Chapter 6 Chapter Six Fate

It's another year of spring.With the change of seasons, Jang Geum, who has been a girl for eight years, has finally grown up.The white wood lotus in the courtyard is in full bloom. Although it is beautiful, it cannot compare with Jang Geum. The king's birthday is approaching day by day.Because the envoys of the Ming Dynasty came to congratulate at that time, the original plan of frugality had to be revised.At that time, the imperial court was worried that the Ming Dynasty would use Zhongzong as an excuse to find fault.Therefore, it is of special significance for the Ming Dynasty envoys to participate in the birthday celebration, and they must go all out and make full preparations.

The most noble palace called all the ladies and maids below Shanggong to the dining room to study and formulate the rituals of the birthday banquet together. Rituals, that is, records of major royal or state events.When a banquet is held in the palace, a banquet supervisor is usually appointed to be responsible for planning and directing the entire process of the ceremony.The Jinyan Dujian recorded all the matters related to the banquet, which became the event plan, that is, the banquet ceremony.For example, how many rooms are needed for the temporarily built cooking facilities* (when a state banquet is held, a place temporarily used for cooking food——Translator's Note), how many rooms are needed for soldiers to reward meals, etc., all need to be planned in detail.

Cui Shanggong, who was looking at the rituals, suddenly raised his head and asked the most noble palace. "Is there a golden rooster for this birthday banquet?" "Golden chicken?" Han Shanggong felt a little surprised. "Golden rooster is produced in Sichuan Province, China. It is said to be an elixir of immortality. Qin Shihuang once ate it." "Ma'am, have you ever seen a golden rooster?" "I heard that Cui Shanggong personally made this dish, is it true?" "Yes, my brother has been in contact with China for a long time, so I have seen it two or three times. As for the cooking, it is only once."

"The golden rooster this time was sent by the Chinese emperor through his envoys. Therefore, there must be no negligence in the preparation of His Highness's birthday banquet and the reception of the envoys. Cui Shanggong will be in charge of the main dish this time. Actively assisting to ensure the most delicious dishes.” Jin Ying's eyes shone with confidence.Jang Geum looks at Jin Young enviously. After dinner, the court ladies gathered in the courtyard of the imperial dining room in twos and threes, talking about the upcoming birthday banquet.Such a large-scale celebration banquet has not been held for many years, not to mention that this time it happens to be in the spring.Alluring petals hang from the branches of the cherry blossoms, and whenever the spring breeze blows, the scenery is so beautiful that it almost makes people fascinated.The spring twilight aroused strong longing, which infected almost all the people present, and even those who didn't know what longing for each other was shaken.However, the mediator was dejected.

"People always take advantage of the victory to move forward. I have been a wife for five years, and I am just a Zhongzan who is in charge of steaming food. People——Translator’s Note), and she didn’t even hold the wife’s ceremony, but she became the helper of the king’s birthday banquet..." Ling Lu interjected without knowing the depth. "Then sister, hurry up and make meritorious deeds." "What are you talking about! You have to give me a chance to make meritorious deeds before you can talk about meritorious deeds!" Han Shanggong passing by happened to hear this sentence.

"You don't have to wait for opportunities to make meritorious deeds. As long as you are really capable, opportunities are always ready for you!" The mediator was taken aback.Min Shanggong next to him seemed dissatisfied as well. "From the golden chicken dishes this time, it can be seen that it is always handed over to people who usually do it frequently. How can other people have the opportunity to accumulate experience?" "Is the king's imperial meal for you to accumulate experience? Why do you know how to slander others, but don't work hard yourself?"

Han Shanggong couldn't hide the disgust in her heart, turned around and left, and she still had to accept the orders of the most noble palace. "I called you here to tell you not to be too sad." The most noble palace said nonchalantly. "I'm talking about golden chicken cuisine. Although you didn't show it, you must be very disappointed?" I thought it meant something, but it turned out that she was secretly trying to figure out what Han Shanggong was thinking. "You know my character well, why do you say these unpleasant things?" Han Shanggong's voice was full of anger.

"Okay, okay, you can't stand a joke." Han Shanggong was furious, but Gao Shanggong kept laughing inexplicably. "It's actually like this. Titiao Shanggong always felt that the Shanggongs in Taipingguan* (the guest house where the envoys of the Ming Dynasty lived in the Joseon Dynasty——Translator's Note) could not be trusted, so I sent you there. Take good care of the embassy there. The diet of the ministers must not be neglected." The most noble palace restrained its smile and said seriously.Han Shanggong didn't say anything, just nodded silently.Even so, the eyes of the Supreme Palace watching Han Shanggong go away are still full of supreme trust.

The courtyard in front of the courtyard is full of carts, carts and flat carts full of food, and people don't even have a place to stay.Si Fu Yuan was subordinate to Li Cao's yamen, responsible for the food in the palace, and at the same time in charge of setting up fish stations all over the country to catch fish and offer them to the palace. Deputy Superintendent Pu of the Siyuanyuan handed the golden rooster to Cui Shanggong who was waiting on the side, and did not forget to tell her a few words.The golden rooster was locked in a specially made cage, rolling its eyes. "The golden rooster is a priceless treasure, so it must be kept well."

Cui Shanggong took the golden rooster and took it back to the farm as if offering to a god.There are roe deer, pugs, chickens, sand badgers, etc. in the palace farm. All livestock from abroad can be found here. "I'm going out of the palace immediately to buy ingredients for golden rooster dishes. From now until the morning of the birthday banquet, you must keep an eye on this golden rooster, remember?" "I remember, you can rest assured to leave the palace!" Cui Shanggong left.Jinying went out to scoop water and left for a while, but when she came back, the golden rooster had disappeared.Jinying's face was ashen, and the water bowl she was holding fell to the ground.The door of the bird cage was open, the latch was missing, and someone had stolen the golden rooster.

Starting from the vicinity of the breeding ground, I searched all the Empress Dowager Hall, East Palace, etc., and even inspected the side hall quietly, but there was no sign of the golden rooster anywhere.The backyard was also searched, but no golden rooster was found, only the bright spring sunshine poured on the ground.Walking along the palace wall, Jinying's spirit suddenly lifted, and it turned out to be the sewer.A round hole was made under the bridge, and water flowed through it. The top of the ditch was covered by something, and Jinying found something moving. Maybe it's a golden rooster!Nervous Jinying took a step forward, just as the other party straightened up suddenly.It was Chang Geum.two The people reached out their hands to cover their mouths in unison, and swallowed the screams that almost burst out. "Scared me to death, sister, why are you here?" The restless heart calmed down a little, Jang Geum put down his hands and muttered. "Oh, nothing...how did you get here?" "I'm here to find some flower petals to make flower pancakes. The cherry blossoms that have just faded from the tree are floating on the water. I'm looking at them." "The backyard is strictly forbidden!" Jinying clearly said "you are lucky this time", she squatted down as if limp.Jang Geum smiled embarrassedly. Seeing the petals floating on the water, Jang Geum remembered the scene of looking at the crape myrtle flowers by the small river in front of the door with his father. "Because it blooms for a long time, it is also called zinnia. If someone scratches its bark, the leaves will move, so it is also called little itchy tree." Father talked about the reason why the tree has three names, and also said that you will always be called Chang Jin, but you only have one name, whether you are Baiding or Zhongren, you will always be Xu Chang Jin, and this fact cannot be changed.At that time, my father's voice seemed a little wet.Before long, the empty house and blacksmith shop will also usher in summer, and the petals of crape myrtle floating on the water will pass by the small river in front of the door again. Jang Geum thinks about his father, and Jinying thinks about the golden rooster. The two temporarily forgot their mission, and worry about themselves.Jang Geum first cheers up. "But sister, why are you here?" Jinying hesitated for a long time, and simply told the whole story.After hearing what Jinying said, Jang Geum decided to help her. "It just so happens that Han Shanggong went to the Taiping Pavilion, let's go find it together. The uncle who adopted me is a skilled man waiting for orders, so he should have a way to get a golden rooster." "If you beg uncle for help, you should be able to find it, but...we left the palace without permission. If we were discovered, you and I would be punished. This is no joke." "But you lost the golden rooster, is that enough for you to be punished?" That's what Jang Geum said.Jinying looked at the palace wall in embarrassment.As long as you climb over a stone wall, you will be outside the palace. "Besides, the golden rooster is not only the main dish at the king's birthday banquet, but also a gift from the emperor of the Ming Dynasty. This is not only a matter of my sister alone, but also concerns all the maids in the imperial dining room, and even concerns the safety of the country. Let's go !" Without waiting for Jinying's answer, Jang Geum suddenly stood up and stretched out his hand to Jinying.Jinying dawdled, but still didn't dare to grab this hand easily, Chang Jin couldn't wait any longer, and urged Jinying to say. "There's no time to linger, are you going or not?" Jang Geum's body had leaned more than half towards the palace wall, Jin Ying was encouraged and finally stood up. It was so easy to get to Cui Panshu's house, it happened that Cui Panshu was not at home when he was out.Seeing Jinying, the deacon was shocked, and hurriedly led them towards the main room. "A Donglai businessman came to do business with your lord, and your lord went to meet him. It might be late at night for drinking." "Oops! We can't stay here for too long. If I don't see uncle and get the golden rooster tonight, I will definitely be expelled from the palace!" "Could it be... miss... did you leave the palace without a token?" "The problem now is not the exit token, I want to find the golden rooster, the golden rooster!" "I heard that once a court lady enters the palace, she cannot come out without turning into a corpse." "I still need you to teach me, do you think I don't know? It's a crime to leave the palace, and it's a crime to lose the golden rooster. It's the same anyway. They will all be expelled from the palace! It's just that the golden rooster may affect all the palace ladies in the imperial dining room, and even make the country feel guilty." What a disaster!" "If this is the case, I can help you find the golden rooster. Miss, you should hurry back to the palace." "No! I must take the golden rooster back with my own hands!" "It's getting dark now, even if you look for it, it's impossible to find it. No matter what, miss, you have to wait here, don't go out!" "Don't worry, I will help you find the golden rooster!" Jinying stomped her feet in anxiety, and even Jang Geum next to her was so anxious that her legs went numb. "Sister, anyway, it's impossible to find it tonight, and I can't think of a good way to wait here. I'd better go to Uncle De Jiu's house." "Is there any way over there?" "Uncle De Jiu must know a few businessmen who buy and sell food, and he specializes in making tonics for the king. Instead of pinning all hopes on the deacon, isn't it safer for me to make the east bright and the west bright?" "Then you have to come back before You hour at the latest. If you are not at your residence after Xu hour, you will be punished." "I see." "Jang Geum, you take this with you." Jinying took out a few copper coins from his pocket and stuffed them into Chang Jin, who took the copper coins and ran away. "Jang Geum!" Just as he was about to open the door, Jang Geum heard Jin Ying calling his name in a hurry. Looking back, the locust tree in the backyard was higher than the roof, and Jin Ying was looking at Jang Geum motionlessly in the background. "thanks!" Jang Geum smiled and ran out. "My back hurts today..." De Jiu clutched his belt tightly and walked around the room, still spitting nonsense.From time to time, he pressed his waist against the corner of the wall. It didn't look like he had back pain, but he was healthier than a healthy person. "Headache the day before yesterday, leg pain yesterday, and waist turn today? Will your body be normal one day?" "So... this..." "If you are asked to work, you will find an excuse to refuse, and after collecting the wine money, you will put it into your own pocket. If you still want to refuse today, are you still a man?" "Who wants to push it away? Isn't my back hurting?" "I don't care! Even if your waist is broken and your head explodes today, I don't care, I don't care!" "You stinky bitch! Let's not talk about other times, what should I do if my back hurts?" "Hold it, doesn't that place hurt?" Dejiu's daughter-in-law doesn't care what happens, she rushes up to untie her husband's belt.De Jiu was like a river crab that was frightened by the sound of people, curled up and hid his limbs. "Look, men also have feelings, you know how to push me hard, what do you want?" "Since that's the case, I have to do it today! I can only see my husband's body when I rub my husband's back. What fun does that give me?" "Oh, oh, okay, I'll take it off now. I'm going to take off my clothes, you go turn off the lights!" "Why are you turning off the lights... Are you still shy at such an advanced age?" Even so, De Jiu's daughter-in-law seemed to like her husband's cuteness very much, she sat up quietly with a grin.At this moment, someone called De Jiu outside. "Uncle Deku, I'm Jang Geum!" De Jiu pushed his wife away and ran out barefoot. "Jang Geum! Oh, Jang Geum, I'm so glad to see you." Jang Geum rushes to the ecstatic Deok Goo. "Are you all right?" "Fortunately, even if I enter the palace, I can only peek at you from afar. I should find a way to get closer. Oh, we have grown into big girls, come in!" After being pushed away by De Jiu, De Jiu's daughter-in-law returned to the room and sat down with her back to the door. The first thing she said was to complain. "If you want to come, you have to check the time. It shouldn't be this time when you leave the palace for vacation! Could it be that you were kicked out of the palace?" "Yeah, something happened, right?" After explaining the ins and outs of the matter, Jang Geum asked De Jiu about the channel to get the golden rooster, and De Jiu stood up suddenly. "Something went wrong, something went wrong!" "My child, hurry back to the palace before anyone finds out! Even if you are kicked out of the palace, there will be no place for you here." "There is no way! I must get the golden rooster before dawn tomorrow, and then I will go back to the palace with Jinying." "Okay, since it's already out, let's go to bed today, and tomorrow you will come with me to the chick shop to have a look." "Thank you, I knew uncle had a way." "Oh, you don't care about adults and children, but you can do what you can't do at all." De Jiu's daughter-in-law clenched her fists tightly and her eyes widened.De Gu hid behind Jang Geum in fright. Deku and Janggeum arrived at the chicken shop before dawn.The so-called chick shop is actually a place where pheasants or chickens are bought and sold.Deok-gu picked up a yellow rooster and handed it to Jang-geum. "Uncle, the golden rooster is not a domestic chicken, but a pheasant." "Is the golden rooster a pheasant? Oh, you should have said that earlier." De Jiu walked up to the boss while talking.Hearing what Jang Geum said, De Gu became even more anxious. "Not this one, is there a golden pheasant?" "What is the golden pheasant?" "It's the golden rooster, the golden rooster." "Golden chicken? Oh, I should have said that just now! What kind of golden chicken, golden chicken, do you bother you..." Jang Geum listened silently beside him, and suddenly felt hot all over. "Do you know the golden rooster?" "Yes, I have seen it. But usually they are not sold in chick shops. Those Wan merchants who did business with Chinese merchants brought back two or three chickens. It was soon bought by a servant of a rich family. In other words, this is a direct transaction. I saw it once at the Songpo Wharf, when the ship of the bay merchant had just landed." "Jang Geum! This will be easy, today is the day when the Wan merchant ship docks at Songpo Wharf..." "yes?" Jang Geum was overjoyed and rushed to Songpo Wharf immediately. The breath of spring is rippling on the wharf, and merchants and pedestrians come and go, bustling.Even though it was early in the morning, the river wind was very gentle.As a distributing center for parallel goods, Songpa Wharf was developed against the background of Songpa Market, a well-known permanent market in the country.Ships traveled between Songpa and Jamsil to deliver firewood to Hanyang people. Jang Geum stood at the entrance of Songpa Market and waited for Deok Gu.De Jiu found out when the cargo ship arrived at the port, but his expression was very disappointed. "I heard that the boat won't arrive until Shenshi." "No matter what happens, I will return to the palace before You hour!" "Before that, we can make preparations first. First find the merchant, and sell us the golden rooster as soon as the ship lands. You can take the golden rooster and go straight back to the palace." Although it is not as easy as it is said, there is no other way but to hope for it. "So, in order to buy businessmen, you should pour them a few liters of wine first, don't you think?" "right!" Jang Geum counted out a few copper coins and gave them to De Jiu, who happily ran away without even saying when he would come back. "Uncle, you can't be late for anything today, you know?" "Of course, of course! Don't worry, just wait for me here." Jang Geum still feels faintly uneasy, but he can only trust De Gu. While waiting for Deku, Jang Geum had nothing to do, so he wandered around the market.Jang Geum came to a sunshade selling groceries and was immediately attracted by the pictures and books there.Suddenly, Jang Jin felt a burst of cold air, turned to look sideways, and a woman with unusual eyes was approaching him.Jang Geum met the woman's eyes, his face suddenly turned pale, and he turned his gaze back to the painting in panic.At this time, a man wearing a bamboo hat passed by, stuffed a note-like thing into the woman's hand, and left in the air. Jang Geum didn't have the strength to go shopping in the market, and couldn't walk, so he came to a pavilion at the entrance of the hill.There are no people coming and going in this place, leisurely and quiet, with a panoramic view of the pier and the Han River.Jang Jin was sitting in the pavilion, and just breathed a sigh of relief, suddenly two men walked over quietly, each grabbed one of Jang Jin's arms. Before Jang Geum could make the slightest resistance, he was led into a dense pine forest. "Get out what you hid!" After hearing this nonsense, Jang Geum was really puzzled by Monk Zhang Er.A man removed the stuff that was stuck in Jang Geum's mouth, and she could finally catch her breath. "You... what are you talking about? I don't know what to hide." "Hurry up and take it out before we don't search you!" Jang Geum became even more frightened when he heard that there was going to be a body search. "Don't do that! I haven't taken anything from anyone, and I haven't hidden anything." "Bitch..." A gloomy white light touched Jang Geum's neck.Chang Jin couldn't help opening his eyes to see, it was actually a knife.Chang Geum suddenly lost his mind and ran away, and the knife followed Chang Geum closely, as if it was attached to her body. "Not this woman!" A sudden voice rescued Jang Geum from the brink of death. "It's the woman in the blue dress next to me!" The man hastily withdrew his knife and hesitated for a while.The man who spoke just now walked towards Jang Geum. He was wearing a war hat, but he was wearing the ordinary clothes of a noble family. "The woman is on the pier and is about to board the boat, act now!" Although the words were meant for the other two men, their eyes were always fixed on Jang Geum. "I'm sorry, I didn't hurt you, did I?" Jang Geum barely controlled the trembling all over his body, and had no time to answer.The man wearing the Zhan Li bowed deeply, and then disappeared together with the people in front of him. Fortunately, De Jiu bought a golden rooster.Jang Geum took the golden rooster, and ran away without even saying thank you.The moment he left the market and walked into the mountain road, the sharp metallic sound almost pierced Jang Geum's eardrums.I don't know what happened here again, Jang Jin was about to leave quickly, when he suddenly saw a figure in the dense pine forest, and suddenly disappeared again.His movements are so quick that he can't even tell whether it's a human or a ghost. "A secret agent of the Japanese pirates! If you don't obey, you will be caught!" This sentence made Jang Jin shudder.Not only is the content amazing, but the voice is very similar to the man who saved him in an emergency just now.Jang Geum couldn't help being curious and stretched his neck.Not far away, she saw several men confronting each other with knives raised between the tree stumps. There are four people on each side, and they are preparing to launch a fierce attack on the enemy.Immediately afterwards, the knife met the knife, and the two sides fought.In the end, there was one person left on each side.On this side is the man wearing a battle hat, and on the other side is the man dressed as an aristocrat. What Chang Jin thought in his heart was to take the golden rooster back to see Jinying, but his legs didn't work anyway.At this time, the nobleman pinned the man wearing the hat to the ground, as if he had found something from him.He just relaxed and was about to open it up and take a closer look.Suddenly, a shadow came like the wind.At the same time that Jang Geum found the woman in the blue skirt, she stabbed at the noble man with a knife, hitting the man's back impartially.The woman in the blue skirt snatched the map and disappeared like the wind. Jang Geum stepped forward to check and found that the man had passed out.He lay there, wet with blood all over the floor.Jang Geum was at a loss, his body was trembling non-stop, he managed to gather his composure, and pulled out the dagger.It has to be pulled out at once. There is only one thought in Jang Geum's mind.Jang Jin closed his eyes tightly and exerted force on his hands. The man's body jerked up, and then he fell to the ground again. "Ugh!" The moment she pulled out the knife frightened Jang Geum, she screamed loudly and threw the knife far away.The blood found an exit and gushed out more violently.Jang Geum hurriedly tore off a piece of petticoat, and helped the man stop the bleeding. While he was stopping the bleeding, he looked for something with his eyes, but there seemed to be nothing in his field of vision. Jang Geum's eyes gradually expanded from his side to farther away. "Before you time...before you time..." Jang Geum can't help but whisper to the monk. Fortunately, I finally found what I was looking for in the crevices of the rocks facing the sun. It is a Burnet that smells more cucumber than cucumber. Although it has not yet bloomed, the stems that have the effect of stopping bleeding have grown.When Jang Jin returned to the man after picking the burnets, the smell of blood had already permeated the air.She was worried that the golden rooster would suffocate if it went on like this, but no matter what, it was important to save people first. Jang Geum was eager to make medicine, but he always touched the back of his hand in the end, so he was too busy. After the emergency treatment was completed, Jang Geum felt the man's pulse again.If an accomplice had come to him in time, his life might have been saved.Chang Jin couldn't bear to leave this dying person alone, but if he delayed for a while, he would be dead.She took the golden rooster and ran away without looking back. When she hurried back, Jinying had already left Cui Panshu's house. "Oh, why are you coming back now? Aunt Cui Shanggong and Miss Jinying are waiting impatiently." The three words "Cui Sanggong" that came out of the deacon's mouth shocked Jang Geum even more than Jinying's leaving. "Madam Cui Shanggong is here too?" "She said that the two of you went out of the palace, and the truth has been revealed. So Cui Shanggong came and took Miss Jinying back forcibly. Of course, Miss Jinying would not go alone without saying anything." "It was discovered after all. Where is the golden rooster?" "I got one." "I see!" Thank goodness.Jang Geum felt that he was wasting all his troubles, and suddenly felt depressed. "Don't be discouraged, you'd better catch up with them, they just left not long ago." Before the deacon finished speaking, Chang Jin had already run away.It's a pity that the golden rooster made her unable to get up quickly, but even so, Jang Geum couldn't let the golden rooster go. In front of the gate of Dunhua, Cui Shanggong was showing the token of leaving the palace to the soldiers.Jinying looked around behind Cui Sanggong, and finally met the eyes of Jang Geum who came running with gritted teeth.A brief moment of joy appeared on her face, and then she looked at Jang Geum full of regret and apology.Cui Shanggong forcibly twisted Jinying's arm. Jang Geum was helpless, staring blankly at Jinying who was forcibly taken away.Jinying turned her head step by step, and finally disappeared from Jang Geum's vision, as if everything disappeared with it. "Throughout the ages, the laws of court ladies are more important than the laws of the country. How dare a mere court lady climb over the palace wall?" In a rage, Ti Tiao Shang Gong sternly reprimanded him.All the noble palaces in the most noble palace and the imperial dining room all stood with their heads bowed, as if they were sinners. people.Everyone in the palace was busy preparing for the critical moment of the king's birthday banquet, but Jang Geum was taken away by the inner guard officer.If this is not the case, the Supreme Palace can still make major and trivial matters within the scope of her authority. "This kind of thing happened, it shows how loose the education of court ladies is!" The evidence is so overwhelming that no one has anything to say.Han Shanggong's face was gloomy and worried. "It's so disgusting! The most noble palace fined half a year's salary! Han Shanggong, who led Jangjin, and Cui Shanggong, who was in charge of the education of the imperial dining room, were respectively reduced from high praise to middle praise! As for Jang Jin, in addition to receiving the punishment of the internal guards, In the early morning of tomorrow, we will be responsible for the 20th board!" "Mommy!" Han Shanggong almost choked up. "She's just a girl. Facing the dying flesh and blood, she lost the ability to distinguish for a while, so she acted so rashly. Please show mercy!" "Shut up! If you don't want to be expelled from the palace, shut up!" Ti Tiao Shang Gong's face turned livid.No one dared to intercede, and no one dared to back down. All the people present were anxious like ants on a hot pot. "Look at you like this? Do you really want me to kick you out?" "..." "I don't want to see you again, get out now!" Even if he persisted, his anger for promoting Shang Gong would not disappear.The Shang Palaces who walked out of the executive room all drooped their shoulders and looked downcast. The most noble palace immediately rushed to the executive room of the chief servant, and she gradually walked away with her arms shaking.Han Shanggong stared at her back blankly. "I also heard it just now. Titiao Shanggong issued an order, and I can't do anything about it. This is a matter for the maids." "But aren't you in charge of the imperial dining room? This child is wronged." "As for why the Supreme Palace should cover up the mistakes of its subordinates, this is not within my authority." "Since this is the case, please help the inner guard. She has already been expelled from the palace, and I heard that she will be investigated for the crime of violating the palace. Please help stop it no matter what." The long waiter was silent, noncommittal. "If you must drive her out of the palace, why do you have to leave the prison of the inner guard? Can you let her leave my room?" "I see, I can help with this." Jinying is also pleading with Cui Sanggong. "These things happened because of me." "The most noble palace maid will also punish you." "No matter how you punish me, I will accept it willingly, but please save Jang Geum. If you ask Shang Gong to understand what happened, maybe you will change your mind." "In this way, not only should you let Titiao Shanggong know about not only your going out without permission, but also the fact that I deceived Titiao Shanggong to get the token, and that you lost the golden rooster?" "Jang Geum has done nothing wrong, why should she be punished alone?" "It's true that it happened because of you, but it's her fault that she didn't come back on time." Jin Ying has nothing to say, and the eyes that have always only exuded arrogance are now crying non-stop. "From now on, forget about this matter! Be sure to keep your mouth shut, and don't cause more trouble. You must remember what I said, and remember it again, you know?" "Mammy, please..." Cui Shanggong turned his back to Jinying, so indifferent that he seemed to be able to blow a cool breeze.Looking at her back, Jinying called Mama while crying blankly. After being released by the inner guards, Jang Jin returned to his residence and sat face to face with Han Shanggong.Her beautiful face was emaciated, as if she had spent a night in hell. "Are you going to leave just like that?" "..." "Is that really the way to go?" "When I was a wife, I had a friend who was as curious and enthusiastic as you. One day, she was expelled from the palace, and there was nothing I could do. There was nothing I could do to help her." Han Shanggong was crying, but she didn't have a single tear. Pity, powerlessness and exclamation made her pupils bloodshot, and tears of blood flowed out. "It's really powerless." Han Shanggong kept repeating this sentence.Jang Geum couldn't help thinking of his mother, and sadness welled up in his heart. "When my mother was kicked out of the palace, was she in the same mood as me? Was she also so sad and bewildered, feeling as if she had been abandoned?" "It's really powerless, I can't help you with anything..." At that time, she also sighed like now, swallowing blood and tears?After experiencing two unbearable partings, but unable to cry, what is the heart of the maid?What kind of mind does one need to become a court lady? The morning sun shines in through the window paper.Jang Jin stood up and made a big salute, she lowered her head, and finally shed a tear, which wet the ground. "Nurse, it's you who gave me the flesh-and-blood affection of this orphan without parents, please take care of me." Han Shanggong didn't say a word of farewell.However, when the door was closed and the footsteps gradually disappeared, Han Shanggong finally sobbed softly.Of course, Jang Geum, who has long since passed away, has no way of knowing. The door of the residence of the most noble palace is closed.Chang Jin saluted in front of the door, behind her was Shang Gong, the housewife, and maids all looked at her with regret, even Ling Lu had a sad expression, Jin Ying was also mixed among these sad faces.Liansheng didn't come, so I don't know in which corner she was hiding and crying secretly. After giving the salute, Jang Geum was about to leave, and Jin Ying took a step forward.Although it was spring, she looked icy, as if standing in a cold wind. "It's all because of me." "No, it's my fault I didn't come back on time. I'm going." Jang Geum is gone.The distance is getting farther and farther.She didn't even shake Jang Geum's warm hand, Jinying regretted her ruthlessness.Now she wanted to reach out, but it was too late.This desire became stronger and stronger, and Jinying tightened her skirt with both hands. "Jang Geum! Jang Geum!" Hearing this voice, everyone turned their heads.Lian Sheng rolled up his skirt to his knees, and was stumbling towards this side.Jang Geum stopped and turned around. "Jang Geum!" "Well, I thought I wouldn't see you before I left." "Come...Jang Geum...said...said that I want you to go to Chajaegeon* (a low-level government office responsible for experimenting and cultivating various precious herbs and plants introduced from the Ming Dynasty in the Joseon Dynasty——Translator's Note)." "what?" "Oh, I'm exhausted. I called Shanggong and told you to go to Chazaixuan." "What is Chazaixuan?" "I don't know either, but what does it matter? Titiao Shanggong has withdrawn the order to drive you out of the palace." "Why did you suddenly change your mind?" "Our most noble palace nanny and Han Shanggong nanny cried and begged for you. They would rather give up three years of salary, just to keep you in the palace." Jang Geum couldn't believe his ears, he just stood there blankly.Most Shanggong and Han Shanggong are walking here from Titiao Shanggong's residence, the eyes of both Shanggongs are deeply sunken. The most noble palace didn't say anything, and went back to his residence directly.Han Shanggong walked over, his eyes immediately turned red.Seeing this scene, Jang Geum also shed tears. "How can you cry at every turn?" "Because of me... Mammy for me..." "Stop talking! Although it's better than being kicked out of the palace, for a court lady, going to Chazaixuan is no different from being abandoned. If so, are you still willing to go?" "Yes! I'll go!" "Of course, you won't be able to participate in the Imperial Cuisine Competition in the near future. If you can't participate in the Imperial Cuisine Competition, you won't be able to become a wife. You also know this, right?" "yes." "Your days as a palace maid in the imperial dining room are over! You can either give up here, or try your best to do everything well after you get there. It's up to you to choose. This is the question I set for you." A simple and difficult subject.But as long as he doesn't leave the palace, Jang Geum is already content. "You go right away!" After hearing this sentence, Jang Geum immediately stepped forward, and Lian Sheng followed behind, sobbing. "Jang Geum, you must come back, remember?" But Jang Jin couldn't make any promises to her, he just shook Lian Sheng's hand hard, and then let go. Lian Sheng stood there like a road sign.The distance between Jang Geum and Lian Sheng gradually widened, getting farther and farther.The spring sun is so bright it hurts.On the warm earth, a shadow seems to be nailed to the ground, one shadow gradually goes away, and another shadow is Jinying standing in the distance watching Jang Geum leave. From Dunhua Gate, there is still a long mountain road to walk. Although it belongs to the palace, it is not within the palace wall.Because the terrain here is higher, you can see the roof of the palace. Jang Geum couldn't get rid of the melancholy in his heart, staring at the palace shoes on the soles of his feet while walking.A man in the training uniform of the inner guard was walking from the opposite side, and the man wrapped his shoulders with a cloth.It was Jang Geum's emergency treatment that finally saved this life.The two passed by each other, each immersed in their thoughts, neither of them recognized the other. The so-called Chazaixuan is actually just a vegetable field located outside the palace wall, which is specially used to grow precious spices and medicinal seeds imported from the Ming Dynasty or Russia.At that time, the cultivation of crops was prohibited in Hanyang City, except for the cultivation of vegetables or medicinal materials that were paid to the royal palace.Vegetables are handled by the inner farm, and medicinal seeds are kept by Chazaixuan. After crossing a hill, a large vegetable field suddenly appeared in front of him.The vegetable field is winding and extending to the distant Chazaixuan building.The furrows gradually deepened, and most of the seemingly green herbs were actually weeds.Medicinal herbs and weeds are mixed together, it is difficult to distinguish them, and it makes people dizzy just looking at them. Jang Geum sighed, and continued to walk forward, suddenly, he seemed to be tripped by something.Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be human feet.A man in his fifties was lying in a ditch with his legs crossed and snoring.Jang Jin almost rolled over to Chazaixuan in disgust.In broad daylight, a banquet was set up, and several men were sitting around on a flat bed drinking.It can be seen from everyone's black and red faces that this wine is by no means just beginning.Jang Geum's face almost turned red, but she still pretended to be majestic and said. “我是从御膳房来的宫女。请问哪位是负责管理茶栽轩的大人？” “大人？好，大人，不错。来，喝一杯，大人。” 一个男人慢吞吞地走到另一个男人面前，举起酒瓶，哈哈大笑起来。 “从衣着打扮来看，你们应该是这里的工作人员。为什么大白天喝酒，而不工作呢？” “怎么了？是不是不给你酒喝你不高兴了？” "What... what?" “你要是不愿意喝酒，那就给我们倒上？” “你这家伙！虽说还没举行内人仪式，可我总算是个宫女！你一个奴才竟然让宫女给你倒酒！还不赶快给我引见判官大人？” “什么大人不大人的，都三个多月没见他人影了。别张狂了，要不就跟我们一起喝酒，要不就去睡觉。” 长今受到侮辱，气得太阳穴上的青筋暴起。看着浑身发抖的长今，那男人用鼻子笑了笑。 “既然是宫女，就应该等着享受大王的恩宠啊，你到这里来干什么？” 跟这些混蛋没有共同语言。长今逃跑似的离开那里，出来寻找自己的住所。茶栽轩的一边以横七竖八的木头支撑，上面搭了个盖，看样子岌岌可危，仿佛吹口气就能把它吹倒。房间里只有一床被子，地上积尘很厚，只消拿手一扫，灰尘便仆仆乱飞了。 长今连连叹息，耳边传来了韩尚宫的声音。 “你做御膳房宫女的日子就等于结束了！要么就此放弃，要么到那边以后不管什么事都尽心尽力去做好，这个由你选择。这是我给你出的题目。” 长今挽起袖子，找了把小锄头便去了菜地。烈阳炙烤着菜地，长今甩开大步走在其中， 一双双饱含嘲笑的眼睛在她身后紧紧追随。 菜地里的杂草怎么铲也铲不完。光是铲草，就已经耗费了好多天。可是第二天再到菜地里一看，又长出了新草，几乎跟前一天铲去的数量差不多。长今不得不感叹草的旺盛生命力。不过，偶尔也能发现几棵稀落的药草。如果仔细寻找，还可以看见被铲倒的牌子。上面写着藿香、柴胡、何首乌、石蒜之类的名字。石蒜又名龙爪花，它的鳞茎对治疗扁桃腺病症有特殊的效果，长今曾经在白丁村庄后面的小山上挖到过。云白经常喝得烂醉如泥，随便躺下就能睡着，他可比药材更难见到。他好象把菜地当成睡午觉的地方了。有一天，长今怒不可遏，端起一瓢水就泼到了他的脸上。 “一个奴才怎么整天不干活，就知道喝酒睡觉呢？” 睡梦中的云白被泼了个落汤鸡，眼睛半睁半合地抬头看了看。 “你愿意干活儿自己干好了，为什么要来烦我，让我觉都睡不好？” “喂，你能不能马上站起来拿锄头？” 云白躺在地上摸过锄头，胡乱地撅着身边的地。 “你……你这是干什么？这不把药草也撅出来了吗？” “啊，你不是让我铲吗……我现在不是在铲草吗？” 长今气更不打一处来。云白刚刚铲过的地方长出了嫩苗，嫩苗像蝴蝶似的张开嘴巴向上拱。长今赶紧跑过去夺过了云白手里锄头，把目光投向露出嫩黄叶子的幼芽。 “这是菘菜。” 看着长今兴趣盎然的样子，云白把名字告诉了她。 “菘菜？” “对缓解内脏多热、头脑浑浊、排便困难很有效果，如果喝了酒，第二天口渴的时候服用效果最好了。” 说着，云白当着长今的面把那株看着就让人怜爱的嫩苗一把拔掉，塞进了嘴里。他咯吱咯吱地大嚼不止，长今真想上前狠狠地抽他两个耳光。为了压抑动手打人的冲动，长今脸上的肌肉明显在抽搐。 “菘菜。” 菘菜是中宗时代最早引进朝鲜的，当时刚刚开始栽培，是一种能入药的白菜。虽然不能打他，可也不能就这么放过他，长今正在咂舌，突然听见菜地下面传来急切的声音。 “死人了！快……快来看啊！” 听见声音，一向游手好闲的云白也露出紧张的神色。长今跟在云白后面一起跑进茶栽轩，原来是做饭的女佣晕倒在地上。云白跑过去给她把了把脉，翻开眼皮看了看，又拨开嘴巴望了一下。 “快拿针筒来！” 长今不知道云白冲自己说话，愣愣地站在一边看。云白大声呵斥。 “让你把针筒拿过来，没听见吗？那边，到抽屉里找找！” 长今找到针筒递给云白。云白动作娴熟地开始了扎针，他的额头上滚动着汗珠，但是扎针的手却是十分镇静。云白一连扎了好几针，不一会儿，躺在地上的女佣“哗啦”一声把吃过的东西全都吐了出来。 “这就对了。” 女佣吐出来的秽物沾到云白的衣服上，但他并不在意，扶起女佣拍打着她的后背。 “活动一下手指！” 看着女佣的手指来回蠕动，云白紧张的神情放松下来。 “好了，你现在应该到里面去！你，过来扶她一下。” 长今过来扶起女佣，云白从站在一旁的巴只*（巴只）手里夺过酒瓶，说道。 “煮些黄豆，把黄豆水给她服下去。” 随口说完，他又把嘴贴到瓶口咕嘟咕嘟地大喝起来，然后就出去了。不一会儿，他又变成了一个醉鬼。 “他的手艺不像偷看或偷听来的……” 长今一边扶着女佣回房间，一边小声对女佣说。 “您还不知道吧？他就是主簿*（朝鲜时代在内医院、司仆寺、汉城府、惠民署等各部门设立的从六品官职——译者注）郑大人啊。” 主簿可是从六品官员，原来他不是奴才。 照顾佣服下黄豆水后，长今又去了菜地。坐在平板床上的云白仍然在喝酒，他望着菜地那边无边无际的天空，目光之中充满了凄凉。 “我不知道您就是主簿大人，多多冒犯，请您原谅！” “那你以后听我的话吗？” “请您吩咐。” “什么事也不要做。” "why?" “你不要整天忙忙碌碌，也不要以为这里还有什么希望。要么喝酒，要么睡觉，如果这些你都不喜欢，也可以跟巴只调情。总之怎么都好，就是不要干活。” 云白含糊不清地说完，盯着长今。他的眼睛里含着血丝。面对这样的目光，长今简直无话可说了。 第二天，长今开始整理丢得到处都是的种子。当她发现一个写有“百本”字样的种子袋时，便去找云白。云白依旧以菜地为炕，宽衣解带，舒展四肢。 "grown ups." 云白好象没听见。没有办法，长今只好把种子袋推到他鼻子底下。 “这是百本的种子吗？” 云白只睁开一只眼睛，粗略地扫了一眼，不耐烦地回答说。 "yes." 说完，云白扑腾坐了起来，大声吼叫。 “你到底想干什么？我不是让你什么也不要做吗，你把我的话都当成耳边风了？” "I can not do it." 长今面带微笑，好象故意激怒云白。 "What... what?" “你我都是拿国家俸禄的人，既然拿着老百姓的税当俸禄，就应该为国家做事。” “好，你厉害，既然这么厉害怎么会被赶出宫呢？” “而且作为我来说，如果连这边的事也不做，真的会支撑不下去。也许大人您心里没有任何希望，心里反而平静，但是我会把这份希望当做动力。” “别臭美了。你看看这里的人，最初哪个不是像你这样疯狂地折腾？都没有用。黄梁美梦不会给你带来希望，只会令人绝望！” “尽管如此，我总还是要活下去的，绝望之中总能有一粒种子生根发芽吧？” “你的嘴皮子真是不得了。好吧，希望也好，绝望也好，都随你的便吧，只是请你不要干涉我。” 长今没再说话，悻悻地离开了。 耥开一条垄沟，长今播下了百本种。浇水之后又等了几天，依然不见发芽的迹象。有一天，种子终于没等到发芽，腐烂了。撒播方式失败后，长今又试了条播、点播。播种以后，她试过放任不管，也试过轻轻盖上一层土，有时也埋得很深。然而一切努力都没有效果。她试过浇少量水，也试过浇水分充足，有时连续几天停止浇水。好肥料也都用过了，甚至浇过自己的尿。躺在结实外壳中休眠的百本，仿佛故意嘲笑长今的种种努力，就是不肯发芽。 早在燕山君时代，百本种子就被带回了朝鲜，其后足足耗费了二十年的时间，想尽各种办法栽培，可是每次都化为泡影，看来必定是另有原因。百本对人身内外都能产生良好影响，几乎所有的汤药之中都要加入百本。由此以来，百本便没有了固定的行情，只能任凭明朝使臣漫天要价。 长今尝试在两条沟垄之间条播，轻轻地覆盖泥土，撒上肥料。这时候，长今到茶栽轩已经两个月了。不管走到哪里，火辣辣的太阳如影随形，炽烈地灼烤着后脑勺。 "stop!" 长今提着水桶正要往前走，突然听见云白大喊一声。其时云白正趴在地上，盯着地面看。此时此刻的云白眼神之中充满了认真，一反平日的醉鬼形象。长今蹑手蹑脚地向前，朝云白视线停留的地方看去，绿色的幼芽钻出了地面。 "This……" 巴只们三三俩俩地围拢过来，其中一个激动地喊道。 “长出叶子了！百本发芽了！” 长今眼里满含热泪，男人们也都跟着激动，望着远方的天空良久无语。 “这边的杂草铲掉就可以了吗？” “你呀你，杂草可不能这样铲。” 男人们一个接一个地拿起小锄头趴在垄沟里，有个已经拿着水桶摇摇晃晃地下去打水了。蜿蜿蜒蜒的沟垄尽处，天空像着火似的通红一片。 “我去了趟内资寺，那边还剩下很多，他们都给了我。” 云白把种子袋扔给长今。长今假装什么也不知道，微笑着接了过来。 “御膳房有个宫女问我是不是从茶栽轩来的，然后托我把这个转交给你。” 云白稀里哗啦地掏出一本小册子。长今赶紧把信拆开，却是连生熟悉的笔迹。 “我每天都恳求最高尚宫嬷嬷让你回来。丫头们都在准备即将到来的御膳竞赛，忙得不可开交呢。不管今后怎样，我先把希望与你共同分享的心意装进这本小册子，并将我听到和学习到的东西写下来给你看。希望你不要放弃，坚持锤炼，争取尽快回到御膳房。” 小册子里记满了芝麻粒大小的字，偶尔还有画得不大好的图画。长今抚摩着、亲吻着，仿佛那就是连生的脸庞。终于抑制不住，长今把小册子抱在怀里哭了起来。 从第二天开始，长今不论走到哪里，都拿着小册子大声背诵上面的内容，不管是在房间里、菜地里，还是在仓库中。现在，百本已经长到手掌般大小，远远望去，周围的土地都是一片碧绿。 “选择干海带时，叶子比茎重、泛黑光的最好；选择黄瓜时，顶花带刺、摸上去稍感疼痛的最好；选择章鱼时，雄的比雌的更柔软，也更好吃，吸盘按一定顺序排列的是雄章鱼；选择大虾时，先用双手抓住相互撞击，发出清脆声音的就是新鲜的；茄子要选顶部带刺扎手的……” 长今大声背诵着走向菜地。此时，一个巴只气喘吁吁地跑来。 “小姮娥先生！您快来看看吧！” 长今跑过去一看，不知是谁把百本地弄得乱七八糟。 “哎呀，是哪个混蛋把这……” 围在旁边的一个巴只失魂落魄地说。 “虽然这是在王宫外面，但是毕竟跟王宫连在一起，普通老百姓很难进来，可这又不像是牲口弄的……” “姮娥先生辛辛苦苦培育出来的百本……到底是哪个该死的混蛋……” “这种混蛋！要是让我抓住，我肯定把他打得满地找牙！” 长今默默地听着他们说话，仿佛他们谈的事情与自己无关。 从内资寺回来的云白听到这个消息，只若无其事地说了一句话。 “我早就知道会是这样，对于一个人生基本画上句号的人来说，百本还能是什么好事吗？” 长今原本以为云白总能想出办法来，云白的这番话的确让她既难过又失望。现在只能回到开始，重新播种了。 第二天，长今把被践踏过的土地修整一番，再一次播下种子。尽管发生了这种事，还是有几个人过来帮忙。恰好下了一场毛毛细雨，没过几天，地里又长出了绿油油的新芽。 刚刚发出新芽的那天夜里，长今正在住所看连生写给她的书信。突然，菜地那边传来奇怪的声音，而且声音越来越近。长今紧张地竖起了耳朵。这时，长今听见云白的声音。 “赶快出来吧。” 天黑之后，巴只必须离开王宫，这是宫中惯例。尽管这是在宫墙之外，毕竟还是大王的女人也就是宫女生活的地方。巴只和宫女同在一个地方过夜，这真是不可思议的事。 长今不明所以，来到外面一看，一个男人被捆绑着跪在地上。云白两手倒背在身后，望着菜地那边。被绑的男人是茶栽轩里的巴只。 “大人，这是怎么回事？” “我就知道这混蛋不可能只做一次就罢手。果不其然，我在这里放哨，正好抓住了这小子。” 长今没想到云白这么有心，早先的失落心情顿时烟消云散。 “你说说，为什么要干这事？” 长今既愤怒又疑惑，就问那个男人。男人缄口不语。 “你明明知道这种药材十分贵重，却还要这么做，肯定是有什么苦衷吧？” “我对姮娥先生犯了死罪啊！” “我现在不想听这话。你为什么要这么做，快说！” 男人紧闭嘴巴不肯招供，任凭你软硬兼施，他都不肯再开口了。 “好！看来他是不打算说了。明天告诉判官，把他交给义禁府，一切不就真相大白了！太晚了，你也回去休息吧。” “不，我也要在这里……” “我让你回去！” 云白的气势非同寻常，长今不便坚持，只好离开了。看着长今已经走远，云白语气和蔼地对男人说道。 “你的难处我都知道，如果你偷百本卖掉好象还说得过去，可是我不理解你为什么要把百本给扒翻了。是谁？” “我对不起大人，我很惭愧。” “是啊，是啊，你肯定会惭愧的。哦，不要惭愧了。告诉我你为什么要这样做。是谁指使你这么干的？” 男人无语，只有草虫的叫声不断传来。 “如果你有苦衷，我倒想放你一马。看来没办法了，只能把你交给判官大人了！” 云白把那个男人带到判官面前，判官从头听到尾，只是不以为然地说道。 “我知道了，把他放在这里，你走吧。” “这种药材，就连朝廷都是翘首以待。他毁了这么贵重的药材，我以为您会把他交给义禁府，彻底纠出背后指使的人。” "I see." “宫女长今想尽各种办法，费尽周折，终于成功栽培出了百本，这件事也请您如实禀告朝廷。” “郑主簿到茶栽轩多长时间了？” “差不多五个月了。” “这段时间，不知道百本都有多少次长到这个程度。芽是发出来了，但是过不多久就腐烂了，要么就是枯死。刚长这么大，就向朝廷草率禀告，万一再次失败，那可如何是好？等结果确凿的时候再禀告也不迟。” 表面看来是态度谨慎，语气却显得颇不情愿，说不定这个判官也是同党。 “还有，天黑了你怎么还不回家，留在那边做什么？如果再发生这样的怪事，我可绝对不会轻易放过。” How did that happen?抓住犯人，不但没有奖赏，反而受到等同于犯人的待遇。 没过多久，云白就察觉出判官也参与了这件事。巴只过来禀告说判官找他，于是云白跟随巴只离开了。不料，他们去的不是执务室，而是妓院。看见云白进来，判官给云白斟满酒，脸上带着卑屈的神情。 “来，先喝一杯。王宫上下谁不知道郑主簿嗜酒如命啊？” 这话不假。云白一口气就喝光了杯中酒，却没有劝判官喝。判官自己喝完后，开始安慰云白。 “刚才我的嗓门是大了些，实在对不起。我就开门见山实话实说吧，这次的事情你就只当什么也没有。”