royal palace,

Since returning from the Tingzheng Palace, Si Tuzhou knew from his confidants that Yan Zhao went to Beijing with his mother. Although he maintained a plain appearance on the surface, he couldn't help but feel a trace of joy in his heart.

Since last year, Si Tuzhou has been out of the Shangshufang. He no longer needs to listen to the tutor's lectures, but has started to be arranged by his father to do some errands, which are not too important.

Situ Zhou has done everything to a standard, making it impossible for people to pick mistakes, and not being too outstanding, so as not to be jealous of the previous princes who have already served in the six departments of the central government, including his third brother who is a direct relative .

If Yan Zhao is envious and jealous, his identity in this life is the sixth son of Emperor Jianming, and he is also the youngest son of Concubine Shu in the palace.

Concubine Shu is the first daughter of the Duke of Guichang, the top honor in the Daning Dynasty. She has two sons and one daughter in the palace for many years, and she is the only one in the harem in terms of number. The grace and status given will not be less.

Unlike Yan Zhao's fetal wear, Si Tuzhou directly replaced the sixth prince who was still in his infancy.Because he passed through, the sixth prince survived the poisoning by luck in the eyes of everyone.

And Si Tuzhou also heard his mother in this life, Concubine Shu, whispering with her confidantes, and only then did she know that the original body was poisoned.The concubine pulled down from the horse.

It's not that Concubine Shu has a vicious heart, it's just that the original body was born prematurely and was very weak from birth. She suffered from serious and minor illnesses constantly, and even the imperial physician couldn't decide whether she could grow up to be an adult.

If it is doomed to die young, it is better to maximize the value of the sacrifice, so after knowing that Concubine Rong has planted nails in her palace, Concubine Shu cruelly took a risk and performed a bitter trick, using His Majesty's wrath to completely knock Concubine Rong into the dust.

Perhaps God favored her even more because her youngest son miraculously survived the catastrophe. Fortunately, under regret, Concubine Shu's motherly kindness returned inexplicably, and she loved and cared for her youngest son even more than in the past.

In the eyes of the emperor, he naturally felt more pity.

The battle in the harem is simple but not complicated, and with Si Tuzhou's mentality, also understand that Concubine Shu is here to protect the status of their mother and child and even the family behind them, especially since she has another healthy prince, the third prince Situ Yan.

But after all, it is impossible to trust parents who respect and love this world almost unreservedly like Yan Zhao.

Maybe the palace is destined to be less affectionate.

In the following years, Si Tuzhou also avoided many open and hidden arrows, and struggled to grow up.In this era, the infant mortality rate is already high, and even the royal family will not officially record it on the jade plate until the prince is six years old and has not yet died.

Among them, Si Tuzhou has seen countless sinister people's hearts. Even the third prince, who is a compatriot of his own mother, treats him in private.focus on.

Even though the Third Prince didn't show such displeased attitude after he intentionally let the cronies around his mother and concubine know about it, Si Tuzhou still had a layer of guard in his heart.In this huge palace, even under the face of a child, there is no one knows how many intentions are hidden.

The environment is still very easy to influence people. If he hadn't dreamed of Yan Zhao on the night of his sixth birthday, Si Tuzhou didn't know if he would be gradually assimilated into the same person as in the palace.

Si Tuzhou never told Yan Zhao about the bad things in the palace. After spending the most dangerous and premature childhood, he has adapted to life in the palace and can handle many things.

After all, he is not just a child, but also has the status of the son of a noble concubine, so if he uses it well, he won't be at a disadvantage.

On the contrary, he prefers to listen to Yan Zhao's talk about her life in Jiang Nan, which is trivial and relaxed, simple and peaceful, without so many intrigues and calculations.

Yan Zhao is not only a very special existence to him, but also an anchor to hold him, so that he won't get bogged down in the power vortex of monarchs, ministers, fathers and sons, but can be viewed more calmly and rationally.

Realizing that the number of times he dreamed of Yan Zhao was getting less and less, Si Tuzhou felt a little flustered. If it hadn't been for the past twenty years of living in the palace, he had cultivated a good sense of calmness.At that time, I couldn't help but went to Jiang Nan Yunze County to look for Yan Zhao.

As a prince, his every move is easy to be watched by others, so he has cultivated some influence in private in the past two years, but he only stared at some nobles in the capital, including the Xiao family, so that people Attention.

After dismissing his subordinates, Si Tuzhou silently thought about how he should find a suitable opportunity to meet Yan Zhao.

*****

Xiaofu Xiyuan,

"Four Great Aunts and Cousin are settled?" Fan, who had been with the old lady and Gui Ning's sister-in-law for a day, leaned on the chaise longue, rested for a while, and did not forget to ask the people below.

Nanny Chang is her confidant, "Madam, don't worry, everything is in order and there will be no mistakes."

"It's rare for the Great Aunt to go back to her mother's house. You all take good care of her, so don't neglect." Fan raised her hand and rubbed the corners of her eyebrows.Daughter and granddaughter.

Then Fan asked about his only son, Xiao Jingxuan, and Nanny Chang replied with a smile, "After the eldest son had his meal, he went back to Hanwenzhai to study." Next spring, I will definitely be the number one scholar in the exam for my wife."

"I don't want to be the number one scholar, I just want to be steady and smooth."

There was a slight smile on the corner of Fan's lips, and she told Nanny Chang to send some easy-to-digest food and soup at night, and reminded the servants of Hanwenzhai not to let the eldest son stay up too late and hurt his body.

People like them, who come from a wealthy family, have naturally accumulated a set of principles of health preservation and know how to combine work and rest. If they lose their health due to scientific examinations, it is not worth it.

Chang's lips curled up, "According to the old slave, the eldest son is all about preparing for the exam next spring, so he shouldn't spend time picking up the Great Aunt today, it's not the same as sending a steward to pick it up, there's no need to be so serious." It's just a personJust a great aunt who married far away.

"After all, she is a direct aunt. Jing Xuan went to greet her because she respected and filial elders." Fan didn't care about such trivial matters, but the meaning revealed by the attitude of her mother-in-law, Mrs. Xiao, made her frown a little.

The mother-in-law has always favored the sister-in-law Xiao Mingjin, and she has always known it. If she hadn't been too pampered at the beginning, how could she have allowed her to marry a poor family like a fool, and later, although she was in high school, her official luck was still lacking. After so many years of separation, the old lady often thinks about it, worrying about her little daughter's well-being.

That's right, the old lady has a son and two daughters who are direct relatives. Although the eldest daughter of the Xiao family is also far away, she is married to an honorable uncle from the uncle's mansion. After going to the border, she is the third-rank general Weiyuan's wife.

The Eldest Master is doing well in the court, the only thing he cares about is the young girl who is under-married.

Fan didn't mind the precious New Year's gifts sent to Jiang Nan by her mother-in-law every year, as well as various private subsidies for her sister-in-law. But if this idea hits her own son, Fan will not tolerate it.

Xu is the way of thinking brought up by the aristocratic family, and the Fan family values marriage.Among other things, after the father-in-law died of a serious illness, the Xiao family would have fallen to Capital City three years if Ding You had been silent for all those years if it hadn’t been for the help of Fan’s family, Marquis JinYuan Residence, and Bo’s family.The fourth-rate family has gone.

Therefore, the Fan family was a little displeased with sister-in-law Xiao Mingjin's willful and reckless behavior at the beginning, marrying without knowing the right family, and failing to bring an in-law alliance to the family.

The Fan family only had one son, Xiao Jingxuan, so he had to choose carefully about his marriage, and he had already thought about it in his heart, and he would only wait until the next spring to make a decision.

In comparison, if the carefully cultivated eldest son married a daughter of a sixth-rank magistrate, instead of helping, it would be a drag. Moreover, with Xiao Auntie Xiao Mingjin's personality, Fan did not think that her daughter would be able to be the mistress of the Xiao family in the future.

Nanny Chang was aggrieved for her master, "The older the old lady is, the more confused she becomes."

Fan remained silent.

Nanny Chang suggested again: "Would you like to talk to the master so as to dissuade the old lady."

Mrs. Fan shook her head, "The old lady suffered from a serious illness a few years ago, and she is not in good health now. If she is confronted head-on at this time and gets angry, the old lady's body will be damaged, not only will the master's official reputation be damaged, but even Jingxuan's scientific examination achievements will be damaged. It must be affected. And the master may not not be in the way of filial piety, and agree to the old lady's request."

All goodness and filial piety are the first, if the old lady is forcing her to die, the master can really insist on opposing it. It's better to press it down first and draw it slowly.

For this reason, Fan specially prepared Liluo Courtyard for Xiao Mingjin's mother and daughter, which is farthest from Hanwenzhai, instead of Xiao Mingjin's former boudoir, and blocked the mother-in-law's mouth on the grounds of expansion and renovation in advance.

Today, only saw the cousin girl in a hurry, and can't see her temperament for the time being, but her appearance is really full, and the facial features are exquisite, the brow bones are exquisite, and the eyes are especially beautiful, as if they contain a pool of clear spring water. It is inevitable that such a fresh and lovely girl will not cause trouble.

Fan was worried about what might happen, so she told Nanny Chang, "You have someone keep an eye on you in the mansion, and don't let Jing Xuan have any contact with Miss Biao."

After hearing this, Nanny Chang even issued a military order to promise that she would not disappoint his wife.

Yan Zhao also met that uncle Xiao Tingen shortly thereafter. He was a middle-aged man with a well-proportioned and refined appearance. His facial features and eyes were vaguely similar to his mother Xiao Mingjin.

And most of the time they are not in the mansion, they come and go in a hurry, it is probably the prime of life when their career is rising.

The days in Xiao's mansion were quite brisk, most of the time spent talking with grandmother.

Mrs. Xiao kept saying that her daughter had lost weight, and when she heard that Yan Zhao was bumped by horses and horses on the way here, she suffered a lot, so she quickly ordered people: "Go and open my private warehouse, and get those boxes of blood that were sent years ago. Yan, ask the kitchen to cook two cups for Azhao every day. The girl's family must make up for it and lay a solid foundation, otherwise you will know the suffering when you get married."

The nanny at the bottom responded immediately.

Speaking of which, this blood swallow is still a tribute from the palace, but it is for the Marquis JinYuan Residence. In terms of holy favor, the highest official position in the Xiao family is only Uncle Xiao, a young minister of Guanglu Temple, and it is not as good as the imperial gift.the point.

A few years ago, Mrs. Xiao accidentally caught the cold from the wind and fell seriously ill. Mrs. Marquis JinYuan, the third aunt of the Xiao family, sent this top grade blood swallow among the medicinal supplements.

The Daning Dynasty ruled the country with filial piety, as the old matriarch of the Xiao family, no matter what the children of the concubines were filial, there were many things that came from them.

Although Xiao Mingjin didn't know where the bloody swallow came from, but he was not someone who would pick up his mother's private room with shallow eyelids, so he immediately declined: "She is a little girl, how can she deserve such a good thing, mother should keep it for herself and enjoy it a lot." .”

Xiao Mingjin only found out about his mother's illness years ago when he read a letter from his mother's family. He felt very guilty. At that time, he couldn't serve his mother's bedside. Now he can only care about and comfort the old lady so as not to worry about himself.

Xiao Mingjin said with a smile: "Jiang Nan supports people with water and soil, mother doesn't have to worry about our poor life."

What she said is also true. When she first married her husband, there were bumps and bumps, mother-in-law made things difficult, and hardships in remote places. But after the daughter grew up, she soon showed extraordinary precocious wisdom. Not only does she not need to worry about her, but she also helps her to manage the accounts and property, and even the inside and outside of the house are taken care of by her daughter, and the subordinates directly talk to Azhao about anything, so she has had a pretty good life in recent years. comfortable.

Not only do have time to chat with husband about music, chess, calligraphy and painting, but also regain the boudoir taste when was not married. Every day, taste the new snack soup that daughter taught the kitchen to make in different ways, embroider and watch opera, and let the tailor make some clothes from time to time. New clothes, or going out for incense and outings and temple fairs, life can be said to be carefree.

No mother-in-law needs to serve carefully, there is no need to put on airs to show majesty □ □ people, no need to be considerate, and no need to pay attention to any rules.

Yan Zhao: ...

So she acted too capable.

If these words were written in a letter, Mrs. Xiao would definitely not believe them, thinking that her daughter would report good news but not bad ones, but whether people live comfortably or not can be seen from the radiance of their spirit and complexion.

"Azhao is filial and sensible, and your son-in-law respects and loves you. This is also your blessing."

She was originally worried that her daughter's granddaughter had suffered hardships in the local county these years, and she had seen better than she expected, so Mrs. Xiao finally felt relieved.

In fact, Father Yan has not taken a concubine for many years, and he has no complaints about the heir, which is enough to make Mrs. Xiao feel good about it, and even selfishly think that it is a good thing that he is marrying Father Yan. If she married into a noble family, she would have to suffer a lot with only such a daughter. Outsiders may see the beauty of gold and jade, but inside they may suffer even more than Huang Lian.

The situation is even worse, and the news of her daughter's "sudden death" may be heard someday, and the family happily welcomes the newcomer into the door to give birth to a son, and it is difficult for the family to sue for grievances.

As long as she is not wronged, it's okay to live a poor life, the big deal is that these private houses of hers will be more subsidized for Ming Jin's mother and daughter in the future.

Father Yan first released it to a relatively remote county, but later he made political achievements, and changed prefectures and counties three years later. The status is getting better and better, and finally it is Yunze County in Jiangzhou, the famous land of fish and rice.

This is also where Yan Zhao admired Yan's father. Although he is not good at official communication, he is a capable official who is serious about doing practical things.

For this point, Mrs. Xiao couldn't help complaining about her eldest son and eldest daughter-in-law, "However, you are also his sister-in-law, and you don't want to pull out your brother-in-law, even if you clear up a little relationship and transfer back to Capital City, there is still XiaoThe family takes care of it."

"I think he just listened to Fan's instigation, and he was so unkind to his relatives."

Of course, it is impossible to say these words in front of Yan Zhao, a girl who is also a junior. Before that, Mrs. Xiao saw that her granddaughter's hair accessories were too few, and she was even a little dull, so she asked someone to take Yan Zhao to a private warehouse. , pick whatever you like.

In fact, Yan Zhao felt that wearing these was too heavy and cumbersome, but she couldn't refute her old man's good intentions with her grandmother, so she obeyed.

"Sister-in-law is right, elder brother is an official in the court, so he needs to be more cautious."

Xiao Mingjin's mind is simple and straightforward, and Yan's father is not the kind of person who likes to make money, and is more indifferent to fame and fortune. She also married her husband and followed her husband without forcing high-ranking officials and rich salary.

Mrs. Xiao said with a worried face: "But with the position of son-in-law, it will be difficult to find a good family for Ah Zhao."

Her Ming Jin, the dignified daughter of the Xiao family, has been married to a poor family for many years and has been a sixth-rank official wife. To be an ordinary scholar, or even marry into a merchant's family that smells like copper.

Mrs. Xiao's heart aches when she thinks about it, and she makes up her mind.

"In my opinion, it would be best to let Ah Zhao marry Jingxuan. Although Jingxuan was not raised by my side, his appearance is definitely first-class. Fan's temperament is a bit strict and well-behaved, but not That kind of black hearted person."

Even though she usually doesn't like this eldest daughter-in-law who always oppresses her, Mrs. Xiao will not slander Fan's against her conscience.

With just such a daughter, Ming Jin might have to rely on Ah Zhao for the rest of her life. If she married back to Xiao's family, it would be reasonable. Even after a hundred years, the boss and Fan's family would have to help her younger sister's family. If this was done earlier, she could still last seven or eight years and help her granddaughter stand up in the Xiao family.

Under her mother's persuasion, Xiao Mingjin couldn't help but feel a little shaken.

The old lady asked about her daughter and granddaughter's basic necessities of life in the mansion five or six times a day, lest she would be wronged in places she didn't know. On the second day after Yan Zhao and his mother arrived, Mrs. Xiao opened her own private treasury, sending all kinds of good things to her daughter and granddaughter.

Although the Fourth Great Aunt married far away, and the husband's family was not of high official position, but the servants of the Xiao Mansion did not dare to neglect the old lady's attitude towards the Fourth Great Aunt and Miss Biao.

And Fan's privately guarded against the old lady's idea of ​​matchmaking, as the head of the house, she definitely couldn't make a mistake with her face.

Xiao Qingyue came back from the old lady's yard, and the maid behind her was still holding a few boxes. As soon as she entered the room, Ruxue's pretty face turned cold.

Her biological mother, Aunt Lan, was embroidering clothes on the couch, so she couldn't help being surprised when she saw this, and then looked at the boxes, which were full of delicate and beautiful necklaces and hairpins. Aunt Lan couldn't help but said in surprise, "Why are you upset, the old lady gave you all good things."

Xiao Qingyue sneered and said, "The ones my grandmother gave me were all picked up by Yan Zhao, I just did it by the way."

Her grandmother is now full of granddaughters, those good things that she can't even look at on weekdays, but now she generously gives them out, lest she loses her little sweetheart.

If the aunt next to her hadn't mentioned it, I'm afraid the old lady wouldn't even remember that she was a granddaughter.

Although these things are good, they are completely incomparable with those offered by Yan Zhaoyou, just to prevent people from picking up on her grandmother as unkind.

Ever since Fourth Aunt and Cousin Yan came, no matter how much she paid her respects and flattered the old lady day and night, she couldn't stop the old lady from only booing around Cousin Yan and asking her how she was. What a difference.

"Grandmother has never been so close to me." Thinking of the old lady's care for Yan Zhao these days, Xiao Qingyue couldn't help but feel a little bit of grievance and resentment.

Hearing what she said, Aunt Lan wiped her tears, "After all, it's my identity as an aunt who has troubled you, and you are not liked by the wife and the old lady."

In the early years, the old lady was picked and punished by the Fan family because of the two concubines she gave to her son, and Aunt Lan was a good concubine bought by the Fan family, so in the eyes of the old lady, she naturally became a person on the side of the Fan family. Later, in the years after the birth of the grandson Xiao Jingxuan, the old lady originally wanted to raise her in her own yard, but in the end she failed to compete with the Fan family, and she also looked down on the granddaughter from the concubine.

Fan's wholeheartedly raised her son, but had no intention of raising her concubine by her side so as not to mention her identity.

So Xiao Qingyue has been growing up with her biological mother, and her feelings are deeper.

"My aunt, don't say that. The third aunt was a concubine back then, but she can still marry a noble family and become a first-class wife. I will definitely be able to do it, and I can win for my aunt when the time comes." Xiao Qingyue Envy and ambition appeared in his eyes.

The former third daughter of the Xiao family, today's Mrs. Marquis JinYuan, is almost a role model for all boudoir girls in Capital City. No matter whether they are prostitutes or prostitutes, they wish they could not emulate her life.

Not only was she married as a concubine, but she also let the high-spirited and powerful Marquis JinYuan dismiss her concubine after marriage. No matter what, Marquis JinYuan's three sons and one daughter were all born to her, so don't know how much envy heryoung woman.On the one hand, Mrs. Marquis JinYuan has also secured her position with her extraordinary skills, and she is close to many noble families in Beijing, and even the Eldest Princess is her close friend.