Golden branches and jade leaves

Chapter 15 The Unexpected Incident
In the warm inner pavilion, Su Mi was neatly dressed and sitting at the table. Her jet-black hair was simply tied in a wishful bun, and a crystal-clear magpie-dengmei jade hairpin was inserted obliquely.Liu Cheng of Tai Hospital is putting his finger on her hand, making a diagnosis quietly.

"Your Majesty, don't worry. My Majesty's pulse is stable. As long as you rest in peace, you will be cured within ten days." After a while, Imperial Physician Liu, who finished today's diagnosis, stood up and said to Su Mi: "My Majesty really has some serious symptoms." Blessed by God, the injury healed much faster than ordinary people."

"Thank you, Imperial Physician Liu," Su Mi said with a smile.Where can there be any blessing from God, her own superb medical skills are far beyond what these people can match, after waking up, she prescribed a prescription and ordered someone to prepare it secretly, and every day she used silver needles to activate blood circulation, of course it is good Much faster than they expected.

"Physician Liu, I wonder how the case of Imperial Physician He is being handled now?" Seeing him packing up the medical box, Su Mi asked casually.

"Returning to your mother, I heard that He Ling's incident was done by robbers. There have been news from the Yamen, and they also said that they will sign a wanted warrant in a few days and offer a reward. Alas..." Doctor Liu replied, since his His unlucky colleague He Ling was met by robbers for no reason on the way to Taitai Hospital. After his head was chopped off, he took over the job of looking after Su Mi for recuperation.

Speaking of He Ling, it is really unlucky for him. Now that the imperial army and all the yamen are busy with the top priority of assassins in the palace, there is no time to take care of these small cases. Human life" closed the case.In today's troubled times, nowhere is safe, even the heavily guarded palace has people running in to assassinate, not to mention a little imperial doctor, it seems that he should be more careful on the road, Liu Cheng shook his head.

"Oh, what a pity," Su Mi sighed. "Emperor He is skilled in medicine and considerate, so why..." He turned around and said, "I will definitely invite the emperor's rich family to give me a pension in order to commend my achievements."

"On behalf of He Ling, I'd like to thank my mother for her great kindness. I know that my mother cares about her. If He Lingquan knows it, I must be very grateful." Liu Cheng said quickly.

"Emperor Liu, you are welcome, Su Mi will have to trouble the imperial physician a lot in the future." Su Mi smiled gracefully.

"This is a matter of my duty." Liu Cheng bowed and said goodbye: "Your Majesty, rest well first, and I will come back tomorrow to ask for your pulse."

"Miqing," Su Mi turned her head to signal.

Miqing immediately took out the silver reward, and after Liu Cheng thanked him, Miqing sent him out.

Seeing that the person had gone far away, Su Mi took off her heavy silver-red beaded brocade coat, leaned on the cushion, and fell into deep thought.

How did He Ling die?She couldn't believe it was such a coincidence that she died at such a critical moment.Who did it?Is it really a robber?I can't have such good luck.Who will help me right now?There is really no clue.

Gently stirring a bowl of milk snow lotus clotted milk in his hand, the white jade-colored cheese made a neat circle around the silver spoon.Su Mi was deep in thought when Xiao Luzi came into the room.

"How's the inquiry going? What else have you heard about Imperial Doctor He's case?" Su Mi hurriedly put down her spoon and asked, she just asked Xiao Luzi to go to the Imperial Hospital to inquire about the news.

"There's nothing else, it's still the news," Xiao Luzi continued, "I just heard that Imperial Physician He was killed on the way to work, because his home is far away, so Imperial Physician He left early in the morning , It was still dark at that time, and after half an hour, it was dawn, and when his family was out shopping, they found the body in a small alley not far away. He was stabbed and decapitated. Immediately there was a commotion, the neighbors were startled, and they reported to the yamen not long after, the yamen just passed the sentence today, the robber killed...just..." Xiao Luzi paused, and said: "I heard that from the corpse Look, that knife is very fast, I'm afraid it is a thief with extremely high martial arts."

Did he really meet a robber?This is too coincidental.Too much reliance on luck will suffer sooner or later.Su Mi didn't want to make such a mistake. "After the diagnosis and treatment at my place that night, how long did Imperial Physician He stay in the Imperial Hospital when he went back?"

"I didn't stay any longer, because the time to get off work was too early, so I heard that I packed up my things and left immediately, and the imperial physicians at that time were all treating the concubine injured by the assassin, and there were no other imperial physicians in the imperial hospital. "

"Yeah." Su Mi nodded.That is to say, He Ling didn't disclose his strange pulse condition.

"By the way, master, that..." Xiaoluzi hesitated for a moment and then said: "There is another piece of news. People from the Tai Hospital said that Yurui, who was next to the queen, went to look for He Ling that night, but He Ling happened to be a It's over, let's go home."

"What?!" Su Mi's expression changed.Sure enough, she felt that the Queen seemed to have noticed something that day.

She hurriedly asked Xiao Luzi a few more questions carefully, and couldn't help thinking,
Why did the queen go to He Ling?

She had questioned Miqing and the others carefully long ago. In Caiwei Palace, He Ling didn't say a single suspicious word about her fetal image, and she packed up her things and went home shortly after returning to the Tai Hospital, and she didn't contact anyone. .

If there is no leakage of the news, the queen summoned He Ling, is it just to care about her child?
After all, he once promised to dedicate this child to her.It's normal for her to be extra concerned.

Or did she find a clue?So how did the news get out?
When she later heard that she had a miscarriage, she questioned the imperial physician, which really made people wonder what she already knew.Where did you know that?How much do you know?

If she really knew something, she might be in danger.

Su Mi felt a headache, everything around her was unreliable, this miscalculation really hit her too hard, it was simply a disaster.If it wasn't for He Ling's inexplicable "timely" death, he would be in danger that night.But now that he died so unclearly, he caused himself a lot of trouble.

In the final analysis, it is because her foundation is too weak, without a trace of basic strength, she really cannot bear the slightest mistake.Perhaps the only consolation is that Qi Taki's trust in her has not wavered in the slightest.

"Niang Niang, Eunuch Gao is here," Mi Hong came in and said.

"Please come in quickly," Su Mi said, while adjusting her sitting posture to be neat and dignified.

"Your Majesty, these are white jade fruits and small kumquats that have just been tributed in southern Xinjiang. They are specially nourishing and nourishing the stomach. The emperor heard that you have a bad appetite, so he specially ordered the old slave to bring them here." Gao Shengnuo walked in with a young eunuch , After saluting, he started talking.

As soon as he signaled the little eunuch behind him, he immediately stepped forward and presented the bamboo basket. In the basket were fruits one by one, half of which were white and round, and half of which were golden and red, very cute.

"Thank you, father-in-law." Su Mi ordered Mi Hong to go forward to accept it, and said with a smile: "Is the emperor okay, today's government affairs are over?" After she woke up these days, all kinds of flattery came one after another. Suddenly, countless tonics were sent from various palaces and courtyards, and Su Mi just felt very annoying.

"Returning to the empress, the emperor just came down to the court, and the adults quarreled in the hall again, which disturbed the emperor very unhappy, but he waved his hand and retreated, and went to the Hall of Mental Cultivation. No, just went back. I heard that the Nanjiang Tribute has brought this rare thing, so hurry up and ask the old slave to bring it to you." Gao Shengnuo said with a flattering smile

"Hmm..." Su Mi responded incongruously.

Gao Shengnuo looked around slightly, and said: "Madam, according to this old servant, although your yard is good, I am afraid it is a bit narrow. Do you want to move to the Caiwei Palace? Anyway, there is no one in the Caiwei Palace now. You are more honorable."

"My father-in-law is joking with Su Mi. If Su Mi remembers correctly, it seems that only noble concubines and above can live in the main hall of the first palace and lead the affairs of the first palace." Su Mi laughed.

"Oh, look at what you said, it's not a matter of time, you have made great contributions this time, no one in this harem knows that you are both talented and beautiful, Madam Su, noble and kind, and the emperor misses you all day long! Don't say anything else, this white jade fruit, but just sent it to the queen mother's old man's place, and then let the slaves bring it here, wait for your body to recover, hehe, I'm afraid that even the empress dowager Yun can't compare You went."

"Eunuch Cheng said auspiciously, if such a day really comes, I will definitely not forget the benefits of my father-in-law," Su Mi said with a light smile, "It's just that I'm not easy to move, and I'm used to living here, so I don't need to move. .”

The two were talking, and He Yuwang also led a few people to arrive with a few things in their hands.

After saluting, He Yuwang also stepped forward and said: "Congratulations, my lady. Today, this old slave came here to give you a gold book. A few days ago, the emperor specially urged the Ministry of Internal Affairs to prepare your gold book as soon as possible. I just finished the work today, so I delayed my mother's affairs, my mother forgive me." While greeting his subordinates, two young eunuchs came forward holding gold plates, one of which contained a glorious booklet.The other is court clothes and phoenix crowns.

Su Mi hurriedly stood up to pick it up herself.It is said that the gold book is actually a thin piece of silk, on which the name of the concubine and the date are embroidered with gold thread, and a layer of gold leaf is crossed on the outer cover.The court clothes are custom-made according to the grade, the color is simple and elegant, and the corolla is also in a uniform style. The front is the appearance of a phoenix body raised, and the two phoenix tails are gathered into a ring to fix the bun. Gems and pearls, five beads on the phoenix head.Compared with the colorful and luxurious palace skirts and pearl hairpins in the harem, the style is not outstanding, and it can even be said to be a bit dull, but it is something that many concubines in the harem dream of.

From the fifth rank and above, there are such court clothes and phoenix crowns. After the third rank and above, the concubine is awarded the golden seal and takes care of the affairs of the first palace. These things begin to be subdivided, and each level is different.

A concubine of the fifth rank is a very important rank for concubines in the harem.

Because according to the Qi system, there is a certain number of concubines starting from the fifth rank, and the gold book is named, even if they are official concubines, they can be called "Niang Niang".After the death of the emperor, even if he has no children, he can be named a concubine and enjoy the enshrinement. In his later years, he does not have to go to the temple to practice like a concubine with a low status. pyrotechnic sacrifice.

And you can also attend the official ceremony, so there is also a regular court dress phoenix crown.However, the concubine does not need to perform the book ceremony like the empress and concubine, and tell the Taimiao that she only needs to fast for three days, then worship for one day at the Taimiao, and then the Ministry of Internal Affairs will send the gold book and the dress and phoenix crown together.

Because Su Mi's injury has not healed, Qi Taki made a special order to avoid fasting and pilgrimage.As long as the Ministry of Internal Affairs rushes out the gold books and court clothes and sends them over.

The two naturally flattered and complimented each other, Su Mi responded with a smile, and after dismissing the two of them, Mi Hong came in and said with a smile: "Master, it's really a big face."

"Hmph, you're saving face?" Su Mi sneered.

Now she looks glamorous on the surface, who knows that there are many crises hidden behind her, every step of the way is frightening, and the queen may not be able to rely on her. In this crisis-ridden harem, her only reliance now is Qi Long's. Beloved, she has nothing but this.

She is like a parasitic vine, whose foundation is so shallow that it cannot withstand the slightest wind and rain.

It must be more prosperous, my favorite.Now in this turbulent harem, maybe I really have to firmly grasp this only support.One's own pet must be more prosperous.Su Mi tightly grasped the brocade handkerchief in her hand.

Everything is unreliable.

"Whose brand is the emperor flipping these days?" She asked suddenly.

"Ah? It's mainly from Concubine Yun." Mi Qing replied.

"Concubine Yun..." Su Mi bit her red lips lightly with her white teeth, thought for a moment, and then her eyes fell on a box of daily musk.

"It has to be like this, and if it succeeds, it's not irreparable for the queen..." She chuckled lightly.

"Call me Xianglin." She said coldly.

"Huh?" Mi Qing was taken aback.

Su Mi picked up the gold book that had just been delivered, the golden light reflected the sunlight and pierced people's eyes brightly.

"Didn't the empress say that my miscarriage was strange? I'll show her the strangeness." She smiled gracefully and charmingly.

Su Mi was wearing an autumn-colored autumn-colored embroidered golden-threaded peony gown, and she was sitting on the couch in the warm pavilion. There were no shoes on her white and delicate jade feet, and there were jasper pedals under her feet, and the brilliance of the jade shone on her. Crystal clear nails, delicate and lovely.She was holding a cup of white fungus and pine nut scented tea in her hand, and covered the teacup lightly with the tea, without saying a word.

Xianglin, who was standing with his hands hanging down, was a little nervous, and asked tentatively, "I don't know why your mother summoned the slaves...?"

"Well," Su Mi put down the teacup, said with a smile, "I just woke up and heard about Concubine Zheng, ah, it's really hard."

Hearing Su Mi mentioning Concubine Zheng, Xianglin couldn't help feeling sad. Although Concubine Zheng was not favored, she was still a noble concubine of the third rank, and they were considered decent in the palace. Now that they had no master, they would never It is no longer what it used to be.

"After all, it's a sister's affair. What else do you need in the palace now? Feel free to come and find me," Su Mi continued, "Don't be polite."

A total of 12 concubines died at the banquet that day, among which the highest ranking ones were Concubine Chen Shu and Concubine Zheng. Concubine Zheng died in a particularly miserable manner, and was stabbed twice. It is said that there were timid concubines who saw her body afterwards. I still have nightmares every day.

Now that it is the end of the new year, it is naturally impossible to organize a funeral and cause a year of bad luck, so the corpse was hurriedly carried out for burial. The mourning hall offers condolences, and eminent monks are invited to preside over the ritual.It's just that in the first month, everything must be kept simple.

"Thank you, Ma'am, for your concern." Xianglin bowed her head in response.

"Since I have been greatly favored, it is a pity that my body is not useful, and it has good times and bad times, and I have been hit by this sword again. I am afraid that in the future..." Su Mi said with a sad face.

"Your Majesty is auspicious, she is blessed by the gods, why worry about this, she will recover in the future." Xianglin said hastily.

"Well, even if it's cured, what's the matter, the child I finally got..." Su Mi sighed sadly.

Hearing Su Mi mentioning the child, Xiang Lin shivered secretly.He secretly looked up at Su Mi, seeing that there was nothing wrong with Su Mi's expression, so he felt relieved.

"Your Majesty will surely have many children in the future." She lowered her head and said.

"I just said you are smart and polite." Su Mi smiled gently and modestly.

"Your Majesty, you have won the prize." Xianglin said along the way.

"I called you here this time because of one thing." Su Mi put down the teacup in her hand, sat up straight and said.

Hearing Su Mi bring up the topic, Xianglin listened carefully.

"Ever since I became a position here, Eunuch He at the Ministry of Internal Affairs has been urging me to add a few more people, but I haven't moved. It's not that I don't want to add more people. After all, the rules of my ancestors are set. How can I violate them? But it's just... well, I'm worried that their assignment will not be reliable, and they will not be considerate in their actions, after all, it's better not to be familiar with each other." Su Mi said slowly.

Following her words, Xianglin's face revealed an unconcealable joy.

After the death of Concubine Zheng, the main hall of Caiwei Palace was vacant. Of course, there would not be so many people to serve it. According to the usual practice, it is natural to send them all out, and wait for a new master to move in before resuming. Choose a new court lady and eunuch to enter.Now only three or two people are left to guard things on weekdays and clean up. The remaining dozen or so people will be handed over to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and redistributed according to the vacancies in the palace.

At that time, it can be said that it is resigned to fate, maybe where they will be assigned. These days, they have been preparing money and bribing He Yuwang and the others in order to get a more relaxed and decent job.But most of her money was used to fill the bottomless pit of Wei Fulong, an old murderer. How much is left? These days, she worried day and night that she would be assigned to the Shanggong Bureau, the Hard Labor Department, or Yuanyuan.

If you can come over to serve Su Mi, even though Su Mi's status is not as high as that of Concubine Zheng, any discerning person in the palace will be able to tell at a glance, it will be a matter of time, and Su Mi is now in favor, seeing the emperor There are many opportunities, maybe I also have the opportunity...

"Your Majesty appreciates it, Xianglin is very grateful, and this servant must be so heartless to repay Your Majesty's love." Xianglin said excitedly.

"Well," Su Mi smiled and nodded, and was about to continue when Mi Qing walked in, holding a package in her hand, and asked, "Master, I have found something, so I will give it to Liu Cai." Someone send it over?"

As soon as she turned her head and saw the package in Miqing's hand, Xianglin's face changed suddenly.

Su Mi stared at the package, and sighed leisurely: "I just said that I am unlucky, and I can't afford these things. I have only drank such an expensive anti-fetal medicine a few times, and now..."

"Master, don't be sad, the emperor and empress know about it, and they will blame us for not being able to serve you well." Mi Qing said hastily.

"Oh, forget it," Su Mi sighed lightly, and said, "Should I send it there?"

Xianglin's body shook.Su Mi secretly laughed, and turned to her softly: "Speaking of these packets of anti-natal drugs, you sent them over the other day, since you also mentioned last time that these packets of medicines are precious and effective. Well, it’s just a waste of time to put it here, why not send it to Liu Cairen. She was frightened when she was an assassin a few days ago, and she heard from the imperial doctor that the fetal image was not stable. It's a waste of a good thing. Don't you think so?"

"Hmm..." Xianglin completely lacked his usual wit, he hesitated, and dared not respond.

Mi Qing carried a few packs of anti-fetal drugs and walked to the door, Su Mi suddenly called her, "Wait a minute!"

Xianglin shivered in fright.

"By the way, don't be in a hurry to send it there, first take it to the imperial hospital for a check-up, and make sure that there are no beetles, moisture or anything like that, now this is the only child left in the palace, so be careful. "Su Mi added from the side.

Hearing the words "Tai Hospital", Xianglin's face suddenly turned pale and pale, as if he was about to faint.

"Your Majesty is still thoughtful and thoughtful, and this servant will go right away." Mi Qing responded with her usual expression, turned around and left as she said.

Seeing Mi Qing heading towards the Tai Hospital with the medicine, Xiang Lin's heart beat wildly.

Several thoughts flashed through her mind. She knew about it the day she came to deliver the medicine. She knew that what she delivered was not an ordinary anti-abortion medicine, but someone with ulterior motives added "materials".But Zheng Guibin didn't tell her this matter because of trust, she still didn't have such a face around Zheng Guibin.

She woke up one night to relieve herself, but saw that the light was still shining in Concubine Zheng's room, and her curiosity made her sneak over.I happened to hear the conversation between Concubine Zheng Gui and a strange court lady in the room,

The voice is very low and cannot be heard clearly.

Although she couldn't recognize whose voice it was, her words clearly mentioned "the order of Concubine Ni Gui of Xifu Palace", talking about "antifetal medicine", "abortion", "children"...the darkest things in the palace... Phrases.

She knew it was important, so she didn't dare to say anything, pretended she didn't hear anything, and tiptoed back to her room to sleep.

When Xianglin was sent to deliver these things the next day, she even took over the task happily. Why should a girl who is lower than herself be favored and pregnant? She was deeply angry, so she came here with the medicine in a gloating attitude.

If this batch of medicine is sent to the Imperial Hospital, although the maid of Xifu Palace seems to have repeatedly assured Zheng Guifei that it is a strange medicine called red vine, no one will know it.is it possible?No, it must be an excuse. Famous doctors from all over the world are gathered in Tai Hospital, so how could there be medicinal materials that cannot be identified?This is just an excuse to let Zheng Guibin work for them with peace of mind.How can I believe it?
Well, this matter will definitely be exposed soon, that's for sure.Concubine Zheng Gui is dead, and everything is settled, but what about the other people involved in this matter?Poison the emperor!What a serious crime!I'm afraid that everyone in the palace will be implicated, and there will be no place to die.I was also included, and just now Concubine Su said that the medicine was delivered by herself, and when the results of the imperial physician's examination came out, she would definitely not be able to escape.

What should I do?The more she thought about it, the more frightened she became, Xianglin's body couldn't help shaking.

Su Mi held the teacup leisurely, sipping the tea, admiring her expression, she was not in a hurry, this girl was not too stupid, she knew how to choose.

The only way out right now is...

(End of this chapter)