Mountains and rivers fall into red

Chapter 67
one

The rain has just stopped, and yesterday there was still a sliver of greenery. After the rain, the fine leaves must have bloomed vigorously.Such wanton thick green, that kind of continuous drizzle, give people a long-awaited lightness.

Qiuyue's footsteps also became brisk. She just came back from the palace, holding a few Su Xinlan carefully in her hand, stepping on the wet bluestone road, walking all the way inside.

Su Xinlan was given by Concubine Rong, she didn't need to explain, she also knew who to give it to.

Concubine Rong's complexion was in good spirits, and she smiled happily: "What kind of gardenia does Xiuxiu prefer, there is no such thing planted in the palace. Su Xinlan is white and crystal clear, with both color, fragrance, shape and rhyme. Vegetarian orchids are the most precious, I think she will like them .”

The sleeping prince's palace has been awakened happily, and there is a scene of noisy birds covering the continent and a place full of miscellaneous heroes.Arrays of smoked willows hang down green silk threads, twist their slender waists, and dance with the wind.

When passing by the bamboo forest in the middle, Qiuyue saw a man in the octagonal pavilion nearby. The man seemed to be waiting for someone, and looked around vigilantly.The golden sunlight fell into the pavilion and onto the sword at his waist, revealing an inexplicable murderous aura.

The man seemed to notice the gaze behind him and looked back.Qiuyue flashed away in a hurry, and left in a hurry.

She was still in doubt, but heard a soft call in front of her.

"Sister Qiuyue."

She raised her eyes suddenly, it was Xiuxiu's bright face.

Xiuxiu smiled, with a different kind of brilliance in his brows, and half-jokingly said: "Sister is so distracted, she almost stepped into the ditch."

"Really? I really didn't pay attention."

Qiuyue responded and looked again, and Jiang Chen under the octagonal pavilion had disappeared.

Xiuxiu didn't pay attention, just looked at Qiuyue with a smile.The autumn moon in the past was cold, revealing a hint of arrogance and melancholy.But today, it was like a spring breeze blowing, soft enough to penetrate the hearts of the people.

"Thank you." She said sincerely, "Thank you for reminding me last time."

Qiuyue just smirked, and said indifferently: "This servant is only doing what should be done. As long as His Highness is happy, this is the greatest happiness of this servant."

"His Highness said, are you leaving the palace?" Xiuxiu asked with concern, "What's your sister's plan in the future?"

Qiuyue pursed her lips, a little helpless, but also a little free and easy: "Yes, this servant has served His Highness for more than ten years. She is already old and should live her own life. If there is a man who likes me, marry him quickly."

Through Qiuyue's eyes, Xiuxiu seemed to see the bright sunshine and flamboyant colors.There clearly contains a new hope, a new life.

Qiuyue handed Su Xinlan into Xiuxiu's hands, and then left, behaving like clouds and flowing water.

Seeing Xiuxiu who was immersed in happiness in front of her eyes, it was not that she was not jealous, but she had no choice but to let nature take its course.In the days to come, she will only have long memories of the old days that cannot be regained.She can hear the brilliant achievements of the man she loves, and her loss and melancholy will always be quiet.

At that time, with the gentle wind blowing, I felt a familiar and rich aroma blowing towards my face, it was the smell of the Crown Princess.Qiuyue raised her head, and Zheng Yizhen stood under the rocky rockery on one side of the Octagonal Pavilion.

It's hidden there, and few people go there.Because she was carrying Qiuyue on her back, she couldn't guess her expression. She only saw a brocade skirt with halo pattern, like a willow in the wind, gracefully hidden to the other side of the rockery.

Qiuyue's heart tightened, and she walked over quietly, and she heard someone whispering.

"We have to go, let's talk about the old place tonight."

The huge double-petalled Yizhanghong by the lake rocks swayed with the breeze, clearly reflecting two figures of a man and a woman.Qiuyue knew who it was, and was afraid of being discovered, she tiptoed back a few steps, and then left quickly.

Xiuxiu entered the bedroom, put Su Xinlan in a purple sand vase, and carefully sat beside the bed.

Xiao Kui was still sleeping soundly, his thick eyebrows were flattened, as if he had fallen into a peaceful dream.The shadow of the candle in the room was red, casting a soft shadow on his fair face.The lips were slightly pursed, and the corners of the mouth were curved, showing a hint of innocence like a child.

She leaned over and looked at him carefully and mischievously, seeing his delicate facial features and sweet sleeping appearance, under the faint halo, the edge was less sharp and more soft, and the melancholy heart also melted away. .

For some reason, she sighed contentedly.

Xiao Kui slowly opened his eyes, and saw Xiuxiu's blindfolded eyes staring at him fixedly.He smiled softly, suddenly grabbed her hand, pulled her to his chest, and breathed softly in her ear.

"You're up early again," he said softly.

Her hands were entangled with his fingers, giving her a feeling of attachment from her fingertips to the bottom of her heart.She curled up in his arms, put his hands on her cheeks, and said with a smile: "It was you who slept late last night. Seeing your tired face, sleep more."

Xiao Kui immediately kissed Xiuxiu's lips, lay there unable to get up, and lazily said: "I'm very tired, just stay with me like this."

"I haven't seen you for a few days, how is the emperor?" Xiuxiu couldn't help asking.

Xiao Kui frowned slightly, his eyelashes trembling slightly: "Father is not good... the important ministers have gathered in the palace these days. The imperial physician said that father may..."

"Understood." With a heavy heart, Xiuxiu hugged Xiao Kui's head, let him lean into his arms, and said softly, "Go to sleep, go to sleep."

"I'm sorry, the palace is in a mess. I brought you here, but I haven't given you a title yet." He was extremely tired, his eyelids drooped, but he still didn't forget to say apologetic words.

Xiuxiu smiled indifferently, her cheeks were smudged with two touches of bright red.Without saying a word, she lightly patted Xiao Kui's shoulder, and the two quiet figures melted into this deep and peaceful day.

At some point, there was a knocking sound from outside the curtain.

Xiuxiu opened his eyes suddenly, and looked over, a ray of sunlight leaked in from the small window, permeating the warm smoke in the room.

When she thought about it, she found that Xiao Kui was holding her hand, and just moved slightly, Xiao Kui also woke up at this moment.

"What's the matter?" he asked anxiously.

The servant replied outside: "Your Highness, please go quickly if there is something to do in the palace."

Hearing this, Xiao Kui jumped up and quickly put on his clothes and boots.Xiuxiu was helping at the side, Xiao Kui showed nervousness, and was about to leave the hall, he held her down and said, "I'm not here, don't go out by yourself."

Xiuxiu responded briefly, and watched Xiao Kui's figure quickly disappear outside the hall.

When night came, the candles in the small window were cut, and the darkness suddenly spread in the prince's palace.

The palace was silent, only a few more drums could be heard faintly, and Zheng Yizhen's figure appeared on the Qingshi Road.She walked alone without disturbing anyone. The white satin cloak covered most of her figure, and the thin green skirt almost touched the ground. She walked through the garden and walked into the depths of the forest without a sound.

She didn't know that at this time Qiuyue was quietly following behind, staring at her vigilantly.

In the quiet place, only the chirping of insects can be heard, and a tall and straight figure is sunk deep in the whirling bushes.Zheng Yi really suppressed the impetuousness in his heart, and said in a deep voice, "Come out."

Jiang Chen raised his hand to open the vine, and stepped out.At this time, his face appeared vividly in the night, with a pair of sharp eyes gleaming with murderous intent.

"Shen Xiuxiu and the crown prince reconciled as before, is it possible that the empress is in a hurry?" He sneered.

"I really regret that I didn't kill her on the street that time." Zheng Yizhen said fiercely, "Obviously the knife was out of its sheath, but the crown prince somehow fell from the sky, which scared me into a cold sweat. Fearing that the crown prince would find out, I stayed in the palace for a long time. Dare to act rashly and wait for the next opportunity. I never expected that it was he who was waiting to take her back to the palace, which is unreasonable!"

"Your Majesty is in a hurry this time, is it because you want to do something small?" Jiang Chen asked.

Zheng Yizhen evoked a bright smile, put his finger on Jiang Chen's front, stroked it lightly back and forth, and said angrily, "Ask when you know what you know."

Jiang Chen bit his lips and said in a low voice: "Young one said that Shen Buyu is my real enemy. Besides, last time I accidentally killed Chu Tianji, the fourth prince is investigating this matter, he seems to have suspected It's on the little one."

"Are you scared?" Zheng Yizhen's smile suddenly disappeared.

"It's not that I'm afraid, the small ones don't want to act rashly, because small things miss big things."

"Mine is the big deal!"

Zheng Yizhen was anxious and angry, and his voice was louder: "One day when Shen Xiuxiu is here, you and I will not have a good day! If you open your mind, the emperor will die. If the crown prince spoils her so much, she will sit until I This empress position! Then, the most proud is Shen Buyu, he is under one person and above ten thousand people. Therefore, Shen Xiuxiu disappears, and Shen Buyu will disappear sooner or later. As for me, I will protect your prosperity and wealth for the rest of your life, Do you understand?"

"Wouldn't it be more straightforward to kill Shen Buyu directly?" Jiang Chen was still arguing, "The little one has followed His Highness since he was a child, and His Highness has been kind to me. Shen Xiuxiu is his beloved, and the little one has clear grievances."

Zheng Yizhen sneered and said: "Thanks to you, you killed Shen Xiuxiu's husband so that the crown prince could get her. When the crown prince went on an expedition, but left you in Jiangling, he probably already realized that you were Shen Buyu's spy who planted on him , so I don’t trust you anymore. Don’t mention any grievances, once he completely recalls it, you will only die. Therefore, you are the most dangerous person, and only I can help you, understand?”

Having said that, Jiang Chen stopped talking, just clenched the scabbard tightly and remained silent.

As if aware of Jiang Chen's powerlessness, Zheng Yizhen showed a happy smile again, and put his finger into Jiang Chen's skirt, a little teasing, but also revealing a vicious cruelty.

Jiang Chen's breathing became more and more heavy, as if he was about to suffocate.He leaned over, pressed down on her slender waist, and tore the silk ribbon that tied the cloak with one hand, almost tore it off in its entirety.Zheng Yizhen turned around, chuckled lightly, and wrapped his arms around Jiang Chen's neck.The cloak fell to the ground, blooming like a satin flower.

But at this moment, Jiang Chen's eyes froze, he pushed Zheng Yizhen away, turned his head vigilantly, and drew the sword out of its sheath.

After Qiuyue secretly eavesdropped on the conversation between the two, she turned around and retreated outside, accidentally stepped on the small ditch, and a toad jumped away.Chiuyue panicked, stopped her feet and continued walking, but Jiang Chen's sword blocked her.

"So it was Miss Qiuyue who was eavesdropping."

Knowing that Jiang Chen's feelings had been exposed, he was terrified, restrained Qiuyue's wrists and twisted them behind his back.Qiuyue opened her mouth and was about to call out, but Zheng Yizhen was also flustered, and wrapped the cloak around Qiuyue's head, covering her mouth desperately.Qiuyue struggled like she was dying, making a whining sound.

"What should I do?" Jiang Chen asked.

Zheng Yizhen was also in a panic, and in desperation, he grabbed the sword from Jiang Chen's hand and stabbed it viciously into Qiuyue's chest.Qiuyue's whole body convulsed in pain, and then she collapsed on the ground, with blood flowing continuously under her body, and the white satin flower cloak was sluggish on a piece of bright red.

"Qiuyue is serving the prince, how can we kill her?" Seeing that Qiuyue was silent, Jiang Chen asked in surprise.

Zheng Yizhen couldn't help trembling with his hands, and he was still spitting out anger: "This woman is also the root of trouble. I usually dislike her the most, and I wish she would die! It's good now, if she finds out about our affairs, she will die too!"

"But what if she has already reported to the prince, or the prince ordered her to follow her secretly?"

"No, if the prince knows, according to his personality, the palace will not be so peaceful." Zheng Yizhen calmed down and smiled darkly, "When Shen Xiuxiu came to the palace, the prince's closest maid died, maybe He will resent her bad luck."

"How do you deal with the dead?" Jiang Chen asked again.

The two of them suddenly felt troubled, and they were discussing with their voices suppressed, and the sound of drums started again, and the guards who were watching the night passed by outside the garden with glazed lamps in their hands.Zheng Yizhen couldn't stay any longer, so he said, "Don't worry about her. Few people come to this place, so let her die here. Even if someone finds out, everyone in the palace is the object of suspicion. Who would suspect us?" ?”

So Zheng Yizhen touched the ground and picked up the cloak.Most of the cloak was pressed by Qiuyue, she pulled it hard, and then hurried away.Jiang Chen made sure there was no one outside the garden, so he split up and hurried away.

In the middle of the night, a gust of wind picked up, iron horses rattled, and raindrops fell with a crackling sound.

Qiuyue opened her eyes.

Her face was covered with rain, and the dark night light shone on her body.The eyes were blurred, and her mind was slowly drifting away.A flash of blue lightning illuminated her pale face, and she struggled to wriggle, moving outside bit by bit.

The rain stopped before dawn, and several elderly palace servants began to clean up the fallen leaves and branches.In front of the hanging flower gate in the garden, they found Qiuyue.

Qiuyue has died.She opened her eyes slightly, her expression was still like a pool of stagnant water that had been deposited for thousands of years, and what she was holding was a torn ribbon.

The floor tiles stretched continuously, and Xiao Hao walked a winding bluestone road, a fine layer of sweat emerged from his forehead.For the first time in these few years, he felt that the prince's palace was so deep and vast.

The servant led the way to the place where the maid lived.There was no one living in that house, and it looked deserted. As soon as Xiao Hao stepped into the door, the coldness that was completely opposite to the outside made him shiver suddenly.

The tables and chairs were all covered with white cloth, and even the windows were covered with white cloth.At the end of the dark and quiet is a huge white curtain. At this time, Xixiu sat aside, heard the movement, raised his dull eyes, and tears hung on his sad face.

Xiao Hao stepped forward and lifted the curtain lightly, Qiuyue was lying on the bed without any anger, her face was lightly made up as if she was born.

He felt deeply sorry, and asked softly, "Where's third brother?"

"He sat for a few hours, and then went back to the palace." Xiuxiu replied in a hoarse voice, trying her best to restrain herself, tears still flowed down uncontrollably.

"Sister Qiuyue said that she had no parents since she was a child. After entering the palace, she regarded His Royal Highness as her only relative, and he was her supreme love. In this life, she will live for His Royal Highness..."

She thought of Xiao Kui rushing over upon hearing the news, staring at Qiuyue for a long time with unbelievable eyes, blinking his eyelashes from time to time, making his expression soft and innocent.In the end, he held Qiuyue's cold hand without any scruples, and whimpered in an instant.

"Qiuyue, I should have let you go earlier. I was too selfish to hurt you..."

Xiao Kui cried so hard that his eyes became dizzy, and he didn't care about the prince's face.It was the first time that Xiuxiu saw him cry so unscrupulously and fragmentedly, her heart was so painful that it was about to burst, she hugged Xiao Kui, and cried into tears too.

"It was I who killed Sister Qiuyue. She lived a good life. When I came, she suffered misfortune."

Xiao Kui immediately hugged Xiuxiu into his arms, hugged her tightly, pressed his lips against her cheeks, kissed away the tears that kept pouring out of her, and kept whispering in her ears: "I'm sorry, Qiuyue has served me for more than ten years, I can't believe she left suddenly..."

Then he held her face up, and said several times carefully: "Don't be angry, Xiuxiu, I didn't intend to hurt you. We finally got together, you are the woman I love the most, don't leave me..."

Xiuxiu completely understood his mood at the moment, and felt even more heartbroken than just hearing of Qiuyue's death, leaning on Xiao Kui's chest and weeping wantonly.

In Qiuyue's life, she has never sought or struggled, and she is happy to be cried by the man she loves until she dies.

Qiuyue who was lying down had a serene expression, as if she was smiling.Listening to Xiuxiu's soft cry, Xiao Hao caressed her back lightly with his fingers, wanting to hug her very much.

"How did he die? Has the murderer caught him?"

Xiuxiu hesitated for a moment, then slowly raised his hand, the silk ribbon was twirled between his fingers, trembling in mid-air.

She turned her head and saw Xiao Hao's puzzled eyes.Wanting to say it but not wanting to say it, she finally said in a low voice: "The prince has already checked, this belongs to the princess."

The room was extremely quiet, only the sound of Xiao Hao's breathing became heavier.He took the ribbon and shook his head as if he couldn't believe it.

"Cousin Yizhen...how is that possible? Why did she want to kill Qiuyue?"

Xiuxiu said sadly: "In the palace of the Crown Princess, the blood-stained cloak was easily found, and the Crown Princess readily admitted that she killed it. As we all know, she and Sister Qiuyue have always been at odds. Walking in the garden last night, the two They met by chance, sister Qiuyue contradicted her a few words, and the princess stabbed her to death with a sword as soon as she got angry."

"Where's the sword?" Xiao Hao asked anxiously.

"She said she threw it in the lake."

Xiao Hao listened vaguely, his complexion became more and more serious, and he asked in a deep voice: "How does the third brother plan to deal with it?"

Xiuxiu was stunned for a moment, temporarily calmed down her sad mood, and said truthfully: "Sister Qiuyue is dead, and I can't be called back. You know that the princess is willful and staunch, maybe my appearance has stimulated her to some extent... I and She originally got along like a sister, but I was too distracted and I failed her. I can only persuade the prince not to pursue this matter any more."

"Understood. Tell third brother for me that Yi is really my cousin, and I will never allow him to hurt her!" Xiao Hao gritted his teeth and said.

In the end, he turned his eyes to the distance, seemed to be talking about Yizhen, but also seemed to pour out his own thoughts, and said word by word: "Many years ago, the third brother's behavior and smile were deeply rooted in Yizhen's heart." The foundation of love. She has become a real infatuated person, and only wants to know the person she loves for the rest of her life. After getting along with each other for a long time, one willful and indifferent, while the other is passionate and unbearable .A bosom friend, where can one seek? Human beings desire to live and die, how can they remain indifferent?"

Xiuxiu also stood up, with a trembling voice because of guilt: "The admired person may be just an illusion in his heart. Fourth Prince, thank you for allowing me to be your friend."

"I don't want to lie to myself. At this moment, I am full of jealousy towards third brother. You are a gift from Shen Buyu. With you, third brother can live with passion and the road to power will be more accessible. Isn't it ?” A teasing smile appeared on Xiao Hao’s face.

Xiuxiu was startled and wanted to say something, but she was speechless as if there was a lump in her throat.

Xiao Hao turned his back, choked up with a sob, and strode out of the room.

On the bluestone road leading to the princess' bedroom, Xiao Hao walked straight with his back straight.The road is so clean that not even a single leaf can be seen, but the maids are still cleaning it meticulously.The rustling sound made Xiao Hao's heart tingle.

Zheng Yizhen was half leaning on the colorfully embroidered dragon and phoenix pillow, there was no nervous look on his brows, he was still indifferent, as if nothing had happened.

After the maid offered tea and left, Xiao Hao looked gloomy, glanced at his cousin, and said slowly: "You are so stupid, at this juncture, you are still causing trouble."

"Isn't it just a maid who died, what's the fuss about? I'm a dignified princess."

Yizhen put her hands on her knees casually, and with an inexplicable expression, she glanced at Xiao Hao.

Xiao Hao asked in a deep voice: "Did the sword really be thrown into the lake?"

"Yes." Yizhen twisted her body uncomfortably.

"Where did you get the sword?" Xiao Hao asked urgently.

Yizhen felt guilty when she was questioned, sometimes she said it was picked up, and sometimes she said it belonged to Qiuyue.Xiao Hao understood a little in his heart, and said solemnly: "Do you want to be loved by the mother, or be ridiculed by others, don't you understand?"

"What's the matter?" Yizhen still didn't care, "Second uncle, my father, and you will all help me to become a queen."

"There are countless beauties in the harem, but you don't even have a favor. What's more, the third brother has Xiuxiu by his side."

"Don't mention that vixen!"

Yizhen screamed suddenly, with anger and sarcasm in his eyes: "A widow, what right does she have to get involved in the harem?"

(End of this chapter)