Chapter 14 Chapter Fourteen
It was late at night, and there was silence all around."Taiping Geng" came from far away, three long and one short, it is already the end of the Yin Dynasty.There was no candle in the hall, the moonlight from the west came in, Rushuang woke up from the horrified dream, the cool and thin brocade blanket covered her body like a cocoon, making her breathless.Her heart was beating wildly like a drum, she panted silently, and it took a while before she fumbled for the medicine bottle.She eagerly turned the medicine bottle upside down, barely able to hold it with her trembling fingers, and finally poured out a pill and put it in her mouth.Breathing gradually calmed down, the gloomy medicinal fragrance melted away in her mouth, and the cold sweat dripping from her vest had already soaked her clothes. She leaned back on the pillow weakly, with a slight sourness in her palm, and dropped her hand weakly, taking the medicine bottle. Already empty.
Behind him was the emperor's steady breathing, if it weren't for the quietness of the night, it would be so shallow that it could hardly be heard.This kind of voice she hates the most, every time in the dead of night, she can no longer suppress the disgust deep in her heart, and even hates herself to the bone. I feel nauseous and nauseous, and every time after taking the medicine, there is always such a weak moment, as if my limbs and bones no longer belong to me, and even my body is illusory and soft.She lay quietly for a while, and finally had the strength to leave the bed without a sound. Under the light of the pale moon, she could see her flat gold embroidered shoes, the golden thread embroidered lotus with multiple petals, and her bare feet stepped on them. The ankle reveals a delicate blue color like porcelain, and a blue and white flower blooms in the lotus flower.She lowered her eyes, there is no bright whiteness in this world anymore, even the moonlight, through the multiple curtains, the light is gray, faint like a candle that is not extinguished, so hazy that even the shadow of a person can only be seen. Can outline a few shallow strokes.She stepped very lightly, and walked through the heavy curtains almost silently. The maid guarding the watch was still dozing off under the candlestick in the outer hall. She stood there and picked up the candle scissors on the desk to cut off the candles.In such a sweltering night, even the small candlelight felt unbearably scorching.A bright core of light in the candle wick is like an exquisite flower, but in an instant, it becomes extremely red and turns to ashes.
The candlelight brightened up, and the palace lady woke up in shock. She didn't say a word, and lightly clapped her hands to call people in.The one who came to pick her up was Huier, a palace maid from Qingliang Palace, who took the cloak and tried to put it on her, but she blocked it with her hand.Although the night was late, it was still surprisingly hot, and there was not even a breath of wind.When they came out of the hall, an internal official held a lamp and saw them coming out, and bowed to lead the way.The corridor is very long, although she has to walk up it every day and night, the flickering lights are dimly in front of her, showing her the clear green brick floor under her feet, which is as bright as a mirror.Rushuang suddenly felt it was ridiculous, such a quiet night, such a lamp meandering along the corridor, it was really like a lonely ghost, wandering back and forth, desolate and silent.
The lamps were still on in the Qingliang Hall, and all the officials and maids were there. She said: "Go to sleep." She helped Hui'er into the pavilion, and Hui'er lifted the Zhuluo curtain for her. She was extremely sleepy. Just said: "The medicine is gone, tell them to send another bottle." Then fell into a deep sleep.
This sleep turned out to be very good. When she woke up, the sun was full of the window, and she was in a trance for a moment, as if she was still a little girl, in the boudoir of the embroidery building, and woke up at noon. The nanny was picking fomi in the back room, There was silence all around.I can only see the shadow of the sun moving quietly through the window gap, and according to the table, a handful of hosta flowers in a bottle are as white and straight as jade, and the fragrance is far away and clear.She picked up a flower, and the soft petals brushed against the side of her face, making one feel confused.The convex and concave patterns on the window pass through the thin clothes and hang on the arms. The thin and dense patterns of entangled branches make the branches and leaves look like vines.The sound of cicadas could be faintly heard from the depths of the dense green shade, as if there were still laughter, maybe Xiaohuan and the little girl next to her were still naughty in the corridor, playing with sticky poles to catch cicadas.After a while, Xiaohuan will happily take it into a small cage made of straw, and put a cicada in it, and put it on the dressing table for her.
The sound of cicadas gradually faded away, and the long windows were carved with intricate and exquisite patterns, the vermilion base was hollowed out and the dragon and phoenix seals were hollowed out with gold powder paint, such a rich and bright pattern, bright red and gold, the color is eye-catching after a long time.She loosened her fingertips slightly, and the heavy buds of the jade hairpin fell to the ground. There was a very light "pop", which finally alarmed people. Hui'er came in: "Your Majesty is awake?" Things, she was a little careless at the mercy of others.When combing her hair for the last time, Hui Er was the only one left in front of her, Fang asked, "Where's the medicine?"
A small turquoise porcelain bottle was placed in front of the bronze mirror, it was handled very lightly, Rushuang immediately unplugged it, and poured it in the palm of her hand.Her palm was greasy and white as jade, holding those few pills against the backdrop of countless pearls, her eyebrows were slightly frowned, and she only asked: "Why are there only five?"
Hui'er's voice was extremely low: "It's not easy to prepare this medicine now, someone from outside has brought in a message, please use it first, and then bring it to your mother after the medicine is prepared."
Rushuang slowly put the medicine back into the bottle one by one, and when each pill fell to the bottom of the bottle, there was a crisp sound: "Ta... da..." Every grain seemed to fall on the heart.She looked at herself in the mirror, because her brows were light and slightly frowning, so she used Luo Zidai to draw the extremely long ones, which made the waves flow into the temples and radiate brilliance.This method of thrushing eyebrows was started by her, and now even the officials and family members outside the palace have followed suit, which is called "frowning eyebrows".It is said that after this, the snails on the market have risen to the number of ten gold each, and the supply is still in short supply.The imperial censor specially handed over an eloquent remonstrance for this matter, urging the ban, the emperor set it aside, and from then on ordered the palace to stop using Luo Zidai, and she was the only one who still gave it to her. In a month, more than a thousand taels of Daiyin will be spent.Concubine Hua sneered at this remark, and said: "No matter how much I paint, I can't draw the third eyebrow." At this time, her brows were slightly frowned, and the peak of the eyebrow was faint, like a distant mountain, with red gold phoenix hairpin beads on her head. Luoyingzi, the extremely long tassels hang down to the eyebrows, rustling.Occasionally, the tassel shakes, flashing the applique on the eyebrows, bright red like a full blood bead, glistening and ready to fall.She put down the medicine bottle casually and rested her chin on her hand, as if a child was sleepy and tired. After a while, a smile appeared on the corner of her lips: "What does he want?"
Hui'er's voice became lower, almost like a whisper: "Your Majesty naturally understands."
Rushuang said casually: "Isn't it too early to do this at this time?"
Hui'er still had a respectful look: "The lord said, since the empress already has the 'talisman', that matter should be done sooner rather than later. It should be done sooner rather than later."
Rushuang still looked at herself in the mirror, and after a long time, she replied lightly: "Okay, I hope he doesn't regret it."
Hui'er smiled slightly: "Your Majesty, Shenghui, you won't be disappointed."
Rushuang acted as if she had never heard of it, and said lazily: "Send someone to ask if the meal has been delivered from the emperor."
No lunch was announced, because the emperor had just woken up, and the internal officials reported to Prince Yu that he wanted to see him. The emperor said casually: "Then say I haven't woken up yet, and ask him to come back in the afternoon." Prince Yu's voice was clear and persistent: "Since that's the case, the minister Dingluan is here to respect you." The emperor smiled unconsciously: "I tell you to stand upright—come in." Prince Yu was wearing court clothes, The golden boa robe embroidered with vermilion, and the white jade fish and dragon buckle around it, made her look more and more heroic, and she knelt down to perform the great gift for the prince to see him.He had already had a special decree not to kneel in front of the emperor. The emperor saw that he was so solemn and knew that he would do something, so he couldn't help but feel a headache, and said with a smile: "Okay, okay, just say what you want, don't make such a fuss Mood."
Prince Yu refused to get up: "My brother is stupid, I feel that I can't take on this important task, and everything will be decided by the emperor." The emperor laughed and said: "Those old men must be giving you a headache, I know, these few days I I'm getting better now - I'll just go and deal with them tomorrow morning, if you continue to talk bureaucratically with fourth brother like this, I'm really going to turn against you."
Prince Yu said: "Thank you, brother." The emperor smiled and said: "Get up, if you don't get up again, you really seem to be angry with me." Bo Chu's chief leader, Lan Wan, seems to have a lot of ambition." The emperor's eyes flickered, and he fell silent.Prince Yu said: "The imperial court has used troops against Nanmin and Wu Shule one after another for many years, and has been unable to spare any time. In addition, Dinglan Pass is dangerous and easy to defend, so they let Qi Erwu go for so many years. I am afraid that today it will become a threat to the tiger. .”
The emperor said: "Since we have grown a fierce tiger, we can only smash its sharp teeth when we are 100% sure."There were so many memorials accumulated, and the lecture was not finished until the beginning of the year. The emperor passed on the meal and ordered to give Prince Yu a table of royal meal. There’s no meal passed down there.” Although the emperor has four concubines, the “Niangniang” used by the internal officials refers exclusively to the concubine Shu.Although Concubine Hua was temporarily photographed in the Sixth Palace, she lost her luck to the emperor because of the assassination. The emperor was as proud as frost, not only gave her to live in the Qingliang Palace closest to Yuqing Palace, but also brought her by her side in daily life, and even shared meals with her— — This is the queen's prerogative.Naturally, there was an uproar in the harem for this overstepping the rules, and the supervisor of ceremonies had no choice but to dissuade him. The emperor said sharply: "I am the emperor, can I eat with a woman every day, and such trivial matters cannot be decided by myself?" After such a temper, this matter will be followed from now on. At this moment, Cheng Yuanfang's words are intended to remind the emperor that concubine Shu is still waiting for him.
The emperor said "Oh" and said: "Then go tell Concubine Shu that I will have dinner with my seventh brother today, so you don't have to wait for me." Cheng Yuan had just retreated a few steps, when the emperor suddenly called him again: "Concubine Shu, these few days Poor appetite, I'm afraid it's caused by greed for cold and hurt the stomach, so tell her not to indulge in melons, fruits and cold vegetables, those things are cold in nature and hurt the spleen and stomach." Cheng Yuan answered "Yes", and the emperor said: "There is more Please pass on the pulse to the imperial doctor, don’t delay and it will become a big problem.” Cheng Yuan’s face suddenly became distressed, the emperor knew that Rushuang had always been paranoid, and most of all, he avoided medical treatment when he heard that the imperial doctor was going to be passed on. Taking medicine is normal, I am afraid that I will lose my temper.The emperor said: "Just say it's my will. If people feel uncomfortable, how can we not let the doctor look at it?"
Cheng Yuan took the order to leave, Prince Yu was very careful when he saw the emperor's instructions, and thought silently in his heart.Although the imperial meal was delicacies from mountains and seas, it was related to the etiquette system. Prince Yu was not a greedy person, and the emperor was afraid of heat, so he usually ate less in hot weather. Both of them felt that it was boring.After the meal was removed, the palace lady came back with tea, and Cheng Yuan came back to reply, and she really said: "Long Live Lord, Your Majesty said that she is not sick, so I won't let the imperial doctor see her." This was expected by the emperor, and Cheng Yuan smiled happily , hesitatingly said: "There is one more sentence - slaves don't know whether to speak properly or not." The emperor was furious: "What should be said and should not be said? Is this the rule for replying to the master? I dote on you too much on weekdays. You are only close to rebellion. If you dare to talk too much, I will break your dog legs." Cheng Yuan has always been favored by the emperor, he didn't want to bump into such a big nail today, he was so scared that he kowtowed again and again, and said: "Damn it, servant girl .”
The emperor let out a sigh of relief, took a sip of the tea served by the maid.Seeing that Cheng Yuan was retreating, Prince Yu suddenly said: "My younger brother has something to ask the emperor for mercy. Theoretically, this matter should not be asked by my younger brother, but if Dingluan doesn't say anything, no one will say it to fourth brother. Concubine Han did not make a big mistake, for the sake of the eldest son of the emperor, please forgive her."
The emperor asked: "Why did you mention this all of a sudden?" Prince Yu said: "I heard that the eldest son of the emperor suffered from sunstroke the day before yesterday, and Concubine Han is his biological mother. It is more appropriate for her to take care of the eldest son's diet and daily life than others."
The eldest son of the emperor, Yongyi, was only three years old and originally lived with his biological mother Concubine Han. Since Concubine Han was demoted, four wet nurses and six internal officials accompanied the eldest son to live with Concubine Yihua.Due to the hot weather in the past few days, Yongyi suffered from heatstroke, the emperor was worried about this matter, heard what Prince Yu said, nodded his head, "That's fine." He ordered Cheng Yuan to come in, but Cheng Yuan bowed his head and bowed down. The emperor was angry and amused, and reprimanded: "Look at this prospect." Cheng Yuan said with a bitter face: "Your slaves have behaved mischievously, and I ask the emperor to punish you." The emperor said: "I won't punish you anymore, there is an errand I will leave it to you, and you will go back to Xichangjing immediately to pass on my will and order Concubine Han to come to Donghuajing."
In such a hot weather, galloping for hundreds of miles can be regarded as a hard job, but Cheng Yuan smiled instantly, and quickly saluted: "Your servant obeys the order."
After lunch, the emperor had to take a nap as usual, so Prince Yu came out and saw the little eunuch Liu Fu filling the bird cage with water, seeing him, he hurriedly saluted: "I have seen you, my lord." Knowing that he is also Zhao Youzhi's disciple, Prince Yu asked "Go and see if Cheng Yuan has left. If he hasn't left the palace yet, tell him that I'll wait for him at the gate of the palace. I have a few words to tell him." Liu Fu hurriedly agreed and went.Prince Yu came out of the palace and ordered the sedan chair to wait outside the gate of Qiankun for a while. After a while, he saw Cheng Yuan coming out of the palace accompanied by two servants.Seeing Prince Yu's sedan chair, Cheng Yuan ordered the two servants to stay where they were, only he walked over and saluted from a distance: "Your servant has seen the prince." Prince Yu said: "Excuse me." Cheng Yuan said: "Yes, I heard that the lord summoned me, but I don't know what orders the lord has." Prince Yu asked: "This time when you return to Beijing, will you go by land or by water?"
From Donghuajing to Xichangjing, there is a land route and a water route.The waterway is far away and the boat travels slowly, Cheng Yuan said: "Your maidservant is planning to go by land, please ride faster." Prince Yu nodded slightly, and said: "Concubine Han is ordered to go to the palace, you must be careful on the way, the weather is too hot, the car and sedan chair are tired Yes, don’t let your mother suffer from heatstroke.” Cheng Yuan pondered the meaning of his words and couldn’t help saying: “My lord, the royal family usually travels by water.” Prince Yu said: “I know, but the number of concubine Han Moon has not seen the eldest son of the emperor, and he loves his son so much that he will definitely go by land." Cheng Yuan had an epiphany, and he couldn't help sweating profusely, and saluted Prince Yu: "Your servant understands."
The sound of cicadas could be heard, the weather was hot, there was no shelter outside the palace gate, the scorching sun in the afternoon, Cheng Yuanben's clothes were soaked in sweat, at this time, the scorching sun gradually dried up, forming a layer of frost, which was painful and painful on the back itch.But I heard Prince Yu say: "You have to work hard here, go and come back quickly, don't delay." Cheng Yuan respectfully said: "My lord, please rest assured, servants will do their best." Prince Yu nodded, the inner palace had sent Liang With three steeds, Cheng Yuan saluted and bid farewell to Prince Yu, and together with the two servants, he led the horse for a hundred paces, until it was out of the forbidden road, before he got on his horse and left.
Prince Yu watched the three riders gallop away, gradually drifting away, and then let out a sigh of relief.
As expected, Cheng Yuan did his job properly, and at the end of the second day, he waited on Concubine Han's car and rushed back to the palace.Needless to say, it was hard work to go back and forth in such a hot weather in two days full of dust.Concubine Han had never traveled a long distance in such hot weather, she followed Cheng Yuan's persuasion, and set off in the early morning, abandoning the boat and taking a car, the journey was extremely hard.After entering the palace, he hastily bathed and changed his clothes, and then went to thank the emperor.
Because of the hot weather, the heat still persisted at dusk, so the emperor enjoyed the coolness with Rushuang in the water pavilion at the back of Qingliang Hall.Rushuang has lost her appetite recently, and the dinner is only perfunctory. At this time, the imperial dining room puts an ice bowl, which is made of fresh lotus root, melon, peach, and honey mixed with crushed ice. Rushuang is always greedy for cold, the emperor Fearing that she would hurt her stomach, she was not allowed to eat more of such cold food, so he ordered the internal officials to take half a bowl for her.Rushuang finished half of the bowl, because there was more than half of the bowl in front of the emperor's case, the jade-colored thin porcelain bowl was faintly translucent, the broken ice in the bowl was ups and downs, and the honey was thick, making the melon and peach sweet and fragrant, cool and mellow people.She took the silver spoon, picked a piece of peach and ate it.The emperor smiled and said: "Ah, ah, there is no one who robs others to eat." Rushuang held the tip of the spoon, looked back and smiled, showing bright teeth like jade: "How can this be called robbing?" Then she picked another piece of melon and put it on the table. During the entrance, the emperor took the bowl away, handed it to the little eunuch, and said: "I can't eat any more, and my stomach is sour again, I don't know what I ate wrong yesterday, and I vomited it all up this morning, and now I have forgotten the lesson. "Ru Shuang was about to speak, when suddenly an internal official came in to report, saying that Concubine Han had arrived, and came to pay her respects to the emperor.The smile on Rushuang's face faltered, and after a while she sneered, threw the silver spoon in her hand on the table, turned and left.
The emperor had no choice but to order the inner officer: "Tell her not to come to pay her respects. The eldest son of the emperor is currently in Concubine Hua's palace. Let her go and see the prince first."
It was late at night, and there was silence all around."Taiping Geng" came from far away, three long and one short, it is already the end of the Yin Dynasty.There was no candle in the hall, the moonlight from the west came in, Rushuang woke up from the horrified dream, the cool and thin brocade blanket covered her body like a cocoon, making her breathless.Her heart was beating wildly like a drum, she panted silently, and it took a while before she fumbled for the medicine bottle.She eagerly turned the medicine bottle upside down, barely able to hold it with her trembling fingers, and finally poured out a pill and put it in her mouth.Breathing gradually calmed down, the gloomy medicinal fragrance melted away in her mouth, and the cold sweat dripping from her vest had already soaked her clothes. She leaned back on the pillow weakly, with a slight sourness in her palm, and dropped her hand weakly, taking the medicine bottle. Already empty.
Behind him was the emperor's steady breathing, if it weren't for the quietness of the night, it would be so shallow that it could hardly be heard.This kind of voice she hates the most, every time in the dead of night, she can no longer suppress the disgust deep in her heart, and even hates herself to the bone. I feel nauseous and nauseous, and every time after taking the medicine, there is always such a weak moment, as if my limbs and bones no longer belong to me, and even my body is illusory and soft.She lay quietly for a while, and finally had the strength to leave the bed without a sound. Under the light of the pale moon, she could see her flat gold embroidered shoes, the golden thread embroidered lotus with multiple petals, and her bare feet stepped on them. The ankle reveals a delicate blue color like porcelain, and a blue and white flower blooms in the lotus flower.She lowered her eyes, there is no bright whiteness in this world anymore, even the moonlight, through the multiple curtains, the light is gray, faint like a candle that is not extinguished, so hazy that even the shadow of a person can only be seen. Can outline a few shallow strokes.She stepped very lightly, and walked through the heavy curtains almost silently. The maid guarding the watch was still dozing off under the candlestick in the outer hall. She stood there and picked up the candle scissors on the desk to cut off the candles.In such a sweltering night, even the small candlelight felt unbearably scorching.A bright core of light in the candle wick is like an exquisite flower, but in an instant, it becomes extremely red and turns to ashes.
The candlelight brightened up, and the palace lady woke up in shock. She didn't say a word, and lightly clapped her hands to call people in.The one who came to pick her up was Huier, a palace maid from Qingliang Palace, who took the cloak and tried to put it on her, but she blocked it with her hand.Although the night was late, it was still surprisingly hot, and there was not even a breath of wind.When they came out of the hall, an internal official held a lamp and saw them coming out, and bowed to lead the way.The corridor is very long, although she has to walk up it every day and night, the flickering lights are dimly in front of her, showing her the clear green brick floor under her feet, which is as bright as a mirror.Rushuang suddenly felt it was ridiculous, such a quiet night, such a lamp meandering along the corridor, it was really like a lonely ghost, wandering back and forth, desolate and silent.
The lamps were still on in the Qingliang Hall, and all the officials and maids were there. She said: "Go to sleep." She helped Hui'er into the pavilion, and Hui'er lifted the Zhuluo curtain for her. She was extremely sleepy. Just said: "The medicine is gone, tell them to send another bottle." Then fell into a deep sleep.
This sleep turned out to be very good. When she woke up, the sun was full of the window, and she was in a trance for a moment, as if she was still a little girl, in the boudoir of the embroidery building, and woke up at noon. The nanny was picking fomi in the back room, There was silence all around.I can only see the shadow of the sun moving quietly through the window gap, and according to the table, a handful of hosta flowers in a bottle are as white and straight as jade, and the fragrance is far away and clear.She picked up a flower, and the soft petals brushed against the side of her face, making one feel confused.The convex and concave patterns on the window pass through the thin clothes and hang on the arms. The thin and dense patterns of entangled branches make the branches and leaves look like vines.The sound of cicadas could be faintly heard from the depths of the dense green shade, as if there were still laughter, maybe Xiaohuan and the little girl next to her were still naughty in the corridor, playing with sticky poles to catch cicadas.After a while, Xiaohuan will happily take it into a small cage made of straw, and put a cicada in it, and put it on the dressing table for her.
The sound of cicadas gradually faded away, and the long windows were carved with intricate and exquisite patterns, the vermilion base was hollowed out and the dragon and phoenix seals were hollowed out with gold powder paint, such a rich and bright pattern, bright red and gold, the color is eye-catching after a long time.She loosened her fingertips slightly, and the heavy buds of the jade hairpin fell to the ground. There was a very light "pop", which finally alarmed people. Hui'er came in: "Your Majesty is awake?" Things, she was a little careless at the mercy of others.When combing her hair for the last time, Hui Er was the only one left in front of her, Fang asked, "Where's the medicine?"
A small turquoise porcelain bottle was placed in front of the bronze mirror, it was handled very lightly, Rushuang immediately unplugged it, and poured it in the palm of her hand.Her palm was greasy and white as jade, holding those few pills against the backdrop of countless pearls, her eyebrows were slightly frowned, and she only asked: "Why are there only five?"
Hui'er's voice was extremely low: "It's not easy to prepare this medicine now, someone from outside has brought in a message, please use it first, and then bring it to your mother after the medicine is prepared."
Rushuang slowly put the medicine back into the bottle one by one, and when each pill fell to the bottom of the bottle, there was a crisp sound: "Ta... da..." Every grain seemed to fall on the heart.She looked at herself in the mirror, because her brows were light and slightly frowning, so she used Luo Zidai to draw the extremely long ones, which made the waves flow into the temples and radiate brilliance.This method of thrushing eyebrows was started by her, and now even the officials and family members outside the palace have followed suit, which is called "frowning eyebrows".It is said that after this, the snails on the market have risen to the number of ten gold each, and the supply is still in short supply.The imperial censor specially handed over an eloquent remonstrance for this matter, urging the ban, the emperor set it aside, and from then on ordered the palace to stop using Luo Zidai, and she was the only one who still gave it to her. In a month, more than a thousand taels of Daiyin will be spent.Concubine Hua sneered at this remark, and said: "No matter how much I paint, I can't draw the third eyebrow." At this time, her brows were slightly frowned, and the peak of the eyebrow was faint, like a distant mountain, with red gold phoenix hairpin beads on her head. Luoyingzi, the extremely long tassels hang down to the eyebrows, rustling.Occasionally, the tassel shakes, flashing the applique on the eyebrows, bright red like a full blood bead, glistening and ready to fall.She put down the medicine bottle casually and rested her chin on her hand, as if a child was sleepy and tired. After a while, a smile appeared on the corner of her lips: "What does he want?"
Hui'er's voice became lower, almost like a whisper: "Your Majesty naturally understands."
Rushuang said casually: "Isn't it too early to do this at this time?"
Hui'er still had a respectful look: "The lord said, since the empress already has the 'talisman', that matter should be done sooner rather than later. It should be done sooner rather than later."
Rushuang still looked at herself in the mirror, and after a long time, she replied lightly: "Okay, I hope he doesn't regret it."
Hui'er smiled slightly: "Your Majesty, Shenghui, you won't be disappointed."
Rushuang acted as if she had never heard of it, and said lazily: "Send someone to ask if the meal has been delivered from the emperor."
No lunch was announced, because the emperor had just woken up, and the internal officials reported to Prince Yu that he wanted to see him. The emperor said casually: "Then say I haven't woken up yet, and ask him to come back in the afternoon." Prince Yu's voice was clear and persistent: "Since that's the case, the minister Dingluan is here to respect you." The emperor smiled unconsciously: "I tell you to stand upright—come in." Prince Yu was wearing court clothes, The golden boa robe embroidered with vermilion, and the white jade fish and dragon buckle around it, made her look more and more heroic, and she knelt down to perform the great gift for the prince to see him.He had already had a special decree not to kneel in front of the emperor. The emperor saw that he was so solemn and knew that he would do something, so he couldn't help but feel a headache, and said with a smile: "Okay, okay, just say what you want, don't make such a fuss Mood."
Prince Yu refused to get up: "My brother is stupid, I feel that I can't take on this important task, and everything will be decided by the emperor." The emperor laughed and said: "Those old men must be giving you a headache, I know, these few days I I'm getting better now - I'll just go and deal with them tomorrow morning, if you continue to talk bureaucratically with fourth brother like this, I'm really going to turn against you."
Prince Yu said: "Thank you, brother." The emperor smiled and said: "Get up, if you don't get up again, you really seem to be angry with me." Bo Chu's chief leader, Lan Wan, seems to have a lot of ambition." The emperor's eyes flickered, and he fell silent.Prince Yu said: "The imperial court has used troops against Nanmin and Wu Shule one after another for many years, and has been unable to spare any time. In addition, Dinglan Pass is dangerous and easy to defend, so they let Qi Erwu go for so many years. I am afraid that today it will become a threat to the tiger. .”
The emperor said: "Since we have grown a fierce tiger, we can only smash its sharp teeth when we are 100% sure."There were so many memorials accumulated, and the lecture was not finished until the beginning of the year. The emperor passed on the meal and ordered to give Prince Yu a table of royal meal. There’s no meal passed down there.” Although the emperor has four concubines, the “Niangniang” used by the internal officials refers exclusively to the concubine Shu.Although Concubine Hua was temporarily photographed in the Sixth Palace, she lost her luck to the emperor because of the assassination. The emperor was as proud as frost, not only gave her to live in the Qingliang Palace closest to Yuqing Palace, but also brought her by her side in daily life, and even shared meals with her— — This is the queen's prerogative.Naturally, there was an uproar in the harem for this overstepping the rules, and the supervisor of ceremonies had no choice but to dissuade him. The emperor said sharply: "I am the emperor, can I eat with a woman every day, and such trivial matters cannot be decided by myself?" After such a temper, this matter will be followed from now on. At this moment, Cheng Yuanfang's words are intended to remind the emperor that concubine Shu is still waiting for him.
The emperor said "Oh" and said: "Then go tell Concubine Shu that I will have dinner with my seventh brother today, so you don't have to wait for me." Cheng Yuan had just retreated a few steps, when the emperor suddenly called him again: "Concubine Shu, these few days Poor appetite, I'm afraid it's caused by greed for cold and hurt the stomach, so tell her not to indulge in melons, fruits and cold vegetables, those things are cold in nature and hurt the spleen and stomach." Cheng Yuan answered "Yes", and the emperor said: "There is more Please pass on the pulse to the imperial doctor, don’t delay and it will become a big problem.” Cheng Yuan’s face suddenly became distressed, the emperor knew that Rushuang had always been paranoid, and most of all, he avoided medical treatment when he heard that the imperial doctor was going to be passed on. Taking medicine is normal, I am afraid that I will lose my temper.The emperor said: "Just say it's my will. If people feel uncomfortable, how can we not let the doctor look at it?"
Cheng Yuan took the order to leave, Prince Yu was very careful when he saw the emperor's instructions, and thought silently in his heart.Although the imperial meal was delicacies from mountains and seas, it was related to the etiquette system. Prince Yu was not a greedy person, and the emperor was afraid of heat, so he usually ate less in hot weather. Both of them felt that it was boring.After the meal was removed, the palace lady came back with tea, and Cheng Yuan came back to reply, and she really said: "Long Live Lord, Your Majesty said that she is not sick, so I won't let the imperial doctor see her." This was expected by the emperor, and Cheng Yuan smiled happily , hesitatingly said: "There is one more sentence - slaves don't know whether to speak properly or not." The emperor was furious: "What should be said and should not be said? Is this the rule for replying to the master? I dote on you too much on weekdays. You are only close to rebellion. If you dare to talk too much, I will break your dog legs." Cheng Yuan has always been favored by the emperor, he didn't want to bump into such a big nail today, he was so scared that he kowtowed again and again, and said: "Damn it, servant girl .”
The emperor let out a sigh of relief, took a sip of the tea served by the maid.Seeing that Cheng Yuan was retreating, Prince Yu suddenly said: "My younger brother has something to ask the emperor for mercy. Theoretically, this matter should not be asked by my younger brother, but if Dingluan doesn't say anything, no one will say it to fourth brother. Concubine Han did not make a big mistake, for the sake of the eldest son of the emperor, please forgive her."
The emperor asked: "Why did you mention this all of a sudden?" Prince Yu said: "I heard that the eldest son of the emperor suffered from sunstroke the day before yesterday, and Concubine Han is his biological mother. It is more appropriate for her to take care of the eldest son's diet and daily life than others."
The eldest son of the emperor, Yongyi, was only three years old and originally lived with his biological mother Concubine Han. Since Concubine Han was demoted, four wet nurses and six internal officials accompanied the eldest son to live with Concubine Yi Hua.Due to the hot weather in the past few days, Yongyi suffered from heatstroke, the emperor was worried about this matter, heard what Prince Yu said, nodded his head, "That's fine." He ordered Cheng Yuan to come in, but Cheng Yuan bowed his head and bowed down. The emperor was angry and amused, and reprimanded: "Look at this prospect." Cheng Yuan said with a bitter face: "Your slaves have behaved mischievously, and I ask the emperor to punish you." The emperor said: "I won't punish you anymore, there is an errand I will leave it to you, and you will go back to Xichangjing immediately to pass on my will and order Concubine Han to come to Donghuajing."
In such a hot weather, galloping for hundreds of miles can be regarded as a hard job, but Cheng Yuan smiled instantly, and quickly saluted: "Your servant obeys the order."
After lunch, the emperor had to take a nap as usual, so Prince Yu came out and saw the little eunuch Liu Fu filling the bird cage with water, seeing him, he hurriedly saluted: "I have seen you, my lord." Knowing that he is also Zhao Youzhi's disciple, Prince Yu asked "Go and see if Cheng Yuan has left. If he hasn't left the palace yet, tell him that I'll wait for him at the gate of the palace. I have a few words to tell him." Liu Fu hurriedly agreed and went.Prince Yu came out of the palace and ordered the sedan chair to wait outside the gate of Qiankun for a while. After a while, he saw Cheng Yuan coming out of the palace accompanied by two servants.Seeing Prince Yu's sedan chair, Cheng Yuan ordered the two servants to stay where they were, only he walked over and saluted from a distance: "Your servant has seen the prince." Prince Yu said: "Excuse me." Cheng Yuan said: "Yes, I heard that the lord summoned me, but I don't know what orders the lord has." Prince Yu asked: "This time when you return to Beijing, will you go by land or by water?"
From Donghuajing to Xichangjing, there is a land route and a water route.The waterway is far away and the boat travels slowly, Cheng Yuan said: "Your maidservant is planning to go by land, please ride faster." Prince Yu nodded slightly, and said: "Concubine Han is ordered to go to the palace, you must be careful on the way, the weather is too hot, the car and sedan chair are tired Yes, don’t let your mother suffer from heatstroke.” Cheng Yuan pondered the meaning of his words and couldn’t help saying: “My lord, the royal family usually travels by water.” Prince Yu said: “I know, but the number of concubine Han Moon has not seen the eldest son of the emperor, and he loves his son so much that he will definitely go by land." Cheng Yuan had an epiphany, and he couldn't help sweating profusely, and saluted Prince Yu: "Your servant understands."
The sound of cicadas could be heard, the weather was hot, there was no shelter outside the palace gate, the scorching sun in the afternoon, Cheng Yuanben's clothes were soaked in sweat, at this time, the scorching sun gradually dried up, forming a layer of frost, which was painful and painful on the back itch.But I heard Prince Yu say: "You have to work hard here, go and come back quickly, don't delay." Cheng Yuan respectfully said: "My lord, please rest assured, servants will do their best." Prince Yu nodded, the inner palace had sent Liang With three steeds, Cheng Yuan saluted and bid farewell to Prince Yu, and together with the two servants, he led the horse for a hundred paces, until it was out of the forbidden road, before he got on his horse and left.
Prince Yu watched the three riders gallop away, gradually drifting away, and then let out a sigh of relief.
As expected, Cheng Yuan did his job properly, and at the end of the second day, he waited on Concubine Han's car and rushed back to the palace.Needless to say, it was hard work to go back and forth in such a hot weather in two days full of dust.Concubine Han had never traveled a long distance in such hot weather, she followed Cheng Yuan's persuasion, and set off in the early morning, abandoning the boat and taking a car, the journey was extremely hard.After entering the palace, he hastily bathed and changed his clothes, and then went to thank the emperor.
Because of the hot weather, the heat still persisted at dusk, so the emperor enjoyed the coolness with Rushuang in the water pavilion at the back of Qingliang Hall.Rushuang has lost her appetite recently, and the dinner is only perfunctory. At this time, the imperial dining room puts an ice bowl, which is made of fresh lotus root, melon, peach, and honey mixed with crushed ice. Rushuang is always greedy for cold, the emperor Fearing that she would hurt her stomach, she was not allowed to eat more of such cold food, so he ordered the internal officials to take half a bowl for her.Rushuang finished half of the bowl, because there was more than half of the bowl in front of the emperor's case, the jade-colored thin porcelain bowl was faintly translucent, the broken ice in the bowl was ups and downs, and the honey was thick, making the melon and peach sweet and fragrant, cool and mellow people.She took the silver spoon, picked a piece of peach and ate it.The emperor smiled and said: "Ah, ah, there is no one who robs others to eat." Rushuang held the tip of the spoon, looked back and smiled, showing bright teeth like jade: "How can this be called robbing?" Then she picked another piece of melon and put it on the table. During the entrance, the emperor took the bowl away, handed it to the little eunuch, and said: "I can't eat any more, and my stomach is sour again, I don't know what I ate wrong yesterday, and I vomited it all up this morning, and now I have forgotten the lesson. "Ru Shuang was about to speak, when suddenly an internal official came in to report, saying that Concubine Han had arrived, and came to pay her respects to the emperor.The smile on Rushuang's face faltered, and after a while she sneered, threw the silver spoon in her hand on the table, turned and left.
The emperor had no choice but to order the inner officer: "Tell her not to come to pay her respects. The eldest son of the emperor is currently in Concubine Hua's palace. Let her go and see the prince first."
It was late at night, and there was silence all around."Taiping Geng" came from far away, three long and one short, it is already the end of the Yin Dynasty.There was no candle in the hall, the moonlight from the west came in, Rushuang woke up from the horrified dream, the cool and thin brocade blanket covered her body like a cocoon, making her breathless.Her heart was beating wildly like a drum, she panted silently, and it took a while before she fumbled for the medicine bottle.She eagerly turned the medicine bottle upside down, barely able to hold it with her trembling fingers, and finally poured out a pill and put it in her mouth.呼吸渐渐平复，沉郁的药香在口中濡化开去，而背心涔涔的冷汗已经濡湿了衣裳，她虚弱的重新伏回枕上，掌心里一点微冷的酸凉，无力的垂下手去，药瓶已经空了。
身后是皇帝平而稳的呼吸，如果不是夜这样安静，浅得几乎听不见。这种她最厌憎的声音，每到夜深人静的时刻，就令她再也压抑不住心底深处的烦恶，连带着对自己亦恨之入骨，此时胃中泛起酸水来，只是觉得恶心作呕，每次吃完药后，总有这样虚弱的一刻，仿佛四肢百骸都不再属于自己，连身体都虚幻得轻软。她静静的躺了片刻，终于有力气无声无息的离开床榻，借着淡白的月色，可以看见自己平金绣花的鞋子，重重瓣瓣的金线绣莲花，裸的足踏上去，足踝透出瓷一样的细腻青色，那莲花里就盛开一朵青白来。她垂下眼去，这世上再也无皎皎的洁白无瑕，哪怕是月色，透过数重帘幕，那光也是灰的、淡淡像一支将熄未熄的烛，朦胧的连人影都只能勾勒出浅浅几笔。她落足极轻，几乎无声的穿过重重的帐幔，守更的宫女还在外殿的烛台下打着盹，她立在那里，随手拿起案台上的烛剪剪去烛花。这样闷热的夜里，连小小的烛光亦觉得灼人难忍。烛芯间一团明亮的光蕊，仿佛一朵玲珑的花儿，不过一刹那，便红到极处化为灰烬。
烛光明亮起来，宫女一惊也醒了，并没有言语，轻轻击掌唤进人来。来接她的是清凉殿的宫女惠儿，取过斗篷欲替她披上，她伸手挡住。夜虽深了，仍闷热得出奇，连一丝风都没有。出得殿来，一名内官持灯相侯，见她们出来，躬身在前面引路。回廊极长，虽然每日夜里总要走上一趟，忽明忽暗的灯光朦胧在前，替她照见脚下澄青砖地，光亮乌洁如镜。如霜突然觉得可笑起来，这样静的夜，这样一盏灯，在廊间迤逦而行，真是如同孤魂野鬼一般，飘泊来去，凄淡无声。
清凉殿中还点着灯，内官与宫女皆侯在那里，她说：“都去睡吧。”扶着惠儿进阁中去，惠儿替她揭起珠罗帐子，她困倦已极，只说了一句：“药没了，告诉他们再送一瓶来。”便沉沉睡去。
这一觉竟然睡得极好，醒来时红日满窗，她刹那间有一丝恍惚，仿佛还是小女儿时分，绣楼闺房中，歇了晌午觉醒来，奶娘在后房里拣佛米，四下里寂然无声。唯见窗隙日影静移，照着案几上瓶中一捧玉簪花，洁白挺直如玉，香远宜清。她拈起一枝花来，柔软的花瓣拂过脸侧，令人神思迷离。窗上凸凹的花纹透过薄薄的衣衫，硌在手臂上，细而密的缠枝图案，枝枝叶叶蔓宛生姿。翠荫浓华深处隐约传来蝉声，仿佛还有笑语声，或许是小环与旁的小丫头，依旧在廊下淘气，拿了粘竿捕蝉玩耍。过得片刻，小环自会喜孜孜拿进只通草编的小笼来，里头关了一只蝉，替她搁在妆台上。
蝉声渐渐的低疏下去，长窗上雕着繁密精巧的花样，朱红底子镂空龙凤合玺施金粉漆，那样富丽鲜亮的图案，大红金色，看久了颜色直刺人眼睛。她指尖微松，玉簪厚重的花苞落在地上，极轻的“啪”一响，终于还是惊动了人，惠儿进来：“娘娘醒了？”宫女们鱼贯而入，捧着洗盥诸物，她有些漫不经心的任由着人摆布。最后梳头的时候，只余了惠儿在跟前，方问：“药呢？”
小小一只青绿色瓷瓶搁在了铜镜前，入手极轻，如霜立时拔开塞子，倒在掌心。她掌心腻白如玉，托着那几粒药丸，衬着如数粒明珠，秀眉微蹙，只问：“怎么只有五颗？”
惠儿声音极低：“这药如今不易配，外头带话进来，请娘娘先用，等配齐了药，再给娘娘送来。”
如霜慢慢的将药一粒粒搁回瓶中，每粒落入瓶底，就是清脆的一声：“嗒……嗒……”粒粒都仿佛落在人心上一般。她望着镜中的自己，因她眉生得淡，眉头微颦，所以用螺子黛描画极长，更衬得横波入鬓，流转生辉。这种画眉之法由她而始，如今连宫外的官眷都纷纷效法，被称为“颦眉”。据说经此一来，市面上的螺子黛已经每颗涨至十金之数，犹是供不应求。御史专为此事递了洋洋洒洒一份谏折，力请劝禁，皇帝置之一哂，从此命宫中停用螺子黛，唯有她依旧赐用，仅此一项，银作局每月便要支用买黛银千余两。华妃为此语带讥诮，道是：“再怎么画，也画不出第三条眉毛来。”此时她眉头微蹙，那眉峰隐约，如同远山横黛，头上赤金凤钗珠珞璎子，极长的流苏直垂到眉间，沙沙作响。偶然流苏摇动，闪出眉心所贴花钿，殷红如颗饱满的血珠，莹莹欲坠。她随手撂下药瓶，以手托腮，仿佛小儿女困思倦倦，过了半晌，唇角方浮起一缕笑意：“他想怎么样？”
惠儿的声音更低了，几乎如耳语一般：“娘娘自然明白。”
如霜漫然道：“此时办这件事，不嫌太早了么？”
惠儿依旧是一幅恭敬的样子：“王爷说，娘娘既然已经有了'护身符'，那件事早办晚办，总是要办的，宜早不宜迟。”
如霜依旧望着镜中的自己，过了许久，方才淡淡的答：“好吧，但愿他不后悔。”
惠儿微微一笑：“娘娘圣慧，必不致令人失望。”
如霜恍若未闻，形容慵懒的说道：“派人去问问，皇上那里传膳了没有。”
并没有传午膳，因为皇帝刚刚起床，内官便禀报豫亲王要觐见，皇帝漫不经心的道：“那就说朕还没起来，叫他午后再来吧。”话犹未落，隔窗已听见豫亲王的声音，清朗中透着坚执：“既如此，臣定滦在此恭侯即是。”皇帝不觉一笑：“叫你堵个正着——进来吧。”豫亲王穿着朝服，朱红缀金蟒袍，白玉鱼龙扣带围，越发显得英气翩然，跪下去行亲王见驾的大礼。他是早有过特旨御前免跪的，皇帝见他如此郑重其事，知道此来必有所为，不由觉得头痛，笑道：“行了，行了，有话就说，不必这样闹意气。”
豫亲王却不肯起身：“臣弟愚钝，自觉身不能荷此重任，诸事有俟皇上圣裁。”皇帝笑道：“那帮老头子一定啰嗦得你头痛，我都知道，这几日我也缓过劲来了——朕明日上早朝去应付他们就是了，你再这样和四哥打官腔，我可真要和你翻脸了。”
豫亲王道：“谢皇兄。”皇帝笑道：“起来吧，再不起来，倒真像和我赌气一样。”豫亲王不由一笑，站起来道：“兵部接获谍报，屺尔戊人杀了伯础的大首领兰完，看来其志不小。”皇帝目光闪动，沉吟不语。豫亲王道：“年来朝廷对南岷、悟术勒相继用兵，一直腾不出手来。加之定兰关天险易守难攻，所以才放任屺尔戊这么些年，只怕今日已然养虎为患。”
皇帝道：“既然已经养成了只猛虎，咱们只能等有了十成把握，方才能去敲碎它满口的利齿。”豫亲王欲语又止，终究只是拣要紧的公事回奏。积下的奏案甚多，一直到了未初时分仍未讲完，皇帝传膳，又命赐豫亲王御膳一桌，内官程远此时方趋前向低声陈奏：“皇上，娘娘那边也没传膳呢。”皇帝虽有四妃，但内官口中所称“娘娘”，则是专指淑妃慕氏。华妃虽然暂摄六宫，却因刺客之事失幸于皇帝，皇帝自得如霜，不仅赐她居于毓清宫最近的清凉殿，起居每携身侧，连传膳亦是同饮同食——这是皇后的特权。后宫自然对此逾制之举哗然沸议，司礼监不得不谏阻，皇帝厉声道：“朕贵为天子，难道每日和哪个女人一同吃饭，此等小事亦不能自抉？”既然发了这样一顿脾气，此事便从此因循，此刻程远方此语，意在提醒皇帝淑妃还在等他。
皇帝“哦”了一声，说：“那就去告诉淑妃一声，今日朕与七弟用膳，不必等朕了。”程远刚退出数步，皇帝忽又叫住他：“淑妃这几日胃口不好，只怕是贪凉伤胃所致，叮嘱她别由着性子贪用瓜果凉蔬，那些东西性凉，伤脾胃。”程远应了个“是”，皇帝又道：“还有，传御医请脉瞧瞧，别耽搁成大毛病了。”程远顿时面有难色，皇帝知道如霜素来性情偏执，最是讳疾忌医，听说要传御医，便如小孩子听到要吃药一般，只怕会大闹脾气。皇帝道：“就说是朕的旨意，人不舒服，怎能不让大夫瞧的。”
程远领命而去，豫亲王见皇帝叮嘱谆谆，极是细心，心中默默思忖。那一顿御膳虽是山珍海味，但礼制相关，豫亲王又不是贪口腹之欲的人，再加上皇帝畏热，素来在暑天里吃得少，两个人都觉得索然无味。待撤下膳去，宫女方捧上茶来，程远回来复命，果然道：“万岁爷，娘娘说她没病，不让御医瞧。”这倒是在皇帝意料之中，不想程远笑嘻嘻，吞吞吐吐的道：“还有句话——奴婢不知当将不当讲。”皇帝悖然大怒：“什么当讲不当讲，这是跟主子回话的规矩么？平日朕宠你们太过，个个就只差造反了。再敢啰嗦，朕打断你的一双狗腿。”程远素来十分得皇帝宠信，不想今日突然碰了这么一个大钉子，吓得连连磕头，只道：“奴婢该死。”
皇帝吁了一口气，接过宫女捧上的茶，呷了一口。豫亲王见程远怏怏退下，忽道：“臣弟倒有一事，要向皇上求个情，论理此事不该臣弟过问，但定滦不说，亦不会有人对四哥说了。涵妃并无大错，皇兄瞧着皇长子的份上，饶过她这遭吧。”
皇帝问：“怎么突然提起这个来。”豫亲王道：“臣弟是听说前日皇长子中了暑，涵妃乃其生母，由她来照料皇长子饮食起居，总比旁人更恰当些。”
皇长子永怡年方三岁，本来随生母涵妃居住，自从涵妃被贬斥，便由四名乳母并六名粗使的内官，陪着皇长子依华妃而居。这几日因天气炎热，永怡中了暑，皇帝正为此事烦恼，听豫亲王如是说，点了点头：“也好。”便命人传程远进来，但见程远垂头丧气行礼见驾，皇帝又气又好笑，斥道：“瞧瞧这点出息。”程远苦着脸道：“奴婢胡作非为，还请皇上责罚。”皇帝道：“朕也不罚你了，有桩差事就交你办，你即刻回一趟西长京，去传朕的旨意，命涵妃往东华京来。”
这样热的天气，驰骋百里，亦算得上一件苦差，程远却瞬间笑逐颜开，连忙行礼：“奴婢遵旨。”
午膳后皇帝照例要歇午觉，豫亲王告退出来，见小太监六福正在廊下替雀笼添水，见了他连忙行礼：“见过王爷。”豫亲王知他亦是赵有智的弟子，便问道：“你去看看程远动身了没有，若是还没出宫，告诉他我在宫门口等他，有两句话叮嘱他。”六福忙答应一声去了。豫亲王出得宫来，命凉轿在乾坤门外暂侯，过得片刻，果见程远由两名内侍伴了出宫来。见到豫亲王的凉轿，程远便命那两名内侍留在原处，只有自己走了过来，远远就行礼：“奴婢见过王爷。”豫亲王道：“免礼。”程远道：“是，听说王爷传唤，不知王爷有什么吩咐。”豫亲王问：“此次回京，是走陆路还是水路？”
从东华京至西长京，一条陆路，一条水路。水路远，舟行亦缓，程远道：“奴婢打算走陆路，骑马快些。”豫亲王微微颔首，道：“涵妃奉旨往行宫来，你路上要谨慎当差，天气太热，车轿劳顿的，莫让娘娘中了暑。”程远揣磨他话中之意，不由道：“王爷，宫眷向例都是走水路的。”豫亲王道：“我知道，但涵妃娘娘数月未见皇长子了，爱子心切，必然会走陆路。”程远顿悟，不由汗出如浆，向豫亲王行了一个礼：“奴婢明白了。”
蝉声阵阵入耳，天气炎热，宫门外绝无遮蔽，午后烈日如灼，程远本汗湿了衣裳，此时又被烈日渐渐蒸干，结成一层霜花，刺在背上又痛又痒。但听豫亲王道：“你此去辛苦，快去快回，不可误事。”程远恭声道：“请王爷放心，奴婢必当尽力而为。”豫亲王点一点头，内府已经送来良骏三匹，程远便向豫亲王行礼辞行，携那两名内侍一同，牵马走出百步之远，一直走出禁道之外，方才上马而去。
豫亲王目送三骑飞奔而去，渐行渐远，方才吁了一口气。
程远办事果然妥当，到了第二日酉末时分，就侍候涵妃的车轿赶回行宫。这样热的天气，风尘仆仆的两日之内赶了一个来回，辛苦自不必说。涵妃素来未尝在这样的热天行过远道，她听从了程远的婉转相劝，凌晨即动身，弃舟乘车，这一路极为辛苦。入行宫后草草沐浴更衣，便去向皇帝谢恩。
因为天气热，黄昏时分暑气未消，皇帝在清凉殿后水阁中与如霜乘凉。如霜近来胃口不开，晚膳亦不过敷衍，此时御膳房呈进冰碗，原是用鲜藕、甜瓜、蜜桃、蜂蜜拌了碎冰制成的甜食，如霜素来贪凉，皇帝怕她伤胃，总不让她多吃此类凉寒之物，只命内官取了半碗与她。如霜吃完了半碗，因见皇帝案前碗中还有大半，玉色薄瓷碗隐隐透亮，碗中碎冰沉浮，蜂蜜稠淌，更衬得那瓜桃甜香冷幽，凉郁沁人。她拿了银匙，随手挑了块蜜桃吃了。皇帝笑道：“嗳，嗳，哪有抢人家东西吃的。”如霜含着匙尖，回眸一笑，露出皓齿如玉：“这怎么能叫抢。”说着又挑了一块甜瓜放入口中，皇帝将碗拿开，随手交给小太监，说：“可不能再吃了，回头又嚷胃酸，昨天也不知吃错了什么，今天早上全都呕出来，眼下又忘了教训了。”如霜正待要说话，忽然内官进来禀奏，说道涵妃已至，特来向皇帝请安。如霜面上笑容顿敛，过了半晌方冷笑一声，将手中银匙往案上一掷，回身便走。
皇帝只得吩咐内官：“叫她不必来请安了，皇长子眼下在华妃宫中，让她先去看看皇子吧。”