Chaos in the Chu Palace

Chapter 31
He - Chu Dinghou, can never be that cicada who knows nothing.

Chu Huotian raised his whip fiercely, and the long wind that stepped down gave a long hiss, and it was really as fast as the long wind, galloping forward...

The Hou Mansion was deeply silent, and Ouyang Ruo just went for a walk in the garden every day to teach Ling Xiang, and the life was peaceful and undisturbed, and the turmoil in the outside world had nothing to do with her.

This day Dexuan came, his fair face was flushed with excitement, Ouyang Ruo was taking a nap in the inner room and just got up, seeing him standing outside spinning around, hurriedly asked Wan Hui to pass him in.

"What's the matter? Is there something urgent?" Ouyang Ruo was holding a butterfly flower hairpin and gesturing on her head. Now she is more than two months pregnant, her body is often nourished, her complexion is rosy, and her body is much rounder.

Xu Dexuan was in a hurry to run, he came in panting and said: "Go back to Madam, I found it, the maidservant found Linghuahang." After he finished speaking, he couldn't hide the excitement on his face.

Ouyang Ruo was startled, and the hairpin in her hand fell to the ground.She stayed for a while, then stood up abruptly, shook De Xuan's arm and said, "I really found it?!"

Her complexion was slightly pale, and her plain hands kept trembling as she tightly clasped Dexuan's sleeves.

Dexuan nodded affirmatively and said: "The slave girl went in, said that she wanted to see more expensive jade, and asked the boss to come out. The boss was about 40 years old, with gray hair and a thin body. The slave girl looked at him carefully, it was true. Waiter! Although he deliberately spoke in a thick voice, the servants can still hear the smell immediately."

Ouyang Ruo stroked his chest, surprised and happy, speechless.

Seeing her like this, Wan Hui quickly patted her on the back and said urgently: "Madam, great sorrow and great joy are not enough. You are a man with a body."

Ouyang Ruo turned back, grabbed Wan Hui's hand, and said hastily, "Auntie, I found Eunuch Wu, that's great, Auntie, that's great..."

With tears in her eyes, she hurried back and forth in the room after speaking.What Zen Master Rong De said is definitely wrong, her jade, her jade will definitely be found!She knew that she could find Yu'er, her Ling Yu! !
"Dexuan, I'm going out of the house. I must see Eunuch Wu." Ouyang Ruo suddenly stopped in front of Dexuan and said firmly.Resolute light flashed in her deep and beautiful eyes, Dexuan was startled, and he couldn't say a word when the words of dissuasion came up.

"Dexuan, I must leave the house. Do you have a solution?" Ouyang Ruo clasped his arm tightly, causing him pain and pain. Her beautiful face was magnified in front of his eyes, and it was shockingly beautiful .Dexuan never knew that she had such an excited moment.

Her excitement seemed to have magically infected him, making Dexuan nod involuntarily.

Two days later, Ah Fu, the concierge at the west gate of the Hou Mansion, was dozing by the door. The princess went to the temple to offer incense early in the morning, and the person in charge said that it seemed that the Hou Ye had been assassinated by some kind of assassin again.The person was not injured, but there was a foot-long cut on the clothes. Aunt Li, the nun in charge, was delighted to hear the story, and Ah Fu thought it was somewhat believable.Besides, if there is nothing wrong, the princess will often go to burn incense and worship Buddha?Ah Fu always felt that the atmosphere in the Hou Mansion was becoming more and more strange.However, he is just a servant, and these things have nothing to do with him.

So on this scorching summer afternoon, he felt relieved and fell asleep comfortably leaning against the door.While he was having a sweet dream, a hand suddenly moved his shoulder.

"Brother Ah Fu, wake up quickly." Someone whispered in his ear.

Ah Fu woke up, rubbed his sleepy eyes, and squinted at the person coming.The person who came was dressed in casual clothes, but his head and face were aligned, but he was not in the clothes of a servant.That face was very handsome, as if he had seen it somewhere before.Behind this person is also followed by a girl, with her head lowered, she seems a little shy.

Seeing that he woke up, the man cupped his hands and said, "Brother Ah Fu, I have something to ask you for help."

Ah Fu stretched his waist, showing his yellow teeth, and said impatiently: "What's the matter. Also, which room are you from? Where's your badge?"

As soon as the man stretched out his hand, a piece of something was placed in Ah Fu's hand, it was heavy, Ah Fu's hand sank inadvertently, and he hurriedly looked into his hand, only to see that it was an ingot of bright yellow gold.

His mouth couldn't close in surprise: "This..." His monthly payment is only two yuan, and this ingot of gold should be worth his monthly payment for several years.

The man showed a look of embarrassment on his face, and said: "I am Mr. Zhao's servant. Today, a relative in the family escaped and came to Beijing and wanted to join me. I should report to the manager first, but I The girl behind is from the same country, and she also wants to go and ask my relatives to deliver a message for her family. It’s hard to find the steward to get a badge when the two go out together. Brother Ah Fu, you know, we are from Huadi... this It’s really inconvenient to go out of the house. But who has no parents at home... I haven’t heard from my family for several years, let alone meet a relative. The same is true for this Juanyue girl. There is only one old woman left in her family. She wants to trust my relatives Write back..."

Ah Fu weighed the gold in his hand, feeling ecstatic in his heart.This gold weighs about one or two pounds.With this gold, plus what he saved on weekdays, he can marry a good wife with glory.Seeing the person who called himself Dexuan wipe away tears while talking, a little bit of sympathy rose in his heart.

Thinking of him, he gritted his teeth and said, "Well, you can only go out for an hour and a half, and if you don't come back after an hour and a half, I can only report to the manager above, saying that you two are forced out of the house. Brother, I also Even if the benevolence and righteousness are exhausted, I would not dare to make decisions like this if the concubine hadn't gone out today and the chief stewards were away."

Dexuan thanked him again and again, and promised to come back in only an hour and a half.

Ah Fu saw that he led the girl away, but when the girl passed by him, he saw that her profile was clear and beautiful, her complexion was like snow, and her long eyelashes drooped down like crow's wings.The moment they brushed each other's shoulders, he was stunned.

Why is this maid so beautiful?Compared with several young ladies in the mansion.He heard that the new Seventh Lady was also very beautiful, but he felt that even if she was beautiful, how could she be as clean and meticulous as this maid?He was in a daze for a long time, and he had to inquire about it another day, maybe he could ask Aunt Li to ask him to be his daughter-in-law.Thinking about it, he giggled.

Ouyang Ruo followed closely behind Dexuan, and left the west gate of the Hou Mansion.There was no sound in the alley, except for the hurried footsteps of the two on the empty bluestone road.Her body was plain and gray, and she was clothed with coarse hairpins. No one would have guessed that she was the Seventh Lady of the Hou Mansion.Dexuan walked very fast, Ouyang Ruo followed closely behind him, the two of them didn't speak a word.

After leaving the alley, Dexuan rented a carriage, and the two headed straight to Linghuahang.After more than a quarter of an hour, the carriage stopped in a secluded place.Ouyang Ruo got out of the carriage supported by De Xuan.I saw that the shop was not too big or too small, and there were two small stone lions outside. The carvings were more like those of Huadi.There was a burst of excitement in her heart, and she walked in.Dexuan followed closely.

At this time, a young man in the opposite restaurant was looking up, and suddenly saw Ouyang Ruo's disappearing back, startled, and when he wanted to take a closer look, Ouyang Ruo had already entered the shop.

He hurriedly recruited the waiter and asked, "What kind of shop is Linghuahang?"

Xiao Er looked at the shop he was pointing at, and said with a smile, "It's a seller of jade wares. The shopkeeper is not from the local area. He's quite polite."

The man frowned, and suddenly murmured: "Ling Hua Xing, Ling Hua Xing..."

He repeated it several times, his eyes suddenly lit up, and he suddenly realized.Throwing a piece of silver into Xiao Er's arms: "Check out!"

Xiao Er was confused and looked at the food and wine on the table, which was empty.The young man has gone downstairs.

Ouyang Ruo entered the store and looked around carefully, only to see that the jade inside was inlaid in exquisite wooden boxes and placed on the four tables.In a row, two or three guys are wiping.

Dexuan stepped forward and said to the clerk in the shop: "My clerk, I came to see that jade the day before yesterday, can you invite your boss to come out again?"

The guy raised his eyes and looked at him, and said with a smile: "Guest officer, my boss said that he has been suffering from cold for the past few days, and it is really not suitable to see customers, why don't the villains take that jade and show it to the guest officer. "

Dexuan looked at Ouyang Ruo out of difficulty.Seeing this, Ouyang Ruo stepped forward and smiled, "It's hot in August, and the jade is cool. I hope the shopkeeper will show us some good jade."

The clerk was taken aback, looked at them carefully, and then smiled solemnly: "The two honored guests, please wait a moment, let the villain go and invite the shopkeeper."

After he finished speaking, he turned to the inner hall.After a while, he came out again, smiled and said to Ouyang Ruo: "Two distinguished guests, my shopkeeper has invited me, and said that there is a piece of fine jade that I would like to show you for appreciation."

Ouyang Ruo held down her beating heart, and followed Dexuan.After passing through several doors, I arrived at a flower hall.Ouyang Ruo was ushered into a seat by a staff member, and Dexuan sat at the bottom.After a while, a person came out of the inner room.He was dressed in a decent cloud blue gown, with a clear face and bright eyes.A gray beard on his chin made him look more capable and shrewd.

When Ouyang Ruo saw it, he couldn't help standing up.Seeing Ouyang Ruo suddenly, the shopkeeper exclaimed: "Your Majesty!" Then he bowed deeply.

With tears in his eyes, Ouyang Ruo hurriedly stepped forward to help him and said, "Eunuch Wu, I have seen you."

Eunuch Wu's eyes were full of tears, he grabbed Ouyang Ruo's hand, bowed and bowed again, and said in tears: "This old slave has been greatly favored by your mother, and I dare not forget it for a moment. I heard that Emperor Hua and his family were dragged here. , my heart was burning, I only hoped to come to Chujing first. But after entering Chujing, I realized that the emperor and the ladies were locked in the palace. The old slave thought that he would never see his wife in this lifetime. Unexpectedly... God have mercy..."

Ouyang Ruo covered his face and wept bitterly, De Xuan was also weeping.Ouyang Ruo knew that time was running out, so she hurriedly signaled De Xuan to help him up, wiped his eyes and said, "I'll tell you about the inside story when I have time later, I'm here today to ask if you have any news about Di Ji?"

Eunuch Wu was in a dilemma, but finally shook his head heavily.Ouyang Ruo swayed twice, turned pale, and sat down slumped.

Dexuan hurriedly served tea and stepped forward, worried: "Madam, you can relax. It is not a matter of a day or two to find Di Ji, and now that Eunuch Wu has also been found, Madam should be relieved."

Ouyang Ruo closed his eyes, a teardrop ran down his snow-white face.

Seeing this, Eunuch Wu knelt down and kowtowed: "Your Majesty, don't worry, this old slave will send more people to look for it."

Ouyang Ruo wiped away his tears and said, "Eunuch Wu doesn't have to blame himself so much. It's not easy to find people in the chaos of the army. You will find them slowly in the future."

Seeing that she gradually calmed down, Eunuch Wu couldn't help but look at De Xuan more.Seeing him sizing him up, Dexuan hurriedly stepped forward to greet him and said: "This servant used to be the little eunuch serving tea in the imperial study of Hua Palace, named Dexuan."

Eunuch Wu saw that he behaved well, with a respectful and serious expression.Can't help but praise in my heart.He returned the courtesy and said: "Wu Hui, I will have more contact with Brother Dexuan in the future."

Ouyang Ruo saw that the two of them were exchanging names, nodded, and said to Eunuch Wu: "Eunuch Wu will contact Dexuan a lot in the future. I will find some jade articles for you to sell, and I will also use some money when the time comes. "

Eunuch Wu hurriedly said yes.While talking, suddenly the clerk from the store came over, with a panicked look on his face, he said, "Shopkeeper, a young man came outside, he doesn't look like a jade buyer, and he keeps trying to trick us, doesn't he..."

Ouyang Ruo's complexion tightened, and he and De Xuan exchanged glances, both of them saw worry in their eyes.

Eunuch Wu is so sophisticated after all, he pondered for a while and said: "It's okay, the old slave will go to the front to have a look first, and the empress will leave quickly through the back door. The empress will send someone to tell the old slave about the future."

Ouyang Ruo nodded, and said solemnly: "That's all thanks to Eunuch Wu. It's not easy for me to come out, and it will be difficult to see you later. Let Dexuan come here on my behalf." After speaking, he was led by the assistant and left through the back door up.

Ouyang Ruo and De Xuan didn't dare to delay, they walked out the back door quickly.The back door of Linghua Bank is a long alley, and when he reached the entrance of the alley, Dexuan hurriedly said: "Madam, wait a moment, servants are going to rent a carriage."

Ouyang Ruo nodded and hid in an inconspicuous corner.After a while, suddenly a pair of boots stood in front of her, motionless like a mountain.Ouyang Ruo was so startled that he almost ran away.

She looked up suddenly, and covered her mouth in disbelief: "Su... General Su!"

That person was Su Yanqing whom I hadn't seen for a long time.

Su Yanqing frowned slightly, but she still clasped her fists and said politely: "Why is Seventh Madam here?"

Ouyang Ruo only felt the cold sweat dripping from his forehead, but he couldn't say a word.The color in Su Yanqing's eyes gradually deepened, and suspicion appeared on her face: "Madam Seven is dressed like this, could it be..."

"I came out to get some air, and I was so stuffy in the mansion..." Ouyang Ruo felt his legs trembling slightly, and his usual calmness was gone, and it took him a long time to hold back a word.

The suspicion on Su Yanqing's handsome face remained unchanged: "Could it be that Mrs. Seven came out of the mansion secretly?"

Ouyang Ruo was panicked, and gritted her teeth for a long time: "Yes, General Su guessed right, the concubine came out secretly. Is General Su going to take the concubine back?" Her eyes were like glass, shining brightly in the sun, stubborn and resolute. Aggrieved, there were too many complicated emotions in his eyes, which made his heart soften and collapse in an instant.

Su Yanqing hesitated for a while before saying: "Madam, please move and follow me to the teahouse."

Seeing his gentle tone, Ouyang Ruo didn't intend to take her back immediately, she was half relieved, and said hesitantly: "But my servant Dexuan hasn't come back yet, and I still have to wait for him."

Su Yanqing said clearly: "The teahouse is right in front, when he comes, he will naturally see it. This place is not a place to talk, Madam please move."

The sincerity in his eyes was still there, Ouyang Ruo bit his rosy lips and said: "Forget it, just go and sit for a while."

Su Yanqing nodded and walked forward first.Ouyang Ruo followed behind him. Under the bright sunlight, his body was as straight as a sword. Although he was still dusty, he was still as graceful as he was when he first met.Ouyang Ruo walked into the tea house with him.

Su Yanqing ordered some refreshments, ordered another pot of tea and said warmly: "Madam, have some. It's almost noon, Madam should be hungry."

Ouyang Ruo's face was reddish, she was indeed very hungry, seeing that Su Yanqing didn't scold her, she took the pastry to eat without hesitation.Seeing her dressed like this, Su Yanqing couldn't help but smile on her cold and serious handsome face. She looked like a big girl from the countryside, but she was still astonishingly beautiful.

Ouyang Ruo concentrated on eating, unaware that he was snickering in his heart. He was almost done eating. Seeing him smiling and staring at him with embarrassment on his face, he coughed lightly: "This...thank you, General Su...I should go back too."

After she finished speaking, she looked around, but saw many people secretly looking at her.Ouyang Ruo was taken aback and couldn't help shrinking back.Su Yanqing turned her head and stared, the murderous aura cultivated on the battlefield made people feel chills, and all of them withdrew their eyes.

Ouyang Ruo breathed a sigh of relief, and said in a low voice, "General Su, I should go back."

Su Yanqing looked at her for a long time before slowly saying: "Is the Linghua Bank opposite you run by your Chinese?"

Ouyang Ruo knew that he must have understood the relationship, and felt very sad. This was a point she had arranged with great difficulty. She didn't expect that he would bump into him the first time they had a conversation. How would she make it work in the future?But if he didn't tell the truth, wouldn't it be worse if he really checked it out?

She had so many twists and turns in her heart, she could only nod her head cruelly: "Yes. This jade shop is used by the concubine to arrange Ling Yudiji's future life. I didn't expect... still can't find her."

Seeing her bowing her head, Su Yanqing was so pitiful, she couldn't help feeling pity in her heart, and said with a sigh of relief: "Although Madam is Chinese, in Zixuan's heart, Madam is still a respectable mistress. The Marquis is sincere to Madam I also hope that Madam will not do anything disrespectful to Lord Hou. If there is such a day, Zixuan will have to be detrimental to Madam!"

Although his words were soft, they were really heavy.Ouyang Ruo raised her head when she heard the words, looked at him with deep beautiful eyes, and then smiled sadly: "General Su has saved my life twice, so it stands to reason that my life is also General Su's. You shouldn't say unreasonable things to General Su. But General Su also knows that my concubine is a native of Hua, and I am alone in Chu. All I can rely on is the love and favor of Lord Hou. However, if one day, Master Hou's favor is no longer , what should I do as a concubine?"

Her words floated into his ears faintly, and it sounded unreal in this noisy teahouse.Su Yanqing was suddenly dumbfounded.After Ouyang Ruo finished speaking, she turned her head and only looked at the busy traffic outside.Her face has a beautiful and fragile outline, and she is unparalleled in every way, but a beauty is easy to age, and a beauty is hard to come by.He didn't understand her misery till today.He wanted to say more, but he saw that Dexuan outside the teahouse was sweating profusely and rushed to the carriage.

Ouyang Ruo nodded hurriedly at him and left the teahouse.Su Yanqing involuntarily followed up.Dexuan was in a hurry to find Ouyang Ruo, when he saw her coming, he was pleasantly surprised, seeing Su Yanqing unexpectedly, he felt the blood on his body faded.

"Ma'am...he..." Dexuan's hands trembled a little, and he came out so suddenly that no matter how good his heart was, he couldn't bear it.

Ouyang Ruo walked to the carriage, fixedly looked at Su Yanqing and said, "Don't worry, General Su is helping us. Isn't it, General Su?"

There was unyielding and self-confidence in her eyes, and there seemed to be a powerful force hidden in her delicate body, which made Su Yanqing's eyes trance.

Such a woman... He sighed in his heart, finally nodded and bowed his fists: "Madam, go slowly. Zixuan will not see you off."

Hearing this, Ouyang Ruo smiled at him and got into the carriage.The carriage gradually moved away, De Xuan looked back anxiously, Su Yanqing was still standing where he was, as straight as a javelin.

Dexuan said worriedly: "Madam, do you know that General Su won't report to Lord Hou?"

Ouyang Ruo smiled wryly and said: "General Su is an upright man, and he will do what he promised. However, we need to make a good arrangement with Eunuch Wu again. Sigh... I finally got a point in Chujing, but Su The general found out. I don't know whether to say we're lucky or unlucky today."

The two people in the car were silent, but the deep house in front of the Hou Mansion was gradually approaching.

(End of this chapter)