Although he was suspicious of the female doctor who came inexplicably, he never saw her again, and there was no follow-up incident. After a while, everyone forgot about it. Half a month later, the Wanshou Festival is approaching, and the emperor decided to hold the ceremony of the concubine at the same time on this day, officially Jin Lan Concubine as Lan Guifei, and Mei Jieyu as Mei Guifei.

Because Jingzhen insisted on making Yang Muzhi a noble concubine, and the queen mother refused to snub Mei Xueshen, she put forward the theory that she was promoted to a "noble concubine" from the third grade: this rank will not surpass Concubine Min, who is prominent in the family and has potential qualifications, and is higher than other concubines, which highlights the praise for Mei Xueshen's sacrifice.

October 19 is the birthday of Emperor Yuan Feng, and the night before the palace was already very lively, and the craftsmen used colorful paintings, cloth and lanterns to decorate the palace walls and corridors. In the capital in late autumn, the night is already very cold, and the house is covered with a hot kang with a charcoal basin for heating. Ah Yuan came back from Yuntai Palace, his hands and feet were a little numb from the cold, and when he entered the house, he went straight to the stove that was not ashed, only to hear the incense approaching and said: "Don't be busy baking the fire, the fourth prince has been waiting for you for a long time." ”

Ah Yuan rubbed his hands and asked, "Didn't Xiao Linzi take him out to watch the excitement?" ”

Makika said: "Who knows, I came back early in the morning and said I wanted to see you." You're not here, and the fourth prince is in a hurry to lose his temper everywhere. It's also your last few days in the palace, you go quickly, don't alarm the Queen Mother, and then it's going to be a bad one. ”

Ah Yuan nodded and put his cloak back on. Now that Prince Ke's mansion has been completed, the personnel in the palace have been taken care of. Because of his meritorious rescue work, the emperor gave Jingyu a thousand acres of fertile land and 10,000 taels of gold, and as soon as the Wanshou Festival passed, he asked Ah Yuan to move to the palace with him.

She entered the Jingyu house, but saw Xiao Linzi pestle there, so she asked, "Where is the fourth prince?" ”

Xiao Linzi's expression was a little unnatural: "The fourth prince said that he was going to leave tomorrow and said goodbye to the Queen Mother." ”

Ah Yuan said "oh" in disbelief, and suddenly felt a gust of wind behind him, and then his eyes were blindfolded.

"Guess who I am?"

Ah Yuan sighed: "Fourth prince, don't make trouble." ”

Jingyu let go of his hand and said with a smile: "Sister Bodhisattva is amazing, I guessed it at once." ”

Ah Yuan asked, "What is the matter with the fourth prince looking for slaves and maids?" ”

Jingyu pulled her hand into the inner room, walked to the bed, took out a wooden carved lady doll from under the pillow, handed it to her, and said, "Oh, give it to you!" Like not? ”

Ah Yuan slowly stretched out his hand and took the wood carving, only to see that the baby's face could not distinguish the nose and eyes vaguely, but also could not find even a little resemblance to himself. But in this life, except for my sister, no one has ever given me a gift...... Her fingers gently stroked the uneven statue, her eyes were full of anticipation, and she smiled unconsciously: "Like, thank you to the fourth prince." ”

Jingyu said happily: "It's good if my sister likes it." Yu'er also made a male doll, which was originally a pair, but it can't be given to her sister now. ”

Ah Yuan raised his eyes: "Why can't you send it?" ”

Jingyu buried her head and pulled up her sleeves, her fair cheeks showed a faint flush, and she said after a while: "Because my sister is still reluctant to go to the palace with Yu'er to live, and I don't want to be with Yu'er every day." Wait for my sister to really like Yu'er one day, and then I'll give you that doll too! ”

Ah Yuan hurriedly waved his hand: "Where did you hear all this nonsense from the four princes?" As soon as she lowered her head, she saw Jingyu's fingers rubbing the cuffs, which were covered with scratches. Those scratches were deep and shallow, like red threads, and touched her heart...... She said in a low voice: "The slave is willing to follow the fourth prince out of the palace." ”

Jingyu couldn't help but raise his voice, as if he didn't believe it: "Really? ”

Ah Yuan said softly: "The slave will not deceive the fourth prince. ”

Jingyu suddenly hugged her from both shoulders, and her words were full of joy: "Great, when we leave the palace, Yu'er will give another doll to my sister!" ”

Ah Yuan smiled, she still couldn't say whether she would really like Jingyu. But even if it goes on like this, maybe there's nothing wrong with that.

Before dawn the next day, Luan Yiwei set up a pavilion outside the Zhaoyang Gate, waiting for the officials of the Ministry of Rites to put the prepared gold book, gold treasure, and gold seal in the pavilion. After that, with the halo book as the guide, he traveled to His Royal Highness Rende, and the main and deputy historians came forward to receive the festival, and then guided Luan Yiwei to Yuntai Palace and Huayin Pavilion respectively. Therefore, Yang Muzhi and Mei Xueshen were promoted at the same time, and it was the emperor's birthday and the day when hundreds of officials entered the palace to congratulate, and the canonization ceremony was also extraordinarily grand and grand.

Ah Yuan arrived at Yuntai Palace early in the morning, and personally watched Yang Muzhi put on a fragrant gold embroidered eight-regiment Zhai pattern auspicious suit, and a double-layered seven-layer Zhai Dongzhu sable crown on his head, and greeted Luan Yiwei and Shi Jiabao Pavilion on the right side of the palace gate. Because she was pregnant, the emperor granted her permission not to kneel to greet her, and simplified a list of ritual procedures. After the official history read out the book and treasure text, the ceremony was announced. Subsequently, the newly promoted concubines must go to Changning Palace and Chengqing Palace respectively to bow to the Queen Mother and the Empress.

The ceremony went exceptionally smoothly. After Luan Yiwei left, the sky suddenly darkened, and it was about to rain. Ah Yuan originally built a rest and then went, but Yang Muzhi insisted on getting up and going to the two palaces immediately. Because she was worried that she would not be able to support herself, she had to order someone to carry the sedan chair and go to Changning Palace to meet the Queen Mother first.

The Queen Mother was also dressed in gorgeous clothes, sitting in the main hall, and when she saw her, she said: "You are a person with a body, you kneel three times and bow nine times or something, and you will be exempted." ”

Yang Muzhi only bowed down and omitted kneeling. The Queen Mother gave her to sit down, and chatted a few more words, but her expression was always cold. After only about half a cup of tea, he told her to leave. During the conversation, I learned that Mei Xueshen came earlier than her, and at this time she had already gone to Chengqing Palace to meet the queen.

Out of the palace gate, the raindrops had quietly fallen, and it had been four full hours since Yang Muzhi got up in the morning to make up. Seeing that her face was slightly pale, as if she was overwhelmed, Ah Yuan asked with concern, "Is my sister okay, do you want to rest for a while and then go?" ”

Since the edict of the concubine came down, Yang Muzhi was most afraid of people saying that she was spoiled, and she didn't dare to fall behind Mei Xueshen at this time, so she only said: "I'm fine, let's go first." ”

When I walked to the long street outside Chengqing Palace, I suddenly heard a familiar voice: "Sister Guifei is in such a big battle, even the queen came in a sedan chair." ”

The guard of honor stopped, Yang Muzhi opened the sedan curtain and took a look, and the cold wind poured straight in. She shivered with coldness, and replied with a little difficulty: "This palace is rushing to Chengqing Palace to return the gift, and I also ask Sister Min to give in." ”

Concubine Na Min stopped in front of the sedan chair and said with a smile: "My sister came to congratulate my sister on the way, doesn't my sister appreciate it?" ”

As soon as Ah Yuan saw that it was her, he was immediately angry, and he didn't care about the courtesy, so he immediately replied: "If Concubine Min really wants to congratulate Concubine Niangniang, it is better to go to Yuntai Palace and wait now." Wait until we go to meet the queen mother first, so that we can take care of you. She especially bit the word "concubine", intending to emphasize the difference between her and Yang Muzhi's current dignity and inferiority.

Concubine Min looked at her with a smile for a moment, and said, "This Ayuan girl is not going to marry Prince Ke's mansion, why is she still here?" The fourth prince left the palace today, and he was a concubine, didn't he have to follow? ”

Ah Yuan said coldly: "Don't bother with it. ”

Rushuang couldn't bear it anymore, and rushed forward and said: "What kind of heart does Niangniang have, and she is against my young lady everywhere." Now that the young lady is pregnant with the emperor's flesh and blood, the mother still doesn't let the young lady go, isn't she afraid that the emperor will blame her! ”

Yang Muzhi drank lightly: "Like frost, step down!" ”

Concubine Min smiled: "Ouch, Sister Guifei, you right-hand man, but one can speak better than the other!" However, this young lady is so untrustworthy that she doesn't seem to know what to do for slandering the concubine of the Son of Heaven. It's better to drag it to the court and ask, the palace people there are well-informed, and I'm afraid they know how to deal with this kind of slave who has no one in their eyes! ”

Seeing that it was about to get out of control, he suddenly saw Aunt Yurong next to the queen walking towards this side, and asked, "Who is making a fuss outside Chengqing Palace!" She fixed her eyes on everyone present, eased her expression again, and said: "It turned out to be the newly promoted Lan Guifei Niangniang and Concubine Min Niangniang, and the slave maid asked the two maids to say goodbye." The queen ordered the slave maid to come out to greet the concubine Niangniang, as for Concubine Min, it seems that she just said that she wanted to return to the palace, and the slave maid did not send it. ”

She is honest in her words, and she is the big palace maid next to the queen, so Concubine Min has to give up. Yu Rong led the sedan chair to the palace gate, and said: "The little prince has just fallen ill suddenly, and the queen mother is very anxious, and she is waiting for the imperial doctor to come and see." Therefore, the slave maid was ordered to take the concubine Niangniang to the side hall for placement first, and she would summon Niangniang later. ”

Ah Yuan asked, "Didn't Concubine Mei just come?" ”

Yurong replied: "Yes, the little lord of the noble concubine is also waiting in the side hall, and the girl will meet in a while." ”

The side hall was filled with the warm and sultry fragrance of flowers and fruits, and the charcoal fire crackled. Mei Xueshen placed a bowl of tea beside her, and after waiting for a while, she saw Yang Muzhi coming in, she hurriedly got up and curtsied.

Compared with Concubine Lan's battle, Concubine Mei had only one palace maid waiting by her side. The two of them will live in the same room, and in comparison, she can't help but be a little embarrassed, and she wants to take the initiative to talk for a while. However, Yang Muzhi has always been silent to outsiders, but today because of the fatigue of running around, she can't lift her spirits even more, and the scene is becoming more and more cold.

After about a quarter of an hour's effort, Yurong came to spread the word again, asking the two new concubines to follow her into the palace to meet the queen. Yang Muzhi is a careful person, and she can also see the embarrassed look on Mei Xueshen's face when she entered the side hall with several attendants. So he left Ah Yuan behind, and only called Rushuang and Xiao Dezi to follow her.

At this time, there were only two little palace maids left in the hall, and when they saw that the masters were gone, they began to exchange heads. Ah Yuan was standing by the door, and he didn't bother to listen to their whispers. I was stunned for a long time, and in the corner of my eye, I suddenly felt that the two of them seemed to be pointing at me. She couldn't help but pay attention to two sentences, and only listened to one of them: "What's so good about marrying the fourth prince, he is a fool, he can't do anything!" What is the difference between this and being a widow! ”

Another person smiled and said, "I'll see, when you are old enough to leave the palace, what kind of marriage will you have!" ”

The older palace maid ate and laughed: "Marry no one and don't marry a fool." ”

The more they talked, the more energetic they became, and the laughter gradually could not be hidden. Ah Yuan couldn't bear it anymore, turned around suddenly, and said firmly: "Are the two sisters laughing at me?" ”

The young palace maid didn't expect her to hear, and she was a little embarrassed and lowered her head. The older man had an indifferent attitude, walked a few steps closer to her, and raised his head and said, "We don't laugh at anyone, it's just a matter of facts, don't worry about it." ”

The young palace maid behind her tugged at her sleeve: "Sister Pearl, let's talk about it, don't pay attention to her." ”

Pearl said: "Chengqing Palace is the place of the queen's mother, let's be on an errand here, talking about our words, why bother with a cheap slave who came out of the court!" ”

Ah Yuan didn't know how many versions of his life story had been circulated in the palace, so it seemed that the saying of the court seemed to be deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. She glanced at Pearl casually, and asked her with a smile: "Then dare to ask this sister, who is a good match in your heart?" ”

"There's no one here anyway, so I'll be honest." Pearl Zhengse said, "There is the suave Prince Xun nearby, and the 'Southern Weihan and Northern Le Shu' who are both civil and military, each of them is a famous young talent in the Great Zhou, which one is not better than that foolish prince?" Do you think that if you are about to become the concubine of the fourth prince, we will envy you? Stop dreaming! She was a little embarrassed as she spoke, so she could only use mockery Ah Yuan to strengthen her momentum.

Ah Yuan was about to say something to fight back, when he suddenly heard Yingluo say: "Sister, don't say it, I heard my fellow townsman who was on an errand in Changning Palace two days ago that Wei Gongzi, who is known as 'Nan Weihan', seems to have an accident. ”

Pearl was surprised: "Didn't he become the deputy commander of the Gyeonggi camp?" If it is peaceful today, what will happen? ”

As soon as he heard Wei Han's name, Ah Yuan only felt his temples jump suddenly, as if he had a premonition that the mountain rain was coming. I only heard Na Yingluo continue: "I heard that the imperial court sent him south to exterminate the Mu rebels, but unfortunately he was ambushed by the rebels, and disappeared after being seriously injured. Alas, who knows, my fellow villagers said that the emperor also had a big quarrel with the Queen Mother because of this matter, and the entire Changning Palace heard it......"

Pearl hurriedly covered her mouth: "Shhh, in this case, don't talk nonsense!" ”

Wei Han was seriously injured and disappeared? Ah Yuan looked at them blankly, his lips were open, his head was buzzing, and he suddenly remembered the Huanhua note he had seen in Yuntai Palace, and the clear and elegant word "Wei" on it was the most unrelenting past in my sister's heart! If he died, if he let his sister know the news......

"Miss!"

The frost-like sound was like a thunderclap coming from the sky, but it was deafening.

Ah Yuan's pupils widened suddenly, and he turned his head suddenly, only to see Yang Muzhi leaning weakly on the wide-open temple door, his eyes empty, as if he had fallen into endless darkness. The auspicious dress embroidered with fragrant gold was like the shadow of the sun, and there was no trace of blood on her pale face. Rushuang was frightened and wanted to help her, but saw her right hand suddenly cover her lower abdomen, and her body began to slide downward......

Finally, the most precious Jiangnan smoke cloud in her memory was annihilated in the cold autumn rain of this deep palace.