"I let her down." Nie Peixiao's heart ached and she also regretted it: "I knew that she had always treasured this poem, and I would not have listened to Yun Xiangrong's one-sided words and ruined her trust in me......"

"Who said she was disappointed in you?" Empress Dowager Ye couldn't bear to see her beloved son in such pain, and hurriedly explained: "She gave you this poem because she cherishes the friendship between you, and I hope you can understand that you are just bosom friends." ”

Nie Peixiao pursed her thin lips, and then looked at the strings in the brocade box: "Out of Xiu......" His lips trembled, staring at the broken string, he could only say the name that was burned in his heart, and he didn't know how to reply.

"She also has a sentence for the queen mother to convey to you - 'The concubine will never play the qin again, in order to repay the kindness of His Royal Highness'." Empress Dowager Ye said with tears in her eyes, and she relayed it word for word.

"Never touch the pi......ano again," Nie Peixiao muttered and repeated, unable to say the words again. Guilt, regret, emotion, embarrassment, sadness...... In the end, it all turned into this sentence, and the slightly hoarse voice was extremely firm: "Since she no longer strokes the piano, I will never play the flute again." ”

The yellowed paper was tightly held in Nie Peixiao's hand, and what he didn't want to let go of was actually the yellowed years.

One is to never play the piano again, and the other is to never play the flute again...... Empress Dowager Ye was even more emotional for a while, and she didn't know how to say her mouth to consol: "What kind of sin is this!" Xiao'er, is it worth it? ”

Nie Peixiao didn't answer, his left hand was clenched tightly, and the knuckles of his fingers were slightly white from too much force, but he didn't realize it himself, as if he was trying his best to smash the paper in his hand.

Seeing this, Empress Dowager Ye was even more distressed, and hurriedly held Nie Peixiao's left hand with both hands, trying to break it open: "Let go, what's the use of you not taking care of your body here now?" You're going to have no chance of it. ”

Hearing this, Nie Peixiao turned her head in a daze, and reacted for a moment before saying, "You didn't say that before you went to Yunfu today. ”

Empress Dowager Ye bowed her head and felt guilty for her beloved son: "She convinced me...... I don't agree with you marrying her, not even in the side room. ”

"Okay." Nie Peixiao's thin lips were like sharp blades, and she smiled slightly, immediately stinging Empress Dowager Ye's eyes. But she also knows that Mrs. Xiu is soft on the outside and rigid on the inside, seemingly tender as water, but in fact she has a strong temperament, and coercion and temptation have no effect on her. What's more, the dignified Yun family is the housewife, and she once had a poignant love story with Yun Ci.

As Empress Dowager Ye herself, after learning that Chuxiu was Han Chu, she didn't want Nie Peixiao to combine with her, and taught the Yun family, Helian family, and Ming family to laugh shamefully, losing the dignity and face of the royal family.

"There is no grass at the end of the world." Empress Dowager Ye persuaded softly: "Although Mrs. Chuxiu is beautiful, she is a woman in her twenties, not only from a dusty background, but also a child, which is not a good match for you." What kind of girl do you want? Everyone's beautiful ladies and small jasper, looking at the north and south, you can choose. ”

yes! Thinking of him, he is a dignified and honest king, and his status in this world is second only to his imperial brother Tianzhu Emperor. Beauty is everywhere in him, but he is so forgiving, and there are regrets that he can't love......

It's time to die completely! Chuxiu not only sent this piece of paper and this string, but also said that he would never stroke the piano again. He should be very satisfied to be able to get her forgiveness and cherishment, what else can he ask for? If she continues to fight stubbornly, she will only be despised and spurned by her even more.

Besides, even his mother said that he was moved......

Thinking of this, Nie Peixiao finally let go of her left hand, letting the yellowed paper flutter and fall from the bed, landing silently. A song "Zhu String Break", a fate that has been entangled for nine years, has finally quietly disappeared, as if this thin paper can no longer bear the lightness of life.

Love is like quicksand, the tighter you hold it, the easier it is to lose. He has worked hard and cherished it, and the rest is only left to fate. But fate is so amorous, but it is so ruthless to him......

*****

Since Empress Dowager Ye came back from Yunfu, Nie Peixiao has been like a different person, no longer decadent, no longer depressed, and reinvigorated. It's just that they are becoming more and more reticent.

If it weren't for Empress Dowager Ye accompanying and watching every day, she would never have thought that this calm man would be her only son, the former handsome and handsome Nine Emperor Princes who liked to eat, drink and have fun, and were good at music and rhythm, had become what they are now.

Empress Dowager Ye didn't know whether the change in her beloved son was good or bad, but she knew that there was one thing that could not be delayed - to choose a princess Cheng immediately:

"You are now twenty-six, this marriage can not be delayed any longer, the mourning family has drawn up several alternative names, all of them are talented and beautiful high-ranking ladies, this time I will discuss with your imperial brother when I return to Beijing, and strive to finalize your marriage as soon as possible."

Nie Peixiao should not admit or object, and did not express his position with a calm face.

Empress Dowager Ye was very distressed, in the past, she had never urged Nie Peixiao to marry, she always felt that her beloved son was picky, and it didn't hurt to wait a few more years, there were always younger and more beautiful ladies who were on the spotlight one after another, even if they were more than ten years apart.

But now, she finally had to be ruthless, and first finalized her beloved son's marriage: "If you don't speak, the queen mother has the right to acquiesce." Now this is a top priority, and you see, the queen mother will definitely choose a virtuous and virtuous wife for you, thousands of times better than that lady Xiu! ”

Nie Peixiao couldn't bear to worry the Empress Dowager Ye, and felt that it was no longer possible to go out with Xiu, so she could only agree: "The son is the queen mother." ”

"Good! That's what it sounds like! Empress Dowager Ye was quite pleased, remembering her beloved son's shoulder injury, and asked tentatively: "The climate of Yanlan City is warm and humid, and it is rainy all year round, which is not conducive to the recovery of your injury. Why don't you let your royal brother change a fiefdom for you? I see that Quzhou and Huizhou are good, and they are closer to Jingzhou. ”

This time, Nie Peixiao refused very bluntly: "No, I'm in Fangzhou." ”

"For Mrs. Izumi?" Empress Dowager Ye asked.

"That's just one of them." Nie Peixiao's handsome eyes rippled, and her misty gaze suddenly brightened: "Quzhou is your maiden home, Huizhou is an important land and water, although these two places are not as rich as Fangzhou, but the imperial brother will not let me go." ”

As soon as these words came out, Empress Dowager Ye's face turned pale for a moment, and she scolded: "What nonsense are you talking about! ”

"Whether the son is talking nonsense or not, the queen mother knows best." Nie Peixiao's words were plain, just stating the facts: "When the imperial brother gave me Fangzhou, first, at my own request; Second, this was his fiefdom, which shows that my two brothers are very close and share fertile soil; But the most important reason is that you and I know it well - Fangzhou is the place where the imperial brother is in power, and he has many henchmen here, so he is not afraid that I will have a bad heart. ”

Nie Peixiao looked at Empress Dowager Ye as she spoke: "The imperial brother is not your biological brother, and his biological mother is from a humble background, which has always been a knot in his heart. He has an estrangement from you, and he is most worried that you will take advantage of your mother's family to rise to the throne and help your sons to ascend to the throne. If you want to reassure the imperial brother, it is better for the retainer to stay here...... You can also get closer to Izuku. ”

Empress Dowager Ye didn't expect that Nie Peixiao didn't seem to be familiar with political affairs, but her heart was so clear that she had already felt these bends and bends clearly. And she had nothing to say but silence.

"Queen Mother's ......" said this, Nie Peixiao also wanted to ask Empress Dowager Ye's thoughts: "Have you really thought about this?" ”

"What have you thought about?" Empress Dowager Ye pretended to be puzzled.

Nie Peixiao didn't give her a chance to escape, and asked bluntly: "Have you ever thought about uniting with your uncle to overthrow the imperial brother and let me replace him?" ”

Finally, Empress Dowager Ye's face changed slightly, and she wanted to avoid this, but after thinking about it, she still said cryptically: "Your imperial brother is the founding emperor of the Daling Dynasty, and he has a high deterrent merit...... Unless he is mediocre and tyrannical in the future, he will not be able to overthrow him within ten years. ”

"Erchen advises you not to be delusional in ten years." Nie Peixiao said clearly: "You have already told Erchen what you said, and you have indeed had this thought. ”

Empress Dowager Ye did not deny it, but smiled: "You are not in good health now, what are you still thinking about?" The most important thing is to have a good baby. ”

Nie Peixiao still couldn't let go: "Erchen has deliberately alienated his uncle in recent years, just because he is worried that the imperial brother will be suspicious. You'd better also weigh your weight and don't let the royal brother break his heart. ”

"Do you still need to teach this?" Empress Dowager Ye glanced at him and hurriedly changed the topic: "Your spirit is getting better and better, and your shoulders are much sharper, so I should go back to Jingzhou after the queen mother." Settle your family affairs early, otherwise you will never be at ease. ”

Nie Peixiao didn't keep it, but asked calmly, "Which daughter do you fancy to?" ”

"The Buddha said, don't say it." Empress Dowager Ye chuckled: "You'll know then." But no matter who you choose, it will definitely surprise Xie Shudan. ”

*****

Every year on August 14, Yingyuan Palace has to prepare a Mid-Autumn Festival night banquet to feast on the families of important ministers. Although this banquet was prepared by the queen, according to the etiquette system, the Empress Dowager Ye must also attend. In order to return to Yingyuan Palace before the Mid-Autumn Festival Night Banquet, she did not stay too long in Yanlan City, and set off for Jingzhou on July 18.

Along the way, she hurried and hurried, and just returned to Yingyuan Palace on August 13, and Queen Zhuang Xiaoran had already arranged the night banquet properly, and she didn't need to worry about it at all. A Mid-Autumn Festival night banquet ended in its happy atmosphere, and in the main hall, the Emperor of Heaven and the important ministers drank happily; In the apse, Empress Dowager Ye, Queen Zhuang and the ladies of each family wore fragrant clothes and sideburns.

On the 15th day of August, Emperor Tianzhu was sympathetic to the heavy ministers who drank excessively, and it coincided with the Mid-Autumn Festival, so he issued an order to stop the day. Empress Dowager Ye saw that the timing was right, so she went to the holy study with the name post.

At that time, Emperor Tianzhu was in a happy mood, and he was standing in front of the case to practice calligraphy, and the female official was studying the ink carefully on the side, and she also watched it with relish. Empress Dowager Ye motioned for the inner supervisor to be silent, and looked outside the door for a long time before interrupting the two with a light cough.

Emperor Tianzhu and Danxin raised their eyes together, and saw that it was Empress Dowager Ye standing at the door, and called together: "Queen Mother (Queen Mother)." ”

Empress Dowager Ye smiled and stepped into the holy study, and Emperor Tianzhu walked down from the imperial case and saluted: "I have seen the queen mother." ”

The indifference is also Yingying's worship: "The slave has seen the Queen Mother with a low heart." ”

Empress Dowager Ye has seen Danxin a few times, and she also knows the identity and origin of this female official, and then thinks of Mrs. Xiu and her beloved son Nie Peixiao, and can't help but secretly sigh that the Yun family has a lot of trouble, the master is, and so is the slave and maid.

She glanced at her heart and said lightly: "The mourning family and the saint have important matters to discuss, you can avoid it for the time being." ”

I didn't expect Empress Dowager Ye's first sentence to be so blunt, and she was a little stunned for a while, looking at Emperor Tianzhu and not knowing how to reply. Emperor Tianzhu bowed slightly, and she came to her senses and hurriedly retreated.

When she walked away, Empress Dowager Ye immediately said, "The Holy Lord treats this female official well." ”

Emperor Tianzhu's eyes narrowed slightly, and he seemed to be smiling: "The queen mother is dissatisfied with the Yun family?" Or are you dissatisfied with my female officer? ”

Empress Dowager Ye snorted lightly, which can be regarded as a default to the former.

Emperor Tianzhu took the opportunity to start the topic: "How is Jing Duo's injury?" ”

"He was so decadent that one of his arms was almost ruined. However, Mrs. Xiu does have some ability, and she can talk about the mourning family in just a few words, which also makes Xiao'er completely dead. Empress Dowager Ye sighed lightly: "Most of the men of the Yun family are short-lived, and the women are more powerful than the other. There is Xie Shudan in the front, and Mrs. Xiu in the back, and the mourning family looks at your carelessness, and it is also very means. ”

Emperor Tianzhu laughed loudly when he heard this: "It's just that the queen mother is dissatisfied with the Yun family, what does it have to do with indifference?" She has been by my side for the past two years, and she can be regarded as keeping to herself. ”

"Sooner or later, she will have to leave the palace, and she will always have a relationship with the Yun family again." Empress Dowager Ye secretly observed Emperor Tianzhu's expression as she spoke, and saw that his eyebrows were frowning, as if he was very taboo about this topic.

Empress Dowager Ye saw a little subtlety in this, and asked again: "This time, the mourning family made the decision without authorization and inscribed a poem on the archway of Yun's chastity, won't the saint mind?" ”

The queen mother laughed. Emperor Tianzhu replied very casually, and asked hesitantly: "But with my understanding, you and Mrs. Xie have always been at odds, why did you inscribe a poem to her this time?" ”

These words successfully aroused the anger of Empress Dowager Ye, she snorted coldly, and said with great dissatisfaction: "It's not that I fell for Xie Shudan's trick, not only did I fail to let Mrs. Xiu get out of the Yun clan, but I also gave her face in vain!" ”

Every time she mentioned her grievances and grievances with Mrs. Xie, Empress Dowager Ye always talked endlessly. Emperor Tianzhu was afraid that she would be like this again this time, so he hurriedly stopped the topic and persuaded: "Queen Mother, relax your mind, don't be angry about this idle matter." ”

Empress Dowager Ye grabbed the post in her hand and smiled: "She has a good plan, and the mourning family also has a ladder over the wall, how can she win a game for nothing?" ”

"Oh? What does the queen mother mean by this? Emperor Tianzhu asked with a smile.

Empress Dowager Ye took the opportunity to hand over the post in her hand and said with a smile: "There are a few ladies on this, who are the princesses Cheng chosen by the mourning family for Xiao'er." The saint might as well guess, which one is the favorite of the mourning family? ”

Emperor Tianzhu took the name post, glanced at it roughly, suddenly his face sank, and replied coldly: "If I guessed correctly, the queen mother is Xie Peili of the Xie family in Quzhou, the niece and granddaughter of Mrs. Xie. ”