Steel Dynasty - Chapter 40

[Chapter 40 Xiao Wenxuan]

“Hey, King Qi is filial to his empress and sister Zhen. We can only look at the best spices like perfume and cannot use it.” As

Concubine Zhen and Empress Zhao asked and answered, other concubines expressed their opinions. Xiang Xiang’s eyes were very hot, but she didn’t have the opportunity to interrupt. Seeing that Xiang Xiang seemed to be missing, Shu Fei spoke up.

Although these words praise King Qi’s filial piety, everyone can hear the sour taste in them.

Empress Zhao smiled gently. She was able to manage the harem peacefully by taking into consideration all the concubines. She said: “Sister Concubine Shu is wrong. Sister Concubine Zhen also said this. The perfume was given to me by King Qi, but I didn’t say that you sisters don’t have a share. There is so much perfume here that I can’t use it all by myself.”

“What I said is, sisters, King Qi sent me so much perfume. But it’s just for the big guys, but if you ask me to distribute it, it will inevitably be a little inconsiderate, so I give it all to the empress,” Concubine Zhen said with a smile.

The other concubines suddenly smiled, and Concubine Li said: “Prince Qi is becoming more and more sensible.”

Empress Zhao and Concubine Zhen looked at each other. Among the concubines, she and Concubine Zhen had a good relationship, because both of them were He is a harmonious and kind-hearted person who does not want to offend anyone.

Especially Concubine Zhen, whose natal family has no background, but is able to stay safe in the harem because of her intelligence and character.

Seeing that the other concubines were quite eager to give it a try, Empress Zhao said: “In that case, everyone should stop sitting around and come over to see what they like. Everyone can take a bottle.”

This time, Concubine Zhen is here as a harem .

The concubines with a relatively high status in the palace, and the concubines with a low status naturally did not dare to come over and cause trouble.

Empress Zhao agreed, and the other concubines could no longer hold back. They hurried forward one by one as if to snatch them away. After a while, there were only six bottles of perfume left in the box.

Two bottles of each of these six bottles naturally belong to Empress Zhao. The concubines also know how to measure and cannot be too greedy at this time.

A room full of concubines rushed to try the perfume. Empress Zhao waved to Concubine Zhen at this time, indicating that Concubine Zhen would talk to her alone.

Concubine Zhen understood and led Queen Zhao to the side of the main hall. At this time, Queen Zhao said: “These perfumes are so unique, they must be expensive. King Qi’s fiefdom is barren, so he must have spent a lot of money to bring out so many perfumes.” “

At this time. Concubine Zhen showed a look of helplessness and said: “To be honest, King Qi sent the perfume to the palace this time to please the empress. I have nothing to hide about this matter. The empress must also know that Ming’er escaped three years ago. Ming’er did make a big mistake about Chang’an, but the fiefdom was barren and there was no silver to rectify the army. How could the three thousand men and horses in his fiefdom resist the barbarian army? Moreover, I heard from Li San this time that Qingzhou fell for half a month in a row. After months of heavy snow, many people who couldn’t find food went into the mountains and turned into bandits. Although he was giving porridge in six cities, the money in his treasury was gradually unable to support him. “

After a pause, she said: “That’s why he is doing this. The first time I sent him perfume, he hoped that the empress could give him a nice word in front of His Majesty and allocate some money to help him overcome this difficulty. Secondly, he was forced to have no choice. If His Highness still disagreed, he would have no choice but to sell it. I made some money from the perfume. “

“Hey, I didn’t expect that King Qi’s situation has become so difficult. The emperor still gets angry when he talks about King Qi’s unauthorized escape from the fiefdom three years ago. Since he has taken such pains this time, I will give it a try. Try it.” Queen Zhao said.

Concubine Zhen bowed and said, “Thank you, Queen.”

“There’s no need to say thank you. Let’s wait until I find out the emperor’s tone.” After saying this, Empress Zhao suddenly said with interest, “You said that King Qi is really Can you refine the fragrance that I need?”

Concubine Zhen was startled and said with a smile, “The King of Qi did say so in the letter.”

“Well, in fact, although these three flavors are good, many concubines nowadays have them. Use it.” Queen Zhao sighed.

Concubine Zhen is such a smart person. She instantly understood Empress Zhao’s intention. Her mother was the one who respected the world. Since other concubines were using the same ones, it would be cliché for her to use them again. What she meant was that she wanted Xiao Ming to specialize in Make him a unique perfume.

“Your Majesty, this is not difficult. Your Majesty only needs to tell King Qi about the perfume you want. King Qi promises that he will only make this kind of perfume for Your Majesty, and other concubines will definitely not have it.” Concubine Zhen said with a chuckle.

Queen Zhao nodded with satisfaction, still talking easily to smart people, unlike that concubine who pretended to be crazy and stupid.

“Then let King Qi worry about it. I will talk to the emperor about King Qi tonight.” Queen Zhao said.

Concubine Zhen remembered the incident of being drunk in Qingzhou and said: “By the way, King Qi also sent some fine wine. Why don’t you have a drink with the emperor tonight? King Qi said that this kind of fine wine will ensure that the emperor will not want to leave after drinking it.”

“Really? ?” Queen Zhao said in surprise.

She, like the other concubines, hoped that the emperor could stay in his palace.

Concubine Zhen nodded, “Sister, I can guarantee that I have also tasted a little of this wine. It can be said to be a fine wine.”

“In this case, I will take it back and let the emperor evaluate it.”

Empress Zhao got what she wanted and went straight to I returned to my seat, said a few words to the concubines and then left.

When the other concubines saw that the queen was gone, they each made excuses to leave, but after a while they sneaked back one by one.

What Queen Zhao thought of, they also thought of. Everyone wanted their own unique fragrance. Concubine Zhen agreed one by one, but unlike Queen Zhao, she said that making perfume cost a lot of money, but she had to pay for it.

These concubines came from the five surnames and Qiwang. Their families were as rich as the country, and they had monthly salaries in the palace. The most important thing in their hands was money, so the issue of money was naturally no longer a problem.

After a busy day, the perfume matter was settled in the harem. Concubine Zhen did not go anywhere that night, but waited for news from the queen.

At this time, in the Fengming Palace, Queen Zhao was having a drink with Xiao Wenxuan. According to custom, Xiao Wenxuan would come to the Queen’s place every month to sit there before going elsewhere.

But today, he was retained by a jar of fine wine.

“Did King Qi send this wine?” Xiao Wenxuan was a little surprised to learn that the wine was sent to him by King Qi in the palace.

Empress Zhao gave Xiao Wenxuan a piece of mutton and said, “Exactly. It’s just that King Qi was afraid that the emperor would be angry, so he came to me and asked me, Your Majesty.”

“Hmph! Qingzhou is such a barren land, and there is not enough food every year. He does have extra grain to make wine,” Xiao Wenxuan said angrily, “Three years ago, I really beat him lightly.”

Empress Zhao said softly, “Your Highness, calm down, even if King Qi is wrong, it belongs to you after all. My son is also the prince of Dayu.”

(End of this chapter)