Chapter 5 Hundreds of Strategies to Avoid the Enemy
It was already nightfall when we returned to Yingxintang. Jin Xi and others were as anxious as ants on a hot pot when they saw that I hadn't come back for a long time. www. They all breathed a sigh of relief when I came back, saying that it was the queen who had passed down the decree.
, the new palace concubine will start to attend to the bed from tomorrow night, and she specially asked me to prepare well. I was even more upset after hearing this. I didn’t have much appetite for dinner, so I only drank a few mouthfuls of soup and then walked alone to the courtyard in front of the hall to relax.
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The Yuzhou sweet-scented osmanthus bloomed extremely prosperously in the courtyard, looking like little bits of gold under the dim moonlight, and its fragrance was fragrant and lingering. I had no intention of admiring the flowers. I looked at the eaves of the palace outside the palace gate, which overlapped like mountains, and was very worried.
Concubine Hua's attitude towards me and Meizhuang has always been ambiguous. She seemed to want to win us over to become her wings but retained a certain attitude. Therefore, she publicly suppressed us in Zhaoyang Palace and vented her anger on me in severely punishing Liang Cairen in Shanglin Garden.
But she was so cunning. Liang Cairen obviously took action to punish Ling Rong, but Concubine Hua said the reason for punishing her was that Liang had offended me. But the only thing that is certain is that I have made many enemies. From Liang Cai
People's jealousy and dissatisfaction can be seen in people's attitudes. It is only Liang's arrogance that makes him blatantly rude and violent. But such a bright sword and spear can at least be blocked by soldiers and covered by water. If the first one is selected tomorrow,
I am so favored by the emperor that people often plot against me behind my back. It is really hard to guard against it. I am afraid that my end will be even more miserable than that of Liang!
When I think of this, I still have lingering fears. Although Concubine Hua has an ambiguous attitude, she seems to be waiting and watching for the time being and will not do anything to me. But if my holy family's superiority endangers her status, won't I become a thorn in her side?
, I must get rid of it quickly. Then I am surrounded by enemies from both sides in this harem, and the situation is very bad. My parents want me to protect myself. If I am convicted, even the Zhen family will inevitably be implicated!
I looked at the broken and withered golden osmanthus all over the ground, and I secretly had a suspicion in my heart.
The night wind blew over my body and I couldn't help but feel a layer of chill. Suddenly I felt warm and had an extra satin coat on me. When I turned around, I saw Huanbi standing behind me and saying with concern: "It's windy at night, miss, be careful of catching a cold."
He smiled tiredly: "I feel a little unwell, so I ordered Xiao Yunzi to ask the imperial doctor to come and take a look. Remember, I only want Master Wen Shichu." Huanbi hurriedly asked Liu Zhu to help me in, and ordered Xiao Yunzi to ask for Wen Shichu.
Don’t mention it.
Wen Shichu arrived soon. Only Liu and Zhu Huanbi were left to serve me, and the others were waiting outside. Wen Shichu took a pulse, looked at my face again, and asked with a trace of doubt in his eyes: "I don't know what the young master is doing."
Where does the disease start?"
I said calmly: "I was frightened a few days ago and caught a cold again in the evening."
I glanced at him, and he immediately lowered his eyelids and did not dare to look at me. I said slowly: "That day, the master in Kuaixuexuan Hall once said that he would be good to Zhen Huan for the rest of his life. I wonder if this statement still holds true today?"
The muscles on Wen Shichu's face twitched, obviously he didn't expect me to ask such a question, and he immediately knelt down and said, "I can't bear these small words of my master. But my master knows that I always keep my promises, and besides..." His voice was low.
He went on, but he was extremely firm and sincere: "No matter where the little master is, my feelings for the little master will never change."
My heart immediately felt relieved. Wen Shichu was indeed a long-term lover. I read it correctly. I raised my hand to signal him to come: "There is no room for any feelings in the palace. Just be loyal to me and keep your promise." My voice was gentle.
: "Now I have something to ask of you. I wonder if Mr. Wen is willing to help?"
He said: "My young master only needs to give instructions."
I looked straight at the flickering candle flame with an expressionless face and whispered, "I don't want to go to bed."
He was startled, but his expression returned to normal in an instant, and he said: "Young master, you have a good rest. I have prescribed the prescription and will send it to the Royal Pharmacy."
I told Liu Zhu: "Send it to your lord." I also asked Huanbi to give Wen Shichu a piece of gold. Just as he was about to refuse, I whispered, "It's just my wish. Besides, it doesn't look good when you go out empty-handed."
Only then did I accept it.
Huanbi helped me lie down and rest. Wen Shichu's medicine arrived soon, and he boiled a small dose of Xiaoyinzi for me to sleep. When I woke up the next day, the attack became more severe. Wen Shichu reported: Guangui was frightened and was suffering from seasonal diseases caused by wind and cold.
I needed to rest. The queen sent Liu Anren who was beside me to visit me, and she repeatedly expressed regret that I was ill at the wrong time. I struggled to remember to express my gratitude but was unable to do so, so Liu Anren hurriedly got up and went to reply.
The queen directed Wen Shichu to treat me, and at the same time ordered Chun Changzai and Shi Meiren to move out of Tangli Palace so that I could rest. I sent Jinxi to Fengyi Palace in person to express my gratitude, and began living alone in Tangli Palace.
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As soon as the news of my illness came out, everyone in the palace laughed at me behind my back, thinking that although I was as beautiful as a flower, I was as timid as a mouse and an embroidered pillow that was worthless. Everyone's fear of Concubine Hua became even greater.
The days were good at the beginning. The concubines below Hua Fei even came to visit and greet me in person. Hua Fei also sent the palace maids to visit, which was very lively. A month later, my illness still showed no signs of improvement.
My medical skills have always been praised by the concubines in the palace, and he treated me diligently, but my illness continued to get better and worse. Wen Shichu had no choice but to report to me that my energy was weak and I did not dare to abuse the medicine of tiger and wolf, so I needed to nurse myself back to health slowly.
Once he was nursed back to health, there was no deadline. As soon as the news was released, the number of people who came to visit gradually decreased. In the end, except for Chun Changzai who occasionally came over, Meizhuang Lingrong and Wen Shichu came often. The courtyard was really deserted.
, the door is empty. Everyone knows that a concubine who has been ill for a long time, even if she looks like a fairy, will not be able to see the holy face, let alone be favored! Fortunately, I have already expected this result, although I sigh
The people in the palace tend to follow the trend, but they are also happy and comfortable. They stay in the palace all day reading and embroidering, and slowly "conditioning" their bodies.
Although I live alone in the deep palace, things outside can't be hidden from me, and they come in through Meizhuang and Lingrong. But they are afraid of hindering my recovery, so they only say a few words. But based on these words, I understand
After the Liang Cairen incident and my frightened illness, Concubine Hua's arrogance was at its peak. Among the new concubines, Meizhuang was the most favored. After staying in bed for half a month, the Jin Dynasty made her a concubine and gave her the title "Hui". Followed by Liang Yuan Liu Lingxian
Du Peiyun, the harmonious concubine, has not yet become a leader. Among the old concubines, Concubine Xin Gui, Concubine Li Gui and Concubine Qin Fangyi are still favored. Meizhuang has only been in the palace for a month, which is not enough to compete with Concubine Hua, so it is okay to tolerate everything.
Everything was fine. It was just that there were constant jealousies among the concubines, and people gradually forgot about me, a sick nobleman, during the fights.
The days passed very leisurely for more than a month, but I noticed something strange. Kang Luhai and his apprentice Xiao Yinzi became more and more restless, and gradually began to ignore me. I ordered them to do whatever they said.
All the errands and work fell on the small eunuch Xiao Yunzi and the other rough eunuch eunuch. Kang Luhai and Xiao Yinzi took the lead, and some of the maids below became restless.
He was unable to discipline him, so something always happened, and he gradually started to quarrel with Liu Zhu and Huan Bi.
One morning, I was sitting under the window in Xinuang Pavilion drinking peanut cheese made by Jin Xi. Kang Luhai and Xiao Yinzi invited An in, and knelt down in front of the couch, crying: "I can no longer serve you."
The little master!"
I was startled and immediately ordered them to get up and talk. Kang Luhai and Xiao Yinzi stood in front of me, crying and saying that Li Guifei had named them to serve. I glanced at him, and he immediately lowered his head and wiped the corners of his eyes with his sleeves.
.I had sharp eyes and saw that there was no trace of tears on the sleeve he wiped at the corner of his eyes. I knew he was lying and it was inconvenient to expose him. I just said lightly: "I know. This is a good place and it is your destiny. Pack your things and go."
Let's go there at noon. Serve Mistress Li with all your heart." I felt disgusted in my heart, so I stopped looking at them after saying that, and just slowly drank the peanut cheese. After finishing the bowl of cheese, I thought for a while and called all the servants in the room.
, Wu Yaya knelt on the ground.
I said cheerfully: "I have been ill for more than two months. I am still not in good spirits these days, and I am afraid that the illness will continue. I have so many servants in the palace, and I really don't need so many people to serve me."
To be honest, it’s annoying to have so many people milling around in front of you. So I asked you to come in today because I have something to ask you: I want to send a few slaves out and let them serve other concubines.
It's wasted here in vain. If any of you want to go out, just come to me and get a piece of silver and leave."
Several little palace maids had expressions of eagerness on their faces, but no one dared to move. They just looked at each other and looked at you.
I added: "Today, Concubine Li has appointed Eunuch Kang and Eunuch Yin to serve her. She packed her things and left. You still don't congratulate them."
Everyone said a few words of "congratulations" sparsely, but Liu Zhu couldn't bear it anymore and gritted his teeth and said: "Eunuch Kang, my young master has always treated you well, and you will get the first share of any reward. Why now?
Climb a high branch and just leave?"
Seeing her being so aggressive, Xiao Yinzi took two steps back unconsciously. Kang Luhai's expression remained unchanged and said: "Miss Liu Zhu is wrong, and I can't help myself. I only want to serve Wan Gui, but Master Li pointed out that
If you lose your name, there is nothing you can do about it."
Liu Zhu sneered: "I can't help myself, but I didn't know that there is such a thing as forcing a cow to have its head pressed without drinking water! Since you only want to serve the nobles, this gives you a chance to show your loyalty. Go and resign."
"Master Li, tell her that you are a loyal servant and will serve only two masters. Of course, Master Li does not blame you, but also praises your loyalty!" Kang Luhai and Xiao Yinzi's faces turned red and white, and they were covered in red.
It was very embarrassing to grab the white spot.
I pretended to be angry and said: "Liu Zhu, of course I know the 'loyalty' of Eunuch Kang, so give him some money!"
Huanbi strolled forward, put the silver in Kang Luhai's hand, and said with a smile: "Eunuch Kang, take it for sure. This silver is rewarded to you by the Wan nobleman you have been thinking about. You must take it seriously."
Collect it carefully and don’t mix it up with the rewards given by Li Gui’s concubine in the future, to show your loyalty to the Han while you are in Cao’s camp.” Then he gave Xiao Yinzi: “Eunuch Yin, you have also collected it. Learn from me in the future.
With your master's loyalty, you have a bright future." Kang Luhai was obviously very embarrassed, but he never dared to show up in front of me. He made a shackles in despair and walked out of Tangli Palace.
I looked back at the remaining people and said in a cold tone: "If you want to leave today, let's go together. I still have money to share with you. If you can't bear the hardship of following me in the future and want to leave, the only choice is to be sent to the Sentence Department to do hard labor."
You have to figure it out for yourself."
The sunlight moved eastward gradually, shining brightly on the ground, leaving white marks on the ground. The room in the west was as quiet as a pool of stagnant water. Finally, a female voice whispered: "I am stupid, I am afraid that I will not be able to serve my little master well."
"I didn't even look at her, I just glanced at Huanbi. She threw the silver on the ground. With a "dong" sound, it rolled a long way away. The person finally carefully went over to pick it up, and two more people came.
We got the money and went out together.
It was silent for most of the day. When I turned around, there were only Jin Xi, Pin'er, Pei'er, Jingqing, and the eunuchs Xiao Yunzi and Xiao Lianzi kneeling on the ground. I glanced over one by one and saw them kneeling on the ground respectfully.
, not even daring to make a sound, then lowered his voice and said: "Do you still want to leave?"
Jin Xi straightened up and said briefly and neatly: "I swear to be loyal to Mr. Wan to the death!"
Pin'er, Pei'er and Jingqing also said loudly: "Slaves swear to be loyal to my little master and will never dare to do those unethical things."
Little Yunzi knelt and moved to me, grabbed the corner of my clothes and cried, "I have received great kindness from you, and I will never dare to betray you."
I nodded: "You understand?"
Xiao Yunzi kowtowed and said: "Last month, my brother was ill in the royal kitchen and was ignored for several days. The young master was still thinking about him even though he was ill. He also specially invited Mr. Wen to treat him. The servant accepted it.
I can't repay this great kindness in this life, I can only serve my little master with all my heart. In the future, when I die and become Wei Tuo, I will support my little master and become a Buddha."
I laughed out loud: "What a glib mouth!"
Little Yunzi kowtowed a few times and said, "These are all my servant's true words. I would never dare to deceive my little master!"
I motioned him to get up: "If you keep kowtowing, your head will be broken, so I won't ask Mr. Wen to come and see you again." Everyone laughed.
I asked Xiao Lianzi again: "What about you?" Xiao Lianzi said seriously: "My master always remembers the good slaves in his eyes. The slaves are not heartless people."
There was a warmth in my heart. Not everyone in the palace was unkind! I thought for a while and said: "Now that the night is cold, it is not a problem for Xiao Yunzi and Xiao Lianzi to spend the night on the corridor. Why?
Give them a thick quilt and let them stay in the side hall and pin it on the corridor." The two of them hurriedly thanked me. I stood up and helped the kneeling people one by one, and said softly: "Follow me for a whole day.
I haven't enjoyed it either. I am just a nobleman who has been ill and lost power for a long time. If you treat me like this, I can't treat you well. I just won't let you be treated badly in this palace as long as I am here." Everyone looked serious.
I bowed my head and thanked him. I said to Liu Zhu Huanbi: "You go and prepare a table of wine and food. Everyone in Tangli Palace will sit down and have a meal together tonight, regardless of their seniority!" As soon as I finished speaking, everyone was in tears.
Well, I couldn't help but be moved.
Tangli Palace is already a deserted place, the weather is getting colder and colder at night, and the wind is strong at night. Chun is often in Hemeizhuang, and the mausoleum rarely comes at night. The palace door is bolted at night, and it is a place where no one cares.
After a night of dinner, everyone was drunk. It was probably the first time in the history of the palace that masters and servants were all drunk together. I was sick repeatedly, and Jin Xi and others did not dare to let me drink more, but I insisted on having a good time.
After drinking a few more glasses, I fell asleep.
When I woke up the next day, it was already three o'clock in the morning, and my head was still a little drowsy. Jinxi cut two round pieces of red silk plaster and put them on my temples. She also gave me some green salt to paint my teeth and served me some tea.
After rinsing my mouth, I lay on the bed and was too lazy to get up when I heard the wind blowing loudly outside the window.
I heard someone laughing from far away: "I'm going to be freezing! My dear, it's so good to sleep!" Jinxi held a pillow for me to lean on, and saw Jingqing leading two people in big red satin cloaks, taking off the
The hood looked around and saw that it was Meizhuang and Lingrong. Meizhuang came up and touched my face: "Do you feel better?"
I smiled slightly and said, "It's just the same." Lingrong said as he untied his cloak, "Sister's plaster looks more playful now, and her face becomes more rosy."
Mei Zhuang laughed: "What's so naughty? She's becoming more and more like a crazy woman because no one cares about her! Don't praise her, otherwise she will be even more proud!"
I looked at Meizhuang's outfit and smiled: "Are these the materials and jewelry newly awarded by the Emperor?" She blushed slightly and just smiled. I pursed my lips and smiled, looking at the pair of green and transparent jade crow hairpins on her head, and said
: "This hairpin looks very generous, and its jade color is good."
Lingrong smiled and said: "Sure enough, heroes think alike. I said the same thing just now. Sister Mei is very attached to the Holy Family now."
Meizhuang's face turned even redder and he said, "I just sent you a few baskets of silver charcoal. Your palace is remote and there are many trees. I'm afraid it will get colder in the next few days, which will not be good for your condition."
I smiled and said, "Why is it so delicate? The charcoal has been sent to you."
Ling Rong said: "It's not placed on the porch! It's black charcoal, it's very gray and cannot be used in the house. Sister Mei should go and tell the Queen about why those servants are so neglectful of Sister Wan!"
I quickly stopped: "All slaves are like this. And because you are favored, they don't dare to neglect me very much. Every case is no less. Besides, it's better to do less than to do more. Didn't you send me some help? Give me timely help.
, this affection is the most precious, it makes me happier than a hundred baskets of silver charcoal."
Meizhuang asked curiously: "When I came in just now, why did I feel that your palace suddenly became so deserted? Even the charcoal was taken by Xiao Yunzi. Where are Kang Luhai and Xiao Yinzi?"
Lingrong interjected: "And there are Huan'er on the tea table and the two girls who are sweeping?"
I smiled faintly: "Kang Luhai and Xiao Yinzi were asked to go by Li Guifei's name, and they came to tell me after they were asked to leave. The others were sent away by me."
Mei Zhuang was very surprised: "Kang Luhai and Xiao Yinzi are people in your name, how could Li Guifei leave without even saying hello? Kang Luhai and Xiao Yinzi are two beasts who are willing to go?"
Then he asked: "Why did you send those girls away again?"
"My heart is no longer here. I wish I could spread my wings and fly high. I'm afraid I'll trap them. Such people will be a disaster sooner or later if they stay around. It's better to get rid of them as soon as possible."
Meizhuang pondered: "What do you mean..."
I said in a solemn voice: "There are not many slaves here, but they have no intention of staying here. It is better to leave early. Firstly, we can keep the good and truly loyal slaves; secondly, there are many people here, and you often come and go. Those slaves with different intentions will
If it is bribed by other people and used to deal with us, it will be impossible to guard against it."
Mei Zhuang nodded: "You should be careful! I have never been careful about this. It seems that I have to pay close attention to my slaves when I go back, including Lingrong."
Lingrong whispered: "Yes." She looked at me carefully and sighed slightly: "My sister is still so worried when she is ill. No wonder the illness has not been cured for a long time. Isn't it because she is too worried?"
Meizhuang also had a worried look on his face: "It stands to reason that Dr. Wen's medical skills are very good, but why is this disease not cured?"
I comforted her: "Sickness comes like a mountain, and goes away like a thread. The cold weather has made it harder to get better recently. However, it is much better than in the past few days."
I asked again: "Concubine Hua didn't do anything to you, right?"
Meizhuang glanced at Lingrong and said, "That's it. It's okay in terms of face."
I said softly: "I know you are honest and cautious, and Lingrong is cautious. But you still have to speak up when you shouldn't tolerate it. Don't tolerate it and indulge her."
Meizhuang understood and asked me again: "Is it okay to eat the ginseng I sent you last time?"
I smiled and said, "Please keep me in mind, that's good."
After sitting for a while and seeing that it was getting late, Mei Zhuang smiled and stood up to say goodbye: "You are tired after talking for a long time. I won't disturb you to rest. Let's leave first."
I sent them out with a smile on my face. Huanbi came in with the medicine and said with slight hesitation: "Miss, can you still take this medicine?"
I said: "Eat. Why not?"
She looked confused: "Would it not harm a good person's body if he takes this medicine?"
I smiled: "It's okay. His medicine just made my face look sick and my body weak after taking it. And if I take it every once in a while, it won't be a big problem." I looked at her and said, "Except for you and Liu Zhu, there is no one else.
Did someone else find out?"
Huanbi nodded and said: "Master Wen's medicine is very clever and no one has discovered it. But why did the young lady even hide it from the mistress Hui Bi and An Xuan?"
I whispered: "It is precisely because I feel like sisters with them that I don't tell them. Everything is possible, and once the secret is revealed, they will not be implicated in it. Besides, the more people who know, the easier it is for the news to leak out.
It’s not good for anyone.”
The concoction in the bowl was dark in color and exuded a sweet and sour taste. I raised my head and drank it.
Note:
1 Jade Crow Hairpin: "Jade Ya Hairpin". It looks like a crow's wing.