The emperor approved most of the day's excerpts, had a meal at noon, and after a short rest, he sat on his shoulder and went to greet the queen mother. The Queen Mother was not in the house, and the attendant in the straight room kowtowed: "Long live the Lord, the Queen Mother Lafayette went to the lake to enjoy the lotus." ”

Saihu Lake is located in the south of the palace, there are two islands, the island is built with rockery and flowing water, pavilions and pavilions, temples and halls, etc., the emperor moves, and the sound of laughter and joy is heard in the distance. The Queen Mother said with a smile: "Let the people of Nanfu set up a stage on the other side of the river another day, and the wind is wrapped in silk and bamboo instrumental music, let's drink and gossip here, so that it will be interesting." The queen said: "What's so difficult about this, Ming'er's concubine asked Nanfu to send a few servants over." Shu Concubine echoed: "It's still Lafayette who has seen a lot of time, not like me, I can't wait to stand under the pillar when I watch the play, where can I want to listen to the wind through the water." The Queen Mother was amused and said with a smile: "Listening to the music across the water, the artistic conception is good." ”

Seeing that the Queen Mother got up and walked towards the pavilion, Concubine Xian hurriedly took the green satin mattress from the palace people and spread it on the railing pedal. The Queen Mother sat down by the railing, patted Concubine Xian's hand, and said with a smile: "You are still careful in your work." When the queen heard this, she was secretly unhappy in her heart, but she still had a smile on her face. It was Shu Concubine, not to be outdone, and said: "Lafayette has walked a long way, does it hurt in his feet?" As he spoke, he knelt down and said with a smile: "The concubine will give you a beating." The Queen Mother bowed her head and said, "Good boy." ”

It was just a joke that Concubine Gao saw several yellow-canopy flat boats swimming in the lake from a distance, she was stunned for a moment, and said happily: "It's the emperor who is here." Everyone got up and walked to the dock to greet them, and the emperor got off the boat and jokingly said, "Lafayette came out to play, and he didn't take me with him." ”

The Queen Mother smiled: "Your political affairs are urgent. The queen led the concubines to ask for peace and said, "Lafayette wants to listen to the play, and the concubines are preparing for Ming'er to set up a stage." The emperor nodded and said, "The rest of the matter is up to you." ”

The emperor saw Concubine Shu kneeling at the feet of the Queen Mother and beating her legs, she was wearing a fuchsia jacket, her temples were decorated with several yarn piles of crape myrtle, cardamom was in her prime, revealing a compelling youthful vitality, like a flower bone on the tip of a tree, rich in bones and flesh, with buds waiting to be released. I couldn't take my eyes off it for a while, and said with a smile: "Concubine Shu is filial, how should I reward you?" ”

Concubine Shu smiled back and said, "The concubine secretly begged the emperor for a reward." She spoke playfully and cleverly, and with a big smile on her face, no one could hate her.

The emperor pointed at Concubine Shu and smiled at everyone: "Look, I said casually, she really begged for a reward, she really didn't understand the rules." Concubine Shu sneered at each other and said coquettishly: "The emperor is the king of a country, so naturally whatever he says is what he says, how can there be any reason to joke about my little girl." She snuggled at the feet of the Queen Mother and pouted: "Queen Mother, you should quickly comment!" ”

The Queen Mother made a straight face and said, "Little ghost, you dare to hold the emperor hostage!" Frightened, Concubine Shu's face turned purple, and she hurriedly said: "The concubine is just playful, not intentionally offended, please forgive the Queen Mother." Seeing that she was sincerely frightened, the Queen Mother laughed again and said: "The mourning family just said a word, you are bluffing like this, in the end, you are close to the emperor!" ”

The emperor saw that her face was frightened, Chu Chu knelt on the ground pitifully, his heart softened, he stretched out his hand to help her up, and said with a smile: "The Queen Mother is joking with you, don't be afraid, I just like your audacity and dare to say anything." Concubine Shu knelt for a long time, her knees were numb like ten thousand ants, she was unsteady on her feet, leaning on the emperor more and more, and she couldn't straighten her waist for half a while.

Concubine Gao looked at it coldly, sighing, the "audaciousness" in the emperor's mouth is just a flirting and scolding when he is greedy for freshness, and when he falls out of favor, don't say "daring", even if he talks more than half a word of gossip, he has to weigh it before he can speak. She has also been "bold", but now she has long been accustomed to "being cautious in words and deeds".

The spring breeze blows across the lake, refreshing and pleasant, the queen mother is very happy, ordered people to set up a pastry banquet in the pavilion, and the concubines play sieve riddles, the emperor occasionally accompanied to drink two cups, sat for a while, and then got up and retired.

While sending the queen off, she said: "The concubine estimates that she will have to live in the palace for a month or two, anyway, the Nanfu wants to send people, so it is better to transport the summer palace clothes by the way." The masters are okay, but most of the palace people below don't have all the clothes, and the weather is hot all of a sudden, and the clothes in spring are a little unbearable. ”

When the emperor heard this, he nodded and smiled, and said, "The queen is virtuous, just do what you want." The queen said, "The concubine obeys the order." He also advised: "The emperor should be careful when taking the boat." The emperor said: "Don't send it, you go back to take care of the queen mother." Everyone bent their knees and said, "Congratulations to the Holy Driver." The Emperor got on board and flew away.

Returning to Nian'en Hall, Liu Tongxun and other scholars of the Hanlin Academy came forward to talk about the way of "The Mean" and "Zhou Yi". When it was time to hold the lamp, the emperor was tired, and the ministers knelt down. The room was silent, the emperor was crooked on the rattan chair and pretending to sleep, and an attendant from outside came quickly, secretly talking to Wu Shulai under the corridor. The chamberlain lifted the vermilion lacquered wooden box and said, "The fold that came out of the palace in the morning." ”

Wu Shulai flipped through it casually, and was about to present it, when he saw that there was a letter with no name and no surname in it, so he picked it up and asked, "Where did this come from?" Why didn't you write a name? The waiter thought for a while and said, "Yes, Yikun Palace has passed on Zhang Ask An to fold." "It's nothing else, it's the one, Wu Shulai is at ease, puts the fold in his arms, and steps into the house.

Coincidentally, Li Yu handed over the green head card, and the emperor heard the sound, woke up, stroked his forehead and said, "Xuanshu Concubine today." Li Yu snorted and bowed back. Wu Shulai stood on the side and said, "Your Majesty, the pure master has sent a letter." The emperor was surprised, and after a while, the corners of his mouth slowly raised a smile, and Wu Shulai hurriedly put the fold into the emperor's palm.

The emperor waved his sleeves, and the idle people waiting in the room quietly retreated. Although the emperor had dismantled many folds, it was the first time that he was so careful. He tore open the envelope outside, and inside was a piece of cut rice paper, spread out, and there was a line of graceful plum blossoms, and said, "You can return slowly." ”

He chewed his tongue and read it again, "The flowers on Mo are blooming, but they can return slowly." "A thousand words, just one sentence can be said. As if he was tired and softened, he got up and stood in front of the window, watching the night fall, the moon in the west building, the stars shining white, and he couldn't help but think of the little people in the palace wall. When he arrived, Concubine Shu went to bed in the Nian En Hall.

The emperor put down his imperial pen and said with a smile: "You are here." Concubine Shu blessed her body and said, "The concubine has been dressing up for a long time, please forgive the emperor." The emperor said, "It's okay, come and study the ink for me." ”

Concubine Shu crossed a trace of doubt, didn't say anything, and stood respectfully beside her, waiting for the emperor's approval. She saw an envelope with no words on it, resting under the White Tiger paperweight, which seemed extremely important, and she thought it was an important piece at first, and she didn't care. But later, I always saw the emperor looking at the envelope and being stupid, with a trace of trance.

She deliberately wanted to attract the emperor's attention, so she picked up the envelope lightly and said with a smile: "What is it, the concubine also wants to see it." If it was plain, the emperor would definitely smile and say: "The harem is not allowed to interfere in politics, don't mess around." But today, the emperor suddenly collapsed his face and said coldly: "Put it down." Concubine Shu only thought that the emperor was playing with herself, so she said angrily: "The concubine also wants to see it!" ”

The emperor still had that cold look and said, "Put it down!" ”

Concubine Shu saw that the emperor was angry, and threw the envelope like a hot potato, but accidentally threw it in the inkstone, although she hurriedly scooped it up, but it was still stained with ink. The emperor was even more angry, his face was indifferent, he didn't say a word, grabbed the envelope, wiped the ink with a handkerchief, and scolded: "You go back." "Since entering the palace, she has never been disciplined, and she is a waiter, if she is driven back, Ming'er will definitely spread all over the palace, and what face will she face.

She was at a loss, hurriedly knelt down, and said: "The concubine is wrong, the concubine will never dare anymore, the emperor forgives the sin." The emperor had already turned around and said, "Wu Shulai." Wu Shulai knew that he was angry, and entered the house in fright, and said respectfully: "Long live the master, what do you command?" The emperor said: "Send someone to send Concubine Shu back." ”

Wu Shulai didn't know why, and he didn't dare to say more, so he said to Shu Concubine: "Master Shu, please go with the slave." Concubine Shu still wanted to beg for mercy, but Wu Shulai lost a look at her, she had no choice, so she had to get up, invited Shuang'an, and said unwillingly: "The concubine retires." The Emperor did not look at her again, but went to the bedchamber.

When she arrived at the bottom of the corridor, Concubine Shu held back her tears and said, "Is there anything important going up?" made the emperor so upset. Wu Shulai didn't dare to talk nonsense, and said: "How can the slave be virtuous, how can he know about the affairs of the imperial court, Master Shu laughed." Seeing that she couldn't say anything, Concubine Shu became more and more sullen, and couldn't help but whisper: "There is an unnamed envelope on the imperial case, whose fold is it?" ”

Wu Shulai played a small drum in his heart, the pure concubine was deeply favored, and now he has an heir, and he may not be able to raise the flag to the concubine in the future. And right now, this one has a prominent family background and is young, and he may be able to soar one day.

He thought for a moment and said vaguely: "It's from the harem that I invite An Zhizi, and the slave doesn't know which master it is." In this way, Shu Concubine thought about it a little and understood most of it. Back in the house, Concubine Shu always felt indignant, Xiang'er brought a bowl of Qingxin tea to her, and said: "The master is smooth, when the emperor is very tired and wants to sleep alone, don't take it to heart." ”

Concubine Shu took two sips, slid the teacup, and said, "How can I not take it to heart, who else can there be in the harem that the emperor values so much?" I thought that this time I would take advantage of her pregnancy and can't go to the palace with Hu, save the emperor's heart, and try so hard to please the Queen Mother Lafayette that I almost broke my knees - but this is the result. She gritted her teeth and said, "The emperor even has her greetings so important, it can be seen in her heart..."

Not long after Xiang'er served Concubine Shu, she always saw that she was in a hurry, and she had never been so lonely, so she called softly: "Master." After hesitating for a moment, Fang said: "The slave maid has been in the palace for several years, whether it is the first emperor or the current long live lord, the women who have been spoiled are countless, now she is favored, and Ming'er is replaced by someone else, the flower is not red for a hundred days, the status of the harem is based on family background and means, and the first concubine is favored like the young concubine, not because of the brother's ability, one is prosperous, and one is lost." ”

Concubine Shu looked at Xiang'er, so shocked that she couldn't speak, and only after half a sound did she say in a daze: "I didn't see it, you know a lot." Xiang'er blessed her body and said, "Thank you for your praise." Concubine Shu pinched Supa and wiped her tears, then took the teacup back into her hand, sipped it shallowly, and asked, "You go on." ”

Xiang'er is not the closest palace maid to Concubine Shu, she tries her best to invite pets, she thought for a moment, and then said calmly: "Not long after you entered the palace, although you can say a few words in front of the queen mother, you are far inferior to the master Xian. In addition to the queen in the palace, it belongs to the high master, and the Xian master is the concubine, although the current high master is in charge of the six palaces, but once the queen has the spirit, she will naturally take it back. And the Xian master just came out of the cold palace, she plotted to kill the emperor's concubine, but she was safe, it can be seen that the queen mother really cares for her. Long live our lord to rule the country with filial piety, the queen mother's words never go against it, the slave maid thought, what will happen in the future is really uncertain. ”

Concubine Shu stared at the tea leaves in the cup slowly blooming in the turquoise juice, ups and downs, and said slowly: "What do you mean, is it for me to win over the master?" Xiang'er nodded and said, "The queen mother is generous and benevolent, and she doesn't like gangs in the palace." The high master is also an arrogant person, and it is difficult to approach. Only the master is gentle and generous, has a good temperament, and has the queen mother as a backer. After a pause, he said: "The master is young and beautiful, and when he has an opportunity in the future, it will not be too late to cross to the head of Concubine Xian." Shu Concubine felt that she was listening, her brows gradually flattened, revealing her usual expression, and said, "Okay, I know, you will serve in the house in the future." ”

Xiang'er was overjoyed, and hurriedly knelt down and kowtowed three times in a row, and said, "Thank you, master Longen." ”

In the afternoon of the next day, the weather in late spring faintly revealed the unbearable heat. The queen rested and got up, and when she saw that the sun was hot and poisonous, she changed into a summer robe and palace skirt made of ice and silk. Shanrou took out the mung bean paste from the well water, put it in a large bowl, put it in a food box, and presented it into the house. The queen sat on a rattan chair, and two palace maids stood next to her shaking fans, and Shanrou blessed her body, and said, "The master drinks a bowl of mung bean paste to relieve the heat." The queen took it and said, "It's so hot." ”

Outside, a palace maid came in with a curtain, and said on her knees: "Master Qiqi, someone from outside said that people from Nanfu have arrived." The queen scooped up the bean paste and ordered, "There is a courtyard next to the Saihu Tower, let them live first." After finishing the dots, let's set up a stage on the other side. Seeing that there was no other command, the palace maid responded with a "yes" and bowed down. But after a while, the palace maid opened the curtain and came in again, and the queen took a nap, got up and said impatiently: "What's the matter?" Eating a bowl of mung bean paste is restless. ”

The palace maid was timid, and she didn't care about the queen's anger, and said: "Enlighten the master, the saint has arrived at the Hanging Flower Gate." ”

The queen was stunned for a moment, hurriedly threw the spoon, and said hurriedly: "Why didn't you say it earlier?" The palace maid was so choked that she couldn't speak, and she knelt down. The queen glared and said, "Don't get out quickly, you have to let the emperor see it." After speaking, I didn't care about it, walked to the bedroom in a few steps, cut a pink and white peony on the flower stand and put it on the sideburns, and then put the hair on the side of my ears. Shanrou picked up a pair of white jade earrings from the sandalwood carved makeup box, put them on for the queen, and then took two eyes into the bronze mirror, and was about to go out to meet the car, but the emperor had already stepped in. With a smile on his face, he said, "Did I disturb your lunch break?" ”

Shanrou performed a double peace ceremony, and when she saw that the queen was still stunned, she smiled and said: "The queen got up early, and just now she was talking to the slave and maid about the people coming from Nanfu, and she didn't have time to freshen up, so she delayed the drive, and asked the emperor for forgiveness." The queen came back to her senses, curtched her knees, and said, "The concubine greets the holy driver." The emperor still smiled and said, "It's okay." Then he asked, "How is the affairs of Nanfu arranged?" ”

The queen replied: "The servants all live in the courtyard of Saihu, and the concubines have ordered them to set up a stage. The emperor stood leaning against the window sill, and the slanting sun reflected sparsely on him through the bamboo curtain under the corridor, shining the golden silk dragon pattern. He rarely showed a relaxed and relaxed appearance, which made the queen more and more sincerely afraid, and he said gently: "There is no need to set up a stage." Without waiting for the queen to speak, the emperor continued: "Ming'er will drive back to Luan, the queen mother is tired, you are so waiting." ”

Because the curtains were hanging down on all sides, the room was not very bright, he stood in front of the window, wearing a moon-white forged civilian robe, and his body was haloed with light, and his posture was majestic, like a celestial man. The queen was surprised, yesterday she clearly said that she would live for a month or two, and allowed her to order someone to take her clothes and Xuanlingren, only to spend the night, and suddenly said that she wanted to return to Luan. She had been following the emperor for a long time, and when she saw that he was only standing and talking, with an indifferent expression, she knew that he was not here to discuss with her, but only to inform him, he didn't even have a perfunctory effort, and was about to leave after speaking. The queen swallowed the question in her heart and said respectfully: "Yes." ”

The emperor nodded with satisfaction, and said with a bow: "You go and arrange it, I still have to speak, so I will go first." As he spoke, he didn't say anything more, and walked straight out. When I arrived at the door, I seemed to suddenly remember something, turned around and said: "This time I went out of the palace to hunt, all to let you relax, Yonglian is my crown prince, I will always put him in my heart, remember him, and give him the best courtesy." After a pause, there was a sad look in his eyes, and he said: "I know that your heart hurts, but let him pass in the past, and in the future, you will give birth to my elder brother, and you will still be my sister-in-law and crown prince." Back in the palace, I hope you can cheer up, and the affairs of the six palaces are still in charge of you, so that I can feel at ease. ”

After several years of husband and wife, it was the first time he spoke so heartily. A warmth rose in the queen's heart, and her eyes were covered with a thin mist, and she was so confused for a while that she didn't know where to start. The emperor took her into his arms and said in a mellow voice: "You are my wife, you enjoy great glory, and you will have better in the future." He was tender and meaningful, and the queen lay on his shoulder, couldn't help crying, and choked up: "Concubine... The concubine thanked the lord Longen. ”

She couldn't think of anything else but to say thank you.

Wei Wan'er stood on the edge of the threshold and opened the curtain, and the emperor's words came to her ears word by word, even more than the golden words of Buddhism. Since the emperor entered the house, her heart has been pounding, she really wants the emperor to pay attention to herself, but she doesn't even dare to raise her head. The emperor finally stepped out, the apricot yellow deerskin dragon boots approached step by step, she didn't know whether she was surprised or delighted, she only felt hot all over, her throat was blocked, and even her breath hung in the air, unable to fall to the ground. The emperor actually stopped in front of her, she became more and more panicked, raised her head blankly, met the emperor's inky eyes, was stunned, and hurriedly turned her face again, not daring to look at him.

Shanrou reprimanded: "Wan'er, quickly open the curtain!" ”

Wan'er was shocked, as if she had been picked up from a dream, and paused for a moment before she lifted the curtain in a panic. The emperor didn't care, didn't look at her, and left. The queen drove to the Hanging Flower Gate, saw that the emperor had gone away, and then turned back into the house to arrange everything.

Due to the urgency of the royal car, the Ministry of Internal Affairs did not know the news until the time of the lantern. Qingcheng lived in a simple place, and now I feel uncomfortable, and it is not dark yet, so I rested early. In the middle of the night, she fell asleep in a daze, feeling that someone was leaning on her, rubbing and hugging, first thinking that she was dreaming, and after a while, she suddenly woke up and shouted: "Who is it?" ”

The man didn't speak, Qingcheng was shocked, he didn't care about his face, he resisted with punches and kicks, and shouted loudly: "Come on..."

She bit the man's lip with her dead force, and the emperor let go of his hands and feet in pain, and said anxiously: "It's me, it's me..."

Qingcheng heard the voice, breathed a sigh of relief, and said, "I'm scared to death." He sat up again and said, "Why did you come back?" The Emperor grinned in pain and said, "My lips were almost crushed by you. Qingcheng hurriedly called Hai'an into the house to light the lamp, Hai'an listened to the two outside, he was already laughing so much that his stomach hurt, he entered the bedroom with a look on his face, lit a few arm-thick candles, and quietly retreated.

The emperor's mouth was full of sweetness, and he pressed the tip of his tongue against it to stop the bleeding. Qingcheng hadn't seen him for a few days, and he couldn't hold back his thoughts, and threw himself into his arms, and said, "You deserve it, who told you to sneak around..." Do you want to declare the Imperial Doctor? The emperor said with a fake anger: "Can it not hurt?" Your teeth are so good, if I don't speak, I won't be able to keep my tongue. Qingcheng didn't know where he got the courage, and he was not afraid of him being angry at all, but held his face, pouted and kissed his lips tremblingly, looked at him with a smile, and said, "Does it still hurt?" ”

The couch was changed with a thin tent of scarlet veil, reflecting the candlelight, her white porcelain-like face was also covered with a faint flush, and her lips were slightly curled, and he couldn't help kissing it and drawing it. She is no longer a favored person in the remote corner of Zhongcui Palace, and she is already familiar with how to sleep.

She responded to him warmly, and the emperor was out of breath and couldn't help laughing: "Little girl, when did you know this?" ”

Qingcheng Qingying said: "Then you, like... Dislike? ”

The emperor crouched on her sideburns and said faintly: "I can't help but be happy." "The warm breath blows in the ears, crispy and numb, and it is simply intoxicating. I don't know how long it took, but the light was already on the window, and I was so tired that I fell asleep. On the second day, Qingcheng woke up, felt a pain in his waist, and was about to call someone into the house to wait, turned over, but saw that the emperor was sleeping soundly, and couldn't help but be stunned.