Chapter 11 Chapter Eleven

However, the night is like the rising tide of the river, dyeing the sky silently.The emperor asked Li Yu to send a message that there was an urgent battle report for six hundred miles ahead, and he had to discuss matters with the ministers, and he really couldn't get away. Li Yu said in detail: "The vanguard of the army arrived at the bank of the Ili River, but Dawaqi was still obsessed with his obsession and stubbornly resisted. He led his troops to retreat to Gedeng Mountain in the northwest of Ili. Now, even dinner is in a hurry." Ruyi understood, and didn't force her, so she said, "The emperor is concentrating on political affairs, I understand, and I will definitely understand. I will burn a stick of incense for the emperor, as a sacrifice to Jing Si."

Ling Yunche also came with Li Yu, he bowed, his clear face was sincere and slightly sad: "I request the emperor to send Princess Heyi with Eunuch Li." His voice was soft, with With moss-like strands of moisture, "After all, the princess walked in the arms of this minister." Ruyi recalled the scene before Jing Si left, and there was faint moisture in her eyes: "That's what it should be. Master Ling, thank you for making Jing Si leave so embarrassing in the end." He bowed, with a light and mournful expression: "That's the duty of a humble minister."

Hai Lan wore a lotus green thin silk dress, with Yong Qi by her side, holding a white gauze silk bag filled with plant ashes to guide the way for Jing Si's soul, and said slowly: "Sister, it's getting late, we should The soul that went to summon the fifth princess has returned." The night was like a gauze cage, Ruyi and Hailan in plain clothes were guided by the lotus-shaped copper lamps carried by the servants and court ladies, accompanied by Li Yu and Ling Yunche, and walked away slowly.The night was not dark, and the half-curved clear moon was hanging in the shade of the lush trees, and the falling stars scattered all over the sky, emitting a faint white light.Because Jing Si's "May 7th" ceremony had already been ordered, the Ministry of Internal Affairs had already prepared for it, and surrounded the stone lanterns on both sides of the long street with white cloth.

Ruyi is wearing a very plain cloak of stone blue silk carved with jade leaves and sandalwood plum blossoms. There are two silver bells hanging from the belt. They are taken from Jing Si's hand bell, allowing her to follow the familiar ringtones and find herself. .Rong Pei hugged Yong Zhen in his arms, and let Yong Zhen and Yong Qi each hold a small ram's horn glazed lantern with flowers in their hands. Ruyi said softly: "This pair of lanterns was Jingsi's favorite play in the past." Before she finished speaking, her eyes became moist again, so she had to take a handful of ash from Hailan's hand and sprinkle it out to cover up her inability to hide it. sad.

Yongqi is very sensible: "Emperor Niang, this minister will show my sister the way, so she can see the ash on the ground and be with us." Yong Yan said toothily: "Emiang, Er Chen is the same as Fifth Brother." Ruyi scattered a handful of ashes between her fingers: "My good boy, this way my sister won't get lost. She can find us and walk the last journey with us." Ling Yunche stayed by Ruyi's side, and said softly, "Don't be sad, empress, carefully the wind blows the ashes of the plants and trees, and it dazzles your eyes." There was a crystal tear on Ruyi's eyelashes, she tried her best to hold back, turned her head away and said, "I hope the wind will not be too strong tonight, so as not to blow away these ash and get lost on Jing's way home."

Ling Yunche's voice was deep and warm: "No. Princess Heyi is extremely smart, knowing that the empress is waiting for her, she will definitely come back." Ruyi didn't look at him, but tilted her head slightly: "Thank you." He was not commensurate with his official position, nor did he call him "Master Ling" as usual. Such a short sentence made him feel kind for no reason.However, he couldn't express any extra expressions, he just followed her behind Li Yu with a slightly humble attitude. Ling Yunche looked at Ruyi's slender and beautiful back, and the broken sapphire pearls and tassels hanging from the hairpin were blown by the wind, shining sparklingly.He accompanied her and walked through the long and long street. The red walls on both sides were gradually straight and steep, making the long street feel deeper and darker, and he didn't know the geometry of the road ahead.

He only hoped that this road could be longer, longer. Jing Si's mourning hall is arranged in the Yuhua Pavilion, and behind it is the Baohua Hall, full of Sanskrit sounds.The mages recited the six-character mantra, as if they were in the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Holding the lantern, Yong Qi followed Yong Qi's example and smashed the tiles on the roof of the mourning hall prepared by the palace people to the ground, calling out to the ground, "Sister, come back! Jing Si, come back!" Yong Qi tried her best to restrain her choking voice, Yong Xin's voice was more childish, with a strong crying sound, infinitely longing and sad.Maybe in his little heart, as long as he calls out loudly like this, his sister will come back to him, play and laugh with him.as usual.

The air is filled with the rustling fragrance of grass and trees, and the vigorous and sweet fragrance after being exposed to the sun during the day.Ruyi knelt in the mourning hall and incinerated the "Curse of Rebirth" copied by herself in the copper basin together with the paper money. Suddenly there was the cry of frogs, and Ruyi was in a daze. Tears trickled down and dripped into the brazier, causing the flames to jump quickly, and a faint blue flame rose up: "Jing Si likes to hear the sound of frogs the most. Laugh. But this year, she can't hear it anymore." Hailan's smile is as warm as soft, and her voice is soft and beautiful.She calmly pulled up her sleeves and wiped away a tear that was shining on Ruyi's cheek: "Sister, Jingsi is by our side, but we can't see it. She can hear these frogs. Naturally, my sister's sadness She will know too."

The pines and cypresses outside the pavilion cast long and dark shadows, covering her figure more and more delicately.Hai Lan reached out her hand to wipe away the black butterfly-like ashes that rose and fell after burning the paper money on Ruyi's cuffs. Her big eyes showed infinite worry and concern: "My sister is too sad, and she is so thin. Jing Si is so sensible." , Seeing my sister sad, I will also be sad." Ruyi nodded hard: "Don't worry." She burned the Buddhist scriptures in her hand, stood up and said, "Eunuch Li, Master Ling, you can also come and accompany Jing Si. Jing Si likes to be lively and there are many people, so she will I won't be lonely anymore."

Li Yu bowed to enter, and Ling Yunche and Ling Yunche held incense sticks respectively, and bowed in front of Jing Xiling. It was very late after the ceremony.The moonlight is thin and the dew is clear, the halo is a little fuzzy, not very bright, only the lamps of the palace people leading the way, like a beating heart, the faint light is thin. The bright yellow sedan chair flashed at the corner ahead, and Rong Pei was suddenly surprised, and turned her head and said: "Your Majesty, you are the emperor's personal driver." Ruyi was taken aback for a moment, then looked intently, a gap in her heart suddenly filled with infinite sadness: "Li Yu, has the emperor finished handling the political affairs?"

Li Yu looked at the direction the emperor was going, and said nonchalantly, "I guess I've already finished my work." Hailan looked forward and said in a low voice: "The emperor seems to be in Concubine Ying's palace. The emperor is going to see Concubine Ying." Rong Pei was dissatisfied, hugged Yong Xing tightly in her arms, and murmured in a low voice: "Today is the princess' May 7th, and the emperor is busy with the affairs of the previous court. Why don't you accompany your concubine when you arrive in the harem, instead go to Concubine Ying's place?" ?” Yong Qi hurriedly took Rong Pei's hand, and said solemnly: "Don't talk about it, Aunt Rong." Ruyi looked at Yongzhen who seemed to understand but didn't understand, stroked Fu Yongqi's forehead, and said with a wry smile: "The emperor naturally has his reasons. Don't say these words in front of the children." Li Yu said in a low voice, "Today is Concubine Ying's birthday." Rong Pei handed Yong Xing into San Bao's arms, spat and said, "Is it more important that Concubine Ying's birthday is as good as our princess's May Seventh?" Ruyi looked up at the dark clouds covering the moonlight in the sky, and said sadly, "Birthday is a happy event, but May 7th is sad. Which one would you like to remember?" "But the princess is the emperor's direct daughter..." Rong Pei didn't dare to say any more when she saw Ruyi's heart was pounding like a knife. Hailan looked indifferent: "The emperor's nature is to like to report good news but not bad news. What's more, near happiness and far sadness are human nature." At that moment, Ruyi was smiling, but Ling Yunche felt that the smile was so sad, as if no amount of tears could compare to the sadness brought by that ray of smile.Her eyes were resentful and dark, and they passed his eyes. Ling Yunche's heart suddenly trembled, as if pierced by a sharp needle, it hurt so much. Ruyi was alone in the wind and dew, and the corners of her skirt were stained with the night dew on the bluestone.After standing for a long time, when the wind blew, she felt her muscles and bones were cold, and she shivered unconsciously.Hailan hurriedly leaned close to her body, and said softly, "Yeliang, sister should go back." For a moment, Ling Yunche suddenly wanted to take off the cloak outside his official uniform and put it on Ruyi's thin shoulders to protect her from the cold night. The years are so long and the clothes are so thin, even if the heart has nowhere to live, it can still be a little warm. However, he didn't do that, he just supported Ruyi's arm, and also held down the cloak that was blown by the gushing wind like a huge butterfly wing: "The empress is sad all the way, and I will accompany the empress." go down." There was a trace of doubt in Hai Lan's eyes, and he looked deeply at Ling Yunche.He paused: "Concubine Yu and Eunuch Li will also walk with the empress." Hailan's face softened a little, and she said in a deep voice: "Yes, I will always be with my sister. I said this sentence a long time ago. It will be the same now and in the future." Ling Yunche didn't dare to say any more, but just followed the crowd to walk silently in the direction of Yikun Palace. This night, Yan Wan was originally serving the emperor for dinner in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, so normally, she would also stay and accompany the emperor to spend the lonely night in the palace.But the emperor didn't care about her, so he went to the imperial study to discuss the Junggar war with the ministers. Yan Wan waited boredly and expectantly in the warm pavilion, embroidered flowers for a while, stared blankly for a while, and slowly waited for the time. When the emperor came out of the imperial study in the middle of the night, she greeted him very happily.The emperor still pushed her away, and said with a half-apologetic smile: "I have to go and see Concubine Ying, today is her birthday." Of course Yan Wan knew the reason.Concubine Ying's family members contributed a lot to the emperor's pacification of the Junggar war, not to mention the Manchu family, Mongolia has always been a strong backing of the Qing Dynasty, so the emperor has always cared for Concubine Ying very much. Yan Wan has always regretted her family background, so she was naturally displeased with this, but she didn't dare to show it in the slightest, she just spoke in a tone so gentle that she could drip water: "Your Majesty, tonight is Princess Heyi's May 7th birthday. The concubine is afraid that the emperor will hurt her eyes, so she came to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to accompany her, why does the emperor need to enter the harem?" The emperor also responded with a smile, and said: "Looking at the time, I'm afraid the queen has already gone to the Yuhua Pavilion to celebrate May 7th. It's just that today is Concubine Ying's birthday, no matter how late, I must go to see her. " Yan Wan knew that she couldn't be persuaded, so she forced a smile and said: "If the emperor wants to go, he should go early, why bother to quarrel with the younger sister Yingying at this time, and the concubines are also afraid that the emperor will have to get up early tomorrow to go to court, it will be extraordinarily hard." The emperor smiled and said: "You don't know about that. I ignored Concubine Ying for a day, and just pretended not to know about her birthday. I'm afraid that at this time she was already very angry and disappointed, but she didn't dare to attack. If I go again at this time, she will be surprised and delighted." Although Yan Wan was full of anger, she could only smile and flatter her: "The emperor will make such thoughts to please people." The emperor squinted at her: "You don't like it?" Yan Wan could only smile and groan: "The emperor is used to making fun of his concubines. Then, the concubines will send you off to the emperor respectfully." It was not until watching the emperor leave that Yan Wan helped Chunchan's hand to leave the Hall of Mental Cultivation.Along the way, she was a little bored.Chunchan only said: "My lord, it doesn't really matter if the emperor goes to see Concubine Ying or not. Why do you only mention the five-seventh ceremony of the fifth princess?" Yan Wan let out a sneer with a sneer, clear as ice: "These days the emperor is so sad for the fifth princess, why doesn't this palace know? What did the fifth princess look like before she died, like crazy, the emperor is afraid that she will be so sad for the rest of her life." I can't forget it. Besides, the people in the palace look like who did it?" Chunchan smiled: "Of course it has something to do with Concubine Jia." "Yes." A smug smile floated on Yan Wan's lips, "Then why didn't the emperor deal with Concubine Jia immediately? According to the emperor's temperament, he hurt his beloved daughter but didn't deal with it immediately, of course it was because of Jia. The reason why the noble concubine has been favored for many years is also because of her three sons and the status of Li Chao's mother clan. The emperor is in a dilemma because he doesn't know how to deal with it. Difficulty." She waved the Kui Wenming silk and white round fan in her hand, "One of Concubine Jia's sons was neglected by the emperor, and the other lost his leg. It's really not good! I thought those few needles were enough to send Yongxuan to the west. I have seen the Buddha!" "You can hide for a while, but you can't hide for a lifetime. Now that my son has a disabled leg, and my mother-in-law is out of favor and grounded, it is hard to live and watch. If you die and die for a hundred, wouldn't it be boring!" Chunchan smiled, "That day Lan Cui also talked to the servant girl, saying that she met Zhao Jiuxiao, the guard guarding the Kunning Palace." "Zhao Jiuxiao?" Yan Wan was alert, "What did he say to Lan Cui? How did they know each other?" Chunchan said with a smile: "Didn't the young master call Zhao Jiuxiao to Yongshou Palace once, and let Lan Cui send him off? I'm afraid I knew him at that time. I'm afraid that silly boy has taken a fancy to Lan Cui. Five, when we went to Kunning Palace, he wanted to talk to Lan Cui. But Lan Cui ignored him. The more he was like this, the more he pestered Lan Cui to talk. No, let’s talk about the time he had a conversation with the emperor. The popular Master Ling was drinking, and he saw a few silver needles in his sleeves, that day was the day when Master Ling came back from the racecourse to investigate the incident of the eighth elder brother's falling from the horse." Seeing Yan Wan's expression gradually becoming more serious, "It's such an important matter. , the servant specifically asked Lan Cui to ask again. But Lan Cui said that Zhao Jiuxiao didn't know anything, and Jin Zhong also said that Master Ling never mentioned any silver needles when he returned to the emperor. The servant thinks, Master Ling values ​​love and righteousness, I am afraid that some clues have been found, but I will not say anything. Besides, there are many things that have no traces to investigate." Chunchan's words reassured Yan Wan.A warm color of emotion rose on Yan Wan's face, and soon, more complacency covered that touch of emotion.Yan Wan caressed the ruby ​​ring on Ling Yunche's finger as a gift back then.In the dark night, even if it is made of gem powder, it still has a coral-colored brilliance.Yan Wan smiled beautifully: "No matter what it is for, and no matter how I treat him, I know who he has in mind all these years. This person is just stubborn!" Chunchan supported Yan Wan, and said with a light smile, "That's right. The young master was so glorious in his prime that even the emperor couldn't put it down, let alone a small guard, of course he treats the young master like a god and holds it in his palm! Why did he not talk about the grievances caused by Concubine Jia's belly pocket?" She paused, then smiled secretly, "My servant also heard that Master Ling is busy with errands in the palace and rarely returns to the palace. The mansion outside, so I neglected my wife, which made me dissatisfied." The corners of Yan Wan's lips were raised even higher, her smile seemed unstoppable, "Maoqian is just a court lady, and the emperor appointed her to marry her, so she doesn't have any affection in the first place." Chunchan hurriedly said: "Isn't it because Master Ling has a little master in his heart that he can't see anyone!" The wan smile froze for an instant: "Some people's hearts are hard to come by, is it just the emperor..." Chunchan replied respectfully: "The queen's flower is in full bloom, and then it can only be in full bloom and decline. But the flower of the young master has only opened a few petals, and there are endless good times." Yan Wan sneered: "Zuo Zuo today is Wu Qi of He Yi's short-lived child, so let's abduct to Yi Kun Palace and listen to the Queen's cry." On the other side not far away, a corner of the gate of Yikun Palace can be vaguely seen.Against the ink-like sky, the animal heads perched on the cornices are hazy, yet majestic. Ling Yunche accompanied Ruyi, his heart was as cool as the morning mist. This is the end. This night, it was a rare extravagant wish for him to be able to walk with her. The Yikun palace is separated by a door, she is the high queen, and he is still the little imperial guard in front of the Hall of Mental Cultivation.You can only look at it from a distance, and you can no longer walk on the same road. This section of the road is already too rare, too rare. Li Yu bowed before him and saluted: "Empress Empress, Empress Yu Concubine, it's late at night, the two empresses settled down earlier. The slave will leave first." His eyes flicked, Ling Yunche understood, and he said as he said After reading it again, I still couldn't help but said: "Empress Empress, take care, don't be sad again." Hailan waved her hand: "I'm sorry, Eunuch Li and Master Ling." She paused, "Eunuch Li has to rush to Xianfu Palace to serve the Emperor and Concubine Ying, hurry up." Li Yu and Ling Yunche stood outside the gate of Yikun Palace, watched Ruyi and Hailan enter before bowing and leaving.Ling Yunche seemed a little bit reluctant, his footsteps were slightly slow, but he hurriedly followed. At the corner of the corridor, Yan Wan's face was already as cold as ice, it was almost chilling.Chunchan had never seen Yan Wan's expression like this before, she felt a little scared, and called out softly: "Little master, little master! What's wrong with you?" Her mellow and misty eyes fixed her gaze on the front, and where she stared quietly was the back of Ling Yunche who was drifting away.A hint of sadness flowed from the bottom of her eyes, and a lonely sigh seemed to cut through her chest: "Why does a man look at a woman with such eyes?" She sighed like this, as if she was asking herself, and also like asking Chunchan. Chunchan was so frightened that she was a little dazed, she could only bow her head timidly, not daring to answer. Yan Wan didn't need her to answer, she just immersed herself in her sadness: "It's all over... It's all over!" Her face sank like a lake mirror, only a few stars in her eyes glistened, Showing a deep and unbreakable hatred, "But, even if it is the past, I can't tolerate it! If you like me for a while, you have to like me for the rest of your life, and you will never change! The emperor is like this, he is like this, who is it? It's all the same! Whoever wants to change this, I will never let him go!" In May of the 20th year of Qianlong, good news from the frontlines came frequently.Dawaqi brought his own soldiers to resist stubbornly, their armaments were disorganized, and their horsepower was also exhausted. The soldiers who could be adjusted everywhere were exhausted, which made the hearts of the people scattered and they surrendered one after another.The army of the North Road and the West Road divided into two wings according to the terrain, and surrounded Gedeng Mountain, where Dawaqi finally lived.Unexpectedly, the Qing army broke into the enemy camp, rode horses and swords, and attacked by night.Dawaqi and his subordinates were caught off guard, they made a mess, trampled on each other, the dead were innumerable, and more than ten thousand enemy soldiers collapsed in an instant.Dawaqi led more than 2,000 people to flee in a hurry, and was captured by the pursuers at dawn. The emperor was overjoyed, and immediately ordered Dawaqi and his family to be sent back to Beijing. The Empress Dowager chanted sutras and prayed behind closed doors in the Palace of Compassion and Ning for many days. When she heard the news, she was very anxious: "How is Duan Shu?" Fu Jia couldn't help being overjoyed: "The princess is fine, everything is safe." The queen mother was relieved when she heard the words, and sighed: "Blessed by the destiny, the Qing Dynasty is peaceful. It's just how the emperor will deal with Dawaqi and Princess Duanshu?" Fujia laughed and wept, and said excitedly, "The emperor is merciful. He said that Yu Heng had something to say, saying that he would kill Ning Yu and be pardoned by the captives. He would not let me extend it. He also said that Ning Yu would be kind enough to make Dawaqi his prince. Allow him and his children to live in the capital and never return to the north." She spoke too hastily, and then said, "The emperor is filial, to pacify Junggar Dawa and send a court priest to the heaven and earth, the country, and the teacher Confucius, and even more to honor the empress dowager. , to show congratulations. The emblem also made the House of Internal Affairs look good, it is the word 'Yushou', which shows the emperor's benevolence and filial piety." The Empress Dowager smiled indifferently, and said lightly, "If the emperor is truly benevolent and filial, let Duan Shu and Dawaqi, a rebellious minister, reconcile and move into the Palace of Compassion and Ning to live with Ai's family." Fu Jia's smile froze, like petals falling on the lake, and then sank. Seeing that she was silent, the queen mother said anxiously: "What's wrong with Duanshu? Didn't you say that she is all right?" Fu Jia laughed uglier than crying, hesitated for a long time, and finally said: "Queen Dowager Wanxi, the Eldest Princess is pregnant for five months!" The queen mother was stunned, the Buddhist beads in her hand fell to the ground, and scattered all over the hall.She staggered a few steps and nearly fell down on the couch, tears streaming down her face: "Grievance! Grievance! So, Duan Shu of the Ai family will spend her whole life with Dawaqi, a traitor! Why? Why is no one Tell Aijia?" Fu Jia wept and said: "Queen Mother, the slaves just found out that Princess Duanshu also wanted to get rid of the child quietly when she was pregnant, but she still couldn't be ruthless, and now it's too late!" A hint of hostility flashed across the empress dowager's old and sad face, and said cruelly: "Why is it too late? If everything is done except for the child, Duan Shu can also get along with her." Fu Jia was taken aback: "Queen Mother, don't say that! The princess is so old, if the child is forced to fall, I'm afraid it will hurt the princess." The queen mother was stunned, her expression was weak and helpless, she leaned on Fu Jia's arm, tears streaming down her face: "Yes, Aijia can be cruel to anyone, but he can't treat his own daughter like this. Forget it, forget it , this is fate!" Fu Jia cried: "Queen Mother, since the emperor has decided to treat Dawaqi kindly, he must also treat the princess kindly. The emperor said that Dawaqi was captured at the Meridian Gate. After the ceremony of presenting the prisoner, as long as he can change his past mistakes, he will be sincere. Surrender, the emperor will also confer the title together, so that he will not lose anything. In this way, the eldest princess can live in peace in the capital, is it not easy for the empress dowager to see the princess?" The Empress Dowager said dejectedly: "Forget it. The emperor acts benevolently and filially, but his heart is hard to shake. As long as Duan Shu can meet day and night at the Ai family's knees and see each other's peace, the Ai family will have nothing to say."