Chaos in the Chu Palace

Chapter 10 Changes on the way (1)
At dinner time, Ouyang Ruo came to Chu Huotian's residence. It was the best and largest main room, and the decoration was even more rich and exquisite. Auspicious birds and animals carved in lacquer gold vividly fell on the eaves and window lattices.In the atrium there is a stone table with a radius of about one zhang, which seems to be carved from a whole rock.Among the four countries, it was rumored that China was the richest country. Ouyang Ruo used to think otherwise in the deep palace for many years, but now it seems to be true. Just a local wealthy family can be so ostentatious. One can imagine how rich other local tyrants are. .However, after several years of war, most of the rich merchants here fled the place closest to the forefront of the war, and the most prosperous place of business in the past gradually fell silent.

People in the house came and went, including military generals and a few senior scribes, everyone was cautious in their words and deeds.Ouyang Ruo stood by the door, neither advancing nor retreating.Li Jing hurriedly led her to the small warm pavilion next to her, and offered her tea and snacks.

Ouyang Ruo asked casually: "It seems that Master Hou is very busy. It's really hard work."

Li Jing sighed, and said: "Yes, Lord Hou has a lot of affairs to deal with every day, and he has a lot of business on the road these days. There is not even enough time to rest."

Ouyang Ruo collected his expression, and said in a warm voice: "There is a father-in-law serving Lord Hou wholeheartedly on this journey, and the father-in-law has also worked hard."

When Li Jing heard the words, he smiled and said goodbye, and said: "Madam, please wait a moment, Lord Hou will deliver the meal in a while."

Ouyang Ruo waited in peace.Sure enough, someone will come in and lead her in soon.Turning around the big golden screen in the house where a hundred birds are competing for spring, and passing through several layers of curtains, they arrived at the brightly lit hall.

Chu Huotian was wearing a light blue gown, with a silver edge rolled around the lapel of the collar, which accentuated his jade-like complexion and his handsome and solemn face.He was holding a booklet in his hand, and was reading it carefully by the lamplight.

Ouyang Ruo's eyelids twitched, she stepped forward and bowed slowly.At that time, she was wearing a floor-length dress of crimson silk painted with peony flowers, and a smoked gauze dress inlaid with gold and silver silk embroidered with colorful butterflies.Her complexion is very fair, and she dressed in crimson clothes appropriately without being gaudy, and carefully pasted peach blossoms on her forehead, making her complexion more spring-like, with cherry lips and phoenix eyes, and cloud-like hair on her temples.There are two peacock hairpins pinched with gold thread and hollowed out on each side, and each peacock holds a string of black pearls under its beak, which is both luxurious and unassuming.

Seeing that it was her, Chu Huotian showed a trace of gentleness on his usually cold and handsome eyebrows, motioned for her to sit beside him, pointed to a table of dishes and said, "You have worked hard these days, eat more."

Ouyang Ruo lowered her eyebrows and gave a pleasing compliment.The two were relatively silent.Chu Huotian seemed to be in a good mood, and kept serving her dishes with his chopsticks.Li Jingcai was articulate, explaining the characteristics of each dish.It was the first time for Ouyang Ruo to dine with him. Although he was uncomfortable, he casually said a few words about the customs and customs of Huaguo during the meal.Unexpectedly, Chu Huotian was extremely interested and kept asking.It took a long time to eat a meal.

At three o'clock in the garrison, the servants came to clean up.Ouyang Ruo helped him change his clothes and freshen up, served him a cup of fragrant tea, lowered his eyebrows and asked him: "Is Hou Ye going to bed now?"

Chu Huotian took her hand and sat down by the table: "Can you play chess?" He raised his eyebrows and asked with a smile.Under the candlelight, his eyes shone like stars in the dark night, and were as deep as the sea, and he wanted to drown people.

Ouyang Ruo almost lost her mind under his gaze. She suppressed the extremely complicated thoughts in her heart, collected herself, and smiled brightly, her slightly pink face was as delicate as a crabapple at night: "I know a little bit about myself. Sitting for a long time after that is not good for your health. How about going out for a walk with Lord Hou?"

Chu Huotian took a sip of tea and nodded, took her hand, took the cloak from the waiter and put it on her, and said lightly: "The night wind outside is a bit cold, you should be careful."

Ouyang Ruo was in a trance for a moment, such movements were warm and without the slightest affectation.She came back to her senses, smiled at him faintly, and walked out holding his arm.

The garden in this rich merchant's mansion is very exquisite. Although it is under the night, it has a special taste. Red lanterns are hung in several corridors and pavilions. Under the dim candlelight, there is a peaceful and peaceful atmosphere. , a few stars are dotted in it, which is very pleasant.

Chu Huotian only felt that the fatigue of the past few days was swept away, and he couldn't help but said happily: "You are kind, you know that going to the garden at night is also very interesting, so you brought me here?"

Ouyang Ruo asked the servants to spread soft cushions on the stone benches in the pavilion, and the two sat down, and then said: "This kind of garden can be enjoyed not only during the day, but also at night. You just don't know about it."

Chu Huotian turned his head and asked casually: "The garden in Chudi is not so exquisite. I don't know if you are used to it."

Ouyang Ruo's expression froze, but luckily the darkness of night covered the abnormality on her face.She said softly: "Master Hou is serious. My concubine was originally destined to be like duckweed. Now that I am blessed by Lord Hou, I dare not expect anything else."

Chu Huotian was also silent.The two were speechless for a while.

"Do you have any relatives in your house?" Chu Huotian asked suddenly.

Ouyang Ruo pondered for a while and replied: "My father has only one daughter as a concubine, and has no brothers or sisters. My father passed away a few years ago, and there are still a few cousins ​​in the family who are far away in Ling County."

Chu Huotian sighed: "You are also lonely. Let's not talk about this. Going to Chudi is really embarrassing for you. Do you hate me?"

Ouyang Ruo was startled, and hurriedly knelt down and said, "Master Hou must not kill my concubine like this. The concubine is the person who is to be punished. Without the protection of Master Hou, it would have been a pile of loess. I am grateful to Master Hou." It's too late, how dare you harbor resentment?!" After saying that, she looked up at him, tears welling up in her eyes, which shone brighter than the stars in the sky under the lamplight. "Doesn't Lord Hou want a concubine to serve him around?"

As she spoke, the tears trickled down from her eyes, dripping on her plain wrists that were as white as snow, making them even more delicate.

Chu Huotian sighed in his heart, quickly helped her up, and said slightly moved: "Okay, don't say these depressing words. Let's go. Let's walk around, go back and play chess pieces and rest."

Ouyang Ruo nodded, followed behind him obediently, and quietly wiped off his cold sweat when no one was paying attention.

After going back, Chu Huotian set up a chessboard to play against her again. Ouyang Ruo put his mind to it, and after a game of chess, it was true and false. In the end, Chu Huotian won fifteen pieces.

Chu Huotian laughed, hugged her and sat next to her: "You are a ghost. You make the chess so confusing. You are really clever."

Ouyang Ruo said: "Master Hou is joking. I am just a girl. It is fine to ask me to play the piano and embroider flowers. My concubine is really not very good at chess. Don't you believe me?"

She turned her head, but she didn't expect that Chu Huotian was leaning over, and her delicate lips brushed his cheek. When she realized it, she couldn't help but blushed from embarrassment.Chu Huotian gave a low laugh, hugged her, leaned back on the bed, and looked at her with slightly squinted eyes, her eyes looked into his black pupils, their eyes intertwined, his eyes were warm and full of warmth. love.Ouyang Ruo's heart was pounding, and there was a moment of blankness in his mind, so he could only freeze and worry alone.

Chu Huotian picked up the blue silk scattered around her neck and put it between her fingers, winding it between her fingers. The white and slender fingers, like the black silk, were clean and ambiguous. , said unnaturally: "Is Hou Ye happy today?"

Chu Huotian stroked her face lightly, and lazily said: "Yes, why not? We are about to cross the river, so why not be happy when we arrive in Chu State. The emperor will make me a loyal and mighty Marquis."

Ouyang Ruo just wanted to squeeze out a smile to deal with it, but suddenly felt weird, his answer was too casual, as if mocking himself, he kept silent.

Chu Huotian lowered his head and pecked lightly on her smooth forehead a few times, tender and lingering.

"It's fine if you don't hate me." He sighed, and his delicate kisses fell on her face.

Ouyang Ruo froze--do you hate him?This question seemed to have been circling in her mind, but it never really entered her heart.

Maybe even she doesn't understand what she hates.She hated Huadi for being fatuous and incompetent; she hated that Huaguo had been weak for too long, and no one could eradicate its ills;

But, does she hate him?
Without him, Huaguo would still be corrupt;

Without him, Huaguo would still be defeated like a mountain;

Without him, there would still be other countries peeping into this fertile land.

Reason clearly told her everything, but she still couldn't let it go, because even if she survived under his wings stained with the blood of the Chinese people, she was still rich and well-clothed because of his favor.Everything he gave her was branded with shame, stimulating her most sensitive nerves all the time.

Maybe she shouldn't hate him, she should hate herself.But I chose such a path of no turning back, so what qualifications do I have to say hate? !Thinking of this, she also sighed lightly, took his neck, and offered her fragrant lips.Chu Huotian sighed softly, picked her up, and walked towards the bed.The night wind outside the window is cool, and the shadows of the trees are whirling.

The red candles in the house were shaken, and the soft blue gauze curtain was lowered. She was loosely dressed, with snowy skin and clear collarbone.A beautiful woman is like jade.He pressed against her soft shoulder and kissed lightly, winding and lingering all the way.A drop of her tear fell quietly, the hatred of subjugated country, the pain of bereaved relatives, and the grief of losing a child, each of them put a shackle on her heart, but the man in front of her was obviously the most culprit enemy, but he actually let her Forgot how to hate, forgot to hate.

Early the next morning, when Ouyang Ruo woke up, the two were still hugging each other.Ouyang Ruo gently broke away with her face flushed, but it still alarmed him.

"You're awake." He opened his sleepy eyes, there was no coldness or deepness in them, only a slight smile.

Ouyang Ruo got up quickly, and softly called the servant maid outside.After the arrangement was finished, he blushed to serve him to wash and change his clothes.Under the thin clothes were his muscular and strong muscles, Ouyang Ruo blushed again when he saw it.

Seeing her embarrassment, Chu Huotian smiled lightly and said, "Don't be too busy, I can just come by myself. You have to pack up and wait until you have to hurry."

Ouyang Ruo responded, and after a while the court lady came forward to change her clothes, wash her clothes, and smooth her makeup.

"What kind of bun do you want Ma'am to wear?" the maid who combed her hair asked respectfully.

"Mingyue bun." Ouyang Ruo said casually.

"Just wear a flowing cloud bun, which is charming and beautiful." Chu Huotian was sipping the tea served by the waiter, hearing the voice.Ouyang Ruo was stunned, and could only say: "Then do as Lord Hou said, and do a Liuyun bun."

The maid who combed her hair pursed her lips and chuckled, and hurriedly agreed.Suddenly the curtain lifted, and Li Jing came in hastily, took out a letter from his pocket, and whispered something to Chu Huotian.Chu Huotian's complexion tightened, and he walked away. When he arrived at the door, he seemed to think of something, and said to Ouyang Ruo: "If there is anything missing, tell the servants. We will be on our way later." After speaking, he hurried out the door.

Ouyang Ruo looked at herself in the bronze mirror, her complexion was as bright as peaches and plums, her brows and eyes were gentle and pleasant, all the sadness, anger and depression in the past were gone, and her beauty was more beautiful than before.An inexplicable bitterness flooded her heart, she lowered her eyebrows, and let the maid comb.

Seeing that she was not in the right mind, the palace maid Xu Shi hurriedly said: "Madam's hair is soft and beautiful, it looks good in any bun."

Ouyang Ruo smiled shyly and didn't answer.Later, some palace servants brought green salt and tea, Ouyang Ruo cleaned his mouth, and was about to rinse his mouth with tea, when the maid who served tea suddenly raised her hand, and immediately splashed hot tea on Ouyang Ruo's face.

Ouyang Ruo screamed, and it was too late to hide, so she just blocked it with her hand, and the hot tea splashed on her hand, which was hot and painful, and the tea bowl fell to the ground with a "bang" and shattered into thousands of pieces, scaring everyone Got a shudder.Fortunately, the court lady wasn't accurate enough, Ouyang Ruo only splashed a little bit on his face, nothing serious.The hand is red.The maid next to her hastily stepped forward and pushed the maid to the ground.

The court lady who splashed water yelled: "You shameless woman! You betray your country and seek glory! You bitch is attached to Chu thief..."

She yelled and scolded herself, but Ouyang Ruo recovered and began to tremble involuntarily.All the maids and servants around were trembling with nervousness, some of them saw that the maid was still swearing at her life and death, so they hurried forward to stop her mouth.With a pale face, Ouyang Ruo was supported and sat down, bandaged the wound and applied medicine.The court lady who was pouring tea on the ground turned red from struggling, and her eyes shot out extremely deep hatred.Ouyang Ruo didn't avoid her either, but just looked at her fixedly.

"Ma'am, this..." a court lady stepped forward cautiously.Ouyang Ruo's face was pale, and his lips were still trembling slightly, whether it was from anger or fear.

"Let her go, don't embarrass her. Send her to the guard behind. You don't need to tell Lord Hou about this matter today, so as not to upset Lord Hou."

Wan Hui on the side shuddered when she heard this, and sent her to the back ranks, which was equivalent to escorting the woman to the prisoner's place.After that, I am afraid that the situation in Chu State will be miserable.Wan Hui wanted to persuade, but seeing Ouyang Ruo's expression, she finally held back.

In the afternoon, Ming Ying brought a handsome servant.He looked about in his early twenties, with a jade-like complexion, soft and beautiful features, a bookish smell all over his body, a calm expression, and no flattery or obscenity that is often seen in servants.Ouyang Ruo couldn't help nodding in his heart.A phase is born from the heart, if the person in front of you has been carved, he will also be a character in the future.

Seeing that Ouyang Ruo couldn't stop looking at him, Ming Ying hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, he is the benefactor mentioned by the servant girl. He used to be the internal prisoner of the Shangshan Bureau. He worked under Eunuch Huang. Your Majesty may not have seen them before. If he wasn't there to support and help me, my slaves would have..." As he spoke, he couldn't help wiping away his tears.

Ouyang Ruo nodded, and said indifferently: "What's your name?"

"The maidservant's name is Dexuan." The servant replied hastily.

"I heard from Mingying that you saved her a few times, so you are also a kind person to me. You will work under me from now on. If you don't understand, you can ask Wanhui and Mingying." Ouyang Ruo said.

"Yes, thank you for your grace." Dexuan hurriedly knelt down and kowtowed.His voice is clear and clear, like the crisp sound of mangosteen after rain.It's just that he called "Niang Niang", but Ouyang Ruo was stunned for a while.

"Don't call me your empress in the future, just call me madam." Ouyang Ruo lowered her eyes and said disheartenedly.Several people in the room were stunned and had to obey.

After a while, the messengers around Chu Huotian came to deliver an order: Today, I will rest at the same place for another day.When Mingying heard this, she murmured and complained: "One moment she said she wanted to leave, and the next moment she said she couldn't. She deliberately teased us." She got up early in the morning to tidy up, and now she was full of resentment when she had to go back to clean up.After she said it, she could only be busy opening the cage that had been packed just now.

Ouyang Ruo and Wan Hui looked at each other.Seeing that there was no one else around, Wan Hui said, "I don't know what happened here." Ouyang Ruo remembered Chu Huotian's half-smile last night, and said with a jump in his heart, "After all, it's not an easy thing. Rest a little longer. The day is good too. What about Ling Xiang, did you make trouble last night? Come and see me."

Wan Hui agreed, and went to hug Ling Xiang without mentioning it.

In the study at that time, Chu Huotian frowned and looked at the counselors in front of him.

"Lord Hou, the news from Beijing is true or false, you have to believe it or not. If the emperor wants to seize the military power suddenly at the meritorious banquet, I'm afraid it's not credible." A long-bearded The white-faced scribe stared at the thin piece of paper in his hand and frowned.There were five people in the room, all of them were scribes in Confucian uniforms, looking nervously at the information in their hands.

"Although your majesty is afraid of Lord Hou's strength in his heart, he would not do such a risky move on the cusp of the storm. It seems that someone wants to stir up trouble and reap the benefits of the fisherman. If Lord Hou believes it, the power of dividing the river will be It's settled. They can easily take the lead in Chu State." Another scribe also nodded worriedly.The state of Chu, which was finally conquered with great difficulty, is a great country. If it is split because of this, wouldn't it be a reward for the loss?
"Yes, according to the humble opinion of the few of us, Master Hou still has to go north. If you are worried about changes, do you want to contact some people in the capital?" An old scholar with a gray beard had bright eyes and a voice like a bell.

Chu Huotian did his best to attack Huaguo this time, and brought all the important advisers in his mansion with him.He frowned with thick black sword eyebrows, turned his head and asked Zhao Qingling who was silent at the side: "What do you think, Mr. Zhao?"

Chu Huotian cherishes talents very much, and respects his advisers as Mr. regardless of their age.

Zhao Qingling smiled and shook his head: "Master Hou should have a plan in mind. According to my subordinates, continue to travel north, deploy troops and horses along the road, step by step, contact generals in the capital, and do everything carefully. I want to come to that day. On the day of rewarding meritorious deeds, the emperor would not dare to take the power of soldiers and horses from the Marquis. If he really did, the Marquis would have no choice but to draw his salary from the bottom of the pot."

There was a murderous look in his clear eyes, and he was completely different from his elegant and handsome appearance: "If Lord Hou is courageous, you can delay here for a few days, and wait for those people in Beijing to show their feet, and we will naturally know when we return to Beijing." The faces of those people. It's just that this move will make the emperor more suspicious of Lord Hou."

Drain from the bottom of the pot? !He gasped a few breaths, it was clearly telling him to seek rebellion!But if he doesn't do this, can he, who has so much power in the state of Chu, be sealed again?What is the upper seal?Besides the throne, who else can give him higher?What if he is not banned anymore?

Chu Huotian hesitated for a while, why can't the world and the country have both.The emperor is his biological brother.Now it has come to this point.

He was pacing intently, and the counselors next to him were all looking at him nervously, only Zhao Qingling smiled slightly, and sat at the tea table quietly sipping tea.

(End of this chapter)