The Legend of the Loved One

Chapter 2

Although the encounter in the Chu Mansion Pavilion gave Heng Wang an idea, but because his visit to Chu Mansion was done in private, it was not suitable for publicity, so before he could do anything, he still needed to see the beautiful woman again, and he had to do it in a fair and honest manner. Under the circumstances, it was an extremely accidental encounter.

It didn't take long for him to wait for such an opportunity.

Mrs. Chu's natal brother recently came to Beijing to visit relatives, and was visiting Chu's mansion this day.The niece of Mrs. Chu's natal family, that is, Chu Xue's 13-year-old cousin, is at the age of being lively and playful. Although she doesn't go out very much, she still stays with her cousin who only comes to the capital once in a few years. Went around the capital.

Not long after the cousins ​​of Chu's mansion went out, there was also a Confucian noble son from Hengwang's mansion, who came out of his house.

The capital is bustling everywhere, and it's early summer, surrounded by pleasant scenery, my cousin is shopping vigorously, and Chu Xue, who doesn't go out often, is also in a good mood.After playing for more than an hour, it was almost time for lunch. The accompanying servants reminded them to go back to the house. The two girls also planned to go back. Before they got in the carriage and walked a few steps, the cousin suddenly saw the signboard of Sanmi Zhai on the street. "Sanmi Zhai" is a famous dessert shop in the capital. The gluttonous cousin has been yearning for it for a long time, so of course she refused to let go of the opportunity, so she immediately stopped the car and took her out of the car and went straight to the dessert shop on the side of the street.

The cousin is very picky, but she doesn't like sweets the most, especially when she sees the hawthorns wrapped in frosting sugar, she feels sick to her stomach, so she has to turn her head and look at the busy street.While looking around, she suddenly saw a jade pendant falling from the body of a man in fresh clothes, but the man didn't notice it and kept walking forward.

Chu Xue immediately called out to the back, "My lord, your jade pendant has been lost."

The man stopped when he heard the words, turned around and picked up the dropped jade pendant, and thanked her, "Thank you for reminding me..."

The voice suddenly stopped, and surprise appeared on the man's face.

"It turned out to be Miss Chu."

When she saw the elegant young man in front of her, she was also surprised.

Isn't this exactly the guest I met in the pavilion a few days ago?
After a brief accident, she nodded and smiled, "So it's the young master, what a coincidence."

"Why did miss leave the mansion today?" The noble and handsome young master looked at her and smiled.

"There are relatives at home, and my little daughter is going to visit the capital with her cousin," she explained.

"Oh, that's how it is." The young master looked at her cousin who was choosing sweets behind her and the carriage with the word "Chu" hanging on it, and said politely, "It's noon, I wonder if Miss can show me some face and invite you two to eat A simple meal? I can also thank Miss for reminding me, otherwise, I might not be able to find this jade pendant today."

He caressed the jade pendant in his hand.

The girl in the pink dress and white dress was startled, then shook her head, "My little girl just reminded me casually, this is human nature, you don't have to be polite, my lord, we have prepared meals at home, and the two of us are going back too, so farewell."

How can a boudoir girl casually dine with a strange man?Seeing his request beyond the courtesy, Chu Xue immediately declined, and after politely leaving, she greeted her cousin and got into the carriage.

Wang Heng, with a smile on his face, looked at the Chu Mansion's carriage that was drifting away, and became more determined in his thoughts that he had made since that day.

Goodbye today, still shocked.How could such a well-educated beauty be allowed to fall into the arms of others?
A few days later, Chu's mansion welcomed an acquaintance, Chu Lin's old friend, Taiwei Zhou Fuzhi.

After a few simple greetings, the old friend brought him the news that King Heng wanted to marry his daughter Chu Xue, and he also said that he fell in love with Chu Xue at first sight, and hoped that he would make it happen.

Governor Shi Chulin has a son and a daughter. The son has already married and is currently performing duties in Qingzhou. The only daughter is Chu Xue, who has been raised in a boudoir for 17 years.Xue'er has always been well-behaved and obedient, she lives in seclusion on weekdays, except for the people in the house and a few close relatives, few outsiders can see her, let alone know her outstanding appearance.

Chu Lin was very puzzled by this sudden marriage proposal, and questioned: "There are so many noble daughters in the capital, and King Heng has never seen a daughter, so it is a bit inappropriate to say that he fell in love at first sight."

Zhou Fuzhi was a little surprised, "Haven't the two of them met? But Hengwang's appearance is indeed attracted to Xue'er... Could it be that he admitted the wrong person?"

Chu Lin frowned and thought about it for a while, and finally remembered that King Heng went to the garden to avoid the prince that day, and couldn't help being a little pale, and no longer shy away from the presence of his old friend, and hurriedly ordered his servants to invite the lady.

Chu Xue's boudoir is in the backyard of the mansion, a little far away from the front hall where the guests are received. When she arrived, her mother had already arrived for a while.

"Father, are you looking for your daughter?" The crisp voice accompanied the girl's graceful figure, like the sun shining into the room.

Seeing her come in, Chu Lin raised his hand and introduced to Zhou Fuzhi: "Xue'er, come on, this is Taiwei Zhou, you met him when you were young, do you still remember?"

The seemingly ordinary words actually imply a reminder, she quickly smiled and saluted, "My little girl has met Master Zhou."

Zhou Fuzhi sized her up, and when he saw her face clearly, he also sighed secretly, but after all, he was an elder, he laughed and said: "I haven't seen her for a few years, Xueer has grown into a big girl, she really is an outstanding beauty. "

Master Zhou smiled and praised, and then glanced at his father Chu Lin.

The father coughed and asked her: "Xue'er, I want to ask you for my father, did you meet any strangers in the mansion a few days ago?"

She looked at the hidden worry in her father's eyes, thought about it for a while, and replied truthfully: "Daughter has indeed seen a young master. Just ten days ago, he said that he was a guest of the father... Also, a few days ago, my cousin Come, we saw him in the street too."

The father seemed to frown a little, but Master Zhou beside him laughed: "It seems that he did not admit his mistake, Brother Chu should have no doubts! The family has not engaged Xue'er, this marriage can really be considered It's over."

Hearing the word "marriage", Chu Xue was very puzzled, and looked at her father in bewilderment. His father was silent for a moment, and explained to her the purpose of Mr. Zhou's visit, and informed her of the man's identity.

Hengwang?

She paused for a moment, then hesitated for a long time before saying: "Looking at the prince's appearance, he must already have a family, so why would he want...to marry me?" As a young girl who has not yet left the court, the last two The word made her a little shy.

This is also the common embarrassment of the whole family.

Since he was able to come to protect the matchmaker, Mr. Zhou is naturally willing to facilitate this marriage. He explained to the family in the hall who were slightly embarrassed: "Of course the royal family is different from ordinary people like us. The Hengwang Mansion currently has the main concubine and the side concubines. One, and another concubine, with our backgrounds, Xue'er would definitely be a side concubine if she married. Besides, King Heng has always been the most outstanding prince, as for his appearance, Xue'er has seen it with her own eyes..."

These words couldn't be more clear, Hengwang Mansion now has three female relatives, if she married, she would be the fourth.After listening silently, Chu Xue bit her lip lightly.

Seeing that Chu Xue lowered his head, he lowered his voice and turned to Chu Lin, "Being married to the prince is something that many people can't even dream of. Besides, the recent situation... there is a great possibility for her to go up."

Father thought about it for a while, and replied politely: "This matter came a little suddenly, let us think it over again, and reply to His Highness in a few days, okay?"

Zhou Taiwei paused, obviously a little surprised, but he knew Chu Lin's personality, so he responded: "That's okay, King Heng didn't rush to answer, and he said let you think about it. He actually respects you by doing this." , but which girl the princes have their eyes on, it is not a matter of the emperor's words? He can go directly to ask the emperor to marry him, but it is unnecessary... You are a smart person, of course I don't need to worry about it." Mrs. Zhou Weibie patted his father's shoulder meaningfully, and left with a smile.

Father returned after seeing off the guests, and did not speak for a long time.

Seeing this, she frowned and blamed herself, "It's all my daughter's fault. If my daughter didn't go to the garden that day, there would be nothing like today."

"I can't blame you, maybe it's God's will." Mother sighed softly.

"God willing?"

She was a little puzzled, and looked at her father suspiciously.

The father paused for a while and said, "Do you know who the main concubine of Prince Heng's Mansion is?"

How does a boudoir girl understand these royal family connections?She shook her head honestly.

The father sighed deeply, and said the answer, "Pei Guogong Xu Mao's daughter, Pingnan Marquis Xu Jilin's younger sister."

She was startled and said tremblingly, "Xu, Xu Jilin?"

For a moment, it seemed that Mother's last cry echoed in my ears.

Father nodded, and the three people in the hall were silent.

Seeing that her face was pale, the mother tried to call her, "Xueer, Xueer."

She looked back at her mother, trying to put on a gentle expression, but there was nothing she could do.

Her father seemed to be recovering from the past, sighed again, and comforted her, "It's not that there is no room for maneuver. Don't think too much about today. Your mother and I can figure out a way. Go and rest."

She has always been a sensible child, even though there was already a storm in her heart, she still obediently bid farewell to her parents and went back to the room.

But that night, she had a nightmare.

A dream that I haven't had for many years.

She dreamed of the isolated manor that used to be, the fireworks that covered the sky, she dreamed of fierce and violent eyes, and the shouts of those close relatives, that dream was so real, she even smelled the The lingering smell of blood on the tip of the nose.

She woke up suddenly and sat up on the bed suddenly.

But being awake can't stop the heavy panting and the throbbing heartbeat in the chest.

After a while of calm, she lay down again, but she no longer felt sleepy.

"Father, mother, is this your arrangement?" Looking at the darkness in front of her eyes, the girl asked softly.

The only answer to her was the storm outside the window.

Chu Lin and his wife had a sleepless night in their room.

"I can't let Xue'er marry, not to mention being a side concubine. She is still so young, how can she cope with the intrigue in the palace? What's more, the Xu family is the one who is in charge."

Madam was full of worry in her words.

Of course Chu Lin knew this, but he didn't say anything.

But...they didn't make an engagement, but they refused to agree to this marriage. How should King Heng explain it?Will it make people suspicious?

This is really tricky.

"Think again, there is always a way." Chu Lin closed his eyes.

He didn't know that King Heng might really be interested in Xue'er, but the other part of the reason for the proposal this time probably lies with him.King Heng just wanted to express his own opinion. At worst, he would put down his old face, give up half his life's prestige, and go to show his favor in person... Prince Heng of the left and right is indeed the best among all the princes, for the country and the people, he is like this It's not a bad thing to do.

As for the daughter, if she could not marry, she would not marry.

In any case, as long as they can keep Xue'er safe and allow this poor child to live a stable life, their hard work for so many years will not be in vain.

Master Chu thought for most of the night before falling into a deep sleep.

After finally figuring out some clues, but when he returned from court the next day, Chu Xue came to their husband and wife.

Looking at the parents in front of her, Chu Xue said solemnly: "Please father to reply, my daughter is willing to marry to Prince Heng's Mansion."

The mother hurriedly took her hand, "Son, you, do you know where that is?"

She was extremely firm, and comforted her mother, "Don't worry, mother, my daughter has grown up, and she has already thought about it."

Looking at the child in front of him, the firmness that flashed in her bright eyes was so familiar, Chu Lin was in a trance for a moment, and after the trance, there was a faint heartache, he lowered his voice and said: "Xue'er, you are still young, don't think about it anymore." Those things before."

Chu Xue shook her head with a smile, "Father, it has nothing to do with the past." She said with a serious look: "As Lord Zhou said, King Heng is respecting now, if we decline, and he goes directly to ask the emperor to marry him, wouldn't that be another matter?" Can't escape and offend him? You have protected your daughter for so long, so I can't make things difficult for you... If it was my sister now, I believe she would do the same."

Although her voice was soft, she still brought tears from her mother's eyes.

Chu Lin was silent.

Just because I don't want to marry my daughter to those wealthy families in Beijing, I have declined many marriage proposals in the past two years. to the field...

It is really unreasonable for an important minister in Beijing to marry his daughter underground.

Besides, the prince has been recruited now...

Is there anyone in the world who can refuse the prince's marriage proposal?
If it was his own daughter, would he still hesitate so much?
He knew very well that the answers to these questions were all negative.

After a long while, he finally said: "The most dangerous place may be the safest, let's gamble again, but don't have distracting thoughts in your mind, and everything else depends on God's will! The princes will return to Beijing for at most half a year. The date should be fixed soon, and the rest of the time should be well prepared, there is nothing wrong with it.”

She breathed a sigh of relief, but then felt extremely heavy again.

The road ahead is long, and of course we must be prepared.

Sure enough, not long after Zhou Taiwei happily went to reply to King Heng, the date was fixed at the palace. June 22 was an auspicious day, and there was only one and a half months left.

Although being a side concubine cannot be as complete and detailed as a normal wedding ceremony, she is marrying into the palace after all, and as the only daughter of the Chu household, her marriage cannot be sloppy.

The family is actively preparing a dowry for her, so of course she can't avoid leisure time, besides learning the rules and etiquette of the palace, there is also an essential link before marriage - going to the Nuwa Hall to pray for blessings and offer incense.

The weather was fine that day, and her mother specially prepared a carriage for her and asked her to go to the Nuwa Temple on the outskirts of the city to worship.This has always been a custom in the capital. Legend has it that all women who are about to get married must pay homage to the god in charge of the matchmaker, so that their lives will be smooth after marriage.Since she was married in an aboveboard manner, it was natural that this extremely important link before marriage was unavoidable.

So this morning, taking advantage of the clear sky, she went out.

The carriage traveled unhurriedly for half an hour, and arrived at the Nuwa Temple in the southern outskirts of the city. There were not many people there at that time, so she quickly finished her business and was about to return home.

It's just that the way back is destined to not be as smooth as when it came.As soon as she got into the carriage, a fast horse came rushing towards her. With the clatter of hooves accompanied by a gust of wind, it quickly passed the carriage she was riding on. ran forward.

Before Yan Ling could get into the carriage, the groom under the carriage couldn't pull the reins, and a frightened horse pulled her, who was alone in the carriage, to gallop without direction.

The horse's hooves slipped suddenly, and she, who was already panicked, suddenly felt the world turned upside down, and the car slid down the hillside at a bend.

The feeling of weightlessness and dizziness accompanied by exclamations on the mountain road made it too late for her to react.

Are you going to die?That was all she could think of.

Suddenly heard a piercing horse cry, the car seemed to be pulled by something, and did not continue to slide, but with the sudden stop, her body also slammed into a wooden beam inside the car.

The veil she wore before getting into the car was still on her head, which also cushioned her from some impacts on her head, but even so, she still fainted unavoidably.

The last scene before she passed out was a man carrying her out of the car.Through the tulle covering her face, she felt that the young man was familiar for a moment.

But only for a moment.

Because in the next second, she passed out completely.

(End of this chapter)