Chapter 5 Chapter 5 Avoiding the enemy by every means

It was nightfall when I returned to Yingxin Hall, and Jinxi and the others were as anxious as ants on a hot pot when they saw that I had not returned for a long time.Seeing that I came back, I was relieved, saying that the queen passed down the decree, and the new concubine will start to attend the bed tomorrow night, and specially asked me to prepare well.I was even more upset when I heard that.I didn't have much appetite for dinner, so I only drank a few sips of soup before walking to the courtyard in front of the hall to relax. The Yuzhou sweet-scented osmanthus in the courtyard is in full bloom. Under the light of the moon, it looks like bits of broken gold, with a lingering fragrance.I had no intention of admiring the flowers, and looked at the cornices of the palaces outside the gate of the palace, which overlapped like mountains, with a lot of preoccupations.

Concubine Hua's attitude towards me and Meizhuang has always been ambiguous, she seems to want to win us over to become her wings but she has retained a certain attitude, so she not only publicly suppressed me in Zhaoyang Palace, but also severely punished Liang Cairen for me in Shanglin Garden.But she was so cunning, Liang Cairen clearly said that he acted to admonish Ling Rong, but Concubine Hua said that the reason for punishing her was that Liang's offended me.But the only thing that is certain is that I have made quite a few enemies.The envy and dissatisfaction of the crowd can be seen from Liang Cairen's attitude.It's only Liang's arrogance that makes blatant words and actions.But such a bright sword and bright spear can at least be blocked by soldiers, and covered by water and earth. If tomorrow the first one is selected to serve as a servant and is favored by the emperor, so that there are frequent plots behind his back, it is really impossible to guard against. I am afraid that my end will be even more miserable than that of the Liang family. !

When I think of this, I still have lingering fears.Although Concubine Hua's attitude is ambiguous, it seems that she is still waiting and watching for the time being, and she will not do anything to me.But if my holy family's superiority endangers her status, wouldn't she become a thorn in her flesh, and she must get rid of it quickly.Then I am facing enemies in this harem, and the situation is very bad.My parents want me to protect myself, if I am convicted, even the Zhen family will inevitably be implicated! I looked at the broken and withered golden osmanthus all over the ground, and I secretly thought about it.

As the night wind blew over her body, she couldn't help but feel a layer of chill, and suddenly felt her body warmed up, with a satin coat on her body.Looking back, I saw Huanbi standing behind me and said with concern: "It's windy at night, Miss, be careful to catch a cold." I smiled wearily: "I feel a little uncomfortable, so I ordered Xiao Yunzi to ask the imperial doctor to come and have a look. Remember, as long as Wen Shichu Master Wen." Huanbi hurriedly asked Liu Zhu to help me in together, and ordered Xiaoyunzi to ask Wen Shichu not to mention it. Wen Shichu will arrive soon.Only Zhu Huanbi and Zhu Huanbi are left to serve me, and everyone else is waiting outside.Wen Shi got the pulse at the beginning, then looked at my face, a trace of doubt flashed in his eyes, and asked: "I don't know where the young master's illness started?"

I said lightly: "I was frightened a few days ago, and caught a cold at night." I glanced at him, and he immediately lowered his eyelids and dared not look at me.I said slowly: "That day, the adults in the Kuaixue Pavilion once said that they would treat Zhen Huan well all their lives. I don't know if this is still true today?" The muscles on Wen Shichu's face twitched, apparently he didn't expect me to ask such a question, and he immediately knelt down and said, "Your lord, I can't bear this. But my lord knows that I always keep my promises, besides..." His voice When she was low, she was extremely firm and sincere: "No matter where the young master is, the minister's heart for the young master will never change."

My heart immediately felt relieved, Wen Shichu is indeed a long-term lover, I was not mistaken.I raised my hand to signal for him to come: "There is no room for any kindness in the palace, as long as you are loyal to me and keep the promise." I said in a gentle voice, "Now I have something to ask, I wonder if Lord Wen will help?" He said: "The young master only needs to order." I stared straight at the flickering candle flame with no expression on my face, and said in a low voice, "I don't want to go to bed." He was startled, and his expression returned to normal in an instant, and he said, "Young master, please rest, I will send the medicine from the imperial pharmacy after I have prescribed the prescription."

I told Liu Zhu, "Give it to your lord." Then I asked Huanbi to give Wen Shichu an ingot of gold. He was about to decline, but I whispered, "It's really my kindness, and it's not good to go out empty-handed." This is acceptable. Huanbi waited for me to lie down and rest.Wen Shichu's medicine arrived soon, and Xiao Yinzi decocted it for me to sleep.Woke up the next day with a worse attack.Wen Shichu reported: Guan Gui was palpitated and frightened, contracted a cold-induced illness, and needed rest.The empress sent people from Liu An by her side to visit, and she repeatedly regretted that I was ill at an untimely time.I struggled to remember Xie En but couldn't do what I wanted, so Liu An hurriedly got up to reply.

The queen pointed out that Wen Shichu treated me, and at the same time ordered Chun Changzai and Shi Meiren to move out of Tangli Palace so that I could rest well.I sent Jinxi to Fengyi Palace to thank her personally, and started living alone in Tangli Palace. As soon as the illness came out, everyone in the palace laughed at me behind my back, thinking that although I was as beautiful as a flower, I was as timid as a mouse, and that I was an embroidered pillow that was not very useful.Everyone was even more afraid of Concubine Hua. The beginning of the day was good, the concubines below Concubine Hua came to visit in person, and Concubine Hua also sent maids to visit, it was very lively.One month later, my illness still showed no signs of improvement, and I was still lingering on the sick bed. Wen Shichu's medical skills were always praised by the concubines in the palace, and he treated him diligently, but my illness was still good and bad repeatedly.Wen Shichu had no choice but to report to my superiors that I was weak and weak, and that I did not dare to abuse the medicine of tiger and wolf, and needed to be recuperated slowly.There is no time limit for this recuperation.As soon as the news was released, the number of people who came to visit gradually decreased. In the end, besides Chun Chang who came here occasionally, Mei Zhuang Ling Rong and Wen Shi Chu were the ones who often came.Everyone knows that a concubine who has been ill for a long time, even if she looks like a fairy, will not be able to see her face, let alone Cheng En's favor!Fortunately, I had already expected this kind of result. Although I lamented that the people in the palace tended to be more powerful, I was happy to spend all day in the palace reading and embroidering, slowly "regulating" my body.

Even though I live alone in the deep palace, the outside things still cannot be hidden from me, they have been passed in through Mei Zhuang and Mausoleum.It's just that they were afraid of hindering my recuperation, so they only said a few words.But based on these few words, I also understand the general idea.After the Liang Cairen incident and my shocking illness, Concubine Hua's arrogance has been in full swing. Among the new concubines, Mei Zhuang is the most favored.Followed by Liangyuan Liu Lingxian and Tian nobleman Du Peiyun, but they have not yet become popular.Among the old concubines, Xingui, Ligui and Qin Fangyi are still favored.It's only been a month since Meizhuang entered the palace, not enough to compete with Concubine Hua, so it's okay to tolerate everything.It's just that there are constant jealousy among concubines, and people gradually forget me, a sick nobleman, in the midst of the fights.

The days passed leisurely for more than a month, but I felt something strange.Kang Luhai and his apprentice Xiao Yinzi became more and more restless, and gradually ignored me. I ordered them to do what they said, but they kept their mouths and feet. Jian Xiaoyunzi and another rough envoy, the inner prisoner.Kang Luhai and Xiao Yinzi took the lead, and some of the court ladies became restless, relying on my inability to discipline in illness, something would happen, and they gradually started to quarrel with Liuzhu and Huanbi. One morning, I was sitting under the window in the Xinuang Pavilion drinking the peanut butter made by Jinxi. Kang Luhai and Xiao Yinzi invited An in. They knelt down in front of the couch and cried, "The servant can no longer serve you." My lord!"

I was startled and immediately ordered them to get up and talk.Kang Luhai and Xiao Yinzi stood in front of me, crying and saying that Concubine Li Gui asked them to serve by name.I glanced at him, and he immediately lowered his head and wiped the corners of his eyes with his sleeves.My eyes were sharp, and I saw that there was no tear stain on the sleeves that wiped the corners of his eyes. I knew he was lying, and it was inconvenient to expose him, so I just said lightly: "Got it. This is a good place to go, and it is also your luck. Pack up and finish Let's go at noon. Serve Master Li with all your heart." I was disgusted in my heart, so I didn't go to see them after I finished speaking, I just drank the peanut butter slowly.After drinking a bowl of cheese, I thought about it, and called all the servants in the room, and Wu Ya knelt down on the ground. I said kindly: "I've been ill for more than two months. I'm still not in good spirits these days. I'm afraid the illness will have to drag on. I have so many servants in the palace, and I really don't need so many people to serve me." To tell you the truth, it's annoying to have so many people walking around in front of you. So I asked you to come in today because I have something to ask you: I want to send some servants out and let them serve other concubines. It’s useless to spend here. If anyone of you wants to go out, come to me and get a piece of silver and you can go.” The expressions of eagerness to try appeared on the faces of the little maids, but no one dared to move, only you look at me and I look at you. I said again: "Concubine Ligui has already appointed Eunuch Kang and Eunuch Yin to wait on her, pack up her things and leave. You still don't want to congratulate them." Everyone said a few words of "Congratulations" sparsely, but Liu Zhu couldn't bear it anymore, and gritted his teeth and said, "Eunuch Kang, the young master has always treated you well, and you will get the first share of any reward. Why is it that now?" Climbing up to a high branch but leaving as soon as you say?" Seeing that she was so aggressive, Xiao Yinzi took two steps back unconsciously, but Kang Luhai's expression remained unchanged and said: "Miss Liuzhu is wrong, and this servant is involuntary. This servant only wants to serve the nobleman, but who knows that Master Li pointed out With a name, the servant can’t do anything about it.” Liu Zhu sneered: "I can't help myself, but I didn't know that there is such a reason in this world that a bull will force its head without drinking water! Since you want to serve the noble person wholeheartedly, this is a chance for you to show your loyalty. You go and resign." Call Master Li, and tell her that you are a loyal servant and do not serve the second master. Naturally, Master Li does not blame you, but also praises your loyalty!" Kang Luhai and Xiao Yinzi's faces turned red and turned white, and they were stunned. It was very embarrassing to rob white. I pretended to be angry and said: "Liu Zhu, I naturally know Mr. Kang's 'loyalty', so give him the money!" Huanbi strolled forward, put the money into Kang Luhai's hand, and said with a smile, "Mr. Kang is sure. This money was rewarded by the nobleman of Guan who you are thinking of wholeheartedly. You have to be serious about it." Keep it well, and don’t let it be confused with the rewards from Concubine Ligui in the future, to show your loyalty in Cao Ying and your heart in Han.” Then to Xiao Yinzi: “Eunuch Yin, you take it too. Learn later Your master's loyalty has a bright future." Kang Luhai was obviously very ashamed, but he still didn't dare to get angry in front of me, and walked out of Tangli Palace with a handshake and Xiao Yinzi. I looked back at the rest of the people, and said in a cold tone: "If you want to leave today, let's go together. I still have some money to share with you. If you can't bear the hardships of following me in the future, you have to go, and you have to be sent to the punishment department to do hard labor." You should figure it out for yourself." The sunlight moved eastward bit by bit, and shone brightly on the ground, leaving behind snow-white marks, and West Li was as quiet as a pool of stagnant water.Finally a female voice said in a low voice: "The slave is stupid, I'm afraid I can't serve the young master well." I didn't even look at her, just glanced at Huanbi, she threw the silver on the ground, and there was a "boom" sound again Gu Lulu rolled a long way, but the man finally carefully bent over to pick it up, and two more people got the silver and went out together. There was silence for most of the day, I turned around, only Jinxi, Pin'er, Pei'er, Jingqing, and the internal supervisor Xiao Yunzi and Xiao Lianzi were kneeling on the ground.I glanced over one by one and saw them lying on the ground respectfully, not even daring to make a sound, so I lowered my voice and said, "Do you still want to leave?" Jinxi straightened up, and said briefly and neatly: "This servant swears to be loyal to your nobleman to the death!" Pin'er, Pei'er and Jingqing also said loudly: "The servants swear to be loyal to the young master to the death, and never dare to do those inhuman things." Xiao Yunzi knelt down and moved to me, grabbed the corner of my clothes and cried, saying: "I have received the great favor from the nobleman, and I will never dare to turn my back on the nobleman." I nodded: "You know?" Xiao Yunzi kowtowed and said: "Last month, my brother's brother was sick in the imperial kitchen and no one paid attention to him. The young master was still thinking about him when he was ill, and even specially invited Mr. Wen to treat him. The slave was treated by the young master." This kind of great kindness, I can't repay you in this life, I can only serve the little master with all my heart. In the future, after death, I will become a Wei Tuo, and I will carry the little master to become a Buddha." I laughed out loud: "What a glib mouth of a monkey!" Xiao Yunzi kowtowed a few times and said, "These are the true words of the servant, I dare not deceive the young master!" I signaled him to get up: "Knocking down again will break his head, so ask Mr. Wen to look at it again." All the people laughed. I asked Xiao Lianzi again, "What about you?" Xiao Lianzi said solemnly, "The little master always remembers the good servants of the slaves in his eyes, and slaves are not people without conscience." There was a burst of warmth in my heart, not everyone in the palace is ruthless!I thought for a while and said: "Now that it's cold at night, it's not a problem for Xiao Yunzi and Xiao Lianzi to spend the night on the porch. Give them a thick quilt and let them stay in the side hall instead of on the porch." The man hastily thanked him.I stood up and helped the kneeling people one by one, and said softly: "You have not even enjoyed the blessing of a day with me. I am just a noble person who has been ill for a long time. I can't treat you kindly when you treat me like this. It's just As long as I am here, I will never allow you to be treated badly in this palace." Everyone expressed their gratitude with serious expression.I said to Liu Zhu Huanbi: "You guys go and clean up a table of wine and food. Tonight, people in Tangli Palace, regardless of their superiority or inferiority, sit down and have a meal together!" Full of emotion. Tangli Palace is already a deserted place, the weather is getting colder and the nights are cold and windy, Chun Changzai and Meizhuang and Ling Rong rarely come here at night.When Ye Lai bolts the palace gate, it is a place where no one cares. After dinner all night, everyone is drunk.It was probably the first time in history that the master and servant got drunk together like this in the palace.I got sick again and again, and Jinxi and the others didn't dare to let me drink more, but I insisted on having a good time, and after drinking a few more glasses, I fell asleep indiscriminately. When I woke up the next day, it was already high in the sun, and my head was still a little dizzy, so Jinxi cut two round red silk plasters and stuck them on my temples on both sides.He took green salt and rubbed my teeth, served me and rinsed my mouth with tea, and lay on the bed too lazy to get up when I heard the wind blowing outside the window. From far away, I heard someone laughing: "It's going to be freezing! You sleep well!" Jinxi hugged a pillow and let me tilt it. Seeing Jingqing leading two people in red feather satin cloaks, she took off the pillow. Hood saw that it was Mei Zhuang and Ling Rong.Mei Zhuang came up to touch my face: "Do you feel better?" I smiled slightly: "It's just the same." Ling Rong said as he took off his cloak, "My sister's plaster is more playful after sticking it like this, and her face is more rosy." Mei Zhuang laughed: "What's naughty? She's becoming more and more like a crazy woman because no one cares about her! Don't praise her, or she will be even more proud!" I looked at Mei Zhuang's outfit and smiled: "Are the materials and jewelry newly rewarded by the emperor?" She blushed slightly and just smiled.I pursed my lips and smiled as I looked at the pair of translucent green hairpins on her head, and said: "This hairpin looks very generous, and the jade color is also good." Ling Rong smiled and said: "Sure enough, the hero sees the same thing. I said the same thing just now. Sister Mei has a lot of holy family now." Mei Zhuang blushed even more, and said: "I just sent you a few baskets of silver charcoal, your palace is lonely and there are many trees, I'm afraid it will be colder in a few days, it will not be good for your condition." I smiled: "How can it be so delicate? The charcoal has already been delivered." Ling Rong said: "It's not on the porch! It's black charcoal, it's very dusty, and it's not usable in the house. Sister Mei should go and tell the empress, how can those servants neglect Sister Wan like this!" I hurriedly stopped: "Slaves are like this. And because you are favored, they don't dare to neglect me very much. There is still a little difference. Besides, one more thing is worse than one less thing. Didn't you send it to me? Send charcoal in the snow , this kind of affection is the most precious, it makes me happier than a hundred baskets of silver charcoal." Mei Zhuang wondered: "When I came in just now, why did you feel that your palace was suddenly deserted, even the charcoal was picked up by Xiao Yunzi, where are Kang Luhai and Xiao Yinzi?" Ling Rong interjected, "And the Huaner on the tea and the two maids at the sweeper?" I smiled faintly: "Kang Luhai and Xiao Yinzi were asked by Concubine Li Gui, and they came to tell me when they were asked to leave. I sent the rest away." Mei Zhuang was very surprised: "Kang Luhai and Xiao Yinzi are under your name, how could Concubine Ligui leave without saying hello? Kang Luhai and Xiao Yinzi are also willing to go?! He asked again: "Why did you send those girls away again?" "The heart is not here anymore. I wish I could spread my wings and fly high. I'm afraid I'll trap them. It will be a disaster if such a person stays around. It's better to drive away as soon as possible." Mei Zhuang pondered: "You mean..." I said in a condensed voice: "The slaves are good but not many. Rather than staying here unintentionally, it is better to leave early. First, keep the truly loyal and good slaves; second, there are many people here, and you often come and go. Those slaves who have different intentions If it is bought and used by other people to deal with us, it will be hard to guard against." Mei Zhuang nodded: "It's still you who are careful! I never guarded against this, it seems that I have to pay close attention to my slaves when I go back, and Ling Rong is the same." Ling Rong said in a low voice: "Yes." Looking at me carefully, he sighed slightly: "My sister is still so worried during her illness, no wonder the illness has not recovered for a long time, how can you know that it is because of this worrying too much?" Mei Zhuang also had a worried expression on his face: "It is reasonable to say that Doctor Wen's medical skills are very good, why is this disease not getting better?" I comforted her: "Illness comes like a mountain, and it goes away like a thread. Recently, the weather is cold and it is even more difficult to recover. However, it is much better than before." I asked again: "How did Concubine Hua treat you?" Mei Zhuang glanced at Ling Rong and said, "That's it, it's not bad for face." I said softly: "I know you are honest and cautious, and Lingrong is cautious. It's just that you have to talk about what you shouldn't bear. Don't just tolerate and indulge her." Mei Zhuang understood, and asked me again: "Is the ginseng sent last time okay to eat?" I smiled: "Please think about it, very good." After sitting for a while, seeing that it was getting late, Mei Zhuang got up and said goodbye with a smile: "You are also tired after talking for a long time. Let's go first without disturbing your rest." I smiled and ordered Liu Zhu to send them out.Huanbi came in with the medicine, hesitated a little and said, "Miss, can I still take this medicine?" I said, "Eat. Why don't you eat?" She looked embarrassed: "Will a good person take this medicine and not hurt his body?" I smiled: "It's okay. His medicine just made me look sick and physically weak after taking it. And I take it once in a while, it won't cause any serious problems." I glanced at her: "No one except you and Liu Zhu. Someone else found out?" Huanbi nodded, and said: "Master Wen's medicine is very clever, no one has discovered it. But why bother to hide the truth from Miss Hui and An Xuan?" I whispered: "It is precisely because I feel like sisters with them that I don't tell them. There are contingencies in everything, and if the truth is revealed, they will not be involved. Besides, the more people who know, the easier it is for them to be exposed. It's not good for everyone." The concoction in the bowl was dark in color and exuded a sweet and sour taste.I raised my head and drank it. -------------------------------------------------- --- Notes: