Harem for a living

Chapter 228

Chen Manrou did not expect that the emperor really insisted on observing the filial piety for three years, and when the filial piety period came out, it would have been 24 years of Yonghe.

"Ma'am, Grandma Chen handed over the sign." Early in the morning, Chen Manrou brought Xiao Wu over to help with the palace affairs. After all, Xiao Wu is not young anymore, it's time to get in touch with these things.But before Chen Manrou got into the mood, Lichun came in and said.

Chen Manrou was stunned for a moment, her grandmother passed away the year before last, because she was a married woman, she didn't have to keep mourning for too long, but her sister-in-law was a junior, she had to keep mourning for three years, and she hadn't been in the palace at all for more than a year, so Chen Manrou just heard You will be surprised when you hear the news.

"Hurry up and ask Grandma to come in." Chen Manrou returned to her senses, and while ordering people to prepare tea and snacks, she walked outside, and she happened to enter Grandma Chen in the outer room.Chen Dongshi had a smile on his face, and when he saw Chen Manrou, he hurried forward to salute.

"Sister-in-law, I am very happy to see you, but what is the happy event?" Chen Manrou asked suspiciously, and Chen Dong nodded repeatedly: "It is precisely because of the happy event, that's why I came into the palace to talk to the empress."

"What happy event?" Chen Manrou became even more curious, and Chen Dong didn't hold back, and immediately said: "Yesterday, my husband just received a letter from my father-in-law and mother-in-law, and my father-in-law and mother-in-law said that they will arrive in the capital in five days."

"What?" Chen Manrou was stunned for a moment, surprised and delighted, and didn't know how to react for a while. She heard the emperor said before that her father was going to be transferred back to Beijing, but she thought, probably it was all about It's winter.

Unexpectedly, the good news came so quickly.

Thinking of her parents who hadn't seen each other for nearly ten years, Chen Manrou's eyes turned red instantly, and she grabbed Chen Dong's hand and asked again: "Is what sister-in-law said true? Are you really going to Beijing in five days? How are your parents?" How is the arrangement at home?"

Chen Dongshi patted Chen Manrou's hand comfortingly, nodded and said, "Your Majesty, don't worry, as soon as Mr. Xianggong received the letter yesterday, he planned to enter the palace to give Madam a message, but it was already late at that time, thinking that the gate of the palace would also be closed. It's the key, so I didn't come, and this morning, I was urged to go to the palace to tell the good news to the empress."

As he said that, Chen Dong pulled out a letter from his sleeve and handed it to Chen Manrou: "This is a letter from parents, please read it first."

Chen Manrou didn't have time to ask anything else, so she opened the envelope, pulled out the letter paper inside and began to read.The handwriting on it was very familiar, and the tone of the speech was also very familiar. Looking at it, Chen Manrou couldn't help crying.

Even if they haven't seen each other for ten years, parents miss themselves very much.

My grandmother passed away the year before last, and even though my parents came back, but the palace must observe filial piety, and the family should also wear filial piety, and they still value filial piety, so naturally they cannot enter the palace.Afterwards, the frontier affairs still needed to be in charge of father, so the emperor directly seized the love.

Just after a month of filial piety, parents set off for the frontier again.

"Sister-in-law, are the arrangements made at home?" After reading the letter, Chen Manrou didn't intend to return the letter, and Chen Dong didn't want it either. Half of the content in her heart was to ask about her sister-in-law's situation, so Chen Dong also understood. Well, this letter is probably for my sister-in-law to read.

"Last year, my grandfather moved to Fushoutang, and the main courtyard was vacant. I just had someone clean it up a while ago, and there is no shortage of furniture and utensils inside. When my parents-in-law come back, I can live in directly. In addition, , the mother-in-law brought two nurses and eight servant girls, and I arranged four more, and the father-in-law, I added two servants, the father-in-law said, he also brought a few wounded soldiers, I bought another We opened a few courtyards, even though they are all second-entry, they are enough to arrange, after all, those are the soldiers who protect the father-in-law, we can't treat them badly."

Mrs. Chen Dong did not hide anything, and explained her arrangement carefully. Chen Manrou couldn't help nodding, and finally said: "Sister-in-law's arrangement is very good, but parents have to be filial, and sister-in-law still needs to be careful about the decorations in the house." I need to try to persuade my parents more, but I can’t make them too sad. I remember grandma’s double-sided embroidered screen, which has been kept in the lobby, right?”

"It has already been replaced. After all, it was my grandmother's favorite thing. My grandfather moved it to Fushou Hall." Chen Dong said quickly, and Chen Manrou nodded: "There is a set of screens here in this palace, which were embroidered by me and Xiaowu. Yes, sister-in-law will take it back later."

Chen Dongshi was slightly hesitant, and Chen Manrou smiled and said, "Don't worry, sister-in-law, this is the filial piety of my daughter and granddaughter Xiao Wu, not a reward."

Only then did Chen Dong thank her, and Chen Manrou asked a few more words, and the two of them talked for about an hour before the meeting was considered to be over.

"Mother, what did the eldest aunt come to do just now?" As soon as Chen Dongshi left, Xiao Wu came in and asked with a smile. Now that Xiao Wu has grown up, his face has also opened up, and he looks a lot like the old man. Chen Manrou is not particularly beautiful, but she is very delicate and attractive.In addition, for so many years, Chen Manrou has kept her reading, playing the piano and playing chess and so on. She looks a bit full of poetic and literary spirit. When she is not talking, she is a beautiful and talented woman.

However, as soon as he talks to someone he is familiar with, he reveals his true self, and he always has a bit of love for acting like a baby.

The emperor was quite fond of her, saying that she was very similar to Chen Manrou who had just entered the palace back then, she almost didn't spoil a bully princess.

"Your eldest aunt said that your grandfather and grandmother are coming back, and they will arrive in the capital in five days." Chen Manrou was in a good mood, so she didn't care about Xiaowu's wrong posture when entering the room, and just hugged her by her side, smiling Asked: "Does Xiao Wu still remember the appearance of his grandfather and grandmother?"

Xiao Wu shook her head in embarrassment, and Chen Manrou nodded her nose: "Your grandfather is a very powerful general, and his marksmanship is still outstanding. There were competitions in the army back then, and your grandfather won the first place. Your grandmother is the most powerful general." The gentlest person, he is especially good-looking when he smiles, has a good temper, and thinks about his husband or children all his life..."

Chen Manrou spoke slowly, Xiao Wu listened quietly, the emperor came in, and laughed when he saw the two girls, Xiao Wu still asked: "Mother, is it true? Uncle still has so... "

Wanting to say stupid, but didn't dare to say it, Chen Manrou just nodded with a smile: "When your uncle was seven or eight years old, he was a little bookworm, and it was because of this later that he realized that reading alone is not enough."

"What happy things are you talking about?" The emperor sat next to Chen Manrou. Now Chen Manrou already liked the emperor's behavior of entering the door without being notified, and didn't bother to get up and salute. What a stupid thing. By the way, where is Xiaosi? Isn’t he going to inspect Zhuangzi today? Don’t get too tired.”

"As soon as you see me, just remember to ask Xiaosi." The emperor was jealous like a joke: "You don't even ask me if I am tired today. I also went to Zhuangzi to investigate."

Xiaosi started to go to court at the beginning of the fourth year, but, after all, he was a little younger, the emperor didn't let him handle things, only let him study along with him on weekdays.It's the season for planting early rice, the emperor said early in the morning that he would go to have a look, and then he brought Xiao Si there as well.

Now the emperor is back, why is Xiaosi missing?

Although Chen Manrou was puzzled, she quickly appeased the emperor: "Didn't this concubine see the emperor, so I didn't ask? Well, I will ask now, is the emperor tired today? How did you eat for breakfast? How about lunch?" For what? Have you been injured on Zhuangzi?"

The emperor burst out laughing: "Where will you get hurt if you go to Zhuangzi? What's more, there is nothing else on Zhuangzi, and there are a lot of food, so you don't have to worry about me being hungry. As for Xiaosi, I won't be back until the afternoon, I told you There, he followed the old agronomy to throw seedlings and cultivate the land."

Now Chen Manrou can tell the difference, the emperor usually calls himself "me" in front of her, and only speaks "Zhen" when he wants to talk about state affairs or important matters.I said it this time, that is to say, the decision of Xiaosi to farm in Zhuangzi is not up to Chen Manrou.

Chen Manrou is very witty, anyway, it's true that Xiao Si should learn more, he even taught him how to grow vegetables when he was young.To be a good emperor, one must know how to farm the land.

"Your Majesty, what do you want for lunch? I just ordered someone to prepare it right now." The Emperor no longer needs to address him, and Chen Manrou felt much more at ease. The Emperor thought for a while, and ordered a few dishes: "By the way, Chen Manrou You know about the general and Mrs. Chen going to Beijing, right?"

Chen Manrou smiled and nodded: "Well, just now my sister-in-law entered the palace and talked about it."

"Then do you know that General Chen handed over the letter of appointment?" The emperor asked after a pause, and Chen Manrou was frightened for the second time today: "The letter of appointment?"

"Well, General Chen said that he was injured in many places in the battle a few years ago, and now that he is exhausted, he is no longer qualified for his current position. He is getting old and wants to serve the old man at home and raise his children and grandchildren."

The emperor said slowly, watching Chen Manrou's expression carefully.Chen Manrou was startled for a moment, then she recovered, handed a cup of tea to the emperor, and said with a smile: "Your Majesty, this concubine said something that should not have been said, so don't blame the concubine."

"Go ahead." The emperor took the teacup and nodded.Chen Manrou sighed: "The concubine was thinking that it would be great if the emperor approved the book. The concubine's parents are indeed old, and father, the general, has indeed suffered a lot of injuries over the years."

"I still remember that in the years when the Khitan people were the most rampant, Dad did not return home for several months. .”

While recalling, Chen Manrou said slowly: "Now that they are getting older, I only hope that they can enjoy the blessings of their children and grandchildren for a few more years. Besides, now that the frontier is stable and the country is peaceful, if daddy doesn't retire, he will just eat vegetarian meals in his corpse."

Seeing that the emperor's face was a bit unsightly, Chen Manrou hurriedly said: "Father is retired, so it's not that he can't help the emperor. Grandfather is old, and grandfather is very worried about the military academy. If father occasionally visits the two This time, grandfather and his old man can rest assured."

The emperor did not speak, and Chen Manrou saw that the emperor was not angry, so she felt confident in her heart.In fact, my father really had to quit his job. The stability of the frontier and domestic peace have already shown that the country does not need too many generals.

Many of the students who came out of the military academy were very capable. The emperor promoted them, and their loyalty was only to the emperor. Talented people came out from generation to generation. The emperor now has no shortage of loyal and capable people.

Let's not talk about my father's old age, his health is not good, and his daughter who is the queen is here, and he is occupying the military power, which is really worrying.Especially, Xiao Si is not young anymore.

Chen Manrou didn't know that she wanted to retreat, but the emperor had other concerns.He is very fond of Xiao Si as the heir, and Xiao Si is the legitimate son, so his status is absolutely fine.In addition, Xiao Si is smart, kind, and talented.During this period of time, learning by my side is almost straightforward. Given time, he must be a wise and benevolent king.

He has a gentle temper, is filial to his parents, treats his brothers with kindness as always, and treats his sisters with gentle words.

Even if the eldest princess is not from the same mother, he can help vent her anger.

A few years ago, after the Empress Dowager was poisoned, the Xie family suddenly broke up.At that time, Xiaosi was with the second prince and the third prince, leading the fifth prince, and they almost smashed the Xie family.

Such a good heir, if there is no help from his family, the future road will be somewhat difficult.After all, among the princes, except for the second prince, who has no kinship, the rest of them all have nieces.In the future, these children will all be crowned kings, and their natal families will surely rise with the tide.

But if he kept the Chen family, he was afraid that the Chen family would become bigger in the future. With Xiao Si's temperament, it would be difficult for him to take action against the Chen family.In other words, even if they made a move, they wouldn't suppress the Chen family too much.

At that time, the Chen family will become Xiaosi's roadblock.Or, Xiao Si was dragged down and left ink dots in the history books in the future.Or, the descendants of the Chen family became rampant and were finally uprooted.Even for Rou'er, the Chen family cannot be completely wiped out.

Therefore, just for Rou'er, the Chen family has to lurk temporarily at this moment.The descendants have always been unable to be too powerful.Thinking about Ci Ning's natal family, and then thinking about the Tang family, the emperor deeply felt that it would be good if General Chen's papers were approved.

The emperor thinks about Chen Manrou here, and thinks about Xiao Si on the right, it is really a dilemma.

(End of this chapter)