Rebirth after waste

Chapter 44

On the day when the news that Zhenjieyu was promoted to noble concubine spread throughout the Six Palaces, Gu Yunxian invited Zhuang Lingyi to the plum garden to pick plums together.

The plum garden is still as intoxicating as ever, pink and white, and fragrant.Zhuang Lingyi was wearing a pea-green cloak, looked around among the plum trees, and finally picked a sandalwood plum with strong branches.

Turning around to ask Gu Yunxian's opinion, he saw that the flowers and trees were sparse. Gu Yunxian was wearing a lotus-colored brocade cloak, holding a green plum in his hand. Against the background of the plum blossoms, his bright and clean face looked soft and moving.

Sensing Zhuang Lingyi's gaze, she turned her head and smiled, "What are you looking at me like that for?"

Zhuang Lingyi came back to her senses, and said with a smile: "The concubine is surprised, why didn't I notice my sister's face in the past, so she is so touching."

"Fansu, you are laughing at me." Gu Yunxian smiled and shook his head, "In terms of appearance, Ming Chongyi is the most prosperous in this palace."

"Ming Chongyi is too gorgeous, not as delicate and graceful as her elder sister, she has a demeanor of her own."

"If you continue talking, I'm going to blush." ​​Gu Yunxian said, "It's a pity that what I hold in my hand is not a bunch of red plums, otherwise I can block it anyway."

Zhuang Lingyi suddenly thought of something, and couldn't help but stop smiling, "But when it comes to beauty, the one in Cheng'an Palace is also very touching."

Gu Yunxian was silent.

"The concubine heard that half a month ago, during the Laba Festival, she was playing the pipa by the frozen lake, and was bumped into by His Majesty. The two talked for a while, and His Majesty was lucky enough to visit Cheng'an Palace that night, and often summoned her these days." Zhuang Lingyi Said, "No, early this morning, the imperial decree for promotion has been issued."

"You don't have to worry too much, it's just expected from Jieyu to Guiji." Gu Yunxian said indifferently, "Her Jieyu position was granted in Yongjia's second year, and it took more than a year Yes. Even if you don’t get promoted today, you will still get promoted after the new year. It’s just a matter of time.”

Her reaction was beyond Zhuang Lingyi's expectations. After hesitating for a moment, she still said, "I heard that His Majesty visited Hanzhang Hall on the day of Laba. But then he left after sitting for a while. I don't know if it is..."

"Yes." Different from Zhuang Lingyi's hesitation, Gu Yunxian replied very simply, "I said something wrong, which made him unhappy, so he walked away."

Seeing her confession, Zhuang Lingyi frowned, "No wonder Your Majesty hasn't been to Hanzhang Hall in the past half a month, and the concubine is still surprised! Why is my sister not in a hurry? Now there are rumors in the palace that my sister has fallen out of favor. , the Jing family has gained the upper hand again!"

"Oh, that's how they spread it?" Gu Yunxian's expression remained unchanged, "Then let's make them happy for a while."

Zhuang Lingyi was stunned.

"Okay, don't think about these things, just take a look at the flowers I picked. These are going to be sent to Changxin Hall for display, so don't be careless."

On New Year's Eve, a banquet is held in Qing'an Hall as usual.

This is an important New Year's event in the palace. Not only concubines of the sixth palace will participate, but also princes and their families who have returned to Beijing to report on their duties, and sometimes even some ministers who are close to His Majesty. It is very lively.

Naturally, Gu Yunxian did not dare to be sloppy with such an important banquet, and he and Yu Shuyi have been busy with it since half a month ago.

But being busy also has its benefits, at least she doesn't have to face the deliberate provocations of Ming Chongyi and others, and her ears are much quieter.

Qing'an Hall is a large hall located on the high ground in the west of Zhuozhichi. It is composed of four halls with different heights. There is a square and rectangular high platform on the left and right. It communicates with the upper floor of the main hall, making the whole palace look very magnificent.

As the night fell, 81 emerald and glazed palace lanterns were lit on the eaves of the Qing'an Hall, and the owl kiss on the roof seemed to be born from the fire in the sky-high light.In the main hall, there are staggered toasts, singing and dancing, and a lively scene of peace.

Gu Yunxian sat on the ninth step, listening to the sound of silk and bamboo in the hall, and remained silent.She remembered that at this time last year, she was joking with the Queen Mother in Changxin Palace, cutting window grilles with Liu Shanggong, and waiting for his arrival.

Because there is no queen, the emperor sits alone in the upper seat, holding a jade cup in his hand, and pours himself a drink.Occasionally, when a minister offered a toast to him, he also smiled back, and it seemed that the ministers were in harmony.

After dancing a soft and graceful "Green Waist", the music suddenly changed in the hall, and eight women in gorgeous dance clothes came up.With fair skin, high nose and big eyes, they all look like foreigners.

Everyone was taken aback for a moment, and then they realized that this should be the new song composed by Jiaofang this year.

The emperor sat there in a relaxed posture, looking at the graceful dancer, and tapped his hands lightly.

His expression was too focused, causing everyone to look at the hall one after another. The dancer who was originally just a supporting dancer suddenly became the main character in the hall.

The palace concubines who have a little knowledge of singing and dancing have already recognized that the dance performed by the eight dancers is called "Tuozhi".

"Tuozhi Dance" is a kind of music and dance originated from Shiguo in the Western Regions, with drums as the main accompaniment, with clear rhythm, warm atmosphere and vigorous style.There are many good lines describing Zhezhi dance in the poems of the Tang Dynasty, such as "spread a piece of brocade and open a feast, hit three times in a row to draw the drum to remind", "the drum reminds the disabled to beat the waist and body soft, sweat through the clothes and rain" and so on. .

Gu Yunxian once saw dancers from the Western Regions perform the Tuozhi Dance when he was outside the palace, so he didn't think it was so novel at the moment.It's just that she remembered that "Tuozhi Dance" was used to be performed by a single person, but these eight dancers turned it into a group dance. The cooperation was tacit but without losing their personal charm, which was fresh and interesting.

As he was thinking, he saw a change in the movements of the dancers, and one of the dancers rose gracefully, opened his mouth lightly, and began to sing gracefully.

"Why are you still singing?" Zhuang Lingyi whispered.

Gu Yunxian explained with a smile: "This was originally a feature of Tuozhi Dance, and the dancers had to sing between performances. The so-called 'singing new words slowly' describes exactly this."

"I see."

Ming Chongyi lowered her voice, and said to Ling Guiji: "Mother Jing, look, this girl who sings is really good-looking. I wonder if His Majesty will take her in just because of the tide?"

"There are dancers performing dances in the palace banquets, why didn't you pay attention before?" Ling Guiji was puzzled, "If your majesty saw a beautiful dancer and would accept it, why are there so few people in the palace today? "

"If it's an ordinary person, I definitely don't care, but look at Yu Shuyi's face. This dancer probably has something to do with her!"

When Ling Guiji heard the words, she saw Yu Shuyi looking at the palace with anticipation in her eyes.

"A few days ago, I heard that Yu Shuyi's palace servants went in and out of the Jiaofang Division, so it was for this purpose."

Ling Guiji lowered her eyes and remained silent.

So, this dancing girl was actually arranged by Yu Shuyi to help her win His Majesty's favor?
"Even if that's the case, it's okay. These dancers are all Yuehu of the Jiaofang Division. They belong to the humble family and have a low status. Even if they enter the palace, it is difficult to become a great talent. You don't have to worry." Ling Guiji said lightly.

"I'm not worried." Ming Chongyi said, "I wish His Majesty would accept her now, so that some people can taste the feeling of loss."

Ling Guiji shook her head helplessly: "Shut up, be careful not to be overheard."

At the end of the song, the emperor took the lead in applauding, "What a song 'Tuozhi', the style of the Western Regions is really enchanting and moving."

The woman who just sang just bowed down, "Slave maid, thank Your Majesty for your appreciation!" After saying that, she looked at him expectantly.

The emperor smiled, turned his head and ordered: "Reward."

The dancer girl didn't expect him to finish this sentence, so she picked up the jade cup by herself again, and didn't look at her again, she couldn't help but stand there in a daze.

Yu Shuyi was also a little overwhelmed.

Obviously hearing that His Majesty has suddenly changed his style these days and fell in love with enchanting and beautiful women, so he specially prepared such a dance to suit his liking.Unexpectedly, he was very interested when he read it, but even after reading it, he didn't even mention to take one or two back!

How is this going!

Not allowing them to be confused, the eunuch has already stepped forward to make the dancers retreat.The woman who sang was still not reconciled, she turned her head three times after every step, just begging His Majesty to change his mind suddenly.

Seeing them walking away, Zhen Guiji held the cup in her plain hand and said in a gentle voice: "I have seen the singing and dancing, it is my turn to offer a cup to Your Majesty. My concubine hereby wishes Your Majesty good luck and good health, and may my Jin Dynasty prosper! "

The emperor toasted, "Auspicious words from Concubine Chengai."

She started, and everyone stood up to toast one after another. When it was Rou Wanyi's turn, the emperor's voice tinged with pity, "Wan'er, you suffered a while ago, are you feeling better now?"

Rou Wanyi said respectfully: "Thanks to Sister Lingyi's careful care, my concubine has already recovered."

The emperor nodded and looked at Zhuang Lingyi, "Fansu, you have a heart."

"The concubine dare not." Zhuang Lingyi hurriedly said, "The concubine lives in the same palace as Rou Wanyi, and it is her duty to take care of her."

"Your Majesty." Gu Yunxian said suddenly.

Unnoticeably, the emperor's hand resting on the table moved slightly, and the amber liquid in the jade cup swayed slightly.

After so many days, he finally heard her voice clearly again.

On the day of Laba, he came out of Hanzhang Hall, determined to rein in the precipice and stay rational, so he hasn't visited her these days.

As the saying goes, if you are not close, you will not be chaotic. He felt that keeping a distance from her would make him safer.

However, he never thought that forcing himself not to see a woman would be such a tormenting thing.

He would always unconsciously think of her snowy and soft face, and then he couldn't bear to look at the book in his hand.

These days, he lived a life that he will never forget.

But he did it anyway.

But an occasion like tonight was unavoidable.As a man of principle, he had to try desperately not to glance in her direction.

In order to do this, he forced himself to fix his eyes on the inside of the hall, appreciating the three big dances with an unprecedented seriousness.The dancer girl is enchanting and gorgeous, with an intoxicating style, but when he looks at such a charming figure, there is still that damned, lingering shadow in his mind.

At this moment when she spoke suddenly, his whole heart couldn't help trembling slightly.

In fact, this night, although he never looked at her, the voice of her talking with the people around him could be heard from time to time.It was low and soft, intertwined with the sound of string and bamboo, and could not be heard clearly, but it disturbed him even more.

How can she be so comfortable?
I ignored her for so long, and I didn't see her to explain or do something.Occasionally, I heard palace people talk about how capable Empress Yuan Guiji was in handling palace affairs, as if she had never been affected by this matter at all.

"What's the matter?" Thinking of this, he spoke slowly, with a cold tone.

Gu Yunxian seemed unaware of his indifference, and said softly: "The concubine feels that it is really inappropriate that there are two concubines who have a prince in the Chuning Palace, but there is no one who is the main concubine."

"So what do you mean?"

"The concubine thinks that one of the sisters in the palace can be moved to the Chuning Palace to take care of the two younger sisters and the prince."

"Nowadays, there are only a few main concubines in the palace. Dare I ask Ji Yuan Gui, who do you think is more suitable to move there?" Ming Chongyi sneered, "Besides, everyone is used to living in their own residences, who would do that?" Willing to suddenly move to Chuning Palace."

"If necessary, the concubine can move there." Gu Yunxian said lightly.

"Chuining Palace Fuyin Hall is far inferior to your sister's Hanzhang Hall, why is my sister willing?" Yu Shuyi laughed.

"The concubine is not Empress Shuyi, so she doesn't have that much obsession with Hanzhang Palace, so she is naturally willing."

Yu Shuyi heard the irony in her words, and her heart froze.Thinking about what I did tonight, I feel a little guilty.In any case, she got a few dancers and wanted to dedicate them to His Majesty. Regardless of whether she succeeded or not, she had already violated the agreement between the two of them not to be enemies.

No wonder Gu Yunxian was angry.

The emperor ignored the coming and going of the concubines, and his mind turned to another place.

The Hanzhang Hall of Taiyin Palace is the residence he specially chose for her. It is gorgeous and spacious, worthy of her status.It is also close to Dazheng Palace, so it is convenient to see her by himself.

She knew about these considerations, but today she suddenly proposed to move out. What does it mean?
There are two concubines and their children living in Chuning Palace, which is no quieter than Taiyin Palace living alone.If she really went there, I didn't know how many pairs of eyes I would have to face when I saw her. It would be boring to think about it.

Did she do this because she wanted to avoid him again?

Thinking of it this way, he felt as if a boulder was blocked in his heart. He had long forgotten that his original intention was to avoid her, but he instinctively didn't want her to do so. Trouble. Fansu, you have been Lingyi for more than a year, just take advantage of today's Chinese New Year, and be promoted to Jieyu. From now on, you will be the head of Chuning Palace, and it will be more convenient to discipline the people in the palace."

Zhuang Lingyi was taken aback, and hurriedly got up to thank her.

After the emperor said this sentence, he felt that the irritability in his heart was still there. He glanced at Ling Guiji and said casually: "There is also Jingniang, who has also been promoted to Chongyuan."

Ling Guiji got up, thanked her kindly calmly, but she was not happy.

Two people were promoted in a row, and the surrounding concubines were surprised, and hurriedly congratulated them.

Ming Chongyi took his friend's hand and said something with a smile.Turning around to see Zhuang Jieyu who was talking with the people around her, and Gu Yunxian who looked indifferent to her, his eyes turned cold again.

After the banquet was over, everyone went back to the palace.At this time in previous years, the emperor would either go to the Jiaofang Hall to accompany the queen, or go to the Changxin Hall to accompany the queen mother. Unexpectedly, this year the queen mother is gone, and he has no place to go for a while.

As the sedan chair was carried along the Zhuoyue Pond to the Dazheng Palace, he suddenly heard Lu Chuan's "Hey", and asked, "What's wrong?"

Lu Chuan was silent.

He frowned, "Say."

Lu Chuan had no choice but to move to the side of the sedan chair, and said in a low voice: "I look at the ones in front, it seems to be Empress Yuan Guiji and Liu Shanggong."

(End of this chapter)