Blissful Days After Widowhood

    In early March, the spring is bright and the grass is growing and the warblers are flying, which is the traditional spring hunting day.

    Emperor Zheng Yuan led the civil and military officials and a group of officials to the outer field of the city.

    People from the British government were naturally among them, and even Wu Zhong, who was inconvenient to travel, was persuaded by Wang to come over, saying that in the spring, he should have come out for a walk, which is good for his body.

    Gu Yin finally saw Wu Qingyi in the daytime.

    In the past two weeks, although he seldom stayed overnight, every time he came back, it was already midnight.

      And after a few words, they should take a rest.

    Before the spring hunt, he was so busy that he couldn't touch the ground, and he was in a daze. When the spring hunt began and after settling Zheng Yuandi and others, he could have a rest.

    This day was the second time Gu Ye appeared in front of the ministers after the ceremony that day, and he was naturally with Emperor Zhengyuan.

    After Wu Qingyi and Emperor Zhengyuan finished talking, they retreated from the tent, and Gu Ye chased after him, "General stay."

    Because it was in front of people, Wu Qingyi held back a smile and cupped his hands: "What are your orders?"

    Gu Ye slowly stepped forward with his hands on his back, "I have some matters in the paddock that I want to ask the general, the general please come with me."

    The two people, one big and one small, went to the side where no one was around, Gu Ye immediately collapsed and frowned, "Uncle, I didn't say you when I was a junior, what did I say in front of me? , I handed my mother over to you. No matter how busy this official business is, I have to stay at home. Of course, I don't blame you. I learned that the paddock is so big after I came here. Uncle is responsible for the safety of such a large place, and there must be a lot of trivial matters. , and it's so far away from the city, it's not easy for you to run back and forth."

      For a few days, you will be at home with your mother every day."

    "Who said that in the future?" Gu Ye said anxiously, "I'm talking about the three days in front of me. I'm sure I can't get out of my body for these three days. Mother rarely comes out to relax, While uncle accompanies her well, you must also behave well. Don't let other people compare. Just like today's hunting, you have to participate, and later, you can accompany mother. "

    Three days of spring hunting, Emperor Zhengyuan will bring his ministers to hunt together, and the best performers will be rewarded with generous rewards.

    The British government is not short of awards, but the people who come out on top are extremely powerful.

    It doesn't matter if the British government is inferior to others, of course, the government of Lu can't take the lead.

    Wu Qingyi nodded, "I know all this."

    After speaking, she couldn't help but stretch out her hand and snort at Gu Ye's little head.

    Gu Ye nodded in satisfaction, like a little adult: "Uncle knows everything, don't worry about it all the time."

    He couldn't help laughing when he finished speaking.

    Afterwards, Wu Qingyi left from Emperor Zhengyuan and went to his house.

    Gu Yin, Wang Shi and others have already settled in their tents.

    Their tent is not far from the royal tent, only half a quarter of an hour away.

    Song Shiliu brought a few maids to pack their luggage, Wang Shi and Wu An accompanied Wu Zhong to go out for a walk, and only Gu Yin was in the tent.

    She is playing with some of her little things.

    The cold iron kitchen knife she usually used, the bottles and jars she carried with her, and some other picnic tools were all placed on the table at this time.

    Wu Qing came to see that she was the only one there, so he sat next to her and asked what she was doing?

    Gu Yin said: "When I went to the polo club last time, I didn't bring those guys with me. You hunted such a good rabbit, you can only borrow the things from the Lu family. Although they are all complete, there are a lot of utensils. It's not easy, I can only bake it casually, this time I can't bring it all, I will cook it well when the time comes."

    Wu Qingyi couldn't help laughing and curling her lips when she heard it - even a child of Gu Ye's age, on the occasion of this spring hunt, was thinking about the hunting competition with colorful heads. Not to mention other people, they must all be trying to make a name for themselves.

    Gu Yin saw that he was laughing, she stopped fiddling with the seasoning, and asked, "What's wrong? Where did I say something wrong?"

    Wu Qingyi shook her head and said softly, "No, you're right, what do you want to eat? I'll hunt for you."

    There was no one around, and the warm wind with the fragrance of grass and trees in the spring was gently blowing in from the door.

    Gu Yin's soft bangs were messed up by the wind again, Wu Qingyi said while reaching out to pull her broken hair behind her ears.

      His hands and cheeks were flushed, blaming him with gleaming eyes.

    "Why are my ears so sensitive?"

    Gu Yin's face became so red that she could drip blood after hearing this, so she could only stare at him again.

    "Okay, I won't tease you." Wu Qingyi held back a smile and said, "I have to participate in the first day of hunting, and I will be able to accompany you in the next two days. I will take you when the time comes. Riding horses and using bows and arrows..."

    The two didn't get to be alone for long. Mrs. Wang and the others came back after wandering around the tent.

    The two naturally stopped talking about other things, only about hunting.

    The first day of hunting starts in the afternoon, and the morning is the rest time of each family.

    When it was almost time for dinner, Gu Yin went to the stove next to the tent.

    After all, it is a royal place. There are not only shared kitchens in this paddock, but also small kitchens.

      Everyone is arranged.

    In addition to the guys brought by Gu Yin, it can be said to be everything.

    Wang and the others picked up a basket of wild vegetables when they were walking around, including the tadpoles that Gu Yin liked very much.

    The number of tamales was small that time, and the three boys ate a pot. Afterwards, Lu Xu took the rest back. Except for Gu Yin, the others had not tasted paella.

    The only fly in the ointment is that there is no shortage of seasonings in the paddock.

    Gu Yin replaced it with pork belly that had been salted for half an hour.

    The bacon was marinated at the back, Gu Ye asked Xiaoluzi to send some spring bamboo shoots, and also let Xiaoluzi pass the word that he dug it now, although he is now with the emperor's father You can't run around, but don't you forget her mother!

    Seeing the tender bamboo shoots, Gu Yin was about to make a braised spring bamboo shoots.

    She peeled and washed the bamboo shoots, then flattened the bamboo shoots with the back of a knife and cut them into small pieces. Then put cold oil in the pot, add spring bamboo shoots and rock sugar, and stir fry over low heat. Stir fry until the spring bamboo shoots are soft, add soy sauce, cover the pot and simmer, and finally add the fire to collect the juice, sprinkle with sesame oil to increase the flavor.

    After the rice was cooked, Mr. Wang came to help and bring out all the food.

    Braised spring bamboo shoots with thick red oil sauce, vegetable rice with both vegetable and meat aromas, and refreshing wild vegetables mixed with sesame oil.

    A simple but delicious lunch, when the horn sounded outside, it was time to assemble.

    There is a ring of stands around the gathering place. Like the tents, they are also distinguished according to their status.

    Emperor Zheng Yuan took Gu Ye and Lu Xu to stand in the middle, with civil officials on one side, military generals headed by Wu Qingyi on the other, and people from the Duke of Lu’s mansion next to the British The other side of the government.

    On the first day of the lottery, Emperor Zheng Yuan took out a machete.

    But these are secondary, mainly because the knife is very small, and a woman will not look awkward when holding it.

    And it is said that it is also made of meteorite iron, which is rare in the world. Even the emperors of the previous dynasty were precious. It is only for fun, and it has not been used by Kaifeng!

    Such a nice little machete that has never been used, it's great for slicing meat!

    Because of the proximity, Gu Yin obviously felt that Gu Ye was secretly winking at her.

    The mother and son are in the same spirit, and Gu Yin guessed that he helped pick the lottery.

    She immediately returned a look of "I understand", Gu Ye didn't look at him anymore, and returned to his prudent appearance.

    Wu Qingyi had put on light armor and got on the horse, and gathered in the middle of the open space with the others.

    The horn sounded again from the back, and Emperor Zhengyuan also put on his strong clothes and let Gu Ye sit in front of him. After a command, Emperor Zhengyuan set off first, and the others followed closely.

    Because this hunting is from afternoon to evening, the weight is uniform when it is dark, and the one who hunts the heaviest number of prey, even if he wins the first prize, can get the prize.

    The time is long, so everyone is not rushing to the front, it is still orderly.

    A large group of men were sent away, and the entire tent was immediately clean.

    Gu Yin originally wanted to accompany Wang to take care of Wu Zhong and Wu An, but Wang did not let her touch her, saying that it was rare for her to come out and scattered, and she had to be surrounded by a few people like before. Walk around, let her take someone to ride a horse, see the scenery, or just take a nap in the tent, in short, let her come as she wants.

    The queen mother asked Wang to come over to speak, and Wang served Wu Zhong for a nap and brought Wu An over.

    Gu Yin was thinking about how to spend her time when Queen Zhou came to look for her in person.

    Gu Yin was quite surprised to see Queen Zhou here, not that Queen Zhou should not come to such a grand event, but according to what Gu Ye said before, Lu Zhao was also brought out .

    Now that she is out of the palace, Queen Zhou must be taking care of Lu Zhao.

    Seeing Gu Yin's slightly surprised reaction, Queen Zhou explained with a smile: "Alie played with his brother for a while before lunch, and A Zhao, who was tired, took a nap after dinner. His nanny is watching over him, so I can let go."

    Gu Yin nodded and said with a smile: "Then you came just in time, just now my mother asked me to leave. I'm used to being busy at ordinary times. what to do."

    Speaking of this Queen Zhou is very touching.

    In the past, as a peasant woman, Emperor Zheng Yuan revolted outside without telling his family.

    Empress Zhou didn't know what he was doing outside, and she lived the same life as before, serving her parents-in-law and children, and taking some small jobs to help make up for the family.

    The relationship between her and Emperor Zhengyuan has eased a lot. This time, Emperor Zhengyuan didn't want to bring Lu Zhao out. He said that he wanted Queen Zhou to take a good rest and relax.

    But the Spring Hunting will be out for three days, and all the masters in the palace will come out. No matter how Queen Zhou can rest assured that Lu Zhao will stay in the palace alone.

      There is no difference.

    "Your Majesty also asked me to have some fun, but I really don't know what to do when I'm free." When Empress Zhou mentioned Emperor Zhengyuan, there was a soft look in her eyes. With a smile, and a little embarrassed: "And I'm not afraid of your jokes, I don't have anyone else I know in Beijing, so I can only come to find you."

    Gu Yin thought about it and said, "Then let's go on a horse? I just learned it once, and Qingyi brought the pony that I was looking for. The horse is small and cute. And gentle..."

    Empress Zhou also doesn't know how to ride a horse, but I heard from Gu Yin that she was just learning, so she didn't refuse.

    The two went back to take off their hairpins, changed their riding clothes, and met in a nearby open space.

      Empress Zhou's riding uniform is simpler. Although the material is good, it is not as precious as the satin in the palace, and there is no decoration at all. It can be described as simple.

    The riding clothes of the two people are made according to their own preferences. They met, looked at each other, and burst into laughter.

    Even Queen Zhou couldn't help laughing: "I really didn't know that our preferences were so similar, and it was really fate."

    Gu Yin said it was not true, and she remembered something, and said, "There is one thing that I have not been able to understand all these years. His Royal Highness King Lie had a hard time on the pier, many kindhearted. All the vendors in his family have helped him. His Royal Highness is not close to them, only to me and others. My mother and they all said that the food I made was delicious, so he was very different to me. "

    The two came to the side of the pony while talking.

    Because she was talking about Gu Ye's past few years, Queen Zhou listened very seriously, Gu Yin reached out and handed it to her, she subconsciously supported Gu Yin's hand and rode on the horse.

    Gu Yin repeated the formula Wu Qingyi had taught her to Empress Zhou, and helped her sit down.

    "But I learned later that the current shopkeeper Zhou of our restaurant was working in other restaurants at that time, and he also left meals for him... Shopkeeper Zhou's craftsmanship is definitely not inferior to mine, especially Hong In the case, I learned a lot from him later. His Highness didn't look at him differently at that time, obviously the previous conjecture was not accurate."

    Speaking of this, Gu Yin smiled again, "Now I have new ideas, probably because His Highness still has some childhood memories, maybe it's because of me. It's the shadow of the empress. If that's the case, then it's not that I have a relationship with His Royal Highness, but it's actually a relationship with the empress."

    The Queen Zhou's heart is very soft.

    By the time she reacted, Gu Yin had already helped her lead the horse away for a long time.

    She suddenly broke down, and hurriedly said: "How can you lead the horse for me? Stop it."

    Gu Yin didn't care about it herself, she just inadvertently repeated the pattern of Wu Qingyi riding with him last time, she smiled indifferently, "What's the matter? You come to me To play, we don't care about our status, we just have fun together."

    "That's it," Prince Zhou beckoned to the palace maid next to him, helped the maid's hand to get off the horse, and said, "Then it's your turn to ride now, I'll take it for you."

    Don't watch Gu Yin just say that, let the queen come to lead her horse, she really dare not!

    "Don't, don't, you have a valuable status, and you are a few years older than me, I... This makes people don't know what to say about me."

    "No," Empress Zhou insisted with a smile: "What you say, the water you say, doesn't matter your identity."

    She pulled Gu Yin onto the horse, Gu Yin couldn't stand it anymore, and hurriedly apologized: "I was wrong, I shouldn't have led the horse for you."

    Empress Zhou couldn't laugh anymore, and didn't tease her anymore, she just talked while walking her horse.

    Only this time Queen Zhou took over the horse rope and she led the horse.

    Anyway, I didn't let Gu Yin ride on the horse, Gu Yin didn't say anything, just walked side by side with her.

    "There is something I want to say sorry to your family."

    Gu Yin tilted her head, looked at Empress Zhou, lowered her eyes in shame, and said, "The general didn't find Alie back then, and I actually blamed him. For this, I gave him a lot of coldness. Face. Now that I think about it, I don't know how I became that kind of person... Not to mention that Ali was adopted by your family by chance, even if he really... Then he shouldn't be blamed anyway. I It's inconvenient to meet with the general, so I can only ask you to help spread the word."

    Gu Yin nodded, "If you care, you will be confused. You were also bitter at the time. Now that you are much happier than before, I am happy for you from the bottom of my heart."

     Empress Zhou looked at her quietly, looked at her and laughed to herself.

    "You also said that we are destined, so don't say 'you'. How do we sisters match?"

    Gu Yin should be fine.

    The two walked and chatted, and went to the nearby grove. One of them didn't pay attention and met another group of people.

      bodyguard.

    The one who led the way was dressed in red, and Gu Yin immediately recognized that it was Lu Yuanqi, who had already engaged the Feng family.

    I can't believe she is here today.

    Since they are not to deal with, there is no need to say hello, Gu Yin and Queen Zhou then talk to themselves.

    Unexpectedly, Lu Yuanqi came over after seeing her.

    She jumped off the horse, saluted and said, "Madam, you really don't think about selling it to me?"

    Why is this question again, Gu Yin frowned impatiently, but she still replied with good upbringing: "Miss Lu, don't ask any more, one hundred more times, one more time. It's the same a thousand times. This horse is not for sale."

    Lu Yuanqi took the whip and knocked in his hand, "It's just a horse, why should Madam be so persistent."

    "Yeah, it's just a horse, why are you so persistent?" Gu Yin fanned the wind with her hand, "The weather is a little hot in the afternoon, and this person is out of heat. Khan's temper is easy to be bad, and if Miss Lu is entangled again, I may not be able to speak to you in such a good voice."

    Lu Yuanqi pursed her lips angrily, and then thought of something, her face loosened, "In a few months, my grade will be higher than that of Madam. When Madam sees me, It's time to greet me. I hope Madam can be so arrogant by then."

    Lu Yuanqi will soon marry Feng Yuan and become the new wife of Lu Guogong.

    On the British government's side, because the position of the king was entrusted to Wu Zhong, Gu Yin still came as a first-rank general of Wu Qingyi, the wife of the general, and the wife of the king of Chaopin. The grade is slightly lower.

      Come on, let the adoptive mother of His Royal Highness King Lie give you a gift, how shameful you are!"

    "Masters, it's your servant girl's turn to intervene?" Lu Yuanqi was embarrassed by Song Shiliu's confrontation, but still insisted: "How about His Highness's adoptive mother? Your Highness has a serious relative. Damn, Madam is holding the status of Her Highness's adoptive mother to oppress others, can the Empress agree?"

    This is really embarrassing, isn't the Queen beside me? !

    "Naturally I agree." Queen Zhou has already said, "Not only is she willing, but she is also very grateful to the general's wife, and does not allow any clowns to be so presumptuous in front of the general's wife."

    Gu Yin's heart moved slightly, and she turned to look at her.

    The eyes of the two met, and everything was silent.

    Queen Zhou smiled gently at her, and when she turned to look at Lu Yuanqi, the smile on her face faded again.

    She is not a cowardly person, she is better than the Queen Mother in this aspect.

    In the past, when she was so focused on her younger son, Feng Guifei had to give her face and did not dare to jump around in front of her.

    But Lu Yuanqi didn't know this. She looked at Queen Zhou from head to toe, and almost habitually judged people's origin from clothes.

    But having suffered such a big loss just now, Lu Yuanqi is not too stupid, so she didn't say anything else, just snorted, and said goodbye.

    After she left, Queen Zhou frowned and said, "This is the new daughter-in-law of the Feng family who is passing the door? Why is she like this?"

    "One radish and one pit." Gu Yin bent her lips, "It's pretty good too."

    Associating the Qin family who was not easy to get along with in the Duke of Lu's mansion, Queen Zhou also smiled, "It's good."

    Although the Qin family is perverse, she only dares to dance in front of people of the same rank. Like Concubine Feng, facing higher status than them, the mother and daughter can also do low-lying small, plus Feng Yuan's past is indeed a great achievement, hard work and great achievements, as long as this family does not make any big mistakes, even Emperor Zhengyuan is not good at punishing his family.

    Immediately, the Duke of Lu will ask for more gun battles like Lu Yuanqi. If you think about it, it will be lively, and more mistakes will be leaked out.

    Thinking of this, Gu Yin is not at all irritable, and only hopes that the wedding date of Lu Yuanqi and Feng Yuan will be closer and closer!

    ………

    When it was dark, the people who went out hunting came back one after another.

    Gu Ye and Lu Xu are both crazy, like two mud monkeys.

    Because Queen Zhou came out to catch the wind with Lu Zhao in her arms, she couldn't spare her hands, so she looked at Gu Yin.

    Gu Yin took the handkerchief and went over to wipe Gu Ye's face, Lu Xu also sweetly called "Auntie" and rubbed her face to serve.

    Gu Ye whispered: "I beat two rabbits, one for my mother and one for my queen. What color would my mother want?"

    After speaking, without waiting for Gu Yin to answer, Gu Ye said to himself: "No, I asked the wrong question, does my mother want to be fatter or thinner?"

    The rabbit he hunted, Queen Zhou must keep and raise it.

    And Gu Yin, a pragmatist, don't need to think about it. It is impossible to raise rabbits. In the end, it must be sacrificed to everyone's five internal organs.

    "The fat rabbit has a lot of oil, and it is fragrant when roasted. The lean rabbit meat is firm and chewy, and it can be used as a cold rabbit. It's all good, let the goddess pick it first."

    They chatted about rabbits, and the other hunters rushed back, and the prey that came back were sent to the front of the emperor, and they were piled up like a hill.

    Especially Feng Yuan was really ruthless this time, regardless of the number of people he brought out this time, but the guards he brought this time were not only highly skilled in martial arts, but also had been incapacitated since a month ago. Training bow horses day and night.

    What other people hunted was nothing compared to what he brought back.

    If there is no accident, the Duke of Lu will be the winner on the first day.

    But at the last moment, Wu Qingyi rushed back with his men and horses. The number of prey they immediately brought back was about the same as that brought back by Feng Yuan, but when the count was completed, everyone realized that it was unusual—

    Ordinary people hunt with bows and arrows.

    It takes a lot of work, needless to say.

    The voices of admiration for Wu Qingyi's superb skills in the camp were endless.

    Feng Yuan, who was just complacent, thought he was winning, has changed his face.

    "The first day's lottery, Angelica British government!"

    At the command of Emperor Zhengyuan, the generals applauded.

    There are also some indifferent people who are coaxing next to them, "The general has really put a lot of effort into this trip, just to win the knife for the general's wife! Madam can't express it?"

    Gu Yin is holding a new handkerchief and handing it to Wu Qingyi to wipe his face.

    Hearing the roar, Wu Qingyi's outstretched hand folded back again, hanging by his side, and only put his face forward.

    "Then there is Mrs. Lao." Wu Qingyi's dark eyes reflected the bonfire and Gu Yin's figure.