Traveling through the harem: the favorite concubine

Chapter 84

When Zhao Qingze returned to the bedroom, Ruyi was lying on the bed and was in a deep sleep. She was lying on her side, her eyes were closed tightly, her long eyelashes covered her eye sockets, and her face looked very calm.Her hand seemed to be unconscious, but it was placed on her stomach.

Zhao Qingze's eyes were undoubtedly gentle. He stretched out his hand to touch Ruyi's stomach, but he took off his shoes and went to bed, and then lay down. The movement around him alarmed Ruyi, but Ruyi frowned slightly, but As if smelling a familiar scent, he just murmured softly, leaned against Zhao Qingze as a habit, and fell asleep peacefully.

The big bedroom is very quiet, the people below stand in the outer room, only the occasional sound of insects in early summer, but it adds a sense of leisure to the days of this season.

Ruyi slept very deeply during this sleep. When she woke up, it was already afternoon. Zhao Qingze was already sitting by the bed and reading a book. He felt the movement from Ruyi beside him. He touched Ruyi because of the heat of sleep. With a flushed face, he asked with a smile, "Is it hot? Are you sweating?"

Ruyi shook her head, the heat was indeed a bit hot, but she had just washed and washed before going to bed, so her body didn't feel uncomfortable at the moment.

"Then get up and have something to eat. You are now eating alone for two people, and you have never used lunch."

Zhao Qingze carefully helped Ruyi up, saying so.

Ruyi also used some dim sum soup before going to bed, but she didn't feel hungry at all after sleeping until now, but what Zhao Qingze said made sense, she nodded obediently.

The people guarding outside heard the commotion in the house, quickly took the toiletry set and walked in, Ruyi let Shaoyao and Fangcao take care of her, but changed into homely clothes, and tied up a convenient bun, He didn't wear any accessories, and he didn't put any makeup on his face.

"By the way, is Aman feeling better now?"

Ruyi regained consciousness at this moment, and also remembered about Aman, and planned to go to Aman's room to have a look.

Seeing her like this, Zhao Qingze couldn't help being angry and grabbed her, and said, "You eat quietly in the room, and I asked the nanny to bring Aman over, but you are pregnant now. I can't hug him anymore!"

Aman is a very lively child, and he is seldom safe when held in his arms. What if his little hands and feet move around and kick Ruyi in the stomach!
Ruyi obviously also thought of this level, and although she felt a little regretful, she nodded.

When Aman was carried into the room, he saw his mother at a glance, with her little hands open, wanting to be hugged.At this moment, his originally white and tender face was a little red and swollen, and his eyelids were even more swollen. I don't know if it was because he cried too much last night, or because his teething made him suffer.

But Xiao Moyang looked very pitiful, looking at Ruyi with wet eyes made Ruyi feel soft in his heart.

But in the end it was Gu Nian who was carrying this in her belly, she didn't dare to reach out to hug it, she just stretched out her hand to hold Aman's little hand, and she didn't dare to get too close.

Aman seemed to lose his temper because his demands were not met, and struggled in the nurse's arms, yelling.

"Stop calling."

Zhao Qingze picked up Aman angrily, touched the hair that was sticking together on Aman's forehead, but felt a layer of wet sweat, couldn't help but shook his head, and said to Ruyi: "You and I are not like this, either. With a rambunctious temperament, how come the child born can't be quiet for a moment, the crime of yesterday has just passed, but now it is more lively!"

Ruyi also saw that Aman was sweating lightly, fearing that Aman's head would catch cold again, she hurriedly let the nanny carry her down to change clothes.

"You can add a little less clothes to Aman, but if you use ice cubes in the future, you must not put them next to him."

It's getting hotter and hotter these days, and it's impossible for a child as young as Aman to live on ice, so he's going to suffer!Ruyi was a little distressed, but Zhao Qingze thought of something when he heard it, and said with a smile: "After another month, the test will be over, and I will take you and Aman to live in the summer palace. You and Aman are both It’s not good to use ice cubes, it’s cool there, so it’s suitable for you mother and child to live in.”

In the past years, whenever the weather was the hottest, the masters of the general palace would live in the summer palace on the outskirts of Beijing. Zhao Qingze had mentioned this to Ruyi before. , although the Queen Mother has also been there with the Supreme Emperor a few times, but Ruyi is just a little maid in the small kitchen, but she has never caught up with her. I only heard other court ladies who followed Fengjia describe the scenery there, and it is inevitable that I have a few feelings in my heart. Fascinated.

Hearing that Zhao Qingze proposed to escape the summer heat, she naturally yearned for it.

A few days later, when Mrs. Cao entered the palace to accompany Ruyi, Ruyi also talked about this matter with Mrs. Cao.

"Auntie, why don't you go with us, it's a good place to recuperate, it's more comfortable than staying in the capital in this summer."

Mrs. Cao was naturally happy when she heard the invitation, but she still refused with a smile: "I really want to be with my mother, but the wedding between Ruier and Miss Jiang's family will be on the day when my mother goes to escape the summer heat. There is no one else to manage it, so I really can't leave."

"Of course it's General Cao's marriage that matters! After General Cao's marriage is over, I'll ask the emperor to pick up my aunt."

Ruyi smiled, but she didn't insist. She originally wanted to speak more pleasantly, and then bring Mrs. Cao and her new wife over. After all, if the emperor arrives at the palace, General Cao will definitely follow and protect him. It can be regarded as giving the Cao family a face, but thinking of Shaoyao, Ruyi swallowed the words.

While the other end was talking, Shao Yao first brought in a bowl of soup and put it in Ruyi's hand, and said softly: "Ma'am, this is just delivered from the dining room."

Ruyi frowned unconsciously, and looked at the bowl of soup with some displeasure.

Mrs. Cao took a look at Shaoyao's bowl of chicken soup, but after smelling it, she could smell a lot of medicinal herbs.

"Your Majesty is not feeling well recently?" She guessed.

Ruyi picked up the chicken soup and just took a sip, but Wen Yan just smiled and touched her stomach.When Mrs. Cao saw this, a flash of inspiration flashed in her mind, but she asked with some uncertainty: "Your Majesty... is pregnant again!"

"The imperial doctor discovered it not long ago. It's not too late now, so don't tell me, aunt."

Ruyi nodded, but did not hide from Madam Cao.

Mrs. Cao couldn't stop nodding and laughing when she heard the words: "I know, I won't go outside to talk about it."

She was really happy for the emperor and Ruyi in her heart. What she had been worried about was that the emperor had too few heirs. Although she already had a prince named Aman, the more children the better.When the emperor favored Ruyi alone, although she never said anything, she was still a little worried. She didn't expect Ruyi's belly to be so upbeat, and she was pregnant again after giving birth to the prince.

Thinking of this, Mrs. Cao glanced at Ruyi worriedly. Although she was happy that the emperor had more and more heirs, she was from the past, so she naturally knew more, but she couldn't help but feel a little worried about Ruyi's body. .

After all, she was too young. When she was pregnant with her first child, Mrs. Cao could see that Ruyi was struggling. Now that she is pregnant with her second child not long after giving birth, it will be even more difficult!And after the child is born, Ruyi's body will probably suffer a lot, and there are many people whose body collapses just like that.

Moreover, Ruyi's birth as a court lady is even more inferior to those ladies from everyone who have been cared for since childhood.

But this worry just turned around in Mrs. Cao's heart slightly, and when it came to her lips, Mrs. Cao just smiled and said: "Your Majesty, you have to take good care of your body."

Ruyi nodded with a smile, and only took Mrs. Cao's words as daily advice, and didn't care too much.

Mrs. Cao just sighed silently in her heart. Although she is the emperor's nanny, she actually has no less worries than those imperial physicians in the imperial hospital. Even though she knew that this pregnancy would be difficult for Ruyi, she Will not point out.

Nothing is more important than a royal heir.

She glanced at the chicken soup that Ruyi was slowly drinking, and asked Shaoyao in a gentle tone: "Shaoyao, Madam, who made this chicken soup? Madam, you should have a little something for your diet."

"Don't worry, aunt, Shaoyao knows."

When Shao Yao faced Mrs. Cao, she was also a little embarrassed, but she still replied calmly: "The medicinal materials used in this chicken soup were all given by the former imperial physician, and now the emperor asked the imperial physician to watch carefully for the diet of the empress." on."

"That's fine, that's fine!"

Mrs. Cao nodded her head and spoke slowly, but she was a little absent-minded when she spoke to Ruyi next.Ruyi didn't think there was any problem, but thought Mrs. Cao was worrying about Cao Rui's marriage. Later, Mrs. Cao didn't want to stay, and she didn't force her to stay, so she let him go.

After Mrs. Cao left, Ruyi handed the clean bowl to Shaoyao, and when she took the wet wipe from Shaoyao, she couldn't help but said, "Shaoyao, the marriage between General Cao and Miss Jiang is scheduled after the palace examination." .”

The smile on Shao Yao's face froze for a moment, but she immediately came back to her senses, and said in a gentle tone: "Your Majesty, don't worry, I don't have any unreasonable thoughts in my mind!"

"Silly girl, I know it's not so easy to forget someone, but I hope you can look forward, there will be someone better and more suitable than General Cao."

Ruyi just spoke softly, seeing Shaoyao lowering her head, she didn't say anything more.

For this kind of thing, you still have to think it through yourself. If you don't want to think it through, no matter how much others say, it will be useless.

The examination came as scheduled, and thousands of candidates who poured in from the capital entered the small rooms assigned to them by the Tribute Court after inspection, and began the nine-day examination.The examination is divided into three sessions, each for three days, from the Four Books and Five Classics to policy theory and then to poetry and prose for all-round investigation.

Such an exam is not only a test of the candidates' intellectual and psychological quality, but also a physical test of the candidates.

During the nine-day exam, some people were constantly being carried out because they couldn't bear it. Although the emperor was considerate of the hard work of the candidates and specially asked people to place ice cubes and things to relieve the heat in the tribute courtyard, most of the scholars were unrestrained. The strength of the chicken, if the imperial examination was held on the most comfortable day in the spring of previous years, some people would be too physically unable to bear it, let alone on such a hot day.

In this way, half of the people lose their bodies first.

Huang Wenren and Cao Rui also made a report on this situation earlier than the emperor, but Zhao Qingze said after hearing this: "I select talents to serve me and the country, and I don't want to choose a group of vacancies. A sick child with talent will waste the food and wealth in the national treasury to support a useless person."

Huang Wenren and Cao Rui didn't say anything more after hearing Zhao Qingze's reply.

After the end of the nine-day imperial examination, all the remaining candidates walked out of the Gongyuan with their hands and feet limp, like walking on clouds.

Huang Zongbao and Chen Wenhan found the book boy who was guarding together at the gate of the Gongyuan.

Chen Wenhan was already a powerful bow, and when he saw his book boy, he was almost paralyzed on the ground, and although Huang Zongbao's condition looked better, his sallow complexion also showed that this time he was indeed suffering. committed a mortal sin.

"You stupid boy, you don't even know how to find a carriage to pick you up, you don't have the strength to walk!"

Huang Zongbao complained to his book boy, who had long been used to his young master's temper, knew that he was not really scolding him, smiled and helped Huang Zongbao to the shade, and said with a smile: "Master, wait, this slave will rent a sedan chair for you now." go!"

"Call it two tops! Brother Wen Han probably won't be able to walk anymore!"

Huang Zongbao yelled from a distance, but he looked full of energy, not at all weak as before.

"The exam is finally over, brother Wenhan, let's go out tonight and have fun!"

Huang Zongbao spoke enthusiastically, but Chen Wenhan was too weak to speak.Hearing this, he just raised his eyelids and glanced at Huang Zongbao.

When he was about to continue to say that he planned to review the book, suddenly, a voice came from afar, which made Huang Zongbao's body stiff and interrupted what Chen Wenhan was about to say.

"You boy, if you don't come home when you arrive in the capital, where have you been fooling around!"

Chen Wenhan looked up, and saw a middle-aged man in a crane official uniform walking towards them angrily.

The middle-aged man had a loud voice, and what caught his eye was the crane official uniform, which only officials of the first rank could wear.

"Uncle Three..."

Huang Zongbao turned his neck stiffly, and a flattering smile appeared on his face the next moment.

"Third Uncle, why did you find me here!"

"You brat, I received a letter from my hometown, and I waited and waited for no one. I wondered if you couldn't find it when I moved, and I asked people to search all the big inns in the capital. I only found out after asking. , You actually sent away all the carriages and guards sent to you by your family, and you brought a book boy to Beijing!"

"Third Uncle, I can explain. I did look for it, but when I went there, the mansion was already empty, so I had no choice but to find an inn to live in. You can ask my friend, he can testify of."

Huang Zongbao quickly pulled Chen Wenhan to defend him, but Chen Wenhan might as well have been pulled upright by Huang Zongbao, his figure was a bit embarrassed, but he quickly corrected his face, and respectfully said to Huang Wenren: "My lord, brother Zongbao is indeed As soon as I entered Beijing, I went to look for it. But there is no one in that mansion."

"That's right! That's right!" Huang Zongbao smiled and flattered his face, "Third Uncle, you see, I can't help it!"

Because of the presence of outsiders, Huang Wenren didn't really get angry in front of outsiders, but just smiled and said softly: "You don't want to speak for him anymore, I still don't know what kind of temper my nephew is!"

After finishing speaking, Huang Zongbao directly pulled Huang Zongbao and said in a harsh tone: "Stinky boy, I will deal with you when I go home!"

Huang Zongbao knew that it would not be so easy for him to pass the test this time, so he could only cry and follow Huang Wenren obediently with his head down. Halfway through the walk, he seemed to suddenly think of something, and turned his head and shouted at Chen Wenhan : "Brother Wenhan, I have to come out to find you when I am free later, don't move to the inn!"

Chen Wenhan smiled gently, stood where he was and nodded.

At the other end, Huang Zongbao's school boy who was out looking for a sedan chair ran over, seeing this look, he knew that his young master had been arrested, and hurriedly chased after him, regardless of the sedan chair.

After Huang Zongbao was pulled into the carriage and left the farce in the Gong Yuan, no one stayed to watch the drama.

Chen Wenhan withdrew his smile, and just said to the book boy beside him, "Let's go, we're going back too!"

The book boy nodded and followed, and carefully helped Chen Wenhan into the sedan chair.

On the other hand, Huang Zongbao, who was caught in the carriage, was having a hard time. He carefully looked at his third uncle Huang Wenren, who was sitting opposite him with a serious face and closed eyes, his heart was beating. non-stop.

Huang Zongbao is the second son of the eldest son of the Huang family. Because he was cute and sweet-mouthed since he was a child, he was raised under the old lady of the Huang family. He loves and hates, but he is indeed the most favored among the juniors.Huang Zongbao's enlightenment was taught by the old man of the Huang family himself.

When Huang Zongbao's father was in good health earlier years, he was an official in the local area. Huang Zongbao also lived with his parents in the place where his father was an official. The local bully, of course, Huang Zongbao was just a little kid at the time, even though he loved to mess around, he couldn't cause any trouble.

Later, Huang Zongbao's father resigned from the government due to his health and returned to his hometown to recuperate. Huang Zongbao's free and easy life was over. The old man at home saw Huang Zongbao's temperament, so he made up his mind to watch him and let him study hard, and he was forced to arrest him. For ten years.For the old man of the Huang family, Huang Zongbao was not very afraid. Although the old man was strict, he still doted on this little grandson, and let him let him go if he acted like a baby occasionally, but Huang Wenren, the third uncle, was what Huang Zongbao was most afraid of!
Huang Wenren didn't know what was going on, and he paid the most attention to this nephew. When he returned to his hometown and saw this nephew, he had to scold him.

This time Huang Zongbao was also detained ruthlessly. Finally, he had the opportunity to go out to let the wind go. He tried his best to send away the group of guards and waiters. He only brought a little book boy with him. If it wasn't for time, he would like to go on a tour of the mountains. Shui had some fun before coming to Beijing.

However, seeing Huang Wenren now, he was scared.

"Third Uncle, hehe. Actually, I did pretty well in the exam this time, and I have a good chance of winning the Huiyuan. You see, I have already won the Jieyuan in the previous provincial examination. Here I will win another Huiyuan. When I come back, I will be the number one in the palace examination. It's 'three yuan in a row'! Hehe..."

Huang Wenren opened his eyes and gave him a cold look, Huang Zongbao's smile instantly froze on his face, wishing he could jump off the carriage right now.

(End of this chapter)