It’s Better to be the Empress Dowager - Chapter 16

In August, the sky was clear and fresh, and the vegetation was deep. Early in the morning, Prince Jing’s Mansion became lively.

Since this time, the side door of the Jing Palace has not been quiet. The carriages drove into the second door one after another. The dressed-up wives got out of the car, and saw the smiles of the acquainted ladies, they warmly shook hands and greeted them. The young and beautiful ladies followed behind their mothers, smiling without showing their teeth or showing their feet, and at a glance, they looked like a flower.

It is really colorful, and the flowers are like rain. Whether it was a wife or a young lady, everyone at the scene knew that today was extraordinary. The banquet hosted by King Jing was called a flower viewing banquet. In fact, it was choosing a concubine for the elder son.

To be able to be in-laws with King Jing, how many people could not ask for it, the whole Xiping Mansion became a sensation. The wives of each family are even more vigorous, dressing their daughters until their hair is exquisite, vowing to make a **** path among the girls.

Many ladies have already arrived, and the garden is very lively and beautiful. Tang Shishi and others served as the facade sent by the Queen Mother, and they should also attend this kind of occasion.

Master Tang was sitting in the pavilion, watching the young ladies behind the bushes laughing softly, and took a group of fans and fluttered at the butterflies. Feng Qian approached from outside, coughed, and sat down beside Master Tang lightly: “Sister Tang, everyone else is outside enjoying the flowers, why are you hiding here alone?”

Master Tang glanced at Feng Qian quietly and said, “I’m tired from walking, so I rest here. What about you, why don’t you go and play with them?”

“My body, I walk two steps quickly and pant, how can I go and have fun with others? It’s nothing for fun.” Feng Qian covered her mouth with her veil, coughed softly, and slowly looked towards Master Tang with her slender eyes. “Sister Tang, I heard that today, this flower viewing banquet is different?”

Master Tang knew that Feng Qian had a plan, she smiled, and ignored Feng Qian’s words: “The king Jing is wise and martial, and the prince is hosting a banquet. Naturally, there is a lot of heaven and earth.”

Feng Qian lowered her eyes, pressed the corners of her lips with her veil, and said slowly: “I heard that the prince deliberately chooses his concubine for his son. This flower viewing banquet is used to meet his concubine. I want to come and wait until the banquet is over. Later, we will have a few more masters.”

There were so many visitors, but there was only one concubine, and there were many people rushing to the concubine. As long as you can establish a relationship with King Jing, even the elder concubine is worth it.

Master Tang had long known that with their origins, it was impossible to become Zhao Zixun’s wife. Even Zhou Shunhua first became a nameless general house, and then step by step to knock down other women, relying on Zhao Zixun’s pampering foothold, finally killed his wife and borrowed his son to take the lead. Zhao Zixun spoiled Zhou Shunhua like that. After he became the emperor, he also made the former concubine as the queen. Zhou Shunhua only named a concubine Shu. Zhou Shunhua had been a concubine under other women for more than 20 years. It was not until the queen died of illness that she finally waited for the opportunity to come forward.

Ironically, after Zhou Shunhua became a queen, he followed in the footsteps of his old rivals. Zhou Shunhua has also fallen out of favor, and young and beautiful newcomers are constantly appearing in the harem. Zhou Shunhua can only see Zhao Zixun at the festival banquet. Once she was favored like that, but later, it was just a boring and rigid Kunning Palace symbol.

Master Tang thought that he could accept it, the winner is king, and the middle process is not important at all. But when this day really arrived, Master Tang found out that she was still responding.

Master Tang knows that thinking like this is very hypocritical. She wants to become the supreme empress dowager, so she can’t cling to such things as status and morality. But Master Tang just couldn’t help thinking, if she became a concubine and then used her beauty to compete for favor, wouldn’t it be exactly the same as what Su did to their mother and daughter?

Tang Shishi would not adjust his mentality for a while, because of this, Tang Shishi looked at Zhao Zixun’s concubine election feast with little interest. She knew what King Jing meant. King Jing didn’t want Zhao Zixun and the beauty sent by Miyagi to get mixed up. Neither she nor Zhou Shunhua or Ren Yujun would do it. This banquet is just a warning to a few of them.

Master Tang sighed silently, she would not have revealed anything when it rained. Although pretending to be King Jing is adventurous, she only needs to say something encouraging, reminding and other high-sounding words, Zhao Zixun is moved, and will only become more dedicated to studying, and will never go to ask King Jing for confirmation. In this way, Master Tang disappeared unconsciously. She just didn’t expect King Jing to appear suddenly.

Although Tang Shishi immediately threw the pot out, it was impossible for King Jing to see it, but for some reason, King Jing did not pursue it.

Master Tang didn’t understand, but she managed to get her life back, so why bother to ask the bottom line.

Teacher Tang and Feng Qian were sitting behind the bushes, and a few butterflies flew to them. A few ladies chased the butterfly and ran into the bushes, and they were startled when they saw Tang and Shishi.

“You are…”

Master Tang got up, and did a wan blessing ceremony without hesitation: “I am Master Tang, from Miyagi.”

Feng Qian stood behind Tang Shishi and followed her fortune. The ladies looked at each other and hurriedly responded: “It turned out to be a person in the palace, impolite. We didn’t know that the two aunts were sitting here and quarreled with the aunt. Please forgive me.”

Teacher Tang knew that they had misunderstood when they heard this name. Master Tang smiled and said: “I am not disciplining my aunt, but just a slave and maid sent by the empress dowager to serve King Jing. Just a few girls call me by name.”

Not an aunt? The ladies were taken aback, and it suddenly occurred to them that two days ago, Miyagi had sent a team of beauties to King Jing. These were the ones who thought they would come.

Several people looked at each other carefully, and once again stepped forward to salute: “I was impolite to disturb the two beauties. The girl’s name is Lu Yufei, and her father is the inspector. This is the sister Lu Yuji. The girl is very sorry for disturbing the two. “

Teacher Tang has a score as soon as he listens to it. According to the prosecutor’s name, the young lady who presses the prosecutor’s house is probably a strong competitor of the imperial concubine this time.

Master Tang calmly looked at Lu Yufei. This lady Lu was wearing a white robe flower, bird and horse dress with a light-yellow tunic. Her hair was covered with silver gilt butterflies and flowers, and she was surrounded by hairpins of the same texture. Seeing is the top face specially prepared for today’s occasion. Lu Yufei dared to chase butterflies everywhere in the palace, but one can imagine that he was extremely spoiled at home. After meeting Master Tang and Feng Qian, he was surprised at first, and when he learned of their identities, he immediately introduced himself, advancing and retreating well. It is neither overbearing nor overbearing, which shows that her mother’s upbringing is also very good.

All in all, this is an official lady with both identity and mind. After Master Tang looked at Lu Yufei, he took a look at the sister next to her. At a glance, Master Tang knew that this girl was a concubine, her clothes and jewelry were all a grade lower than Lu Yufei, and her temperament was indescribably gloomy.

Her eyes are very sharp, and her appearance is even better than Lu Yufei, but when she looks at people, she always lowers her head and dared not look at them. These details immediately discounted her image. As for the other girl who shrank at the end, most of them were the followers of the Lu family sisters, Master Tang only glanced at it and stopped paying attention.

When Master Tang looked at the Lu family sisters, the person opposite was also looking at her. Lu Yufei was surprised. She had heard her mother say that Jingcheng sent a team of beauties to King Jing. The beauty of each country is beautiful and the voice is good. Lu Yufei didn’t believe it at first, and the official ladies around her looked good, and there was no ugly person with makeup on. Everyone is the same woman, with two eyes and one nose, no matter how beautiful they are, where can they be seen?

It wasn’t until Lu Yufei met Master Tang that he knew how naive his thoughts were. She sits on the well and looks at the sky, feeling that all the beauties in the world are the same. If you look at them too much, there is no difference. Who thinks, this is just because she hasn’t seen top beauties.

A real beauty is enough to make people never forget.

Lu Yufei was surprised and surprised, but he was not jealous. Because she is here to run for the concubine, how amazing the palace beauties are, what’s the matter with her?

Instead, Lu Yufei wanted to have a good relationship with Master Tang. Although these people are not her serious mother-in-law, they are the prince’s women after all, and Lu Yufei still has to be careful to flatter her. When I met for the first time today, Lu Yufei was very active and wanted to make a good relationship with Master Tang.

Tang Shishi noticed it and smiled sarcastically in his heart. Lu Yufei doesn’t know the truth now, so he tries his best to show goodwill to them. If Lu Yufei really becomes a concubine, after the door, I don’t know if Lu Yufei can laugh.

Lu Yufei said enthusiastically: “I have heard about the water and soil in Jinling for a long time, but unfortunately the little girl was in Xiping and I have never seen it. I saw two beauties today, and I realized that the rumors were true.”

Master Tang smiled and said: “Miss Lu is too acclaimed, I am ashamed of waiting for Pu Liu’s appearance.”

“Tang Meiren’s words are horrible.” Lu Yufei said immediately, “You are all like Pu Liu, so how can other women live that day?”

While Lu Yufei was talking, the bushes swayed behind him, and a woman in a light blue smoky skirt separated the wicker and walked out. When no one arrived, her voice came first: “Why can’t other women in the world live anymore? Who do you praise?”

Lu Yufei turned his head and saw the person coming, surprised and delighted: “Chu Yun, why are you here?”

“Why can’t I come?” This woman has slender eyebrows and a glamorous figure, but her words are not weak at all. “Could it be the Jing Palace, only you, Miss Lu Family, are allowed to come, but I am not allowed to settle down? “

“Yunchu, stop joking.” Lu Yufei took Xi Yunchu’s arm, dragged her to Master Tang, and introduced her like a treasure, “This is Xi Yunchu. One mouth is used to ridicule people. Yunchu, this is from the palace. Beautiful woman, this is Tang Meiren, this is Feng Meiren.”

Xi Yunchu was originally smiling, but when he heard that Master Tang was from the palace, his smile narrowed slightly. She straightened up and took a close look at Master Tang. The expression on her face changed sharply: “It turns out that it is a golden nobleman from the palace. Everyone is a fisherman and a wild goose. They look better than Huan’e. What are you doing by pulling me over to make a fool of yourself.”

Lu Yufei was kind, but Xi Yunchu suddenly turned his face. Lu Yufei got embarrassed, quickly glanced at Master Tang, and secretly pulled Xi Yunchu’s hand: “Xi Yunchu, what are you doing, this is the person who serves His Royal Highness Jing.”

Master Tang raised her eyebrows lightly, probably because of a woman’s talent. As soon as Xi Yunchu spoke, Master Tang felt that Xi Yunchu was hostile to her.

why? Even if Xi Yunchu is spoiled, he is only an official lady, how dare he offend the female family members of the Jing Palace when he speaks? Wait, her last name is Xi…

Teacher Tang suddenly remembered that Feng Qian had told her that King Jing had appointed two fiancées, one of whom was the eldest daughter of the Xi family, but unfortunately he died before he passed the house, and the other was the granddaughter of General Li, who had also been out before the marriage. accident.

Master Tang re-examined Xi Yunchu. Xi Yunchu’s eyebrows were slender and charming. If you have sisters, you won’t look bad if you want to. Combined with the age of Xi Yunchu, could she be the sister of King Jing’s first fiancée?

The more Tang Shishi thinks about it, the more likely it is. However, the death of Xi Yunwan’s sister has nothing to do with Tang Shishi. What is Xi Yunwan’s anger at Tang Shishi?

Tang Shishi is simply inexplicable. She was cold and was about to say something when a familiar voice came from the other side of the garden: “Master Tang.”

Teacher Tang turned his head and saw Zhou Shunhua standing on the gravel road, looking at them from a distance: “Why are you here? Aunt Tongxiu has been looking for you for a long time, come back soon.”

It was Aunt Tong Xiu. Both Master Tang and Feng Qian moved. Master Tang stopped what he was about to say, and nodded lightly to the ladies: “There are other important things. I will miss you first, forgive me.”

Lu Yufei quickly stepped aside, waved his hand and said, “Don’t dare, it’s because we have delayed the beauty time. I can’t help but say it.”

Master Tang casually said something, and left with Feng Qian. Zhou Shunhua stood on the stone road waiting for them, and when he swept away, he saw Lu Yufei. After Tang Shishi approached, Zhou Shunhua turned and left without saying a word.

After the three of them walked away, Lu Yufei lowered his voice and said to his friends: “It turns out that this is the beauty sent by the empress dowager. As expected by the court, she is truly beautiful and she is one in a million. Especially that one. Tang Meiren, I grew up so, and it was the first time I saw such a beautiful person.”

Lu Yuji felt the same with another lady, Xi Yunchu listened to the side, and snorted softly.

On the stone path, the three of Master Tang was also talking. Master Tang is in a bad mood, so he must make others feel even worse. Master Tang approached Zhou Shunhua and deliberately said, “Sister Zhou, have you seen the lady in the goose yellow gown? It is said that this is the candidate for the concubine.”

Zhou Shunhua had a calm face and didn’t pay attention to Teacher Tang. Master Tang was not annoyed by being left out in the cold. She sang to herself and continued: “That lady is a prostitute’s prostitute, she is talented and beautiful, and her family is not vulgar. Listening to her talk, her opinion is different from that of ordinary women. I like talented women the most. If Shi Zizhen and Ms. Lu tied the knot, the two of them might have more to say.”

“Enough.” Zhou Shunhua glanced at Master Tang coldly and said, “How important is the women’s feast, Miss Lu is a guest, how can you allow you to arrange it behind your back?”

“This is not what I said.” Master Tang said with a smile, watching Zhou Shunhua slowly, “Everyone in the palace said this. Obviously, this is what the prince meant. This girl Lu looks like a kind temperament and wants to come to the future. You will not be harsh on the next person. This is a good thing. You are by the side of the world and have a kind mistress. You should be happy!”

Zhou Shunhua tried hard to control, and he could hold back his attitude. She had been with Zhao Zixun day and night during this period. If Zhao Zixun didn’t take her current person, Zhou Shunhua really felt that they were equal. It was not until this banquet that King Jing openly selected Zhao Zixun’s concubine and Zhou Shunhua was drunk.

It turns out that they are not equal. She couldn’t marry Zhao Zixun as a true wife at all, she was just a handmaid.

Master Tang stabbed Zhou Shunhua’s pain several times and saw Zhou Shunhua’s face change drastically as he wished. Teacher Tang was satisfied, Zhou Shunhua said with a cold face, “What are you proud of, you are just a maid.”

Master Tang nodded: “I know.”

“Sooner or later there will be a mistress in the palace. When that happens, everything in the inner courtyard will be handed over to the mistress, including you.”

“I also know.” Master Tang stroked his hair and said slowly, “I knew it when I first entered the mansion. Don’t you just realize it now?”

Zhou Shunhua was so angry that he couldn’t speak. Feng Qian quietly looked at the two people, coughed and reminded: “Sister Tang, Sister Zhou, the flower hall is here.”

When Tongxiu saw them, she had already walked out. Master Tang and Zhou Shunhua shut up together, and stepped forward to bow to Tongxiu: “Hello, auntie.”

“You are here.” Tongxiu glanced at Master Tang calmly, and said, “The prince and Mrs. Zheng are talking inside, and you are being careful.”

“Yes.”

In the flower hall, seven other people are already there, displayed on the side like a string of exhibits. Seeing them come in, everyone cast their sights, especially Tang Shishi, who was stared suspiciously by everyone.

Master Tang pretended to be ignorant and stood in the first place for granted. After Duobao Pavilion, Zhao Chengjun was talking to someone. Opposite him sat an old lady with white temples. This old lady looked quite young, but she was very energetic and full of anger. This is Mrs. Zheng who wants to come. There is a pear wood chair next to the Luohan bed, on which sits a jeweled lady. The eyebrows are very similar to Xi Yunchu.

Teachers and students of Tang Shi made a bold guess, could this be Xi Yunchu’s mother, the former mother-in-law of King Jing?