The Legend of the Loved One

Chapter 117

It is already late autumn, and the red leaves are light.

No matter how beautiful the autumn scenery is around Ren Zhou, the young man in white who walks in it has no intention of yearning for it.

After walking a few more steps, he will turn out of the imperial garden, but his own east palace and the place he yearns for are in two directions.

Hearing that she was ill, that's why he didn't come here today, Song Chi suddenly tasted the feeling of longing, and wanted to step into that Lanlin Palace and visit her.But in his capacity, it was a forbidden area.

Even if the father doesn't like her, maybe the father will never step in, but as the father's child, as the prince, he is not qualified.

So he could only choose such a way, intentionally took a long detour, passed by her door, and chatted to comfort the unspeakable miss in his heart.

The eunuchs of the East Palace behind were all a little strange. The way back to the East Palace was clearly going east, but His Highness wanted to go around in a circle to the west. He also said that he had to take a few steps to digest the food after eating too much at noon, but they clearly saw that during the luncheon Your Highness doesn't have a good appetite!Even though he couldn't figure it out, a slave knew that he shouldn't talk too much, so he just kept his head down and followed, and accompanied the prince on this journey of "digestion".

Seeing that he was about to pass by that rich gate, the eyes of the young man who deliberately slowed down his pace lit up, and he saw several palace people walking out of Lanlin Palace.

When the maidservants saw him, they naturally knew how to salute, so the prince, who was usually cold and ignorant, stopped, nodded, and asked casually: "I heard that Concubine Ning is ill, how is it now?" ?”

The little palace maid hurriedly lowered her head and replied: "If you go back to Your Highness, your majesty is just a little tired. The imperial doctor said that she can recover after a few more days of recuperation. There is no serious problem."

After slightly nodding his head, the young man felt relieved, and without further words, he lifted his feet and walked forward.

After returning to the East Palace for an hour, he guessed that he had already finished his rest, and the Queen Mother's edict came. Ning Yuan, the female official who announced the edict, said that after the class in the study room is over tomorrow, the Queen Mother invited him to Funing Palace to discuss the matter of getting married. , the boy's heart that had only been relieved a little bit suddenly became dignified again, and he answered yes lightly.

Ning Yuan didn't stay for long, and she left after the word came. The hall was not clean for a long time, and the people from Yufu Palace came to deliver the word again.

Entrusted by the queen mother, and also her nominal stepson, even though Chu Xue really didn't want to meddle in Song Chi's affairs, she still had to ask him to come over and show some concern.The servants of Yufu Palace passed a message to Song Chi, saying that if he is not busy, he will be invited to come over.The queen spoke, and his stepson had no reason to refuse, so he adjusted his appearance again and went to Yufu Palace.

In Yufu Palace, the three children who had just finished their nap were playing lively.

Xuan'er and An'an have been together for eight months, and it's time to climb. Xuan'er is active, her arms and legs are flexible, and she crawls around on the bamboo mat that has been laid; Coaxed harmoniously, the little man just grabbed his mother's hand and leaned on it, but he didn't want to climb with his brother.Le'er wanted to teach her sister, so she went up to the mat to demonstrate for herself, and kept turning her head, "An'an, look at my sister, learn from my sister."

An An opened her two big black grape-like eyes, looked at her sister for a while, and her brother for a while, hesitated again and again, and threw herself into her mother's arms.Le'er was greatly disappointed, and simply went to play with Xuan'er, who was crawling happily.

Xuan'er, the little overlord, didn't come to make trouble, so Chu Xue held her little daughter steadily, and An An was really well-behaved, and when she got into her mother's arms, she just kept babbling and talking to her mother endlessly.The little girl's tender voice is soft, and the mother's heart is also so soft that she can't help but kiss and kiss.

While playing here, it was rumored that Song Chi had arrived, Chu Xue nodded, and after a while, the boy stepped into the hall.

Seeing the scene in the palace, Song Chi was taken aback.

He was raised by his mother harshly since he was a child, and he rarely had the opportunity to play around like this with his younger brother Song Qian. At this moment, he felt that such a scene was a little strange, but it made him yearn for it.

After regaining his senses, he quickly bowed to Chu Xue, "I have seen my mother."

Chu Xue nodded and asked someone to give him a seat.

Seeing someone coming in, the children who were having fun were also taken aback.Le'er recognized her elder brother. Although she was not very close to her, the little girl was naturally familiar with others, so she called out sweetly, "Brother."

Song Chi nodded in response.

Seeing Xuan'er looking up, Chu Xue smiled and called, "Xuan'er, this is your elder brother, how about saying hello to elder brother?"

Xuan'er's temperament was not much different from that of her elder sister. When she saw a handsome brother in front of her, she also grinned and said "ah", as a way of saying hello to him.

The little guy looks energetic and has a loud voice. Song Chi was a little surprised by the little guy's affection for him, and couldn't help showing a rare smile, and said, "Good boy."

Seeing that there was a response, the little guy continued his efforts, let out another ah, and then climbed back and forth on his own.

Now only An An was left, Chu Xue bowed her head softly and said, "An An, come on, you also say hello to Big Brother."

The pink and tender little man nestled in his mother's arms, looked at his elder brother who was like an adult, and finally became shy, only grinned, and buried his face in his mother's arms again.

Song Chi discovered for the first time today that the pair of younger brothers and sisters are so cute, and for the first time he felt pity for the eldest brother.In addition to being warm, he felt even more ashamed. His mother, Xu Jinhe, had murdered them in the past. If something happened to them, the mother would have really sinned too much!
Because she had something to say to Song Chi, Chu Xue handed over the little people to the wet nurse, and led the boy to the side hall.

The young man was already much taller than her, which made Chu Xue lament how fast time passed. When she first entered the palace, Song Chi was only 11 years old. In the blink of an eye, five years had passed.

Came to the side hall to sit down, dismissed the idlers, Chu Xue smiled slightly, and said: "Today, I have summoned you here, there is nothing important, I just want to ask, are your daily life and homework all right?"

Song Chi bowed his head and replied, "Thank you mother for your concern, everything is fine in the son's palace, please rest assured."

Chu Xue nodded, and said straight to the point, "I feel that you don't seem to be very interested in today's flower viewing banquet. Chi'er, tell the queen mother, do you already have someone in mind? If so, you can say so." If the other party's conditions are suitable, I will ask your father to make an order to make her a crown princess. If her background is really poor, it doesn't matter. We can make it a side concubine first. Although this matter is The elders make up their own minds, but your grandmother, father and this palace will try their best to respect your wishes."

Different from the usual tough attitude of the biological mother, Song Chi was surprised by her problem, and even more surprised by the gentle attitude of the stepmother.For a moment, hope rose in his heart, and he really wanted to admit that there was someone in his heart, and he really wanted to ask this stepmother, who was loved by his father and emperor, to help him.

But after all, his brain is still rational, not to mention that his identity with Concubine Ning is impossible, not to mention that since his father appointed this stepmother, the ministers around him always reminded him to be wary, he should not Tell each other your biggest secret right now.

Song Chi shook his head, "My son, thank you for your mother's kindness, my son... I don't have anyone I like."

She had already expected this to be the case, so Chu Xue didn't force it, and said, "Okay then, let's leave this matter to the queen mother. After all, the queen mother is inexperienced, and your imperial grandmother will definitely choose better."

In a word, clear up your relationship.

Song Chi replied yes.

After this matter was finished, there was nothing more important, Chu Xue took care of her a few more words, and Song Chi was about to leave.

Chu Xue naturally wouldn't force her to stay, but thought of the expressions on the children when he came in just now, she smiled gently and said, "Come over and sit down if you have time, you are the eldest brother, younger brothers and sisters don't know how much they like you, especially Xuan'er, I like my brother the most."

Song Chi also smiled again, bowed his head in response, and left.

Watching the young man drift away, Chu Xue sighed in her heart, she had already lowered her posture, but the other party was still on guard, and that was beyond her control.Thinking about what Xu Jinhe has done, it is her utmost benevolence to be able to do this now.

On the second day, Funing Palace.

Because Yi's decree was delivered in advance, the young man arrived as promised in the afternoon.

Chu Xue also came here ahead of time. Since she was discussing the marriage, she, the queen mother, had to come. Even if she didn't make up her mind, she still had to put on a show.

When the young man entered, he greeted the empress mother and the emperor's grandmother first. The empress dowager looked at the eldest grandson, ordered someone to give him a seat, and then cut straight to the point and mentioned the matter of engagement.

Song Chi had expected it a long time ago, so there was no surprise on his face, and he only lowered his eyes to listen to the words of the emperor's grandmother.

The queen mother said: "I called you here today to ask your own opinion. The Ai family has taken a fancy to three girls here, and your mother also thinks they are good. The girls from Anpinghou's family and your Taifu's family are outstanding. She is also from a high family background, so she is a good candidate for the right concubine, the niece of Lord Zhu, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, has a gentle temperament, and it would be good to be a side concubine, what's your opinion?"

Song Chi's mood didn't fluctuate at all, because he had already thought about the answer before, so he just bowed his head and replied: "Grandson has no objections, just let the emperor's grandmother and queen mother decide everything."

The Empress Dowager was a little surprised, looked at Chu Xue, and then asked her eldest grandson tentatively: "Then fix all three girls, one on both sides, just right, how about it?"

These words finally made the young man react a bit. When he thought of three strange women living in his palace in the future, he felt a little nervous, and hurriedly refused: "Grandson thinks that three are too many, and one concubine is too much." That's fine."

He had some ideas of his own, the Empress Dowager finally relieved a little, and asked with Yan: "In your opinion, which one should you choose between Anping Hou and Yao Taifu?"

Thinking of his uncle's advice, the young man thought that the Marquis of Anping was obviously much more powerful than his grand tutor, so he lowered his head and said softly, "Just the Marquis of Anping's mansion."

The strengths and weaknesses of the two are obvious, such a choice is not stupid, the queen mother is more satisfied, and Chu Xue has no objection, so she said to her mother-in-law: "Since Chi'er is settled, the concubine will report to the emperor in the evening, and ask the emperor to do it for you." Chi'er bestows marriage."

The queen mother was very satisfied with her way of not intervening this time, she smiled and said, "Then I will trouble you."

After the major issues are settled, the grandparents, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law will leave after a few words of pleasantries.

After stepping out of Funing Palace, the young man looked up at the blue sky. Although the sun was still good in late autumn, he felt that such a life seemed to have no fun at all.

Unexpectedly, he stroked the fragrant handkerchief hidden on his chest again, and his beautiful eyes were covered with gloomy color again.

When the night falls, the men return to their nests.

The dinner that had just been prepared on the table was fragrant, and the children greeted them with smiles. The king was in a good mood, and he took the beauty by the arm and ate dinner comfortably.

Le'er eats by herself, it is enough to have a wet nurse serving the dishes, only the two little ones still need to stick to her mother, Xuan'er has a good appetite, staring blankly at the spoon in her mother's hand, the fragrant porridge is delivered to her mouth Bian couldn't wait to open his mouth, baji baji was delicious, An An also wanted his mother to feed him, and looked straight at Chu Xue with big black eyes.Chu Xue smiled softly, and fed the little girl another mouthful, and it was delicious.

To be honest, apart from being clingy, two children are easier to raise than one, and the meals for the two little ones are quickly finished, so Chu Xue finally has time to have a good meal with Song Chen.

Seeing her busyness, Song Chen felt a little distressed, and persuaded: "It's good for the two little ones to be fed by the wet nurse, and you have to eat well too."

She smiled gently, "In the past there was only Le'er, and the concubine fed it with her own hands. Now if I don't feed the two little ones, the concubine will feel very sorry."

"What a good mother." He stroked her hand gently.

After eating for a while, she remembered something important and said to him: "Today, the concubine and the queen mother asked the prince's opinion, and temporarily decided on the candidate for the prince's concubine." She poured a glass of wine for him as she spoke, "The queen mother thinks that Anping Hou, Grand Tutor Yao, and the ladies from Mr. Zhu's family are all good, and I wanted to settle all of them, but the crown prince only chose one concubine, the eldest granddaughter of Marquis Anping."

Song Chen nodded and said: "The style of the Marquis of Anping's residence is quite good. Since you all like it and he agrees with it, let's settle it."

"Yes." Chu Xue responded, poured another cup for him, and said, "The concubine will wait for the emperor's decree to bestow the marriage before taking care of the follow-up matters."

"it is good."

After he responded, he just raised his eyebrows and looked at her, making her full of doubts, and looked down at himself, asking: "Is there anything wrong with my concubine? Why does the emperor see it this way?"

He leaned into her ear and asked softly, "What's the queen's plan for pouring me wine cup by cup like this?"

What scheme could she have, just to make him relieve his fatigue.Before he could say anything, his mind quickly turned a corner, and he reacted, blushing and gave him an angry look.

He obviously wanted to give a slap in the face, but it fell into the man's heart and turned into a wink. Song Chen was very helpful, and happily drank a few more drinks by himself.

There are golden osmanthus blooming late in the yard, taking advantage of the night wind to send sweet fragrance, just like the harmony of the emperor and empress in this palace, gentle as waves, refreshing.

The next day, after the morning court, Marquis Anping was invited into the imperial study, and after a little discussion with the king, they made a marriage agreement. It was agreed that after two years, the grand wedding would be held after the crown prince's birthday.

Being married to the royal family, Marquis Anping is naturally happy to see that his future wealth and glory will be protected again. After returning to the mansion, he announced the news, and everyone in the manor was overjoyed.

It's just that in the deep palace, there is a different feeling.

She hid in her own palace for a few days, as if she was isolated from the outside world. Concubine Ning was used to being quiet and didn't feel anything, but the little maids in Lanlin Palace were already suffocated. As soon as they got fresh news today, they They all discussed.

Lianqiu, the personal maid, stepped into the palace, and sighed slightly when she saw the master who was quietly embroidering.

The master has been quiet and well-behaved since he was a child, but he was forced into the palace by the elders in the Marquis Mansion. With such a temperament, the master will not compete for favor at all, let alone there is a queen who is exclusively favored on his head. Poor master at such a young age Qing, do you want to be a nominal concubine for the rest of your life?

Hearing the sound, Concubine Ning raised her head, saw the lonely look on Lian Qiu's face, she was a little strange, and asked her, "What's the matter? I saw them forming a group in the yard, what are they talking about?"

Lian Qiu was afraid that seeing her master like this would be even more sad, so she quickly put on a smile and said: "It's nothing, I heard that the emperor issued a Taoist decree this morning to marry His Royal Highness..."

Before finishing speaking, there was a "hiss", Lianqiu paused, and looked at the master, and sure enough, he saw blood beads emerging from Concubine Ning's onion-like fingertips.She tied herself up.

Lian Qiu quickly walked over to wipe it for her, and said in a reproachful voice: "Master, why is he so careless, he has embroidered so many times, how could he hurt himself today."

Concubine Ning blushed, "It's nothing, I heard you talking just now, I didn't pay attention and rolled my eyes." She was a little apprehensive, but pretended to be unintentional and asked casually: "I wonder which daughter the emperor has chosen to be the crown princess? "

Lianqiu said: "It is said that she is the eldest granddaughter of the Marquis of Anping's family. Master, you have seen Miss Xu whose baby name is Fangfang. It's really quick to say, that Miss Fangfang was still a yellow-haired girl back then. After a few years, we have also made a marriage arrangement!"

Lian Qiu thought about it, smiled and comforted the master and said: "But we will get married in two years, and we will have acquaintances in the East Palace by then, and we can often visit to relieve boredom! Speaking of which, you are a generation older than her! "

What Lianqiu said is right. As a noble daughter of the same generation, Concubine Ning did often meet this Miss Xu family, and she was considered an acquaintance. She just thought that this girl who was four years younger than herself was already Song Chi's fiancée. In the future, she will become an official princess. For some reason, there is a trace of loss in a very secret place in the girl's heart.

Realizing that this feeling was too dangerous, Concubine Ning forced herself to calm down, and focused on the flower support in her hand again.

On the second day, the warm hat was finally embroidered, Concubine Ning put it on herself, and stepped into Yaohua Palace.

Although there is a ten-year difference in age, Concubine Ning and Li Jiaoyun get along very well because of their similar temperaments. With Song Ning around, for Concubine Ning, the Yaohua Palace, where she escapes from the world, is indeed a good place to relieve boredom.

"The concubine pays her respects to the imperial concubine and empress."

As soon as she entered the door, Concubine Ning saluted Li Jiaoyun first. Li Jiaoyun was promoted to imperial concubine before Chu Xuefeng. Logically, as the only concubine in the palace today, Concubine Ning should pay her respects.

Li Jiaoyun also liked this quiet girl, and said with a smile: "There are not so many rules here, my sister doesn't have to be restrained, sit down quickly." Then he ordered someone to give him a seat to watch tea.

Concubine Ning took out the newly embroidered warm hat yesterday, presented it to Li Jiaoyun and said, "This is what I embroidered yesterday, I don't know if my sister likes it or not."

Li Jiaoyun accepted it in surprise, looked at it carefully, and sighed: "Sure enough, my sister's hand is really skillful. Look at this embroidery, it's not far behind the needlework bureau! My sister is exhausted from embroidering these things?"

She shook her head and said with a smile: "No, I have nothing to do in the palace, and I don't like to do anything else, just pass the time, as long as my sister likes it, it's not hard at all."

"I like it. I'll wear it when it's cold." Li Jiaoyun happily asked Yuzhu to put it away, and continued to sigh with her, "It's really difficult for you. You can still calm down and do these delicate tasks at a young age. I like Not at your age."

Concubine Ning's smile was a bit stiff, she lowered her head, and whispered, "Sister, don't praise me, I don't have anything to do... When my sister was my age, she was already a mother, right?"

Li Jiaoyun paused, and suddenly realized that he had said something wrong.

She entered the palace at sixteen and soon became pregnant and gave birth to Song Qi. At Concubine Ning's current age, she was indeed a mother.But Concubine Ning has been in the palace for almost three years, except for Song Chen who visited once at the very beginning, until now, she has never stepped into Lanlin Palace again.

The best age of a girl seems to be so delayed...

Li Jiaoyun hurriedly comforted her, using her own experience as an example, "I have nothing to envy. When you were your age, I did give birth to Qi'er, but the child was not able to be by my side for the first few years after it was born. , that kind of feeling of pulling the heart and lungs, it is better not to give birth, until Ningning was born again, it finally got better."

Li Jiaoyun looked at her, and further persuaded: "Sister, don't envy me, our emperor has such a temperament, he only has one person in his heart, and no one can force this."

Concubine Ning blushed, nodded and said: "I understand, it's still my fault, and it made you sad."

Li Jiaoyun smiled, "It's all over, how can there be any pain or not? People like us may be envied by outsiders, but only you can understand the real feeling." At this point, she sighed, "If you have to blame, It's still bad luck, and I will be reborn in a commoner's house in my next life, maybe I can live a simple life."

Concubine Ning doesn't think so, if she wasn't a young lady in the Hou's mansion, she wouldn't be sent to the palace by the elders in exchange for glory and wealth.To be honest, throughout the ages, how many women are there like Chu Xue, the new queen?Most of the people in the harem have two fates, one is like Concubine Li Wan who pushes the limelight, and she can’t escape the tragic death in the end; the other is actually good, such as she and Li Jiaoyun, hiding in their own world Live your own stable life, and occasionally show your face in front of everyone to support the royal family. Although it is a bit lonely, it is much better than dying.

But in the final analysis, Li Jiaoyun is better, at least she still has a pair of children, but what about herself?Just being alone like this, I'm afraid I will have to learn from those old concubines in the future, raising flowers and grass to relieve boredom.

After spending half a day in Yaohua Palace, Concubine Ning returned to her clean Lanlin Palace.

Looking at the osmanthus tree in the courtyard that has grown for an unknown number of years, the girl suddenly felt a little relieved. Some things are better than having them and then losing them. She remembered the Buddhist scriptures she had read before. for a moment.Thinking about it, decades should come soon.

She breathed a sigh of relief and stepped into the quiet hall.

(End of this chapter)