A few days later, the Queen Mother's illness became more and more serious. A group of doctors from the Imperial Hospital were waiting in the Yining Palace, unable to leave even half a step away. In order to fulfill his filial piety, Xuan Ling, in addition to handling government affairs, always spent most of the day waiting in front of the Queen Mother's bed.
. After seven or eight consecutive days, Xuan Ling was very tired, and he only rested with Concubine De and me every day. Besides being busy with palace affairs, I also wanted to comfort Xuan Ling and make him feel at ease.
The weather was fine that day, and the morning breeze carried the fragrance of lotus flowers. I opened the window and looked at the lotus pavilions under the lotus terrace, which looked like a pond filled with large pink clouds. I was dressing up in front of the dressing table, and I didn't realize it for a moment.
The moment I looked back, in the dim light of morning, I could vaguely see Xuan Qing standing behind me like this, with a hand on my shoulder, admiring the flowers blooming, and waiting for the time to pass.
My heart suddenly softened, and the heart that had been filled with disputes and calculations for several years was like a roll of clear paper, softly unfolding, and the soft brushstrokes soaked in color were filled with the fragrance of lotus.
There was silence for a long time, as if it was still the time in Lingyun Peak, and the years were quiet. After sitting for a long time, my knees were slightly sore. I didn't dare to turn around, and I couldn't bear to look, for fear that I would lose everything if I moved. I just felt that such a moment was a lifetime.
Tenderness that is hard to find.
He said gently: "Huan Huan, there are too many things going on right now, so I can take a breath and relax for a while with you."
That sound was like someone striking a harsh golden gong in the chaos of early morning sleep. It broke my sweet dream in an instant. I sighed silently in my heart, and with my tender heart that had not yet dissipated, I reached out and held his hand.
Hand, "Your Majesty, you have worked hard these days."
He was grateful for my close consideration and lowered his head to kiss the palm of my hand. His breath was so close, with the bitter smell of ambergris, which was completely different from the smell of Du Ruo on him. I couldn't help but hold my breath.
Hold your breath and restrain yourself from looking away.
I saw that Xuan Ling seemed to be interested, so I suggested: "Although the lotus flowers on the lotus platform are beautiful, they are not as beautiful as the Taiye Pond when you look at it from a distance. Why don't I, my concubine, accompany the emperor on a tour of Taiye?"
Xuan Ling held my hand and walked all the way. The verandahs and winding bridges were twisting and turning. Dozens of red-billed lovebirds were raised under the verandas. They were originally raised by An Lirong. Although the people are gone, the birds are still alive.
It's so good, chirping, crowing, and lingering. There are red fish swimming in the clear blue water, two or three pink water lilies bloom, and white-winged egrets perch beside the crimson calamus, taking pictures from time to time.
A few strings of clear water droplets rose up. The strong fragrance of early summer became more dazzling in the splendid palace, and the warm floral fragrance after being washed by the water waves made people more intoxicated.
After walking far, he and I sat down in the Agarwood Pavilion. At this time, the peonies had all withered, and the seasonal hibiscus bloomed beside the pavilion. I am used to seeing the graceful and heavenly fragrance of peonies, but the hibiscus similar to peonies has the easy-going nature of Xiaojiabiyu.
, is also touching. Xuan Ling said: "It's only the beginning of summer, and there are not many lotus flowers in Taiye Pond, but they are not as prosperous as this hibiscus."
I looked into the distance with a smile, "In the Agarwood Pavilion, you can see the beautiful scenery of Taiye from a distance, and you can see the hibiscus blooming from a closer look. It is a very good place."
Xuan Ling looked very satisfied, nodded and said: "It would be better if there is a Qingge at this moment." He thought about it, "Ask Yanbi to come, there is no need to ask the musicians to follow, just let her sing a pure part."
.”
On such a fine day, the sandalwood board was tapped lightly, and melodious music came out. Xuan Ling was sitting upright, holding a cup of green plum soup in his hand, and gently stroking his palms in time with the beat. The faint fragrance of hibiscus only dispersed his leisurely arms.
Yanbi's voice is very refreshing, and the end notes often have a lazy sound, lazy, unintentional, but full of charm, just like her. She holds a small light fan in her hand and wears a light twilight-colored trousers.
The long skirt with pleated plum blossoms nonchalantly sang the song "There is a Strange Tree in the Garden":
"There is a strange tree in the courtyard, with lush green leaves. Climb the branches to break its glory, and you will miss it. The sweet fragrance fills your sleeves, and the road is far to reach it. This thing is not expensive, but I feel that I will never see it again."
Such an elegant song filled the entire courtyard like light smoke and mist, and silk and bamboo became unnecessary embellishments. The golden and transparent sunlight shone among the flowers and trees, clearly adding only a slight melancholy like mist.
After singing for a long time, Concubine Yan stopped to rest. Xuan Ling was still intoxicated by the singing and could not wake up until King Yuli of Qi and his concubine Xu appeared.
After greeting them, Xuan Ling asked them to sit down, and I took a closer look at the couple. After getting married, the eldest son of the emperor and the princess were inseparable, and they did not lose their love as husband and wife because of Xu's status as the adopted daughter. Xu was noble and comfortable after marriage, and Xu Yiren
Even more visible is the plump, milky white loose-fitting cross-collar long coat with pink background, the rose gold-inlaid tube top is covered with rose flowers woven from snow-white pearls, and the rose-purple petticoat is tied with a light-weight flower cage skirt covered in tumeric gold.
The golden threads were piled up into flowers and birds, which made her skin even more radiant than snow, more gorgeous and light. I nodded slightly, Xu Yiren was no longer an orphan in the past, relying on a wealthy family. She was now a truly wealthy person, the golden branch of the heavenly family.
I asked the eldest son of the emperor, "Are you here to pay your respects to the Queen Mother?"
The eldest son of the emperor respectfully answered "yes" and added: "Seeing that the emperor's grandmother was unconscious and difficult to wake up, Yiren felt uneasy. He planned not to return to the palace but to go to Tongming Hall with his sons and ministers to pray for the emperor's grandmother."
Xuan Ling closed his eyes and said "Huh", as if with admiration, "You have indeed become more sensible after your wedding." He then asked, "Yiren, can you go and pay your respects to Mrs. Zhuang Min? You used to be taken care of by her in the palace.
Don’t neglect etiquette.”
Yiren's eyes dimmed and she said in a low voice, "I've been there."
Xuan Ling asked again: "I haven't had time to visit her these two days. Did you see harmony in her palace? Is the emperor okay?" Yiren hesitated for a moment, looking a bit hesitant. Xuan Ling smiled slightly.
Confused, he unconsciously opened his eyes to look at her, "It's okay that I haven't seen her before, why are you speaking so vaguely and hesitantly?"
Yu Li saw that Xuan Ling looked reproachful, and stood up hurriedly: "It's not that Yiren was hesitant and deceitful, but that Mrs. Zhuang Min didn't let her son and Yiren enter the Yanxi Palace to pay their respects. The maid of Yanxi Palace reported back that the lady had already
I went to attend to the Queen Mother’s illness.”
"In fact, Mrs. Zhuang Min did not go to the Yanxi Palace to attend to the illness, because the palace servants at the Queen Mother said that the lady had left not long ago. The slave also saw the maid from the Yanxi Palace coming out to pour the water for washing rouge, which shows that the lady was still changing clothes in the palace.
Makeup." After Yu Li finished speaking, a maid behind Yi Ren couldn't help but defend herself.
"Su Zi, don't be so presumptuous!" Yiren hurriedly knelt down and bowed his head and said, "It's my fault, it's my fault, it's made my wife very upset, and she's still so stubborn. After I go to Tongming Hall to pray for blessings, my son will go to the thorn bush to plead guilty, and ask my wife to give me a beating.
I let my son vent his anger."
Xuan Ling looked suspicious, "For what reason did you offend Yun Rong to this extent?"
Yiren burst into tears, biting her lips and saying nothing. I hurriedly helped her up and said, "You are a princess and have just become the bride of the heavenly family. How can you shed tears?" Yuli blushed and said nothing, although I knew it in my heart.
It was hard to speak even though she knew it well, but it was Concubine Yan who revealed it, "The princess was originally proposed by Mrs. Zhuang Min to the emperor as a concubine. Who knew that the princess and His Highness were in love, so His Highness asked the Emperor to marry the princess. Madam.
With all his enthusiasm, how could he not resent the princess for defecting before the battle and ruining her efforts?"
"Defection before battle?"
Yiren is given to Li'er. I feel more relieved that Li'er has a good wife. Not only can she not understand the general situation, but she is angry with Yiren for it. It can be seen that she recommends Yiren just for her own favor!" Xuan Ling raised a cup of green plum soup and drank it.
After finishing the drink, he said, "If you don't understand the general situation, how can you look like the daughter of a noble relative, but she is not as good as a young girl from Pengmen!"
Yiren's words were sad and sad, "My wife is my elder in any case, so if I make any mistakes, it will not be the fault of my elders. If my father gets angry and hurts me again because of my wife's affairs, I will be punished by death."
.”
Yu Li also knelt down and said, "Father, please take care of the dragon body."
"Get up. Don't mention this matter again." Xuan Ling said gently: "Yi Ren is gentle and filial. She is my good daughter-in-law." He told Li Chang, "Go and give the red lychee bracelet that Nanzhao paid tribute to Princess Qi.
.”
I took Yi Ren's hand and asked her to sit down next to me, and said with a smile: "This red lychee bracelet is a tribute from Nanzhao. It's just a twisted piece of red gold. It has three parallel lychees carved with rubies."
The appearance is crystal clear, and the workmanship is exquisite as if it were made from nature. A few days ago, Shu and Di Ji liked the emperor but did not reward it, which shows that they value their eldest daughter-in-law."
Xuan Ling put the bracelet on Yiren's wrist with his own hands and said: "Your concubine Shu is good at making tea. Today the palace has newly arrived the finest 'green phoenix marrow'. You guys should try it together."
The two of them thanked each other together, and Yanbi chose a light and melodious tune and sang slowly, pleasantly as if she was listening carefully, but from time to time she lowered her head to look at the exquisite and crystal bracelet on her wrist, showing an overjoyed expression.
"Amber sticks are used to cook phoenix marrow in tea. The green phoenix marrow is as rare as the ambergris used by the Holy One. It is an extremely precious tea product." I held up my wide sleeves with gold, boiled water, and held the cup.
, wash the cup, grind the tea, order the bowl, and stir with a pure silver tea spoon. "The Book of Tea" says that there are preparations for making tea, including choosing water, making fire, waiting for the soup, and practicing the five steps of tea, among which waiting for the soup is the most important.
.The cooked tea soup is heavy and turbid, while the essence floats on top, so it is better to drink it continuously while it is hot. Once the tea is cold, the essence will be exhausted and become a commonplace."
The water was gradually dewing, and the fragrance was full. I poured the cooked tea soup into the cup one by one, took a pleasant sip, and praised: "It smells so good! The tea soup is green and clear, better than what I have eaten all day."
The scented tea I drank was much better.”
Xuan Ling tasted it carefully for a moment and said: "The most important thing about good tea is its mellow taste. Although plum blossom, jasmine and other flower teas are also commonly used in the palace, which can enhance the fragrance and charm, but they can only be used on ordinary tea leaves. Good tea has
It is really fragrant. When you put it into a cup, the fragrance spreads all over and refreshes your heart and mind. If you add other things, it will destroy the original flavor of the tea and make it unbeautiful." He paused and said, "Just like being in the palace, intelligence and dignity are like good tea, and the natural fragrance will move the world. If
If there is too much calculation, it will be like adding too much other things to the tea, which will destroy the original flavor and turn it into a turbid substance. It is pleasant, you must remember it."
Yiren answered "yes" respectfully. Xuan Ling was very satisfied and asked, "Go to Concubine Shu as often as you can. Learn how to cook tea or write poems. Learn everything from Concubine Shu."
After speaking, everyone laughed and talked about the tea ceremony. It was a scene of harmony between the heaven and the family.
In the distance, there is the exquisite sound of silk and bamboo orchestra, slowly lingering in the wind. At first it was far away, only half a strand reached the ears, and gradually it became a complete tune. Across the clear waves of Taiye, there were lush flowers and trees.
I could hear the clear voice of a female musician, the melodious silk and bamboo, singing one song over and over again.
"The water in the river flows eastward, and the daughter of Luoyang is named Mochou. Mochou was able to weave silk at the age of thirteen, and picked mulberries on the streets of the south at the age of fourteen. She married into the Lu family at the age of fifteen, and her son was named Ahou at the age of sixteen. The orchid family of the Lu family was named Gui.
There are tulips and styrax in the middle of the beam. There are twelve rows of gold hairpins on the head, and five silk shoes on the feet. The coral hanging mirror is rotten and shiny, and the flat-headed slave is carrying the shoe box. What can I hope for wealth in life? I hate marrying the king of my employer."
Xuan Ling listened for a moment and said, "Let's go and see who is listening to the music."
So everyone followed and followed the sound. The sound got closer and closer as we headed toward the Yanxi Palace. I finally stopped and said, "Your Majesty, please allow me to leave first."
Xuan Ling looked at my slightly pale complexion and asked with concern: "Are you feeling unwell? Do you need to call the imperial doctor?"
I shook my head hastily, "Please allow me to leave first."
The gorgeous gate of Yanxi Palace was already a hundred steps away, Xuan Ling said: "You don't want to see Yunrong? Although she is a little girl with a temperament..."
"Your Majesty, the song from Yanxi Palace is called "Song of Mochou"." Ye Lanyi said coldly.
"Yes." Yiren looked at Xuan Ling's expression with stern eyes, "This song is "Mo Chou Song" composed by Xiao Yan, Emperor Wu of Liang Dynasty. It is sung by a woman named Mo Chou. The Yanxi Palace only sang this song over and over again.
song……"
The eldest son of the emperor was a little surprised. He held her hand and said in surprise: "Why can't I hear it?"
"This song was sung by a singer in the Wu accent. The Emperor and His Highness grew up in Kyoto, so they can't hear it. I lived in the land of Wu and Yue when I was young, so I can hear it clearly. Many of the concubines in the palace are from Wu and Yue, so I guess.
You can understand them. If you don’t believe me, you can ask them."
Xuan Ling waved her hand neatly to interrupt her, "Stop talking."
The sound of silk and bamboo filling my ears, and the warm sound of the singing platform, cannot offset my pale complexion at this moment. Those beautiful singers in the Yanxi Palace blended a trace of danger and murderous intention into beautiful display and exquisite enjoyment.
Xuan Ling stood quietly, listening to the elegant and gentle music repeated a hundred steps away, praising a woman's beautiful life, but it was also a ruined life. He asked Li Chang calmly, "I have ordered
The palace is not allowed to mention the old story of Concubine Shu leaving the palace, right?"
"Yes." Li Changgong replied.
"Ms. Hu is so brave!"
"Let her listen if she likes. The concubine is the one who can't let go of the past." I burst into tears and slowly leaned down. My gorgeous long clothes were scattered on the ground, like a gorgeous and cold cloud. "Your Majesty,
, don’t blame Yunrong, after all, it was my concubine’s mistake back then.”
He leaned down and hugged me into his arms, covering my cold body with his golden color that symbolized the emperor, "It doesn't matter whose fault it is, what's important is that no one can ignore the authority of the emperor. My words are true to my word."
"Li Chang," he looked straight at the splendid Yanxi Palace, "he sent a decree to the Sixth Palace. The Queen Mother is dying. Mrs. Zhuang Min, Mrs. Hu, does not want to be filial to her superiors, and does not show sympathy to her daughter-in-law. She is demoted to the second-grade concubine. She has no intention to do so.
See me."
I grabbed Xuan Ling's lapel tightly and begged: "Your Majesty, we cannot punish Yun Rong at this time. The Queen Mother is seriously ill and the Queen has been grounded. After all, Yun Rong is also a relative of the royal family and a person whom the Queen Mother loves. If we punish her at this time,
She, the Queen Mother, will definitely be unhappy if she knows this in her heart. The Emperor cannot help but guard against unrest in the harem."
Xuan Ling held his breath slightly, as if to calm down the anger surging in his chest. Yi Ren also advised, "Father, even if Concubine Hu is usually more arrogant, Father, please don't get angry and hurt your body. We can wait until the Queen Mother is healed."
Bar."
Xuan Ling hugged me and stood up, silently looking at the Yanxi Palace with a calm look in his eyes.