Chapter 4 Chapter 4 Butterfly

Xiao Yunzi and Xiao Lianzi tried their best to find a handful of twenty-odd butterflies before the cold winter came, and they were all beautiful and pleasing in color, pink, light purple, royal blue, emerald green and lemon yellow.I was naturally satisfied, and said: "It's cold. The Ministry of Internal Affairs will send charcoal for winter in these two days. You go and tell Jiang Zhongmin that we don't want all the silk and satin clothes that should be used. We have replaced all the charcoal fire and charcoal." Here, let him send more narcissus and plum blossoms." Fortunately, I promoted Jiang Zhongmin to the Ministry of Internal Affairs that day. Even though the family is cold today and the emperor's favor is thin, no one dares to withhold the same as when I first entered the palace, so that in winter, if it wasn't for Mei Zhuang's help, all of them would be used. Black charcoal with acrid smoke.At last, he still knows how to repay his kindness, and what my palace wants, as long as he can decide, he will send it.

I told Xiao Yunzi to go, and then said to Jinxi: "The Yingxin Palace is empty now, put all the caught butterflies in the big glass cover of the warm pavilion to raise them, and use more charcoal fire in the warm pavilion, so that the warmth is as good as it is." Spring. Three times a day, you personally send flowers to the Nuan Pavilion for the butterflies to feed on pollen." After I ordered, I added another sentence: "You must do it yourself, and I don't trust others." Seeing my solemn expression and being so entrusted by me, Jinxi didn't understand my intentions, but took extra care of those butterflies.

One day when Meizhuang came to see me ordering someone to tailor new clothes for me with great interest, I couldn't help showing a little joy.Since I fell ill again, I no longer have the leisure time to adjust my makeup and powder, and I keep my face naked all day long, and put all kinds of gorgeous and precious colored clothes and pearls and hairpin rings into the wardrobe. There is no "self-pleasing person" to make me For it, it can be regarded as mourning for my stillborn child, and doing my best as a mother.Mei Zhuang tentatively said with a half smile: "But have you figured it out?"

I compared myself with the fine brocade of clouds and geese with blue sky, water, and smiled slightly, and said, "Thank you sister for teaching me, today I am not what I was yesterday." With that in mind, it’s not too late.” I rolled up my sleeves, took the scissors and cut the waist of the new clothes myself, lowered my head and said: "Sister, don't worry, the future will be long." I am not idle. Take a selfie in the mirror.The long-term depression and illness made me thinner than before. When I changed my pajamas before going to bed, I raised my eyes and caught a glimpse of my collarbone in the mirror. There were three abrupt rows across my chest.I was almost horrified myself.I still don't believe it.Raising his right arm, the silver bracelet inlaid with broken emeralds on his arm can almost reach the elbow. When this pair of silver bracelets were made, they were small and fit well, but a few months ago, they could only be stuffed into a handkerchief, but now they look like It looked empty.I haven't looked at myself for a long time, I didn't expect to be so thin, like a flower trembling on the branches in the autumn wind, it's broken.Even though she has lost weight, she is still haggard, her skin has a faint sapphire color, translucent light green jade, but without the luster of jade, it seems to be covered with a layer of dust.The chin became more and more pointed, and it seemed that the once charming and charming clear eyes seemed to have burned out the ashes of the fire and lost their agility.Even if I am willing to appear in front of Xuan Ling like this, it is just to gain some sympathy from him. If I see him too much, but make him loathe me, what chance do I have of winning?

When I was pregnant that day, Wen Shichu found some beauty prescriptions for me again. I went to Taiyuan Hospital to choose a strong and vigorous whole motherwort that was cut off during the Dragon Boat Festival. The grass must be clean and there should be no dust on the grass.After being exposed to the sun, Wen Shichu grinds it into a fine powder by himself, sieves it, adds appropriate amount of water and flour, mixes it into a ball and dries it in the sun.Choose a sealed three-layer yellow clay stove. The bottom layer is covered with charcoal, the middle layer is filled with dried pills, and the upper layer is covered with another layer of charcoal.After calcination on high fire for about half an hour, switch to slow fire and simmer slowly. After about a day and a night, take out the pills and let them cool completely. Only the white and delicate pills are the best ones.Then use a jade hammer to grind the pills into a fine powder in a porcelain bowl. After sieving, grind and sieve again. The finer the better, and finally put it in a good porcelain bottle for later use.

The process of calcining pills is very complicated, and if there is a slight error, the medicine will lose its potency.This kind of motherwort with excellent medicinal properties must be harvested during the Dragon Boat Festival. It must be the whole plant of motherwort, not a little bit of soil, otherwise it will be completely ineffective; when calcining, do not use too much firepower, otherwise the pill will turn yellow Blackening is almost ineffective; grinding hammer is also very particular, jade hammer is the best, followed by antler hammer - jade and antlers both have the effect of moisturizing the skin, removing pimples and scars, and they are naturally used as medicine when grinding, which just plays an auxiliary role.And the fine powder made from this kind of pill, add 6 qian of talc and 6 qian of rouge for every 60 qian and mix thoroughly. Scrub the face and hands every morning and evening to cure acne, reduce chapped wrinkles, and make the skin lustrous like jade.Wen Shichu saw that my face glowed after the incident, and he said quite complacently: "It is said that this recipe was created by Empress Zetian of the Tang Dynasty.

This sounds a bit exaggerated, and whether it was used by Empress Zetian is also a legend, but my face is indeed delicate and fair because of it. Once Mei Zhuang came in to visit me, and saw Wen Shichu was devoting himself to making medicine for me, so I sat aside and watched silently, and I said to her: "This fairy jade powder is very effective, I just want to order someone to send it to my sister. .” Mei Zhuang looked calm, as if he didn't sleep well at night, and said: "No need. This thing will be of great help to your future affairs. I have a natural appearance, so I don't need to make up any more." She suddenly smiled brightly: "What's more, if I make up a beautiful face, who will I show it to?"

Mei Zhuang’s words were a bit like being angry with someone, her temperament gradually became a little weird, sometimes I didn’t understand what she was thinking, and she didn’t tell me, once I went to her palace by chance, I saw her lying on the bed alone, In his sleep, his brows were still frowning, and there were still crystal tears on his cheeks. That sentence, somehow, I remembered it in my heart.Her smile was bright and beautiful, but her tone was dejected and frustrated, as if she was asking herself, but also asking me: "What's more, if I make a beautiful face, who will I show it to?"

Jinxi took pearl powder, poured it into the hosta flower, steamed it, and mixed it with dew to apply on my face. I suddenly remembered what Meizhuang said, and I became impatient.At the bottom of my heart, I already knew that Xuan Ling was not my "beautiful man", and "women are the ones who please me", he is so cold-hearted, how could he be my "person who pleases me" again?What's the point of going to such lengths to make one's appearance beautiful. What's more, I know that he only loves me by my appearance, but I can only attract him by my appearance, how sad!

Being so restless, I suddenly heard the sound of orderly and hasty footsteps outside the palace. I glanced at Xiao Yunzi, who had been out for a while, and then came in to report: "Hey! The slave should be some important matter—it turns out that it was An Xiaoyuan who came in." A few days ago, I remembered how I followed my aunt to grow sericulture when I was young, so the emperor ordered someone to go to the south to fetch fresh mulberry leaves for my little master Xiaoyuan, and I heard that they were delivered quickly, and the mulberry leaves were not withered yet." Liu Zhu talked quickly, and interjected: "The emperor really dotes on An Xiaoyuan now."

Huanbi frowned, looked at my expression and said softly: "This situation reminds the servants of the story of Tang Minghuang sending lychees to Concubine Yang." I smiled slightly. What I cared about was not how much Xuan Ling loved Ling Rong, but just one of the things I remembered from time to time. I sighed slightly, the words of the predecessors were originally sent out of feelings, what a painful experience, it was this woman who made the call of "no relationship with scholars".The love of a common man cannot be relied on, let alone a king.I smiled bewilderedly, all the things in the past were just a little infatuation of my innocence.That's all!That's all!Let's all go! So, I still cheered up and asked the small kitchen to stew black-bone chicken with red dates to nourish and invigorate Qi. Thanks to his youth and strong intentions, his body quickly recovered.It is already the beginning of winter when the appearance is as good as before. I heard that a few days ago, Concubine Murong made a plea again, with sincere words, Xuan Ling was quite moved after seeing it, but she didn't say yes or no for the time being.I was secretly worried, the former Runan King's power seemed to be stronger again, if this continues, the day when Murong Shilan will return to the king's side is unknown, it will be tricky. I looked up at the gloomy sky covered with lead clouds and wanted to overwhelm the city, and took a deep breath to calm my flustered heart.Everything is ready, only one heavy snow is owed. The corners of my eyes swept sideways, and I saw the dim yellow and cold luster of the bronze mirror from the side. My watery eyes had a sharp edge that I had never seen before. This day is coming soon.On December 12th, the heavy snow stopped for the first time.After three days of heavy snowfall in March, the entire harem was completely white and clean.Xuanling and all the concubines were drinking and enjoying the snow in Shanglin Garden. I complained early that I was unwell and did not go. The newly made clothes are fine brocade of clouds and geese with clear sky and water, very cool light green, like dew dyed.Deliberately choose such a color, the simplest style, but it fits well, showing a slightly slender figure.The plum blossoms and narcissus embroidered with yellow pistils and white flowers are the same size and color as real flowers, and then the real flowers are steamed and heated overnight, and put on the body, the fragrance of the flowers permeates the bones, as if I have become one of the thousands of flowers. What he likes is the Yuanshan Dai, which he likes. First apply a thin layer of rouge, and then apply a layer of snow-white powder to shave the face, making "Feixia makeup". angry. Going like this, with a little determination, there is sadness and worry.However, halfway through the journey, I felt that the sorrow and sorrow were unnecessary. Since I was determined to go, why bother to restrain myself with emotions. We went to the old place, which was convenient for doing things, and more importantly, it was the place where we met for the first time back then, so it was easier to arouse each other's emotions. Walking into the Yimei Garden, the garden is quiet, and the snow makes a slight "squeak" when the feet fall, as if it first shocked my mood. It’s too quiet, the coldness of the air makes the memory in my mind sober and deep, the old scene is vague, the red plum blossoms are blooming like clouds, steaming and rosy, taking a deep breath, it seems that even the sweetness and coldness in the air are gone The smell has not changed in the slightest.The feet were a little vain, and soon I found the plum tree that hung the small statue when I was praying for blessings, and I smiled wistfully.It seemed to be the New Year's Eve of the year when I first entered the palace, and it was also such a cold and snowy day. In the dark night in the plum garden, I spoke to him for the first time through the shadows of plum blossoms.The entanglement of fate is so impossible to escape.Even with Li Daitao's stiff Yu Changyi, what should be met, will eventually be met. The three wishes I made that day are still in my heart. After all these years, the only things I pray for are not enough: one is to wish the health of my parents, and the safety of my brothers and sisters; , never leave each other." I used to look forward to "I wish to have one heart and never leave each other", but "I heard that you have two opinions", but I couldn't "separate each other from the past"... In fact, when I think about it carefully, I don't care about Xuanling either. I really asked for "one heart", he is the emperor, I don't understand his situation, but I always have some expectations in my heart, such as the beauty of the harem, I just want him to be a little special in his heart.This kind of obsession, after all, has really become a mirror image, wishful thinking.And peace is as short and illusory as the love in the harem.I have no other way to go, and there is no other way, only scheming, only struggle, so endless, can I get a moment of peace.All I can do is the safety and health of my parents, brothers and sisters.If not for yourself, but for them.What's more, my child, the enemy is still there, he can't die in vain like this. With a mind as clear as water, he took a long breath and waited for Xuan Ling's arrival. The weather was very cold, and my slightly thin clothes were not enough to keep me warm. My hands and feet were icy cold, and it took a while for me to feel warm after inhaling the bitter air into my nose. I am not afraid of the cold, I have seen the misery of the cold palace, and I have endured the humiliation.There is nothing to be afraid of. The sound of snow loosening came from far behind, I knew he was coming, not only him, I am afraid that the concubines and palace people on today's snow banquet have already arrived.Li Chang did a good job and finally attracted Xuan Ling, which is not in vain for me to treat him privately in the past. Xiao Lianzi behind Mei Lin had already heard the movement and opened the big glazed vase that kept the butterfly, but after a while, a butterfly flitted over tremblingly.I turned on the small flat golden hand stove wrapped in the cloak at the right time, and the heat was slightly rising, and the fragrance of the flowers smoked on my body became stronger and warmer.The butterfly looked for the heat source, and flew towards me from afar. The footsteps were getting closer and closer, I clasped my hands together, the voice was calm and soft, and I said word by word: "The harem Zhen, who is a believer, has no talent and no virtue enough to take care of the emperor's heir and serve the king. I feel ashamed and shameless. Here, I sincerely wish that my emperor will be blessed by the heavens, be safe and happy, and have a long life. If you get what you want, believers are willing to be vegetarians, eat fast, worship Buddha with a pure heart, and never receive favors." I don't know how dazzling the beautiful butterflies are around me in this icy and snowy day.But I know that under such a strange situation, my words will be more easily engraved on his heart.What's more, between the white snow and the red plums, I am alone in Tsing Yi. I was not sincere in this kind of prayer, but I tried my best to say every word of my remaining affection for him, which was more or less sincere. The moment of silence is really quiet, as if there is no one in the plum garden, only the red plum blossoms blooming and falling in the world. Her heart was beating violently, she clearly knew that he was behind her, the long-lost fragrance of ambergris could be heard faintly, as soon as she turned around, it was him. With a long sigh and a familiar voice, she said, "Huanhuan—is that you?" Such a familiar and intimate address makes people not pay attention, thinking that they are still in the old days, when the Jiaofang is full of favors, happy faces and close love.Her throat was a little choked up, her nostrils moved slightly as if blocked by something, and even she couldn't suppress the sound of crying, she just turned her back to him, and said very softly: "The concubine is unvirtuous, it is not appropriate to face the king." The sighs and surprises of the concubines could not be concealed anymore, he rushed to my side and hugged me from behind: "Huanhuan, why don't you look at me, don't you want to see me again?" I struggled lightly, with tears in my eyes: "Your Majesty, don't come over—the concubine's shoes and socks are wet..." The words I answered him were exactly what I answered him in Yimei Garden back then. The shy and evasive girlish mentality at that time - I was just trying to plot against him. His body was abruptly pulled over by him, tears filled his eyelashes and were about to fall.I used to study in the mirror, such a tearful mood is the most lovable. I quickly lowered my head and refused to raise it again. He held my hand and said in a distressed tone: "Hands are so cold, I'm not afraid of freezing my body again." I whispered: "This concubine wants to pray for the emperor wholeheartedly... It is my concubine's fault for worrying the emperor, so I will resign." I turned around and wanted to leave, but he pulled me back into my arms.When he pulled, the frozen butterflies attached to his body fell to the ground one after another, and the surrounding concubines and palace people couldn't help but let out a low cry of surprise, Xuan Ling was also surprised and surprised, and said: "Huanhuan, this Sometimes there are butterflies, and the butterflies fall for you!" I showed a slightly surprised and confused look, and said: "I don't know..." As I spoke, my lips and teeth trembled slightly due to the cold, the wind turned up the corners of my clothes like butterflies spreading their wings, and the noble color of sky and water made my figure more elegant, Gentle and lovely. His big and warm otter fur with bright yellow trim and silver needles wraps me in it, and the long-lost and familiar smell of ambergris sweeps around my face.His arm exerted a slight force so that I could not escape.He called me: "Huanhuan, if you prayed for me and then froze to death, wouldn't it make me feel more distressed." His breath lingered on my clothes, and he smiled in surprise: "You smell so good, no wonder It can also attract butterflies to fall here in winter, and even I will be fascinated." My voice was very soft and gentle: "The concubine blesses the emperor day and night, bathes in incense, and dare not be negligent." He was moved, and this embrace was very meaningful.The queen smiled and said: "That's great. Concubine Guan Gui has been in poor health since she gave birth and was unable to go out. I have been worried about it for several months." All the people in the mausoleum stepped forward, and said softly: "The concubine prayed for the emperor and sister day and night, hoping that my sister and the emperor will be reconciled as before, and there will be no more quarrels. Now, my wish has been fulfilled." Xuan Ling looked at me with a smile, as if he couldn't see enough, and said, "Have I ever had a rift with Ai Qing?" My smile was frank but charming, and I said in a gentle voice: "Never. It's just that the concubine is inconvenient to serve the emperor when she is sick." Ling Rong's face was slightly embarrassed, and he quickly smiled and said: "That's right. Seeing that the concubine was so happy that she couldn't speak at all." Xuan Ling was very happy. I leaned on his shoulders and watched the expressions of everyone behind him. I couldn't help sighing in my heart. The world is so hot and cold. Now that I am on top again, the faces of the people in the harem will no longer be as cold as wind knife. , Facing my smiling face, it will be as warm as spring again. However, his gaze swept to the end of the crowd, and he was stunned for a moment.Xuan Qing stood far behind, his eyes were understanding and clear, and there was a trace of compassion in his gentleness, he stayed on me and would not go away for a long time. Had dinner with Xuan Ling and watched singing, dancing and acrobatics.Apparently Xuan Ling's attention was not on Ling Rong's high-pitched and sharp singing voice and the artist's ingenious skills, but he always turned his attention to me sitting next to Concubine Jing. Concubine Jing smiled and said to me in a low voice: "The emperor has been watching you." I smiled and said, "How do you know you're not looking at my sister?" Concubine Jing chuckled: "My younger sister suddenly appeared in Yimei Garden today. In fact, everyone already knows that the emperor will not alienate my younger sister." , Why do butterflies land on you, is it true, as people say, sister, you have strange magic?" I couldn't help laughing: "My sister really knows how to joke, it's just a gadget." Concubine Jing smiled: "I just heard Qin Fangyi and the others talking about my sister, did you do it deliberately?" I didn't take it seriously at all, I just smiled lightly and said, "Really?" Concubine Jing also smiled, and made a slight gesture with her left hand to the seat: "It doesn't matter what other people say to be deliberate, as long as the emperor thinks that you are paying attention to him." She drooped her eyelids, "Actually, the emperor cares about my sister." Looking up, Xuan Ling waved to me and said, "Come and sit beside me." I stood up respectfully, and said: "The empress is the head of the six palaces, she should be by the emperor's side, and my concubines dare not go beyond." He was helpless, he finally waited until the banquet ended hastily, so he naturally wanted to stay in my palace, I said politely: "It's not that the concubine doesn't want to serve the emperor, it's just that the cold has not recovered and it is not suitable to accompany the emperor, please forgive me." I said with a gentle smile , and said: "Your Majesty, why don't you go to Cao Jieyu's Palace to rest, if you want to come, Empress Wen Yi also wants to see her father." Before the words finished, Cao Jieyu looked at me with surprise on her face, and soon she restrained her expression, and just smiled gently and quietly.Concubine Murong fell out of favor, Cao Qinmo must be implicated, and with Ling Rong's favor, I heard that Xuan Ling has not set foot in her residence for a long time.Xuanling couldn't resist my request with a smile, so he took Cao Jieyu away. Huanbi was puzzled, and said softly and anxiously: "Miss..." I raised my hand to signal her that she didn't need to say anything, and just went back all the way. Back in the palace, it was already late at night.Fang used the bird's nest, but he didn't intend to sleep at all.Jing Qing said: "Your Majesty is tired today, why don't you rest earlier." I waved my hand and said: "No need." I said with a smile: "I'm afraid I haven't slept peacefully yet." It happened that Xiao Yunzi came in with a happy face, and said excitedly: "Your Majesty, the emperor is here." I gave a faint "oh" and said casually, "Close the door of Yinlvxuan." Xiao Yunzi had a look of disbelief, thinking that she had heard it wrong, and said: "What did you say?" I said: "Close the door, you don't need to invite the emperor to come in." Seeing that he hesitated to go, I replied: "You can go at ease, tell the emperor that I have already fallen asleep." Xiao Yunzi went now.After a while, I heard the sound of someone knocking on the door. I listened for a while and asked, "Who is it?" Xuanling's voice was heard outside Xuan, he said: "Huanhuan, are you asleep?" I pretended to be surprised and said: "Isn't the emperor at Cao Jieyu's place? Why did you come here at this time. The concubine has already fallen asleep." I coughed a few times as I spoke. His tone was a little anxious: "Huanhuan, you are in good health, I have to come in and have a look at you before I can rest assured." I hastily said: "The concubine cannot come out to meet the emperor because of the unhealed wind and cold, nor can she accompany the emperor. If the emperor comes in at this moment, the emperor's body is ten thousand gold, and the concubine cannot bear the crime. Please think of the concubine, the emperor." He had no choice but to agree, and compromised: "Then Huanhuan, let me take a look at you, okay? Just take a look. If you are well, I will feel relieved." He came here against the night frost and wind and dew, and he was somewhat sincere.But how can I agree, and said politely: "The emperor will go to court early tomorrow, it is really not suitable to go to bed late, the concubine has already rested, repeating it will only make the illness lingering and make it impossible to serve the emperor as soon as possible, please forgive me." After such a evasion, Xuan Ling naturally couldn't say anything, so he had to go back resentfully. Liu Zhu was in a hurry: "The emperor finally came, why doesn't the lady even let me see her once?" I smiled and changed my clothes, and said, "If he comes tomorrow, I still won't see him." At the dinner on the second day, I still sat far away just below Xuan Ling, maintaining a proper distance from him, and occasionally chatting and joking.Sure enough, he came again in the evening, but I still closed the door and didn't see him. I just tried to persuade him to rest at the place of other concubines, but he refused, even a little annoyed.Everyone was very worried, afraid that I would turn him away if I had the potential to turn around, and even more afraid that Xuan Ling would punish me in a fit of anger.That night, Xuanling didn't want to summon any other concubines, and after leaving without seeing me, she slept alone in the Hall of Yiyuan. So on the third day, I was willing to meet him for a while between the cracks in the door.The candlelight was dim, so he couldn't see clearly, but he was joyful. On the fifth day, I stayed with Xuanling for a cup of tea and saw off the guests. On the eighth day, play a song and see off the guests. On the twelfth day, we had a hand-to-hand conversation and saw off the guests. I have been reluctant to move back to Yingxin Hall for a long time, and I only entertain Xuanling for a while in the small Yinlv Pavilion.But Xuan Ling didn't stay at my place every night, but amidst everyone's discussion and curiosity, their love for me grew stronger day after day. -------------------------------------------------- --- Notes: