Li Huang

"Yes," Concubine Hui rubbed the smooth edges of the fan unconsciously with her hand, without a trace of emotion in her tone: "Regardless of origin, talent, and appearance, who in the world can compare to the empress."

Concubine Yi also put on a faint and gentle smile, "The emperor and the queen love Jin Jian, dragon and phoenix and ming, it is my great blessing!"

I smiled in my heart, as if I heard the funniest joke, but there was a sweet smile on my face, blessed with salute, as if she was too shy, "Now there is a newcomer, the emperor's words are really a shameful concubine."

Shen Xiyao just smiled and ordered people to deliver the decree. Except for the four concubines of the Yu Wang, the other fourteen show women were all eight-ranks who agreed to enter the palace.

During the whole process of choosing a concubine, Xihe didn't talk to me, and even didn't even look at it for a while.

Waiting for the new beautiful women to enter the palace, although it aroused the curiosity of the palaces, Shen Xiyao almost never called for luck. In this way, these flower-like women also fell silent in this deep palace.

It's not that Shen Xiyao really loves me so much, but that since the beginning of summer, the country has shown a desire to move.

The Japanese Kingdom has always had occasional clashes with Daxi Navy due to sea disputes, but it was just a small fight. There was a large-scale naval battle in the early emperor's period, and finally returned with victory, and the country of Japan also disappeared for several years. However, the former naval governor Wang Canghai died of illness, the navy generals were no outstanding, and the new master of the Wa country was very warlike and had merged Ryukyu into the territory. Nowadays, I am afraid that the Japanese country is fancy Daxi and no one, and this is the frequent attack.

At the end of June, a dozen or so three-story warships of the Japanese Kingdom crossed the waters at the border of the two countries and came straight towards Daxi. Daxi Navy issued a warning, but was hit.

In mid-July, the Daxi Navy struggled to stop it, but failed to retreat in a row, unable to stop the Japanese warship gradually approaching Zhouzhou City.

The battle report is sent three times a day, like snow flakes, into the Hall of Nourishment. Shen Xiyao's brows frowned more and more, apart from worry, there was more anger between them. Almost every day, he summoned the ministers of the court to discuss in the imperial library. It is inevitable to go to war, but who should be sent is a question.

I was in the harem all day, and I didn't know exactly what was going on in the court, and Shen Xiyao didn't want to reveal anything. I can only maintain the stability of the harem and prevent him from being distracted by this. Fortunately, the only one who can contend with me a little bit at the moment is only a concubine Hui. She is a wise man. When encountering foreign enemies at this time, naturally there will be no trouble. Even, because of the war in the previous dynasty, I met her several times in the imperial garden, and I was able to talk a few words with kindness. From her tone, I could hear worry.

Why am I not worried? Zhouzhou City is the closest coastal defense to the capital and has always been guarded by the strongest navy. Once the city of Zhouzhou is broken, and then over the Yanshan Mountain, which is not too high, the enemy will be able to drive straight in and reach the capital within three days, posing a serious threat to Daxi. Although I know that the Daxi infantry is unparalleled in the world, and the emperor guarding Gyeonggi is one of the best soldiers, only the Japanese pirates are driven far back to the sea. Therefore, which general to send is the key.

In the afternoon, I coaxed Xuan'er to sleep in the west hall. The little maid played the fan lightly, and I took a hand and fanned it down, but my eyes looked out the half-open window from time to time. I saw the dazzling sunlight shining the snow white on the ground, piercing people's eyes. There was no wind, the trees stood still in the dull and hot air, the leaves drooping, showing a listless appearance. A few flowers were scorched so that the edges appeared scorched black, and they slumped on the branches, but they seemed to be unable to withstand the heat waves. They lost their moisture and were no longer beautiful when they first opened. Su Ri Li's disturbing cicada made no sound at this time, as if it had been dried by the huge sun.

In the west hall of the apse, there is a huge ice sculpture of a boy climbing the lotus playing fish, which is quite cool. Xuan'er slept soundly, motionless, and the thin silk quilt on her body fell and fell with her breath, and she was round and lovely. Occasionally a sweet smile appeared on his little face, which made the heart melt. I keep this peace, and I just want to stay intoxicated like this forever, no more worries, no more waves.

A rush of footsteps sounded from the courtyard. When I looked at it intently, I saw Hui Ju hurriedly approaching, sweaty and unable to wipe it.

I put down my fan and greeted me. Huiju gave a polite and whispered softly: "Manny, the servant girl has inquired that King Yu has asked the emperor for his order."

I paused, worrying in my heart, but I walked towards the front hall. In just a few short steps, I was sweating. After entering the Xi Nuan Pavilion, Xinlan brought iced plum soup. Huiju and I drank a bowl together, which relieved the heat of the whole body.

"Can the emperor agree?" I asked.

Huiju shook his head: "The servants heard from the third son that the army is all ready, only the generals. In fact, all the generals and generals in the DPRK and the middle and small have gone to the petition, but after several discussions, I still feel that the Lord Yu is the most suitable. But the emperor. Still thinking about it, just???" She paused and said, "It's only Lord Ling's intention. If this matter can't be delayed for three days, the emperor will definitely make a decision."

I said, "Well", war is imminent, Shen Xiyao will not spend too much time on general affairs, but Xihe is good at land warfare after all, but the navy has never been in contact with naval battles. The enemy also has cannons, which is really dangerous. But if you think about it carefully, the general that Chaozhong can use right now and the general who has won the most battles is indeed Xihe.

So, will Shen Xiyao let him be ordered to solve this war? If it is him, how long will it take to go here, and can he return safely?

My heart tightened, and I didn't want to think about the **** scene of continuous artillery fire. I just wondered if there could be a way to make Shen Xiyao change his mind.

While thinking about it, she casually asked Huiju: "This time the third brother told you?"

A red glow flashed across Huiju's face: "Hui Niangniang, the slave and maid met the third son at the dim sum shop, and Master Ling asked him to tell the slave."

I nodded and looked at her with sweaty clothes and said softly: "Hurry up and wipe your body and change into clean clothes. The sky is hot, and you have worked hard."

Hui Ju hurriedly said, "The slave and maidservant are not hard, so don't say that, the maidservant is shameless."

I smiled: "You go and rest, I have to think about it."

This time, I couldn't think of any strategy. As it was a matter of national importance, the harem was not allowed to do politics, so naturally I couldn't know it. Secondly, I can't say anything about Xihe to Shen Xiyao for fear that it will backfire. Finally, from all aspects, Xi He is indeed the most suitable candidate. National stability is naturally the most important.

So when Shen Xiyao came to Kunning Palace for dinner in the evening, he didn't say anything, I didn't mention a word, he didn't ask a word, served meticulously, and was gentle in every way. Only for him to relax a little bit, not so hard. It's just that there is a bit of complaint in my heart, that is his own brother, this battle is difficult, why let Xi He go after seeing the danger? But in a flash, I also want to understand that they are the monarchs and ministers first and then the brothers.

In the next two days, Concubine Hui and Concubine Yi went to bed. I didn't see him, so I didn't have time to say something that I had planned.

No, three days later, there was news from the previous dynasty that Shen Xiyao was going to be the imperial driver in this battle, and personally lead the elite division of Daxi to destroy the Japanese pirates. The former king of Yu Xihe, who had the highest voice, stayed in Beijing to supervise the country and handle all government affairs on behalf of the emperor.

As soon as this order came out, the whole country was shocked, and some ministers tried their best to dissuade him, but Shen Xiyao had no choice but to choose other generals and set off in five days.

That night, Shen Xiyao had dinner in Kunning Palace, and a table full of food was set up, but he only took a cup of gilt pear flower jug, and didn't touch the dishes on the table.

I personally placed a bowl of Longjing Bamboo Sun Soup in front of him, then gently took the jug from his hand, and said softly: "What is upsetting the emperor?" I sighed, "Chen concubine." I was wrong. Now that the battle ahead is urgent, the emperor is naturally worried."

Shen Xiyao glanced at the hip flask, looked up at me, her eyes were dark and unclear, making me unable to see his thoughts.

"Weir can blame me for not mentioning this to you before?" He held my hand, but his eyes fell on the flask.

I shook my head: "The emperor has a heart for the society, and the harem is not allowed to do politics. No matter what the emperor's decision is, his concubines will support it."

Shen Xiyao said "Oh", but there was no hint of joy in his eyes, instead there was a bit of mockery.

I sank, and stepped back and knelt in front of him: "There is something about the concubine, please ask the emperor for permission!"

Shen Xiyao helped me up: "Don't kneel at all times, let's talk about it."

Kneeling in front of him, I looked up into his eyes and looked at the uneasy point, and solemnly said: "Please accompany the emperor's concubines to accompany him."

Shen Xiyao's expression changed: "The battlefield is dangerous, how can I take you there?"

"It is because of the danger of the battlefield that the concubines have to accompany the emperor!" My tone was firm.

Shen Xiyao shook his head: "I promise you that you will return safely and victoriously."

"The concubine believes that the emperor will return victorious, so the concubine hopes to be with the emperor?" I still don't give up.

He waved his hand: "No need to mention this, I won't agree. Get up."

I was still kneeling and whispered: "Then please allow the emperor to allow his concubines to go to the Huguo Temple to chant for Daxi and pray for the emperor's safety."

Shen Xi looked at me fixedly, and I looked back at him with firm eyes. About a cup of tea, we were so stalemate, but he suddenly laughed. The smile gradually bloomed like a drop of dew falling from a branch into the lake, causing faint ripples, but only for a moment, it returned to calm.

"What is the emperor laughing at?" I wondered.

"Why does the queen insist on not being in the palace?" He looked at me with a smile, but there was no warmth in that smile.

I pursed my lips and said, "Wang Yu supervises the country."

Shen Xiyao was taken aback for a moment, Xu Ye did not expect that I would be so direct, and then said indifferently: "Wang Yu supervises the country, why does the queen go out of the palace?" His eyes flashed, and his tone became colder: "If there is nothing between you What, why avoid suspicion?"

Suddenly a little frustration surged in my heart. This was clearly what he was worried about, but he came to ask me. But now I don't know how to answer. Indeed, if there are no more entanglements between me and him, just the relationship between the queen and the courtier, the sister-in-law and the uncle, why should I avoid it?

I smiled faintly, as if not taking his words to heart. I just stood up with the hand he stretched out and held the soup in front of him. "What the emperor said is that there are so many things in the harem, and the concubines should really be sitting in town. Palace."

Shen Xiyao took a deep look at me, but there was no complete trust in his eyes.

I just didn't do it, chatting with him about homework, and it happened that the nursing mother hugged Xuan'er. Xuan'er had reached the toddler stage, and she would simply repetitive words, very smart and cute. Teasing the child, the natural atmosphere is much relaxed.

I served him to fall asleep at night, but I couldn't sleep until I was out of the palace during this period of time. But Shen Xiyao obviously still minded the old things in the past, but he showed magnanimity to not allow me to leave the palace. Is he testing me, or is he really relieved?

Thinking about it, the emperor's heart is unfathomable. In short, as long as I follow the rules and make mistakes, there should be nothing wrong.

For the next two days, Shen Xiyao had been discussing war with the ministers in the Imperial Study Room. After that, Concubine Yi was in bed, and he took time to see Concubine Hui and Yuan'er. Until the night before the expedition, he came to Kunning Palace.