Mountains and rivers fall into red

Chapter 13: Cuiqiao (1)
one

two months later.

The plum blossoms are gorgeous, the Yeying Pond is covered with thin ice, and the bitter cold wind changes the seasons.Xiuxiu skillfully put on the light palace make-up, looked at herself in the mirror, and whispered: "Last time, no make-up was allowed, but this time, I have to. I don't know what Xiangye means?"

Although the tone is low, it is a shy tone.

Yan Xi stood behind Xiuxiu, stared straight at her with wide-open eyes, and said softly, "Miss, is this the saying in the poem 'eyes are like autumn water, love is like orchid'?"

"Spoof." Xiuxiu blushed, and said angrily, "What's the matter? I'm going to see Concubine Rong. She's been sick these days, and the Prime Minister told me to go into the palace and talk to the empress."

"The Third Highness is being imprisoned, and the empress must be in a hurry. Alas, what good is being an empress? If the emperor doesn't want to see her, she will suffocate to death in the palace sooner or later."

Xiuxiu was about to speak, when he saw a figure flashing by outside the window, he said "shh", "Uncle Fu is here, I'll go out right away. Be careful what you say, don't be overheard by him. Master Xin Yang is here, if you ask me, you Just say that I went out to buy floral cloth."

Yan Xi nodded repeatedly.

The road was deserted, and the carriage carrying Xiuxiu was marching on the official road leading to the palace.On such a misty day, Xixiu went to the palace again.The cold wind blows the curtains of the car, and there are sparse sounds of cars and horses on the road.The streets and alleys also seemed calm, with occasional passers-by huddling and hurrying.

She couldn't help but think of the first time she went out with Master Xiang. At that time, she didn't even have the courage to watch the outside scene, and she felt uneasy, afraid of saying the wrong thing or doing the wrong thing.A few months passed, and she learned a lot about the world, but the uneasiness was still there, even mixed with a little hope.

Perhaps it was because she could see the beautiful Concubine Rong again.

I was thinking about something in my mind again, and soon, the palace was in front of me.

Xiuxiu got out of the carriage, and under the guidance of the deacon palace staff, slowly walked into the palace gate.She raised her eyes and saw that the cold air made the palace road deep, and the clear dew washed away the dust on the road.After finally walking through the palace road, when we arrived at Zhongding Square, we saw that the continuous palace buildings and palaces were even more magnificent, and the glazed tiles were as dazzling as the clouds.

Outside Concubine Rong's palace, it was so quiet that no sound could be heard, even the sparrows were carefully cutting flowers.Xiuxiu looked at the Yuhe Pond, but saw the clear waves rippling, so light that there were not even a broken branch or a dead leaf.Seeing Concubine Rong's attendants come out, Xiuxiu had no time to take care of this, and walked into the hall with her head down.

There are heaters on both sides of the hall, and a gust of hot air blows in, just like entering the warm spring.Concubine Rong's face was sickly, and she was much more haggard than last time.She ordered to be exempted from the formalities, put on a dark blue and cirrus cloud robe, and personally picked up the best snacks and put them in Xixiu's hands.She glanced at Xixiu's face and pursed her lips into a smile, but her expression looked lonely.

"Ku'er has been released from the confinement. He is at ease, but I am still sick. He came at this time yesterday, and it is late again today."

"Mistress, take care."

Xiuxiu sat quietly, and felt restless after she couldn't say a few polite words.Just at this time, the maid brought in two bowls of warmed bird's nest with rock sugar, and the sweet aroma was still lingering.Concubine Rong ordered the maid to bring another bowl to Xiuxiu, but Xiuxiu couldn't refuse, so she got up and thanked her.

After tasting the bird's nest, Xiuxiu's face was sweating finely, and he picked up the teacup and drank a few mouthfuls of hot tea.Concubine Rong caressed Xixiu's cheek with one hand, wiped off the thin sweat with a cotton towel, and smiled softly: "After all, it's a child, it's nice to be young. When I was your age, my parents died, so I had to live with others. "

Seeing Concubine Rong bring up the past, Xiuxiu couldn't help but ask, "I heard that my mother once served your empress?"

Concubine Rong replied calmly after hearing the words: "When I was in my mother's house, she served me. The family was in trouble, and I was afraid that she would suffer outside, so I went to Shen's house and took her with me. Later, I entered the palace and stayed behind. She continued to be a girl. Later..."

Speaking of this, Concubine Rong hesitated a little.Xiuxiu answered, "Later she married my father, went to Mengmao County, and gave birth to me, right?"

"Xiuxiu, I also heard from Xiangye about the future. I heard that your father passed away. I thought of the relationship between me and your mother as a master and servant. I couldn't bear you to suffer in the countryside, so I asked Xiangye to bring you here. "Concubine Rong said softly.

"I see." Xiuxiu smiled distressedly, "But since I was sensible, I have never seen my father and my mother talk properly. They are like a pair of strangers, who ignore each other. They are husband and wife ,why is it like this?"

Concubine Rong tried her best to smile, and said in a tone as if coaxing a child: "It is difficult for outsiders to determine the matter between husband and wife. No matter what, your mother gave birth to you and raised you, right?"

"No! It's my father! My mother doesn't care about me at all!" Xiuxiu jumped up suddenly, his face flushed red with excitement.She retorted loudly, "My father always thinks of me. If he hadn't made more money for my gift, he wouldn't have died at all! But my mother, besides sending me to Xiangye, was very hardworking. No, she didn't even have a single tear!"

Concubine Rong was startled, she patted her chest lightly, and continued softly: "After all, your mother gave birth to you. Xiuxiu, don't blame your mother, your mother is also pitiful. You are still young, and you will understand in the future."

"I'm 15 years old, I understand."

The vague scene suddenly flashed in Xiuxiu's mind: his mother was wearing a transparent dress, leaning on Xiangye, calling "Master".Master Xiang smiled evilly and threw his mother on the bed... At that time, she was only six years old.

She knows what kind of person mother is, greedy for vanity, indifferent and ruthless.Therefore, she has no feelings for her mother since she was a child.Thinking of her poor father, Xiuxiu couldn't help tearing up, and sighed.

Concubine Rong's eyes were dim, she breathed deeply and slowly, and sighed softly: "So you have such deep feelings for your father..."

Xiuxiu thought to herself: Mother is Concubine Rong's personal maid, and they are all surnamed Cao, Concubine Rong naturally explained for her.It's useless for her to say more here, no one will speak for dad.Concubine Rong is still so kind while dragging her sick body, it's really wrong for her to argue with her so excitedly.

Let's go back.

Feeling guilty, she gave a deep blessing.Concubine Rong didn't care, she pulled her to continue talking for a while before letting her go.

The wind blows in the corridor one after another, Xiuxiu lowered her head, thinking about something on her mind, the wind blows her clothes fluttering.

Why is there such indifference between father and mother?What happened to them?Concubine Rong hesitated to speak, what exactly did she want to say?
Her mind was full of question marks, and her thoughts were floating in unknown places.Suddenly, a figure flashed out from the corner.That man's scarlet brocade robe was flamboyant and domineering, and it was so gorgeous that it caught the eye.He looked at Xiuxiu with a smile that couldn't see a shadow.The sun reflected on his handsome face, even his pupils were shining.

"Hey!"

he greeted.

Xiuxiu was stunned for a moment, then she lifted her skirt and slowly knelt down on the ground.

"His Royal Highness the Third Prince."

Xiao Kui touched the corners of his mouth and said friendly: "Miss Xiuxiu doesn't need this gift. It stands to reason that you and I are related. If you come to the palace, I should treat you well, right?"

As he spoke, he helped Xiuxiu up with his own hands, his movements gentle.Xiuxiu was puzzled by his strange behavior, and his cheeks became hot for no reason.The third prince, with a fair complexion, looks more and more handsome.Could it be that the two months of confinement restrained his unruly temperament?Seeing Xiuxiu looking at him, Xiao Kui smiled softly.Xiuxiu hurriedly lowered her head, the blush on her face quickly spread to her ears.

"I just came out of my mother's place and I'm going back." She spoke softly.

"It's my fault that I came a step late. I haven't apologized to you about the birthday banquet last time. I didn't mean it, but it changed in the ears of the father. It's really wrong to have no teacher, and you should be punished."

"You won't be punished, Your Highness has been wronged." Seeing Xiao Kui speak sincerely, Xiuxiu's face gradually became serious, and quickly explained, "Master Xiang is fine, I forgot about it long ago."

"Yes, as the saying goes, the prime minister's stomach is easy to pull a boat. Mr. Shen is my mentor, so naturally I don't care about it. But I really want to find an opportunity to make up for it."

Hearing this, Xiuxiu waved his hands and said, "No need, no need. I'll go back now."

"Then I'll see you off."

Xiao Kui walked straight forward a few steps, seemed to remember something, turned around, looked at her tenderly, and stretched out one hand to her.His eyes were like a pool of clear water, without any impurities, yet they were alluring and full of bewitchment.Xiuxiu just hesitated a little, but finally bravely stretched out his hand to him.Clasping both hands, her heart was filled with a sweet trembling, which gradually melted into the warmth of his palm.

Just like that, Xiao Kui walked side by side holding Xiuxiu's hand, the corridor was silent, only the rustling sound of the corner of her skirt touching his satin robe could be heard.

Both sides of the palace gate were packed with armored guards kneeling in darkness.The wind blew past, blowing the corners of her sleeves and skirts, and Xiuxiu didn't feel cold at all.The cotton boots stepped on the solid and bright green bricks, thinking of the road they had just passed, that time was really warm and short.

After leaving the palace gate, Uncle Fu had been waiting for a long time, and bowed to the groom when he saw the third prince.

"In this case, then send the Buddha to the west, lest Mr. Shen say that I am not sincere." Xiao Kui turned his head slightly and shouted, "Come on, prepare your horse!"

There was a loud sound of flutes and drums in the street, Xixiu sat in the carriage and lifted the cotton curtain, but saw that there was a lot of traffic outside, and it was much more noisy than when he came here.There was the rhythmic sound of horseshoes next to my ear, and when I looked up, I was facing Xiao Kui's black and white eyes.

Holding the whip in his hand, Xiao Kui looked into the distance with piercing eyes, and said loudly: "Every time you leave the palace, you must pass this road. When you arrive at the Sanchakou, turn left and go straight to the Chancellor's Mansion."

"Where does His Highness usually turn when he comes out?" Xiuxiu asked curiously.

"Go straight ahead, cross the bridge and turn to the boulevard, there is a lively place there."

"What's the funniest thing there?"

"Watching plays, and juggling. For example, someone puts a large celadon vat that can hold seven or eight people, and turns it back and forth on the body without falling off. There are also people who wear sleeves tens of feet long and dance on the stage. Dance, dance and sing, causing everyone to applaud..."

Xiao Kui spoke vividly, looking sideways at Xiuxiu's childish face, full of eager longing.There was a smug smile on his lips, faintly.

Sure enough, Xiuxiu let out a long sigh and said, "I've been here for a few months, and I haven't been to the street yet."

"It's easy to handle. Say hello to Mr. Shen and I'll take you there." Xiao Kui spoke very crisply.

Xiuxiu's heart throbbed for no reason, and joy floated on his face without any concealment.She wanted to agree quickly, but she was afraid of being laughed at by Xiao Kui, so she muttered for a while and couldn't speak.

Xiao Kui didn't continue to speak, but closed his eyes and looked straight ahead, and the two fell silent.Soon, the majestic Xiangfu appeared not far ahead.Because it was cold winter, the outside of the house was empty, and the surrounding vegetation had withered and was lifeless.

Beside the red wall, there are tall pear trees in a patchwork pattern, and one tree is already withered and yellow.Xiao Kui reined in his horse, pointed to the big tree and said, "Tomorrow there will be a new show waiting for me in the palace. If Miss has time, you can wait here."

After he finished speaking, he didn't look at Xiuxiu, he reined in the horse's neck and turned around. The reined horse raised its front hooves inlaid with black gold, squeaked, and left in the dust.

Xiuxiu didn't have time to speak, and looked at the back of Xiao Kui's wind robe fluttering, and whispered: "Did I say it on a whim? I haven't agreed yet."

After noon that day, Concubine Rong's reward came down.There are a lot of flowers in the Suxin courtyard, which is very lively.Xiuxiu chose two bolts of brocade for Yanxi, Yanxi liked it very much, thank you.The master and the servant sat in the courtyard talking and laughing.When it was time for Shen Shi, the sky darkened, and the low clouds seemed to be painted with lead color, like a huge curtain surrounding the sky airtight.

Will it snow this day?Yan Xi thought to himself, and closed the doors and windows early, and added more stoves in the room.

Xiuxiu was leaning against the carved window, reading "Women's Training" in his hand.The room was so warm that it made one almost drowsy, and Xiao Kui's face flickered in front of his eyes.She simply went to the table, called Yan Xi to grind his ink, and wrote a letter to Tianji.Unexpectedly, after picking up a pen and writing a few words, an inexplicable feeling suddenly sprouted in my heart, and I was stunned again.

Yan Xi noticed something strange, and hurriedly asked: "Miss, you've been out of your mind since you came back from the palace. Could it be that something unexpected happened to you?"

"Is there anything you can't think about?" Xiuxiu regained his composure, blushing on his face, "After leaving Mengmata County for a few months, I suddenly felt homesick."

"It's not because of this, is it? Yan Xi's time serving Miss is not long, nor short, I can guess half of what Miss is thinking." Yan Xi rolled her eyes and smiled mischievously.

Xiuxiu was taken aback and asked, "What did you guess?"

"I heard that Miss was sent home by His Royal Highness the Third Prince himself this time. Who is the Third Prince, how could he be so enthusiastic? He must be interested in Miss. You have been together during the hunting, and the heroic nature of the Third Prince has been seen by Miss. Yes. If he is interested, miss, you can marry him. This is called kissing and kissing. Isn't it a great thing in the world?"

"Yanxi, what nonsense are you talking about! Besides, let's see if I don't hit you."

Xiuxiu cursed and made a gesture to hit Yanxi.Yan Xi dodged cleverly and laughed even more.The two quarreled in the house for a while, but it was already dark outside.After eating overnight, the two went to bed after grooming and washing.

In the middle of the night, Xiuxiu woke up alone.The mind is very clear, the eyes are wide open, and in the dark night, I always feel that there are countless smiling faces coming one after another outside the curtain.The wind outside seemed to be weakened, only soft rustling sounds could be heard piercing the silent night sky, so clear.After tossing and turning like this, she didn't know how long it took before she became confused.

When he opened his eyes, he saw that the sky was bright outside.Wake up in cloak, the stove is burning brightly, and there is no sound in the room.Running outside, she saw Yan Xi sleeping soundly, thinking that this girl was being lazy today.She pinched Yan Xi's nose, and smiled to wake her up: "Damn girl, what time is it, you're still in bed."

Yan Xi opened his eyes, got up, and saw a patch of white light around the window, which made the inside of the room turn green and white.She looked out through the window and exclaimed in surprise, "Miss, it's snowing!"

Xiuxiu was overjoyed for a while, and went to watch it.The snow in Mengmata County is hard to catch. The last time she saw snow was a few years ago, and the snow came in the middle of the night, as if a handful of salt had been sprinkled on the ground.When the sun comes out, only the people who get up late will get wet.But what she saw today was a white-capped world. The cypresses, eaves, and courtyards were completely gone, and the sky and the earth merged into a white one.The snow is still falling, one after another, cutting jade like flying brocade.

Xiuxiu cheered and ran to the outer room, and pushed the door to get out, but it seemed that something blocked it. It turned out that the door was also covered with a thick layer of snow.The cold wind swept the catkins over her face, and she dared not go out, so she bent over and grabbed a handful in a hurry.A soft ball, like cotton or salt, white and crystal clear, cool and thorough when rubbed in the hands.Xiuxiu's palms were already red, but she rubbed them happily, jumping around in the room.

A woman came to bring meals, but because she was covered with snow, she just stood outside the door.Yan Xi was talking to the servant in the outer room, probably saying that it snowed suddenly last night, and Xiang Ye was stuck in the government office and couldn't go home.The snow is still heavy so far, and I am afraid it will not stop today.

Xiuxiu was in a trance when he heard the words, who would dare to go out in such weather?I absolutely dare not, and Xiao Kui is expected to never leave the palace.Thinking about it this way, there is a faint disappointment in my heart.

The snow does not fall sooner or later, why does God like to play tricks on people?

After eating a bowl of porridge with sweet sauce, he and Yanxi watched the snow scene through the window for a long time.Xiuxiu took the letter he wrote to Tianji yesterday and decided to rewrite it.Such a beautiful snow scene and my mood of seeing heavy snow for the first time must be shared with him. I wonder if Tianji also feels the same after reading it?
After noon, Xiuxiu couldn't bear it any longer, and yawned continuously.After hugging Mrs. Tang, Yan Xi tucked the corners of the brocade quilt and lowered the curtain, waiting for her to sleep.The sky and night swept over in an instant, and Xiuxiu fell into a deep sleep.

In my sleep, I stood at the exit of the alley and looked around, surrounded by a vast expanse of white, as if it was snowing.From a distance, I saw my father walking towards her with a tool and a smile, and there was a series of deep footprints under his feet.She threw herself into her father's arms happily, and the earthy smell on her father disappeared, mixed with the fresh smell of books.

"Father, I miss you." She choked up.

The father smiled without saying a word, his rough fingers brushed across her delicate face.He looked at her so gently, then turned around, and the ethereal figure walked through the long and narrow alley.She wanted to shout, but she couldn't make a sound, her legs were as heavy as lead.

Her heart was full of sadness, separated by little tears.At this time, someone came towards her with big strides, and his tall and straight body like a sword cut through the lingering mist.The man had fair skin, delicate features, and a breathtaking chill in his eyes.

"I'll send it to you."

The very soft voice seemed to come from the sky, but Xixiu felt that he had already grabbed her hand, and his palm was slippery, warm and moist.She let him lead her away, but after walking a few steps, he suddenly let go of her hand.When she raised her eyes and looked around, there was nothing around her.

She opened her mouth to shout, but her heart tightened, but she woke up.The sky is still full of curtains, and someone outside is vaguely heard talking.

Yan Xi's voice was as thin as a mosquito's fly: "Miss is still in a deep sleep, wait until she wakes up and call again."

The young man's voice was urgent and deep: "Go and wake up the lady."

Xiuxiu heard the man's voice, it was the guard named Jiang Chen next to Xiao Kui.I only heard Jiang Chen continue to say: "Hurry up, the third prince is in a hurry, you and I can't afford it." The tone was clearly sharp.

"You are so fierce, how can you invite someone like this?" Yan Xi replied bluntly, "Why do you come out in such a snowy day? The third prince said that the wind is the wind and the rain is the rain, but my young lady is also the daughter of the Xiangfu. Do not eat this set!"

The two were at a stalemate, and only listened to Xiuxiu from inside: "Yanxi, please ask Guard Jiang to wait, I am going to leave immediately."

Yan Xi flashed into the inner room, only to see that Xiuxiu had already put on her clothes, her long black hair was hanging loose.She quickly tied the beaded bun for her, and inserted the butterfly plum blossom hairpin into it.Seeing that Xixiu was wearing deerskin boots, an elegant light green knotted satin skirt, and a silk ermine jacket, he took a thick emerald green cloak and put it on for her.

"Miss, you have to be careful." Yan Xi said worriedly.

Xiuxiu didn't think so, and smiled: "Can the third prince eat people?"

When Xiuxiu, master and servant, came out of the inner room, Jiang Chen paced back and forth anxiously in the outer room, bowed his head and bowed to Xiuxiu when he saw Xiuxiu: "The younger one is ordered by the third prince to take the young lady out of the mansion."

Xiuxiu smiled and said, "I'm sorry for Jiang's guards, let's go." Turning around to face Yan Xi who was worried, he comforted, "You don't have to worry. With the third prince here, there are naturally many people waiting on you. I will be there before dark. return."

Yanxi stood at the door, the wind outside stopped, and snowflakes fluttered down.Seeing Jiang Chen helping the young lady, stepping on broken jade and chaotic jade, he walked meanderingly, and soon disappeared in the white field of vision.

(End of this chapter)