CHAPTER XXI
Autumn hibiscus jumped and fell lightly into the lotus pond, and the body was so light that it could fall directly on the lotus. If it is said that the Han Zhao Feiyan can do a palm dance, it is already amazing, and today the autumn hibiscus dances on the flowers that are broken when they are kneaded, but it is even better, better than the fairy of Yaochi, and it is beautiful. The sound of silk and bamboo started, the autumn hibiscus spun rapidly on the lotus pond, the waist twisted, the skirt fluttered, the bell rang, the cloud sleeves were raised, and everyone stared at her like a demon, unable to take their eyes off. is obviously dressed in a simple green gauze skirt, but in the process of rotating, it transforms into thousands of colors, dazzling, making this pond full of lotus flowers dull.
Suddenly, Akiki Hibiscus seemed to have wind under his feet, spun and flew into the air, like a fairy descending to earth, otherworldly, and ethereal. The tulle flies, and the fair skin looms. But at this moment, everyone is only suffocated by this peerless beauty, and any evil thoughts are unforgivable blasphemy.
The crowd seemed to see a deep forest, with a stream winding through it. The setting sun staggered and fell from the sky, and the birds chirped and flew into the distance as if to pick up the sunset. Suddenly, the birds dispersed, and the sunset occupied the sky, and the glow stained the whole earth red, so intoxicating that even the brook held its breath. The scenery quickly shifts, and the glow of the sky is replaced by a cold full moon. It hung silently from the branches, looking down on the earth in a cold voice, and finally slowly sank into the clouds
"If you are like a dragon, you are enough to make Zhao Feiyan feel ashamed! Those dozen dancers just now are not as good as one thousandth of you! The emperor clapped his hands and laughed, "I only know that you grew up in the military camp since you were a child, and you are good at riding horses and hunting, so I don't want to be able to dance such an amazing dance!" ”
"The courtiers are ugly."
The autumn hibiscus fell in the middle of the pavilion, drenched in sweat and panting, more touching than the cold and glamorous beauty on weekdays. Before he could say more, the emperor had already left his seat and stretched out his hand to Akiki Hibiscus.
After a moment's hesitation, Akiki put his hand on the broad palm, and then was taken into the embrace. The emperor's hand gently caressed Akiki's shoulder, and his eyes were full of joy and longing.
The ministers were frightened, the concubines whispered, so favored, how could an ordinary general's orphan bear it? The emperor's thoughts were clearly revealed, and Qiu Mu Hibiscus looked at the emperor with a smile and made a look of no understanding.
He is the king, she is the minister, the king wants the minister to die, and the minister has to die.
"That enchantress! Look at her seductive look! A concubine whispered viciously.
"But we can't help her, the emperor's favor is greater than the sky, she is now a collection of thousands of favors, what can we fight for!" Another concubine looked at the emperor in the center and the laughing Qiu Mu Hibiscus from a distance, and sighed, "How could the emperor fall in love with such an immodest woman who doesn't know etiquette?" Woe to you! ”
"It's better for you to say less, isn't Sister Qi's lesson just now enough?" A slightly older concubine said, and looked at the innocent little princess beside her with a pampering face, "She can enjoy a temporary favor, but whether it can be a lifetime depends on her creation." In this palace, pampering alone cannot last long. She already has a lot of information about the past of Qiu Mu Hibiscus and An Yin, and she just wants to tell the emperor without a trace. Fornication, this is a capital offense.
Several concubines understood and said, "The concubines must follow the teachings of the concubines. ”
It is said that a woman is accused of harming the country and the people just because of her beauty, but she will forever lose the right to pursue her own happiness. Who is more cruel? Wine forest meat pool, looking for joy, you don't see the sadness that can't be dissolved under that smile; Silk and bamboo singing and dancing, night and night, you don't see the numb heart under the soft dancing. The flowering period is too short, so it blooms as much as possible; Flowers are prone to decay, so they have to seek refuge. A lot of times the choice is actually not a choice at all. To survive, you have to. She doesn't ask for thousands of favors, she doesn't ask for fine clothes and food, she only asks for a heart, a companion, and nothing else. And this has become a luxury that she can't achieve with her life.
"The county lord dances so hard, I will definitely reward you heavily!"
"If it's something ordinary, it's okay, courtiers are not rare, but it seems that courtiers have no weight in the emperor's heart. The emperor also knew that his courtiers didn't like those gold, silver and jewelry. Akiki Hibiscus said as he lowered his head while playing with the long belt around his waist.
The emperor couldn't help but smile, since Qiu Mu Hibiscus entered the palace, the emperor has been constantly rewarding Qiu Mu Hibiscus with precious jewelry and clothing, Qiu Mu Hibiscus never cared, it was still a simple blue dress and a simple bun. It is precisely this that makes the emperor like akiki hibiscus even more. The emperor looked at Qiu Mu Hibiscus with interest and said fondly: "Then you should tell me what kind of reward can reflect the importance I attach to you." ”
Akiki lowered his head, feigned thinking, and looked at the general who was still kneeling on the ground from time to time. This general is a good brother of Akiki's father, Akitake, who galloped across the field together and fought bravely to kill the enemy.
"The emperor is not sincere, and he actually asks the courtiers themselves to say the reward they want. If the emperor doesn't comply, wouldn't it be the courtiers who are making trouble unreasonably? Akiki Hibiscus made an unhappy look, but her tone was coquettish.
"If you don't, I'll have to give you some more jewelry."
"The courtiers grew up in the barracks since they were young, and they know the hardships of the soldiers and the concubines, and the emperor knows what the concubines want." Akiki Hibiscus lowered his head and said cautiously.
The emperor immediately understood, and said to the general in the pavilion: "For the sake of the county lord, add some military rations to ensure the supply." Kill ye in peace. Step aside. ”
"Thank you, Emperor! Lord Xie! ”
"The courtiers didn't say anything." Akiki said with a smile.
"How could I not know your thoughts? You are kind by nature, and you can't bear the suffering of those soldiers, so why shouldn't I! But it is also true that the treasury is tight. But from now on, as long as you want, I can give priority to the barracks! ”
"Thank you for your grace."
Since then, the emperor has frequently entered and exited the Autumn Hibiscus Palace, and there is only Autumn Hibiscus in his eyes. Although Akiki Hibiscus has not yet been canonized as the emperor's concubine, she has already become the most powerful woman in the palace. Set thousands of favors in one, that is, set thousands of resentments in one. There were those who poisoned her, there were those who set up traps to make her jealous, and there were even concubines who hated her and stabbed her with knives. In this huge palace, she was afraid and lonely, so she could only embrace that memory for warmth. Waiting has become the hope that sustains her through this period of darkness. In order to survive, she had to take up arms to protect herself. Especially when Concubine Ying did not hesitate to let her children be infected with smallpox in order to gain holy favor, Qiu Mu Hibiscus was terrified of the cruelty and indifference in the palace, but realized that if she was not cruel, there was no way to live in this palace. Fortunately, the maid boy next to him was loyal to Qiu Mu Hibiscus, and saved Qiu Mu Hibiscus in danger several times, coupled with the protection of the emperor, Qiu Mu Hibiscus barely survived on this silent battlefield. Sometimes, Akiki Hibiscus looks at the more indifferent and cruel self in the mirror and feels strange and afraid, is this still herself? But who isn't? In a sense, each person does not take the initiative to become a certain person, but becomes a certain person little by little under the pressure of others in the surrounding environment. It's like a fate, and no one can escape it. At the end, Akiki smiled, you see, I'm making excuses for my badness again. It's me who I'm sorry for Ah Yin for not being able to keep the hibiscus that used to be.
"Good news!" One day, an attendant came to report.
The emperor is upright: "Say it quickly!" ”
"The Northwest Battlefield has been a great victory! General An Yin is leading the soldiers back! ”
The emperor laughed and said, "Haha! All right! This An Yin is worthy of being a brave general cultivated by Qiu Zhu himself! I want to reward him heavily! ”
Qiu Mu Hibiscus on the side couldn't help but stretch her eyebrows, and her eyes couldn't help but glow, brighter than the stars in the night sky, as if she had seen the return of the great general An Yin. The person she had been longing for was finally coming back. All the waiting has finally come to an end.
At the same time, Concubine Ying, who had a grudge against Akiki Hibiscus, also began to bribe generals who had a grudge against An Yin, and frequently went in and out of the Hibiscus Palace. If there is evidence, find it, and if there is no evidence, it will be made. The princess has just passed away, and the emperor is very merciful, which undoubtedly provides a boost for the Ying nobles. At this time, Ying Guiren no longer has power and status in her eyes, and at this moment she only wants to avenge her dead child. She knows that the child's death is not a natural disaster but **, and this ** has her and Akiki Hibiscus.
Anyin is getting closer and closer to the palace, and danger is getting closer and closer to Akiki Hibiscus.