Chapter 8 Chapter Eight

Yin'er returned to the palace from Prince Rui's Mansion, feeling restless for a long time. Thinking of the appearance of the demented man that Xiuzi married, I feel even more pitiful for this aunt who has a strong nature. She has served Lafayette in the palace for eight years, but in the end she ended up in this kind of fate, which cannot but be chilling.She didn't know that Cixi wanted to execute Xiuzi originally, and even wanted her to marry Ruiwang's family as the top Xiuzi. If it wasn't for Chashuizhang's intercession, this terrible bad luck would have fallen on her head.When she arrived at Prince Rui's Mansion, when she was helping Xiuzi off the sedan chair as a bridesmaid, she saw that Xiuzi's eyes were straight, and anyone who saw that expression felt distressed.

Besides Xiuzi, she thought more about Rongqing.This meeting was too unexpected for her. When she was watching the silly groom tied to the mad horse, who was about to kill someone at any time, Rong Qing suddenly appeared in front of her eyes as if he had fallen from the sky.It all happened so suddenly, so fast, that before she could understand what had happened, it was over.She felt like she was dreaming, just like she lay on the kang and opened her eyes many times in the past, and everything that happened in the vivid dream no longer existed. Rong Qingyuan was serving as an army guard in Chengde, why did he come back suddenly?Half a month ago, when her mother visited the palace, she asked about him, but her mother smiled and said nothing, even Ye He's family, which was rare in the past, and it seemed that her mother was hiding something from her .Surely something happened to Rongqing, right?After thinking about it, he felt that he was thinking too much. Rong Qing raised the kit around his neck in the noisy street and stared at her. Although he didn't say anything, the meaning was very clear. .The hair she cut is hidden in the kit, which is the evidence of their worship to heaven and earth.

There was a sound of broken steps in the corridor.She could tell that Ping'er had returned.After returning from Prince Rui's Mansion, she and her hadn't had time to talk, seeing her lift up the curtain and come in, Yin'er greeted her excitedly. What's the rush, Aunt Liu called you away as soon as you came back?Yin'er asked. nothing.Ping'er said calmly, seeing Yin'er sorting things out, knowing that she would soon move to the front yard and live with Lafayette's personal maid, she felt unspeakable jealousy. Sister Ping'er!How dangerous things are today!While tidying up the suitcase, Yin'er brought up the scene of horses running wild on the street when she was welcoming the bride. In fact, she wanted to draw out the conversation about Xiuzi.

That is, if it weren't for a military master who fell from the sky, Aunt Xiu would have been a widow before she got through the door.Ping'er didn't even look at Yin'er, he stood by the window and said. Aunt Xiu is so pitiful You can't say that.That is the grace of Lafayette. Ping'er blocked Yin'er back with a word.Yin'er was stunned for a while, and then with a smile on her face, she said that she deserved to die and shouldn't have said such bastard words. Just know.Ping'er said with a straight face. Yin'er glanced at the expressionless Ping'er, wondering secretly.Ever since Yin'er took the title of Xiuzi to offer cigarettes for Lafayette and became Cixi's personal maid, Ping'er seemed not as good to her as before.Today, as Xiuzi's bridesmaid, she sat in a bridal sedan chair alone, while Ping'er and other court ladies sat in a dowry cart, squeezed together with Xiao Huihui and other eunuchs.She saw that Ping'er's face was not good-looking, and she ignored her all the way back. She didn't care at the time, but now it seems that she deliberately showed her face.Thinking of this, Yin'er felt boring. Whether it was offering cigarettes for the Lafayette or being a bridesmaid, it was all assigned by Aunt Liu, and she didn't fight for it by herself. Besides, they were all slaves, fighting for status.

I asked you, Ping'er suddenly turned around and asked Yin'er, do you know the stupid boy who rescued the idiot of Rui Wang's family? You mean that military man?Yin'er was taken aback, not knowing what the other party meant. I saw you flirting with him! Good sister!You wronged me, I was just watching the excitement there like you, Yin'er saw that the other party was serious, and immediately felt ominous, this is not a trivial matter.She kept her mind steady while laughing, so that Ping'er could not see that she was flustered.Then again, it was such a mess at the time, how could she pay attention to the eyes of me and Rong Qing going back and forth, she must have guessed and tried to get the truth out of me.

Don't fool me.I can see it.You must know him, otherwise why is he holding up the pendant around his neck for you to see. I didn't see it, I let you see it, I'm afraid he knew you, or you watched it so carefully!Yin'er saw that Ping'er was pressing hard, and she felt terrified, but she didn't dare to lose her temper, she was quick-witted, and turned her opponent into an army. Well, I won't tell you anymore!Ping'er was speechless for a long time and couldn't think of words, so he shook his hand and lifted the door curtain and left. Yin'er hesitated for a moment, thinking of her benefits to her in daily life, plus the fact that the two of them live in the same room, it would be meaningless if they were unhappy.She ran to the door, caught up with Ping'er and called her to stop.

Are you angry? out of breath.Ping'er had no expression on his face, and continued to walk towards the front courtyard. Sister Ping'er!Yin'er called flatteringly. In the future, don't bother with your sister's yelling, no relatives are allowed in the palace!In fact, Ping'er is not only angry about today's wedding.I have been in the palace for a year and a half, and I am still a court lady doing rough work.On the contrary, Yin'er has only been here for half a year, and she is involved in all good things. They are all girls in the age of sixteen or seventeen. Whoever doesn't want to fight for face will feel angry when thinking about it.

Aren't we sworn sisters?Yin'er coaxed her patiently. Put bro, stinky shit.Girls, that's all! Good sister!Never mind.Yin'er held Ping'er back and said seriously, I don't understand why I should serve Lafayette.You have to teach me. I teach you?Who taught me?Can someone like me curry favor with Lafayette?Ping'er saw that she gave way to him again and again, she spoke hard, but her tone softened. Sister Ping!You're wronging me now, and I didn't do it myself, it was assigned by my superiors.Yin'er said with a wry smile, I really don't want to be separated from you when it comes to work, we talk and laugh together, and you always help me when I encounter difficulties

Don't, I don't want to delay your future!Ping'er couldn't soften his mouth, and his heart was somewhat touched. If you miss some old feelings, and don't point out that you have mixed up and promote me, Lafayette gave me less eye drops, I would be grateful! While the two were talking, the little eunuch Wang came back to find Yin'er, and said that Director Li told her to pack her luggage as soon as possible, and later the eunuch would come to help her move to the servant's room where Xiuzi Qiandian lived.Yin'er hurriedly agreed, and hurried into the servant's room to tidy up things. Ping'er hesitated for a while, and finally followed Yin'er into the servant's room, silently helping Yin'er tidy up.Yin'er glanced at Ping'er gratefully, wanted to say something to her, but didn't know what to say.

Since then, Yin'er's status has become a bit higher than her own, and Ping'er feels uncomfortable, but she has to accept this fact.When she thought of the scene of Xiuzi on her way to get married today, she thought that Xiuzi was favored so much back then, but in the end she was so miserable. The ancients said that accompanying a king is like accompanying a tiger, which is absolutely true, so Yin'er should not be too complacent.Thinking of this, she felt much more at ease, and took the initiative to talk to Yin'er, telling her to be careful when she got there.Seeing that she had a smiling face, Yin'er chatted and laughed with her, but she was more on guard in her heart, and she didn't dare to mention the matter of Xiuzi's marriage.

Yin'er offered Cixi a cigarette in the east room of Chuxiu Palace.The east one is the living room of the Empress Dowager Cixi. One end is connected to the bedroom, and the other end leads to the main hall outside. The throne of the main hall is the place where she received the emperor, ministers and concubines. Yin'er knelt on the ground and packed the shredded tobacco, held the long hookah in her hand, and handed the long cigarette holder to Cixi's chin.Cixi lowered her head, biting the pipe lightly, and Yin'er lit the shredded tobacco with a paper medium.Cixi took a big breath, and then exhaled a puff of smoke. Yin'er is a novice, and Li Lianying personally supervised it just in case.He watched Yin'er's every move, saw that she was very familiar with her techniques, and Lafayette seemed very satisfied, so he was relieved. After smoking a bag of cigarettes, looking at the rising smoke, Cixi was in a much better mood than before. She glanced at Yin'er who was kneeling on the ground and said: "Get up." Thank you slave!Yin'er stood up. The first time is raw, the second time is cooked.I see that your technique is much more familiar than last few times.There is nothing difficult to do here, there is no three-day power.The important thing is to follow the rules.Cixi asked Yin'er to fill another bag of cigarettes for herself, and said to her while smoking. Yin'er hurriedly said repeatedly: "Yes." Don't worry, Lafayette.The servant will talk to her later, that's right.Li Lianying took Cixi's words and said to Yin'er who was standing aside, let's go.The two were about to leave sideways, Cixi raised her eyelids and called them to stop. etc. Minions are here.Li Lianying thought he was called, so she quickly stood still. I call her.Cixi pointed to Yin'er and said to Li Lianying, you go outside to serve her. Li Lianying was taken aback for a moment, then gave Yin'er a sideways glance, and then bowed and exited the living room.As soon as he left, only Yin'er and Cixi were left in the room.Yin'er didn't know what the Queen Mother wanted to keep her, so she was very nervous.Cixi stood up from her chair, walked to a large desk, and asked Yin'er if she could grind ink.Yin'er had been grinding ink for her father since she was a child, of course she could, but she didn't dare to speak too much in front of Lafayette, and only said that the servants knew a thing or two.Cixi nodded, and Yin'er walked to the desk, opened the mahogany cover of the Jinxing Yuhua inkstone, scooped water on the inkstone with a small copper spoon, then rolled up her sleeves and rubbed the ink slowly. Come. Cixi stayed with Yin'er because she wanted to ask her about Xiuzi's marriage a few days ago.Ordinarily, Li Lianying was her most caring person, so he went to see her off in person that day, so just ask him if there is any situation.But the suspicious old queen is a very smart person, she has long suspected that Li Lianying and King Rui conspired to get her to marry her, so she can only hear good things from Li Lianying, and will not tell her about other things. Sending off to Xiuzi, will you be there?Cixi paced back and forth, pretending to be casual and asked. Yes, I have.Lafayette let the slaves be Xiuzi's bridesmaids. Did Xiuzi cry? No, no.Yin'er couldn't figure out what the other party meant for a while, so she could only play dumb. I'm afraid it's not right.Cixi smiled, thinking that if you don't tell me the truth, a girl will cry even when she gets on the sedan chair, and if she doesn't cry, it will make people laugh, this is called Li Niang's tears.You don't know if you haven't experienced it. When that day comes, your mother will teach you. Yin'er didn't dare to talk nonsense, she just lowered her head and studied the ink. Are you crying hard?Cixi was silent for a while, then continued to ask.She has a good grasp of the psychology of these slaves, knowing that the more they are forced, the less truthful they will be, so she can only guide them casually, so that they can't help but speak their minds. She, she didn't cry out.Yin'er blurted out. That is crying? The slaves don't know. Did she say anything along the way? No, as if nothing was said. Think again, not a word? Responding to Lafayette's words, Yin'er thought for a moment, and the maidservant remembered, we sent her to Prince Rui's mansion, and before we parted, she said a word. What words?Cixi instinctively became alert. Aunt Xiu told me to take good care of Lafayette for her! that's it?Cixi was silent for a long time, and then she asked about what happened on the way to the wedding.At first, Yin'er was a little restrained, and she didn't dare to let go. Under Cixi's continuous guidance, she finally explained in detail everything that happened on the way to the wedding ceremony, including the frightened horse, Xiao Qiye wet his pants, etc., all in one go. will come out. The more I listen to Cixi, the more uncomfortable I feel.She walked to the desk, picked up the brush, stood for a while in front of the rice paper that Yin'er had laid out, and finally threw the pen away and sat down on the chair beside the desk.When Li Lianying mentioned that Ma'er was frightened, he only mentioned it lightly, and he didn't mention the matter of Xiao Qiye peeing his pants at all. He must have received a lot of favors from King Rui to help arrange this matter. She suddenly felt sorry for Xiuzi, no matter what she said, she had been with her for so many years, and besides, when others saw her close girl marrying a fool, she didn't look good.She regretted listening to what Cha Shui Zhang and Li Lianying said, and she didn't execute Xiu Zi at the beginning, maybe it was a better result for Xiu Zi.Thinking of this, at first he wanted to call Li Lianying to scold him severely, but after thinking about it, after all, King Rui holds the military power in Hebei area, so he endured the anger.Because she handed over the power to Guangxu, only by relying on these self-respecting princes, including King Rui, to listen to her no matter how big or small, can she still control the real power of the court.The ancients said: If you can't bear it small, you will make a big mess. She went to the desk again, picked up the brush, and was just about to write a few pieces of birthday characters in block script, and keep them as gifts to the princes of the various mansions, when suddenly a eunuch's cry came from a distance outside the hall: The emperor is here!As soon as the voice fell, Li Lianying walked in quietly and reported to Cixi that the emperor and empress had come. Let the emperor and queen come in.She put down her pen, walked to the mahogany carved chair in front of the screen and sat down.Yin'er looked at Li Lianying at a loss, wondering if she should avoid it.Manager Li told Yin'er in a low voice: You are the person next to Lafayette, she often wants to smoke when she talks, what should you do if you are not by her side?When encountering such a thing in the future, if Lafayette doesn't speak up, you don't have to avoid it.Yin'er nodded.Li Lianying explained the rules of the palace to Yin'er, went straight to the door and lifted the curtain, and shouted loudly: Lafayette invites the emperor to drive. Yin'er stood there, feeling very nervous.After a while, she only felt a bright light in front of her eyes, and the emperor led the queen and concubine Zhen into the room one after the other. The twenty-six-year-old Emperor Guangxu was dressed in casual clothes, with a round hat inlaid with jade on his head, a beige satin gown, a dark vest with the word "Tuan Shou" on it, and a bright yellow belt around his waist.He has a well-proportioned figure, a pair of long eyes on a thin face, and his eyes are a little dazed. Empress Longyu is Cixi's inner niece, three years older than Guangxu.She followed closely behind Guangxu, with her back slightly arched when she walked, making her not tall figure appear even thinner.Her long face was smeared with light rouge, her thin lips were dotted with a dollop of lipstick, her head was wearing a dark water bottle, and her hair was full of beads. Compared with Longyu's luxurious court attire, the nineteen-year-old Concubine Zhen is very elegantly dressed, which instead shows her radiant young woman's face. She is tall and slim, with a pair of vivid big eyes on her delicate face.No wonder the emperor dotes on her, Yin'er thought, needless to say men like her, even Yin'er thinks she is beautiful and generous. Guangxu clasped his fists in both hands and bowed deeply to Cixi: Kiss Dad!My son, I greet you. The queen bowed her knees to Cixi: good luck to the emperor's father! Concubine Zhen asked Cixi to kneel down: slaves greeted the Queen Mother, Emperor and Empress, please sit down.Cixi waved her sleeves and said.Faced with the three different ways of paying their respects, she had different arrangements, the emperor and the empress gave her a seat, and Concubine Zhen could only stand there and talk.But after Guangxu and Longyu sat down, she asked Yin'er to temporarily move a chair, and let Concubine Zhen sit too.This not only shows the difference in identity between Concubine Zhen and Longyu, but also reflects her special care. Guangxu is the son of Cixi's younger sister and Emperor Xianfeng's younger brother, Prince Chun Yihuan. He is Cixi's nephew. He was brought into the palace at the age of four and grew up beside Cixi. The mother-child relationship and Cixi's special status in the royal family are also a recognition of her absolute rule equal to male imperial power. Guangxu and the empress sat on the left and right of Cixi, Guangxu sat on the left, the empress sat on the right, and Concubine Zhen sat on a chair a little far away.After Yin'er waited for Concubine Zhen to take her seat, she returned to Cixi's side, bowed her head and stood aside with her hands down, ready to serve the old lady to offer cigarettes at any time. It was the first time she saw them in the palace since she entered the palace. If it wasn't for the old lady's personal maid, she would definitely not have such an opportunity. She suddenly remembered that it was not unreasonable for Ping'er to feel jealous. The slaves are quite different, especially these maids, all of them are about the same age, everyone is competitive, and they all want to win the favor in front of the master. She entered the palace a year later than Ping'er, but now she can be by the queen mother's side, Not only was Ping'er uncomfortable, but the other court ladies were also unconvinced. As she was thinking, Cixi glanced at her.She immediately understood, and hastily filled a pot of cigarettes for the Empress Dowager and handed it to the other party's mouth. Cixi looked at Concubine Zhen meaningfully while smoking.She knew that Guangxu liked Concubine Zhen and disliked her niece Longyu.When choosing the empress and concubine, Guangxu would definitely have chosen Concubine Zhen as the empress if Cixi hadn't urged her repeatedly and was under her pressure. Jane, you are getting more and more beautiful.Cixi smiled and said, but she couldn't tell what it was like in her heart, because Concubine Zhen was not only prettier than her niece, but also smarter than her. Among other things, Longyu was better than Concubine Zhen in terms of color and style. By a long shot. Lafayette praised him, but he didn't dare to be a servant.Concubine Zhen said hurriedly. dear dad!Seeing Cixi praising Concubine Zhen, Guangxu was naturally very happy. Taking advantage of his aunt's good mood, he wanted to tell her about the affairs of the court. emperor!Cixi seemed to see the other party's mind, and said with a smile, let's talk about what we have to say, don't tell me about the important affairs of the court. It was about the imperial court.Guangxu smiled bitterly and said, this morning Do not listen or listen.Cixi interrupted each other. Erchen was really undecided, and had to ask his own father for an idea.The Kang Youwei who wrote the letter on the bus back then, now has another statement, which means that it is difficult to improve the law if it is not changed, and it must be changed drastically if it is to be changed. Come on, son, spare your father.Cixi shook her hands again and again, and I couldn't remember what I said.Just tell me what your idea is? Erchen thinks this is a rare talent, and wants to promote him to participate in political affairs in an extraordinary way! Isn't this quite an idea?Just do it. Dad nodded?Guangxu said happily.Although she is a righteous emperor, Cixi has listened to the government behind the curtain for many years, and her status in the hearts of the princes and ministers, especially the Manchu princes, is far beyond her own. Therefore, she wants to reuse a controversial figure like Kang Youwei and let her nod is very important. Don't use my banner, think about it, you have been in power for several years, and you have to hold me up for such a trivial matter, who will listen to you in the future?Gan Gang arbitrarily, you break your own, as long as it is good for our Qing Dynasty, I can handle it here! Royal father!Guangxu glanced at Cixi and continued: In recent years, the country has been subject to foreigners from all over the world. Even a small Japan dares to bully us. Japan’s land is only a province of ours, and its population is less than one-tenth of ours. , all because of the results of the New Deal implemented by Emperor Meiji of Japan.The son thought that as long as it does not involve the fundamental law left by the ancestors, some new policies should be implemented in due course. Um.Cixi puffed out a puff of smoke, and guessed Guangxu's thoughts through the lingering smoke. She had heard about Kang You for a long time, but almost all she heard was bad things about him, saying that he wanted to reform the ancestral system, and even wanted to abolish the imperial examination and run schools. , wanting to govern the country in the same way as foreigners, she paused and asked how Guangxu planned to arrange this person. Erchen wants him to join the Military Aircraft Department.In front of Cixi, Guangxu was a little restrained, but the matter was of great importance, so he had no choice but to bite the bullet and express his thoughts.Hearing that Guangxu said that the person surnamed Kang would be placed in the military aircraft department, Cixi couldn't help being secretly startled, because this is a key department, and all important affairs of the court have to go through there.She was silent for a moment, then bypassed the substantive question and said something reasonable. I am old, and my health is not as good as before. Since you are asked to take charge of the government, I naturally let you do it.It doesn't matter whether you do foreign affairs or promote new policies, as long as you don't destroy the fundamental law of your ancestors, just do it.As long as it is related to this, you still have to be careful and discuss it with the ministers. The emperor's father is relieved.Guangxu was very disapproving, and felt that since he was the emperor, he should naturally decide the major affairs of the country's court.He has long been dissatisfied with those princes and ministers who whispered in Cixi's ear, and he could only bear with it to hinder Cixi's face. Once he took real power, he would never be soft on these people.He thought so in his heart, but he said humbly: For any important matter, not only should he discuss with the ministers, but the ministers should also ask you for advice. Okay, okay, let's talk about the court again.Cixi shook her head, asked about Guangxu's health, and asked about the queen's daily life. In short, they were all trivial matters in the palace.The queen answered every question, and she was full of energy. Guangxu couldn't raise his spirits about these things, and he was still thinking about appointing Kang Youwei. In order not to disappoint Cixi, he had to bite the bullet and sit there.After talking for a while, Cixi suddenly told Concubine Zhen and Longyu about Han Gaozu and Empress Lu, saying that she didn't like the woman Empress Lu and thought she was vicious. His eyes were removed, his tongue was cut off, and he was locked in the toilet.Cixi spoke lightly and briefly, as if she was complaining for Mrs. Qi, but Concubine Zhen picked up the implication.Cixi just used this story to reverse its meaning, reminding herself not to compete too much in front of Guangxu, and to take the empress's face into consideration.Guangxu was thinking about Kang Youwei, but he didn't pay attention to listening. The second monk Longyuzhang couldn't figure it out, and kept asking Cixi what happened next, so Cixi gave her a hard look. After sitting for another incense stick, Guangxu finally got up to leave.Concubine Zhen also stood up, saying that she asked Lafayette for leave. Go, go, stay with the emperor well.Cixi smiled and said to Concubine Zhen. Guangxu saw that the queen had no intention of leaving, so he and Concubine Zhen asked Cixi for Da'an and left as before.Seeing the intimacy of Guangxu and Concubine Zhen when they left, Longyu couldn't hold back anymore, he felt so wronged, his eyes turned red in front of the maids and eunuchs. dear dad!You can decide for the child. shut up!Cixi lowered her face, and winked at the eunuchs and maids around her, let's all go down!As soon as she spoke, Yin'er, Li Lianying hurriedly retreated with the eunuchs and maids of honor. You are getting worse and worse.As soon as the people left, Cixi gave her a look, and she was not afraid of making jokes in front of people!You are the queen of the palace, once you are the mother of the country, be tense! My boy is really wronged, if I don't tell you, where can I talk about it?Look at Concubine Zhen's attitude, do you still regard me as the mother of the country? When I mentioned about Empress Lu just now, I just told her about it! This Longyu blinked his eyes and took a long time to understand, but his heart was still not at ease, what if Concubine Zhen didn't hear it? She is not you!Cixi smiled helplessly, facing this papaya-headed niece, pitiful and angry with her. Royal father!Longyu obviously didn't appreciate the humor in Cixi's words, and after pondering for a long time, he hummed and chirped like a mosquito and said, "I heard that Kang Youwei is from Cantonese, and Concubine Zhen's father had met Kang Youwei when he was the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi. oh!Cixi raised her eyelids and asked Longyu, how do you know? I listened to what others said.Could it be because of this reason that the emperor reused the surname Kang?Longyu recalled what her husband and Cixi had said about Kang Youwei just now, and she could see that Cixi said that Guangxu was in charge, but in fact she didn't like this person in her heart, so she took the opportunity to speak ill of Concubine Zhen and Lao Tzu. Queen, you people should not care about this kind of thing.Although Cixi insisted on holding on to the government, she was very disgusted with other women in the palace talking about the government. It was for this reason that she didn't like Concubine Zhen.Even though the niece sitting in front of her didn't have this kind of talent, let alone such ambition, Cixi was still very upset, and waved her hand to order to evict the guest, go back and rest. The next afternoon, King Rui came to see Cixi.He made a special trip to the palace to thank Xiuzi.After thanking him for his kindness, King Rui was full of complaints about government affairs, especially dissatisfied with the emperor's single-minded desire to implement a new policy.Although in name Cixi handed over power to Guangxu, and repeatedly told others that she would no longer care about the affairs of the court and only enjoy a few years of happiness, no matter what happens in the court, these princes and ministers, especially the Manchu princes, will borrow Every opportunity to report to her and ask for her opinion. What is Kang Youwei like?Cixi didn't have any politeness, she asked all her subordinates to back down, and then went straight to this topic. He is a Jinshi and is currently the head of the Ministry of Industry of this dynasty.King Rui's tone seemed routine, but he was secretly startled, why did the queen mother suddenly care about this young Cantonese Jinshi.Thinking of this morning, Guangxu said that Cixi had agreed to transfer Kang Youwei to the military aircraft department, and his heart suddenly became alert. I know this, and I didn't ask you, do you think this person can be reused?Cixi interrupted the other party and sharply focused the topic on this crucial issue. This person cannot be reused.King Rui replied without hesitation, back then he gathered a group of scholars to write to the imperial court, and now he wrote to the emperor, proposing to abolish the imperial examination system, what else would he want to do, and even want to change the Dafa of his ancestors. Amazing! What does the emperor mean? The emperor appreciated him very much. No way? Lafayette!The slave dare not tell any lies, the emperor is going to transfer him to the Military Aircraft Department.You have to decide for the slaves in this matter!If these people are allowed to take the stage, the cause of the ancestors of the Qing Dynasty will be over for them!King Rui couldn't help but knelt down facing Cixi when he was excited. Since the other party asked about this, there would be no chance if he didn't say anything else, Lafayette!This is not only the meaning of the slaves, but also Prince Gong, Prince Jin, including Li Hongzhang, and University Fellow Wo Ren. If you don’t believe me, you call them here to ask. Tomorrow the military plane will call, and the emperor mentioned him, you hold me back! Lafayette!King Rui was secretly happy, but thinking that she had already agreed to Guangxu's reuse of this person, and now he objected, doubts arose in his heart. Aircraft Department? I said that it is useless, and I have withdrawn the curtain and returned to politics.Cixi smiled slyly. The slave understands!King Rui suddenly realized something. I'm afraid you can't stand it alone, right? The slave greeted all the ministers of the Military Aircraft Department overnight.Don't worry, Lafayette!With Cixi's attitude, King Rui became more courageous. It's not to reassure me, but to reassure the Qing Dynasty. Cha, don't worry, the Qing Dynasty! After King Rui left, Cixi was upset and wanted to smoke again.Yin'er, who had been waiting outside, walked in, picked up the hookah on the tea table, put her snuff bottle filled with shredded tobacco on the hookah, and handed the cigarette holder to Cixi's mouth.Cixi leaned on the mahogany carved chair and smoked slowly, looking out the window, immersed in deep thought. The early winter sun fell on the big window couch, reflecting the whole room in a warm yellow. Yin'er knelt on the ground with a hookah in her hand, looking at the silhouette of the old lady.The bright sun from the window shone on her face, showing an unusual solemnity on her face, and her jaw kept trembling, as if she was talking to herself or chanting scriptures, but there was no sound.An old man over 60 years old, with almost no gray hair on her head. Some people say that she takes good care of it, and some people say that the eunuch who combs her hair pulls out her hair when she sees it. No matter what the situation is, at this age, you can have this black hair. It is rare. The old man lowered his eyes and seemed to be thinking about something.Even though she is here every day, someone is waiting for her, someone is talking with her, the emperor, queen and other little masters, and many princes visit her from time to time, for some reason, Yin'er still feels that she is very lonely.She thought of her grandmother. When she was old, she often sat there quietly by herself like the Queen Mother, looking at the sun on the window couch, talking non-stop. A bag of cigarettes is gone.Yin'er wanted to ask Cixi if she wanted another bag, but seeing her drooping eyelashes, she seemed to be thinking deeply, but she didn't dare to ask.She gently retracted the hookah she was holding in her hand, and lightly put on another pipe, ready to go at any time.Then she suddenly heard a slight snore.She hurriedly raised her head and found that Cixi was asleep on the back of the chair. Guangxu returned to the Hall of Mental Cultivation after the early court, walked all the way into the east study room, stood distractedly by the desk, grabbed a roll of thread-bound book, didn't read a few lines and didn't want to read any more. In front of him, several ministers from the military aircraft department including the Prince and Wo Ren disagreed with the transfer of Kang Youwei to the Ministry of War, so he was furious. These people seem to have discussed it beforehand, and the reasons for their disagreement are all the same. The reason is that this person has never led a soldier, and he refuted many of his views on reforming the ancestral system and implementing the New Deal in his book on the emperor. This person should not be reused.In desperation, Guangmo revealed Cixi, saying that the Empress Dowager had given her permission for the matter.Unexpectedly, the minister here actually said that the emperor is in charge now, and Cixi no longer listens to the government behind the curtain, so her words can only represent her personally, and cannot be the supreme imperial decree.At that time, except for his teacher, great scholar Weng Tonghe, almost unanimously opposed it, so this matter could no longer be discussed. The supervisor of the Palace of Mental Cultivation led the servants, and the eunuch Wang Shang walked into the East Study Room and whispered to Guangxu: Your Majesty!Master Zhen came to answer the call. Come on, ask her to come in.Guangxu was feeling unspeakably irritated, when he heard Concubine Zhen came, he immediately put down his book excitedly as if he had met a savior, and went to meet the door in person. The emperor invites Master Zhen!Wang Shang went to the door and lifted the curtain, and following the emperor's kind voice, Concubine Zhen had already appeared in front of his eyes. Concubine Zhen is wearing a long gown, a dark waistcoat, a melon cap on her head, and a long braid behind her back. She looks like a handsome man. According to the ancestors of the Qing Dynasty, in order to make the emperor feel at ease, Women are not allowed to interfere in government affairs, so although the emperor is the king of a country and can do whatever he wants, he is not allowed to call the concubine or nobles into the palace to serve him during the day.Later, in order to be able to stay with his concubines during the day, the romantic and suave Lord Qianlong asked the concubines to dress up as men to accompany him.From then on, the emperor of the Qing Dynasty set this precedent, and all concubines summoned during the day followed this rule, and they nicknamed it Accompanying Reading, which meant to help the emperor read the memorials of his courtiers, and it was considered a serious business. According to this example, Concubine Zhen came here to accompany Guangxu in broad daylight, disguised as a man.She walked in lightly and smiled vividly at Guangxu.When the emperor was about to kneel down to pay her respects, Guangxu hurried forward and pulled her up with both hands. Concubine love free!Concubine love free!He grabbed her hands, looked at her emotionally and said, Zhen'er's men's clothing is too beautiful. Doesn't the emperor like my daughter's attire? Like like like, of course like.Guangxu said repeatedly, he is in a good mood, most of the depression just now has gone, as long as it is you, no matter what you wear, no matter how you dress up, I like it! Wang Shang asked the court lady to serve tea, and then exited the East Study Room knowingly.As soon as the servant left, Guangxu couldn't help telling Concubine Zhen what happened this morning. Listen, listen, how dare they say that the Queen Mother's words don't count?These people are too courageous!Even the queen mother is not in the eyes.In front of others, Guangxu never called Cixi his own father, at most he called him the emperor's father or the empress dowager, and he simply called her empress dowager in front of the concubine Zhen. emperor!When Concubine Zhen heard Guangxu talk about the situation in the early court, she immediately understood more than half of it in her heart. If you think about it carefully, they don't take the Queen Mother seriously, they don't take you seriously! The queen mother clearly agreed, but you were not there. Your Majesty, Your Majesty!You are too sincere.The queen mother only said that it is up to you to decide, but did not promise anything.After all, she still didn't agree.If she really wants to agree, how dare these people refuse to do it?Didn't you say that they seem to have discussed it in advance, how to discuss it if no one takes the lead, and no one will support them after the discussion, no matter how many of them there are, they will not dare to oppose the emperor. Concubine Zhen's question stopped Guangxu.Yes!They unanimously disagreed with Kang Youwei's promotion to the Ministry of War, and even criticized his "Book of the Emperor".These people know that they appreciate Kang Youwei's letter, but they are against themselves. If no one backs them up, they will not dare to eat a leopard. Why didn't I think of this?He secretly scolded himself in his heart, and at the same time had to admire Concubine Zhen's shrewdness. He was about to open his mouth to praise Concubine Zhen, but after thinking about it, he felt that it was wrong.When Cixi's son, Emperor Xianfeng, died, she made herself the heir. She brought her into the palace at the age of four and grew up by her side. What's more, her biological mother was Cixi's younger sister, and her father was the former emperor Xianfeng's younger brother. The blood and bone connection between her relatives, even if it is not her own son, is no worse than her own!There is something hard to say between mother and son, but to play this kind of tricks on him, the more he thought about it, the more he felt that the emperor would not treat him like this. At most, it was because he was worried about his ability, or it was purely a misunderstanding, and he would never Just like Concubine Zhen said, she deliberately punished me!If that's the case, why didn't she choose herself to be the successor, or simply didn't hand over power, and just continue to listen to the government behind the curtain. Jane!I don't think Father Huang would be like this. I mentioned reusing Kang Youwei. If she disagrees, just say no to me in person. Why go around in circles. Learning is on top of this, she doesn't show up herself, let the people below oppose you.In this way, regardless of success or failure, there is more than enough to advance and retreat. Guangxu was silent for a long time after hearing this.She didn't say anything, but felt that Concubine Zhen was too sensitive.Maybe she and her biological father are both women, and they have many similarities in their personalities. They are smart, confident, strong and overreacting, and both are scheming, so they both instinctively dislike each other.Thinking of this, he sighed, no wonder the past dynasties have always said that women cannot be in power, and it cannot be said that it is unreasonable.Women are inherently inferior to men. In order to make up for this physiological deficiency, they are more vigilant and suspicious than men, and are more likely to suspect others emperor!what's on your mind?Seeing that he was silent, Concubine Zhen asked in a low voice. nothing.Guangxu smiled, lest the other party see his thoughts.One is the empress mother who has been kind to him in nurturing him, and the other is the imperial concubine whom he loves deeply. It seems that he shouldn't have such thoughts. emperor!So what are you going to do?Concubine Zhen asked. Not ready yet.Guangxu hesitated. You have to find a way quickly, or these people will rely on the backing of the Empress Dowager to fight against you everywhere, and over time they will become a threat to you! What can I do, I can't turn against Father Huang, can I?Guangxu asked back, feeling a little unhappy that Concubine Zhen was pushing her so hard.This tone reminded him of Cixi, maybe he was used to being reprimanded by Cixi since he was a child, and he instinctively felt disgusted. Your Majesty, Your Majesty!Concubine Zhen sighed, feeling that Guangxu was too kind and weak, and at critical moments, he was often indecisive and hesitant.她本想再說下去，見他心情煩亂，一臉的疲憊，便換了一個話題。 emperor!我問你，當皇上好，還是當平民百姓好？ 怎麼想起問這個？他驚訝地反問。 你說唄。she pressed. 當然做皇上好。he said without thinking. Not necessarily.就說我爸我媽吧，他們成天在一起，恩恩愛愛，想出去玩就出去玩，想說話就在一起說話，比起你我在宮中要自由自在得多。她很不以為然。 你我不是也成天在一起！他有些不自在。 珍妃歎一口氣，反問道：那為什麼大白天的，我要女扮男裝才能跟你在一起吶？ 這是祖宗留下的規矩，皇帝理事、讀書時不能讓宮妃在身邊，為的是不讓女人干預朝政。朕太想你，所以才 老佛爺不也是女人？珍妃脫口而出。 愛妃！許多事不像你想得那麼簡單。這話兒千萬不能亂說，宮中耳雜，萬一傳到皇爸爸那邊就麻煩了。光緒低聲勸著珍妃。一方面他覺得珍妃從心底裡對自己好，事事替自己著想，但另一方面覺得她太偏激，甚至對皇太后有成見。他深知要在朝廷革舊布新，阻力非常之大，如果沒有慈禧的大力支持是無法進行的。說到底，她也希望大清國強盛，痛恨各國列強，只是對許多新事物一時難以接受，所以在舉新政的問題上猶豫不決。相信只要自己真心誠意倚重她，向她和盤托出自己的設想，說服她支持自己推行新政不是不可能。在這個重大問題上，翁同龢也勸過他，要他利用母子之間的親情，曉之以理，動之以情，盡量爭取她，實在做不到也要讓她保持中立，絕不能將這位精明過人的皇爸爸推到反對改革的營壘中去。 珍妃聽光緒說了他的想法，雖覺得他說得有道理，但她認為慈禧根深蒂固地反對改革，關鍵在於不肯放權，因此讓她支持改革談何容易。 你是皇帝，是一國之君，按理這些國政大事你作主就行了。 愛妃放心，朕自有主張。光緒笑笑，心裡拿定主意，一定要借軍機處有關康有為的爭論，與慈禧推心置腹地談一次，而不能像珍妃這樣硬和對方對著幹。他不想再和她討論這個問題，但為了表示對她關心自己的認可，轉而安慰她說，算了，不說這些煩心的事。朕沒有更多的奢求，只想天天和你在一起，一起讀書談心、寫字畫畫就足夠了。 皇上既然身為一國之君，就要謀一國之政。絕不能為了我而放棄更重要的事情啊！珍妃顯然對他這種態度不滿意，她是那種急性子，凡事一定要當場辯論出個所以然來。 光緒雖說不贊成她對慈禧的態度，但對她處處呵護自己的深愛，包括她那明朗爽快的性格卻是非常喜歡的。看見她漲紅了臉，似乎真生了氣，慌忙伸手摟住她，說了許多好話哄她，同時取了一截紅線繩圈，要跟她玩翻花花遊戲。珍妃被他逗笑了。她瞭解他，知道他性格內向，許多事總放在心裡，因此也不再逼他，伸手挑起光緒手上的紅線繩玩起了翻花花。 這是一幅充滿詩意的風俗畫：一對成年人，大清國至高無上的皇帝與他的愛妃，在這間陽光輝映的東書房。充滿溫馨的初冬的日子裡，玩起了普通百姓家小孩兒遊戲。 果然如光緒所料，他與慈禧談得非常好。這些年來，外國列強倚仗武力，在中國土地上肆無忌憚，逼中國開放通商口岸，四處建教堂，武力攻佔了東北和膠東，並迫使朝廷永久割讓台灣、香港，同時在天津上海等地設立租界，租界內的事務全由洋人自己管，不讓大清國插手，簡直成了國中之國，慈禧對此早已恨得直咬牙，聽光緒說了推行新政的設想，雖說具體事宜有不同意見，但在只有大清國強大後才能與西方列強相抗衡這一點上和光緒不謀而合。 由於談得比較成功，慈禧對光緒許多做法表示認可。為了老太后的面子，他不再堅持調康有為入兵部，而改任他為工部侍郎，這樣一來他官居四品，自然有了進宮直接面見皇上的資格，光緒想召見他商談國事就容易得多，同時，趁著慈禧高興，光緒又任命在新學方面很有成就，積極主張改革的譚嗣同為軍機處章京，俗稱小軍機。 那天，光緒從慈禧午睡起床後，在靜室裡與她一直談到下午四點多，中間除了茶水章侍候上茶進來過幾次外，其他宮女太監，包括慈禧最心腹的太監李蓮英也沒進來過。有些事急不得，只能慢慢來。只要你不壞了祖宗的根本大法，我一定幫你。總之娘兒倆談得非常愉快。談完了朝廷的大事，倆人接著又說起宮中各人的生活起居。 親爸爸，昨兒晚上睡得好嗎？光緒心裡暗暗感激他的老師翁同龢，翁老出主意，讓他不要在慈禧面前談及前些天早朝的情況，更不要提及瑞王等人反對重用康有為的事，只是與慈禧交心，以母子之情和國家利益為重，懇求她的幫助就行了，所以才談出現在這種結果。 good.皇上歇的好嗎？Cixi asked back. 謝謝皇爸爸惦記。光緒高興地說。 昨晚上沒人陪著你呀？慈禧看一眼光緒，對他能就朝廷的事跟自己如此交心頗感欣慰，但心裡多少有些疑惑，會不會有人在後面替他出主意？她漫不經心地問起兒子這種生活瑣事，其實想從中品出一些別的意思，後邊的人會不會是珍妃。 光緒支吾著點點頭。 who?慈禧明知故問。當光緒輕聲說出的是珍妃時，慈禧笑了，心想替他出主意的人不可能是珍妃。雖說她很聰明，但生性好強而傲氣，脾氣又急躁，只會在她與光緒之間挑唆，這些年她與光緒之間的疏離跟她分不開。無論什麼人替光緒出這種主意，反正她今兒心裡挺高興。她不在位卻和在位時一樣牢牢捏著大權，沒她點頭光緒什麼事也辦不成，光緒找她談心，求她幫助就證明了這一點。同時，心裡也生出一種親情，畢竟他是自己身邊長大的，是正式過繼的皇兒，只要他真心誠意聽自己的，她能不幫他？想到這兒，她決定就他與珍妃之間的事敲打他幾句。 珍兒是個可人兒，要是脾氣再好點，那就更好了。慈禧淡淡一笑，不經意地問光緒，是不是這些天都是珍妃陪著他。光緒說是。她一連陪你幾天了？ 也就是五六天吧。光緒知道慈禧對他專寵珍妃，不理皇后和其他皇妃貴人有看法，因此非常小心地回答，不想為這些小事壞了朝廷上的大事。 到底五天還是六天？she pressed. 六天。他不好意思地紅著臉。 別人呢？ 兒臣沒傳別人。 我說你呀，老太后平和地嘆口氣，你跟大行皇帝整擰個個兒。他是專門兒陪著皇后，三宮六院全都素著。你呢，皇后那邊兒連個卯都不點！別人不說，就連珍妃親姐姐都告到我這兒，一把眼淚一把鼻涕的，說一個月都見不到你一回。 皇爸爸！兒臣晚上批奏摺，珍妃文墨上還行，多少能幫幫兒臣。 你放心，當婆婆的沒有不樂意你們恩愛的。慈禧說到這裡頓了一下，語氣越發地親和，你不是平頭百姓，你是一國之君。你不是立志要讓大清國強盛起來？治國的事首要一條，對事不對人，一碗水端平。你想想，朝廷上那麼多王公大臣，人事非常複雜，各有各的恩怨，你總不能因為不喜歡兵部某人就不理他，也不能因為喜歡禮部某人成天與他在一起啊。那要是洋人打進來，你總不能讓禮部某人帶兵去打仗吧？是不這個理？連你身邊的事兒都擺不平，別人看了會怎麼想？慈禧不露聲色地點了他專寵珍妃的利弊，語重心長地勸他，哪怕做做樣子，也得顧全皇后等人的面子，免招人家笑話。 這他心裡不服，卻不得不同意她的話處處在理。 皇兒！你自個兒照照鏡子，眼圈兒都是青的，這樣下去不行，為了祖宗大業，你也得愛惜自己身子。你不在乎，當母親的可心疼啊！ 慈禧抓住改革心切，一心想有作為的光緒，一番話說得他心裡熱呼呼的，他連忙表示：親爸爸說的對，兒臣一定牢記親爸爸的教導。 當然，你喜歡珍兒，可以和她多廝守，只要顧及一些其他人，特別是皇后就成了，俗話說家和萬事興。你處理好宮中的事，就能放開手腳，寬心去處理國家的事，再大的難處我也跟你一塊兒撐著。 親爸爸說得句句在理，兒臣一定聽您的，光緒心裡非常感動，覺得人跟人在一起，哪怕是母子，一個誠字抵得上一切，過去他總聽不進慈禧在這方面批評自己，此刻卻覺得她的確是為了自己好。 慈禧看得出，光緒真的被她打動，語氣神態一點沒有往日的敷衍，心裡十分高興，當即又讓茶水章送上一碗燕窩銀耳湯，逼著光緒當她的面喝了，光緒喝了湯，說味道好極了。 我知道你一向討厭喝中藥，但可以多喝點這一類的湯水，強身補腎，否則成天忙於政務，會累壞的。 可惜我那兒找不到像章得順這樣的人材。章德順曾在光緒身邊當差，從他九歲一直侍候到十四歲，後來才調入儲秀宮的。現在他身邊宮監太監王商年歲大了，一直想找個貼心的太監頂替他做宮中的督領侍，負責管理養心殿的日常事務。心想章德順是個非常合適的人選。光緒脫口而出，話一出口便覺得有些不妥。茶水章在這邊侍候慈禧多年，一向用得順手，他這樣奪太后之所愛，似乎有些不近情理。沒想慈禧竟然沒有半點猶豫。 那不容易？我把他送給你。 那不行，他一直在您身邊侍候，兒臣怎麼可以心情大好的光緒嘴上謙讓，卻忍不住問起茶水章情況。 他本是你身邊當差的，你要喜歡，就讓他回你身邊當差吧！慈禧說了茶水章一大堆好話。 皇爸爸！兒臣一時興起，隨嘴說說而已，怎麼敢要您心愛的奴才。光緒一臉惶然地說。 人都念舊，這我明白。你小時候，他就在你身邊當差，熟口熟面的用起來順手。慈禧笑著說，再說他在我這兒成日燒水熬湯，也沒法子陞遷，進宮二十多年，至今還頂著個從八品的頭銜，瞧瞧四周，跟他一塊進宮的哪個不是監宮，領侍的？皇上能提攜他，這是他的福氣。你放心，我讓李蓮英跟他說一聲，過幾天讓他去養心殿。 皇爸爸！這怕不妥 這事兒就這麼定了。章德順這些年跟著我也夠委屈的。你想想，從御膳房找個燒水的容易，可要找個合適的督領侍，不是說有就有的。 皇爸爸為兒臣割愛，將章德順賜給兒臣，兒臣這就給您磕頭謝恩了。光緒從座椅上站起，單腿跪下向慈禧拜了一下。他如此隆重的謝恩，並不是為了一個奴才，而是為了慈禧今天的這番談話，她明朗的態度，令他對朝廷改革和國家未來的信心大大加強了。 光緒走後，慈禧一個人留在靜室，心情極為複雜。細細回想著她與光緒的談話，總體上比較滿意。只有大清國富強，才能不讓洋人制時，大清祖宗的江山才能穩穩坐下去，這一點她沒有異議。只是一想到要廢除科舉，甚至要廢掉王爺的世襲制度，搞什麼議郎制廣開言路，她就覺得無法接受。這樣一來皇上的權力往哪兒放？皇親國戚們不說，還有那些跟著祖宗出生入死打江山的八旗功臣的後人怎麼辦？總不能為了對付洋人，把老祖宗的規矩全壞了吧？ 一方面，怎樣把國家搞好，她實在想不出比光緒更好的辦法；另一方面，她對光緒提出的辦法又深感疑慮，心裡非常矛盾，硬攔著兒子不讓他搞不是個辦法，閉著眼由他去搞也不是個辦法，按她性格也辦不到，眼下似乎只有走一步看一步。一想到這兒，那種久經政壇的權術和本能的直覺立即提醒她，凡事必要留一手。 當光緒提出要茶水章去養心殿當差的話一出口，她幾乎沒猶豫便同意了，這大概便是一種本能。這個本能和留一手緊緊聯繫在一起，也就是說，眼下情勢，她必須在光緒身邊放一個信得過的人，而老實忠厚的茶水章無疑是適當人選，這就像下圍棋，佈局時先放下一顆子，至於這子兒怎麼用，何時用，她並沒想好，像那些棋壇高手，只是一種直覺，覺得這顆子兒一定會在適當時機，發揮其意料不到的作用。 想到這兒，慈禧煙癮又上來了，立即傳吟兒替她敬煙。