Empress Huaishu of the Harem

Chapter 61
However, even with another doctor, the condition of the concubine mother is gradually deteriorating. I never knew that the human spirit can be so fatigued.Rujuan looked at her mother's concubine's once luxuriant and jade hands, which are now so thin that only the bones are left, and the veins are bursting out, and she sighed to me: "Diji cried for her mother, and it's a good story to punish the unsatisfactory imperial doctor, but the servants are watching. , I am afraid that the concubine's illness cannot be cured by superb medical skills."

Why don't I know this truth? The old people say that the old concubines in the palace, nine out of ten, didn't get sick, but died of inner demons.

It's just that my mother still has me, and she is still so young, she hasn't seen me get married yet?How could she be willing to leave me.

Only now do I understand what it means to be a filial son in front of the bed for a long time. The illness of the parents not only tortures the body of the children, but also the pain of watching the parents die and being powerless is the most maddening.

When I really couldn't bear it, I asked Rujuan Xiaoyun and the others to take care of the concubine mother, and I went to a place where there was no one and cried happily.

But who knew that before I finished crying, I heard someone say, "What's the matter with you, you are crying, are you still a child?"

I didn't need to raise my head to know who it was, and said hoarsely: "I don't need you to worry about me, why did you come to the palace again?"

The reason why I ask this is because Zhen Zhiping has been promoted to the fifth rank under the Wuxuan Division because of his meritorious service. According to the usual practice, he should leave Beijing to take up the post.Although this level is not high, but it is a real poor job, and generally the children of nobles with senior qualifications don't even think about it.The title of Marquis of Weiyuan was originally bestowed by the Empress Dowager, including the hereditary inheritance of the Empress Dowager's father for three generations, it was only inherited to Zhen Zhiping.He is the only son again, so what happens to the Zhen family in the future depends on him.

Zhen Zhiping's answer was beyond my expectation. He said: "We have to wait for the evaluations in various places in September before leaving, and according to the Queen Mother, I will not be a military officer for long?"

I was stunned for a while, and I couldn't care less about my own sadness, so I hurriedly asked: "Why is this? Who doesn't know that brother Huang is using you, and you have always hoped to make yourself famous and make the Zhen family proud of you?" ?”

For some reason, I felt that Zhen Zhiping's mood suddenly became better. He patiently explained to me: "You should know that my father was also a leader in the early years. Although it was framed by treacherous ministers, it was also because the Zhen family had military power outside and a concubine inside, and the power was too strong to attract the suspicion of the emperor, so from the very beginning, the queen mother and my father planned to let me experience in the army instead of seizing power In this situation, the Zhen family's kindness is extremely high, and it is even more necessary to avoid suspicion. However, since His Majesty has favored us, we can't refuse, and go to other places to experience it first. If it can benefit one party, it is also a great honor."

With tears still on my face, I said: "This is really not like you." How could Zhen Zhiping in the past be willing to sacrifice his own future for the sake of the family.

Zhen Zhiping seemed to understand my thoughts this time, and said with a wry smile: "After this time, especially seeing the young masters of the He family, and the lady's pain, I realized that I was still too selfish before. My parents gave birth to me and raised me , planning a future for me, and not disregarding my life or death, why can't I listen to their opinions? Especially my father, who has experienced ups and downs in his life and is used to seeing gains and losses, must be better than a brat like me."

Hearing his emotion, I couldn't help but think of the last time I argued with him. I was a little ashamed, and I couldn't say it clearly, so I could only say: "I have always had something to do, and I have never greeted Miss Suling. Is she feeling better now?"

Zhen Zhiping sighed, and said: "Although there is some delay, I'm glad it's not a serious problem. It's just that it's hot in summer, she can't move while lying there, she really suffers, and her temper has grown a lot. A Niang also suffered along with her." .”

I heard what he said, people share the same heart, I can't help but think of my mother and concubine again, my heart is depressed, I don't want to talk about it, I just said: "You are so kind to your family."

Who knew that such a bland sentence from me would actually attract him to say, "If that's the case, why don't you come and be my family?"

I didn't understand it for a moment, but I was like a goose and asked, "What did you say?"

Zhen Zhiping blushed a little, and spoke very fast: "I said, I mean, I want to be a family with you, Huai Shu, no, Zipei, we have been together since childhood, although we often fight, but I don't hate you Yes, it must be the same for you. I think you are different from other girls, no, you are better than them. When the rioters surrounded the palace, besides A Niang and my sister, I was most worried about you. Really I'm afraid I won't see you again, really. That's why I begged the princes to send troops. At that time, I thought, if we can all be fine, I must tell you, I, I like you."

Although what he said was a bit confusing, but I still couldn't understand it, my cheeks were flushed immediately, and I didn't know where to stand.That was the age of sixteen or seventeen. Although I was reminded by Concubine Zhen that this kid might like me a little bit, but after all, it was not as shocking and eager as the face-to-face confession.

But I haven't forgotten the troubles that linger in my heart all the time. I still said loudly: "You, you are not a good person. You know what's going on with my aunt, and you still say these things to me." What's more, I was so upset, How to answer you!
Zhen Zhiping was actually no more calm than me, he said coyly: "No, I can ask the Queen Mother to find someone to treat the concubine's illness."

His words touched my heart again, I turned my back and said: "My mother is about to take her medicine, I have to go back." After finishing speaking, I ran to Ningshou Palace without waiting for his call.

Zhen Zhiping's confession brought some vitality to my restless life.At that stage, I didn't know my own mind, but I just had a vague hope that someone as ordinary as me would be pleasing to others.

Simply put, it is the joy of being affirmed.

But in the face of cruel reality, this happiness is too small.In Zi Ao City at the end of July, the bitter summer was unbearable, and the mother and concubine lost her appetite even more. According to the words of the imperial physician Wei Lin, she was already worrying about entering the inner palace, and her illness was getting worse day by day.

But she is getting more and more silent, most of the time even I like to ignore it.I scratched my head and couldn't figure out why the mother and concubine lost all vitality overnight.He even thought about inviting the few remaining relatives of the concubine's natal family to visit the palace.

But when I said this, Concubine Mu finally said: "No need, it's irrelevant." The voice was hoarse, which made me very strange.

In mid-August, the mother and concubine started to have a low-grade fever, and later developed phlegm. The old people privately said that it was time, and even the mother concubine De told me cryptically that the Ministry of Internal Affairs had already prepared a coffin, which was a joy.

(End of this chapter)