Chapter 25 Chapter 25
When the fourteen-year-old Zhuan Sheng knelt on the Qingzheng Hall together with other brothers and princes, and heard that his father rewarded the sixth prince with the Yanqi BMW presented by the Western Regions, he couldn't tell what it was like in his heart.
He fell in love with the horse the first time he saw it. He felt that it should be destined for him. If he rode it to hunt, he would be even more powerful and catch more prey.This month, the prince Xun Kaodu's master had the highest evaluation of him, he thought that his father would reward him with this, and Zhuan Su was not as good as him in terms of riding a horse alone.
But Zhuan Sheng didn't reveal anything, he suppressed the disappointment in his heart, and replied to his father in a regular manner, occasionally there were a few words of laughter between father and son.
After his father told his brothers to retreat, and bid farewell to his elder brothers and Zhuan Su, Zhuan Sheng suddenly felt tired, and walked slowly back to Yijing Palace in silence.
Not wanting to go back to the palace, he saw his concubine mother sitting by the window crying silently, Zhuan Sheng quickly walked a few steps to the concubine mother and asked her what was wrong.
Concubine Jin De quickly wiped away her tears, said it was nothing, that Zhen Zhu had finally sent a letter to the palace, and then handed the letter in her right hand to Zhuan Cheng to read.
Zhuan Cheng looked at his sister's familiar handwriting and felt sad. Since his sister got married, he couldn't go back to the palace for a long time to see her.Zhenzhu Emperor Ji's letter was not long, and between the lines were questions about her younger brother's daily life, Zhuan Sheng gradually realized that something was wrong, there was not a single word mentioned about his mother and concubine.
Zhuan Sheng looked at Concubine Mu with some sadness, and knelt down to persuade her, "Concubine Mu, don't be sad." Then he found inappropriate words to comfort her.
Concubine Jinde shook her head, then took out her silk handkerchief to soak her tears, and tried her best to cheer up and said, "Cheng'er, get up, get up quickly." Then she looked at the tall and straight son in front of her, feeling a little relieved in her heart, Just thinking about it like this inevitably caused another burst of sadness, she held her son's hand with red eyes and said, "Hey, it's good that the concubine has you, and the concubine only has you now."
Zhuan Sheng knew what his mother and concubine meant, his elder sister didn't talk to her concubine anymore, and even his father was not very enthusiastic about her concubine.Among the most beautiful sights in the Autumn Palace, apart from the autumn grass of Shang Qiuyuan, are the orange-yellow ginkgo of Concubine Yanshu’s Ruique Palace and the fiery red maple leaves of Yijing Palace.It's just that this year, my father has already visited the ginkgo trees in Ruique Palace, but he still hasn't come here. In a few days, when the winter wind blows, the maple leaves will probably fall off.
Concubine Jinde lowered her head guiltily, "Oh, concubine mother can't give you anything, and it has dragged you down. Fortunately, you are up to date. Even concubine Yanshu often praises you for being sensible, and the sixth prince is willing to respect you as an elder brother. Get closer to them, and you will be able to make a difference in the prince's life in the future."
Zhuan Sheng was silent, he understood what his mother and concubine meant.The future throne may belong to the sixth prince, Zhuan Su. Among these sons, the emperor especially valued and cultivated Zhuan Su, because Zhuan Su was the smartest. He could compose poems in three steps at the age of seven, and he was even more talented when he grew up.Among these concubines with sons, Zhuansu's mother concubine Yanshu is the most gracious, and the second prince's mother concubine Jing Zhaoyi is the most obedient, both of them are close to the father.And although he is also the son of the fourth concubine, but the mother concubine is upright by nature, it is difficult to please the father, and she has no advantage over the previous two.If there is a comparison, perhaps it is only better than the situation of the third prince.
What the mother and concubine meant was that if you were to be a prince anyway, then you should be a prince on the side of the future emperor.Zhuan Cheng felt that what the concubine mother said was very reasonable, but he was a little unwilling, but he didn't say anything. On the one hand, he really lacked confidence, and on the other hand, he was afraid of making the concubine mother worry.
Seeing his concubine mother turn her head and stare at the maple tree outside the window again, Zhuan Cheng knew that she still couldn't let her sister go.He couldn't bear to see his concubine mother like this, so he paused for a while, and after thinking about it, he had to come up with an idea for his concubine mother, so he said: "Concubine mother, if you want a sister, you can plead with the emperor's grandmother and father before the first day. If you disobey your orders, you will definitely come back.”
Concubine Jin De trembled slightly, she slowly turned her head to look at her son, as if she had just met him for the first time.She didn't expect her underage son to be able to advise her, she suddenly felt that her heart was half full, and she nodded in surprise and gratitude.
Emperor Zhenzhu finally returned to the palace to see her relatives under the order of the queen mother, but she didn't seem to be excited about going home, she seemed to have a lot of thoughts, and seemed to be depressed, but she never thought about all this Share it with your own mother and concubine, although it is the most private conversation between mother and daughter.
Zhuan Sheng saw everything in his eyes, and he knew that his idea might be cruel to his sister.Fortunately, Zhenzhu Diji still treats her younger brother as before. Others say that Zhenzhu Diji is deserted, but only Zhuan Sheng knows that she treats him differently. Her indifferent questions reveal her real concern for him. .
One night, when Zhuan Sheng woke up, he saw his sister sitting blankly on the stone bench in the courtyard, and he saw the tears on her face through the cold moonlight.
He walked over and asked, "Sister, are you unhappy?"
Emperor Zhenzhu woke up with a start, quickly wiped away the tears on her face, and said, "How could my sister be unhappy?"
Zhuan Sheng asked melancholy, "Why is that sister crying?"
Emperor Zhenzhu looked at Zhuan Sheng lovingly, and only said, "Zhuan Sheng, from now on, you must make your woman happy, and don't let her cry for you..."
At that time, Zhuan Sheng still couldn't understand the meaning of his sister's words, and he didn't understand where her sorrow came from. He only thought it was the sadness of getting married, and he didn't understand that for women, marriage is also divided into happiness and misfortune.Later he thought that my sister might have been unhappy in her marriage at that time, that's why she broke off her hair, that big event that shocked the harem.
When Zhuan Sheng heard the news from Concubine Yan Shu, his head buzzed, but he quickly realized that he told Concubine Yan Shu and Zhuan Su that he was leaving first, and he did not forget to salute Concubine Yan Shu when he left. .Concubine Yan Shu was very surprised by this, she never thought that this young man could hold his breath so calmly at such a young age.
But Zhuan Sheng was walking very fast on the road. He was thinking about something, and the faces of his sister, grandmother, father, mother and concubine, and everyone in the harem kept appearing in his mind.He could imagine the wrath of the imperial grandmother and father, but the most urgent thing was that he should go back to the palace to comfort the concubine mother, he was afraid that what the concubine mother would say at this time would make things worse.
Sure enough, when she returned to Yijing Palace, Hong Shao hurriedly greeted her and said: "Fourth Prince, Your Majesty has fallen ill!"
"I know." Zhuan Sheng calmed down when he got here, he thought he shouldn't panic, it would be even better if he panicked, and the Yijing Palace would be in chaos.
Seeing Zhuan Sheng's expression, Hong Shao calmed down a little, and took him to Concubine Jin De's sick bed. Concubine Jin De opened her eyes and saw that it was her son, and burst into tears.
Zhuan Sheng sat down and held his mother's concubine's hand tightly.He patted Concubine Mu's hand and said calmly: "Concubine Mu, it will be fine. You take good care of your illness, and I will apologize to Emperor Father."
Concubine Jin De couldn't tell what mood she was in right now. Apart from her shock and sadness when she heard that her virginity had lost her hair, she was also worried and afraid. her concubine.
Hearing what her son said, her tears flowed even more violently. She grabbed Zhuan Cheng as if she had grasped the life-saving straw and the backbone. She choked up and said, "Cheng'er, you are the only mother and concubine, and you have to be the mother." The concubine is struggling..."
Concubine Mu said such words more than once, and such words weighed heavily on Zhuan Cheng, making him a little breathless, but he just nodded seriously.
When they arrived at the Shou'an Palace, the emperor and the queen mother were talking about the loss of chastity.The emperor's face was gloomy, and the remaining anger was still there; while the queen mother also looked at Zhuan Cheng with dissatisfaction. It was unprecedented for the emperor's concubine to lose her hair, and it also dishonored the royal family.
Zhuan Sheng knelt in front of the hall and said, "My son and mother are so guilty that they are bedridden, and my son came here to plead guilty on behalf of my mother."
"You, you, your sister, your mother and concubine, how decent are you!" The emperor pointed to Zhuan Cheng and said to those two people with a distressed expression.
Zhuan Sheng knelt there without speaking, pleading, or making excuses.He thought, he had to let his father vent his anger before he could say what he wanted to say.
Even though the emperor was extremely angry, he knew that this matter had nothing to do with Zhuan Cheng, so he kept silent after talking for a while.After listening for a while, the queen mother couldn't bear this grandson, so she sighed and said calmly: "Cheng'er, I don't do your business, you get up."
Unexpectedly, Zhuan Sheng kowtowed his head at this time, and said: "My sister committed such a serious crime, and I don't want to seek justice alone. It's just that I want to ask my father and grandmother, what should I do after this incident?"
Zhuan Cheng's question made both the emperor and the queen mother unexpected. They looked at each other in blank dismay, but immediately understood what Zhuan Cheng meant.Things have already happened, the important thing now is not who to blame, but how to minimize the incident.
The state of mind of the emperor and the queen mother changed a little at this time. The emperor stared at Zhuan Cheng thoughtfully, and suddenly asked, "What should you do?"
"I leave everything to be decided by the emperor and the emperor's grandmother. I dare not think too much about it."
"I'll let you tell."
Zhuan Sheng said, "Let the people in the son-in-law's house not to reveal the truth, take my sister back to the palace in the name of praying for blessings, and no one can discuss this matter anymore."
The emperor thought to himself, is this the end of the matter?But on second thought, this is indeed the best and most complete way.He looked at his fourth son who was kneeling below, and admired his boldness and courage, and his resentment towards Zhenzhu and Concubine De eased a little.
"Okay, let's do it like this." The emperor waved his hand a little annoyed.
Since Emperor Zhenzhu was sent back to the palace in the name of praying for blessings, Concubine Jinde naturally has nothing wrong with it, and at the same time, it is strictly forbidden to talk in the palace, and more importantly, she can take her back to the palace to prevent her Suffering was Zhuan Sheng's plan.When Zhuan Sheng came out, he let out a long breath and found that his palms were sweaty.
Although the matter was suppressed, everyone in the harem did not dare to say it publicly, but it was impossible not to discuss it in private. Some concubines even spoke sarcasticly and gloated.Although Concubine Jinde was spared the crime, she also felt that she couldn't see anyone, and her body had been weak ever since. Hong Shao sometimes asked Zhuan Sheng for advice on Yijing Palace matters.
Zhuan Sheng waited in front of his mother's concubine's bed every day, and never disobeyed his mother's concubine's intentions, but only when his mother's concubine said something to complain about his sister, Zhuan Sheng said solemnly: "Mother's concubine, it's not that my sister dragged us down, maybe We are sorry for her."
Concubine Jin De was startled for a moment, then she nodded with tears.
When the new year came, the fifteen-year-old Zhuan Sheng performed the adult crown ceremony, and the etiquette was considered grand, giving the son of the fourth concubine the pomp and style that the son of the fourth concubine should have.The Empress Dowager looked at the grandson in front of her with her hair tied up, handsome features and dignified appearance, and she loved her a little more. She thought that Concubine Jin De was tall and tall, and the two children she gave birth to were both slender and good-looking. A little cold, but it's not a bad thing for a man to be like this, so a thought lingered in his heart.
Not long after Zhuan Sheng performed the coronation ceremony, the emperor's grandmother sent someone to call him to the Shou'an Palace, and when he looked up, he saw that his father was also there.
I only heard the Queen Mother slowly say from above: "Some time ago, something like that happened, I always felt panicked in my heart, and the palace was also gloomy. Now that the fourth prince has finished his coming-of-age ceremony, why not hold a happy event here, so that the palace will also be happy?" Congratulations."
Such a rush.
Zhuan Sheng was startled, but he didn't dare to reveal anything.Seeing his father nodding his head, he thought that his father might also have his intentions in this matter.
I only heard the queen mother continue to say: "Aijia heard that there are two sisters and two girls in the family of Secretary Chengyou Qingyuan. Good story."
Zhuan Sheng thought to himself that it was them.Of You Qingyuan's two daughters, the eldest daughter is nothing but the younger daughter is very famous.I heard that the hibiscus bloomed early in the month when my little daughter was born, which was regarded as a vision, so I asked a fortune teller to do the calculation.The fortune teller asserted that he was on the emperor's side, You Qingyuan didn't dare to neglect, and after the death of the elder daughter's mother, he helped the younger daughter's mother upright, which seemed to be a nurturing one.
Zhuan Cheng thought, the father must have intended to betroth his younger sister to the sixth prince, and betrothing his sister to him meant to make him loyal to the later emperor.
Sure enough, the emperor agreed and said: "This is really a happy event. My sister is fifteen years old, and she is the same age as the fourth prince, so she is a perfect match; after the sixth prince has performed the crowning ceremony, let him marry my sister. In a blink of an eye, my children are all grown-ups with families and careers."
Even though he knew this earlier, he couldn't help feeling a little disappointed when he heard his father arrange Zhuan Cheng in such a way.He is not in the mood to get married yet, and when his father asked him symbolically what he meant, he almost blurted out to ease the matter, but he kept the words on his lips.He remembered that his sister's marriage not long ago had annoyed his father, and his mother and concubine's worried tears, and finally suppressed everything cruelly, and respectfully thanked the emperor's grandmother and father.
Getting married, getting married is no big deal, sooner or later; the bride, it doesn't matter if you don't know each other, you can get along with each other in the future.Zhuan Sheng comforted himself in this way.
When Zhuan Sheng returned to Yijing Palace, he calmly told Concubine Jin De about the marriage just arranged, and Zhuan Su barged in carelessly.Zhuan Su is twelve years old this year. Although he is currently not as tall as the older brothers above, his face has maturity and wisdom that do not match his age, and he already looks like a young man in Yuli.Because the emperor attaches great importance to him, he is more calm and confident than the other princes, so there is more laxity in speech and behavior, but it is not annoyingly arrogant, so Zhuan Cheng really thinks that this younger brother is a wise man.
Zhuan Cheng looked at Zhuan Su's unusually handsome face, and suddenly remembered that last time on his father's birthday, he disguised himself as a man, and the figure of cherry blossoms with red sleeves amazed everyone, but what he danced was an impassioned and impassioned dance of breaking the formation. His father couldn't laugh or cry, and became the biggest winner of the night, Zhuan Sheng couldn't help but smile.
Zhuan Su was a frequent visitor to Yijing Palace, and after saying hello to Concubine Jin De, he was not polite, sat down to drink tea, and when he saw Zhuan Cheng's smile, he winked and said, "Fourth Brother, this is for the joy of getting married. ?”
Zhuan Cheng was a little embarrassed, and with his mother and concubine in front of him, he lowered his face and said in a low voice, "Don't talk nonsense."
Zhuan Su smiled triumphantly like a child, revealing a mouthful of white teeth.Concubine Jin De was relieved to see that the two brothers were so harmonious, she reasoned that she was in poor health, she took the red peony root and went to the inner bedroom.
Zhuan Su watched the back of Concubine Jin De leaving, then leaned in front of Zhuan Cheng and asked him, "Hey, what does the emperor's wife look like?"
It was only then that Zhuan Sheng remembered that he had never even seen the face of his future wife, so he shook his head helplessly.
"Since ancient times, there has been a saying that the swallows are thin and the rings are fat. What do you like?"
"Appearance doesn't matter, as long as you have a gentle temperament, don't make noise, and live in peace and stability." Zhuan Sheng said the truth from his heart, he didn't expect this wife to be so outstanding that she could manage the house without distracting him. just fine.
Zhuan Su sneered a little, shook his head again and again, and said, "I can't, what I want is a beauty who can overwhelm the country and the city."
The blurred face of You Qingyuan's youngest daughter appeared in front of Zhuan Cheng's eyes, and he thought that since he had the blessing of the emperor, he must have the beauty of a city, and Zhuan Su should get his wish.
When Zhuan Sheng came back to his senses, he saw that Zhuan Su had stood up, leisurely walked to the desk, picked up a book and flipped through it.
Zhuan Su held the not-so-new "Tang Taizong and Li Jing Questions and Answers", and suddenly said: "Brother Sihuang, the only one I admire among so many brothers is you."
Zhuan Sheng was shocked, hearing Zhuan Su's half-intentional and half-unintentional words, he couldn't figure out what he meant for a moment.It was Zhuan Su who put on a relaxed tone and said, "The emperor has won the championship for two consecutive months, and it seems that the emperor can't be willing to lag behind."
Zhuan Sheng smiled wryly, thinking that he could achieve 90% with his hard work, and Zhuan Su could achieve 80% at will, so it may not be that he has the upper hand.
At night, Zhuan Sheng was lying on the bed thinking about what Zhuan Su said during the day, wondering if he made a wrong move?After Zhuan Su spoke, he should show his loyalty to the future emperor, but he couldn't say it.For no reason, he thought of You Qingyuan's youngest daughter again, thinking that his father's intentions were already obvious.
At this time, a hot body came in from the darkness, and Zhuan Cheng recognized her as Hong Shao, who was serving the concubine mother, remembering that she also got into his bed like this under the concubine mother's instruction half a year ago, but now she It must have come secretly to find him.
He simply didn't think about anything, and pulled Hong Shao and the two into a ball.
After the matter was over, Hong Shao snuggled into his arms, suddenly Zhuan Sheng felt his chest was scalded, and it turned out that Hong Shao was weeping silently there.
"After the prince gets married, he won't look for Hong Shao anymore, right?" Hong Shao said pitifully.
Zhuan Sheng felt a little tired, so he didn't speak.
"Prince, why don't you ask the empress for the red peony. The slaves don't want to stay alone in this palace, and would rather go to your house to serve you and the princess."
Seeing that Zhuan Sheng closed his eyes and remained silent, Hong Shao became a little panicked. She knew that what she said was an unfeeling request, until she was about to give up after waiting, when she heard Zhuan Sheng say, "Then I will tell my concubine tomorrow. Tell me."
The next day, Concubine Jin De directly refused after hearing this: "That's not possible."
Then she continued: "You just got married, how can you take a concubine when the two of you are dating? If people find out, what will your father and grandmother think? Mother and concubine don't agree with you. After finishing speaking, he glanced at Hong Shao who was standing behind him, and said coldly: "Some people should understand their own identities, and don't push the prince because they think they have something, don't daydream."
After hearing this, Hong Shao felt ashamed and ashamed, covering her mouth with a handkerchief, for fear that she would cry out.Unexpectedly, the tears rolled more and more, and finally couldn't help crying and ran out of the house.
Zhuan Sheng couldn't bear seeing it, and wanted to persuade his mother and concubine a few words, but her expression was non-negotiable.He also knew the interests of what the concubine mother said, so he couldn't help but sighed.
"Oh, by the way, I heard that Rong Wan came to the palace today to visit the Empress Dowager, maybe she will let me go and have a look." Concubine Jin De said.
Rong Wan?It was strange for a while, but later I remembered the name of my future wife.
Sure enough, after a while, someone from Shouan Palace came to invite, Concubine Jin De tidied up in a hurry and left with Gong'e.When Concubine Jin De came back, she looked quite satisfied.
Zhuan Sheng wanted to ask, but he changed his method, "How about it, concubine mother, is your future daughter-in-law's dress as good-looking as yours?"
Concubine Jinde recalled it unguardedly, and said: "The goose-yellow blouse she is wearing today, and the willow-green skirt, embroidered with plum blossom patterns, look simple, neat, and elegant."
Zhuan Sheng nodded, and said firmly, "I see." Then he put down his pen before writing, picked up his folding fan, stood up and walked out.
Zhuan Sheng was leaning halfway in the pavilion on Qinchunyuan Hill, folding a fan with the image of an eagle on a cliff in his hand.He knew that since the concubine mother had returned, it proved that the first meeting was over, and the queen mother should send someone to lead them around. Sure enough, after a while, he saw a group of young women in gorgeous dresses coming from afar.
The one walking in the front was the woman in the yellow blouse and willow green skirt that the concubine mother had mentioned, and the stepping pearls inserted in the cloud bun were swaying slightly as she walked.Zhuan Sheng breathed a sigh of relief, this woman named Rong Wan was quite upright and dignified, but she didn't know if her temperament was as good as her appearance.
Zhuan Cheng watched for a while, and saw Ning Ping, the maid beside the queen mother, leading them to abduct them, followed by four or five maids. He wondered if the younger sister named Fu Wan was there, but she didn't look like her. So watch them disappear from sight.
Zhuan Sheng stayed like this for a while, and what he saw was obviously a good thing, but for some reason, he felt a little indescribably disappointed.He recalled that a few days ago he had asked his father to go out of the palace to garrison in Ansai in the northwest. His father was shocked for a while, because no prince had ever asked to do so.He didn't know if this move was right or not. He heard that life in the army was far more difficult than he imagined. Wouldn't it be a joke if he was driven back.But he felt that if he just stayed in the palace like this, it would always be like this.
He looked at the endlessly towering palace city from afar, thinking that this place is indeed a fascinating place, but if he doesn't leave, he really won't be able to come back when it's time to leave; if he leaves now, maybe Can come back later.So he closed the paper fan and made up his mind to leave when he got married.
Zhuan Sheng walked down the gentle mountain steps and came to Qin Chunyuan's garden. He was about to return to Yijing Palace when a gust of wind blew up and knocked the nearby flowers and branches into chaos.Zhuan Sheng looked up at the sky, it was gloomy.
At this moment, a silk handkerchief fell in front of him.Zhuan Cheng picked it up curiously, and saw a few hibiscus flowers embroidered on the clean white silk handkerchief, but they were all just like flower bones, which was different from ordinary embroidery.Take a closer look at the two lines of small characters embroidered on it: clear water produces hibiscus, and it is natural to carve.
Just as Zhuan Sheng was wondering, he saw a woman in pink clothes standing in front of him.
That was the first time he met Fu Wan.
Seeing the woman turning her head, not daring to look directly at him, wanting to go forward but not daring to go forward, he guessed that the silk handkerchief might belong to her.
He recognized her, she was also in the entourage behind Rong Wan just now, she approached Rong Wan, it seems that she should be her personal maid.
The first time he saw Fu Wan, he thought she was Rong Wan's maid, and for a long time later, he still thought she was Rong Wan's maid.
Zhuan Cheng looked at the silk handkerchief in his hand, and then at the woman, thinking that although she looks ordinary, she has quite clever hands.The woman was pretty in appearance, but she was the kind of person who would forget once she saw it. Zhuan Cheng was not interested, so he handed Sipa back to her, and turned to leave.
After walking a few steps, I heard a few "Ai Ai" from behind, the voice was as thin as a mosquito.
This was the first time someone called himself "Ai Ai", and Zhuan Cheng thought it was funny.When he turned around, he saw the woman blushing, hesitated to speak, lowered her head and said, "I, I'm lost..."
Zhuan Sheng couldn't help laughing, Fu Wan was shy and embarrassed, but she still had to say: "Can you tell me how to get back to Shou'an Palace..."
Zhuan Sheng thought for a while, and it happened that there was a small road leading to Shou'an Palace on the way back to Yijing Palace, so he said to her, "Why don't you follow me."
Zhuan Sheng walked in front as if nothing had happened, while Fu Wan followed from afar.The wind blew by, and when passing by Mei Xiayuan, it suddenly started to rain lightly.
Zhuan Sheng wanted to turn around and tell the girl to walk faster, but saw her looking at the rain with a worried expression on her face, as if she was very afraid of getting caught in the rain.Zhuan Cheng thought that the woman must be weak if she didn't step out of the gate, so he couldn't bear it. He saw that the rain was going to be heavy, so he looked around, and happened to see Zhu Meiting not far away.
Zhuan Sheng pointed to the pavilion with a red roof and green pillars. Fu Wan understood what he meant and was a little hesitant, but seeing that the raindrops were getting heavier, she couldn't help but nodded.
The two were trapped in the pavilion, and the rain outside really picked up.
Fu Wan kept her head down all the time, not daring to look at Zhuan Cheng. Zhuan Sheng was holding a fan, and for a moment didn't know what to say to this maid.
Later, Zhuan Cheng thought, anyway, he would be stuck here for a while, and the atmosphere was so awkward, why not ask her something.
So he asked knowingly: "It seems that you are not from the palace? Are you from outside the palace?"
Fu Wan replied: "We are from Secretary Cheng You Qingyuan's residence."
"Oh—" Zhuan Sheng said, "It must have come for a wedding. You came with your young lady?"
Fu Wan was taken aback, but she soon realized who this person was asking, he must have regarded her as his sister's maid.Feeling a little disappointed in my heart, but I didn't feel disobedient, so I nodded.
Zhuan Sheng smiled and asked, "What is your young lady like?"
As soon as the title of "sister" came to her lips, Fu Wan hurriedly changed her words, "Miss, she is the best-looking one among the sisters, and she has a good temperament. The fourth prince is also lucky to marry her."
Hearing the woman's serious tone, it seemed that she was not exaggerating, but Zhuan Cheng didn't believe what she said, and thought that she might be protecting the Lord's heart, so he stopped asking.
Zhuan Sheng could no longer think of what to say to this maid, and seeing that the rain outside seemed to have no intention of stopping, he stood by the pavilion with his back to Fu Wan, took out the jade flute in his arms, and began to play.
Fuwan recognized that Zhuan Sheng was playing "Flowers", and because his back was facing her, she was no longer so reserved, so she raised her arms and listened quietly.
Fu Wan gradually became fascinated by listening to it, she thought he played really well.When Zhuan Sheng finished playing, he turned around and saw Fu Wan's infatuated look. He suddenly felt that this servant girl was quite interesting, and said inadvertently, "It's always a bit monotonous to play this song with the flute alone. It's more fun."
"I, I will..." Fu Wan murmured, and later she felt a little regretful about what she said on the spur of the moment, so she shook her head and said in self-pity: "But I don't play well."
"Talking is better than nothing." Zhuan Sheng encouraged her.
Fuwan looked at the rain still falling outside, thought for a while, and didn't refuse any more, she sat in the middle of the pavilion with lowered eyebrows, touched the zither and played slowly.
Oh... This tone is really much more beautiful than he imagined, Zhuan Sheng thought.Only then did he take a good look at the maid in front of him. Her figure was not slender and slender, but a little bit blessed.Her facial features are not outstanding, but her skin is excellent. With her curved eyebrows, she gives people a peaceful and gentle temperament. If she is only regarded as a middle posture, she is pleasing to the eye.
She is Rong Wan's maid, so she will also marry into the palace in the future... Thinking about this, Zhuan Sheng suddenly felt that this marriage might not be so boring.
He raised the flute again to play with Fu Wan, and Fu Wan felt that he led her tune to make her perform better than before.
At the end of the song, the rain outside stopped long ago. There were broken beads of rain dripping from the eaves of the pavilion, and the outside was already sunny.
Fuwan looked at the sunshine, and suddenly changed back to a cautious look.Zhuan Sheng felt that she was a bit unusual after all, so he asked, "You can play the zither?"
Fu Wan concealed it and said: "Miss taught me, I will be able to listen to Miss playing often."
Zhuan Sheng nodded, returned to his previous appearance, and said calmly, "Then let's go."
Zhuan Sheng took Fu Wan to the path leading to Shou'an Palace, pointed out the direction for her, and without another word, turned back to the road to Yijing Palace.
On the contrary, Fu Wan felt a little inexplicably disappointed, but she also thought of her less outstanding self, and felt that the young master's attitude was normal.But as he walked, he felt something was wrong. Just now, he was only panicking, but he forgot that the only boy in the harem was the emperor's son.So... which prince is he?
After Zhuan Sheng and Rong Wan got married in the bridal chamber, they entered the palace the next day to ask the emperor's grandmother and father to resign from the Ansai garrison.
When he thought of his new wife, he always felt that she was missing something that he was secretly looking forward to in his heart; but he secretly breathed a sigh of relief, it's good that he has nothing to worry about.He still remembered the maid whom he had a slight liking for, but he wanted to have a long life, so he was not in a hurry.
Zhuan Sheng's request to resign was naturally not allowed by the Queen Mother, but the emperor had no other considerations. He felt that it would be good if the man's family had less affection and indecision, so he nodded and agreed after thinking about it.
The emperor wrote before the case and named the four princes King Quan Yu.He remembered what his son did when Zhenzhu lost his hair last year, "Yu Shu did not block, this word is very appropriate.
It took Zhuan Sheng more than a month to get to Ansai. Needless to say, the journey was arduous, but the whole army looked at the prince who came from afar with approval and suspicion, respect and disdain.
Appreciate his self-sufficiency, doubt his ability; respect his identity, and disdain his lack of military achievements.
Zhuan Sheng knew this, he was neither humble nor overbearing, he insisted on daily routine training just like a soldier, and the life and diet in the army were very different from those in the palace, but no one had ever heard him complain. The strong muscles and bones acquired by hunting managed to survive the first three months.
People in the army love to play polo, and Zhuan Sheng has a good background in riding horses, and he is quick to learn. After half a year, he can be on par with Dan Yunshang's next-rank lieutenant Wang Baoyi.Zhuan Sheng fell in love with this sport more and more in the army. He knew that if he could perform well in polo, he would gradually accumulate prestige, so he often asked a few lieutenants in the military tent to discuss with him humbly.
The deeds of the four princes were naturally seen by the soldiers, and also by Dan Yunshang, who was then the general stationed in Serbia, and his several lieutenants.
Until one day Tan Yunshang watched Zhuan Sheng swinging his club into the polo field with great vigor, and when the soldiers around him chanted for him, he nodded thoughtfully, as if talking to himself, and seemed to be talking to the people around him. The deputy general said: "It seems that he is serious."
Life in the army is monotonous and boring, rough men in threes and fours can't avoid talking dirty jokes when they get together, Zhuan Cheng often listens to it with interest, but he doesn't agree with him. After a long time, the soldiers love him very much. This attitude is theirs, but it seems to be a little different from them.
Sometimes the army has a short vacation, and the sergeants who can't go home go to the official brothel to have fun together. Zhuan Sheng occasionally asks people to find one or two clean and delicate girls, otherwise it will make people feel strange, but fortunately he doesn't Indulgence, although being alone is indeed lonely.
That day Zhuan Sheng was sitting outside the military tent, looking at the crackling bonfire in front of him, and heard the sound of nearby soldiers drinking and laughing wildly.He looked up at the cold moon in the sky, thinking that this was already the second first day he had spent in the army. Compared with the high and cold wind here, the palace at this time must be brightly lit, singing and laughing. lively scene.
At this moment, Dan Yunshang sat down beside him, and looked at the dancing flames with him.
Dan Yunshang was born in a family of military officers, and he has a deep foundation in the army. Moreover, he has served the emperor close to him, and knows his father's likes and dislikes, so Zhuan Cheng usually gets close to him and asks him for advice.In the past two years, Dan Yunshang led Zhuan Sheng to lead the troops to stop Huihe's invasion of the northwest border many times, and won several moderate victories, which benefited Zhuan Sheng a lot.
Zhuan Cheng looked at the side face of the calm-eyed middle-aged man in front of him, curious that the most ascetic in the army was this General Dan.He had never seen his name as a woman in the army, but he also heard that he also had several concubines in the mansion in Kyoto, which was really different, and he didn't know if he was missing his family at this moment.
Dan Yun didn't know what he was thinking, and suddenly said: "I heard that the concubine of the fourth prince is the eldest daughter of You Qingyuan's family?"
Zhuan Sheng didn't know why he asked such a question suddenly, but he still replied, "Yes."
"This is a good thing." Dan Yunshang said briefly.
Does General Dan mean that this means that the father and emperor rely heavily on it?Zhuan Sheng smiled wryly in his heart, but after all, this reliance is not the other reliance.
Dan Yunshang looked at the young and ambitious boy in front of him and said nothing, and he understood his thoughts. He sighed and said: "It's too early for the fourth prince to lose heart. Things are unpredictable. It looks like it's not my own thing, but it will bump into my arms."
Hearing Dan Yunshang's words, Zhuan Sheng seemed to be not only an empty consolation, but more like his own perception of life.Looking at Yunshang again, he was lost in thought, as if caught in some memories, "But sometimes when I look back, I'm surprised that it doesn't belong to you or you never owned it."
Zhuan Sheng was a little confused, he felt that Tan Yunshang's words were mysterious and mysterious, as if encouraging him, but also as if persuading him to give up.
Dan Yunshang came back to his senses, smiled apologetically, and said, "Don't worry about it, the fourth prince, the first words are for you, and the latter words are for the subject himself."
Zhuan Sheng laughed along with him, and thought that since General Dan asked about his family affairs, and it was this festival, he also mentioned it: "Who is there in General Dan's family?"
Dan Yunshang smiled and replied: "There are two maids in the minister's family."
"Oh—" Zhuan Sheng didn't know whether to say yes or no.
On the contrary, Dan Yunshang continued to say: "The little girl looks good."
"Oh, a girl follows her father, so she must look like you, General Dan." Zhuan Sheng said with a chuckle.
Dan Yunshang shook his head, with a slightly confused expression, "She looks like her mother, oh, she also looks a bit like a minister." At the end he added, "I think so."
Zhuan Sheng felt that Dan Yunshang seemed to have something on his mind when he said this, but it was not for him to intervene conveniently.He took the water bag next to him and said to Dan Yunshang: "General Dan once solemnly warned me that generals in the army should not drink alcohol, but on this festival, I would like to replace wine with water and invite the moon to drink three cups together. The moon shines on Kyoto, sharing well-being."
After that, Zhuan Sheng stayed in the army for another year, and the next year he received an imperial edict from the palace telling him to get up and return to Beijing.There was no other reason, the sixth prince Zhuan Su general held the coronation ceremony, and the emperor summoned the princes and clans from all over the world to gather together. Such a scene can no longer be summed up by the word "grand".
Zhuan Sheng bid farewell to Tan Yunshang, and spent more than a month returning to the capital. Seeing the bustling streets of the capital, and the deserted world on the Xisai border, he was naturally moved.
Looking at the poplar flowers flying in the capital in spring, and returning to Beijing again after many years, Zhuan Sheng felt a sense of trance.
The willows hang green and green on the ground, and the willow flowers fly in the sky.The willows are broken and the flowers are flying away. May I ask pedestrians whether they will return?
Zhuan Sheng has really suffered a lot outside in the past few years, but it is the years of experience in the army that forged the forbearance and perseverance in his character to become more proficient, and made his youthful impetuousness and Impulse polished cleanly.
颛晟回到京城就被匆匆叫进宫去，皇上正在勤政殿等着他，等看到他时一脸的欣喜之色，又特意赐了座，问起他边境近况，沉思着连连点头。
皇上走下拍了拍颛晟的肩膀，说：“皇儿在军中的表现朕已听说了，朕深感欣慰。唔，你想必在军中吃了不少苦，不过看起来又健壮了不少。朕听说你打马球技艺高超，马房里有一匹伊犁枣骝驹，是朕之所爱，今日赏赐给皇儿，改日也可在球场一展身手。”
颛晟做出诚惶诚恐又感激涕零的样子，叩谢圣恩。
待颛晟出了勤政殿后，又来到怡景宫，瑾德妃早就心急地等在门口，看见儿子回来，迎上去抱住他喜极而泣。
颛晟就忙着宽慰母妃。瑾德妃收了收情绪，上下打量颛晟一番，便说：“我儿真是出息了，现在已经是成熟的大人模样。前几天皇上来过了，说我养孩子，对了一半错了一半，大致上是功过相抵。”
仅仅是这样就令母妃分外欣喜了，颛晟有些心疼和伤感。之后母子俩又好好说了一番话，瑾德妃又特意留了颛晟用午膳，等颛晟出来已经是下午时分。本来还想再去竹青庵看看姊，但转念一想，自己这么多年战场来往，身上难免有血污之光，怕唐突了她，便暂时作罢，等沐浴斋戒后再将西域得到的几本真迹佛经送给她也不迟。
就这样出了宫，坐轿回到自己的权禹王府，府上的人和物都是颛晟所不熟悉的，想想自己也就在这儿待了几天而已。等蓉婉见到自己的夫君突然出现在面前，也是一时惊慌失措，不知如何反应，又想到自己没有准备好接风洗尘，一时间涨红了脸。
颛晟看到蓉婉如此神情，心想这事自己办得不周全。她虽知道自己要回来，但他进宫时就该派人到府上告知一声，他却一时忽略了这个新婚妻子的存在。
这样想着就不自觉温柔许多，拉过她的手说：“我听说这几年府上多亏你打理，井井有条的，真是辛苦你了。”
蓉婉感受着丈夫的温存，又是高兴又是委屈，说着：“王爷这是说哪的话，这是臣妾的分内之事。”
颛晟点了点头，心想夫妻间相处到如此便好。
之后蓉婉又关心地问起颛晟边境的起居生活，说着说着就提道：“今日臣妾妹妹也过来看望臣妾，也不知道跑哪去了，这个时候还不回来。”
总不会是迷路了吧？颛晟突然觉得好笑，他也不知道自己怎么就闪过这个想法。
“那么你就留她吃晚饭吧，你们姊妹好好说话，我去书房处理一些事情。”
这个闲还是该避的，颛晟想。
颛晟出了屋子，在往书房去的路上拐过一个回廊，就看见迎面有一名女子走来。
两人同时一怔。
颛晟认出她是那年陪蓉婉进宫的丫鬟，这几年她似乎长开了些，虽然相貌依旧算不上出众，但温婉的样子一如往昔。
他这次回来，也正想什么时候向蓉婉问问她的事，没想到就这样出现在他面前。
这么多年，他早就具备了大丈夫稳操大局从容不迫的气度，对女人亦是如此。
所以颛晟走上前，握住芙婉的手，在她耳边低声说：“你叫什么名字？我向你们家小姐讨你。”
上次分别芙婉回去一直在想，那个跟她在一起的人到底是哪位皇子。但她也知道多想无益，他束发以冠，肯定不会是六皇子，那么无论是谁对她来讲都是不相干的人。
可即便这样想着，少女的心事就如同那指间流过的水，怎么攥也攥不住。
后来就再也没有遇见过他，可是那一次他带着她到亭子里避雨，将她送回寿安宫的事她一直记得，有时候自己一个人静下来那些片段就不自觉地回映在脑中，她知道自己这是有心事了。
谁想到再次见面已经是三年以后，而且还是在这样一个地方——权禹王府。他竟然是姊的丈夫，四皇子权禹王，没有比这更糟的结果。
当他握着她的手，说要讨她的时候，芙婉第一个反应是意外，自卑的她没想到颛晟对她也有一点心意，但随后心里就变得酸酸胀胀的，说不出来是高兴还是苦涩。
早知道就不该哎哎的那两声叫他了。
颛晟还在等待她的回答，芙婉低下头去，泪珠滚滚而流，她羞愧得仿佛是做错事的孩子，哽咽着说：“我，我叫芙婉……”
颛晟去瑞雀宫时，颛宿已经举行过成人仪式。他今日穿着深绿色的如意燕居服，头束发冠，仪度翩翩。颛晟看到颛宿就不自觉想起了芙婉，想起了前几天那次尴尬的见面，在心底默默地叹了一口气，他与她，终究有缘无分。
刚刚似乎听见妍淑妃在劝着颛宿什么，果然看见他进来，妍淑妃就殷切嘱咐颛晟说：“四亲王帮本宫劝劝他，这样的任性哪有大人的样子，本宫劝他他也不听。”
等妍淑妃出去了，颛晟问：“怎么了？很少看见你母妃如此头疼的样子。”
颛宿张开扇，苦笑着自嘲说：“真是想要什么偏偏不来什么。四皇兄当初只说要性情好的，四皇嫂模样也还过得去；我呢，想要倾国倾城的，偏偏那位长相就是丫鬟样子。不！她长得还不如我身边的宫娥宜宜呢。”
听颛宿这么说，颛晟想起了那一直略有自卑低着头的女子，为她感到一阵难过。
“你见过她了？”颛晟沉声问。
“我还真愿我没见过！”颛宿狂傲地说，“我也知道行过冠礼，父皇就会提我的婚事了，所以昨日偷偷潜到尤府上去看她，结果看了真是后悔！”
还真是颛宿的行为做派。
“皇兄，我并非故意贬低她。但这是我自己的婚事，我想要的是一个情投意合的女子举案齐眉，她不是我想要的样子。”
颛晟想，颛宿未必不会娶芙婉，但他一向要求甚高，芙婉嫁给他恐怕也要受冷落，想想便有些不忍心。
他想了想，谨慎地说：“你何时也变得如此肤浅了呢？宫中从不缺貌美的女子，也不见你看得上哪个。如果那位姑娘内秀，说不定正与你情投意合呢。”
颛宿本也不是虚浮之人，只是因为现实与他期望相差甚远才一时口不择言，在没有办法中想想也觉得颛晟说得有点道理，神色稍稍缓和，吐了一口气说：“但愿如此。”
颛晟好不容易回京一趟，就准备在京多待一阵子，况且一味在边疆埋头苦干也不是好办法，朝中有些人脉也该趁此疏通走动。颛晟平日对花草建筑也有些情趣，闲暇时就命工匠按照自己的意愿添置府上，过了两个月府上就有些像模像样，引得不少文人雅客前来观赏。
为此颛宿还特意兴冲冲出宫来他府上游玩，在欣赏一圈后，两个兄弟在碧清湖中央的引风水榭中品着地窖冰镇过的菊花茶，惬意地感受这夏天难得的清风拂面。
颛晟和颛宿随意地坐着。颛宿更是解开了衣服的前襟，露出里面的白纱内衫来。他倚着朱红柱子，手执折扇搭在亭栏上，怡然自得地看着湖边的景色，又注意到湖中一片绿叶衬水粉芙蓉怒放，想到了什么，就说：“没想到皇兄在园林上也有如此造诣，真让人刮目相看，还有皇兄看人也很准。”
颛晟一时不解，颛宿微眯眼，仿佛被芙蓉上的水珠折射而来的阳光刺到般，摇着扇半是满足半是得意地说：“我感觉自己捡到宝了。”
颛晟意识到他说的是芙婉的事，哑然失笑道：“怎么，你私下与她接触了？”
颛宿认真地点了点头，说：“我去她家府上找的尤清远，芙婉本就是我未来的妻，他也不敢拒绝，就让芙婉隔着帘子与我见面。”
颛晟听了一时有些呆呆的，也就颛宿能做出这样的事情来。
颛宿笑了笑，低声说：“还好当初听了皇兄的建议，她是位有才情的女子，就像夏日里的出水芙蓉，整个人清清爽爽的，透着清凉。她还是个下棋高手，”看着颛晟的愕然，颛宿解释说，“我输了。”
能让颛宿如此评价很不容易。自己没有看错人，颛晟想，她果然是名蕙质兰心的女子。
心里有着淡淡的遗憾和怅然，但更多的是为芙婉放下心来，想着那有些怯怯偶尔自卑的女子，他不忍心她嫁过去过得太辛苦。
“还不只这些，她的刺绣、写字也都好得很。美中不足的是我曾邀她共奏一曲，她说她并不懂乐器，不过也好，成亲以后我可以教她，也不失为夫妻乐事。”颛宿自顾自地说。
颛晟愣了一下，可是他却知道，芙婉弹筝是颇美妙的。
“不过她最近似乎是生病了，好几天都不能见我……”颛宿最后担忧着说。
那个夏日的黄昏，外面下起了雷雨，颛晟在书房让王全点上烛火，一个人站在书案前静静写字。
突然门被推开了，外面是昏黑的天色和伴随着雷鸣的大雨，颛晟看见浑身湿漉一脸狼狈的芙婉站在那里。
“小姐？”颛晟一时还反应不过来。
她额前的头发粘在了一块，有雨水顺着她的脸颊流了下来，让他分不清是雨水还是泪水。只见芙婉跑过来直接环住他，嘤嘤地哭泣，说：“我，我，我想和你在一起……”
颛晟不可置信地看着抱住他的芙婉，在这样大雨的日子里，她特意跑过来找他，说的是这样一番话。
王全从前一直在颛晟身边侍候，此时也悄悄退下，带上了屋外的门。
芙婉抬头望着他，眼睛里泪水盈盈，但神情却是那样的决绝。
这让他想起姊落发出家时一定也是这样的决绝。
颛晟想不到，在身为女子柔弱的身体里面，怎么会蕴含着那么大的勇气与力量，这勇气是他作为男子都办不到的。
自己的一时兴起竟然让她赌上了身家性命。
想到这儿，颛晟放下了手中的笔，伸出手迟疑地拍了拍芙婉的后背，哄着她。
他想劝劝她，告诉她这件事有多么艰难，却感觉芙婉更紧地将他抱住，哽咽着说：“我，我可能活不长了……”
颛晟与芙婉的事引起了轩然大波，那是比贞蓄帝姬落发还要大的轩然大波。那是一段暗沉而烦乱的回忆，颛晟已经记不清当时他如何跪在父皇面前陈词，因为他印象太过深刻的是芙婉将一切都揽到了自己的身上。女子有意，反倒不好说是颛晟的过错。后来渐渐地又有人说帝侧之身毕竟不是帝后之身，嫁给六皇子是帝后，嫁给四亲王才是帝侧，一时间颛晟的声望反而大增。到最后连皇帝身边的内侍都流传着曾听到皇帝皱着眉嘀咕：“难道这是天意。”
最终成全他们的人是颛宿。听说他找到芙婉，两人隔着帘子单独谈了许久，颛宿走出来时眼圈红红的，但当天下午他就去勤政殿找父皇，主动请求放弃这门婚事，对外宣称说尤家嫡二小姐身体孱弱，不堪正位。
就这样过了一些时日，芙婉并不风光地嫁入了权禹王府，不能正门而入，但颛晟亲自将芙婉抱过王府门槛。没有什么特意登门贺喜的客人，只有颛宿送来了一块上好的透水芙蓉佩玉，捎来了一句给颛晟的话“好好待她”。
宫里的人都纳闷，从没有见过六皇子因此而不开心的表情，连他的母妃妍淑妃也不曾见过。他以前就是随性的人，后来愈加放浪形骸，但依旧才气逼人。人们悄悄议论说，他的改变不只因为他了未婚妻子，他可能还意识到自己丢了未来的皇位。
这样嫁过来的芙婉颛晟不可能不真心对待。而芙婉并没有辜负他，她是那样的谦顺温婉，她的房间总是清爽干净，枕面、靠枕、屏风、纱帘都绣着她的手艺，或交颈鸳鸯，或并蒂双莲，或山中青竹，或清风菊花。她的房间无一不充满着这心灵手巧的女主人的气息。
甚至连颛晟的内衫、缎面靴、罩衣上也有妻子的用心。
芙婉擅绣芙蓉，但永远是花骨朵的形态，从不曾绽放。颛晟好奇地问起，芙婉略低着头，轻声地回答：“因为妾身也从不曾像芙蓉那样绽放啊。”因为身体微胖，芙婉总是有些自卑，她的聪慧在于她的手艺，大事上有些犯迷糊，但这在颛晟的眼中都成了她的可爱之处。
对于这样一心一意对他，柔弱却那么勇敢说要嫁给他，这样秀外慧中的芙婉，颛晟想不出任何不爱她不怜她的理由。他不允许听到别人口中说芙婉“倒贴”的话，哪怕是他的母妃。他冷冷地看过去，瑾德妃就噤口不言了。
他们俩的日子过得举案齐眉，年轻夫妻间总是有许多乐事。颛晟看书，芙婉在一旁刺绣；颛晟打猎回来，芙婉总是端来一杯热度刚好的茶；颛晟跟她说起朝政上的繁乱，芙婉不懂，但她很会倾听；他们一块下棋，连颛晟都自愧不如，与她下得次数多了，自己的棋艺反而有所长进；闺房中颛晟经常拿“哎哎”两字逗她，惹得芙婉娇羞不已，但之后会环住他埋在他的怀里说：“还好妾身当初叫住了你，现在才能这样幸福。”
这样的幸福，芙婉想。她并不是没见过其他的男子，但她见了他就知道什么叫一见倾心。她觉得他是个温柔的人，虽然任何人包括她的姐姐都说他不会是把女人放在心上的男人。
芙婉自小体虚喘嗽，她的微胖也是因为此，她不能淋雨和劳累，加上前阵子心情抑郁，发起病来十分痛苦，她才恐怕自己活不久了。颛晟仔细地问过了郎中，郎中宽慰他说此事可大可小，病根虽无法祛除，但若保养得当，也可颐养天年；但要时刻小心，若是犯病也有可能发生最坏的结果。
郎中隐晦嘱咐，芙婉体虚，不易多行房事，更不宜怀孕生产。颛晟听了点点头，芙婉身体疲虚，那么他就不放纵；芙婉不宜生子，那么他就先不要孩子。他当真宠着芙婉怜惜着她，从她嫁入王府以后他就没再与别的女人在一起，无论是正妃蓉婉，还是母妃特意赏下来的侍妾，因为他不想让她伤心。
芙婉知道自己的问题，颛晟毕竟年轻精力旺盛，所以她后来开始劝颛晟晚上到姊或者小妾房里，她明白和感动丈夫的心意，但他却不了解她承受的压力，来自私下里姊对她的冷淡，瑾德妃的不满，小妾们的怨恨和她对自己身体上的愧疚。
芙婉因为容貌不出色，她在颛晟面前的自卑贯穿始终，她总觉得自己不配得到丈夫那么多的爱，正因为现在如此的幸福，她才怕失去。她有的时候说：“以后总会有讨您喜欢的女人出现的。”这话像是对颛晟说的，也像是告诫自己。
颛晟从没有把这些话放在心上，依旧一心一意地对她，直到有一天芙婉跟颛晟说：“那么我们生个孩子吧。”
芙婉坚持要一个孩子，一如她当初要嫁给颛晟那样决绝。她还发动郎中帮她说话，嫁进王府后这个生活幸福的女子确实好久不曾发病了，身体也强健许多，郎中说也许可以一试。
于是他们终于有了一个孩子。那个时候颛晟已经不常居住在京城，皇上开始交给他一些地方上的案件。好在芙婉看起来非常健康，虽然妊娠时比较难过，但她的精神状态很好，脸上是准母亲幸福而满足的神情。芙婉说她想生一个儿子，像她丈夫一样英武的儿子。
芙婉临盆前一个月，皇上派颛晟到泽洲了结长史与盐官勾结贪污一案。来去半个多月，但因为之前就是颛晟在操办此事，皇上觉得不宜换人。颛晟有些为难，还是芙婉挺着大肚子宽慰他说：“没什么好担心的，等到妾身生产时您不是已经回来了吗？若是因为妾身您推掉政务，父皇和母妃都会怪罪妾身不懂事的。”然后她将颛晟的手轻轻放在自己的肚子上，哄着说：“哦哦，我们家的荣儿是不会给父王添麻烦的，是不是？会等着父王，是不是？”
颛晟觉得心里一片柔软，他将芙婉揽在怀中，亲着她的头发说：“我已请父皇派宫里的太医来照看你。也交代过了，万一发生什么，一定要让你好好的。”
可是没想到芙婉还是早产了，在她俯下身拾东西的时候动了胎气，生产的时候她还犯了喘病。其间的痛苦自不必说。当接产医生暗示只能保一个时，颛晟临走前的嘱托是保母亲，芙婉坚持保孩子，蓉婉说芙婉的意思是保孩子。
芙婉想，她若活着，什么也不能给晟，说不定早晚会失去他。她想留点什么给自己心爱的男人，所以她牺牲了自己，她的脸上带着安详的表情。
可是她闭上眼后不知道，自己的儿子生下来没多久就因为太过弱小也停止了呼吸。
颛晟马不停蹄赶回来时，得到的是芙婉已经去世的消息，连最后一面都未能相见，连最后一句爱意的话都无法相诉。颛晟青白的脸上没有泪痕，却在转身的那一刻昏倒不醒。
后来他不得不打起精神操办了芙婉的丧事，他不放心别人，因为只有他知道芙婉真正想要的，她喜欢简单大方的东西，不喜欢铺张奢华，三年的夫妻他了解她就像她了解他一样。
几个月都没有心思上朝和见客，母妃担忧的书信每日都会送来。那一天他依旧穿着墨色的衣袍，手中是一串佛珠，虽然丧期已满，但他心中的悲痛更甚。