This year's autumn ended very early. It's only November, and there have been several heavy snowfalls. In the blink of December, although it was sunny for a few days, the snow covering the land of the capital did not melt, but condensed into hard snow stones, and there was no trace of softness and lightness.

"Your Majesty, it's so cold outside, if you go like this, the slave is really not at ease." In the snow, Li Yu's anxious voice came from far and near, and he even used his strength to eat, but he still couldn't keep up with the emperor's royal chariot. "Your Majesty, you better go later, the palace door will open at this time......"

"Spread my will, stop the court once today, and no one is allowed to say where I went, otherwise I will only ask you." Hongli was angry and attacked, and his tone was harsh and irrefutable.

Li Yu was relieved and knelt on the snow all of a sudden. "The minions obey." Selfishly, he really didn't know what to say. Going out in such a hurry really doesn't arouse suspicion? "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, do you really not count in your heart when you are the queen? If you don't count, you won't often summon Imperial Doctor Cao to the palace to ask for a pulse. ”

"Has the emperor gone again?" Lan Xin looked at the makeup mirror of the phoenix perched Wutong expressionlessly, and Jinlan took her head for her. Concubine Jia was on the side to choose accessories for her, and Concubine Ling also chose an orange flag outfit to present. "In the past month, the emperor has been running to Fu Heng's mansion for a while every three or five days, every time because Xiaobeizi is sick, don't you think it's strange?"

Jin Peizi's hand shook, and Lilac fell back into the brocade box. Fortunately, the queen's attention is not here, otherwise there are some things that cannot be hidden.

"Niangniang, it is reasonable for the emperor to care about Xiaobeizi. After all, that is the child of the Fucha clan, the pillar of the country in the future. Wei Yating smiled slightly, just making herself look natural.

When he got up in the morning, Yongying had a cough, and the palace was worried in his heart, so he asked Xiao Houzi to invite the emperor to come over. Who knows, the little marquis has just arrived at the Heart Cultivation Palace, and the emperor has already hurried out of the palace in the imperial chariot. Xiao Houzi saw that Li Yu had been chasing for a long time and persuaded for a long time, but the emperor never had the intention of stopping. ”

Lan Xin pointed a finger and pointed to the pair of cloves that Concubine Fang Cai didn't hold steadily: "Just it." ”

"Yes." Jin Peizi smiled and gently put it on for the queen.

"On one side is the flesh and blood of his relatives, and on the other side is the flesh and blood of his courtiers, how can the emperor be so indistinguishable from each other. Still is...... You all know the same secret, but you all trick this palace into hiding it? Lan Xin was just shallow and angry, she didn't know why they kept the same secret and didn't tell it, but she knew the secret.

Jin Peizi and Wei Yating glanced at each other, but after all, they were silent, only chose the clothes and accessories that the queen liked, and respectfully groomed the queen.

"Please, stop hitting me, please."

"Who told you not to work hard and wash all your mother's clothes? You deserve to be killed. Do you still think that you are the master of the first house, a concubine who is high up? Your concubine's food and clothing are not as good as those of an old slave, but it is because of the reputation of your mother's family that you have not taken away the title, what dignity do you have? It's not superfluous to tell you not to work hard, and it's not superfluous to kill you. ”

Su Wanrong walked outside the door when she heard the voice of the housekeeper scolding Bai Suyu loudly. When I stepped in, I found that Concubine Yi was curled up in rags in the corner, looking extremely dirty. "Fenglan, it's inconvenient for me to come forward, you go ...... Remember, so that she understands what to do and what not to do. ”

"The slave understands." Feng Lan was a little trembling, she remembered that the emperor had issued a strict decree, and once the palace concubines who poisoned the emperor's heir were discovered, they were immediately beaten to death with sticks, and they would not show mercy. I'm just a small palace maid, just in case...... What's more, what the pure concubine Niangniang is best at is killing people and destroying her mouth, if things don't work well, then won't she kill herself?

Although she thought so, because Concubine Chun was standing behind her, she had to do it.

Su Wanrong saw that everything was safe, so she walked back by herself, but met the eldest brother Yonghuang halfway.

"Erchen to Chun Niangniang, please say goodbye." Yonghuang obviously came prepared, and his eyebrows and eyes were full of words to say.

Su Wanrong settled down and called him up affectionately: "Since the eldest brother lives in the palace, it is rare to meet you here." How can I be free today? Isn't it Chengxin waiting here for the main palace to pass by? ”

"Pure Niangniang is a person who understands, so she is naturally insightful. It's just that Erchen came today because he had something important to tell his mother. Yonghuang took a step forward, but he was not overly cautious, just spoke in his usual tone. Fu Heng's third son, Fukangan, suffered from pox, and the high fever did not go away in the past few days. Huang Ama is worried that his life will not be long, so he will accompany him every day, but I am afraid that you don't know about this matter, right? ”

I don't know. Su Wanrong was stunned: "If it's true, why didn't you inform the queen and tell me instead?" ”

"First, the emperor's mother won't believe the words of her son, and second, the concubine Yu who killed my mother's mother has now become the emperor's mother's person. Who knows if there was an instruction from the emperor back then, so it is safer to sell this favor to Chun Niangniang. Yonghuang said truthfully.

The ghost smiled, and Yonghuang still had something to say: "In addition, Erchen also knows another thing, presumably Chun Niangniang already has the answer in her heart." But Erchen had to repeat it. Fukangan was born to Huang Ama and Yehenara at all, and had nothing to do with Fucha Fu Heng. This matter, the emperor is still in the dark, so when she says this, the pure mother knows how to show the emperor's mother, right? ”

Hooking her lips and sneering, Su Wanrong asked calmly, "Told me so many important things, Yonghuang, what do you want?" ”

Yonghuang also smiled when he heard this, and bowed his head: "Erchen does not have the protection of his mother, he only asks Chun Niang to feel sorry for Yonghuang." In the coming day, whether the third elder brother ascends the throne or the sixth elder brother ascends the throne, the mother is invited to look at today's face and reward her sons with a rich errand. If so, the sons will be grateful. ”

"You're smart." Su Wanrong smiled softly: "Don't worry, Yonghuang, whoever is good to this palace, this palace must remember it in his heart." ”

"Then the minister will retire." Yonghuang saluted again and left with a smile.

At that time, Fenglan also walked out of Xinzheku. "Mother, the slaves and maids are done."

"Nope." Su Wanrong smiled coquettishly: "This palace has changed its mind." You can find a way to let that slut of Yi Concubine get the pox, or let her get the disease on her clothes and secretly use it on the seventh elder brother. She was originally the Huanyi slave of Xinzheku, and no one would suspect that it was our mind, so it was safer. ”

Fenglan almost cried, the feeling of being amnesty was really beautiful. In this way, she doesn't have to help Concubine Chun take risks, and the elder brother who dies of illness is better than being poisoned to death, isn't it? "Yes, the slave understands it, and it will be done."

Lan Xin leaned on Hongli's chest, listened to his vigorous heartbeat, and asked softly: "The emperor has been unusually tired these days, is he unwell?" ”

"Not really." Hongli shook his head: "It's just that I encountered some things, and I was a little upset in my heart, so I was tired." ”

"If it's a state affair, Lan Xin doesn't dare to ask, and she doesn't want to ask. If it is a matter of heart, the emperor will say that it is okay, maybe the concubines can try to share the emperor's worries. Gently sniffing the faint aroma of ambergris on his body, Lan Xin was used to such a bitter smell. It's like his heart, just as elusive and unforgettable.

"It's not a big deal." Hongli didn't want to say, "It's good for you to accompany me quietly like this." ”

Relatively silent, the two were silent. In the end, Lan Xin still fell asleep disappointed, and he still didn't want to tell himself some words. Rather, a king ought to have a king's calculations.

Before dawn, Lan Xin heard the sound of hurried footsteps outside the door. When she opened her eyes, she saw Hongli beside her in a dream, she didn't want to alarm him, so she lightly put on her clothes, pushed the door and walked out.

The moment the door opened, a cold wind poured in from outside. Hongli only felt a chill on his neck, and he sobered up. "When, so early?" He sat up in a dull manner, but in fact he did not sleep soundly that night.

Lan Xin went and returned, his eyes were red: "The emperor is not good, Yongcong has a high fever." Please summon Imperial Doctor Cao to the palace as soon as possible. ”

"Yongcong has a high fever?" Hongli jumped up from the bed violently, didn't even care about wearing clothes, and ran to Yongcong's wing room with quick movements.

The nurse and the inner chamberlain were in a panic, hugging and coaxing all kinds of care, but they didn't stop Yongcong's crying.

"Let me see." Hongli was sensitive, and his first reaction to taking Yongcong was to stroke his forehead. Immediately after, he hurriedly put down Yongcong, quickly unbuttoned the button on his chest, and his face changed suddenly.

Lan Xin felt strange, and couldn't help but lean closer to take a closer look. "Ahh How so? This is a pox disease, a pox disease, the palace is good, how can there be such a vicious disease? The emperor, quickly pass the imperial doctor Cao into the palace, and the concubines thought that if they found out in time, Yongcong would be fine. ”

Hongli nodded, and then ordered in a low voice: "You all stand down, and you are not allowed to come in without my orders." ”

"Your Majesty, why are you doing this?" Lan Xin was really puzzled: "Yongcong ...... him"

"I ...... instructed Cao Xuyan to go to Fu Heng's mansion to see Bei Zi's illness, during this time, he has been living in the mansion and has never been on duty in the palace. Here's why...... Xiaobeizi suffers from pox. Hongli felt guilty, he was very worried that he had brought this evil disease back to the palace and infected Yongcong.

Lan Xin's brain buzzed, and he only felt like he was about to explode with a headache. "Your Majesty, how can you ...... How can you ...... You have harmed your own Yongcong. Xu is heart was too sad, Lan Xin was excited, and his words were too harsh: "Why, you always go to see Fukangan?" Why do you always stay by your side when you know he has pox? Could it be that he is really your child as a lie? Your Majesty, don't you feel ashamed of our mother and son, and the Fucha clan by doing this? ”

Hongli saw that Lan Xin was annoyed, and his tone became bad: "Things haven't been figured out yet, don't you lose your temper, okay?" ”

"Then you tell the concubine, what did you and Miaoyun do outside the Changchun Palace on the day Concubine Jia moved? You shocked Concubine Jia's womb, but you still want her to keep her mouth shut, and almost lost her life to maintain your so-called dignity. Also, you keep saying that you are innocent with Miaoyun, but Zhilan is drugged from it, so the concubine wants to ask and see, Zhilan can drug Miaoyun, how can she drug you. She didn't enter the palace until the day she died, and saw your face!

Also, Miao Yun is pregnant, why did you collude with Fu Heng and not allow me to know. That child is clearly yours, but the concubine asked three times and twice, but you just refused to admit it. Your Majesty, didn't you say you'd never ask each other? Where is your honesty, how can you ever have a little sincerity towards your concubines? If it was Hongday, he would definitely not treat his concubines like this. ”

Hongli was injured by Lan Xin's last sentence. He originally wanted to explain and admit his mistake, but after hearing this, he was angry and refused to give in. "I am rich in the world, what if Miaoyun is pregnant with me? Yes, Fukangan is the blood of the dragon and phoenix, and he is my kinsman, and for me, he is no different from Yongcong.

Can't I go and see him? As the queen, in your heart, there is even a man next to you, who is it that disgraces the Fucha clan, and do you still have me in your eyes? ”

"Your Majesty, do you have to sue the wicked first?" Lan Xin trembled with anger, over the years, she had never been so tough against the emperor, all these years she had no feelings except forbearance and forbearance. It's not because she's weak, it's not because she's cowardly, it's because she really loves it.

It's a pity that he is so selfish, he actually harmed his own children for the sake of other people's children.

Lan Xin also felt sorry for Fukangan, but at this moment, she just wanted Yongcong to be safe. Seeing Yongcong's bitter hoarseness, his little face burned red. "Your Majesty, pass Cao Xu into the palace for Yongcong to take a look, right? I beg you, the concubine. ”

"I see." Hongli waved his sleeves and walked out without looking back.

Only Lan Xin, who was in tears, and Yongcong, who was weaker in illness, were left.

On December 29, the twelfth year of Qianlong, the seventh elder brother Yongcong died of pox.

This night was originally the night of Chinese New Year's Eve. It's a good time for families to sit around the copper stove and eat dumplings and watch fireworks.

The copper basin in front of Kelan Xin that turned into paper was placed, and the flames in the copper basin were soaring, as if they were going to roast everyone's faces. She sat on her knees, throwing paper into it in two pieces, and the thin yellow paper burned to ashes, and died with her heart.

Above the mourning hall, there was no one to speak, and there were no comforting voices. Yes, just intermittent crying, low, soft, like the smoke and rain in the south of the Yangtze River, with pathos, never stopping. Lan Xin couldn't hear the words of others, and he didn't want to look at their faces, for fear that if that sadness pierced into his eyes, he would never be able to pull it out.

"The emperor and grandson of the mourning family are gone?" The Queen Mother walked into the mourning hall with the support of Concubine Xian, and before she glanced at Yongcong, she was already in tears. "Panyu, it's so dignified, why did the emperor and grandson of the mourning family leave? Instead, he called the mourning family, a black-haired man, and sent the white-haired man. How can it not be heart-wrenching? If you accompany me to see him, it will be regarded as a ride after seeing him off. ”

Panyu didn't expect that when they saw the queen last time, the two of them were still talking close to their hearts, but this time they saw each other, but this was the case. "The Queen's Day mourns." This sentence is difficult to say calmly, Panyu is not unable to understand the queen's mood at the moment, I still remember the heavy pain in her heart when Yonglian went, and I don't want to repeat the pain of more than nine years.

"Take care of the Queen Mother." Lan Xin said such a sentence weakly, then lowered his head again, and continued to turn yellow paper one by one. As if something had happened, she didn't know how else to mourn the pain in her heart.

"Queen, you have to take care of yourself." The Queen Mother said earnestly: "You are still young, sooner or later you will add a few little brothers to the emperor." ”

Lan Xin's tears fell on the paper all of a sudden, and he couldn't stop it. "Thank you for your care." The voice in her heart was very clear, and Lan Xin knew that she would not have any more children.

Lan Xin's illness is more than half a month. During this time, she was still in charge of the harem chores, as usual. But when she didn't do anything, she never spoke, as if she had no heart, just numbly repeating what she had been used to doing for more than 20 years. And this habit may not be emotional, it is just a continuation of the old days.

In the second half of the first month, Lan Xin's condition improved slightly, and she couldn't stand the persuasion of the Queen Mother, so she agreed to Hongli to go on a tour to the east, but she died of illness on the way, and she couldn't support it.

The accompanying imperial doctor was naturally Cao Xuyan, and he was helpless in the face of the queen's sudden and drastic illness. The curtains in the tent are naturally not as good-looking as those in the palace, and the simple style looks slightly old, but it can't hide the queen's haggard and sick face.

"Niangniang, your medicine is cured." Cao Xuyan walked in with a medicine bowl and knelt beside the bed: "Is it okay to let Weichen serve your decoction?" ”

Lan Xin squeezed out a smile hard: "Over the years, the body of this palace has always been taken care of by Imperial Doctor Cao, bothering you for so long, this palace really doesn't want to go...... However, it won't be long before I think about it. ”

"Mother." Cao Xuyan didn't dare or wanted to listen to such worrying words: "Don't say that. It's all because of the minister's strength that you have to endure so much hardship. ”

"You can save your life, but you can't save your heart." Lan Xin sighed faintly and blocked the decoction that Cao Xu had handed over. "If I don't drink this palace, I will be very bitter in my heart, if I drink this medicine again, I am afraid that it will ...... It's even more bitter. What's more, whether you drink or not, it's a dead word. The heart of this palace has gone with Yongcong Yonglian...... If you don't want to, you can't afford to come back. ”

"Mother, it's useless." Cao Xuyan cried bitterly, unable to express the severe pain in his heart. "It's useless."

"Nope." Lan Xin shook his arm hard: "You're not useless, you're using the wrong mind." Cao Xuyan, you are so stupid. Lan Xin knew what was on his mind. She has already seen the bits and pieces of these years. If it weren't for his sincerity, he wouldn't have had to do so much for himself. "This palace has nothing to repay, Imperial Doctor Cao, you have to cherish ...... in the future"

Hongli opened the curtain and walked in, eagerly stopping in front of Lan Xin. "Let me come." After holding the medicine bowl in Imperial Doctor Cao's hand, he sat down slowly: "Lan Xin, can I feed you the medicine?" ”

Cao Xuyan was very reluctant, but he also knew that he was not suitable to stay here. had to slowly retreat with tears in his eyes.

"The concubine doesn't want to drink anymore." Lan Xin turned his face away, unwilling to look at Hongli.

"Are you still blamed on me?" Hongli put down the medicine bowl according to his words, helped Lan Xin up again, and gently hugged him in his arms. "These days, I feel guilty, I feel guilty, I worry about my heart, it's all because I shouldn't hide it from you. I shouldn't be honest with you, I shouldn't have hurt Yongcong recklessly, Lan Xin, it's okay for you to forgive me, when you get better, I will definitely have another sister-in-law with you......"

Lan Xin pushed away Hongli: "Yonglian is gone, and eight years later, the concubine has Yongcong again." Yongcong only lived for 20 months, but died of pox...... The concubine was injured once, and then she was injured a second time, where is the strength to hurt again. What's more, the emperor does not have Yonglian Yongcong, and there will be other children. The concubine's blessing is thin, and it is only Bo's own blessing, which has nothing to do with the emperor. ”

"Do you really, not only forgive me?" Hongli almost cried and asked, "In your heart, even the last trace of beauty is gone?" “

"No, the emperor, in the heart of your concubine, you have never changed." Lan Xin didn't choose a place to speak, but it was a deeper layer of sadness. What hasn't changed is just the appearance and beauty of the past, and now, she has long dared not admit it.

Li Yu walked in with his chest and said respectfully: "Your Majesty, the eldest brother is here and has brought the queen mother's decree." Take the queen back to the palace to recuperate. ”

"Got it." Hongli didn't care, but still stared at the weak wife in front of him infatuatedly.

"Your Majesty ......" Li Yu stubbornly called again: "Six hundred miles of urgency, the ministers are still waiting for you to discuss the matter." ”

Hongli reluctantly left Lan Xin: "Tell them to wait." The tone was so impatient, he didn't want to leave her side at this time. I'll be with you, and when you're asleep, I'll go back to the business. ”

Lan Xin shook his head and said with a solemn expression: "Your Majesty, the concubines don't dare to abolish the major affairs of the court with their bodies. ”

Yonghuang walked in at this time, and after saluting, he sincerely persuaded: "Huang Ama, what Huang Eniang said is reasonable, and the right thing is important. It's better to let the retainer stay here to talk to the emperor's mother. ”

"It's fine." Hongli stared and sighed: "I will come when I go." ”

Yonghuang sat down slowly on the edge of the bed, and his smile suddenly became weird. "Huang Eniang, the death of the seventh brother Yongcong, the sons know that you are very sad, but natural and man-made disasters are always unavoidable, you still mourn and change, and it is important to take care of your body."

"I have a heart." Lan Xin was in a bad mood and didn't want to say anything.

But Yonghuang was interested: "If the death of the seventh brother can be described as a natural disaster, then guess how the second brother died?" ”

When Lan Xin heard this, his heart twitched fiercely: "Yonglian, Yonglian's death...... Could it be that you know the inside story? ”

"Listen." Yonghuang frowned and shook his head, his voice was already very disgusted: "You don't even have the strength to speak, what can I tell you?" Smiling proudly, Yonghuang waited for this day for a long time: "It was Erchen who secretly persuaded Yonglian not to take medicine, and it was Erchen who taught him to get into the pool in the middle of the night to cause a high fever and win your love." It is also Erchen who has been showing off your love everywhere, which makes him feel so unbalanced. These, the emperor's mother will never think of in a lifetime. The son is kind-hearted, before you die, tell the truth, and hope that the emperor can rest in peace and be clear-sighted. ”

"You...... It turned out to be you......" Lan Xin trembled with anger, gritted his teeth and sat up supporting his body: "This palace treats you like a parent, how can you ...... So vicious? ”

"After all, it's a layer of belly, who doesn't protect their own interests first?" Yonghuang disagreed: "If the emperor really treats her sons and ministers as if she were her own, why should she protect Concubine Jia's slut?" She's the culprit who killed my mother. The separation of flesh and blood is the most painful time, and the sons have tasted it, and the same is true for you.

It's just that your son is much luckier, and you can go through the same pain twice. Huang Eniang, the sons are really envious. ”

"What a ruthless heart...... Lan Xin couldn't pound it in one breath, only felt dizzy. She never dreamed that the person who killed Yonglian turned out to be Yonghuang who she grew up watching. "This palace has eyes and no beads, and in this life I have never seen people's hearts clearly, and I have never ......"

Hongli returned to the tent where Lan Xin was placed after the discussion, and saw Yonghuang kneeling outside the tent, crying like a tearful person. "Yonghuang, your emperor's mother, she ......"

"Huang Ama, Huang Eniang, she is about to die. Just now, she kept holding her son's hand, and asked her to convey her heart, but the imperial grandmother was worried about it, and the emperor wanted to leave for Beijing immediately. Yonghuang wiped his tears and said heart-wrenching words. The ministers are afraid, afraid that the emperor's mother will not be able to hold on...... I didn't dare to agree, and I still hope that the emperor Ama will decide. ”

"Since it is your emperor's mother's wish, drive over there immediately." Hongli's eyes were full of tears: "You hurry up and make arrangements." With that, he hurried into the tent. Lan Xin, I'm back, I'm here to accompany you. Wherever you go, I'll be by your side. I will ride a horse with you, sail on the lake, I will conceive a son with you again, watch him grow and become a talent together, I will never distrust you again, I will never deceive you again...... Lan Xin, did you hear what I said, you answered me? ”

Lan Xin's face turned pale, and even the last bit of strength was exhausted. Let him take himself into his arms, let him kiss her chapped lips warmly. Lan Xin didn't struggle anymore.

Your Majesty, do you know that in my heart, you will always be the same as before...... Not the slightest!

On March 11, the thirteenth year of Qianlong, Empress Fucha died in Texas at the age of thirty-seven.