Fourth Master's Pearl

Chapter 54

The day before the winter solstice.

According to the past practice, Yinzhen should meet with Yinxiang.This year is no exception.But the location was changed to the palace.The two of them are now at a loss for what to do, worrying about the affairs of the country, so they can relax for a while.Yinzhen and Yinxiang are playing Go in the imperial garden.Yinli watched the battle from the sidelines.The Suxin plum blossoms that only bloomed in Prince Yi's mansion in the morning are now placed in a vase with black glaze inscriptions. Ran Ranhanxiang is accompanied by the brothers who are playing chess.

Chu Qing walked around the rockery and looked at the three people in the pavilion not too far away.Brothers and friends, it's not impossible in the royal family.In the end, they managed to help each other and never leave.However, they are also brothers, how could they fight to the death?Chuqing shook her head secretly, shaking off her thoughts about the struggle for imperial power in her head.

Yinxiang found out that the emperor's brother Yinzhen made a flat move, and was wondering if there was any strategy. He raised his eyes and saw today's Concubine Xi approaching gracefully, showing a knowing smile.There is someone who can distract Brother Huang.

"Greetings to the emperor, the emperor is blessed and safe!" Chu Qing saluted.

"Get up." The expression on Yinzhen's face did not change, but he looked at Chuqing softly with his eyes.

Yinxiang left his seat, and Yinli was also preparing to meet the ceremony, so Yinzhen waved and said, "You are all exempted. They are all from my own family."

Chu Qing smiled and said: "It's just right, the concubine is also exempted?"

Yinzhen smiled faintly, "You can make up your own mind." After speaking, Chuqing stretched out her hand, smiled and put it in, and sat beside Yinzhen.

Chu Qing glanced at the chess game, with a smile on her lips.

Yin Li also watched the battle from the sidelines for a long time, but he still hadn't made up his mind, so he smiled and asked, "Does Empress Xi have any good ideas?"

Chu Qing smiled noncommittal.

Yin Xiang smiled and said, "Isn't Concubine Xi thinks that I can win the emperor by luck?"

Chuqing's chess skills are taught by Yinzhen, and she has accumulated a lot of experience and skills after competing with him on the chessboard over the years.A simple look shows that Yinzhen just made a wasteful move.The reason is...

"If Prince Yi wins, it's not because of luck, but because of the help of noble people." Chu Qing smiled and glanced at Yinzhen.

Yinxiang smiled and said: "That's right. The emperor's move is superior, and the humble minister naturally needs to borrow some external strength. I am ashamed."

Yinzhen smiled lightly and said, "Okay, King Yi doesn't have to be self-effacing with me. Let's move on."

For a while, he played chess quietly again, only hearing the sound of the wind blowing the screen and the crisp sound of falling pieces.The maid finished cooking tea and waited outside the pavilion, Chu Qing went to pick it up and put it in Yin Zhen's hand, and put a cup for Yin Xiang and Yin Li respectively.The three of them were just playing chess and watching chess at first, and after Yinzhen picked up the tea cup and took a sip, the other two also drank tea as if waking up from a dream.

Yinxiang took a sip and said with a smile: "The sweet fragrance is like orchid, quiet but not bitter, and the sip is indifferent, it seems tasteless."

Yin Li smiled and said, "It's the Emperor's favorite Taiping Monkey Chief."

Yinzhen smiled lightly and said: "After drinking, the air of Taihe perishes between the teeth and cheeks. This taste is tasteless, even tasteless."

Chu Qing smiled and said, "A person speaks words like a person, but in fact, tea is like a person."

Chuqing looked at Yinzhen and said, "The tasteless taste is even tasteless." Just like Yinzhen, who seems to be insipid and shallow, but in fact he is the most affectionate.It's just that I value it in my heart, and I won't give it to others casually.

Both Yinxiang and Yinli nodded in agreement and said, "It's true."

Yinzhen looked at Chuqing, as if seeing the whole world in her eyes.There is trust, understanding, love, and warmth.Yinzhen held Chuqing's hand tightly.

At the end of January, there was no snow, and it was cold and dry.

Chu Qing got up early in the morning and sat in the main hall of Jingren Palace to receive Hongli's customary morning inspection.After seeing Hongli's respectful salute, Chuqing stood silently waiting for her to leave when she said she had nothing to do, and couldn't help but gossip.

"Hongli, how old are you this year?"

"Reporting to Erniang, the actual age is thirteen, but the imaginary age is fourteen."

Chuqing naturally knew this very well.Hongli didn't know why Sister Qing would ask this.Ever since the death of Huang Mafa and the change of dynasties in the world, Sister Qing has changed her identity and returned to the palace. Hongli has experienced too many changes and has a lot of new thinking about people and things.After having new thinking, there is not only new understanding, but also new confusion.Sister Qing is the biggest confusion.How could he calmly call her Er Niang?

"At the age of 13, your mother-in-law has already entered the Zhenbei Le Mansion at that time. At the age of 13, the first emperor has been on the throne for many years. At the age of 13, you should also understand that everyone in the emperor's family has everyone's helplessness and must make choices , and the commitment that must be chosen.”

Hongli looked at Chuqing, thinking about her words for a long time.The person who spoke was his elder sister Qing who had been taught by him since he was a child.How long has it been since he listened to such a seemingly unintentional but profound teaching from her.The eldest sister is like a mother.In fact, in his heart, Sister Qing is also his half mother.Back then, his biological mother had a humble status, if it wasn't for Sister Qing who took good care of her, how could he grow up with peace of mind?Will he not be valued by Huang Ama like the third brother, or will he be absurd and muddled like the fourth brother?

"Hongli Xiaodoubao." Chuqing sighed and called out this long-lost title.Hongli's eyes sparkled.

"Those choices I made are the reason why I am me. And the choices you have to make, have you thought about it clearly? Some things may not be understood for a while, but you can try to forgive. Be less critical and less Some conclusions, read more, think more, and then make a decision. Okay?"

Chuqing and Hongli sincerely spoke their minds on an equal footing.

Hongli stood silently.

"Remember, Hongli."

After a long time, when Chuqing thought that Hongli would not accept her explanation and pay attention to her, Hongli's firm voice sounded in the empty hall.

Seeing Hongli's bamboo-like figure turning around and walking out of Jingren Palace, Chuqing smiled slightly.

"It's no wonder that the Fourth Fourth Council secretly appointed you as the crown prince, Hongli Xiaodoubao. You are generous, talented and insightful, and you really deserve the trust and commitment of Fourth Fourth. It's just..." Your prodigal skills are too powerful, is it possible? Is it the shadow that I suffered in the frugal four in the early years?

Chuqing's mouth twitched at this thought.

"Wow, woof!" There was a dog barking from the small corner gate, and Ruyi came thumping and thumping with bells ringing all the way.

Chuqing leaves her seat, squats down to tease Ruyi.

"Ruyi, Ruyi, you are the easiest and happiest, aren't you?" Ruyi wagged her tail, then fell to the ground and let Chuqing tickle it.It looks like I enjoy it very much.

"What do you think April [-] is doing?" Chuqing began to have a wishful conversation with Ruyi.

"Oh, you know? Yes, of course I know too. Qinghai Zhanluan, he has no time to clone. I understand. When you said he gave you to me, did he think about it, if he was too busy to come , let me abuse you to vent your anger?"

Ruyi cleverly rolled away.

Chuqing looked at Ruyi who hid under the table legs and laughed.

"Being a dog to achieve your level is really psychic."

"Master, did Ruyi come to your place?" Chunhua hurriedly turned around from behind.Seeing this, he laughed again: "Master, are you bullying Ruyi again?"

Chuqing stood up, and Chunhua came to support her.

"How about I still bully you?"

Chunhua smiled and said, "You still have to bully it. The servant girl will make milk cakes for you."

Chu Qing smiled and said: "Well, I have made progress, it seems that Safatu can only be bullied by you."

"Master—" Chunhua dragged out the ending.

Chu Qing said seriously: "You see, master, I have changed every year. I am tossing around and making all kinds of messes. You just guard me for decades, how useless it is."

Chunhua unconsciously burst into tears, "Master, what are you talking about?"

Chuqing took Chunhua's hand, and those hands helped her cover the quilt, sew clothes, comb her hair, make snacks, and serve tea.On special occasions, he would hold her hand tightly and warm her.

"I'm saying that you should also give Safatu a title." Chu Qing spoke in a joking tone, hiding the reluctance in her voice. "Just let him follow you, huh?"

Chunhua was blushing, shy, happy, embarrassed, worried, confused and inexplicable.

"Master, servant girl, servant girl wants to serve you more."

"no party last forever."

Chuqing's voice was low and light.Few like the wind.

In the green gauze cupboard of the Kunning Palace, the queen leaned on the back of the embroidered hibiscus, watching with peaceful eyes that Chuqing removed the pure gold nail cover with emerald leaves inlaid with auspicious cloud beads and peeled off the pine nuts for her.On the cloud-like hair bun, a crabapple flower moves and scorches its flowers.The other jewelry is mostly jade ornaments, which are clear and moist, unique and beautiful.

"The gold and silver jewelry that the emperor sent to Concubine Nian are all of great value, and all of them are rare treasures." The queen suddenly spoke lightly, and brought up a casual topic.

Chu Qing raised her eyes, her peach blossom eyes were still pure and flowing. "Oh? It seems so."

The queen looked distantly at the sunny light outside the window.

"But what the emperor gave you are all new and unique, and all of them are very suitable for you."

Chuqing gave a slight pause to her fingers peeling the pine nuts.

"Which side has put their heart into it, anyone with a discerning eye can tell at a glance. Only those stupid people will say that the imperial concubine Nian is favored."

Chu Qing smiled but said nothing.

"Concubine Nian may not be less affectionate than you. But she can't walk into the heart of the emperor. I used to think that the emperor was an unintentional person, but I didn't expect that you still did it after all." The queen's voice was as light as a raving, and like It's a sigh.I don't know who it is for.

Chuqing smiled and put a handful of pine nuts in the queen's hand, saying, "I didn't think that much."

The queen was stunned, nodded and said with a smile: "That's right. That's all. You do everything naturally and from the heart. You know what you want, and then go for it. If you can't get it, you won't give up." , but he will not underestimate himself."

Chuqing looked at the queen, never thinking that she would know herself so well.

Chuqing opened her mouth and said, "I'm sorry."

The queen smiled and said: "What are you sorry for? To me, it doesn't make any difference if there is one more or one less. But to the emperor, it is different with you. I should thank you."

Chuqing lowered her eyes.

The queen said: "You may think that this palace is very strange, it's not as straightforward as Nian Guifei's coming. But this palace has always felt that as long as the emperor is happy, it doesn't matter who gives that happiness."

Chu Qing looked up at the queen, and said with a slight smile, "So you are the queen."

The queen said: "That's why he won't let you be the queen. This position is too tiring. I carefully selected Niu Gulu's identity for you, and I didn't hesitate to hide it for you."

Chu Qing was puzzled, why the queen said that everything was under Yin Zhen's control, and he could make her the queen if he wanted.

"There is something in your words."

The queen smiled, "I'm talking too much today. Just treat it as an old man talking nonsense. Don't bother with peeling, try it yourself."

In March, Yinzhen went to Taixue in person, visited Confucius, and lectured on scriptures and studies, so as to serve the world's morals, culture and education.

After hearing Hongli's recitation of Yinzhen's important speech in Taixue, Chuqing showed a gentle smile.Yinzhen is serious and realistic, pays attention to logic and order, and the appearance of talking eloquently seems to be right in front of his eyes.

The wind of March blows his robe, his brows are stern, his words are rational and profound, but in his heart he is such a benevolent and caring person.Benevolence can't bear it, can't bear the ups and downs of the country, and the country's pillars are mothed, so they are cruel to others and even more cruel to themselves.

Chuqing smiled lightly, and shook her head lightly.

Seeing the splendor on Chuqing's face, Hongli was moved for a moment.Sister Qing's relationship with Huang Ama should not be limited to the simple relationship between a man and a woman.Desire to belong to, but also the appreciation and gratification of my sympathy.

Finding herself lost in reverie and leaving Hongli aside, Chuqing came back to her senses and said with a smile: "Hongli, Safatu said the day before yesterday that he saw you practicing arrows and praised you for your skills. Let me see it too, is that okay? ?”

"Yes. Hongli complies."

An archery target was set up in the open space, and the wind stirred the pear blossoms and willow catkins in the courtyard. Pieces of pear blossoms flew white, and the willow catkins followed the wind.

Standing in the courtyard, Hongli had calm eyes and skillful posture, drawing the bow and buckling the arrow, and his movements were as willful and determined as flowing clouds and flowing water.

The bow opens like a full moon, and the arrow goes like a shooting star.

"Boom."

Center the red heart.

Hongli looked at Yujian, smiled, and looked back at Chuqing.Chu Qing stood under a pear tree, wearing an ivory white spring dress.The pear blossoms were like snow, covering her whole body.Looking at it, it seems that her whole body has become transparent.Hongli panicked for no reason.

When I looked again, Chu Qing was still looking at him with a satisfied smile under the tree, clapping her hands and nodding, saying: "Well, not bad, it really is a dragon and a phoenix, and the future is limitless. The young man has a bright future. Let me think about it." , my Hongli is so talented, what kind of girl is worthy of her? The day before yesterday? The day before yesterday? Li Rongbao's Fujin brought a little girl from Fucha to the palace as a guest, and that little girl embroidered a small purse for me , I think she is really good. Why don't you think about it?"

Hongli approached angrily and amusedly, "Just because I gave you a small pouch?"

Chuqing thought for a while, then smiled and said, "I also gave her the pear blossom spring brewed by herself. Do you know that I haven't had such authentic pear blossom spring brew for a long time? If you hire someone, you'll be strong first, and you'll suffer later." .”

"Have you wanted to drink Lihuachun for a long time?"

"Of course. I was in Hangzhou back then..." Chuqing felt a little strange, paused, Hongli secretly stuck out his tongue at her, then bowed respectfully and said: "Hongli greets Huang Ama, Huang Ama auspicious!"

It was the mysterious Yinzhen who asked her questions just now.Emperor Yongzheng with the nickname of Bingshan.

"Hmm." Yinzhen snorted through his nose.

"My son will leave first." Seeing that the situation had changed, Hongli quickly retreated.

"Hongli, do you want me to see you off?" Chuqing hurriedly wanted to follow, but Yinzhen pulled her back.

"You were in Hangzhou back then?" Yinzhen raised his eyebrows and repeated.

"Hehe." Chuqing smiled dryly.

"If I remember correctly, he was with Yao Fan, right?"

"Hehehe, the emperor has a really good memory." Chu Qing continued to laugh dryly. "Why is it so good? Hehehe."

Yinzhen hugged Chuqing's slender waist, "Do you still want to drink?"

"Didn't you just drink it?"

Yinzhen looked straight at Chuqing, as if he wanted to carve her into the depths of his eyes carefully and attentively.

Yinzhen raised her hand slowly, Chuqing thought he was going to slap her forehead, so she turned her face away and half-closed her eyes to hide.With an upward gesture, Yinzhen plucked a piece of pear blossom from her hair.

As soon as Chuqing breathed a sigh of relief, she heard Yinzhen say domineeringly: "You are not allowed to drink pear blossom spring wine in the future. You can't even think about it."

Chuqing stuck out her tongue secretly.Do you know what I think?

Yinzhen said, "I know it."

Chuqing let out a "huh".She didn't make a sound.

Yinzhen spread his hands, and the pear blossom was blown away.

"Go back and chop off the pear blossoms here." Yinzhen said suddenly.

"Is this considered unreasonable trouble?"

"This is the palace, I have the final say."

"Okay, I'm convinced. If you cut it down, remember to plant a new one. How about a peach tree? Apricot blossoms are fine too. Peach trees are better, peaches are better than apricots." Chu Qing nagged to herself talking.

Yinzhen hugged her into his arms and murmured: "It's all good. Lihua is too desolate."

"Si Si, why are you hugging me so tightly?" Chu Qing suddenly felt that Yinzhen was a little abnormal.Is it because we haven't seen each other for so long?

Yinzhen remained silent, instead of relaxing, he hugged Chuqing even more nervously.

Just now, he clearly saw it.Chu Qing, under the pear tree, her figure was blurred.The pear blossoms are like snow, and she is as transparent as snow.

Pear blossom, the flower of parting.

(End of this chapter)