Chapter 24 Chapter Twenty-Four
The emperor didn't answer, but sniffed it and asked, "Has Aifei changed the incense again? What's it called, it smells so good."
I walked away with a smile, blinked at the emperor, and said: "If the emperor agrees, I will tell you."
The emperor was helpless, pulled me into his arms, and said: "Okay, I'm sure. Now can you tell me what kind of fragrance it is, or the fragrance that Aifei itself has..."
I lay my pillow on the emperor's shoulder, thought for a while, and said: "Liu Jieyu doesn't understand etiquette, and my concubines have been teaching her how to salute all afternoon, it's really tiring."
If you don't take the initiative to say this kind of thing, it's better than being chewed by others in front of the emperor outside.
The emperor smiled lightly, and nodded my nose, "I don't think you are teaching her, but making things difficult on purpose."
I showed an aggrieved look, and yelled: "Your Majesty, you have underestimated my concubines. If you really taught me, the concubine still thought that she had worked so hard to reward her with the jade bracelet that she has always loved, and it has been recorded in the record." If you don't believe me, you can check it out."
"Aifei, don't be angry, I'm just joking. Even if it's really making things difficult, I won't blame Aifei."
"A concubine would never do such absurd things." I said sternly.
"Besides, the concubine and the emperor are in love with each other, insulting the concubine is blasphemy to the emperor, isn't it?" I tilted my head and asked earnestly.
The emperor took my hand and kissed it, jokingly said, "My beloved concubine Shengming."
Early in the morning of the second day, Jiao Chongyuan went to Jujiu Palace to greet An Xieen.
Today's Jiaochongyuan is yesterday's Jiaojieyu.Although "Chongyuan" is only one level higher than "Jieyu", their status is not the same.Jieyu is only considered the young master, but Chongyuan is already one of the ninth concubines, with a gold leaf book, so she can call herself "my palace".
Jiao Chongyuan is someone close to me, even if it is for myself, I will promote her, and gradually let her have the weight of speaking.The reason why I promoted her so urgently is that on the one hand, it can show my unparalleled gratitude to her, and on the other hand, it is nothing more than a message: since I can promote you overnight, I can also easily promote you. remove.
After what happened yesterday, the number of concubines visiting today gradually increased.
Surrounded by them, I listened to their compliments with peace of mind.
"The empress is still bright and charming today."
"The Tang clothes on the empress are so beautiful, the embroidery is exquisite and bright, maybe it's a new style from the brocade department..."
"Only such exquisite clothes can match the jade body of the empress."
In the end, it was not until the emperor sent someone to tell them to have dinner together that the concubines left one after another.
Hua Splash came over to beat my back thoughtfully, and said, "Miss seems a little tired."
I smiled and said, "I didn't expect to be tired after listening to good words."
"However, it is necessary." I asked Tingyi, "Who hasn't come to visit until now?"
Tingyi replied: "It has been recorded according to Miss's intention."
"Bring it to me and have a look."
Tingyi took out a piece of paper from her sleeve and presented it up.
I quickly glanced from top to bottom, except that I was not qualified enough to visit, Yu Zhaoyuan, Li Chongrong, Shan Jieyu, Yao Meiren, and Wang Meiren did not come to visit.
I looked at their names and slowly got an idea in my heart.
It is said that if a person's spirit is stimulated, his body will become weak and he will get sick easily. It seems that this is true.
After going through that incident, Liu Jieyu fell ill in bed a few days later.When the palace people reported this matter to me, I secretly thought that she is also a proud person after all, I am afraid she has never suffered such a pain before.
I went to visit her.
When I appeared in front of her sickbed, I saw a look of fear in her eyes, and her body shivered as if she was cold, and then she reflexively got up and knelt down to me.
I grabbed her, and her hands were warm and wet.
I said very sincerely: "Jieyu is weak now, so don't make any salutes."
She became even more terrified after hearing my words, "No..."
Then, regardless of everyone's dissuasion, she finally knelt down and bowed deeply to me, and I accepted it with a half smile.
I kindly asked about her condition, and she answered cautiously.
After talking for a while, I saw that she was very careful and nervous, and I didn't want to embarrass her, so I got up and left, and asked her to take good care of her body.
On our way back, Tingyi said with emotion: "I didn't expect Liu Jieyu to become like this now..."
Hua Xilei said to the side: "She asked for trouble! If she hadn't disrespected the young lady at the beginning, she wouldn't have fallen into the current situation." Then she approached me and whispered: "Miss must cut the weeds and eradicate the roots. Is it? As long as you add something else to her soup, it will be hidden..."
I stopped and looked back at her slowly.
Hua Splash was flustered by my expressionless glance, and she plopped down on her knees, "Slave is talkative..."
I covered my fan and laughed, "Sure enough, there are slaves like masters...Hua Spianlei, get up, there is nothing wrong with what you said."
Hua Splash let out a sigh of relief, thanked him before getting up.She cautiously asked: "Then Miss means..."
I interrupted her and said solemnly: "But I want her to be well, I want her to get well soon. Her life is still useful."
From now on, I will visit Liu Jieyu whenever I have time, to ask her health, and to be very concerned about her condition.
At the beginning, all the concubines were still speculating about this matter, and even doubted what I would do, but after many days, I never made things difficult for Liu Jieyu again, and even under my care and care, her illness gradually recovered stand up.
Now they had to praise my magnanimity.
On the other hand, Liu Jieyu is the empress dowager's favorite concubine, and my low profile really made the empress dowager feel more balanced.
I took Liu Jieyu's hand and said, "Look, Jieyu has been seriously ill these days, and her fingernails have become so pale. Jieyu is also a golden branch and jade leaf, even her fingernails should be taken care of, so that she can please the Holy Majesty..."
Liu Jieyu's slightly pale face revealed a faint blush, at this moment she looked up like a little girl and asked me: "The emperor... can the emperor still come to my concubine?"
I smiled and said, "The Holy Majesty misses you too. Get well soon."
Liu Jieyu glanced at my fingers, and sighed with some shame: "My lady's fingernails are so delicate and beautiful, no wonder the emperor only favors you..."
I said, "It's not that Ben Gong's fingernails are beautiful, it's that the cardamom color used is good. One day Ben Gong will bring some to Jieyu, and it must be very beautiful when painted."
The next day I brought a vial of red juice and even painted her myself.After spreading it evenly, I didn't wrap it with silk cloth, but asked Gong'e to bring a shallow basin and put her hands in the water. The bright red juice did not spread in the water but solidified.
Liu Jieyu was overwhelmed with surprise, and I explained: "This kind of cardamom solidifies when it meets water, so it doesn't need to be wrapped in silk cloth for so long, and the color is more watery."
Liu Jieyu nodded hastily, her eyes gradually became moved, "Your Majesty treats my concubines so well..."
I patted her on the back comfortingly, and said: "Don't think too much, take good care of your illness... Doesn't the Queen Mother like to eat the little pastries you made the most? Her old man often talks about it. Even if it is for filial piety, you must Get better soon."
Liu Jieyu nodded lightly, and replied: "The concubine is getting better now, and I will make some to send to the queen mother tomorrow. It is said that only people with beautiful fingers can cook delicious food, thank you, my lord..."
After talking for a while, Liu Jieyu was a little tired, so I helped her to lie down.
I tucked in the quilt for her, and just about to leave, Liu Jieyu suddenly said: "My lady, thank you."
Then she said in a low, dreamlike voice, "Actually, what does it matter if you are a concubine... What a man loves is a woman, not her identity. Chenqie is as stupid as before. But... Chenqie's father is nothing but me. Mother, and a concubine. My father loves her, but I don’t love my concubine’s mother...Chen Qie’s half-sister is prettier and more talented than Chen Qie. Chen Qie is jealous of her, so she uses her identity to cover up her inferiority complex, Now that I think about it, I feel so ridiculous. Madam, can you forgive my concubine... I think that if I recover from illness in the future, I will serve my empress faithfully..."
I paused and didn't answer her, just said: "Take good care of your illness."
That day the emperor came back from visiting the Queen Mother's Shou'an Palace and sighed.
I asked, "Is the Queen Mother still in poor health?"
The emperor nodded, and then said angrily: "The ones in Tai Hospital are all trash!"
I walked up to the emperor to comfort his chest, and said with forgiveness: "The Queen Mother has always believed in Buddhism, and I heard that Zhencui Nunnery in the suburbs of the city prayed for the blessings of the Buddha..."
"Then Aifei means to ask them to do a ritual?"
I shook my head and said: "The Queen Mother is seriously ill. I'm afraid even a little water can't save the fire. What the concubine said is that she must be shaved, enter the Buddhist gate, eat fast and chant Buddha, pray for the Queen Mother, and this person must be a relative of the Queen Mother. Only then can I sincerely thank the Buddha for blessing the Empress Dowager..."
"Then Aifei means..."
I walked up to the emperor, knelt down, and said solemnly: "Since it was proposed by the concubine, it is natural for the concubine to go..."
The emperor changed his face and asked: "Does Aifei mean to abandon me?"
I showed a look of nostalgia, with tears in my eyes, and said pitifully, "I don't want it either, it's just that the Empress Dowager's disease caused my concubine, so how can I feel at ease."
The emperor pulled me up, "It has nothing to do with my concubine. I don't allow my concubine to leave, just find someone else to replace her for the blessing..."
As a matter of course, Yu Zhaoyuan, Li Chongrong, Shan Jieyu, and Wang Meiren, who did not visit me, were ordered to shave their heads and go out of the palace to go to Zhencui Nunnery to pray for the queen mother.And the other beauty Yao survived because she gave birth to a daughter, but she is no longer a big deal, not to mention she was very clever to come to me to apologize the next day.
Some of these four people are just girls of flower age, who just cut off their blue hair like this, and went to such a cold and remote place to suffer, which caused many people to sigh and sigh, but most of them dared to be angry and did not dare to speak out, and no one was willing to come forward to intercede .After all, their name is to pray for the Queen Mother's well-being, and whoever dares to stop them will be treasonous.
Shan Jieyu once went to Jujiu Palace and knelt down crying and begging me to take back my life.
I looked at her coldly, thinking that if I had known this before, why did you do it in the first place, an idiot who doesn't know how to turn back until his head is hit.
She kowtowed loudly on the ground, her hair was messed up, and a lump was swollen on her forehead.
When I finally spoke, she looked at me expectantly.But what I said was: "What does Shan Jieyu mean?"
She froze for a moment, not understanding what it meant.
I went on to say: "Doesn't Shan Jieyu want the queen mother to get better? Shan Jieyu hopes that the queen mother will die soon, doesn't she? Shan Jieyu is really rebellious. She is going to destroy the nine races..."
She froze all of a sudden and sat on the ground paralyzed, but she never dared to say anything to make me take back my life.
After she was pulled down, I severely reprimanded the palace man: "Say! Who took her benefits and let her in?"
Jingming stood up tremblingly, knelt down in front of me, and explained: "Miss, the servant recently lost money in a bet, and money is a bit tight... She told the servant that she came to apologize to the young lady..."
I walked up to him and held out my hand, "Give it to me."
Jingming knew what I was talking about, and tremblingly took out two ingots from his pocket.
Feeling the weight of the ingot in my hand, I raised my eyebrows, thinking that Shan Jieyu's move was so generous, it's no wonder Jingming was moved.
I walked to the small lake in the courtyard and let go, and the two ingots fell into the lake with a deep sound, causing quite a ripple.
I turned around and warned the palace people solemnly, "In the future, there may be many concubines to bribe you. But remember what I said, if it is yours, I will give it to you; if it is not yours, even if I get it, I will let you You can't get it."
The palace people knelt down in horror, and said in response: "The slaves dare not."
Among the four monks, Yu Zhaoyuan is a woman I admire a little.
She is very noble, yes, maybe it is this nobleness that keeps her from visiting me.
I heard that after receiving the edict, she just smiled coldly, and cut off her black hair with scissors without hesitation.
She didn't cry or make trouble, and she didn't ask anyone to intercede with me, but before she left, she wrote a blood letter and wanted to present it to the emperor.
In the book of blood, she said that I bewitched the Holy Lord, that I had ulterior motives, that I was vicious and vicious, that I was the reincarnated Daji, a confidante, and she exhorted the emperor with blood and tears to stay away from evildoers, otherwise the harem would be restless and the country would be unstable... …
Naturally, the blood book couldn't be sent to the emperor, I finished reading the blood book, and said in admiration: "Good writing." I put it on the candle and burned it to ashes.
Since then, those who dared to openly oppose me in the harem have stopped, and my position in the harem has become more and more stable.Then, step by step, I installed eyeliner in the harem. Apart from Eunuch Zhu, I promoted a young and smart eunuch to be in charge of the emperor's daily life.His surname is Qu, and I named him Qu Qiuquan.
What makes me grateful is that the queen turned a blind eye to my series of arrangements in the harem. In fact, you must know that if the queen insists on investigating so many things, I will have a hard time, but the queen No.
On the one hand, I think it has something to do with my still respectful attitude towards her. Since I became a noble concubine, maybe other concubines can no longer get close to the emperor, but I always advise the emperor to visit the queen more often. So compared to the past, the emperor went there more frequently; but on the other hand, I think there should be more than that simple reason. A few days ago, the queen came to my Jujiu Palace and even said that she was old, and she was a little unable to deal with the harem. Give me half the power.What's even more surprising is that I can't see any hypocrisy in her eyes, but she is full of sincerity and even a little guilty, which has always puzzled me.
Concubine Shuxian fell ill, so she wrote to the emperor to call the twelve princes back.The emperor also missed this young and ambitious son, so he agreed.
I suddenly found that the emperor seemed to approve of this son more and more, and sometimes he would say: "Twelve likenesses." You must know that this is the highest admiration a father can give his son.
So in this season of fallen leaves, the twelve princes were ordered to return to the palace.
He came back, but not alone.To the delight of his mother and concubine, he brought a woman who was said to be his new favorite concubine.
(twelve princes)
I left the palace, I left Nuxi, and came to the army stationed in Guangning.
The cost of food and clothing in the army is not comparable to that in the palace. When I first arrived here, I fell ill due to acclimatization.
Watching the guards come in and out of the basin to pour water, I didn't want to look any more, so I closed my eyes.
Li Zhongquan, the personal bodyguard who was sent to serve me next to me, held the porridge and persuaded: "Prince, you should eat something, and you will have the strength to recover after eating..."
I didn't want to hear it, so I simply turned around and ignored him.
How embarrassing, in the palace, I even thought that I was talented, but I didn't expect to be useless here, and I want to protect Nuxi like this...
General Wang, who came to condolences, sighed and waved the guards to retreat.
Then Vice General Li's usual loud voice came through the dirty military tent: "I really don't know what this prince thinks, instead of enjoying himself in the palace, he wants to suffer in this remote village! He's causing trouble for us!"
Then General Wang yelled in a low voice, "Shut up! You and I can talk about the noble prince?"
Then there was Lieutenant General Li's unconvinced murmur: "I was right. Daily military training is exhausting, and I have to spend time and energy taking care of such a weak ancestor..."
Then the sound gradually faded away, maybe they had gone far away.
I felt a sense of humiliation, clenched my fists tightly, thought for a while, then lifted the quilt, stood up abruptly, picked up the porridge that Li Zhongquan had just put on the table, and ate it with big mouthfuls.
The porridge was a little cold, but I didn't care, and I ate it without chopsticks.
After finishing the bowl, I shouted loudly, "Li Zhongquan!"
Li Zhongquan, who had been waiting outside, ran in and stared at the empty bowl in my hand for a moment.
I said, "Go, get me another bowl!"
It took Li Zhongquan a while to react, and he ran out, taking another bowl after a while.
In this way, I ate three bowls of rice in a row, completely ignoring the stunned Li Zhongquan next to me.
The porridge is not good, but I don't have so many worries, I just think I must get better soon.
I want to become strong and protect Nuxi... I can suffer as much as I can.
The next day, I got up at five o'clock together with the sergeants.
They were surprised when they saw me. I sat on the floor calmly, eating porridge and pickles like the soldiers, without any hesitation.
General Wang asked in surprise: "Prince, this is... your noble body..."
I drank the last bit of porridge in the bowl, wiped my mouth, and interrupted him: "My illness is cured. Take me to watch the soldiers drill today."
General Wang's eyes changed again and again, and finally responded with the firm tone unique to the soldier: "Yes."
When I first joined the army, I didn't even know how to use some weapons, but I was not discouraged, and I was eager to learn.General Wang is often busy with major military affairs, so I often ask Vice General Li for advice.
Lieutenant General Li is a straightforward man. Maybe he thought I was just joking when I joined the army at the beginning. up.
That day when I read the military book at night with the lamp burning, Lieutenant General Li suddenly opened the tent and came in.
I put down the book of war, got up and invited him to the table, and said, "I don't know what important business Lieutenant General Li has?"
He looked at me up and down, and said, "I will be on duty at the end of tonight. I saw the lights in the prince's tent are still on, so I'll come and take a look." He glanced at the "Synopsis of the Art of War" on the desk and asked, "The prince's daily Are you watching this?"
I nodded and explained: "I still have a lot of things I don't understand, so I have to work hard at night to study."
Vice-General Li was taken aback for a moment, sighed for a long time, cupped his fists and said to me: "The general is a rough man, and he doesn't know how to beat around the bush. If the prince is rude, please don't blame him. The prince is the emperor's beloved son. Wealth and power are born with power, why do you have to suffer in this remote and cold place? The prince is losing weight day by day after working hard every day. This is obvious to all in the army. I don't understand why the prince is working so hard? The general can't keep things in his heart, so he really can't complain..."
I was silent, and after a long time I replied: "Because I don't want to be inactive, I want to become strong, so strong that I can protect the people I want to protect..."
Lieutenant General Li quickly asked, "But a woman?"
I was taken aback, then chuckled, "How does Vice General Li know?"
Lieutenant General Li smiled, a little embarrassed, scratched the back of his head and said: "Since ancient times, heroes have been saddened by beauty. There is also a good sister in the general's family who is waiting for the general, just waiting for this Chinese New Year to go home to visit relatives and marry her... ..."
I looked at Lieutenant General Li's rosy and happy face, cupped my hands enviously and congratulated, "Then congratulations."
Lieutenant General Li also clasped his fists in return, and for some reason, he caught sight of the purse on the desk. He got up and walked over to pick up the purse to have a look.
It was a purse that Nu Xi embroidered for me, and I would look through it a few times when I had spare time.
He weighed the purse in his hand, frowned, and said, "This purse... To be honest, it's not very embroidered."
He turned his head and asked me bluntly: "Why does the prince wear such an ugly purse? Could this be the woman you like..."
I walked over, took the purse in my hand, and carefully put it back inside.
Lieutenant General Li curled his lips and said, "A woman must have a good female celebrity to manage the house. The prince also likes such a woman?"
I nodded and replied seriously: "Love. Very cute."
Later, Lieutenant General Li and I gradually became acquainted. I found that although he spoke very bluntly, he was warm-hearted and forthright. Soon after, we became good friends who cared for each other.
I practice martial arts riding and archery every day during the day, and study the art of war at night. I gradually get used to the strict style of the army, and my body gradually becomes stronger.
Until half a year later, when I confronted Lieutenant General Li and I picked him off the horse, everyone was stunned there.
General Wang applauded first, then all the surrounding soldiers, and finally Lieutenant General Li also clapped vigorously. He extended his thumb to me and smiled at me.
At that moment, I felt extremely joyful, and how much I wanted to share it with Nuxi...
What can make those hard-earned soldiers respect is not their status, but martial arts and morality, so I gradually established my prestige in the army.
They praised me and said: "The Twelve Princes have quite the demeanor of Prince Yu..."
Brother Four has a high prestige in the army, but I think one day I will catch up with him, and even surpass him.
Because there was no fighting for the time being, on the first day, half of the soldiers were allowed to have a three-day holiday to go home for the New Year reunion.
I was sitting in the tent reading a book quietly, and the lively laughter of the soldiers outside suddenly became louder. I looked up, and it turned out that it was Li Zhongquan who opened the tent and came in.
Li Zhongquan took some wine and meat in his hand, put them in front of me, and said, "Prince, rest."
I nodded and took a sip from my glass.
I sighed after drinking, wondering what Nuxi is doing now?In the past, we would all watch palace lanterns and fireworks together at this time.I don't know what kind of new hairstyle she will wear, what kind of new clothes she will wear, but she is very beautiful anyway.
At this time Li Zhongquan said: "Prince, I see that you are bored tonight, how about I recommend a good place for you?"
I looked up at him and asked with a smile, "Where is it?"
"Wow, Tianxiang Tower."
Tianxianglou is a well-known official brothel in the local area, and it is said to be vivid in the mouths of the locals.It is said that the old bustard in Tianxiang Tower is strict in teaching, and the girls in Tianxiang Tower are all beautiful and beautiful, and they are proficient in all kinds of piano, chess, calligraphy and painting. It is a good place for local dignitaries to visit.Official brothels are naturally different from ordinary brothels, with elegant and interesting decorations, so they also attract many literati to patronize.They don't necessarily go to prostitutes, they mostly go there to recite poems and paint pictures, and chat with the women there.
I smiled and shook my head, "No."
Li Zhongquan persuaded unwillingly: "I heard that Tianxianglou is very lively today, let's just go and have a look..."
I am calm.
Li Zhongquan sighed regretfully when he saw that I was unmoved. At this time, a neatly dressed woman came in through the tent.
The woman knelt under me and said: "General Wang asked the servants to serve the prince tonight."
I was taken aback, I knew that General Wang had specially called more than 20 military prostitutes to comfort the sergeant today, but I never thought that he would specially arrange one for me.
I waved my hand and said, "I don't need it, you can go down."
The woman was taken aback, she might have misunderstood me, she lowered her eyebrows and said: "This servant is very clean, not yet..."
I said, "That's not what I meant... you'd better go down."
The woman trembled slightly, her eyes were full, she felt aggrieved, and said: "The madam ordered the slave to serve the prince well, if the prince drives the slave out, the madam might reprimand the slave..."
I shook my head helplessly, got up and said, "Li Zhongquan, let's go for a walk."
Li Zhongquan looked at me with some doubts, but followed me out with my fur robe without asking any further questions.
Before leaving, I said to the woman: "You can sleep in my tent tonight, and report to the madam tomorrow morning."
The night of the first day was very cold, and the coldness of Guangning Street added to the coldness.
Li Zhongquan's fur robe was not as good as mine, and he stamped his feet in the cold.
Suddenly the lights in front were brightly lit, and there were faint cheers and words from men and women. Looking up, it turned out to be Tianxianglou.
As if seeing a savior, Li Zhongquan breathed into his hands to keep warm and begged, "Prince, let's sit inside for a while! It's good to take shelter from the cold for a while."
"We don't have to do anything, just sit down and listen to a ditty!"
"The little one has long wanted to come and see it, but it's just that I don't have enough status! Prince, it's hard for us to come here today, so you can take the little one in to see and see, so that the little one can also feel what it's like for a classy person to compose a poem ...The prince is very kind..."
In the end, I couldn't help his pestering in every possible way, and the weather became colder, so I took him into the Tianxiang Building.
Quite different from the cold and deserted outside, Tianxianglou is full of red flowers and green willows, warm and fragrant, singing and laughing, and full of excitement.
A bustard dressed in bright colors came over with a red handkerchief and smiled warmly, saying warmly: "Oh, this guest officer is handsome, and he seems to be doing great things at first glance. I don't seem to have seen a nobleman before, and it must be the first time." Come on... oh my, it's really an honor for our Tianxiang Tower...what's your name?"
Li Zhongquan was very proud and just wanted to reveal my identity, but I just interrupted her and said: "Give me a private room, and make a pot of good tea..."
The old bustard repeatedly nodded in agreement, and asked: "Which girl would you like to order? Every girl in our place is one of the best..." Suddenly, as if remembering something, she pointed and said: "There is a girl today. If you want to open the buds, why don't you take a look here first. That girl, not to mention her appearance, she has a good manner, after all, she used to be a lady from an official family who was raised in a deep boudoir..."
I'm not interested, and I just waved my hand to refuse. At this time, the beating of gongs and drums had already begun, and I only heard a male servant shouting at the top of his voice: "Yunnu—the reserve price is fifteen taels!"
I couldn't help but stop, it was such a word "slave" that attracted me.
I saw that woman standing on a stage covered with a red carpet, wearing a long magenta dress and a red hijab. If it wasn't for such an occasion, she would really look like she was when she was married.
Those customers wearing brocade yelled before bidding: "Why is the whole body covered? Anyway, we have to look at the goods and let the men see if they are worth so much money!"
The male servant didn't even think about it, and suddenly lifted the corner of the woman's long skirt, revealing her feet.He said with a smile: "How? Are you satisfied with this pair of jade feet?"
The woman dodged in panic, and the men in the audience laughed even more happily, "These feet are really nice, petite and tender, with lotuses growing every step of the way!" After speaking, some people went to molested the woman's feet.
The woman hid even harder, but she couldn't stop the molestation of the people below.
I shook my head, but I didn't want to meddle in other people's business. I was about to climb up the stairs, but when the woman dodged her hijab, a naughty guest took the opportunity to tear off the red mandarin duck hijab, and her appearance suddenly appeared. In front of everyone.
There was a low sound of admiration below.
What surprised me, however, was the look in her eyes.
That kind of helplessness, that kind of hatred, and unwillingness to fate.
Like a slave.
(Yun slave)
My name is Yunge.
My mother died early, and my father was the magistrate of Shengzhou, who regarded me as the apple of his eye since childhood.
When I grew up, because of my beauty and talent, I looked down on those dudes, so I refused several marriages.
Dad once asked me with a sigh: "My good daughter, what kind of man can get into your eyes?"
I said coquettishly, "My daughter doesn't know either, but she knows that none of them belongs to her heart."
Dad played with the Ye Mingzhu in his hand, and asked me with a smile: "If you drag it on, you're not too young, so you're not afraid that you won't be able to get married in the future?"
I curled my lips: "If you can't find the person in your heart, then the daughter would rather not marry for the rest of her life. Wouldn't it be good to just serve Dad at home for the rest of her life?"
Dad smiled wryly and shook his head, "Women will eventually marry. If your mother knows, she will definitely blame me."
However, when I was sixteen, my father was exiled to a remote place in Zhangzhou because of corruption and accepting bribes. His family property was confiscated into the treasury, the maid was a prostitute, and the male servant was a slave. I was also sent to an official brothel.
However, even though my father corrupted the law and fished the people and made the people complain and everyone resented me, I don't hate my father because he loves me so much.
The days in the official brothel were very hard. They often had to get up before dawn to clean the courtyard, do laundry and cook, and practice singing and dancing in the afternoon until night.But the most uncomfortable thing is the viciousness of the madam, who often goes up to whip and scold if she doesn't like it.
When I first arrived at the official brothel, I confronted the madam because I was not convinced, and then the madam who was enraged beat me with a whip, and finally made me roll all over the floor.
In the dead of night, I couldn't sleep because of the burning pain all over my body, and I didn't even dare to turn over.
At that time, I often secretly shed tears.
I remembered my father was wearing a shabby prison uniform and shackles when he left, and said tearfully: "The most regretful thing about my father is that he didn't marry you off earlier, otherwise I wouldn't implicate you, my poor daughter... ...Daddy is really worried about you..."
I was so sad and guilty, I didn't expect that my waywardness at the beginning would become my father's last worry and concern.
Later, I gradually obeyed and never dared to contradict the madam again.But I was very unwilling in my heart, thinking about my father spending a lot of money to ask teachers to teach me piano, chess, calligraphy and painting since I was a child, but I didn't expect to use it here to be humiliated.
After half a year of teaching, the madam began to let me receive guests.
It is impossible for me not to resist, but that resistance is so useless and small.
They put on a red robe for me, which really looked like I was getting married.But those women dress themselves up with happiness, but this means the beginning of my life of humiliation.
When I was placed on the stage like an item, and listening to the voice of bidding below, a feeling of humiliation surged up again.Those disgusting so-called dignitaries with big bellies were laughing lewdly below, and even took the opportunity to touch me. My resistance was of no avail. At that moment, I was so helpless and desperate.
In the end, the second son of the prefect of Guangning bought me for thirty taels.It was a well-known local loafer, and I closed my eyes when I saw him looking lewdly at me.
A tear rolled down from the corner of his eye.
This is my life.
When I waited for my fate to be taken away by him, there was a sudden commotion below.
I only heard the angry voice of the second young master: "My uncle just bought her with money! Why should I give it to him? I don't even ask who the old man is!"
Then she heard the madam's flattering laughter, and she said in a low voice, "That master seems to have a lot of background!"
I opened my eyes and saw Second Young Master's ugly face full of dissatisfaction, "What's the origin? I'm the magistrate here! Tell that man to come and see me!"
The bustard carefully pointed at a man, and continued to smile apologetically, "That slave wouldn't dare. Look, it's that master."
I followed the direction of the madam, but secretly marveled, that is really a handsome young man.
The madam is well-informed and has always had a good eye. She must think that the young master is valuable, so she did not hesitate to offend the second young master to come and ask for a treat.
Surprisingly, when the Second Young Master saw him, he felt like a ball that had been punctured suddenly, and suddenly lost his breath.
The young master smiled calmly, walked to the side of the second young master, and said, "I remember that I saw you when your father was helping me. Are you the second young master of the prefect?"
The second young master knelt on the ground with a "plop" and kowtowed repeatedly, "The little one has eyes but no eyes, please twelve..."
At this time, the young master reached out his hand to stop him from continuing, "You just need to know. How about it, can the second young master give up that girl to me?"
The second son nodded again and again.
The man turned to the madam and said, "I don't know how much silver would it cost to redeem this young lady?"
The bustard was stunned for a moment, rolled her eyes to calculate, and finally stretched out two fingers with a charming smile, "Yunnu is our signature girl in Tianxianglou, at least one hundred taels."
The man agreed without thinking about it, nodded and said, "Okay. I didn't bring so much silver today, and I will send someone to bring it over tomorrow. I will take this girl away first."
The madam had never heard of such a rule, and she was a little anxious, but the second young master winked frequently, she couldn't hold back her words after thinking about it.
I was a little taken aback looking at the changes in front of me, what happened?Is this young man in front of you buying me?
He and his entourage walked out of Tianxiang Tower, and I followed step by step under the signal of the madam.
He suddenly stopped and looked back at me, saying, "You are free now. Don't go to that kind of place again, find something serious to do."
I felt a little wronged when I heard it, and it was not my own willingness to go to that kind of place.
After he finished speaking, he didn't care about me anymore, and continued walking forward without looking back.
I didn't leave, I still followed him.
The manservant noticed it, looked back at me again and again, and finally said something to him in a low voice, then he turned around and looked at me in surprise, asking, "Why haven't you left yet?"
I was a little ashamed, and stammered: "I... I don't know where I'm going. The nobleman paid me to buy me, and I am willing to serve the nobleman as a slave and a horse in the future, as long as you can take me in."
He shook his head with a wry smile, "I'm in the army, how can I carry you as a burden."
I was surprised to hear that he was a sergeant.But it must be a very high-ranking general who can make the Second Young Master so fearful.Could it be the general?Can there be such a young general?
这时那男仆说道：“军士们不少的衣服破洞该打补丁了，正缺少一名会作针线活的……男人手脚粗笨，补得歪歪斜斜的还不牢靠……”
我马上接道：“我会做针线活的。”
那男子有些无可奈何，转身没说什么。
我愣在原地，不知道该走还是离开。只见那男仆向我偷偷招了招手，我想毕竟他没有拒绝我，于是欢欢喜喜地跟了上去。
后来我才知道原来他是当今圣上的第十二个儿子，难怪当时二公子唤“十二”，但这是我无论如何想不到的——那样高贵的人怎么会来这种地方受苦呢？
我在军营中除了为士兵们洗洗补补，还每天自主的到十二皇子的军帐中为他打扫收拾。
他刚开始拒绝，但是我也只笑笑，每日依然准时过来，他后来拗不过我，也就随我去了。
我基本负担起整个驻军的衣物修补工作，虽然很累很辛苦，但是我每次看到他的军帐就会涌起一种温暖，便如何都不觉得苦了。
每当夜晚时，只有他的帐和我的是亮着的，他在苦读兵书，而我在纫针补衣。
无论多冷，我的帐总是要打开一个缝，只是为了能无论何时抬头都能望到他帐中的灯火，那已经成为了我的幸福。
他待人谦和，从不拿皇子的架子，军士上下都很爱戴他；他对我说话温和，然而却总是感觉他拒我于千里之外，有点冷漠。
直到有一次他突然问我：“你以前就叫云奴吗？”
我微微吃惊，但是心中也涌起了好多好多喜悦，缘于他一丁点的关心和注意。
我摇了摇头说：“'奴'是后来鸨母为我改的名字……”
然后我喃喃地说：“若不是我这样的境地，怎么会有女子以这个字为名呢……”
他的眼神有些复杂，但是却仿佛回忆到什么，眼底渐渐泛上柔意。
那样的柔意，是我以前从来没有见过的。
后来我服侍他久了，发现那样的柔意并不少见，每次他拿出那荷包时都会露出那样的神情。
我曾趁着为他斟茶的名义偷偷打量那个荷包，那个荷包……真的不太好看。
我在心中揣测过无数次，那个荷包的主人是谁？宫女？不，听说宫中的婢女们手艺好得很；小姐？小姐都受过很好的教育，即便手艺真的不好，还可以找丫鬟替做；乡村野姑？以他的身份什么样的女子得不到，又何必这样苦苦相思呢？
多少次，我差点抑制不住自己脱口欲问，那女子到底是怎样的？但是我终究问不出口，我甚至怕知道答案。
日子就在我苦闷的揣测中过去，然后是太后寿辰，他奉命回京。
他的喜悦之情溢于言表，而我是如何忍着痛楚强颜欢笑为他整理行李，他回去是要与那名女子相见吧？
看到他离开的背影，我再也抑制不住掉下了眼泪。
因为我的幸福在他身上，而他的幸福却在于离开我到别的女子身边……
日子在我的苦思中度过，令我想不到的是，他很快就回来了。
我不知他如何赶路的，只是回来时他浑身狼狈，憔悴不堪。
他是倒在军营外，被人发现抬回来的。
他发着高烧，口中不知反复说着什么，直到终于有一天我听清了一个字：奴。
刚开始我以为他是在叫我，但是无论我怎样呼喊他他也没有回应。
后来他的病好了，却仿佛变成了另外一个人。虽然每日还是起早贪黑严格作息，却明显感到他变了。
他常常眉宇凝重地望向北方，我知道那是京城的方向。
那名女子怎么了？died?还是负了他？
这样的结果却引不起我的一丝暗自庆幸，他的伤痛于我而然是更大的伤痛。
他变的喜爱酗酒，常常是喝得酩酊大醉然后倒头就睡。
我奋力夺过他手中的酒壶，劝道：“皇子，您振作些！”
他愣了愣，那么突然地抬头看我，痛心地问我：“云奴，是不是女子都贪慕权贵？是不是？”
我的心头一阵酸楚，硬是咽下了眼泪，摇头说：“不是……最起码云奴不是。”
他看着我，摇了摇头，“我不该问你的……毕竟……你不是她……”
我听了索性扔掉了酒壶，从后面环抱住他，“忘了她吧，皇子！忘了她，她背叛了你，可是还有云奴在，永远也不背叛您……永远也不会……只看着皇子一个人……”
他回头拉住我的手，看着我，慢慢地，慢慢地吻着我。
他吐了一口酒气，拦腰将我抱起来放在床榻上……平时那样儒雅的男子，今夜却不懂得怜香惜玉。
即便只是替身我也无怨无悔……
我迎合着他，吻着他，心中默默祈祷，上天啊，请一定要赐给十二皇子幸福……
第二天他酒醒了，看见了我，有些沉默。
他起身默默地穿衣，我拿起被单遮住自己的身体忧郁地看着他。
他迈着大步掀起军帐要走了，我忍不住唤了他一声。
他回过头看我，神色是复杂的，语气却是淡淡的，“以后不要再做活了。还有，一会儿叫李忠全去市上买几件喜欢的衣服吧……”
他走了，我掩着脸呜呜地哭了。
好高兴，他承认我了……
后来军营中都知道我是他的妾了，对我都敬重客气了许多，他们还特意将我的帐子移到了皇子军帐的旁边。
皇子从来没有主动叫过我，但是每当我去他的帐中服侍他时他也没有拒绝。
我在他身下，伸手抚上他的脸，“皇子，叫叫我的名字好吗？”
他没有回答，只是占有我更加激烈起来。
云雨过后，我枕在他的胸上，轻柔地抚摸着他。没有关系，我愿意等，等你为我敞开心扉……
后来宫中传来了圣旨说殊贤妃身子不适，令十二皇子速速回宫。
我能看出他是不情愿的，但是圣意难违，只有收拾行李上路。
那是我第一次进宫，那巍峨的宫殿让人惊叹让人震撼，原来这就是他一直生活的地方。
殊贤妃是个很和蔼的人，她丝毫没有瞧不起我的意思，反而很热情地拉着我的手向我嘘寒问暖。
我想只有这样有涵养的母亲才能生出如十二皇子般那样优秀的儿子吧。
但是没想到如此渺小的我竟也惊动了高高在上的帝贵妃。
她的美丽她的聪慧在宫外早已传得绘声绘色，谁都知道她是当今圣上隆宠无比的人。
虽然帝贵妃说明天要接见我，但是今天就有两名司仪的姑姑来教习我如何行礼。
单是走路一项，就要讲究每步迈多大，走多少步才可跪拜，目光投向哪等，更不用说下跪请安之礼如何繁冗了。
教习的姑姑边演示边严厉地告诫我说：“看，一定要这样曲膝……一定要下弯得很低，最重要的是要带有十二分的恭敬，懂吗？”
我一边不敢怠慢照样子做着，一边暗忖好像宫中的人都很紧张贵妃，难道她长得很凶神恶煞不成？
可是等到我真的拜见她时，我反而目瞪口呆在那儿了。
她长得一点也不凶神恶煞，反而脸上挂着微微的笑，让人感到无比的亲切。
原来世上真的有如此美貌的女子啊……她简直要把天下所有的女子都比下去了。难怪当今圣上独宠她一人，也难怪十二皇子对女人很冷淡，若是每日看到这样的美人，那么其他的女人算是什么呢……
我真是自惭形秽啊。
我把自己的头压得低低的，不敢抬起来。
怪不得宫中的女人惧怕她，她的美貌真的会让人感到惧怕。
她的声音也十分好听，让人想到山中汩汩的甜泉，她在上面问我：“你叫云奴？”
我强压住自己的紧张，回答说：“是。”
她在上面说话，我在下面小心应合着。
我发现她的语气始终淡淡的，但却有种不容置疑的口吻，让人不敢反驳，而是不知不觉地听命于她。
也许这就是人们所说的不怒而威吧。
她伸出纤纤素手接过宫娥剥好的葡萄吃了一个，然后说：“你服侍十二皇子有功，你父亲受苦应该也知道教训了，本宫现在就赦了他，让你们父女团聚吧。”
我吃惊地抬起头，简直不敢相信自己听到的。
想当初我散尽最后一点首饰托人求情而毫无结果，而现在就在她的一句话之间爹爹就可以被赦免了吗？他人的命运就是在她随意的一句话中就被决定了么？
那该是多么了不起的女子啊……
我感激涕零地连连磕头，自己也忍不住流下欣喜地泪水。
但是想起姑姑告诫自己不能在贵妃娘娘面前露出任何失仪的地方，我又连忙擦拭干净竭力忍住了。
她轻轻笑了笑没有在意，临走时说：“好好照顾十二皇子。”
但是在无限的欣喜过后，我又不太明白，为什么帝贵妃那样高贵的人会接见我呢？又为什么赐我以如此大的恩惠呢？
然后我突然被我自己的想法吓了一跳，也许，她就是……
不……若是那样十二皇子岂不是犯了大忌，对我也实在太残忍了。那样的女子，根本无人能与她相比。
于是我带着侥幸问服侍我的宫娥：“小千，我跟你打听打听贵妃娘娘叫什么名字？”
那宫娥被吓了一跳，小声说：“夫人刚刚进宫，可能有些规矩不知道，这可是涉及名讳的事……贵妃娘娘的名字可不是随便可以议论的。”
我也小声说：“我只是好奇想问问。你告诉我，我决不传第二人耳。”
她见我坚持，拗不过我便说：“夫人可要守信诺啊。贵妃娘娘闺名叫妇虞。”
我听了暗暗松了口气，原来真的是自己多想了。
然而那宫娥又接着说：“贵妃娘娘还有个小名叫奴兮，不过更不是我们这些下人能说出口的了……”
那一刻，我如掉进十月冰窟，不禁地打了个寒颤。
十二皇子，原来你真的……