Don't be a salted fish, the daily life of the concubine in the palace

Sun Qingmei stood up quickly, her beautiful eyes unable to hide her joy: "Really?"

The steward of the Marquis's residence nodded and said, "When the Marquis returns to the capital, he will go to the palace to pay his respects to His Majesty first according to the rules. After meeting His Majesty, the Marquis and Military Advisor Zhao will return to the residence together."

Sun Qingmei was all smiles and her heart was beating fast.

She and Shangguan Xuan were childhood sweethearts. On the night of their wedding, Shangguan Xuan was ordered to go to the border to quell the war. Before leaving, Shangguan Xuan told her: "Madam, I have a long journey ahead of me and I don't know when I can return. You have to take good care of my family for me."

After Shangguan Xuan left, Sun Qingmei always kept his instructions in mind and carried the heavy burden of the Marquis' Mansion on her thin shoulders.

It can be said that I did not let him down.

Sun Qingmei suppressed her excitement and told the steward: "Send someone to change all the sheets and quilts in the main house. Ask the kitchen staff to go to the market to buy some fresh clams and make the Marquis' favorite dish, fresh clams covered in wine. By the way, Military Advisor Zhao is coming to the Marquis' mansion too?"

The steward replied, "Yes. In the battle against the Yue bandits, this military advisor Zhao made great contributions. Your Majesty has also summoned him back to the capital, and he should be rewarded."

Sun Qingmei had also heard of the name of Zhao Junshi. It was said that this man came from a humble background and was quite good at making weapons.

Sun Qingmei instructed the steward: "Take two maids and clean up the Danfeng Courtyard in the east. When Military Advisor Zhao arrives, you can arrange for him to stay temporarily. Also assign two smart maids to serve him. Don't lose the courtesy of hospitality."

The manager kept this in mind and turned around to get back to work.

Shen Wei finished her drink of red dates and snow clam and wanted to get up and say goodbye, but when she heard the steward mention "Military Advisor Zhao", Shen Wei's alarm bells immediately rang.

Is Advisor Zhao, who is suspected to be a time traveler, a friend or an enemy? Shen Wei wants to find out.

Shen Wei found an excuse to "appreciate the flowers" and stayed in the Marquis' Mansion for another hour, patiently waiting for Military Advisor Zhao to show up.

...

...

In the solemn and majestic Chang'an Palace of the Daqing Imperial Palace, the emaciated emperor received Shangguan Xuan, Marquis of Zhennan, and military advisor Zhao Qing who had returned to the capital to report on their work.

The old Marquis of Zhennan is too old to get out of bed and have trouble taking soup. Shangguan Xuan takes over his father's legacy, inherits the title for his military merits, and becomes the new Marquis of Zhennan.

"cough cough..."

A muffled cough sounded.

The old eunuch who served the emperor hurriedly brought the ginseng soup, and the emperor took two sips. The emperor's temples were gray, and he looked very old. He turned his old eyes and glanced at Zhao Qing who was kneeling on the ground.

After a long while, the emperor sighed and said, "You have made great contributions. It is not a crime for a woman to dress as a man. I will confer upon you the title of Princess of Pingyang County, and you will enjoy the imperial tribute. Stand up, don't kneel."

Zhao Qing kowtowed tremblingly: "Thank you, thank you, Your Majesty."

Zhao Qing couldn't hide the joy on his lips.

Disguising as a man to serve as a military advisor is also considered a crime of deceiving the emperor. She just took the initiative to confess her female identity, and the emperor did not blame her, but even conferred her the title of county lady.

It can be considered a meteoric rise.

The emperor coughed twice and said to Shangguan Xuan, "It's getting late. You should go back home early and see your wife. I think she misses you too."

The whole of Yanjing knew that Shangguan Xuan went to war on his wedding night, leaving his wife alone in the empty room. Madam Sun was a good housekeeper, virtuous and dignified, and she kept the mansion in good order.

The emperor was also a reasonable man and did not intend to delay the couple's reunion.

Zhao Qing heard this, and a trace of grievance flashed in his eyes. Shangguan Xuan knelt on one knee, clasped his hands and reported, "Your Majesty! Military Advisor Zhao accompanied me on the battlefield and gave me advice. I have long been in love with her. I beg Your Majesty to make the decision. I will marry Zhao Qing as my principal wife! As for Sun, she can be my concubine, and I will promise her a life of wealth and honor."

As soon as these words were spoken, Chang'an Palace fell into deathly silence.

The emperor was stunned, and the eunuch chief who served him also had a complicated expression.

The emperor shouted: "Absurd!"

Sun Qingmei was born into a military family. Her father died in battle and her brother died of illness on the way to Beijing. The Sun family had only one child, and the emperor granted this marriage in appreciation of the Sun family's contributions.

Now Shangguan Xuan wants to marry another woman as his wife?

Shangguan Xuan knelt on both knees and kowtowed three times: "Your Majesty, please have mercy!"

The emperor was so angry that he drank two mouthfuls of ginseng soup.

Zhao Qing was deeply moved by Shangguan Xuan's sincerity. Zhao Qing also knelt down and took out a blueprint from his sleeve: "Your Majesty, this is the weapon blueprint I drew, called the [Compound Bow]. The bow is labor-saving and highly lethal. Even a weak girl can draw the bow. I am willing to present this weapon to Your Majesty in exchange for this marriage."

The emperor's brows twitched slightly, and he asked the eunuch to bring the blueprint.

The emperor had fought in the battlefield when he was young and was very experienced. He glanced at the "compound bow" on the blueprint and was quite surprised.

There is such a strange bow and arrow?

Shangguan Xuan raised his lips and looked at Zhao Qing beside him affectionately. This was the woman he loved deeply, she was extremely talented, smart and brave, far beyond the reach of those delicate girls in Yanjing.

After a moment of silence, the emperor put away the drawings.

The emperor said calmly, "Zhao Qing presented the blueprints, which is a great achievement. But Shangguan Xuan, Madam Sun has been running the mansion for you, and she has done a lot of hard work. If you really want to marry Zhao Qing, I can make the decision and make her your equal wife."

Shangguan Xuan was anxious: "Your Majesty! Ah Qing is my only wife, how can she be my concubine!"

The emperor was obviously exhausted. He waved his hands sleepily and said, "I am tired. Everyone, leave. I will send the imperial edict to the Marquis' Mansion in a few days to make her my co-wife."

Shangguan Xuan gritted his teeth and dared not disobey, so he had to take Zhao Qing away from Chang'an Palace.

Near noon, the early winter sun was warm, dispelling the chill in the palace. The emperor coughed continuously, his throat was sore and sweet, and he vomited a mouthful of turbid black blood.

"Your Majesty!" The old eunuch next to him was startled and shouted loudly, "Call the imperial physician!"

The emperor raised his hand, his eyes fell on the weapon blueprint on the desk, and ordered the eunuch: "Let the Prince of Yan enter the palace."

...

...

The carriage of the Marquis' Mansion was driving on the bustling streets of Yanjing. Zhao Qing sat in the carriage, lifted the curtain, and looked at the street scene outside the carriage with curiosity.

Hawkers hawking their wares, dazzling goods, bustling crowds, and a prosperous imperial capital. Women walking on the streets were all dressed beautifully, with skin as white as cream and a faint fragrance on their bodies.

Liangzhou, a border town that is often invaded by wind and sand, never has such a lively scene. Zhao Qing was excited, she secretly clutched her sleeves, she wanted to stay in this rich Yanjing!

"Ah Qing, have a taste. This is Weiyanji's Begonia Pastry." Shangguan Xuan opened an exquisite food box. This was the pastry he asked his followers to buy. It was very popular in Yanjing and many women liked it.

The Begonia Cake looks like a bunch of blooming red begonias. It has a beautiful shape and tastes crispy and sweet.

Zhao Qing took a bite and was amazed: "Delicious!"

Shangguan Xuan said lovingly, "As long as you like it, I will send someone to buy it for you every day. I heard that there is a rouge shop in Yanjing that sells a kind of precious makeup powder that can make your face glow when applied on the face. I will send someone to buy it for you tomorrow."

Zhao Qing's cheeks flushed slightly: "My Lord, you treat Ah Qing so well."

Shangguan Xuan held her hand and said gently, "You have suffered a lot with me in Liangzhou. I can't let you down. Don't worry, I won't let you be my concubine."