Mountains and rivers fall into red

Chapter 23
Xiao Hao swallowed, suppressed the anger, and spoke patiently: "Third brother, I know that those girls in the teaching workshop are used to be princesses. I also know that only after you pick out the one you like, Only I can choose the rest of the girls. I also know that you have always hated Mr. Shen. So, I am here to ask Third Brother, since Xiuxiu is not in your sights, let us be fulfilled!"

Just a gust of wind blew flowers across the face.Xiao Kui subconsciously raised his hand to block it, half-closed his eyes.

"What did you say?"

Facing the same question, Xiao Hao looked dignified and said clearly, word by word: "I like Xiuxiu."

Xiao Kui's expression darkened.Soon, he raised his lips slightly, a faint smile hung on his face, completely indifferent.

"Fourth brother likes it."

"Really?" Xiao Hao finally smiled happily, and bowed deeply to Xiao Kui, "Thank you third brother. I will work harder to make Xiuxiu like me too!"

This smile seemed to melt the ice and snow, and Xiao Hao's eyes flickered brightly.He hugged Xiao Kui vigorously, and ran away satisfied.

For some unknown reason, Xiao Kui suddenly felt something was lost in his heart, and he stood still in awe.The palace maid found him, saw his gloomy face, hurriedly rushed forward and offered the reel to curry favor with him: "Third Highness, come and play together."

Xiao Kui remained silent, staring at the reel in his hand, pinching it tighter and tighter, with dark tides in his eyes.The maids in the palace were silent like cicadas, standing respectfully aside without daring to breathe.

After a long time, Xiao Kui roared and smashed the reel against the wall.

When the thread was broken, the kite flew straight up, flew farther and farther, and disappeared from sight in an instant.

Wanton

During the rain break, the sky above the palace is exceptionally clear.It was after March at this time, the warm wind was warm, and the sun was shining so that the courtyard was full of flowers.

Yizhen put down the bamboo slips in his hand, and walked around in Xiuxiu's room a little bored.Fragments of light and shadow pass through the flower window, casting on Xiuxiu and the spring peaches embroidered in her hands.

"This harem is so quiet, there's nothing to talk about. I don't know when the Third Highness will come?" Yizhen said deliberately.

Xiuxiu in front of him still bowed his head and embroidered female red, indifferent.

Yizhen has been regretting that Xiao Kui appeared in the yard that time, why did she patronize and play?When he came back, he heard the maidservant mentioned that the Third Highness had come down, only said a few words to Xiuxiu, and then left.As for the content of the words, she was not clear, seeing the expressions of the two of them were very cold, and the Third Highness even cried out of breath.

What exactly did they say?
Curiosity made Yizhen obsessed, so Xiuxiu kept silent, so she asked her cousin Xiao Hao.Unexpectedly, Xiao Hao devoted all his attention to protecting Xiuxiu, instead he taught his cousin: "What good is it for you to ask about this? Don't ask if you shouldn't ask. You live with Xiuxiu, take care of her more. If she suffers Alright, I'll settle the bill with you."

Yizhen pouted and had no choice but to give up.

Thinking of this, Yizhen casually moved Qin Zheng with her fingers, and the sound of the kite rose.

Only then did Xiuxiu stop the female celebrity, and while tidying up, she answered irrelevant questions: "The imperial examination is coming soon, the palace will let us go home for a while, so you won't feel bored."

"The days go by so quickly..." Yizhen sighed.

Hugh smiled lightly.

While talking, the maidservant of Jiaofang ran in, presumably in a hurry, breathless and said: "You two ladies, go to Jiaofang quickly, the empress is almost here!"

Xiuxiu and Yizhen's expressions changed drastically, they changed into their outer shirts, and trotted to the teaching workshop.

The empress came suddenly, and all the girls were called out, all looking flustered, their sleeves rustling.When the hands and feet were busy, the palace man shouted from afar, and the queen's phoenix chariot appeared.

All the people knelt down to welcome them.Xiuxiu looked up, and saw a continuous line of attendants and maidservants, and the front and rear skirts of the phoenix chariot shone and flowed.The queen was sitting on the chariot, and she couldn't see her expression clearly, but could only see the golden dragon's head holding the white pearl on the bun, shining brightly and burning.There are several princes on both sides of her, including the eldest prince Xiao Shao, the fourth prince Xiao Hao, and even the third prince Xiao Kui.

Hugh was slightly shocked.

The queen is so grand this time!
Yizhen who was beside him also saw it, and couldn't help muttering happily: "The Third Highness is here...he's finally here..."

The phoenix chariot stopped outside the pavilion, and the queen walked up a few steps slowly, sat on the brocade begonia pier, and then signaled everyone to get up.The presiding official reported the teaching situation to the queen, the surroundings were quiet, and all the girls took the opportunity to look at Xiao Kui in horror and excitement.

Xiao Kui stood with his hands behind his back, his face expressionless.On the contrary, the eldest prince Xiao Shao couldn't hold back, and secretly winked and grimaced at everyone.

After listening to the report, the empress smiled and said leisurely: "The teaching workshop in the palace has been open for more than two months, and the palace is busy with business, so I haven't come to visit you. Your father is an important minister of our court. You have always pampered me, if you There are things that have wronged you in the palace, even if you speak up boldly, this palace will make the decision for you."

Seeing that the empress is so kind, the girls gradually became less restrained, and warblers were heard everywhere.

The queen appeared to be full of interest, and slowly descended the steps to the front of the ladies.Talking and laughing happily, she picked out a few daughters and took a few quizzes, then nodded in satisfaction, and said: "As a prince and concubine, you need to be solemn and dignified, respectful and respectful. Follow women's etiquette, be loyal, and have the virtue of internal help to set an example for future generations. Looking back at the past, coiling in the fields, and indulging in female virtues, the death of three generations will always be the result of this. This is a warning."

"Remember your mother's teaching." All the girls said in unison.

The queen also smiled, stepped in front of Xiuxiu, and stopped.

Xiuxiu was still in a trance, and it was too late to kneel down.She lowered her eyes, and a numb chill quickly climbed up her spine.Dimly, she could only see the queen's belt inlaid with jewels and beads fluttering.Immediately afterwards, she heard the Queen's unhurried voice: "This must be the daughter of the Prime Minister, Master Shen?"

Xiao Shao on the side hurriedly interjected: "Mother, her name is Xiuxiu."

Xiuxiu couldn't help raising her head, and the queen looked directly at her, not hiding the fierceness in her eyes.

"Master Shen is full of talent, he has a great memory for books, and his daughter is not bad. How about asking Miss Xiuxiu to recite a section of "Girls' Training"?"

Xiuxiu's mind was chaotic and blank.She tried her best to calm down, and recited in a dry voice: "The heart is like the face, so it can be used to decorate it. Once the face is not groomed, it will be dusty and dirty; if the heart does not think good, evil will enter." It’s just that I know how to cover up my face, but if I don’t cultivate my heart, I’ll be confused...” I spent a lot of energy reciting this point, but I can’t remember the rest.

The queen looked at Xiuxiu coldly, and asked, "What else?"

Xiuxiu's whole body was drenched with sweat, and under the heavy shadows, he felt as fierce as the empress Yasha in front of him.

What about Xiao Kui?He must be laughing at himself too, right?

The queen's dark eyes turned to Yizhen, and she raised her chin: "You carry it."

Yizhen responded crisply, and continued to recite: "If a husband does not hide his face, a fool will call it ugly; if his heart is not cultivated, a sage will call it evil. It is okay for a fool to call it ugly, but for a sage to call it evil, what will I do?" So when you wipe the face, you think about the cleanliness of your heart; when you apply fat, you think about the harmony of your heart; when you add powder, you think about the freshness of your heart; when you polish your hair, you think about the smoothness of your heart; The principle of the heart is also; when the bun is erected, one thinks about the righteousness of the heart; when the temples are tied, one thinks about the integrity of the heart.”

The whole paragraph is done in one go, skillful and fluent.

The girls immediately held their breath, and everyone's eyes stopped on Xiuxiu.Sure enough, the queen's complexion changed, and her voice was as sharp as a sharp edge: "Miss Qianjin, the majestic prime minister's mansion, can't even recite the most basic female training, how can she be good at virtue? There is no ink in her belly, and she still wants to be Prince concubine, wouldn't she be laughed out of her teeth!"

She was so angry that she ordered the palace official: "Shut her up in a forbidden room and punish her to copy "Women's Training" three hundred times, and she is not allowed to eat or sleep!"

Xiao Hao didn't care about the imperial demeanor, stepped forward and knelt down towards the queen.

"Xiuxiu only came into contact with "Women's Training" and "Biography of Women" in the past half a year, and she started a little late. She is talented and intelligent, and she has also worked hard in the past two months. Please forgive me, Xixiu."

Xiao Shao, whose face turned pale from fright, also knelt beside Xiao Hao, and begged, "You know, Queen Mother, that Xiuxiu is newly recognized by Mr. Shen, so it's good to be able to recite some of them."

The queen shouted: "I see who dares to protect her?"

Xiao Shao cringed a little, and muttered: "But you can't punish her like this. After copying it three hundred times, I would have died of exhaustion and starvation."

Xiao Hao became more daring, and raised his voice and said: "Your Majesty expressed her kindness to Jiaofang today, and Hao'er was deeply moved. Your Majesty's mother loves the world, and loves the harem. Can such trivial matters be handed over to Jiaofang? All the daughters I am grateful for your magnanimity, and the two of you have somewhat taken care of Mr. Shen's face, please allow me your permission."

The empress was thoughtful, her sharp eyes rolled on Xiuxiu's face, and then she said lightly: "Today, I will give Hao'er a face, and I will hand this matter over to the Jiaofang to deal with it according to the law. A woman without virtue and talent will be a great shame." !"

She slowly turned to Xiao Kui who had never said a word, smiled lightly, and deliberately said: "How can this kind of woman be a concubine? Kui Er, what do you think?"

Xiao Kui saluted casually, with a faint smile rising from the corner of his mouth.

The Queen and his party left in a mighty manner.

In the silence, everyone dispersed, only Xiuxiu knelt there.His body was on the open ground, as weak as a solitary leaf.

Xiao Hao watched from a distance, his heart ached beyond measure.He ran out of the palace frantically, and caught up with Xiao Kui who was riding his horse in the corridor.

"Third brother, you are the ones who carry weight with us, why do you pretend to ignore it? Everyone can see that the empress is deliberately embarrassing Xiuxiu, but why don't you come out and say something for her?"

Xiao Kui looked ahead and said quietly, "It's fine if you help me to speak."

"But it's still different!" Xiao Hao was furious for a moment, and said what was in his heart, "Xiuxiu cares about you most! I rarely see her cry, but last time you made her sad with just a few words So far. With your attitude today, it will undoubtedly make things worse, how can you teach her to be so embarrassing?"

"It's you who cares about her, not me!"

Xiao Kui suddenly roared loudly, his face was extremely gloomy, and he resumed his usual fierceness: "You want to chase her, what's the matter with me? I just ignore it! I just watched the fun from the sidelines! You think I'm not cruel enough, do you?" ? Well, you call her out tomorrow, and I'll tell her face to face that I'll kill her!"

Xiao Hao was stunned for a moment, Xiao Kui had already galloped away.The jade-colored robe corners fluttered in the wind.

Xiao Hao just thought that the third brother is a cold-blooded person after all.

"Shen Xiuxiu, it's all your fault! If you hadn't offended the Empress, the Third Highness wouldn't have left so early!"

The night wind was blowing, the candlelight was dim, and Yizhen's shadow was growing and shortening.Her voice was also unusually intense, she seemed to be out of anger, her face was blushing dizzily.She glared at Xixiu, and said: "The Third Highness is afraid that I will never see you again."

Xiuxiu was silent for a long while, but it was a long time today, she just sat silently, her eyes glazed over.Candle tears flowed down, and the fluttering flame seemed to snatch her soul away.

Yizhen was a little frustrated, she began to regret choosing the same yard as Xiuxiu.Although this Shen Xiuxiu is honest, but there is always a layer of bad luck, making himself unlucky too.Today the third prince left as soon as he came, and even the eldest prince who liked to join in the fun no longer appeared. From now on, no one would step into this courtyard except the foolish fourth prince.

The sound of the palace leaking, at this time, it is necessary to wash and go to bed as usual.Yizhen was holding back her anger during the day, so she rushed into Xiuxiu's room and vented.

After Yizhen finished venting, Xiuxiu smiled lightly, and said coolly: "My background is different from yours, and I have been despised long ago. Among so many people, I am only your good friend. You scold me As it should be."

After Xiuxiu said this, Yi was really embarrassed to scold again.She sighed heavily, and said in a cold voice, "Being scolded by others during the day is unavoidable, you should take care of it yourself." She picked up a box of pearl powder from the vanity mirror, opened it, sniffed it, "Can I help you? "

The conditions of the prime minister's residence are naturally superior to those of the imperial servant's residence.The finely ground pearl powder is fragrant, and when applied on the face, it feels as moist as silk.This kind of top-notch cosmetics is more expensive than gold, and even the Zheng family has never been able to afford it.

She has envied it for a long time.

Hugh didn't care.The powder ointment was given to her by the second wife, she didn't like it, so it was useless.She realized the meaning of Yizhen's words, but raised her eyes lightly.

Yizhen took it as a response, and then softened his expression, and put away the pearl powder box.Before leaving, she even comforted Xiuxiu a few words.

The night wind was tight, passing by Xiuxiu's ears.

The candlelight has been extinguished, and the moonlight shines into the house.Xixiu sat on the bed, hugging her numb arms, listening to the wind outside, all kinds of feelings condensed in her heart, unable to fall asleep for a long time.

(End of this chapter)