Lady Zhao

Chapter 57

In the bedroom of Yanxi Palace, cloud-top sandalwood is used as beams, crystal jade is used as lamps, and a crocodile twirled tent is hung beside the six-foot wide bed of agarwood wood, and begonia flowers are embroidered with pearls and silver threads all over the tent, and the wind blows. , Like falling into a cloud mountain and a magical sea.A huge moon bead hangs on the top of the treasure in the hall, shining like a bright moon.

The ground is paved with white jade, embedded with golden beads, the ground is chiseled into a lotus, and it looks like five lotus flowers in blossom. From this, it can be seen that the current emperor's love for the noble concubine Yue is not the same as that of the queen's Jingren Palace.

In the middle of the hall, there is a five-story gilded eight-treasure lotus seat heater, and the silver charcoal inside is twinkling, making the inner room warm.

Gu Jingxing came to pay his respects, took off his outer robe, and Gong'e put it away for him, holding a small tea tray carved and painted with black lacquer flowers, and passed tea to the sixth prince.

The noble concubine Yue sat in front of the exquisite piano table, dressed in a light green palace dress with double nests of cloud and geese, with a wide skirt winding behind her, elegant and luxurious.A few invincible flowers tributed from the Western Regions are placed in the delicate and small porcelain vase at the corner of the table, which smudges with fragrance.

"My son, pay respects to my mother and concubine." Gu Jingxing said respectfully.

"There are no outsiders here, so you don't need to talk about these empty etiquettes. Come here and let my concubine take a look." The noble concubine Yue came from a family in the south of the Yangtze River, and she spoke softly with Wu Nong's gentleness, "Why is she thinner than last time I looked at you, mansion How do the superiors serve the master? According to me, you should follow what I said before and pick some smart people from the palace to your house, but you don't want them."

"I've always disliked crowds, and I'm used to the old people in the mansion, so that's fine." Gu Jingxing politely refused.

Concubine Yue looked at the child who had been silent for a while, with helplessness on her brows. The child seemed to have changed after that incident. As she grew older, she became more gloomy and indifferent. is worried.After Gu Jingxing passed Jiguan, he always wanted someone to take care of him, but no matter whether it was to give it to someone directly, or to make a tentative inquiry, Gu Jingxing sealed himself tightly like a clam shell, and no one could get close to him. his body.

Over the years, there was only Feng Yuxiu by her side, which made Concubine Yue very worried, and every time she saw Feng Yuxiu, she always sighed secretly that it was a pity that she was not a daughter.Fortunately, this year's Qionghua Banquet allowed him to take the initiative to participate, so that Concubine Yue saw hope, and asked with a smile on her lips, "It's not your style to show off at the Qionghua Banquet, and it was too late to avoid it in the past... But Do you have a girl you like?"

"..."

"It's okay to talk to my concubine. My concubine is also curious about which girl can catch your eyes. If there is no problem with learning and conduct, I can help you. After all, you are not young." Yue Guifei The more excited he said.

Gu Jingxing stared at the concubine Shangyue's expectant eyes, and the name twitched on the tip of his tongue, but he didn't say it after all, "The concubine mother will know when the time comes."

The implication is that there is a real one, Yue Guifei's eyes lighted up, but seeing what he meant, she refused to say more, so she had to let it go.Jing Xing can get enlightened and don't have to live a life like an ascetic monk, which is perfect for her.These years, she has been favored by the emperor, and Jing Xing is indeed capable. She was crowned king at a young age, but in the government and the opposition, and in the harem, she understands the truth that Mu Xiu must be destroyed by the forest wind, so she has always kept it. With a little worry.

Fortunately, Gu Jingxing didn't make her worry too much. On the contrary, because of his excellence, he stabilized her mother's position, so that she could sleep peacefully in the harem, but there was very little she could do for him.

"You were the one who did what happened to Jing Qing. You knew that he was on good terms with Crown Prince Jing Feng, but you humiliated him like that and passed it on to your father..."

"Mother and concubine are worrying too much. If I can do this, they will not be able to open my mouth." Gu Jingxing put on a comforting smile, and cut off Concubine Yue's words, "I have my own measure."

He is no longer the ignorant child he was back then. His peers taught him how cruel the reality is with their blood. In this world, the weak prey on the strong. If you are not strong, you will sooner or later become food for others, leaving only bones.The beautiful woman in front of me was raised in the deep palace, and she was able to retain a bit of innocence. It was the protection provided by his father and himself. What he had to face outside the palace was much more bloody than fighting in the harem. Pain, sooner or later, will be returned a hundred times and a thousand times.

Concubine Yue twisted her eyebrows and sighed, "I know you don't like to hear these things, but now the queen's family has a solid foundation, and the prince's ability is limited, but there is no major fault, and he will inherit the great rule in the future. The second prince has ambitions. The emperor also praised him, but the power behind him is no match for the crown prince, so he will not be able to get a good one after all, and the concubine mother does not want you to be involved in it, I am afraid that in the future... I will not be able to get away. "

Gu Jingxing's hand holding on to the teacup paused, put away his previous casual look, a trace of helplessness crossed his face, and patiently comforted him.If you don't want to get involved, you're already in it, and you can't turn back.

Unknowingly when a catkin-like light snow fell outside the hall, Gu Jingxing bid farewell to Concubine Yue, took the oil-paper umbrella handed over by Gong'e and walked out.The snowflakes have not yet grown big, covering the sky and the earth like a veil, and the distant mountain Daiyin is indistinct. The snow dew is blowing the tall and slender Pteris bamboo, swaying and swaying.

The snow in early winter was mixed with chill, but it made Gu Jingxing feel quite comfortable and extremely clear.On the way to Ci'an Palace, a palace lady hurried past to salute and escape from the snow. When she reached the side of Yongxi Lake, she happened to meet an old friend.

Her jet-black hair hangs gracefully around her slender waist, her head is curled up in a coquettish and unique flying cloud bun, a magnolia hairpin is inserted into the lightly curled temples, and an exquisite and translucent wreath string is hung on her neck. She is wearing a lavender double-breasted dress embroidered with beads. The brocade pattern of group flowers, the inner cover is a jade-colored smoked radish and silver silk gauze shirt, lined with a moon-white and pink water lily short waist jacket, and a piece of light blue soft gauze from Jicui Mountain is gently wrapped around the waist.

The snowflakes wet her forehead and hair, adding a bit of cuteness and pitifulness.Gu Jingxing looked at Zhao Wenxi who was standing on the path leading to Ci'an Palace, covering his head with his hands but had nowhere to hide, paused, and walked over.

The oil-paper umbrella tilted to block the wind and rain for her, but there was enough distance between the two of them.

As early as the moment Zhao Wenxi saw the person, a deer bumped his chest, his ears turned red, and he thanked him in a low voice.The lowered eyes were full of joy after success.

"Aunt Jin went to get an umbrella, and she will be back in a while. Is the sixth prince going to the empress dowager's place?"

"En." Gu Jingxing responded, his eyes glanced at the upturned exquisite jade face, somehow, another person appeared in his mind, a more ostentatious beauty, Gu Jing, who had already sensed his own heart, walked away, If it was before, she would definitely like such a gentle and pleasant person, but the touch of cinnabar came into her eyes, and everything turned pale.

Zhao Wenxi noticed his gaze fixed on her body, her cheeks became more and more fiery, and a tinge of joy rose in her heart, and she thought that the sixth prince was also... but she heard the cold voice suddenly say, "Leave this umbrella to the second girl." .”

After all, Zhao Wenxi was about to step back into the snow when Zhao Wenxi was astonished, but reacted quickly with his hand, and held Gu Jingxing's hand holding the oil-paper umbrella regardless of etiquette, "Does the lord like sister?"

Gu Jingxing paused, his gaze swept over the slender jade hand that was resting on his own, and stopped on the woman's lip-biting hesitant face, flashing a dim light.

Not far from the two, Zhao Wenwan, who had just come out of the Ci'an Palace, saw this scene. Under the snow curtain, the male and female protagonists were beautiful and beautiful, comparable to an idol drama.

At the moment, the hero of the idol drama seemed to be coaxing with a low and magnetic voice, "What do you want to say to me?"

Zhao Wenxi bit her lips and looked very embarrassed, then raised her eyes and looked at Gu Jingxing affectionately, as if she couldn't bear to lie, "Sister, she... and her cousin went to the Qixi Lantern Festival together, and it was rumored in the house that the two of them were close, and later entered the palace , same...Young Master Tongfang seems to be affectionate, I...just afraid that you, my lord, will get hurt."

Gu Jingxing narrowed his eyes slightly, with a smile on the corner of his mouth, which made Zhao Wenxi stare intently, unaware that his clumsy concealment made Gu Jingxing, who was used to seeing people, see through it. He thought it was a simple person, but he didn't expect...

Not intending to stay any longer, Gu Jingxing forcibly gave up the umbrella, took a step away from her, and said with a light smile, "It's my king's business to like Zhao Wenwan, what has it to do with you."

After finishing speaking, he turned around and found a pretty figure with his back facing him, walking a little faster in the opposite direction.Gu Jingxing was bathed in the light snow, and because of Zhao Wenwan, he felt the long-lost sense of impatience.

How much did this person see?
Watching Gu Jingxing's tall figure leave without hesitation, Zhao Wenxi, who was standing alone with an umbrella on his face, was blushing and blushing. Gu Jingxing's last words hit her in the face, mocking her self-indulgence.The back of the hand holding the umbrella handle was so hard that the veins burst out, but he wanted to tear the culprit apart.

Zhao Wenwan, it's Zhao Wenwan again!
The Fanghua Hall and Fangfei Hall in the West Palace are next to each other. The former is the empress dowager's idea to keep the three sisters of the Zhao family to live there, and the latter is the residence of the Princess Jinping and the little queen Xueyuan, the Marquis of Anyuan. It is also the place where the empress stayed after the Qionghua banquet. of.

Zhao Wenwan has the mentality of being safe when he comes, and spends his free time with the Queen Mother, and never goes out to show off when there is nothing to do. She won the first prize at the Qionghua Banquet, and it is inevitable that someone will be jealous. The palace is no better than the house, it is always better to be careful.What amazed her the most was Zhao Wenxi's attitude. Yesterday she caught him talking shoulder to shoulder with the sixth prince, which logically was a matter of course. Why did he still look at her like a needle, as if he had been robbed of something? .

It was also the scene of bumping into each other, which made Zhao Wenwan more determined to stay away from the male lead. Of course, if possible, Zhao Wenxi had better stay away, but it was impossible before she got married, and she would never do it for It's all to avoid the two of them wronging their marriage.

Miss Wang's family lives next door. How could Zhao Wenwan miss this golden opportunity? Compared to Zhao Wenxi's "single-mindedness", Zhao Wenwan was disgusted by Wang Xueyuan's act of courting Qin Muchu and wanting to catch her elder brother as a spare tire. She secretly thought about how to get rid of this evil thing.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Wenwan was delivered to the door by himself before he could do anything.Princess Jinping held Wang Xueyuan's arm and entered Fanghua Hall together. Compared with the former who greeted Zhao Wenwan graciously, Wang Xueyuan's face looked a little ugly, probably still thinking about Zhao Wenwan framed her to make a fool of herself that day. This one seems to have been dragged by Princess Jinping to accompany him.

Princess Jinping watched the two parties occupying a corner of the room, with a smile on his lips, walked towards Zhao Wenwan who was reading alone with a book, and sat down next to each other. "Sister is so elegant, now she looks more bookish."

These few books in the palace were found by Princess Yongping to relieve Zhao Wenwan's boredom. Because of Zhao Yuanli's relationship, the two of them developed a relationship by leaps and bounds. They exchanged Zhao Yuanli's preferences for the traces of the sixth prince, and Yongping only regarded her as a girl with the same feelings as himself. Little did they know that Zhao Wenwan was avoiding Gu Jingxing like a snake and a scorpion.

"The princess was joking, but it was just to relieve boredom." Zhao Wenwan smiled, let Gong'e watch tea, and cast a meaningful glance at Wang Xueyuan who sat down with him, "Miss Wang, you are all right here."

Wang Xueyuan was stunned for a moment, feeling a little apprehensive about Zhao Wenwan's moody attitude, so she greeted her.

Master Jinping knew the grievances between the two, and was happy to watch the excitement. Seeing that the two did not break up, she felt regretful and at the same time did not forget the business of coming here. At the dinner at Chuxiu Palace one night, the batch of golden crabs transported from the East China Sea are big and fat, and they are quite delicious!"

Hearing this, Zhao Wenxuan, who was embroidering with a silver bandage, raised her ears to Zhao Wenxi. Princess Jinping glanced over and saw the mandarin duck embroidered handkerchief that was about to take shape in her hand. Somehow, she thought of something and her face darkened, and her tone was not cloudy. Yang Dao said, "The emperor will also be present at that time, as well as princes and ministers. I don't worry about sister Wan, it's just that the two sisters have learned the rules... just don't make mistakes like they did during the Qionghua Banquet."

These words were even said by Zhao Wenxi, insinuating upbringing, Zhao Wenxi bit her lips weakly and looked wronged, Zhao Wenxuan's unreasonable run on Princess Jinping in the past two days has become angry. Resisting it, she raised her voice and said intentionally, "Sister's embroidery is really beautiful, her red dress is emerald green, and her stalks are blooming with lotuses. Is it a gift for your sweetheart? The most important thing for a daughter's family is to find a good home. Upbringing is important, but this reputation and Skillful hands are also indispensable."

After all, he glanced at Princess Jinping meaningfully, and the two looked at each other, and there was a faint spark of electricity.The corner of Zhao Wenwan's mouth smiled, and he took a long sip from the teacup, watching the fire from the other side, tsk, the beam is getting bigger and bigger.

"Master, Miss Zhao's teacups are so unique, and the tea she brews has a special flavor." Wang Xueyuan looked at the situation, fearing that Princess Jinping would not be able to hold back her temper, so she changed the subject. .

Princess Jinping looked away angrily, and didn't want to let others see the joke. He held back his breath and waited for the opportunity.Going down Wang Xueyuan's steps, she glanced at the teacup that was indeed different, and then said, "My sister has a lot of good things here."

"This teacup was dropped by Princess Yongping last time, and it's not my reward." Zhao Wenwan smiled lightly, and caught a glimpse of the shiny object between the wrists of the two of them drinking tea. It was not extraordinary, and had never been seen before , Then the line of sight stayed for a while.

Seeing this, Princess Jinping deliberately lifted the red gold silk-wrapped agate bracelet on her wrist, and said with a smile, "The meeting gift from the Empress, sister Xueyuan's silver-leaf silk-wrapped emerald jade bracelets are all made by Ban Qin, a famous craftsman in the capital. Hands, my sister's hands are white, even the crown prince said it looks good in this!"

"Princess..." Wang Xueyuan blushed suddenly, and cast a shy glance, "His Royal Highness obviously praised you too."

Zhao Wenwan silently watched the two show off, taking Wang Xueyuan's meticulous reaction into his eyes, and then a strange light flashed when he looked at Wang Xueyuan's wrist.The two of them had shown off enough, seeing Zhao Wenwan's silence, they just regarded it as envy and jealousy, exchanged greetings contentedly, and left hand in hand.

Just after the unitary hour, the palace lanterns outside the corridor were lit one by one, and the banquet began, and all kinds of delicacies were served like flowing water, and the maids at each table cleverly warmed the wine and served the concubines, courtiers, and wives.

Today's main feature is the whole crab feast, plump and plump steamed hairy crabs with red paste, drunken eight immortals, flat bridge tofu soup with crab powder, shrimp and crab Zhenghui with crystal clear shrimp, crab roe and fragrant boiled small river prawns, deep-fried and steamed There are three methods of stir-frying and stir-frying, showing the deliciousness of the ingredients from three different tastes: crispy, tender, and fragrant... Finally, the crab roe Xiaolongbao with fresh fruit is the finale. The soup of Xiaolongbao is rich and delicious, and the fresh fruit is refreshing and delicious. Benefit, the teeth and cheeks remain fragrant.

The three of Zhao Wenwan were arranged not far below the empress dowager, and it was still a table for two. Zhao Wenxi and Zhao Wenxuan took their seats together early, and Princess Yongping appeared beside her just in time, and pulled her to the front seat with the empress dowager. That position was much ahead of the two of Zhao Wenxi, just facing the Sixth Prince, but Zhao Wenxi was suffocated.

Gu Jingxing didn't know whether it was intentional or not, he sat in the same seat with Feng Yuxiu, and the latter lost the pressure of his identity, and grinned at Zhao Wenwan opposite him as a greeting, and saw Zhao Wenwan's paralyzed face exactly like Gu Jingxing's, slammed She snapped off the crab's leg, and then took a cool look at Feng Yuxiu. She felt that it was her own leg that she wanted to break off more.

This is venting anger!
Seeing this scene, Gu Jingxing knew that Feng Yuxiu had been removed from Zhao Wenwan's future husband-in-law list because of himself, and he felt secretly refreshed, but he didn't show it on the surface, his serious appearance made it impossible to see what he was thinking.

Throughout the meal, Zhao Wenwan kept his face sullen and paralyzed, staring at Gu Jingxing while handling the crabs, and dismembered the crabs very neatly.This scene fell into the eyes of others, most of whom believed in obsessive rumors. Only Gu Jingxing knew that she had replaced the crab in his place, secretly venting her anger, and finally there was a smile on her usually cold and expressionless face, like a flash in the pan. The person who caught it thought he was dazzled.

After the banquet, the maids removed their plates one after another and served melon and fruit snacks.The female relatives sat around one place, or strolled around the Imperial Garden under the moonlight, which was also a special feeling. The Crown Princess has always been slick, and besides helping the queen to organize this dinner properly, she also has a good way of greeting and entertaining guests. Along with many imperial concubines, side concubines, dignitaries and wives, they swam together.

Princess Yongping seemed to be lacking in interest, but Zhao Wenwan pulled her away, saying that she got excited after watching a good show, and mixed in with the princess' team.

The silver moonlight was smeared, and for the convenience of leaving the table, the crown prince Gu Jingfeng was dressed in a red robe, standing at the moment, with a handsome face and a bit of wine, staring at the little girl in front of him, "Miss Wang?"

"His Royal Highness." Wang Xueyuan's cheeks were hot from his focused gaze, and the gushing smell of alcohol diffused, making her seem to be drunk, "I don't know why Your Highness called the little girl here?"

Gu Jingfeng was drunk, seeing no one around, the corner of his mouth was slightly teased, "Did you come when I called you?"

Wang Xueyuan had long heard her cousin, the princess, mention how handsome and pampered the prince was, and she naturally yearned for it after hearing so much. Now that she is in front of her, talking to her so tenderly, the secret emotions hidden in her heart suddenly swell. , Twisting the handkerchief very coyly.

The prince, who was still under the influence of drunkenness, suddenly saw a familiar figure at the head, suddenly put away the smile on his face, and said coldly, "Miss Wang, respect yourself."

Wang Xueyuan watched him change face without knowing why, and hurriedly called His Royal Highness, which can be said to be full of affection.His Highness the Crown Prince was blown by the cold wind, completely sobered up, frowned at her like a troublesome object, immediately left, walked a few steps forward, and met the smiling Crown Princess. "I'm looking for you, it's cold outside, why don't you wear more clothes when you come out."

The concubine's eyes turned around on Wang Xueyuan, then fell back on the prince, and said with a smile, "The concubine is not a three-year-old child, it's a joke to watch so closely, the father and the officials are still ahead , go back quickly."

Hearing the soft words again, the prince turned back and turned back, but Wang Xueyuan, who had been frozen in place since the appearance of the princess, strode away with great strides, as if she didn't exist.

There are quite a few people behind the Crown Princess. Now that you are talking quietly, most of the eyes that fall on Wang Xueyuan are contemptuous. Fortunately, she is still a lady, and she is here to seduce the Crown Prince. , and let the Crown Princess catch him. Thinking that she and the Crown Princess belong to the same clan, I feel extremely shameless.

The voice was thin and broken, and the sharp words flowed into the ears. Wang Xueyuan met the cold gaze of the Crown Princess, and her whole body became cold, and she begged for mercy in horror, "Prince Princess, things are not what you think..."

(End of this chapter)