The Gilded Cage

In the following days, everyone in Tai Chi Palace was busy with the coming of Mid-Autumn Festival.

While Chu Ning ordered people to prepare a banquet, he also set out to prepare for the establishment of the school.

Cuihe did such a major event for the first time. Not only did she humbly ask the female officials of the Sixth Bureau for advice every day, she also went out of the palace several times to see with her own eyes the homeschools of the major families in Chang'an for the female families to attend school. Write down the advantages and disadvantages one by one, return to the palace to report to Chu Ning, and discuss together.

However, the compact, orderly and vigorous atmosphere in the palace turned into solitude when it reached the Baifu Hall.

The Empress Dowager Qi is very old, and now the Qi family has retired from the court. She no longer interferes in military affairs. Faced with the changes in the palace, she eats fast and recites the Buddha every day, staying in the simplest form, and feeling more tired and tired.

Seeing that even the queen was there, she finally did not want to stay in the Tai Chi Palace anymore, but proposed to the Empress and the Empress that she would move out of the Tai Chi Palace and live alone in Xingqing Palace.

Xingqing Palace is located in the east of Chang'an City, and its shape is naturally inferior to Taiji Palace. However, it has everything inside, and because of its superior terrain, the climate is very pleasant and comfortable.

Xiao Kezhi and the Empress Dowager Qi were not incompatible with each other. Now they are even more clearly demarcated. They are treated as elders. Regarding this matter, after discussing with the courtiers, they naturally agreed.

Therefore, on August 12, when the Xingqing Palace was renovated, the Empress Dowager Qi moved in with the palace servants and servants around him, and even declined the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet.

Xiao Kezhi and Chu Ning saw her off in person, and they didn't return to Taiji Palace until they saw her settled in Xingqing Palace.

Three days later, it will be August 15th, the Mid-Autumn Festival.

On this day, the heat has passed and the weather is clear. From the emperor and courtiers to the common people, while immersing in the atmosphere of the reunion festival, they all look forward to the Queen’s canonization ceremony.

According to the etiquette system, the canonization **** was first held at the queen's family.

Chu Ning's parents and close relatives are no longer there, so Xiao Kezhi sent people to find the elders of the other branches of the Jingzhao Chu family, and set the curtain outside the Taipingfang house.

Chu Ning also left Tai Chi Palace the day before and moved into the house. By this morning, she got up to freshen up and wait.

Seeing that the hour is approaching, the officials of ceremonies hold the books, accessories, etc., and after going north to worship, they enter the house.

The elders of the Chu family immediately welcomed them out, while Shang Gong led the female officials into the queen's boudoir, and served the queen to freshen up and change her clothes.

The coats embroidered with five-color pheasant patterns and neat ornaments make the originally gentle and dignified Chu Ning more noble and gorgeous, especially dazzling and eye-catching.

Shang Gong stood by the bronze mirror and bowed and saluted with a smile: "His majesty has a beautiful face, no matter what kind of dress it is, it will be very matched. Today's coat is even more magnificent and dignified."

Chu Ning also looked at himself in the mirror, smiled upon hearing the words, and said: "I also have the credit of the six games for making this coat so exquisite."

Soon, when the hour came, the female officials led her out of the house, into the courtyard, and bowed to the north.

The door in the courtyard was open. In addition to the chief, deputy envoys and female officials, there were also members of the Chu clan and hundreds of officials who came with them. Even the broad road outside the hall was filled with people watching from afar, which was very lively.

When everyone saw the queen came out, the original lively noise suddenly stopped, and there was silence all around, only waiting for instructions from the courtesy officials.

After burning the incense to pay homage to her, she was reading the book aloud, and then handed the book and Baoshou into her hands.

The moment Chu Ning stretched out his hands and accepted the token, it was officially canonized. The officials at the scene stepped aside and worshipped on both sides, while the female officials walked to the front to welcome the queen back to the palace.

Outside the gate, the heavy car specially used for the queen was already ready to stop, and the guards and palace people retreated to both sides, waiting for the queen to board the car.

Chu Ning stepped out of the mansion surrounded by the crowd, and was about to board the car, but there was an orderly sound of footsteps and carriages and horses on the other side of the street.

Everyone followed the prestige, but saw that the emperor who was supposed to be in the Taiji Palace was approaching here by car. Seeing this posture, they were going to pick the queen back to the palace in person.

Chu Ning was surprised, stopped hurriedly, turned around to meet him, and said in amazement: "Why is your Majesty here?"

According to the rules, the emperor had no reason to leave the palace to welcome the queen himself.

But Xiao Kezhi calmly got out of the car with a smile, and reached out to her: "Naturally, I came to pick up the queen. Aning, let's go home."

Tai Chi Palace was his home since he was little, and now it is also her home.

It was dusk, and the setting sun was shining brilliantly, illuminating his outline with a magnificent halo.

Chu Ning raised his head and looked into his shining eyes, his heart softened, and under the amazement and gaze of everyone, he stretched out his hand and placed it in his palm that was spread out in front of his eyes.

"Okay, let's go home."

The two of them boarded the carriage and headed towards the Tai Chi Palace in the afterglow of the setting sun.

...

Outside the Taiji Palace, Qian Niuwei guards had cleared the road, and Chengtian Gate was also wide open.

The carriages of the two emperors and empresses were in front, and the horses of Baiguan followed behind. They entered through Chengtian Gate together, and did not stop until outside the Liangyi Hall where the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet was held.

The palace and the servants greeted everyone into the hall. The two emperors and queens sat down on their seats, and the underground officials stood under the steps and stood in a row. They knelt down and bowed once again to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. Queen He was registered.

Chu Ning and Xiao Kezhi looked at each other, and then raised their hands to signal everyone to get up and sit down, and then they held up the wine glasses on the case and drank with the officials before the ceremony was completed.

After a while, the music and dancing on the stage began, gradually transitioning from solemnity to cheerful and lively, gradually relaxing the atmosphere in the hall.

During the banquet, countless officials and envoys came forward with the family members of the family to toast and congratulate the two emperors and queens.

Chu Ning is not very good at drinking, and usually goes to banquets, mostly just a little taste, but today is different, wherever there is a toast, she will not refuse to come, drink one by one, and after a while, a faint blush will appear on her face. His eyes also became hazy.

Xiao Kezhi held her hand that was still to toast, took her glass of wine, and rushed to the people with a smile: "The queen is not strong enough to drink. I will drink this glass for her. Thank you for your kindness."

After all, he raised his head and took a sip.

When the visitor saw that the emperor had drunk it himself, he didn't dare to say more. He also drank the wine in the cup, bowed and bowed in fear, and turned back.

"A-Ning, you are probably a little drunk." Xiao Kezhi put down his glass and turned to look at Chu Ning's blushing cheeks. He couldn't help but put his hand on the sticker. It was really hot, "Go down and take a rest and change your clothes. ?"

Chu Ning's cheeks were hot, and he couldn't help but rub it against the palm of his hand, and nodded when he heard the words: "Okay, I do drink happily, and my head is dizzy."

Xiao Kezhi rarely saw her look like this, and couldn't help but chuckle, motioning to Liu Kang to send someone a bowl of sober soup, while personally helping her stand up, watching her step by step down the steps towards the side of the hall. Go, then regain the sight.

Leaving the main hall, the sound of singing and dancing and laughter are also farther away. Although people pass by from time to time on the corridor, it still looks empty.

The cool autumn breeze came through the hall, and Chu Ning stood by the corridor, closed his eyes for a while, and finally felt a lot clearer in his mind.

"His Royal Highness can still go?" Seeing her motionless, Cuihe thought she was too drunk to walk, so he wanted to turn around and call for someone.

"Don't be busy, I'm fine." Chu Ning waved her hand to stop her, wiped her forehead with her kerchief, and wanted to move forward, but suddenly saw a familiar figure not far away from the corner.

"Brother."

She walked two steps quickly and called out.

The figure suddenly stopped with its back facing her, stood frozen for a moment under the light, and slowly turned around to face her. It was Zhao Yanzhou who hadn't seen her for many days.

He lowered his eyelids and slowly bowed under the flickering light, saluting her respectfully.

"Today is the canonization ceremony of His Royal Highness, and the minister said joy to His Highness."

Chu Ning didn't speak, and approached step by step, stopped in front of him, looked at him for a moment, and then whispered: "Thank you, brother. How are you doing these days?"

For some reason, she has rarely seen him since she entered Tai Chi Palace. Later, when Xiao Yu was detained and put in jail, when the truth became clear, she also wanted to see him, but she sent someone to ask, but he said that she felt the wind and cold and it was not suitable to approach the queen. After hearing the news, she had gone to the uncle’s tomb to pay homage to her uncle in the sky. Can squint.

She always felt that he was deliberately avoiding, so she refused to see her.

"Everything is fine, thank you for your concern." Zhao Yanzhou still lowered his eyes, facing her gentle and familiar greeting, his eyes trembled, but his tone was as calm and restrained as usual.

"Listen to your majesty, when will you leave for Jinju?"

Jinju is located in Hadong Province. Although it is not thousands of miles away from Chang'an, it takes a few days to come back and forth. It will take a few years to come back to work here.

"Yes, Meng Sheng valued it and never gave up. Given the opportunity like this, the minister will set off tomorrow." Zhao Yan Zhou churned at her, and then, as if he understood her worry, made up her mind, slowly raised her head and looked seriously. To her, solemnly said, "Should you be rude — Aning, don’t worry about me. Jinzhou is a great opportunity for me. I have used my uncle as a model since I was a child, and I am determined to be upright in the future. A person who is genuine and dedicated to the people. Although Jinju is far away from Chang'an, the official position I want to hold is closely related to the daily life of the people. As long as I work hard, I will be able to achieve some results."

Chu Ning naturally understands his talents and ambitions, and she also sees the depressing and unwillingness of these two or three years.

Now when she saw him mentioning his future career, her eyes were shining and full of longing. While she was happy for him, she was also faintly sad and emotional.

After all he has undergone tremendous changes, he is no longer the talented and famous young man.

"Brother thinks so, I'm very happy." She endured the dampness in her eyes and smiled and helped him up. "Brother is going to leave tomorrow. I'm afraid it's too late to see him off. I can only stay here. I wish you brother, I will cherish everything in the future, and remember to come back often..."

Zhao Yan Zhou Yinren's eyes trembled again, flashed through countless surging emotions, and finally turned into a relaxed and relieved smile.

"Okay, although there is a saint now, I don't have to worry about Aning anymore, but as a elder brother, I will naturally come back and take a look."

He is the elder brother, and only the elder brother. In this life, he can see that she has a good home, and he will be satisfied.

"It's getting late, your Highness will go and rest quickly."

He looked at her like this, probably because he was going to the side hall to take a break, so he didn't stay much, and once again restored the distance between the emperor and his subjects, he bowed his hands and bowed to the side of the road.

There was silence around, and then the pair of delicate embroidered shoes in front of me turned away and drifted away.

The autumn wind blew again, and he slowly straightened his body, watching her smaller and smaller back, until he completely disappeared at the end of the corridor, he suddenly returned to his senses, turned and walked towards the main hall.

Only after taking a few steps, he suddenly confronted Xiao Kezhi, who had appeared behind him at an unknown time.

"Your Majesty!" He was taken aback, and hurriedly saluted, as if he was afraid of being misunderstood, he would usually explain, "The minister just ran into His Royal Highness. He asked about the minister's foreign affairs, so he said a few more words--"

However, before he finished speaking, he was patted meaningfully on the shoulder with a strong palm: "Well, I didn't ask you, you don't have to be anxious."

Zhao Yanzhou's words stopped abruptly, and his tight body slowly relaxed.

Yes, the emperor today is not the Xiao Yu of the past. The emperor who was born to be contemptuous of sentient beings was very kind to Aning, so how could he care for a person like him who can't even be called a "man"?

"The minister is reckless."

Xiao Kezhi smiled, and raised his arm with one hand to make him stand up: "Since Zhao Qing mentioned the foreign affairs, I have to ask one more question. With such an arrangement, can Qing complain?"

Zhao Yanzhou was stunned, and immediately shook his head solemnly: "Your Majesty has worked hard to give the minister the opportunity to display his ambitions. The minister is grateful, how can there be complaints?"

As he said, he endured the sadness in his eyes and continued in a low voice: "Besides, the minister is so unbearable, and his Majesty will not abandon him, so that he can continue to be an official in the court. I am very satisfied. Where can I dare not ask for anything..."

The "unbearable" in his mouth naturally refers to Xiao Yu's imperial punishment on him. Even though Chu Ning had never mentioned this matter, he thought that the emperor and empress should also have known from Xiao Yu's confession.

As a dignified man, it's hard to tell what happened like this.

But I don't know whether it was intentional or unintentional, but Xiao Kezhi didn't understand what he meant, so he kept silent, patted him on the shoulder, and said earnestly, "I'm not mistaken, Zhao Qing is indeed a man of great ambition. I know that you have aspirations and talents, and I have read your article and gave you the opportunity to serve as a foreigner. It is not in the face of the queen, but because I think you are a man who can be made. You only need a lot of experience, given time, You can also become a person like the great minister of Chu back then, and become a mainstay in the court. Zhao Qing, do you understand what I mean?"

What he said outside of his words, revealed his recognition and encouragement for Zhao Yanzhou, Zhao Yanzhou's heart was shaken, and he had mixed feelings.

Only when I have not met my talents did I realize how important it is to be appreciated. Especially when the other party clearly knows your most embarrassed side, but still chooses to trust.

"The minister understands-never disappoint your majesty's trust!"

Zhao Yanzhou stepped back two steps and saluted him meticulously.

"So, I am waiting for what you will do in the future." Xiao Kezhi didn't help him anymore, but said, "Get up, and have a good time at today's banquet before leaving tomorrow."

After speaking, he stopped staying, and after nodding to him, he turned and left, and walked in the direction of the side hall.

...

In the side hall, Chu Ning first changed his clothes, wiped his hands and face, and slowly drank the sober soup that Cuihe had handed him. This made him feel a lot more comfortable.

Cuihe put a soft pillow behind her, and then covered her with a thin blanket, and asked, "His Royal Highness still needs some food? Just before the banquet, I drank a lot of wine, but ate less."

Chu Ning rubbed his clearer forehead, shook his head and said, "No, the sober soup is full. I'll just take a rest."

Cuihe answered, and was about to sit aside and guard, but footsteps came from outside the house, and then someone called: "Your Majesty."

The door of the house was pushed open from the outside, Xiao Kezhi stepped forward quickly, walked directly to the side of the couch, sat down next to Chu Ning, and shook her hand and asked: "Have you used the sober soup? Is it better?"

"I have used it, my head is no longer dizzy, but I am a little tired after drinking too much." Chu Ning leaned on his shoulder and replied softly, "Why is your Majesty over here? It took less than an hour to open the banquet. , The emperor and empress both left the meeting, and others can talk about it."

"Then let them talk about it." Xiao Kezhi showed a nonchalant smile, "Today is the post-book ceremony. It is also the day we get married. It is natural to leave the meeting earlier."

Chu Ning hid his lips and chuckled, unexpectedly he would regard today as the day of marriage, and couldn't help saying: "But if you want to get married, the bedroom should be arranged."

Xiao Kezhi thought for a while and shook his head: "There is no need to set up the sleeping hall, but there is one thing that must be done."

"What is it?" Chu Ning looked up at him curiously, not knowing what he remembered, and his cheeks slowly turned red.

"A-Ning, what do you think?" He looked at her, touched her hot cheek narrowly, and suddenly picked her up, stepped directly out of the side hall, and walked in the direction of Ganlu Hall.

The autumn wind was breezy, and the two cuddled together, leaving everyone's sights aside.

He had walked through the palace with her in this way many times. In the past, due to the taboo of identity, she desperately concealed herself and avoided the prying eyes of others, and he became the "unruly" young emperor among the others.

Now that he puts aside the shackles and bravely confronts everyone's arguments, everything in the past has been driven away by the warm sun like a cloud.

The servants in the palace who passed by on the road stopped talking, but stood by the side of the road with a smile, saluting and saying congratulations.

It's really like a wedding day.

The Ganlu Temple was close in front of him, and Xiao Kezhi held Chu Ning step by step onto the steps, stepped into the hall, and gently laid her down beside the wide bed.

Red candles and tents, bright moon and breeze.

He sat opposite her, his knees touched, his eyes intertwined.

"We are a husband and wife, and there is no doubt about love. Aning, although I am the emperor, in this life, I still hope that husband and wife love and support each other like ordinary people."

Chu Ning's eyes moved slightly, and silently took off the hairpin between her hair, and strands of long hair fell loose, revealing the colorful tassels tightly tied in between.

Futuofuying means hair knotting.

He stretched out his hand slowly, solemnly and gently untied the one tasseled rope, and gently held it in his palm.

In this life, it was entrusted to him.