In the first year of Chongzhen, on the 27th day of the twelfth lunar month, Empress Xia Jiang gave birth to her eldest son. Emperor Chongzhen was very happy and rewarded Fengzao Palace three times a day. When the good news came out, the court was filled with joy, sweeping away the previous gloominess.
The Celestial Commissioner appointed Yu Lianfang to personally read the eight characters of the Great Prince's name. Later, Emperor Chongzhen gave him the name Liu Ying.
In the Taixi Tavern, the eunuch bowed and left after passing the message. When Yu Shu heard that the Emperor only chose the word "Ying" from the dozens of characters she carefully selected, she couldn't help but sigh. Sitting on the throne, she muttered to herself, "It seems that this child is indeed fated with me."
The word "Ying" was full and had more than enough.
On New Year's Eve, a heavy snowfall suddenly came and continued for three days. Just as Yu Shu had said when she persuaded Emperor Chongzhen to withdraw his troops, this heavy snowfall covered the entire North. There was no way to fight anymore. Fifty thousand troops were enough to stay behind. The further north they went, the colder it became. Half of the troops led by Feng Xiao were transferred from Liangjiang and were not used to the icy weather. If they didn't retreat in time before the weather changed, it was easy to imagine how many soldiers would freeze to death.
The heavy snow blocked the roads, so the palace banquet for the first lunar year had to be canceled. Most of the civil and military officials stayed at home, waiting for the snow to stop. Half a month ago, because the Emperor listened to Yu Shu's letter and ordered the withdrawal of the troops, the officials who were dissatisfied with her and attacked her were all very guilty now.
From New Year's Eve to the sixth day of the first lunar month, the snow fell for seven days before it stopped intermittently and reluctantly. Fortunately, the people had enough New Year's goods and could live behind closed doors. They didn't have to go out to visit relatives, so this New Year's Eve had a special taste.
The next day, the weather was clear. The streets and alleys of the capital could be seen everywhere sweeping the snow. There were also children wearing thick cotton-padded jackets and trousers running around, having snowball fights and making snowmen.
It had been many years since they had seen such heavy snow. The children were playing crazily, and even the adults were eager to play. Several of Yu Shu's maidservants from the North Palace woke up early to help her freshen up. When she went to the study room to practice her calligraphy, only Abe Kuizi was left to serve her. Then, one by one, they sneaked out to the courtyard to play in the snow.
Yu Shu copied a piece of calligraphy and raised her head to see An Bekui looking out the window. She smiled and said, "You should go too. There's no need to stand here."
Her handwriting wasn't pretty, but she had put in a lot of effort to practice it over the past six months. From barely presentable to presentable, she had made rapid progress. Although it couldn't be said to be very good, she had her own style.
Akiko Abe shyly said: "Master, why don't you take a break and go outside? This slave heard that Young Master and Bai Ran made a big snowman yesterday. Today, Chief Steward Zhou will bring people to carve an ice lantern."
Yu Shu looked at the pure white snow outside the window, unmoved. She gently shook her head and said, "You go ahead, I think it's cold."
Actually, she wasn't afraid of the cold. She just didn't have the mood to play around. There was a war in the north, and there were hidden worries in the court. Now, she needed to worry about everything. How could she have the leisure to play around?
Akiko Abe skipped away. Yu Shu calmed down and wrote for another half an hour. She put down her brush and stretched her waist. She called out to the people outside, but no one answered. She thought that they had all gone out to watch the fun. It was rare for them to be happy. Yu Shu wasn't angry. She put the teapot on the stove to heat it up.
Not long after, Yun Dou, who went to the East Courtyard early in the morning, came back with a tray. When she entered the door, she saw that no one was serving her. Yu Shu was actually boiling tea for herself. Yun Dou quickly put down the tray and went forward to take over. She muttered, "This group of girls must have gone to play in the snow. When they come back, this slave will deal with them."
Yun Dou had become more and more steady these days. Originally, she wasn't as good as Xin 'er and wasn't as clever as Lin' er, but now she managed the group of maidservants in the North Courtyard. She firmly occupied the position of the number one maidservant in front of Yu Shu.
"Let them play. It's been many years since I've seen such a big snow." Yu Shu pointed at the tray she had just put down and asked, "What is that?"
Yun Dou poured tea for her. She turned around and took the tray and put it in front of her, "Miss forgot. Today is the seventh day of the Lunar New Year. Girls have to wear flowers. The two furen have prepared it for you."
As she spoke, she took out the flowers that Zhao Hui and Aunt Cui had sent for her to see. One was a corolla made from flowers that bloomed all four seasons in Yong Chun Yuan. The other was a flower hairpin made from real gold, silver, and jade leaves.
At this time, Yu Shu's hair was loosely tied into a bun at the back of her head. Yun Dou tried to compare the two flowers on her head and said with a smile, "Miss's skin is snow white. Either one looks good on you. The two furen have put in a lot of effort. Shall this slave help you comb your hair and change?"
Yu Shu's expression was somewhat absent-minded. She took the exquisite and small corolla from her hand and said with lowered eyes, "Wait a moment. Go to the front and see how the ice lantern carvings are going."
Yun Dou agreed and left, leaving her to stare at the two flowers in a daze. She slowly got up and walked to the bookshelf on the west wall. She opened a drawer in the corner and took out a white jade box.
Opening the jade box, she saw a cluster of dried yellow flowers lying quietly at the bottom of the box. It was so withered that it was unrecognizable. Her fingers gently touched the petals, but what appeared in her mind was their original cute appearance.
This was the flower that Xue Rui had personally put on the flower for her on the National Day two years ago. At that time, the falling flower was still in love with the heartless water. He had quietly and quietly placed her in his heart, but his every move had long revealed his feelings.
This flower was called the Fragrant Knot, also known as the 'Winter Dream Flower'. There were flowers before there were leaves, just like him to her. The Fragrant Knot also had medicinal properties and could improve eyesight. He must have been secretly reminding her at that time to open her eyes and look at him.
"Ah," Yu Shu laughed softly, and a pool of tenderness appeared on her face. Holding the Fragrant Knot in the jade box, her heart was filled with longing for a moment, and the corners of her eyes became sour.
In the end, a woman was still a woman. Even if she was sitting in glory and wealth, at the height of her power, she still longed for that person in the bottom of her heart.
A burst of laughter came from outside. Yu Shu suppressed her thoughts, closed the jade box, and put it back into the drawer. She turned around and sat back on the couch. When the maids entered the door, they saw her still calm as usual.
"Master, master, look, this is the little rabbit that this servant made. Doesn't it look like one?" Akiko held a snow dumpling and presented it to her. The room was warm, and the rabbit's ears quickly melted. Without the tail, it didn't look like a rabbit, but more like a little mouse that only knew how to eat and sleep all day.
Yu Shu couldn't bear to hurt her, so she nodded and said, "It's pretty good."
Xin 'er and Lin' er winked at each other. Yun Dou smiled and glared at them. She turned back to Yu Shu and said, "Chief Steward Zhou has been carving ice lanterns in the garden since yesterday. There are all kinds of them, and there will be something to see tonight. If you are willing to give them face and take a look, then their efforts won't be in vain."
Yongchun Yuan was like spring all year round, and it was rare that it snowed. It was a different kind of beautiful scenery. Zhou Hu was originally from a bitter and cold place, so he was very good at carving ice. Yu Shu agreed. Looking at the happy faces of the maids, she also smiled and said, "Take my invitation. Send people to the Xin Family to invite Sixth Young Lady, and the Fang Family to invite Miss Situ. Let's have a good time tonight and set up two tables to eat."
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