Chaos in the Chu Palace

Chapter 21
During the few days of confinement, Ouyang Ruo rested in Jingyun Pavilion with peace of mind. When she was free, she took Buddhist scriptures to copy, and wrote some characters with few strokes, so that Ling Xiang could distinguish them and teach her.The feeling of thinking about the child in Ouyang Ruo's heart also faded.

Seeing that Ouyang Ruo was copying Buddhist scriptures every day, Wan Hui couldn't help asking, "Madam, what are you doing copying these, your eyes are tired out."

Ouyang Ruo was taught very strictly by his father since he was a child. He learned the running script, Yan style, capital script and small seal script one by one.She writes very quickly, with graceful and beautiful characters, flowing in the clouds and flowing water, which already has everyone's demeanor.A Buddhist scripture was copied extremely neatly in less than five days.

Ouyang Ruo sorted out a thick stack of manuscripts, and said with a smile: "Princess wants to come to Buddha, otherwise she wouldn't ask me and Mrs. Xu to copy Buddhist scriptures to cultivate one's character. It seems that the Dripping Guanyin she gave last time is also suitable for her." Intentions, maybe they are being offered."

Then, he wrapped the copied Buddhist scriptures in cloth and handed them to her, saying: "Go and send it to the princess, and tell her that in the past five days, I have devoted myself to studying Buddhist scriptures every day, and I have gained a lot, and this hand-copied Buddhist scriptures It was copied to pray for the princess."

Wan Hui nodded, and Ouyang Ruo said again: "If you see De Xuan by the way, tell him to find a free time and come back." Wan Hui then retreated.

After a while, Ming Ying smiled and hugged Ling Xiang, turned back to the room and said: "Ma'am, the young lady wanted to go out to play, but there was a quarrel just now."

Ouyang Ruo saw that Ling Xiang was struggling to go out with his big eyes open, thinking that the small yard was no longer enough for her to play, so she couldn't help but feel distressed and said: "Then you take it to the big garden for a while and come back. How many maidservants do you bring, be careful, you know?"

Mingying quickly nodded in agreement, called a few little maids, and happily led Ling Xiang out of the house.

After half an hour, Dexuan returned to the yard and entered the back garden, but saw Ouyang Ruo standing alone under the pear tree in plain clothes, with a solitary shadow, a faint smile on his beautiful face, and a cloud of blue hair High bun, with only a few pink flowers on the hair.Looking from a distance, if the bright flowers are facing the wind, the elegance of the whole body makes people unable to move their eyes away.

Ouyang Ruo saw that Dexuan was just standing there blankly, and waved to him, "What's the matter, you're standing there stupidly again."

Dexuan came back to his senses and hurriedly saluted: "What's the important thing for Madam to find slaves?"

Ouyang Ruo came slowly, "It's nothing, I just want to ask Lord Hou how to arrange you now?"

Dexuan's eyes lit up, and his Qingjun face was full of excitement: "Return to Ma'am, Master Hou arranged the servant girl under Mr. Zhao to serve the pen and ink. Mr. Zhao also taught the servant girl to read, and sometimes explained the truth to the servant girl. The servant girl Gained a lot."

Ouyang Ruo nodded and said with a smile, "It looks pretty good. How is Mr. Zhao?"

Dexuan lowered his head and thought for a while, then slowly said: "Mr. Zhao has a literary talent, and his strategy is among the gentlemen, and this servant feels that he is the most secretive."

Ouyang Ruo was slightly startled, Dexuan was a cautious and prudent person, if he made such an evaluation, that person must be unpredictable, maybe he was the number one adviser under Chu Dinghou.

"In this way, it's good for you to serve by Mr. Zhao's side." Ouyang Ruo said with a slight smile, so it seems that Hou Ye sincerely did not deceive her and chose a good master for Dexuan.The slight warmth in my heart also reminded me of the meeting in the attic that day.

Dexuan looked at her face carefully, and suddenly said in a low voice: "Madam, do you want this slave to inquire about something? I will definitely do my best."

Ouyang Ruo shook his head and asked, "What do you think you can do without anyone noticing you in front of Mr. Zhao?"

Dexuan buried his head in thought for a while after hearing the words, and then said: "I can't hide it from him. Mr. Zhao's eyes are like Lord Hou's, they can't see the bottom, no one else can guess what he is thinking."

Ouyang Ruo said with a quiet smile: "But every high-ranking person has a counselor and aide to collect information for him. After so many years in the Hua Palace, don't you understand? Maybe this Mr. Zhao belongs to Lord Hou. Where is the first adviser!"

Her smile is like a wisp of cloud on the clear moon, ethereal and hard to find: "So the more you are in front of someone who hides, the less you can play tricks. You are now his disciple, and you should respect him and serve him well. Although you are only a servant, but you are talented and intelligent, and you will not be able to make great achievements in the future."

Ouyang Ruo took a deep look at him: "So, I hope you can learn something real, and I will rely on you in the future."

Dexuan was shocked all over, and raised his head, but met Ouyang Ruo with deep eyes, knelt down and said one word at a time: "Your servant's life is given by my wife, and I will be loyal to my wife in the future. The world can learn from it."

Ouyang Ruo knew that what he said, he would be able to do it.Helping him up, he sighed softly: "Dexuan, you don't have to be like this, we are all people who have escaped from death in the Hua Kingdom, if we don't plan step by step, we don't know how miserable it will be in the future. Fortunately, Chu Dinghou can let us We take care of you, although you are a servant, you are the closest relative of my Ouyang Ruo just like Wanhui Mingying."

Hearing this, Dexuan couldn't help but shed two lines of tears on his delicate and handsome face.

The two of them were talking, when suddenly a maid from outside ran in screaming: "Madam, it's not good... Madam... Mingying..."

Ouyang Ruo was startled, and hurried to the front hall, a little maid came in panting, saw Ouyang Ruo, before she had time to salute, her feet went limp, and she fell to the ground: "Madam, hurry... hurry ...Ming Ying is being beaten..."

Ouyang Ruo was shocked, and quickly pulled her up: "What about Ling Xiang, isn't Ling Xiang with her? Why was he beaten?"

The little maid was only eleven or twelve years old, and Ouyang Ruo knew that she was called Xiang Ye, who was sent by Madam Zhang in the mansion to serve her. She was usually on good terms with Mingying, but she still followed Mingying all day long with a childish temper.

Xiang Yexu was anxious, her small face was flushed, and she couldn't speak clearly: "Madam, go and see... Miss is fine... But Sister Mingying was beaten."

Ouyang Ruo was anxious and angry, Dexuan hurriedly said to Xiang Ye: "If you don't lead the way, what are you doing standing there?"

After speaking, he helped Ouyang Ruo to go out, and Xiang Ye was busy leading the way.Ouyang Ruo was so anxious that his feet flew like flying, and the three quickly walked to the big garden in the mansion.

As soon as he entered the gate of the garden, he heard the screams of Ming Ying and Ling Xiang's cries.Ouyang Ruo ran towards the source of the sound a few steps at a time, but saw the little maids in her own yard holding Ling Xiang and turning pale, watching Ming Ying being pressed to the ground and beaten.There were several nuns and maidservants standing beside her. Ming Ying was pressed to the ground, and two nuns looked like they were hitting her on the back with a board.

Ouyang Ruo was angry and anxious, walked over, grabbed Ling Xiang and hugged her in her arms, turned her head and said angrily: "Where are you from, that you beat my maid? Don't you have family laws in the mansion? It's up to you!" How many are running wild here?"

The nanny who was beating Mingying quickly stopped when she heard the words, and Dexuan hurriedly stepped forward to help Mingying up.Ming Ying's pretty face was pale from the pain, and her back was covered with sweat and blood. She didn't know if the injury was serious or not.Ouyang Ruo's eyes almost burst into flames, and she stared at the person opposite with hatred, several nuns and maids were frightened by her and fell silent, and retreated silently.

Ouyang Ruo sneered coldly: "Can't you tell? Let's go see the princess and see what kind of servant is so bold and presumptuous!"

As soon as the words were finished, a little boy suddenly jumped out from behind the mother and maid, about seven or eight years old, fat and fat, with handsome features, but the expression on his face looked very naughty.

The little boy said loudly: "It was my son who asked someone to beat me just now. Who are you? What can I do if I beat a maid? Do you want to be beaten too?"

His words were extremely arrogant at a young age, Ouyang Ruo couldn't help frowning.Taking a closer look, he saw a big gold collar of longevity and wealth hanging around his neck, and a piece of beautiful jade three or four inches wide was inlaid in the middle of the collar, and he immediately understood.

She didn't talk to him either, and asked Mingying behind her, "What's going on?"

Ming Ying said angrily with a pale face: "Ma'am, this servant was catching butterflies in the garden for the little lady to play with. Later, the prince saw that he insisted on snatching the butterfly from the young lady's hand, and pushed the little lady down. The servant was anxious to hug the young lady, the prince The momentum was not stable, and he fell down, so he ordered people to beat the slaves."

Ouyang Ruo nodded, and stared coldly at the little prince in front of him: "Little prince, now that you've beaten me up, you should let go of your anger. It's time to go back and study hard, and learn the ways of the sages of Confucius and Mencius. Fighting for butterflies with children in the garden is a waste of your talent for no reason."

Xiao Shizi was stared at by her, and he couldn't help but feel timid. He was waiting to say more, but the nurse behind him hugged him: "Little Shizi, go back quickly, the second lady is going to test your book."

Xiao Shizi was dragged away by them for a few steps, seemed unwilling, and turned around to make a face at Ouyang Ruo and said, "Hmph, what little lady, Lin Yue and I are the only ones in this mansion, where did this little bastard come from? One day I will ask my mother to drive her out of the house!"

He waited to say more, but the nurse next to him hurriedly pulled him away.He didn't seem to be convinced, and kept talking about "little bastards" one by one.

Ouyang Ruo was so angry that he trembled all over, hugged Ling Xiang and couldn't say a word anymore.It took a long time to come back to his senses, his face turned livid, and he walked back quickly.Mingying was in pain all over, so Dexuan had no choice but to carry her back.

When Ouyang Ruo returned to Jingyun Pavilion, he felt a "buzzing" sound in his head. Wan Hui had already returned, and when he took Ling Xiang, seeing Ouyang Ruo's face turned livid, he tried to comfort him, "Madam calm down, she's just a child, and she can't hold back her words." of."

Ouyang Ruo calmed down, seeing Ling Xiang's red eyes, especially tears hanging on her face, she felt a pain in her heart: "Auntie, I'm not angry at this, but angry at Ling Xiang being bullied. It must be the son who can be insulted like this at a young age. Hearing some nasty words, learn from them. I don’t care, but how will Ling Xiang gain a foothold in the mansion from now on?”

After Ouyang Ruo finished speaking, he felt bored again.

Dexuan went to ask the doctor in the mansion for diagnosis and treatment. Fortunately, Mingying only hurt the skin, not the muscles and bones, just rub some medicine and lie down for a few days.

That night, the Liu family sent someone over to spread an apology, and delivered several bottles of trauma ointment.The visitor said: "Second Madam said, Xiao Shizi is extremely stubborn, I hope Seventh Madam will take more care of her."

Ouyang Ruo smiled slightly after hearing the message from the visitor, and motioned the servant girl to take the wound medicine before slowly speaking: "Mrs. Liu is really caring, and I will thank the second lady for me. This is because my servant accidentally bumped into your lady." Prince, you really deserve to be beaten! But now, looking at the portrait of the young prince, he looks healthy and cute, and when he grows up, he will definitely be a pillar-like figure."

After finishing speaking, he asked his servants to hand over a tray, on which were placed the Four Treasures of the Study, which were elegant and delicate, and they were top-grade at first glance.Ouyang Ruo said casually: "I come from Huadi, and I was born in a family of poetry and calligraphy, so I am familiar with these pens and inks. This set is the four treasures of the study made by Zhu Yuzi in Huadiling County. I see that Xiao Shizi is talented and intelligent. If you grow up to be able to master both martial arts and martial arts, Lord Hou will be very happy."

The visitor heard that "Zhu Yuzi" was stunned for a moment, quickly put away the disrespectful look on his face, thanked him and said: "On behalf of the second lady, I would like to thank the seventh lady for her painstaking efforts." He said happily and took it back.

Wanhui came after taking the medicine, and seeing the man leaving happily holding these things, she couldn't help but said distressedly: "Ma'am, why did you give the set of 'Empty Valley Breeze' to the second lady? I don't think there are ten people in the world. A complete set of the Four Treasures of the Study made by Zhu Yuzi himself. Besides, this time it is the little prince who is wrong, he is so arrogant at such a young age, if Lord Hou finds out, he will probably beat him. Madam, why should you be afraid of her."

Ouyang Ruo stood up and looked at the empty courtyard gate.

She smiled wryly and said: "Auntie is confused, why do you think Mrs. Liu sent wound medicine for her son who beat up a servant? She clearly wanted to calm things down. I gave her a set of the Four Treasures of the Study and told her to discipline her son well. You are smart, you will definitely understand what I mean, and you will be able to face Ling Xiang with a good face when you meet Ling Xiang in the future."

Wan Hui sighed softly when she heard the words: "It's a pity that such a good treasure was given to that devil king."

Ouyang Ruo said silently in his heart, things are dead, but people are alive.If it can buy Ling Xiang's safety in the mansion, this set of "breeze in the empty valley" is nothing.Now it's just that Mingying was beaten, if Ling Xiang was beaten in the future, would she still be so calm?
The summer in Chudi has always been bustling and bustling, which is overwhelming.During the day, the sun is shining brightly, and the oppressive heat is so stuffy that people feel panicked, wishing to lie in the water every day to live.Only when there is a thunderstorm in the afternoon or when there is a thunderstorm, is there a cool breeze.

Since Dexuan joined Zhao Qingling, he has been very busy. In addition to serving his morning and evening meals, he cooks tea for the gentlemen in his spare time.When everything was done, he went back to Zhao Qingling's place, seeing that he was free, and asked a few words that he didn't understand in the book while serving the pen and ink. If he finished reading the book, Zhao Qingling would throw some more books to him.At the beginning, Dexuan thought that he would be jealous of being a member of the Hua Kingdom, but after explaining several things, such concerns were dispelled.It's just that he firmly remembered Ouyang Ruo's words, and he handled everything properly without asking too many questions.Zhao Qingling looked at him more appreciatively.

Almost every day, Zhao Qingling had to talk with Chu Huo Tianshen in the middle of the night, sometimes with several gentlemen together, sometimes in the middle of the conversation, someone called Su Yanqing, and the few of them talked in detail.

"Master Hou, now the Yushitai has persuaded Master Zhang and Master Li, and Master Zhang of the Qingliu faction is also on our side. It seems that the situation has gradually become clear at this time." Mr. Lin Hongzhi stroked his beard laughed.

Zhao Qingling nodded and said: "There is still no movement at the head of the country, except for the last time Yushitai participated in a few books by Lord Hou, those rumors have slowly dissipated. Our side should not move too much. If it is too big, It is a taboo. The emperor is still hesitant to choose which prince to be the crown prince. A few days ago, I heard rumors in the palace that the empress ran to the concubine Xian and made a big fuss. I guess the empress couldn't bear it anymore and wanted to force the emperor to express his opinion."

Chu Huotian nodded, and then turned around to discuss with other counselors how to arrange the people on Yushitai.Zhao Qingling retreated first, and came out the door, Dexuan hurriedly stepped forward and said: "It's late at night, sir, should you go back and rest?"

Zhao Qingling responded vaguely.After leaving the courtyard, the moon was already in the sky, and it seemed that someone was holding up a few lanterns in the distance and walking slowly.It was Ouyang Ruo who was wearing a moon-white [-]-fold long skirt and a smoked gauze embroidered with pear flowers of the same color, with a beautiful face.

He hurriedly bowed and saluted, and said, "I'm greeting the Seventh Madam."

Ouyang Ruo nodded with a smile and said: "Mr. Zhao has worked hard. My concubine saw that Lord Hou was busy every day until late at night, and the weather was dry recently, so I stewed some lotus seed and lily soup to clear away heat and fire. Do you want to have a bowl too, sir? "

Zhao Qingling hurriedly said that she didn't dare.Ouyang Ruo smiled knowingly: "Take it, sir, I have made some more myself, and I want to give it to some gentlemen." After speaking, she ordered Wanhui to take out a gold-painted flower and bird lacquer box and hand it to Dexuan.

The two of them said a few more words of politeness, and Ouyang Ruo ordered someone to pass into the yard. Zhao Qingling felt a faint fragrance wafting past him, as if a delicate hand was pressed against his face.Watching her slender and beautiful figure go away, I couldn't help being dazed.

Seeing him like this, Dexuan hurriedly called out, "Sir, sir!"

Zhao Qingling came back to her senses, and said with a smile: "Your wife is really unparalleled, no wonder the Marquis has traveled thousands of miles to bring her to the mansion."

Dexuan smiled and thanked.The two walked back slowly.

Ouyang Ruo just entered the yard, and saw Chu Huotian coming out to see Mr. Lin off. Seeing her coming, he smiled and said, "It's late at night, why don't you rest. You also brought soup."

Ouyang Ruo curtly saluted before saying: "Master Hou is busy with political affairs every night, and I am incompetent, so I can only take care of Lord Hou's food and clothing. I hope you don't disturb Master Hou's rest."

Chu Huotian smiled, stepped forward and led her Rou Yi into the study, and said: "The soup you made is good, if you refuse to bring it, Benhou will go to find you in a few days. I haven't been there for a long time I count on you."

Ouyang Ruo's hand was petite and cool, and the white jade-like hand disappeared into his big palm.Hearing what Chu Huotian said, Sishui's eyes contained some sorrow, and she said in a low voice: "Master Hou will not come to see my concubine for a month."

Chu Huotian was stunned for a moment, and looked up at her, only to see that her eyes seemed to be filled with pools of sparkle, and she only looked at him clearly, and couldn't say a word when she was full of heart.With a long sigh, he hugged her in his arms.Ouyang Ruo looked around in panic, only to see that the servants around him had all retreated.Red candles were burning throughout the study room, and it was empty, with two or three rows of huge bookcases.Neat and solemn.Landscape paintings and calligraphy are pasted on the wall, which is quiet and profound.

"Master Hou..." She blushed and broke away, the flowers on her temples were swaying, which made her skin more radiant than snow, and her face was radiant.Chu Huotian couldn't help but see the gods.

Ouyang Ruo brought out the sweet soup, which was clear and had a light fragrance.Chu Huotian softened his complexion, sat at the table and said with a smile: "What kind of soup is this, why is it so fragrant?" He picked it up and drank it, praising it while drinking.

Ouyang Ruo pursed her lips and said with a smile: "It's just lotus seed and lily soup. See how rare it is for Master Hou."

Chu Huotian finished his drink in a few sips, his eyes lit up, and he said with a smile, "It must be more than this time, tell me quickly." As he spoke, he naturally took her and sat on his lap.

Ouyang Ruo rested his head on his neck, his breath was filled with the smell of his body, his heart couldn't help beating, and he said slightly annoyed: "I told Lord Hou, then I will definitely feel no need to eat it in the future."

Chu Huotian laughed, and suddenly he groped her with his big palm, and wondered: "Why are you still wearing the clothes you brought from Huadi? This month, the Yuefu got several good horses, so it's very cool to wear in summer." , I also asked someone to cut it, all colors are good, why don't you wear it?"

Hearing this, Ouyang Ruo raised her head and looked at him in a daze, and said after a moment of daze: "Oh, next time I will wear it to show the Lord Hou, but Huadi brought a lot of clothes, so I have to give up my clothes." wear."

Chu Huotian saw that the bead hairpin on her head was also in Huadi style, complex and luxurious, but it was not the newly made hairpin that she had rewarded a few days ago, he suddenly realized in his heart, squinted his eyes, and glanced at her like a knife On the face: "Didn't the bill for this month be sent to you?"

Ouyang Ruo sighed, the document was sent out, but there was nothing good about it, how could she speak?Thinking about it, a slight panic appeared on his face, and he knelt on the ground: "Forgive me, Lord Hou, I think the old clothes from before are quite good."

Seeing her kneeling on the ground, Chu Huotian couldn't say anything for a while, and finally arrived: "You really don't have to do this. Is the mansion treating you badly?"

Ouyang Ruo smiled bitterly: "No, very good."

Ouyang Ruo knelt for a while, seeing that he didn't move.Then she got up, and said with a slight blessing: "Since Lord Hou has nothing to say, then I will leave first. It's already late at night, Lord Hou, let's rest quickly." He straightened his waist and Tingting walked out.

(End of this chapter)