Chaos in the Chu Palace

Chapter 17
Wang Jing watched his slender and straight back gradually go away, a sneer twitched from the corner of his mouth.Suddenly a little servant from far away ran over and whispered something in his ear.Wang Jingjing nodded, and then followed him back to the inner court.After passing through many palace gates, he came to Zhaohua Palace.

Empress Wang was dressed in a golden silk phoenix suit and a crown of golden phoenix and pearls on her head. There was no expression on her snow-white face, and she sat upright on the main seat in the hall.Seeing that she was so solemn, Wang Jing couldn't help being taken aback for a moment, and asked cautiously after a salute first: "What is the important thing for the queen to call this minister here?"

Queen Wang waved her hand, and the palace people on both sides retreated completely. She slowly moved the huge cat's-eye gold ring on her finger and said: "This palace is looking for my lord father to discuss something."

Wang Jing, the head of the state, put on a smiling face when he heard the words: "Is there anything embarrassing for the queen?"

Queen Wang's expression turned cold slowly: "I'm just thinking, whether the father-in-law cares about Li Chu or not? Why is it that after so long, Hanzhen is almost 16 years old and still a prince? Bengong I'm also wondering if this country's father-in-law is his grandfather." As soon as he finished speaking, a pair of sharp eyes shot out with anger.

Wang Jing's smiling face froze immediately.He looked around and said in a low voice: "Daughter, haven't you been running for your father? Just now, the court has provoked this head again, you have to believe it..."

Before he finished speaking, Queen Wang had already slapped the carved phoenix nanmu table with her palm, and said sharply: "Believe it? How long has this palace believed in you?! My lord, you must know that the woman in Linhua Palace has already Have you built a bridge with Chu Dinghou?"

Surprised, Wang Jing lost his voice and said, "When did it happen? This..." Before he finished speaking, cold sweat started to break out on his forehead. No wonder Chu Huotian was so leisurely, even the overwhelming rumors seemed to be incapable. Shake him up.It turned out that he had already chosen his position.

"But why didn't he help that fourth prince, isn't that fourth prince's biological mother his distant cousin?" Wang Jing wiped off his cold sweat and said hastily.

Although the fourth prince is young, isn't it better to control the powerful Chu Dinghou? !And the faction behind the eldest prince sometimes doesn't buy Chu Dinghou's account.Comparing the two, I thought he would never choose the eldest prince, but this time the rumor was intended to force him to get closer to the queen and the father-in-law. I didn't expect him to act like this, so how to deal with this situation?
"That woman died ten years ago. Father, do you think he is so stupid to help a prince who has no power behind him? Hmph, this bitch Xianfei seems to be determined to follow us this time." It’s a fight. I’m going to see the emperor now, and ask him who he wants to establish, the son of that bitch or the son of the palace?! He doesn’t even think about who helped him sit on the throne , Now he actually favors that bitch! Father, you don’t know, someone sent news yesterday that he told that bitch that among all the princes, the eldest prince is the most like him. "

The face of Queen Wang's exquisite makeup was twisted ferociously.The golden armor inlaid with emeralds and rubies on the fingers brushed across the table, and two clear marks were suddenly printed on it.Just like her anger, ready to come out.

"The most like him!? I'm afraid the most similar is that useless portrait. No matter how good Han Zhen is, he can't compare with that bitch's child. I don't accept it! I don't accept it!"

She screamed and hurried towards the gate of the palace. Wang Jing hurriedly stepped forward and grabbed her arm: "Daughter, calm down. Don't be so impulsive. Once you go, Hanzhen's future will be ruined... "

Queen Wang suddenly burst into tears with a "wow", and slammed the phoenix crown on the ground heavily, and the huge pearls on the phoenix crown scattered all over the place: "Do you know how long it has been since the emperor stepped into the Zhaohua Palace?" ? Two months! Two full months! He is determined not to have us, mother and son."

Wang Jing saw that the Queen was on the ground, weeping loudly, without the dignity of the past.A trace of heartache flashed in his cloudy old eyes, when did his gentle and watery daughter become what she is now.In the past, the mother of the country, who was high above the sky and had a phoenix all over the world, now looks like a resentful woman.

It's all him!Ungrateful wretch!If he hadn't been behind the scenes to plan for him back then, how could he be able to rule the world now, full of ambition?Now he is old, and so is his daughter.But he forgot the past kindness, forgot everything.

A trace of cruelty flashed in Wang Jing's eyes, he squatted down slowly, and carefully picked up the scattered phoenix crown. The veins on the back of the old hand were tangled like old bark, but the golden phoenix in his hand was lifelike, eager to fly.Queen Wang's cry was like a sharp knife piercing his heart.His daughter who was held in the palm of his hand like a pearl like a treasure since childhood, and as proud as a phoenix, is now so fragile that he can't bear a single blow.The inner palace full of prosperity is so empty in my eyes now, without the favor of the king, even the queen's bedroom here is just a lifeless cage.

He put the phoenix crown upright on the messy hair of the queen, and his cloudy old eyes showed a kindness that he hadn't seen for a long time: "Daughter, do you still remember that when you were seven years old, you wanted a jade doll in Mingyuefang?" Well, but later, the daughter of Mr. Li’s family bought it before you. You ran back and cried for the father. When the father went to Mr. Li’s house, he exchanged it with him for a hundred gold, but he refused to change it. Later, the father sent A servant entered his mansion and destroyed the jade doll secretly. Daughter, don’t worry, it should be yours, the Wang family’s. As a father, he will not let it be snatched away by others, no matter it is the jade doll back then , is still the current crown prince, as a father, he will definitely snatch it away, and even if he can't snatch it, no one else can get it." He said in a harmonious voice, his voice was like a spring breeze in March, but it was filled with endless emotions. murderous.

Queen Wang was stunned when she heard that, the tears rolling down her face had washed out colorful marks on her makeup.His father's old face was so close, when did his father become so old.With a "wow", she threw herself into her father's arms, as if she was still the little daughter many years ago, as long as she was in his father's arms, she could get everything in the world. out.

The prosperous and luxurious Zhaohua Palace, because of this mournful cry, seemed even more silent like stagnant water.

Ouyang Ruo's illness was lingering, and it took five or six days for him to recover slightly.But the person has lost a lot of weight, the originally big eyes have become deeper and deeper, and the small melon-seeded face has become so thin that it is only as big as a palm.

"Don't look at Madam, your face will be rosy when you recover from illness." Wan Hui brought a bowl of medicine and comforted her softly.Ouyang Ruo took a bronze mirror of water chestnut sea beast and grape, and looked at himself in the mirror. His face was haggard in the mirror, and even he was slightly startled when he saw it.

She sighed softly: "Auntie, this disease is really tormenting." Wan Hui offered the medicine and smiled comfortingly: "It will be all right, Madam, just relax and take care of your body."

Ouyang Ruo nodded, lowered his head and drank the bitter concoction in the bowl in one gulp.In this world, nothing is unbearable.

"Auntie, you should go out for a walk after you've been sick for a few days. It's not good to be bored in the house all the time."

Ouyang Ruo took a hosta and gestured to the mirror, with an innocent smile on her thin face.Seeing that her mood had recovered, Wan Hui hurriedly smiled and agreed.Call Mingying to help her wash and tidy up together.Because Ouyang Ruo was still very weak after recovering from a serious illness, she put on winter clothes one by one, and added a honey-colored brocade fur cape. This is the case with clothes.

She smiled wryly in her heart, and was supported by Wanhui and walked towards the garden.Along the way, the sky was dazzling, and the fresh wind was blowing slowly. The spring scene in the garden in the afternoon was thriving. Many flowers also bloomed, and the peonies bloomed even more charmingly.Dexuan took some things to use and followed behind the two, looking around curiously.Ouyang Ruo fell ill as soon as he entered the mansion, and he waited on him every day, but the Hou mansion hadn't taken a good look at it yet.

Ouyang Ruo walked slowly, only to feel that his drowsy head was cleared up a lot, and the strong smell of medicine on his body also dissipated.

"Auntie, has Ling Xiang been taken out to play these few days?" Ouyang Ruo asked casually.Tired from walking, she picked a bamboo chair by the covered bridge and sat down.Looking at the surrounding scenery, I feel that my dry eyeballs are much more flexible.

Wanhui hesitated for a long while before saying: "I have carried her out, but I just played in front of Jingyun Pavilion and never went out." Ouyang Ruo was startled when he heard this, and nodded for a while before saying: "Alright, wait for her to pass Let's hug it out someday."

The two of them were talking homely, when suddenly a group of women came from afar.The first person laughed tremblingly, and the laughter was crisp and clear. Ouyang Ruo looked intently, and it turned out that it was Mrs. Xu and several women walking here.Ouyang Ruo just felt uncomfortable for a while, and wanted to leave, but leaving so abruptly was afraid of telling others, so he had to stand up and wait for them to pass by.

When they approached, before Ouyang Ruo went to greet them, Mrs. Xu suddenly gave a "giggle" smile and approached affectionately: "Ah, my sister is recovering. I heard that my sister was ill a few days ago. My sister and I are busy with mundane affairs. I can't go away. I was thinking of going to see you these few days, but I didn't expect you to be fine."

Ouyang Ruo hurriedly blessed her, and said with a slight smile: "Sister Xu has a heart, and my sister really deserves it. I want to get closer to my sister, but I don't live up to it."

Mrs. Xu chuckled, revealing a row of snow-white teeth: "It's all good. Come on, I've met some sisters. This is Sister Ning, and this is Sister Li..."

She pointed to them and introduced them one by one, but did not mention their origins.After finishing speaking, she pointed to Ouyang Ruo and said, "Well, this new sister is beautiful. It really compares us all, and people are always sick. I never believe it. I just want to be sick. She is a real beauty, but she loses three points of her beauty. Now I can believe it when I see Sister Ouyang. This disease is even more charming. By the way, Sister Ouyang is still from the Hua Palace. She has seen more of the world. In the future, we will I often ask her for advice."

When Ouyang Ruo heard the last word, his face turned pale, and there was a slight cold smile on his face.When the group of women heard this, they all showed thoughtful expressions, and some even showed contempt.Ouyang Ruo glanced over, and suddenly smiled, that smile was ethereal, like moonlight gliding across the water, Tsinghua was noble and could not be profaned.

She just said: "Sister Xu. My sister is leaving first. She is so sick that she doesn't want to see her sisters. She will visit them one by one another day." Then she helped Wan Hui to leave.

Mrs. Xu giggled coquettishly, and Ouyang Ruo's laughter was unspeakably piercing: "Sister Ouyang, let's go, talk, this servant is very handsome. Take a look, sisters."

Ouyang Ruo had only walked a few steps, and when he turned around, he saw Dexuan was surrounded by them, his handsome face was flushed red.

Xu You Zizai smiled and said, "I heard that the women in the Hua Kingdom are beautiful, but I didn't expect the eunuch to be so handsome. Tsk tsk, it's really eye-opening."

A young woman next to her in a pink embroidered floral dress suddenly said: "Someone secretly preached that Vatti likes men, isn't it true that all inner eunuchs have such a beautiful appearance?" After speaking, she smiled ambiguously.Several women laughed wantonly when they heard this.

Dexuan's face was already ashen, and his slender fingers holding the clothes turned white, but he just lowered his head and stared at the ground, not saying a word.

Ouyang Ruo gritted her teeth, put on a smile and said, "What are the sisters doing making fun of this servant, humiliating their own status for no reason."

Mrs. Xu pursed her lips and smiled lightly: "Okay, there's nothing to see in this garden. My sister is leaving first, and I will have a good chat with my sister that day. Oh, by the way, my sister's rouge is very good. Well, all the sisters want it after seeing it." He said and looked at her with a smile.

Ouyang Ruo glanced at her, but smiled at the women beside her: "It's because my younger sister is confused and incomprehensible. Now that these older sisters are as beautiful as flowers and jade, like the flowers in this garden, my younger sister dares to pack them." Tickets, if you use the rouge that my sister gave to sister Xu, it will definitely be the icing on the cake, and the country will be overwhelmed."

When Xu heard this, her smiling face froze slightly. She had always been proud of her appearance, and she hated others for being more beautiful than her. Now, hearing that Ouyang Ruo only praised others but not her, she felt very unhappy, so she greeted her resentfully. The ladies, twisting the waist of the water snake, left first.Ouyang Ruo stood there, coldly watching a group of them flaunting their colorful backs as they left, a strong hatred suddenly arose in her heart.

With no country, no home, no power and no power, she is like a clown on the stage, who can be laughed at anytime and anywhere.The intense anger had dispelled all the thoughts in her mind.There is only one thought in my heart, if there is a future, they must taste the taste of being so humiliated!

Seeing that she was standing still, Wan Hui tugged her worriedly: "Madam, go back. The days ahead will be long and we cannot compete for a while."

Ouyang Ruo withdrew his gaze, and suddenly saw De Xuan's pale complexion, was slightly startled, and hurriedly pulled his hand, which was as cold as snow.

"Dexuan..." She called him worriedly.Dexuan came back to his senses, calmed his mind, and said lightly: "Mrs. Xie is concerned, Dexuan is fine, just a few clamoring chickens crowing in my ears. Madam, don't take it to heart, it's not worth it for these people."

Only then did Ouyang Ruo nod her head in reassurance. Looking back, there were grass growing and warblers flying, and the spring was beautiful, but she no longer had the slightest pleasure in admiring it.

After Ouyang Ruo returned to Jingyun Pavilion, she only hugged Ling Xiang every day to teach her how to speak and recite poems.The little Lingxiang Bingxue is smart, and can simply recite a few poems in just seven or eight months a week. He doesn't need to be tossed around in the Chu Mansion anymore. Lingxiang grows rounder and more lovable day by day.Mingying is clever, talkative and laughing, Ouyang Ruo gave her some money and asked her to inquire about the affairs of the mansion. After a few days, the life experiences of the wives of Chu Dinghou were all inquired clearly one by one.

Let's talk about Concubine Chu, Ouyang Ruo guessed that she must have an extraordinary background, and she guessed right. It turned out that she was the daughter of Zhao Lin, Shangshu of the Ministry of War. It was a good help in the court.It's no wonder that Chu Huotian can control nearly half of the military power in the Chu Kingdom. Without the support of the court, he should have been an idle prince long ago, living a wealthy life of raising flowers and playing birds.

Mrs. Liu's wealth is a bit humble, she is the daughter of a merchant in Beijing, but Mingying found out that Boss Liu is also one of the richest people in Chujing.From this point of view, it's no wonder that the pearls on her body were so huge that day, presumably her natal family has rich financial resources.

Xu was the last to enter the mansion among the three, but she was the concubine of the Minister of War.She was born in an official family, although she is only a daughter of a concubine, she is also a daughter of an official family after all, no wonder she is so arrogant and looks down on the Liu family.Ouyang Ruo sneered secretly when he thought of her humiliation that day.

She is just a barking dog.And dogs that can bark usually don't bite people, they just make people feel annoying.

The rest of the wives are not worth mentioning, some are singers sent by high-ranking officials in the Chu capital;Her appearance and demeanor are not as good as those of Liu and Xu. No wonder Mrs. Xu hates herself so much. Presumably, she can't tolerate anyone, except the eldest daughter of a big family like Concubine Chu.

(End of this chapter)