Chaos in the Chu Palace

Chapter 16
Ouyang Ruo was not angry, and smiled slightly: "Princess, this Guanyin is a little different. Whenever the weather changes, the clean bottle in Guanyin's hand can drip clean water. Tried and tested."

Only then did Concubine Chu put away the anger on her face, and said in amazement: "Is it really possible?" Ouyang Ruo nodded with a smile: "Princess, take it out and put it on the case for a try, but you can't keep this Guanyin in the box. Without the aura of heaven and earth, it will not work.”

Concubine Chu asked the servant girl to accept her suspiciously, and looked at her appreciatively.

Ouyang Ruo gave her a blessing, walked up to Mrs. Liu and Mrs. Xu, and said gently, "You two sisters, I don't know the status of the two sisters when I first came here."

Mrs. Liu pursed her lips and said with a smile: "As for entering the mansion sooner or later, I am one step ahead of sister Xu, but she and I are both wives."

Ouyang Ruo hurriedly said: "The little girl has met Sister Liu and Sister Xu." After speaking, he offered gifts to the two of them.

Liu's is a pair of golden toad hollowed out jadeite hanging from bangs.The whole body of jade is emerald green, without any impurities, it looks like a high-quality jadeite.When Liu Shi saw it, her eyes lit up slightly, and she thanked her.In the mansion, she is the only one who has a son, so she naturally hopes that her son can be both martial arts and martial arts.This pair of jade hangings has the meaning of golden toad winning laurel, so it naturally fell into her heart.

Seeing her smile, Ouyang Ruo was relieved.Afterwards, a row of exquisite and delicate rouge jade boxes was delivered to Mrs. Xu.Seeing that she was just a few boxes of rouge, Xu turned her face away with a cold face.

Ouyang Ruo was not annoyed, she opened the boxes patiently, and said as she opened them: "I was ashamed to bring them today, and I thought, which sister's rouge is not the best, but this is made by the younger sister herself. Seeing that elder sister Xu is so beautiful, if she can use the rouge made by my younger sister, my younger sister will also feel that she has a good face."

Xu could only feel the smell of the smell, so she couldn't help turning her head. With just one glance, she cried out in surprise, "Why are there so many colors!"

There are more than a dozen colors in the row of rouge boxes, and the color is fine and lustrous, which is gratifying to see.And it smells strange before it arrives.And the rouge jade boxes are all the same size, delicate and round.It is also the best white jade.

There was a slight smile on Ouyang Ruo's face, like a pool of shimmering light.She lightly clasped a box of rouge with her hand, picked a little bit with her little fingernails, took Xu's hand, wiped it on the back of her hand, and said to Xu: "Sister Xu, look, this water is red, bright but not Vulgar, compared to bright red, although sometimes you can't suppress other colors, but if my sister is wearing a water-red dress and put on this rouge, it will definitely make people's eyes hard to turn."

Xu only felt that the water-red patch on her hand was moist and plump, and it fit very well. It was cold and cool when applied to her hand, and it would be very comfortable if she applied it to her face.A smile bloomed on his face.

Ouyang Ruo looked at her carefully, and said with a little worry: "If my sister thinks this rouge is not to my liking, my sister will change it when I go back."

Mrs. Xu hurriedly said: "No need, that's fine." After speaking, she seemed afraid that she would regret it, so she hurriedly called the maid behind her to take it.

Ouyang Ruo breathed a sigh of relief, smiled and returned to his seat.

Concubine Chu saw that everyone was in harmony, and said with a smile: "Now it seems that the new sister is really good at life, and she is inferior to all our older sisters. You will have to pay back later." She paused and said, " Also, we don't pay much attention to status in the Hou's Mansion, but since Sister Ouyang is the last to enter the mansion, apart from those wives, she ranks seventh, so I'll call her Madam Seven from now on."

Liu and Xu hurriedly smiled and agreed.Ouyang Ruo hurriedly got up and said no.Talking and laughing like this, Concubine Chu looked tired, and the three of them withdrew.

Ouyang Ruo followed Wanhui and Dexuan all the way back to Jingyun Pavilion, and when they arrived at the house, Ouyang Ruo leaned against the beautiful woman's bed.

Wan Hui looked at her expression carefully and said: "Mrs. is tired. Why don't you ask girl Mingying to beat her?"

Ouyang Ruo looked at Diaoliang Huadong with wide and deep eyes, and suddenly sneered, "Gu Gu has seen a group of powerful women. It's a difficult road now."

Wan Hui sighed, took off the embroidered shoes on her feet, and covered her with a thin quilt: "Ma'am, at this point, I can only see the tricks. In the eyes of this servant, Mrs. Xu is a troublesome person."

Ouyang Ruo gently rubbed her temples, feeling dizzy, as if she had caught a cold from standing for too long just now: "Auntie thought she was troublesome, but in fact she was not troublesome. Concubine Chu and Mrs. Liu are hiding their secrets. We have to be more careful in the future."

Wan Hui nodded, and said again: "Madam's gift is really good, otherwise those three couldn't let Madam go so easily."

Ouyang Ruo nodded wearily: "If I hadn't inquired clearly before, it would be over if the gift was given by mistake. Which one is Yi's generation from the Xu family and the Liu family? It's the concubine Chu. I don't know if she likes it or not." Said Then Ouyang Ruo closed his eyes, waved at her, and Wan Hui went out lightly.

Ouyang Ruo had just settled down in the palace, and before he took a breath, he vaguely heard news from outside the palace. This news made the people of Huaguo who came with Ouyang Ruo feel desolate.

Emperor Hua was granted the title of Duke of Hua, and he fed three hundred households. He was imprisoned in the Qiyun Palace in the palace, and he was not allowed to leave the palace for life.The princes who reached the age of eighteen all joined the army to guard the border; the emperors and concubines who reached the age of fifteen all entered the palace as beautiful women; Music book; court ladies select those with good looks, and enter the washing bureau, clothing bureau, etc.Those who are not selected will serve as prostitutes; the servants will all go to Ning Rong to build the city wall...

One by one, it is frightening.Vantage, prince, and concubine...is this their fate?Is this their final destination?When the news came, Ouyang Ruo, whose nerves had been stretched to the extreme, could no longer hold on and fell ill.

"Sick?! Why are you so useless?" Concubine Chu sneered slightly when she heard Zhang Nanny's report, put down the blue and white teacup in her hand, took the handkerchief handed over by the big maid behind her, and gently wiped the corner of her mouth.

In front of the pavilion, the spring is bright, and the flowers in the garden are blooming.It looked like a burst of refreshment.

"Back to the princess, I heard from the doctor that the weather is not acclimatized, and I caught a cold." Nanny Zhang replied carefully, and helped her slowly walk down the pavilion to the garden.

"Oh? But she looks well-behaved, she doesn't look like a fox. She's much more pleasing to the eye than those women."

Concubine Chu casually bent down while talking, touching a few clumps of peonies that were about to bloom.Chu is rich in peonies, and she also loves peonies very much, not only because of their beauty, but also because peonies are the king of flowers, rich and beautiful.

"Wangfei is very right. I heard that she is from the family of Huadi, so she doesn't dare to compete for the Lord's favor." Zhang Nam laughed.

"Why did the nanny take advantage of her and speak for her? How did I hear that she was someone who served Hua Guogong before? The people who came out of the palace, no matter how they were born, they are all vicious. Mommy should be more careful in the future." Concubine Chu turned her head and gave Zhang Nanny a cold look, and cold sweat broke out on Zhang Nanny's forehead.

She never dared to underestimate this mistress.

"Your servant must never dare! This servant is looking at her weak, she fell ill before the concubine gave her a warning, and she must be weak." Madam Zhang put on a smiling face, with wrinkles all over her face. a chrysanthemum.

Concubine Chu smiled in satisfaction: "She is just a remnant flower and a willow tree, and she has cultivated blessings for eight lifetimes in the eyes of Lord Hou. It seems nothing to worry about. Besides, she left the country and her hometown alone, how much trouble could she cause?" Come on, it's Xu Shi, hmph..."

Nanny Zhang nodded again and again, and asked inquiringly: "The seventh madam's illness..."

Concubine Chu said casually: "Send someone to deliver some supplements, just pass a message." She touched the peony in her hand.

Although Ouyang Ruo was dressed plainly that day, she couldn't conceal her elegance.It's like an unopened peony.Even though it is not in full bloom, it has revealed its peerless grace.She is younger than her, even younger than Xu Shi.

But no matter how beautiful it was, it was still just a flower in her hands that could be controlled at any time.Tell her to live, she can live; tell her to die - she can only die!

Concubine Chu smiled coldly in her heart, and fiercely pinched off the unblooming flower with her fingernails painted with bright red Danko.

Ouyang Ruo's illness went back and forth for five or six days before she got better.The doctor in the mansion said that it was the exhaustion of the horses and horses, the worry and depression in the chest, and the combination of the unacceptable cold and cold, which made him so sick.

Concubine Chu had already sent someone to comfort her, and sent some supplements.Mrs. Liu also sent a lot of things, but Mrs. Xu just sent someone to pass on the message, and Wan Hui took care of everything properly.Wanhui and Mingying were dedicated to serving her.Because Dexuan understands the principles of medicine, he supervises the decoction and dispensing of medicines.Ouyang Ruo recuperated in Jingyun Pavilion with peace of mind.The days were also very peaceful.

The Chu family was unstable, but they didn't know that there was already a storm of wind and clouds above the Chu court, and a murderous intent was hidden.

Chu Huotian returned to the court, and the rumors of "dividing the river" that had been secretly spread a few days ago gradually subsided.It's just that then some people began to spread rumors that Chu Huotian made great contributions, and they seemed to point the finger at Chu Huotian for wanting to usurp the throne.Rumors spread day by day as the army entered Beijing.Above the court, admonishing officials began to point their fingers at Chu Huotian, saying that he was proud of his achievements, gathered troops to garrison the fields, and counted all kinds of him. They seemed to have forgotten that a few days ago, the Emperor Chu and his officials greeted Chu Huotian in person. "Your Majesty, The loyal and brave Marquis Ding gathered his troops in Liuzhou privately to garrison the fields. Forty thousand soldiers and horses are fighting day by day. This is a peaceful and prosperous age. I don’t know what the purpose of the Hou Ye’s move is. Besides, the Hou Ye has already won the victory and returned to the court. !"

Chu Huotian turned to look at the speaker.On the spacious and luxurious Jinluan Hall, rows of civil and military ministers are holding their breaths. In front of the jade steps stands Yu Shi Zhongcheng Zhang Shuying, who is eloquently listing Chu Huotian's inappropriate behavior one by one.Every time he said one, the civil and military ministers whispered, and when he finished five, there was already an uproar in the Golden Luan Hall.

This was the third day since Chu Huotian returned to court, and it was the first time someone publicly stood up against his participation.It's only been three days, and the grand palace banquet for victory and return to the court seems to be still in sight, but now it is already chilling.After Zhang Shuying finished speaking, there were those who agreed with the collegiate discussion, some jumped out to refute, and there were also many people who were indifferent.Among the generals, there was even more indignation.

"Grandma, we were born and died, how many brothers died, and you rested outside the capital for a few days, and you kept chattering, hou..." A man with a horse face suddenly jumped out of the generals, and Chu Huotian saw that it was Wu Dehu, a reckless man. husband.

He softly shouted: "You are not allowed to be rude in the Golden Luan Palace! Where are the golden armored guards on the left and right?!" As soon as the words fell, the two golden armored guards stepped forward to show to Emperor Chu. Take him down.

Wu Dehu couldn't accept it, he still yelled: "Master Hou, those villains couldn't see that you won the battle!..." The voice gradually faded away.

Chu Huotian's face remained normal, and he glanced at Zhang Shuying in front of the imperial steps. If he was right, those people could no longer hold back.He looked at Wang Jing, the head of the state opposite, and saw that his face was watery, oblivious to the matter.All the officials below had vivid expressions on their faces.What a picture of a hundred officials and a variety of attitudes.He sneered slightly in his heart and waited quietly.

Emperor Chu on the dragon chair moved his bloated and old body uncomfortably, and coughed lightly: "I will think about what Aiqing played, my brother, what do you think?"

Chu Huotian bowed slightly and calmed down, and his clear and mellow voice echoed in the hall: "My Majesty, Liuzhou is the place where our country of Chu meets the border between Liang and Qin, and it has always been the throat of my Chu. How can we have soldiers and horses that can be used once a day? Besides, Liuzhou is a barren area, and food and grass have to be collected and transported from various places in Chu every year. Tuntian, how can [-] soldiers and horses have food to eat?"

He paused, and shot sharp eyes at all the officials: "Let's gather troops to garrison fields, which has been done since the time of the first emperor. I would like to ask Mr. Zhang, old general Feng Liuzhou garrison fields, everyone in the court praises it, why did you come here?" Is it inappropriate for Hou to farm in Liuzhou?" After speaking, a pair of sharp eyes fixed on Zhang Shuying.

"When the old general Feng was farming, it was Liang Guo's wolf ambition, who wanted to invade our Chu territory. Now that our country has good relations with Liang and Qin, it is improper for Lord Hou to do this. I suspect that Lord Hou may have selfish intentions!" Ying is very dissatisfied Fear, said loudly.

Chu Huotian showed contempt: "Master Zhang also knows that Liang Guo once had wolf ambitions. This Marquis would like to ask Mr. Zhang, when did Liang Guo's wolf ambitions disappear? Is it possible that you don't have to guard against it if you just say good friends? The way to use troops is It is a soldier who subjugates others without fighting. The purpose of fighting hard every day is to let the country of Liang know that there is a good man in Chu who sticks to the border and does not dare to relax for a day, so that other countries will not dare to peep. This makes sense The grown-ups don’t know, and the books are all for nothing.”

Chu Huotian's language was like iron, and he refuted Zhang Shuying in just a few sentences.Zhang Shuying's face was flushed with embarrassment, and she had to return to the queue in the end.

Next, someone brought up the matter of establishing a reserve, and it was still the censor who started the topic.Saying that the officials are innocent, many of them naturally hope that Emperor Chu can establish a reserve as soon as possible, so that the court's dispute over the establishment of a reserve can be settled as soon as possible.People from the two factions in the court began to boil like boiling soup. The party headed by the Minister of the Household Department and the Minister of the Ministry of Officials naturally supported the third prince who was the first son of the king and empress. The eldest prince of both.The military attaches naturally remained motionless and did not participate in the debate.Chu Huotian watched coldly as a group of people attacked each other and made excuses, but Wang Jing, the head of the country, remained calm.The pale hair is very conspicuous under the official hat, an old fox!Choose this moment and want to reserve!
Lichang or Lidi, the two factions are arguing endlessly.

The son born to Concubine Xian is the eldest prince, with a gentle personality and a thorough reading of poems and books, which is very much in the favor of Emperor Chu.The Qingliu faction naturally liked it even more.The queen's son is the third prince, with a stubborn nature, but he is the first prince.The head of state and party members behind him are even more powerful.No matter who or what faction they stand, they will not accept it, and they can't stop arguing.

Chu Huotian saw the tormented and indecisive face of Emperor Chu on the dragon chair, and a trace of worry flashed in his heart.

Finally, the quarrelsome early morning came to an end.Chu Huotian walked at the head of the group of officials, and the head of state Wang Jing walked on the other side, when the two stepped down the bluestone imperial steps.

Wang Jing, the head of the state, suddenly turned his head and smiled and said, "I haven't congratulated Lord Hou on the great achievements made by Master Hou. It is really hard for Master Hou to serve the country and the people. But I think Master Hou has gained a lot in China. "

Chu Huotian looked at him sideways and raised his eyebrows.King Wang touched his white beard and said, "Let's not say that there are countless treasures in the country of Hua. People often say that women in Huadi are as gentle as water. Master Hou must have realized it. I heard that Master Hou brought back a woman from Huadi. Lady in the palace..." After finishing speaking, she smiled, even ambiguously.

Chu Huotian smiled slightly when he heard the words, cupped his hands indifferently and said: "Thank you for your concern. When Ben Hou is not in Beijing, the Guo Zhang wants to deal with more things and it is more difficult. Now I have to care about Ben Hou. Harvesting, I really dare not take it."

The head of the state, Wang Jing, laughed, and his snow-white beard curled up: "Master Hou really likes to tell jokes. It is the duty of a courtier to share the worries of the king. The old man is only doing his duty. No matter how hard it is, it is worth it. Master Hou, what do you say?" Is that the truth?"

Chu Huotian still smiled slightly, lightly brushed the hem of the court uniform and said: "The patriarch is right, a courtier should have his own duties, but don't ask about things that shouldn't be asked. The patriarch has been an official for many years and wants to come here. I understand this principle better." After finishing speaking, he cupped his hands slightly, turned and left.

(End of this chapter)