This can be remembered

Chapter 7
On the promenade facing the lake with nine bends and twelve bends, there is a woman in plain white clothes, with a lightly rolled hair bun decorated with a few delicate and soft jasmine flowers, and a strand of blue hair hanging down from her temples.She is holding a round fan with a white silk ivory handle. At first glance, there is nothing on the fan surface, except for a very delicate jasmine blooming on the lower corner, with fine stitches and elegant flower shape.The only light beige tassels are scattered on the cloud sleeves of tulle and plain brocade, bright but not dazzling, soft but not delicate.

Although her steps were brisk, the fine mutton lotus pendant on her skirt was completely motionless, even if she was brought up from a very young age, she might not be able to do this.However, Ling Xuewei was the youngest child of the Ling family, and her father had already become a prime minister when he was born, so he was highly appreciated and used by the late emperor.There are also three elder brothers above, so they are Ling Xiang's most beloved treasures from the moment they are born, and they must invite the best teachers to teach them, whether it is piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, or poetry and poetry, or women's training for women, or even a collection of classics and history.This gait, posture, and gestures are all habits that have been cultivated since childhood. Everything, even if you bow your head or look back, can be called a rare stunner in the world, and others can't match it.However, Ling Xiang kept a low profile, especially valued this daughter, and loved and protected her too much. In this way, Ling Xuewei hardly appeared in front of anyone other than her family.

At this time, she was in the mansion of her third brother Ling Wangshu in Jiangnan.Since arriving in Jiangnan half a month ago, Ling Wangshu went to Saibei two days earlier due to business, so he missed it.Although she went to Jiangnan this time to see the lotus, in fact what she wanted most was to meet the third brother.After all, she and Ling Wangshu have been together the longest since she was a child, and their friendship is slightly deeper than that of her elder brother who is much older and her second brother who is away all year round.

Since Ling Wangshu had to go to Saibei, Ling Xuewei didn't plan to stay in Jiangnan for a long time.I saw the lotus. In fact, Ling Wangshu's mansion is huge, and there is a vast lake in the backyard, where lotus flowers are planted all over it. There is no need to go to those so-called wonderful places that are loved by people.

The courtyard where Ling Xuewei lives here is built near the lake, surrounded by water on two sides, and on one side there is a long corridor with nine bends and twelve bends with red columns and glazed tiles. The corridor has endless twists and turns, but it also has a unique flavor.Pushing open the window of the bedroom, the wind with the fragrance of lotus blows towards the face, looking at the beautiful scenery of endless blue lotus leaves in the sky and red lotus flowers reflecting the sun.

At the end of the long corridor with nine bends and twelve bends is Huamaoxuan where she lives.At this time, the accompanying maid Xia'er was waiting at the door, her face was full of anxiety, and she saw Ling Xuewei hurried forward from a distance: "Miss, you are back."

"What's the matter?" Ling Xuewei stopped, her pure white forehead covered with black.

"The capital sent someone here, so we'll wait inside." Xia'er said as she glanced at the Huamao Pavilion where Ling Xuewei lived: "The person who came said that she must meet Miss/."

Ling Xuewei heard the words and looked into the hall, there was a faint figure standing in the hall with her back to the door, the windows in the inner hall were not fully opened, and there were layers of bamboo curtains, the light was dim, it was hard to see who was coming, Ling Xuewei suddenly Feeling a trace of nervousness for no reason, his hands tightened, and with determination, he stretched out his hand to lift the bamboo curtain and walked in.

It's the time to appreciate the lotus, and the beautiful lotus is in full bloom on the Flying Dragon Pond in the palace. Every day, some concubines and wombs swim in the orchid boat, and from time to time, there are words and smiles coming from the lotus bushes without tops. , accompanied by the cool breeze on the lake with the fragrance of lotus, it spread into the ears of Shen Xiyao on Qifeng Terrace.

In fact, the wind is the fastest in this palace. Since Shen Xiyao sat alone on the Qifeng Terrace for half a day in the afternoon, staring at a pool of lotus flowers that have not yet fully bloomed for a long time, he favored a talented person that night. It happened to be picking lotus root in the pond, and Shen Xiyao saw it.In fact, the woman's appearance and family background are not high-quality, but there are rumors that she is wearing a light pink pleated skirt in the lotus pond, infinitely charming and charming.That's how it got into the king's eyes.In this way, as the lotus blooms day by day, more and more women come here to go boating every day.

At this time, there was bursts of laughter from below. The women on the orchid boat were all dressed up very attractively, all wearing light pink or smoky skirts, and jade jewelry made of lotus or hibiscus on their sideburns.From afar, it looks beautiful.

Liu Jieyu looked at the king in front of her. A jade flute on the pearl-colored Shuanglongzhuozhu narrow robe was shining with a warm luster. Shen Xiyao's eyes were slightly closed, and the corners of his mouth were slightly raised, as if thinking of some happy event.On his thumb is a ring finger of Ziercui, the color is about to drip, and he is tapping the armrest of the yellow rosewood chair rhythmically. On the armrest, a band of auspicious clouds is carved, just like the sky A touch of cloud.Liu Jieyu listened carefully, it was a familiar rhythm, her heart moved, but she carefully peeled a grape and handed it to Shen Xiyao, and said softly: "Your Majesty, this concubine looked at this beautiful scenery and did the first thing. I also ask the emperor to advise."

Hearing the sound, Shen Xiyao opened his eyes, a little dazed, but after a flash, there was only wisdom in his eyes.

"Come and listen." He leaned lazily on the back of the chair, his expression extremely relaxed, the percussion on his hands stopped, but his eyes fell on the women below, with a disdainful smile on his lips.

Liu Jieyu had a panoramic view of everything, and she was happy in her heart, but she still leaned over gently, and said softly: "The green lotus covers the green water, and the hibiscus is covered with red and fresh. There are lotus roots on the bottom, and lotuses on the top."

Shen Xiyao stared back at her in a daze, Liu Jieyu's pink face was full of spring, and her eyes reflected a pool of clear water, making it even more radiant and soul-stirring.

"Good poems, good poems, it's really me..." Shen Xiyao didn't continue, he stopped talking, lowered his head halfway, and his voice faded: "As expected of me, Daxi's famous talented woman .”

Liu Jieyu was taken aback for a moment, after all, Shen Xiyao would always use the word "number one" when praising her, but today he changed his words.There was some doubt in my heart, some pantothenic acid, but I couldn't show it, I still smiled: "The concubine is not talented, thank you for the emperor's compliment."

Shen Xiyao didn't speak any more, but turned back to stare at the pool of fresh lotus, her gaze was misty, Liu Jieyu saw him like this, and knew what Shen Xiyao was thinking, so she didn't dare to make a sound, just followed his gaze When I went there, I saw the cool breeze blowing, the layers of lotus leaves turned over, and as the long clear water gently rippling, the pink lotus also swayed slowly. The washed blue sky is actually vague and unreal.The surrounding area was extremely quiet, and the maids of the guards were standing far away with their heads bowed. Even Zhang Dehai didn't know where to go at this moment.Shen Xiyao got up and stood in front of the white jade railing, Liu Jieyu looked at him from a distance, the wind was so gentle that the corner of Shen Xiyao's dragon robe was blown, and the white marble hair crown on his head reflected a clean luster.His gaze was so ethereal, yet so gentle.

After a while, Shen Xiyao's voice came, and he slowly chanted as if he was talking to himself: "Walking in the autumn water on the river, I love this red lotus fresh. Climbing the lotus and playing with its pearls, the ripples can't be round. The beauty is in the colorful clouds, and I want to give it to the distant sky." .Acacia has no reason to see, longing before the cool breeze."

A gust of wind rolled up layers of lotus leaves on the lake. Although it was noon, the sky darkened at some point, and thick clouds piled up on the edge of the sky. The heavy lead ash pressed on people's hearts, as if lingering The shadow of a long time is hard to dissipate.

Xia'er stood quietly by the corridor, holding a simple wooden box in her hand, glanced at Ling Xuewei who was sitting on the wide railing in front of the corridor from time to time, and she was facing the pool of beautiful lotus blown by the strong wind. She couldn't tell her mood at this time from the expression alone, but the plain hand holding the ivory handle of the round fan turned slightly bluish white due to the force.Xia'er knew that at this moment, her young lady's heart must be like the unsteady lotus pond, fluctuating ups and downs.Although Ling Xuewei signaled Xia'er to guard the door when she entered the hall, the hall was silent for a long time after the envoy from the capital left. It has been an hour, and the lady has been sitting here quietly, despite the strong wind before the summer rainstorm, she remains motionless.The wooden box in her hand was given to her by the envoy when she came out. Xia'er knew that the lady should have opened it herself, but after standing for so long, she didn't see any reaction from the lady, but when she saw it for the first time, He frowned slightly.

Xia'er recognized the box, although it was simple and unpretentious, it was hidden by Mr. Ling, and it was placed on the antique shelf in the study.In the year of Ling Xuewei and Ji, Ling Xiang took out it, and also took out a birthday gift for Ling Xuewei from it, a high-quality peach, plum, and begonia, and she wanted to put a suet white jade bracelet. Xia'er still remembers that Madam Ling's face was slightly pale But fleeting.Xia'er has never seen the inside of the box, but she has heard people say that despite the ordinary appearance of the box, in fact, there is an inner box made of pure gold with carvings on the surface. There are different opinions.One said it was a phoenix fluttering its wings, and the other said it was a peacock among peonies.However, no matter which one of the sayings is used, the carvings can be regarded as transgressive.But for some reason, Ling Xuewei seldom wears the bracelet. She always said that it was Madam Ling's intention, because the bracelet was too expensive for her little daughter to wear.But Xia'er also heard that the bracelet had some origins, and it was Madam Ling who didn't like it.

Thinking of this, Xia'er's eyes fell on Ling Xuewei who was still sitting on the porch, but at this moment, her heart seemed to have calmed down, with a helpless smile on her face, the white silk ivory on her hand A round fan with a handle is shaking gently in front of him.

"The wind is blowing..." Ling Xuewei said lightly: "The wind is really fast, there is no warning." After she stood up, Lingsi's skirt was blown up by the wind, and her slender figure looked like this. Sometimes it seems that it can't stand the blowing of a gust of wind.However, Xia'er knew that her young lady was weak on the outside, but extremely strong on the inside.

"Let's go back." Ling Xuewei's voice came from afar, she had already walked in front of Huamaoxuan's door, and was turning her head to look at Xia'er who was standing still.

"Hmm," Xia'er responded, and raised the box in her hand as if remembering something again: "Miss, don't you want to take a look?"

Ling Xuewei's eyes froze, and an indescribable emotion flashed in her eyes, and then she regained her former peace.

"No." Her voice became clearer amidst the "rumbling" thunder: "Tell the butler to pack our luggage, and we will leave for Beijing tomorrow."

For several days in a row, the sky in the capital was very good. There was not a single cloud in the blue sky in the afternoon, and the sun was shining brightly. Even if there were a few floating clouds, they were like very light smoke, slowly flowing through the clear Translucent sky.

From mid-afternoon to three o'clock is always the time for Shen Xiyao to take a nap, so at this time, the palace is extremely quiet, occasionally a few cicadas chirp from afar, and one can see the little eunuch in Tsing Yi holding a sticky stick and lightly The feet have to be glued.

At the end of the day, there was the melodious sound of the piano rippling above the Hengzhi Hall, and the sound of laughter came from inside from time to time.Standing under the hanging flower door, Zhang Dehai looked up at the sun, and wiped off the sweat on his forehead with his hand, feeling a little helpless in his heart.After all, at this time in the past, he should have waited for Shen Xiyao to take a nap, and stayed in the outer hall by himself.There are eternal ice sculptures of Wanfu and Longevity placed everywhere in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, which is cool and moderate, where it is under the bright sun like this time, and the Hengzhi Hall is a newly built hall in the imperial palace, and the surrounding trees are not lush At this time, although Zhang Dehai was standing under the shade of a tree, he still couldn't bear the scorching heat in the midsummer afternoon.

Stretching out his head to look inside the hall, Zhang Dehai sighed, if it wasn't for Liu Jieyu's cousin who came from Jiangnan today and brought a few Jiangnan specialties to Liu Jieyu, if it wasn't for Liu Jieyu's casual mention of something special the day before yesterday One of the top-quality Guqin from Jiangnan Huamaoxuan is very exquisite, Shen Xiyao probably wouldn't come here just for a few Jiangnan specialties.After all, few people know about Huamaoxuan, and when it comes to special products in the south of the Yangtze River, how can an emperor not have seen them, let alone items brought by ordinary people.The real reason, I'm afraid only the emperor himself knows clearly.Thinking of this, Zhang Dehai smiled lightly, Jiangnan Jingyuan is very famous, it is the residence of the third son of Ling Xiang.The previous layer heard Ling Xiang say that the three young masters had no wives and concubines, but set up a separate courtyard for their younger sister in the mansion, which was full of rare and antiques, and that courtyard seemed to be called Huamaoxuan. .Shen Xiyao has a meticulous mind and a superb memory, so he must remember it.From this point of view, the imprint left by that lady on the emperor's heart is really hard for others to match.

"Your majesty's piano skills are unmatched." Liu Jieyu stood beside Shen Xiyao dressed in light blue twigs of roses and ice silk, and there was a faint breath of fresh lotus, which lifted the spirits of the audience. Feel more refreshed.

Shen Xiyao didn't raise his head, but slowly slid his slender fingers across every string on the piano, with a very ethereal expression, he sat down again before he knew it, and played a piece casually.This qin music first has a slight vibrato flowing out, forming a tune of its own, low and gentle, like a little bitterness in the heart, and then rushing and majestic, more like the intoxicated desolation that knows there is no fruit but is hopeless.

Liu Jieyu stood aside, just listening carefully, but didn't pay much attention to comprehension.All she knew was that Shen Xiyao was proficient in his technique, that the rhythm of the piano style was rigorous yet majestic and unrestrained, subtle yet profoundly emotional.Absolutely nothing comparable to others.

At the end of the song, a white bird flapped its wings and flew past the window, cutting a corner of the blue sky.Shen Xiyao stood in front of the window with his hands behind his back, his eyes followed the bird further and further away, and finally became hazy.

"It's really a good piano." After a long time, he said quietly, Liu Jieyu was startled when he heard his tone, and smiled without thinking: "No matter how good a piano is, it must have the emperor's piano skills to show it off." It's wonderful." As he said, he held a cup of Xuemang honeydew in front of Shen Xiyao: "Your Majesty, drink some, just to relieve the heat." Seeing Shen Xiyao took it, he picked up a handful of gold from the table beside him The Si Fan Hua Fan lightly fanned the wind for Shen Xiyao.

"Your majesty plays the qin really well. My concubine used to think that her qin skills were extraordinary, but now I feel ashamed to hear the emperor's melody." With a shy smile on her face, she said infinitely tenderly.

"Your piano skills are indeed very good. I just got some advice from Qingliuzi, so I have benefited a lot from it." Shen Xiyao took a sip of Xuemangxiang Honeydew and nodded in appreciation: "It's not bad. It's sweet but not greasy "As if remembering something, he said to Liu Jieyu: "I use this piano very easily, so I asked you to save face." There was a very warm smile on his face, just like the warmth under the spring breeze. heart sunshine.

Liu Jieyu stared at the smile for a while before realizing it, and nodded hurriedly: "It's my concubine's honor if the emperor likes it. Even if the emperor doesn't say anything, the concubine will also dedicate it to the emperor. After all, this good piano must be owned by the emperor." Appreciation is the best." She said this and laughed, it seemed that Shen Xiyao's smile made her very happy.

Shen Xiyao was obviously startled when he heard her words, but a sincere smile slowly appeared on his face.

"You're right," he said loudly, "A good piano must be appreciated by a good bosom friend."

"Your Majesty, this qin..." Zhang Dehai looked at the qin wrapped in bright yellow silk in his hand, then at Shen Xiyao standing in front of the bookshelf, and asked softly, "Where does the Emperor want to put this qin?"

In the side hall of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, there was originally a famous Qin "Linluan" in ancient times.Shen Xiyao can play it occasionally, but now this one is far less expensive than that one, Zhang Dehai knows, it's just because the piano named "Flying Snow" in his hand was played by that young lady once.

"Put it in my bedroom and take good care of it." Shen Xiyao didn't look back, took out a piano score from the sandalwood-patterned golden dragon bookshelf, turned around to face the sun, narrowed his eyes and read it carefully.

When Zhang Dehai finished setting up the piano and came out again, he saw Shen Xiyao staring at the iris plant on the window, fascinated. He seemed to be talking to himself, but he was clearly asking Zhang Dehai. "Tell me, is she from the Guangling sect or the Zhucheng sect?"

Zhang Dehai was obviously confused by this sudden question, especially his knowledge of qin music was limited to some repertoire techniques, but he knew very little about genres.However, he knew that Shen Xiyao didn't ask him at all, and he didn't want him to answer.Because at this time, Shen Xiyao had already asked himself and answered: "Guangling is long and steep, and Zhucheng is peaceful and distant. No, she should be from the Mei'an school. Mei'an is as smooth as a song, beautiful and lingering. It should be her style." After speaking, she looked up. Looking at Zhang Dehai: "What do you think?"

Zhang Dehai laughed, his face was full of gentleness: "Your Majesty," he said softly, "If you really want to know, the Empress Dowager will invite the family members of important ministers to a banquet in another day, and invite Miss Ling to play a song, won't you know? ?”

Shen Xiyao was stunned for a while, and didn't answer, but the brilliance on his face dimmed: "Zhen..." He didn't say anything more, but closed the piano score in his hand.

Zhang Dehai knew that he had said something wrong, and even though he knew he would not be punished, he felt uncomfortable because he knew that Shen Xiyao's heart would not be so easy at this time.I blame myself for the word "Miss Ling".

The Ling family will always be a knife in the emperor's heart.

Jiangnan Jingyuan
There are large red, white and white lotus flowers floating in the clear water in the backyard of Huamao Pavilion. It is early in the morning, when it should be quiet, there are people coming and going in Huamao Pavilion. They are all servants and maids in the quiet garden. In front of the door, his face was full of anxiety.

(End of this chapter)