In the northern suburbs of the prosperous Tang Dynasty, there was a Chinese-style courtyard covering an area of ​​more than 300 acres, with red walls and green tiles.

Passing through the corridor, one can see into the vast night. The east and west courtyards are decorated with carved glass, looming like a lonely phoenix in nirvana.

Close to the gate of the east courtyard, under the snow-covered sycamore tree, a golden-brown mother squirrel poked her head out of the hole and squeaked twice. Two more squirrels came out from behind and jumped up onto the branches dexterously, scurrying around.

The snow fell softly.

"Brother, look, it's so cold, and the squirrel family still comes out to look for food, ha..."

At the door, the guard Ruchao sniffed, the torch in his hand reflecting his young face.

Ruying rubbed his eyes... "Well, small animals are alive...happier than people."

Then he said apologetically: "Chao, it's all brother... Originally, you had a rest today..."

Ruchao pursed her lips and patted her brother playfully: "What are you talking about? To protect the Queen Mother, of course all brothers must work together!"

Ruying was delighted and her eyes were fond of her: "Slip carefully, I will make some stew for you tomorrow!"

"Okay!" Ruchao smacked his lips, his slender eyebrows curved into a line.

"General Shadow, and we...we are all brothers. How can we not share wine and meat together?!"

"Well, a bunch of greedy cats... come all, come all!"

After saying that, Ruying looked at the east courtyard with deep eyes and said silently in his heart: "My Lady, please don't be soft-hearted!"

The brothers laughed and cursed several times and followed Ruying's patrol toward the east courtyard.

In the east courtyard, in the inner hall of Yanyu Pavilion, the fireplace is burning brightly, and the room is brightly lit with candles, making it as warm as spring.

Empress Dowager Tang, who was dressed in a black silk robe, was leaning on the imperial concubine's couch by the floor-to-ceiling window. Her skin was like cream, and she squinted her beautiful eyes in silence. The silk robe was soft, and her snow-white neck was open. Well, after so many years, the beauty's chin has become

The lines are still so delicate.

Suddenly, she called out softly: "Xiang girl, let me breathe some air!"

"Hey, my dear, I'm here, aren't you afraid of the cold? It's all frozen under the eaves!"

The maid Mei Xiang responded with a smile, and gently opened the window with her small hands: "My Lady, the wind is strong at night, so I can only open it for a short time."

Empress Dowager Tang gathered up her velvet robe and said with fond eyes: "Xiang girl, I heard that you visited the old lady before noon?"

"Yes, Xiang'er has stewed the bird's nest in a cup... The old lady likes it. I will stew some for her tomorrow."

"Yeah, my fragrance is the most appropriate. Thanks to you these years, how is the old lady's energy?"

"It's very good. I just want to say that I miss you very much. Please ask your Majesty to go back and talk!"

Empress Dowager Tang smiled brightly, stood up, rubbed the top of Mei Xiang's hair with her soft and boneless hands, and stroked Mei Xiang's back happily.

…

"Empress, will you see her today?"

"See, listen...see how much resentment she has towards me!"

Beside the tea table, the maid Lu Shu is making tea. The tea in the green tea cup is fragrant and lingers like jade.

"Shu'er, announce their presence!"

"Yes, empress."

Lu Shu responded, served a cup of fragrant tea and ducked out. After a while, Qingluan sisters came in. Lin Zhang'er, dressed in deerskin fur, looked like a happy deer and excitedly rushed to Empress Dowager Tang, "Mother, Zhang'er

My son is finally back!"

"Good luck to the Queen..."

The steady Mu Qingluan bowed to Empress Dowager Tang and scolded her sister, "Zhang'er, pay attention to your etiquette!"

"Qingluan, Zhang'er, no gifts, no gifts! You and I, three sisters, from now on, all these red tapes will be dispensed with! Xiang'er, hurry up and bring me some tea!"

Then, Queen Mother Tang took Mu Qingluan's hand again, and the three of them embraced each other, smiling happily.

"Zhang'er, these years have been tough on you, actually..."

Lin Zhanger shook his head and said with red eyes: "The Queen Mother, although I am just an ordinary woman, seeing you working so hard for the country and the country, it is nothing for me to endure such hardship..."

"Hey... I have no choice but to do so. Back then, the late Emperor... we, the orphans and the widowed, had no way out...!"

As she said that, there were a few tears in Queen Mother Tang's eyes. Mu Qingluan nodded and choked with sobs: "My queen, I have made you suffer!"

Queen Mother Tang wiped away her tears and held the sisters' hands once again.

"Your Majesty, please say goodbye to Tuyunguan. Qingluan went to Xuanji Island for several years. Now that he is back, Qingluan and his sister can share your worries with you. Your Majesty, you can feel at ease!"

"Okay! I have been dreaming that you two would come back soon!"

Hearing what Empress Dowager Tang said, Lin Zhanger pursed her lips and smiled. Just when she was about to speak, she saw a beautiful boy of seventeen or eighteen years old walking outside the palace. The young man wore a purple gold crown and a bright gold silk robe. He was noble and handsome.

.Especially the young man’s ice blue eyes, as clear and bright as lake water, making people want to take a look. Looking at the young man’s surprised look, Lin Zhanger’s eyes flashed with a hint of shyness, and her earlobes twitched.

And fever.

Lowering her eyes, she pulled Empress Dowager Tang's wide sleeves and asked carefully: "Empress, is this, His Highness the Crown Prince?"

"Hahaha! My sister has good eyesight. He is none other than my royal son, Shangguan Yuan!"

Shangguan Yuan politely handed over his hand and said, "I've met these two girls!"

He raised his eyes and glanced at Lin Zhang'er again, and saw that the girl lowered her eyebrows again and rubbed the corners of her clothes helplessly with her two little hands.

Empress Dowager Tang caught a glimpse, patted Shangguan Yuan's back gently with her palms, and said with a smile: "Yuan'er, these two are your Aunt Qing and Aunt Zhang. They are sisters with deep love and righteousness!"

Shangguan Yuan frowned, his beautiful eyes flashed across Lin Zhanger's pretty face, his Adam's apple moved, and he whispered: "What... aunt?"

Then Jun's face turned red and he took his mother to the side: "Er Chen...can't you call me aunt? They...should not be as senior as Er Chen?"

Empress Dowager Tang looked at her son's twinkling eyes and understood what the little guy meant. She pretended to be serious: "You are young, so you are not an aunt?"

When Qingluan heard this, he laughed and waved his hands repeatedly: "Mu Qingluan, I have met His Highness the Crown Prince. Good luck to His Highness!"

Lin Zhanger also followed Fu Li, "His Royal Highness, good luck!"

"Good luck, girl!"

"Miss Lin... she's so nice and kind!"

After saying that, Shangguan Yuan quickly turned around: "Mother, I heard that the leader of the Zhou Dynasty..."

Empress Dowager Tang's eyes gleamed slightly, and she sighed softly: "The leader of Zhou's thieves, Queen Pingnan, she was also an old friend of this palace. There is no personal enmity in the war between us!"

After that, she let out a long sigh: "It's just that our positions are different... What the queen did was just to fulfill your father's long-cherished wish. Now... eh, I won't say it anymore, I won't say it anymore!"

"Mother, I heard from Master that you have known Pingnan since you were more than ten years old?"

"Yes, decades have passed in a flash..."

Queen Mother Tang was silent, her eyes jumped through the window, and wisps of light appeared in her eyes.

Suddenly, she seemed to see Ping Nan, who was beautiful and kind-hearted when he rescued her in the werewolf cave, but so courageous in doing things, and her eyes gradually became moist.

"Mother, mother..."

"Um?"

Queen Mother Tang stopped her thoughts, looked at her son's clear eyes, and nodded: "You guys, accompany your mother to see her later."

Shangguan Yuanque said: "With the protection of my sons and ministers, Ping Nan will not even think of harming you!"

Queen Mother Tang gave her son a meaningful look and said with a wry smile: "She will not hurt me!"

"Mother is kind and I hope Pingnan will live up to your hard work!"

"Also, Father Zhong didn't go to court when he came back. All the ministers were wondering what was going on. At noon, I went to the house to look for him, but no one was there."

Shangguan Yuan reported to his mother in a low voice, his face full of doubts.

…

Under the steps of the palace, all the people in the palace shouted in unison: "The Queen Mother is kind and wise, and she brings blessings to the world. May all your wishes come true!"

As soon as everyone finished speaking, they saw the female official Murong Ji slowly walking in, holding a brocade cotton blouse in her hand.

Approaching, Dan's lips parted slightly: "My dear, take care, it's a cold day, be careful of catching a cold."

"The guards of Xuanyu Pavilion are here to report, Pingnan has been clamoring to see you!"

Queen Mother Tang nodded, "See you!"

"Empress, do you plan to forgive her?"

"Oh? Sir Murong has already anticipated my thoughts?"

"No, I don't dare. Is your wisdom beyond the reach of your empress?"

"Then tell me...how should I deal with it?"

"this……"

Murong Ji smacked her tongue and handed Empress Dowager Tang a coupon. After reading it, Empress Dowager Tang's eyes gradually turned scarlet.

Sitting by the tea table thoughtfully, Lu Shu cleverly served the hot tea. The fragrance of the tea was lingering. Empress Dowager Tang held the tea cup and sniffed it for a while, then said calmly: "This is made by Liu Tingxi herself."
To be continued...