Qing Palace - Biography of Concubine Wan

Chapter 27

Although the Chonghua Palace is still deserted, it is no longer as desolate and desolate as in winter. Perhaps it is because of the blooming flowers and plants in spring and summer, and the lush branches and leaves, but it is more likely because of the different moods of the people living inside. Bar.

All kinds of potted plants can be seen everywhere in the palace courtyard, many of which were sent by Yue Ling. She likes to play with these things the most. Besides, there are even a few sweet-scented osmanthus trees planted inside.

Recently, Xiao Fuzi got acquainted with a young eunuch who worked in the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The two had a good relationship, so he asked him for a few plants, and dug a hole with Xiao Luzi in a corner of the palace. It is not allowed to plant trees at will, but Chonghua Palace is so deserted, who would care about it, so they are happy to be at ease, and after careful care, all the osmanthus trees survived.

Now it is mid-July, and in half a month, it will be the season of sweet-scented osmanthus. At that time, the whole palace will be filled with the strong fragrance of sweet-scented osmanthus. When I come the next day, I will see these sweet-scented osmanthus trees. She was so happy that she clapped her hands and said that if she wanted to make sweet-scented osmanthus wine in the future, she didn't need to go to other places to collect it, and just go here to get it!
For Rixi, a girl who doesn't fit in with the atmosphere of the palace, Qingru always has an indescribable fondness for her. Maybe it's because Rixi has something that she has lost and can never find again, but she doesn't know that Rixi's innocence lies in this gloomy place. How long can it last in the palace?Clear as if I don't know, I only hope that this day will come later, so that she can watch it for a while longer.

Getting up early this day, before the sun rose, she took some flowers and watered the flowers in the pots. Every pot was carefully watered, no more and no less, she was always looking forward to Flowers last longer.The ancients often compared beauty to flowers, but they didn't know that flowers will bloom again after they wither, but people can't do it again!
Qingru bent down to put down the flowers, and Zipei, who was waiting on her side, immediately came up to wipe her hands. During this time, Xiao Fuzi came to report that Wei Jia, who was next to Mrs. Xi, had something to see.

"Let her come in!" She will come, presumably Rixi has something to convey to her.

After a while, Wei Jia came in with Xiao Fuzi, and when she saw Qingru who was standing pretty in the courtyard, she lowered her body and saluted unhurriedly: "I have seen you as a nobleman, it is auspicious to be like a nobleman!"

Qingru held Zipei's hand, took a sip of fresh milk, and said softly, "Get up."

Although Wei Jia was rewarded by Concubine Tong to Rixi, she has been serving Rixi with all her heart since she followed Rixi. Rixi trusts her a lot, so Qingru has a good impression of her.

"But your master wants you to pass on something?"

"Yes! Concubine Tong invited the master to watch a play at Changyin Pavilion, and the master asked the servants to come and invite you to go with you." Changyin Pavilion is a place in the palace dedicated to the emperor and concubines to watch plays. What about the palace masters and empresses? When I want to see it, I send someone to order it. There are theater troupes used by the royal family, and some are recruited from outside the palace.Except for singing, these people can only move within a specific range, surrounded by guards, and if anyone is found to have broken into the East and West Palace, they will be taken down and investigated immediately.

"Do you know where Concubine Tong ordered?"

"I heard from the master that Concubine Tong ordered "The Romance of the West Chamber" this time." Wei Jia lowered her head slightly, and an imperceptible strangeness flashed in her eyes when she spoke.

"The Story of the West Chamber" was written by a playwright named Wang Shifu in the Yuan Dynasty. It tells the story of Zhang Sheng and Cui Yingying who got married with the help of the matchmaker.There is nothing wrong with the play itself, but when it is performed in the palace, something is not quite right.

Concubine Tong... Judging from her understanding of this woman, she is a person who never does useless work, and every move has its meaning in it.Qing Ru frowned and walked a few steps, looked sideways and said, "Who else has gone?"

Wei Jia stepped forward and replied: "All the empresses of the palaces have gone, as well as Yin Guiren, Ze Guiren, Ling Changzai and Shu Changzai have also gone."

So many people have gone?Could it be that Concubine Tong really just wants to invite someone to watch a play?Qingru touched her cheeks that were slightly hot from the rising sun, although she was still a little worried, but with Shui Yin and the others by her side, nothing would happen to her, she said one by one: "Go back to your master, Just say that I have something to do and I can't go today, and I will definitely go to her palace to accompany her in another day, right?"

"But, before the servant came, the master ordered that you must be invited!" Wei Jia said rather embarrassedly.

Qingru turned around and smiled calmly: "Don't worry, your master won't blame you, go back quickly!" Seeing that her mind had been made up, Wei Jia had no choice but to leave. she.

Leaving a few people to play with flowers and plants in the courtyard, Zijin helped Qingru back to the Bilin Pavilion, during which she hesitated to speak several times, seeing her like this, Qingru would not know what she wanted to ask, and said, "Yes?" I don't want to ask, why I don't go when nobleman Xi invites me?"

"I don't dare!" Zijin saw that her thoughts had been punctured, thinking that Qingru was angry, and panicked, she "thumped" and knelt down.

Qingru didn't expect her reaction to be so big. During this period of time, she was always living in her own emotions, and she ignored the changes in the people around her.

"Are you afraid of me?" Qing Ru asked after a moment of silence, with some doubts in her expression.

"Yes!" Zi Jin lowered her head, not daring to look at Ru clearly.

"Why?" Qingru never thought that Zijin, who grew up with her, would be afraid of herself. She is like this, and Zipei is also afraid.

Zijin hesitated for a while, seeing that he couldn't avoid it, he could only tell the truth and agree with what he thought: "Because you have changed, you are no longer the young lady in the Xiangfu!"

Hearing this at first, Qingru couldn't help but feel a sore nose, this is the second person to say that, has she really become so powerful? , even the people around her started to be afraid of her, and said with a bit of bitterness: "Even if it really changed, so what, you are still my closest people, if even you are afraid of me, then I will be here The palace has really become a lonely family." The loneliness in the words made people feel sad.

"Miss..." Zi Jin raised her head, her eyes filled with tears, the sound of "Miss" brought back the past memories of the two master and servant, in fact the distance is not far, but to them, it seems like a world away!
Qingru put her hands on Zijin's shoulders, and said with emotion: "It's been a long time since you guys called me that, but this sounds kind. From now on, you and Zipei should call me like before."

After waiting for a long time without hearing Zijin's answer, she couldn't help asking: "What? Don't you want to?"

Zijin just woke up like a dream, and shook her head like a wave drum: "No! No! Master...Miss, this servant thought...that you..."

"Why?" Qing Ruqi asked.

Zi Jin blushed and said embarrassedly: "I thought you would no longer treat me as one of my own like before."

"What a silly girl!" Qingru helped her up: "Stop thinking about it, but it's better for you to be more cautious. After all, the palace is no better than being in the mansion. You have to think twice before doing anything. The reason why I didn't go to Changyin Pavilion today is the same. Well, if only our sisters were the only ones going today, of course I would not refuse, but Concubine Tong and the others all went. In this palace, if you want to live a life without wind and waves, the only way is to escape from the world, just to I am sorry for you, if today I have a bit of pampering, I can still ask the emperor to point you to a good family, and leave the palace to marry, but now... I am afraid that I will not be able to return to the palace until I am 25 years old. Ugh!"

Zijin wiped her tears and said: "Being able to follow the young lady is the air that the slaves have cultivated for several generations. How can there be any hardships. The slaves are willing to stay by your side for the rest of their lives!"

"Silly girl is talking stupid again. It's enough for me to be trapped in the palace alone. Why bother to pull the two of you on the back? Well, let's not talk about this. I will go out later. Come here and help me." I'll change into something simpler."

Responding to her voice, Zi Jin took out a plain flag dress embroidered with silver silk from the closet full of clothes and put it on for Qing Ru. "Miss, are you going there?" She asked while changing.

"Yes!" Qing Ru supported the slightly crooked hairpin on her head and said.

"Do you want my servant to go with you?" Zijin asked worriedly, she was not at ease about the places where the young lady often went recently.

"No need, it's not a dangerous place, you go and ask Xiao Luzi if the things I asked him to prepare are ready, and if they are ready, bring them in for me."

"Yes!"

"Wait!" Qingru called Zijin who was about to leave: "Don't forget to pass on what we just said to Zipei."

"Miss, don't worry, the slave will do it." Zijin smiled and retreated, and after a while, Qingru took the brocade box that Zijin brought and left Chonghua Palace.

(End of this chapter)