Chapter 29 Chapter 29 Jackdaw (Part 1)

In the evening, Jinxi took people into the hall to replace the dinner, and then personally waited for me to take a bath.This is not her job, Jingqing, Pin'er, Pei'er and the others have always served her.I knew she must have something to say to me, so I withdrew the others, leaving only her by my side. Jinxi gently wiped my body with rose petals, and said softly: "Aunt Fang Ruo has news that the little master of Meizhuang is better, not like the previous few days, crying all day without water and rice, and gradually getting better. Calm down and have some food." I took a deep breath and said, "I'm relieved now—I'm afraid she won't think about it."

Jinxi comforted: "The young master of Meizhuang is usually a temperamental person, so it must not be the case." "Why don't I know." Suddenly remembered something, and was about to reach out to get her clothes and get up, "Won't someone tamper with her diet? If someone poisoned her and said that she committed suicide in fear of crime, there is really no proof of death." Already!" Jinxi hurriedly said: "My lord is too worried. The servants guarding the little lord of Meizhuang will naturally be careful about this matter. If something happens to the little lord of Meizhuang, they will be the only ones who can't escape."

It made sense to think about it, so I was a little relieved and sat down to take a bath again.Jinxi said: "The servant has looked at you coldly for half a year, and the young master loves the young master of Meizhuang more than he loves himself. Originally, the young master of Meizhuang was pregnant, and the emperor ignored you for several days. The young master in the palace Ladies are waiting to see you joke with her, but who would have thought that you are more affectionate to the young master Meizhuang, as if you were pregnant." I said with emotion: "Mistress Meizhuang and I were good friends when we were young. From the deep boudoir to the deep palace, we are the two of us together. How can anyone else compare with it. In this palace, except for the mausoleum, it is me and her. The left and right arms support each other to walk over. How can I not be heartbroken and anxious when she is in such a state of desperation today."

Jinxi seemed to be deeply touched, and said to me: "The young master of Meizhuang is like this, and the young master of Meizhuang has the same heart for the young master. This is what the young master of Meizhuang tried to get Aunt Fangruo to send out. , must be handed over to the young master." I hurriedly took it over and took a look. There was only a few words written on a small roll of thin paper: Cherish yourself and help Lingrong. As soon as I finished reading it, tears fell from my eyes, wetting the paper a little bit. Meizhuang Jinzu Yuruntang naturally didn't have pens and inks by her side, and I don't know where she found this roll of paper with all her efforts.Without pen and ink, this mere horoscope was actually written in blood, probably by biting a finger.I am very sad.Mei Zhuang, Mei Zhuang, you can't protect yourself and you still want to take care of me, thinking that I'm alone and helpless, and you want me to help Ling Rong take the throne.

After I finished reading the paper, I quickly made a ball and asked Jinxi to put it in the incense burner and burn it. I couldn't help but hesitate in my heart.I don't know that Ling Rong is the only person around me who I can trust and support.But after being in the palace for nearly a year, Lingrong seems to have no more affection for my brother. She not only avoids seeing Xuan Ling face to face, but also tries not to attract his attention. How can I bear to force her to be with a man I don't like? What about getting close? After bathing, change into clean clothes.Seeing that it was getting late, he took Jinxi to see the mausoleum, and asked Liuzhu and Huanbi to bring some fruit silk satin to follow.

Lingrong's residence is placed in a secluded courtyard near Yifu Hall.In addition to Baojuan and Juqing who were her personal servants, there were two court ladies Cui'er and Xi'er assigned to her by Meizhuang earlier. Before they entered the courtyard, they could already hear the sound of arguing.It was Cui'er's voice: "It's fine for the young master to settle down, why bother us as slaves. If you can enjoy the benefits of a day with Shen Chang, it would be even better if you can follow Zhen Jieyu. Not to mention that Jieyu is a celebrity in front of the emperor, and even the one who takes us as slaves is also honored."

I hurriedly signaled Jinxi and the others not to go in yet, and stood quietly at the door to listen. Xi'er also said: "It's no wonder that we as slaves have to complain, we have never had a single day of light following you, my lord, and we have suffered a lot." Ling Rong said in a soft voice: "It turns out that I am not good at being the master, and you have been wronged for no reason." Ju Qing thought she couldn't be angry, and said, "My lord, you have a good temper. If you let them make trouble, you will no longer be seen in my eyes, my lord."

Tweety disdainfully said: "My lord didn't say anything, you are the same person as us, so why let you talk." Xi'er sneered and said, "The little master thought he was the master? I don't know if there is any luck in this life to be called a 'master' by your concubine!" Ling Rong knew he had slipped his tongue, and was so blocked that he couldn't say a word, so he just sat on the porch blushing.But Ju Qing couldn't bear it anymore and wanted to quarrel with them. I was so angry that I couldn't help but let out a cold snort and stepped into the door.

Everyone was taken aback when they saw that it was me who came in.Cui'er and Xi'er hurriedly stopped talking, rushed to invite Ann, and stepped forward with a smile to pick up the things in Liu Zhu and Huanbi's hands. I stretched out my hand to stop it, and said: "It's not a crime to ask you two to do it." I didn't look at them while talking, just smiled and said to Juqing: "Good girl, I know that I want to protect the Lord. Huanbi, take the silver to reward her. " Ju Qing hurriedly thanked him for the reward.Tweety'er and Xi'er's faces turned red and white, and they had to stand aside with their hands shrunk.

I said: "Didn't you say you want to be my servant? It's not easy to be my servant. Your little master has a kind heart to indulge you. I don't have such a good temper. I definitely can't tolerate you. I don’t have the slaves of the master in my eyes.” My face sank, and I said coldly, “Jinxi, take them to the Punishment Department and tell the person in charge that these two slaves are no longer available. I personally stare at them and beat them 20 times. rod, and then sent to the Huanyi Bureau as slaves." When they heard this, they were so frightened that they knelt on the ground and begged desperately for mercy, crying so much that they burst into tears.I ignored them, and only said to Jinxi: "When I return to the queen, I will go to the House of Internal Affairs and pick up two servants to serve the young master of Ling Rong." Then I took Ling Rong's hand and went in together.

I have always been kind to palace people and rarely get angry.Even Jinxi was taken aback by turning his face today, and hurriedly drove them away regardless of their crying and begging for mercy. Ling Rong and he went into the room and sat down together, Ling Rong said with shame on his face: "Ling Rong is useless, I told my sister to read a joke." I said: "Your temper is too good, let them do it. Didn't I tell you earlier that if there is anything wrong with the palace maid, the eunuch will come and tell me. Originally, Sister Mei could take care of you, but now I am the same. " Ling Rong said in a low voice: "It's a troubled time right now. Sister Mei is in trouble, and my sister is devastated. How can Ling Rong be so ignorant to bother my sister with these trivial matters." I patted her hand and said: "You and I love sisters, there is nothing to say." Seeing her always ashamed, I couldn't bear it, so I changed the subject and said: "I saw you eating that lychee two days ago. It is very sweet, and today I brought some more. You can try to see if it is as good as last time." Pointing to the melon in Liuzhu's hand, he said: "This is a new melon from Tubo, specially brought for you .” There were tears in Ling Rong's eyes, "Sister treats me like this, Ling Rong really..." I hurriedly pressed her hand, and pretended to blame: "I'm going to say those words again." As he spoke, he asked Liu Zhu to cut the melon and used some together. Lingrong's room was a bit small, and it felt extremely hot in the afternoon sun.After a short conversation, the vest was dripping with sweat. I really find it difficult to speak about what Mei Zhuang told me, I hesitated for a long time but couldn't open my mouth. Inadvertently saw an unfinished piece of embroidery she put on the table, picked it up and looked at it, it was embroidered with the pattern of "Butterfly Love Flower", the stitching is exquisite, the stitches are fine, and the embroidery is lifelike.Seeing that I was looking at it with gusto, Ling Rong blushed and stretched out his hand to get it back. I smiled and said: "Lingrong's needlework has improved again." After looking at it for a while, I said: "Your craftsmanship is really good, can you also embroider one for me to make a sachet?" Ling Rong smiled sweetly: "Of course. Does my sister want to embroider a 'Die Lian Hua' too?" I pursed my lips and thought for a while, then suddenly smiled and said, "I don't want 'Die Lian Hua'. Die Lian Hua, can flowers also love Die? This is not good." Ling Rong was startled, then smiled and said: "That's right. I'll embroider a lovebird and Lian Lizhi for my sister. I wish the emperor and my sister a loving relationship?" I looked at her with a slight smile: "Lingrong only wants to wish me love with the emperor, but doesn't he want to have love with the emperor?" Ling Rong was startled, then lowered his head and said, "What did sister say?" I dismissed the people around me, straightened my expression and said: "I want to ask you what to do?" I paused: "That day in Fuli Palace, what happened to you?" Ling Rong tried his best to avoid my gaze, and said in a low voice, "It's nothing." I glanced at her, breathed a sigh of relief and said with a pleasing expression: "You think I didn't hear that day when I was just dancing. You really sang well, but you didn't even sing 50% of your usual kung fu—Ling Rong, but it was on purpose? " Ling Rong's head was buried even lower, and she became more and more pitiful, so I couldn't bear to talk about her.The most obvious thing is that she is afraid of winning the favor of the emperor, so she deliberately does not sing with all her heart.It's just why she is unwilling to sing with all her heart and soul. I'm afraid no one knows better than me. I sighed and said, "Ling Rong, how can I not understand your thoughts?" My gaze rested on her for a moment, Ling Rong was slender, her skin was white to transparent, her pair of wonderful eyes were like a frightened deer, The gentle, water-like eyes filter strands from behind the slender eyelashes, which makes people's heart skip a beat.I couldn't help sighing, it really was me who felt sorry for me!Although it is not stunning, it is enough to make people feel pity and emotion. Ling Rong felt uneasy when I looked at her, and unconsciously touched her cheek with her hand, and asked half shyly, "Why is sister looking at me like this?" I reached out to pick up her embroidered piece, put it on the table and smoothed it carefully, "Do you really want to spend all your time doing embroidery? Even those slaves dare to laugh at you?" Ling Rong twisted the handkerchief in his fingers, formed a knot, unraveled it again, and after a while, twisted it into a knot again, just twisted his fingers there, bowed his head and remained silent.It took a long time to squeeze out a sentence: "Ling Rong is blessed." "On a day like this", I raised my head to look at the small pavilion, and said quietly, "It doesn't matter how much better Tangli was when I was sick that day." I stood up, and slowly straightened the messy gold tassels on the hairpin. I helped Huanbi's hand and walked out. I walked to the gate of Yi, turned around and said to Lingrong: "It's windy at night, go in quickly. You don't have to send it off." gone." Ling Rong said: "Sister, be careful on the road." I nodded, suddenly Zuo recalled something, and said with a bright smile: "A few days ago, my brother sent a letter from the border, saying that I can come back to visit relatives during the Lantern Festival next year." Seeing Ling Rong's eyes brighten up like a pool of spring water, a gentle look of a daughter's family unconsciously appeared on his face. I knew she still had feelings for my brother, so I sighed sadly in my heart, Ling Rong, don't blame me for being cruel.You care about your brother like this, it really doesn't do you any good in your life.He hardened his heart, with a happy smile on his face: "Daddy said that when my brother comes back this time, he must make a marriage for him. There is a eldest daughter-in-law in the family, so there are many people who will take care of everything. It is also a happy event for my Zhen family. " Ling Rong swayed slightly when he heard the words, and the light in his eyes dimmed instantly, like red-hot charcoal quenched into the water, arousing white smoke with a "wow". After all, I couldn't bear it.With this look, I'm afraid she really likes her brother.But if she doesn't do this, Ling Rong always has a little hope for her brother's luck in her heart, and she can't stop thinking about it.The so-called severing of the wrist by a strong man is really unavoidable. In just a moment, Ling Rong stretched out his hand to support the wall firmly, his expression was as usual, and his smile was like pear blossoms scattered by the wind: "This is a happy event, Mr. Zhen will marry a wife who must be a lady from a famous family, with both virtue and appearance. Let me congratulate my sister in advance." Summer is late, and a round of scorching sun is hitting the zenith, and the golden glazed tiles in the distance seem to be dripping fire. The jade-like cool breeze brings a moment of soothing coolness, allowing people in the heat to take a breather for a while. Last night Xuanling stayed at the Yifu Pavilion, the sleepiness and exhaustion of the night had not yet subsided, and when he said goodbye in the morning, he had a long talk with the queen, and when he came back, he felt very tired.Seeing that Jinxi brought someone in after changing the ice, she couldn't bear it any longer and fell asleep on Concubine Yang's couch with her clothes crooked. It was a sweet sleep.I don't know how long I slept, but I vaguely heard someone sobbing softly beside me. After sleeping for a long time, he had a dull headache and barely opened his eyes, but Ling Rong was whimpering and sobbing, his eyes were swollen like peaches, and the silk in his hand was completely wet with tears.It's not like it used to be. Struggling to get up, he said: "What's the matter?" I was startled in my heart, thinking that something happened in Meizhuang's confinement. Ling Rong sobbed unspeakably, but wept endlessly. I was anxious, and Jinxi said, "Master Lingrong's father is in prison." I looked at Ling Rong, "It's all right, what's going on?" Ling Rong finally stopped crying, sobbing and going through the matter.It turned out that Xuanling was using troops in the southwest, and Geng Wenqing, the magistrate of Songyang County, was ordered to deliver the silver and grain. Unexpectedly, he encountered a group of soldiers from the enemy halfway, and the army grain was robbed. Geng Wenqing fled and took a lot of silver grain.Xuanling Longyan was furious, and Geng Wenqing was sentenced to death. He was sent to prison along with the county magistrate and head secretary of Songyang County. Ling Rong covered his face and said: "It's all right for Geng Wenqing to run away in battle. Now that he is sentenced to death, he deserves his crime, but his father is also implicated. That's not enough. I'm afraid that the emperor's anger will not only lead to a catastrophe of ransacking the family, but also his father's life." Ling Rong cried again: "Father has always been cautious and only wants to protect himself. He really dare not get involved in Geng Wenqing's affairs." I hurriedly comforted him: "The matter has not yet been settled, so don't cry in a hurry. It's important to think of a way." Ling Rong frowned when he heard the words, and said with tears in his eyes, "Military affairs are a major matter, and my father is involved in this matter. I'm afraid there will be more disasters than good. Ling Rong's words are light, how can there be any way." I knew that Ling Rong wanted me to intercede with Xuan Ling, so I couldn't help being embarrassed for a while, and said with a frown, "I know what you mean. But this is a political matter, and concubines in the harem are not allowed to interfere in politics, you know that." Seeing that I was helpless, Ling Rong couldn't help crying.I thought about it, got up and ordered Jinxi to pass the sedan chair, and then called Liuzhu and Huanbi to come in and change my clothes and make up for me.Holding up Ling Rong's hand, he said, "The only solution now is to ask the queen first." Ling Rong stopped crying in a hurry, with a hint of expectation on his face, he nodded gratefully. It was hot at noon, even though I was walking in the shade under the palace wall, I was still sweating profusely from the heat. The concubine saw that the empress must be neat and tidy. Before entering the Fengyi Palace, the concubine tidied her dress, skirt and hair, and wiped off her sweat with silk before asking the maid to report.It was Jianqiu who came out to answer, and smiled at Ling Rongfu and me: "It's unfortunate that the two young masters are here, the empress has gone out." I wondered: "Didn't the empress always take a nap at this time?" Jianqiu pursed her lips and said with a smile: "Your Majesty went to the Shuilu Nanxun Hall to meet the Emperor. What is the reason for the young master's visit here, and the Empress also went to see the Emperor for the same purpose." He said: "My Majesty will not return until now. The two young masters should wait in the side hall first. The tea has already been prepared." I smiled and said: "The empress knows things like a god, so there will be Miss Lao Jianqiu." Jianqiu led Ling Rong and I to the side hall.I thought in my heart, the Queen's news is so fast, and Ling Rong and I are sure to come to beg her, so I will go to Xuan Ling to intercede first.It's really empathetic, which makes people look at each other with admiration. I suddenly understood a little bit that although the empress was not favored by Xuanling, she was able to succeed to the middle palace, and the phoenix seal on her palm was probably not just because the empress dowager was her aunt and the former empress was her own sister.Concubine Hua has always been arrogant. Although the queen is modest, she still stands tall and firmly in the Phoenix seat. Presumably it has something to do with her being so considerate, one step ahead of others and willing to be kind to others.Although there was no prior agreement with the empress to get rid of the concubine Li and overwhelm the concubine Hua, she was able to cooperate tacitly with those who were in her favor in an emergency, and she was able to cooperate tacitly with us invisibly.Looking back on this episode, I can't help feeling a little awe and admiration for the seemingly cowardly queen on weekdays. The first wait is two hours.Finally the queen came back, and Ling Rong and I bowed our knees to salute, she asked us to get up, and let us sit down for a while to drink tea before slowly saying: "This palace has tried its best, but it really can't be done. Listen to the emperor's tone It seems that I got angry, and I didn't dare to persuade you very much, so I could only choose the most important thing to say to the emperor. The emperor only said that it was related to the government, and nothing else." Ling Rong and I looked at each other in blank dismay, since even the queen came back after being hit with such a soft and not hard nail.It was even more difficult to ask Xuan Ling to ask for mercy. Ling Rong felt sad in his heart, took the silk and kept wiping the corners of his eyes. The queen sighed as she spoke, rubbed her forehead wearily and said: "Nowadays, the political affairs are complicated, and the emperor is also devastated. If the harem asks for anything, it will only annoy the emperor. In the current situation, it depends on you, Mrs. An Father's luck, the second is to slowly see if there is room for the emperor to change things." Ling Rong couldn't hear half of the tears rolling down like broken beads, because she couldn't be too disrespectful in front of the empress, she tried her best to hold herself back, sobbing uncontrollably.Reluctantly knelt down and said: "Lingrong thank the queen for her concern and compassion, and she must remember her kindness." The queen stretched out her hand to support the mausoleum, and sighed: "Everyone has a disaster, and their fate is not good. As the master of the harem, I am also a sister who serves the emperor with you. When I can help you, it is natural. It is also a matter of virtue to help you." Regardless of whether the matter is successful or not, as a queen, she is willing to plead for a humble and unfavored concubine, which is already selling a huge face to us.What's more, the empress is so modest, condescending and condescending to say such considerate words, I can't help but be moved, I feel that this deep palace is cold and quiet, and the dark tide is raging. Fortunately, there is such a empress who is willing to care about others. Also feel a little warmer. Ling Rong was even more flattered and wept beyond words. The queen looked at me kindly and said: "Zhen Jieyu has always been sensible, and she is quite able to share the worries of the palace. I should comfort An Xuan servant in this matter. Do you understand?" I respectfully answered "yes".He bowed to the queen and said: "For Shen Changzai's matter in the past, it was fortunate that the queen pleaded for mercy, so Shen Changzai did not die. The concubine has not thanked the queen for this matter, it is really negligent. Today the queen is so caring, the concubine I feel the same way, I don’t know how to repay the Queen’s favor.” The queen smiled all over her face: "Jieyu is sensitive and considerate. Now that there are frequent turmoil in the harem, I cannot cope with my health. If Jieyu can know what I want, she will naturally be able to share my labor and relieve my worries." As he spoke, he glanced at Jian Qiu beside him. Jian Qiu walked to the side of the phoenix seat, and took the gilt-plated Crane Bo Mountain Stove nearby. The Empress lifted the mountain-shaped spire and took a look, then shook her head and said, "In such a hot weather, the dead ash in this incense burner is heavy." How about rekindling it?" The queen didn't like to burn incense, and it was hot summer, so she had deep meaning in suddenly mentioning the ashes.I naturally understand what annoys the queen the most in the palace.I can't help but sigh that no matter how peaceful a person is, there will be times when they can't hold back their eyebrows. I got up and said, "Since it's hot, the resurgence of incense ash is really disturbing." As I spoke, I lifted the tea cup in my hand, slowly poured the remaining tea into the Boshan stove, and then closed the stove lid again.I smiled and looked at the queen, and said: "The concubines in the harem rely on the queen's grace, and it is the concubine's job to share the queen's worries and labors. Can work hard to repay the queen." The fragrant green smoke in the Boshan furnace overflows from the hole in the cover and surges up.The queen squinted her eyes slightly, covered her mouth to watch two or three wisps of green smoke scattered in all directions, and finally disappeared, showing a satisfied smile: "You really didn't disappoint me." I slowly bent my knees and went down: "The moon and stars are thin, and the black magpie flies south. After three turns around the tree, there is finally a branch to rely on." The queen's gentle face was so bright and unreal under the afternoon sun, "Actually, there was only one tree in the harem, but the random flowers gradually became more attractive. As long as you can clearly see which tree is the flower and which is the tree." I bowed my head silently, alarmed inside.If there was still a little touch of the empress's virtue and warmth just now, it is all gone now.Any so-called favor will not be given to you in vain, and you must pay a price to exchange it. The weather was really hot, and there was faint sweat seeping out of the vest.But now that he is alone and alone, surrounded by powerful enemies, even with Xuan Ling's favor, he still needs to find a big tree that can shelter him from the wind and rain.I forced myself to straighten my back, maintain the most appropriate smile, and calmly said: "Thank you for your advice, Queen. Please remember." Seeing Ling Rong looking at me and the queen with a confused and puzzled face, he sighed silently and retreated together. After bidding farewell to Lingrong, he said to Jinxi in a low voice: "The queen went to see the emperor to intercede for An Bihuai, she should know soon, right?" Jinxi said: "At this time, there is no one who cares more about the empress than the concubine Hua." I said: "She has clear eyes and ears, but her movements are fast. Guess what Concubine Hua is doing now?" "It must be the opposite of the empress, and I want to ask the emperor to deal with An Bihuai strictly." He chuckled, "Thanks to her." Jinxi was slightly puzzled: "Why did the young master say that?" "Thank you for her hard work. In this way, I can relax a lot."