything, yet you were still so polite to her. If it was in Jingnan, I wonder if she would have the courage to do so."

Xiao Shixuan's confidant said with dissatisfaction,
"Shut up, don't you see where we are? Calling her sister is giving her face. Even though she is evasive, there are only a few people who can be made concubines in the harem. Seeing that the opportunity has come, she has no idea where to start. That Concubine Zhou really gave up. I can't understand it."

Xiao Shixuan actually didn't understand. Was the fight between the two real or was it just for show? The matter of consort can also be used as a bargaining chip. If it was real, Xiao Yi would have accepted it.
"Don't talk nonsense about this matter. You are in the harem, spend more money, ask around, and pay attention to who has the best chance of becoming a concubine."

"Yes, Master."

After the master and servant finished their conversation, they left.
There was no one around except for a few old eunuchs who were cleaning the courtyard. They sat there with a dull look on their faces, barely moving their brooms.
The Yangxin Palace,

Xia Shouzhong hurried to the outside of the Hall of Mental Cultivation with the emperor's decree. When he was near the door, he straightened his clothes and walked in.

Since there is a supervisor, report the matter to him.
"Your Majesty, Eunuch Xia from Changle Palace has arrived and seems to have something urgent to do."

"Oh, Changle Palace, call him in."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Xiao Yunzi, who was guarding outside the door, went in to see the emperor. After His Majesty summoned him, he left and led the person in again.

Xia Shouzhong took small steps, looking haggard. These days, he was in charge of the reconstruction of Changle Palace. It cost a lot of money, but the other was that the retired emperor had changed too much, so he could not get close to him and had to wait outside all the time. Not only was he exposed to the wind and sun, but his heart was always tense, hanging in the air.

Even the clothes on his body were changed into blue Taoist robes. Not only were they too big, but they looked out of place on a eunuch.
As soon as she entered the house, she knelt on the ground, crying.

"This old servant Xia Shouzhong pays respect to His Majesty. Long live the Emperor!"

A mountain shout,
The two people on the high platform couldn't help but raise their heads and look down at the hall. Seeing Xia Shouzhong like this, Dai Quan was obviously stunned. How could he become like this? Where did the Taoist clothes come from?
Emperor Wu Zhou Shihong, who was sitting at the imperial desk, was even more puzzled. He hadn't seen the Changle Palace's chief steward for a few days, but he was already acting so rudely.

"What's going on? Why are you dressed like this?"

Shouted harshly,

Xia Shouzhong kowtowed violently and replied;
"Your Majesty, I have to wear it. The Emperor is now in the Palace of Wuwei, practicing Taoism. He needs to be sincere. Therefore, everyone in Changle Palace must wear Taoist robes. They are not allowed to wear them casually. They are only allowed to worship every day."

"What."

(End of this chapter)