A Thousand Hills

Chapter 337

Emperor Mu Yuan is really old.

When seeing Zhao Chongyi, Xie Moru thought so.

Only old people miss youth so much.

When Xie Moru saw Zhao Chongyi, she was angry for a while, and then calmed down again. She sat on top of the princes and concubines in a graceful manner, and smiled slightly, "I participated in the three baptisms of the Thirteenth Highness a month ago, and I couldn't see Chongyi. I just heard Zhao Guifei say that His Highness the Thirteenth Prince was born like a gentleman, but if you ask me, His Highness the Thirteenth is more like Your Majesty."

Zhao Chongyi also lived in the palace for a while, her status was low before, even if she went to the Palace of Mercy to pay her respects, she would not be able to turn to her, and later she became pregnant, Empress Dowager Hu rewarded her with many things, and even summoned her twice, but Xie Moru has always been On the fifteenth day of the Lunar New Year, I came to the Mercy Palace to say hello, other than that, I never set foot in the Mercy Palace. It was such a coincidence that the two of them met for the first time today.Even though she had never met them before, Zhao Chongyi knew a little bit about the princes and concubines, especially Xie Moru, the reputation of this prince and concubine was known to everyone in the harem.It is said that even the Palace of Mercy would shy away from her. Moreover, the fifth prince was born of the former Empress of Su, and his husband and wife were honorable. Even after Empress Su passed away, Xie Moru was still the No.This can be seen from her seat.Zhao Chongyi is a little girl, she dare not have any opinion on Xie Moru, although she has a prince, the prince is only one month old, even though Emperor Mu Yuan likes him, but, regardless of her background, or someone else, she can't be with the grown-up son at all. The first prince and the fifth prince are on a par.What's more, the fifth prince is still the most powerful competitor in the East Palace, and in the future, the princes will have to live by the face of the fifth prince.However, in the past, Zhao Chongyi only heard about Princess Xie's dominance, but she didn't know that Princess Xie's words were so likable.Although she was favored by the emperor, she was born in a commoner family, a small landlord in a small county in Sichuan, and had barely a few hundred mu of land to live on. Because of her humble background, Zhao Chongyi was often ridiculed when she first entered the palace.Even if she gave birth to a prince, everyone in the palace said that the prince was like her, and even privately said that her nephew was like an uncle...Zhao Chongyi is not stupid. Aren't these people mocking her for her low birth? Besides, it sounds nice to say that the prince is like an emperor , or the words of the prince like a concubine are nice, even a fool can tell the difference clearly.

Xie Moru lightly and clearly provoked Zhao Chongyi and Zhao Guifei with a single sentence.Zhao Chongyi didn't know if she understood Xie Moru's meaning, she pursed her lips and said happily, "Yes, Your Majesty also said that the little prince looks like him, especially the eyes, as if they were carved out of the same mold."

Xie Moru asked with a smile, "Is Chong Yi still living in Concubine Zhao's palace?"

Zhao Chongyi said, "Yes."

Xie Moru sighed softly, and said, "When Chong Yi first entered the palace, her status was not obvious, so it's okay to live in the palace of Concubine Zhao Guifei. Now Chong Yi is the ninth concubine, and she has a prince, so she only has one side palace. How can I live here. Not to mention others, there must be thirty people around the prince. The empress dowager is getting old, and these trivial matters are not easy to bother her. It’s hard to move during confinement, and I’m afraid that the new palace has already been prepared for Chongyi. As a concubine, I can’t take care of the affairs of the harem, but I’m not for Chongyi, but for the little Highness. Although Xie Niang is My aunt, after all, Chongyi is in Concubine Zhao’s palace, so if I speak for the thirteenth prince, Concubine Zhao has to take care of it, whether it’s discussing with His Majesty or whatever, for the sake of the little prince, I don’t care. I'm so wronged." Saying that, she looked at Concubine Zhao sincerely.

At this time, Xie Moru was not the only one who looked at Concubine Zhao, when Xie Moru said this, everyone in the Mercy Palace looked at Concubine Zhao, Concubine Zhao was lucky to have stayed in the palace all her life, her skin was unusually thick, Covering the hotness on his face, he said with a smile, "I just wanted to report back to the Empress Dowager, the Nuanchun Hall adjacent to the east side of my palace is excellent, the hall is full of winter jasmine flowers, and there is a hundreds-year-old Osmanthus, I ordered someone to clean it up a month ago. Now that the weather is getting colder, I also lit a charcoal fire early to fumigate the house so as not to freeze the little prince. I want to discuss it with the Queen Mother today. If it's all right, I will report back to His Majesty and let Zhao Chongyi live in the Nuanchun Palace."

Empress Dowager Hu didn't care about Zhao Chongyi, she mainly valued the prince, and said to Concubine Zhao, "Make the house warmer, the child is young and is just being delicate."

Concubine Zhao smiled, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager, just rest assured."

Queen Mother Hu nodded.

Xie Moru smiled slightly at Zhao Chongyi, Zhao Chongyi was also somewhat clever, she quickly got up and thanked the Queen Mother and Concubine Zhao, Concubine Zhao hurriedly said, "I was prepared to leave early, but the Fifth Prince Concubine, although she doesn't often enter the palace, but I always remember the little prince. Although it is the first time I have met you, if you want me to say, there is a natural destiny." As she spoke, Concubine Zhao smiled lightly.

Xie Moru's smile remained unchanged, and he said, "I don't know why, but I feel kind when I see Chongyi." Then he said to Zhao Chongyi, "Chongyi is in the imperial concubine's palace, so I don't have to worry about anything, since I have a palace myself Wan, there are a lot of things to do. When you encounter problems, you still have to ask the concubine Zhao Guifei for advice, not to mention anything else, the concubine Zhao Guifei has a lot of experience in raising princes." Then, Xie Moru said to Queen Mother Hu, " The Empress Dowager, Chong Yi is so young, although the Empress Dowager gave her the palace to live by herself, after all, the prince is still young, if there is an older noble concubine who is willing to give advice to Chong Yi, it would be good."

Empress Dowager Hu didn't like Xie Moru in her heart, but today Xie Moru was always thinking about the prince, Empress Dowager Hu felt sorry for her little grandson, she felt it was justified, she couldn't help nodding, "Yes." She said to Concubine Zhao, "You are safe, I will leave their mother and child in your care."

What can Concubine Zhao say, Zhao Chongyi is in her palace, Emperor Mu Yuan goes by from time to time, and wants to talk to her, now that Zhao Chongyi is gone, Emperor Mu Yuan will not go.It's just that Zhao Chongyi's mother and son still need to be taken care of by her. If there is anything wrong, it will fall on her head!Concubine Zhao Guifei hated Xie Mo Ru's itchy teeth, she had to respond with joy on her face, and said with a smile, "Even if the Empress Dowager doesn't say anything, can't the concubine take care of herself?"

Empress Dowager Hu smiled, "You have come to reassure others, but the prince is still young and I am old, so I have to entrust it to you."

Concubine Zhao said again that she must take good care of the little prince.

In just a few words, the situation is changing.

During the days when the princesses, concubines, and concubines were all present, Concubine Zhao Guifei was pointed out by Xie Moru about the loopholes in her control of the palace. Indeed, although Zhao Chongyi was jealous of the concubines because of the emperor's favor, after all, the prince's fullness Concubine Zhao already had the right to live alone in a palace, but Concubine Zhao did not prepare the palace for Zhao Chongyi in advance.No one said anything about this matter, it was Zhao Guifei's fault if someone mentioned it.Of course, Concubine Xie is also the concubine in charge, but since Zhao Chongyi entered the palace, it has been arranged by Concubine Zhao. Concubine Xie hastily intervened in Zhao Chongyi's affairs, she just doesn't understand the rules.In the end, Princess Xie pointed out this matter, and even though Zhao Guifei relied on her thick skin to make things right, whoever is not a discerning person here has already seen the good show [-]% in his heart.

However, someone like Concubine Xie Guifei, the eldest princess of Wenkang, who knows a little bit about the past, can guess why Xie Moru suddenly embarrassed Concubine Zhao Gui.For example, some young concubines, or princesses and prince concubines, were somewhat puzzled by Xie Moru's attack, and many people were even wondering whether the eldest prince had been valued by His Majesty recently, which displeased the Fifth Prince.

There are many guesses in everyone's mind, but in Zhao Chongyi's heart, Xie Moru seems to be the most good person in the world.

Of course, Zhao Chongyi also heard Xie Moru's embarrassment to Concubine Zhao, but Xie Moru did everything for her own good. First, he won Zhao Chongyi a solitary palace, and second, he put the little prince's safety in the hands of Concubine Zhao. If there was anything wrong with the little prince, Concubine Zhao would at least have to bear the blame.Zhao Chongyi even thought that she had heard that Concubine Xie was the most respectful of rules, but seeing her now, she really looks like everyone.

Zhao Chongyi, as today's beneficiary, was full of joy, and suddenly heard a young concubine laughing, "The princess really has a destiny with Sister Chongyi, so she cares about Sister Chongyi everywhere."

Seeing that this concubine is also very young, Xie Moru looked at Concubine Xie with some puzzlement, and said, "This is the new beauty Zhang."

Xie Moru glanced at Li Meiren and asked, "What's the matter with Zhang Meiren?"

Zhang Meiren is only fifteen or sixteen years old, with almond eyes and a round face. She has a charming appearance, and she speaks softly, but she dares to speak in the Palace of Mercy even if she is the last one to accompany her. I know that I am afraid that I am quite favored by the emperor recently.Xie Moru asked straightforwardly. In fact, nobles always like to be reserved. If you ask Xie Moru like this, if you want to put others aside, it will be embarrassing on your face, but Zhang Meiren seems not aware of it. It's been a long time. Sister Chongyi misses her family members very much recently. Sister Chongyi's ancestral home is in Shuzhong, which is quite far away from the imperial capital. I heard that the fiefdom of the fifth prince is in Shuzhong. Zhao Chongyi misses her natal family very much. Some of my mother's family."

As soon as these words came out, Concubine Zhao Gui had displeasure on her face.

Without waiting for Xie Moru's reaction, Zhao Chongyi said anxiously, "Sister Zhang, why am I homesick, how can you say such things to the princess."

Zhang Meiren put on a frank face, and asked in puzzlement, "Didn't Sister Zhao just tell me about it yesterday?" As she spoke, she looked at Xie Moru expectantly, Zhao Chongyi's face flushed with embarrassment, and she was extremely sorry Said, "Princess, don't listen to Sister Zhang's nonsense, I just casually told Sister Zhang about the scenery of returning home, but she thought I was homesick."

Xie Moru handed the brass hand stove in his hand to the maid to hold it, with a smile on his lips, and said, "Chongyi has not entered the palace for a long time, and she is still young. It is human nature to miss home. But, Chongyi As His Majesty's beloved concubine, she is considered to be the concubine's mother of the princes. My Highness is the vassal king of the dynasty. Without His Majesty's will, I absolutely cannot make friends with the concubine's mother's family. Chong Yi knows the rules, so I don't want to embarrass me. It's just , where is it that everyone understands things like a pretentious instrument? The queen mother passed away, and His Majesty did not want the queen mother to bother her, so she handed over the harem to the concubine Zhao Guifei and the aunt. Fortunately, this palace is full of our own family members. Wouldn’t it be a joke for others to know about it.”

Zhang Meiren's complexion was already a bit ugly, and at this moment she looked at Xie Moru with tears in her eyes, and said tremblingly, "My wife, my wife is inattentive, don't be angry, my lady."

Xie Moru was quite surprised, "Did I say something? Why did Zhang Meiren describe it like that? In front of the empress dowager, how could she be so teary-eyed? How could the old man see this. Right now it is the little prince just It's really unlucky to have a happy day with a full moon."

The Empress Dowager Hu was indeed a little displeased, and Concubine Zhao hurriedly said, "Ms. Zhang is always timid. The fifth daughter-in-law should not be as knowledgeable as her."

Xie Moru smiled, "Look at what Zhao Guifei said, Zhang Meiren is Your Majesty's concubine, and I am the prince's concubine. If I didn't come to pay my respects to the Queen Mother, I'm afraid I wouldn't even see her. If you want me to say, she is not like Zhao Guifei." Trained by such a smart person, Concubine Zhao has always been a person who speaks clearly and quickly. I thought you liked people like Chong Yi who understand rules and etiquette. It turns out that Concubine Zhao has changed her taste recently, and she prefers this pear blossom Spring brings rain. I was also mistaken, when I saw Zhang Meiren speak bluntly at first, I thought she was a fool."

Concubine Xie smiled and said, "It's normal for my taste to change as I get older. I used to say that I couldn't touch anything spicy, but now I don't like anything spicy."

Xie Moru smiled, "The best peppers produced in Sichuan, next time I go to the palace, I will bring some for my aunt."

"Then I will suffer."

"Auntie doesn't have anything here, it's just giving me a chance to be filial."

Concubine Zhao Gui was satirized thoroughly, but the aunt and nephew started talking and laughing.After a while, Empress Dowager Hu was a little tired, leaving only Princess Wenkang talking by her side.Everyone got up and left.After leaving the Palace of Mercy, Concubine Xie Guifei said to Xie Moru, "Come to my palace later, let's talk." As he spoke, he glanced at Zhao Chongyi who was looking at Xie Moru not far away, gave Xie Moru a wink, and then supported him. The third concubine's hand left first.

Zhao Chongyi said something apologetic to Xie Moru, but Xie Moru didn't say anything. When she looked into Zhao Chongyi's frightened and uneasy eyes, Xie Moru's mood had completely calmed down. At first, she felt that Zhao Chongyi's appearance was somewhat similar to that of her mother. They are similar, but they are not the same when you look closely.Her mother never panicked.Going forward to re-tie the cloak strap around Zhao Chongyi's neck, Xie Moru said, "It's cold outside, Chongyi go back quickly."

When Xie Moru arrived at Linzhi Palace, the third concubine was not there, nor was Mrs. Xie. Xie Moru knew that Mrs. Xie was old, so although she could come to the palace to greet Concubine Xie on the fifteenth day of the lunar new year, how could it be easy to enter the palace? Yes, you have to get up in the middle of the night, and it takes two or three hours to see people.Concubine Xie felt sorry for her mother's old age, so she refused to let Mrs. Xie come. From this year onwards, only Xie Zhi's wife Wu Shi came.

Xie Moru also said, "Siblings didn't enter the palace to pay their respects?"

"Everything is fine here. It just so happened that your third sister-in-law came over just now, so I let them talk together." Concubine Xie waved off the palace servants and sighed, "You already know."

Xie Moru said, "What is aunt referring to?"

Concubine Xie Guifei was a little astonished, and then smiled slightly, "So, I feel relieved." These days, she was really worried that Xie Moru would be extremely unhappy if she met Zhao Chongyi. But Xie Moru, this person doesn't care where and when he gets angry, not to mention, Xie Moru even had a fit with Queen Mother Hu.Concubine Xie Guifei didn't dare to infer Xie Moru's reaction, but Xie Moru's reaction today was better than Concubine Xie Guifei expected.Concubine Xie was also very angry with Concubine Zhao, even if Mrs. Wei was buried in the Mausoleum of Princess Fusheng, it would be Xie's wife.Concubine Zhao's move not only made Xie Moru angry, Concubine Xie was already very unhappy.However, Emperor Mu Yuan has been very partial to Shu girls recently, especially Zhao Chongyi, who also gave birth to thirteen princes.As a result, Concubine Zhao has become very popular in the harem recently, and Concubine Xie has no choice but to endure it for the time being.Today, Xie Moru came forward to expose Concubine Zhao's face, Concubine Xie deeply felt her hatred, and said to Xie Moru, "We are the flesh and blood of direct relatives, no outsiders can compare, when you enter the palace, just come and sit in my palace."

Xie Moru smiled, "I have to disturb my aunt."

Concubine Xie waved her hand, "Why be so heretic. I've always been soft-tempered. At the beginning, Concubine Feng was just behind Concubine Zhao, and your third brother was under the eldest prince in terms of age. Sometimes, I just suffer. Don't talk about Zhao Chongyi's matter." As she spoke, Concubine Xie sighed, "You have your own sense of propriety, and I'm just giving you a warning." She chatted with Xie Moru a lot.

Concubine Xie originally wanted to keep Xie Moru for lunch, Xie Moru said, "Concubine Zhao will definitely take her anger out on sister-in-law, I'll go over and have a look, lest sister-in-law be implicated because of me."

Concubine Xie admired, "It's you, with such a heart." Concubine Xie did not praise Mo Ru for being broad-minded, but that once Xie Mo Ru left, there would inevitably be a rift between Concubine Zhao's mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.Thinking of what Xie Moru did, he just divorced Zhao Chongyi and Zhao Guifei, and now he is going to separate Zhao Guifei and the First Prince Concubine, even if the divorce plan doesn't work for a while, as long as there is a trace of suspicion in the heart, there will be a day , will eventually show results.Concubine Xie Guifei couldn't help sighing again, regretting that she didn't listen to her parents at the beginning.Concubine Xie got up to see her off, but was stopped by Xie Moru, Xie Moru said, "If my aunt is so polite, I won't dare to come here again."

Concubine Xie smiled affectionately, patted Xie Moru's hand, and made her confidant palace send Xie Moru out.

Concubine Xie's Linzhi Palace and Concubine Zhao's Zhaoyang Palace are facing each other from east to west, only separated by a bluestone road, that is to say, after leaving the gate of Linzhi Palace, the opposite door is Zhaoyang Palace.Xie Moru didn't go to Linzhi Palace much, let alone Zhaoyang Palace?Xie Moru felt the tense atmosphere of Zhaoyang Palace as soon as he opened the door of Zhaoyang Palace. After Xie Moru went to the main hall of Zhaoyang Palace, the eyes of the first princess were still red and swollen. Concubine Zhao smiled, "Why do you come here when you have time? gone?"

Xie Moru said, "Before I came, I made an appointment with my sister-in-law, saying that I would go to Le Chongyuan's place to see the emperor's granddaughter. If my sister-in-law is inconvenient, I will go first."

Concubine Zhao held back her anger and said to her daughter-in-law, "Then you go." Deep down, she felt that her daughter-in-law was useless, and she sat in the Palace of Mercy and watched her being slapped by this surname Xie, but she didn't even give a word of support.What's the use of having such a daughter-in-law!Concubine Zhao Gui is really mad!They are all princes and concubines. Xie Moru, a rascal, still takes up the word "powerful". Her daughter-in-law here is just a piece of wood!Watching my mother-in-law being bullied will not make a sound!Concubine Zhao Gui is simply pissed off!

In fact, Concubine Zhao didn't want to think about it, if she really took advantage of it, she would have to suffer from Xie Moru, she could only smooth things over for herself, what can the First Concubine say?In fact, the eldest concubine also felt that Zhang Meiren really didn't know the rules and etiquette, and her scheming was even more disgusting!
The eldest concubine is also a mother-in-law, so she didn't want to be angry with her mother-in-law, so she saluted Concubine Zhao and thanked Mo Ru.Along the way, Xie Moru didn't say anything.The eldest prince's concubine was even less in the mood to talk, but when she was scolded by her mother-in-law, the first prince's concubine had no time to think, but now, with the cold wind blowing, the eldest prince's mind became clearer.The eldest concubine and Xie Moru have been sisters-in-law for many years, and they also have some understanding of Xie Moru's temper. Some people only say that Xie Moru has a big temper and will explode at every turn, but the eldest concubine has been with Xie Moru for many years, and knows that Xie Moru is not a bad person. Reasonable people.If she hadn't really offended her, why would she have to be in charge of the noble concubine.Don't mention any disputes between the First Prince and the Fifth Prince, since the day Empress Su came into power, the First Prince's concubine has given up her mind. Although her husband is the eldest son, none of them can compare with the Fifth Prince in terms of his status and achievements.Even the court dispute is no longer a day, Xie Moru will enter the palace on the first and fifteenth day of every month, how could it not happen sooner or later, but today I gave my mother-in-law such a big embarrassment, it is like taking the mother-in-law's face off You have to step on the ground with three legs.

Concubine Xie Guifei's reaction is also very strange, Concubine Xie Guifei has always been a kind person, but Xie Moru is unhappy, she has always stopped her, how could it be like today, she followed her mother-in-law very unceremoniously and satirized her once.

All kinds of anomalies, the eldest concubine couldn't think about it, had to check it out.

Xie Moru said to see Le Chongyuan, and the two went to Le Chongyuan's place for a while, and each went back to each mansion.

For Xie Moru, this is still an ordinary day in many days. She casually told the Fifth Prince about what happened in the palace, and said, "Chong Yi is a person who knows how to advance and retreat. People like her are favored by His Majesty. There is some truth to it, but that beauty Zhang is very funny, to say such a thing in the Mercy Palace. Isn't this an obvious provocation. They were all sent to the palace by Governor Li of Shuzhong. If you want to take care of Zhao Chongyi's family, Governor Li's words, it happened that Beauty Zhang wanted to say that in the Charity Palace. Hey, next time I send a letter to Zhang Changshi, I have to tell him to be more cautious. Governor Li, after all, I am closer to the First Prince."

The fifth prince hated stupid people the most in his life, especially Zhang Meiren, who was already a stupid person who wanted to make a fuss out of nothing.The fifth prince couldn't say that the harem concubines were not, so he said, "If Governor Li is a good one, he can't do anything to show his beauty." Thinking about it, the middle of Sichuan is his fiefdom, so it's not easy to let a person who is close to the eldest prince stay in the governor for a long time position.

Xie Moru said, "Your Majesty is already old."

A few days later, Emperor Mu Yuan's behavior confirmed Xie Moru's judgment. Emperor Mu Yuan even sent his servants to reward Zhao Chongyi's natal family.If it was Emperor Mu Yuan when he was young, this would definitely not be the case.In particular, Xie Moru had obtained the information of Zhao Chongyi, Xie Moru said lightly, "This Zhao family has a very big spectrum."

The Fifth Prince asked, "What's wrong?"

"Since Zhao Chongyi entered the palace, the landlord Zhao's family has been very rampant. He even asked my uncle to preside over the ritual for his family."

The fifth prince knew that Uncle Fang had become a Taoist priest, but he was very objective about it, and said, "What knowledge do people in the countryside have?"

Xie Moru didn't say much, but said again, "Your Majesty is really old." Otherwise, how could he reward a small rural landlord.

The fifth prince said, "Father understands that, he just rewarded Zhao's family with some things, but did not give officials."

If Emperor Mu Yuan was young, he probably wouldn't let his servants go to reward him at all.Every move of the Son of Heaven attracts people's attention. Even if the Son of Heaven does not bestow an official on the Landlord Zhao, the Emperor personally rewards him.

People are old and affectionate.

People are old and confused.

(End of this chapter)