Chapter 27 Chapter 4: Saying Goodbye
The warm wind was blowing in the imperial garden, and the sound of the morning bell gradually came from the east. This year, it was a good time of spring again.The wind blows over the garden, and the sea of flowers surges like clouds and waves. With the wind, a leaf of flower buds is thrown on the skirt, and Xing Dai quietly picks it up.This flower still blooms a thousand days, but she feels that people seem to be getting more and more desperate every day.For a moment, Xiang Hua smiled wryly, and someone under her skirt tugged at the corner of her clothes.She lowered her hand, looked at her daughter with tender eyes, and handed the flower to her pink and soft little hand.Little Gege is still a toddler now, her feet are deep and shallow, holding a flower in one hand, and tightly pinching the corner of Erniang's clothes with the other.
I just felt that the wind in the imperial garden was getting stronger, Xingdai sent the palace servants behind her to carry little Gege back to the palace to rest.
"Little Gege is three years old in a blink of an eye." The queen looked at the figure of little Gege, and sighed beside Xing Dai.
Xing Dai nodded.It has been more than three years in a flash, time is like running water, and the time is passing by.For more than three years, she thought it was the beginning, but it seemed to fall into the predetermined ending. If there is no Xiao Gege, I am afraid that living in the world is still a kind of suffering.
The Empress glanced at Xing Dai, saw that she was staring blankly, and raised her voice: "How is everything going on in your house recently?"
"Emperor Niang, don't worry, everything in the General's Mansion is in order." Xing Dai forced a smile, she was used to the forced smile for many years.
The queen looked at Xing Dai, she understood, she couldn't help but shook her head: "You can hide it from others, how can you hide it from me?"
The sea of flowers swayed, rustling all over the clothes room, with bunches of fragrant flowers hanging down her hands, Xing Dai lowered her head in a lonely way, quietly staring at her hands full of beauty.The queen's pitiful voice came from the wind, not without sorrow and pity——
"Look at your eyes. You have cried countless times. How can you be satisfied? Bengong told you a long time ago, why did you have to drive away that Liancheng? Under one roof, the place is so big, why? Do not live in harmony? Now that this person has been driven away by you, and even Hengtai's heart has gone with him, what good is that? Putting it aside, Bengong and your mother are still getting along very well. Isn't that also an example?"
Xingdai heard the sound, and only asked softly: "I heard that my mother's illness is getting worse day by day, and Huang Ama often visits her. Seeing it in her eyes, wouldn't the mother feel aggrieved?"
The wind passed through the treetops and branches, rustling, the queen just smiled, and suddenly said: "Your mother is always in the emperor's heart, what's the use of me stopping it? I should think about it or think about it, I can't stop it. So I Simply fulfilling them, your Empress Ama knows my intentions, but is also secretly grateful, and has never neglected me in the past few years, wouldn't that be very good?" Her post has always been as stable as Mount Tai, and her family has continued to prosper, And her husband also gave her the sympathy she deserved.As the mother of a country, she already has a lot, and she has got what she wants, so she should be content and know how to cherish it.It's a pity that Xing Dai in front of her seems to be unable to understand this simple truth for a long time.
"Emperor Niang is right, but unfortunately it's too late now." Xingdai looked at the queen, not without emotion, with a wry smile on her face still showing a trace of helplessness, "Song Liancheng is gone, it's better than me looking at them The two are together, and I feel uncomfortable. Hengtai is already like this, and I don't know what to do. Although the days are sad now, I just want to be safe." But now there is only one thing, which always makes her feel uneasy.Over the past few days, Hengtai has been obsessed with looking for the illusions of various shamans, and is deeply infatuated with the illusions woven by the mind-stimulating technique and cannot escape.However, she kept these things in her heart, and she still couldn't explain them to outsiders.
Now, looking at the queen, Xing Dai can only say: "I'm only worried that Hengtai has been sluggish recently, I hope he can cheer up."
The queen nodded: "Recently, the country is prosperous and the world is peaceful. The military camp is fine, and there is nothing to do. It is no wonder that Hengtai will get sick when he is idle. Why don't we give him something to do?"
If Hengtai can get busy and stay in the barracks, he can escape from the illusion.Xing Dai was quite happy, just waiting for the Queen to continue.
The queen stroked the peony branches and leaves in front of her with one hand, thought for a while, and said slowly: "Yesterday, the emperor also said that Mongolia will send a team of envoys to pay tribute in the next few days. This is not difficult, but there are more entertainment etiquettes Hengtai will definitely be able to handle this matter, and it may be beneficial to him to be busy for a while."
The dream house is a place where dreams are made to block the soul.
The windows in the house have been completely covered by black curtains, not a ray of sunlight can penetrate.The room is dark, burning with unique Tibetan incense, and the mysterious atmosphere lingers around.There was no wind in the room, but the candles on both sides trembled strangely.The four cold walls are cast with golden lacquer carved dragons, with pearls in their mouths, spitting out clouds of white mist, floating in the air.The cold smoke floats, the white mist lingers, and the candles flicker, all of which seem to be weaving a dreamy country.
A wisp of ecstasy fragrance rushed into the tip of his nose, Hengtai gradually woke up from the dream just now.The dream just now was pitch black, and he called countless times in the dream, but he couldn't see or hear anything.When I woke up, I was exhausted and haggard, completely powerless.He propped up his arms, slowly sat up from the soft couch, and looked at the shaman approaching from the darkness: "People say that you can fulfill all wishes, is this true?"
The shaman bowed to him and smiled: "As long as you think, what can't be realized? It's just the place where your wish is fulfilled, in another country..."
Another country?This shaman is different from the previous ones. Those people are hypnotizing and weaving dreams for themselves. Some of those dreams are illusory and some are real. I can really feel her temperature.However, the shaman in front of him said that he wanted to go to another country by himself.
Hengtai turned to him with slightly curious eyes, and heard the shaman explain to him: "In the kingdom of dreams, in the world of chaos, all your wishes can come true there. Just follow my guidance, Everything you want is at your fingertips."
The shaman cast the spell casually, and saw a cup of cloudy tea falling on the table next to Hengtai. The shaman pointed to the cup of tea and lowered his voice: "Drink it, and then ask yourself ,what do you want?"
Hengtai drank the tea and murmured: "I don't want the pain of lovesickness to bother me, I think of a girl in my heart, she..."
"Shh! Don't talk! Don't let confusion bother you." The shaman stopped Hengtai, and his voice gradually slowed down. "I'm thinking about your intentions, and I will help you realize this dream. In that world, time also Well, no matter the space, it’s all controlled by you alone, the person you want to see will appear, and then you will be so happy that you don’t want to come back..."
There was a vortex-like power in the shaman's eyes, Hengtai's consciousness began to blur, and his eyelids began to slowly droop, and he felt that there was someone in his subconscious pushing himself to stand up——
"Get up slowly, move your steps slowly, move forward..."
Following the sound, Hengtai stood up slowly and walked forward. He saw a dragon-head-shaped moon cave gate in front of him.The door of the moon cave opened slowly, and the dragon Kaka opened its mouth wide. Looking in from the mouth of the dragon, it saw another warm room.There is a bed in the room, and beside the bed is an exquisite goldfish tree. The goldfish tree is covered with countless small crystal balls. It seems that there are goldfish swimming in each crystal ball.
I heard another sound, which was slowly transmitted to my ears from a distance, and it seemed to come from the bottom of my heart.
"In front of the Moon Cave Gate, there is a huge goldfish tree. Under the tree, there is a couch covered with fur, which is very soft and comfortable. You can forget all your troubles when you lie on it... When you are sleepy, just close your eyes. Get a good night's sleep, this is the way to the dreamland..."
Hengtai walked to the couch and lay down.The branches of the goldfish tree are hanging on the top of the forehead. It is not a big goldfish tree as the shaman said, but just a small tree.The blurred eyes looked at the goldfish tree. This tree was very short. From the crystal balls hanging on the branches, you could see the goldfish swimming, one, two, and three... Hengtai's consciousness gradually blurred, his eyes struggled, and finally he was able to slow down. Slowly closed.
The moment he closed his eyes, he seemed to enter a void of darkness. It was extremely dark and empty, but the voice of the shaman was still faintly echoing——
"Missing someone, whether in reality or in a dream, is equally inextricable..."
Struggling in the dark for a long time, the heavy eyelids suddenly no longer tired, Hengtai opened his eyes easily, and what he saw was another world, as if he was in another ethereal world.In this world, it was already late at night, and the sky was full of stars twinkling when you looked up, and everything you saw seemed to be falling lightly in mid-air.Hengtai moved his body and felt that his body became extremely light for a moment, as if he could fly.
Turning his gaze, he gradually saw the very center of the world, where the huge goldfish tree stood.It was different from the small tree he saw lying on the couch through the Moon Cave Gate before. Now, in front of him, it was originally a small goldfish tree. Dark underground, upward, rising to the end of the zenith.The trunk and branches extend in all directions, and there is a crystal clear crystal ball on each branch. In each crystal ball, goldfish with big red eyes can be clearly seen swimming around in it, swaying and swaying.
Hengtai was stunned for a moment, touched a crystal ball with his hand, stared at the goldfish in it, and asked: "Is this the dreamland? Is there a city here? Where is the city?"
Searching around, there was no trace of Liancheng, and the uncontrollable longing burst out at this moment, turning into endless sadness and anxiety.Whether it's reality, or the countless dreams woven by mages, even now, even now, after entering the fantasy kingdom, where is Liancheng, who has never met before?
"Liancheng! Liancheng! Where are you? Why don't you meet me?" Hengtai raised his head and shouted at the stars in the sky."Meet me... meet me..." echoed in the distant sky, lingering in the starry night sky, lingering among the glittering goldfish trees.
Suddenly, a ray of light whizzed down on a branch at the top of the treetop, and at the junction of the light and the branch, a woman in white sat gracefully in it, holding the branch.There are stars twinkling on her sleeves, and crystal light radiates from her skirt. She gently swings her legs, and the goldfish in the crystal ball keeps cruising and turning with the rhythm of her swinging legs. Her hair hung down to her waist, scattered by a gust of wind.
Hengtai finally saw her face clearly, such a hazy smile, such sweet eyes, it was Liancheng!
"Liancheng! Liancheng! Is that you?" Hengtai ecstatically waved his arms upwards, trying to attract her attention.
The woman on the tree looked at him, let out a series of laughter, and waved the hand holding the treetop to him.
"Hengtai! Come up! Come up quickly!"
A sound, falling from the tree, the sound is very ethereal.
"Liancheng! Liancheng! You are finally back! Do you know how much I miss you!" Hengtai's voice floated into the air, and he felt that he was going to fly up with the air, fly up to the treetops, and fly to Liancheng to sit The place.
"I miss you too, come on! Hengtai!" Another voice was more clear and true.
Hengtai stepped on a branch, jumped lightly to another branch, jumped repeatedly, and climbed towards the direction of Liancheng.I saw Liancheng on the top of the tree branch still smiling, and kept calling himself: "Come on! Come up quickly! Hengtai!"
This is coming.Hengtai was excited and continued to climb up, seeing that Liancheng was getting closer and closer to him.
In an instant, a white light appeared from the horizon, shaking the sky and shaking the earth.
The goldfish tree was shaking violently, one by one crystal balls fell instantly, and the swimming goldfish disappeared the moment the crystal balls shattered.Amid the huge shock, Hengtai could no longer control his direction, his body became heavier and heavier, and he fell rapidly following the branches, his hands were still protruding in the direction of Liancheng.But Liancheng's figure was slightly distant in sight.
A white light flickered from the sky, as if it was about to tear the night sky apart. Between the sky and the earth, he saw the huge figure of Xingdai shaking the goldfish tree vigorously. The crystal balls on the tree kept falling, and all the goldfish shattered in mid-air. middle.The shadow of Liancheng is also gradually becoming transparent, gradually disappearing.
"No! Liancheng—" Hengtai's desperate voice echoed.
Everything was chaotic, and the sky was spinning, the torn night sky disappeared, the stars all over the sky dissipated, the goldfish tree shattered, and the image of the entire dream world finally returned to the most primitive nothingness—the endless and primitive darkness.
"Hengtai, wake up! Wake up!"
One sound, sometimes far and sometimes near.
Hengtai slowly opened his eyes, stared wearily at the familiar roof, and saw the familiar Xingdai in his lowered eyes.The dream building is already a mess, all the utensils for the practice have been smashed and destroyed, and the mysterious atmosphere in the room has been swept away.
"Hengtai! How can you live in this kind of place every day! Do you know that soul-hunting technique is a big scam?" Xingdai walked up one step at a time, followed by Yun'er who was holding Little Gege.
Hengtai remained calm, as if he hadn't recovered from the dream.
"He's a liar! He's a liar!" Xing Dai pointed to the shaman who was kneeling on the ground, and stroked Hengtai's sweaty forehead with the other hand, "Did you know! He gave you medicine to make you live like a human being It’s not a ghost! I’m in a trance all day long, and I can’t tell if I’m awake or dreaming! If you continue like this, life would be better than death!”
Hengtai stared blankly at Xingdai, and asked weakly, "Princess, is there anything wrong with the military camp?"
Xing Dai was taken aback for a moment, then shook her head: "No!"
Hengtai asked again: "So, is there something wrong in the house? Is your daughter sick?"
Xing Dai shook her head again: "No, everything is fine."
Hengtai heard the words, slowly closed his eyes, and said indifferently: "Since everything is fine, why can't I be here?"
"Could it be that you will go home only when something happens? Could it be that as long as nothing happens, I won't even see your face?" Xing Dai was anxious, and asked aloud, "The child is three years old, when will you Have you ever cared and loved? You are a man, you are the head of the family, how can you always be so drunk and lifeless? What kind of husband and father are you? "
Hengtai still looked depressed.Seeing that he still looked indifferent, Xingdai felt even angrier in her heart. She hugged Xiao Gege from Yun'er's arms, stepped forward and handed Xiao Gege into Hengtai's arms, and said bitterly: "The daughter is yours, you are the one Take it!" After saying that, he led Yun'er away from the Dream Building.
Little Gege, who fell into Hengtai's arms, seemed to be frightened, and began to cry loudly, her tender little face was flushed with tears from crying.Hengtai hugged Xiao Gege, not knowing how to coax her well, so he could only look at her meaningfully.While wiping away her tears with his hands, he sighed softly, "Son, are you in pain?"
Little Gege just kept crying and didn't respond.
"That's great." Hengtai smiled wryly, shaking his head and frowning, "You can still cry when you are in pain, but what about Ama? When Ama is in pain, where do you go to cry?"
Hugging Xiao Gege, Hengtai closed his eyes, as if he was still remembering the dream just now, just a little bit, just a little bit, he was about to hold her, Liancheng.
For a moment, no matter how hard to suppress his emotions, Hengtai burst into tears: "Liancheng! Where are you? Where are you!"
The dream building is bleak, and loneliness devours people's hearts.Hengtai threw his head back heavily on the back couch, hugged Little Gege in his arms, weeping entwinedly, and there was a cry of pain.
In the courtyard of the post house, Hengtai was wearing a top-wearing robe, and was waiting for the Mongolian envoy with a group of court officials.When the Mongolian attendants surrounded the envoy and slowly walked down from the second floor, Hengtai had already walked to the front from the crowd.
When he raised his head, his eyes met the Mongolian envoy who was approaching gracefully, and he couldn't help being surprised that it was Jiang Yichen.I saw Jiang Yichen now, wearing Mongolian clothes and growing a beard, just like a Mongolian.After not seeing him for three years, Jiang Yichen, who thought he had died in Xiaojing Lake, appeared in front of him again, bearing the name of Mongolian envoy.
"Don't come here without any harm." Before Hengtai could react, Jiang Yichen had already walked up to him, turned around and ordered to the followers behind him, "Hurry up and hand over the tribute to the Qing emperor. Let these grown-ups check it out."
The Mongolian attendants saluted and withdrew.Hengtai also nodded, and called his subordinates to go to check with the Mongolian attendants.When people from both sides were sent away, only Hengtai and Jiang Yichen stood in the courtyard, looking at each other.Silence passed between the two of them.After all, those unspeakable pasts became sealed memories and prolonged silence after three years.
"You must be very curious, how did I come back from the dead and become a Mongolian envoy." Jiang Yichen first looked away and looked at the courtyard full of fragrance. The slanting sun shone on his right cheek, reflecting the wound that had already healed Scars that never fade away.
"Actually, it's not that complicated. I, Jiang Yichen, have a great life, and I can't be killed by explosives. I traveled west and north from the capital, and I wanted to go as far as possible. In this way, I walked all the way to the grassland, to Mongolia, and by chance, I rescued the little Mongolian princes and killed wolves and tigers, showing my skills. The Mongols respect heroes the most, and the Great Khan saw that I was good at martial arts, so he kept me here and asked me to teach his little princes how to practice martial arts."
But thinking of the life-and-death difficult past, Jiang Yichen managed to hold up a smile.He once thought that as long as he walked far enough, his longing would fade away. Unfortunately, the fire-like longing has been burning for three years and thousands of miles, but it is getting stronger and stronger. , even more profound than the previous thoughts!
Hengtai looked away from the scar on his face, and remained silent.Missing is a thing, and it becomes fresher with time, getting deeper and thicker, Jiang Yichen is like this, and he himself is sick of thinking like this.
Jiang Yichen looked at Hengtai without moving for a moment: "It takes three months to walk from the grassland to the capital. Do you know why I should be an envoy and come thousands of miles to make a contribution?"
Hengtai looked at Jiang Yichen, hesitant to speak.
"How come you don't know?" Jiang Yichen nodded and smiled, "I just want to see Liancheng, even if it's just one or one glance! In fact, a year ago, I sneaked back to the capital, and it was snowing heavily. You have been waiting at the gate of your house for three days and three nights, just to see Liancheng, but it is a pity that Liancheng has never appeared." But thinking of those days, the heavy snow almost flooded the entire Forbidden City, for three days and three nights, the snow covered his ankles , he watched the people coming and going in Fucha's mansion, their actions and movements, but no one was Liancheng.The snowflakes all over the sky are as lonely as his heart, but the snow still has the support of everything in the world, and his heart has nowhere to go since then.
"Later, I found out that you actually drove Liancheng out of the mansion in order to keep the princess! I won't talk about these things, but I can't find her anywhere in the past year! I just want to ask you now, what is she doing? Where did you go?"
Powerless to argue for himself, let alone explain for the past, Hengtai just shook his head lightly, and said in a light voice, "Where did she go, it's none of your business."
But seeing him so calm, Jiang Yichen hated him even more, clenched his fists, and said angrily: "I tell you, I can let go and make Liancheng happy, but the premise is that she is happy, she is willing, and she will not be wronged! I won't allow it." Others hurt her—if you can’t give her the happiness she wants, let me go! If you don’t love her, let her go, and don’t let her wander sadly in your shadow!”
Hengtai looked at Jiang Yichen who was so excited indifferently, and the old waves of jealousy and hatred because of him were hard to arouse.Now, he just looked at Jiang Yichen coldly, and said, "Unfortunately, I don't know where she went, and I miss her just like you."
Jiang Yichen looked coldly at Hengtai: "Within three days, you have to find me the whereabouts of Liancheng—you can't give her the happiness she wants, then at least learn to be magnanimous and let others give her happiness! Otherwise, don't blame me! I But anything can be done!"
Hengtai turned around suddenly and left without a sound, as if everything Jiang Yichen said had nothing to do with him.No matter how calm his face was, it was hard to resist the overwhelming pain in his heart.He stopped a step, looked at the blue sky in the distance, felt sad, and asked in a daze——
"Liancheng, where are you?"
After returning to the mansion from the post station, Hengtai sat in the study for the whole afternoon in a daze.Just staring at the direction of the window, my heart is empty.He was like this from time to time, sitting in the study for a whole day, not saying a word, not eating or drinking, no matter how lively the mansion was, it couldn't arouse him a little bit of emotional ups and downs.
Xingdai stood far outside the study room, looking at Hengtai for a long time, only when the sun was setting and Hengtai seemed to be moving, she quietly walked in front of him, seeing that Hengtai didn't seem to notice her figure at all, Sitting in a chair just staring blankly.
Xing Dai handed over the hot handkerchief, and said courteously, "Come on! Wipe your face! I saw the envoy today, did it go well?"
Hengtai took the handkerchief in a daze, put it in his hand, didn't wipe his face, just nodded indiscriminately.
"Don't be nervous." Xing Dai only felt that he encountered unpleasant things when receiving the Mongolian envoys, so she held up a smile and comforted him, "This kind of thing is easy to deal with. Mongolia and my Qing Dynasty have the deepest friendship. The queens of the court are all from Mongolia, and they are also relatives-in-law for many generations. This cannot be called a state matter, but it is just a family matter. As long as you follow the etiquette officials and follow the scene, it will be very easy. Come on, first Have a few sips of fragrant tea."
Hengtai's eyes fell on her, and he suddenly opened his mouth: "I saw Jiang Yichen today."
Xing Dai held the tea and was momentarily stunned.
Hengtai said slowly: "He is the envoy sent by Mongolia."
Xing Dai hastily put down the teacup in her hand, and said nervously, "How could it be him? What is he here for?"
Hengtai Youyou closed his eyes, and his voice was extremely weak: "He asked me where Liancheng had gone, but I didn't know. For so many years, I haven't heard any news about her, although I have sent someone to inquire about her. The whereabouts, but they all came back in vain, slowly, I told myself not to think about it anymore. But today Jiang Yichen suddenly asked a question, and added various dangers..." As he spoke, he suddenly opened his eyes, with an eager look on his face, Looking at Xingdai with full expectation, "Princess, do you know the whereabouts of Liancheng?"
With one word, Xingdai felt guilty and distressed when she asked, she couldn't help but turned into anger, and suddenly took half a step back: "Liancheng, why is it always Liancheng? You are also Liancheng, and he is also Liancheng. Could it be that Liancheng is no longer here? Want to overturn the sky?"
"Princess, I didn't mean that, I..."
Before the words fell, Xiao Gege's crying suddenly came from the next door, accompanied by a shrill scream.Hengtai and Xingdai changed their colors in a hurry, before they had time to react, they hurriedly rushed to Xiao Gege's room next door.As far as the eye can see, around Little Gege's cradle, there is a ring of steel darts nailed together, only a few millimeters away from Little Gege.The nanny screamed, trembling on her side, still in shock, and Little Gege also cried and cried along with the scream.
"What's going on here? Where are the guards?" Xing Dai's legs were weak, and she couldn't help asking the maid in the room.
Hengtai pulled out a steel dart and weighed it, then looked at it again, his eyes dimmed, and he said decisively: "It's Jiang Yichen!"
"Why?" Xing Dai rushed up and snatched the steel dart, puzzled.
"He's threatening me." Hengtai clenched his fists, pulled out all the steel darts one by one, and said solemnly, "If I don't tell him the whereabouts of Liancheng, he will start to attack my family. Daughter, and then maybe you."
"He dares!" Xing Dai was furious, "This Jiang Yichen is really daring, I will go to the palace right away and ask Huang Ama to chop off his head!"
Hengtai grabbed Xingdai who was turning around and was about to leave, and shook his head calmly: "Don't be impatient! We can't touch him yet."
Although there is a steel dart in his hand to prove it, there is really no more conclusive evidence to prove that it was Jiang Yichen's hands.Furthermore, he had fought against Jiang Yichen several times, and he already knew that he was treacherous and cunning, and he was really difficult to deal with.And his current status is the envoy of the Mongolian country. If he mishandles the matter a little, it will definitely damage the diplomatic relations between the two countries. They cannot afford the consequences!
Xing Dai didn't have time to think carefully, and said anxiously: "Then what should we do! Shall we just do nothing and let him frame you?" He was stunned for a while, and looked suspiciously at Hengtai, "No! You! Could it be that you Join forces with Jiang Yichen and want to threaten me with this? Your purpose is clearly to find out Liancheng's whereabouts!"
Hengtai threw down his hand full of steel darts, all anxious: "How can you doubt me? Don't I care about my daughter?"
"When have you ever cared about your daughter? Your mind is full of Liancheng!" Xing Dai was about to shed tears as soon as she was wronged.
Hengtai only supported her shoulders, and comforted her: "I have a solution! Don't worry, I won't let our daughter have any trouble!" After finishing speaking, he picked up little Gege and left the general's mansion regardless of Xingdai's obstruction. .
After being summoned by the waiter, Jiang Yichen walked down from the second floor of the inn, and saw Hengtai standing in the courtyard of the inn with Xiao Gege in his arms.Hengtai is still wearing casual clothes, while Xiao Gege is also wearing thin indoor warm clothes. It can be seen that the father and son came here in a hurry and did not make too much preparation.
Jiang Yichen clasped his fists and saluted, then looked at Hengtai with a smile: "Isn't this General Fucha? We met again so soon, what advice do you have?"
Hengtai walked forward with Little Gege in his arms, and said in a loud voice: "My daughter is three years old now, and it is a good time to learn language. The Qing Dynasty and Mongolia have always had good relations, so my daughter naturally wants to learn Mongolian. Since The envoy has come from afar, this is a perfect opportunity, I will present myself to the imperial court later, and ask the envoy to teach the little girl Mongolian and take care of the little girl during my days in the Qing Dynasty."
Jiang Yichen was stunned for a moment, before he could react, Hengtai said again: "For the sake of the friendship between the two countries, the envoy will definitely not refuse."
Before the words were finished, Hengtai handed Xiao Gege to Jiang Yichen's hand, without intending to take it back.
Jiang Yichen had no choice but to catch Xiao Gege.
Hengtai touched Little Gege's face, and said softly in a low voice: "Uncle Jiang is strong in martial arts, so he will definitely protect you well. My dear daughter, you are naturally unscathed! If something happens to you, how can he afford it! "
There was a twist on Jiang Yichen's face, and he had to swallow his emotions while gritting his teeth.
Hengtai straightened up again, looked at Jiang Yichen and laughed loudly: "Okay! The little girl will be entrusted to the envoy, and I will enter the palace to meet the emperor." Saying this, he turned and walked away.
Jiang Yichen hugged Xiao Gege, frowning, but saw the little man in his arms giggling at him with his pink mouth pouted, which seemed to make him, a seven-foot man, a little at a loss.
"Put it to death and then live. The more dangerous the place, the safer it is. This move seems to be much better than yours! Yichen, how about it? Shall I help you and win the game for you? "
With a sound coming from behind, Jiang Yichen turned around and looked at Baile who came up from nowhere in surprise, and stared at her strangely.
Bai Le still looked at him with a smile, and raised his eyebrows: "Why? Don't believe me? You see, you always underestimate me. I've been with you all these years, and I've gained some knowledge and skills."
The gorgeous peony flowers reflected Baile's face red, and the smile added a bit of mystery.
"Military lords, take a look. My stall has everything you need for department stores, such as scrapers, tongs, diamonds, handkerchiefs, sachets, gauze fans, iron pots, steel bullets, and realgar strings for snuff and eye drops. Turn around!"
In front of the barracks, Baile came to sell a cart of groceries.When the soldiers in the camp heard the yelling, they felt novelty and gathered together to join in the fun.Guo Xiao walked among the crowd, looking at Baile from a distance, he felt familiar, and after thinking about it carefully, he vaguely remembered that Baile once drove a carriage into a silver cart, and mixed gold water on the scattered silver.
"Well, you female thief! I can't catch you everywhere, but I didn't expect you to throw yourself into a trap! Come on! Bind me up!" Guo Xiao hurriedly stepped out, pointing at Baile urgently.A group of soldiers got Guo Xiao's order and went out to tie up Baile.
Bai Le didn't resist either, and let the soldiers tie him up, only staring at Guo Xiaodao: "My lord! My lord! I have something to say! I'm a good citizen, and I'm just here to sell things! Why should I be arrested?!"
Guo Xiao didn't pay any attention to it, he just waved his hands and ordered the soldiers to take Bai Le to the camp.Baile was escorted to Guo Xiao's camp, where he was immediately untied.She looked at Guo Xiao intentionally or unintentionally, and said coyly: "Oh my lord, I know that women are not allowed in the barracks, Baile is just a small business, and it was an unintentional mistake, if my lord can spare me this time, I'm willing to do whatever you want me to do... even if you promise me with your body, it's all right." As he spoke, he walked up to Guo Xiao, put one hand on his shoulder, and slid down his lapel, and started to talk with the other. Take off your clothes.
"What a tricky female businessman, do you think all men do this?" Guo Xiao gave her a cold look, completely unmoved, bent over to pick up the clothes that Baile had taken off, and covered her her body.
Bai Le grabbed his shirt and was momentarily stunned.
Guo Xiao stopped looking at her, turned around, and said seriously: "Whether women are not allowed to enter the barracks, or the barracks prohibit trading, although there is a fault, the crime does not deserve death. But what you committed is a capital crime!"
Bai Le panicked and asked, "Why am I a capital offender?"
Guo Xiao sneered, and reminded: "I did such a big business, did I forget about it? More than three years ago, on Henan Road, you drove over the escort silver car and poured the Huajin Water."
Baile thought for a while, then nodded again, and said: "Three years ago, Henan Road?! I did some things for others. Someone gave me money and gave me some things, and told me to use it according to the plan. I just obeyed the order, so I don't know what the consequences will be. What's the matter, did you offend the military master?"
Guo Xiao was furious, drew his sword out of its sheath, and pointed it at Baile: "How dare you deny it?! You turned two hundred thousand taels of silver into water and splashed for dozens of miles, almost killing General Fucha's family!"
Baile pretended to be surprised, bit his lips, and refused to admit his mistake with a stubborn face: "The one in front of the military lord is a female businessman who walks the rivers and lakes, but if I know that it is about two hundred thousand taels of silver, do you think I have the courage to accept it?" Is this a job? The person who hired me made it clear that the person who pledged the money was a corrupt official, and asked me to put things in a box so that the corrupt official’s money would lose some money. How could it kill someone? Where would I know?”
"It's nonsense, come here, push it out and kill it!" Guo Xiao was furious, and directly shouted out of the tent.
Baile's face changed, and he stopped him urgently: "Wait a minute! I'm going to kill him anyway, listen to me!"
Guo Xiao glanced at her, put his sword back into its sheath, and snorted coldly: "Is there anything else to say? Say it!"
Baile searched her body, and finally took out a few taels of silver. She handed the silver to Guo Xiao, and said softly: "I am also from a poor family. I don't do it for my livelihood or to support my parents. Those things that speculate and violate the law. Please kill Baile, take the silver to Liujia Village, fifteen miles to the southwest, and give the few taels of silver to my parents so that they can buy medicine with money. Baile Quan knows, I will also thank you for your kindness!"
Guo Xiao was stunned, and asked softly, "What happened to your parents?"
Baile's arms were held by the soldiers behind him, and he leaned forward, pretending to let out two tears: "My parents are seriously ill, and the whole family relies on me to do some small business to make ends meet. Since the adults want to kill For me, there is no point in asking more. Baile dare not resist, I only hope that my lord can fulfill my last wish, so that Baile can die with peace of mind. It’s just that my parents are pitiful! Baile can no longer take care of you It's..." He said, and burst into tears.
Guo Xiao raised his eyes and saw the soldiers dragging Bai Le out, his heart softened and he hurriedly stopped the soldiers.After saying that, he went straight to Baile, his eyes fixed on her, he really didn't know if she was sincere and filial, or a cunning liar.
"Lie about your parents?" He asked, hesitantly.
Bai Le raised his head, looked at Guo Xiao without fear, and insisted: "When you are about to die, what did I lie to you for? You can investigate as much as you want!"
Guo Xiao sighed, shook his head, and said to her: "Your case is over, I don't have to pursue it. But! Just now you were arrested for selling things in the military camp, and all the soldiers in the camp saw it. If I If I let you go, I'm afraid that the military regulations and camp laws will be disrupted, so I can't let you go!"
Baile smiled from the bottom of his heart, with only a thoughtful look on his face, he raised his head again and stared at him: "Baile has a unique skill, which can save the army rations. I don't know if this skill is enough to atone for the crime? "
Guo Xiao couldn't help being curious, the military rations are indeed insufficient now, if this little girl can really save the military rations, it would be a miracle of course.It's just that when he looked at her, he really couldn't think of any good idea for her to make such a miracle.
Bai Le saw Guo Xiao's suspicion at a glance, and said with a smile: "Since your lord is curious, why not give it a try?"
In less than half a moment, Baile had prepared the ingredients.There are a dozen or so baskets on the chopping board, all filled with flowers and plants.She went into the barracks kitchen by herself and was busy working in front of the stove.郭孝穿过围观的众人身侧，走入厨房，随手翻看着百乐的食材，不由得皱了皱眉，拎着一个箩筐问百乐：“你采了这些花草来，难道是要做出食物？这些牛嚼马咽的东西，如何能吃？”
百乐一笑，极自然地点了点头：“天生万物，怎么就不能吃？只要烹调得法，都是好东西。荠菜、苋菜、马齿苋、蕨菜这些都是野菜，就不用说了。榆钱的树皮和树叶都可以凉拌着吃，香椿芽可以炒菜，可香了！许多花的花蜜可以喝，把玫瑰、牡丹这些花瓣裹上面糊，过油一炸，又香又饱肚子。柳树叶用水焯过，可以凉拌，槐树叶腌制起来，可以做下饭的咸菜。大多数草都能吃，树叶也是，嫩的可以吃新鲜的，老的晒干了泡水喝。总之，运用之妙，存乎一心就是了！”
郭孝听百乐说得头头是道，确有几分新鲜好奇，亦是相信了几分。再一垂眼看向锅中，便见百乐端起一盘油炸面糊花瓣递给郭孝。郭孝愣了愣，迟疑着抓了一把放在口中嚼了嚼，顿觉味道极好，不由得赞出了声：“果然是好味道。”
百乐得意地仰起头，盯着郭孝笑而不语。
郭孝抹抹嘴，咳了一声，故作一脸严肃道：“既然你有这般本事，从此，你就留在军营之中，负责伙食料理，只要干满一年，我便放你回家！在军营中，也算你服役，每月也有一点银子，而且还管饭。百乐，你怎么说？”
百乐笑着上前施了一礼：“大人饶了我的性命，这一年的伙食，我都管了就是。”
郭孝点头，便要将厨房交由百乐。只迈出一步，身后的士兵就悄悄在他耳后添了声：“郭管事，这军营之中有女人，总是不妥的吧！”
郭孝不以为意地摇了摇头：“反正每日都叫她男装打扮，给个单独铺位与她睡，想来也不会有什么问题。如今正是用人之际，她这料理花草的手艺，正好为军营所用。人才嘛，不拘一格，好用就行！”
身后望着郭孝背影的百乐，缓缓仰起头，方才挂在脸上的乖巧笑容，越发浓烈。她眸中闪烁，似在酝酿着一场未知的波澜。
这日，大清皇帝亲自接见了蒙古来使，与蒙古使者对弈后，即兴陪蒙古使者前去观瞧神机营操演阵法。大营之中，士兵们正在操演阵法，一名打旗兵晃动令旗，营中一百多名士兵两两一排，各持长矛，组成了长长的一列战阵，犹如一条活蛇，进退蜿蜒。忽而蛇头盘向蛇尾，忽而蛇尾甩向蛇头，忽而蛇头与蛇尾相互迎扣，一旦长蛇阵两头围成环形，军士们便挺着长矛向圈中虚刺，口中呼喝，气势逼人。
皇上不住地点头，望向台下的恒泰：“恒泰啊，此阵为何？”
一身麾衣的恒泰上前施礼道：“回皇上的话，此阵乃是'一字长蛇阵'，以军士组成蛇形阵势，用以包抄敌兵。”
“此阵有何厉害之处？”
“此阵如缠山之蛇，敌不动，我不动，敌若动，我则蜿蜒待敌。若敌攻我前队，则后队围将上来，若敌击我后队，则前队围将上来，若敌攻我中队，则前后两队齐上，将敌人围在圈中。敌军一旦被围，则我军长矛上下齐刺，敌军万难逃脱。”
皇上满意一笑，瞧了瞧身侧的江逸尘：“你瞧这阵法如何？”
江逸尘笑了笑，摇头道：“大清皇帝看来并不相信小人。”
皇上愕然：“此话怎讲？”
江逸尘转而向皇上施了一礼，朗朗道：“蒙古依附于大清，既然是我蒙古想见识一下大清的高明阵法，自然希望无私演示。可是刚才一见，这阵法老套得很，难道不是故意将这弱阵演示于我看？莫非是怕我们学了去？”
皇上脸上变色，转而望向恒泰，恒泰面上一急，怒向江逸尘：“你怎么可以当着皇上之面，说此阵老套且弱？”
江逸尘漫不经心道：“这位富察将军，就这样的阵法，连人也困不住，岂非弱得很？”
“口说无凭，若是不信，贵使何不带一队人马与这长蛇阵较量一番？”恒泰直言挑衅。
见恒泰正中圈套，江逸尘忙扬眉挑笑：“不用一队人马，就我这九个不成器的侍从，就足以破此阵。”
九个蒙古侍从依言走入场中，三人一组，成品字形排开。打旗兵一晃令旗，长蛇阵蜿蜒着向九人攻了过来。只见江逸尘口中一声呼哨，九个人分三组散开，分别进攻长蛇阵的前队、中队和后队，将一条长蛇截成三段。蒙古侍者有藤牌护身，只管挡住刺来的长矛，却只一心用铁棒砸打长蛇阵军士的踝骨。铁棒力大，挨上一下的军士都痛得倒了下来。几个军士倒下来后，长蛇阵的阵法全被打乱，军士们开始相互践踏绊倒，一时间狼狈不堪，这长蛇阵马上就要被破了。
正在形势危急之时，江逸尘笑了笑，瞥了眼身侧的皇帝：“皇上，小人之言没错吧？这阵可就要被破了。”
皇帝面上难堪，看向恒泰，怒道：“富察恒泰，朕把神机营交给你负责，可你看看，你都是怎么打理的？九个人就能破了你的阵，真是丢人！”
恒泰高声道：“此阵还有变化，这长蛇阵还缺一个阵胆。请皇上少安毋躁！”
江逸尘看着长蛇阵的狼狈样，又一笑，添问：“临战找胆，未免迟些——阵胆何在？”
只见恒泰一个飞身即时跃入阵中，坚定一声：“阵胆在此！”
几个兔起鹘落，随打随走，不一会儿，恒泰已将九名蒙古侍者尽皆打倒，而那些被铁棒击中的军士们也趁机站起来归入阵中，虽然不免有些又瘸又拐，但毕竟勉强算是阵又形成了。
皇上见到恒泰能以一人之力反败为胜，不由得大喜。
江逸尘见状，冷冷笑道：“富察将军好厉害的功夫，可惜咱们是在论阵法，不是在打擂台。如今是九个人破阵，你能一个打九个，但倘若是一百来人以阵破阵，你又岂能以一敌百？”说着，一并飞身跃入阵中，随手擒来武器，冷冷看着恒泰，“更何况，山外有山，富察将军的武功未必就是天下无敌。”
恒泰见他是要与自己对阵，抱拳一笑，道：“贵使是要指点恒泰几招吗？”
“那倒是荣幸得很！”江逸尘伸手便是一招迎上去。
恒泰见状拆招，一拆一击，这二人便是要永无止境地你来我往。方开始，他二人还是以较量为主，但渐渐地，招法有变，气力有变，下手竟是以性命相搏，势要拼个你死我活。两虎搏命，必有一死一伤。场面俨然对恒泰更为不利，若恒泰赢，势必会重伤江逸尘，未免对两国邦交不利；若是恒泰输，不但会受重伤，而且还得背上一个有辱国体的罪名，看台之上的皇帝更会大怒，招来祸患。
这一招，极险，竟是要比江逸尘的剑法，还要夺命。
正在死死相搏，难解难分之际，忽然从阵队之中传来一记惊呼，将这二人截住——
“你们两个，都给我住手！不要再打了！”
二人稍一愣，恒泰面不改色，只扬了声回应道：“公主！快快退回去！这里凶险，小心会伤到你！”说罢，仍是继续相搏，招招逼向对方要害。
醒黛由兵将之中走向他二人，脸色已转阴沉：“好，那么你们继续打，不过不管打成什么样，宋连城也不会起死回生！”
一言落下，恒泰与江逸尘双双一震，几乎同时停手。
江逸尘仿如隔世般，痴痴地看着醒黛：“你说连城已经死了？”
醒黛一点头，朗声开口：“就在她离开富察府的那天晚上，我的丫鬟瞧见她走在冰湖之上，可是没有想到，这冰湖之上有些个冰窟窿，连城一不小心掉进了其中一个窟窿之中，待下人想要营救的时候，哪里还有人在。那冰下的湖水刺骨寒冷，人既然掉了下去，必无生还之理。”
“你说的是真的？”江逸尘狠狠地望着她，脸色已转青。
醒黛重重点头：“千真万确。”
阵场之上，只有恒泰似乎还未回过神来，他没听明白醒黛都说了些什么，而后便觉得周身酸软，就要倒下去。江逸尘嘶吼的声音却在此刻滚入耳中——
“富察恒泰！这笔账要算在你的头上！你迟早要把连城的命还给我！”
恒泰一下子坐到地上，醒黛倾身来扶他，却见他已紧紧抓住了她的腕子，幽幽开口：“连城，真的死了吗？”
醒黛点了点头。
恒泰猛闭眼，踉踉跄跄着想要站起来。醒黛忙要去扶他，却被他一把甩开。
“不要碰我！”
一声回落在阵场，醒黛落寞地立在场中央，不知是哭还是笑地垂下了头。一丝狰狞而悲哀的笑，流曳在她的嘴边，她颤抖着，喃喃出声——
“好！好！一切都结束了！憋了太久太久！你们，就为一个死人而战吧！”
与蒙古士兵一番恶斗下来，军营的医疗帐篷内已是满员，郭孝走入帐篷内，只见许多军士都在呻吟挣扎着。军医一面摇头一面处理着各人的伤势。此次恶斗，蒙古人出手过狠，手持铁棒俱是照着大清士兵们的脚踝骨砸去，只一棒下去，骨头便都快要碎了，如若将养不善，只怕会是落下后半生的残疾。
郭孝叹了口气，走去更里面，却见百乐也在营帐中，她手中抱了一盆药，正对着躺着床上的一位重伤士兵搔首弄姿，脸上挂着那熟悉的妩媚笑容。郭孝只觉得血往脑袋上冲，没想到，这女人既能对着自己，也能对着全军将士这般卖弄姿色。一时怒不可遏，他径直冲上去，一把拉开百乐，恶狠狠地道：“你个不知廉耻的女人，我饶过你一次，现在又在这里耍这种下流的姿态！你这个样子，真是有伤风化，乱了军营里的规矩！”
百乐咬着唇，只抬头看了他一眼，憋了满目的泪水，转身直接奔出了帐篷。
“郭管事，你是误会百乐姑娘了，她一直在忙前忙后，为兄弟们上药换药。刚才虽然她的行为有点不雅，可也是出于一片热心啊！”一个士兵叹了口气，撑着身子坐起来，替百乐说话。
郭孝愣住，望着百乐跑开的身影，不由得心沉了沉。
“是啊。”方才那个重伤躺在床上的军士，此时也跟着附和道，“郭管事，我这腿伤成这样，百乐姑娘这是在安慰我，希望我能好好养伤，不要寻死觅活的！你不知道？！她可是个好心人啊。”
郭孝再也听不下去，猛地转身出了帐篷，追着百乐离开的方向一路奔了过去。驻扎营帐外有一处荒山，郭孝追着百乐爬上了山崖，圆月当空，为山路照明。远远地，郭孝看到百乐终于停住了脚步，立身在崖顶。月光朦胧地缭绕在她身上，将她的身影拉长拉细，风中她的长发散飞着，散出一股子清淡的芳草香息，饶是醉人。
“百乐！刚才是我太冲动了！我误会你了！请你原谅我！”郭孝走上前去，停在她身后。
百乐回过头来，强硬道：“我不原谅你！”
郭孝俨然愣住，呆呆地问：“为什么？”
百乐望着郭孝的眼睛：“你可有喜欢的人？你有没有喜欢过一个人？”
郭孝不置可否。
百乐闻言一笑，转过身去，任夜风将长衣吹拂，吹散一袭乌黑长发。
呜咽的风中，她的声音很轻很柔：“所以你不懂。很久很久以前，我曾经喜欢过一个人，然后我就变得很奇怪——那些同样的事情，无论别人怎么说我、骂我，我都能承受，但唯独他不行，他哪怕说一句，都不行！因为，对于我来说，旁人说什么无关紧要，但他的每一个字每一句话，都会刻在我的心上，那可是千倍百倍的折磨。你不会懂的。”
郭孝抓抓脑袋，有些头痛，讷讷问道：“那你的意思是——你喜欢我？”
百乐笑笑，忙垂下了头：“我不喜欢笨蛋。”
郭孝泄了气，无奈道：“那我就更不明白了！”
“要想明白还不容易？你先学着喜欢我吧！只要你喜欢上了我，然后我再像你今天对我这样误会你一下，你就能明白我的感受了！”
郭孝琢磨着她的话，似懂非懂，仍是皱眉摇了摇头。
“你碰过女人吗？你亲过女人吗？你感受过温柔的滋味吗？”百乐缓缓仰起头，踮起脚，照着他的侧脸便吻了上去。
那蜻蜓点水的一吻落在脸颊，郭孝呆住了，一抬手，手穿过她长长的青丝，散发出香甜气息的长发滑过指尖，一瞬间的意乱情迷，让郭孝羞红了脸。
只听百乐清灵的笑声格外清脆：“好了，原谅你了！”
看着她转身蹦蹦跳跳离开的身影，勾勒出这浓夜之中的一抹亮色，郭孝仍是傻傻地呆立在原地，手还保持着方才的姿势。他将手指触了触鼻尖，一嗅那其中的芳香，原来这才是女人的味道。心，一瞬间便陷落下去。
又一次进入了幻想的国度，恒泰再一次感受到周身轻盈的缥缈。他穿梭于梦中的世界，那座世界依旧是星辰点点的夜晚，世界的正中，他又一次看到了那棵金鱼树。它参天立地，上下皆看不到头，无穷无尽延伸的树枝散开，每根树枝上都结着晶莹透明的水晶球，每一颗水晶球里，金鱼瞪着红色的大眼睛游来游去。一身白衣的连城，依然坐在树的顶端，裙衫飘摇，惨白无血色的脸，夹杂着空洞的微笑。
恒泰发疯一般地往上爬，一步一步，却在接近的每个瞬间，看到连城兀自消失后，又出现在另一个极高的顶端。这棵金鱼树在不停地向上蔓延，终不会停止，而连城也是一而再地消失后又重现，却始终不能近身。
“连城，你等我，你等我！”在梦幻的国度，恒泰不断地跳，不断地爬。
连城飞摇起一角的白衣，便能触到他的手。她的身影永远都驻留在不远处，可恒泰就是怎样也抓不住连城向自己伸出来的手。只差那么一丝距离，然而这距离却成为永恒。
“连城——连城——”
穷尽的努力，最终只化为恒泰绝望的呼唤，梦幻的世界又转换为虚无的黑暗世界，金鱼树消失了，连城消失了，最终，一切都消失了。
冰冷黑暗的筑梦所，一丝青烟缭绕，恒泰猛地睁开了眼睛，双目中仍掺杂着无奈和绝望。他强撑着坐起来，虚弱而疲惫地看向身侧的萨满法师：“这梦好折磨人啊，我怎么也抓不住连城的手。”
萨满法师叹了口气，摇摇头道：“梦由心造，无论你怎么幻想自己能抓住她与她相会，但从你的内心深处却已经相信连城不在人世，所以每当你想要抓住她的时候，你的心总会纠正你的错误，制造你们之间无法逾越的鸿沟。”所以，他无论如何也触不到她，抓不住她的手，因为他的内心已经丧失了信心，心已然不再相信，无论再做什么样的梦，连城依旧无法和他在一起。
恒泰闻言，痴痴地望着远方，一动不动，悲从中来。原来，无论自己如何逃避，终究也不能避免潜意识中相信了连城已死亡的事实。他一直以为，只要自己不去想，不去相信，这一切便可以不是真的，就可以在梦幻国度与连城永远在一起。如今，连梦幻中的自己，都已经失去了信心。
一抹刺眼的阳光漏入室中，筑梦所的门由外推开，醒黛已由门外怒气冲冲而来，她赶忙步至恒泰所在的软榻上，关切地凝着恒泰。
一旁的萨满法师骇极，连忙跪地，解释道：“公主息怒！公主饶命！这回是额驸下令要我做的，我下回再也不敢了！”
醒黛无奈地松了口气，既然如今进入梦幻国度已是恒泰唯一的乐趣，她还能如何呢？唯一担心的，不过是担心他的身体。醒黛转向萨满法师，只问：“你这摄魂术会不会伤身耗神？”
“绝对不会，只是一场梦。”
醒黛点了点头，递给萨满法师一锭金子：“既然如此，那便随他就是。”
醒黛一步一步走到恒泰身旁，挨着他坐下，用帕子擦了擦他的汗水，无限温柔地关切道：“你这样会舒服一些，是不是？”
恒泰无动于衷地望着远方，似还愿重回梦中，再去努力一番。
“没事的，你要是舒服快活，你就尽管来这里做梦。”醒黛叹了一口气，轻轻对他说道，“只是下次你若要来，我陪你一起来！你要进入梦幻，我也陪你一起进入。你以后要来，我也不会阻止你，但是你千万要带上我。无论怎样，我都不想放开你。”
恒泰只觉得醒黛的话，绕在耳边极是嘈杂，射入室内的阳光将他的视线扰乱，他颤抖着，突然身子向前一倾，一口鲜血由口中猛地喷涌而出。鲜红的视线中，他似又看到了连城坐在金鱼树上，耳边醒黛的惊叫声越来越远，他感觉到自己的身子渐渐发轻发软，缓缓地，闭上了眼睛。他感觉到，这一次，他终于可以和连城在一起了。
卧榻上血迹斑斑，恒泰仍昏迷不醒。醒黛跪在他床前，一把握住身旁太医的手：“孙合礼，想想办法，帮我救救恒泰！”
太医一脸紧张，连连道：“公主！少安毋躁，放心，我先去里面准备准备。”说着，孙合礼由厢房退出，转身步入里屋时，他已是出了一身冷汗，目光紧紧凝着里屋中那光亮之处，赫然落着一个女人的身影。
“毓秀……”退下身来，孙合礼唤出一声。
毓秀自那片光亮中缓缓折身，阳光落在她半张脸上，看不清她的神情。她的声音很轻，柔软而又宁静：“合礼，我等了这么多年的机会，终于来了。”
她嘴边挑起的笑容，似是沾了毒汁的胭脂，诱人却致命。她起身走近孙合礼，将手中紧握着的银包递了过去：“你要给富察恒泰去瞧病，如此甚好！这可是他自己闯进鬼门关的，我已经在你的每根银针上都下了毒，施针之时，就是富察恒泰毙命之时！好！你今日正好能帮我报了大仇！”
孙合礼并不敢去接那银包，沉吟出声：“冤冤相报何时了。既然我们已经在一起了，你又何必再生事端？”
毓秀咬牙收起银包，哀哀地盯着他，无限不平道：“我忍了这几年，就是为了有机会能够报仇！富察恒泰害我一家，我与他不共戴天！合礼，你分明答应过我，要帮我的！”
这些年来，毓秀的心思，无不在复仇上，他又何尝不知。只是他是一个医者，害人性命之事，他万万做不出来。
“怎么？事到临头反而退却了？算了！你若不帮我，那么以后你也不必再管我，任由我自生自灭去吧！我现在就冲出去，和他们拼个你死我活！”
毓秀激动得便要冲出去，被孙合礼一把拉住。他皱了皱眉，硬是把银包接过来：“把针给我！还是让我来！”
孙合礼胆战地走回厢房，见恒泰仍在昏迷中，便为其把脉，袖中的银针颤颤发抖。孙合礼把过脉，对醒黛回禀道：“额驸是忧思大过，志愿不遂，郁闷不舒，耗伤心脾，以致体内经络不通，淤积过盛，加之长期暴怒愤郁，肝胆气逆，扰乱神明。为今之计，必须要用针，疏通淤堵。”
醒黛一时犹豫，蹙眉问道：“这行针用灸之术，宫廷可是严之又严，会不会不安全？”
孙合礼忙垂下头：“除此之外，再无别的方法。”
“既然如此，你就放手一试吧！”
孙合礼喉中紧涩，他愣愣地站起来，向醒黛又施一礼，调匀了气息道：“公主，施针之前，有一事必须言明。银针入穴，祸福难料，臣也不能测之万全，若有半点损失，臣百死莫抵。”
醒黛点了点头，只道是如今生死关头，多少也得试一试。治得好，固然皆大欢喜，倘若治不好，她便随了恒泰意欲求死的意愿便是。
孙合礼已走去恒泰身前，他闭了闭眼，将袖中银针掏出，手捻银针