The world of film and television starts from the flow of money

The biting north wind carried tiny snowflakes, which rolled wildly over the golden tiles of the Yiku Palace, swirling out clouds of hazy white mist.

The wind was so strong that the gilded copper bells on the eaves could not bear the weight and froze into lumps of ice. In the morning, the palace servants had to hold long poles wrapped in cotton wool and carefully tap them, and the bell tongues would barely start to swing again.

The white marble platform in front of the main hall was deliberately poured with water to form ice, and the craftsmen skillfully cast a lifelike dragon pattern on the ice.

Concubine Zheng loved the hustle and bustle, and she would often watch the young eunuchs falling down due to their unstable walking on the ice. Whenever this happened, she would always let out a crisp laugh.

The window frames of the east side hall are pasted with Goryeo tribute paper. The sunlight that shines through the paper is filtered into a bluish-gray color and falls on the twelve Suzhou embroidery screens in the hall, making the pictures of a hundred children embroidered on the screens flicker. The expressions of the children seem to come alive in the changing light and shadow.

Under the blue bricks, the underground fire channel rumbled, burning pine wood from the West Mountain. In the entire harem, only the Yiku Palace enjoyed this privilege. Even the Kunning Palace where the queen lived could only use coal blocks for heating. Twelve copper charcoal basins with inlaid gold dragon patterns were lined up along the wall. The silver charcoal in the basins made a slight crackling sound when it burned, and the sparks flew down and landed on the gold-woven grape vine patterns on the Persian carpet, disappearing in an instant.

Under the south window, an exquisite enamel incense burner was steaming agarwood. The curling white smoke slowly seeped out through the window cracks, blending with the white air exhaled by the icicles on the eaves when they were warm, gradually merging into one, blurring the boundary between inside and outside the window.

Concubine Zheng was leaning on a rosewood couch carved with a dragon, with a snow fox fur coat casually draped around her waist, revealing her rouge-red, gold-woven horse-faced skirt underneath.

Although she was over 30 years old, Concubine Zheng still had skin as smooth and delicate as a young girl. At this moment, her jade-like fingertips were playing with a string of Buddhist beads brought from Siam, which were gently turning on her fingertips.

Concubine Zheng had an oval face, dark eyebrows, and the corners of her eyes were carefully drawn with black ink. Her eyes sometimes looked angry, sometimes smiling. The rouge on her lips was made of Impatiens juice mixed with pearl powder, and under the candlelight, it had a warm luster.

"Your Majesty, do you think this ice skating picture is interesting?"

Concubine Zheng suddenly stood up, and the gold-threaded jade-inlaid hairpins in her hair rustled with her movements. She stretched out her scallion-white fingers and pointed at the newly hung "Ice Play on Yingtai" on the wall. The jade bracelet on her wrist accidentally knocked against the heater cover, making a crisp sound, as pleasant as the sound of a chime.

Seeing this, the maidservant hurriedly brought a gilded hand warmer to warm her, but she gently raised her sleeves to push it away. Her wide pomegranate-red sleeves slipped halfway down, revealing the pale green lotus tattoo on her forearm.

Emperor Wanli was wrapped in a black sable cloak, curled up in an armchair. He was already forty-five years old, with a swollen and pale face, and dark circles under his eyes. The jade bracelet on his thumb had long been rubbed to a warm and translucent state, and at this moment he was tapping on the crystal paperweight on the desk in annoyance, making a crisp sound.

Hearing Concubine Zheng's tender words, Emperor Wanli reluctantly raised his eyes and saw that the rouge red was particularly eye-catching among the snow-colored fox fur, and his Adam's apple moved unconsciously.

"My beloved concubine has lost weight recently."

Emperor Wanli's voice seemed to come from deep in his chest, with a hint of phlegm. As he spoke, he reached out to embrace Concubine Zheng, but accidentally knocked over the blue and white lotus medicine bowl with his cuffs with woven gold dragon patterns.

The brown medicine spilled on the Persian carpet, quickly leaving a hideous mark.

The eunuch on duty saw this and immediately knelt down to wipe it, but Wanli kicked him on the shoulder: "Get out! Call the Imperial Inspector Zhao to come to me!"

"Yes!"

The eunuch covered his shoulder and retreated with horror on his face.

Concubine Zheng came over gracefully, stretched out her cold fingertips, and gently touched Wanli's hot forehead: "Why bother to get angry with me."

The familiar smell of jasmine oil mixed with her unique body fragrance wafted through her hair, reminding Wanli of the scene when they first met 20 years ago. At that time, she had also climbed up the curtain of the sedan chair, and with a sweet smile, she threw a dewy peony on his dragon robe, and she had entered his world ever since.

"I have just composed a piece called 'Zhe Hongmei'. Your Majesty, would you like to listen to it?" As she spoke, Concubine Zheng stood up and took the mother-of-pearl red sandalwood pipa without waiting for Wanli to respond. She put on the gold and jade armor and gently stroked the icy strings. A burst of air-breaking sound suddenly rang out, startling the white parrot on the beam and flapping its wings.

Wanli looked at her drooping neck. Through her snow-white skin, he could vaguely see the pale blue blood vessels underneath trembling slightly with the music. For some reason, he suddenly felt that the woman in front of him was like a gorgeous but dangerous bamboo leaf green snake. He knew it would be dangerous to get close to her, but he still couldn't help but want to reach out and touch her.

The needle of the gilded copper clepsydra in the western room slowly pointed to the third quarter of the afternoon. Concubine Zheng suddenly stopped the string music and said, "I heard that Prince Fu composed "Ode to Snow" in Wenhua Hall yesterday, and he outdid all those old scholars in the Hanlin Academy."

As he spoke, he glanced at the memorial in Wanli's hand. It was the memorial from the Ministry of Rites requesting the establishment of a crown prince. His slender fingers seemed to carelessly stroke the back of Wanli's hand, and the coral armor gently scratched a thin mark on the word "national foundation".

After hearing this, Wanli started coughing violently.

Concubine Zheng took advantage of the situation and pressed his head on her knees. The twelve tassels of the emperor's crown fell on the edge of the couch, entangled with the gold tassels on the concubine's skirt. She hummed a Suzhou tune softly, and inserted her fingers into Wanli's sparse hair. On the surface, she was gentle as water, but the smile on the corner of her lips gradually turned cold in the shadows.

Outside the window, the evening snow was falling faster and faster, covering the gold paint on the plaque of "Yikun Palace" under the eaves with a layer of gray, and the whole Yiku Palace was shrouded in a cold atmosphere.

At the beginning of the Xu hour, the eight-treasure box was placed on the lacquered and gold-trimmed table. Concubine Zheng held silver chopsticks and served the dishes to Emperor Wanli personally, with the gold bracelet inlaid with nine dragons playing with pearls on her wrist jingling with her movements.

Wanli drank half a cup of lamb wine from her hand, his cloudy eyes fell on the slightly open collar of the imperial concubine. On the gold filigree collar there was a thumb-sized oriental pearl, round and dazzling, exactly the brightest one among the tribute from Ryukyu seized last year.

The secret door of the warm room suddenly opened, and several young eunuchs carefully carried in a huge ice sculpture, which turned out to be a lifelike Penglai Fairy Mountain. Seeing this, Concubine Zheng smiled and threw the wine cup in her hand, and the wine splashed on the ice sculpture, and a white mist rose instantly.

In this mist, Concubine Zheng moved lightly and began to dance. Her bare feet tapped the ground with her toes, and the hem of her pomegranate skirt fluttered with her movements. When the hem of her skirt swept over the ice sculpture, her feet without stockings were exposed.

Her ten toes were painted with bright red nail polish, and in the hazy water vapor and candlelight, they were dazzling red, just like drops of blood suddenly splashed in the snow, revealing a unique beauty and enchantment.

Emperor Wanli was sitting on the couch, already attracted by this extravagant and fantastic scene. When he saw Concubine Zheng dancing like this, he felt his heart begin to beat wildly uncontrollably. His breathing gradually became rapid, and his eyes were fixed on Concubine Zheng, his eyes full of intoxication. He raised his hand and gently waved to Concubine Zheng, his voice a little hoarse and anxious: "My beloved, come to my side."

As if Concubine Zheng had anticipated this scene, she smiled sweetly and ran towards Emperor Wanli. She was as graceful as a young swallow returning to its nest and threw herself into the arms of Emperor Wanli.

Instantly, the unique fragrance of Concubine Zheng's body came to his face and lingered in the nose of Emperor Wanli. It was the smell of jasmine oil mixed with his own body fragrance, familiar and charming, which made Emperor Wanli intoxicated. Emperor Wanli stretched out his arms, tightly hugged Concubine Zheng's waist, gently stroked her back, and felt her delicate skin.

Concubine Zheng raised her head slightly, gazing at Emperor Wanli with her affectionate eyes, with a faint smile on the corner of her mouth.

"Your Majesty, are you happy with my arrangements today?" Concubine Zheng asked softly. Her voice was soft and gentle, brushing against Emperor Wanli's heart and stirring his heartstrings.

"My beloved concubine is so attentive, how can I not be happy?"

Emperor Wanli spoke in a low voice with a hint of satisfaction. After that, he lowered his head and kissed Concubine Zheng on the forehead.

Concubine Zheng gently nestled in the arms of Emperor Wanli, her fingers unconsciously playing with the belt on his chest. She looked up at the ice sculpture, a hint of imperceptible pride flashed in her eyes, and she raised her head and gently untied the hem of her skirt...

In the warm room, water vapor still filled the air, and the ice sculptures slowly melted under the candlelight, with water droplets dripping onto the ground.

When the midnight drum sounded, Wanli had fallen into a deep sleep.

Concubine Zheng gently pulled out her numb arm, took out a brocade bag from under the pillow, and unfolded the secret letter in the dim light of the remaining candle. She saw the seal of Li Chengliang, the general of Liaodong, clearly visible on the letter.

He brought the letter close to the candle flame, and the tiny characters gradually appeared on the tip of the flame: "Thirty thousand cavalry are ready, only waiting for the imperial concubine..."

At this moment, a cold wind suddenly blew in through the window, causing the candlelight to shake violently.

Concubine Zheng turned her head suddenly and saw Wanli mumbling in his dream: "Chang Xun... my Chang Xun..."

Concubine Zheng pursed her lips and smiled softly, with a hint of subtle meaning in her smile. She scattered the ashes of the burnt letter into the cloisonné spittoon. When all traces disappeared, she turned around and regained her charming and charming look, and said softly, "Your Majesty, it's time to take the golden elixir."

...............

At noon, the thick clouds were finally pierced by the sun, and the sunlight poured down like a sharp sword, hitting the eaves of the Yikun Palace. The ice cones that were originally hidden in the dark were illuminated by the strong light and instantly became bright.

On the platform in front of the palace, the dragon-shaped ice pattern reflected the sunlight, emitting a dazzling silver light that made it hard to open one's eyes. The young eunuchs, wearing thin clothes, knelt on the scarlet felt, shivering, holding the copper shovels tightly in both hands, and scraped away the floating snow that had accumulated during the night. Every movement was done with great care, for fear of disturbing the silence of the deep palace, and for fear of being punished for no reason if they made any mistakes.

The window lattice paper in the west end room was heated by the sun, and the unique celestial fiber texture of Goryeo tribute paper was clearly visible under the strong light. The lines divided the hall into light and dark areas. The ground dragon fire channel was added with Liaodong pine cones last night, and the fire was so strong that the blue bricks underfoot were hot.

Concubine Zheng's rouge box was casually placed on the warm stone by the window. The jasmine ointment in the box had melted into half a box of honey water after being baked by the heat, and the sweet fragrance slowly drifted away.

Emperor Wanli turned over in the dragon-patterned brocade quilt, and as he moved, the twelve-tasseled crown tilted and pressed heavily on half of his cheek. The white beads on the jade moss accidentally stained the rouge on the pillow, which stained a little pink, adding a bit of weird color to his slightly pale face.

Zhang Cheng knelt on the steps outside the palace. The snow on his black gauze hat was melting into water, sliding down the brim and dripping onto his shoulders. The hem of the dragon robe bestowed by the emperor was covered with ice, and the tide pattern embroidered with gold thread was frozen stiff. He deliberately let his knees sink into the half-foot-deep snow pit. The biting cold instantly climbed up along his leg bones, and the cold poison spread throughout his body, making his teeth tremble with cold. But he gritted his teeth and did not move. This was his old way of showing his loyalty to his master, and it had worked over the years.

The moment the palace door opened and closed, a wave of hot air with the fragrance of agarwood rushed towards him. Frost flowers condensed on Zhang Cheng's eyelashes. In the blink of an eye, broken ice fell on the Persian carpet, and instantly turned into a few dark water stains. He raised his eyes slightly and caught a glimpse of the mutton-fat jade medicine bottle tilted beside the dragon couch. The brown juice overflowing from the bottle mouth flowed along the cracks in the floor tiles.

"Your servant greets the Holy Saint."

Zhang Cheng spoke in a low voice and his forehead hit the ground heavily. The gilded floor tiles were still warm and burned his eyelids so much that they jumped.

Emperor Wanli was half-leaning on a soft pillow with gold threads, his collar loose, revealing the dark red cinnabar spots on his neck. Concubine Zheng's rouge marks were still clearly left on her collarbone, dark in color, like a maple leaf that was about to wither.

"speak."

The emperor's voice was hoarse, as if it came from a deep jar, with a hint of laziness and impatience.

Zhang Cheng hurriedly pulled out a report from his sleeve: "Liaodong Town reported that the Jianzhou Jurchens had newly cast three red-coated cannons with a range of 1,200 steps."

As he spoke, he paused deliberately, raised his eyes to peek at Emperor Wanli's expression, and saw that his brows were slightly frowned, then he continued: "General Li, please allocate 300 new-style muskets to the Shenji Battalion."

The copper leak in the corner of the warm room suddenly got stuck, and the originally regular dripping sound stopped abruptly, and the atmosphere in the palace suddenly became solemn. Emperor Wanli's thumb unconsciously rubbed the jade hairpin again, the movement was slow but with a sense of oppression. This was a sign that he was about to get angry, and Zhang Cheng, who had been in this palace for many years, knew it very well.

Seeing this, Zhang Cheng took two steps on his knees and got closer to Emperor Wanli. The box of Southeast Asian pepper in his sleeve pocket slipped out quietly. The box was small and exquisite, and it gleamed faintly in the sunlight. Concubine Zheng loved this thing the most, so he prepared it specially in case it came in handy at a critical moment.

"The Thunder Gun that Wang Gongchang tried to manufacture last month..."

Wanli suddenly spoke, his throat slurring and making unclear sounds: "How do you compare?"

"When the might of heaven comes, the scoundrels will have a hard time stopping them."

Zhang Cheng responded quickly, his voice somewhat flattering: "It's just that this gun barrel requires Fujian fine iron, and Yunyan Pavilion currently has a monopoly of 70%..."

He swallowed the end of his words just right, lowered his head slightly, and saw out of the corner of his eye that Emperor Wanli's brows were furrowed even tighter. He was secretly proud of himself. He knew very well that the emperor hated the merchants who became too powerful the most. This slight provocation aroused the emperor's fear.

(End of this chapter)