long live the queen

Chapter 61

"Lu Cui, hurry up, pick it up, this meat is going to burn!"

Wei Yunqing was holding a handful of bamboo sticks with various kinds of food in his hand, slowly flipping them, glanced to the side and found that the meat that was roasting at Lu Cui was overcooked, and immediately called out.

"Yes, it's empress!" Lu Cui answered while frantically picking up a skewer of pork tenderloin that was roasting on the charcoal fire, and placed it on a light blue clean porcelain tray beside her.

Some of the Palace of Yanxi Palace are washing vegetables, some are cutting meat, and some are putting washed and cut pork, chicken, mutton, as well as green vegetables, Chinese cabbage and other vegetables on thin and long bamboo sticks. , and some stood in front of the set up charcoal fire, watching the skewers with Wei Yunqing.

People in Yanxi Palace were busy, and everyone's faces were filled with novelty, excitement and expectant smiles.

This is naturally the barbecue meeting that Wei Yunqing created.

Because of the high-end status of imperial concubine No. 1 in the emperor's harem, and the noise she made a few times told everyone in the harem how high her status is in Yang Yi's heart, when it comes to preparing ingredients and charcoal fire tools, Wei Yunqing Without any hindrance, the cut bamboo sticks were washed and sent over. The best Xiangxi smokeless charcoal fire brought two bags to her palace. There were fewer seasonal vegetables. After all, there are no greenhouses here to eat out of season. Vegetables, but there are a lot of meat, as well as seasonings such as soy sauce, vinegar, pepper, and chili.Wei Yunqing can't eat too spicy food, so a little chili seasoning is acceptable. I think there are other palace people in Yanxi Palace who like spicy food, so it's always right to prepare.

This is Wei Yunqing's third day after seeing Yang Yi skipping class and having fun with Concubine Zhuang.On the first day, she hid in the palace and got sulking. On the second day, she called Shang Ding Zhengyu out of the palace to meet Liu Huiniang. Under Wei Yunqing's insistence, the two ignored their identities and chatted vigorously. If it wasn't for Ding Zhengyu He kept urging Wei Yunqing to go back to the palace soon, she might be staying outside.

Then came the third day, Wei Yunqing ordered the palace people to get up early in the morning, perform their duties, prepared things for the barbecue, and started the barbecue party before noon.

"Your Majesty, this is..." A Jin Yiwei patrolled by, seeing that the palace door was wide open, the inside was full of heat, and there was the smell of fireworks and the aroma of tempting saliva, so he couldn't help but stop at the door and look inside curiously.

"My lord, we are making kebabs. Do you and your brothers want some? It tastes the best with wine, but you are on duty, so it's not good to drink, so you can only eat some kebabs." Taste it." Wei Yunqing was busy grilling skewers, only looked up at the other party, replied casually, then lowered his head and concentrated on grilling her chicken.

"Hey, don't stand still, it won't taste good when it's cold, eat it quickly!" Wei Yunqing couldn't help urging when he saw that no one was eating the grilled skewers.

"Your Majesty, you can eat and rest first, leave it to us here." Lan Tian said.She knew that if Wei Yunqing didn't eat it, other people would not dare to eat it first. How could they enjoy it while watching their mother work?It's like a dream for the empress to make barbecue skewers with them like they are now.Before, a little palace lady pulled Lan Tian and asked her in a panic, if they watched the empress do nothing and didn't help, wouldn't they be punished in the future?Being comforted by Lan Tian, ​​she felt amused, knowing that there are still many things for these people to open their eyes in the future.There is no such thing as a queen in this harem, and it is rare in this world. It is their good fortune to be able to follow her.

"It's fun to eat while roasting." Wei Yunqing smiled, grabbed a large handful of skewers, walked up to Jin Yiwei who was still standing at the gate of the palace, and handed them out, "My lord, come on, don't be shy. , if it’s not enough, there’s more in it. But you have to keep this bamboo stick after eating, so it can be used in the future.”

The Jin Yiwei finally came back to his senses, but he didn't dare to pick up the skewers, he hurriedly said: "Go back to your mother, I'm just on duty, so I can't stay here to eat and drink, thank you for your kindness."

"That's it...then let's eat again when I have a chance." Wei Yunqing nodded regretfully, took back the skewers and handed them to Lu Cui, asking her to distribute them to other palace servants.When people have to go to work, she can't disturb their proper work.

A few people in Jinyiwei swallowed their saliva watching the skewers going away, and reluctantly followed the leader and turned to leave.This meat is so fragrant, it's a pity not to eat it.

In addition to being a little reserved at the beginning, after letting go, the palace people opened up to eat. Everyone drank sweet white fungus soup and ate grilled skewers, and the atmosphere was quite lively.

At this moment, a palace man saw Yang Yi who was standing quietly at the gate of the palace at some time, and was so frightened that he swallowed the chicken breast that he hadn't had time to chew, and hurriedly knelt down and said, "Congratulations, welcome the emperor!"

What he said was like a thunderclap on the ground, the rest of the palace people put down their things one after another, knelt down in panic to pay their respects, and immediately heard a muffled voice.

Wei Yunqing was grilling a bunch of small green vegetables. He glanced sideways at Yang Yi, who seemed to be taken aback by the reaction of the palace people, but turned his gaze back without any reaction, and said to Lan Tian, ​​"Lantian, bring me some skewers." The new ones are here, and the ones here are all baked."

Lan Tian was also kneeling like the palace people. Hearing Wei Yunqing's order, he raised his head and looked at Yang Yi. Seeing that he didn't respond, he hurriedly got up and ran to get the freshly dressed skewers, and handed them to Wei Yunqing.

Wei Yunqing took it and put it on the charcoal fire to roast. The only sound left on the scene was the sizzling of meat roasting in the flames.

Yang Yi stood at the gate of Yanxi Palace somewhat at a loss, Wei Yunqing was quietly baking something not far away, but he stood there like a statue, not daring to approach.

When Wei Yunqing first fell ill, his condition seemed a bit dangerous, so Yang Yi stayed by her side all the time. Later, she asked him to go back to study, and he also went to reassure her.After a long time, she recovered from her illness, and he reverted to his old ways. Concubine Zhuang came to him with something interesting. He only hesitated for a while before choosing to "relax" and take a vacation for himself.

That day, when everyone had left and all the hustle and bustle had cleared away, Yang Yi felt uneasy, thinking about how he would respond when his sister Yun Qing came to scold him.But what surprised him was that she didn't come to see him, as if she didn't know that he didn't go to study.

Yang Yi took chances because of this, and still didn't go to Wen Huai the next day.As a result, Wei Yunqing didn't look for him that day, so he felt that something was wrong.Sister Yun Qing cared so much about whether he was studying hard before, but now she seems indifferent... Could it be that she is getting sicker?

On the third day, Yang Yi was not in the mood to play anymore, so he brought a mighty crowd to the gate of Yanxi Palace, but before he reached the gate, he found that Yanxi Palace was very lively. When he got closer, he found that they were actually baking. eat.

Yang Yi asked the palace people who came with him to be silent, and carefully hid beside the palace gate and looked in, only to see Wei Yunqing grilling meat in high spirits, how could there be any signs of serious illness?
Sister Yun Qing is not sick, but she doesn't come to settle accounts with him, that is to say, she...doesn't want to care about him anymore?

Thinking of this possibility, Yang Yi panicked.Sister Yunqing's deal with him was based on him being a good emperor, but now that Sister Yunqing doesn't want to take care of him, does it mean that she still plans to leave the palace?If he didn't come to see her in a few days, would he not be able to find her?
Yang Yi was in a daze for a moment, so that he was discovered by the palace servants of Yanxi Palace and hadn't reacted yet.

He was fully prepared that Wei Yunqing would scold him, or let him let her out of the palace, but he didn't expect that she would ignore him, as if he didn't exist.

Yang Yi stood at the gate of the palace for a long time, seeing that Wei Yunqing seemed to ignore him at all, he couldn't help but walk in after all.

Under Yang Yi's instruction, the palace people got up one after another, and quietly retreated to the side. Only Wei Yunqing, Lan Tian, ​​and Lu Cui were left in the courtyard, acting as if no one else was around.

"Sister Yunqing..." Yang Yi called her softly.

"It's ready, it's delicious, don't be too polite." Wei Yunqing didn't seem to notice Yang Yi, and handed the skewers in his hand to Lu Cui, "Don't you like it very much, eat it quickly."

Lu Cui's eyes lit up when she saw the skewers, but Yang Yi was watching them eagerly. Wei Yunqing had the guts to ignore Yang Yi, but Lu Cui didn't. After taking the skewers, she said cautiously: "My lady... The emperor is here."

Wei Yunqing smiled: "What's none of your business? Eat it quickly, it won't taste good when it's cold!"

Lucui's eyes slanted to see Yang Yi's collapsed face, and she was suddenly sad——Madam, don't test the servants, the servants really can't resist...

She took the skewers with trembling hands, thanked En: "Thank you, Ma'am, for the reward..." Then she silently stepped aside.

Wei Yunqing clapped his hands, and said to Lantian and Lucui, "You guys roast first, then eat."

Then she raised her eyes and nodded her chin to Yang Yi: "Come with me." Then she walked towards the palace.

Yang Yi was overjoyed, and immediately chased after him.

Seeing that the door of the palace was closed after the two entered, in the silent atmosphere, Lan Tian smiled and greeted the people brought by Yang Yi: "Everyone, why don't you come and taste it? This is what our mother came up with, smelling the fragrance, It is more delicious to eat, the empress told us to prepare a lot, everyone just open up and eat."

At any rate, Yang Yi still remembered that Wei Yunqing didn't like Zheng Xiang, and he didn't bring Zheng Xiang when he came to find her, and Lantian and Lucui were originally from the Qianqing Palace, and they had friendship with them. People's initial hesitation gradually dissipated, and they were soon captured by the delicious food.

Compared to the hustle and bustle outside, the palace was so quiet that a needle could be heard.

After Wei Yunqing asked Yang Yi to come in with him, he didn't even think about greeting him. He sat in his seat as if in a daze, and Yang Yi stood there blankly, not knowing what he was thinking.

After a while, Yang Yi didn't speak, so Wei Yunqing didn't want to wait any longer, so he glanced at him and said, "Speak quickly if you have something to say, and leave if you don't have anything to say."

Yang Yi woke up like a dream, and immediately called out: "Sister Yunqing..." But he only called her, but didn't know what to say next.It seemed that he should come to make amends, but Sister Yunqing didn't scold him, and didn't even care whether he went to study or not. Is it still useful for him to make amends?

"What? You want to assure me once again that you will study hard and will never waste your studies like this time and last time?" Wei Yunqing said this with a bit of sarcasm. The story of "Wolf is coming" is familiar. Once you promise too much and fail to fulfill it, then the promise is meaningless.

Yang Yi's face was embarrassing, he hesitated for a long time and finally said completely: "I...I swear this is the last time! Sister Yunqing, I will not do this again in the future, you believe me again!"

"I've trusted you twice." Wei Yunqing looked at Yang Yi firmly, "You can't keep your promise. It's better to let go of our deal. I leave the palace, and you don't have to worry about someone monitoring you every day."

Yang Yi shook his head again and again: "Sister Yunqing, I will definitely be able to do it this time, this time!"

"You have made this kind of guarantee so many times, what's the use?" Wei Yunqing did not hide her disappointment, "I have believed in you twice, and I think you can overcome your shortcomings and come back to China again. Come to the right path. But the facts gave me a big slap in the face, you are weak-willed, and you surrender immediately at the slightest temptation, what can you accomplish if you are half-hearted?"

Yang Yi lowered his gaze, his face turned red and white.

Facing Wei Yunqing's questioning, he felt guilty, his face became hot when he was questioned by her, and he couldn't say anything.But another voice seemed to echo in his ears.

Zheng Xiang said, Your Majesty, you are the Ninth Five-Year Honor, how can you bear the disrespect of others?

Yang Yi could bear Wei Yunqing's disrespect towards him, because she was different from him in various senses, but thinking that perhaps she had always compared him with Yan Rusong in her heart, and always felt that he was not as good as Yan Rusong, his heart would remain There is a big pimple, which will not disappear there.

"Sister Yunqing, in your opinion, I just can't compare to Yan Rusong, can I?" In the silence, Yang Yi suddenly raised his head to look at Wei Yunqing, and asked loudly.

Wei Yunqing stared blankly, turned his eyes slightly, and suddenly met his unwilling and angry eyes.

Before Wei Yunqing could speak, Yang Yi continued: "Sister Yunqing, you have already entered the palace, why do you still think about that Yan Rusong? What is so good about him? He is just a military officer, how can he compare to me? ? I am the Son of Heaven, I am the biggest in this world, how can I be inferior to him?!"

Wei Yunqing's complexion also gradually changed.

She was forced to enter the palace and be separated from Yan Rusong. She could only feel some comfort in thinking that she would be able to leave the palace and reunite with him in the near future. All of this was thanks to Yang Yi, but he was still in her Slander Yan Rusong in front of him and speak ill of Yan Rusong.How can she bear this?
"He is good everywhere, but you can't compare to him anywhere!" Wei Yunqing squinted his eyes and looked at Yang Yi angrily. He didn't have time to take care of lifelong affairs. This is his character, and his ability is completely comparable to his noble character. If it weren't for him, the great Liang Jiangshan of your Yang family would have changed hands! He is indeed just a military officer, but But he used his hands to secure your throne, if it wasn't for him, do you think you can still sit back and relax like you are now? And what about you?"

She looked at Yang Yi indifferently: "You emperor, ignorant and lazy, like mud that can't support the wall, even if others want to push you, they can't push you. Your wrong decision-making and incompetence killed you. You killed hundreds of thousands of soldiers, but you never repented, and you listened to slander and killed Sun Shoufu! Now you don't think about making progress, and you continue to be with eunuchs, singing and dancing all day long, indulge in sensuality, and never think about the future leader What will happen! You are worthy of being compared with Yan Rusong? You can't even compare with one of his fingers!"

Yang Yi's face turned pale, and he was trembling with anger, but he couldn't speak a word.

Wei Yunqing also looked at him angrily, showing no intention of backing down.She has backed down for too long, and she has endured too much pressure and pain that she shouldn't have.The person who made her live easier was Yang Yi, but he forced her to stay in the palace regardless of her wishes, and the person who killed Sun Shoufu and made her dare not see Sun Sisi was also Yang Yi. Speaking ill of Yan Rusong, this behavior directly hit her breaking point, and made her scold him mercilessly.

"Does it mean that no matter what I do, you think I'm inferior to Yan Rusong?" Yang Yi's voice trembled.

"Yes!" Wei Yunqing replied mercilessly.

Yang Yi's eyes were wide open, his fists were clenched by his side, and his chest heaved violently.His eyes were full of unwillingness, anger, pain and resentment.

He turned around suddenly and rushed out in a few steps.

As soon as the palace people of the Qianqing Palace saw him coming out, they immediately put down the half-eaten skewers on hand.Yang Yi walked out like a gust of wind, and the palace people immediately followed, and soon half of the people in the courtyard disappeared.

When Lucui and Lantian saw Yang Yi's face, they knew that the two of them were not talking happily, and after looking at each other, they both looked worriedly at the palace.There was complete silence, Wei Yunqing didn't ask anyone to go in, and he didn't come out either.

Lan Tian hesitated for a moment, then walked to the door and said softly, "Niang Niang, are you alright?"

"...It's okay, you can eat first, don't worry about me. I'll rest for a while, don't let anyone come in." Wei Yunqing's low voice came from the room.

Lan Tian breathed a sigh of relief: "Yes, ma'am."

Seeing that Yang Yi was driven away by himself, Wei Yunqing regretted a little.But she couldn't bear to persuade him to come back immediately.

The emotions accumulated for a long time erupted at this moment, and she scolded Yang Yi recklessly, feeling really disturbed and refreshed in her heart.

What she just scolded him was from her heart.In her heart, Yang Yi is not as good as Yan Rusong, and will never be.She wasn't afraid that Yang Yi would get angry with her because of her words or something, he had no doubts about her fairy identity, at most he locked her up and looked at her like before, what else could he do?

As for whether he will do anything to Yan Rusong... Yan Rusong rescued him from the battlefield and guarded the entire beam. Without Yan Rusong, would Daliang still be alive?Da Song is still eyeing him not far away, Yang Yi will not fail to understand this.Even if he couldn't figure it out and wanted to let go of Yan Ru for a moment, she believed that someone else would stop him, or at least her. If he dared to let go of Yan Ru, she would dare to fight him!
Until the next day, Wei Yunqing discovered that Yang Yi's possible "punishment" had not yet come.Her Palace of Yanxi Palace was as peaceful as ever, there were no more royal guards surrounding her palace, and no order for her palace servants to watch her.But when she found Ding Zhengyu and said that she wanted to leave the palace, Ding Zhengyu told her apologetically that the emperor had withdrawn her right to enter and leave the palace at will.

Other than that, nothing has changed.

A few days later, Wei Yunqing received a letter from Wenhuai Trustee.Wen Huai is a foreigner, so he can't come and go in and out of the harem at will, and finally sent a letter.

After reading the letter, Wei Yunqing fell into a long silence.

Wen Huai wrote a lot of words eloquently in the letter, which is really citing scriptures and classics, and the literary talent is brilliant, but Wei Yunqing extracted some important information, and there is only one thing: the emperor will not come to me to study, what should I do?
—What else could she do?
Apart from losing the freedom to go out of the palace, one difference from the past is that Yang Yi never came to Wei Yunqing again.According to Wen Huai, Yang Yi is now singing and dancing, drinking and having fun every day, and he has changed into his previous appearance, and even worsened.

However, when the people of Yanxi Palace wanted to improve the food for Wei Yunqing and encountered snobbery, and then the steward of the imperial dining room who made things difficult was immediately reprimanded, everyone understood that the emperor's heart was still with the imperial concubine In her body, whoever dares to neglect her will have no good fruit to eat!

Things have reached an impasse.

Yang Yi didn't come to look for Wei Yunqing, and Wei Yunqing didn't want to look for him either. In the eyes of outsiders, they were like a couple in a cold war, and no one could save face and give in first.On Yang Yi's side, Zheng Xiang, Concubine Zhuang and the others were naturally happy to hear this. Even though Yang Yi mumbled Wei Yunqing's name after being drunk, they kept it a secret, and it was impossible to persuade him to go to Wei Yunqing again.On Wei Yunqing's side, Lan Tian vaguely mentioned the matter of saying something nice first, but Wei Yunqing brushed it off with a wry smile.

Wei Yunqing is actually very clear that things are not that simple.Even if she gives in and reconciles with Yang Yi, so what?Her purpose is not to please Yang Yi, but to make him a good emperor.But even if she and him can reconcile this time, and he once again makes superficial efforts to become a good emperor, all this is just useless, and then he will repeat the previous things in a cycle, and nothing will change.

Yang Yi can't be a good emperor, and she can't fulfill her promise to leave the palace.

Wei Yunqing hid in the palace and thought for a long time, her silent performance even worried Lu Cui and Lan Tian, ​​but they didn't know how to persuade them.

And Wei Yunqing didn't need their persuasion, she wasn't complaining about herself, but was always thinking of a solution to this deadlock.In the end she decided to find another way.

Maybe Yang Yi can't be a good emperor, but sometimes the imperial machine can run well without the emperor, such as when Sun Shoufu is around.

Since she can't change Yang Yi, then she can change the people around him.As long as most of the people around Yang Yi are good, he will be able to show the performance that a good emperor should have to a certain extent, and her promise to Sun Shoufu can be regarded as fulfilled.This is a big project, involving more people, but it may be much easier than changing Yang Yi. After all, there is only one Yang Yi, and if the people around him cannot be changed, they can be replaced.

(End of this chapter)