Chaos in the Chu Palace

Chapter 11 Changes on the way (2)
Chu Huotian raised his head, glanced at the counselors around him with sharp eyes, finally nodded solemnly, and said coldly: "Rest in place here. Choose another day to set off. Mr. Lin, help me draw up a secret book for eight hundred Li Jia rushed to the emperor and said... the Marquis's old injury relapsed and he was ill."

Because Chu Dinghou was ill, the army stationed in Anhua's place.Ouyang Ruo rejoiced secretly.It is a great blessing for her to be able to rest where she is now with her hand injury.Fortunately, the burn on the hand was just a red patch, and new flesh had grown out, a small patch of redness, not ugly, but with the snow-white skin around it, it was also an eyesore.

Wan Hui felt sorry for a while, and said: "Madam, it would be better if this small wound was touched inside. It can't be seen when it is hidden in the sleeve."

Ouyang Ruo still had lingering fears when he remembered the splash on his face that day, and frowned slightly, "Auntie, luckily it wasn't hurt on the face, otherwise it would be ruined."

Wanhui sighed after hearing this, and said in a low voice: "The maid found out that the maid's name is Qiulin, and her sister died of illness a few days ago, that's why she went crazy that day. It's just a coincidence that the lady ran into her." gone."

Ouyang Ruo nodded: "I knew she had a story in her heart. Otherwise, she wouldn't have treated me like this. Forget it, Auntie will take some money to settle her down. Now she will be sad in the later days."

The two were talking, and De Xuan walked in with a bow, holding a big red nanmu lacquer plate in his hand, and said with a slight smile: "Ma'am, this is the wound medicine that Eunuch Li asked someone to bring, and it is said to be very good for the wound. "Ouyang Ruo nodded.

Wan Hui asked again: "Did you treat the eunuch who sent the message to drink tea?"

Dexuan nodded and said: "Yes. Don't worry, aunt. The slaves will naturally know. The inner eunuch said that Lord Hou is very concerned about it. He told his wife to heal his wounds. When Lord Hou recovered from his illness, he would come to see his wife. " After finishing speaking, he glanced at Ouyang Ruo's plain hand hanging by the desk, and said: "Ma'am, the injury is not a problem, but I can't see the wind and see the sun so quickly, I still have to wrap it up, and use tea oil to wrap it up every day." , after a few days it will be as white as the skin next to it. Otherwise it will turn black and wrinkled."

Hearing this, Ouyang Ruo nodded and said softly, "It's really thanks to you, otherwise I don't know how long I'll have to struggle with these two injuries."

Wan Hui also laughed and praised: "Such capable and smart, Miss Mingying's selection is really amazing."

Dexuan's face blushed slightly when he saw the two praised him again and again.He hurriedly said goodbye, put down the plate in his hand, and continued to work.Ouyang Ruo sighed slightly when he saw the jars of delicately decorated wound medicines on the plate.

Wan Hui wondered: "Madam, what are you doing sighing? Madam should be happy when Lord Hou cares about Madam."

Ouyang Ruo responded lightly, and said: "I didn't mean to sigh like that, I was just thinking that Master Hou's illness is really hard to figure out, and it seems that going all the way to Chudi is not very peaceful. I haven't arrived yet As for Chu Jing, there are so many twists and turns, and it seems that the future is bleak." He asked casually, "Has the bird's nest and lotus seed porridge that I gave to Lord Hou delivered early in the morning?"

Wan Hui nodded, and said: "It's delivered, Eunuch Li also praised Madam for her heart, saying that Lord Hou thinks that eating porridge every day is boring."

Ouyang Ruo smiled when he heard the words, and the smile was a bit cold: "Who knows if he dares to use it. After two hours of waiting, I guess it was all paid to the Lord of the Land."

Wan Hui hesitated for a long time before saying: "Yes, the servants are outside, waiting for the Hou Ye to use up before coming. Eunuch Li also said that the congee cooked by Madam is sweet but not greasy, and Madam Hou likes it very much. When Madam came back I was having dinner with the young lady, and the servant forgot to mention it."

Ouyang Ruo was stunned again, and a strange feeling slowly rose in his heart, so he nodded and said: "That's good, just stay up tonight, and send it tomorrow."

Wan Hui hastily agreed.

The Emperor of Chu State heard that Chu Dinghou was seriously ill due to his old injury, so he hurriedly sent a respected and respected veteran of the two dynasties, Mr. Sun Pang Desun, to visit him. He also brought several imperial physicians along with him in a hurry. Anwar.

Sun Pangde was a veteran of the two dynasties. He was upright by nature and did not cling to any party. He was called "Sun Geda" by the late emperor when he was Emperor Chu, which directly means that his character is as stubborn as a lump of wood.Now the struggle between the two parties in the state of Chu is becoming increasingly fierce, and he is the only one who is alone. Both parties want to pull him, but they can't pull him.

The rumors in the court are very rampant, pointing out that Chu Dinghou has made great contributions, has the heart of disobedience, and wants to stand on his own across the river.Emperor Chu was annoyed by his officials early in the morning, only Sun Pangde insisted on persuading him to be cautious and not to listen to rumors.So he simply issued an imperial decree, asking Sun Pangde to bring a group of imperial doctors to Anhua to visit Chu Dinghou. He said that he must let the emperor recover and return to the country, so as to contribute to the prosperity of the Chu country.

Sun Pangde knew that he had a heavy responsibility on his shoulders, so he crossed the river non-stop and came to Anhua regardless of his old age.Just got off the horse, and was anxious to ask to see him.

Li Jing turned worried and said: "Master Sun, Lord Hou is taking medicine and fell asleep. Master Hou has given orders, please rest a little, and entertain your lord and his party well tonight."

Sun Pangde knew that he was in a hurry, and it was hard for him to see him because of his travel and dust, so he nodded and went down to rest first.Li Jing changed his expression only when he saw him walking away, stuck out his tongue and turned back to complain.

Chu Huotian was wearing an unlined garment, and leaned against the table to take a volume of military books. After Li Jing had finished speaking, he smiled slightly and said, "Master Sun is really enthusiastic. He was eager to see Ben Hou as soon as he got off his horse. He is really a pillar of the country." Ah. I don’t have to worry about having a few more adults like this in the court.”

Li Jingcai laughed and said: "Yes, judging by Mr. Sun's face, it's not a fake."

Chu Huotian nodded, and said: "There is going to be a show tonight, Mr. Sun is not so easy to fool, it is best to pull him over, and at the very least let him be neutral, so that the queen and the father-in-law will be happy No more storms."

Li Jing hurriedly nodded in agreement.

In the evening, Mr. Sun and his party had rested enough, and they were asking to see him. When they arrived at the door of Chu Huotian's house, they suddenly saw a maid walking out with a basin of food. Mr. Sun had sharp eyes and saw a blood-stained handkerchief floating in the basin of sewage. , There was a "click" in my heart.It was half cold first, and hurriedly dragged the imperial doctor behind and said repeatedly: "Go and see what's going on with Lord Hou, go!"

The imperial doctor was old, so he had to carry the medicine box three steps and two steps.After entering the house for a while before coming out, Mr. Sun grabbed him and shouted: "What's wrong, Lord Hou?"

The imperial doctor sighed: "I have been practicing medicine for decades, but I have never encountered this disease, alas..."

The blood in Mr. Sun's brain was rushing upwards, and he was almost tearful after leaving him: "Master Hou, you have to cherish it, the prosperity of the Chu Kingdom that I have been looking forward to for decades has fallen on you, you must support me!" Stay here." Said, staggered into the room.

The old doctor muttered outside the house: "It's strange, logically speaking, this pulse condition shouldn't be like a serious illness like a serious illness. It's strange..."

As soon as Mr. Sun entered the room, there was a strong smell of medicine in the room. Behind the layers of curtains, Chu Huotian supported his sick body and half leaned on the bed, his face was as pale as snow, his lips were chapped, and he was drinking a bowl of black wine from the maid's hand. Painted medicine.

Mr. Sun wiped his old tears, sat down nearby and said, "Master Hou, how are you doing now?" Chu Huotian was helped to lie down, covering the quilt. On a May day, the heat wave outside the house came, but he covered it. Two thick quilts were worn.

Chu Huotian smiled wryly when he heard the words: "Master Sun, it was really hard for you to go all the way. Now that I have retired, I will bring back the soldiers brought from Chu State, and I will get my wish. As for the aftermath It’s just for others to judge.”

After listening to Master Sun, he was even more excited: "Master Hou, the old minister knows that you are the pillar of the country. If it weren't for you, how could Chu, our country, be prosperous and growing day by day among the four countries. Today's great contribution... "

Chu Huotian stretched out his hand, waved it weakly, and interrupted his words: "I don't care about any credit or reputation. Now Huaguo is the land of my Chuguo, and only three of the four kingdoms are left, and they belong to me. The most prosperous. This Marquis has been a soldier all his life, and now he is considered worthy of death. After seeing his father, he should also know that his youngest son has not disgraced him."

Having said that, I couldn't help myself, turned around and faced the tent, and said in a hoarse voice with sadness: "Master Sun, from now on, only Lord Sun can handle affairs impartially in the court, and the emperor also needs the help of someone as upright as Lord Sun It is."

Master Sun sighed endlessly, and persuaded him earnestly for a long time before leaving the house.As soon as he left the room, Chu Huotian got off the bed with a sneer, picked up the emperor's secret book that Mr. Sun put beside his pillow, and looked at it at a glance.

Li Jingcai stepped forward to make the bed, and said: "When Master Sun left, the servants were shaking their heads and sighing."

Chu Huotian set the secret bag in his hand on the brazier and burned it, staring at the clusters of jumping flames, with a slight smile on his thin lips: "Master Sun is so easy to deceive, now he has coaxed him to pat his chest to promise that the Marquis will return!" The state of Chu is definitely the same as before. But judging from the letter, the emperor is still skeptical, anyway, the emperor's temperament is like this, otherwise there would be no such thing as that woman interfering in the government and her relatives messing up power."

At the end of the secret decree, a puff of black smoke rose up, obliterating all the words.

Chu Dinghou was ill for about ten days. Tens of thousands of soldiers and thousands of Hua Guo prisoners of war had a good rest. In addition, he was close to Chu, and the supply of food and grass was timely. For a few days, the generals, wounded and sick soldiers and prisoners of war all improved slightly.The scars on Ouyang Ruo's hands could not be seen either.

In the past few days, Ouyang Ruo cooked all kinds of porridge every day, and sent Wan Hui to deliver it in person early in the morning.Everything is delicious, beautiful and delicious.Even Eunuch Li was stunned and said: "Where did Madam find the method, this is no worse than the imperial cook in the palace. Our family has never seen many of them. Seeing that Master Hou is eating happily, the slaves really want to try it. "

At that time, Ouyang Ruo was following Dexuan, walking in the garden.It was a slightly cool morning in early May, and a few pomegranate trees were in full bloom, and Dexuan was taking scissors to twist a few branches to put in the beauty scoop in the house.Hearing Wanhui's message, Ouyang Ruo pulled a faint smile, her pink face and peach cheeks, her charming demeanor was more gorgeous than durian flowers, and it was eye-catching.

She turned her head and told Dexuan: "Twist a few more branches, prepare them today, and tomorrow there will be another porridge." As the name suggests, its color is like jasper, a pool of green porridge rice, sprinkled with a few petals of pomegranate flowers that have been broken in clear water, it will whet your appetite.

Ouyang Ruo made another small order and gave it to Li Jingcai, although the other one didn't look exquisite on the surface, it was still a novelty to eat.In this way, Chu Dinghou ate the porridge cooked by Ouyang Ruo himself for ten days for his breakfast.

Sometimes in the afternoon, Ouyang Ruo sent someone to deliver a bowl of refreshing dessert.If you meet an imperial doctor, he will only say that Lord Hou has a loss of appetite due to his illness, so he is here to appetize Lord Hou.In order to convince Mr. Sun that he was seriously ill, Chu Huotian locked himself in the room every day, which was stuffy and hot, and a bowl of cool dessert was just to relieve the heat.He was very happy in his heart, he didn't say anything, but it showed in his eyes.

On No. 11, the third edict of Emperor Chu arrived at his bedside, and Chu Huo Tiancai told the anxious Sun Daren that "the illness has improved a little" and it was time to return to Chu State to return to his order.So after a full eleven days of rest, the brigade set off in a mighty way.The official road was still full of dust, and the team stretched for several miles, like a huge dragon.Ouyang Ruo, Wan Hui, and Ming Ying still rode in the same carriage, but Dexuan was added to the shaft.

At noon, the sun was very hot, Wan Hui felt sorry for Dexuan who was basking in the sun outside the car, and wanted to pull him in with him.But Dexuan declined and said: "Dexuan understands my aunt's kindness, but breaking the rules will cause people to make troubles, and this day is still bearable."

Wan Hui couldn't say anything after hearing this.On the contrary, Ouyang Ruo put Ling Xiang down, and said to the two people in the car with a solemn face: "Dexuan is right, if you cross the river, it is not Huadi, if you make a wrong step, it may be a wrong step, you two should remember But you must be cautious in your words and deeds, and don't be caught by others."

Wanhui and Mingying hurriedly responded respectfully.

After dinner, take a rest and continue on your way.People tend to get sleepy after eating, and it is easier to fall asleep when the car is shaking. The people in the car are looking for pillows, and the cushions are tilted and fell asleep.After an unknown amount of time, Ouyang Ruo suddenly heard Dexuan calling softly outside the curtain.

"What's the matter?" Ouyang Ruo asked softly through the curtain.

"Ma'am, look outside, there are a lot of refugees here." Dexuan's voice contained a hint of hesitation.

Ouyang Ruo gently opened the curtain on the side of the carriage, looked out, and saw a lot of people who looked like refugees coming tens of meters away from the team. No. people.Their faces were gray and black, their bodies were dirty, and they walked forward limply, a silent and suffocating breath enveloped them, like a large piece of rotten grass moving slowly.

"What's wrong?" Ouyang Ruo knew that Dexuan was cautious and would not disturb her easily if there was no serious matter.

"I can't tell the slaves, but I think it's strange. Along the way these days, refugees hide when they see officers and soldiers. Aren't these people afraid?" Dexuan said after pondering for a while.

Ouyang Ruo's heart trembled when he heard the words, and when he looked carefully again, he really felt that the refugees seemed to follow the team intentionally, not far or close.The corner of Ouyang Ruo's eyes suddenly flashed, as if he saw a light passing by very quickly.I wanted to look again but couldn't find any trace.She lowered the curtain, but cold sweat was already dripping from her palms.There seems to be something wrong, but I can't tell it.The clothes of those people were ragged and they didn't walk fast. No matter how you looked at them, they looked like refugees who escaped from the war. There was nothing wrong with it.

but…

"Ma'am, maybe this servant is overwhelmed. It disturbed Madam's rest..." Dexuan said.

"No!" Ouyang Ruo said suddenly.The voice was not too loud, but it woke up Wanhui and Mingying nearby.

"No! It's not right." Ouyang Ruo's complexion turned slightly pale. What's wrong?ah!She suddenly opened the curtain of the car, and said to Dexuan urgently: "Quick! Do you know how to find Eunuch Li? When you find Eunuch Li, just say...just say...just say that I have a sudden illness."

Dexuan froze for a moment, jumped out of the carriage and ran forward.

Ouyang Ruo's complexion was snowy, if she guessed right, the flashing thing was the sword accidentally revealed.Do refugees have such sharp knives?
There is only one possibility, these people are not refugees!

After a cup of tea, Dexuan came back panting: "Ma'am, Eunuch Li is serving Lord Hou, and the servants can't see him at all. They can't even pass on the words, and the servants of Lord Hou's car can't even touch the side .what should I do?"

Ouyang Ruo frowned, and opened the curtain to look out the window carefully, only to see that the refugees were a few meters closer to the convoy without knowing it.Ouyang Ruo could even see the blank expressions on their faces and the occasional sharp eyes.

"Ma'am, what's the matter?" Wan Hui asked involuntarily, looking outside the car from time to time.

Ouyang Ruo didn't answer, just put down the car curtain, trying to calm Ping Ruo's heart, this is not the time to panic, but don't get confused.She raised her head to meet Shang Dexuan's worried and anxious expression, and asked again: "Is it really hard to speak?"

Dexuan wiped his sweat, and said, "Mmm", "I can't pass it on, those soldiers are very arrogant, and the slaves just can't make sense with them."

Ouyang Ruo was thinking very quickly, who else could pass on the message, and who else?

correct!Ouyang Ruo thought of a person, and his downcast bright eyes suddenly lit up, Dexuan only felt that the light seemed to dazzle people's eyes.

Ouyang Ruo hurriedly said to Dexuan: "Go to General Su and ask him to come over. If he really refuses to come, then we can only resign ourselves to fate."

After finishing speaking, Ouyang Ruo's heart was pounding, Dexuan hurriedly agreed, and jumped out of the car to look for General Su again.

Time passed by moment by moment, and the people in the car were extremely silent. Although Wanhui and Mingying didn't know what was going to happen, seeing Ouyang Ruo's pale expression, they knew it must be something bad.Ouyang Ruo looked back at Ling Xiang who was still sleeping in the car, and his calm heart began to panic again.what to do?what to do?
At this time, the sound of horseshoes came from outside the car, and someone asked outside the car, "Is it Madam who is called the future?"

His voice was clear and mellow, with a trace of summer refreshing breath, soothing all the restlessness.Ouyang Ruo didn't know why she thought so, but his appearance did miraculously calm her flustered heart, as if as long as he stayed around the carriage, even if he didn't do anything, she could feel at ease.

Ouyang Ruo hastily lifted the curtain of the car, and the white sun dazzled her eyes.She reluctantly opened her eyes and looked up, Su Yanqing let the horse walk slowly beside the carriage, still in white robe and silver armor, sitting upright on the horse's back.

Ouyang Ruo looked around and said anxiously: "General Su, do you believe me or not?"

When Su Yanqing heard this, there was a hint of doubt on his handsome face, but he replied slowly: "I believe. I will not believe in Madam in the end."

The eyes of the two met in the air.His young face is clear and sincere under the scorching sun, and a trace of strangeness quietly emerges in Ouyang Ruo's heart.

"General Su, be careful of those refugees. I'm afraid there will be changes." Ouyang Ruo said quickly and very softly.Su Yanqing's face turned serious when she heard the words, she turned her head to observe carefully, and then turned her head full of vigilance.

"Madam, go back to the car and sit down, and I will send some people to protect Madam at the end." After Su Yanqing clasped her fists and said, she patted her horse and rushed forward like an arrow.

Ouyang Ruo let out a long sigh and returned to the carriage.It's good to have his words!
The wheels are rolling, leading the restless people in the car to the unpredictable future.

(End of this chapter)