Chapter Twenty-Five: Sticking Around
The spring sun is warm, the sky is clear, and the blue sky is like a flawless sapphire, very clear.
Walking out of the Jade Palace, Bai Qingyi bathed in the sun, raised her eyes to look at the sky, squinted her eyes slightly, and her depressed mood was slightly relieved. The breeze blows in your face, and you are filled with the intoxicating fragrance of flowers.
Qiu Tang and Bi He each held a brocade box in their hands, followed behind her, and walked in the direction of the Ci'an Palace.
Along the way, the spring is bright and warm, which makes people feel comfortable.
As they reached the back garden, several noises were heard, causing several people to stop and look towards the source of the sound.
In front of the Lotus Pavilion, three little boys about seven or eight years old dressed in Chinese clothes are gathering together, two of them have a red jade hairpin on their heads, a high-quality Hetian jade tied around their waists, and a slender and long tassel pendant with a Chinese costume.
The other teenager, wearing a green brocade suit, his hair was slightly messy, his delicate cheeks were stained with mud, and he looked at the two teenagers in front of him with wide eyes and some fear.
"Brother Jiu, the fourteenth is too bad to know, let him lie on the ground and ride a horse for you, what a great favor for him, he dares to disobey." The extremely beautiful young man said to the handsome young man next to him who was half a head taller than him.
The young man known as Brother Jiu raised his eyebrows, pointed at the frightened young man and reprimanded: "Fool, this prince will give you one last chance, lie on the ground and give me a horse to ride, otherwise.... Today, this prince has to beat you up. ”
"Yes, brother, you are the prince, the future prince, whoever dares not to listen to you, the first brother will not let him go." The shorter, pretty boy wrinkled his nose with a hint of flattery in his tone.
Hearing this, the taller young man's face was obviously more arrogant, and he yelled at the young man opposite him even more angrily: "Didn't you hear the words of this prince? Still not lying down? ”
As if frightened by these two people, the young man in the green brocade suit stepped back a little, his small brows furrowed tightly, and his dirty little face was flushed, which was particularly cute.
"Brother Jiu, this fool is not afraid of you." The young man who had been pouting continued to pinch with a pouting in his eyes.
"Presumptuous, this prince has to beat you all over the ground today." was so provoked by him, the taller boy suddenly became angry, thinking that he was overly spoiled on weekdays, and at this moment, regardless of his identity, he raised his fist and was about to beat the young man in green.
"Stop." Suddenly, a soft and beautiful voice with a hint of majesty came, and the two young men who were about to move were stunned and turned their heads to look in the direction of Bai Qingyi.
Bai Qingyi frowned, stepped forward quickly, and walked among the three children.
"Who are you? Dare to scold this prince? The prince Nangong Mo Xi looked at Bai Qingyi, and saw that she was as elegant as a fairy, with a hint of anger on her beautiful face, and the grandeur on her face unconsciously restrained a little.
Nangong Mojin, the eleventh prince who was half a head shorter than him on the side, glanced at Bai Qingyi, and said to Nangong Moxi, the ninth prince: "I know who she is, she is Bai Jieyu who has just entered the palace, but a little Jieyu dares to scold the prince, you are impatient." ”
The frowning brows became tighter and tighter, Bai Qingyi looked at the two young men in front of him who were so domineering at a young age, and his tone also raised a few points: "The Ninth Emperor Nangong Moxi, the Eleventh Prince Nangong Mojin, both of them are princes, their identities are noble, and they actually bully the weak at will in the palace, if you tell the emperor, I don't know what the emperor will think?" ”
It turned out that they were all the sons of the first emperor, and Nangong Moye had younger brothers
Nangong Moxi was stunned for a moment, his face changed, he pulled the sleeve of Nangong Mojin on the side, gave him a look, and then glared at the young man hiding behind Bai Qingyi viciously, and said unwillingly: "Nangong Moli, don't be complacent, next time the prince will clean you up." ”
After saying that, the two children ran away and disappeared.
Shaking his head helplessly, Bai Qingyi turned his head to look at the aggrieved young man, seeing that his face was delicate and lovely, his big dark eyes were filled with moisture, and his slightly thin body was still a little trembling, so he suddenly moved his heart of compassion, squatted down, took out a champa, and gently wiped the mud on his face for him.
Seeing this, Bihe whispered to Bai Qingyi: "Jieyu, the fourteenth prince is the child of the late Concubine Yun of the first emperor, named Nangong Moli, and is a.... It's an idiot. ”
Idiot? Bai Qingyi paused according to the movements of his subordinates, smiled meaninglessly, his eyes became more and more gentle, and asked casually: "I just entered the palace, and I don't know much about many people and things, Bihe, you can tell me, what are the origins of the Nine Princes, the Eleventh Princes, and the Fourteenth Princes." ”
Bihe nodded, looked around, and whispered: "Jieyu, the Nine Emperors are from the noble concubines, and they are favored by thousands of people, so their personalities are delicate and domineering, the eleventh prince was born to Concubine Lan, he is very smart, even the first emperor likes it, he and the Nine Emperors are the best, and they are together every day." And the fourteenth prince Nangong Moli is the most beloved child of the first emperor, because he was born to the queen and the same mother as Emperor Xuan, but it is a pity, since the first queen went, he has become an idiot, and now he temporarily lives in Bihuan Palace, taken care of by the concubine. ”
"No wonder...."With a low murmur, Bai Qing already knew that Nangong Moxi and Nangong Mojin were so arrogant and domineering, it turned out that they had such a background, but the fourteenth prince Nangong Moli looked a little pitiful.
Since I was a child, I have not been taken care of by my mother, and my mind is incomplete, so I am afraid that I have suffered a lot of grievances everywhere.
Nangong Moli blinked her big eyes, looking at Bai Qingyi, who was close at hand like a heavenly maiden, she was a little scared at first, but slowly felt a special aura from her, felt very close, and even smiled slightly.
"Laugh, Jieyu, the fourteenth prince smiled at you...."Bihe exclaimed in surprise, and said in disbelief: "Even to the emperor, the fourteenth prince has never shown a smile, but today he is so close to Jieyu, so it seems that it is really fateful." ”
Qiu Tang also smiled, feeling distressed for Nangong Moli, a poor and lovely child.
Nangong Moli glanced at a few people, and finally stopped at the brocade box in Qiu Tang's hand, as if he smelled the fragrance wafting out of it, and licked his lips gently.
Bai Qingyi smiled affectionately and said to Qiu Tang: "Take out the milky osmanthus cake and give it to the fourteenth prince to taste." ”
Qiu Tang hurriedly opened the brocade box, squatted down, handed the brocade box over, and said, "Fourteen princes, you can taste it." ”
Nangong Moli hesitated, glanced at Bai Qingyi again, and saw that she had a gentle smile, so she became bold, and some dirty little hands couldn't wait to reach into the brocade box, grabbed a piece of golden milky osmanthus cake and stuffed it into her mouth, quite a bit of gobble.
"Eat slowly, don't choke. Bai Qingyi snorted, the love in his eyes was even more pity, and gently helped him wipe the residue from the corners of his mouth.
After eating a piece in a big gulp, Nangong Moli licked his fingers, looked at the brocade box again, and wanted to take it again but didn't dare.
Seeing this, Bai Qing took the brocade box in Qiu Tang's hand, put it on her lap, gently touched Nangong Moli's face, and said softly: "Are you hungry?" Eat, it's all for you. ”
Nangong Moli looked at Bai Qingyi a little stunned, and then showed a bright smile, so he no longer hesitated, and ate the osmanthus cake in a big gulp, the satisfaction and excitement shining in his eyes made Bai Qingyi's heart ache.
Looking at him gobbling up, she secretly said, this child, I'm afraid he is very hungry, there is no mother concubine, what kind of life does he live in this palace of open and secret fighting.
Ci'an Palace, located in the deepest part of the entire Xuan Palace, is solemn and solemn.
The surroundings are quiet and peaceful, except for the occasional birdsong, there is only the sound of wooden fish coming from the Buddhist hall in the hall.
After a while, the eunuch waiting outside the door announced loudly: "Bai Jieyu has arrived ....."
In the hall, the Queen Mother was resting on a cushion, and when she heard the report, she smiled and said to the few people seated: "It's finally here..."
Several beauties looked at each other, and they all barely showed a smile, but their faces were not very good-looking.
They came to Ci'an Hall early in the morning to ask for peace, but the Queen Mother insisted on waiting for Bai Jieyu. And Bai Jieyu, who was new to the palace, didn't know much about what was good or bad, so they waited for a while.
These people are the queen, Concubine Hui, Concubine Yu, Concubine Love, and Ji Guiren.
After waiting for a while, a pale pink figure finally appeared, but there was a small figure beside her, pulling her skirt tightly, refusing to let go of anything.
Taking broken steps, Bai Qingyi glanced at Nangong Moli, who had been pulling her skirt, helplessly.
Now the queen mother is the concubine of the year
She couldn't have imagined that a box of milky osmanthus cake would make this poor and lovely child cling to her, as if they knew each other, but in fact they had only known each other for a moment.
Qiu Tang and Bihe followed behind them, with a hint of helplessness in their loving eyes.
"Concubine Bai Jieyu to the Queen Mother, the Queen Mother and the sisters say hello. The concubine was late, and asked the queen mother to punish her. Bai Qingyi walked into the hall and blessed her body, her voice was soft and moving.
Although the queen has already seen her, Bai Qingyi has dressed up deliberately today, and she looks even more radiant, and the face that is enough to overwhelm all living beings is reflected in their eyes, which is extremely dazzling.
I saw that they returned the salute slightly, with a smile on the surface, and a thick jealousy in their eyes.
The Queen Mother glanced at everyone lightly, waved her hand, and said with a smile: "It's okay, it's okay, Bai Jieyu is not late, it's just the right time." Come, come forward and let the mourning family take a good look. ”
Bai Qingyi smiled faintly and took a few steps forward, and Nangong Moli was also busy following a few steps, snuggling tightly up to her skirt.
Seeing this, the concubine frowned, lowered her voice and said: Li'er, come to my sister's place, hurry up. ”
Nangong Moli glanced at her secretly, and then buried his head in Bai Qingyi's skirt in fear, his small brows furrowed tightly.
The Queen Mother glanced at Nangong Moli and said with a smile: "This child, how can Bai Jieyu be so close?" Isn't it, I also like Bai Jieyu's elegant and fairy-like posture? ”
Hearing the Queen Mother's ridiculous words, Bai Qingyi said with a smile: "Back to the Queen Mother, the concubine passed through the back garden, met the fourteenth prince by chance, and felt very cordial when they met for the first time, so they took him to the Ci'an Palace to greet the Queen Mother." ”
The Queen Mother covered her lips and smiled, her face was full of kindness, she nodded lightly, beckoned to Nangong Moli and said, "Come, Li'er, come here after going to the mother." ”
Nangong Moli shrunk his neck, not daring to step forward, but looked up at Bai Qingyi.
The Queen Mother was stunned, and then looked at Bai Qingyi, although her eyes were peaceful, but it seemed to imply something.
Bai Qingyi just wanted to say something, but when she saw that the concubine was angry, she said to Nangong Moli: "Li'er, what are you doing?" The queen mother called you, but she didn't come forward? How did you learn so unruly? ”
When the words fell, the Queen Mother frowned and did not speak.
"Hehe, don't be angry, sister concubine, don't you know who taught the fourteenth prince? You're not right. Concubine Yu seized the opportunity to raise the bar with the concubine and said triumphantly.
The concubine was angry, looked at Concubine Yu, and was about to have a seizure, but she thought of her relationship with the Queen Mother, so she barely suppressed her anger, and her face turned red and said: "Queen Mother, it is the concubine who is incompetent, it doesn't hurt to teach, and I ask the Queen Mother to punish her." ”
The Queen Mother sighed, and she didn't blame, but said lightly: "Concubine Yu is right, for Li'er, you have to take care of the concubine, he is the emperor's heart." ”
The concubine nodded hurriedly and replied: "The concubine knows that the concubine will live up to the queen mother's trust." ”
The Queen Mother glanced at her and motioned for her to sit down, and the concubine nodded and took a seat, but the hand hidden in her sleeve was tightly clasped, and the hatred in her eyes flashed.
Concubine Yu took advantage of it, was in a good mood, and had a smile of victory in her face. The queen's concubine Hui never interjected, but just looked at the play lightly, not knowing what she was calculating.
The most unnoticeable thing is the nobleman of that season, I saw her dressed normally, with a delicate face, sitting on the side, always smiling, and looking very kind.
Bai Qing thought about it for a while, knowing that at this moment, she was afraid that she would completely offend this concubine. But she didn't care, she saw her lower body, gently touched Nangong Moli's face, and said with a smile: "Li'er, go to the queen mother, be obedient." ”
Nangong Moli looked at Bai Qingyi with big eyes, wrinkled his nose, and his face was full of reluctance, but he still let go of his little hand and walked towards the Queen Mother.
With a glimmer of light in her eyes, the Queen Mother stretched out her hand to hug Nangong Moli and said intimately: "Ouch, the little fourteenth of the mourning family, these days I have lost weight, and I have become lighter." This little face is also dirty, and it must be naughty. ”
On the surface, these words were talking to Fourteen intimately, but in fact, they gave the concubine a warning, and made her a little restless.
And Nangong Moli sat in the arms of the Queen Mother, struggling slightly, with uneasiness on her delicate little face, and kept looking at Bai Qingyi.
The Queen Mother naturally noticed it, and inadvertently glanced at Bai Qingyi.
Bai Qing moved according to the light of her eyes and turned her head, but she happened to meet the eyes of the concubine, and was shocked by the chill in her eyes.