Chapter 3 Good Chapter 3

"I heard that they have been escorted to Hanyang Yiban Mansion. You are one step late." Ming Yi gave the proprietress a silver hairpin made by Tianshou himself, and begged her to go to the prison camp to inquire about the news.After listening to the proprietress' reply, tears flowed down Ming Yi's cheeks.Ming Yi didn't care to wipe away her tears, so she took Jang Geum's hand. "Let's go!" "where to?" "Go to Hanyang. They left half a day earlier than us, and we have to keep on going. Don't make trouble, follow mother." "understood."

"No matter what, you still saw your father when he was taken away, but I didn't even see your father for the last time. No matter what, we have to find your father." Mingyi's words didn't mean to be addressed to anyone, she just muttered to herself. Eight years ago, she and Tianshou walked this rugged path together.There were silver-white wave flowers blooming on the river back then, but now there is only the cold winter wind blowing bitingly.On the ridges of those years, autumn flowers were in full bloom, the ice and snow melted, and people walked on them creaking.Walking along the mountain road full of flowers, following Tianshou closely in the wind, what a happy moment it was... Walking the mountain road in the past today, thinking of things changing, Ming Yi's face was full of tears.

The tavern where Tianshou had fought with several men still existed without any change.Here, Ming Yi learned that Tianshou and the others had just left for a meal, so she quickened her pace.They spent the night in the mountains, without rest, but on their way.Walking through this mountain road at the beginning almost exhausted all the strength in my body, but looking back now, it is actually not that difficult to walk.Mingyi thought again that she might never have the chance to meet her husband again in this life, and in the process of struggling with the fear of parting, the despair of walking on the mountain road with her daughter on her back was really nothing.

A wolf howled in the distance.It was so late at night that people were frightened, and all kinds of wild animals seemed to come out to move.Fortunately, the daughter on the back is finally a support. When they were about to reach the capital, the mother and daughter almost became beggars. "Jang Geum, we're almost at the capital now. Come on!" "Yes, mother." Jang Jin answered happily, but his voice was obviously crying.No matter how anxious you are, you have to find a place to rest for a while.In the morning, Ming Yi ate a rice ball for her daughter, and it was getting dark now.Fortunately, as soon as we turned the corner, we found a small village.

Ming Yi thought it was an ordinary family, and opened the door to enter, only to find that it looked like a wine making place.The yard is covered with distiller's grains, and there are several large tanks that look like wine tanks. "Is there anyone there?" Mingyi asked two or three more times, and the door slammed open, almost knocking down the wall.A woman looked out, with a hint of cunning in her eyes. "What's up?" The woman scratched her tousled hair and yawned with a wide grin. "I want to inquire about something." "Please." "Have you seen the prisoner escort team from the Yiban Mansion pass by here?"

"Why are you asking this?" "I have something, I must know." "Bring the money!" "what?" "Didn't you say you must know? Since it's so important, how could I tell you for nothing?" "It's a small matter, and money is needed..." "It's fine if you don't need it, I'm sleepy to death, don't bother me anymore." "How much?" "Since the matter is very important, let's give five coins." Although Ming Yi felt a little unbelievable, since he didn't have time to worry about these things, he counted out five cents and handed it to the woman.

"They didn't pass through here." After defrauding her of five cents, the woman answered quite naturally. "Where do they go from here?" "I can't tell you this in vain, so I'll bring you five more." Ming Yi was about to cry, but he had no choice but to give the woman another five cents.If you just leave like this, the five cents you just gave would be a pity. "They would sleep in the post station, which is the place where pedestrians must pass to go to the capital. Officials arrive at night, usually spend the night there, and start their journey in the morning. Okay?"

The woman hastily said what she had to say, and closed the door as hard as it had opened it.This woman is really ridiculous, but no one can do anything about her. "Mother, go and have a look, you can rest here for a while." Changjin was so exhausted early in the morning that he couldn't even speak, but nodded feebly. At this time, the door opened again. "If you want to rest at my house, you have to get some money." Ming Yi has already left the yard, Jang Geum, even though he was young, also noticed the strangeness of the woman, so he ran outside and shouted. "I'm resting outside the door, you don't have to worry."

After returning from the post station, Mingyi asked for a room in a nearby small hotel, holding a set of boy clothes from nowhere in his hand. "Those who hunted us are not far behind, Jang Geum, you should pretend to be a boy first." "yes." Jang Geum didn't like to wear boys' clothes, but she didn't complain, she was tormented by extreme exhaustion and guilt, even if someone threw her a beggar's clothes, she would not hesitate to put them on. "Hanyang is different from the village we live in. It is a place full of dangers. You must listen to your mother, remember?"

"Yes, mother." Mingyi sat Jang Geum between her legs and unraveled her braids.Ming Yi dresses skillfully, Jang Geum's hairstyle has changed a lot, at first glance he looks like an out-and-out boy.The girl's unique black hair is exactly the same as her mother's. If this kind of hair makes people feel unkempt, it must be smeared with mud. "Are you there?" Someone asked softly outside the door. "Okay, let's go out now." Mingyi put down the comb in his hand and opened the door.The maid nodded slightly, and brought Ming Yi outside the hotel. A man in the uniform of a scribe* (an official in charge of keeping books in the Joseon Dynasty—Translator’s Note) was looking up at the sky with his hands behind his back, and there was a full moon like a chestnut hanging in the dark sky.On the way to the inn, Ming Yi accidentally learned that the owner of the hotel and the warden were cousins, so as if grabbing a life-saving straw, he begged him to make it easier for the warden.For this reason, Ming Yi did not hesitate to give away several small knives and silver hairpins.

After listening to Ming Yi's cry from beginning to end, the warden immediately jumped up. "Hey, stop dreaming." "I won't let you suffer." "Even if you give me the world, I don't think it's more important than life?" "How dare I beg you to let me go, slave? I just want to ask you to let us meet." "I can understand your situation, but I can't risk my life to do this kind of thing, right? Think about it, the queen mother and the leader of the council are supernatural powers, and they all have gone to the west!" "Just let us say a word, even if it is from a distance, please help me!" "Oh, this is simply impossible. Don't delay here, and avoid it quickly. I heard that the emperor's orders are changed every day, and he changes his mind hundreds of times a day. Not only the life of the criminal himself is in danger, but even the family members are in danger. Let go." "It doesn't matter if you die on the spot, I just want to have a word with him." "Hey, you, are you deaf? Since you can risk your life for the dying, why don't you save your life for your young daughter?" The warden became furious and left after speaking.Now even that sliver of hope has been dashed. Jang Geum, who was ignorant of the world, fell asleep, and Ming Yi lay beside her, counting the days with his eyes open, unable to fall asleep no matter what.No matter what happens, she must see her husband. She has something to say to him. Mingyi sat up and began to write a letter. There is a distance between the Imperial Dining Room of Changdeok Palace and the Daejo Hall of the bedroom.Before serving the imperial meal, prepare the imperial meal in the retreat room. The fruit room is in charge of desserts after the meal. The retreat room can also be regarded as a pantry room. Food must first be served in the retreat room from the imperial dining room to the imperial dining table After the collocation and arrangement are completed, wait until the Titiao Shang Palace notifies the meal time, and then put it on the warm kang.Food is stored here to keep it warm and not to cool down, so the kang acts as an incubator to a certain extent. Everyone has their own set of food for which they are responsible.However, when the people in the imperial dining room were working, they lined up in front, back, left, and right.The girls are choosing vegetables or preparing other materials. Shang Gong of the imperial dining room walked back and forth among the ladies and maids, checking the food preparation process.Eight years passed quietly, only the clothing and hair style changed, and everything else remained the same as when Mingyi left.Han Sang-gung is wearing a back-fit gown* (a women’s gown from the late Joseon Dynasty, where the collar, corners, armpits, belts, etc. are made of fabric of a color that is not used for the body—translator’s note), and the style is very beautiful. A wife came in timidly and walked straight towards Han Shanggong. "Mommy, the abalones are all used up." "What? All the abalones used up?" "yes." "In order to buy the abalones from Tamna Island, how many troubles have been spent, how can they all be used up overnight?" "This... First of all, there are banquets for several days in a row, and every morning, those favored wives line up..." "Okay, I see, you go and see if there are any clams." While chopping vegetables, Han Shanggong watched his wife's back in a hurry.The abalone is used up, and it is estimated that there will be no clams left. The banquets and lantern-appreciating games at the Jieyu Pavilion have been held for many days.Many years ago, a high wall was built on the west side of the backyard, so that people could enjoy themselves while avoiding the sight of the outside world. Last year, even the houses on the east and west sides were demolished.In addition, the King of Yanshan also set up a red envoy and an envoy to pick green, which are responsible for selecting beautiful women and good horses from the people.Sungkyunkwan* (the highest educational institution in the Joseon Dynasty——Translator's Note) is adjacent to the backyard of the royal palace, and there were signs of relocation at that time.Digging the ground to build a lake, building Ruicong Terrace, and setting up a cruise ship on the left and right sides, this is the project that will start soon.It is said that once these projects start, tens of thousands of people, including supervisors and laborers, will be needed. Yan Shanjun's debauchery is too numerous to describe, and the imperial dining room was so busy that there was no time to catch his breath.People from all over the country lined up to pay tribute to the palace, but there were still no materials left.Every night, many wives are favored, and if things go on like this, the wives in the entire imperial dining room of the palace will be in a hurry to serve Lord Yanshan's women. Han Shanggong was full of worries, and wandered around among the insiders, but there was nothing he could do.A man brought charcoal with his back, he glanced at Han Shanggong, and then lit a fire in front of a row of stoves. After lighting the fire, the man still lingered and refused to leave, his behavior was very suspicious.He has been observing the surrounding situation, and when Han Shanggong was a little distance away from the other insiders, he quickly came to Han Shanggong's side. "What's the matter with you?" "Yes, Mammy, little man..." The male took out something from his pocket and handed it to Han Shanggong, it was a neatly folded letter. "..." "A woman asked me to give this to you." "A woman? Did she say who it was?" "She said, you will know after reading the letter." "Well, you can go." After the male left, Han Shanggong opened the letter.Before reading the first line, she hastily put the letter away and hid it deep in her sleeve.When she walked out of the imperial dining room, her eyes were already red, the color was like schisandra. Smell Shang Palace is also in the room of the most noble palace. "Mommy, I have something urgent to go out of the palace." The most noble palace frowned. "What's up?" "The Internal Servant's Office sent a message to ask the Imperial Dining Room to make seafood soup, but the ingredients are all used up. I have to take Pu Neiguan to buy it quickly." "Didn't you just get a lot from Neizi Temple last night?" "The Empress Dowager's Palace is in urgent need, so I sent half of it. I went to see it today, and the remaining half is not very good." "There is such a thing?" The most noble palace seemed a little embarrassed.At this time, Shang Gong, who was listening silently beside him, spoke. "Does Han Shanggong have to leave the palace in person?" "It just so happens that the scribes from the Neizi Temple and the scribes from the Sidiaoyuan are not there, and the others also have work in their hands." The Most Noble Palace groaned, then nodded. "Well, you go." "I'll go and come back quickly." What is different from the past is that Han Shanggong trotted quickly as soon as he walked out of the room of the most noble palace and closed the door. They made an appointment to meet in a separate pavilion in Dangchun Terrace, but Mingyi did not come, only the sound of the wind beating the silent air.The king often took prostitutes to enjoy themselves in this area, so it was named Dangchuntai.Later, Li Gui, Jin Liu, and Li Shi of the Western People faction* (a political faction in the middle of Joseon Dynasty——Translator’s Note) gathered here and abolished Gwanghae-gun* (the fifteenth king of Joseon Dynasty, 1575-1641 During his reign——Translator’s Note), he scrubbed the blood-stained sword in the well, and changed its name to Xijian Pavilion from then on. The Dangchun Terrace with its beautiful mountains and clear waters is one of the "Ten Songs of Kyoto". The valley is deep and quiet, and it is an excellent place for sightseeing and pleasure.However, when the king was lying here with a woman in his arms, he would never have imagined that Injo, who plotted rebellion in Ungam Valley* (in 1623, the Western faction abolished Lord Gwanghae, defeated the Dabei faction, and supported Lord Lingyang as the Wang——Translator's Note) Heroes will pass by here and swarm in from Changyi Gate. Han Shanggong was full of anticipation and anxious, pacing up and down non-stop, it was difficult to calm down.The handwriting on the letter was indeed written by Ming Yi, but it might also be someone else's deliberate prank.Anticipation is closely followed by tension. After a while, Ming Yi appeared in front of Han Shanggong, and Han Shanggong felt dizzy for a while. "So you're still alive, you're still alive!" "yes." "Thank you, thank you for being alive." The two hugged each other, and the pain and resentment of the years of separation were all contained in tears. When the reunion suddenly came, they cried so sadly. "He was actually involved in this matter." After crying bitterly for a long time, Han Shanggong's voice calmed down a little. "Are those rumors out there true?" "I have nothing to say." "Regardless of the seriousness of the crime, even the medical officer who executes the imperial decree must be beheaded. Is this true?" "The cruelty of His Highness today is probably unprecedented. Not long ago, at a small banquet, in front of all the maids and ministers, His Highness personally shot to death the outspoken servant * (that is, the eunuch) Supervisor Jin Chushan." Ming Yi was speechless for a while.Before that, the reason why she was able to survive until today was because she still had a little hope in her heart, thinking that she could see Tianshou again.Now that Tianshou has been escorted to the Forbidden City, how can Ming Yi have any hope of surviving. However, Ming Yi will not give up Tianshou easily.What's more, until now, Tianshou hasn't seen the third woman in his life yet.Ming Yi is the second woman in Tianshou's life. As long as she is still alive, Tianshou will not meet the third woman.As long as he hasn't met the third woman, Tianshou can save his life. Thinking of this, Ming Yi's spirit was lifted, and he held Han Shanggong's hand tightly. "Bai Rong, I haven't seen you for so long. I'm really sorry that I entrusted you with such a dangerous matter. But you must save me. Just like before, no one will save me except you." "Okay, I'll do my best. If I was taken to the Forbidden Mansion yesterday, I should be locked in a prison now. Don't give up hope." "I'm really ashamed to see you." "It's just that my strength is too insignificant." "Where is this... If it wasn't for you, I would have died a long time ago. If you were found out, you would surely die. In this case, you even put poisonous weeds in the medicine and left me a letter." You and Jang Geum's father saved me, you gave me my life, how can I repay this kindness in the future?" "Mingyi!" The two hugged each other again and cried. "Before she leaves, she just wants to meet the prisoner, please arrange it." Han Shanggong said anxiously and calmly. "Is it true that the woman is not the prisoner's wife?" All the envoys from the Yiban Mansion squinted to ask Han Shanggong, with a look of extreme reluctance.Han Shanggong became more and more anxious. "I never met his wife. This friend of mine is the prisoner's sister." "Understood, bring her to the Forbidden Mansion at five o'clock the day after tomorrow." Things went smoothly unexpectedly, and Han Shanggong's restless heart calmed down.She should tell Ming Yi the good news as soon as possible. Thinking of this, she quickened her pace. "Well then, don't forget to buy some dried fish when you come back." The most noble palace also easily allowed her to go out.Han Shanggong used the excuse that a newly favored wife suddenly came to the Imperial Dining Room to ask for oysters, and the number of concubines who had received the favor was too numerous to count, so the most noble palace didn't bother to ask.However, the highest palace still kept a close eye on the back of Han Shanggong who left in a hurry. There was the sound of the corner of the skirt scraping the ground from the side of the building, and then Cui Shanggong's figure appeared.She is Cui Neiren who put grass black and chuanxiong in the Empress Dowager's meal eight years ago. Since accepting the appointment, she has become a court official in a dignified manner.The Cui Nei who was crying and shouting and arguing why people must be put to death has long since been reborn. Now her face is full of the majesty of Shang Gong, and her eyes are as cold as snow everywhere. Gao Shanggong and Cui Shanggong exchanged glances, but did not speak to each other.Gao Shanggong nodded slightly, Cui Shanggong immediately walked away quickly, and a wife hurriedly followed behind her. How did Han Shanggong know that there were two shadows following behind her, she just wanted to tell Ming Yi the good news quickly, and kept speeding up her pace. Ming Yi has been waiting for a long time in the small pavilion of Dangchun Terrace.They never dreamed that the sinister Cui Shanggong was hidden behind the shade of the trees under the pavilion.At this moment, she was covering her mouth and trembling like a sieve, but her face was filled with indescribable joy. After listening to Cui Shanggong's report, Cui Panshu wondered if she had read it wrong. "How could it be possible for a woman who drank aconite soup to come back to life?" "That's why I'm here to tell you." "You read that right?" "It's absolutely true, it's Park Myung-yi!" "How could there be such a strange thing? You should see her die completely before leaving. This is not like my aunt's style!" "I heard footsteps suddenly, so I..." "Leaving the root of the trouble, isn't it?" "So this is bad. When I reported to the superiors, she was suffering from acute bowel disease and died suddenly. Now that she suddenly reappeared, wouldn't our affairs be exposed? Although Shang Gong was promoted to protect us, But this matter is too serious, I'm afraid she won't let us go easily." "Humph……" "This time Mrs. Pu harbors hatred. I don't know who she will expose us to. Originally, there were people in the palace who had been eyeing us for a long time. They couldn't understand the close relationship between our family and Renshi Hong Dajian." "Renshi Hong Dajian is also very worried now, for fear that the killing of the Empress Dowager Zu will be exposed." "The Supreme Palace once told us that it is best to keep a distance from Ren Shihong." "Aunt said so?" "His Royal Highness is getting more and more serious. Coupled with the prison incident, the atmosphere in the court is quite delicate. My aunt told us that we must pay attention to the changes in the forces. She seems to mean that sooner or later we have to change partners. .” "That's right." "Once things come to light, it's not just me and the Supreme Palace that will be unlucky. If it doesn't work out, our whole family will be doomed." "Understood, I will take care of the rest of the matter, you go back to the palace first." "Then leave it to your brother." Cui Shanggong got up to leave, Cui Panshu's gaze was no longer on his sister.He stared at the candlelight, and his field of vision gradually narrowed. When his eyes were about to narrow into a line, he opened them wide again, and a strong poisonous gas shot out from his eyes, which made the candlelight lose its color. The flower noodles for lunch* (traditional food eaten on the third day of March in South Korea, steamed with mung bean flour and noodles, cut into thin strips, put them in schisandra soup, add honey, and finally sprinkle pine nuts—— Translator's Note), Han Shanggong hurriedly prepared to leave the palace again.She wanted to meet Ming Yi at Dangchun Terrace, and take her to the Forbidden Mansion at five o'clock, but it was already too late. Han Shanggong deliberately bypassed the Chongzhi Gate at the back, and suddenly felt a fever in the back of her head, but she didn't want to turn around because of it, so she continued to walk forward calmly.After arriving at the market, Han Shanggong first saw a cloth shop, and strode in. "Oh, isn't this Mammy?" The owner of the cloth village showed joy.A young man who looked like a handyman also bowed to her. Han Shanggong lowered his eyelids and pretended to look at the cloth, while glancing out from the corner of his eye.Although the man was wearing a long robe to cover his face, one could tell at a glance that it was Zheng Nairen who was burning the kitchen.The stalker lost the person being stalked. She walked through the cloth shop and stood at the door of the pottery shop, looking around.She must have followed her here from the palace. "What kind of fabric would you like to see..." Over the face of the owner of the cloth house, Han Shanggong looked out blankly.Suddenly, a clever plan to get rid of Mrs. Zheng appeared in Han Shanggong's mind. "Can you do me a favor first?" "As you order." "I want this little handyman to help me run around..." Han Shanggong sent the young man to the meeting place that she and Mingyi had agreed to meet—Dangchuntai, and Han Shanggong pretended to choose fabrics here.Mrs. Zheng didn't even look at the little guy who walked out of the cloth shop. She hid in the ceramic shop opposite and watched Han Shanggong's every move closely. When the cloth man arrived at Dangchun Terrace, he saw an anxious woman and a little boy standing in the pavilion.The little boy said something, and the woman answered briefly, then stretched her neck and looked on the road.Standing on the pavilion, it seemed that the boy could not be seen.Now, turning a corner is the pavilion, and the Buzhuang guy quickened his pace. However, at this moment, a few black shadows appeared from the shade of trees behind the pavilion, and several masked men put the women and boys into bags and ran away without stopping. "So, they were taken to Cui Panshu's house?" "Yes, Mammy." The Buzhuang man who came back after him told the story from the beginning to the end of what he saw just now, and Han Shanggong closed his eyes helplessly.No wonder things went so smoothly, it turned out that his whereabouts had been discovered long ago.How to do this, Han Shanggong's mind went blank.Mingyi was taken to the home of the despicable and cruel Cui Panshu, so there was no hope of surviving. A string of teardrops flowed down the corners of his eyes, and Han Shanggong lost all strength in his body, and Han Shanggong fell listlessly in the cloth village.It's better to take it to the Yijin Mansion, maybe there will be a turning point, but there is no need to have the slightest hope for Cui Sanshu.The attempt to harm the Queen Mother was discovered, and Ming Yi was forced to drink aconite soup. Isn't this what the Cui family did? Han Shanggong bit his lip, and after making up his mind, he asked the Buzhuang guy to go to the Burial Hall* (the police office in the Joseon Dynasty——Translator's Note).As long as you can survive, even if you become an official servant, it is better than death. "Ming Yi, I can only do this, please forgive me." The fate of a good friend is so tragic, Han Shanggong can only blame God. The door opened, and the moonlight poured in.The moonlight stung his eyes, but Ming Yi desperately opened them in order to see the man who walked in.Something was stuffed in her mouth, and her bright eyes were full of deep fear. This is the first time she has seen this man in her life. Although he is dressed like a man, he exudes authority. But by no means inferior to the nobles.Only now did Ming Yi vaguely think of the Cui family, and her despair and fear made her tremble even more. The man cast his eyes on Jang Geum, almost suffocating: the horror of the aconite soup night is still as clear as yesterday. "I never heard that she brought a little boy with her..." Cui Panshu was puzzled, and the man standing behind him hurriedly continued. "They were the only ones there when we went, my lord." "Cui Shanggong will come in a while, and we will know when the time comes. This matter must be handled in secret, even the subordinates must not let them know. If it is leaked, none of you will live." Hearing Cui Shanggong's words, Ming Yi was stunned.How many lifetimes of grievances have been committed with their Cui family, and it fell into their hands before even seeing her husband.Tears wet the gag, Jang Geum was terrified, and hid beside his mother, not even daring to cry out. Cui Panshu left, and the door closed again.When the darkness struck again, the scene of eight years ago clearly appeared before Ming Yi's eyes.In darkness, only things darker than darkness can be seen. After Cui Panshu went out, he was walking towards the main room when he heard someone knocking on the door, and the deacon rushed to open the door. I thought it was Cui Shanggong who came, but when I looked out, I found that the person who came was the minister of robbery, Cui Panshu immediately turned pale. "Someone saw the traitor's family entering here, quickly bring them out!" Cui Panshu had a premonition that something was wrong, so of course he couldn't ask the deacon to bring them here. "What does it mean?" "The burglary hall has just received a report that the family members of the prisoner Xu Tianshou have come here. Please hurry up and hand over the family members of the prisoner hiding here to me." "I'm Cui Bansu, the owner of Liuzhu Bizhuang* (a large merchant house on Jongro Road in Hanyang during the Joseon Dynasty, which monopolized six kinds of daily necessities——Translator's Note). You know that too?" "Of course I know." "Then what reason do I have for harboring the family members of the prisoner? How can you say such unbelievable things casually? You should go back quickly!" "No! Let me search carefully!" The detectives acted immediately.Seeing that things were getting worse, Cui Sanshu also began to waver.Dozens of candles lit up the darkness, and the yard was in chaos as the policemen and minions mingled. At the same time the police officers found Ming Yi and Jang Geum and took them to the yard, Cui Shanggong walked in. "I will report to the higher authorities for hiding the family members of the criminals in the big prison." The minister of arrest and robbery seemed to be telling Cui Sanshu that he definitely didn't just talk and let it go.Cui Sanshu turned a deaf ear to this. "Walk!" Ming Yi, who was quickly taken away by the arrest, and Cui Shanggong, who was stunned and had nothing to say, looked at each other, and their eyes were tangled in the air.Doubt and resentment, panic and contempt flickered among them, lingering for a long time.Cui Shanggong first averted her gaze, and only then did she run towards Cui Panshu when the policeman left and the deacon locked the door. "what should I do?" Cui Panshu closed his lips in pain, thinking silently. "If they escort Pu Neiren from the Pirate Hall to the Yijin Mansion, the truth will come to light sooner or later, and then everyone will know what we have done to the Queen Mother. Although His Highness has resentment towards the Queen Mother Zu, it can be regarded as rectification He won't let us go easily because of the ethos of a female official. In this case, our family will die without a place to bury us." "Shut up! Why are you so annoying!" "elder brother……" "Even if you don't come to ask me, I will find a way to solve it!" "What are you going to do?" Cui Panshu did not answer, but pouted at the deacon standing beside him, signaling him to come over. "Let Bute come over." As soon as he heard that Bi Dou was coming, the deacon and Cui Shanggong stopped talking. The team was marching on the mountain road, and the roof of Changdeok Palace could already be seen vaguely, and the Forbidden Palace was not far ahead. According to "Jingguo Daejun"* (the basic law code of the Joseon Dynasty - Translator's Note), the police business was handed over to Wuwei* (Military Organization in the Early Joseon Dynasty - Translator's Note), and Uijinfu was only responsible for arresting people according to the imperial decree. prisoner.Major cases such as crimes committed by members of the royal family, political prisoners, and treason, as well as cases of children and grandchildren rebelling against their fathers and ancestors, cases exposed by the Sixian Office, and cases that have been delayed by other agencies for a long time will all be handed over to the Yijin Palace for special rulings.After Lord Yanshan came to the throne, the Yijin Mansion was almost reduced to a tool to help the king implement tyranny and harm loyal people. In the eyes of the people, it was even a synonym for terrorism. Although he will be escorted to the Forbidden City soon, Ming Yi's mood is calm.Compared to the Cui family, the Forbidden Mansion is a hundred times safer.In addition, even though she no longer had any hope of seeing Tianshou, Tianshou was here after all. It's just that Jang Geum made her feel distressed. "You have to go through these tragic things at a young age." Jang Geum raised his head and stared blankly at his mother.In just a few days, my mother's face was as thin as a papaya. "In this way, Mother feels more at ease. No matter what, we finally found the place where your father is..." Jang Geum gripped his mother's skirt tightly.Suddenly, Ming Yi screamed and shook his body violently.It turned out that Ming Yi had been shot by an arrow in the shoulder, and the part where the arrow was hit had been stained red with blood. "who?" The jailer quickly aimed at the grass on the hillside and yelled loudly.The befuddled Ming Yi also looked towards the bushes, where the masked man was aiming at Jang Geum.Ming Yi instinctively hugged Jang Geum.A dense array of sharp arrows shot towards Ming Yi, one of which pierced Ming Yi's rib.Ming Yi hugged Jang Geum, and collapsed powerlessly on the ground. "Over there, grab 'em!" The jailer ran over first, and the policemen also rushed to the hillside, leaving only Ming Yi and Jang Geum. "Woo, mother! Mother!" Chang Jin was lying under her mother's body choked with sobs. She struggled to break free from her mother's embrace. No matter how hard she struggled, her mother gritted her teeth and endured the pain, unable to move for a long time. "I...no...nothing." Ming Yi let out a long breath, and finally said such a sentence.At this moment, a masked black figure floated over.The shadow was getting closer and closer.Mingyi hugged Jang Geum, rolling her body with all her strength.While rolling on the ground, Ming Yi peeked at the black figure.This is a man dressed as a robber, I saw him pull out the knife stuck in the ground.It must be the assassin sent by Cui Panshu! "Get him! Get this guy!" The policeman who had just run away quickly ran back, but the distance between Ming Yi and the assassin was much closer than the policeman who was coming.Mingyi looked at the road below the hillside and tightly closed his eyes.She embraced Jang Geum, using her body as support, and rolled on the ground with all her strength.The mother and daughter merged into one, and rolled like a thin thread, rolling down to the pine forest below the hillside. "And let them run away in the end?" The most noble palace tried hard to suppress the anger in her heart, and tried not to shout out, but her lips were twitching violently. "She was hit by an arrow in her ribs, so she shouldn't last long." Having said that, Cui Shanggong's jaw was still trembling involuntarily. "The child's life is so big?" "My brother said, we must find them." Most Shanggong twitched her tongue, she seemed to sense something was wrong, and glanced at Cui Shanggong. At this moment, Mingyi was leaning against the cave wall, struggling to endure the pain.Jang Geum also ran away and disappeared without a trace. Maybe it's numbness, the pain is finally bearable, it's just that it's getting more and more difficult to breathe.At the thought of never being able to see her husband again, she just closed her eyes like this, and tears flowed down her cheeks.What I had to say to my husband no matter what, now I can only bury it in my heart. "You once said that you would implicate me, but even so, don't regret it. I live happily by your side. Even if I can only die by your side for one day, I will choose to stay without hesitation. By your side. Every night is regarded as the last night by me. While thinking that I may never see the next morning again, I sleep sweetly beside you. So, don’t regret it, wait for the next life, Even if I live only one day, I still choose to be by your side." "Call..." Ming Yi let out a long breath, with a faint smile on the corner of his mouth. "I'm going to take a step first, and my husband will follow later. We will travel hand in hand. It is lucky to have my husband by my side on the long road." The only thing that makes Ming Yi feel reluctant to part is Jang Geum.Thinking that Jang Geum will become an orphan with no one to love and pity, heartbroken sadness begins to strike. "Call..." If God is sorry, maybe the husband will be safe and sound, because the husband has not met the third woman in his life, and maybe he is not ready to die now. "'Okay' for liking... daughter's 'female' and son's 'son'...daughter plus son...son plus daughter..." In order to grasp the increasingly blurred consciousness, Ming Yi began to disassemble the word "good".Suddenly, a thought made her shudder. "'Female' and 'son', when a man and a woman meet and like each other, it becomes a word for 'good'! So, Jang Geum, is Jang Geum the third woman in his life?" Mingyi choked up. "The third woman kills you, but it can save a lot of people. If Jang Geum didn't say that he missed the officer in the wrestling ring, Tianshou wouldn't be taken away. Yes, yes, that's how it is, Jang Geum This is the third woman! Now I finally understand. Even if my husband and I die, this is doomed. The third woman kills you, but can save many people. Doesn’t it mean that in the absence of parents Under the blue sky, can Jang Geum live strong? Besides, she can save many people. How can there be a more valuable life than this? Even if I can only live with him for one day, it is enough to make me happy. I I actually lived by his side for eight full years and gave birth to a daughter for him. Now that it’s all right, I can take a step ahead and go to another world to wait for my husband.” Thinking of this, Ming Yi calmed down a lot, and the pain that had been temporarily put aside came back, but Ming Yi had a premonition that this pain would not last long. There were faint rustling footsteps outside the cave, and Jang Geum ran in with a blushing face. "Mom! Look, I got something to eat." As he spoke, Jang Geum pushed the object under his mother's jaw.Ming Yi saw that it was kudzu root and bracken.The bracken is immature, just pale green shoots.In the April season, it is impossible for grown-ups to dig more. "How did kudzu... dig it?" "I use the pocket knife my father gave me." "So, if you... never... see your father again... what should you do?" "..." "What would you do?" “爹不是让我听娘的话吗，以后我会好好听娘的话。” “如果……娘也不在了……那时你又……该怎么办呢？” 顷刻间，泪水盈满了长今的眼眶，她的眼神中饱含着悲伤，世界上再也没有哪个孩子会遇到比这更难回答的问题了。 “爹和娘都不在的话……那我……我怎么能活呢？” "..." “你会饿死吗？” "..." “你会病死吗？” "Will not!" 明伊不停地追问，长今终于回答了，但是声音里满含着怨恨. “如果生病，我会吃药草。肚子饿了，就挖葛根吃。” “万一在山里遇上老虎呢……” “我绝对不会让老虎吃掉！” “那你一直住在山里吗？” “不会！我会出去找户人家。” 这时，明伊终于放心地吁了一口长气。 “好，长今啊，你要好好活下去。只有这样，爹和娘……才能放心地合上双眼。你爹……他是军官……娘……娘是……宫廷御膳房的宫女。” “宫廷御膳房的宫女是做什么的呀？” “就是负责为大王做御膳的宫里人啊。娘……曾经想做御膳房里的……最高尚宫，可惜后来没能如愿……受到坏人诬陷不得不逃跑……娘只好隐蔽起来过着白丁的生活。但是，长今……因为有你，娘……娘感到很幸福。我的好女儿，就算娘打你的小腿……你也很快恢复笑容。就要这样生活，这样坚强地生活。” “娘，我会坚强地生活！” “我想起藏在王宫退膳间里的……烹饪日记。娘的梦想是成为御膳房的最高尚宫，御膳房的最高尚宫……娘是冤枉的……” 瞳孔已经扩散的明伊不断重复着同样的话。长今把葛根撕成小块，放到母亲的嘴里，一边还在抱怨母亲。 “娘，您别说了，先吃点东西吧。” 葛根放进嘴里，只是明伊已经嚼不动了。长今就拿出葛根，嚼碎之后重新放进母亲嘴里。明伊张开已经合上的眼睛，望着长今。 “好，很好吃。” “好吃吗？那从现在开始，我先嚼完再喂给您吃。” 小孩子匆匆忙忙地咀嚼葛根，弄得嘴角全是葛汁。明伊所坐的地方湿漉漉地流了很多鲜血。 “娘，您快吃，吃完才有力气。” 长今恳切地要求母亲多吃，然而明伊的嘴唇已经不会动了，她的眼睛已经合上，呼吸也停止了。长今还在嚼碎葛根放进母亲嘴里。 “不好吃是吧？如果是夏天，这里就会有很多山草莓和野葡萄……娘，等到了夏天，我来摘很多很多的山草莓和野葡萄给您吃，那比葛根好吃多了。” 不管怎么用力，长今还是搬不了太多，用来盛放母亲随身用品的包袱皮，此刻成了从洞穴外面往里搬运石头的工具，虽然能盛下好多块，但她没有力气抬起来，所以每次都不超过十块。 长今想为母亲搭一座土坟，不论刮风下雨都不会倒塌，可是她既没有力气把母亲的尸体挪到洞外，也没有能力挖土。长今只能让母亲躺在刚才坐过的地方，然后搬进石头堆放在四周。 这是一座低矮的长方形坟墓，上面插着吃剩的葛根。 “娘，现在我要走了。” 坟墓里静悄悄的，只有水滴落入水坑的声音，听起来无比的凄凉。 “等到了夏天，我再来给您摘山草莓和野葡萄。我还要快点长大，给您做一个新坟。您安息吧，娘。” 长今擦了把眼泪，转身离开了。走出洞穴，长今看见了白茫茫的晨曦。 肚子饿了，就挖葛根吃；腿疼了，就随便找个地方坐下，揉揉脚心。虽然是春天，但四月的山风依旧很冷，抽打着长今柔嫩的皮肤。幸好这座山还不算太陡，长今在冷风中足足走了半天，前面终于出现了有人烟的村庄。 别人家里再怎么温暖，却没有她的栖身之地。夜幕降临了，又落起了缠绵的春雨。虽说是春雨，雨点却很粗，都有点儿像暴雨了。长今蹲在茅草屋檐下数雨点，数着数着就睡着了。 “乞丐！” “小叫花子！” 听见声音，长今睁开了眼睛，却感觉额头上一阵火辣辣的疼痛。雨停了，一群男孩子正嬉笑着跑在雨后清新的大地上。如果她有力气奔跑，完全可以把两三个男孩子掀翻在地。然而当务之急是先添饱肚子，而不是打架报仇。 长今身上有钱，母亲还留下许多遗物。她要去找家饭馆，不管发生什么事，一定要保管好母亲的遗物，她咬着起泡的嘴唇暗自下定了决心。 还没找到饭馆，长今首先发现了前天路过的那户酿酒人家。长今当然不愿想起那个悭吝的女主人，但那毕竟是跟母亲一起待过的熟悉的地方，所以她还是很欣慰，甚至有了一些温暖的感觉。 “没有人吗？” 大概是家里没人，没有人回答。门稍微敞开着，容得下一人出入。无意之中长今往里一看，发现里面整齐地铺着晾干的糯米酒糟。长今如获至宝般猛扑上去，大把大把地往嘴里塞着。突然，酒缸后面跳出一个人来。 “嘘！安静！” 长今吓得连连点头，惊慌失措地嚼着酒糟。 "Who are you?" “叔叔你是谁？” “这个你不需要知道。你已经吃完了，赶快走吧。不要妨碍叔叔做事。” 说着，男人开始把酒缸里的酒往小坛子里舀。 “叔叔，你是小偷吗？” “我怎么会是小偷呢？” “你这不是在偷酒吗？” “嘘！我不是让你安静吗，你怎么这样？我不是偷，这家的女人不给我钱，所以我才这样做。” “叔叔你也被她骗了吗？” “难道你也是？可怜的孩子。” 男人啧啧地咂舌，仿佛他真的很同情长今。接下来，男人打开一个盖着柳条盘子的筐。圆形的酒糟看上去十分诱人，令人垂涎欲滴。 “走吧，嗯？离开这里，我把这个给你，路上饿的时候就拿出来吃。“ 真是天上掉馅饼啊！长今非常痛快地接了过来，没想到男人说话这么奇怪。 “现在你也是小偷了。嘻嘻，你知道怎么回事吗？小偷也不是天生的，而是被这家主人这样吝啬而恶毒的坏蛋们逼出来的。“ 转眼间男人又将另一个坛子也填满了。这时，有个男孩从后面的窗子探头进来说道。 “爹，快点儿！” “好，知道了。” 男人刚想把坛子递出窗户，院子里传来了女主人的唠叨声。 “哎呀，这该死的，也不知道跑哪儿去了，连个面也见不着。这是酒又不是水，要是没有我，它可不会自己流出来。” 男人的眼睛瞪得活像酒糟块。孩子接过酒坛已经逃跑了，男人正在翻窗户。长今一直站在旁边观望，等她想要踩着酒缸爬出去的时候，门开了，女主人走了进来。 “唉，酒缸盖子怎么都是开着的？这……这是怎么回事？酒！我的酒！我的酒哪去了？” 女人破口大骂，突然看见正使劲翻过窗子的长今的屁股。 “给……给我抓住这个小偷！抓小偷啊！” 这时候长今已经敏捷地翻到窗外了。 女主人身体笨重，没追出多远就跑不动了。终于摆脱了女主人的追赶，长今也觉得肚子饿了。真可惜，那些酒糟没来得及带出来。 看见饭馆，长今不顾一切地冲了进去。 “来碗汤泡饭！” “汤泡饭？先拿钱来。” 长今慢吞吞地掏钱。掏出来一看，是五文。 “哎呀，这小孩哪来的钱？” “哪来的？当然是偷我的酒卖完了得来的。” 原以为已经甩掉的女主人满脸得意地走进饭馆，扑上来就将那五文钱抓在手里，另一只手揪住了长今的后颈。 “这不是德九媳妇吗？你认识这孩子？” “这孩子我带走了，你不用管。” 不管长今怎么辩解自己没有偷酒，却都跟对牛弹琴一样毫无效果。眼看怎么说也不行，长今便使出浑身的力量苦苦挣扎。不料女人竟说要去官衙。一听说要去官衙，长今骇然失色。 “如果你不想去官衙，就把你娘叫来，让你娘把你偷的酒钱还给我。” 德九媳妇做势欲打，眼睛瞪得其大无比。 长今毫不反抗就被女主人带回了酿酒坊。偷酒的父子俩反而泰然自若地站在院子里。 德九媳妇得意洋洋地喊道。 “小偷抓到了！” “我说过我没偷你的酒！我看见真正偷酒的人了！” 长今刚想伸手去指，男人突然脸色铁青，顺势倒在地上。德九媳妇慢吞吞地走上前去，把男人的身体翻过来，猛然间大叫起来。 “哎呀，你这个人，好好的干嘛要昏过去呢？” 她的声音听着不像是担心，反而更像是心怀厌恶。她那酒缸般庞大的身躯坐到男人身上，连续抽了他好几个响亮的耳光。不知道他是清醒过来，还是疼痛难耐，德九猛地睁开眼睛。 “我……我怎么了？好好的怎么就不省人事了呢，我晕过去了吗？” “你不是每天都说大王的补养膳食多好多好吗，吃了那么多好东西怎么还晕呢？是不是在哪儿消耗了气力，所以才晕倒？” 德九媳妇拍了拍手站起身来，儿子叫住了母亲。 "mother……" “啊，叫我干什么，你这臭小子？” “这回是她晕倒了！” 回头一看，长今晕倒在地上。德九的儿子逸度正在摇晃长今的身体。