Xiao Yunzi and Xiao Lianzi tried their best to find a few dozen butterflies before the winter cold came. They were all butterflies with bright and pleasing colors, including pink, light purple, sapphire blue, bright green and orange.WWW
.tsxsw.COM I was naturally satisfied and said: "It's getting cold. The Ministry of Internal Affairs will send charcoal for winter use in the next two days. Go and tell Jiang Zhongmin that we don't want all the silk and satin clothing. We will replace them all."
Bring me a charcoal fire and a charcoal basin, and ask him to send more daffodils and plum blossoms."
Fortunately, I promoted Jiang Zhongmin to the Ministry of Internal Affairs that day. Even if the family is indifferent today and the emperor's favor is thin, no one would dare to withhold the quota as when he first entered the palace. In winter, if it were not for Meizhuang's help, all the money would be used.
There is black charcoal with acrid and thick smoke. At last, he still knows how to repay his kindness. Whatever I want from the palace, he will send it to me if he can make the decision.
I told Xiao Yunzi to go and then said to Jin Xi: "The Yingxin Palace is now empty. Put all the butterflies you have caught in the large glazed cover of the Nuan Pavilion to keep them. Use more charcoal fires in the Nuan Pavilion to make it as warm as possible.
Spring. Three times a day, you personally deliver flowers to the Nuan Pavilion for the butterflies to eat pollen." After I finished my instructions, I added: "You must do it yourself, I don't trust others."
Seeing my solemn expression and receiving such great trust from me, Jin Xi took care of those butterflies even more carefully even though she didn't understand my intention.
One day when I came to Meizhuang, I saw that my order was very interested in tailoring new clothes for me, and I couldn't help but show a little joy. Since I fell ill again, I no longer have the leisure time to put on makeup and powder, and I keep my face bare all day long, wearing all kinds of gorgeous clothes.
The expensive colored clothes and pearls and hairpins were all stored in the wardrobe. Since there was no one who could please me, I could not tolerate them. It could be regarded as mourning for my stillborn child and doing my best as a mother.
Mei Zhuang tentatively said with a half-smile, "But have you figured it out?"
I held the sky-blue cloud and wild goose brocade to compare with my body, smiled slightly, and said, "Thank you, sister, for teaching me. I am no longer the same person I was yesterday." Meizhuang's eyes were bright, and he looked at me with a groan and said, "
Since you have this intention, it’s not too late to do anything.”
I rolled up my sleeves and personally took the scissors to cut the waist of the new clothes. I lowered my head and said, "Sister, don't worry, we have a long way to go."
I haven't been idle.
I looked at myself in the mirror. The long-term depression and illness made me thinner than before. When I was changing my pajamas before going to bed, I raised my eyes and caught a glimpse of my collarbones in the mirror. There were three abrupt rows across my chest. I was almost frightened.
I still didn't believe it in my heart. I raised my right arm. The emerald silver necklace on my arm could almost reach my elbow. This silver necklace was small and well-fitting when it was made. However, a few months ago, it could only be stuffed with a handkerchief.
Now I look empty. I haven't looked at myself for a long time, and I didn't expect to be so thin, like a flower trembling on the branches in the autumn wind.
Sapphire color, translucent light green jade, but without the clean luster of jade, it seems to be covered with a layer of dust. The chin is becoming more and more pointed, making it look like a pair of charming clear water eyes are burning in the past.
I have burned out the ashes of the fire and lost my spirit of agility. Even if I am willing to appear in front of Xuan Ling, I will only get some sympathy from him. If I see him too much, I will disgust him, so what chance do I have of winning?
I found out some of the beauty recipes that Wen Shichu gave me when I was pregnant that day. I went to the Taiyuan Hospital to pick out strong and vigorous whole motherwort plants that were cut off during the Dragon Boat Festival. They had to be clean and there should be no dust on the grass. After being exposed to the sun
, Wen Shichu grinds it into fine powder by hand and sifts it, adds an appropriate amount of water and flour, mixes into a ball and sun-dries. Use a sealed three-layer yellow clay stove, spread charcoal on the bottom layer, and place charcoal on the middle layer.
Cover the sun-dried pills with a layer of charcoal on top, light the fire, and simmer over high heat. After simmering over high fire for about half an hour, switch to slow fire and simmer slowly. After about a day and night, take out the pills and wait until they are completely cool.
Transparent, and only the pills that are white and delicate in color are the best. Then use a jade hammer to grind the pills into fine powder in a porcelain bowl. After sifting, grind and sift again, the finer the better, and finally put it in a good porcelain bottle.
Good for backup.
The process of forging medicinal pills is very complicated, and the medicine will lose its effectiveness if there is any slight difference. This kind of motherwort with excellent medicinal properties must be harvested during the Dragon Boat Festival. The whole plant of motherwort must not be soiled, otherwise it will be completely ineffective;
When calcining, be careful not to use too strong a fire. If you use too much force, the pills will turn yellow and black, which will be almost ineffective. You are also very particular about the grinding hammer. The jade hammer is the best, followed by the antler hammer. Both jade and antler can moisturize the skin and remove acne.
The effect of curium in removing scars can be naturally used as medicine when ground, which just plays an auxiliary role. The fine powder made by grinding the pills can be cured by adding 6 qian of talc and 6 qian of rouge for every 60 qian.
It makes my skin glow like jade. After seeing my glowing face, Wen Shi was very proud and said: "It is said that this prescription was created by Empress Zetian of the Tang Dynasty, and it was called Fairy Jade Girl Powder.
Ten and his face is like eighteen.”
This sounds a bit exaggerated, and whether it was used by Empress Zetian is also a legend, but my face is indeed delicate and white because of it.
One time Meizhuang happened to come in to visit me and saw that Wen Shichu was working hard to forge medicine for me, so he sat aside and watched silently. I said to her: "This fairy jade powder is very effective. I was just about to order someone to give it to my sister."
.”
Meizhuang's expression was light, as if she had not slept well at night, and said: "No need. This thing will be of great help to you in the future. I have a natural appearance, so there is no need to put on makeup." She suddenly smiled brightly:
"Besides, if I modify my face into a beautiful one, who should I show it to?"
Mei Zhuang's words seemed like she was angry with someone. Her temper gradually became a little weird. Sometimes I didn't understand what she was thinking, and she wouldn't tell me. I went to her palace by chance and saw her lying on the bed alone.
In his sleep, his frown was still there, and there were still crystal tears on his cheeks.
That sentence, for some reason, stuck in my mind. Her smile was dazzlingly beautiful, but her tone was desolate and frustrated. She seemed to be asking herself, but also seemed to be asking me: "Besides, who will I give to my beautiful face after I have modified it?"
Want to go and see it?"
Jin Xi took pearl powder and poured it into hostas, steamed it, mixed it with dew and applied it on my face. I suddenly remembered Mei Zhuang’s words and became impatient. In my heart, I already knew that Xuan Ling was not mine.
A "beloved man", and "a woman has a face that pleases her", how could he ever be my "self-pleaser" if he is so cold-hearted and heartless? What's the point of putting so much effort into making his appearance beautiful?
Moreover, I clearly know that he only loves me because of his looks, but I can only attract him with my looks. How sad!
In such a chaotic situation, I suddenly heard the sound of neat and rapid footsteps outside the palace. I glanced at Xiao Yunzi. He went out for a while, then came in and reported back: "Hey! I thought it was something important - it turned out to be An Xiaoyuan in front of me."
A few days ago, I recalled growing sericulture with my aunt when I was a child, so the emperor ordered people to go to the south to fetch fresh mulberry leaves and bring them to my mistress Xiaoyuan. I heard that they were sent quickly and the mulberry leaves have not withered yet."
Liu Zhu spoke quickly and interjected: "The emperor really loves An Xiaoyuan now."
Huanbi frowned, looked at my expression and said softly: "This situation reminds me of the story of Emperor Ming of the Tang Dynasty giving lychees to Concubine Yang Guifei."
I smiled. What I cared about was not how much Xuan Ling loved Ling Rong. I just recalled an article in the Book of Songs: "The mulberry trees have not yet fallen, and their leaves are as thick as silk. They are like doves, and they have no food for mulberries."
There is no need to talk about a woman being lazy with a scholar. When a scholar is embarrassed, you can especially talk about it; when a woman is lazy, you can’t talk about it.” 1
I sighed slightly. It turned out that the words of my predecessors were inspired by my feelings. It was such a painful experience that made this woman say "no love for scholars". We cannot rely on the love of a common man, let alone a king.
.I smiled in despair, all the things I did in the past were just a little bit of my naive infatuation. That’s it! That’s it! Let’s go!
So, I still cheered up and asked the small kitchen to stew red date and black-bone chicken to nourish and replenish my qi.
Thanks to his youth and strong intentions, his body recovered quickly. By the time he looked as good as before, it was already the beginning of winter.
I heard that a few days ago, Concubine Murong came forward to plead guilty again, and her words were sincere. Xuan Ling was quite moved after seeing this, but he did not comment for the time being. I am secretly worried. The power of the former King of Runan seems to be growing again. If this continues,
If Murong Shilan goes down, there is no telling the day when Murong Shilan will return to your side, which will be very difficult.
I looked up at the gloomy sky with heavy lead clouds threatening to overwhelm the city. I took a deep breath to calm my slightly panicked heart. Everything was ready, all that was left was a heavy snowfall.
I glanced sideways from the corner of my eyes, turning my head to see the dim and cold luster of the bronze mirror. My watery eyes had a sharp edge that I had never seen before.
This day came soon. On December 12, the heavy snow stopped for the first time. It snowed heavily for three days in March, and the entire harem was white and really clean. Xuan Ling and the concubines were drinking and enjoying the snow in Shanglin Garden. I got up early
I complained that I was feeling unwell and did not go.
The newly made clothes are made of cloud and wild goose brocade with blue sky and blue water, a very cold light green, as if dyed by dew. This color was deliberately chosen, the simplest style, just made to fit, slightly showing the slim figure. Embroidered with yellow pistils and white flowers.
The plum blossoms and daffodils are the same size and color as real flowers, and then the real flowers are steamed and fumigated overnight, and then draped on the body, the fragrance of the flowers penetrates the bones, as if one has become one of those thousands of flowers.
The makeup I wore was his favorite Yuanshan Dai. I applied a thin layer of rouge first, then applied a layer of snow-white British powder to shave my face, creating a "flying clouds makeup". It has a light appearance and is endearing. It is just the right way to embellish my light sorrow. It is suitable for happiness.
Angry.
We went like this, with a little bit of determination, sadness and sorrow. However, halfway through the journey, I felt that the sadness and sorrow were unnecessary. Since I was determined to go, why bother to restrain myself with emotions.
We went to the old place, which made it easier to get around. More importantly, it was the place where we met for the first time, which made it easier to arouse each other's feelings.
Walking into the Meiyuan Garden, the garden is quiet, and when I step on my feet, the snow makes a slight "creep", which seems to startle my mind first.
It was too quiet, and the coldness of the air forced the memory in my mind to be clear and deep. The old scenes were vague, and the red plum blossoms were blooming like clouds. I took a deep breath, and it seemed that even the sweetness and coldness in the air was gone.
The smell has not changed in the slightest. I felt a little frivolous under my feet, and soon found the plum tree where the small statue was hung during the prayer, and I smiled sadly. It seemed that it was still the New Year's Eve of the year when I first entered the palace, and it was also such a cold snow.
One day, in the dark night of the Plum Garden, I spoke to him for the first time through the shadows of plum blossoms. The entanglement of fate is so inescapable. Even with Li Daitao and Yu Changyi, what should be encountered will eventually be encountered.
Up.
The three wishes I made that day are still in my heart. Over the years, these are the only things that I have not prayed for: first, I wish that my parents are healthy and my brothers and sisters are safe; second, I wish that I can live a safe life in the palace; third, I wish to "wish for the same person"
, grow old and never leave each other."
I once hoped that "we would like to have the same person, and we will never be apart until we grow old together", but "I heard that you have two minds", but I can't do it... In fact, after thinking about it carefully, I don't really care about Xuan Ling.
I asked for "Yisin", he is the emperor, I don't understand his situation, but I always have some expectations in my heart, such as beauties in the harem, I am just a little special in his heart. Such obsession, now after all, it is true
I have truly become a mirror image, a wishful thinking. And peace is as short-lived and illusory as the love in the harem. I have no other way to go, no other way, only scheming, only struggle, this endless, can I
In exchange for a moment of peace, all I can do is the safety and well-being of my parents, brothers and sisters. Even if it is not for myself, it is for them. What's more, my child's enemy is still there, and he cannot die in vain like this.
My mind was as clear as water, and I took a long breath, just waiting for Xuan Ling to arrive.
The weather was very cold, and my thin clothes were not enough to keep me warm. My hands and feet were cold, and it took me a while to feel warm when I breathed the biting air into my nose.
I am not afraid of the cold. I have seen the misery of the cold palace and endured the humiliation. There is nothing to be afraid of.
I heard the sound of loosening snow far behind me, and I knew he was coming. Not only him, but also the people from the Concubine Palace who were at the snow banquet today had already arrived. Li Chang did a good job and finally attracted Xuan Ling.
It's true that I treated him well in private in the past.
Xiao Lianzi, who was behind the plum forest, had already heard the noise and opened the large glass vase holding the butterflies. Within a moment, I saw butterflies fluttering and flying towards me. I opened the small flat gold stove in my cloak at the right time, and the heat was rising slightly, and my body was suffocated.
The fragrance of the flowers became stronger and warmer. The butterflies looked for the source of heat and flew towards me from afar.
The footsteps were getting closer and closer, I clasped my hands together, my voice was calm and soft, and I said word by word: "The faithful daughter of the harem, Mrs. Zhen, has no talent and virtues to protect the emperor's heirs and serve the king. I feel ashamed and have no face to be a saint.
I hereby sincerely wish that our emperor will be blessed by God, be safe and happy, and have a long life. If he gets what he wishes, I am willing to eat vegetarian food for the rest of my life, worship Buddha with a pure heart, and never receive any more favors."
I don’t know how dazzling it is to be surrounded by beautiful butterflies on this snowy and cold day. But I know that in such a strange scene, it will be easier for my words to be engraved in his heart. Not to mention the clear contrast between white snow and red plum blossoms.
I am alone in Tsing Yi Xiaoxiao.
I am not sincere in this kind of blessing. I just tried my best to express my remaining affection for him word by word, which is somewhat sincere.
The moment of silence was really quiet, as if there was no one in the plum garden. There were only red plum blossoms blooming and falling between heaven and earth.
My heart was beating hard, I knew he was behind me, the long-lost scent of ambergris came faintly, I just turned around and it was him.
There was a long sigh and a familiar voice said: "Huan Huan - is that you?"
Such a familiar and affectionate name makes people accidentally think that they are still in the past, full of love and love. There is a bit of sob in the throat, the wings of the nose are slightly twitching as if they are blocked by something, and a trace of crying sounds even to themselves.
It was difficult to suppress it, so she just turned her back to him and said very softly: "I am a concubine who has lost her moral character and is not suitable to face you."
The concubines' sighs and surprises could no longer be suppressed. He rushed to my side and hugged me from behind: "Huan Huan, why don't you look at me? Don't you want to see me again?"
I struggled slightly, with tears in my eyes: "Your Majesty, please don't come here - my concubine's shoes and socks are wet..." The words I answered him were exactly the words I answered him back then in Yimei Garden. Speaking now, they are no longer the same as they were then.
That shy and avoidant girlish mentality - I was just plotting against him.
His body was forced to turn around, and the tears in his eyes were full of tears and were about to fall. I once studied in the mirror and found that this tearful mood is the most endearing.
I quickly lowered my head and refused to raise it again. He held my hand and said in a distressed tone: "My hands are so cold, so I'm not afraid of freezing my body again."
I whispered: "I only want to pray for the emperor... It's my fault for making the emperor worry. I leave." I turned around to leave, but he pulled me back into his arms. When he pulled, the blood attached to my body was
The frozen butterflies fell to the ground one after another, and the surrounding concubines and palace people couldn't help but let out bursts of surprised murmurs.
You fall!"
I showed a slightly surprised and confused look and said, "I don't know..." As I spoke, my lips and teeth trembled slightly due to the cold. The wind ruffled the corners of my clothes like a butterfly spreading its wings. The noble color of the sky and water showed the elegance and gentleness of my figure.
neat.
His bright yellow otter fur with silver needles was broad and warm, wrapping me in it, and the long-lost and familiar smell of ambergris swept over me. His arms were slightly forceful and told me not to escape. He called me
"Huan Huan, if you pray for me and then freeze your body, wouldn't it make me feel even more distressed?" His breath lingered on my clothes, and he smiled again in surprise: "You smell so good, no wonder it's so cold even in winter.
It can attract butterflies to fall in love with it, and even I will be intoxicated."
My voice was very soft and soft: "I bless the emperor day and night, bathe in incense, and dare not be negligent."
His face was moved, and the embrace made it clear. The queen said with a smile: "That's great. My concubine Wan has been in poor health since she gave birth. I can't go out. I have been worried about her for several months."
The people in the mausoleum came forward and said softly: "I pray for the emperor and my sister day and night. I hope that my sister and the emperor will reconcile as before and there will no longer be any discord. Now I have really got my wish."
Xuan Ling looked at me with a smile, as if he couldn't see enough, and said, "Have I ever had any quarrel with Aiqing?"
My smile was frank and charming, and I said softly: "Never. It's just that it is inconvenient for me to serve the Emperor while I am ill."
Lingrong looked slightly embarrassed, and quickly smiled and said: "That's right. I saw that I was so happy that I couldn't even speak."
Xuan Ling was very happy. I leaned on his shoulder and watched the various expressions of everyone behind him. I couldn't help but sigh from the bottom of my heart. The world has been so hot and cold again and again, and now I am in charge again. Naturally, the faces of everyone in the harem will no longer be as harsh as the wind and frost.
, facing my smiling face, it will be as warm as spring again.
However, his eyes swept to the end of the crowd, and he was stunned for a moment. Xuan Qing stood far away behind the crowd, his eyes were understanding and gentle, and there was also a trace of compassion in his warmth. He stayed on me and would not leave for a long time.
Xuan Ling and I had dinner together and watched the singing and dancing acrobatics. Obviously Xuan Ling's attention was not on Ling Rong's high-pitched and sharp singing voice or the artist's ingenious skills. He always cast his eyes on me sitting next to Concubine Jing.
Concubine Jing smiled and whispered to me: "The Emperor has been looking at you."
I smiled and said, "How do you know you're not looking at my sister?"
Concubine Jing chuckled: "My sister suddenly appeared in Yimei Garden today. In fact, everyone already knows that the emperor is not willing to alienate my sister anymore." She paused and said: "I am just a curious sister. , why did the butterflies land on you? Is it true that, as people say, sister, you can do magic? "
I laughed out loud: "Sister, you really know how to joke, it's just a gadget."
Concubine Jing smiled: "I just heard Qin Fangyi and the others talking about my sister. Did you do it deliberately?"
I didn't take it to heart at all, I just smiled lightly and said, "Really?"
Concubine Jing also smiled, and gestured slightly with her left hand to those in charge: "Others say it doesn't matter if you are deliberate, as long as the emperor thinks that your sister is sincere to him." She lowered her eyelids, "Actually, the emperor cares about my sister."
I looked up and saw Xuan Ling waving to me and saying, "Come and sit next to me."
I stood up respectfully and said: "The Queen is the head of the Sixth Palace, and she should be by the Emperor's side. I dare not go beyond that."
He had no choice but to wait until the banquet ended in a hurry. Naturally, he wanted to stay in my palace. I said tactfully: "It's not that I don't want to serve the emperor. It's just that I haven't recovered from the cold and it's not suitable to accompany the emperor. Please forgive me." I said with a gentle smile. , and then said: "Your Majesty, why don't you go to Cao Jieyu's palace to rest. I think Emperor Wen Yi also wants to see her father."
Before I finished speaking, Cao Jieyu looked at me with surprise. She soon calmed down her expression and just smiled gently and silently. Concubine Murong fell out of favor, Cao Qinmo was bound to be implicated, and with Lingrong's favor, I heard that Xuan Ling also had it. It had been a long time since I had set foot in her residence. Xuan Ling couldn't resist my request with a smile, so he took Cao Jieyu away.
Huanbi was puzzled and whispered urgently: "Miss..." I raised my hand to indicate that she didn't need to say anything and just went all the way back.
When we returned to the palace, it was already late at night. Fang had used the bird's nest, but had no intention of sleeping. Jingqing said: "Your Majesty, you are tired today, so why not take a rest early."
I waved my hand and said: "No need." I said with a smile: "I'm afraid I haven't slept peacefully yet." It happened that little Yunzi came in with a happy face and said happily: "Your Majesty, the Emperor is here."
I said a faint "Oh" and said casually: "Close the door of Yinluxuan."
Xiao Yunzi looked in disbelief, thinking that she had heard wrongly, and said: "What did the empress say?"
I said: "Close the door, there is no need to invite the Emperor in." I saw that he hesitated and did not dare to go, so I replied: "You can just go and tell the Emperor that I have gone to bed."
Little Yunzi just went there. After a while, I heard someone knocking on the door. I listened for a while and then said: "Who is it?"
Xuan Ling's voice came from outside the building. He said, "Huan Huan, are you asleep?"
I pretended to be surprised and said: "Isn't the Emperor at Cao Jieyu's place? Why did you come here at this time? I have already fallen asleep." I coughed a few times as I spoke.
His tone was a little anxious: "Huan Huan, you are in good health. I have to come in and take a look at you to feel relieved."
I hurriedly said: "I am unable to come out to meet the emperor because of the cold wind, and I cannot accompany the emperor. If the emperor comes in at this moment, the emperor's body is worth thousands of gold, and I cannot bear the crime. Please consider the emperor's sake."
He had no choice but to agree and compromised: "Well, Huan Huan, would you like me to take a look at you? Just take a look. If you are fine, I will feel relieved."
He came here despite the night frost and wind and dew, and he was somewhat sincere. However, how could I do it? I said politely and sternly: "Your Majesty will have an early court appearance tomorrow. It is really not appropriate to go to bed late. I have already rested. Repeating this will only make the illness worse." Please forgive me for not being able to serve the emperor as soon as possible."
After such excuses, Xuan Ling naturally couldn't say anything, so he had to go back angrily.
Liu Zhu was very anxious: "Finally, the emperor is here, but why doesn't the young lady even let me see him once?"
I smiled and changed my clothes and said, "If he comes tomorrow, I still won't see him."
At the dinner party on the second day, I still sat far away from Xuan Ling, keeping a good distance from him, and occasionally chatting and joking. Sure enough, he came again in the evening, but I still closed the door and only tried to persuade him to go to other concubines.
I wanted to rest somewhere, but he refused and was even a little annoyed. Everyone was worried, fearing that I would turn him around but turn him away, and even more afraid that Xuan Ling would punish me in anger. That night, Xuan Ling
Not wanting to summon any other concubines, she left without being able to see me and slept alone in Yiyuan Hall.
It was only on the third day that I was willing to meet him for a moment through the crack in the door. It was not possible to see clearly in the dim candlelight, but he was happy.
On the fifth day, I left Xuan Ling to drink a cup of tea before seeing off the guests.
On the eighth day, I played a song to see off the guests.
On the twelfth day, we had a hand-to-hand talk and saw off the guests.
I have been reluctant to move back to Yingxin Hall, and only entertained Xuan Ling for a while in the small Yinlv Pavilion. Xuan Ling did not stay at my place every night, but amidst everyone's discussions and curiosity, he doted on me day by day.
It became more intense day by day.
Note:
1 comes from "The Book of Songs: Meng", a poem about a man's betrayal of his heart. This sentence is to advise women not to indulge in men's illusory love.