Mountains and rivers fall into red

Chapter 37: Dan Que (7)
The horse stopped in front of the gate of the palace, Xiao Kui's tall and handsome figure got off the horse, raised his eyes to look up at the peach-blossom face on the horse, stretched out his arms, and Xiuxiu's delicate body landed lightly.

He gently helped the catkin, she looked back and smiled, intertwined and clasped her fingers.

The guards looked dumbfounded, when they approached hand in hand, Fang Xushen was about to kowtow and kneel down, but Xiao Kui gave him a silent gesture.The guard opened his mouth blankly, watching the two figures walk into the dark night hand in hand.

On the Qingshi Road, they walked hand in hand.The surroundings are quiet but not dark, amidst the shimmering neon colors, the palace walls and pavilions of red brocade and golden glaze are even more profound under the hazy moon veil.

The cool breeze was blowing, and under the shadow of the moon, the bamboo grove beside the path seemed to be flicked by someone's sleeve, making a rustling sound, and she couldn't help but stop.

"The bamboo is so big." She said with emotion.

"Like it?"

"like."

"This time next year, there will be more bamboo."

He hugged her behind him, rubbing his chin against the back of her neck.She looked back, her eyes were clear, her eyelashes were slender, and her lips were like cream, he couldn't help but kiss them lightly.

Not far away, the shadows of the lanterns were flickering. It turned out that the palace guards who were watching the night were walking here with glazed gauze lanterns.He took her hand and started to scramble, she covered her mouth to hold back her laughter.He led her to stop in front of a palace, and she vaguely recalled that it was the place where she had stayed overnight last time.

Passing through the outer hall with brocade scrolls and tassels on the pearl screen, the huge inner hall is separated by two screens carved in huanghuali wood.

In the half-bright light, she stood still beside the candlestick, groping to light it, he pressed her hand, and raised it to lift the heavy brocade curtains.Immediately, a round of white moon light came in from the open window, and the room seemed to be scattered with a handful of golden grains out of thin air, and the whole inner room seemed to be covered with a light veil, with a softness.

"Look, you can see the fireworks all over the city from here. Drunkness seems like a fleeting time, and this kind of artistic conception is the best." He said it very chicly.

Then there were two high-fives, and a few court ladies filed in outside. Preserved fruits and jade, and delicious delicacies were all placed on the table.They came in silently and exited silently.

As if touched by something, Xiuxiu asked in a stiff voice: "When His Highness comes back, will Sister Qiuyue take care of you?"

Xiao Kui pulled her to sit beside her, poured the wine freely, put the wine cup in front of her casually, and said with a slight smile: "Of course. Are you afraid that she will scare you again? Don't worry, she won't show up tonight. "

"No, I haven't seen her for a long time. After you left, she must have suffered a lot in the palace." Xiuxiu felt a little embarrassed instead. She secretly blamed herself for being a small belly, trying to explain but couldn't explain clearly, her face turned slightly redness.

Xiao Kui was amused, and raised his finger to scratch her nose lightly.He was in a very good mood tonight, and drained all the wine in his hand.A firework flashed by with a dull whistling sound, and Xiao Kui's young face seemed to be covered with a layer of gold powder, exuding a different kind of brilliance.

Xiuxiu looked at him in a trance, his stiff heart gradually softened, and he showed a bright and innocent smile again.

Before I knew it, it was already midnight, and the fireworks were at their peak.

Xiuxiu stood leaning against the window, a little thin and drunk.In the end, the sporadic fireworks dissipated in the air, everything became calm, and her face became involuntarily confused.

The years are like running water, slipping through the fingers, leaving only a little bit of bitterness and full of happiness in the palm of the hand.I really didn't expect that this Spring Festival, she would spend it with the man in front of her.

Comfortable, comfortable, and a little hazy.

Xiao Kui was also watching her.

The night was silent, her figure was under the misty water and moon, like a flower waiting to be picked, he seemed to be able to feel the sweet and rich fragrance emanating from her.

The distance between the two is very close, but it's like looking at flowers through the fog, like a dream, neither is real.He couldn't help calling out in a low voice: "Xiuxiu."

She looked up at him, smiled sadly, her throat was a little cool: "Master Xiang has submitted my roster."

He smiled nonchalantly and said: "I've seen it, it's just a formality, it's just taking advantage of him. Are you worried about this? You don't need to call him godfather anymore, you are no longer who he is."

"I just don't like being in front of other people and being chosen and chosen."

"I chose you, you don't have to worry about others. You should be happy when so many people accompany you."

"What if you pick someone else?"

"Fool." He chuckled and wrapped his arms around her behind him.

The good times are coming, but she is worried, which is probably a common problem of women.

It was the first time she was hugged by him like this, and she was filled with satisfaction and tenderness. Thinking that these words were his promises, the sense of happiness and fulfillment made her forget all her troubles.She hoped to just lean in his arms and slowly fall asleep with her eyes closed, until the morning star rose in the east.

Xiao Kui turned his eyes quickly, and half-truthfully said: "I might as well report to my father tomorrow and cancel the selection."

"The decree has been issued, how can the imperial decree be regarded as a game and go back and forth? Where is this face? Besides, your father loves you so much, you should make him happy." Instead, she comforted him seriously.

He laughed and teased her: "Yeah, how could there be a prince and concubine for no reason? The name is not right. People will say that the third prince and the prince and concubine have already decided to live forever?"

She blushed and made a gesture to hit him, but he hugged her, and the two of them rolled down on the crescent flower bed.

In a daze, Xiuxiu can feel his heartbeat close to hers in a trance.Perhaps because of her shyness, her cheeks flushed abnormally, her eyes flickered and looked around, and there seemed to be water in her pupils.His delicate kisses landed on her forehead, eyes, face, and finally covered her slightly parted lips.

In an instant, she fell into a half-sleep that seemed warm and psychedelic, and the long-lost passion surrounded her tightly.Soon, his rapid breathing rustled against her neck, a little itchy.Her body was hugged tightly, his hand became stronger and stronger, and Xiuxiu gradually felt difficult to breathe...

"No...it can't be done like this." She weakly wanted to refuse, but she couldn't break free.

"nothing."

He muttered something vaguely, spraying the breath of alcohol on her face, with an intoxicated look in his eyes, looking at her in bewilderment.

Xixiu was dizzy in his head, and instinctively waved his hand to break away from him.But she didn't know whether it was lack of strength or longing to be possessed by him, but she failed.Her head kept shaking, her voice was so soft that even she couldn't hear it.

"I'm afraid."

His kiss fell gently, covering her last word, and said: "Don't be afraid, you will be mine sooner or later."

This sentence was like a needle that fixed her heart, she was powerlessly limp, and could no longer refuse.Xiao Kui's hands were very strong, Xiuxiu's thick curly cotton robe had been taken off, and his inner shirt had slipped down to his elbows. Under the crab-blue apron, the delicate skin of white porcelain was exposed. innocence.At that moment, the confusion on Xiao Kui's face disappeared, with a little fanaticism and excitement, he bent down and pressed down without hesitation.

The moonlight is like yarn, thin and dim.The entire palace was shrouded in the silence of the night, and there seemed to be a broken moan of a woman in the night sky, which was very low and soft.Not long after, a gentle wind passed by, accompanied by the fragrance of bamboo leaves, everything returned to calm.

Xiuxiu half hugged the quilt, her tear-stained face was full of sadness.Her mind was a little open, her eyes were fixed on a spot of red on the white sheet, her heart was filled with reluctance.She silently gathered up the mattress and slowly placed it on her chest.Xiao Kui stared at Xiuxiu, his gaze was overwhelmed by pity and tenderness.He suddenly stretched out his hand and slowly pulled her towards him.

"I'll hold you, so you won't be afraid."

"I'm not afraid anymore." She said hoarsely.

"Then what are you afraid of?"

"I'm not afraid of anything anymore."

She raised her eyes and gave him a pleasant and calm smile.His handsome silhouette was half-lit and half-dark, but his lips were raised, smiling slightly at her.The two beating hearts gradually calmed down at this time.

He raised his finger, stroked her chin gently, and finally stroked her neck, a piece of warm whiteness lay in his hand.

"what is this?"

She smiled softly: "My father gave it to me, and I always wear it."

But he untied it, looked at it carefully under the moonlight, and said with a smile: "It's not a good jade, but it's something close to your body. Give it to me, as a token of love." Press it under your pillow.

Xiuxiu didn't stop her, just smiled: "Then what are you giving me?"

He hugged her even tighter, bit her ear, and said affectionate words: "I give you my whole body, including my heart, is that enough?"

She was moved and speechless, and buried herself deeper in his arms.

The light moon moved slowly in the dark blue sky, and the stars were quietly twinkling.A shooting star streaked across the dark sky and disappeared into the boundless night sky in an instant.

As soon as February entered, there were several light snowfalls one after another, and Jiangling did not have the slightest breath of spring.The plum blossoms in Suxinyuan bloom early and fail early, and the vegetation is bleak, and it is difficult to spit green under the cold wind.

Shen Buyu's face was full of spring, and his restraint on Xiuxiu was also relaxed a lot.He probably guessed something about what happened on New Year's Eve, but he didn't blame Xiuxiu, on the contrary, he became more certain of his thoughts: the third concubine was none other than Xiuxiu.

As early as years ago, because of the selection of concubines by the three princes, all the princes and ministers above the second rank presented their rosters of daughters one after another, and even Emperor Liang was dazzled by seeing them.Shen Buyu personally supervised the process, and finally preliminarily selected forty dignified ones for the selection on the [-]th.The matter of choosing a concubine, as Xiao Kui said, is just a formality.

Xiuxiu stood quietly in front of the big bronze mirror, wearing a light yellow skirt with pleats and colorful strips that she had just made.The self in the mirror is like a flying butterfly, with sparkling eyes, as if looking at herself, or looking at a very far place through the mirror, Xiao Kui is there smiling and waving at her.

"Beautiful, really beautiful." Liu Rulan behind her couldn't help saying repeatedly.

"Miss's attire must be inferior to others." Yan Xi also applauded her.

Xiuxiu was a little shy, and said to others: "The exemption ceremony must be very grand, right?"

Liu Rulan checked her clothes and smiled and said: "That's natural. I heard from the master that according to the usual rules, the crown prince has not yet been determined, so there is no need to make a big show for the uncapping ceremony of the third highness. The Mu's succession was hindered, and the emperor was very happy. The edict of Emperor Xuan of the Northern Zhou Dynasty was held in a grand and lively manner. Now, everyone in Houliang knows that His Highness the Third Highness will be the crown prince!"

"If the Third Highness is the crown prince, the miss is the crown princess." Yan Xi interjected.

Liu Rulan suppressed her smile, and said solemnly: "You are the only one who speaks quickly. Do you know what it means to speak out? Your yelling will inevitably cause trouble if outsiders hear it, and it will damage the reputation of the Shen family. If you are doing good for the young lady, first Shut up and don't talk!"

Yan Xi stuck out her tongue in fright.

Liu Rulan picked up a corner of the skirt, and suddenly found something, she clicked her tongue and said regretfully, "Why did you miss a few stitches inlaid with silver thread?" Then she told Yanxi, "Hurry up and take it to the Fashion Bureau, so the embroidery worker can make it up."

Xiuxiu hurriedly persuaded: "Forget it, it's just a few stitches missing, just make up. Besides, the hem of the skirt is so hidden that outsiders can't see it."

Liu Rulan insisted on going, and said a lot of reasons.Xiuxiu knew that Liu Rulan took this matter seriously, so she let her go.

All the primary candidates took their embroidered clothes to the Shangfu Bureau to rush to make them. When Yanxi went, the Shangfu Bureau was very busy, and the embroidery workers had no time to spare.Yan Xi waited for a long time before bringing back the embroidered dress.

After getting out of the carriage, she carefully held her dress and wanted to enter the mansion, but she heard someone calling her from the side, turned around and looked, it turned out to be Tianji.

Yan Xi hadn't seen Tianji for a long time, and saw that his face was pale and much thinner than before, so he stood silently.

After returning to his hometown for the Chinese New Year, Tianji was busy with the affairs of the public records all day long, temporarily putting aside his affairs with Xiuxiu.A few days ago, when he heard that the third prince wanted to choose a concubine, Xiuxiu was on the list, so he lost his mind and felt sad all day long, and unknowingly came to the gate of the prime minister's mansion again.

Seeing Yanxi, Tianji seemed to have seen Xiuxiu, so he felt shaky in his heart, he was at a loss for words for a moment, and he could only say a thousand words: "How is she?"

Yan Xi was a little embarrassed, unable to leave, she coped with it superficially: "Miss is fine."

Tianji's eyes fell on the colorful dress, and a layer of gloom appeared between his handsome brows, and he said, "Is it what she wore that day?"

Yan Xi recalled the lesson of the second lady, not to miss a word, so he hesitated.Tianji didn't ask any further questions, but the corners of his mouth twitched, but he was smiling wryly: "I've known her for more than ten years, but I didn't realize that she is so heartless and ungrateful. Being influenced by Shen Buyu, she must have become a person who is greedy for glory and wealth."

"Chu Tianji, what are you talking about? The young lady is now the daughter of the prime minister, so of course she has to participate in the selection. Can you blame her? You are her natal family, so you are not happy for her, and you even say sarcastic nonsense. Thanks to her, you still have to do it every day." Say hello to you!"

After Yan Xi finished speaking, she glared at Tian Ji, and walked into the mansion with her braids twitching.

Tianji didn't dare to follow and stood there dumbly.

Yan Xi returned to Juxin Courtyard, and as soon as he talked about this matter, Xiuxiu ran out in a hurry.

Outside the gate of the mansion, there was no trace of Tianji.

Xiuxiu stared at the depths of the trail with regret, and couldn't help sighing: "Brother Tianji must have misunderstood me, I don't know how to explain it to him?"

The day of concubine selection is approaching, and the ancestral hall is in full swing for preparations.This matter has also become the most lively after-dinner discussion in the whole Houliang, and people are guessing who will be blessed by the heaven-sent marriage.Shen Buyu suddenly became nervous, and told Xiuxiu not to go out, and waited for the day of concubine selection.

On this day, an uninvited guest came to the Juxin Court—Zheng Yizhen.

Although Yizhen came from a famous family, she has an unruly nature. She is the only daughter in the family, and her parents are spoiled for her.Xiuxiu recalled the scene when Xiao Kui was demoted, Yizhen desperately ran to the gate of the palace and wept. Knowing that she was a woman who dared to love and dare to do things, she couldn't help admiring her.She was not surprised by her suddenness, but happily entertained her.

Yizhen is also on the selection list.When I came back to see Xiuxiu last time, she had a relaxed face, but when I came here today, she was inexplicably nervous.

As soon as she sat down, she cut to the chase and said, "My brother Jiahao really, it's fine if you don't come back for the New Year, and you don't even participate in the selection of concubines. Such a good opportunity has been missed. You won't make him angry, will you?"

Xiuxiu and Yanxi looked at each other, and said with a smile: "How dare I provoke him? Fourth Highness treats people with gentleness, and will not be angry with anyone for no reason. Besides, between a man and a woman, even if it is the words of the matchmaker ordered by the parents, how much is it?" You also want to talk about fate, don’t you?”

"So, are you giving up on Brother Hao, hoping to be chosen by His Highness the Third Highness?" Yizhen asked forcefully with burning eyes.

Xiuxiu was at a loss for words and didn't know how to answer for a moment.Yizhen snorted very slightly, and said bluntly: "Shen Xiuxiu, you know that I like His Highness the Third Highness, so don't rob me!"

Yan Xi, who was standing beside Xiuxiu, snapped her mouth and said, "Miss Yizhen, that's the concubine chosen by the royal family, not a street vendor. There are rules for selection. Who will steal who? Whoever the Third Highness likes to choose is his. If you know what he's thinking, don't come here, just talk to His Highness the Third!"

"What a eloquent girl!" Yizhen turned to Yanxi and scolded angrily, "Do you need to be a slave to talk about this kind of thing? I came here on purpose, so I can think highly of your master. Where is your turn to talk?"

Xiuxiu's expression froze, and he said indifferently: "Miss Cheng Meng Yizhen thinks highly of you. If you are here to reminisce about the old days, I welcome you. You are so aggressive and unbearable. I don't want to say anything else, please go back."

"My father's official position is not as high as your godfather's. It is said that your godfather has secretly intervened in this matter, and I'm afraid he has other plans." Yizhen sneered.

When Xiuxiu heard this, he couldn't help but shuddered.Yizhen approached her, staring at her inch by inch with extremely cold eyes.

"Let me tell you, what I want, I will do whatever it takes to get it. If I really can't get it, I'd rather fight to the death, and no one else will get it!"

The words Yizhen left before leaving still linger in Xiuxiu's ears.It was so ruthless that it gave her goosebumps.

"The Third Highness didn't choose her, what will happen to her?" Xiuxiu couldn't help feeling a little scared.

Yan Xi snorted indifferently: "I can tell that she came here this time with ulterior motives, so she came to pry out the truth. Miss, it's better not to provoke this person, obviously you can't beat her. She is just scaring her." You, nothing will happen. It's the Third Highness's business not to choose her, it has nothing to do with you, what are you afraid of?"

Xiuxiu pondered for a moment, sighed silently, and said, "I don't know why, but I'm still a little scared."

As we all know, after the selection of the third concubine, there will be a grand wedding in Houliang, and the new mistress will live in the palace.In the ruling and opposition parties, there were those who were busy and busy like Shen Buyu, and those who watched with cold eyes like Mu Shi, and more people were speculating and speculating.

Of course, at this juncture, there are still people who seem comfortable and relaxed, such as Xiao Kui.

The palace has always been quiet and few people, but after the new year, it presents a bustling scene.New pavilions were built in the lake, the main hall used as the wedding house was repainted with high-quality paint, and all kinds of precious flowers and trees were continuously moved in... The Emperor Liang, who is eager for his son, is trying every means to turn the palace into a jade tower in the sky.

Xiao Kui did not show any abnormality.For him, it was a gift from his father and it was a matter of course.Any complicated etiquette is just a formality, he just needs to hold the hand of the woman he likes.

(End of this chapter)