Empress Huaishu of the Harem

Chapter 12
In Zi Aocheng in July, everything is like a cage for steaming steamed buns, which can't be steamed dry.Even if some palace people sprinkled water to cool down according to the time, it would still be of no avail.I've always been afraid of heat, so even if I stay indoors and do nothing, I'll be covered in sweat in no time.I was so irritable that I couldn't do anything, even Xue Po invited me to see the selected concubines, so I couldn't get up my spirits.

Fortunately, before the Qixi Festival, rain fell from the sky.Thunderstorms washed away most of the summer heat all night.At dawn the next day, I opened the window in the morning, and it was cool and refreshing.It's been cooler than it's been in days, I thought.Ruxiu observed the words and expressions, and persuaded: "Diji, the air is nice after the rain, why don't we go to the Taiye Pond for a walk, and enjoy the lotus along the way."

I thought about it, so I said: "That's fine, anyway, I'm getting moldy these days."

Most flowers in the world are afraid of wind and rain, but lotus flowers are born near water, and they become more delicate and beautiful when the rain blows and the wind blows.Although it is the end of summer at this time, Lingtai pavilions are surrounded by flowers and trees, and among the lotus leaf fields, there are mostly blooming hibiscus, some red and white.The most is still pink lotus.Last night's rain turned into dew, falling on the petals.Under the radiance of the rising sun, it is even more nourished by Dongfang Xiaolu.It's really like the poems of the predecessors: "It's good to be sunny when the water is shining."

Ruxiu joked on the side and said: "It's really beautiful. If there are a few more golden carps playing among the lotus leaves, it will be even more natural."

I listened to the round fan with the ivory-handled Suzhou embroidered butterfly and love flower slowly shaking, and accompanied by the pleasant cool breeze, said: "Yes, there are a lot of fish in the Thousand Carp Pond, but the golden carp is so clear that it is swaying its tail. There is no trace of water and grass, so there is nothing to be angry about."

Ruxiu covered her mouth with a smile and said, "Emperor Ji, what are you talking about? I forgot that when you were young, the prince of Pingyang once came to play in the palace. A bunch of you guys broke willow sticks and played with fish there. The result is somehow The prince just fell into the water. At that time, you were the closest to him. When the slaves rushed over, the concubine’s face turned pale with fright. She was afraid that the queen mother and Princess Pingyang would blame her. Fortunately, the prince woke up and said that it was because of his mistake. The concubine has forbidden your feet."

In fact, I really did it when Yu Che fell into the water.

That was when he was seven or eight years old, Yu Che's naughtiness was already hated by people, and even the third brother refused to take him to ride a horse in the school yard.He didn't care about it, and made troubles everywhere as soon as he arrived in the palace, trying to be king and hegemony.He especially likes to play tricks on elder sister Lingxi, by staining her newly made yellow lily pleated skirt, and frightening her with loaches in the mud.Once it went too far, and even put a cicada on her bun, scaring my sister to tears.I can't stand it, I can't fight, I can't win.In a moment of anger, he actually yelled behind him while he was standing by the water.Unprepared, Yu Che fell down when he was unsteady, and even choked on a few mouthfuls of water. When he was picked up by the inner prisoner, he was already dead.

I intended to scare him, but unexpectedly it turned out to be so serious, completely beyond expectation, and I was also scared stupid.What was even more unexpected to me was that Sister Lingxi burst into tears when she heard about this, and then reprimanded me sharply, which was the first time in her life.Ruxiu remembers only saying: "Di Ji, calm down, Huai Shu Di Ji must not have done it on purpose, you and Di Ji are sisters, don't you know her well? Besides, the most important thing now is that your son is safe and sound."

It was the last sentence that made Lingxi, who was originally frightened and angry, quiet down.It was also my fate, and it was soon reported that Yu Che woke up and claimed that this matter was none of my business.Princess Pingyang saw that her son was fine, and the concubine mother apologized again and again, but instead said a few words of comfort.

I still don't understand why Yu Che repays evil with kindness.But I understand why elder sister Lingxi cares so much about his safety.

But so what, it's an unspeakable fate!
There was a thunder outside the window, and the lightning struck my face. I trembled in panic, and the sunspots in my hand fell on the chessboard.

Lingxi said indifferently: "Sister, you made a mistake."

I looked down and saw that half of the game was over, and there were not many sunspots left, so I simply said, "Anyway, I'm sure to lose, so I'll have to worry about it when I get to the provincial level." Thunder and lightning struck as far as I could see, and I couldn't help saying: "I'm afraid this is the last game of this year." There is a thunderstorm, an autumn rain and a cold, my sister has some warm clothes here."

Just as Heng'er was about to speak, Lingxi glanced over and hurriedly said: "I have accumulated a lot over the years, just ask them to bring it back later, why bother others."

I also felt that there was nothing to persuade me, so I turned around and said: "My sister's chess skills are really superb. We have played [-] or [-] games these days, and you always kill me every time."

Lingxi said: "Playing chess is just a practice, blindly seeking to win or lose, it is easy to go astray."

I said: "Listen to what you said, it's exactly the same as Concubine Duanmu."

Hearing me mention Concubine Duanmu, Sister Lingxi's expression was as indifferent as a white cloud, and she said leisurely: "It's been more than half a year, is Concubine Mu still okay?"

I was taken aback at first, but then realized that she was talking about the half a year since she was banned.Although my elder sister is a descendant of the Empress Dowager, she has been close to Concubine Duan since she was a child. Her first-hand talents were passed down by Concubine Duan herself, and her relationship is no less than that between me and Concubine Zhen and Concubine Demu.

So I said, "My concubine's body has always been like that. She hasn't recovered but she hasn't gotten sick. I just miss my sister very much." Consonance's recent situation, she is so indifferent, if she is not very concerned, why would she ask this question?
The thunderstorm outside made the quietness in the hall even more frightening.After a long time, Lingxi finally said: "Concubine Duanmu's birthday is coming soon, Zipei, when you go, take your sister with you."

I was a little anxious when I heard this, and said: "Sister, Concubine Duanmu doesn't need anything but you to pay her respects. She loves you the most!"

But as soon as I said it, I regretted it a little.Lingxi's temperament is soft on the outside and strong on the inside, forcing himself into a dead end.Even Xue Po's attempt to persuade him failed.This is already a tacitly forbidden place, so why do I have to reveal it to make everyone unhappy.Unexpectedly, Lingxi smiled miserably, his eyes swept across the shadowy moon shadow, and the thunder and lightning outside the house one after another, against which Lingxi's face became paler, like a piece of white paper that would be swept away by the wind and rain at any time.She asked: "Zi Pei, am I stupid?" She said: "Sister, why do you say that cousins ​​can get married, but people with the same surname can't."

She said: "Zi Pei, do you think it's disgusting for me to think so? It's not in the world."

She said: "Zi Pei, do you think Yu Che will ignore me anymore?"

The words of the past passed like wind, and I didn't know how to answer them.Many people have said that love is beautiful and cannot be polluted.But what I saw was bitter fruit.The rules and regulations of the royal family have stuck the whole life of us people, and love is like an extravagance beyond the control, and there will be punishment if you touch it.

I was a little anxious when I heard it, and said: "Sister, Concubine Duanmu needs you to serve her filial piety. She loves you the most!"

But as soon as I said it, I regretted it a little.Lingxi's temperament is soft on the outside and strong on the inside, forcing himself into a dead end.Even Xue Po's attempt to persuade him failed.This is already a tacitly forbidden place, so why do I have to reveal it to make everyone unhappy.

Unexpectedly, Lingxi smiled miserably, his eyes swept across the shadowy moon shadow, and the thunder and lightning outside the house one after another, against which Lingxi's face became paler, like a piece of white paper that would be swept away by the wind and rain at any time.

She asked: "Zi Pei, am I stupid?"

She said: "Sister, why do you say that cousins ​​can get married, but those with the same surname can't."

She said: "Zi Pei, do you think it's disgusting for me to think so? It's not in the world."

She said: "Zi Pei, do you think Yu Che will ignore me anymore?"

The words of the past passed like wind, and I didn't know how to answer them.Many people have said that love is beautiful and cannot be polluted.But what I saw was bitter fruit.The rules and regulations of the royal family have stuck the whole life of us people, and love is like an extravagance beyond the control, and there will be punishment if you touch it.I said weakly: "Sister, it's not worth it."

"It's not worth it, even Liuhong said it's not worth it, and I know it's not worth it, but I really can't do it for me to marry and live the rest of my life as arranged by my mother."

Consonance spoke every word and every word, and it was all from the heart. I knew I couldn't persuade her anymore, so I had to leave silently. Before leaving, she suddenly said: "Take care of Liu Hong for me. I'm the one who got her into trouble."

(End of this chapter)