"That's enough, Concubine Xi!" Yinzhen interrupted Ling Ruo's words, "These words have gone beyond your duty. No matter what the reason is, since they have entered the palace, they must abide by the rules of the palace.
Since they knowingly break the rules, they should suffer the consequences; if everyone breaks the rules without being punished, then what is the use of rules and the use of national laws? Or does Concubine Xi think you are more respectful than national laws and palace rules?"
Yinzhen had always opposed the affair between palace officials, and since this dynasty had always followed Neo-Confucianism, he naturally felt Ling Ruo's words were extremely harsh.
"I never dare to have such an idea." Ling Ruo said with great fear: "It's just that I feel that the law is nothing more than human feelings, and the emperor, like the late emperor, is a virtuous and tolerant emperor, so I have the courage to intercede for Sanfu.
.At that time, the late emperor once showed extravagant kindness and gave a pair of eunuchs and palace maids food, which became a good story for a while; and the palace people were also grateful for the kindness of the late emperor."
In fact, the fate of the couple was not good, but they were the only couple given to them by Kangxi when he was still alive. If they were brought out, it could at least be said that the incident of the couple was a rule in this dynasty, and it was not too exceptional.
At this time, a low sobbing sound suddenly sounded in the hall, causing everyone to look at the sound, but they were overjoyed. They saw him crying secretly, and Su Peisheng was looking at him in astonishment.
Surprised, Yinzhen asked: "Sixi, why are you crying?"
Si Xi hurriedly ran to Yinzhen and knelt down, wiping her tears and saying, "Returning to the Emperor, I couldn't help but shed tears when I listened to Concubine Xi's words."
Yinzhen narrowed his eyes slightly and ignored the breakfast served by the palace servants, "Do you think Concubine Xi's words are reasonable?"
Hearing this, Si Xi kowtowed quickly and said, "I don't dare. The rules set by our ancestors are absolutely correct. But as I listened, I couldn't help but think of my master."
When Yinzhen saw that he was talking about Li Dequan, who had left the palace, he couldn't help but said: "What's wrong with Li Dequan? Haven't I already given him permission to leave the palace to live in his old age, and he will be given monthly silver coins every month." At this point, his voice suddenly changed.
He said sharply: "Is it because those people from the Ministry of Internal Affairs took advantage of him not being in front of me to deduct the moon silver?"
Si Xi hurriedly said: "When I returned to the emperor, the Ministry of Internal Affairs did not impose any harsh demands, and the master was not short of money. It's just that the last time I went to visit the master, I saw him sighing alone. I was curious and asked.
Next, I learned that the master felt lonely in old age. Although he had no shortage of food and clothing, he was all alone. He didn't even have anyone to talk to to relieve his boredom. No matter how big the house was, no matter how much money he had, he didn't know who to live in.
Who can use it best?"
Su Peisheng was listening and wondered for a while. He often went to see Li Dequan, so why didn't he know about this at all? Moreover, he didn't feel that the master was lonely. He spent the whole day either playing with the birds or going out for a walk, and he was very happy.
Hearing what was going on, Yinzhen's face softened slightly, "If he feels lonely, just buy a few maids to serve him, so that he won't be bored if he has someone to talk to."
"My slave has bought a few maids for the master a long time ago, but apart from daily life, the master does not want to talk to them much. After all, the master has been working in the palace all his life, and it is not convenient to talk to outsiders about many things. He can only
It rotted in his stomach. So the master and the slave sighed and said that if he had the courage to ask the late emperor to give him the maid of his choice to be a vegetable farmer, then now he would have a companion when he grows old, and he would not just watch the changes in the clouds.
sunrise
Yueluo; Sometimes even when he is sick, no one cares about him. As for the maid he bought, she only waits for him to drink medicine and doesn't know a word about it." At this point, Sixi wiped the blood that had just flowed.
Tears came out, and she cried out: "Every time I think of the master like this, I feel extremely pitiful. I just heard Concubine Xi's caring words for this servant, and I couldn't help it. Then I started sobbing, and asked your Majesty to forgive me for being so surprised."
crime."
Listening to his sincere words, Yinzhen felt much less unhappy in his heart, but he still said: "Even so, you won't cry. When did you become so useless?"
Si Xi kowtowed and said: "To be honest with the Emperor, slaves are lucky enough to serve by the Emperor and are treated favorably by the Emperor. They have never suffered any injustice. However, many eunuchs like slaves are doing heavy work while being treated by their superiors.
The eunuch scolded her harshly for even the slightest mistake.
They will inevitably have to suffer physical pain. And when they suffered, there was no one to apply medicine and feed them. Those with minor injuries could support themselves on the ground to beg for food, while those with serious injuries could only lie on the bed without any help.
People understand, a few seriously injured people starved to death because they had no food to eat."
Although such things happen in the palace, they are extremely rare. After all, many eunuchs sleep in a common bunk. If someone is injured and cannot move, other eunuchs will naturally help him get some food to eat. At most,
Just ask him for some money.
Si Xi deliberately went serious, just to arouse Yinzhen's sympathy. He has been serving Li Dequan since Yinzhen ascended the throne. In terms of seniority, he is still a bit older than Su Peisheng. Moreover, he has always been smart.
, good at observing words and colors, for
Yinzhen had some understanding. He knew that the emperor looked harsher than the late emperor, but he was still kind in his heart. Otherwise, he would not have tolerated the Fourteenth Master, nor would he have tolerated the Fourteenth Master even though he knew that the Queen Mother was partial to the Fourteenth Emperor.
Master, even though he misunderstood me, he still treated the Queen Mother kindly.
Without this understanding, when Mo'er came to him, even if he didn't object to Caihu in his heart, or even sympathized with Sanfu and Jade, he would never have dared to agree to help Concubine Xi. After all, if he didn't do something like this, he would lose his head.
.
After Si Xi's words fell, the Yangxin Hall has been in silence. Only the self-ringing bell from the West made a soft "tick" and "tick" sound.
Yinzhen closed his eyes for a long time. Gu Jing Wubo's face could not tell what he meant. Ling Ruo's nervous palms were sweating. She had taken a big risk in what happened today. If she could not convince Yinzhen, then she would have three blessings and two blessings.
Not to mention that people can't protect themselves, she herself will also leave an impression in Yinzhen's heart that she has exceeded her authority by interfering in the affairs of Kunning Palace.
After all, she is just a concubine. Even if she holds the power of the harem, it cannot change the fact that the concubine is a concubine. In the past dynasties, except for people like Concubine Wan Gui who played with the emperor in their hands, which concubine dared to control the queen?
thing.
In such an almost torturous wait, Yinzhen finally opened his eyes and said, "Where is Sanfu now?"
Ling Ruo hurriedly said: "If I go back to the emperor, I saw that he didn't dare to go back to Kunning Palace, so I asked him to stay in my palace. Do you want to summon him now?"
Yinzhen raised his hand and said: "I have to go to court and don't have much time to see him." After a pause, he said with a complicated expression: "Ruo'er, do you know that today you are the one who overstepped the mark and deceived the emperor behind?"