Chaos in the Chu Palace

Chapter 36: Dark Fragrance Poison (1)
Concubine Chu was picked up by the people sent by Chu Huotian, and the two sides were also in harmony, and there was no abnormality.A few days after Concubine Chu came back, she asked someone to send a message to Ouyang Ruo, saying that Ling Xiang's name would be changed in three days and put in the genealogy, and Ouyang Ruo was asked to prepare for it at that time.Ouyang Ruo and Wan Hui hurriedly cut a new dress for her, and discussed what to do when the time came.

Ouyang Ruo's body gradually recovered, and she drank all the decoctions and soups every day.Just because this incident gave her vigilance, that is, when a person dies, there is nothing left.Dexuan is well versed in pharmacology, and he comes here every day to decoct the medicine himself, very caring.Lian Wanhui praised him again and again, saying that he was loyal.

One day Ouyang Ruo was taking a nap, and in the half asleep and half awake, it seemed that someone was whispering outside. She was so hot that she was tired, and she heard someone talking, so she couldn't help being a little irritable.Left and right couldn't sleep, so they got up, put on a thin smoky coat, and went out with sleepy eyes.At the side of the bonsai on the corridor, I saw Wanhui and Dexuan holding a bag of scattered herbs and talking about something.

Ouyang Ruo became curious and listened carefully, only to hear Wan Hui asking worriedly: "Are you sure? This medicine..."

Dexuan put the medicine under Wanhui's nose and asked her to smell it: "Auntie, smell it, the medicine tastes bitter and sour, not as sweet and thick as in the past. The servant girl saw that there was something wrong with the medicine foam, it seemed that someone else deliberately crushed it and put it on the ground. came in."

Wan Hui took a closer look, and her face tightened: "Then what should I do? Madam has already had a drink."

Dexuan wrapped the medicine again, and said bitterly: "This group of gods, the servants know that they have to come back and look carefully before decocting the medicine. I'm a little busy these days, and I'm afraid that someone will take the opportunity to make trouble. Fortunately, I only drink one Tie, show the rest to the servants, if there is any problem with the medicine, pour it out."

Ouyang Ruo was already in a bad mood, and the weather was hot and he was irritable. When he heard about this, he was furious, staggered over, snatched the medicine from Dexuan's hand, and slammed it on the ground. whip.

"Do you want to kill me? Just come here and kill me. What are you doing? Drugs! Thanks to them, they can do it. It's really a killing!" Ouyang Ruo was extremely angry, and the clouds scattered in the excitement , an abnormal flush appeared on her beautiful face.

Wan Hui and De Xuan were startled, Wan Hui hurriedly hugged her, and hurriedly said: "Madam calm down! The servant just didn't want Madam to know, so I asked De Xuan not to tell Madam. Madam... this medicine is easy to find It's early, ma'am, don't be angry..."

De Xuan also hurriedly knelt down and said: "If Madam is angry, show this medicine to Master Hou, and ask Master Hou to uphold justice for Madam."

Ouyang Ruo's lips trembled but he couldn't utter a word.Seeing this, Wan Hui quickly winked at De Xuan, and quickly helped her back into the room.Ouyang Ruo tried her best to calm down the anger in Ping's heart, and then asked Dexuan: "What the hell is mixed in this medicine? Tell me quickly! Is it safflower or some intestinal poison?"

Dexuan hesitated and said: "It is a kind of high mountain medicine unique to Chu State. It is located on the high mountain on the border between Chu and Qin. Pregnancy, not many people know about it, even in Chudi, few people know that it has this function, they just think it can cure trauma and use it for recuperation, the servants also heard Mr. Zhao accidentally said it, and found it in an isolated medical book I know. The grass looks unremarkable, and it was crushed into powder. If the maidservant hadn’t grabbed a pair of medicine and smelled it before, she might not have known the existence of this medicine this time..."

The word "infertility" was smashed down, so that Ouyang Ruo's eyes almost stared, while Wan Hui stood aside angrily, looking at her face from time to time.Ouyang Ruo's face was red and white, and finally turned livid.

Ouyang Ruo slowly closed his eyes for a while, then suddenly opened them again, and said with a sneer: "I know who it is, Chu and Qin have never been peaceful, who can pick this kind of grass, who do you think? The concubine Xu Shi who is the servant of the Ministry of War is Liu Shi who is rich in money. But a few years ago, Xu Shi couldn't conceive again after a miscarriage, so I suspect that Liu Shi is doing all this. It is also logical to post on Mrs. Xu. You must know that Mrs. Xu and I have always been at odds, and her second brother has been working as a general in Guangjun in Qin and Chu all year round..."

After Ouyang Ruo finished speaking, her eyes had returned to the usual indifferent look and she said: "Okay! What a deep city Liu Ruyu! I really underestimated her." After finishing speaking, she sneered endlessly.

Wan Hui inquired, "Ma'am, do you want to secretly report to Lord Hou?"

Ouyang Ruo got up halfway, and said: "No need, call Ming Ying to find a place to bury the remaining medicine in the back garden. Remember not to be seen by others. Dexuan will grab some more medicine for me Just come. Tomorrow is the big event of Ling Xiang's entry into the ancestral hall, and Lord Hou is also upset when the disturbance arises. Those who don't know think that I am spoiled and spoiled. Besides, Mrs. Liu is as careful as a hair, and she will not be foolproof if she doesn't. Dare to do that. That’s okay, if she thinks that I have taken this medicine, she will feel less hostile to me. We will plan slowly in the future.”

After she finished speaking slowly, Wan Hui and De Xuan quickly agreed.Finally, with a calm face, the day came when Ling Xiang was renamed Chu Huotian's adoptive daughter.

Early that morning, Ouyang Ruo and Wan Hui got up and tidied up the things they needed.Ouyang Ruo put on a crimson skirt embroidered with auspicious lotus patterns for Ling Xiang.There are double buns on the head, and the rest of the hair hangs down.The two small buns are wrapped with pinches of gold silk beads.

The whole ceremony is simple and solemn.Concubine Chu first burned incense and worshiped again, and then Ouyang Ruo also burned incense and worshiped the gods, and then twisted incense and prayed.Hold Ling Xiang again and worship again.Then, a master who looked like a monk solemnly added Ling Xiang's name to the family tree, and added a line of small characters next to it.Then he turned around, took a jade pendant from the incense table and put it on for Ling Xiang, and drew a safety talisman and put it in a red bag for her to hide next to her body.

Ouyang Ruo was very relieved in her heart, but she hugged Ling Xiang and thanked Concubine Chu with great sincerity.

Concubine Chu smiled and said: "This is considered a complete merit, and you can walk around the mansion with her in the future. You have accumulated good deeds for the Marquis. Remember that you must serve the Marquis with all your heart in the future, and spread out for him." branches and leaves."

Ouyang Ruo respectfully said yes.So they broke up.Since then, Lingxiang has been changed to Linxiang, but the difference is not too big.

Back at Jingyun Pavilion, Ouyang Ruo was teasing Lin Xiang happily, but a few maids came outside. It turned out that the wives of each house gave some small gifts, some were children's longevity locks, and some were very delicately made little kids stuff.Among them, Mrs. Liu gave the most expensive, a pair of heavy gold bracelets, engraved with rich and noble peonies, very delicate and beautiful, and two bolts of high-quality Hangzhou silk.Even Mrs. Xu sent congratulatory gifts.

While talking, suddenly Xiang Ye came in and said: "Ma'am, the Fifth Madam is here, and she brought congratulatory gifts."

Ouyang Ruo wondered: "Why is she here, please come in quickly." After speaking, she helped Wan Hui and walked out.

The fifth wife, Mrs. Lin, is not outstanding in appearance. She is usually cautious and cautious, and she speaks in a soft voice, nothing special.Ouyang Ruo heard that she was the concubine's daughter of a servant of the Ministry of Rites. The minister of the Ministry of Rites was an idle official with no real power, so her status in the mansion was not high.

As soon as Ouyang Ruo entered the outer hall, she saw her pinching a handkerchief, with her head down, wondering what was on her mind.The hot tea on the side didn't move a bit.Today she was wearing a long dress of apricot yellow embroidered powder and white chrysanthemum, with a fragrant bun on her head, and only a white jade hairpin to scratch her head, which was elegant and pleasant.But there was worry on Su Dan's face, as if he was restless.

Seeing her like this, Ouyang Ruo felt doubts in her heart, stepped forward to salute her and said, "Why did Sister Lin come in person, this concubine is really sorry."

Lin's face whispered: "The Seventh Madam has adopted her adoptive daughter, I, as a concubine, should come and have a look. It's really my fault that I don't go around with the Seventh Madam on weekdays..."

Seeing that she was very reserved, Ouyang Ruo took her hand, sat down and said softly, "Sister Lin, don't be cautious, just say what you have to say."

Lin looked up at her slightly surprised, but saw Ouyang Ruo smiling, kind and beautiful.She came back to her senses and said, "I saw Sister Ouyang just after a big change, but she is still in high spirits. If it were on me, I'm afraid she wouldn't be able to recover in a year or so."

Ouyang Ruo's cold eyes dimmed, but she said with a smile, "It's just that I accidentally bumped into something dirty in the palace and lost my way. There will be children... in the future." Her miscarriage was said to the outside world Encountered evil spirits in the palace, it is hard to get lost.

Although Chu Huotian knew from her mouth that she was kidnapped and forced her to conspire to murder him, but no matter how hard he checked, he couldn't find any evidence, and the little eunuch who led the way also committed suicide in fear of crime.Chu Huotian once wanted to tear himself apart with the queen and the father-in-law, so he rushed into the palace impulsively with a sword, but when he came back, several counselors tried hard to persuade him that the time was not yet ripe, and he should not lose the big because of the small.Chu Huotian endured it, and then swallowed this dumb loss with great pains.It's just that I feel more pity for Ouyang Ruo.

Seeing her pale face, Mrs. Lin knew that she had said something wrong, and hurriedly said: "It's my fault, it made my sister feel sad, alas... I'm really useless."

Ouyang Ruo saw that she was not hesitant, knew that she had something to say, so she winked, and Wan Hui led the servant girl back.Mrs. Lin followed her into the inner room. Seeing no one around, she burst into tears, knelt down and said, "I really can't help it. Sister Ouyang wants to save me!"

Ouyang Ruo was taken aback, and hurriedly helped her up and said, "What's wrong with Sister Lin? If you have something to say, talk about it."

Lin stood up sobbing and said in a low voice: "I have no choice. After thinking about it, no one in the mansion can make people feel at ease. Only sister Ouyang can save my life..." She started to cry in a low voice .

Seeing her crying constantly, Ouyang Ruo knew that she was cowardly, so she must have taken great courage to come this time.My heart softened, and I sighed: "Sister Lin, don't cry. If you have anything to say, just say it. If my sister can help, I will definitely help."

Lin's small eyes lit up, she grabbed Ouyang Ruo's hand and said, "Ouyang, if you are willing to help... I... I'm happy, it's been two months..." She said, with a flat face Suddenly bursting out with a dazzling brilliance, the whole person is also different, no longer the appearance of a little girl who only looks around.

"You're happy?!" Ouyang Ruo repeated in a murmur, staring at her face that was radiant because of these words.My heart suddenly felt like a knife was twisted.

After a long time she came back to her senses, forced a smile and said, "Is that so, then congratulations sister."

Lin was immersed in her own joy, and did not notice Ouyang Ruo's sadness.

Ouyang Ruo smiled wryly, took her hand and sat down, "Why would Sister Lin think of coming to me? You should go to Wangfei."

Lin's face turned pale, he hesitated for a while with the handkerchief twisted in his hand, and finally gritted his teeth and said: "To tell the truth, sister Ouyang, the princess is actually not a good person."

After she finished speaking, she was a little terrified, looked around, and took out a small bag tightly wrapped in cloth from her arms.Spread out layer by layer, after opening, Ouyang Ruo only felt a strong fragrance coming out, it turned out to be a sachet.Ouyang Ruo looked left and right, but couldn't see anything special, it was a scent of roses, if worn on the body, it must be very fragrant.

Seeing her puzzled face, Mrs. Lin put the sachet under Ouyang Ruo's nose and said in panic, "Sister Ouyang, smell it, what's the difference?" Her hands trembled slightly, as if what she was holding was not The sachet is a reminder.

Ouyang Ruo sniffed it. She is usually good at mixing fragrances and gels, so she is very sensitive to all kinds of fragrances. Seeing that Lin's expression was tense, she carefully identified it and exclaimed: "It's musk!..."

Lin hurriedly covered her mouth and said in a low voice: "Yes, sister Ouyang is very smart. I only found out last year, but I have worn this sachet for a long time, so I never got pregnant at that time. I remember how many years When I first entered the mansion, the princess gave some sachets and cloth every other season. If I didn’t wear them, I often asked about them. I didn’t pay attention, so I wore them every day. But once, I was so bored that I would I opened the sachet, but I saw some powder in the sachet, and I found out after smelling it..." He gritted his silver teeth, and showed a trace of hatred on his face.

Only then did Ouyang Ruo suddenly realize why Chu Huotian had so few heirs. It stands to reason that even if he was away fighting all the year round, he shouldn't have only one son and one daughter.I also remembered that day when I went to visit Concubine Chu for the first time, I gave the rouge made by Mrs. Xu in front of everyone. I am afraid that Concubine Chu who was at the side at that time knew that she was good at making fragrances, so she did not dare to give her this kind of fragrance. bag.

What a scheming...

Ouyang Ruo wanted to break out in a cold sweat, but with a trembling of his hand, he couldn't help shaking the sachet on the ground.Seeing this, Mrs. Lin picked it up carefully and wrapped it carefully with cloth.

Ouyang Ruo said in shock: "Sister Lin, why don't you throw it away!"

Lin smiled wryly and said: "I will give it to you after losing the princess, so I specially made a sachet just like this one, and wear it by my side every day. It will save her from thinking about how to find an excuse to give me these things."

Ouyang Ruo sighed: "Sister Lin and I have met each other frankly, what can I do with my sister now? I can't protect my own children, so how can I protect Sister Lin's children?"

Lin's face suddenly became sad when he heard the words, as if all his strength and vitality were taken away at once, he said blankly: "I only know that Lord Hou treats younger sister differently, if younger sister can say something in front of Lord Hou, I...my child, this is my child and Lord Hou's! Maybe it will be saved. "

Mrs. Lin looked at her and tremblingly said: "Princess is not a good person. I feel uneasy when I look at Sister Liu's smiling face. Mrs. Xu is a pungent, and there are a few young ladies who are all timid and afraid of getting into trouble. Is there anyone in the house I can rely on? I only think of you...I only think of you..."

She suddenly came to her senses: "Didn't Sister Ouyang have no child? As long as this child can be born, I will give it to you to raise, okay? Protect him well!"

Ouyang Ruo just felt sore in his heart, who would give his child to someone else as a mother?When she said this, she clearly lost her mind.After Lin finished speaking, she began to cry in a low voice.

Ouyang Ruo also wiped away her tears and said, "Sister Lin doesn't need to think too much. If the child can be born, no one will be able to touch my sister. I'm afraid that someone will do something wrong during pregnancy."

Lin's eyes lit up, and he suddenly said: "That's right, as long as the tenth month of pregnancy is over, no one will be able to move the child." Thinking about it, he laughed again.Seeing her crying and laughing, Ouyang Ruo felt extremely uncomfortable.

Mrs. Lin thought for a while before saying: "If you can leave the mansion to raise a baby, and get out of the eyelids of the princess, maybe you can hide for a while."

Ouyang Ruo was stunned for a while before saying: "This is also a solution. But how can I leave the mansion."

(End of this chapter)