Chapter 82 He's Here

Zhen Tingyun and Madam Pei sat in the carriage and waited for a while. The carriages in front passed one by one, and it was their turn soon.

The guards at the gate of the palace checked the carriage and the people in the carriage according to the rules, determined their identities, and quickly let them in. Of course, they will not be allowed to wander around the palace, and soon someone will lead them to the side hall of the Ci'en Palace and let them wait in the side hall first.

Mrs. Pei explained to Zhen Tingyun in a low voice: "The queen mother should be at the front to receive congratulations from the ministers, and she will wait until she returns to the Ci'en Palace from the front, and then the princess will lead me into the palace and salute." She was worried about Zhen Tingyun was too nervous, so he deliberately comforted him, "It's just a cutscene, don't be too nervous."

Zhen Tingyun nodded and said secretly: No wonder he had to get up so early in the morning to prepare, this whole process is tedious enough.

However, this is the place in the palace, where you need to be cautious in words and deeds. Although Zhen Tingyun was a little sullen in his heart, his face was still submissive, and he just nodded to show that he understood.

After entering the side hall, there are already many orders waiting inside.

Zhen Tingyun and Mrs. Pei came not too early, but not too late. They waited in the side hall for half an hour, and they almost heated up the makeup on their faces, so they were summoned by the queen mother. Princess Yan in front and Princess Huiguo entered the hall together to celebrate their birthday.

This salutation gesture, Li Mama has taught several times before and after - after all, a group of people have the same attitude, if she does not do well, it will show immediately. It was also because of Mamma Li's teaching that Zhen Tingyun's movements were a little stiff, but they were successfully completed.

Then the queen mother excused the ceremony and made everyone get up and return to their places.

Zhen Tingyun got up with Mrs. Pei. Mrs. Pei had a position as a first-class official, but Zhen Tingyun could only stand on the side. Fortunately, she was mentally prepared, and only stood on one side respectfully and behaved well. of. However, she quickly noticed the sight from the boss.

That gaze was undisguised, as sharp as a sword, looking at her from beginning to end, with a hint of unspeakable malice.

As a servant girl, Zhen Tingyun couldn't look up and looked back. He could only speculate in his heart who was looking at her now.

When she just entered the hall, she glanced roughly, and the one sitting in the middle of the phoenix should be the legendary Empress Dowager Zheng, and the royal princess and the princess were sitting on the left and right sides. Not only Princess Yan and Princess Huiguo whom Zhen Tingyun had met earlier, but also some elderly princesses and Princess Taichang.

To be honest, Zhen Tingyun only knew Princess Yan and Princess Huiguo. Based on what she saw at the lotus banquet that day, these two would never look at her with such implicitly malicious eyes... ...So, is it the noble person above who is looking at her like this?

Just when Zhen Tingyun was in shock, he suddenly heard the voice of Empress Dowager Zheng and Princess Yan joking.

Most of the people in the hall are respectful and careful, and only Empress Dowager Zheng, who is the main lord today, can talk and laugh so casually and naturally. The surroundings were extremely quiet, but Empress Dowager Zheng's voice was soft but very clear. It sounded soft and tactful, and seemed to have a soft sweetness all over her body: "I heard that the Queen's Sister-in-law likes that girl from the Zhen family very much, and she gave her a gift to her. Ruyi, I'm so curious in my heart, I've been thinking about seeing him for a long time, but I've been in the palace all the time, and I haven't had a chance."

Before Princess Yan could respond, Empress Dowager Zheng called out in a lazy and casual voice, "I remember her name was added to the palace banquet today, but she's here?"

The female official who was standing beside Empress Dowager Zheng immediately understood and called out Zhen Tingyun's name and asked her to come out and salute Empress Dowager Zheng.

Madam Pei was also very surprised, but she still shook her granddaughter's hand gently for comfort.

Zhen Tingyun took a deep breath, and had to hear the sound and stepped forward, saluting and greeting: "My servant Zhen Tingyun, congratulations to the Empress Dowager Qianqiu."

Empress Dowager Zheng sat on the head, leaning back slightly, and the hands holding the armrest were gently rubbing the phoenix head on the relief. She watched with joy as Zhen Tingyun knelt down and kowtowed, squinted her eyes and didn't cry out, she just let her kneel in the hall like this, as if watching carefully.

The center of the hall was extremely quiet, and no one made a sound at this time. Princess Yan and the eldest princess Huiguo felt bad in their hearts. They were about to open their mouths to relieve the siege, but they heard Empress Dowager Zheng smile softly, and said softly to Zhen Ting. : "You kneel closer, so far, I can't see your face clearly."

Since Empress Dowager Zheng didn't let her get up, Zhen Tingyun had to move forward on his knees.

Sitting to the left and right are the imperial court officials, the first seated are the Empress Dowager Zheng and the princesses, and the maids and eunuchs are standing by the side. Only Zhen Tingyun is kneeling in the hall, and she can almost feel the gazes falling on her. .

Such as mang in the back.

Zhen Tingyun's expression was the same as usual, but he didn't realize that there was an indescribable grievance in his heart: Although the Queen Mother has a distinguished status, and her status is estimated to be the lowest in the temple, it's nothing to kneel down, it's all right Happy birthday to Empress Dowager Zheng. But Zhen Tingyun was only a teenage girl after all. Although she had gone through some things before, the almost deliberate humiliation of Empress Dowager Zheng in front of so many things still made her a little unbearable.

Empress Dowager Zheng was still chatting and laughing, seeing Zhen Tingyun kneeling on the ground and moving closer, she said, "Look up and show me."

Zhen Tingyun followed the rules taught to her by Li Ma, and raised her head slightly, just enough to make the Empress Dowager Zheng, who was sitting on the top, see her face clearly without breaking the rules, showing respect.

Empress Dowager Zheng frowned slightly, seemingly unhappy: "Raise it a little more."

Zhen Tingyun had no choice but to look up at Empress Dowager Zheng.

Because of the proximity, Zhen Tingyun could even see Empress Dowager Zheng's face very clearly - even, under the bright light, that face was almost completely visible.

Empress Dowager Zheng is younger and more beautiful than Zhen Tingyun imagined. Because today is her birthday, she is wearing a golden crown, wearing a scarlet phoenix robe, and her makeup is exquisite. Under the reflection of the pearl green, her face is as "stunningly beautiful" as Li Ma said.

Even, because Zhen Tingyun was kneeling and looking up, she looked at Empress Dowager Zheng who was sitting high in the phoenix position, only to feel that the other party's compelling beauty was like the bright light on the snow, which made people dare not look at it for a long time.

At the same time, Empress Dowager Zheng also looked at Zhen Tingyun's face carefully, picking out the faults in her heart as she watched: the eyebrows were too thin, the nose was not straight enough, and the lips were not red enough. Girl, is it too immature? How could Fu Changxi fall in love with such a little girl?

Empress Dowager Zheng pondered in her heart, her eyes swept across Princess Huiguo and Princess Yan who were fidgeting on one side and wanted to speak, she sneered in her heart, but she showed kindness on her face, and said with a smile: "It really is a child of the mark, get up quickly. Bar."

Zhen Tingyun's knees were a little weak, and when he got up, he paused for a while, but he still stood up straight.

Empress Dowager Zheng waved to her again, but she actually held her hand, pulled her to her, smiled and said to Princess Yan, "The Queen's Wife has a vision, and I haven't seen such a girl with such an outstanding mark for many years. Now, I can't bear to miss her for a moment."

Princess Yan's smile was a little reluctant, but she still responded with a smile: "It is her blessing to be able to praise the queen mother. But I see that this girl is a little shy, why don't she go back to her grandmother, save money terrified her."

Empress Dowager Zheng raised her eyebrows, her brows were like spring mountains, and her eyes were like spring water. She said lightly, "Does the Queen's Wife think I'm scary?"

Princess Yan couldn't help but say: "It's my blunder, I'll punish myself for a cup."

Empress Dowager Zheng watched her drink, then took Zhen Tingyun's hand, turned her eyes and said to Mrs. Pei, "This child is born well and has good rules, so let her follow me tonight."

Mrs. Pei also got up and replied euphemistically: "I'm afraid she doesn't understand the rules at a young age, and she doesn't serve well, which will make the concubine unhappy."

"Nothing," Empress Dowager Zheng smiled casually, "how can I care about a little girl like her on a good day like today."

Since Empress Dowager Zheng said so, Mrs. Pei didn't say much.

Princess Huiguo was thinking about whether to send someone to call Fu Changxi when she saw Empress Dowager Zheng holding Zhen Tingyun's hand and asking questions. It seemed that Shicai's humiliation was just because everyone was overwhelmed. She really liked Zhen Tingyun very much. , without the slightest malice.

The eldest Princess Huiguo and Princess Yan looked at each other, and they were both complicated in their hearts, but they didn't say much, they only winked with the palace servants behind them and asked them to go out to report.

Empress Dowager Zheng saw it, and couldn't help but sneer in her heart: Sure enough! Not only Princess Yan knows about it, but Princess Huiguo also knows about it! She only hides one from her, but she is really her good sister-in-law, good sister! However, what is the use of Princess Huiguo sending someone out at this moment? Fu Changxi is still busy in front of him now. The person who reported the letter needed time in the past, and when he saw Fu Changxi, he needed time. As long as he finalizes the matter before he arrives, what's the use of him really coming?

Thinking of this, the smile on Mrs. Zheng's back became more and more gentle, she looked at Zhen Tingyun and the silk gauze skirt with cyan embroidered moiré on her body, shook her head slightly, smiled and said to Zhen Tingyun, "You are at your age now. , and it looks so good, it's time to dress up well, how can you dress so plainly? I remember when I was young, I loved red and purple very much, bright and white. Don't you live up to this? This Shaohua scene?"

In fact, Empress Dowager Zheng is still young now, but she said so, but she seemed to be very confident.

Zhen Tingyun had no choice but to bow his head humbly: "How dare you compare the appearance of the servant girl Pu Liu with the empress. It's better to be plain."

Empress Dowager Zheng covered her lips and smiled, as if she was really amused by her words, or she seemed to think her appearance was very interesting, and after thinking about it, she instructed the left and right palace servants: "I remember that someone sent a red thin silk to me yesterday. The long dress of the golden embroidered peony, I think, is very suitable for their little girl's house. You can take Miss Zhen to try it."

Without waiting for Zhen Tingyun to refuse, Empress Dowager Zheng raised her hand and handed over Zhen Tingyun to the palace servants.

A few palace servants were obviously trained. They pushed and supported them halfway, and invisibly dispelled Zhen Tingyun's push and refusal, and immediately led them to the side hall.

Empress Dowager Zheng took a good time talking with Princess Yan and Princess Huiguo next to her, smiling from time to time, as if she really didn't take Zhen Tingyun's affairs to heart, but instead provoked the headmaster Huiguo. The princess and Princess Yan were both concerned and confused. They both suspected that Empress Dowager Zheng might have known about this, and they were worried that this was Empress Dowager Zheng's whim...

Zhen Tingyun, who was in the side hall, stood in the hall, watching the palace servants come up with the big red thin silk embroidered peony in the mouth of the Queen Mother Zheng, and served her to change it.

Even, in order to match this long dress, the palace people asked her to sit down again, gently dismantled her bun, put a high bun on her again, and hung a pair of swaying buns beside her ears. Shining gold beads.

After some tossing, the palace people looked at her makeup again, and then smiled and took the mirror up and said, "Let's take a look, girl, is there anything else to change?"

Zhen Tingyun subconsciously glanced in the mirror, and when he saw himself in the mirror, he couldn't help but be taken aback - under such a gorgeous and solemn dress, the tenderness and sweetness of a girl on her body also seemed to be affected by her. It hides a lot, and adds a bit of the freshness and charm that only women have.

This is another kind of beauty that is completely different from her usual dress.

Zhen Tingyun couldn't help biting his lip, and a kind of terrifying suspicion suddenly appeared in his heart: What exactly does Empress Dowager Zheng want to do?

At this moment, Zhen Tingyun's heart is very clear, she has even seen through the maliciousness of Empress Dowager Zheng's words and smiles. She was almost certain that the person in that gaze was malicious, and the person sitting above and looking at her was probably the Empress Dowager Zheng. However, what Zhen Tingyun didn't understand was: Logically, in her capacity, even if she was valued by Princess Yan, she should not provoke such malice as Empress Dowager Zheng.

Is it difficult, Empress Dowager Zheng

crush

Fu Nianjia is a nephew, so she especially hates her, who is favored by Princess Yan and almost becomes the first concubine of Prince Yan?

...

Zhen Tingyun didn't know how many royal incest/secret news and so on. The more she thought about it, the more she felt that the Queen Mother Zheng was acting strangely today. She didn't know what to do to her, and she didn't want to go out anymore. Location. The palace servants on the left and right are all the confidants of Empress Dowager Zheng. Although she did not know the specific arrangements of Empress Dowager Zheng, she also knew that she could not afford to delay at this time, so she immediately pushed Zhen Tingyun out and respectfully advised: "Miss, don't delay. ——The banquet is going to be held soon, and there is always a seat, but it is not good to delay it.

After that, just like when Zhen Tingyun was pushed into the hall at the beginning, a few palace servants pushed and half-supported, and soon led Zhen Tingyun to the side hall.

Only when Zhen Tingyun was wearing makeup and dressing up, the first fruit was already having a banquet.

Empress Dowager Zheng sat at the top, seeing Zhen Tingyun being pushed out, she couldn't help but raised her eyes to take a closer look, and then her eyes lit up, as if she liked her very much, and said, "Come here quickly. Tell me to take a good look." After speaking, she reached out to hold Zhen Tingyun's hand, and seemed to notice the wet sweat on Zhen Tingyun's hand, as if she was very concerned: "Why, this is the first time to attend a palace banquet. , are you afraid?"

Zhen Tingyun only felt that her hand that was held by others seemed to be surrounded by a wet and slippery snake tail. She lowered her head slightly and said in a low voice, "I often hear people say, 'I don't see the emperor's strength, I know the emperor's respect', minister. When a woman enters the palace for the first time, she is truly apprehensive."

Empress Dowager Zheng just smiled: "What's so scary about this. You'll be by my side tonight, so it won't make you suffer for entering the palace."

As if she really liked Zhen Tingyun, Empress Dowager Zheng really asked Zhen Tingyun to stand beside her, as if she could not be separated for a moment.

Zhen Tingyun almost suspected that Empress Dowager Zheng was ill.

Until those foreign envoys came to the table to celebrate their birthdays.

Zhen Tingyun stood behind Empress Zheng, just in time to see a heroic man in fancy clothes coming forward. His face was dark and his eyes were bright. This messenger obviously had learned the etiquette, so he respectfully came to the Empress Dowager Zheng to bow, and when he could get up, he said in his slightly blunt Chinese: "My honorable Empress Dowager, on behalf of King Khan, I bring the most sincere blessings from the royal court. May The friendship between our two countries can be as eternal as a snow-capped mountain under the blessing of the Heaven of Longevity."

Empress Dowager Zheng nodded slightly, with a noble attitude, raised the wine glass and said with a smile: "I think of you King Khan and say hello to me."

Empress Dowager Zheng's appearance is alluring, but this smile makes people dazzled.

The Beiman envoy was stunned for a moment, and then hurriedly responded.

Empress Dowager Zheng's gaze swept across the Beiman messenger and Zhen Tingyun beside him, then she put down the wine glass again and said with a smile, "I already know your Beiman's intentions, and I also understand your determination to turn battles into jade and silk. That being the case, the marriage between the two countries is not a bad idea."

As soon as these words came out, the voices of the whole hall fell silent.

In fact, regarding the attitude of Beiman, the DPRK has always divided into two factions, one is the main war faction headed by the regent, and the other is the main peace faction headed by the Zheng family.

The dispute between the two factions has a long history.

During the Xiaozong Dynasty, the northern barbarians were in high spirits, and their troops were strong and strong, and they almost crossed the river and entered the capital. Therefore, the main fighting faction like Mr. Pei was immediately dismissed from office. Under the strong push of Zheng Shoufu at the time, Emperor Xiaozong also nodded, and only then did the matter of the eldest princess of Ningguo and the pro-Northern Man.

Afterwards, King Su, Fu Changxi, went far to the northern Xinjiang, and fought for years in a row, and even eliminated the northern barbarians' blade, and gradually changed the attitude of Emperor Xiaozong. Grandpa Pei recovered, and then the main battle faction gradually gained the upper hand. Fu Changxi is in the northern border, and he has been fighting for years, but the blade he has sharpened has become sharper and sharper.

However, things changed at any time. With the entry of the Zheng family into the palace and the position of the middle palace, Zheng Cifu entered the court. Of course, these Juhe factions are different from the Juhe factions who wanted to retreat and seek peace because they were afraid of the power of the northern barbarians. It's nothing to worry about, it really shouldn't go on. This year-on-year battle not only cost money and life, but also strengthened the troops and horses of Fu Changxi, the vassal king. Moreover, even if the land of Beiman was really laid, it was also a barren and barren land. It was not easy to control and it was not good for production. Rather than this, it is better to take advantage of the obedience of the northern barbarians, the two countries will reunite, stop the war, and recuperate.

Now, Empress Dowager Zheng is celebrating her birthday, and Beiman has come to congratulate her on her birthday. For some reason, the matter of marriage is brought up again.

Of course, the Beiman people also know how powerful they are - back then, when their troops and horses were prosperous, the marriage between the two countries naturally only required the emperor's daughter, the real princess, and the large dowry brought by the princess; now the Beiman wants to seek peace, and he knows his own weight. On the pretext of "heard that the Son of Heaven has neither a princess nor an imperial sister", the royal family asked the royal family to choose the daughter of the royal family or the daughter of a minister as a princess, and marry to the northern barbarians, in order to bond the friendship between the two countries.

However, there was Fu Changxi in the court. He hated the affair deeply, so he strongly opposed it.

The Empress Dowager Zheng originally did not want to argue with him on this matter, but Zhen Tingyun still annoyed her, so she changed her mind, and there was no lack of malice in her heart - since you like this girl so much, then I will Marry her to your most hated Beiman. According to the custom of the Beiman, the father died and the son continued, and the brother died.

When he thought that Fu Changxi might get angry because of this, he would even change his usual calm attitude towards her and glared at her. Looking at her with anger with his eyes as deep as a pool, Empress Dowager Zheng had a strange and complacent feeling in her heart.

This kind of emotion is like fine wine, which makes her smoked. I saw her smile slightly, raised her slender finger like jade, and gently pointed at Zhen Tingyun beside her, smiled and asked Beiman, "How do you think about her?"

The Beiman messenger, who learned Chinese in general, was captured by Empress Dowager Zheng's smile again. For a while, she did not understand the meaning of Empress Dowager Zheng's words, but was stunned.

It wasn't until Empress Dowager Zheng frowned, that the Beiman messenger raised his eyes to look at Zhen Tingyun who was standing beside Empress Dowager Zheng. There was an expression of surprise on his dark face. He reacted almost immediately, knelt down on the ground immediately, and said repeatedly: "Thank the Queen Mother for her love, I will treat the King Khan of our country and the eldest prince for the grace of the Queen Mother."

That's right, he's here to ask their eldest prince to marry a princess. He didn't want a real princess, he just wanted an attitude. If the princess could go to Beiman with a large dowry, it would be better. . Originally, due to Fu Changxi's objection, this Beiman messenger was already a little disappointed, and felt that nothing could be done. He just wanted to please the queen mother at the palace banquet.

Unexpectedly, the Queen Mother opened her mouth at this birthday banquet and promised marriage.

As for the identity and origin of the girl beside the Queen Mother, the Beiman messenger doesn't care - anyway, the court will definitely give this girl the title of a princess with such a princess name. enough!

For a time, Mrs. Zheng smiled, and the Beiman messenger knelt on the ground, she was simply grateful for the grace of the Queen Mother.

Everyone did not expect that Empress Dowager Zheng would act like this.

Zhen Tingyun, who was standing beside Empress Dowager Zheng, was completely stunned. The blood all over his body seemed to freeze at this moment, and his mind was blank. Empress Dowager Zheng could speak up for such a thing, and the messenger of the northern barbarians could thank him. She, the other party involved, didn't even know what to say.

Just at this moment, a deep and familiar voice came from outside the hall. This sound, like thunder, landed in the hall and exploded with a bang, causing everyone present to change color.

"The matter of marriage is a matter of state, and the DPRK has its own public discussions. How can the Queen Mother make jokes at the banquet?!"

With the introduction of this voice, someone strode in from outside the hall.

The expression of the people sitting in the hall changed when they heard the sound. At this time, they were shocked when they saw the figure of this person. They also got up and saluted. stood up.

Only the Empress Dowager Zheng was still sitting, but her plain hand grasping the armrest became tighter without realizing it, and her beautiful face was stiff for a moment, as if she was caught off guard at the most relaxed and proud moment. whip. If you look closely, you will find that Empress Dowager Zheng's snow-white side cheeks are slightly tight, as if she is biting her cheeks.

At this time, Zhen Tingyun, who was standing beside Empress Dowager Zheng, widened his eyes and stared at the person who came.

In fact, she was not completely stunned, she knew very well: at this time, she should also kneel and salute with everyone.

But……

However, when she looked at the face of the person who came, the voice in her ears seemed to have decreased, and even her tumultuous heartbeat was choked. She could only stand stiffly on the spot, opened her eyes subconsciously, and watched the man enter the temple step by step.