Shu Blossoms

Chapter 1
On the second day of the first lunar month in the fourth year of Jinghui's fourth year, snowflakes suddenly floated across the sky in the middle of the night, and the silver-clad Jiankang City was unprecedentedly silent.

In the early morning, the doors of every household were still closed, and the children were also detained at home, unable to play and play.

Just after Chen Fashion Book Zuo Pushe Xiao Yucheng's wife Zheng Wei died of illness spread all over the capital.

Not only the ministers in Kyoto were a little restless, but even the Empress Dowager Liao Wennan was a little apprehensive!
Ever since the incident on New Year's Eve, Xiao Yucheng was like a wolf who was just holding back his madness, showing his fangs, ready to bite people bloodthirsty at any time.

The thing she was most worried about happened today. Zheng Wei died violently. I'm afraid that this week will be in chaos.

**********************
On New Year's Eve three days ago, the emperor held a family banquet and invited Princess Xunyang's daughter Zheng Wei and her husband Xiao Yucheng to the banquet.

Zheng Wei was puzzled. Her mother, Princess Xunyang, was the eldest sister of Emperor Wen, and she was considered to be the aunt and grandmother of the current emperor, but this little emperor was always stubborn and arrogant. Several cousins, where can the friendship come from.

Moreover, the emperor's actions are too impermanent. The empress dowager and the empress dowager are afraid that he will cause trouble. They have never held a family banquet in the past few years. Even when Xuanren enters the palace to talk, they try to avoid the emperor as much as possible, for fear that whoever collides with the emperor will lose his life.

"Today's banquet is a little strange." Zheng Wei looked at his husband Xiao Yucheng.

He is now an official worshiper of Shangshu Zuopushe, praised for not being famous, not following the court, walking to the palace with swords, and power over the court and the opposition, and will soon be able to go a step further and be ranked third.

Even that arrogant little emperor had to look at his color, Xiao Yucheng didn't take it to heart.

A few days ago, several generals took him to discuss the matter of abolishing the emperor. Although he did not answer, he also felt that the younger the emperor was, the more cruel he became. Nowadays, almost every day in the palace, servants are killed, and everyone is in danger.Truly a sign of chaos.

If the little emperor does something absurd again today, he doesn't mind setting up a new emperor, anyway, the clan is not alone.

"It's nothing, Madam can follow the Empress Dowager when she enters the palace." Xiao Yucheng smiled proudly.

"Then husband, be careful." Xiao Yucheng nodded.

The couple got on the cart and entered the palace together.Entering Xuanyangmen, Zheng Wei got on the shoulder and followed the lead palace attendant to the Xuanxun Palace of the Empress Dowager.

About halfway through, a woman dressed as a maid at the end of the alley hurried towards this side.

"Madam, it seems that she is the maid of Du Nushi by the Empress Dowager's side." The maid A Luo had followed Zheng Wei into the palace several times, and once saw this maid beside Du Nushi.

The maid looked up and saw their shoulders, and trotted towards them more eagerly.

"Madam, she's coming to us." Aro was surprised, Zheng Wei lifted the curtain and looked, seeing the eager figure, suddenly a little flustered.

"Hurry up a few steps and meet up." Zheng Wei instructed, and the attendant with the shoulders lifted quickened his pace.

"But Mrs. Xiao, the servant of the Shangshu Zuo Shejia?" the maid asked anxiously.

"It's my wife." Arrow greeted him, "Is there something wrong with my sister?"

"The slave servant is Du Nushi's maid. Du Nüshi instructed the slave servant to give this to Mrs. Xiao, saying that it was ordered by the Empress Dowager, and it was urgent."

Aro took the kit from the maid and quickly gave it to Zheng Wei.

Zheng Wei took out the letter and glanced at it, shocked!

"Quick, turn around and go to Xianyang Palace!" Zheng Wei shouted.

"No need, ma'am, the Yonghe Palace in front of the Empress Dowager is closer to Xianyang Palace, the servants will lead the way!" the maid said hurriedly.

"Let's go!" Zheng Wei suppressed the panic in his heart and quickly followed the maid.

When she was a child, she often followed her mother in and out of the palace, but when Emperor Wen was on the throne, following the legacy of Emperor Wu, she was diligent and thrifty. At that time, there were only a few palaces in this southward palace, and most of the palaces were empty, which can be said to be simple compared to the palaces in the north.Emperor Wen had only built one East Palace for decades. Later, Emperor Shao was fond of extravagance and built palaces aggressively. Now, most of the palaces have been built for less than ten years. Since Emperor Wen died, her mother rarely entered the palace again.She also came here occasionally, only in the Xuanxun Palace of the Empress Dowager.

Now walking in the palace, if there is no one to lead the way, it is very easy for her to get lost.

The thought flashed by, and I remembered the content of the letter again, and I didn't know how to break the situation.

"Money holds a wine vessel, the emperor wants to give Xiao Jun poisonous wine"

Qian Sheng was the favored servant by the emperor's side. He could often come up with some vicious ways to make the emperor happy.

flagon!The letter specifically pointed out the wine jug, which must be mysterious, but I don't know what this jug looks like!
Zheng Wei did not doubt the authenticity of the letter. She could see at a glance that the letter paper was the letter paper given by the Xiao family when the Empress Dowager Shuyi, who was still Shuyi, had secretly communicated with the Xiao family. This batch of rattan paper was specially made by someone from the Xiao family. , The rattan paper texture has a special imprint, which is difficult to find if it is not known in advance.It is estimated that this is the only one in the world.Ordinary people can't get it.And now in this palace, only the Empress Dowager directly calls Xiao Yucheng 'Xiao Jun'.

Now it's just a matter of how to avoid tonight's game.

After thinking about it all the way, Zheng Wei didn't have a good solution, and now he can only pass the news to Xiao Yucheng before the banquet starts.

They soon arrived at Xianyang Palace.

The imperial guards on duty at Xianyang Palace today were a little surprised to see Zheng Wei. The only ministers attending tonight's family banquet were Xiao Yucheng and his wife, but Mrs. Xiao had to go to the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager first to talk, and Shen Shimo would follow the Empress Dowager and the others. Go to the Purple Palace for a banquet.

"Madam is here to look for Lord Zuo Pushe?" Zheng Wei saw that the sergeant knew him, and asked, "Dare to ask which general the sergeant is under?"
.
"Yang Cheng is the centurion under General Xiao Sixin." The sergeant quickly replied.

Xiao Sixin was a descendant of the Xiao family, the younger brother of Xiao Yucheng, and was highly valued by Xiao Yucheng.

In this way, the forbidden army has not been controlled, and the situation is not very bad.

Zheng Wei wondered, if the emperor really planned to kill Xiao Yucheng, why didn't he try to control the forbidden army first.Otherwise, how can you escape from the hands of the forbidden army after this is done.

Could it be that this is another murder game on the whim of the emperor?But where did he get the courage to attack the court officials who held military power!

Before he could think about it, Zheng Wei hurriedly ordered: "Where is your lord, take me there!"

"Your Majesty is enjoying the singing and dancing in the Ziji Hall. Your lord and several clansmen are here." The sergeant replied, while recruiting his companions to guard, he took Zheng Wei and the others to the Ziji Hall.

"The family banquet has begun?" Zheng Wei was surprised.

"I saw that the servants recruited singers and gave them food and drinks. His Majesty said that he was a little bored. He recruited songs and dances to add to the fun, drinking with his clan for fun. Lord Zuo Pushe also just entered the hall." The sergeant replied.

Hearing the pleasure of drinking, Zheng Wei couldn't help but speed up the pace again. The sergeant saw that she was walking in a hurry, guessing that there was something important, he didn't dare to delay, and hurriedly brought them to the Ziji Palace.

Hope it all comes in time!

At the door of Ziji Palace, Zheng Wei took a deep breath and said to the waiter at the gate, "Please let me know, Mrs. Zheng Wei of Shang Shu Zuo Shooting Xiao Yucheng came to thank him!"

The servant was a little surprised, and then he was embarrassed. The emperor was in a hurry. If he disturbed his interest, the emperor would kill him on the spot!
"The Xiao family will keep you safe today. If you want to find another livelihood in the future, the Xiao family will also keep you safe!" Zheng Wei took out a jade pendant, and Aro took it and handed it to the servant.

The servant received the promise, and without any hesitation, he took the jade pendant into his sleeve, bent over and entered the hall.

Zheng Wei, who was waiting outside, listened to the sound of silk and bamboo in the hall, and slowly calmed down, returning to his former dignified calm.

Soon, the waiter welcomed Zheng Wei into the hall and glanced back and forth. As expected, there were only a few clan children who used to be close to the little emperor in the hall, and the oldest was only weak.On the contrary, Xiao Yucheng, who was not confused, sat here with a solemn expression, which seemed a little out of place.

Zheng Wei walked quickly to the center of the hall, and looked at Xiao Yucheng carefully when he was a few feet away from Xiao Yucheng. His face was solemn, his brows were slightly wrinkled, and his eyes were as calm as ink. Zheng Wei felt that he was angry and his body was fine. relieved.

"Mrs. Xiao came just in time, quickly persuade Xiao Qing, today is a family banquet, don't be such a spoiler." While thinking about it, Zheng Wei heard a hoarse and erratic male voice.

Zheng Wei looked up and saw that the emperor, who had just passed the age of dancing spoons, was leaning on his desk with his hands barely supporting his head.

No wonder he started drinking at this hour, and the emperor took five stone powder.

Look at the attitude of the teenagers around.

Xiao Yucheng was the most disliked of taking Wu Shi San, no wonder his face was so ugly!
"Xiao Qing, Qian Sheng recently found a wine vessel, which is very strange. What is it called a copper pot with black seal pattern?"

Zheng Wei didn't hear what the little emperor was saying, and only followed the emperor's line of sight to see the strangely shaped wine vessel held by Qian Sheng. He saw that he first filled the little emperor's wine bottle with wine, and then held the wine. The jug slowly came down towards them.

She saw that Qian Shengtuo's hand at the bottom of the wine jug moved indistinctly, walked to Xiao Yucheng and filled his wine bottle with wine.

"My lord has been sick recently, so don't drink alcohol."

Zheng Wei took two quick steps and persuaded a little abruptly.

Xiao Yucheng glanced at it slightly in surprise.

Zheng Wei in the prime days is the most disciplined. At this time, she was supposed to be beside the Empress Dowager. Not only did she rush into the palace, but she even rudely prevented him from drinking. It seemed to outsiders that Zheng Wei had come to stare at him. .

Everyone around showed a knowing snicker.

Mrs. Su Rixiao has the reputation of being dignified and rigorous, but she didn't expect to be so devoted to Lord Pushe, that she would break into the palace to stare at her regardless of her manners.

Xiao Yucheng's face turned even darker, and he said in a low voice, "It's okay."

Saying so, stretch out your hand.
Zheng Wei took one step ahead of him, picked up the wine bottle, and bowed slightly to His Majesty.

"Your Majesty has kindness in your heart. My late mother, Princess Xunyang, has passed away for many years. I am grateful for your thoughts."

Finished drinking it.

Xiao Yucheng already felt that something was wrong, and it was too late to stop him.

Zheng Wei didn't feel the pain, instead there was a trace of comfort, and he was slightly surprised.

She looked around, except for Xiao Yucheng who was a little nervous, the emperor and the others were all surprised and faintly excited.

She felt that she was getting more and more excited and refreshed. She wanted to shout with endless energy, but her reason was still there. She endured it, but it was getting hotter and hotter, and she wanted to put all her clothes on. Throw.

These feelings came too quickly, but they swept through her body instantly, and she felt her body trembling uncontrollably.

Xiao Yucheng blushed slightly when he saw Zheng Wei's lips being bitten.

Before she could figure it out, she saw Zheng Wei fall down, and hurriedly stepped forward to catch her, and soon found that her flushed face gradually became more blue-gray.

"Five stone powder!" Xiao Yucheng picked her up and ran outside the hall in horror, shouting, "Medical worker!"

After March, I was shocked, drizzle, and occasionally a gust of wind blew through with the coolness of the unfinished winter.

A carriage galloped down the official road leading to Jingkou, and soon a group of sergeants on fast horses and armored came from behind. An exclamation came from the carriage, urging the driver: "Come on, hurry up!"

The coachman didn't answer, the whip in his hand whipped a few times quickly, the horse was in pain, and ran even harder. A slightly flustered female voice could be heard from the car, "The Empress Dowager, this carriage is far less secure than a small carriage, you Just be patient, wait until you avoid those chasing soldiers."

"Can you escape? I just hate those despicable villains for instigating that evil obstacle, and the Aijia who harmed them today is like a lost dog!" After a few breaths, a slightly majestic female voice came from the carriage, with gritted hatred and Unwilling!

"Actually, this matter is similar to you. Besides, you had some friendship with Mrs. Xiao in the past. I don't think you will come to General Xiao."

"Stupid! If this is the case, where did those people come from? Xiao Yucheng holds the power, and his ambitions have long been hidden! Now that most of the capital is in Xiao Yucheng's hands, if you want to completely control the capital, you must take the Ai family. Point forces have also been swept away, it's a shame that ignorant child is giving away the opportunity to subvert the Da Zhou royal family."

Before the two master and servant in the carriage could finish speaking, the speeding carriage tripped over a stone on the road, the car stopped suddenly, and then quickly fell to the side, "Empress Dowager!" With an exclamation, a man flew out of the carriage. A woman wearing a brown lotus-patterned wide-sleeved skirt.

The woman didn't have time to let out an exclamation, her head slammed against the tip of the stone on the side of the road, her eyes widened, and her face was horrified and unwilling.

(End of this chapter)