Chapter 1009: The ninth day of the first lunar month
"It doesn't matter, it would be better for me if you two brothers could reconcile as before." With that said, Ling Ruo turned to Geng and said, "Okay, it's time for me to go back, with Yang Hai and the others accompanying me.
Come on, you don’t have to send me off."
Despite Ling Ruo's words, Geng still insisted on sending her to the door. As for Hongli and the other two, they practiced hard in the courtyard after sending Ling Ruo away.
Six days passed in a blink of an eye.
On the ninth day of the first lunar month in the fourth year of Yongzheng's reign, carriages were parked outside the Old Summer Palace early in the morning. Many princes, Beile, and their wives got off the carriages and entered the garden. Once inside, someone led them to the sky.
Shangxia Tianguang is located in the northwest of Houhu Lake. It is a two-story building facing the lake. You can enjoy the color of the lake by climbing up the building. After the heavy snowfall, it became the largest ice lake in Yuanmingyuan. Therefore, the ice-playing competition was finally scheduled to be held at Shangxia Tianguang. Ling Ruo also stayed overnight.
People poured water on the ice to create an iceberg, which was three to four feet high and extremely smooth. There were also piles of lions, elephants and other auspicious animals, which indicated good luck and good fortune.
In addition to the clan members competing in the competition, many people came to watch, so there was an endless stream of people coming this day, all of whom were members of the royal family. It was impossible to stay in the two-story building, not to mention there were so many concubines.
, are not allowed to be in the same room with male relatives. Fortunately, Ling Ruo had made arrangements in advance and ordered people to temporarily build several simple buildings nearby so that everyone could sit separately.
"Concubine Xi!" Just as he was busy with himself, Ling Ruo suddenly heard a familiar voice in his ears. He raised his eyes and saw a gentle and elegant face with extraordinary bearing reflected in his eyelids. Standing beside him was
There is a beautiful woman. It is Yunhu and his direct descendant Nalan Meier.
Ling Ruo was absent-minded for a moment, but the next moment he had returned to his usual smile, "It turns out it's Prince Lian and Prince Lian Fujin. They haven't seen each other for a long time."
"Yes, Wei Chen remembers the first time he met your empress, when she was working as a naughty seller in Lao Shi. Many years have passed in the blink of an eye." Yunhu's smile is as perfect as before, making people feel like a spring breeze.
Twenty years have not left any trace on his face, unlike Yinzhen who has many wrinkles at the corners of his eyes and forehead.
While he was speaking, Nalan Meier had already bowed her head in salute, her purple cloak spread out like flowers on the snow, "I would like to send my regards to Concubine Xi, may you be blessed."
"Qian Fujin, please get up." From Nalan Meier's voice, Ling Ruo heard a trace of reluctance. Yes, when they met back then, she was the one who saluted Nalan Meier, but now it was completely the other way around.
, if it were me, I'm afraid I would be reluctant.
"The positions have been arranged. I will lead you there." On the way to Jian Lou, Ling Ruo said: "I remember that Prince Lian has two sons participating in this ice-skating competition, right?"
Yunhu smiled and said: "I remember well, Wei Chen has two dogs participating in the competition, but they are just here to join in the fun. In real terms, how can they be compared to three elder brothers?"
"Prince Lian is too self-effacing." After saying this, Ling Ruo stopped talking, and waited until he reached Jian Lou before saying, "I still have something to do, so I won't accompany Prince Lian and Fujin."
"Your Majesty, just go and do your work." After Ling Ruo left, Yunhu took Nalan Meier's hand and sat down. Seeing that her expression was a little strange, she said softly: "What's the matter? Are you catching a cold?"
Nalan Meier shook his head and said, "No, I just don't like seeing her."
Yunhu looked a little surprised, "You mean Concubine Xi?"
"Yes." Nalan Meier nodded. When Kangxi was still alive, she and Ling Ruo had met once in the palace, and they had a very unhappy time. She even pointed at Ling Ruo's nose and said that Yinzhen was cold, mean and indifferent to others. Life and death. Although it has been many years since the incident, it is always a thorn in her heart, especially now that Ling Ruo is above her and has to kneel down and salute every time they meet, which makes her feel even more uncomfortable.
Yunhu didn't know this and didn't say much. He just said: "Since you don't want to see her, just sit here and don't leave. She won't come even if you want to."
Nalan Meier agreed to go together, but when he saw Yunhu was about to leave, he hurriedly asked: "Your Majesty, where are you going?"
Yunhu patted her hand holding his sleeve and said, "I'm going to see Hongmin and Hongchang. You sit here and wait for me to come back. Do you hear me?"
"Well, then come back soon." Although there were many people sitting next to him, Nalan Meier rarely left the house. He was not familiar with Fujin, the direct concubine of each prince's house. Even if he sat together, he didn't know what to say. .
After Yunhu left the Jianlou, she did not go to see Hongmin and Hongchang. Instead, she stood outside the Jianlou where Sai Zhe was staying, as if waiting for someone. She waited like this until Hongshi showed up.
"Hey, Uncle Eighth, why are you standing here?" After finishing speaking smoothly, Hongcai remembered Nala's instructions, but it was too late.
Yunhu smiled softly and said, "Uncle Eight wants to say something to you, is that okay?"
Hongshi hesitated for a moment, nodded in agreement, and after following Yunhu to a place with few people, he said: "If you need anything, Uncle Eight, just tell me. I will go in and prepare later."
Faced with his different alienation from the past, Yunhu didn't care at all and said with his hands: "I have made an agreement with Hongmin, Hongchang and the others before coming here. During the competition, they will do their best to help you win."
His words made Hongshi extremely surprised, and he said in amazement: "Uncle Eighth, what are you..."
Yunsu raised his hand and said: "Hongshi, to tell you the truth, since my eighth uncle has been idle at home, he has experienced all kinds of human kindness. Officials who used to be friends with his eighth uncle are now avoiding each one. The so-called Prince Lian It's even more in name only. You are the only one who is willing to get close to Uncle Eighth, which really touches Uncle Eighth. Uncle Eighth knows that this competition is extremely important to you and cannot be lost, and if you win, the emperor will also be grateful to you. You look at me differently, so Uncle Eight will definitely do his best to help you win this game."
After listening to what he said, Hongshi was greatly moved. He remembered that he had alienated him because he had listened to Nala's words before, and he felt extremely guilty. He quickly said: "Uncle Eighth, there is no need to be like this. Besides, Hongmin and Hongchang want to be together." How can I feel sorry for giving up the opportunity to help me?"
"You don't have to say it. In short, Uncle Eight has made up his mind. The only thing you have to do now is to win more handsomely later. Don't let Hongli and the others steal the spotlight."
As soon as Hongli was mentioned, Hongshi's face suddenly filled with anger and he said in a sinister voice: "Uncle Eighth, don't worry, I will definitely not lose to Hongli and the others."
"Seeing that you are so determined, Uncle Eight feels relieved." After saying that, Yunhu patted Hongshi on the shoulder and said, "Okay, hurry up and get ready. Uncle Eight is waiting for your good news."
After Hong Shi left, a sarcastic smile appeared on Yun Si's face. Unexpectedly, such a shrewd person as the fourth child would give birth to a stupid son. If he was a little nicer to him, he would even forget his own surname. .