After my sister-in-law said goodbye, I already had a plan in mind, so I excitedly took the chariot sedan to look at Yiyuan Hall. www. I felt very good, and the scenery of lakes and mountains along the way was full of spring, which was particularly beautiful and moving.
However, as soon as I got off the carriage, I saw Li Chang trotting forward. He personally held my hand and said, "Fortunately, your Majesty is here! Your Majesty is losing his temper and has kicked all the servants out. Please do me a favor, Your Majesty."
Go and give some advice, it’s what slaves have cultivated for several lifetimes.” I saw that he looked worried, which was very different from usual. I secretly thought that Li Chang had served Xuan Ling for many years and was used to seeing all kinds of scenes in the palace.
Calm Wind, to make him panic like this, something serious must have happened.
So I said pleasantly: "Although I don't know what happened, I will definitely go and persuade the emperor. Eunuch Li, don't worry." I lowered my voice and asked, "I just don't know what happened to make the emperor Long Yan so angry?"
Li Changzhuangruo looked down at the steps and said softly: "It seems to be a memorial for King Runan."
My heart suddenly tightened and my steps were slightly stagnant. I almost thought something had happened to my brother. However, I quickly changed my mind. If something happened to my brother, Xuan Ling would definitely send someone to appease King Runan and mobilize troops to be ready. How could I still be free?
There was a furious rage in the imperial study room. Thinking this way, I felt a little relieved and asked again: "Do you know what the memorial said?"
Li Changwei looked confused, and then said: "It seems to be a memorial requesting for a seal."
I frowned slightly, feeling disgusted in my heart. King Runan was too unpopular. Just a month ago, he named his two sons and daughters the crown prince and the emperor concubine. The honor and favor had reached an unparalleled peak. In the blink of an eye, he came to invite him again. If so,
If he wants to reward him, he can only let his youngest son succeed him as king, or send his daughter to marry him early and become a princess.
However, after careful consideration, it was inappropriate. If he refused to be granted the title, he could just return the memorial and give him gold, jade, brocade, and silk. Besides, Xuan Ling had never been a hot-tempered person.
Just as he was thinking about it, there was suddenly a "bang" sound in the hall, and the sound of jade falling to the ground and breaking into pieces gradually became the sound of pieces rolling down. For a long time, there was only silent and terrifying silence in the hall.
Li Chang and I looked at each other, and I was also very confused. I didn't know why Xuan Ling was so angry. Li Chang looked anxious and whispered: "I'm afraid that only the empress can go in and give some advice."
I nodded and stretched out my hand to push open the door of the purple hall, which was decorated with flying gold and silver. The side hall was far-reaching and vast, and in the silence, I could only see the clutching of light and shadow, leaving deep and shallow feelings of ignorance on the flat gold brick floor.
The gold and enamel nine peach incense burner on the table was burning the ambergris that he usually used. The thin mist-like smoke slowly dispersed into the depths of the palace, and the silence and fragrance became more and more intense. He sat on the panlong
On the large carved chair, light smoke blew across his face, and the anger seemed to be condensed in the center of his eyebrows, like a dark cloud that would not go away.
I approached quietly, not daring to ask rashly for a while, and I didn't feel comfortable saying anything. I just carried the incense burner on the table under the window sill, opened the small window at the back of the hall near the forest, and the warm spring breeze slowly flowed through.
enter.
His voice was tired after anger, and he said slowly: "Why are you here?"
I whispered: "Yes. My concubine is here."
At that time, the sky was getting late, and the dappled sunset light filtered through the hollows of the auspicious carved patterns of "** the same spring", filling the room with red light films. The wind blew through the woods behind the temple, and the leaves would rustle.
There was a soft rustling sound, like light rain falling under the eaves.
I took two fresh mint leaves and white chrysanthemums from the silver plate and put them into a sapphire teacup. I boiled them with boiling water and mixed them with cold water melted with honey. I placed them in front of him and said warmly: "Your Majesty
Let's drink some tea, it can calm down the anger." After saying that, without mentioning anything else, he just dipped some peppermint oil into his fingers from a small gold square box and slowly rubbed his temples.
He slowly took a sip of tea, his expression softened a little, and then he asked: "Why don't you ask me why I am angry? Mobile phone visit: 16Κ"
I smiled calmly: "The emperor is angry just now. He will naturally tell me when he is less angry and wants to tell me. If I keep asking questions, it will only make the emperor even more angry."
He raised his hand to caress my hand, pointed to a yellow silk-covered memorial on the desk and said, "See for yourself." He said with hatred: "Xuanji is so bold!"
I obeyed and reached out to take out the memorial. When I saw it, I couldn't help but be shocked.
It turns out that this memorial was not a request by King Runan to grant a title for his wife and children, but a request to grant the title of Concubine Yugui to his deceased biological mother, Mrs. Yue, and to be buried in the late emperor's concubine mausoleum.
Concubines with children who have children can be promoted to concubines after the death of the late emperor, and enjoy honor and wealth. They will also be given titles to show their virtues. King Runan's biological mother was the first-grade concubine of the late emperor. Although she died early, she was also given the posthumous title.
Within reason.
There's just a reason in between.
During the reign of the late emperor, Mrs. Yu'e's brother, Marquis Boling, rebelled. Mrs. Yu'e was deeply implicated and died in depression without favor. The late emperor did not visit her until her death, but Mrs. Yu'e spoke out words of resentment and hated the late emperor deeply.
And Concubine Shu. In anger, the late emperor did not allow Mrs. Yu'e to be buried in the concubine's mausoleum without any posthumous titles. She was only buried with the Empress Dowager Zhaoxian who killed the late emperor's biological mother according to the rites of a noble concubine.
Since there was no posthumous title from the late emperor, not to mention that Mrs. Yu'e was the sister of the guilty minister. As the successor to the throne, Xuan Ling would naturally not posthumously grant Mrs. Yu'e the title of concubine.
I closed the memorial and felt my expression change, saying: "This...if the emperor really does what King Runan said and conferred Mrs. Yu'e as the concubine, then where will the late emperor put his face? How will the emperor deal with himself?"
Xuan Ling hit the corner of the case hard with his palm and said: "Shuzi 1! He clearly wants to put me in an unfilial position, and he doesn't even care about my father's face!"
Seeing how angry he was, I hurriedly turned over his hand. The desk was made of extremely hard mahogany, with intricately carved corners. Xuan Ling's palms immediately glowed with a blood-red color.
My heart ached slightly, and I quickly held his hand and said, "Your Majesty, please calm down. There is no need to be so angry for him. It will only hurt your body, and it is not worth it."
Xuan Ling said: "It is bearable, but what is unbearable! Even if I am willing to be an unworthy man, how can the Queen Mother be willing?"
I thought for a while and said: "The posthumous title of 'Jade Concubine' is really inappropriate. As a rule, there are only one concubine each, Noble, Shu, Xian, and De. King Qinghe's biological mother, Concubine Shu Gui, is still alive. If it is true that
This posthumous title and the title of 'Noble Princess' put King Qinghe in an awkward position. This also hurt the brotherhood." Seeing Xuan Ling thinking deeply, I added: "Qishan King Xuan Xun is the eldest son of the late emperor, and he is the eldest son of the late emperor.
Today, the most noble concubine in the harem is the concubine Qinren. Concubine Qinren is not as good as concubine Shu or concubine Xian, concubine De. I am afraid that King Qishan will not be convinced in his heart."
I said this more bluntly, but if it is as King Runan said, then there must be resentment in the hearts of the kings and the concubines in the harem, and both the former dynasty and the harem will be unstable.
With such stakes at stake, how could Xuan Ling not understand and stop the thunder to get angry.
Xuan Ling just said nothing, but when he saw the veins on his forehead raging, he laughed angrily and said: "If I allow him, I will lose the hearts of the people in the front court and the harem; if I don't allow it, he will definitely hold a grudge.
All the efforts and arrangements were in vain."
He saw so clearly that I remained silent for a long time and just said: "If he immediately raises an army, what chance does the emperor have of winning?"
A light flashed in his eyes, and he suddenly became sad: "I have 150,000 soldiers in my hands, one hundred thousand are scattered in various passes, and 50,000 are gathered near the capital." He paused, "The King of Runan has no less than fifty elite soldiers.
Thousands of them are distributed in all fortresses and passes across the country."
I was horrified and said: "Then how long will it take for the emperor to arrange everything and replace it with his own troops?"
He said: "If in the past six months, someone close to me can know the movements of the military department and the names and official positions of everyone in the King of Runan's faction, and order the guards from all over the country to seize King Runan's 500,000 elite soldiers, and I can catch them all in one fell swoop, then within a year
It can be subdued." He smiled bitterly: "It's just that he is advancing step by step. I'm afraid I still don't know him well here, but he has already raised troops."
He also has so much helplessness and forbearance. As a woman in the harem, I am closed to these four red walls all day long. I don’t know much about the government affairs, let alone interfere too much. If the government affairs are not related to myself and the family, I
I don't dare to take the risk to find out what's involved. My contact with Xuan Ling has always been in the quiet leisure time in the harem, and it's only about romance.
Knowing this suddenly, I feel a little distressed and understanding. In this palace, he has his helplessness, and I also have my helplessness. Emperors, generals, concubines, and concubines, who are not living in their own helplessness?
Each has its own constraints.
I couldn't help but tenderly leaned down and lay quietly on his lap. The black satin robe on his body was embroidered with dragons, and the gold embroidery threads were not soft, and the slight prickles made my cheeks itch. I said softly: "Then
For the long term, the emperor can only be patient."
His body shook slightly, so slightly that it would have been almost unnoticeable if he hadn't been lying on his knees. He looked up to the sky and sighed: "Huan Huan, am I, the emperor, too cowardly?"
A sour feeling suddenly surged in my heart, and I raised my head and said calmly: "Han Jing Emperor Liu Qi had no choice but to kill Chao Cuo in order to put an end to the chaos in the Seven Kingdoms; Guang Wu Emperor Liu Xiu even had the pain of killing his own brother in order to revive the Han Dynasty."
You also have to be patient. Even when you first ascended the throne, in order to stabilize the government, you could not canonize your beloved Yin Lihua as queen, but you could only confer the daughter of the Guo family. But it was they who brought peace to the world and created a prosperous age. A man can bend and stretch. Only by enduring the temporary pain can the emperor serve the court.
To seek the best for all eternity is not to be cowardly, but to be self-absorbed."
His hand gently touched my shoulder blade and sighed: "Huan Huan, your words always make me feel comfortable."
I shook my head: "I am not trying to comfort the emperor, but I am seeking truth from facts."
His voice was light but somewhat ruthless. In the dark palace, it almost sounded as sharp as a thick blade. "Yes. I do have to endure it." He said indifferently: "But how can I endure it?
Go down?"
I held his hand tightly with both hands, suppressing the unwillingness and resentment surging in my heart, raised my face, stabilized my expression and tone, and said softly but firmly, "Please the emperor follow the words of King Runan to pursue the title of Mrs. Yu'e."
As a concubine, she was moved to the mausoleum of the late emperor's concubine."
He was quite shocked. He accidentally knocked down the tea cup in his hand when he pushed it. He heard a "clang" and it fell to pieces. However, he just ignored it and turned his hand over. He held my arm hard and said, "You too
That’s what you say?” Just when I was about to speak, I heard an inner prisoner outside tentatively asking: “Your Majesty——”
I immediately stood up and said loudly: "It's nothing, I just accidentally hit a tea cup. I'll clean it up later." When I turned around and saw him approaching, I hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, please calm down. Your Majesty, please don't come over. You will be injured by the broken porcelain."
How's that?" As he spoke, he squatted down and pushed away the porcelain pieces of the tea cup.
I knelt on the ground, looked at him intently, and said clearly word by word: "Please the emperor, please designate Mrs. Yu'e as a virtuous concubine, and give her a title, and move her to the late emperor's concubine mausoleum. At the same time, confer titles on all the concubines in the palace, and give her the honorable title."
Etiquette. In particular, Princess Qinren, the biological mother of King Qishan, is Princess Shu, and Princess Zhuang He, the adoptive mother of Prince Pingyang, is Princess Dowager De, standing side by side with Lady Yue. It is even more important to honor the Queen Mother with honorific titles to show the Emperor's filial piety."
As soon as he finished speaking, Xuan Ling's face showed joy. He held my arm harder but pulled me up and said happily: "That's right. He wants to posthumously honor his biological mother, so I will pray for the health of the Queen Mother."
Give every concubine an honorific title, and her position should be above that of her biological mother, so that no one in the harem will have any objections."
I smiled and said, "That's more than that. Not only will the officials not have any comments, but all the concubines and princes will also feel the kindness of the emperor and be more loyal to the emperor with one heart and one mind." I thought about it and said again: "
It’s just that the Sixth Prince’s biological mother, Concubine Shu Gui, has already become a monk. How to deal with it? If she is left alone and not sealed, I’m afraid the Sixth Prince’s face will not look good.”
Xuan Ling didn't take it seriously, flicked his sleeves casually and said, "Lao Liu won't care about this."
I persuaded with a smile: "Although the six kings will not care, some villains will infer that the emperor despises the six kings, which is not good. When brothers should be of the same mind, unintentional things will be seen as such.
If you are interested, why not ask the emperor to also be interested in the six kings?"
Xuan Ling was in a very good mood and said: "What's so difficult about this? Concubine Shu Gui has already become a monk, so it's not appropriate to add another title. I'll just respect Concubine Shu Gui as Master Chong Jingyuan."
I smiled: "There's nothing wrong with that."
Xuan Ling snorted softly in his nose and said coldly: "To pursue Mrs. Yu'e now is just a temporary measure and a last resort. If King Runan is conquered in the future, I will immediately issue an order to follow the example of Queen Mother Zhaoxian.
The thing is, she is only given the title of concubine, her body is not allowed to enter the Ancestral Temple to offer incense and sacrifices, the Zi Palace is not allowed to enter the imperial mausoleum, she is not given the posthumous title of emperor, and future generations are not allowed to bear the honorific title. Otherwise, it will be difficult to eliminate today's hatred!"
I listened to his plan, but I just kept silent. King Runan was determined to seek honor for his mother, but he didn't know that honor and disgrace could change with just the flip of a hand. A moment of glory will lead to endless humiliation in the future. So he didn't accept it.
, only said: "It's just a matter of respecting the concubine as a harem matter. It should be reported to the empress dowager and informed to the empress."
Xuan Ling said: "This is natural."
I whispered in his ear: "Your Majesty, as long as we proceed step by step, we will naturally know them well. I have some concerns about my brother. I ask your Majesty to weigh and make a decision."
I explained it in detail, and Xuan Ling said with a smile: "That's very good. You are worthy of being my 'Yujiehua', you can come up with such an idea."
I said with a smile: "The emperor works hard for the world, but I don't understand government affairs, so I can only pay attention to these small things."
He smiled heartily: "A journey of a thousand miles is accumulated in small steps. How did you know that the small things you consider for me are not big things?"
The sky was dark, and even the last touch of the setting sun had been replaced by the moonlight. The wind was quiet, carrying the cool and soft fragrance of magnolia flowers, blowing slowly on my temples.
I stood up, blew out the candle, and lit the giant candles in the hall one by one. The hall used hard gold candles, and each candlestick lit nine candles, hundreds of them, without any smoke or wax vapor.
The aroma of the spices burning in the temple will not be spoiled by the smell. The flames will brighten little by little, and the temple will be as bright as day.
I stood by the nearest candlestick and blew out the candle. My mind was slowly turning, and finally I became cruel again and again. I held my breath with difficulty. My voice was as calm as the water of a cold spring under the ice, and I said calmly: "Your Majesty, please speak again."
Shi Ende, restore Concubine Murong to the position of Concubine Hua."
Xuan Ling was startled, and his original joy suddenly disappeared. He walked closer to me and said, "If I regain her position, how can I be worthy of you? How can I stop everyone's mouth?"
My heart froze, and I almost couldn't help but change my mind - I put Murong Shilan aside like this. Although she is not favored, she is still rich and well-dressed. How can she be worthy of me? If so, I would rather resume her position as concubine.
.Such a woman will have faults to be found once she becomes complacent and relaxed. What's more, only when she is restored can the Murong clan truly feel at ease.
Thinking about this, I feel sour and sad in my heart, and there are tears in my eyes. It is reluctant and embarrassing for Yu Xuanling to confer Mrs. Yu'e as the concubine. But for me to say the restoration of Concubine Hua, wouldn't it be even more embarrassing and reluctant?
?
Patience, only patience. Like a taut string, can the arrow shoot fast, accurately and ruthlessly. What I just said to comfort Xuan Ling is also to comfort myself.
Suppressing the sobs and anger surging in his throat, he said quietly: "It is the heart of King Runan that makes Lady Yu'e the concubine, and it is the heart of the Murong clan that she restores Concubine Hua. Even though King Runan has no intention of taking the throne, he
He can't stand the instigation of his subordinates, because they all want to be the founding heroes of the country. If the emperor is willing to appease Concubine Hua, then he will win more hearts of the Murong family and increase his chances of winning."
He looked pitifully and couldn't bear to look at me, and said: "Huan Huan, I...I am wronging you like this."
I slowly bent my knees and said, "I am not afraid of being wronged. For the sake of the emperor, I will do my best to tolerate Concubine Hua and not have any disputes." Tears finally fell from my eyes, not only for him, but also for myself.
In order to appease the Murong clan, he will sooner or later regain the position of Murong Shilan. The lowest is to regain the position of Concubine Hua. If the situation forces it, it is not impossible to be named "Madam" again. Rather than this, I would rather I
For me, I would rather give her the position of Concubine Hua than let Xuan Ling feel more helpless, forced and forbearing when he gives her a reward because of me; as well as feel guilty and distressed for me. The more such emotions, the more my
The status will be more stable and the favor will be more.
I smiled sadly. When did I become so calculating, selfish and cold-hearted? Even I couldn't bear to think about it.
Xuan Ling just remained silent for a long time. He didn't know how long it was before he said softly: "Okay."
The whimpering wind outside the hall had a sad meaning. Xuan Ling's voice was just deep, as if something heavy had fallen. The shadow of the candle flickered, making his expression a little blurry in front of him. He said: "I'm sorry.
I think of what you just said about Emperor Guangwu of the Han Dynasty, who had no choice but to appoint the Guo family, whom he disliked, as his queen for the sake of the stability of the court, but made his beloved Yin Lihua bend down to serve the Queen Guo. My helplessness today is like being restrained by the Guo family.
Emperor Guangwu wants to favor a woman he doesn't like."
I shook my head: "How can I compare with Queen Yin? I just read the history books. Later, Queen Guo's family rebelled. Emperor Guangwu deposed Queen Guo and established Queen Yin Lihua. Finally, I got my wish." I looked at Xuan Ling.
, "The emperor's achievements must be no less than those of Emperor Guangwu."
He hugged me tightly and suddenly said: "Huan Huan, do you know why I didn't visit you much after you lost your son?"
His sudden words suddenly brought back my sad memories. After all, what the Empress Yiyuan heard that day was something I was deeply worried about. I turned my head away and said, "I think it was my concubine who was stubborn by nature. After losing her son, she was so sad that she offended the emperor."
.”
His chin rested on my neck, feeling a bit stiff and painful, "Although you are more stubborn, it's not all for this reason." His voice was a little broken, but he just held me tightly: "You know Concubine Murong
Why don't you have any children?" I was startled, and I squirmed. He continued to speak, but it was as if his voice was not his own, with some sudden mistiness and suppressed pain: "Huanyi in her palace.
The fragrance was given to her by me alone - there was a smell of musk in it. If you smell it too much, you won't have children."
I knew the reason for this, but when he suddenly told me this in person, I was even more surprised.
I can only guess at the rough truth about this kind of truth. When faced with such a bloody truth, and listened to what he told me, even though it comes from someone I hate, I still find it unimaginable and unforgettable.
I lowered my head and said with great sadness, "Your Majesty, you have told me too much."
He just refused to let go and said: "Listen to me. You knelt in her palace for half an hour and then had a miscarriage. I felt uneasy, probably because you also smelled the 'Huanyixiang'. Every time
Seeing you crying and missing your children and resenting Concubine Hua, I feel even more uneasy. If you blame Concubine Hua, I think you are blaming me. You blame me for harming our children."
I couldn't help it any longer, my heart felt like it was being scratched and torn violently by sharp claws, and it was painfully twitching. Tears fell down my cheeks, and I could only hold on to the hem of his clothes with all my strength, crying until I was choked with sobs and could not speak.
His tone was as heavy as snow: "Do you think I am not a good father?"
I shook my head sadly: "No..." After a long while, I struggled to say: "A king must have a king's decision..."
He patted my back and said sadly: "I also have my own inability. Concubine Hua cannot have children. As long as she gives birth to a prince, King Runan and the Murong clan will make the child emperor, and I will not even be able to live in peace."
The place of fate is gone. But as you said, I have to favor her to appease people's hearts. I made this decision, but I don't want to implicate you innocently."
I suddenly remembered something, opened my eyes and said in surprise: "Then Concubine Hua had a miscarriage back then?..."
He nodded slowly: "Concubine Duan's reputation was in vain."
I cried: "This matter must be secret, but why did the emperor tell me?"
There were only faint tears in his eyes: "I am a king and a father. How can I not feel pain if I kill my own child?" He tilted his head and said, "How can I know that I can't save so many of my children?
Isn’t it God’s retribution?”
My words reminded me of the Queen and his words on the day I lost my son. The panic and fear in my heart became deeper and deeper: "The Queen... also knows, right?"
He sighed, "Yes. It's the medicine prepared by Yi Xiu himself." That sigh was as heavy as a boulder pressing on my heart, and he said, "As the emperor, I also have many helplessness and inability to do anything. Do you understand?
"
I cried, but what's the use of crying and complaining? My child will not be able to come back alive after all. The reality is so terrible, it is revealed in front of me bit by bit, and this is just a corner of the huge shadow of life in the harem. Even though
Concubine Hua is cruel and ruthless, and she is also pitiful.
I suppressed the sourness in my stomach. He was a king, and what he wanted was the world. Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty also had changes in the Xuanwu Sect. Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty also forced to kill his aunt Princess Taiping and his three biological sons. I was cruel
With a cruel heart, he poisoned his tongue and said: "I have to kill him."
As soon as the words came out, my knees became a little weak. What can I say, what can I refute? He knew about the early death of Concubine Hua's child, the Queen knew about it, and presumably the Queen Mother also knew about it. Can I have any objection? Besides, it happened so long ago.
And my hands may not be stained with blood.
As soon as I entered this palace, I was no longer the willful and pampered Zhen Huan.
I am not a kind and simple woman. I drove Qin Fangyi and Li Guifei crazy, and ordered the death of Yu. I have never been innocent. I am like everyone in the palace who is still alive and living well.
He lives by stepping on the blood of others.
And the resentment towards Xuan Ling will only tear me apart and force me to the point where I have no way to go or retreat.
He said: "Huan Huan, if I don't tell you, the death of this child will be a knot between me and you."
He was also unintentional, what could I do? The knot in my heart after the loss of my son was somewhat relieved by his frank words. I could only forgive him. Forgive him for his helplessness and last resort. I burst into tears and said, "If it hadn't been for Runan
Because of the king and Murong, the emperor would not be like this; and if it were not for the domineering and vicious concubine Hua, the concubine and the unborn child would not be like this." I kept quiet and said: "If there is a future, please return the favor to the emperor.
I am fair to you, my concubine."
He looked serious and solemnly said: "I will definitely do it."
I nodded vigorously, feeling exhausted physically and mentally. I stretched out my arms to hug him and said with tears in my eyes: "Shiro!"
Calling him like this is sincere. I haven't called him so sincerely for a long time. His expression was moved and surprised. He lowered his head to kiss me. The heat between his lips and teeth was familiar and intimate. It was vaguely from the past, but it was clearly today, here.
At this moment.
He was candid. This sudden, shocking and rare candidness eased the gap between him and me and deepened our understanding of our respective situations.
I sighed sadly from the bottom of my heart and closed my eyes quietly.
Under the bright moon like frost, I hugged him tightly and responded gently to his slightly rough enthusiasm. The understanding and understanding of each other at this moment was enough to keep us moving forward and retreating together, and spending many, many days together.
.
Note:
1 Shuzi: means "boy", which is a scolding word in ancient proverbs when angry.