Chapter 9 Chapter 9 Conspiracy

From that day on, Jinying kept herself stuck in the house and refused to go out.On the surface, there seems to be nothing wrong with her, but she herself said she was not feeling well, and she would not move at all. If anyone came to talk to her, she would be furious, and she would yell at them and drive them away.Ling Lu, who lived in the same room, suffered a lot for this. Jang Geum is still busy with her own affairs as usual, Lian Sheng feels very lost.In order to find the cooking diary left by his mother, Jang Jin almost turned the dining room upside down.Lian Sheng still couldn't figure out why Jang Geum was sneaking around at night.

He went out and didn't return until the next morning, and was deeply disturbed by it.One day, Liansheng secretly followed Jang Geum. In the night at the end of the month, I couldn't see my fingers, and Liansheng lost Chang Geum before he had gone far.Looking in the direction of the dining room, Lian Sheng started running.Thinking of running alone in the dark, Lian Sheng's heart fluttered, and a sense of fear arose spontaneously.She seemed to have forgotten the original purpose, she just wanted to find Jang Geum quickly, and then go back to the room together. The lights in the dining room have been turned off.Lian Sheng wanted to see if Jang Geum had entered, so he gently opened the door.Through the cracks in the door, a dark figure was found swaying. The figure was stepping on the stove and climbing up, rubbing back and forth on the rafters.The black shadow was clearly wearing his wife's clothes, but Lian Sheng could only see the slanted side.Although it is blurry, it can still be seen that the shadow man is obviously taller than Jang Geum.

Shadow hesitated on the rafters for a long time, probably found a suitable place, then took something out of his sleeve and quickly stuffed it in.Lian Sheng was just about to open the door a little wider for a better view, when a shadow came down from the stove.Lian Sheng quickly retreated to the opposite dragon cypress tree and hid. The wife who came out of the dining room was actually Jinying.I saw her looking around, and then took a big step, but stepped on the corner of her skirt, and almost didn't fall.Jinying finally managed to keep his balance, as if he was confused by something.The way she was in a hurry made the people watching beside her sweat.

Jin Ying disappeared, Lian Sheng was about to come out from under the tree, but Chang Jin suddenly appeared. "Jang Geum..." Liansheng was worried that the partition wall had ears, so he tried to keep his voice down.Jang Geum didn't seem to hear, he glanced back, and slipped quietly into the dining room.Lian Sheng felt a little creepy, and it was very strange for Chang Jin to come and go every night. What kind of unspeakable secrets did she have, even she kept it a secret from herself. Originally looking for Jang Jin, but unexpectedly found Jin Ying, which also made Lian Sheng feel terrified.The patient who stayed behind closed doors for several days came out to hide things in the middle of the night.What could she be hiding?Liansheng gave up the idea of ​​asking Jang Jin to go back together, and decided to continue to observe the development of the situation.

Jang Geum was looking for things in the dining room. She ignored all the places that people could find easily, and only looked for the back of the dining cabinet or the cracks in the wall. to the thing above the rafters. "One to hide, one to find?" This incident was too unexpected for Lian Sheng, and she couldn't figure out the clue. Chang Jin turned around in a fit of anger, and soon became dejected.I saw her sitting on the ground sighing, with a frustrated expression that made people afraid to talk to her. The night wind was chilly, and the chill and sleepiness hit his face together. Liansheng decided to call it a day and was about to go home, but he suddenly felt that he had left Jang Geum in the cold and gloomy dining room.

He opened his eyes and looked around, the bedding was cold.Liansheng saw Jang Jin in the bathroom, looked around, and didn't speak.Jang Geum also just concentrated on washing his face silently.On the contrary, Lian Sheng became anxious. "I... I saw everything last night..." Lian Sheng wanted to sound out the tone. "what……?" Faced with Liansheng's threats, Jang Jin's eyes widened in surprise, her fair cheeks washed with cold water were as transparent as a baby's. "At midnight, what are you two doing in the dining room?" "Two? You mean two people?"

"Yes, you, and sister Jinying." "Did you see sister Jinying in the dining room? When?" "Sister Jinying just came out of the dining room before you sneaked in like a thief. Are you two playing hide and seek?" Jang Geum thought for a while, and ran away without making a sound.Of course she never thought about playing hide-and-seek, the person playing hide-and-seek is actually Liansheng.Chang Jin trotted to the imperial dining room, Lian Sheng followed behind her, and finally expressed his disappointment. "Ah! Do you really want to do this? Are you determined not to say so?"

Jang Geum seemed very impatient, his whole body was listless, his expression was weird, and he didn't say a word. "Last night, you were clearly looking for something in the dining room. If you were looking for something hidden by sister Jinying, I can tell you..." "Sister Jinying hid something?" "Yes, I saw it with my own eyes, it's absolutely true!" "There must be a reason for her." Seeing Jang Geum's disapproval, Lian Sheng was very angry.The two of them had an unpleasant quarrel, even angry, looking around for something to step on, and suddenly found the stove that Jinying had stepped on yesterday.Liansheng turned the stove over and stepped on it, just enough to touch the rafters.However, no matter how much she writhed, there was still nothing.After exhausting my strength several times, I finally managed to touch a paper-like thing from a narrow wall crack, but only slightly reached the tail.As she smoked out, the stove wobbled and fell over.Lian Sheng fell to the ground with his buttocks, and fell on his back.At this moment, something landed on Lian Sheng's forehead with a bang.At a glance, Jang Geum immediately concluded that this was his mother's cooking diary.

Jang Geum ran over and turned the first page, the familiar handwriting came into view, the densely packed words were like pieces of black sesame seeds. If people don't eat, they eat because of people. Food and medicine come from the same source, and food is medicine. This is how my mother's cooking diary started, as if self-motivated.Jang Geum's lips were trembling, tears were streaming down her cheeks, she finally couldn't hold back her excitement, and ran out of the dining room. "Jang Geum! Jang Geum!" Liansheng yelled loudly, but he couldn't call Jang Geum back.

"How could she be like this?" The two had been intimate for more than ten years, and it was the first time Lian Sheng saw Jang Geum crying so excitedly.She couldn't figure out what Jang Geum was thinking, and she felt even more doubts.What Liansheng didn't expect was that a piece of red cloth was exposed from the cracked wall above the rafters, like a pink tongue.Of course, even Sheng never dreamed that when she took out the cooking diary, the red silk that Jinying put in with the charm was pulled out at the same time. It was Han Shanggong who discovered the red silk first.She was about to go out after inspecting the imperial meals kept on the Kang Kang in the retreat room, when she suddenly saw a red cloth protruding from the rafters opposite.Han Shanggong glanced at it casually, and immediately felt that the spell inside was extraordinary. She didn't dare to delay, and immediately handed it over to the Supreme Palace.After watching the most noble palace, he called Cui Shanggong and Han Shanggong together.

The Supreme Palace immediately began a secret investigation of the incident.Calculating from the time, she knew that Jinying was on duty in the dining room the night before.Hearing this, Cui Shanggong hurriedly stood up to defend Jinying. "If it was Jin Ying's hidden charm, why did she choose to hide it when she was on night shift? As long as she was not a fool, she would definitely avoid days when others would be suspicious. This is obviously done by someone who is jealous of Jin Ying. " It sounds reasonable, but Supreme Palace still thinks Cui Shanggong's attitude is suspicious. "Why did Cui Shanggong react so strongly? You probably don't know the content of the spell, but judging by your expression, it seems that you already know that there is nothing good in it." "No, that's not the case... Whether it's good intentions or malice, Jinying will never write spells, so I said that." Cui Shanggong, who was caught, was shocked, but she quickly recovered her calm expression, hiding her inner tension. "I've heard that Jang Jin always goes in and out of the dining room at night recently, should I call Chang Jin to check..." "Cui Shanggong's words sound a bit inconsistent..." Han Shanggong, who had been silent all this time, frowned and said. "What's the meaning?" "Whether it's good intentions or malicious, Jinying will never write a spell. Isn't that what you said? If this can prove that Jinying is innocent, then Jang Geum is even more innocent." "Then you're saying that Jinying may also write spells?" "I didn't say that, I just said that Jang Geum has no reason to write spells. I've been with this child for a long time. Although she does some stupid things occasionally, she won't have any bad things about things beyond her ability. Attempts. She would never rely on such things as spells, even if they were written with good intentions, and she would never expect accidental success without effort." Han Shanggong's tone was quite decisive, and even Cui Shanggong, who was not afraid of anything, was at a loss for words and could only shake her lips angrily. Although she didn't know what to say, her eyes were fierce.However, Han Shanggong never flinched, nor did he avoid Cui Shanggong's gaze, the two were looking at each other. The Supreme Palace seemed to be aware of the unusual atmosphere between the two, and stepped forward to mediate. "Han Shanggong, go and call Jang Geum." Contrary to Han Shanggong's expectation, Jang Geum looked a little guilty.Cui Shanggong handed the silk cloth wrapped with a charm to Jang Geum, and reprimanded him without thinking. "what is this?" "……I have no idea." "The things you hid yourself, are you still pretending to be confused?" "I really saw it for the first time." "It's disgusting!" "Cui Shanggong, don't talk, even if you ask me, I should do it." Supreme Palace stopped Cui Sanggong and watched Jang Geum. "I heard that you always go to the dining room at night recently, is this true?" "……yes." "Did you go last night?" Jang Geum still only answered "yes" and said nothing more.A trace of panic flashed across Han Shanggong's face, and Cui Shanggong shrugged proudly. The most noble palace looked around and asked in a low voice. "It's late at night, why are you going to the dining room?" Jang Geum didn't answer.No, it should be because I don't know how to answer.If she tells the truth, everyone will know who her mother is.Jang Geum only knows that his mother used to be the concubine of the imperial dining room, but was later framed and expelled from the palace. Thinking that the person who framed his mother back then might still be tyrannical somewhere in the palace, Jang Geum couldn't help feeling horrified.It must be like this, the more harmful a person is, the longer his life will be.They will do everything they can to get rid of their mother just like they got rid of their mother back then. Don't fight against them until they are able to clean up their mother's crimes. They must persist in living. "Are you going to stay silent like this?" Now, even the voice of the most noble palace is full of anger.Han Shanggong beside him was so anxious that he couldn't help interjecting. "Jang Geum, quickly report the truth to the Supreme Palace, tell me quickly!" "It seems that she has unspeakable difficulties." "Cui Shanggong, don't make wild guesses without evidence." "I have no evidence? Isn't this child's behavior the obvious evidence?" "Please pay attention to your identities, both Shanggongs!" The angry voice of the most noble palace broke the suffocating tension.Both Shang Gong closed their mouths, with strange expressions on their faces.Chang Jin couldn't meet Han Shanggong's gaze, so he quietly covered his eyes. "There is no evidence now, so I can't punish you for the time being, but if you keep silent like this, I will never let it go. Put her in the warehouse. If she still doesn't speak, don't give her a drop of water!" "Give me a moment, Mammy, and I'll find out." Han Shanggong is trying every means to persuade Gao Shanggong to change his mind, but Cui Shanggong has already dragged Jang Geum.Looking at Jang Geum who was being dragged away, and then looking at the most noble palace on the seat, Han Shanggong was neither on the left nor on the right, spinning around in a hurry.Jang Geum was taken away obediently, leaving only suffocating silence in the room. Jang Geum was locked in a dark warehouse without a drop of water to drink, but she still refused to speak.Time passed bit by bit, and Han Shanggong and Jinying were restless with their respective worries. At this time, the wife who asked about the content of the spell came back, and she brought back news like a bolt from the blue.After hearing the news, it was Cui Shanggong who reacted most violently. "You've only been a concubine for a few days, and you dare to do such a thing? This child is sure to cause big trouble. If such a child is left in the palace, it will lead to a catastrophe sooner or later." Instead, Han Shanggong regained his composure.Chang Jin had no choice but to keep silent, and Han Shanggong's heart was slightly shaken.When she learned the content of the spell, she firmly believed that it was definitely not what Jang Geum did.Curse the fetus in the queen's womb from a prince to a princess!Whether the queen gave birth to a prince or a princess has nothing to do with Jang Geum.It is very likely that she doesn't even know how a woman is pregnant. This is Jang Geum, no, it is Han Shanggong's trust in Jang Geum. "Fortunately, only a few of us know about this matter, let's solve it secretly, so that there will be no big trouble." "Get rid of?" "Should we just let her go like this? Similar curse incidents often occur in the palace, but most of them happen in the harem residence. This time, a spell was found in the dining room of the main hall! It's really speechless." "It's best to have nothing to say, so just say a few words." Cui Shanggong's mouth was blocked by the flowery and thorny words of the most noble palace.It seems that she thinks the same as Han Shanggong. "Isn't the most important thing for Jang Jin to speak? If she really hid the talisman, then someone must have ordered it behind her back. It is impossible for her to write such a talisman by herself, maybe she was instructed by someone outside the palace!" "If the incident in the middle is leaked out, the whole imperial dining room will be in a state of turmoil, so let's quietly get rid of Jang Geum..." "If a fair treatment will lead to unrest in the Imperial Dining Room, then there is nothing you can do about it. Even if people panic, it's better than getting things wrong, right?" The most noble palace scolded sharply, and stared at Cui Shanggong closely, as if to see what Cui Shanggong was thinking.Cui Shanggong swallowed what he was about to say, avoiding the sight of the most noble palace. Five days passed, and it wasn't just Han Shanggong who was in dire straits.After Jang Geum was called away by the Supreme Palace, his whereabouts were unknown for five consecutive days. Liansheng searched the entire palace, looking for Jang Geum everywhere.I really couldn't wait any longer, so I went to ask the Supreme Palace. The answer from the Supreme Palace was wrong, and I knew something was wrong at a glance.Lian Sheng went to ask Han Shanggong again, Han Shanggong panicked and said that the head of the most noble palace was out of the palace today to handle errands.Jinying also suffocates herself in the room and does not step outside the door. Intuition told Lian Sheng that something must have happened.So whenever she had time, she searched everywhere for Jang Geum, and another four days passed in a blink of an eye.Things are still not the slightest clue.If someone hid Jang Geum, then looking for it like this would be like looking for a needle in a haystack.The palace is too big, and the most important thing is that there are many hidden places that insiders cannot set foot in.Lian Sheng had an idea and came up with a way. She decided to repeat the old trick and followed Han Shanggong.According to her guess, it is impossible for Han Shanggong not to know about this matter. Jang Geum opened his eyes in the darkness.In fact, no matter whether you open your eyes or close your eyes, it is still the same darkness, and there is no ray of sunshine here, so she doesn't even know how many days and nights have passed. In the first two days, she thought of Jinying, and her mind was in chaos.The first time she heard Lian Sheng talk about this matter, she didn't take it seriously at all, but now that she thought about it, she was full of doubts.Lian Sheng said that Jinying hid something, so what exactly is she hiding, is it something that the most noble palace asked her to hand over, but none of this is important.The important thing is that Jinying has remained silent. "Today's matter... is a secret, remember?" On the day we first met, what Jinying said when we parted in front of the Xuanzheng Palace is still fresh in my memory.What the hell is going on, how did she become someone else.Jang Geum is saddened by the disappearance of a twelve-year-old girl who risked farewell to her beloved. Do you want to tell Lian Sheng's words?It would be an impossible lie to say that Jang Geum has no contradiction at all.But will it be useful to say it?Even if I say it, I won't hide the fact that I have been to the dining room... Jang Geum decided to keep silent.Although silence cannot solve any problems, it can at least prevent further deterioration of the situation. Her expression became more and more dazed, but the more so, the faces of her father and mother became clearer, and the deep-seated thoughts of her parents permeated into her body.The souls of parents who flew away alone without even a single person to pay their respects.Thinking of this, Jang Geum's heart was as sad as a knife. In a daze, Jang Geum went back to the time in Baiding Village.The childhood spent in Baiding Village was full of blissful bits and pieces. Maybe all the happiness in a lifetime was squandered there, and now there is no happiness that belongs to me anymore.Father's warm and firm back, mother's stern but gentle hands, in the dreamlike but real darkness, Jang Geum felt their body temperature. Suddenly, the sun hits our faces.Accompanied by the dazzling sunlight, a shadow stood in front of him.Maybe this is the underworld that I heard about before, Jang Geum suddenly had such a feeling, but what he heard was Han Shanggong's familiar voice. "Jang Geum!" Missing came surging like an overwhelming river, and tears fell down one after another.The voice was warm and friendly, as if her mother was calling herself.Han Shanggong quietly closed the warehouse door and came to Jang Geum.Han Shanggong touched Jang Geum's forehead and cheek, his heart was full of love. "I know you definitely haven't hidden the spell, but if you don't tell the reason for going out of the dining room, they won't let you out for a day. You must tell it!" Jang Geum wept silently. "What's the reason why you can't tell me?" Jang Geum still doesn't speak.Han Shanggong couldn't bear it anymore, and finally lost his temper. "Because of you, the rhythm of my life has been disrupted. It has been like this from the very beginning. Ever since you came under my command, my heart has not been relaxed for a day. This is all because of feelings. If there is no feeling, there will be no There will be troubles..." "Mommy!" "Okay, tell me, what else can you say to me? Even if you are the daughter of my enemy, I will always stand by your side!" After listening to Han Shanggong's words, the last hesitation and worries in Jang Jin's heart melted away. It seems that there is no harm in telling Han Shanggong about his mother.Didn't she also say that a friend was framed and expelled from the palace just like her mother? "actually……" Jang Geum was about to speak when suddenly the door opened, and it was the Supreme Palace who broke in.Han Shanggong was shocked and stood up hurriedly. "Didn't I say that no one except me is allowed to come in and out of here. This is not your usual style, Han Shanggong. Why is this?" "Sorry……" "Get out of here quickly!" At this moment, it is useless to say anything.Han Shanggong gave Jang Jin a regretful look, and went out with heavy steps. Perhaps this is how a mother who abandons her child and leaves alone feels like this.From this point of view, Jang Geum has become his own child.Do you have to be pregnant because of the love of a man, and do you have to have blood relationship to become a child?After sending Ming Yi away, ten years have passed, and this is the feeling she spent ten years nurturing.She and Jang Geum spent ten years together.She couldn't express her feelings for this child accurately, but she did love and pity Jang Geum deeply, and she almost gathered all the love she had for her husband and children in her life.For court ladies, the so-called love is a futile luxury, but at this moment, this sentence is completely invalid. The autumn sun is still hot, there is no wind, and the leaves are withering.With every step, the fallen leaves under my feet rose up one after another, and then fell naturally.She looked down at the fallen leaves under her feet and walked.Suddenly I heard someone calling me from behind. "Mammy, Mammy!" It is Liansheng. The application time has passed, and the waiting person has not yet appeared.When I first came here, the sunset glow dyed the western sky red, but now the sunset glow has turned black.The leaves rustled, and he thought it was her coming, so he pricked up his ears and listened carefully.The smell of leaves came along with the wind, and he thought it was the fragrance from her body, his heart was beating up and down non-stop.But until late at night, Jang Geum still didn't show up.Zheng Hao stared blankly at the distant sky.He stood with his hands behind his back, and the red, yellow, and blue tassels fluttered between his fingers like a woman's hair. At this time, Han Shanggong was in a hurry, and the corners of his skirt were so hurried.She accepted the order of Supreme Palace to find Jinying.According to Linglu, today is Jinying's night shift. Jinying and Cui Sanggong stood together in the evening meal duty room in the dining room.As soon as Han Shanggong came in, the two stood up suddenly, and the place where they sat just now was almost knocked over.Jinying followed behind Han Shanggong without knowing why, and when she saw Jang Jin who was locked in the warehouse like ashes, she froze immediately. The situation is not good.The most noble palace's expression was unprecedentedly severe, and Lian Sheng, who was standing beside him, also blushed. The most noble palace pouted at Lian Sheng and said. "You tell me exactly what you saw that day!" "Yes, Mammy... Changjin said every day that she was on the night shift and then went to the dining room. I felt very puzzled, so I followed her quietly, but I lost her before I walked too far... I think maybe Changjin Jin was inside, so I looked in, and it turned out that the person in the dining room was not Jang Geum, but Sister Jinying, and she was hiding something." "What is she hiding?" "It was very dark, so I didn't see well, and she climbed up on the stove and stuffed something into the crack in the wall above the rafters." "You said you saw Jang Geum too, when was that?" "Sister Jinying just came out, and Jang Geum went in. Jang Geum is not hiding something, she seems to be looking for something all the time." "What is she looking for?" "I don't know. I didn't seem to find what she was looking for that day, but..." After Lian Sheng finished speaking, he looked at Jang Geum's face.Jang Geum just bit his lip quietly, not looking at Liansheng. "Keep talking!" "Yes. The next morning I told Jang Geum that I saw everything that happened in the dining room last night. Please tell me what happened. But she continued to do her own thing as if she didn't hear it." , I was so angry that I climbed onto the stove and found a pamphlet." "Booklet? Do you see what it is?" "Jang Geum took the booklet as soon as he saw it, so I didn't see what was inside." "I see!" Supreme Palace looked away from Lian Sheng and turned to stare at Jang Geum. "What exactly was it that you took away after Liansheng found it?" Jang Geum's lips trembled, and his head dropped even lower. "Okay, if you don't tell me, I'll assume you did it. Next I'm going to ask Jinying. What are you hiding above the rafters in the dining room?" Jin Ying didn't speak either.Cui Shanggong was trembling with fright, and quickly answered for Jinying. "Jinying was only on the night shift that day. This little girl lives in the same room as Jang Geum, so she must have said that out of friendship." "I didn't ask you now, Jinying quickly answered, what are you hiding?" The Supreme Palace urged repeatedly, but Jinying still refused to answer, as if a seal was pasted on her mouth.Everyone held their breath and stared at Jinying, only Cui Shanggong was anxious like an ant on a hot pot.Unexpectedly, my niece can't even say the excuse "I haven't hidden anything", which is really incomprehensible. "I'll ask you again, what exactly are you hiding?" The Supreme Palace continued to question, but Jinying still remained silent. "I can't help you if you don't want to talk, everyone get out. Han Shanggong, you lock Jinying here too, and lock the door!" "Yes, Mammy." Han Shanggong readily agreed, but Cui Shanggong was dumbfounded. "No, Mammy! What do you mean?" Supreme Palace felt that there was no need to answer at all, passed by Cui Shanggong, and left the warehouse.Han Shanggong drove Liansheng out of the door like a chicken, and suddenly looked back at Cui Shanggong. "I'm going to close the warehouse door, do you want to stay here?" After all, Han Shanggong is Han Shanggong, and her level of pretending is indeed first-rate.Cui Shanggong gritted his teeth in hatred.Han Shanggong waited patiently for her to come out, and then slowly closed the warehouse door. The door is closed.Between Jang Geum and Jin Young is darkness.Jang Jin lay dead on the ground, but Jin Ying seemed to feel that the darkness was not enough, so she simply turned her back.Wu Yue is in the same boat, is this the situation you are talking about? At this time, Cui Shanggong was persevering in persuading the highest palace.But no matter what she said, the Supreme Palace remained unmoved.No matter how hard Cui Shanggong begged, she ignored it, and finally said this reluctantly. "Send them to the Forbidden Mansion tomorrow, and the truth will come to light. You step back!" "Forbidden City?" "Neither of the two children will speak, what else can they do, they have to be sent to the Forbidden Mansion!" "Just send Jang Geum to Yijin Mansion, why should the innocent Jinying go too?" "How should I say this, whether Jinying is innocent or not, we won't know until the investigation of the Yiban Mansion is completed, don't you think so?" "This is not a problem with the two children. In order to find out the truth, it goes without saying that Han Shanggong and I are involved. I'm afraid you will also be implicated, Mammy." "Even so, there is no other way." "It's a matter that can be handled in private, but you have made it bigger and bigger. If His Highness knows about it..." "Hearing you say that, I find it very strange. Whether it is handled privately or made a big deal, this is a matter for my most noble palace to decide! You actually carried His Highness out, what exactly do you want?" "No, that's not what I meant..." "I don't want to hear it anymore, get out!" Cui Shanggong left the executive room in a daze as if struck by lightning.As soon as the door was closed, Han Shanggong, who was sitting beside him like a still life, spoke heavily. "Cui Shanggong's words are not unreasonable. In this way, the whole imperial dining room will be in a mess like a hornet's nest. Does it have to be like this?" "But you can't just let it go?" "...You are so old, this will cause you a lot of trouble." "...you should think about yourself more!" The most noble palace has made up its mind, and it will be useless for Han Shanggong to talk about it.After being handed over to the Forbidden City, if you continue to resist silently, you will only be tortured.Han Shanggong was worried about these. The night is long.Apart from Jang Geum and Jin Ying who were locked in the warehouse, as well as Supreme Palace, Han Sang Palace and Cui Sang Palace, they all felt that the night was so long.And for Lian Sheng who slept alone, it was also a long night.Until very late, Zheng Hao still did not wait for Jang Geum, he wandered around the imperial dining room for a long time, but still found nothing, and after returning home, he tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep.It was late at night, and the courtyard of the palace was covered with the first frost in a year. "Now you are going to be sent to the Forbidden Mansion. I will give you one last chance. What did you do in the dining room?" The Most Noble Palace asked sternly.Jinying didn't even blink her eyebrows, and Jang Geum didn't hear anything, just trembling.On the night of the first frost, Jang Geum didn't even drink his saliva, and could only sleep in the open air. This kind of pain is not a joke. "Go! Come with me!" The voice of the most noble palace is more terrifying and colder than the first frost.Jinying walked with a limp, and Jang Jin barely stood up with the support of Han Shanggong.At this moment, Titiao Shanggong and Cui Shanggong appeared in front of everyone together. "Ding Shanggong, come with me." After hearing Shang Gong's words, the most noble palace stared at Cui Shanggong.Cui Shanggong avoided in panic.This alone is enough to judge who is the sinner. "Stop talking nonsense, don't cause unnecessary disturbances. Let's keep this matter a secret." As soon as he returned to his executive room, Ti Tiao Shang Gong said to the most noble palace in a half-threatening and half-comforting manner. "This matter should be investigated by the Forbidden City." "The empress is about to give birth, have you forgotten?" "Because of this, I can't let it go. If I don't investigate clearly this time, something more serious will definitely happen next time." "Even if the investigation is clear, it's hard to say whether it's a blessing or a curse! It's wise to suppress it, don't you understand?" "Curse incidents do not distinguish between status and status!" "Hey, is that so? You want to take this opportunity to make meritorious service and turn me into a puppet? Don't you care if everyone from the wife to the Shang Palace is taken to the Yijin Mansion and slaughtered by others?" "It's not a matter of meritorious service or not! This matter is related to the safety of His Highness!" "Hmph! A person who has been guarding the sauce warehouse for many years, actually knows to be worried about His Highness's safety? Don't even think about it, who pushed you to the position of the most noble palace, and now dare to commit the crime?" "It's not like that..." Now that it's the point of committing the following crimes, the Supreme Palace has no choice but to take a step back.In the world of maids of honor, this is no different from not wanting to die. "When it comes to His Highness's safety, will I be more short-sighted than you? Even for the sake of His Highness's safety, we can only temporarily suppress it now, don't you understand? Since His Highness took the throne, there have been constant changes and treasonous incidents one after another. Even China is using it as an excuse to make trouble anyway, how can His Highness have a half-day of peace of mind. Now that you have just calmed down, do you have to make the court and the female officials terrified all day long to be happy?" The most noble palace wanted to say something, but finally swallowed it back.Ti Tiao Shang Gong thought that silence was a compromise, and the anger subsided, and then he comforted the most noble palace. "You just need to cook the imperial meal in the imperial dining room, but for me, I have to consider the relationship between the royal family, the wife, and even the court ministers in the entire palace. You can suppress it!" "For whom and for what reason are you considering the relationship between court ministers?" "What did you say? For whom? Are you doubting me?" "Why do you misinterpret me, Mammy?" "How dare you insult me ​​like that?" Titiao Shanggong's anger just showed her guilty conscience.At this time, the most noble palace stopped talking.Seeing her attitude, Ti Tiao Shang Gong was even more angry, but she knew how to control herself anyway, she was an old fox after all. "Okay! Even if you insult me, I still have to strictly abide by my duties. In order to minimize the loss of the female officer, I must first understand the situation, you wait another day!" Promoting Shang Gong is asking for a day of flexibility.She clearly wanted to win a day, and then tried every means to plan the layout.The Supreme Palace had no clear reason to reject her request, so it had no choice but to hold back its anger and retreat. Cui Shanggong came to Titiao Shanggong's executive room, and Titiao Shanggong scolded him on the spot. "Things have developed to this point, you just reported to me, what did you do before?" "With Jang Geum as the scapegoat, I thought it would be easy to solve." "The matter fell into Ding Shanggong's hands. It's a bit tricky. Ding Shanggong is so stubborn, and it's not for any gain. Not only does she suspect you, she even has suspicions about me." "Could it be that she can openly violate your will?" "Ding Shanggong has every right to do this. Even the rest of the day, he almost begged her to agree..." "Now my brother is discussing with Wu Jianhu. If it is handed over to the Yijin Mansion, they said they will do everything possible to accuse Jang Jin of the crime." "We should take this opportunity to completely eradicate Ding Shanggong, so as to avoid future troubles forever!" "Ding Shanggong is often not in the imperial dining room recently, and her arthritis seems to be very serious. Let's advise the queen and ask her to change to the most noble palace, how about it?" "Hmph, being a puppet for ten years feels like too long, doesn't it? Besides, you can't even count as a puppet now..." The old fox Titiao Shang Gong narrowed his eyes with a sneer on his face.Looking at Titiao Shanggong's face, Cui Shanggong also had a smug smile on his face.Thinking of the absence of Ding Shanggong in the imperial dining room, and thinking of Han Shanggong who was about to become a puppet, she was even a little uneasy.By then, Jang Geum would be nothing more than grains of rice on the tips of his fingers. Outside the palace, Pu Fuqian was instigated by Wu Jianhu, and ran all the way like the wind on his feet.First of all, you have to bribe the fortune teller who wrote the spell. If someone from the Yijin Mansion asks, they will say that the spell was written by Jang Geumjang.Then, I asked Mo Jie, the other supervisor of the main hall, to come forward to give a false testimony, and said that there was an urgent matter to find the person on duty at night, so I went to the dining room, and happened to see Jang Geum hiding something.In addition, Pu Fuqian also found several officials from the Forbidden House. While they were running around, Han Shanggong began to rummage through Jang Geum's room, but couldn't find anything useful, so he rummaged in all the places Jang Geum had been to.Since Jang Geum himself refused to tell, even if the entire palace was searched, Han Shanggong had to find it himself.Only by finding the pamphlet can Jang Geum be saved.Although she doesn't know what Jang Geum's difficulties are, she knows that nothing is more important than life. Han Shanggong was looking in the corner of the training ground where Jang Jin was practicing cooking alone, and Liansheng came to convey the order of the most noble palace, asking her to prepare the daylily quickly.Han Shanggong hurried back to the imperial dining room, while Min Shanggong was swaying dried daylily flowers in front of Tiaofang, Changyi and Linglu. "This is called day lily, yellow flower, also called forget worry grass, ground ginseng. When making assorted vegetables, use day lily instead of vermicelli. It tastes sweet and stimulates appetite. And..." Han Shanggong walked in and continued. "Relieve the internal organs, relax the body, and especially brighten the eyes. When cooking or making soup with daylilies, be sure to remove the stamens, because the stamens are poisonous." Everyone blinked their eyes and listened to Han Shanggong's words, and Ling Lu, who had been looking for an opportunity to interject, said suddenly. "Mommy! Sister Jinying and Jang Geum are gone." “她们去办事了。还有……明天用海棠花，后天用干藤花，近期之内我们就用各种各样的花来料理食物。所以，大家应该事先学习一些与花食料理有关的内容。” 花食文化在朝鲜时代广泛流传，是转移自然至味觉的尝试之一。除味觉以外，花儿还能影响视觉和嗅觉等，既有赏心悦目的触觉，又能唤起人类的季节感。花朵相当于植物的生殖器官，人们相信经常食用能够辟邪和祈福。以花为食的行为本身便包含着祈祷丰年和请求生子的诚恳愿望。 杜鹃花、黄玫瑰、白色野蔷薇、菊花等，经常用来做花煎饼；梅花、橘花、海棠花、忍冬花、荷花、金达莱、玫瑰等则常常用来泡茶；金针花、韭菜花、紫藤花、栀子花、油菜花、南瓜花、松花等一般用于做拌菜或酱菜、汤和饭。杜鹃花、南瓜花、金莲花、菊花、黄玫瑰、金针花等等，都是宫中常用的花食材料。 韩尚宫做的黄花菜由最高尚宫亲自送往大殿。 “听说殿下的眼睛有些模糊，奴婢特意准备了黄花菜。” "Really?" 大王面露喜色，把餐桌往面前拉了拉，然后坐下。提调尚宫仿佛挨了当头一棒，与坐在杂烩汤前的崔尚宫交换了个眼色。 “有股甜甜的味道，这是什么东西，很刺激食欲啊？” “这是黄花菜，只不过是以金针花代替了粉条。” “金针花……听说鹿吃了这种花可以解九毒，所以又叫鹿花。是吧，嬷嬷？” “是的。听说孕妇把金针花带在身上可以生儿子，所以又叫宜男草。” “好，可是最近你为什么不爱说话了？” "Sorry……" “食物就不用说了，每次听丁尚宫讲讲食物的故事，总能忘记一天的疲劳，最近你不大爱说话，寡人觉得有些寂寞呀。” “对不起，殿下。” “听说你在料理御膳时将八大道*（朝鲜时代的行政区域，相当于中国的省，当时朝鲜共分八个道——译者注）进贡的材料全都用上了，就是希望寡人能了解各个地方的土特产。这样一来，寡人吃饭的时候就不仅仅是添饱肚子了，同时还能了解农夫和渔夫们的生活。所以，丁尚宫一定要经常到大殿来！其他尚宫只擅长料理，不会说话，寡人觉得很无聊。” “是，殿下，奴婢遵命。” 看着大王露出满意的微笑，提调尚宫和崔尚宫脸上的肌肉不约而同地僵硬起来。 王宫里的深夜，只有田鹀在凄凉地鸣叫。躺在床上听着鸟鸣声，韩尚宫抑制不住心底的失落。从前的深夜，与明伊并排躺着的时候，明伊经常从被子下面伸过手来，嘴上叫着“白荣”。 “白荣啊！” "Ok?" “你听见那声音了吗？” "what sound?" “鸟叫的声音啊。” “是的，听见了。” “要是没有你，我就只能一个人听这声音。一个人在夜里听鸟叫，那该多么凄惨啊。有你在我身边，真是太好了。” 可是这个朋友走了，只留下韩尚宫独自躺在被窝里，倾听田鹀的叫声，鸟鸣声剧烈地刺痛她那波光闪闪的心海。韩尚宫再也无法忍受，便起身朝仓库跑去。连生因为担心一直守在仓库门前，这时候也赶紧跟着韩尚宫进去了。 “拿出来！” 韩尚宫突然闯入，再加上劈头盖脸地大声吆喝，长今不禁瞪大了眼睛。 “再不拿出来，你就要死了！我绝对不能看着你死。马上给我拿出来！” “嬷嬷！以后我会把事情的经过都向您禀明的。但是现在还不是时候。现在我要是拿出来，不就让所有人都看见了吗？” “要不然你会死的！一定要让我亲眼看着你死吗？从前我已经送走一个了，幸好她没有死活了下来，但是这种事不会再有第二次了！” “我也不想这样。很久以前父亲和母亲就叮嘱过我，说话一定要小心。我没能遵守承诺，结果父亲因我而死。是我这条不懂事的烂舌头害死了父亲。” “可现在要是不用舌头，你就会死的。” “我已经是罪人了，早就该与父亲一起死掉了。” “这些我都不管，赶快拿出来！现在就拿出来！” 韩尚宫的脸上已经满是泪水，长今也哽咽得说不出话来。连生虽然不知道怎么回事，哭得却是最凶。 “……这是母亲的遗物，她留下遗言，告诉我不能给任何人看……她以前告诉我，不许把父亲和母亲的事泄露出去，可我违背了承诺，代价是我失去了父母。现在，我仍然想遵守这个承诺，就算是我的决心吧。我一定……一定要听母亲的话！” “你这无情无义的家伙！混蛋！不争气的孩子……” 韩尚宫用拳头捶打着长今的肩膀，一下、两下、三下…… 长今一动不动，呆呆地挨着韩尚宫的拳头。连生抱住长今，替她挨打。打到后来，三个人抱头痛哭。 天刚蒙蒙亮，提调尚宫那里就传出了意外的结果，最高尚宫深感惊讶。 “把她们两个人都送到义禁府！” 她葫芦里到底卖的是什么药？最高尚宫宛如挨了当头一棒，一种不祥的预感挥之不去。真不应该给她一天的回旋时间，这老狐狸肯定跟崔家连夜策划好了阴谋诡计。 正因为这样，最高尚宫才没有直接去义禁府，而是先到了执务室。既然那伙人已经挖好了陷阱，她当然无法逃避，但她也不想一声不吭地跳进去，应该找个树根紧紧抓住，即便这想法实现不了，也要把他们当中的某个家伙拉进陷阱。可是怎样才能想出办法来呢？ 愤怒而又无能为力的感觉折磨得最高尚宫牙齿直颤。 这时，外面传来了韩尚宫的声音。 “我有件事想要恳求您。” “你也来求我把这事压下去吗？” 仅仅一天时间，韩尚宫的眼睛全都凹陷了。最高尚宫突然大发雷霆。现在她能相信的人只有韩尚宫了，能够随心所欲拿来当出气筒的也只有韩尚宫了。 “我讨厌那些把食物当成权力利用的人。把大殿御膳房当做权力的象征，利用御膳房扩张势力的人，以及为了得到权力不惜付出一切代价的人，统统不可饶恕。给患褥疮的文宗大王做猪肉的人，反正期间在食物里投毒麻醉士兵的人！我知道是谁！” “嬷嬷，我担心这样会危害您的健康，请息怒。” “我对最高尚宫的位置根本不感兴趣，你知道我为什么会答应吗？我希望能够制止他们的肮脏勾当，哪怕只在我做最高尚宫期间。” “我怎么会不明白嬷嬷的心意呢！” “食物是很神圣的东西。进入人口给舌头带来快感，焕发元气，完成命运赋予自己的使命，然后回归大地的怀抱，化做肥料滋养大地。我绝不允许那些贪图权势之人把如此神圣的食物当做他们的玩物和工具！” “我知道，我都知道，可是嬷嬷……” “我一定要揭发，我要把崔氏家族的丑恶嘴脸告知天下！” “我五岁进宫，迄今为止已在嬷嬷身边度过了三十年的岁月，我怎么会要求您改变心思和信念呢？” “那你为什么坐立不安，还想让我把这件事情压下去呢？” “因为长今会死！因为只有无辜的长今一个人会死！” 韩尚宫声如泣血，无比凄惨。提到长今的名字，最高尚宫仿佛被人戳到了痛处，身体立刻便蜷缩成一团。 “就像您相信我一样，我也相信长今。她还不懂事，动不动就会惹祸。但她绝对不会写符咒之类的东西。” “所以我更要查清楚！” “不！到时候要死的人只有长今！嬷嬷您难道不知道吗？” “你是在嘲笑我这个形同虚设的最高尚宫吗？” “我害怕……我的朋友……善良漂亮的明伊，嬷嬷您也一定记得她吧？” “就因为那件事被瞒天过海，长今才会再次沦为替罪羊。我再也不能坐视不管了！” “嬷嬷，求求您！您一定要救救长今啊！” “讨厌！我不想再听你说话，你赶快离开这里！” “长今……您一定要救救长今……救救长今……” 韩尚宫扑倒在最高尚宫的脚下，痛哭流涕。年迈的最高尚宫低头看着韩尚宫，她红肿的眼睛因矛盾而动摇。但是，最高尚宫仿佛有意要把动摇的决心振作起来，毅然决然地起身离开了房间。 风猛烈地吹刮，如果是在这样的季节里遭受严刑拷打，那就更加残忍了。听说义禁府使用乱杖刑的情况并不少见，四肢绑在刑具上，几名刑吏手持棍杖一齐殴打犯人的身体。因为是用涂红漆的木棍审问罪人，所以又叫朱杖撞问刑。乱杖刑中还有一种叫做“被点乱杖”，以稻草或草席盖住犯人的身体，再用木棍乱打一气。总之，一旦身受乱杖之刑，那就很难活命了。 每当有风吹来，树叶就会争先恐后地飘落。今天，夹杂在风里的严鼓声格外悲壮。大王就要进入正殿了。最高尚宫仿佛是被鼓声推拥着，不由自主地向提调尚宫的执务室走去。 “我听从嬷嬷的吩咐。” “刚刚你不是还怀疑我，威风凛凛要移交义禁府吗？怎么突然改变主意了？” “我错了，请你原谅……” “……这次的事情就过去了吧。还有，把长今这孩子赶出去。” “如果非要赶，也应该把长今和今英一起赶走。” “那这两个孩子的问题你自己看着办吧。” 从执务室出来的最高尚宫把崔尚宫和韩尚宫叫来，向她们传达了自己的意思。韩尚宫连声再见也没说，甩开大步便向仓库跑去。长今已经躺倒在地，完全昏迷了。韩尚宫背着昏厥的孩子走出仓库，情不自禁地连连叹息。 “倔强的孩子……” 像长今这样纯真而倔强的孩子，随时都会遭遇残酷的灾难，何况这是在王宫。要想在宫中存活，要么变得彻底庸俗，要么变得彻底软弱。如果两样都不行，那也不要有过人的才华。可是，所有成为奸邪小人的眼中钉、肉中刺的条件，长今怎么全都具备呢？ 王宫里的风过于残酷，使得心怀信念的女性难以立足。因为这个不会退缩不懂圆滑的孩子，自己今后的生活也不可能顺利平坦。可是又有什么办法呢？她不愿退缩，不喜欢圆滑，每次面对狂风暴雨，她宁愿选择被人斩草除根。就像韩尚宫情不自禁地爱她一样，她所做的一切也是情不自禁的。 “天神纯气丸，这就是专门为大王配制的天下独一无二的名药。” 在王宫某个幽暗的角落里，德九把别监们聚在一起炫耀。男人们的视线都被这童子眼珠般大的药丸吸引住了。 “这真是给大王用的药吗？” “是啊，我不是说过了吗？我有个亲戚名叫东植，就是吃了这种药，才生下盼了十年的儿子。” “德九，你说的是真的吗？” “我不知道。大王用剩的材料我拿来随便做了些，准备留给自己吃的，可是每个人都来求我……虽然是我亲手做出来的，可是直到现在我还一次也没吃过呢。” 说到最后，德九咂了咂舌头。 “到底是用什么材料做的，药效这么灵？” “也没什么特别的。跃过十人高的瀑布并且能够变成龙的鲤鱼，精力的代名词短尾蝮，数九寒天仍然生机勃勃的冬柏花粉，十五月圆之夜不停交尾的海狗的肾，神秘的红参粉……再加上枸杞子、五味子、菟丝子，还要加入蜂蜜。” “光看加入的材料，就知道肯定是灵药，灵药啊！” “那当然，专门给大王用的嘛。” “喂，我说，把灵药卖给我点儿。” “啊哈，我说过了，我可不是为了卖才配制这种药，连我自己都没吃过呢。” “不要光顾着自己享用啊，卖给我一点吧。每天晚上都折腾得够戗也办不成事，那滋味真是比死还难受。” “嗬，要是这样的话我就为难了……好！看你情况比较难办，我就破例给你几颗。其实我不需要吃这种药，力气本来就大得难受。我老婆都求我饶了她。” “我老婆每天都恳求我说，与其这样还不如杀了她好。” “都到这份儿上了？那我应该让给你几颗，都给你算了。你不知道这药有多灵，我在配药的时候闻着药味，力气从下往上猛蹿。” “是吗，那要多少钱？” “我配药又不是为了赚钱，你给十两就行了。” “十两？” “怎么了，嫌贵？我可是只收了材料钱，你要嫌贵就算了！” “不，我不是那个意思，不能便宜点吗？” 德九一门心思只想赚钱，埋头侃价，却没发现长番内侍正朝这边走来。率先发现的人接二连三地逃开了，留下德九只顾数钱根本没发现苗头不对，结果被长番内侍随从的内侍们抓了个正着，最后落得个被带走的下场。 “你知道你犯了什么罪吗？” 听到长番内侍的呵斥，德九惊悸不已，几乎趴在地上。 “天啊，饶了我吧。他们也是人，看见他们苦苦哀求，所以我就……我对天发誓，我从来没碰过大王的材料。” “看来你是不见棺材不落泪啊。你真的不知道自己犯了什么罪吗？” “知道，我知道。我在威严神圣的王宫里喝酒，犯了死罪。” “混蛋！侮辱内侍之罪，我绝对不会放过你的！” “侮……侮辱内侍……？” “我那二十岁的养子做内侍只有四个月，从你那里买药服下之后，每天夜里苦苦挣扎。你的精力丸卖不出去，竟然卖给内侍，你这混蛋？！” 德九感觉自己现在全完了。他哪里知道那个年轻内侍就是长番内侍的养子。单是挪用大王的药材赚钱就已经无力分辩了，现在既然落到长番内侍手里，至少也要挨二十大棍。既然如此，他也只能无可奈何地等候发落了。 “绝……绝对不是药丸的作用。” “什么？现在还不清醒，还敢胡说八道？” “其……其实，我说的什么鲤鱼成龙，那都是撒谎……短尾蝮、海狗肾，这些东西我怎能弄得到呢？我只是把豆面和田鸡后腿磨成粉末，加上陈皮、甘草、枸杞子等，再用蜂蜜搅拌在一起。如果吃了这些东西夜里都会痛苦，那就算吃一棵野草也会痛苦的！” “呵呵，听你这么一说还有点道理。” “谢谢您理解小人。” “来人呢！把这个家伙拉下去，剁掉他的十根手指！” “哎哟，尚酝令监！” “这家伙比想象的还要可恶。盗用大王的药材，再加上侮辱内侍和欺骗罪，这个混蛋！” 话音未落，内侍们就跑过来抓起了德九的腿脚。 “尚酝令监！请您饶命啊，尚酝令监！” 德九拼命挣扎，却无力摆脱内侍们的掌心。他眼前一片漆黑，忽然浮现在脑海里的却是妻子宽阔的脸庞。 就在这时，大殿别监莫介匆匆跑来。 “尚酝令监！大王口谕，带熟手姜德九。” “口谕？大王竟然要你来带一个熟手？” "I don't know that either." 原本惶恐已极的德九觉得自己终于有救了，便吹嘘道。 “上次我给元子做了保养粥，说不定是大王要赏赐我呢。” 长番内侍瞪大了眼睛，德九终于得以摆脱内侍们的掌心，能自由行走了。 元子服过虫鸟全鸭汤之后，竟然全身麻痹，晕倒在地，这消息搅得整个御膳房鸡犬不宁。偏偏做这种食物的熟手竟是姜德九。所谓虫鸟全鸭汤，就是放入冬虫夏草的清炖鸭。掏出鸭子的内脏，再放入大块的生姜和洋葱，以及冬虫夏草、丁香、肉鸡、草豆蔻、人参等，精心熬制就成了虫鸟全鸭汤。 听连生说，德九正跪在内侍府的院子里接受审问。德九竭力辩解说只是使用了食谱上的材料，并没有添加其他任何东西，德九推测可能是元子得了什么病或者内医院做得不好。 长今正在御膳房里，听到这个消息后惊讶不已。最高尚宫派来的医女离开后，长今受到韩尚宫无微不至的照料，现在身体刚刚可以活动。韩尚宫吩咐连生喂长今喝下米汤，接着又喂她稀粥，以便补养衰弱的胃肠，总之是用尽了心思。可是当长今听说德九被抓的消息时，刚刚喝过稀粥的胃便如翻江倒海般难受。 当长今和韩尚宫匆忙赶去时，德九正被关押在内侍府的监察房里，踱来踱去愁眉不展。 "what happened?" “我怎么知道？分明是阴谋！” “阴谋？” “我得到殿下太多的宠爱，所以有人就在食物里下毒。” “都什么时候了，您还开这种玩笑？” 站在一旁的韩尚宫尴尬地咂了咂舌头。 “我也是心里难过才故意开玩笑的。食物材料只有鸭子和冬虫夏草，药材都是内医院给我的。我还能放什么呀？再说了，往里添东西还不得自己掏钱……” “气味尚宫不是尝过了吗？” “说的就是这事，她说什么问题也没有！” 这时，东宫殿给元子诊脉的御医下了最后诊断：食物中含有毒素。既然通过了气味检查，所以毒药非银勺所能检验。王后昏厥，大王震怒。 德九媳妇悄悄找到长今，痛哭流涕。 “我就知道他整天这么胡闹下去，早晚有一天会出事。天啊，我的冤家……可是，他毕竟是我唯一的丈夫，他要是有个三长两短，我也没法活了，没法活了……” 长今好不容易把她哄走，转身去找韩尚宫。正好，内医院的一名医女正在韩尚宫处。 “医官让您把这棵毒草放进虫鸟全鸭汤里。” "why?" “医官说要找出一种放进食物之后既不变色，又尝不出味道的