The cool breeze in September enriched the scent of osmanthus, made the maple leaves red, and also dissipated some of my strong sadness of missing children, and my body gradually improved a little.Sometimes when he was free, he thought maybe he should also see Xuan Ling. After all, he was not happy when he lost his child.What's more, the one who is favored now is also my sister after all. So Liu Zhu was sent to find out if Xuan Ling was in the Hall of Yiyuan, but when Liu Zhu came back, he said, "Eunuch Li said that the Emperor is reading the memorial in the imperial study. The slaves have already prepared snacks in the small kitchen, and the young lady is going to give them as before." The emperor sent some food to go."

For some reason, when Liu Zhu was about to answer me, he felt a little nervous all of a sudden. He only hoped that Liu Zhu would say that Xuan Ling would not be able to see me.Hearing Liu Zhu say it himself now, he was relieved instead.I thought if I went like this, if it was embarrassing to meet, or I smelled or saw the private belongings and smells belonging to other women in his palace.How embarrassing should it be.If so, it's still gone. So he said: "It's good if you have prepared some snacks. Let Jingqing send them to the young master of Meizhuang." Liu Zhu asked anxiously, "Miss, aren't you going to visit the emperor?"

I said lightly: "The emperor is busy with state affairs, how can I bother you." Liu Zhu said: "But in the past...Miss can go in and out of the imperial study..." Feeling slightly sad in his heart, he cut off her words and said, "Is it still the same now?" Liu Zhu was taken aback for a moment, and his expression darkened along with me, so he stopped talking. Looking up, I saw that the autumn light outside the window was fine, so I took Jinxi to relax.In Shanglin Garden in early autumn, misty water mist often condenses on the Taiye Pool. After the frost, a pile of lupine maple trees are as red as weeping blood, with only a little bit of blue remaining.The flowers in Shanglin Garden withered, as if to dispel the coldness and depression of this autumn.The garden is full of chrysanthemums in full bloom in Qingqiu, golden peony, yellow crane feather, jade exquisite, a ball of snow, rouge fragrance, brocade lychee, Xishi powder, Yulouchun, all of which are in full bloom. Gorgeous appearance, there is a kind of beauty that is not like spring but better than spring.

I smiled slightly, the chrysanthemums cultivated in the palace, no matter how expensive and gorgeous they were, lost the coolness and arrogance of the chrysanthemums planted by Tao Yuanming.The beauty of chrysanthemum lies in its charm rather than its color.The so-called good chrysanthemums, white chrysanthemums are the best, yellow chrysanthemums are second best, and red and purple chrysanthemums lose their character after all. Walking all the way along the Taiye Pond, looking at the beautiful autumn scenery, gradually walked far away.The surrounding vegetation is sparse and deserted, and there are even unknown autumn insects chirping, which makes people feel that autumn is getting stronger.I saw a lonely palace, far away from the palace where the concubines lived by the Taiye Pool, but the red walls and golden ridges, the shadows of trees and locust trees, are also very tall, not for ordinary concubines to live in.Unable to be curious, she asked Jinxi, "What kind of place is this?"

Jinxi said: "That's the Pixiang Hall where Concubine Duan lives." I silently nodded.Although I have some contacts with Concubine Duan in private, I never set foot in her palace to visit, because she didn't like coming here to avoid suspicion. She was also very enthusiastic when I was pregnant, and even struggled to make two pairs of small shoes for my unborn child despite my illness.I am very grateful for her kindness, but Concubine Duan doesn't like my visit.Before my miscarriage, she fell ill again. I heard that she was seriously ill, but she still did not forget to ask me to give birth and rest well.Later, when I encountered all kinds of difficulties, I couldn't care about her anymore.

After going through it like this now, plus she is sick, naturally she can't just pass through the door and not enter.Then he said to Jinxi: "You go and knock the door." Although it was noon, the palace door couldn't be closed, and it looked mottled.After holding the copper lock for a long time, Fang heard a "creak" and the door opened heavily.The one who came out was Jixiang, and seeing that it was me, I was also a little surprised, and said, "Your Majesty, Jin'an." I have some doubts in my heart.Jixiang and Ruyi are the personal maids next to Concubine Duan, they are very decent, and they are inseparable, how could she be the one to open the door.So he asked, "Where's your wife?"

Ji Xiang's eyes turned red, and he said with tears in his eyes, "It's good that the empress is here." I was startled, and hurriedly followed Jixiang to the bedroom.The palace is open, but deserted, and there is no figure of a palace attendant.Can't help asking: "Where did everyone go?" Ji Xiang answered irrelevantly: "Since our empress was ill a few years ago, the queen empress moved out the young masters who lived with her in order to let her recover from her illness. So no one is here." I looked at her: "Then what about the servants, have they also moved out?"

She hesitated slightly: "The empress sent them out. And Ruyi is decocting medicine outside the hall." It was inconvenient for me to ask again, so I stepped into the palace, and there was a strong and bitter medicinal smell in the palace that hadn't dissipated.The walls outside the hall are covered with creepers, covering a large area of ​​sunlight, making the light even darker, making the hall seem too calm and quiet.Concubine Duan was sleeping on the bed, seemingly soundly asleep.An older court lady was boiling medicine on the small silver hanging stove outside, just like Ruyi.When Ruyi saw me suddenly, she was both surprised and happy, and called out, "Your Majesty."

I saw Concubine Duan falling asleep, her face pale as paper, and I asked, "What does the imperial doctor say about your majesty?" Ruyi choked up and said, "It has always been taken care of by the imperial doctor Pang, who only said that it was an old problem, eating the old food. Just a few herbs." I sighed, and said angrily: "What a quack doctor, if the disease never recovers, can I just take the old medicine?" Ping Yi calmed down and said, "I don't think it will work like this. Ruyi boiled the medicine, and Jixiang went to the Imperial Hospital Please ask Imperial Physician Wen to come and see, how can we do it without diagnosis and treatment. Since Concubine Duan has sent people from her palace out, there is no one around to wait on her. Jinxi, go to our palace and choose some safe people to come here Serve me." Jixiang and Ruyi were already smiling after hearing me finish.I sent them to do it, and stayed by Concubine Duan's side alone.

I picked up a few more chrysanthemums and put them in a vase, and there was some life in the hall.After a while, Concubine Duan woke up with a groan, saw me by the bed, and said, "You're here." I put a soft pillow under her neck and said: "I happened to pass by Niangniang's residence, and I heard that Niangniang is not well." She smiled bitterly: "It's an old problem, and it will flare up every autumn and winter. It's okay." I said: "The disease tends to be shallow, and the mother should also take good care of it." She opened her eyes slightly: "It's been a long time since I last saw you, and you've lost weight like this. Are you feeling better?"

When I heard her speak like this, I was suddenly very surprised, then I thought that she had no servants in the palace, and quickly understood, and said: "Your Majesty has good ears and eyes, she knows everything about the palace without going out." She smiled lightly: "What you can know is only superficial things, such as changes in people's hearts, how can you know it by listening. These trivial tricks are nothing." Hearing the word "Xinxin", his heart was touched, so he remained silent.Concubine Duan struggled to speak during her illness, she slowly said: "A child is the lifeblood of the mother, even if it is not born, it is still the love of the sweetheart. Of course it is even more sad for you to lose a child like this." When Concubine Duan said these words, It seems very sad.And her words put more emphasis on the word "suddenly". I naturally knew what she meant, but the matter of "Huan Yixiang" was so important, how could I say it out loud, so I could only say: "I took bad medicine when I was young, I don't know if it hurt my body." Concubine Duan nodded: "That's all." She took a deep breath, "I'm afraid you are more saddened by the emperor's treatment of Murong Shilan." When I thought of this, the old and new grudges instantly aroused in my heart. I couldn't help feeling sad and angry, and turned my head and said nothing.Concubine Duan also sneered again and again: "I see that she wants to imitate the way the queen punished the concubine Xian! Her life is really not so good. I thought the emperor would kill her because of you, at least he would also abolish her." The position was sent to the limbo." Hearing about Concubine Xian twice, I unconsciously asked: "Did the Concubine Xian kneel down for a long time before she conceived?" Concubine Duan gave a soft "hmm" and said: "Concubine Xian was often disrespectful when Empress Xian was here. One day she offended Empress Xian for some reason. At that time Empress Xian was pregnant and her temper was unavoidable, so she let Concubine Xian go to Weiyang Kneeling outside the hall, who knew that Concubine Xian would become popular after kneeling for two hours. Only then did I know that Concubine Xian was nearly two months pregnant. It's a pity that Concubine Xian didn't know she was pregnant before kneeling. The empress has outstanding virtues, and there are few dissatisfaction in the harem, she has been regretful and guilty for a long time because of this matter." She continued: "This is no wonder the former empress. Xianfei herself is negligent, how can others know, the two-month-old fetal image It's not stable, how can it withstand kneeling for two hours?" Concubine Duan recalled the past with a lot of embarrassment. After a while, Concubine Duan's tone became calm: "However, in my opinion, Murong Shilan is not that stupid to let you have an accident when she is in charge of the harem. With her arrogant temperament, she just wants to suppress you." She lightly She snorted softly: "I'm afraid she knew you had a miscarriage. She was more afraid than anyone else. It can be seen that this time it was self-defeating." With cold anger, I slowly said: "It doesn't matter if it's self-defeating or intentional, I can't get revenge for the loss of my son right now." After talking for a while, seeing Jixiang ushering Wen Shichu in, I had a look with him and got up to leave.Concubine Duan was already tired after talking to me, she just nodded her head and closed her eyes to rest. Walking slowly outside Pixiang Hall, found a stone chair and sat down, pondering what Concubine Duan said for a long time.I lost my child suddenly, and I always thought it was due to the influence of Huan Yixiang.And this thing reuses musk, which will definitely damage my body.But I have only been in Murong Shilan's palace for three or four hours, is the medicine so powerful? Thinking about it carefully, a few days before going to her palace, she already had mild symptoms of discomfort, so where does this start?Is it really the physical and mental exhaustion caused by all kinds of fear of her?But I use silverware for my diet, so it is impossible for me to make mistakes in my diet, so where does my discomfort come from? But after Wen Shichu came out, I didn't exchange greetings with him, and asked straight to the point: "What is the reason for Concubine Duan's serious illness?" He didn't answer, just asked: "Your Majesty, have you heard of the medicine of safflower?" I was startled and blurted out, "Isn't that a drug for abortion?" He nodded and said: "Yes. Safflower can promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis. It is used for amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, lochia, lumps, and bruises. It is true that pregnant women will lose their babies after taking it." He looked up, his eyes lit up slightly, There was a flash of compassion, "But if you are not pregnant or suffering from illness and suddenly take a large amount of this substance, it will damage the skin and blood vessels, and even make you unable to conceive." I shuddered, my brows filled with unspeakable astonishment.After a long while, I asked: "Will the concubine Duan's illness be cured in your hands?" He looked down at the tip of his shoe, and said, "I'm afraid not, I can only guarantee that Concubine Duan will survive." He paused, and then said: "Even if there are national champions here, Concubine Duan can't do anything else." Out." No wonder, she loves children so much!As entrusted by me, Wen Shichu will do his best to save Concubine Duan with all his heart, and he said such words, it can be seen that Concubine Duan's body has been damaged so deeply that he is beyond his power. The various reasons for Concubine Duan's physical injury are beyond my knowledge.And I, thanking her for reminding me many times, can only do this, so I said: "I only hope that you can keep her alive and not suffer from too many diseases." He nodded, "We will do our best." I thought of my own question, and said: "Ben Gong avoided pets back then, could the medicine you gave Ben Gong be harmful to the body?" Hesitating slightly, he said directly: "Will it make the body weak and prone to miscarriage? " He was a little shocked, thought carefully for a long time, and said: "At that time, Weichen was very cautious about the dosage of the medicine, and there was no abnormality or discomfort after taking it. As for abortion, it is probably impossible. It's just... personal It’s hard to tell if the physique is different.” I am depressed.In any case, the child is gone, so what's the use of dwelling on the past?His royal father has already forgotten that he used to live in my body. Wen Shichu looked at me deeply, and I felt a little uncomfortable, so I didn't want to talk to him, so I left. Jinxi hadn't come back yet, and she was bored when she returned to the palace. Walking around at will would save her from worrying about some troubles.Leaning against the rocks like this, I turned to the creek in the rockery, listened to the singing of warblers and the gurgling of the stream, and after a few turns, I came out from behind the Shiping peak of Taihu Lake, only to find that I had reached the woods behind the Yiyuan Hall. Xuan Ling has always been reviewing memorials and considering state affairs in the imperial study room of Yiyuan Hall.However, looking at the mountains of memorials and the rigid Chen Council for a long time gave him a headache, and he became more and more yearning for the pure and clear air and birdsong.So he repaired such a forest behind the Yiyuan Hall. It has been more than ten years. The trees grow very lush, and when there is wind, they will make a sound like waves.The birds in the stocking period have a dripping and melodious song. I used to accompany him in reviewing memorials. Sometimes both of us were in good spirits. He would walk with me in the jungle, hand in hand with me, and whisper softly.The attendants and maids will not disturb, such a quiet and beautiful time.It seems that in this world, there has always been only me and him, not the king and minister, husband and concubine. Now, how long has it been since I set foot in Yiyuan Hall?He also hardly comes to my Tangli Palace.When was the last time we met. It seems to be the evening of that day—no, it seems to be the morning. I am still in good spirits. Looking at myself in the mirror, I found that I was depressed and thin due to sadness. He came in from the outside, sat and drank tea, looked at my face in the mirror leisurely, got up and rubbed my cheek repeatedly, and said: "The scar on your cheek is no longer visible. Fortunately, the injury is not serious." Since I was sad about my haggardness, I also thought of the reason for this haggardness, and my heart was sad.He also heard him say: "If there are traces, what should I do? It's really white and slightly flawed." Can't help getting bored, turned his head and smiled and said: "The emperor really cherishes the appearance of his concubines." Xuan Ling smiled: "How can Huanhuan live up to her beauty?" I sneered in my heart, it turned out that he cared so much about my appearance, he waved his hand away with a "snap", walked away, and fell asleep facing the wall, ignoring him. He didn't come to coax me as usual, he seemed to be angry, he just said: "Your concubine, your temper is too stubborn. I think you will not come to argue with you soon after you lose your son, so you should be quiet." Let go in a huff and never come to the door again. Afterwards, I asked Jinxi, "Does the emperor only care about my appearance?" Jinxi answered cautiously: "Your Majesty's appearance is so impressive that no one can turn a blind eye to it." Huanbi on the side smiled wryly: "It turns out that a woman's appearance is really more attractive to men than her heart. It can be seen that men love beauty." I shook my head: "Actually, that's not entirely true. Your appearance is on the outside, and your heart is inside. Naturally, it is more obvious than your heart. Without appearance, I am afraid that few men are willing to understand your heart. But if you don't have a heart, how can you get along with people happily for a long time. The world There are indeed many men who are in love with beauty. But Zhuge Kongming and his ugly wife Huang Shi raised their eyebrows together, which shows that there are also refined men in the world." Huanbi said: "How many Zhuge Kongmings are there in the world?" This time it's my turn to smile wryly. Indeed, there are many men in this world who judge people by their sex.As for women, how long will it be good for Israel to serve others?I always thought that he had some affection for me after all, and he also admired me.But when he came by chance, what he raised his eyes to pay attention to was my face, whether it was still good or not. Thinking of it this way, it felt a little desolate in my heart.What's more, in front of such an old scene, those joys are as vivid as before.So he didn't want to stay any longer, and turned around to leave. However, just as he was about to leave, he suddenly heard someone talking, his heart moved, and he subconsciously dodged behind a tree.It wasn't Xuan Ling and Ling Rong who were walking in front of them. Although Ling Rong kept a step away from him, they were smiling and very close.This situation is just like me back then, the only difference is that Xuan Ling and I walked side by side. Lingrong, she always looks so humble.Because of this humility, love is born in the heart. At this moment, the mausoleum is wearing a magenta blouse with brocade pipa lapel pattern sprinkled with gold haws and peach patterns, underneath is a silver and white satin skirt with glittering beads, and a long nobile with pearls and tassels is tied on her hair. It looks even more drunk.Her words were gentle: "The emperor hasn't been to sister Zhen's place for quite a while, are you going to sister's place tonight?" Xuan Ling hesitated a bit, and said with emotion: "It's not that I don't want to see her. I'm also sad that she lost her child, but her temperament is really too stubborn. It's not good for a woman to have such a stubborn temperament." She said with a slight smile: "If she has half of your peace, it will be fine by the way." When these words fell in his ears, he was almost taken aback for a moment, his eyes seemed to be stabbed heavily by something, sore and uncomfortably sore, his eyes were blurred with white, and he could see that the straight tree trunks were also distorted.He actually thinks that I am too stubborn to be mellow and submissive. Hearing his dissatisfaction with me so abruptly is not easy at all.What's more, he accused me like this in front of his favorite concubine. Ling Rong thought for a while, and said in a low voice: "If my sister has something that dissatisfies the emperor, please forgive her for the pain of losing her son. My sister is actually very hard." Xuan Ling was a little dissatisfied: "She worked hard, so did I. Why didn't she think about it for me? I lost two sons in a row, and there were so many disputes in the palace. It was hard to even see her smile. Is it because I used to get used to her? broken." I laughed silently, my pain of losing a child turned out to be his fault for spoiling me. Ling Rong was terrified, and hurriedly said: "I don't mean that." Xuanling sighed: "Actually, Huanhuan looks pretty when she smiles." However, hearing her blame herself, she comforted her and said, "It's none of your business. In fact, I miss her a little too, so I'll go see her when I'm free. After thinking about it, he said: "You and Huanhuan are like sisters, and you know her temperament. Now that she is sad again, I am actually in a dilemma, and I can't bear to see her." Ling Rong whispered softly: "Yes. My sister has a good family background and is talented and educated. The concubine admires her very much, and hopes that the emperor still likes her as before. But the concubine thought again, my sister didn't understand now, so I have been sad, and I can't serve the emperor well. If my sister thinks it through in the future, she will naturally turn around. Why don't the emperor go to see her right now, lest there will be some conflicts in words, which is not good. Waiting for the concubine to persuade my sister, my sister thinks I'll see you when I understand, isn't everyone happy?" While speaking carefully, looking at Xuan Ling's expression, he said, "This is just my concubine's humble opinion, your majesty, don't dislike your concubine's talkativeness." Xuan Ling said: "You are so considerate of me and Concubine Guangui's thoughts, how can I say otherwise." Ling Rong's eyebrows were slightly lowered, and he said with a slightly sad face: "The emperor has won the award. The concubine only likes the emperor to be happy all the time. In fact, the concubine has no virtue and incompetence, and is not as good as my sister who can always share the emperor's worries and problems." Xuanling said: "Why does Rong'er underestimate yourself so presumptuously, you and Concubine Guangui are like spring flowers and autumn moons, each with its own merits." Only then did Ling Rong show off her face, her smile was brisk and delicate: "Then, does the emperor like me more, or does he like my sister more?" Xuan Ling hesitated for a moment, and said with a half smile: "At this moment, I naturally like Rong'er more." His throat tightened, as if he couldn't breathe.Such words have turned my sadness that I wanted to cry into the pain and disappointment that I want to cry but have no tears.It was as if a pair of hands had grasped my heart fiercely, rubbing and pinching it.The wind was hot and cold, and the face seemed to be itchy with bugs crawling over it.I just feel that all the hard work and affection in the past are not worth it!not worth it!But he stood there in a daze, unable to take a step to escape. Xuan Ling was about to say more, coughing two or three times.Ling Rong hurriedly stroked his chest, and said with concern: "The emperor has worked hard on state affairs. The concubine has personally picked the loquat leaves and asked people to stew them with rock sugar. After drinking it, the emperor can relieve cough and phlegm, and the taste is not bad. Bitter." Xuan Ling smiled and said: "It's hard for you to do these things yourself, but then again, if it wasn't for you, how could I cough." Ling Rong was surprised, and also felt a little bit wronged: "Yes, it is the fault of the concubine. Please also tell the concubine where the fault is." Xuan Ling showed a slight smile, pinched her earlobe and said, "I just asked you for nothing last night, 'Have you lost it?', but you struggled and refused to tell the truth. If it wasn't for this, how could I have suffered from the cold?" ?” Ling Rong was very embarrassed, his face was as red as blood, he looked around quickly, and when he saw no one, he whispered coquettishly: "Your Majesty, don't say anything wrong." This kind of shyness is so touching, Xuan Ling laughed loudly , the laughter startled Lin Shao's birds, and also my heart.I just feel so numb... After a long time, Xuan Ling and Ling Rong had gone far away.The setting sun hangs down from the top of the forest, red like blood-splashed paint, filling the sky for half a day, and the surroundings are only silently falling.Occasionally, a bird flew up, and soon flew away with a strange "whoosh". I walked numbly, there were no more tears in my eyes, my heart was throbbing with pain, and I felt empty and uncomfortable.My hands and feet felt cold, and I didn't know where I was going.Going back to the palace like this, Liu Zhu and the others will naturally worry about me.But if I don't go back, the deep palace is so huge, where can I go to live. The feet were weak, as if they were stepping on a thick pile of cotton, and walked slowly for a long while before stepping on the smooth and hard bluestone slab of Yongxiang.I ran into Jinxi with a face full of anxiety to meet me head-on, and I was greatly relieved when I saw me, and hurriedly put the splendid cloak in my hand on me, and said: "It's all slaves' fault, coming and going delays the time. Call your mother Wait." Seeing that I was in a daze, and my hands were trembling cold when they touched mine, she was even more anxious and frightened: "What's wrong with your mother? Where did you go just now, but this slave is very anxious." I wiped away the dry tears at the corners of my eyes, and reluctantly said, "It's nothing, the wind dazzled my eyes." Jinxi didn't dare to procrastinate, she said worriedly: "Your Majesty is probably being warmed up by the cold wind, so this servant will serve you and go back to have a rest." Back in the palace, Huanbi and Liuzhu were taken aback when they saw me like this, but they didn't dare to ask more questions, and I didn't let the imperial physician be invited, so I sent them out one by one.It was getting late, and the candles in the hall had not yet been lit, and there was a deep and deep silence.Heart is also the color of this. I covered myself with the quilt, and endured the tears for half a day before they fell, a little bit wet on the thick and soft quilt, wet and hot, all in one piece.