Warrior in Turbulent Han Dynasty

Mrs. Huarui followed Jingniang, walked through the long corridor between the red walls, turned north, and entered a courtyard, which was probably Jingniang's residence.

Looking back at the alley-like corridor sandwiched between the red walls, Mrs. Huarui seems to have walked through a tunnel leading to another world. The corridor is very neat and tidy, the ground is paved with stone bricks, the wood on both sides is exquisitely carved, and there is a lampstand built with stones on the side of the road; however, it always makes people feel that there is something missing, yes, it is vitality, because there are no flowers and trees on both sides, which is completely different from the beautiful scene of the palace and courtyard of the Kingdom of Shu.

Compared with the imperial palace of the Shu Kingdom, the layout here is square, dull and lacking in aura. But Mrs. Huarui didn’t feel unaccustomed, because she didn’t live in carved buildings and painted buildings and enjoyed rich clothes and fine food since she was born. Although her childhood hometown looked beautiful, it was cold and humid in winter, full of mosquitoes in summer, and people’s livelihood was difficult. Living there was not as good as it seemed. The Imperial City of Tokyo is not that beautiful, but it is indeed very comfortable; the key is that the people here are extraordinary, and they attract the attention of the world. After all, it is the capital center of the largest country, the Great Zhou.

Mrs. Huarui has a faint feeling that this place seems to be a stage. Because as long as all the stories that happen are spread, they will attract the attention of countless people, and some things will even be circulated in official history and unofficial history for many years.

Walking into the courtyard, several maids in front of them saw Jing Niang, and bowed their heads to avoid the side of the road. Jing Niang ignored it, and strode forward from the road under the eaves.

Mrs. Huarui took the initiative and said, "After the fall of the Kingdom of Shu, I have been taken care of by Jingniang many times. I am grateful from the bottom of my heart."

Jing Niang said without turning her head: "No need."

Jingniang has such a temper when she talks, so Mrs. Huarui naturally doesn't care about her. But Mrs. Huarui really spoke from her heart, others should have repaid the kindness she had done to Jingniang back then; even if she doesn't pay attention to herself now, she can't say good or bad because of emotion and reason.

The two entered the room, Jing Niang first asked Madam Huarui to sit down in the living room, Madam Huarui looked around and found that the furnishings here were very luxurious, most of them were cleaned up by the palace people, Jingniang obviously had little interest in those luxuries.

A court lady served tea respectfully, she gently placed the teacup in front of Jingniang, and said softly: "The prince sent someone to say that the official family will come here to see you in the next year."

Although the lady's voice was very low, Mrs. Huarui was sitting opposite, and she heard it clearly. For a while, my mood fluctuated... Although this place looks peaceful at first glance, it is actually an impetuous place where power and wealth are concentrated.

Jing Niang said: "I see, you go down."

The palace lady said: "Here."

Mrs. Huarui looked at Jingniang's appearance in wearing a headdress and a loose robe, except for a face, she did not show anything unique to a woman at all. She couldn't help saying: "Jing Niang, I have something to say, I don't know if I should say it or not..."

Jing Niang said: "Madam, if you have anything to say, just say it."

Mrs. Huarui said softly: "The officials value Jing Niang not only because of your ability or trust in your character."

Jing Niang looked at her and said calmly, "How do you say that?"

Mrs. Huarui believes that although Jing Niang is very free and easy, she is also a thoughtful person, otherwise she would not be able to do the work of being in charge of spies.

Mrs. Huarui slowly said: "The master loves talents, and men are the best talents to use. It is more convenient for a husband to manage practical affairs, and he has to support his family. He honors his ancestors and thinks about future generations. He will devote himself to the affairs of the government. The reason why the government values ​​Jing Niang is because of his affection."

Jing Niang did not deny it.

Mrs. Huarui couldn't help but blurted out again: "There are more than one or two affectionate women in the palace. You don't compete for favor, but others will. Jing Niang can't be too impulsive. If you don't manage it, it will be very difficult for someone to plot against you from time to time."

"How do you manage it?" Jing Niang asked calmly, her eyes lingering on her beautiful face.

Mrs. Huarui felt a faint embarrassment in her heart when she felt this gaze. I can't say a word in my heart: as Jing Niang, it is impossible to monopolize an emperor. Instead of being jealous, it is better to find some allies... Of course, Mrs. Huarui is the best ally.

Mrs. Huarui couldn't say that, even she felt ashamed, because her identity was Meng Chang's woman. A woman's public reputation and integrity are still very important, and she is criticized in this regard, and it is easy to be attacked by the crowd. Even she herself felt that it was wrong to abandon her old master and take the initiative to seduce others... I am afraid that Jing Niang would also despise herself as a person.

But Mrs. Huarui has seen the world outside when she was less than ten years old. She is proficient in poetry, books, piano and chess, and reading can make people think. She is too aware of her situation, as Meng Chang, the "Duke of Qin", is essentially a prisoner; Mrs. Huarui's status and everything are maintained by the relationship between the Great Zhou Emperor and even Jingniang. The last time a small official in Tokyo wanted to bully himself, it was evident.

She was wandering in her heart, one was the entanglement of right and wrong in black and white, and the other was that acting too hastily, shameless, might ruin her reputation.

Mrs. Huarui suddenly showed a forced smile, and said softly: "We haven't seen each other for a long time, so we don't talk about such important things." She turned her head to look at the direction of the sun outside the window, and said with a smile, "Jing Niang has helped me so much, I have nothing to repay you, why don't I make you some small dishes."

Jing Niang hurriedly said: "There is a cook in the yard, how dare you let Madam do the work."

Mrs. Huarui pursed her vermilion lips, and said briskly: "When I was in Chengdu, I was very famous for my culinary skills, and most people can't taste it. This is also my skill, and I am willing to do it for Jingniang. You just sent someone to send me back after finishing."

Jing Niang pondered and said: "Since Madam is kind, let's stay and have dinner together...Your Majesty will come too."

Mrs. Huarui shook her head: "That's not okay, go back after dinner, it's already dark, so don't people say it's good or bad?"

...

As the sun went down, Guo Shao left the Jinxiang Hall and drove towards Xuanyoumen to enter the harem amidst the crowd.

He didn't look sideways, sat on it with a grandiose attitude, and the palace people who met along the way knelt by the side of the road. Guo Shao is already used to this noble situation...he feels very good. For life, after satisfying the basic necessities of life, after losing the freshness of various modern playthings, there is not much difference between ancient and modern, and what makes people pay attention to is the relationship between people... Dignity, status, and self-worth become more important.

The imperial city is a place where people can expand their ego, and Guo Shao is the center of thousands of people in the imperial city, more important than anything else! Even the center of the people in the world, billions of people respect his will!

The chariot moved steadily and slowly, and Guo Shao sat on it without saying a word, making him think wildly for a long time. He sometimes felt very strange, maybe it was because he became the emperor too quickly, and he was too young... A few years ago, he was a person at the bottom of the world, but now, those powerful and powerful people who were very capable and once awe-inspiring were all under his feet, which made him occasionally feel a little uneasy.

However, Guo Shao decided to use real achievements to firmly prove his value and status, and to do things that no one in the world can do!

Jing Niang had already learned about the emperor's itinerary, so she brought the court ladies and eunuchs to greet her outside the courtyard early. After some simple etiquette, Guo Shao entered her courtyard. He immediately saw several delicate dishes on the table, and said with a smile, "Jing Niang is getting more and more careful."

Jing Niang looked strange, her eyes flickered, and finally said in a low voice: "Mrs. Huarui has been here, she cooks the dishes."

"Oh?" Guo Shao blurted out, "Where are people?"

Jing Niang said: "Let's go. I'll keep her, she said it's not good to go back after dark."

Guo Shao lowered his head slightly, glanced at Jingniang's face, and the old friendship between Jingniang and Mrs. Huarui flashed in his mind, so he sat down at the round table and said, "Since everything is set, let's have dinner together first, don't say I'm really hungry."

He lifted the chopsticks in a big way, and picked up a white slice. He didn't know what it was, but it looked good anyway. Put it straight into your mouth and chew.

At this moment, Guo Shao's expression changed slightly, and his chewing slowed down. This stuff is delicious! The entrance is crispy and crispy, with a fragrance, and it feels very refreshing after eating meat... Not only that, the taste has a layered sense, leaving an aftertaste and sweetness after swallowing, which is very delicate.

Guo Shao picked up another piece and took a closer look. He saw that this kind of round slice was white and crystal-clear, with a layer of white fine powder on the outside, which was spread evenly and cut with great care. He bit it lightly, tasted it carefully, and felt that the main body of the dish should be yam, and the powder might be accompanied by lotus powder and some seasonings.

This dish is placed on a white jade-like plate with lace, decorated with pickled apricots in the middle, it can be called art, it looks like a lotus flower... It is easy to feel that the person who cooks is very careful and serious.

He seemed to see a graceful woman in front of his eyes. While thinking about who she was cooking for, he was busy silently in the kitchen, and the skirt fluttered gently with her figure. The fragrance and affection between the jade white fingers seem to remain on the dishes.

Guo Shao's heart warmed up, he felt that he had not become numb due to the baptism of blood and fire, and was still easily moved by such little things.

It took him a long time to recover from the trance, and found that Jing Niang was staring at him intently. Only then did Guo Shao realize that he lost his composure just now.

"One dish, is it really so powerful that it took your heart away?" Jing Niang whispered.

Guo Shao hurriedly said: "It's true that the culinary skills are much better than the royal chefs in the palace. Jingniang will try it too." After he finished speaking, he put the thin slice he had bitten into in his small bowl, and stretched out his chopsticks to pick up a piece for Jingniang. He said in embarrassment, "Taste it, Mrs. Huarui made it for you, I just enjoy it."

Jing Niang said: "She made it specially for you, because she knew you were coming."

!!