The Crown Prince in the Jade Pendant

Chapter 77: Secrets of the Palace

See you at the temple on the fourth day. Chu Jinyao went to visit the ancestors of the Dayan Dynasty. Since then, he has been a member of the royal family with names and surnames. After the temple meeting, the cumbersome wedding finally came to an end, and Qin Yi also resumed his usual routine.

Early this morning, Chu Jinyao heard someone knock on the door in a daze, and then she was completely empty. Chu Jinyao's chaotic mind slowly remembered, by the way, today Qin Yi is about to resume the upper court.

The prince went to court, and she was going to get up to serve the prince to change her clothes. Chu Jinyao crawled out of the bedding with difficulty. Qin Yi heard the movement in the bed net, and first made Xiaolinzi and others quiet, then he walked to the wedding bed like a small house and gently held Chu Jinyao.

"It's still early outside, you don't need to get up so early."

"His Royal Highness morning morning, I have to serve you in court clothes, how can I continue to sleep peacefully?"

"It's okay, there are Xiaolinzi and them." Qin Yi said, "Anyway, you don't know how to wear court clothes. Go to bed first."

It really makes sense, Chu Jinyao's heart is shaken, and there is still a trace of hesitation: "His Royal Highness, then I continue to sleep?"

"Well, go to sleep."

Chu Jinyao lay back under the warm quilt, and he was shamelessly relieved. She was trapped in the soft brocade, showing only a small face, and her long black hair poured on the pillow like water. Chu Jinyao found that Qin Yi was still sitting by the bed looking at her. She was a little embarrassed, and said softly, "Your Highness, I will learn how to dress in court immediately, and I can serve you to change clothes later."

Qin Yi laughed and stretched out his hand to cover her eyes: "I know, sleep at ease."

Xiaolinzi and a few other servants stood outside holding the court clothes. When they noticed that there was movement inside, the prince went back to pacify the princess without saying a word. The two of them remained in the bed tent and whispered for a long time. Xiao Linzi turned her head and winked vigorously with the **** next to her.

However, as soon as Qin Yi came out, several people immediately returned to their solemn looks, with no expression on their faces. They had a clear division of labor, served Qin Yi in an orderly manner, put on a full set of prince's court clothes, and then walked to Fengtian Hall with Qin Yi.

Qin Yi left before dawn. When Chu Jinyao heard the noise outside gradually disappeared, she fell into a deep sleep with peace of mind. She woke up again when she was accustomed to getting up.

She sat on the bed, flexed her muscles and bones vigorously, then put on her jacket, and asked Linglong and Dingxiang to come in.

From now on, Qin Yi will go to court every day, and she will also go to the queen to greet the queen. After all, she said that she was a royal daughter-in-law, and she gave her mother-in-law her time in the morning and twilight every day.

It’s just that it’s too hard to get up early in the winter. The men who have to go to the early court can’t do anything, but the female family members are spoiled, and the queen has to sleep in. So the queen set the rules, and the concubines in the harem went to greet them every Monday or Friday, without having to walk around every day. The same goes for Chu Jinyao's daughter-in-law.

However, it has been said that Chu Jinyao is a daughter-in-law, the queen can say that, but she can't really do it. Therefore, Chu Jinyao would go to Kunning Palace once a day. Even if he did not see the queen in the end, it would be better to go for nothing than to be labeled as unfilial.

When Chu Jinyao went to Kunning Palace, the sun had already risen and it was shining warmly on people. Chu Jinyao, wearing a silver-red cloak, holding a heater in her hand, and a furry sleeve around her neck, walked under the corridor of Qianning Palace with a member of the Imperial Palace, and walked towards Lan Yu with a smile: "Aunt Lan Yu , Did the empress get up?"

Lan Yu was the aunt in charge who led Chu Jinyao into the palace last time Xiaoqihou called her in. Lan Yu is not young anymore, and her eyes have fine wrinkles. She is the most powerful and reliable confidant of the queen. Up and down the palace, when I saw Lan Yu, they all had to bow down and shout "Aunt Lan Yu."

When Lan Yu saw Chu Jinyao, she stopped and waited for Chu Jinyao to approach her for a blessing: "The princess came early, and the empress has just gotten up, and she is still combing her hair now."

Chu Jinyao nodded and smiled at Lan Yu, and said, "Thank you, Auntie, please pass the message for me."

Lan Yu responded with a smile. Chu Jinyao waited outside the house for a while, the heavy curtain hanging outside the hall was lifted, and a little court lady came out and said: "The lady, please come in, the princess. The princess will come with the servants."

The earth dragon is burning in the palace, which is much warmer than outside. Chu Jinyao took off his cloak under the service of the palace man, heated his body, and walked inside.

"Queen Empress."

After Xiao Qi saw the visitor in the mirror, he smiled lightly: "Didn't it just say that every Monday or Friday is just a matter of coming to please peace, why are you here again?"

"I have nothing to do when I stay in the palace, so I will come to Niang Niang to learn something."

After Xiao Qi heard this, he laughed: "You newly married Yaner, the young couple is just when the relationship is good. He should stay with the prince. Why do you always run to me?"

Chu Jinyao lowered her head pretending to be apprehensive: "The prince is naturally busy with business, how can he hang around in the harem? As a princess, I naturally have to persuade my husband and my uncle to serve my uncle. How can I crook the prince?"

Xiao Qi nodded with a smile: "You are absolutely right." However, he was thinking in his heart, this fool.

Sure enough, it wasn't a serious mother to pull a big girl, not only could not keep up with the scheming methods and the worldly affections, but also win over the men, it was far from it.

After Xiao Qi dinged the hairpin jewelry on his head, the hairpins inlaid with gems of various colors piled up a table, and Chu Jinyao stood behind, from time to time handing the hairpins to Xiao Qi, even if he was serving her mother-in-law to dress up.

After all, she is a princess, if she puts her attitude too low and sends water to Xiaoqi's back-end tea, wouldn't it be that she would be aspirational to destroy her own power and prestige. The relationship between Qin Yi and Empress Xiao Qi is well known. Even if she wants to maintain the illusion of harmony with Empress Xiao Qi, she can't lower herself to the dust. At that time, Qin Yi's face will not look good, and others will laugh in private.

Therefore, serving a mother-in-law is really a technical job, standing here without moving anything, not doing too much like a maid. It seems like a lot of doing something like Chu Jinyao, but in fact it is just right to do a decent and easy job.

Empress Xiaoqi loves beauty the most. She is dissatisfied after putting her hair in a bun several times, and she also changed her head and face. Standing beside him, Chu Jinyao was speechless after seeing the many hairpins that Xiao Qi would never use again.

Chu Jinyao can understand that she spends a bit more luxurious as a queen mother's ritual. But, it's almost enough...

If you are using your own money, then no matter how extravagant it is, it is your own business, and others are not qualified to be betrayed. However, what Xiaoqi later used was the money from the treasury...

Chu Jinyao sighed secretly for a while, and felt that there was nothing to say. Empress Xiaoqi is like this. Then the emperor has the eagerness to respond to women's requests. How huge should his daily expenses be for his entire harem?

No wonder that when Changxinghou mentioned the present-day sage before, his expression was always hesitant, and no wonder the cabinet always regarded Qin Yi more closely than his grandson. I am afraid that many people in the DPRK are waiting silently, waiting for the emperor's death, and changing the prince to come to power.

Chu Jinyao hurriedly suppressed her own rebellious thoughts. Others can make mistakes to show such thoughts, but she definitely can't. She is a princess, and her mistakes will affect Qin Yi, and she can't show no respect or eagerness in any way.

Thinking of this, Chu Jinyao suddenly felt that the royal family was not prosperous, but they were very interesting with each other. As a prince, Qin Yi was not courteous and a corporal, and was not as gentle as jade. Instead, he offended the queen and blatantly resisted the decree. As for the emperor, facing such a not-typical prince, although he often has no good face, he never had the idea of ​​changing the prince.

Chu Jinyao used to think that Qin Yi had a bad temper, just like everyone else, that's why she often confronted the sage. Chu Jinyao always worried that Qin Yi was too unhappy and annoyed the emperor. She also quietly reminded Qin Yi on the second day of her wedding. But when she observed these days, she found that things might not be what she thought.

A perfect prince is terrible. Qin Yi and the emperor have accumulated years of grievances. If Qin Yi is still a humble gentleman, Chu Jinyao, an outsider, will also think that the palace is deep, let alone the emperor. However, Qin Yi unabashedly expressed his grievances in front of the emperor, and kept showing his presence in front of the emperor day after day, but every time it was just right, making the emperor angry, but not angry.

The grasp of people's hearts and timing is terrible.

Chu Jinyao deeply admired that Qin Yi was Qin Yi, no wonder he was able to sit firmly in the position of prince for more than ten years, and even the queen of Qi couldn't please him in front of Qin Yi. It is true that Empress Xiaoqi dominates the harem alone, and it seems to have the upper hand, but Prince Qin Yi, he can afford it, but what about Empress Xiaoqi?

Empress Xiaoqi is now the sand in the water, looking magnificent, but every day and every year, her advantages are losing. So Chu Jinyao has the same plan now. She won't fight Xiaoqi back, she just waits, consumes, and wins.

After Xiao Qi was picking and choosing for a long time, after an hour passed, she was finally satisfied with her dress, and Chu Jinyao also stood there for an hour. After Xiao Qi looked at the mirror with satisfaction, reached out to touch the ruby ​​hairpin on her head, and said to Chu Jinyao with nothing sincerely: "The princess is tired from standing. I have been combing my hair for so long today. You have been waiting for it."

"My mother is too worried, you are naturally beautiful, I watched you dressing, and unknowingly learned a lot, I wish I could look at it for a while, how could I be tired?"

After Xiao Qi laughed, there is no woman who doesn't like to be praised and praised. Xiao Qi is conceited about her appearance, even more so. She stood up slowly, let Lan Yu help her to walk out: "The crown princess is really good at talking. The days in the palace are boring, so you come to talk with me in this palace and make this palace happy."

Empress Xiao Qi suddenly used "My Palace", Chu Jinyao secretly raised her heart, and Empress Xiao Qi always called herself "I" when her tone was good. If she changed her honorific name, she would definitely feel unhappy.

It was just fine, and no one made Xiao Qi unhappy. What did she think of, and her mood changed so much?

Mother Chu Jinyao pondered what Xiaoqi had said before, and slowly realized that the crux should appear on the emperor.

After all, even if the empress Xiaoqi is always in favor, but there are so many beauties in the harem, how many days can the emperor stay here after the emperor is talented day by day? Chu Jinyao has seen the grand occasion of the emperor's harem with his own eyes, and it is not an exaggeration to say that it is beautiful like a cloud.

This was a matter between the emperor and Xiaoqi empress, Chu Jinyao didn't intend to care about it except for a moment. How is the relationship between the parents-in-law and the mother-in-law, and what does it have to do with her? Besides, this is still a stepmother.

When Chu Jinyao arrived at sunrise, he was full of vigor, but when Xiao Qi finished lazily dressing up, an hour had passed, and most of the day was gone.

The people in the palace are living such a leisurely and extravagant life. They are already in the middle of the day, and the second princess has just finished freshening up. After coming over to Xiao Qi, please please. Xiao Qi immediately smiled when he saw his daughter. She thought Chu Jinyao was getting in the way, so she sent Chu Jinyao away in a few words.

Chu Jinyao couldn't ask for it in her heart, so she left. After leaving the Kunning Palace, Chu Jinyao seemed to feel something, and glanced at the second princess who was sitting in front of the window and acting like a baby after Xiao Qi.

There are a total of three princes and three princesses in the palace. Qin Yi, the second prince, and the eldest princess were all born before Xiao Qi entered the palace. The third prince and the second princess were born after Xiao Qi, that is to say, they were born after Xiao Qi. After being in the post, except for Xiao Qi, only the third princess was born safely in the palace.

The third princess's mother and concubine were still pregnant when Xiao Qi was pregnant. Because of this incident, the third princess has been behind the second princess so far, and they are only a promise and dare not take their own initiative.

Chu Jinyao suddenly remembered the palace lady who accidentally swept when she went out that day.

Chu Jinyao thought a lot in her heart, but her expression remained the same. The water here is too deep, she had better not get involved, even if she had to use it, she must be thrown on the blade.

Chu Jinyao thoughtfully returned to Ciqing Palace. Not long after she sat down, Linglong came in lightly and quietly said to Chu Jinyao: "Prince Concubine, these four people seem to be awkward these few days. Xixue Tolerant everywhere, seems to want to restore the trust of the four of them."

"This can't be her." Chu Jinyao said, "Get out of the piece of silk in the box, and pick the light blue one that is entwined with branches, and give it to Xuexue as a reward."

Linglong took the order, and she said: "The princess, the two mothers who taught you the rules have nothing to do. They are still gesticulating in the palace with the identity of your parenting mother. Look, are we... "

Chu Jinyao also had a headache when he heard this. The two mothers were sent by the queen to serve as the names given to Chu Jinyao's rules before marriage. Due to the reputation of educating the mother, Chu Jinyao is not easy to move them, but she can't let them take care of things, so she can only make high confessions and spend money to buy peace. These two people can get a lot of support without doing anything, but they are still restless, gesticulating in the Ciqing Palace, trying to play the power of the prince concubine's benefactor. How could Chu Jinyao keep their reputation for ruining her own, and what's more, if she wants to keep hiding from the queen, these two people must be removed.

However, how to remove it is also exquisite.

Chu Jinyao thought for a while and shook her head to Linglong: "We can't make a move, we will keep them for now. After that, I have other arrangements."

Linglong let out a "hey" and went down.

When Chu Jinyao returned from Kunning Palace, it was already halfway through the morning. She asked about the palace a little bit, and it was time for lunch. Just now Xiao Linzi came to report that Qin Yi would not be back at noon today, and Chu Jinyao could only eat by himself.

The meals in the palace were delivered from the Imperial Dining Room. No one dared to treat the meals to the East Palace harshly. On such a cold day, when they were delivered, it was still steaming. Obviously, the Imperial Dining Room made the East Palace’s rule first and waited for the pot The **** was sent over immediately. Chu Jinyao asked the little **** to give him a reward. The little **** squeezed the silver in his purse, so happy that he couldn't see his teeth, and quickly knelt down to give Chu Jinyao a kowtow.

The rules in the palace are big. According to different positions, the palaces have a few dishes and soup for three meals a day. If the lady in the palace has something else to eat, then spend the money to ask the imperial dining room to open a small stove. Only a few large palaces in the palace have their own small kitchens, such as Kunning Palace, Cining Palace, Ciqing Palace, etc. However, these stoves can only cook porridge and soup. If you want to cook big dishes, you still have to go to the Imperial Dining Room. .

But even so, it is much more convenient to have a small kitchen. For example, Chu Jinyao wants to use hot water and never has to think about the winks of others. Whenever you want to use it, let the people in your palace burn it.

Chu Jinyao spent half an hour sleeping comfortably on the couch after eating meals, then got up and arranged other things. Since Ciqing Palace was the residence of the princes of the past dynasties, it has been renovated all the year round and is grand and spacious. From the outside, the Ciqing Palace is a long courtyard. The first floor is the outer hall. Qin Yi studies and meets with nearby officials, including receiving imperial decree.

After passing through the hall in the middle, you will reach the inner hall. When entering the hall, there is a shadow wall in front of you, bypassing the shadow wall, the front is five tall palaces, sitting north and south, there are three hugs at the front and back, and there are penthouses on both sides. On the east and west sides of the main hall are three side halls, and on both sides of the south hall are four inverted sitting rooms, which are used to place people. The four sides of the eaves are connected by hand-made verandahs, and the four corners are opened with small doors, which can easily enter the corridor outside when they are open. Once closed, this is an independent palace complex.

There is also a small courtyard behind the main hall. A small door is opened behind the penthouse. It is not connected to the palace road outside. If you want to go out, you must pass through the main hall where Chu Jinyao is. It is now used to store large items. When there are other concubines in the East Palace, it is time to move here.

Chu Jinyao lives in the main hall. The main hall is five rooms wide, with three pavilions extending from the north to the south. Whether it is a palace or a folk garden, it is most taboo to see the bottom at a glance. Therefore, the palace has divided many spaces with screens, partitions, and screen cabinets. The bedroom of Chu Jinyao and Qin Yi is the most inner one in the west. Chu Jinyao often entertained guests in the first three embassies, and the three embassies in the back were close to their sleeping halls, which were already very private places.

Chu Jinyao planned to tidy up the furnishings of the main hall of Ciqing Palace today. Qin Yi used to live here alone, and he often stayed in the front outer hall, so he rarely used other places except the sleeping hall. It's not that the other parts of the palace are dusted with dust and the decorations are deserted. On the contrary, the agate and porcelain on the Baibao Pavilion are wiped every day, and the curtains on both sides of the artificial partition doors are also regularly replaced. It is just that although the decorations in the palace are gorgeous, But there is always a cold feeling, Chu Jinyao wants to make this place more popular.

Chu Jinyao walked to the east and looked slowly. The lighting here is good, and the place is big enough, but it is suitable for study. Qin Yi’s own study is in the front hall, and Chu Jinyao’s dowry carries pen, ink, piano and chess. Although she doesn’t use it frequently, she also wants a place for herself to calm down and practice calligraphy.

No matter where Chu Jinyao goes, there will be a large number of court ladies and eunuchs behind him. Chu Jinyao looked at the room on the east side for a while, and after thinking about how to make changes, she told the little **** behind him: "Move these vases and this wooden lattice to the front holding mansion, and push this wooden cabinet. Go to the corner and expose the window first..."

Chu Jinyao commanded everyone here, and the voice soon spread outside. The grand palace lady Qiu Chan ran in, and when she saw that this group of people were moving the furnishings of His Royal Highness, she immediately stared with anger: "Presumptuous! What do you dare to move your Highness?"

When Chu Jinyao came back from outside, she twisted her eyebrows when she heard this, and said lightly, "I asked them to change it."

Qiu Chan turned around and saw that it was Chu Jinyao. He endured his displeasure and bowed to Chu Jinyao. Then he said, "The crown prince is a blessing. The crown prince, this is something of your Royal Highness. I haven't touched it for so many years. You change rashly. Will be unhappy."

Chu Jinyao glanced at Qiu Chan, and recognized that this was the great palace lady next to Qin Yi, who had been working with Zi Yan for many years. Qiu Chan is still in charge of the affairs of the inner hall of the Ciqing Palace. Chu Jinyao didn't want to appear anxious, so he left the palace as usual and let all the important tasks be held in the hands of these old people. On the contrary, Linglong, Dingxiang, etc., the maidservants beside Chu Jinyao, only waited by Chu Jinyao's side these days, and had not assigned any affairs yet.

Chu Jinyao's tone was flat, and he choked back calmly: "This is a matter between my Highness and me. If he doesn't like it, he will naturally tell me. Why hasn't your Highness said anything, you jumped out anxiously. ?"

Chu Jinyao looked at Qin Yi's face and didn't change his deployment until he was familiar with it, but this did not mean that a little palace lady could question her decision. Chu Jin looked for a while and found that Qiu Chan was still standing where she was. Chu Jinyao took a look and said, "Tiu Chan, they still have to move things. If you have nothing else, don't get in the way. Give your way first. open it."

Qiu Chan pursed her mouth and did not speak. Another great palace lady Swift heard the voice coming in. Seeing this scene, she quickly pulled Qiu Chan away: "Prince Concubine, forgive her, Qiu Chan is straight-hearted, and she is used to anything and asks directly. It’s not to neglect the prince’s order. The slave and maid begs the prince on her behalf! The slave and maid come to help her if she wants to move something."

Chu Jinyao glanced at Swift and Qiu-chan. Qiu-chan was dragged behind by Swift, seemingly dissatisfied, but Swift held her wrist firmly. Chu Jinyao didn't want to care about with the two court ladies, so he struck a few words and waved his hand and said, "Although I can't compare to your Highness in the East Palace, I don't like anyone who can't even figure out things, so I ran hurriedly. Come in and block my order. This time I think you are the first offender, and I also take care of people outside. I will give you this face and will not pursue your dereliction of duty. If there is another time, I will not be able to protect you. Let's go out. "

Swift hurriedly saluted Chu Jinyao, and then pulled Qiican out with force. After reaching no one's land, Swift turned her head and glared at her: "Are you crazy, that is the prince, you questioned what the prince meant?"

"But that is the furnishings of His Royal Highness. It has been like this for many years. We have to wipe both sides every day. How long has she been here? How can I change it if I can change it?"

Swift could hardly believe what she had heard: "What are you thinking! The princess is the wife of your Royal Highness, and the entire house of the East Palace is under the control of the princess, but just change a few things. What's this?"

Qiu Chan still refused to accept it. The two of them were arguing, and a group of people suddenly walked out through the hall. Qiu Chan's eyes lit up and immediately ran over: "His Royal Highness!"

Xiao Linzi reached out to stop Qiu Cicada. Xiao Linzi's status in the East Palace is extremely high. Although Qiu Chan and Swift are big ladies in charge of the house, they are incomparable with the big celebrities who attend the prince like Xiao Linzi. Qiu Chan was very excited when she saw Xiao Linzi. She yelled "Duke Lin", and then saluted Qin Yi through the crowd: "Your Highness, you can't enter the hall for the time being."

Qin Yi couldn't help but stop, and asked: "Why?"

"The princess instructed her servants to move things inside, saying that she wanted to change the furnishings of the East Palace."

Qin Yi was out of anger and frightened him. He thought what was wrong. Qin Yi didn't care much and continued to walk in, saying: "She can do it if she wants to. Don't knock yourself off."

Qiu Chan's eyes widened in disbelief, but his Highness has been accustomed to the furnishings for the past ten years, so how can he change it if he wants to change it! Qin Yi walked away quickly, Qiu Chan lowered her head and bit her lips silently.

Swift sent Qin Yi to the side. After Qin Yi entered the house, she walked to Qiu-chan and looked at Qiu-chan with insight: "I will keep the matter today, and I won’t tell Aunt Ziyan. You can do it yourself, if so. Next time, don’t blame me for not reminding you.”

Chu Jinyao tossed in the house for a long time, and finally put on a general appearance. She vaguely heard Qin Yi's return, immediately put aside the things in her hands, and walked towards the Ming Dynasty.

"His Royal Highness?" After Chu Jinyao came out, he found that it was really Qin Yi. He was overjoyed, "His Royal Highness, why did you come back so early today?"

"The Wenhua Palace is okay, I will come back first."

Actually it is not. Qin Yi lived in the Ciqing Palace, but he was in the Wenhua Palace for the daily affairs of the emperor. The Wenhua Hall is very close to the Wenyuan Pavilion where the cabinet is located, separated by a double gate, and from Wenyuan Pavilion to the Prince's residence Ciqing Palace, it is no more than a cup of tea.

Therefore, the prince is really a very important position. It is not an exaggeration to say that the prince is the crown prince when the inner energy often meets the emperor in person, and the outer energy gets along with the cabinet members day and night.

In the past, Qin Yi had to stay in the outer hall for a while because of his sensitive identity, after dealing with government affairs in the Wenhua Hall, and discuss the recent gains and losses with Donggong Zhanshi, or read a book by himself and calm down. But recently, Qin Yi wanted to go back to the back as soon as the affairs of Wenhua Palace were completed.

There is no need for Chu Jinyao to know. Qin Yi habitually pulls Chu Jinyao over and asks: "I heard that you are going to clean up your study today? Is it too boring to stay by yourself?"

"Not really." Chu Jinyao was embarrassed to admit it, but retorted, "I always feel that I'm too bad, and I want to make up for myself while I'm fine in the afternoon."

Qin Yi was aroused by this: "What do you want to do?"

Chu Jinyao took Qin Yi to read the books he had brought. Qin Yi held Chu Jinyao in one hand, and took out a few books with the other. After reading roughly the title of the book, he couldn't help but laugh.

"What do you see these for?"

"Training the Four Books and Five Classics." Chu Jinyao replied very seriously, "I went to see Princess Baoqing that time and heard them say that they were disciplined by the family to read these since they were young, and Zhao Lanhui even went to school with his brothers in the clan. It."

Qin Yi's smile became more and more uncontrollable. He sat on the couch with Chu Jinyao on one side and looked at Chu Jinyao with a smile: "You believe this."

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