==Chapter 111==

The sky gradually darkened, but the Han Ice Hall was a scene of bright lights and singing and dancing.

From time to time, a few wisps of bamboo music floated out from afar, which was even more extravagant.

In the huge hall, covered with a red carpet, there is a music platform in the west side of the field, Ding Dong Xianle flows out like a spring, there are many seats on the field, all the noble ladies have a seat in three or two, during which there are people in the pink makeup palace holding all kinds of delicacies from time to time to go back and forth in the banquet.

Just now, Empress Xiao and Concubine Liu Guifei came together, the two of them were dressed in gorgeous clothes, both of them looked graceful and luxurious, but it was difficult to hide the joy on their faces.

All the nobles bowed and saluted, and then the feast began.

There are a lot of delicacies on the banquet, but there are very few noblewomen who really go to eat, everyone enjoys the music, singing and dancing, and occasionally says a few words between the table, but in fact, the attention is focused on the main seat of Queen Xiao and Liu Guifei in the north, for fear of being seen as improper.

Everyone has not participated in this concubine banquet, and the last time the moon viewing banquet in Furong Garden was under the guise of moon appreciation, but it was actually a concubine for the prince, but in fact, everyone was still in the clouds, and the banquet was over. I don't know what the regulations are during this period, what are the criteria for the so-called selection of concubines, whether it depends on appearance and etiquette, or on family background, identity, talent, etc.

Cheng Wenjing seemed to know that she would not be selected this time, and she seemed to be extremely free, everyone was restrained, but she was very cheerful and discussed with Jiuniang and Ruan Linger in a low voice from time to time what was delicious at this banquet. The three of them happened to be placed in one seat, and the seats they were in were not high, and they all felt that they would not be selected, so they were much more relaxed than the others.

Jiu Niang also took a few bites of food on the table, but she really ate very little, she has been secretly observing the situation around her, on this occasion today, she always has a premonition that something will happen.

On the first place in the north, the Luan seat where Liu Guifei sits is a little lower than the phoenix seat of Empress Xiao.

Both of them were smiling, but in fact, their eyes were casually looking at the ladies below.

"It's really lively today, seeing these noble ladies like flowers and jade, the concubines are in a very happy mood. What about you, Queen? ”

Empress Xiao smiled back with Liu Guifei faintly, "This palace is too." ”

The two exchanged a tacit but parting glance, the purpose of their coming today is the same, even if there are more sharp edges on weekdays, it is not appropriate to show it at this time.

At the same time, the two of them were also faintly anxious.

Speaking of which, this concubine selection banquet is hosted by the two of them, but Emperor Chengyuan has not arrived, and the two of them don't know how to continue, you must know that it is to choose concubines for several princes, which prince is it for, or all the princes have a share, and how to determine the candidates, this all need Emperor Chengyuan to speak.

Speaking of which, one of them is the queen, the other is a concubine, and they are the mothers of the two princes, but they can't even decide who to choose as their daughter-in-law. Both of them have a predetermined daughter-in-law candidate in their hearts, but it is unknown whether they will get their wish this time.

"Go and see if your majesty is here."

Empress Xiao whispered to a chamberlain beside her, who nodded slightly and retreated quietly.

*

On the other side, when the prince and Meng Changxi came to this palace, the sky had already darkened.

The prince's dispatch is naturally unusual, even if there is no fanfare, almost everyone who should know knows it.

The group stopped at a pavilion, and soon King Zhao arrived, and before King Zhao could stand, King Cheng also came.

Both of them saluted the prince.

"Brother Zhao Wang and Brother Cheng Wang, you two are so well-informed, Xi'er Fang and Brother Prince are here, and you are all here." Meng Changxi smiled and joked about King Zhao and King Cheng.

"Sister Changxi, you are really naughty, the royal brother rarely goes out on weekdays, and it is rare to be interested in coming out to shop today, so it is natural for the imperial brother to come over to accompany him." King Zhao said with a smile. He was dressed in a regulated prince's uniform and a golden crown on his head, making him look more and more heroic.

King Cheng nodded yes. is also dressed in a regulated prince's suit, but it is another style when worn on him, which looks extraordinarily graceful and elegant, but also handsome and calm.

Ruan Mengling, who was shrunk behind, couldn't see it with her eyes. I saw the prince before, although the prince had a sickly face and was described as thin, he did not hide his handsome appearance, and he had the demeanor of a sick and beautiful man. At this time, seeing King Zhao and King Cheng were two completely different styles, coupled with the other party's extremely noble identity, it made her dizzy and didn't know what time it was.

"Sister Meng, won't you introduce me to me?" Ruan Mengling pulled Meng Changxi's sleeve and said this almost with a trembling voice, not frightened, but excited.

King Zhao and the others were all stunned, with their current status, few people interjected when they spoke. However, seeing that this woman came with the crown prince and Meng Changxi, King Zhao and King Cheng were not easy to reprimand.

Meng Changxi's face stiffened, and she couldn't wait to throw Ruan Mengling into the water, but she didn't mention that she would be of great use to this person later, and she couldn't do this kind of behavior in front of the crown prince Zhao Wang and several others. I had to smile, with a bit of obvious coldness between my eyebrows.

"This is His Royal Highness King Zhao and King Cheng, Sister Ling'er, don't hurry up and salute."

Ruan Mengling hurriedly took two steps forward, twisted and pinched to greet Zhao Wang and Cheng Wang.

King Zhao and King Cheng saw that this woman was dressed luxuriously and looked good, but her words and deeds were inevitably a little unacceptable, and these two people saw more of this kind of noble girl who wanted to climb the dragon and the phoenix, so they didn't put it in their eyes, of course, they would not embarrass each other, so they nodded.

It's a pity that Ruan Mengling couldn't see the coldness of the two, but smiled more earnestly.

Meng Changxi revealed Ruan Mengling's identity again, as soon as she heard that this woman was Ruan Chengmao's second daughter, and her maternal ancestor was the former Xu servant, the faces of King Cheng and King Zhao couldn't help but be a little more pleasant.

Especially King Cheng, his mother had discussed with him the choice of Princess Cheng before, for Ruan Chengmao, an old fox who did not leave his hands, King Cheng and Queen Xiao have always wanted to hold it firmly in their hands, but unfortunately the other party has not been very stubborn. This time to choose a concubine banquet, Queen Xiao and King Cheng also considered taking this opportunity to take this opportunity to take Ruan Chengmao, and now Ruan Mengling is automatically sent to the door, so naturally she will not let it go lightly.

It's just that King Zhao will let him get his wish, everyone knows what they think about each other, even if King Zhao doesn't have any thoughts about Ruan Mengling in his heart, he doesn't want to cheapen the other party.

For a while, the two personable princes were fighting each other, digging holes for each other, and talking to Ruan Mengling with a pleasant face. This Ruan Mengling is extremely stupid, where can she see this clue, just when the two princes see that they are beautiful and moving, they are interested in her, and they tremble with excitement, but they say that it is really wise to stick to Meng Changxi today.

Meng Changxi smiled at the corner of her mouth, and the prince looked at the scaly lake with fluttering eyes, as if his attention was not here at all.

At this moment, the king of Chu came.

He is also dressed in a regulated prince's robe, with a purple dark pattern brocade base, the placket and sleeves are rolled with gold edges, and the shoulders are embroidered with dazzling four-clawed golden dragons, lined with white as snow, and his handsome face as white as jade is even more confusing, as if he is a king who comes in the night.

Ruan Mengling's eyes were straight, and she was reluctant to blink, but soon she found a clue, this person came in a wheelchair. The identity is self-evident, it is the king of Chu who is high and powerful, and is quite favored by the saints, but is not good at doing it.

Ruan Mengling sighed in her heart, in fact, she didn't know what she was sighing about, but she couldn't help but compare the two of King Chu and King Cheng of Zhao, and couldn't help but feel that it was better for King Cheng and King Zhao, so she looked away a little reluctantly.

A flash of surprise flashed in Meng Changxi's eyes, Brother King Chu, you are finally here.

"I've seen the crown prince and the royal brothers, and I've seen the two royal brothers."

The king of Chu arched his hand, everyone knew his physical condition, but no one questioned him in such a salute.

"Sister Chang Xi also joked that this king and the second emperor brother came so quickly, and this time the fifth emperor brother also came, but I didn't see Sister Changxi speak out, this treatment is really a bit unfair." King Cheng said with a smile, his words meant something, and he glanced at King Zhao during the period.

Meng Changxi's face suddenly turned red, but a hint of darkness flashed in King Zhao's eyes.

The king of Chu did not answer, but came to the prince's side, "Why did the imperial brother think about coming out and walking around at this time?" Although the weather is hot, but it is night near the water, it is still a little cool, and I hope that the imperial brother will pay attention to his body. ”

The prince smiled at him and said gently: "Lone saw that the other side was so lively in the East Palace, and it happened that Xi'er was talking to Gu in the East Palace, so he thought about coming over and walking around, so he thought about joining in the fun." ”

Compared with King Zhao and King Cheng, it is obvious that the prince treats King Chu much kinder, but King Zhao and King Cheng have seen a lot of this situation, and they both scolded King Chu in their hearts, but they were smiling on their faces.

At this time, an attendant hurriedly walked over, stood at the foot of the steps and bowed inside, "His Royal Highness the Prince, His Majesty has summoned you to speak." ”

The crown prince nodded and smiled at everyone, "The news of my father is inevitably too fast, so Gu will not accompany you royal brothers." ”

Everyone bowed, and Futai pushed the prince out of the pavilion.

It wasn't until the prince's back disappeared far away that King Zhao and King Cheng straightened up, and saw that King Chu was sitting in a wheelchair on the side, but he was bowing so humbly, and there was an inconspicuous look of jealousy in their eyes.

This jealousy is not only for the king of Chu, but also for the prince, Emperor Chengyuan shows his favor to the prince all the time, and the two of them who are the sons of Emperor Chengyuan, even if this situation is seen from a young age, they can't be ignored if they really encounter it. Angry and unfair roaring, in the hearts of the two never stopped shouting.

"Fifth Emperor Brother, aren't you going to follow?" King Zhao squinted and said.

Because of the jealousy in his heart, he couldn't help but have a little provocation between his words.

The king of Chu glanced at him, didn't bother to take care of him, knocked on the armrest of the wheelchair, and often pushed him out by the way.

"Brother King Chu, don't be in a hurry to leave, wait for Changxi."

Meng Changxi followed and chased out.

King Zhao didn't expect that King Chu would give him such a faceless face, his eyes showed a little ruthlessness, King Cheng glanced at him, and said with a smile: "This fifth brother of this king is really an unlikable character, and some people will be deflated, which is also conceivable." Second Emperor Brother, Sister Changxi is out, won't you follow? ”

When King Zhao heard this, he glared at King Cheng hatefully, snorted coldly, and left with his sleeves brushed. As for whether to chase Meng Changxi or go elsewhere, no one knows.

Ruan Mengling was reluctant to see King Zhao leaving, but when she looked at King Cheng who was looking at her with a smile on the side, she couldn't help lowering her face shyly, as for who King Zhao was, she had already been thrown out of the clouds.

*

In the Ice Palace, the feast continued.

It's just that Empress Xiao and Concubine Liu, who are in the first place, don't know when they left.

As soon as the protagonist left, the people below couldn't help but feel a little more bored, guessing what was going on, and they still looked like everyone on their faces. In the end, no one was watching, and the field was originally orderly, but at this time, it was a little more chaotic, and everyone was talking about something in a whisper.

Jiuniang and Cheng Wenjing also talked quietly, otherwise it would be boring to sit here.

At this time, a palace man hurriedly arrived, and after making a salute, he asked in a low voice, "Which one is the eldest lady of the Ruan family?" ”

Ruan Ling'er was stunned for a moment and asked, "I am, what's wrong?" ”

The palace man patted his chest, said, 'I finally found it', and said hurriedly: "There is a lady named Ruan Mengling, she hit someone and injured herself, she asked the slave to come to you." ”

Ruan Ling'er and the others all frowned, they had been wondering where this Ruan Mengling had gone, and no one was seen until the banquet. But thinking that she was with Meng Changxi, nothing should happen, so she didn't pay too much attention. At this time, I heard that she had injured someone and that she had fallen again, and Jiu Niang's mood was not mentioned, but Ruan Ling'er couldn't help but feel a little more anxious.

Ruan Linger didn't know what was going on, but this was in the palace, and she also knew her sister's temperament, that is, she was delicate and willful, Ruan Linger couldn't help but wonder if Ruan Mengling had caused some trouble. After all, no matter how bad the two of them are on weekdays, but in this palace, they are all surnamed Ruan, if Ruan Mengling really makes something wrong, Ruan Ling'er will not be able to escape.

"Then I'll take a look at it." Ruan Ling'er hurriedly stood up.

"Let's do it together." Cheng Wenjing said.

Jiuniang pursed her lips and pressed Cheng Wenjing, "You stay here, the feast here is not over, let's all leave, this seat is empty, it is too conspicuous, I will accompany Ling'er to see the situation." ”

Cheng Wenjing had to agree.

*

Meng Changxi chased him all the way.

At this time, the full moon is in the sky, the night is blurred, dotted with palace lamps hanging high everywhere, and it is a little more hazy. The night breeze is gently blowing, and the Taiye Pool in the distance is glowing with colorful waves, which is even more dreamy.

It wasn't until he reached a no-man's land that Meng Changxi quickened his pace and stepped forward to stop in front of King Chu's wheelchair.

Her eyes were poignant, and her usual sweet smile had long since disappeared, and had changed to a bit of bitterness. The night breeze stirred the broken hair on her cheeks, making her beautiful little face a little more pitiful.

"Brother Chu Wang, do you hate seeing Chang Xi so much?"

Although the man in front of him was sitting in a wheelchair, his waist was straight, his ink-colored hair was tied up with a jade crown, and only a little was left behind his shoulders, and his indifferent face was always used to being presented in front of everyone, but in fact, Meng Changxi knew that it was not, and he had never treated another person with such a cold and hard face.

Why, why?

In terms of acquaintance, she was earlier than that person, she grew up with several princes as childhood sweethearts, among these princes, if the prince is close because he must be close, but for the king of Chu, she is willing to be close to him from the bottom of her heart. I vaguely remember that when he was a child, he was already handsome, but he was always indifferent and rejected thousands of miles away.

She used to wonder why he was like this. If you pay more attention, you will really take it to heart.

So, she will always lose her temper because her family teaches her to be closer to the prince, and she no longer rejects entering the palace, she always thinks that when she enters the palace, she can look at him more, but he has always treated her coldly, although he calls her Changxi sister like other princes, but Meng Changxi knows that it is just a title, just like he calls other people, there is nothing special.

Knowing that he injured his leg and couldn't walk in the future, she secretly cried for several days, and her face could not be found by her family. From that time she knew that if there was still a possibility between the two before, he injured his leg, and there was no possibility between the two, because the family would not agree to her marrying a crippled prince.

But she is unwilling, she is really unwilling.

The family asked her to use him to test the hearts of the emperor's uncle and the prince's cousin, she listened, she saw that his attitude towards herself seemed to have changed a little, she was ecstatic, and even forgot her own purpose, thinking that it would last a little longer, and if it lasted a little longer, maybe it would become true, but suddenly a woman appeared.

Shaw! Nine! Mother!

This person is the person she really hates in her life, and she can't wait to let her die.

She could always take his eyes away very lightly, he was different from her, and that difference made her jealous. Because of her appearance, the brother of the King of Chu treated her coldly again, and even the door of the King of Chu's Mansion was no longer open for her, but she could enter with a swagger, how could she not hate it.

Others only thought that Xiao Jiuniang disappeared for a period of time and went to Lanling, only Meng Changxi knew that this was not the case. She knew that Xiao Jiuniang was injured and was recuperating in the Chu Palace. As long as she thought of Xiao Jiuniang and her brother who was the king of Chu facing each other day and night, Meng Changxi couldn't sleep at night, but she couldn't let anyone find out about her feelings.

The family will not support her, Meng Changxi has known since she was a child that the reason why her family looks at her differently is only because of the prince, because she has something to use. used to be the prince's elder brother, but now it is a bargaining chip for marriage with other princes, which does not include the king of Chu......

She didn't have time anymore, she didn't have time to wait for him to turn his head to look at herself, to see that she was better than Xiao Jiuniang. This is her last chance, as long as he can sue sù himself, he wants her, she will abandon a qiē for him!

The king of Chu did not speak.

Meng Changxi's heart gradually cooled down in the other party's cold gaze.

"Brother King Chu, don't you even want to talk to Xi'er now? You weren't like this before, was it because of her, wasn't it because of that Xiao Jiuniang? Meng Changxi's expression became excited.

King Chu glanced at her with a dark look in his eyes, and his eyebrows furrowed slightly, "This king doesn't know what to say to you." ”

Meng Changxi smiled miserably: "Brother King Chu, that's how you treat Xi'er, isn't our love when we were young as good as between you and that Xiao Jiuniang?" What's so good about her? You sue me sù what is better about her than Xi'er?! Is she as beautiful as me, her identity is as noble as mine, speaking of which is the daughter of the Xiao family, in fact, who doesn't know that she is just a lowly ...... born of a lowly embryo"

The next words were interrupted by King Chu's sudden cold gaze.

"Shut up, what right do you have to say her? You don't deserve it! ”

The king of Chu did not go to see Meng Changxi again, but knocked on the armrest of the wheelchair, and often pushed him to bypass Meng Changxi who was blocking in front of him, and prepared to leave.

Unexpectedly, Meng Changxi stopped him.

"Brother King Chu, don't you treat Xi'er like this, okay? Do you like Xi'er? As long as you sue me that you like me, Xi'er can give up a qiē ...... for you."

Her eyes were full of tears, her eyes were shining, and there was a faint sense of anticipation. Because of this strong expectation, these eyes are so bright......

Not far away, King Zhao was hidden behind a flower and tree, his hands behind his back clenched into fists, and his face was terrifyingly black.

Suddenly, he had an urge to look at it any longer, and turned away angrily.

"Meng Changxi, please respect yourself, this king has no intention of you."

The sobbing stopped abruptly.

Chang Shun sighed in his heart and pushed the King of Chu away.

Meng Changxi kept her head half-raised, and for a long time, a long time, she slowly stood upright.

She covered her mouth and smiled lowly, tears streaming down her eyes.

“…… You don't want me, you want her? I'm afraid after today, you won't be able to care about her anymore......"

A low murmur, almost silent, a gust of night breeze blew through the air, and then drifted away again.

*

Jiu Niang and Ruan Ling'er quietly retreated, and followed the palace man all the way out of the Hanbing Palace.

The night outside is very beautiful, a round moon hangs in the night sky, and it is very quiet everywhere, especially against the noise in the hall behind him, which makes it even more quiet outside.

The people in the palace seemed to be in a hurry, and their steps were very fast, and Ruan Ling'er and Jiu Niang's footsteps couldn't help but speed up a little.

Unconsciously, the three of them stayed away from the Hanbing Palace, and when Jiu Niang saw that the palace people were leading the two of them to go further and further, she couldn't help but stop, frowned and asked, "Where are you taking us?" Someone told us that we weren't allowed to walk around. ”

"That Ruan Niangzi's injured place is a little far away from the Hanbing Palace, if she hadn't begged me and stuffed a hairpin for me, I wouldn't have traveled so far to help her call someone. Even if you know that you can't walk around, why did Ruan Niangzi just run around? Not to mention running around, I also hit people who shouldn't have been hit! The palace man stopped, said dissatisfiedly, and took out a hairpin from his sleeve to show the two.

She saw the doubts on Jiu Niang's face, so she was extremely angry.

Although Ruan Ling'er didn't realize that there was anything wrong, she trusted Jiu Niang in her heart, and she stood on her side and stopped. At this time, when he saw the hairpin in the hands of the palace people, he leaned towards Jiuniang and said in a low voice: "This is indeed Ruan Mengling's hairpin." ”

For a while, Jiu Niang was in a dilemma.

She felt that something was wrong, but she couldn't find evidence to say that something was wrong, and the words of this palace person were reasonable and well-founded, and she couldn't allow others to believe it. It's just that in this deep palace, different from other places, even for your own safety, you shouldn't go with strangers at will.

But the embarrassed look on Ruan Linger's face, Jiu Niang can also see it, what Ruan Ling'er thinks about in her heart, Jiu Niang understands, but Ruan Ling'er doesn't understand the scruples in her heart. And these are all Jiu Niang's own guesses, I can't do it accurately, how can I stop Ling'er from going to Ruan Mengling, if something really happens to Ruan Mengling, it is inevitable that Ling'er will be implicated.

"Then tell us, where are you going to take us? So who did Ruan Niangzi hurt? ”

Jiu Niang stared at each other's expressions tightly, and Ruan Ling'er also looked at each other.

The palace man pursed his lips, and said reluctantly: "I will take you to the Ayaqi Palace, the little lady surnamed Ruan bumped into my mother, she said that she was a noble girl who came to participate in the concubine selection banquet, if it weren't for the wrong time at this time, my mother would definitely go to the queen to be the master, where would she be detained in the palace and not let her leave." She hurt her foot and cried a lot, but my mother didn't punish her, and where would she ask for medical advice, so she begged me to let me come to her sister Ruan's aunt. Do you want to go or not? If you don't go, I'll leave, but I won't return this hairpin, after all, I also took the risk to sneak out! ”

The matter has been revealed, then Ruan Mengling is in trouble, and the other party detains her if she doesn't comply, and wants to ask Xingshi for the crime, but the timing is not right at this time, so there is no trouble. Ruan Mengling panicked, so she naturally wanted to find someone to ask for help, and the only person who asked for help was Ruan Ling'er, a cheap sister. For this reason, she used jewelry to bribe the palace people who guarded her, and the palace people came for profit, and thought that this matter would probably not make a big fuss, after all, the identities of these noble ladies were not simple, so they helped her come out to find someone.

Jiu Niang was still thinking about it, and the palace people had already turned around and left, regardless of whether the two of them were going or not. In fact, it can also be imagined that the people of this palace are here for profit, and since the words have been brought, it is their own business whether to go or not.

Ruan Ling'er's face was anxious.

Deviated from the Ice Palace, it was already a little dark, and the grass and trees were lush, and the path was mixed with flowers and trees, and almost in a blink of an eye, the back of the palace people disappeared.

Ruan Ling'er gritted her teeth: "Jiu Niang, I don't think this palace person is lying to us, I don't want to care about her in my heart, but I can't ignore it, I'll go with the palace people to take a look, otherwise you go to Wenjing first, I'll look for you later." ”

Dropping this sentence, Ruan Ling'er hurriedly chased after her.

She saw Jiu Niang's hesitation, although she didn't know what Jiu Niang was hesitating, but Ruan Ling'er didn't want to embarrass the other party, so she simply went by herself. At this time, she thought about the things in the palace very simply.