Chapter 22 Chapter 22 Qinghe

After Concubine Hua lost power, the palace became much quieter.Without this formidable enemy in front of us, Mei Zhuang and I both breathed a sigh of relief, and could only rest assured.Concubine Hua lost the power to assist the Sixth Palace, so the family court was naturally not as lively as it used to be. After she asked Xuanling to see Xuanling many times but was unable to make a fuss, she didn't make any fuss. All the whispers and cynicism of the concubines fell on deaf ears. In mid-May, the weather in Kyoto became hotter and hotter. Due to the hot summer in Beijing, the emperors of all dynasties were lucky to escape the summer heat at the Taiping Palace in Xijing before June every year, and returned to Kyoto in early autumn.Xuan Ling is not afraid of heat, but the ancestral system is like this, and most of the palace family members are expensive and not resistant to heat, so with one order, the House of Internal Affairs has already been properly arranged.Xuanling also led the concubines, relatives and officials as usual, and drove out of the capital in a mighty way, to stay in the Taiping Palace.

The Taiping Palace was originally rebuilt from the "Haoshan Garden" of Emperor Jingzong of the former Dynasty. It is surrounded by mountains and rivers and has excellent scenery.In our dynasty, the world was peaceful and prosperous, and pavilions and pavilions were successively built on the old scenery of Haoshan Garden. After nearly a hundred years, it finally became the largest royal palace. In addition to the queen, the harem accompanied only six or seven concubines who were usually favored.Cao Ronghua is also among them.Concubine Hua lost power, although Cao Ronghua was her confidant, she was not implicated, probably because she was usually quiet even though she was around Concubine Hua.What's more, the concubine Ligui in the past was the most domineering and impatient, and Cao Ronghua seemed to be likable when she was still and moved.Moreover, Xuan Ling didn't have many children, apart from the one who died young, there was only one prince and two concubines.And Cao Ronghua is the biological mother of the second daughter of the emperor, Wenyi and Diji.Emperor Wen Yi is not yet one year old, and although there are a lot of wet nurses serving her daily meals, she still cannot do without the careful care of her biological mother.

Although Concubine Hua lost Xuan Ling's favor, she was still the first among the three concubines, and the queen also arranged for her to come, but she didn't get out of the car even half a step before arriving in Xijing, deliberately avoiding the embarrassment of meeting everyone; Concubine Duan I couldn't bear a little heat when I was sick. Although the horses and horses were exhausted, they came with the crowd, but they lived alone in the car and didn't meet us face to face.However, Ling Rong and Chun Changzai have never been favored, and Shi Meiren has been out of favor for a long time, and they still live in the palace and are not allowed to accompany them.Ling Rong is cautious and careful, and Chun Chang didn't take it to heart when he was young and ignorant, but Shi Meiren was angry for a long time because of this matter, and didn't even come to see us off after we left the palace.

All day in the palace, dealing with people, once away from the vermilion hundred-foot palace wall, lift up the car curtain to see Jiaxuan, farms and mulberries, light smoke on the mosque, smell the freshness of wild flowers and weeds, and suddenly feel relaxed physically and mentally, and happy Quite a lot. The Taiping Palace is built according to the situation of Gelu Mountain. There are gardens in the mountains, mountains in the gardens, mixed with lakes and dense forests. Living in the Taiping Palace always feels more free than in the palace, although it is only the harem or this harem, it just moved a place.But this time Xixing escaped from the summer heat, the Empress Dowager thought it was troublesome to mobilize the teachers and mobilize the crowd, and said that she was still in the palace because she was old enough to meditate and worship the Buddha without feeling afraid of the heat.Although it has been more than half a year since she entered the palace, the Empress Dowager never leaves the Yining Palace for non-major festivals, and she only sees the empress and the princes and daughters on weekdays, and the concubines cannot be seen unless summoned.So I haven't seen the Queen Mother yet.But the queen mother was wise in the past. I have heard my father and brother mention it many times, so I can't help but feel a little more awe and admiration for her.Now that I don't live in the same palace with the empress dowager, it's like leaving my strict father to go to my grandfather's house when I was young, it's a lot more relaxed and casual.

Xuan Ling chose the cool and peaceful water and green Nanxun Hall as his sleeping hall.The Empress naturally lives in the Jiyue Hall of Light and Wind, which can be compared with it. Mei Zhuang likes a green bamboo forest in the courtyard of Yurun Hall, dense with phoenix tails, and the dragon's chant is soft, so he chose to live there.I am most afraid of heat by nature, and Xuan Ling was reluctant to let me live far away, so he wanted to place me in the side hall of Shuilv Nanxun Hall, so that we could see each other day and night.It's just that this move is too eye-catching, and I'm afraid it will cause trouble again, so I have to politely decline it.So Xuanling pointed to the nearest Yifu Pavilion for me to live in. When the door opened, there were a lot of lotus flowers standing there, and the cool breeze came from the lake through the lotus leaves, which was pleasant and pleasant.

When I first entered the Yifu Pavilion, I saw dozens of pots of southern flowers such as jasmine, jasmine, and magnolia placed in the main hall, with lovely white stamens.There is a wind wheel in each room.Huang Guiquan slapped him with a smile all over his face: "The emperor knows that the young master loves incense by nature, and it is not suitable to burn incense to avoid the heat of the summer, so he specially ordered the servants to fetch fresh fragrant flowers, and set up the wind wheel to enjoy the coolness for incense." Sure enough, the wind wheel turned, and the cool breeze Xixi, Qingfen is full of halls.

Huang Guiquan said flatteringly: "There are none from other young masters. My current favor is the first in the palace!" Xuan Ling was really careful and thoughtful.Slightly moved in his heart, he turned his head and said to Huang Guiquan: "Your Majesty, Long En. You go and answer and say that I will go over to thank you in person later." Huang Guiquan said: "Yes. Your Majesty is going to go hunting later. You can take a rest and then go slowly." I smiled and said: "This method is a coincidence, the emperor really took care of it." Huang Guiquan said: "If it's not hot today, it will be very comfortable to put ice cubes from the ice cellar in the hall in the dog days. The emperor ordered our house of internal affairs early in the morning. If you feel hot, use ice immediately. The servants dare not be careless."

I glanced at him, and Fang said with a smile: "Eunuch Huang has worked hard. In fact, it is enough to send someone casually. I should also ask Eunuch to go there himself. Go to Cui Shun to get some money, and treat him as a treat for the eunuchs." Tea." Huang Guiquan said in a hurry: "Your master, how dare you take this as a slave. It is a blessing that you have cultivated for several lifetimes to dedicate yourself to your master. I will definitely not dare to be rewarded by my master again." He bowed and stepped back. Pei'er looked at his figure and said: "As soon as Concubine Hua fell, this guy has learned to be good, but now he is a man with his tail between his legs, I'm afraid he is not thoughtful."

Liu Zhu smiled lightly: "Even if Concubine Hua does not fail, who in this palace would dare to be inconsiderate to our lady." I glanced at her and said, "Just keep talking, it's important to fold some fresh lotus leaves to make soup." After resting for a while, he redressed his makeup and evenly dressed his face, and then slowly walked towards Xuanling's bedroom with Huanbi in his arms.After crossing the Lianqiao, Jingqiao and Youfeng Bridge on the Moon Lake, and passing through the winding and carved promenade piercing through the flowers and trees, there is a long Yongxiang, with ancient cypresses on both sides of the road, shady flowers and trees, Covering most of the sun, it is also shaded.

He could only hear the sharp sound of a sharp weapon piercing the sky above his head, and when he looked up, he saw a long arrow piercing the sky. Suddenly, a shadow fell from the sky, and he instinctively took a few steps back.A heavy object smashed through the branches and leaves of the flowering tree and fell to the ground, causing dust to fly up, mixed with feathers and scattered flowers and leaves, flying in the air, and the bitter smell of blood rushed straight into the nostrils.Taking a closer look, I saw an arrow piercing through two heads of Haidongqing, passing through all four eyes.That Hai Dongqing was not dead yet, his wings as hard as iron fluttered twice and finally stopped moving.

I secretly shouted "Hello!" from the bottom of my heart!Hai Dongqing is from Liaodong. Although small in size, he is extremely fierce and sturdy, with a beak like steel hook and wings like iron, and his health and handsomeness are far better than ordinary birds.One arrow can shoot down two and penetrate the four eyes, the precision and sharpness of the arrow is really amazing. Huanbi couldn't help but praise: "Good arrow skills!" There was thunderous applause and cheers not far away.A servant hurried over to pick up the two sea dongqings, and when he saw that I was busy, he saluted and greeted me.I couldn't help asking: "Is the emperor shooting in the garden?" The servant replied respectfully: "King Qinghe is here, the emperor and the prince are hunting." Hearing the word "Qinghe King", I couldn't help but think of the first time I met Xuan Ling in Shanglin Garden in spring, he called himself "Qinghe King".I saw the bright yellow patterned tail feathers on the arrow, and said with a smile: "Your Majesty is really good at arrows!" The servant said with a smile: "My lord's archery skills are excellent, and the emperor is full of praise!" I was taken aback for a moment, I had heard that King Qinghe was obsessed with piano, chess, poetry and painting, his temperament was idle and wild, and he didn't want his arrows to be so precise, it was really unexpected. It was just an accident, it had nothing to do with me, so I asked him casually: "Is there anyone else here?" "Cao Ronghua is accompanying the holy driver." I nodded and said: "Hurry up and go with Hai Dongqing. Report to the emperor that I will be there immediately." He nodded and left.I saw him go for a while, straightened my hair and dress and said to Huanbi, "Let's go too." After entering the garden, I saw a long lake blue back surrounded by attendants and disappeared behind the lush flowers and trees. The back was as distant as spring mountains and green pines, and there was an indescribable leisurely attitude.Curious in my heart, I couldn't help but take another look. A servant came up to greet him and said: "The emperor is waiting for the young master in the Shuilu Nanxun Hall." After saying that, he led me over. The Shuilv Nanxun Hall was built on the west bank of Taiye Pool, and it was built on the shore, most of which are in the water.The empty corridors on all sides are circuitous, the bamboo curtains are dense and drooping, and the hall is extremely cool and quiet.Just after entering the hall, one could smell the elegant fragrance of tea in the clear lake water.Seeing Xuan Ling and Cao Ronghua sitting opposite each other drinking tea, Xuan Ling saw me coming, and said with a smile, "You're here." Yili saw it before, and said with a smile: "The emperor is very interested. Where can I find such a good tea?" Xuanling chuckled: "I'm not the sixth child. It took me a lot of effort to find this half catty of 'Xueding Hancui'. It's really good tea. Come and have a cup too." "Snow top with emerald greens" grows on the steep mountain peaks in the extreme north and is extremely difficult to pick. There are only a dozen or so plants in the world.Because it is nourished by snow water all the year round, the tea tastes fresh and cold, which is extremely rare, and even the royal family and nobles can hardly taste it. "My lord really has a heart." I looked around and said, "My concubine heard that the emperor and the lord had won a very good shot just now, so why did they disappear in a blink of an eye?" I deliberately joked with Xuan Ling: "It must be the lord who heard that the lord The concubine looks like nothing, so she avoided it because she was afraid of being frightened." Xuanling laughed straight at me, pointed at me and said to Cao Ronghua: "Listen, Qinmo, if she is nothing compared to herself, then everyone in my harem is the first-class ugly woman of Dongshi." Cao Ronghua's eyes were watering, he smiled, he was slowly peeling a grape in his hand, and said to me: "My lord is still here just now, because a new batch of enamel porcelain from Yuezhou has come, and my lord is anxious to watch it." After finishing speaking, he raised his hand and handed the peeled grapes to Xuan Ling's mouth, "Sister Wanyi is beautiful, but she is just modest. The emperor is listening to her jokes." Xuanling swallowed, frowned and smiled: "Not bad. Sure enough, Confucius said 'only women and villains are hard to raise'." I held up a round fan to cover my face, pretending to be annoyed and said: "The concubine can understand what you said. The emperor compares the concubine to a villain. The concubine does not obey." After speaking, he said with a flick of his sleeve: "The emperor does not like the concubine to be around. Right now, the concubine has resigned." Xuan Ling stood up and pulled me back, saying: "I don't feel thirsty when I say such words, come, try this 'snow top with green', I hope I will make amends to you." Then I turned around and turned my anger into joy, "The emperor will really borrow flowers to offer Buddha, and take things from the six kings as favors." Xuan Ling said: "It's nothing more than favors, as long as you like it." Then the three of them sat down to drink tea together. Cao Ronghua listened to my banter with Xuan Ling, he just smiled quietly and said nothing, his eyes were full of glances, and he was quite beautiful.After a long while, Fang smiled and said slowly: "As the saying goes, a thousand pieces of gold buys a smile, and the emperor's move to sister Wanyi is worth it." My face was slightly hot, and I also smiled: "Tell Sister Ronghua to make fun of it." Cao Ronghua took a sip of tea and said, "The fragrance enters the mouth, refreshing, the six kings really have a heart." He half covered his face with the round fan and said: "The concubine heard that the emperor met sister Wanyi for the first time that day. In the name of the Six Kings, I had a heart-to-heart talk with my younger sister, Pin Xiao, to achieve today's marriage, it is really a good story through the ages." Hearing Cao Ronghua talk about the first meeting with Xuan Ling that day, his heart was sweetened, and a blush spread on his cheeks like a stream of clouds.Xuan Ling was sitting opposite me, looking at each other with silent smiles. Suddenly, I faintly felt that something was wrong. Although many people in the palace had heard about my meeting with Xuan Ling that day, how could she know such a subtle secret as Xuan Ling borrowing the name of Qinghe.I don't seem to have mentioned it to anyone in my memory.Thinking of this, my heart suddenly sank. Just as he was thinking about it, Cao Ronghua said again: "In this way, the sixth king is still the matchmaker between the emperor and sister Wanyi, so he should be thanked. What's more, this big matchmaker is handsome and suave. I don't know how many officials and eunuchs in the court fall in love with him. I can't stop, I have to be close day and night. Presumably my sister has heard about the reputation of our six kings in her boudoir, right?" Xuan Ling's eyes flickered slightly when he heard this, and then he returned to his usual earnest expression looking at me in an instant.Although it was only for a moment, my heart skipped a beat, and I suddenly felt something was wrong, so I calmed down and said: "My sister lived in a boudoir for a long time before entering the palace, and soon after she entered the palace, she was sick again. She is so ignorant that she has never heard of the prince's name. Sister Cao laughed at me. Already." After saying that, he shook the round fan lightly, and said with a bright smile: "The emperor is very literary, and he is considerate of our sisters' minds so that we will not be restrained. I wonder if he also did this to get close to sister Fangze that day?" Although dealing with Cao Ronghua, secretly paying attention to Xuanling's expression.Xuan Ling looked as usual, and didn't see anything unusual.I have tried my best to get rid of it, and I only hope that Xuan Ling will not pay attention to her provocation by Cao Qinmo.If he was really suspicious, he would feel a slight chill in his heart.No, with the way he treats me, he won't doubt me like this. Cao Ronghua only smiled quietly, like a dragonfly perched silently on the tip of a lotus. No one could have imagined that there was such a sharp edge hidden in her silence and peace, causing waves to overlap.She took a look at the sky, got up and said goodbye: "I'm afraid Wen Yi is going to be hungry at this time, I should go back and have a look." Xuan Ling nodded and said, "Alright. Wen Yi has been crying all the time lately. Physician Jiang often checks the Ping An pulse for you, and also shows him why Wen Yi is crying like this." "Yes. The concubine asked the doctor Jiang to see it before reporting back to the emperor." After finishing speaking, she calmly smiled and retreated. Xuanling and I were the only ones left in the hall, while Huanbi and the rest of the palace were standing outside the hall.There is a gelled coolness in the air, and the fragrance of tea leaves loses its lightness as if glued together, only feeling sticky and indulging.The hoarse neighing of cicadas on the treetops in the distance disturbed my heart one after another. There was a shallow smile on the corner of Xuan Ling's mouth, and he ordered someone to take out a qin: "This qin was the favorite of the former emperor Concubine Shu Gui, who begged for her after many twists and turns. Before you came, I would I want to listen to someone play a piece, but it's a pity that Qin Mo, as his name suggests, is very unfamiliar with the art of Qin." I said: "The concubine will send someone to invite Sister Huipin to come over." "Concubine Hui's proficiency in rhythm and melody is higher than yours, but the emotion in the music is not as good as yours. Such a good piano will be dull without emotion, so you should play a song." I said: "Then my concubine will play a song for the emperor." Xuanling looked at me and said, "Okay. The blue waves and the breeze, drinking tea and listening to the piano, sitting and watching the beauties are indeed the joys of life. Let's play the half song "The High of the Mountain"." I stroked the strings lightly.It really is a high-quality piano, and its tone is as clear as big pearls and small pearls falling into a jade plate.It's just that I have other distractions here and now, and I haven't given all my thoughts to this piano, which really disappoints me. At the end of the song, the emperor clapped his hands and said: "Sure enough, the playing is exquisite." The emperor looked into my eyes piercingly, and after a while, he raised a faint smile and said: "I fully understand Huanhuan's affection for me. It's just not Do you know when Huanhuan fell in love with me?" His heart suddenly tightened, and he really asked.He finally asked.Not allowing me to think too much, I stood up and walked in front of him, knelt down calmly and said: "What Huanhuan likes is the person standing in front of Huanhuan, it has nothing to do with title or title." The emperor didn't ask me to get up, but said calmly, "How should I say it?" "The emperor borrowed the name of King Qinghe to enjoy the flute with his concubine. Although Huanhuan admired the emperor's talent, she wholeheartedly thought that you were a prince, so she was cautious everywhere and did not dare to go beyond the rules to get closer. After the emperor revealed his identity, he gave Huanhuan Take care of her more and love her more. The emperor treats Huanhuan not just like other concubines, and Huanhuan is not just a gift to the emperor, but also a husband and wife relationship." Speaking of this, I looked up at Xuanling, Seeing that his expression was quite touched, he was a little relieved. I continued: "If you want to find out when Huanhuan fell in love with the emperor, Huanhuan fell in love with the emperor when the emperor helped me solve Yu's difficulty in changing clothes. Huanhuan has never liked to have disputes with others. You are reckless, Huanhuan is really at a loss. The emperor's words to save each other are not only to relieve the difficulties, but also to protect the dignity of Huanhuan. Although this is just a little effort for you, in Huanhuan's mind, the emperor is a gentleman who saves people from danger." The emotion in Xuan Ling's eyes increased greatly, and the smile on his lips gradually became stronger. He gently reached out to help me and said, "I'm just asking a casual question." I insisted on refusing to get up, "The emperor, Rong Huanhuan, please finish." She leaned on the ground and said, "Huanhuan is a death penalty. If you say a word of trespass, Huanhuan respects you as a king in her heart, but she regards you as Huanhuan's husband. Love is heavy." When it came to the next few sentences, my voice was choked up and I couldn't cry. Xuanling hugged me distressedly, and said with pity: "Why don't I understand your thoughts, so I love you more than all concubines. Today's matter is really suspicious, Huanhuan, don't blame me I." I leaned against his chest and whispered the word "Shiro." He hugged me even tighter, "Huanhuan, you just kept calling me 'Emperor' to make a statement. I was moved and felt sad. You have always called me 'Silang' when no one is there. Huanhuan, it's my fault, I made you sad." Tears wet the ferocious golden thread dragon pattern on his dragon robe little by little.The weather is hot in summer, and I was hugged tightly by Xuan Ling, but my heart was like a palm exposed to the wind at the end of autumn, and it felt cool every minute. It was already the morning of the next day when we left Shuilv Nanxun Palace.Although it is a blessing in the west, the morning court cannot be abolished, Xuan Ling still went to watch the court, and told me to wake up and get up again. Huanbi followed me back to the palace, saw that I was unhappy, and said cautiously: "Miss, don't be sad. The emperor still loves you very much." A cold sneer appeared on the corner of his mouth, "Does the emperor really love me? If it is true love, how could I listen to Cao Qinmo's slander and doubt me so much." Huanbi was silent, I said: "You know, I It was like walking through the gate of hell yesterday, and it was hard to dispel the emperor's suspicion and save this life." Huanbi was shocked, and immediately knelt down and said, "Miss, why bother to say that?" I stretched out my hand to pull her up, and said sadly: "If my answer just now is slightly biased and careless, it will be a dead end. Do you think the emperor just casually talked to me about the gentleness of the past? It's a big mistake. He was trying to tempt me at the beginning. The emperor whose name is King Qinghe is still the emperor of the Ninth Five-Year Supreme. If I answered that it was the emperor who chatted with me about Pinxiao, then I would be approaching other men as a celestial concubine, which is a heinous sin. " Huanbi couldn't help but wondered: "But the emperor said something to hide it first?" "So what? He is the emperor, there is nothing wrong with it. Just because I don't know that he is the emperor, then he is just another man in my mind, and it is a capital offense for me to fall in love with him." Huanbi was speechless: "Then why can't you fall in love with the emperor who has revealed his identity?" "He is the emperor. I can respect and fear him, but I can't love him. Because he is the emperor and I am the subject, which can never be surpassed. If I say that I am tempted by the emperor who has shown his identity, then he will think it is It is a kind of humiliation for a man to give in to his identity instead of himself. And he will think that I am just flattering him, flattering him, and treating him like other concubines without a trace of sincerity. If not, I will face a crisis of falling out of favor." After I finished speaking, Huanbi's forehead was dripping with cold sweat. I let out a long sigh and said, "Do you know that there is actually only a thin line between life and death if you like it or not!" Huanbi was speechless, and persuaded for a long time: "The emperor is also a man, so it is inevitable that he will be jealous. King Qinghe is that kind of person. The emperor asked this question because he cares about Miss." "Maybe." I dazedly picked up a magnolia and rubbed it between my fingers. The fragrant juice stuck to the palm of my hand, but the petals fell off weakly. Jinxi has been in the palace for many years, has experienced many things, and is calm.Taking advantage of taking off her make-up at night, and no one else was around, she told her in detail what happened in the tax rate Nanxun Palace. Jinxi pondered for a moment, then took a slight breath and said, "The young master suspects that someone has told Cao Ronghua about the private affairs between the young master and the emperor." I nodded, "I just thought so, without any evidence." Jinxi said softly: "Only those who are closest to the young master know about these things, and the servants only heard about the young master today. The only one who was able to meet her was Miss Liu Zhu. But Miss Liu Zhu is the young master's dowry... " I frowned and thought: "I know. She has been with me for many years, and I can trust her. She will never be involved with Cao Shi to betray me." "Yes." Jinxi thought for a while and replied, "The maidservant is thinking that Miss Liu Zhu has always been straightforward, and I don't know if she has accidentally mentioned it to others, and even passed it to Cao Ronghua's ears by word of mouth. After all, there are many people in the palace." After thinking about it, there is only this explanation.Reluctantly said: "Fortunately, the emperor believed me, otherwise it would be an invisible sharp edge." Jinxi nodded and said: "That's true. Nothing else matters, as long as the emperor believes in the young master."