Golden branches and jade leaves

Chapter 38
Qi Taki was holding a booklet in his hand, and it had been almost half an hour, but he hadn't turned over a single page. He seemed to be reading the booklet, and his thoughts might have gone somewhere.

Su Mi served quietly at the side without any interruption.

After looking at it for a while, Qi Taki suddenly threw the folder he had been staring at for a long time on the table, and stood up distractedly.He walked to the window and looked at the increasingly verdant branches outside. A gust of wind blew by, making a sound like pine waves, mixed with the melodious and clear chirping of birds, lush and green, burning its flowers.

Qi Long looked at it for a while, and finally asked: "Mi'er, have you ever heard that..." After speaking half a sentence, he stopped talking, as if hesitating to speak.

Su Mi stepped forward and picked up the gold silk cloak that was put on the side, put it on for Qi Taki, and said softly: "The spring is expected to be cold, the emperor must pay attention to ensuring his health."

Qi Taki gave a absent-minded "hmm" and didn't answer, continuing to look out the window, thinking about something.

Seeing these, Su Mi naturally understood in her heart that the rumor must have entered his ears.

Earlier, she asked Xiao Luzi to spread the rumor secretly, but she didn't ask him to spread it to the emperor's ears. Anyway, she didn't have such power, and it was too dangerous.Just spread the rumor to Xifu Palace or Gao Shengnuo, Ni Yelin will never let go of this opportunity.According to the power of the Ni family, it would not be difficult for the rumors to reach Qi Long's ears.

Human beings are inherently rich in associations, and this is especially true for people in the court.Such rumors had appeared in the early years of Qi Long's succession to the throne, but they were quickly subdued under strong suppression, and now they have revived again, which cannot but make people think more.

Seeing Qi Taki's reaction now, I'm afraid I have some doubts in my heart.

Su Mi smiled, and asked softly: "Is there any trouble for the emperor? Why are you so frowning? It must be that group of unconscious veterans in the court who are bothering the emperor again."

Qi Taki shook his head and said, "Mi'er, do you know that there is a rumor circulating in the palace recently?"

"The concubine has heard of it." Su Mi replied with a smile.

Qi Long was stunned for a moment. He originally thought that Su Mi must say that he had never heard of it. After all, such a matter related to the secrets of the palace, no one would take the initiative to recruit him. It is common sense to protect oneself wisely.

"The emperor is talking about rumors about the emperor's life experience this time?" Su Mi smiled calmly: "The palace has always been good at fabricating all kinds of incidents out of nothing. Didn't the emperor also have such rumors when he inherited the throne? Now it's just a rumor. It's just a resurgence, why should the emperor worry about it?"

"I'm not worried..." Qi Long paused, and remained silent for a moment without knowing what to say.

"Then... the emperor is suspicious?" Su Mi asked tentatively.

Qi Taki nodded hesitantly, and said, "Actually, when I just took over the throne, I heard such rumors..." The rest of the words were left unsaid.

Su Mi knew in her heart that Qi Long might have become suspicious back then, but his successful succession to the throne had an inseparable relationship with his status as the empress dowager's son. How could this possibility shake his legitimacy of the throne? Rumors spread?Don't say it's just a rumor, even if the evidence was conclusive at the time, Qi Long would have to denounce these words as false rumors to confuse the public and suppress them wantonly.

The situation is different now, Qi Long has gradually secured his seat in the past few years since he succeeded to the throne, and the power of the Wang family does not bring him the same help as before, but instead is a hindrance to the imperial power.

I'm afraid it's not just because of such a simple rumor, but because Qi Taki has always had such a grudge in his heart.

This time the rumors were very clear, and it was even conclusively stated that Qi Taki's original biological mother was a concubine who lived in the Duyue Palace, but it was a pity that she died shortly after giving birth without knowing why.

"Since the emperor is worried, why didn't he order a thorough investigation?" Su Mi asked suspiciously.

"It's not that simple," Qi Long sighed, "The Wang family is so powerful now, Mi'er doesn't know how many civil servants in the court are former disciples of the Wang family, and how many military generals are relatives of the Wang family. If I If such an edict is really issued, it will inevitably attract criticism from the courtiers. And..."

And now that Wang She is leading the army, of course he can't and dare not make such a move to sway people's hearts. Su Mi secretly filled in the words for him.

"Since this is the case, wouldn't it be good for someone to investigate secretly?" Su Mi asked again.

"It's hard to do that," Qi Taki shook his head, "After all, it was an old story more than 20 years ago. Most of the palace people back then are no longer in the palace, especially the nuns who served the harem, and none of them were old. How can people still find the land?"

Su Mi was secretly suspicious. It seems that Qi Long couldn't help but secretly sent someone to investigate when the rumors first started. Such a move was so reckless. I don't know if the Wang family has noticed it. What if the Wang family finds out...

"The old people back then..." Su Mi pondered for a while, then suddenly clapped her hands and laughed, "Aren't there still concubines in the palace?"

"The earliest concubines and concubines in the palace have been in the palace for 11 years." Qi Long shook his head and said, "But..." He thought, this method is feasible, if his biological mother is really not the queen mother If so, they must also be concubines. These concubines who served the emperor personally in those days must have known some clues.

"In today's harem, apart from the empress dowager, the most distinguished concubine is Miaoyi. She is usually kind and has many friends. Why don't you send someone secretly to ask about the dowager's intentions?" Su Mi suggested road.

Qi Taki pondered.

Seeing his hesitation, Su Mi knew that it was better to stop this matter immediately, and said: "Actually, these things may as well be discussed later, between Yichen and concubine, the emperor has been connected with the queen mother and her mother and son all these years, and the affection is deep and deep." The emperor's deep kindness to the royal family is seen by the whole world. Now that there are such rumors of slandering the queen mother out of thin air, and now everyone in the palace is looking at the emperor, the emperor must not act rashly at this time. What would the Wang family think if it fell into the eyes of someone with a heart? What would the queen mother think?"

"Well," Qi Taki nodded, and said with a gloomy expression, "Now, that's all I can do." He turned his head and looked out the window, where the sky was gradually getting dark and it was going to rain again.

Su Mi smiled wanly, the anguish of being forcibly suppressed will only make the unhappiness buried in her heart more serious, and it will definitely make the next outbreak more intense.

Soon, Qi Taki issued a decree, ordering to severely punish those who dared to spread rumors, and finally the turmoil in the palace began to gradually subside.However, what calmed down on the surface actually caused waves in people's hearts, which no one can fathom or measure.

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"You said Concubine Miaoyi is ill?" Su Mi asked.

"Yes." Xiao Luzi replied, just now Su Mi sent him to the Compassionate Ning Palace to find out the situation: "The slave just went there, and saw a few eunuchs walking back and forth there from a distance, and their deeds were very strange. It was suspicious. I didn't approach it. I asked a little eunuch guarding the palace next to it. He said it was an infectious disease. Now only a few imperial doctors can enter it, and no one else is allowed in. I have heard of some In the days to come, Concubine Miaoyi must be moved out of the palace to recuperate."

Move out of the palace?Su Mi pondered. It seems that the Queen Mother knew something. It's no wonder that there are so many people in the palace who know the past, and Miaoyi's actions to defend herself on the day of the birthday banquet are too obvious. .

The empress dowager's move was really vicious, I'm afraid that after moving out of the palace, concubine Miaoyi will naturally "die of illness" in a few days.

We must find an opportunity to speak to Qi Taki's ear.It is absolutely impossible to let people out of the palace.

In the middle of the night, in the Palace of Ganlu, Qi Taki had already fallen asleep after Xuan Ni was gentle, and Su Mi was lying in Qi Taki's arms gently, thinking about how to deal with it tomorrow. She had just told Qi Taki that she wanted to visit When it comes to the matter of Concubine Miaoyi, Qi Long does not suspect him.

In the drowsy state, he was suddenly awakened by a noise outside.

Su Mi turned over, and the sound outside was getting closer and closer. After a while, someone knocked lightly on the door twice, and then Gao Shengnuo's voice came softly: "Your Majesty... "

Looking back at Qi Long sleeping soundly, Su Mi asked in a low voice, "What's the matter, what's the matter, why is it so noisy outside?"

"Your Majesty," Gao Shengnuo replied in a low voice, "there is a flood in the palace, and everyone is rushing to put out the fire."

"Did it run out of water? Where is it?" Su Mi sat up quickly and put on her clothes.

"It's at the Cining Palace in the west." Gao Shengnuo replied, "The people from the Ministry of Internal Affairs are already rushing to put out the fire. I don't know exactly which palace it is, but it's almost in the Jingshengzhai area."

Compassionate Palace, Jingshengzhai!

Su Mi lifted the curtain: "What?!"

Qi Taki was alarmed, opened his eyes, and asked with a bit of drowsiness: "What's wrong?"

Before Su Mi could speak, Gao Shengnuo outside had already replied in a low voice: "Your Majesty, it's the Jingshengzhai side of the palace that got flooded."

Qi Taki was puzzled for a while, obviously not remembering which side Jingshengzhai was on.Su Mi quickly said: "Your Majesty, Jingsheng Zhai is in the Palace of Compassion and Ning, if the fire is too fierce, it will reach the Palace of Compassion and Ning..."

Only then did Qi Long get nervous, and got up quickly, the palace man on duty came in and took the clothes and cloak, Su Mi put it on for Qi Long, and then put on the clothes himself, before he had time to comb his hair, he hurried out the door.When I came to the porch and looked to the west from a distance, it seemed that half of the sky was burning red and the smoke was burning.

"The fire is so big?!" Su Mi asked in shock, "Miao... how are the queen mother and the concubines?"

No one could answer her question.

The clever palace people outside had already prepared the chariot, at this moment Su Mi didn't bother to refuse, and got on the chariot with Qi Long and rushed to the Palace of Compassion.

Arriving at the Palace of Compassion and Ning, I saw many servants of the inner prison rushing forward anxiously with buckets in hand.

When we got close, the fire was smoky, and the heat wave hit our faces.Qi Long stopped the carriage, got down and looked around, Gao Shengnuo quickly supported Qi Long and walked forward.

"How is the Queen Mother?" Qi Long asked.

The little eunuch nearby saw Qi Long's imperial chariot, and hurried over to report: "The queen mother is fine, but she was frightened, she moved out of the palace when the fire just started, and now she is in Qiuqi Palace. "

Hearing that the Queen Mother was safe, Qi Long heaved a sigh of relief and asked, "What happened to the fire?"

"Your Majesty, don't worry, the fire has been brought under control now. Fortunately, it rained a few days ago, the ground was still a little wet, and there is a pool at the east end of the Compassionate Ning Palace, so the fire did not spread." The eunuch replied, While leading Qi Long to the place where the Queen Mother is.Su Mi also got off the frame and followed behind.

When everyone reached Qiuqi Palace, they didn't even enter the palace gate. Under a big tree, the Empress Dowager was standing there tremblingly, surrounded by a group of maids and eunuchs.

"Why did the emperor come here? The fire is fierce, what if the dragon's body is injured." The queen mother saw Qi Long approaching, her face changed, and she said immediately.

Su Mi looked at the Empress Dowager's face with some doubts. When she saw Qi Long, Su Mi saw the panic at that moment.

Is it just because of the fright of the fire, or because of a guilty conscience?Why was the place where the fire happened to be Jingshengzhai, where Concubine Miaoyi lived?
"The queen mother is in danger, how can the children not serve the left and right?" Qi Long stepped forward and waved back the maid on one side, supporting the queen mother and said.

"The Ai family is an old bone, and there are a lot of slaves around, so there is no danger, but the emperor should be careful." The queen mother said anxiously.

"My son understands." Qi Long responded casually: "The queen mother is frightened, and according to the son and minister, don't stay here for a long time. Why don't the mother and son sit in the hall together." The Empress Dowager walked towards the palace gate.

"Wait, Ai's family sees that this place is not a safe place, maybe the fire is about to burn over, so let's go to Fengyi Palace. It's better to be safe." The Queen Mother stopped her.

"Since it's the queen mother's intention, let's set up Fengyi Palace." Qi Long responded kindly.The attendants around served the two of them and walked towards the chariot.

Su Mi wanted to keep up, but just took a step, then retreated, seeing that no one was paying attention, she walked towards the Palace of Compassion and Peace.The closer she got, the more terrifying the fire was. She grabbed a young eunuch who was running hurriedly with a bucket in her hand, and asked, "How is the fire rescue going? Where's Princess Miaoyi?"

The little eunuch was caught by someone and was about to lose his temper when he turned his head and saw Su Mi's clothes were disheveled, but just from the silk cloak that shone with watery luster, he knew that he must be a mistress.Immediately changed his face, and replied respectfully: "Returning to the master, the place where the water first flowed was the Jingshengzhai of Princess Miaoyi's old man, and I don't know what's going on inside. "

Su Mi's heart sank, and at this time he heard He Yuwang's voice not far away, "Quick! Quick! Hurry up! You gang of useless killers, if the fire spreads to the main hall , to see how you explain it."

A group of young eunuchs were like headless flies, and he directed them to scatter around, flying like dogs and dogs.

Su Mi stepped forward and asked, "Director He."

He Yuwang was startled when he heard Su Mi's voice. He turned his head and looked for a while before he recognized Su Mi. He couldn't help asking in surprise: "Ah, master, why are you here? Water and fire have no eyes, what if you hurt me?" What can you do?"

"Let me ask you, how is the fire going now? Did Concubine Miaoyi come out?" Su Mi hurriedly asked, not in the mood to be polite to him.

"Where can we save people? The Jingsheng Zhai is probably completely burned out, and the old concubine Miaoyi is probably... alas," He Yuwang said with a bitter face, "Now the servant is leading people to put out the fire. I just pray that the fire will never reach the main hall of the Compassionate Ning Palace. I don’t know how frightened the Queen Mother is now? If there is something wrong with the old man, the servants will not have enough heads to chop off. Yes."

Su Mi was not interested in listening to his complaints, so she turned around and looked forward.

But He Yuwang shook his head behind him and sighed: "The fire is also strange. How did it start? It's still burning so fiercely."

Who set it on fire?Is it because the queen mother was forced to kill and silence her?Su Mi was in a trance for a while. Although she didn't see Concubine Miaoyi many times, Miaoyi's high-spirited demeanor made her feel like an elder. Now...

Su Mi returned to Caiwei Palace.After sitting on the bed for almost an hour, the sky had gradually brightened. When he was in a daze, the door curtain was lifted, and Xiao Luzi, who had gone out to inquire about news, came in and said, "Master..."

"What's the matter?" Su Mi asked quickly.

"The fire was extinguished just now, and we have already found out that Concubine Miaoyi has indeed passed away unfortunately." Xiao Luzi said: "The body... has been found in the house."

Su Mi's face turned pale for a while, although she knew in her heart that this must be the result, she still felt uncomfortable for a while.

"Master," Xiao Luzi looked at Su Mi's expression, hesitated for a moment, and whispered, "There is another terrible rumor."

"What?" Su Mi asked casually.

"That's right..." Xiao Luzi looked around and said nervously: "When I went to inquire about the news just now, I heard a little eunuch serving near Jingshengzhai say that when the fire just started, there was a rumor in the house. The one who came out of Concubine Miaoyi yelled loudly. While shouting that she did not spread the rumors, and later scolding that the Queen Mother harmed her, killing people to silence her and so on. The people present at that time were terribly frightened."

"What..." After listening to Xiao Luzi's words, Su Mi couldn't help but change his face, and asked, "How many people heard it? Where are those people now?"

"Well, I heard that the voice was shrill and high-pitched, and everyone nearby must have heard it." Xiao Luzi said, "Now that the fire has just been saved, people are still staying near Jingshengzhai, but Director He Yuwang has served the Queen's order." The order was to thoroughly investigate the culprits who set the fire, and not long after the fire went down, all the people who were originally near Jingshengzhai were detained."

"Have you heard everything?" Su Mi hesitated.How is this possible?
Was it really the Queen Mother who did it?Su Mi was surprised, if it was the queen mother who made the move, how could so many people hear such a big flaw?
Especially now that the turmoil is on the cusp, the Queen Mother will definitely not lose her composure.If she really did it, it would be a thunderous blow, making it impossible for people to have a chance to refute.

Not the Queen Mother! ?
Who is that?
Su Mi suddenly thought of Concubine Miaoyi's resolute and desolate expression during the night talk.

At that time, she already knew that she might not live long, right?
Yes, that's it!
Especially after the queen mother ordered her to be put under house arrest in the name of illness, she also understood that when she left this palace, her life would be over, so she made such a determination and set her own palace on fire , so that all the eyeliners and guards fled one after another because they were afraid of the flames. Taking advantage of this gap, they shouted out the words that they had suppressed all their lives.

It is self-evident that her last words will bring much trouble to the queen mother and the Wang family.

Thinking of the empress dowager's flustered expression just now, it was not because she was guilty of guilt, but because she heard Dowager Miaoyi's last cry!

Su Mi smiled, but the smile was desolate, she only felt sore and unbearable in her heart.

After a long period of aloofness and scheming, he was involved in such a conspiracy.Su Mi suddenly remembered what Little Luzi had said before about Concubine Miaoyi's experience in the court, her children, and her family...

Such deep hatred made her painstakingly plan to regain favor, and serve her enemy respectfully.It's a pity that before she started to plan, the first emperor passed away suddenly.The irony is that because of her credit for flattering and flattering the queen mother, she survived and was able to be promoted safely to the rank of concubine without heirs.

These years, she has to smile and flatter her enemy every day, without even a glimmer of hope for revenge, how painful it is for her!Just from the premature Huafa, one can know how heart-piercing she will be.

How many people in this palace are truly happy?

The red face is dark, the old is white, the hair is new, how many springs are there when the sun is closed, the young is also bitter, and the old is also bitter, how about the young and the old?
In this deep palace, what is suffering is not only the loneliness and desolation of the palace flower, but also more conspiracies and traps, scheming for favor, more framing and planting, grievances are hard to forgive, making countless women white-haired and beautiful, and suffering for a lifetime... …

"Dress me up immediately," Su Mi turned her head and told Mi Qing, "I'm going to see the emperor."

Mi Qing raised her head to look at Su Mi, under the morning light, Su Mi's face showed a resolute yet sad beauty, like the dewdrops on the petals, charming and full of confidence.

Since Concubine Miaoyi has paved such a good road for her, she must go on as soon as possible, so as not to be ashamed of such a sacrifice.

Qi Long left the morning court and stepped into the Qianqing Palace, where Su Mi was already waiting.

Su Mi stepped forward and thoughtfully took off the court clothes for him, and put on ordinary casual clothes.

"Why did Mi'er come here so early today? The fire didn't scare you last night, did it?"

"The concubine is not in the way," Su Mi said with a smile, "I was just worried about the emperor, so I came here early. But the emperor was not injured by the fire, right?"

"What can I do." Qi Long said with a smile: "The idea of ​​the servants around me is still useful."

"I just don't know how the Queen Mother is doing?" Su Mi asked.

"The queen mother is in good health, but her spirit is not stable. I talked with her for a while yesterday, and it happened to be the time of the morning court, so I went directly to the court."

"That's fine, it's just that yesterday's fire was so scary that even the concubines were terrified." Su Mi said with lingering fear.

"Water and fire are merciless, yesterday was indeed dangerous."

While the two were talking, Gao Shengnuo came in, holding the volume in his hand, kowtowed and reported: "Your Majesty, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has just investigated the situation of the fire."

"How do you say it?" Qi Ting asked casually.

"Well, the reason is still being investigated, and the loss is just counted." Gao Shengnuo said while holding up the volume in his hand.

Qi Long didn't reach out to pick it up, instead he asked loudly: "I don't know the reason yet? Why are they on duty?! How can the palace take such a dangerous matter lightly? This time the Palace of Compassion and Ning is burning. The main hall did not hurt the Queen Mother. If it is the second time, what about the third time? Maybe at some point I will burn the Qianqing Palace!"

Gao Shengnuo lowered his head and dared not answer.Su Mi stepped forward to take the volume in his hand, walked to Qi Taki's side and persuaded softly: "Your Majesty, don't be angry, now it's all burned to a white ground, no wonder the people from the Ministry of Internal Affairs can't do anything for the time being if they want to investigate. Let’s get started, there’s no need to rush this matter.”

Qi Taki nodded noncommittally.

Su Mi turned to Gao Shengnuo and asked, "Is there a concubine in the palace who unfortunately died?"

"Returning to Master Lian, Concubine Miaoyi was unfortunately killed. Apart from that, no master was injured, and even the nearby concubines were frightened a lot."

"Princess Miaoyi?" There was a hint of doubt in Qi Long's voice, and he couldn't help turning his head to look at Su Mi. He still remembered that Su Mi had said last time that this Concubine Miaoyi was the highest ranking princess in the harem. One of the concubines, she has always been very popular.Thinking of this unexplained fire, he couldn't help but start to look a little ugly.

Su Mi looked at the words and expressions, and immediately said: "It's just that dangerous things like fires have to be investigated. I heard that the empress has locked up all the people in Jingshengzhai early in the morning and waited for investigation. Your Majesty, it is not too late. In this way Dangerous things must never happen a second time."

"That's right," Qi Taki nodded and said, "Let the Criminal Department take over."

Qi Taki actually wanted to use the Ministry of Criminal Justice!Su Mi was startled, it seemed that he was really suspicious, but knowing that there were no members of the Wang family in the Ministry of Punishment, Su Mi immediately smiled and said: "Your Majesty, there are a few words that I don't know whether to say or not?"

"Since you have something to say, let's listen to it. Mi'er's opinions are always reasonable." Qi Long said absently.

"I'm afraid it's inappropriate for the emperor to let the people from the Ministry of punishment take over this matter. The Palace of Compassion and Ning is located deep in the harem, and the officials of the Ministry of punishment are all men. I have disturbed all the concubines... I heard that several concubines have already fallen ill from the fire last night, if they are frightened again, will it make things worse?" Seeing that Qi Long's face was shaken, Su Mi hurriedly said: "Yichen Between concubines, it's better to let the Ministry of Internal Affairs investigate this matter for the time being, it's just that there is no commander to make decisions, it's better to ask a concubine to take charge."

Qi Long thought about it for a moment, calculating the gains and losses, and said: "That's fine, it's not appropriate for a man from the outer palace to go in and out of the palace after all, so let's do it according to Mier's wishes."

"Now that the Empress Dowager is frightened, I'm afraid her condition will worsen. The Empress is naturally at her wit's end. Fortunately, the Empress Dowager has always acted impartially and carefully, so why don't I invite Concubine Ni to deal with this matter?" Su Mi hurriedly said again .

Hearing Concubine Ni's name, Gao Shengnuo couldn't help but secretly looked up at Su Mi, then lowered his head without changing his expression.

"Well," Qi Long nodded, and said, "That's all, but this matter must be found out as soon as possible, Gao Shengnuo, go and tell Concubine Ni Gui to come here."

Gao Shengnuo hurriedly bowed his head in response and ran out.

Qi Taki opened the volume again, looking at the series of numbers in the volume, he felt a headache.

This fire started from Jingshengzhai and spread outwards to three or four palaces. The Jingshengzhai at the center was naturally reduced to ashes.The remaining three palaces were burned to half collapsed, and it seemed that they could no longer be inhabited.There are many more places that are smoky and miserable.

"Well, it just so happened that the Ministry of Industry was asked to repair the palace a few days ago, so let's also repair the Palace of Compassion and Ning along the way." Qi Long threw down the volume in his hand distractedly.

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Concubine Ni Gui took over to thoroughly investigate the whole story of the fire, and the results were soon available.

Concubine Ni Guizi's formal presentation clearly stated that it was because the maids in Concubine Miaoyi's palace accidentally ignited the curtain with a candle, which caused such a fire.Because the palace lady who caused the accident also died in the fire, Qi Taki ordered to reprimand the palace servants for their careful handling of the matter and let it go.

As for what Concubine Ni Gui reported in detail when she went to meet Qi Long after the investigation, naturally no one knew.

Afterwards, Qi Long made a special order to comfort the queen mother and the frightened concubines, and ordered the dead concubine Miaoyi to be buried with imperial concubine ceremony.And that night, the palace servants around Concubine Miaoyi, and even the eunuchs who went to put out the fire, were all accused by Qi Taki of poor service, carelessness, or ineffective firefighting, delaying matters, etc., not execution , that is, sent to the Department of Hard Labor.And ordered that no one should mention anything about that night.

Su Mi, the personal servant, can tell from her daily speech and behavior that Qi Long's dissatisfaction and doubts towards the Wang family have deepened.It's just that now that Wang She has led his troops to the front line, of course there can't be any unstable behavior in the rear.

This vigorous fire passed through in the strange silence of the palace people.

Volume Four: Evening Drum and Morning Bell·Lost and Hard to Return (End)
(End of this chapter)