Chapter 3 Chapter 3 Tea Heart

Luyun was overjoyed, thanked her again and again, and hurried back. Rong Pei saw that Luyun was walking away, and said in confusion; "Yesterday, Concubine Jia sent this collar, named Xiao Jing Niang Niang, to show off what she has that the empress does not have." She said contemptuously: "Such a good thing, Phoenix and Peony Concubine Jia also deserves her jewelry!" Ruyi slowly caressed the pearl necklace hanging from her snow-white collar: "The phoenix and the peony should have belonged to the Central Palace. But Concubine Jia can easily take out things that the Palace doesn't have. Why do you think so?"

Ruyi didn't wait for Rong Pei to answer, she raised her eyes and saw Yong Qi carrying a volume of books inside, she smiled unconsciously.Ruyi focused on him, the solitude of these days did not make his straightforward and clear appearance a little haggard, but added to his independence and clearness like a solitary pine. Feeling relieved, Ruyi hurriedly waved her hand, and said kindly, "What are you holding? Show the Queen Mother." When Yongqi saw Ruyi, she put away her depressed and timid expression, smiled brightly, handed the scroll to Ruyi, and said excitedly; "The book I edited by myself is called "Jiaotong Manuscript". It’s been a while, but I always want to show the Empress.”

Ruyi turned over the snow-white pages with her fingers, and said with a smile, "It's the best if you like it yourself. Find something you like to do, so you don't have to listen to other people's gossip." Yongqi was a little sad: "I'm fine, but I can't stand up for Er Niang, which made Er Niang sad. I woke up early this morning and saw that Er Niang was worried again. After I asked a few words, I realized that it was Er Niang's mother's family. A few distant relatives of the family changed their ways to ask for money. Although Er Niang was in the concubine position, she had never been favored, but all the rewards and monthly silver were spent on the sons and ministers. How could they resist asking them like a millstone. But If they refuse, they will speak badly behind their backs. After finally collecting some jewelry and sending them out, they come like flies that have seen blood."

Ruyi frowned when she heard this: "Who doesn't have many evil relatives, you told your mother to ignore it. That's right, your mother never told me about these things." Yongqi shook her head sadly: "Family ugliness should not be publicized. Erniang is also a person who wants face, so she never mentioned it. Even Erchen found out after repeated questioning. Erniang would be sad when she mentioned it. She always said that her family background was poor and could not help Erchen. , so many troubles have arisen.” "Concubine Yu only has your son, so it's inevitable to worry." Ruyi smiled lightly and said gently, "As long as there is a future, a momentary grievance is nothing."

Yong Qi nodded vigorously: "I have remembered the teachings of the Queen's Mother." Ruyi nodded and said, "Outsiders say that you are bored and lost your mind when you are idle, so you rely on compiling books as your sustenance, and you stay behind closed doors all day long, and you don't talk too much when you go out. Tell the queen mother, besides compiling books, you also do things on weekdays. Do something?" Yongqi said earnestly: "Writing. The Queen's mother told my son-in-law that writing can calm the mind." Ruyi smiled warmly, as warm as Chu Yang: "Don't steal words when there is nothing to do, and avoid random words when there is something to do. It's the best if you can do this. By the way, how about your mother? Are you still crying for you like this? "

Yong Qi said: "It's already much better. My son is quiet, and Er Niang will naturally not be disturbed." Ruyi was a little relieved: "Your mother has been in the deep palace for a long time, so there is always some sense of propriety." Yongqi thought for a moment, and said a little angrily: "It's just that Erchen came over on the road today. Seeing that the fourth brother is so majestic, he went to Qixiang Palace to pay his respects to Concubine Jia. A few words." Ruyi smiled slightly, and looked at him with warm eyes: "In the past six months, Yongxuan met you, didn't he always like to talk a little bit. Have you put up with him?"

Yong Qi bowed her head: "Yes. My son will be patient." Ruyi smiled without saying a word, leisurely fiddled with the white jade open-carved teacup in her hand, the light blue tea soup steamed with snow-white water vapor, covering her face moist and hazy.Ruyi poured a cup of tea and handed it to Yongqi: "How about a taste of this Dragon Well?" Yong Qi didn't understand what it meant, took a sip and said, "Very good." Ruyi said slowly: "Longjing tea is good, of course it tastes good. But Huang Erniang likes a kind of tea. Not only must the tea be fragrant, but also the name should be elegant and appropriate, so that it is worthy of drinking. For example, this Longjing, Erniang thinks It is most appropriate to describe your situation at this moment."

Yong Qi frowned in confusion, and said respectfully: "I don't understand, so listen carefully." Ruyi looked at the color of the apricot-green soup in the cup, and the white jade tea cup was reflected in a greenish green, "You are now like a dragon trapped in a well, what should you do?" Yongqi raised her eyebrows, a meteor-like brilliance flashed in her eyes, and then she lowered her head and looked calm: "It's a dragon, so it won't be trapped in the well for a long time. Be patient for a while, just wait for the time to fly." Ruyi poured tea for him, with a kind expression on his face: "Dragon Well is mellow and fragrant, and the taste of the mouth is fragrant. But good tea is not only for this, it can also cleanse the heart. The Queen's Mother hopes that you can concentrate on calming down, so as to plan for the future."

The tea leaves in the cup are stretched out in the water, one bud and one leaf, delicate and tender into flowers, fragrant like orchids, just like Yong Qi's stretched smile. "Emperor Niang's painstaking efforts, I must appreciate carefully." He thought for a while and then said, "My son heard that the fourth brother made friends with other officials, and the situation was extremely difficult. Every time Li Chaojin offered ginseng, or topaz, ruby, etc. The fourth brother distributed jades of various colors to the mansions of the officials, and even the female relatives of the mansions also received the rainbow satin produced by Li Chao as a good gift."

"The rainbow satin of the Li Dynasty is famous for its bright colors and dense fabrics. It is often reflected on the rainbow with beautiful rivers and mountains and beautiful scenery, and then the seven colors of the rainbow are dyed on the satin. The manpower and material resources of the Li Dynasty are insufficient, and the rainbow satin is very expensive. It's hard work, and it's hard for Yongxuan to be so generous." Ruyi smiled slightly, the expression in her eyes was like a frozen lake, without any waves, "I understand your thoughts. It's just that it's no better than you going there in person Tell you Huang Ama, someone will naturally talk about it. All you have to do is to make people talk more. If there is more talk, there will be more right and wrong."

Yongqi understood: "I will do my best to do what the Queen Mother ordered." Ruyi gently held his hand, and carefully smoothed the creases between the half-old cuffs with blue lines and moiré patterns: "Emperor Mother knows that you have had a bad life in the past six months. But, if you can't bear it for a while, I can't wait forever. It will be soon." Yong Qi solemnly nodded, only a dark sophistication remained in her eyes. After a few days, news came that it was an edict from the emperor, ordering officials in the court not to communicate with the princes. This decree came very strangely, but anyone with a discerning eye understands that the third elder brother Yongzhang and the fifth elder brother Yongqi were left out in the cold, and the rest of the princes were still young, and the only one who could communicate with the officials in the court was the fourth prince who was in the limelight Brother Yongxuan. When Li Yu came, he saw that Ruyi was in high spirits, holding Jingsi to enjoy the koi in the big blue and white vat.There are seasonal flowers under the porch, and the red-billed lovesickness birds under the eaves are chirping and twittering. Because of the hot weather, Ruyi also likes lotus flowers, so the emperor specially ordered people to place several large blue and white vats in the courtyard, holding golden koi and palm-sized bowl lotus.Two or three of the red and white bowl lotuses in the tank floated on the surface of the water, and the swimming fish swayed back and forth, making Ruyi and a few court ladies leaning on the railing, sitting on the green silk embroidered lotus pier, throwing fish food to feed them. Laugh. Seeing Jing Si smiling happily, Ruyi handed her into the arms of the wet nurse. Because she was going to tease the bird, she said, "Why did the emperor suddenly make such a decree? I'm not afraid of hurting Yong Xun's face." "You give your face to yourself. If you want others to give it to you, it's all in vain." Li Yu smiled, "A few days ago, the emperor accompanied Concubine Chun, and seeing the eye-catching collar she was wearing, he asked about the origin, Concubine Chun Let me tell you the truth. Such a regulated collar is rare, and I remember that this was one of the gifts presented by Fu Zhen, Governor of Guangdong and Guangxi, but somehow it got into the hands of Concubine Jia, so I reported it truthfully." "You report like this, of course the emperor will be suspicious and investigate, won't you?" Ruyi pinched a few fresh jade hairpins in her hands, leaving a lingering fragrance in her hand. Li Yudao: "If the emperor wants to investigate, he will naturally investigate it vigorously and clearly. The rumors about the fourth elder brother's friendship with the officials have long been rumored, and now it is just for the emperor to hear it at the right time. What's more, the fourth elder brother dared to ask the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi. Accepting such a valuable gift for Concubine Jia, and colluding with others inside and outside, how can the emperor not shy away from it." "I heard that the big officials in the frontier are vying to make friends with the fourth elder brother and give him gifts, but there must still be someone who understands? I heard that Amanasutu, Concubine Xin, is not such a follower." Li Yu lowered his eyebrows and looked down: "Isn't it? That's why the emperor has shown great favor to Concubine Xin, and Concubine Xin has been attending her bed these two days." Ruyi casually put a rich and dark crescent bun on the jade hairpin: "Although there is such a will, the emperor still values ​​Si elder brother, doesn't he?" Li Yu's eyes revealed a deep meaning: "The emperor attaches great importance to the fourth elder brother. But since the fifth elder brother was reprimanded and neglected by the emperor, he has instead gained the favor of the empress dowager. How can you know that it is a blessing to lose your horse!" Ruyi lowered her head slightly, smoothing out the emerald butterfly tassels on her chest.A piece of gauze sleeves embroidered with blue and white magnolias in the color of the lake slipped like flowing water, and the purple jade bracelets on the fat and bright wrists were dazzling; "In any case, the fourth elder brother is the one who deserves the most credit for saving my father in the Mulan paddock!" Li Yu smiled deeply: "It's true that the emperor loves the fourth elder brother, and it's true that Mulan Paddock saved his father. But it was not only the fourth elder brother who saved the emperor that day, but also the fifth elder brother and Lord Ling. We all saw it. As for Is it the number one..." He changed the subject, "The servant was there at the time, so I had to ask the people present." Ruyi smiled and gouged out Li Yu's eyes: "You look like an old fox even more. Where's the person?" Li Yu bowed and said with a smile: "Master Ling has long been waiting outside the palace, just waiting for the news from the empress." Ruyi shook the round fan in her hand, and said lazily: "It's very hot outside, please meet Master Ling in the hall. Rong Pei, have you prepared the big red robe that Master Ling likes?" Rong Pei smiled and said, "I've already prepared it." Ling Yun stepped into the hall quickly.He stood in front of Ruyi, the bright and gentle sunlight filtered by the dense and dense panes covered his eyebrows and eyes.A gauze official uniform shines like flowing water through the light, and the whole person has lost a little bit of his usual heroism, and has a little more gentleness. For some reason, Ruyi remembered the face of the emperor in the moment of concentrating.How many years of facing each other day and night, accompanied by red sleeves, what she can suddenly recall in her memory is still the moonlight-clear face of the emperor when she first met.Time flies, what has been added to him is the aristocratic demeanor of the Tian family, but also the immersion in glitz, bringing a luxurious and romantic atmosphere.Although the current emperor is over forty years old, his heroic appearance has not diminished, and he still has a dazzling brilliance, but it is more like a piece of gold inlaid jade. Although it is placed in a brocade box and decorated with pearls, it has long lost that A breathtaking cleanliness.It makes people feel too fragile and unreliable. But Ling Yunche in front of him has the green appearance of the pine under the wind, growing among the vegetation, but standing alone in the bushes, which can shelter people from the wind and rain for a while. Before finishing this thought, Ling Yunche already bowed to salute.He respected without flattery, and stood out from everyone else. Ruyi was very polite, motioned him to get up, watched Rong Pei serve tea, and ordered him to be seated. The orange tea was shining like the morning glow, Ruyi motioned him to take a sip, and said softly: "This Dahongpao is a good tea, and the red robe is added to the body. I am here to congratulate Lord Ling on his promotion." The fragrance of tea still remained in the cheeks, Ling Yunche was not aware of surprise and said: "The slave is serving the emperor, why is he suddenly promoted?" Ruyi's brows and eyes are as clear as the water in the bright sun, and she said it very calmly: "Lord Ling was able to return to the palace again, thanks to Mulan Paddock's loyalty to saving the emperor. It's just sharing the credit with the three, it's better for Lord Ling to monopolize the credit." , so there is no joy of promotion?" In Ling Yunche's eyes, there was a clear understanding: "How dare this humble minister monopolize his contribution? The matter of the Mulan paddock that day was obviously the fifth elder brother who took the risk to save his father and stood in front of the emperor. He deserved the most credit. This humble minister just passed by by chance. .” Ruyi sighed Rufeng softly: "It was Yongxie who took the risk to save his father. If he hadn't shot an arrow to kill the frightened wild horse, the emperor would not have been safe. After all, Yongqi is just the stupidest child who can only block It’s all about risking your life in front of the emperor.” Ling Yunche said: "It is the greatest filial piety to risk yourself. Shooting an arrow in the back is well said to save people. If it is a cold arrow, it may also hurt people." Ruyi suddenly narrowed her eyes, and said coldly: "Lord Ling, although I was not in the forest in the Mulan paddock that day, I have always been a little suspicious. The emperor is in danger, how could Lord Ling, Yongxuan, and Yongqi appear so coincidentally?" Saved the emperor?" Ruyi kept her voice focused on Ling Yunche, as if she wanted to find a trace of flaws in his face, but the only ones who met her gaze were a little surprise and honesty.Ling Yunche cupped his hands and said: "The emperor's blessings are as good as the sky, and it is also the grace of the heavens to give the humble minister and the two elder brothers the opportunity to save the emperor." His calmness was expected by Ruyi, but he didn't want to be so impeccable.Ruyi smiled secretly, she was just probing while being suspicious, time has passed, many things can no longer be thoroughly investigated.And Ling Yunche's expression gave her the possibility of blocking her speculation. Ruyi smiled, her expression instantly relieved, her amiability was like a warm breeze: "Your Majesty Ling, there is no need to rush to defend yourself. What I said is just a long-standing question. Naturally, Yong Qi was only twelve years old. Being able to rescue the emperor is just a coincidence. It's just..." She mused for a while, "Since the incident in the paddock, the emperor has sent extra people to follow him every time he went to Mulan in the past two years. Back then, the person who secretly placed the crossbow and shot the cold arrow has never been found out. It is a heart disease after all. Even the palace is worried day and night, for fear that someone will harm the emperor. Master Ling always follows the emperor. There is such a vicious person lurking in the dark. I'm afraid that the adults will also worry about it?" Ling Yunche's gaze jumped slightly like a candle being blown by the wind, and then became stable as usual: "The emperor said a word that day, and the minister will remember it in his heart. The emperor said: 'All those who are loyal to me have come to save me! The person who must be hiding at this time must be the furthest!'” Ruyi's tone had a hint of coercion: "I think that sometimes the one who saves is also the one who hurts. What does Master Ling think?" Ling Yunche got up, bowed to the bottom, and looked at each other with gentle eyes: "Your Majesty is right. I checked carefully that day, and the two hidden arrows were not poisoned. If the emperor stays where he is, it should be just a false alarm. " "Really?" Ruyi's eyes were clear, like the light of clear snow brushing past him, "Then Master Ling, what did you do that day?" Ling Yunche froze for a moment, his eyes lowered and avoided, thin beads of sweat had already formed on his forehead.After a while, he raised his head resolutely: "Your Majesty, that day when I was walking with my concubine's beloved horse, I went into the forest first and found a bow and crossbow among the branches." Ruyi was puzzled and said: "I remember finding out that the crossbow did not need someone to shoot cold arrows on the spot, but was stretched between the branches with silver wires. As long as the silver wires are broken by touching, the cold arrows will be released." "Yes. Because the woods are remote and few people come, so I am just curious, so I hide behind the tree and wait and see. Who would have thought that the emperor would chase his horse into the forest, and the bow and crossbow on the branch would be fired, and he would be horrified to see his elbow and armpit. And that day The wild horse broke into the forest suddenly, and it was also because the bodily fluids of the estrous mare painted the grass and trees, which caused the wild horse to run restlessly. The paddock officials also said that someone prepared a bow and crossbow just to shoot the wild horse.” Ruyi said: "Master Ling, don't you think these words are excuses? No wonder the emperor was furious afterwards and wanted to severely punish the officials in the Mulan paddock. According to this Palace, I'm afraid that someone really tried their best to assassinate the emperor as a way of self-respect." Ling Yunche spit out all the voices from his heart: "Since the empress is suspicious today, I must investigate carefully. As long as it is ordered by the empress, I will try my best to do it, and do it with all my heart, so that I can give my empress a clear explanation." Ruyi's nails painted with rouge red Koudan reflected on the white jade tea cup, shining brilliantly.She sipped her tea lightly, and said softly: "Is this palace ever told you anything? Everything is up to you." The afternoon sun is filtered by the heavy Xiangfei bamboo curtains, which makes it look extraordinarily cool.Ling Yunche was stunned for a moment, looking at the woman in front of him, the makeup was as light as pear blossoms, and there was a faint fragrance of orchid musk, those rippling eyes seemed to be a little more gentle than before, that kind of rare and precious tenderness .It seemed to be facing him, as well as the future she expected.Her long eyebrows and eyes always have a faint smile hidden, but that smile is a habitual color, like an inherent habit, it's just a smile, but it's hard to figure out whether it's happiness or anger. The moment he woke up in a daze, he had a thought that hit his heart, if only her smile was genuinely happy. Ling Yunche bowed sadly, retreated slowly, and walked out of the Yikun Palace surrounded by shadows of flowers.There was a scorching wind pouring into the gaps in his clothes, he only felt the coolness piercing his back, only then did he realize that he was drenched in cold sweat.Raising his hand and raising his eyes, Ling Yunche saw a sky as blue as a jade, as crisp as a piece of high-quality colored glaze, transparent and clear.Just a flock of snow-white birds circling and chirping, flapping their wings and passing by. His heart is clear at this moment, if not for her, then for himself.Having worked so hard to get here, how can it be easy for others, it has to be hers, not hers. Ruyi watched Ling Yunche leave, with a gentle smile on her face: "Rong Pei, how much is there in the big red robe?" Rong Pei replied: "This Dahongpao is a tribute from Fujian this spring. We have eaten it for half a year, and there are still five or six catties." Ruyi smiled and said, "Then keep all of them for Master Ling, and congratulate him on his promotion in the future." Rong Pei took a banana fan with emerald green and yellow fringe, and fanned out a cool breeze: "Your Majesty is so sure, Master Ling will be so happy?" Ruyi raised her eyelashes lightly, like butterfly wings flapping a fan, revealing deep and watery eye waves: "It's either great joy or great sorrow, he has no choice." Ruyi touched the five-color silk tassels on the bamboo curtain of Concubine Xiang, and the light curtain was half rolled.At a glance, peonies, gentian, acacia, radish, impatiens, pomegranate, woody, crape myrtle, Huilan, Changchun, smiling, rose, zinnia, Chiba peach, and jade hydrangea are scattered in the courtyard. , Delphinium, red and emerald, colorful and gorgeous, like a pile of prosperous gold from day to day.At that time, the lotus money was being cast, and the pomegranate fire was about to ignite. Facing the carved beams and swallows, the birds were singing on the Qisill, and the Ming Xuan in the quiet courtyard was melting and venting.Who would have thought that in such a peaceful and tiring world, there would be an unsettling future. Rong Pei's eyes turned, and she already guessed a little bit: "Your Majesty means..." "Although it has been two years, the emperor has not really let go of the danger in the Mulan paddock. You just look at Chengde every year, and the emperor deploys so many people, you know how to let the emperor sleep and eat without finding out the real culprit behind the arrow." Uneasy." Rong Pei was surprised: "Your Majesty suspects that some of the rescuers arranged this trip by themselves?" There was no trace of ripple in Ruyi's eyes: "I am just suspicious. I have no way to find out whether Ling Yunche has such thoughts and actions, but I just tested him a few words, and he can hold his breath. Can be so calm Those who can hold their breath will not set themselves on fire. As for Yongxuan, I really have to be suspicious." Rong Pei was really uneasy, she held a plantain fan in her hand, and she stopped fanning unconsciously: "In the past few years, Si elder brother, mother and son have done a lot of things, so won't the empress tell the emperor?" "Tell the emperor?" Ruyi stared at her, "If the emperor asks, why didn't I speak out about this suspicion earlier, but waited until Yongqi was gone, did I have the heart to protect Yongqi from attacking Yongxuan? How should the palace answer? Or the emperor asked again, if the palace was suspicious, why didn't it be said earlier, what is the intention of letting a suspicious person like Ling Yunche grow up by the emperor's side, and how should the palace answer? Gong didn't see it with his own eyes, but only heard it, so he has doubts, there is no ironclad evidence!" Rong Pei sighed: "So, the empress is indeed in a dilemma. But if Lord Ling did this, wouldn't it be harmful to the emperor to have such a person with ulterior motives by his side?" "No." Ruyi sees it clearly, "He only wants to go back to the Forbidden City to win his share of glory and wealth. He has neither the ability nor the need to set up a killing scheme for this wish. Now His wish has been fulfilled, and he will not do anything that is not good for the emperor, so as to harm his hard-earned security." She flicked her translucent nails like spring onions, "Since this matter is in the hands of the palace, Suspicion, then sooner or later the emperor will also be suspicious. You are not ignorant of the emperor's temperament, the most suspicious. When he thinks of this reason, neither Ling Yunche nor Yongqi can escape the suspicion. Instead of this, it is better to be early There's a break." Rong Pei sighed softly, seeming a little worried.Even Ruyi herself was in a daze, why did she trust Ling Yunche so easily, and would rather be an ignorant person.Perhaps, she really doesn't like Jin Yuyan and Yongxie, and would rather they have this shadow; or because of the help from the cold palace in the past, he sent a ray of spring warmth in the ice and snow. The gauze curtain floats slightly, the curtains are rolled up, and the courtyard is full of clear silk, light and shadows are swaying, and there are Kunqu operas in the distance, flying clouds, passing through the high wall of the palace courtyard, and coming ethereally. It was a book of "Jade Hairpin", and only when it was sung by a mellow, lingering and clear voice, could it be so twists and turns, pleasing to the ear and heart. "The flowers and shadows on the pink wall are heavy, and the curtain rolls to the wind of the lotus water hall. Hold the piano and play it towards the moonlight, and the fragrance wafts like gold. Which palace is the person in Penglai?" The afternoon sun is a little lazy, with astringent and vigorous fragrance sandwiched in the warmth.Nayi Yixia's last gorgeous beauty, even the flowers and plants know that autumn is approaching, with the aura of going all out to celestial beings and dying, they are striving to bloom until they are beautiful. Ruyi was originally alienated from Yan Wan, but now listening to her song, she couldn't help singing along with the beat. "Zhu Xian's voice is far away and he hates Rong Rong, and he sighs in the air with a few gusts of wind. Where does the fairy man enter the curtain? People are terrified. Could it be because they are listening to the song of the sound of clouds and water?"