Chapter 10 Chapter Nine Acting, Eat Both Sides

Before you know it, the dead leaves on the branches have fallen clean.With a night of north wind, the Forbidden City has been covered with snow. In the bedroom of Chuxiu Palace, concubines and court ladies surrounded the room.Two fireplaces were placed in the ground to dissipate the biting chill. Yin Xiang stood beside Concubine De, looked over the crowd, and landed on Chen Xiang in the corner. The last time he blocked her in the corridor, after hearing her words, Yinxiang knew that his behavior would cause her so much trouble.So since that time, he hasn't looked for her again.It's just that since then, he hasn't slept peacefully.In dreams, it always looks the same.He was locked in a cage, and seeing Chen Xiang appearing from the darkness, he waved to her hopefully for help.But she always smiled lightly, turned around and reintegrated into the bottomless darkness.Every time I wake up, my heart seems to be missing something, empty.

Concubine De was leaning on the bed, Liuli sat beside her with downcast eyes, holding a soup cup, and slowly put it into Concubine De's mouth spoon by spoon. There was a familiar smell in the air, Chen Xiang knew what Liuli was holding without even looking. Because palace maids are not qualified to seek treatment from imperial physicians when they are sick, they grit their teeth and carry them on their own every time they have headaches and brain fever.Because of the revenge of the old maid Xirong that winter, Liuli poured cold water on her body and knelt in the yard for more than half an hour, and then fell ill.Fever and cough can not be cured for several days.Seeing that her body was getting weaker and weaker, Chen Xiang took out all the money she had saved and bought off the father-in-law of the imperial dining room. According to the folk recipe in her hometown, she made soup with radish and Sydney mixed with more than ten ingredients, and forced Liuli to drink it every day. It gradually improved.

Later, Liuli asked for the recipe, saying that if Chen Xiang fell ill in the future, she would serve her like this.The words are still in my ears, but Liuli is not serving her... After taking a few sips, Concubine De couldn't hold back, and coughed repeatedly.Yinxiang came back to his senses, and hurriedly took the teacup from the hand of the maid standing beside him. "Empress Defei, are you alright? Drink some tea." Concubine De took a few sips and let out a light breath. "Ms. De Concubine, I'll go to the imperial physician to give you a diagnosis and treatment." Seeing the sick flush on De Concubine's face due to coughing, Yinxiang was really worried.Just as she was about to give orders, she was interrupted by Concubine De with a wave of her hand. "It's an old problem, you don't need to be nervous. The cough was worse in previous years. This year, Liuli made the soup himself, and it's much better after drinking it. By the way, Liuli, what kind of soup is your recipe? I think it's very good. I call it an imperial doctor. Let’s learn how to endure it, and share a bit with Liugong!”

Liuli listened, with a look of hesitation on her face. "This--" Seeing this, Concubine De frowned slightly: "What? Is it some secret legend?" Seeing Concubine De was a little displeased, Liuli lowered her head, muttering that she didn't know what to say, the scene was a little awkward for a while. Yinxiang saw it, and hurriedly smoothed things over: "Liuli, since the Concubine De concubine has spoken, you can take out the prescription. Anyway, it will be spread in the palace, and outsiders will not know." Looking at Yinxiang full of thoughts, Liuli bit her lower lip with grievances in her eyes, shook her head and knelt down, lying at Defei's feet with trembling shoulders and said nothing.

A concubine accompanying him couldn't stand it anymore, and snorted coldly: "Just now you said you were filial, but in the end, you didn't even offer a prescription, and you clearly want to ask for credit yourself." After hearing this, Concubine De's expression became even uglier. Seeing this, the maid who was following Liuli knelt down and kowtowed: "Your Majesty, you misunderstood, our girl is not like this, she is..." "Don't say it!" Liu Li turned her head and sternly stopped. "Miss, even if you want to blame the slave for talking too much, the slave will still say it. How can you be misunderstood like this because of your filial piety to the concubine Defei?" The maid said, getting up and throwing herself at Liuli's side, and suddenly opened Liuli's sleeves , revealing her arms wrapped in white cloth. "My lady, look—"

Concubine De was stunned, and looked at Liuli puzzled: "You are..." Liuli was still lying on the ground, tears welling up in her eyes: "Your Majesty, forgive me. Liuli saw that Your Majesty was suffering from coughing every day, so she thought of emulating the ancient way of cutting flesh to heal her relatives..." Before Liuli could finish speaking, Concubine De had already got up and lifted her into her arms, complaining with red eyes: "My son, how did you do such a stupid thing, how painful it must be—" "It doesn't hurt, it doesn't hurt, it really doesn't hurt..." Liuli choked up and said, "As long as your mother is safe and healthy, even if Liuli cuts off all the flesh from her whole body, it won't hurt..."

Hearing Liuli's words, Concubine De was even more moved, gently stroked her back, and repeatedly sighed: "You are a good boy, I owe you too much, how about this, from now on, you come to Chuxiu Gong will help me handle the affairs of the Sixth Palace!" Liuli was taken aback, and hastily declined: "How can this be? There are so many empresses in the palace..." Concubine De shook her head, let go of Liuli and let her sit next to her again, took her hand and said with a light smile: "But I only trust you... you, you should learn how to handle family affairs, otherwise you will marry me." It will be troublesome after that."

After De Fei finished speaking, she looked at Yin Xiang with a smile. Yinxiang lowered his head in embarrassment, avoiding Concubine De's gaze. "Thank you, ma'am, Liuli will definitely do her best." Liuli also blushed, and replied shyly in a low voice.The long eyelashes drooped, covering up the imperceptible smile in the eyes... After sitting with Concubine De for a while, everyone said goodbye and left. Yinxiang and Liuli walked slowly in front, while Chen Xiang and the maids followed silently with their heads lowered.The small team moved forward quietly in the snow, as quiet as a painting.

After walking for a long time, Yinxiang finally broke the peace.Looking sideways at Liuli, his eyes were full of gratitude: "It's hard to be filial to you, it's really touching, what do you want? I thank you very much on behalf of Defei." After hearing Yinxiang's words, Liuli stopped, looked up at him and said indifferently: "I want spring flowers to bloom all over the courtyard." Liuli's request was too unexpected, Yinxiang was stunned, and turned to look at her: "This..." Already anticipating Yinxiang's reaction, Liuli smiled lightly and said, "You don't need to thank the younger generation for their kindness to the elders. Brother Thirteen, you underestimate me too much."

Yinxiang felt warm in his heart, grabbed Liuli's hand, looked down into her eyes, and said word by word: "I have never underestimated you, and you should not underestimate me." Unexpectedly, Yinxiang would be so serious, Liuli froze for a moment, then nodded involuntarily. Yin Xiang smiled slightly and looked up at Chen Xiang. "Agarwood—" Hearing Yinxiang calling her in front of Liuli, Chen Xiang was taken aback, peeked at Liuli, and found that there was nothing wrong with her expression, so she lowered her head and replied softly: "The servant is here."

"Help me take good care of the girl." After Yinxiang finished speaking, he flew away before Liuli could speak. Looking at his tall and straight back, Liuli couldn't help laughing inwardly: This idiot... Suddenly, there was a crow's cry from the nearby eaves. Liuli's complexion changed, she frowned and said angrily, "I was in a better mood just now, why did this crow scream again. Hurry up, how bad is it to hear this all day long?" A maid hurriedly stepped forward to persuade: "Girl, calm down, the crows in the Forbidden City are divine birds, they are enshrined. They cannot be beaten." How could Liuli listen to her, she glared at her and snorted coldly: "Beat away quietly, no one will know, beat—" The maids didn't dare to persuade them anymore, they picked up stones, snowballs and the like from the ground and threw them at the crow.With a strange cry, the crow suddenly soared into the sky, flapping its black wings, and rushed towards Liuli. Liuli screamed in fright, and stretched out her hand to wave.Accidentally grabbed his arm by its claws, and the white cloth that bandaged the wound fluttered to the ground.I saw that arm was white and delicate, without any sign of cutting flesh. Chen Xiang was stunned, and looked at Liuli in astonishment.She didn't expect Liuli to be so courageous, and easily manipulated all the concubines and Yinxiang into her hands. Liuli looked around guiltily, then quickly picked up the white cloth and wrapped it around her hands.Noticing Chen Xiang's gaze staring at her, he raised his head and glared at her fiercely. "What are you looking at? If anyone dares to go out and talk nonsense, I'll cut off her tongue. Go, go—" The maids lowered their heads and walked away quickly behind Liuli. Chen Xiang walked behind and let out a long sigh... After a few days. At night, everything is silent. The two figures cuddled and writhed in an entanglement, and it took a long time before they calmed down. Yinzhen put on her clothes and sat on the bed, holding Liuli who was also disheveled in her arms, stroking her bare smooth skin habitually. Yinzhen froze for a moment as his finger slid to Liuli's wrist, and frowning while holding her arm, he asked unhappily, "What's wrong with you, why didn't you dig a piece of meat in your hand?" Liuli gave Yinzhen a seductive look, and patted his hand away. "That hurts, I'm not that stupid!" "Aren't you stupid?" Yinzhen was even more annoyed, and she couldn't reprimand loudly, so she lowered her voice and whispered angrily in her ear: "Do you know that you have to play a full set of plays? If you do this, in case someone finds out , do you know what the consequences are?" "What consequences?" With a slight tremor, Liuli turned her head to look at the ugly Yinzhen, and guessed uncertainly, "It won't... kill me, right?" Yinzhen smiled coldly and asked back, "What do you think?" Unexpectedly, there would be such serious consequences, Liuli's face turned pale.Then recalling the scene of being caught by a crow, the white cloth was even more frightening in my heart. "Then...then what should I do?" Liuli had no idea at all, and asked Yinzhen in panic as if she was grasping at a life-saving straw. "It's still too late to dig now." Yinzhen pulled the corner of his mouth to show a cruel smile, and suddenly pulled the hairpin from Liuli's head and stabbed at her arm.Liuli was startled and hurriedly dodges, Yinzhen clung to her tightly and did not let go. When they were in a stalemate, Chen Xiang suddenly pushed the door open and came in. "girl--" Yinzhen was shocked, and quickly threw Liuli away and jumped out of the window.Although everything happened in a flash, Chen Xiang still saw his face. The shock came too suddenly, Chen Xiang was stunned immediately, and murmured in disbelief: "That person just now was..." "Who is it? Are you dazzled? Didn't I say that no one is allowed to come in? Why are you intruding?" Liuli felt guilty, and hurriedly stood up from the bed and walked to Chen Xiang, blocking her view from the window, and smoothly A slap fell on her face. "If you don't train for a while, you will forget the rules! If you have anything to say, tell me quickly." "I... Thirteenth brother is here... I will leave this servant." Already accustomed to Liuli's beating and scolding, Chen Xiang answered with her head down, and was ready to leave. Hearing that Yinxiang came suddenly, Liuli panicked.At the moment, regardless of his dignity, he quickly grabbed Chen Xiang's hand and pulled her back, raised his hand to gently caress her face, and apologized repeatedly while rubbing it carefully: "Chen Xiang... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hit you, I I just lost my hand because I was angry with you for talking nonsense. No matter what, we are all sisters, you can't talk nonsense with brother thirteen..." It has been a long time since I saw Liuli humming like this, Chen Xiang stood stiffly in the same place, not knowing how to answer. "I……" At this moment, Yin Xiang had already pushed the door and entered, and said with a light smile: "Why is it taking so long for the announcement, I came here uninvited. Oh? What are you standing here for?" Liu Li quickly let go of Chen Xiang, and after throwing her a warning look, she bowed gracefully: "See Elder Brother Thirteen—" Chen Xiang lowered her eyes and knelt down behind Liu Li.His expression was dull, without any emotion. "Pingshen." Yinxiang smiled and stepped forward to help Liuli up. Just as he was about to say something, he caught a glimpse of something out of the corner of his eye, turned his head to look carefully, and froze there. Liuli was puzzled, and followed Yinxiang's line of sight to look over.When he saw the things on the ground in front of the bed, he immediately gasped in fright. Those are - Yinzhen's boots! Before Liuli could react in the future, Yinxiang had already strode over. After taking a look, he turned his head and asked, "Why is there a pair of men's boots here?" Liuli was quick to gain wisdom, rolled her eyes a few times, and stretched out her hand to push Chen Xiang: "It's been said that it's my first time making boots, and the work is too bad, so I can't show Brother Thirteen, why don't you hide it?" Chen Xiang was blinded by the push, and looked at Liu Li puzzled.Seeing her blinking at herself desperately, she finally understood. "Oh...yes...it's my fault." Swallowing down the bitterness and grievance, Chen Xiang lowered her head and walked over to take the boots away.Just as he bent down, Yin Xiang took the boots in his hands first. "Is it made for me? I'll try—" Smiling and glancing at Liuli, Yinxiang sat on a chair and put on his boots, got up and took a few steps. "It's a little big, but it's comfortable." Seeing that Yinxiang didn't become suspicious, Liuli was relieved.But then his words made her heart hang again. "Huh? Why are these boots a bit old, not new?" Yinxiang frowned. Liuli reacted very quickly this time, she lowered her head and turned her eyes to one side, two blushes flew up on her face, she replied embarrassedly: "Oh, it's all because of my bad temper. When I saw a joke, I stepped on it hard, and I threw it away when I wanted to crush it, but I didn't expect to be seen by you!" Yin Xiang was dubious, turned his head to look at Chen Xiang. "Is that right?" Chen Xiang felt a little guilty, couldn't bear him to be kept in the dark again, but couldn't stand Liuli's winking, and finally replied in a low voice: "Yes..." After hearing this, Yinxiang dispelled his doubts.He stepped forward and pinched Liuli's nose, and said with a light smile, "I didn't expect you to have such a bad temper. It really opened my eyes. Don't talk about this, go out and see what surprise I brought you." After finishing speaking, he pulled Liuli and quickly walked out of the house.Chen Xiang turned his head to look at the opened window, and followed out with a complicated expression. Outside the house, the snow that had already stopped began to fall again at some point.Snowflakes the size of goose feathers fluttered quietly in the night, and the place where the eyes caught the eye was covered in silver, as if carved from white jade. Liuli was dragged by Yinxiang to the door, looked around but found nothing, then raised her head and asked in puzzlement: "It's such a cold day, and it's still snowing heavily, what are you doing here?" The maids didn't know what happened, and they all ran out after him.After Chen Xiang took a cloak and put it on Liu Li, she quietly stepped aside. Looking at Liuli's puzzled look with a smile, Yinxiang didn't answer directly, but played tricks. "You'll find out soon enough." After Yinxiang finished speaking, he raised his hand and waved it a few times.The eunuchs who had already been waiting at the door immediately lit up the flint and threw it on the ground. The flint spread out in a linear shape, immediately illuminating the surroundings brightly. Not just Liuli, but everyone present widened their eyes in surprise. I saw large areas of peonies blooming in the place where the fire was lit.Red, pink, yellow, blue, purple, green, orange... Against the backdrop of pure white snow, it is as beautiful as a fairyland. Yinxiang took a deep look at Liuli, and said softly, "Didn't you want spring flowers to bloom all over the courtyard? Now your wish has come true." Liuli was already fascinated by it, and murmured without blinking: "How did you do it, how did you do it?" "Go down and have a look." Yinxiang smiled, took Liuli's hand and walked down the steps, leading her to shuttle among the flowers.The scenery is picturesque, Liuli spun around and smiled happily: "Wow, it's so beautiful——" The court ladies stood by, looking enviously at Liuli dancing among the flowers. Liuli's every laugh and every dance step cut deeply into her heart like a knife.Chen Xiang didn't want to look any more, her eyes retreated to the corner sadly. The snow fell harder and harder, and several eunuchs couldn't bear the cold, so they got together and tightened their clothes.One of them said in a low voice: "Brother Thirteen really has a heart, because of these fake flowers, he didn't sleep a wink for several nights." The others nodded in sympathy when they heard this. Chen Xiang could hear clearly from the side, and looked up at the boots on Yinxiang's feet, with deep guilt in his eyes. Because she was so happy, Liuli had no sleepiness.He simply asked Chen Xiang to set up a small table under the eaves, brought some snacks and sat with Yin Xiang to enjoy the flowers and snow. "By the way, Brother Thirteen, why are those flowers all peonies?" Liuli admired the scenery and suddenly thought of a question. "Is it because you only like peonies?" Although the flowers in the garden are of different colors, there is only one kind of peony.Liuli secretly wondered whether she should do what she likes in the future and plant more peonies in the yard to please Yinxiang. Yinxiang sat opposite Liuli, and shook his head with a smile after hearing her question.Looking up towards the direction of Yanxi Palace, his voice was gentle and ethereal. "I don't just like peonies, I just think that in this situation, only peonies can fully express my mood." "Why?" Liuli was even more curious. "Because when I saw you in Yanxi Palace that time, you stood in front of the peony flowers. Moonlight, butterflies, peonies and you, everything was so beautiful and quiet. At that time you were wearing a silk handkerchief, you couldn't see Clear appearance. At that moment, I thought it was Er Niang who came back." Speaking of this, Yinxiang looked back at Liuli with a regretful smile. "It's a pity that it's winter and no butterflies appear. Otherwise, it would be better to sprinkle honey on these flowers and let them be happy with us." Unexpectedly, it was such an answer, Liuli's face suddenly turned ugly.Unexpectedly, after racking her brains to occupy the magpie's nest, she still lives in the shadow of Chen Xiang. "Brother Thirteen, I suddenly feel a little uncomfortable, so I'll go back and rest first." The more I thought about it, the more aggrieved I became, Liuli was no longer in the mood to admire flowers, so she stood up abruptly and forced a smile at Yinxiang, then turned her head away Walk. Chen Xiang brought tea and was walking towards this side carefully, but she didn't expect Liu Li to rush over suddenly, she couldn't dodge and was knocked down to the ground by her, the hot tea juice overflowed, causing her to involuntarily let out an "ouch". Liuli staggered for a while, and was supported by the maid next to her so that she didn't fall down.He lowered his head and glared at Chen Xiang bitterly, and left without looking back. Yinxiang was worried and hurried to catch up.When passing by Chen Xiang's side, he hesitated, but squatted down: "How is it? Are you hurt?" "Your maidservant is fine, brother Thirteen should go and see the girl." Chen Xiang took a step back to avoid Yinxiang's overstretched hand, and quickly picked up the fragments on the ground, not even noticing that his fingers were cut in his haste.Before Yinxiang could stop her, she had already picked up the tray and ran away. Yinxiang got up slowly, and looked at Chen Xiang's back wonderingly.Is it his illusion?Why does she always feel that since she left the palace last time, she is a little afraid of him?Was it really just because she was busy, or did he inadvertently say something that upset her?or... Thinking about it to no avail, Yinxiang just thought for a long time in a daze, until a gust of north wind blew snowflakes coldly, which brought back his wandering thoughts. Looking back, Liuli had already disappeared.Only the peonies in the garden are still blooming enchantingly in the blizzard.This situation made Yinxiang even more disturbed.Obviously he did all this to thank Liuli, but in the end his mind was full of another woman. "So half-hearted, how can you be worthy of such a good girl as Liuli?" Yinxiang cursed himself fiercely, and strode into the wind and snow.Snowflakes are flying all over the sky, like white butterflies... Perhaps it was because she was worried that Chen Xiang would be forced into a hurry and would tell what she saw tonight, or she was more satisfied with Chen Xiang's behavior of keeping herself safe and hiding from Yin Xiang everywhere. Making things difficult is just the usual sarcasm, which is still indispensable. For Liuli's attitude, Chen Xiang has long been indifferent, she only hopes that Chunshou can be safe and sound, as for the other things, it is just a passing moment. The long night is finally over. After a night of heavy snowfall, it finally cleared up at dawn.Chen Xiang got up early in the morning to tidy up, served Liuli for breakfast, then followed her instructions, went back to the Tongpu room to fetch the hand warmer that she embroidered yesterday and was going to give to Concubine De. As soon as he reached the gate of the courtyard, a young eunuch chased after him from a distance while shouting.The road was slippery and difficult, and I fell a somersault.He didn't bother to pat the snowflakes off his body, so he stood up and continued to chase. Chen Xiang stopped, watched him running to him panting, and asked puzzledly: "My father-in-law, do you have anything to do with me?" "Is it Miss Chen Xiang?" The little eunuch asked after panting a few times.After getting Chen Xiang's answer, he took out a small purse from his bosom and handed it over. "This is given to you by my master, and I paint it every other hour." After finishing speaking, without waiting for Chen Xiang to ask again, he threw the purse on her body, turned around and ran away. Chen Xiang subconsciously caught the purse, and seeing that the little eunuch had already run away, she gave up on calling him to ask for clarification.Holding the purse, he pushed the door into the room, sat on the edge of the bed and opened it carefully. Inside are two porcelain bottles the size of snuff bottles, with names and usages written on them in small print.One is a golden sore medicine that promotes muscle growth and stops bleeding, and the other is used to treat burns.Opening the exquisite plug carved from fragrant wood, a refreshing and refreshing smell gushes out immediately. I just hurt my hand last night, and today someone sent medicine, and it was such a precious royal thing.For such a coincidence, Chen Xiang knew who did it without thinking.Thinking of those gentle and smiling black eyes, her nose was sore. I took off the hairpin and carefully picked out a little bit and applied it on my hands. The cool feeling immediately replaced the pain of the wound.Closing my eyes, I recalled the scene of Yinxiang beating up bullies for her in the market, and also thought of the figure who jumped out of the window last night and disappeared in a flash, and Yinxiang's tired expression of not closing his eyes for several nights in a row, Thinking of the pair of boots on his feet that seemed too wide and ill-fitting... The more Chen Xiang thought about it, the more difficult it was for him to survive, and finally made up his mind to get up with a pen and paper, and after hastily writing a line, he went out in the snow... After the snow, it cleared and the sun was shining brightly.Crystal icicles hang down from the eaves, as if carved out of crystal. I have been holding the book in my hand all morning, but I haven't turned a few pages.Yinxiang sat on the table absent-mindedly, his eyes habitually falling on the handkerchief and earrings. "Enough Yinxiang, don't think about it anymore! Think about your heartbeat in the Palace of Yanxi Palace, and the gratitude that Liuli cut her flesh to treat Concubine De's illness that day. If you can't treat her wholeheartedly, wouldn't you have let her down? ? As for Chen Xiang, it's just an illusion of your love for the house. That's right, that's it, that's all!" Yin Xiang murmured to himself, using this method to strengthen his heart that was swaying from side to side.He stood up and opened the door and walked out, trying to calm down his messy mind. As the door opened, the cool air immediately came oncoming.The warm breath was turned into mist, appearing and disappearing in front of him continuously.The bright sunlight reflected on the snow, reflecting a faint fluorescent light.The cold wind blew by, and suddenly there was a flash of light on the eaves beside the corridor, which attracted his attention. This is... a wind chime? Yinxiang became curious, walked over slowly and took down the wind chime hanging on the eaves of the porch, and played with it in his hand.Unfold the paper strip attached to the wind chime, and you will see a row of beautiful small characters written on it - there are flowers that can be folded straight, and there is no need to fold the branches without flowers. Looking at the small print, Yinxiang smiled softly.The hesitation in his black eyes was replaced by firmness, he held the wind chime tightly and strode outside... "Quickly, quickly, I promised Empress Defei, I will help her finish copying the Diamond Sutra before the sun goes down today." Liu Li urged while wandering.Rows of copied Buddhist scriptures hung in the yard, and the beautiful handwriting on them was exactly the same as that on the wind chimes. Chen Xiang was sitting in front of the stone table and writing vigorously, when Liu Li urged her, she didn't care to raise her head, and replied while writing: "Yes!" At this moment, a notice came from outside: "Brother Thirteen is here—" Hearing the sound of footsteps getting closer, Liuli was startled, and hurriedly snatched the pen from Chen Xiang's hand, and pushed her aside.Sitting at the table by myself, I pretended to be writing. The door curtain was raised, and Yinxiang walked in at a leisurely pace.Liuli took advantage of the situation and put down the pen, walked in front of him and said Wanfu: "See Elder Brother Thirteen—" Chen Xiang followed behind Liu Li, and also knelt down to salute. "Get up, get up—" Yinxiang stepped forward to help Liu Li up. Liuli smiled slightly, let Yinxiang sit down on the chair, and then asked: "Shouldn't Brother Thirteen go up to court at this time? Why did you come to me?" "I don't blame you." Yinxiang spread his palm, pointed to the note hanging on the wind chime and said with a smile: "Write down what you have flowers that can be folded straight, don't wait for no flowers to fold branches, I think, don't you?" I have neglected you recently and made you unhappy, so I came here to reassure you." The smile on Liuli's face froze immediately, she stretched out her hand to take the note from Yinxiang, after seeing the writing on it, she immediately turned her head and glared at Chen Xiang fiercely. Being stared at by Liuli's sharp eyes, Chen Xiang bit her lip and lowered her head.She just wanted to remind Yinxiang to come and see Liuli from time to time, but she didn't expect him to bring this note along with her.Thinking of Liuli's anger that was about to erupt in the future, she shuddered. Yinxiang didn't notice the dark turbulence between the two, seeing that Liuli didn't answer, he hurriedly asked: "Why didn't you speak? Didn't you write this?" "Yes, how could it not be?" Liuli regained consciousness and forced a smile on her face again.Sweeping his eyes over the Buddhist scriptures that Chen Xiang had just copied on the table, he quickly picked it up and handed it to Yin Xiang. "Look, this is the Buddhist scriptures I just copied for Empress Concubine De, the handwriting can't be deceiving, right?" Yin Xiang didn't go to pick up the Buddhist scriptures, but stood up and held Liuli's hands, looked down into her eyes, and said slowly, "I knew it was written by you. I came today to tell you that I Marrying you is a marriage, and there will be no change, so you don't have to worry about me 'don't wait for nothing to break'!" Yinxiang said this sentence to Liuli, and at the same time he said it to himself.He should have thought that, as smart as her, he might have sensed his wavering from his expression and words, and he was worried about it.She couldn't say these words in person, so she had to express her feelings through the wind chime, trying to remind him to cherish this relationship. Feeling guilty from Yin Xiang's affectionate words, Liu Li lowered her head to avoid his gaze, and squeezed out a word like a gnat: "Yes..." "Then I'm leaving, and I'll see you later." Having said all he wanted to say, Yin Xiang breathed a sigh of relief, said goodbye to Liu Li, and then left. "Congratulations to the thirteenth brother." Liuli sent Yinxiang away with a shy smile, and when the sound of his footsteps disappeared, she suddenly turned her head to stare at Chenxiang, her shy smile was replaced by a ferocious expression. Slowly walking towards Chen Xiang step by step, Liu Li's eyes widened, her voice was icy cold, with a faint voice of gnashing of teeth: "Don't wait for Wuhua to break branches? You want to tell Brother Thirteen that my flower It has already been picked by someone, so tell him to pick your flower, right? Are you still jealous that I took your position away, and you plan to take revenge on me? Say it!" Seeing that Liuli misunderstood what she meant, Chen Xiang knelt on the ground with a "plop". "No, no, I hope Brother Thirteen can spend more time with the girl..." After hearing Chen Xiang's explanation, Liu Li was stunned for a moment, then looked up to the sky and laughed. "Hahaha, you got all the stolen goods, you still dare to quibble, do you think you can hide it from me with this little trick of yours? Save yourself! Look at you, isn't it just an inconspicuous little palace lady, Brother Thirteen has a heart Okay, I can still talk to you occasionally, don’t think that you will open a dyeing room for three points of color, and want to rob me, are you qualified?” "...Slaves are not qualified, but Brother Thirteen is a good person, I hope the girl treats him sincerely." Chen Xiang knew that no matter how she explained Liuli today, she would not let it go, so she simply raised her head and looked directly at her, and said clearly what was in her heart out.Now that the matter has come to an end, she doesn't expect anything else, only that Liuli can change her mind and treat him wholeheartedly. Liu Li didn't appreciate Chen Xiang's painstaking efforts, looked at her with a sneer smile, turned around and sat on the chair, tilted her head to think for a while, and finally opened her mouth in a calm manner: "How dare you do this when you are about to die?" Say, I think you don't want to live anymore. Tell me, how can I punish you? Let me think about it... Ah, yes, I heard that the dead eunuch named Chunshou is dying..." As soon as these words came out, they immediately hit Chen Xiang's weakness.Her expression suddenly became flustered, and she knelt and crawled to Liuli's feet, kowtowed repeatedly, and begged in a mournful voice: "Girl, everything is the fault of the servant girl, and has nothing to do with Chunshou, please spare him, spare his life." !" Satisfied, Liuli glanced at Chen Xiang who was kneeling beside her feet, stretched out her hand and waved indifferently: "Don't beg me, beg yourself." "Me?" Chen Xiang was puzzled, stopped crying and looked up at Liuli blankly. "Yes, it's you." Liu Li bent her eyes and smiled viciously and cruelly.He bent down and grabbed Chen Xiang's hair, dragged her to the front and asked softly: "If...you go to ask Brother Thirteen to marry you to Chunshou as a couple, then I have to let you go on the night of the bridal chamber. The groom? Remember, the marriage must be given by the thirteenth elder brother." The reason why she appointed Yin Xiang to give her the marriage was to confirm whether something happened between him and Chen Xiang behind her back.If Yinxiang readily agrees, then everything can be assured.If he doesn't allow it... Hmph, she has plenty of ways to deal with this bitch! Unexpectedly, Liuli would say such words, Chen Xiang's eyes immediately lost all spirit.Marrying Chunshou to do opposite food... How can she accept such a thing? "For the sake of the sisters, I won't force you to make a choice against your will. Don't worry, you can answer after you think it through." Liuli leaned back in the chair, took a sip of the tea cup on the table, Frowning, he threw the cold tea aside, and slowly reminded Chen Xiang. "This is the only way to save him. Think about it yourself. I heard that he has been miserable recently. If you think about it for a long time, I'm afraid that even if I let him out, you will have to go to the Palace of the King of Hell to find him." After waiting for a while, Liuli finally lost her patience when she saw that Chen Xiang kept her head lowered and her shoulders trembling but said nothing. "Since you don't want to, forget it. On this day next year, you can go offer him a stick of incense." After she finished speaking, she got up and left.When approaching the door, Chen Xiang's trembling voice finally came from behind: "...I...promise..." A smug smile appeared on the corner of her lips, Liu Li turned to look at Chen Xiang, pretending to be puzzled: "What did you say, speak up, I didn't hear it." "I promise to marry Chunshou!" Chen Xiang yelled loudly, shaking her body a few times, and finally couldn't support herself and collapsed on the ground. Liuli couldn't bear it anymore and burst out laughing.Amidst the laughter, Chen Xiang slowly closed his eyes, and swallowed the tears that were about to slip out of his eyes into his stomach... Winter nights always come very early.The Forbidden City under the snow cover looks more empty and deep.Occasionally, one or two crows could be heard, which was so hoarse that it made people panic. "Old Nine, there have been so many movements before, but recently there has been no movement. Although it is a good thing, it always makes people feel uneasy." Yinzhen walked along the side of the small road carved in the snow without riding a chariot Walk and talk.When talking about Yinzhen, his voice was extremely low, and there was a lot of worry on his face. Yinxiang walked beside him, frowning tightly.Hearing Yinzhen's words, he nodded and said in a deep voice: "Brother Jiu's recent behavior is indeed a bit abnormal. Could it be that the prince has been cautious in his words and deeds recently and nothing has gone wrong, and he can't find an opportunity so he gave up. If the fourth brother is really worried, it is better to find someone to spy on him." "Forget it, Lao Jiu is cunning and suspicious. If he finds out that we are following him, he will easily fall into the trap. When Huang Ama pursues it, it will be our fault." Yinzhen thought for a while, but shook his head and rejected the suggestion . "For the current plan, we can only respond to all changes without changing, and don't give him any opportunity." Hearing what Yinzhen said, Yinxiang also nodded.Just as he was about to say something more, his eyes suddenly settled somewhere.Ignoring the talk with Yinzhen, she walked quickly towards the front. Seeing that Yinxiang suddenly stopped talking, Yinzhen followed his footsteps and raised his eyes in puzzlement.When he saw clearly the figure standing alone in the snow, he couldn't help frowning slightly. "Chen Xiang?" Yinxiang strode up to her, seeing her pale face from the cold, he quickly took off his cloak and put it on her body. "What are you doing standing here in such a cold day?" Yinzhen's fingers had already touched the strap of the cloak, seeing this situation, he put it down calmly. The thick cloak covered Chen Xiang's body with Yin Xiang's body temperature.Her already unconscious body gradually came to life because of this warmth.Hearing Yinxiang's voice, she slowly raised her head to look at him.The exhaled mist on the long eyelashes condensed into shattered ice crystals, trembling slightly with her movements. "Brother Thirteen—" Choked by the concern and distress contained in those pitch-black pupils, Chen Xiang almost exhausted all the strength in his body, and finally squeezed out a word. "Slave... I beg Thirteenth Brother for one thing, please be sure to agree to Thirteenth Brother." “有什么话，进屋去说。”胤祥说着，便想要带沉香进屋去暖和暖和。可是她却倔强地摇了摇头，脚下如同生了根般一动不动。 沉香不敢进屋，她害怕那处处充满了胤祥味道的温暖会融化了她的决心。伸手拉紧身上的斗篷，沉香有一种恍然如梦的感觉。 七年前的相遇，他为她披上斗篷，从此在她的心底刻下了烙印，再也无法忘却。七年后的今天，他再次为她披上斗篷。只是这一次，她要用刀将他的名字从心里剜去。鲜血淋漓之后，她便再也没有回头的机会。 这个梦，终于到了苏醒的时候…… 胤禛也缓步走了过来，没有说话，也没有离开的打算。就这样静静地站在不远处，看着雪中相视的二人。 难得见到沉香如此执著的一面，胤祥无奈地叹了口气：“实在不想进去的话，那就在这里说吧。沉香，你说吧，只要是力所能及，我都答应你。” 得到了胤祥的允诺，沉香不给自己后悔的机会。“扑通”一声跪下，嘶哑的声音字字带血。 “奴婢要嫁给春寿。” 此话一出，不只是胤祥，就连胤禛都惊呆了。他再也无法袖手旁观，大步上前将沉香从冰冷的积雪中拉了起来，盯着她沉声问道：“你再说一遍！” “奴婢要嫁给春寿，求十三阿哥成全。”虽然是在回答胤禛的话，可是沉香的眼睛却依旧牢牢盯着胤祥。 “我不允许！”听到沉香求他赐婚，胤祥不假思索地果断拒绝。话出口，他便发觉到自己的不可理喻，连忙又补充了一句：“春寿他……他是个太监。” 这样的借口，连胤祥自己都觉得可笑。宫女嫁给太监，本来就是她们的一种归宿。莫说是阿哥亲自指婚这样的荣耀，就连那些背地里偷偷摸摸的对食，都是一种被默许的行为。如今他以这样的借口来拒绝，根本就没有半点说服力。 胤祥的反应，出乎沉香的预料之外。原以为他会毫不在意地一口应承，没想到却会当即否决。虽然不知道他是因为琉璃的关系所以爱屋及乌，还是单纯地担心她的幸福，但是只要有他这一句话，她便知足了。 “奴婢心意已决，非春寿不嫁。十三阿哥若是不允，奴婢……宁可一死。”所有牵挂就此抛开，沉香声音恢复了平静。抬眸望进胤祥的眼里，那凄然决绝的笑容令人心惊。 “你……就那么喜欢他吗？”明知不该，可是胤祥还是克制不住地问了一句。他的心已经乱作一团，搅得呼吸都失去了节奏。当看到沉香缓慢而坚定地点了点头之后，最后一丝理智也随即飞到了天外。 “既然你如此坚持……”胤祥深深地叹了口气，“三日之后，便成亲吧。” “谢十三阿哥。”沉香轻声谢恩。 胤祥胸口一痛，绕过沉香向前走去。 “十三阿哥——” 走了两步，身后忽然响起沉香的低呼。明明不想再看她，他却还是忍不住地回了头：“还有什么……” 话未说完，便觉眼前人影一闪，沉香冰凉的唇已经轻轻地贴在了他的唇畔，蜻蜓点水一般，在他尚未反应过来之前便已经离开。 “女孩子都喜欢这样。”沉香淡淡地笑着，转身飞一般地跑出了胤祥的视线。漆黑的夜色中，一点晶亮的泪水如流星般滑落，消失在雪地深处。 胤祥站在原地，指尖慢慢抚上了唇角，呆呆地、久久地，一动不动。 将视线从沉香背影消失的地方收回，胤禛敛眸隐去其中的波澜，没有再说话，面无表情地慢慢离开。