Chapter 20 Chapter Twenty

Wu Yingyun silently stared at her series of actions without speaking. The girl with beautiful eyes always stared at a pair of big eyes, as if they were full of affection, as charming as a deer.After staying in the Zhongcui Palace for a few months, and not long after entering the harem, he always does things in a messy and careless manner.Even when she was serving the bed for the first time, she forgot to report the time to the eunuch of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and it was she, who had experienced it, thought of it for her.However, after getting along for a long time, I actually forgot that she is also the daughter of a wealthy family in Shangsanqi.At the same time, she also forgot how she bullied those beautiful girls from inferior backgrounds when she was receiving training in Zhongcui Palace...

"This 'sister' is really sweet. But I'm afraid only you know what you're doing behind the scenes." Xi Xiang was taken aback, "Sister..." "Why do you still want to pretend to be stupid now?" Wu Yingyun looked at her with a smile that was not a smile, her eyes were as cold as cold springs, "Two days ago, you took the little princess to wait for Concubine Qin in the imperial garden, right? You deliberately walked away first, and let the little princess sit on a high railing, so as to perform a bitter scene in front of the concubine. I really don’t understand, it is I who promoted you to the harem, and I will treat you with confidence It's also my palace. Li Qingwan is just a disused concubine who entered the North Fifth Institute, why bother you to plead for her even after all your efforts?"

"Sister Yun, I..." After hearing what she said, Xi Xiang's eyes widened in shock, and then they filled with tears. "Why, I was scared by Bengong, and I still feel ashamed?" Wu Yingyun looked at her aggrieved appearance, and the sullenness in her heart was even stronger.It was this pitiful and ignorant false appearance that even she was deceived.He also thought about supporting her well in the future, so that when he gets old and frail, he can have someone to rely on in the palace.Unfortunately, he was blind! "Sister Yun, I didn't do that on purpose. I happened to meet Concubine Qin that day and saw the little princess sitting on the railing. Something... I don't know if I ran into the empress dowager..."

"I don't know what I have said and what I have done?" Wu Yingyun shook her hand violently, swept all the dishes on the table to the ground, then got up, and angrily grabbed her collar, "Even if you No matter how stupid and ignorant you are, you should know that there is no room for two tigers in this palace. I and Concubine Wan are deadly enemies, I put her in the cold palace with great difficulty, but now you want to intercede for her?" Xixiang opened her mouth wide in astonishment, as if stuffing a ball into her mouth, "I... I don't know, so it's my sister..."

"I didn't know before, but now I'm going to tell you——At the beginning, the concubine Wan used the little princess to frame me and almost killed the little princess. The empress dowager knew her evil intentions, so she ordered her to be imprisoned in the North Fifth Palace. Now everything is calm. Now, you, a little noble who has just been promoted, want to turn the tide and rescue her from the sea of ​​suffering, you are simply ignorant!" Xi Xiang shivered her shoulders and burst into tears, "Sister, I just thought that the little princess was too pitiful. I really didn't mean to tear down my sister's platform. My sister spared me..."

Wu Yingyun did not let go of the hand holding her collar, but stretched out the other hand, seemingly gently stroking the satin-like smooth cheek, "You are my good sister... Bengong personally kissed her How could you hold grudges against you when you brought her into the harem? However, since you love the little princess so much, you might as well move in and live with me! The Changchun Palace is empty and lonely, and my younger sister stays with her older sister in the Xianfu Palace. Taking care of the little princess's daily life from now on will not be in vain of the concubine's entrustment!"

The face that was close at hand was smiling like a flower, but Xi Xiang shivered, bit her lip sadly, nodded and then nodded. The morning dew has not yet dried up, and the flowers and leaves in the courtyard are rustling in the light mist.Before the hour came, Lian Xin and Yu Shu got up early to work.In the West Garden, several bolts of cloth and hanging satin have been washed, and they are hung on the shelves one by one. The fresh smell of acacia wafts everywhere, but there is still a thick stack on the other side that needs to be washed. In a blink of an eye, half a month has already been spent in Xinzheku. Compared with the teaching time in Zhongcui Palace, it is naturally humble and poor, but it is also far away from the center of intrigue, leaving only a small group of people who are noisy all day long noisy.Just like now, Lian Xin is hanging up the freshly washed cloth in the yard. On the other side, Yu Shu is arguing with the other maidservants. other people.

"My bed was wet a lot last night, could it be your fault?" "Who says it's us, you can't see your own place, and you have the nerve to rely on others." "Don't dare to say no, you go in with me, the mark is still there, I don't know what you splashed." Yu Shu snorted, grabbed their collars and walked into the house. The wrapped servants would not listen to her, and pushed her away hard. Yu Shu was pushed and fell to the ground, red. Eyes, rushed forward and wrestled with them. "Okay, you guys bully me because of the large number of people, and see if I won't make you look good!" Yu Shu couldn't suppress his anger, shouted, stood up and ran into the house.There was a copper pot in the corner, which was still full of cold water. Yushu picked it up, ran to Tongpu without any explanation, and poured water on everyone's place, "Let you bully people, I use cold water, it's still cheap I'm sorry for you. I'm in a hurry, my aunt will sprinkle water for you to wash your feet!"

The slaves who came in after seeing this were all stunned. Seeing that their bedding and pillows were all dizzy, they became anxious the next moment. Some went up to grab Yushu's hand, and some pushed her. Yushu was no match for many enemies alone, he was pushed to the ground, and was punched and kicked by everyone.Yu Shu stood up and fought with them with brute force, and they were torn together again like this. "Hit her, dare to act wild in our place, kill her!" The other maidservants shouted provocatively, mixed with noise and cursing.But at this moment, a burning smell rushed into his breath, and Xiunu, who was pulling Yushu's hands and feet, looked at the smell, and suddenly opened her mouth wide in shock, "It's on fire!"

The kerosene lamp was pushed onto the bed when they were arguing, and as soon as the cotton wool was ignited, several places in the area immediately caught fire. The palace maids screamed and ran out of the house regardless. No one thought that they should take the kettle to put out the fire on the bed at this moment, and no one thought that once the fire spread, even the window curtains and tablecloths were burned. Caught off guard. "Firefighter, it's on fire!" When Lian Xin heard the sound and rushed over, thick black smoke had already risen from the room, and a pungent smell came over her face.

"Yu Shu, where are you?" Thick smoke was billowing, and as the heat waves hit, Lian Xin covered her mouth and nose, coughing uncontrollably from the smoke.Everyone else ran out in scattered directions. In the white smoke, there was only a thin figure walking towards him, "Lian Xin——" Lian Xin heaved a sigh of relief when she heard this faint cry.She supported the visitor and saw that Yu Shu's entire face was blackened, her hair was messy, and her cuffs and collar were torn. "How are you? Did you get hurt anywhere?" Yu Shu coughed twice more, and shook his head in shock. At this moment, other palace maids had already gathered around, the fire in the room was very intense, and thick smoke was coming out from the windows and the door.Yu Shu hugged her shoulders, opened her mouth slightly, her face was already very ugly. "It's all you, why did you provoke this? Look, the fire has burned like this, and the house has been destroyed. How will you explain to your aunt in a while?" Yu Shu was already on the verge of collapse, and immediately exploded when he heard this, "How dare you say it's me, if you didn't bully others, how could there be trouble?" During the conversation, the two sides started to argue again. Lian Xin grabbed Yu Shu, but looked at the maidservants on the opposite side and said, "Stop arguing, take a quick look, have all the people inside come out?" The palace maids looked at each other, and then remembered to count the number of people, but after counting around, they found that one was missing. "Too bad, Xiaorui hasn't come out yet!" At this moment, a faint cry came from the burning house, which was covered by billowing smoke.The palace maids all put away their irrelevant expressions and became anxious. "Xiaorui is inside, I can hear her voice!" "But the fire is so big now, if you rush in, you will definitely die. What should we do?" The few people present looked at me and I looked at you, with deep anxiety and fear on their smoky faces, but no one moved.At this moment, a figure beside him suddenly ran to the side of the shelf, picked up a piece of coarse hanging satin on it, filled the water tank with water, put it on his body, and rushed into the flames quickly. "Lian Xin—" Yu Shu shouted anxiously from behind, but his voice was quickly drowned out by the loud sound of the beam collapsing. The fire in the house burned more and more fiercely, and thick smoke blocked the view.Lian Xin covered her mouth and nose with her soaked sleeve, ignoring the scorching heat above her head, she stooped to find the source of the cry for help.The maid was found on the ground at the innermost side of the Tongpu. It turned out that after she fell down, she was crushed by the collapsed lattice frame at the corner. "Help... help..." Lian Xin was draped in hanging satin, and walked around the raging fire source to her side. The lattice frame above was already scalding by the fire. Lian Xin pushed it away with great effort, her palms were burnt to pieces, but she ignored the pain and helped the maid on the ground. Just run outside the door. "Lian Xin, come out quickly, the main beam is about to collapse!" Yu Shu's terrified cry came from outside, Lian Xin exerted all her strength, pushed her hands hard, and with the strength of the threshold, sent herself and the maid in her arms out - at that moment, the beam collapsed. When Panchun arrived, half of the housing estate had been burned down in the fire.Thick smoke billowed into the sky, and the fire was still burning due to the wind. A palace maid had already carried a bucket to put out the fire, but it could not be remedied. Everyone sat on the ground like the rest of their lives after a catastrophe, their cheeks were black and red, Yu Shu and a few maids caught the maid who was dragged out by Lian Xin.The maid had already lost consciousness, Yu Shu patted her face, and after a long while, she woke up slowly. "Who will tell me what's going on? It's all right, why did the house burn down? Are you all dead, and you didn't even try to save it when you saw such a big fire?" All the women stood in a row in disgrace, not moving at all.Panchun's face was as black as the bottom of a pot, and his scrutinizing eyes swept over everyone's faces, and finally fell on Yushu and Lianxin. He thought that since these two people came, nothing good happened. Followed by bad luck. "Tell me, how did the fire start?" Panchun asked sharply. The maids looked at each other, but no one spoke. Panchun's face became more and more gloomy, and he shouted: "Okay, don't say anything, right? If you don't say anything, they will all be dragged to the House of Internal Affairs and beaten to death! Come on—" When the voice fell, the servant beside him Immediately stepped forward, assuming that everyone would be taken down. Yu Shu pursed his mouth awkwardly, and at this moment, he took a step forward, "Auntie, it's my fault! I accidentally knocked over the kerosene lamp! If you want to punish me, fine me!" Yu Shu stood up with a stiff neck, and all the maids were stunned. Pan Chun cast his eyes away, and said with a half-smile: "Young master Yushu, can't hold on anymore? Xinzheku is not a place where everyone can stay, but the crime of burning down the house is not a punishment, or a punishment. It's as simple as being kicked out of the palace. I don't know if the board of the House of Internal Affairs can stand it, or it's the branding iron of the Clan House..." Yushu shuddered, bit her lip, but remained silent. Right and wrong, she has a steelyard in her heart, even if those slaves in clothes pick things up first, it is because she is too impulsive.I have endured it for such a long time, and I can't bear it for such a small thing, but it has caused such a big disaster.Ever since she knew that someone hadn't escaped, she was already green with regret.If that Xiaorui died because of this, if Lian Xin was involved in it because of saving others, how could she feel so embarrassed, and what kind of face would she be living in the world for the rest of her life? "Anyway, it's my fault. I shouldn't have quarreled with them, I shouldn't have fought. Auntie will follow the rules. Whether it's killing or cutting, I admit it!" "I saw them arguing with my own eyes, but I didn't step forward to stop them. I was also at fault." Lian Xin said softly, and took a step forward. Yu Shu turned his eyes in a daze, looked at the girl standing beside him with emotion, wanted to say something, and even wanted to stop it.Lian Xin curled her lips slightly, and shook her head towards her, with a gentle smile on her face. The wind blew the skirts like clouds, and the black silk drooped down their cheeks. The two standing side by side, one delicate and the other pretty, could not hide their beauty even though they were wearing coarse blouses.Looking at it with arms crossed, Pan Chun couldn't help smacking his lips regretfully. It's a pity that no matter how beautiful the skin is, it will be beaten to pieces by wooden boards. But at this moment, a voice suddenly sounded from behind, "Auntie, I also have a share!" Yu Shu and Lian Xin looked back and found that it was the palace maid pouring cold water on the bed.After she finished speaking, she pursed her lips, looked at Yu Shu with some guilt, and then looked away uncomfortably. "Auntie, and me!" "And I!" "I followed suit!" After a while, all the maidservants behind stood up beside Lian Xin and Yu Shu, and they lined up in a row.Seeing this, Yu Shu was surprised, and smiled at Lian Xin, seeing in each other's eyes the warmth and friendship of the rest of his life after the catastrophe. Pan Chun looked at the crowd with some amusement, and it was the first time that she found that these palace maids under her were in the same spirit and helping each other.But Dao is the two newcomers, so they really have such a big influence, so that the lowly maids who have always been selfish and selfish have begun to follow suit? She squinted her eyes, and suddenly remembered the two words given by the Ministry of Internal Affairs when they sent people to Xin Zheku - Congquan.In the past, the women who were sent here either committed crimes or offended a certain high-status master, none of them had a good life.However, these two people were only punished as coolies for two months, after which they would have the chance to return to Zhongcui Palace.What's more special is that girl named Lian Xin. The majestic Prince Guo once came to look for her, and the Shoukang Palace also sent people to inquire about her... "I usually see all of you making noises and fighting against each other. I never imagined that you can show such loyalty at critical moments. But the palace is not a place where you can reason and judge right from wrong based on your emotions. Those who deserve punishment and those who deserve to be punished Fighting, none of you can get away! Each of you go to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to get ten boards, and as the place is no longer inhabitable, you should clean up the Beiyuan after cleaning up the aftermath." Panchun said, a little impatient He shook his hand, "Okay, don't just stay here. Before dawn tomorrow morning, this place must be tidied up, except for the burnt ruins. If I see a mess tomorrow, don't blame my subordinates." No mercy!" After she finished speaking, she ordered the servants beside her to report the house repairs to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, then turned and left. The palace maids present looked at each other in blank dismay, all of them were astonished to see that the matter passed so easily.Then the board was beaten until everyone was beaten to pieces, and they couldn't get off the ground for three days.However, everyone was extremely fortunate that the flood in the palace caused a great disaster, but it was wiped away by Panchun with a few words, and all the women felt like they had saved their lives. Since then, Xin Zhekuli's breath has suddenly become gentle, and even the usual noise and cursing have gradually turned into laughter and slapstick.Lian Xin hurt her hand because she was saving someone, and there was a palace maid who brought ointment, even though they were the most common things, they were better than nothing. It's just that Lian Xin never saw Yun Li again, whether it was the days when she was lying in bed recovering from her injuries, or the time when she was working hard on chores, her joys, sorrows, sorrows and joys, she no longer participated in that person.Even in order not to think of him, Lian Xin spent day and night washing, chopping firewood, weaving and dyeing... However, staying in Xinzhekuli, the most remote place in the deep palace, there were still news about his wedding—early September On the eighth, Niuhulu Jiajia passed the re-election again; on the tenth day of the lunar new year, Yunli entered the palace to participate in the reading; Di Fujin, getting married soon... These days the wind is even cooler, and it seems that in just one day, the flowers all over the yard wither. Early in the morning on the 15th, the night rain started, the air was filled with the fresh smell of soil and green grass, thick clouds piled up in the hazy and uncertain sky, the sun sifted through a little, and there was little sign of clearing up. Lian Xin struggled to put the split firewood together and wiped her sweat with a towel, when a voice of discussion rang out outside the garden. "I heard that the Seventeenth Prince is getting married today, and he will bring Xin Fujin into the palace to pay his respects. Then the red carpet will be spread all the way to Cangzhen Gate!" "No, the emperor personally decreed that the palace will celebrate a day with great fanfare, banquets, moon appreciation, and even the slaves and maidservants in the palace can watch the excitement. Aunt Panchun said that in order not to cause conflicts, even we can rest one day." Fifteen is round, and people are reunited.What a nice day to pick. Lian Xin listened quietly, not even noticing that the ax was dropped and hit the ground heavily.At this moment, those unexplainable emotions that have always been choked in the chest seem to have suddenly found a breakthrough to vent, surging out, and there is a tendency to be out of control. Is he really going to get married... The man who told himself with a gentle smile that he must wait for him and pass the reading is about to get married. She still remembers the morning when she first met, the bright sunlight shone on the ice satin brocade robe, and the handsome man bathed in the sun was covered with a layer of white mist, with clear and shallow pupils, as if reflecting With a bend of lakes and mountains, it is bright and warm. During the few months in the mansion, he took her to visit the Liyuan Tea House in the capital; every day after going to court, he would accompany her to practice the rules and skills he had learned; no matter how late he was busy with business, he would come back to have dinner with her... … At this moment, she really wanted to be in front of him, and asked, where did she put her?Were those soft words and promises that seemed shallow but deep in the past all just a momentary distraction?Or, it was simply because she was mistaken, he never cared about her! Lian Xin tightly clutched the corner of her skirt, her palms were flushed with rough marks.What the concubine concubine said was right, for a nobleman like him, only a daughter of noble background in Sanqi would not be humiliated.She asked herself that she was not a person who was greedy for vanity, but after all, she was always delusional, dreaming that she could stay with him for a long time, and dreaming that one day she would become the only phoenix on his branch. Footsteps suddenly sounded behind her, and someone called her timidly, "Lian...Little Master Lianxin." Lian Xin didn't look back, what a strange and ridiculous name!Few people here would call her that, only the eccentric female officer would occasionally sarcastically call herself a "servant" and call her and Yu Shu a "little master". "Little Master Lianxin, this servant is ordered by my master to give you something." She looked back, and the person behind her had been standing for a long time.The visitor was still young, with lowered brows and downcast eyes, so he would not be recognized again if he was placed in a crowd, but Lian Xin recognized him, Xiao Anzi - he was the person he arranged beside him. She remained silent, just stood there quietly, watching Xiao Anzi take out something from his bosom. It was an exquisite sachet, with lotus pattern embroidered on the satin surface, it was obvious at a glance that it was an unskilled needlework technique, even the edges were not neat.She embroidered it with her own hands and put it on for him. Lian Xin suddenly laughed, so that smoke lingered in her eyes.Why, it's not over after returning the pearl, now even a small thing she once gave him is thrown away like trash, so eager to return it? "Little Master Lianxin, the master ordered the servant to give you this sachet, and asked the servant to bring you two sentences: one is 'the words of gifts from the past, never forgotten for a moment', and the other is 'I only hope that the king's heart is like mine. Heart, I will definitely live up to lovesickness'." After Xiao Anzi finished speaking, he handed the sachet to her hand and left quietly. The wind blows the flowers and leaves, and the fragrance and dust are scattered. Lian Xin stared blankly at the simple embroidered ornament in her palm. The vanilla inside was so stuffed with dried herbs that it was a bit sticky, but then she found round balls in it. She poured them out and saw that they were red beans Bright red like blood. Ever since the nobleman lived in Xianfu Palace, some of the concubines who often come and go don't move around in the palace very much.Wu Yingyun sat in the main hall all day long. Apart from sipping tea and reading books, she would occasionally let Xixiang play a game of chess with her. During the moves, with a gun and a stick, you come and go. parted ways. Xixiang has been taking care of the little princess's daily life all the time, but she only made it out of the dark. Wu Yingyun has completely let go of it, and even declared that she is relying on the modest and noble people.But in other palaces, this kind of attitude has become a kind of virtuous and reasonable, and has become a kind of generosity and tolerance. Not only Concubine Qin praised Wu Yingyun, but even Qianqing Palace also rewarded many treasures. Show praise. Xixiang held her breath in her heart, and really wanted to find a chance to have a good talk with Wu Yingyun.However, no matter whether he was acting emotionally or pretending to be stupid, Wu Yingyun would avoid it every time he talked about emotion.There is no longer any sincerity and friendship between the two, even if it is a formality on the scene. When Concubine Qin asked Xixiang to take the little princess to Shoukang Palace, it happened that Wu Yingyun went to the empress of Chuxiu Palace. The palace guards leading the way led two people, one big and one small, into the Cining Gate, and turned a corner along the palace wall, which was the main hall of Shoukang Palace.Xixiang has heard a little about Concubine Qin, and knows that she is a concubine who has been kind to the emperor in nurturing her, but following the law of her ancestors, her wish to be conferred the title of Empress Dowager has never been fulfilled by the emperor. .At this time, Xixiang took the little princess's hand, and walked all the way, thinking secretly in her heart, she is just a person with a heart higher than the sky and a life thinner than paper, so what if she becomes a concubine?So what about acting as the lord of the middle palace?How could that phoenix crown be worn easily?No matter how noble the status, no matter how high the power is, after all, you still can't get rid of the word "generation". Stepping into the gate of the palace, the dignified and elegant old woman is holding a pair of scissors, carefully trimming the branches and vines in the bonsai.She kept her back to the door, only a side face could be seen, but from the charm of her gestures, it is not difficult to guess how beautiful and elegant she was when she was young. "The concubine pays her respects to the empress dowager." "Granddaughter pays respects to the imperial grandmother—" Hearing the baby voice, Concubine Qin turned around leisurely, and when she saw a small figure in the hanging flower gate, she showed a kind and doting smile on her face, "It's a big girl, come on, Come to the imperial grandmother!" The little princess walked over obediently, with staggering steps, stepped on the corner of her skirt and threw herself forward, just in time to throw herself into Concubine Qin's arms.The servants next to her carefully supported her, and Concubine Qin waved her hands to them, she put her arms around the little girl and walked to the side of the open chair to sit down, and then ordered the palace people to bring her the new tribute snacks for her to eat. "I haven't seen you for a few days, and you've lost weight again, even your chin is pointed. Is it because the big girl is not good, and she didn't eat well when she was in Xianfu Palace..." Sitting on the position with her hands hanging down, Xi Xiang saw Concubine Qin pointing the little princess's forehead, her eyes were full of love and affection, and she couldn't help but whispered: "Mrs. The day has become very bad again, and I am thinking about Sister Wan every day and night, and I am talking about it tightly. Empress Dowager, can you see if you can release Sister Wan from the cold palace..."