Chapter 35 Section five

At the end of the song, the aroma of ambergris seemed to become more intense, forming an indissoluble encirclement around them, and seemed to suck away their souls. Cui Miao raised her wine glass: "Flowers will bloom again, and people will never be young again. Come, Qiuniang, drink this glass with me!" Du Qiuniang drank the wine in the glass, her bright eyes were as bright as stars.She said softly: "What Cui Lang said just now is wrong, not all men are selfish. As far as I know, there have been people who have gained both freedom and a bosom friend." "Oh, who is that lucky?"

"I heard from Sister Xue that that person is her best friend, and his name is Fu Lianci." "Fu Lianci? I seem to have heard of this name." "Cui Lang also knows her?" "A famous prostitute in the capital more than twenty years ago is like Qiu Niang three years ago, right?" Du Qiuniang was surprised: "My God, Cui Lang, why do you know everything?" Cui Miao couldn't help but said, "I said earlier that all the beauties in the world are Cui's confidantes, whether they are in the past, the present, or the future." "Bah! I'm so proud of you." Du Qiuniang reprimanded, "I see, you must have heard the story of Bai Letian's "Pipa Xing". But Sister Xue told me that "Pipa Xing" on the surface looks like It is about a singing girl who is married to a businessman. In fact, the amazingly talented pipa girl is Fu Lianci. After watching Bai Letian's "Pipa Xing" for her, she feels that she has nothing to love , and her wish was fulfilled, she threw herself into the water. Sister Xue also said that the world does not know the real story behind "Pipa Xing"." At this point, she cast another affectionate glance at Cui Miao, " Cui Lang is such a dexterous person, most likely he has found out the real inside story of "Pipa Xing"."

"I've only heard about the general idea." Cui Miao laughed disapprovingly, "What Qiuniang said just now aroused my curiosity. I wonder if Cui is lucky enough to hear Qiuniang tell a sentimental story?" "Story to tell, but not so haunting." Du Qiuniang put the red sandalwood pipa by her side, and said leisurely: "I heard from Sister Xue that Fu Lianci was born with unsurpassed beauty and was good at playing the five-stringed pipa, with superb skills. In Chang'an City many years ago, no one could match her." For example, when Fu Lianci was in her twenties, a wealthy businessman from Xichuan bought her body with huge sums of money and took her as a concubine. Tired of being a concubine, Fu Lianci asked the wealthy businessman to give her a letter of divorce, and returned to Chang'an. She bought a house by the Qujiang River, played the pipa again, and soon became famous again. Entering her courtyard to see her beauty, the princes and grandsons in Chang'an City would like to waste a lot of money, but she only picks and sees what she wants to see. Cui Lang, tell me, does she live a particularly chic and comfortable life?"

Cui Miao smiled and remained silent. Du Qiuniang sighed: "Ordinarily, she could have lived like this forever, but she just met someone. Just because that person wanted to spoil her, the yard next to Qujiang had to be locked and locked. Fu Lianci From now on, he can only play the pipa to him alone. The mad bees, waves and butterflies have all run away, and all the sincerity and hypocrisy have been dispersed. According to Fu Lianci's words and deeds, everyone presumes that she was forced, and even I was secretly looking forward to the day when she would be able to break through the shackles and turn back into that unrestrained, free-spirited woman. However, everyone was disappointed."

It wasn't until this moment that Cui Miao's indifferent gaze shone with a gleam.He asked, "Could it be that Fu Lianci is willing to give up his freedom?" Du Qiuniang didn't answer his question, and continued: "She lived a life of staying at home in the courtyard beside the Qujiang River, and disappeared for a full ten years. The best years were thrown away like this, but she didn't miss it at all. Until the 20th year of Zhenyuan, the person who spoiled her forced her to leave Chang'an." "Ha! After occupying him for ten years, he kicked him away in the end?"

Du Qiuniang smiled: "You can put it this way. Fu Lianci was unwilling to leave, but she dared not disobey that man's order. In the end, she had no choice but to return to Chengdu. Because she was hesitant, she stopped and stopped along the way. Stop, wandering to Chengdu after a full three months. At this time, it is already the first month of the first year of Yongzhen." It is the first year of Yongzhen again. Cui Miao stared at the fire in the incense burner, wondering what she was thinking. "After another month, the edict of the new emperor's ascension to the throne was passed to Xichuan, and Fu Lianci finally understood why he was expelled." Du Qiuniang said, "In another half a year, the former emperor passed away due to illness. From then on, Fu Lianci settled in Chengdu and lived a life of incognito. Until the autumn of the eleventh year of Yuanhe, after she handed over the red sandalwood pipa gifted by the man to Bai Letian, she threw herself into the river and finished her life. I think she should be able to leave without regrets."

Cui Miao turned her eyes back to Du Qiuniang's face: "Forgive me for being stupid, is Qiuniang's so-called freedom and bosom friends referring to Fu Lianci? But why, in my opinion, her life is a pure tragedy? " "Are you sad?" Du Qiuniang said sadly, "Cui Lang doesn't know something. Girls like us have different wishes for happiness than girls from good families. We don't expect to last forever, and we never dare to think about husbands and children." Besides, we may not be able to survive the days when poor and lowly couples suffer from all kinds of sorrows. For example, Sister Xue, none of the people who have had a relationship with her can achieve a positive result, so this is our destiny. But It doesn't matter, as long as you have obtained a sincere heart, it is enough. Cui Lang, think about it, if Fu Lianci was brought into the palace at the beginning, even if he got the title of concubine, he could only spend his whole life in the deep palace from then on, never seeing him again. Heaven. This is completely different from her guarding the house alone for him. Therefore, letting her go before he ascended the throne, in my opinion, is the most rare friendship."

After a moment of silence, Cui Miao said: "With all due respect, from a man's point of view, it's still selfish, but it's just a different way." "You!" Du Qiuniang was very disappointed, and said angrily, "I can't tell you!" She stretched her legs and lay down on the bed, but when she stepped on the ground, it was like stepping on a pile of cotton.After shaking his body, he fell limp on the couch again, with cold sweat breaking out on his head. "Cui Lang, I'm so dizzy, why..." Du Qiuniang stretched out his hand to Cui Miao, but his outline became more and more blurred, gradually turning into a cloud of mist.She couldn't touch or grasp it, so she could only slump down.

Cui Miao hugged Du Qiuniang's delicate body with one hand, and pushed open the door with the other. The early summer breeze poured in instantly, breaking through the heavy stagnation in the house. A man in black came in slowly from the door, but he had stars on his body. "What is this?" Cui Miao casually twirled her shoulder, and it turned out to be a firefly. "Why have you dawdled for so long?" Nie Yinniang's tone of voice remained unchanged for thousands of years whenever she opened her mouth. Cui Miao blew lightly on her palm, watched the fireflies fly into the night and disappeared, then smiled lightly and said, "I don't know why, the effect of the incense today is slower than usual, so she just rambled Non-stop, she uttered her innermost thoughts for several lifetimes, which made me feel very embarrassed. Alas! Mihunxiang is not good at this point. If I don’t say it, I don’t necessarily want to hear it every time.”

"Stop being pretentious, I think you listened very happily." Nie Yinniang would not be polite to him, she turned her head and sniffed, "The smell is very special, is this the fragrance of enchantment?" "No, it's ambergris." "Amberis?" Cui Miao lifted the lid of the incense burner, moved the incense ash with a silver stick, and said, "I see, it should be because of the ambergris, which slows down the effect of the ecstasy mixed in it. Moreover, the ambergris aroma I completely covered up the smell of ecstasy, and I was a little worried that she would find out."

While he was speaking, Nie Yinniang had already tied up Du Qiuniang in a neat way, and stuffed a silk handkerchief in her mouth.Rao Cui Miao's ecstasy fragrance is so powerful, Du Qiuniang didn't even wake up after such a toss. "Let's go?" Nie Yinniang put Du Qiuniang on her shoulders, and stopped by the door again, "Do you want to leave a letter for Master Xue Lian? Otherwise, she doesn't know what happened." "Forget it. If you don't leave a letter, Master Xue Lian will think it's Du Qiuniang and leave." Cui Miao reached out to pick up the red sandalwood lute on the couch, and said with a smile, "I still have to bring this good thing with me." In front of the courtyard, there was already a carriage waiting quietly.After Nie and Cui got Du Qiuniang into the carriage, the driver who covered his face with a bamboo hat let go of the reins lightly, and the carriage drove silently towards Huanhuaxitou under the guidance of Xingyue. After walking for a long time, Nie Yinniang broke the silence and said, "It turns out that the smell of ambergris is like this." "Does Yinniang know about Ambergris?" The moonlight in the car was hazy, and Cui Miao's outline could only be vaguely seen, but his expression could not be seen clearly. "I've only heard of the ambergris kill." "The Killing of Ambergris? It's an interesting name. What does it mean?" Nie Yinniang said: "The killing of Ambergris refers to a series of assassinations that happened around the first year of Yongzhen." Cui Miao looked at Nie Yinniang and smiled wickedly. "why are you laughing?" "I think the words Ambergris Killing are a good match for Yinniang." "No. Ambergris is not something that ordinary assassins can have." Nie Yinniang's icy tone showed a rare respect, "The reason why it is called the killing of ambergris is because every time an assassin kills a person, he will Burning ambergris on the spot. The scent of ambergris is lingering and distinctive, so there is absolutely no confusion." "So, the assassin used ambergris as a mark?" Nie Yinniang asked back: "Amberx is a rare thing, Cui Lang thought, why would the assassin insist on using ambergris as a mark?" "Amberx is also known as the fragrance of the Son of Heaven. Could it be that...the assassin is assassinating on behalf of the emperor?" Cui Miao slapped his thigh, "Probably! How do ordinary people get ambergris?" Nie Yinniang nodded and said, "Let me tell you the identity of the assassin in the ambergris killing, and Cui Lang will know more about it. As far as I know, those who died in the ambergris killing were the generals of the Jinwu Guard Guo Shu and Xi Chuan Jie. Dushi Wei Gao, and... Shu Wang Li Yi." "Wait, wait. General Jinwuwei, Xichuan Jiedushi, and King Shu! These are all first-class dignitaries! They all died of assassination?" "Yes, and they all died of ambergris. In other words, they were all assassinated by assassins sent by the emperor." "Which emperor sent the assassin?" Cui Miao looked into Nie Yinniang's eyes, "Could it be... the first emperor? Why did the first emperor kill these people? And use such a shameful method as assassination?" "I can't answer this question. But as far as I know, the first emperor has been the crown prince in the East Palace for more than 20 years, and his position as crown prince has always been threatened by King Shu Li Yi. The general of the Jinwu Guard, Guo Shu, is the son of Guo Ziyi. Controlling the defense of important areas in Gyeonggi, he was once a colleague of Shu Wang Li Yi, so he has a very close relationship. As for Xichuan Jiedu envoy Wei Gao, he was once a hero of Xichuan's generation. He was the one who captured Lun Mangre, so he took credit for it and never put the court in his eyes. When the first emperor came to the throne, Wei Gao was the first to go up to the table, saying that the first emperor was seriously ill and could not speak or see. Government should give way to more virtuous and appropriate people." "How dare he get such a badge?" Cui Miao couldn't help laughing, "The first emperor waited for more than 20 years to become emperor, and the dragon chair was not even warmed up, so he was going to be kicked out of power. This Wei Gao is too You must be arrogant. Why is he making such a fuss? No matter how much he struggles, he won’t be able to become the emperor. Could it be that he is making wedding clothes for others?” "Wei Gao definitely wants to support the emperor he likes. As for who is a good and suitable candidate, Wei Gao didn't say it directly. Cui Lang might as well make a guess?" "Let me guess?" Cui Miao thought, "Let me think about it, there are only two people who can replace the former emperor: one is the current emperor, and the other is Shu Wang Li Yi? As for who Wei Gao wants to support, I have no idea." I really dare not speculate." "There is nothing to dare. You know the ending—where Ambergris's killing went, Wei Gao was the first to die, followed by Jin Wuwei General Guo Shu, and finally King Shu Li Yi. The three were eliminated once. , The first emperor announced his abdication, and he was in the crown prince. So, our wise and mighty holy majesty has successfully ascended the throne and started to show his grand plans." "Ha! I know why Yinniang is so interested in the killing of Ambergris." Cui Miao suddenly realized, "If it weren't for the killing of Ambergris, the Tang Dynasty might not be what it is today." Nie Yinniang said coldly: "The former emperor was weak, and he would not last long even if he was on the throne. Let's not mention it for now. But if King Shu came to the throne at the beginning, because his title was not justifiable, he would definitely hope to attract all forces to support him, so I predict , he will never try his best to destroy the domain like the current Holy Majesty." "Microwave's hatred will eventually return to the sea, but the bright moon is ruthless but goes to the sky." Cui Miao laughed and persuaded, "The general trend of the feudal town is gone, why should Yinniang be persistent. You and I are mortals, so we just drift with the tide." Nie Yinniang said with a half-smile: "Oh? Cui Lang wants to go with the crowd, why didn't he say it earlier? It also saves us and my wife from following you so hard." Before Cui Miao could answer, Du Qiuniang, who was lying on the car seat, hummed and slowly opened her eyes.When she found that her limbs were bound and her mouth was blocked, she couldn't help struggling desperately and making a "babbling" sound. "Don't move around!" Nie Yinniang said, "If you are sensible, I will help you get rid of the things in your mouth." Du Qiuniang looked at Cui Miao, then at Nie Yinniang, and nodded frantically. Nie Yinniang tore off the silk handkerchief stuffed in her mouth.Du Qiuniang took a few breaths and called out to Cui Miao, "Cui Lang, save me!" Nie Yinniang scolded: "What's the name! If you call again, you'll be gagged!" Cui Miao spread her hands towards Du Qiuniang: "Qiu Niang, you'd better lie down obediently, don't quarrel, don't make a fuss, and you will suffer less, we still have a long way to go." "Cui Lang, you!" Du Qiuniang finally realized the reality, tears flashed in her eyes, "So, so you did it on purpose..." She raised her head stubbornly, "What exactly do you want to do?" Nie Yinniang said: "Tell her, it will happen sooner or later." Cui Miao bent down to Du Qiuniang, lowered her voice and said, "Qiuniang, we will take you back to Chang'an." "Back to Chang'an?" "Yes, go back to Chang'an." After a pause, Cui Miao added, "We will send you to Daming Palace." Du Qiuniang's eyes widened: "Why? Cui Lang, Yinniang, why are you doing this? Didn't you help me escape from the tiger's mouth? Why are you sending me back now? I don't understand, why is this!" "Why?" Nie Yinniang snorted coldly, "It's because the romantic gentleman in front of you wants to use you to make a deal with the emperor." "trade?" "He wants to use you in exchange for his sweetheart." "Cui Lang's sweetheart?" Du Qiuniang stared blankly at Cui Miao, and suddenly called out, "Ah, Master Pei Lian! Cui Lang, are you here for Master Pei Lian?" The moonlight flowed in the car like water, illuminating Cui Miao's frosty face. Du Qiuniang murmured in disbelief: "It's really like this..." Cui Miao smiled bitterly: "Isn't Qiuniang regretting the lack of bosom friends? When you arrive at the Daming Palace, you can continue playing the piano and singing, and there will be people to appreciate it." "No! I don't want it!" Du Qiuniang screamed, "There is no such thing in the world! I risked my life to escape from the fire pit, and now I am going to throw myself into the trap again! I won't go! I won't go!" "This..." Cui Miao was stunned, and said ruthlessly, "You can't help it!" "Oh my god..." Du Qiuniang burst into tears, looked at the expressions of Nie Yinniang and Cui Miao back and forth in disbelief, and finally collapsed.After a while, she stood up again, and said stubbornly: "You have made a mistake. What kind of person is the current emperor, how could he negotiate with you. Impossible! Even if you send me to the palace, you will never be able to change me." Going back to Master Pei Lian is just one more person to die!" Cui Miao sternly said: "If it wasn't for Jingniang, you would have died long ago! She had already seen the clues to the plan to cheat death, but out of sympathy and loyalty, of course, it was also to... protect me, so she didn't do anything. Lied to the emperor without hesitation, so that you can escape. Now she is in trouble..." Du Qiuniang froze for a moment: Pei Xuanjing saved her life?is this real? Cui Miao smiled bitterly and said, "Qiu Niang, I can only beg you to help us. I will repay Qiu Niang's great kindness with my life." Du Qiuniang said angrily: "Who wants your life! Even if I go to the palace, how can you be sure that the Holy Majesty will agree to your conditions!" "Stop wasting your tongue." Nie Yinniang interjected, "I've told him the truth countless times, but he just doesn't listen. This man is already bewitched by ghosts, and he won't know anything until he reaches the Yellow River." Give up. So I advise you to give up too. " Cui Miao said in a deep voice: "You are all right. Of course I know that if you use Qiuniang to make a deal with the emperor, you will probably get nothing. But, I have no other choice." It was still a long dark night outside the car, listening to the wheels rolling in the silence, it was as if fate was unstoppable and daunting, but it was not as decisive and helpless as Cui Miao's words. "It took me almost half a year to think of ways before I finally came up with this plan. Then it took me more than half a year to find Qiuniang—your whereabouts. In a blink of an eye, a year passed. It's over." His voice became hoarse, "I've wasted too much time, I can't wait any longer, and I don't want to wait any longer. No matter what, I have to act. Qiu Niang, only you can enter now. In the Daming Palace, I saw Jing Niang. As for other things, I don’t think about it at all right now.”