Chaos in the Chu Palace

Chapter 62
The new year of Chu Ning and Chu Nian passed day by day, Chu Huotian was busy entertaining all the important officials, and received the envoys of Qin and Liang.Just after Chu Dading was established, the domestic situation was not very peaceful, and the people in Huadi hated the Chu thieves from the north, and uprisings happened from time to time.Although Chu Huotian has iron and blood in the military, he adopts a gentle policy in politics, and he is a lot of appeasement to China.So it is natural to make good friends with Qin and Liang.So Chu Huotian set up a grand banquet, had a banquet with the envoys sent by Qin and Liang, and rewarded many beauties in gold and silver.Because Ouyang Ruo is a concubine of the fifth rank, she had to attend several times with the queen.The queen knew that Chu Huotian liked her, so she specially moved her position to the side of the dragon chair.Ouyang Ruo is a person who doesn't want to make public, so he really feels uncomfortable all over.

On the tenth day of the Lunar New Year, Ouyang Ruo received an order from the queen to accompany her to a banquet for a group of envoys sent by Qin Guoxin, but the order specifically pointed out that she would dress up to attend, and Ouyang Ruo was in a dilemma.

Seeing her embarrassing, the mother who delivered the message smiled and said: "Your concubine, you don't have to find it difficult. The queen asked the servants to bring a new dress, and asked you to try it on to see if it fits you well."

As he spoke, he asked the maid behind him to present it, and saw that the red silk was lifted, and a luxurious palace skirt was shaken off, and the room was dazzling with pearls.The palace dress was sky blue, and it was embroidered with a hundred birds singing in spring. Every bird was outlined with royal blue silk thread, and the feathers were decorated with real bird feathers, as if it were real. His eyes were adorned with black gemstones, and when viewed from a distance, each of them appeared vivid.The corners of the palace skirt are all rolled with silver thread, which is very dazzling.

Everyone in the room was stunned. Ouyang Ruo didn't know what the queen meant, so he had no choice but to thank: "Please go back and thank the queen on behalf of the concubine."

As he spoke, he asked Wan Hui to give them some money, and then thankfully sent them out.

Ouyang Ruo looked at the dress and thought it was a hot potato.Wan Hui came in and said, "Your Majesty, don't you want to try?" Ouyang Ruo smiled wryly and said, "Now I don't know what the queen is going to sing."

Wan Hui sighed: "Even if I know, I can't help it. I have to wear this dress to the banquet. Perhaps the queen wants the empress to show her eyes when she sees her beauty."

Ouyang Ruo sighed lightly, what should come will always come, so I have to dress up and make up according to the style.She combed Chu Huotian's favorite Liuyun bun, and the layers of black hair were tied up bit by bit, flowing and elegant like flowing clouds.In the back of her head, she inserted three gold hairpins inlaid with cat's eye green from top to bottom, spreading them out in a fan shape, with two gold hairpins inlaid with swallows holding pearls on each side, and tied her bangs with a jade castor on her forehead. Finally, revealing a smooth forehead.There is a golden plum blossom between the eyebrows.On top of the bun, pearls and silver flowers are inserted one by one in layers.Just the right light makeup on the face.

After the make-up was completed, Wan Hui also praised: "The lady is beautiful and natural, and her appearance is really like a heavenly man."

Ouyang Ruo looked at herself in the mirror, she hadn't dressed herself up like this for a long time, if the queen saw it, she would regret it.Her vermilion lips were slightly raised, and a slight smile floated on her face, since she wanted her to confirm the reputation of Chu Huotian's "favorite concubine", then come.

When we arrived at Dekun Palace, Ouyang Ruo arrived at just the right time, and all the envoys inside had arrived.Seeing her arriving, the servant sang with a drawn out voice: "Ms. Rou Concubine is here——"

Ouyang Ruo raised his head to support Dexuan, walked in with a smile, and moved lightly with his feet, each step was measured like a ruler, neither rush nor slow, step by step towards the two sitting in front.

The bright yellow one is Chu Huotian, and the golden phoenix suit with red is the empress Zhao.Her smile is as light as water, yet vague and indistinct, making it hard to figure out.As she walked by, she clearly heard a few gasps in a low voice, and listened to the charming smile on her face.

Walking up to Chu Huotian, she knelt down respectfully and said, "My concubine respectfully invites the emperor to live forever, and the empress to live a thousand years!" After she finished speaking, she raised her head gently and smiled, clearly seeing a strange look in the queen's eyes.Chu Huotian's face was also moved, and he said after a while: "My concubine, please get up, come here, and give me a seat!"

Then someone from the palace brought the table and leaned against Chu Huotian's lower right head.Ouyang Ruo sat down calmly.

Chu Huotian looked at her delicate and fair neck, but couldn't see her face, so he said, "My concubine should just sit by my side."

Ouyang Ruo was stunned, and quickly said that he didn't dare.The queen was also taken aback, and it took a while to react and said: "Concubine Rou, don't refuse, you can sit beside the emperor so that you can serve the emperor with wine."

When Chu Huotian saw that the queen had agreed, he was overjoyed and smiled at the queen.Only then did Ouyang Ruo get up and sit beside Chu Huotian.In this way, the queen is on the left, and Ouyang Ruo is on the right of Chu Huotian.The envoys below looked at it and bowed their heads and whispered, everyone said that the emperor of Chu State was not close to women, and worked hard to govern, but now it seems that it is a fake.May I ask which man can allow such a beautiful fairy to be lonely in the deep palace?

Ouyang Ruo sat beside Chu Huotian, the ambergris from his body continuously floated into her nose, and her heart beat wildly like this for no reason.This was the feeling of sitting next to him. She raised her eyes and looked down from a high place. If the throne was different, it was just that it was taller than everyone else, so tall that it was too cold.

Chu Huotian shook her slightly with his left hand hidden in his wide sleeve, then stood up, raised his wine glass and said, "Banquet for distinguished guests from Qin Kingdom, let's start!"

The bells and drums sounded, and his handsome face was hidden behind the beaded curtain of the diadem crown, his dragon posture and phoenix appearance, and the air of an emperor was undoubtedly revealed.Ouyang Ruo looked at him slightly sideways, his eyes gleaming, revealing a trace of tenderness that he didn't even realize.

On the second day, Chu Huo Tianxia ordered Ouyang Ruo to be a fourth-rank Fangyi, and moved into Yunxiang Palace on a certain day.The emperor and concubine got up late, so Chu Huotian didn't go to the morning court, just lazily leaned on the couch and watched Ouyang Ruo being served by the palace servants to comb his black hair.Her hair was knee-length, very silky and smooth.A night of joy made her complexion much ruddy, even without rouge, she was charming and charming, unparalleled in beauty.She was beautiful, he couldn't deny it.But her character is the most difficult for him to figure out in the entire harem.Sometimes she is like a cold plum standing alone in the wind, lonely and cold.Sometimes it is like a shy lilac, arousing pity.

"The emperor really didn't go to court early?" Ouyang Ruo looked at his handsome face from the bronze mirror and asked with a smile, "This concubine can't bear the reputation of a troublesome beauty."

"What are you afraid of? Just say that I drank too much wine last night and got a headache. You're talking nonsense again." Chu Huotian said lazily, turned over, and continued to rest.

What are you afraid of?Ouyang Ruo looked at her beautiful face in the mirror and smiled sweetly.I'm afraid that someone already wants to tear her bones and skin her.

The seat given at the banquet in Dekun Palace, Chu Huotian lingered in Huayan Palace, the king did not go to court early, and spread throughout the entire Chu Palace day and night.In just one night, Ouyang Ruo became No.1 in the Sixth Palace.The wind in the whole palace suddenly changed. After Chu Huotian left, people came and went in the small Huayan Palace, and many concubines came to congratulate him.Ouyang Ruo only felt that it was very annoying, but she had to lose her smile and pass them by one by one.After getting Twilight Sihe, I got a little free time.

Wan Hui was in trouble looking at the gifts in half the room.

"Auntie, do you think there is not enough manpower? Why don't you choose a good girl to help you share the burden." Ouyang Ruo took a sip of the incense, looked at her distressed expression, and smiled.

Wan Hui nodded: "Yes, when I go to Yunxiang Palace, the place will become bigger, so I have to recruit some smart palace people."

Ouyang Ruo nodded and said, "Just pick a few loyal ones, and don't let irrelevant people get in."

The two were talking, when Dexuan came in suddenly: "Qi Niang Niang, the young master Yu Chonghua is begging to see you."

Ouyang Ruo smiled and said: "Go and invite her, I think she really won't come today, I didn't expect to come at this time." Saying that, she quickly asked Dexuan to invite her.

Ouyang Ruo sat on the main seat in the inner hall, and seeing Li Yinghong in peach-colored palace attire, she was helped by a maid to come forward.

Ouyang Ruo hurriedly got up and went to meet her, and said with a smile, "I didn't care about the dark and slippery roads and came here today? I was thinking about going to see you tomorrow."

Li Yinghong gave a salute with a smile on her face, and was helped up by Ouyang Ruo. She smiled and said, "It's the right time for my sister to come. If you come early, you will be put aside by your sister. I'm afraid you won't even be able to see her face." .”

Ouyang Ruo pursed her lips and smiled, helped her to sit on the chair and asked, "Can you have dinner?"

Li Yinghong nodded and said: "Yes, my sister, I also brought some congratulatory gifts, can my sister see what you want?" Ouyang Ruo made a gesture and said angrily: "What are you doing? Look inside me, someone else gave you a present." There are a lot of them, and I am wondering where to put them. Why did you bring some more?"

Li Yinghong took a sip of the sweet bird's nest soup served by Mingying and said with a smile: "Other people gave it to me, but I gave it myself. My sister has to accept it even if she can't fit it. Otherwise, don't you just favor one over the other?" He asked Chun Yan, the maid of honor, to get the gift.

Several young maids brought in the presents and lifted the red silk one by one for Ouyang Ruo to have a look.Ouyang Ruo glanced lightly, and saw three pairs of gold bracelets on the plate in front, each of which was carved with various patterns, very golden and unique, on the second plate were jade wares, five pieces in total, large and small, also high-quality white jade and emerald , the third plate is hairpins, a total of five, the style is also never seen in the palace, very simple and generous.Then came a few bolts of silk and satin, the color of which was Ouyang Ruo's favorite color, plain and dark.

Ouyang Ruo only took a cursory glance, her heart skipped a beat, and she said with a smile, "Sister, this gift is quite heavy. To be honest, my sister really dare not accept it."

The maids who held the lacquer trays didn't move when they heard the words, they just held them quietly.

Li Yinghong was not annoyed when she heard that Ouyang Ruo didn't accept her, so she said to the court ladies: "Go outside and wait." Wan Hui hurriedly led them out in a file.

Seeing that there was no one else around, Ouyang Ruo looked at the expression on her face, but seeing her calm expression and clear eyes, she felt relieved a little.

Li Yinghong said with a smile, "Why doesn't my sister accept my sister's gift, but she doesn't like the gift?" Ouyang Ruo only smiled, and said, "Maybe the friendship between you and me can be compared with those gold and silver vulgar things? It's just that my sister first Having said that, I just think about whether I can accept it or not."

Li Yinghong stroked her stomach subconsciously, at this time the inner hall had already turned on the lamp, and the light was brightly lit, shining on her face, as if covered with a layer of golden veil, very hazy and beautiful.

She paused for a moment as if she was planning to make a speech, and after a while, she smiled and said: "Sister, what you said is serious. Didn't the empress of the palace send you a generous gift today, and my sister is just following the crowd."

Ouyang Ruo looked at her, and said casually: "If Sister Li really follows the crowd, then that's fine, give some bird's nest and ginseng, or don't give it at all, just come to say hello and leave, I don't mind at all, but today My sister is too serious, but I can't figure out your thoughts."

Li Yinghong let out a breath when she heard the words, patted her chest and said, "It's suffocating me, if my mother hadn't told me to ask my sister to accept the gift before opening my mouth, I wouldn't have done all this What a hypocrisy."

Ouyang Ruo saw her little daughter's expression, and then she smiled and said, "What troubles my sister?" She had expected that Li Yinghong wanted something from her, and she knew a little about it just by seeing her gift.

Li Yinghong sighed slightly: "Is there anything else? My mother said that my sister took responsibility for my accident that day and saved the dragon fetus. This shows that my sister is not an ordinary woman with wisdom. If my sister can help my sister With planning, my sister will be able to keep her fate with the child in her womb."

What she said was naturally that the queen wanted to continue the dragon fetus in her womb. Ouyang Ruo had hinted that she would write a letter back to her mother's house to find a solution. Li Yinghong naturally did it, but she didn't expect to go around. Ruo body.

Ouyang Ruo sighed in his heart, why do they all regard themselves as life-saving bodhisattvas?This is not good.

Ouyang Ruo rolled her beautiful eyes and looked at her belly. She was only less than two months pregnant, and their natal family began to panic. It is no wonder that Li Yinghong's current status is only slightly higher than that of the palace. If they ask for it, can they not give it?

Ouyang Ruo said: "My sister's words are wrong. That time, my sister was just a moment of courage. How can it be called a big-hearted wisdom? What my sister said is of great importance. You see, my sister and I are still reluctant, how can I stand out again? "

Seeing her, Li Yinghong didn't let go and couldn't help being anxious: "My sister doesn't think of me as a sister anymore? Now that the emperor favors you so much, can't it be okay for my sister to say a word for my sister?" She shed tears as she spoke.

Ouyang Ruo saw that she was emotionally unstable and knew that she was sensitive during pregnancy, so she sighed in her heart, helped her up, went to the inner room and took a seat, and said: "It is because I regard you as a good sister that I told you the truth. To tell you the truth, sister, I have neither power nor power. I only protect myself in the palace. How can I help you? You should know who that person is better than sister. She is the eldest daughter of the Chu family. Now that you have no children, you can still sit firmly in your seat. You are a petty temper, only saying that you can't give her your child, but you don't know that if you change someone else, you will naturally be willing to do so. If you give her a child, you will be a legitimate son , the future is limitless. You can also enjoy glory in the future."

What a temper Li Yinghong is, when she heard this, she stood up awkwardly, her brows stood on end, and she said: "Forget it, my sister came here by mistake today. Sister, please rest, my sister is leaving."

She was about to leave, but Ouyang Ruo said coldly, "Come back!"

Li Yinghong was taken aback for a moment, but seeing Ouyang Ruo's face covered with frost, she couldn't help but obediently sat on the seat, but her face was full of dissatisfaction.Ouyang Ruo sighed in his heart, this kind of person who looked so arrogant and imprisoned in the cold palace would rather be smashed into pieces than whole.

"With your temperament, you don't need the one who comes to take your son. She will naturally have the ability to find a way for you to offer it with both hands obediently. It only depends on the price you pay. What I said earlier was to let you know, How much will you lose if you don't give it to the child. Just in case you regret it one day and then blame me, sister." Ouyang Ruo paused, and seeing her look calm, said again, "Concubine Xu, do you know?"

Li Yinghong was stunned for a moment, and then said after a while: "You know, her father and my father have a good relationship, and they both came from the army. It's just that sister Xu is too hot-tempered, and because she is a concubine, she has a weird temper." Naturally, she dared not speak of Concubine Xu. The things he committed, because such things are absolutely taboo in the Chu Palace.

Seeing that she knew Mrs. Xu, Ouyang Ruo was half relieved: "It's good that you know her. If you were given a choice, which one would you choose, that one or Mrs. Xu?"

Li Yinghong was taken aback for a moment, before she said in surprise: "Why did my sister mention her properly? She is locked in the palace now, how can..."

Ouyang Ruo waved his hand, stopped her mouth, and said: "Do you think her father is a clay bodhisattva? Her father is now the Minister of the Ministry of War. She was just confused. When things got serious, the emperor had to put her away." Shut it in, given time, the emperor will still let her out. It's just that the timing is not right now."

Only then did Li Yinghong understand a little bit, she frowned and asked again: "What does sister mean?"

(End of this chapter)