A Thousand Hills

Chapter 262

This new year is still lively, but compared to previous years, the festive feeling is still a bit less.This is true both inside and outside the palace.Because the fifth prince was not in the imperial capital, the New Year's rewards given to Prince Fujian's mansion by the palace were extraordinarily heavy, even surpassing the rewards given to the Eastern Palace.

When Xie Moru brought the children into the palace for New Year's wine, Empress Dowager Hu had a stiff face, and she treated Xie Moru with a stiff and kind manner.As long as Empress Dowager Hu doesn't trouble her, Xie Moru is also happy to show the royal family's unity. Princess Wenkang asked about the fifth prince with great concern. I can't go back to the imperial capital for the New Year, and the children have written letters to His Highness. I'm afraid he's just reporting good news but not bad news, but think about it, Jingjiang has been operating in the south of the Yangtze River for dozens of years, and he suddenly exerted his strength, and went north and stopped at Zhili Mansion. Forget it, but now there is nothing to do with this corner of the south of the Yangtze River. I don't know if Jingjiang has a false name, or His Highness is well trained and his subordinates are capable?"

Princess Wenkang laughed, "I'm afraid it's both."

Xie Moru's face could not see the slightest worry about the fifth prince anyway, and when he talked to the royal family and nobles who came to the palace for the banquet, he was still charming and unmatched.On the contrary, the Crown Princess tried her best to show some festive joy, but there was a lingering melancholy between her brows. As for the Crown Princess's melancholy, everyone understood very well: what did the Crown Prince do in Jiangnan? Know what you should know.It will be abnormal if the palace rewards the Prince of Fujian's mansion for surpassing the East Palace during the New Year's Eve.

In all circles, only the newcomers laugh and the old ones cry.

This is especially true of the wealthy circle.

As soon as Princess Xie sat down, countless people began to speculate on her intentions, not to mention, Princess Xie was obviously in a good mood today, and there were many people who flattered her.

Empress Dowager Hu watched from above, thinking to herself, what a heartless woman!What kind of life does Lao Wu live in the war outside, look how excited she is!

If it was in the past, Empress Dowager Hu would have expressed her opinion on Xie Moru's big show, but today's palace banquet, she got double orders from her son and daughter, she must treat Xie Moru generously.Empress Dowager Hu gritted her teeth and endured, sitting and watching Xie Moru's slick communication, her heart was depressed and she wished she could vomit old blood.

Xie Moru is like a fish in water, Empress Dowager Hu wished she could just go blind and see nothing, so as not to keep her eyes open but sit back and watch Xie Moru complacent.It was so easy to make it to the palace banquet, how many orders regretted not being able to talk to Princess Xie, Empress Dowager Hu couldn't wait to say, "Let's go to the banquet now." Helping the palace servants to lead the way to the banquet hall.

The banquets this year are different from those in the past. In the past, the banquets must be hosted by the Empress Dowager Hu and the courtiers by the Emperor Mu Yuan. The next year is a day of reunion. The royal reunion banquet will be attended by princes, concubines and concubines. The emperor's grandson, granddaughter, and various relatives of the royal family.Therefore, at this banquet, Emperor Mu Yuan accompanied Empress Dowager Hu to a seat, and then ordered Princess Wenkang, Princess Changtai, the second son of the prince Mu Biao, and Dalang from the fifth prince's family to sit with him.

This arrangement is also very reasonable. Let me talk about the two patients who were unable to attend the palace banquet. Ever since the Jingjiang rebellion, Princess Ningrong has been saying that she is sick at home. Emperor Mu Yuan is very kind, and the reward for Princess Ningrong is still the same. The eldest princess was unable to attend the palace banquet, so she also gave a table of noodles.Princess Ningrong is one of the patients who asked for leave. The second is the eldest son of the prince, Mu Tan, a classmate. The grandson was injured by the rebels and has not yet recovered. Things, don't let the grandson be wronged.

These two people are on sick leave, and there are two other people who are on leave. They are Princess Jingjiang, who has not shown up in the imperial capital for a long time, and the seventh son of King Jingjiang, Mu Qilang. The king of Jingjiang rebelled, and the two of them wisely went to break up with the rebel father. As for the relationship, Emperor Mu Yuan has always planned to give the heads of the two of them to King Jingjiang if Jingjiang soldiers arrive at the imperial capital.As a result, King Jingjiang stopped at Zhili Mansion, and Emperor Mu Yuan didn't want their lives. These two people live in seclusion now, and it is reasonable not to come to the palace banquet.

As for the arrangement of the chief seat, it is also very simple. Princess Wenkang is the direct sister of Emperor Mu Yuan. Since the chief of the palace banquet in the coming year, there has always been a place for Princess Wenkang.What's more, for the sake of her brother's country, Princess Wenkang's son and husband will join the battle, and Emperor Mu Yuan has to treat his sister more favorably.There is also Princess Changtai, who has not been the chief for a long time. In the past, Princess Yongfu was the one who took her position, but since Xie Moru rectified the etiquette and inferiority of the old Mu family, this seat belongs to her.She is the most respected person in the princess generation.Then there is Mu Biao, the second son of the prince. His elder brother was injured and couldn't come. Mu Biao came to sit down, which also represented Emperor Mu Yuan's attitude towards the East Palace.As for Da Lang, it was the first time in his life to sit at the table with the emperor's grandfather. Fortunately, he was used to being the eldest brother at home, and he was always dignified.Of course, since the King of Fujian is not in the imperial capital, His Majesty treats his son differently, which is justified.

As for whether other people will have another interpretation, it seems that it is not in Emperor Mu Yuan's consideration.

Emperor Mu Yuan made a New Year's speech first, and all he said were good words to summarize the present and look forward to the future. After the speech was over, everyone enjoyed the singing and dancing fireworks together and enjoyed the palace banquet.

Just after eating a few chopsticks, Xie Moru received two dishes from Empress Dowager Hu, one with pear slices and steamed duck, and one with crystal elbow.They are all big dishes, Xie Moru got up to thank them, Empress Dowager Hu still smiled and said, "My good boy, there is no need to salute. I tasted it and it was fine, you can taste it too."

Xie Moru still saluted, and sat down again. In fact, the prince and concubine also had these two dishes on the table, but the plates were different. The imperial table was made of gold utensils. When it came to the table of the prince and concubine, It is downgraded and used silverware.

Xie Moru really tasted it, and greeted the other princes and concubines, "It tastes different from what we eat. My sister-in-law and younger siblings have to try it. It really deserves to be the craftsmanship of the imperial dining room." The imperial dining room is dedicated to Emperor Mu Yuan. A place to eat.You know, such as the imperial dining room, it will not cook for anyone other than Emperor Mu Yuan.Even the Empress Dowager Hu can't command the people in the imperial dining room.However, like Queen Mother Hu, she also has her own dining room, the longevity dining room.Furthermore, like the two noble concubines of Zhao Xie, who have always been in power in the harem, they also have their own small kitchens, but no matter their specifications or ostentation, they cannot be compared with the imperial dining room and the longevity dining room.And like Concubine Su, her rank is slightly lower than that of the imperial concubine, but she is also one of the four concubines. There are also palace servants in charge of the tea stove in the palace. There is no kitchen, it's just a big pot meal.

Therefore, Xie Moru said that the taste of these two dishes is different from the ones on their table, it is not false, everyone tasted it, and they all said it tasted good.The fourth prince and concubine also said, "Today, I will be honored by my fifth sibling."

The sixth concubine, Tie Shi, has some gourmet hobbies on weekdays. She smiled, "Especially this steamed duck with pear slices. I asked someone to make it at home, and I always feel that the taste is not as good as this."

The third prince and concubine laughed, "I think it's the secret recipe unique to the master of the imperial dining room."

The eldest prince concubine said, "The cooking methods of each stove are also different. Sometimes, even if the method is the same, the taste is different."

The princess said, "That's right."

Empress Dowager Hu gave Xie Moru two dishes with a stiff face. Xie Moru was very generous, and the princes and concubines were also very generous. After a while, the little servant went over and said, "Princess Min praised the taste, the princess, the eldest princess, and the third prince concubine The fourth concubine and the sixth concubine also said that the food was cooked well."

Empress Dowager Hu glanced at Xie Moru, seeing the prince and concubine talking and laughing at the table, she panicked even more.Princess Wenkang saw that her mother's clothes were so unnatural, and she deeply felt that her mother hadn't accomplished anything in most of her life, why couldn't she even pretend to be good?
Princess Wenkang simply took care of Mu Biao and Da Lang, and said with a smile, "It's time for you to grow up, eat more."

Empress Dowager Hu felt that looking at Xie Moru was an eyesore, so she straightened her mind and talked to her great-grandsons, and asked, "Does it still taste good? If you want to eat anything, just tell me, and I will ask them to cook it."

Both of them naturally said that the taste was good. Queen Mother Hu always cared about her children and grandchildren and insisted on asking the two of them if there was anything else they wanted to eat. It is a great blessing for my grandfather to have a meal with me, and my grandson is so grateful that it is even better than delicacies from mountains and seas."

Da Lang put on a serious face, feeling a little anxious in his heart, thinking that he used to come to the palace with his parents for dinner, and basically no one paid attention to him, so there was no need to say these words.Cousin Biao knows how to say that, what can he say?In particular, cousin Biao spoke so sincerely and so smoothly that Da Lang didn't know how to deal with the trouble for a while.But he couldn't help but say, so Dalang didn't come to think too much, so he said honestly, "Old Ancestor, this is already very good. The things here have many varieties and good taste. It's delicious. Don't think about us all the time, you should eat more, this Sanbai soup tastes good, try it."

"Okay, okay." The great-grandsons were very sensible, and the Empress Dowager Hu was very happy. The palace servants behind her had already offered a bowl of Sanbai soup to the Empress Dowager Hu with great insight. After the Queen Mother tasted it, she really liked it.This Sanbai soup is a vegetarian soup with simple ingredients. The main ingredients are cabbage, winter bamboo shoots, and tofu. It is a light soup.Now that the table is full of fish and meat, the first time I tasted this vegetarian soup, Queen Mother Hu naturally felt that it tasted good.

Seeing that Empress Dowager Hu liked it, Da Lang pursed his lips and smiled, and was also very happy, feeling that his great-grandmother gave him face very much.

Mu Biao couldn't help but look at Da Lang more, Princess Wenkang nodded secretly, she really is the same kind of rice to support all kinds of people, Mu Biao is also the son of the crown princess, it is impossible to be careless in education.Dalang is just a concubine, of course, there is no concubine in the Min Palace, Xie Moru has always been diligent in teaching the concubine and the concubine, but he doesn't want to teach so outstandingly, he is better than Mu Biao in dealing with it.

In fact, Da Lang really didn't deliberately deal with it.The main reason is that he ate with Xie Moru since he was a child. Xie Moru has always paid attention to the way of keeping in good health. Therefore, the meals in the Fujian Palace are all suitable for meat and vegetables. The table is never full of fish and meat. Of course, fresh vegetables in winter are better than fish. It's even more expensive by three cents.But this also shows Dalang's eating habits. When he saw the table full of meat, he fell in love with Sanbai soup first, and when he asked the Queen Mother Hu, he just said what he thought.

Da Lang really believed that the meaty feast should be served with vegetarian soup later.

Empress Dowager Hu looked at Da Lang pleasingly, so she didn't want to thank Moru for being so annoying.

In particular, Empress Dowager Hu is also a strange person. She sees that Xie Moru is not going well in every way, but she likes Dalang from the bottom of her heart. Great grandson, especially the great grandson who is pleasing to the eye, Empress Dowager Hu is a real person. She tastes This soup is not bad, so I said to the emperor's son, "Try it too, the emperor, this soup is good." He also ordered someone to serve a bowl for his daughter, Princess Wenkang, and then, after really ignoring Princess Changtai, ordered The servant, "Send a bowl to Yongfu." Princess Yongfu's biological mother is the niece of Empress Dowager Hu, so Empress Dowager Hu naturally prefers Princess Yongfu.

Princess Changtai is not short of this bowl of soup, and she is a little embarrassed by the ostentatious neglect of Queen Mother Hu.

Fortunately, Princess Changtai is well-mannered, and it's not that she has never drank Sanbai Tang in her eight hundred lifetimes. She squeezed the spoon slightly with her fingers, and Princess Changtai smiled, and the matter was over.

When the palace banquet was over, the princes, princesses, concubines, concubines, grandsons, and granddaughters who were away stood up to leave. Xie Moru took the children out of the palace and returned to the mansion. After getting home, San Lang was still asking Da Lang, " Brother, are you nervous about eating at the same table as the imperial grandfather?"

Erlang asked, "How does imperial food taste, brother?"

Shiro said, "The usual meals in our house are also delicious."

Wu Lang said, "It's different, the elder brother still has the guts, if you ask me to have dinner with the imperial grandfather, I will definitely be nervous."

Liu Lang smiled and listened to his brothers, and Sister Xin said quickly, "Look at your talents. Although the emperor is the emperor, he is also our grandfather. Why are you nervous? When will I catch up with the emperor tomorrow?" Said, let the old man give me a taste of the royal meal, I can't just give it to my elder brother to eat."

It was the first time in Dalang's life that he sat with the chief on such an occasion, he was a little unsteady, touched his face and said, "Delicious is delicious, but the people sitting at the same table are all elders, and it's not at our own house, so I'm worried." I'm rude. Especially, Brother A Biao can talk like that, I don't even know what to say."

"What did he say? Brother A Biao has always opened his mouth properly and kept his mouth shut. I don't like to listen to him." Because he was far away, San Lang didn't know what happened during Da Lang's dinner, but he defended his elder brother .

Da Lang told the story, and San Lang curled his lips when he heard it, and said, "Just have a meal with the elders, and there is nothing to say about gratitude. What he said is fake! It's better that you said it, brother, it seems true and true." affectionate."

Da Lang said, "I really can't think of any good ones, so I have something to say, but will it look silly?"

"No, no!" The siblings answered in unison.

Da Lang regained his confidence.

The children's minds were simple, and everyone chatted about the matter of Da Lang sitting with the chief, and when it was getting late, Xie Moru sent them to go back to sleep.

Tonight, I don't know how many people will have difficulty falling asleep.

At least Concubine Xie is one of them.

Throughout the night, Concubine Xie maintained a soft and dignified smile on her face, but if someone observes carefully, they will find that Concubine Xie's demeanor is too standard, even the arc of the corners of her lips has a slight change. So much so that Concubine Xie's expression and demeanor were so perfect that she didn't look like a real person, but she seemed to have put an elegant and noble mask on her face.

Concubine Xie is not like Empress Dowager Hu who finds Xie Moru's limelight distasteful. Concubine Xie feels chills in her heart. She is still in power today. Have you started to flatter the blood descendants of a concubine princess again?
This night, Concubine Xie's eyes were always following Xie Moru. Xie Moru's surname was Xie, but she obviously inherited her maternal blood well. Under the Hu family, however, her leisurely posture seemed to say that she is the master here, and she is the master of the imperial power!

Concubine Xie knew clearly that she regretted it.

At this time, if you say you don't regret it, it's just a stubborn mouth.

She regrets it.

How could she not regret it?

She didn't know that Xie Moru was such a talented Wang Zuo!
She did not expect that Xie Moru could go this far!
Princess Fusheng can rest in peace, but after 30 years, her descendants have returned to the center of the empire's power, and all eyes are on them!
(End of this chapter)