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

Li Yuanjing snorted coldly.

It was still early, so Li Yuanjing went to the training ground to practice horseback riding and archery, and to practice martial arts with the soldiers. After training for about an hour, he went to the Cining Palace to visit the empress dowager at dusk.

The princesses and princes were all studying in the Guangwen Hall, and the Cining Palace was very quiet. Madam Qian was supporting the Queen Mother as they strolled through the lush courtyard to admire the flowers.

"Is your mother feeling better?" Li Yuanjing stepped forward to greet her, and Madam Qian tactfully stepped aside. Li Yuanjing supported the empress dowager, and the mother and son walked in the green backyard.

The Queen Mother smiled and said, "Noble Concubine Chen has been taking care of me every now and then. My health has improved a lot."

The front and back gardens of the Cining Palace have unique scenery, with pavilions, towers and gurgling water. The scenery is no worse than that of the Imperial Garden.

The renovation of the Cining Palace was handled by Shen Wei, who decorated it according to the Queen Mother's preferences. Every step brings a different view, and each season has its own unique style. The Queen Mother can enjoy the scenery of the four seasons without leaving her house.

The Queen Mother rested in the Fengyu Pavilion in the backyard, and the palace servants brought tea and snacks. Li Yuanjing sat across from the stone table, looking absent-mindedly at the spring scenery in the yard.

The Queen Mother asked, "Has Duke Lu's case been properly handled? Have the officials from the Ministry of Rites thoroughly questioned him?"

Li Yuanjing replied, "The Lu family's property has been seized, and the huge amount of three million silver has been confiscated into the national treasury. As for the Ministry of Rites, I have asked the Tiger Guards to conduct a thorough investigation. They should be able to find the Yue spy planted in the Ministry of Rites within this month."

The Queen Mother took a sip of spring tea and nodded slowly: "The Ministry of Rites is a small matter, so we will investigate it slowly. With the fall of several major families, there will be no more obstacles in the court; Chengtai and Chengyou are two smart and motivated children, so you don't have to worry about the future. The new policies you planned in the early years can be fully implemented in the territory of Qing."

Externally, the borders were peaceful, the army was strong, and there were many great generals;

Internally, the aristocratic families were eliminated, the treasury was full, and there was a successor.

It is a good time to create a prosperous era.

Li Yuanjing nodded slightly: "I understand."

The Queen Mother said with relief: "Your father and your brother will surely protect you and our Daqing if they are still alive in heaven."

Mother and son chatted for a while.

The warm spring breeze blew through the pavilion, and the afterglow of the setting sun cast a layer of brilliant golden light over the garden. Madam Qian brought a cloak to the Queen Mother. The Queen Mother put down her teacup, changed the subject, and asked Li Yuanjing quietly: "It's getting late, you should go back."

Li Yuanjing touched the bridge of his nose and said, "I am free today. I will accompany you to have dinner."

The implication was that Li Yuanjing wanted to stay in the Cining Palace to have dinner with the Empress Dowager tonight and did not want to leave for the time being.

The Queen Mother could see Li Yuanjing's thoughts. Today Shen Wei went to Anguo Temple and returned in one day to burn incense and pray for the Queen Mother. Tonight Shen Wei must come to Cining Palace to give the Queen Mother a reply.

Li Yuanjing stayed in the Cining Palace for dinner, so the two of them would meet.

The Queen Mother sighed, "Shen Wei is a uniquely good child. This time you have been so unreasonable and have really hurt her feelings. Since you know you are wrong, you should soften your attitude."

Li Yuanjing's handsome face was embarrassed: "Mother! I, I am the Son of Heaven!"

The Queen Mother said unhappily, "So what if he is the emperor? He should change when he sees good things, and correct his mistakes. If he does not correct his mistakes, that is called a mistake. When you were an idle prince in the Prince of Yan's mansion, I didn't see you care about face so much."

After becoming an emperor, holding a high position and great power, he began to pay more attention to his face.

Li Yuanjing said nothing.

The Queen Mother raised her hand and pointed to the peonies in full bloom in the courtyard. The elegant peonies were in full bloom, and butterflies were flying around the flowers. The Queen Mother said: "When peonies bloom, bees and butterflies come. You can blame the butterflies and bees for offending you, but you can't blame the peonies for their beauty."

"Shen Wei is beautiful, has a good personality, is smart and sensible, and is hard to come by. Even if she didn't marry you, there would be many good men in Yanjing who would marry her. Good girls are sought after by many families, so it is reasonable for Li Yuanli to covet Shen Wei. How can you vent your anger on the innocent Shen Wei?"

"Born in a royal family, true love is hard to come by. You are lucky to have met a good girl. If you don't cherish her, you will regret it in the future."

Every word of the Queen Mother's words fell into Li Yuanjing's ears.

Li Yuanjing was upset.

Shen Wei has been with him for many years, and the two have experienced life and death, and their feelings are deep. In the turbulent dynasty, the court officials fight internally, the harem fights internally, and the family and national affairs pile up like a mountain. The increasing power will make the emperor become indifferent and gloomy.

Fortunately, he has Shen Wei.

Every tired day, he walked back to Yongning Palace. The candlelight in Yongning Palace was warm, and it was the only harbor where he could sleep peacefully. Shen Wei was the only woman he could confide in.

"Mother, I understand." Li Yuanjing sighed inwardly and planned to have a good chat with Shen Wei tonight.

At worst, you can just bow your head and admit your mistake.

Anyway, once the door was closed, no one would know that the noble emperor had lowered his head on his own initiative.

It's not shameful.

The Queen Mother glanced at her son, picked up the teacup and pretended to drink tea, hiding the smile on her lips.

...

The sky was filled with colorful clouds, and the children who were studying in Guangwenguan returned to the Cining Palace happily.

"Father!" Le You was the first to see Li Yuanjing. He ran over with his little legs spread out and opened his little arms for a hug.

Li Yuanjing bent down and picked up his soft and cute daughter, his heart melting.

With the children's return, the Cining Palace became lively again.

Li Chengyou ran to find the Queen Mother and asked greedily what they would have for dinner that night.

Le You held Li Yuanjing's hand and enthusiastically took her father to see the poems and essays copied by her sisters.

Li Chengtai looked at the gate of Cining Palace and asked Madam Qian, "It's getting dark, why hasn't mother returned to the palace yet?"

Madam Qian said in a friendly manner, "The scenery behind Anguo Temple is quite nice. After burning incense and praying, Concubine Chen will definitely go for a stroll in the mountains. Don't worry, Your Highness. Concubine Chen will be back to the palace soon."

Li Chengtai frowned, feeling a little worried. He stood at the gate of Cining Palace, raised his neck and looked around.

Above the towering palace walls, the sky was filled with colorful clouds and a few birds were flying across the sky.

At this time, Li Chengyou ran to the door happily and told Li Chengtai: "Brother! Tonight we have quail crystal stew and stir-fried bamboo shoots that my mother likes to eat!"

Li Chengtai poked his brother's head and said, "Eat, eat, eat. All you do is eat every day!"

Li Chengyou covered his head and said, "Everyone needs to eat. It's normal to eat every day. Besides, I rode a pony and practiced archery today!"

Li Chengtai didn't want to talk to his brother.

The two brothers were waiting for Shen Wei at the gate of Cining Palace, but they didn't wait for Shen Wei, but Li Yuanjing came. Li Yuanjing saw his two sons standing at the gate, one on the left and one on the right, like two cute doormen.

Li Yuanjing smiled and said, "It's cold outside, let's go inside first."

Li Chengtai said sullenly, "We have to wait for mother."

Li Yuanjing: "I have sent people to wait at the palace gate—"

Before he finished speaking, hurried footsteps were heard from the other end of the palace road. Eunuch Deshun came running over, reporting anxiously with a face full of anxiety: "Your Majesty! Imperial Concubine, Imperial Concubine was assassinated on the official road!"