Traveling through the harem: the favorite concubine

Chapter 85

The carriage rattled all the way, finally arrived at the destination, and stopped in front of the Prime Minister's Mansion.

Huang Zongbao jumped off the carriage with a strong figure, but turned his head to look at his third uncle Huang Wenren disconsolately.Huang Wenren only glanced at him, and said coldly, "Follow me!"

This sarcastic remark made Huang Zongbao couldn't help shrinking his neck. He raised his head and glanced at the plaque hanging high above the gate. Suddenly, he seemed to think of something, rolled his eyes, walked to Huang Wenren's side, and said with a playful smile: "So The third uncle has been promoted to be prime minister, so my nephew knows, congratulations third uncle!"

Huang Wenren just glanced at him, didn't say anything, still snorted coldly.

Huang Zongbao blinked his eyes twice with puffy cheeks, and wanted to explain: "My nephew only found out today. I went to the palace first to see that the mansion where my third uncle lives can no longer be sealed off. My nephew thought that my third uncle had done something wrong. Well, worry about my nephew!"

"you……"

Huang Wenren was so angry that he was about to yell at him, when suddenly a female voice sounded from inside, and then, before Huang Zongbao came back to his senses, his hands were grabbed.

"You boy, where have you been? I don't know how to worry about your third aunt!"

Huang Zongbao only felt his head buzzing. When he looked up and saw Mrs. Huang, he forced a smile on his face and called softly, "Aunt San!"

Huang Wenren's wife is actually Huang Zongbao's mother's cousin. Huang Zongbao only thinks that the two sisters, Hua'er, are not only married to the same brother, but also have exactly the same temperament, so they love to chatter.

Huang Zongbao was honest, although he was afraid of Huang Wenren's reprimand and his father and old master serving him with sticks, but what was even more unbearable was the nagging.

"Zongbao, where have you been since you entered Beijing? The third aunt couldn't wait for anyone, but she was terrified, and she didn't dare to tell the people in her hometown that she didn't find you. I'm so anxious these days, I'm afraid of you There is a mistake, how can I explain to your parents..."

"Third... third aunt."

Huang Zongbao desperately wanted to break free from Mrs. Huang's grasping hands, but he didn't dare to use any force, so he could only accept the lesson with his head down. He turned around and saw his cousin Huang Zongsheng gloating at him. A feeling of impossibility.

"Tell me, why are you still so stubborn? If it weren't for your third uncle who made people stare at the Gongyuan, you still can't be found now! Look at your face, if you live at home, third aunt will take good care of you , I have prepared all the things for you to go to the exam, and now it looks like this..."

"Third Aunt, Third Uncle has something else to tell me! Let's talk back!"

Huang Zongbao only felt that his head was being buzzed by Mrs. Huang's chanting, and his mind was muddled. Seeing Mrs. Huang's unfinished look, Huang Zongbao wished he could cry up to the sky. He would rather listen to his third uncle's reprimand than to stop Listen to Mrs. Huang's love.

"Mom, Zong Bao just came back from the exam. He must be exhausted. Dad has something to tell him. Why don't you prepare some food for him and let him have a good rest!"

It's not that Huang Zongsheng really doesn't have any brotherly love. Seeing Huang Zongbao's appearance is already a powerful bow, he also came out to intercede with him.

Mrs. Huang also made sense when she heard her son's words, but she didn't continue talking, she just stretched out her hand and tapped Huang Zongbao's forehead, and said: "You boy, I will talk to you carefully later, let's see if you dare to do this in the future Done!"

"Don't dare!"

Huang Zongbao felt that he had been taught a lesson and was completely overwhelmed. He covered the place Mrs. Huang had ordered just now and repeatedly begged for mercy.

After seeing Mrs. Huang away with great difficulty, Huang Zongbao sighed deeply and shook his head helplessly, but before he finished his sigh of relief, Huang Wenren said coldly: "Follow me to the study!"

"Uncle Three..."

Huang Zongbao only felt that his tears were about to be forced out.

Huang Zongbao acted like a little daughter-in-law, shrinking his head and following Huang Wenren to his study, then obediently stood in front of the desk, listening to Huang Wenren's reprimand.

"Don't fool me with the way you fooled your third aunt, tell me honestly what you did!"

"Nothing, the time for the test is so urgent, and my hometown is so far away from the capital, I obediently went to Beijing and hurried on my way, that is... when I arrived in the capital, I couldn't find anyone at the place where my third uncle lived, so I stayed in a hotel with my friend !"

What Huang Zongbao said was absolutely true, he really wanted to have fun, but the time set by the emperor for the test was too urgent, so he didn't play until he arrived in the capital.

"is it?"

Huang Wenren looked at him and asked lightly.

"Really! Really! Besides, I just helped my friend find his sister..."

Huang Zongbao replied obediently, completely without the bearishness of the time.

"I think you have thrown your books aside since you left your hometown!" Huang Wenren said in a cold voice, but he felt Huang Zongbao's temperament thoroughly.

Huang Zongbao scratched his head embarrassingly, and opened his mouth to defend: "This... this, my nephew usually has a good foundation, so there is no need to cram!"

"Humph!"

Huang Wenren snorted coldly, and said: "The results of the general examination will appear soon, you just stay at home and read books obediently for the next few days, if you pass the palace examination, you can prepare well, if you don't pass, I will send you back to your hometown right away , Wait until three years later to prepare properly!"

"Stay at home..." Huang Zongbao's face drooped all of a sudden, and he said repeatedly: "Third Uncle, don't worry, I will definitely be able to enter the palace test with my knowledge. Even if I get to the palace test, the emperor will definitely appreciate me if I don't need to prepare!"

"You are arrogant!"

Huang Wenren almost laughed angrily, but this nephew is indeed a bit crooked, Huang Wenren has no doubts about this.

"I call it self-confidence!"

Huang Zongbao replied triumphantly, rolled his eyes, but said, "I'm afraid it's not good for third uncle to lock me up at home! I promised my friend that I will help him find his sister together! Third uncle is not easy to call My nephew has broken his trust!"

"Why are you looking for a younger sister? You have such a temper...you can join in wherever there is excitement!"

Huang Wenren just thought it was nonsense, and couldn't help scolding again.

Huang Zongbao was not afraid at all, and said with a straight chest: "My friend's sister was sent to the palace as a maid when she was a child, and she hasn't seen her for many years, so I'm looking for it!"

After all, he seemed to have thought of something, and suddenly approached Huang Wenren in a fawning manner, and said softly, "Third Uncle, you are the Prime Minister now, so you have a lot of rights!"

Huang Wenren glanced at Huang Zongbao, but said nothing.

Huang Zongbao smiled and said, "My friend's sister is also surnamed Chen. She has been in the palace for almost ten years. Now that you are the prime minister, you often go in and out of the palace. Please help me find out!"

"Nonsense! I'm a foreign minister. If you inquire in the inner court, you are simply whimsical!"

Huang Wenren shook off Huang Zongbao's hold on his hand, a little annoyed, and felt helpless for his nephew's nonsense.

"There are thousands of maids surnamed Chen in the inner court, and I am a foreign minister, how can I find out what in the inner court!"

"Oh!"

Huang Zongbao replied in a depressed mood, but he said: "Then I don't want to break my promise. Since the third uncle won't help to inquire, I have to help. Don't lock me up!"

Huang Wenren glanced at Huang Zongbao, but said in a flat tone: "During these days, don't cause trouble for me, and wait for the palace exam obediently."

"Third Uncle doesn't object?"

Huang Zongbao carefully looked up at Huang Wenren and asked.

Huang Wenren snorted again angrily, but his words softened: "You have already made promises with others, and I can't let you be a person who doesn't keep your word."

"Third Uncle, you really are a great gentleman. No wonder everyone in the restaurant is talking about your mistake with that General Cao!"

"Huang Zongbao!"

Huang Wenren opened his eyes and stared at him fiercely.

Huang Zongbao straightened his body, put on a strange look, and begged for mercy while stepping back: "Don't be angry, third uncle, I'll go!"

"Stinky boy!"

Huang Wenren only felt that none of his ten sons could compare to this nephew from his eldest brother's family.

Huang Zongbao, who was scolded again as a brat, was scratching the itch on his back with the handle of the fan, while shaking his head and walking around to visit the new house. The servants also recognized that this was the master's nephew, so naturally they didn't stop him .

Huang Zongbao walked for a while, but suddenly his eyes were attracted by a small courtyard with beautiful scenery. He was about to go up to have a look, but he saw two people guarding the door, and he felt very surprised.

Although he was more curious, he didn't completely understand the rules. Naturally, he knew that there might be taboos here, and he wasn't allowed to enter.

He took back his steps and was about to leave, but suddenly saw his cousin Huang Zongsheng walking towards this place.

"Zong Bao, why are you here?"

Huang Zongbao scratched his head, and asked cautiously: "What kind of place is this? Is it what Uncle San used for that?"

"what? What?"

Huang Zongsheng laughed puzzled, thinking of his cousin who always had a different personality, he probably also thought of what he said, so he couldn't help laughing.

"My father has always been aboveboard, where are you thinking!"

Thinking about his third uncle's temperament, Huang Zongbao also felt that he was thinking too much. He couldn't help but scratched his head embarrassingly, but he argued: "You can't blame me for this! No one is guarding the door like this at other places. place, making it look more fortified than the imperial palace."

After hearing Huang Zongbao's words, Huang Zongsheng couldn't help sighing, and whispered: "This is the courtyard where Jingting lives."

"Ah, that girl! What did she do to be locked up by Uncle San like this!"

Although Huang Zongbao and Huang Jingting are cousins, they can't get used to each other, and of course they are not very familiar with each other. When Huang Jingting returned to her hometown, Huang Zongbao often tormented her, and Huang Jingting also complained.

So at this moment, Huang Zongbao was quite gloating when he heard it.

Huang Zongsheng glanced at his cousin speechlessly, and just said, "Father said that he would let her out after finding her a good husband's house..."

"Hiss, is it true that what was rumored in the capital?"

Huang Zongbao has not been in the capital for long, but he likes to gather in places where there is excitement, so he naturally heard a lot of gossip.

Huang Zongsheng didn't answer, but obviously acquiesced.

"That girl is really brave! Third uncle didn't scold her to death!"

"Not the same as you!"

Huang Zongsheng glanced at Huang Zongbao angrily, and couldn't help but said: "Father likes you the most, later you and father beg for mercy and let her out! This has been locked up for more than half a month..."

"Who said third uncle likes me the most, I dare not!"

Huang Zongbao pretended to have a toothache, and walked away with his hands behind his back.

Because it was first reported that Sheng Jia would go to the summer palace in the suburbs of Beijing next month, the originally quiet harem began to boil.

In the palace, the rear palace is extremely far from the Zhaoyang Hall, and the Zhaoyang Hall is outside the former court, so it is not easy for concubines to walk around at will.Coupled with Zhao Qingze's indifferent attitude towards the harem, although many people thought of going to the Zhaoyang Palace to invite favors, none of them took action.

Everyone is not stupid, it is too risky to go to Zhaoyang Palace to invite pets, if you offend the emperor or the noble concubine, you are afraid of suffering.But Zhao Qingze didn't go around the harem at all on weekdays, and even places where pets were invited, such as the imperial garden and deer park, had no room for them to play.The emperor would go occasionally, but when he went, he would usually bring his concubine with him. Recently, the emperor didn't even go there.

As for the daily greetings between the emperor and the empress dowager before the morning court, it was even more superficial. Before dawn, he just bowed outside Ci'an Palace and left.Let these concubines be unable to catch anyone if they want to.

Now, going to the Summer Palace is an excellent opportunity.

Naturally, the Summer Palace is not as big as this palace, and the closer you will live, the more chances you will meet by chance. If you can invite pets based on this...

The concubines who have such thoughts almost tolerate most of the concubines in the harem, even those in high positions. I look forward to it in my heart, but I am busy all over the palace, making new clothes, making jewelry, Everyone is almost full of energy.Instead, the usual silence suddenly broke out.

In addition, Xianfei's place has also become a popular place, and even the threshold is about to be broken.

Concubine Xian is now in charge of the affairs of the harem, and she can be regarded as the concubine who has the most contact with the emperor. Of course, Ruyi, they are not counted.Concubine Xian has had a lot of contact with the emperor, so this accompanying list can be used to some extent, no matter how bad it is, this rumor should be the most accurate and timely news from her!
Concubine Xian is annoyed by other concubines every day, but she doesn't dare to offend anyone, she just thinks she is funny and pitiful.

Outsiders watched her manage the internal affairs of the harem, how would they know that she is a puppet at all, what can she do?Even the fact that the emperor was going to the summer palace, she knew no earlier or more than them.

But to the outside world, she doesn't show her mouth at all, which only makes people think that she has a tight mouth.

After dismissing the other concubines with a smile, she breathed a sigh of relief, sat on the chair to rest for a while, but stood up again, and said to her subordinates: "Please wait for me to change clothes, I am going to Zhaoyang Palace! "

When Concubine Xian came over, Zhao Qingze was talking with Ruyi in the bedroom, and when he heard Deng Xian's report, he couldn't help frowning.

Although Ruyi didn't speak, she didn't want to meet Concubine Xian either, so she smiled and said, "Your Majesty, go and see her. I'm sleepy, so I won't go!"

"be lazy!"

Zhao Qingze pinched Ruyi's nose with a smile, but helped her to lie on the bed, and said softly, "Sleep for a while, wait for me to come back!"

Ruyi nodded, and watched Zhao Qingze walk out of the bedroom.

Concubine Xian was sitting in the hall waiting, but when she saw Zhao Qingze coming out, she quickly stood up and saluted. She subconsciously looked behind Zhao Qingze, but she didn't see Ruyi, and she didn't know whether to be happy or disappointed. .

She raised a gentle smile and said softly: "Your majesty, I heard that you will go to the summer palace next month. The other sisters in the harem have come to ask for the list of escorts. I wonder how the emperor decides?"

Concubine Xian didn't have much hope in her heart. She had more contact with Zhao Qingze, so she naturally felt deeper than others. She didn't have much hope for this drive-by.

Zhao Qingze asked her to manage the harem and go to the summer palace for a summer, it was impossible for her to follow.

"The noble concubine and the crown prince will go with me, and everyone else... stay in the palace!"

Although Zhao Qingze's reply was not unexpected by Concubine Xian, it was still hard for Concubine Xian to accept it when Zhao Qingze said it himself.

She took a deep breath, suppressed the emotions in her heart, and said with a smile on her face: "I know. But, isn't the queen mother going to the summer palace? The queen mother is not in good health, and the heat in the palace is hard to bear. Will the summer palace be more comfortable?"

Concubine Xian didn't dare to mention others, she only mentioned the Empress Dowager, if the Empress Dowager went, Concubine De would naturally follow, as long as she made an example of a concubine, it would be difficult to stop her.

"Since the Empress Dowager is not in good health, it is not suitable for exhaustion. Just stay in the palace to recuperate well. Let the people below take care of you and serve the Empress Dowager well. Don't wrong the Empress Dowager."

What Zhao Qingze said was natural, as if it should be taken for granted.Concubine Xian nodded in agreement, but in her heart, she thought with a bit of sarcasm, the journey from the outskirts of Beijing to the palace was only a day's journey, the emperor's words were really grandiose.

But Concubine Xian thought about it, and felt that Zhao Qingze's decision was not a bad thing for her.

It was not very likely that she would be able to accompany her. If other concubines followed, it would not be a good thing for her.Especially for a high-ranking concubine like Concubine Li, if she was favored, her status might surpass her.

Although Concubine Zhao is suppressing her and monopolizing the favor of the palace, it is inevitable to make people feel jealous, but when Concubine Zhao never intervened in the harem, she hardly had much contact with her in the past. The thing is, she is the biggest.

Thinking of this, Concubine Xian showed a sincere smile on her face, bowed respectfully and agreed to retreat.

(End of this chapter)