Mountains and rivers fall into red

Chapter 27 Silver Frost (3)
"If the emperor abandons all the people in the world and ignores his subjects, others will be the ones who benefit, and the emperor will be the one who loses. Kui'er's glory will disappear even more. For the Northern Zhou Dynasty, it was too easy to change the dynasty of Houliang. Today the emperor is the emperor, and tomorrow may be the emperor." Someone else. My Mu family has reached the pinnacle of great wealth, so I would not be wronged if I died, I am afraid that those subjects who are bell-ringing and feasting will scold the emperor for generations, and the emperor will be stigmatized for thousands of years!"

A huge tear slowly oozed from the corner of Xiao Xi's eye, and rolled down the twitching face.He let out a long sigh, but still struggled hoarsely: "No..."

"The Northern Zhou people have already said that if Xiao Kui is not severely punished, he will report to the court. Then he will be charged with any crime, and the concubine will not be able to keep Kui'er."

The queen knew that Xiao Xi had been completely shaken, so she left a few words before turning around and leaving.

After getting out of the palace gate, she realized that Concubine Rong was still kneeling there.Looking down from the steps, the golden glow slanted on Concubine Rong, and it seemed that there was a shining demeanor in it.

"How long can an elderly person last in the palace?"

The queen was a little tired, so she just glanced at Concubine Rong lightly, and walked past her without seeing her.As soon as he left the hospital, he heard a plop from behind, and when he looked back, Concubine Rong had already fallen to the ground.

The next day, Xiao Xieyi's decree announced to the world: the third prince Xiao Kui has no law in his eyes, and his words are too offensive.He was demoted to a common man and expelled from the palace.

The queen let out a long sigh of relief.

Xiuxiu ran to the front yard, and Yan Xi behind her almost couldn't keep up with her.

There are hand railings on both sides, and the vines grow lushly. Under the shade of the luxuriant leaves, there is an elegant pavilion, which is Shen Buyu's study.Xiuxiu had never been to this place before. When he approached, he saw a group of people standing quietly under the flower stand.The eldest wife Li Pinghua, the second wife Liu Rulan, and even the young master Shen Xinyang were among them.

None of them said a word, and their expressions were extremely dignified, as if something big had happened.

In the study room, Shen Buyu's furious scolding could be heard faintly, but he couldn't tell who was scolding, only a teacup flew out suddenly, fell on the high threshold, and the fragments flew.The outsiders had never seen the master lose such a temper, and they took two steps back in fright.

Xiuxiu stood far away, vaguely heard the word "Xiao Kui", her heart suddenly beat like a deer bumping wildly, and she also panicked.

"Sister, why are you here?" Xin Yang appeared in front of her.

Xiuxiu couldn't help asking: "Did something happen in the palace?"

"The third prince secretly hid the criminal officials of the Northern Zhou Dynasty, and was caught on the spot. The Northern Zhou Dynasty demanded heavy punishment, and the emperor had no choice but to demote him to a commoner. It seems that the third prince will not be able to stand up."

Xiuxiu's face changed drastically, and he blurted out, "How did you get discovered?"

"There is no impenetrable wall, and the people of Northern Zhou must have suspected it a long time ago."

Xin Yang also looked worried, and continued: "The Shen family is related to the third prince, and my father was once the teacher of the third prince. This matter almost implicated my father. Although the disaster was avoided, my father was three points short in front of me. , speaking in the court has no weight, and the emperor has to let the queen go, can father not get angry?"

Xiuxiu stood there in a daze, and after a while, said slowly, "I'm going to the palace."

Xin Yanghui made a mistake and reminded: "Something happened to the third prince, so the teaching workshop will naturally stop. The palace is in a mess right now, so you should stay at home and wait for the news."

Xiuxiu's heart trembled, she turned around and wanted to go back to the Juxin Courtyard, but she couldn't help but stop and squinted her eyes to look at the sky.It seemed that it was going to rain, and large thick clouds piled up overhead, and a ray of intense light struggled to penetrate the clouds, and was quickly covered again.She took a deep breath, feeling a dull pain in the blood bursting in her forehead.

"Go and tell Uncle Fu that I'm going to the palace."

No matter what, as long as it is related to Xiao Kui, Shen Buyu will definitely let her go out.

Xin Yang was slightly taken aback, and suddenly understood what Xiuxiu was talking about, and sighed deeply.

The road leading to the palace was full of dust, Xixiu's carriage was rumbling along, the curtains were raised, and his eyes were gloomy and gloomy.On a windless day, swallows fly close to the surface of the water, and the air is oppressive and suffocating.

There were a few imperial guards standing upright outside the palace, and the surroundings were empty.The white jade lion opened its mouth wide, its eyes were mottled and blurred, and it was not as arrogant and ferocious as it used to be.Xiuxiu got out of the car, hesitating, and his heart became tense for no reason.

"It's going to rain soon, so bring an umbrella." Uncle Fu said.

Xiuxiu took the bamboo bone umbrella, without any expression on her face, she just walked slowly towards the gate of the palace.

The place where memories were left.

Xiao Kui...

Qiuyue...

It can be vaguely seen that the green shade is all over the path, and the catkins are flying around Qionglou, Diange.The maids of the palace are beautiful, the jewels are emerald, and the temples are misty.Those pear dimples only smile for one person, those famous flowers bloom only for one person, creating a gorgeous and prosperous scene like clouds and clouds.

She promised not to appear here again.

At this moment, even she herself didn't understand why she couldn't help but come again?

She smiled self-deprecatingly.

Looking up, Fang found that he had reached the gate of the palace.With the halberds of the Royal Forest Army in front of her, she had to stop.

"The forbidden area of ​​the palace, outsiders are not allowed to enter!"

Xiuxiu said calmly: "Please let me know, the prime minister's residence, Xiuxiu, wants to see His Highness the Third Prince."

"His Third Highness has moved out of the palace."

Xiuxiu was stunned for a moment, and said again: "Can you let me go in and have a look?"

"I'm sorry, the palace has been sealed. The chief executive of the Northern Zhou Dynasty ordered that no one is allowed to enter the palace for half a step. Anyone who violates the order will be killed without mercy! Miss Shen, don't embarrass the little ones, please go back."

"Where did the Third Highness go?"

"The little one doesn't know."

Facing the expressionless imperial guards, Xiuxiu looked helplessly at the closed gate, with an empty heart half-suspended.She lingered for a while, her eyes were gloomy, she turned and left in disappointment, with an indescribably pungent stuff in her chest.

Just when I didn't know what to do, another carriage stopped not far away.The curtain is decorated with gold and jade, and the outer curtain is painted with the word "Zheng".Hugh quickly guessed who it was.

Sure enough, Zheng Yizhen jumped out of the car.She seemed to have just received the news, and she didn't even have delicate makeup. The light emerald homely skirt and the crooked beaded petals on her hair were trembling violently.She frantically ran past Xiuxiu, brought a gust of wind, and headed straight for the gate.

Xiuxiu turned around, but Yizhen was still stopped outside by the Imperial Forest Army.

Soon she heard her shout: "I want to go in! I want to see His Highness the Third!"

The Yulin Army tried to persuade him with all kinds of rhetoric, but Yizhen couldn't listen to it, so he insisted on breaking in.Xiuxiu turned back, grabbed Yizhen's arm, and persuaded: "Forget it, the Third Highness has already left, let's go back."

Yizhen flicked his sleeve vigorously, his body trembled, tears ran down his face, and he couldn't control his grief at all.

"Okay Third Highness, why did they relegate him? Your Majesty, the Third Highness is his favorite son, so if he says he will be abolished, he will be abolished! I am still waiting to be a concubine! The Third Highness is gone, what can I do?" What to do?"

Some members of the Royal Forest Army covered their mouths and snickered, while others shouted with ulterior motives: "The third prince is gone, there are other princes."

"I just want the third prince, and I don't want any other princes!"

Yizhen burst into tears.This incident hit her too hard, so she didn't care about the reserved appearance of the official lady.She threw off the halberd in front of her, and rushed towards the gate desperately.With a whoosh, all the Imperial Army came forward to stop him, Xiuxiu hurried to pull Yizhen, and the coachman of Zheng's family also came, and the scene was chaotic.

Finally, under the joint efforts of everyone, Yizhen lost his strength and was dragged away by Xiuxiu half-hugging and half-embracing.A gust of wind blew the corners of their dresses and skirts lightly, and the rain began to patter.

Xiuxiu held up the bamboo bone umbrella, and Yizhen beside her was already crying.At this time, she was leaning on Xiuxiu's shoulder, slightly awake, but she was still chanting indistinctly.

"Third Highness, don't leave... If I can't be the third concubine, how can I live..."

Yizhen's sobs were as fine as rain, slightly wet Xiuxiu's eyebrows.She never responded with a word, but the coldness spread layer by layer.

Back at the Prime Minister's Mansion, it was still raining, so Xiuxiu walked towards the Juxin Courtyard alone with an umbrella.A long string of water beads dripped from the eaves of the blue tiles and landed on the path with a crisp sound.The shadow of the tree slanted across the top of the umbrella, as if she was in a mess of mind at the moment.She walked very slowly, as if she was stepping on clouds and mist, and she didn't know where she was.

Yizhen's crying is still wafting away.Her love for Xiao Kui is always open and bold.Normally, Xiuxiu would always smile indifferently.But today Yizhen's violent reaction, every cry was like a needle provoking Xiuxiu's nerves, making her feel numb and astringent.

Perhaps, because something big happened.

That indifferent man, where did he go...

Hearing Yanxi's call in a trance, Xiuxiu realized that he had already arrived at Juxin Courtyard.

Xiao Hao stood under the eaves and waited for her.He looked at her fixedly, and tried to smile, but the confusion and helplessness remained on his face after all.

Suddenly, Xiuxiu's heart seemed to be tightly grasped by invisible hands. She gasped and couldn't help asking: "Tell me, where is the Third Highness?"

"I don't know. No one can find him." Xiao Hao's voice was full of sadness.

Xiuxiu was startled: "Don't even the emperor know his whereabouts?"

"Father was sick, and he was bedridden after being hit by this blow. He never had the heart to order such an order, but he had to be ordered by Bei Zhou. The third brother must have been heartbroken, so he left without saying goodbye. He used to Anyone who has something on his mind always likes to close himself up, and after a period of time when he is in a better mood, he reappears in front of us. This time is different, he was kicked out, and he is no longer a prince... I am really useless , unable to protect him, he is my dearest relative!"

Xiao Hao supported the doorpost with his hands, his forehead was propped there, and the center of his brows was painfully tangled.As he spoke, his voice gradually choked up, and his eyes were filled with moisture.Xiuxiu felt turmoil in his heart, and subconsciously raised his hand to stroke Xiao Hao's forehead.Xiao Hao was so sad that he hugged Xiuxiu in his arms.

There was a gust of wind outside the courtyard, and the drizzle was swaying. The drizzle cast a faint white light, like mist, slowly covering the two of them.

A drop of tear fell from Xiao Hao's eyes and dripped on Xiuxiu's hair.

"No one knows what's on my mind, I can only find you."

Xiuxiu couldn't help being suffocated, and his mood was rolling in like a huge wave splashing the sky.

That man in trouble, who can he tell his concerns?
She opened her eyes wide, left Xiao Hao's embrace for a while, and sighed silently: "There should be someone beside him? Where's Qiuyue?"

"Qiuyue was dispatched to the Clothes Bureau. The maids and servants in the other palaces were all assigned to various palaces and changed masters. If there are still people, there are only a few personal guards such as Jiang Chen. We grew up together."

Xiuxiu breathed a sigh of relief, and said: "Third Highness is struggling, it's always good to have someone by his side to share the joys and sorrows. Even though Third Highness is gone, his things cannot be taken away casually, Fourth Highness please take good care of them."

Xiao Hao nodded: "I know. The palace is sealed, and I will ask my father to keep the things belonging to the third brother intact. Also, I will personally go to the palace where he lived before, In order to avoid those slaves who follow the wind to cause damage. The queen has always looked down upon the third brother, and has been coveting the position of the crown prince for a long time. If the third brother is demoted, the eldest brother will have a great chance."

"Don't you want it?" Hugh asked involuntarily.

"I told you, I don't want it." Xiao Hao shook his head resolutely.

Xiuxiu couldn't help smiling, she liked Xiao Hao's appearance of being indifferent to the world.With him, she is very relaxed and can let go of everything.

And this matter that has nothing to do with me, can you let go?
叁

The continuous drizzle in late spring lasted for three whole days.

Xiuxiu sat up and opened the small window, the trees in front of her were like smoke and mist in the rain, blurred and far away.

When the nightmare was raging in the middle of the night, she dreamed that Xiao Kui was caught by soldiers of the Northern Zhou Dynasty, hung on a big tree and beaten violently, dripping with blood.He raised his eyes stubbornly, with an extremely cold light in them, and then lowered his head abruptly.Xiuxiu was terrified, and weakly opened his lips and let out a low cry.If it wasn't for Yan Xi's voice waking her up, she would still be wandering in her dreams, and she might even dream that Xiao Kui died.

When she woke up, she was covered in a layer of sweat, and her eyelashes were wet at some point.

Through the flower wall, you can see the scenery of the corner of Yeying Pond.Uneasy, she stood in front of the window and looked into the distance, carefully understanding what spring is.In the distance are large expanses of cherry blossoms, blooming like clouds and clouds. At this time, her mind is light and she can't help but think wildly.

"It would be great if I knew where he went. But, what can I do if I know? He has already said that he will ignore me. Even if he is demoted to a commoner, he must be superior. Why should I think about him? He What does that have to do with me?"

She was talking to herself, not even noticing that the second wife Liu Rulan had stepped into the courtyard gate.

Liu Rulan looked at Xiuxiu's melancholy back, and coughed lightly.When Xiuxiu turned around in surprise, she smiled and said, "What are you thinking?"

Xiuxiu didn't see Liu Rulan's personal maid, Cuihong, hurriedly greeted Yanxi and served tea.Liu Rulan waved her hands and said it's okay, she pulled Xiuxiu to sit down at the table, and dismissed Yanxi.

"Master calls you, go see Concubine Rong in the palace tomorrow." Liu Rulan said bluntly.

Hearing this, Xiuxiu was startled, and couldn't help shaking his head.

"What's the matter? You don't want to go to the palace?" Liu Rulan showed a surprised expression, then she seemed to understand, and smiled, "Are you still angry with the master? Ever since Uncle Fu followed you all the way back to the house, You don't come to my yard any more. You don't want to see the master, do you?"

"He doesn't have to do that." Xiuxiu muttered, remembering that Shen Buyu and the second wife were husband and wife, she swallowed back what she wanted to say.

Liu Rulan was stunned for a moment, and then burst out laughing: "You child, the master is also doing it for your own good. However, this time it was Concubine Rong who was ill, and you know the cause of the incident. The master has been in a state of anxiety these days, and he always hears him sigh Said that the Northern Zhou garrison was staring at them. None of the ministers in the court dared to say a word, and even he was the prime minister. Now the emperor has not been in the court for a long time, and he lives in seclusion. When encountering such a thing, the emperor is desperate and sad. The fate of my son is in the hands of others. There are tears in my eyes and blood in my heart, but I can't do anything about it. This feeling is not good for anyone. The master said, let you go because you are a girl whose family is not noticed by others. The Shen family will pay a visit to Concubine Rong."

Thinking of Xiao Kui's story about Shen Buyu and Concubine Rong, Xiuxiu sat with her head bowed, silent.

Liu Rulan kept watching Xiuxiu's expression, and enlightened her: "You and His Highness the Third Highness are getting close. When Concubine Rong sees you, it's like seeing His Highness. Naturally, she will have a lot to talk about, and her illness will naturally get better. Honestly. Said, I consider you a daughter, partly because of the master's intention, and partly because you are indeed lovable. The master also said later that the third highness cannot be forced to like you, but the third highness really started to have a good impression of you It's..."

As soon as he said this, Xiuxiu was startled, and suddenly broke the silence and said: "The Third Highness hates me."

This time it was Liu Rulan's turn to be speechless, she opened her mouth wide, and with great difficulty, she stammered and asked, "How is it possible? Who said this?"

"The Third Highness told me personally."

"why?"

"Because he hates the master! I am the master's daughter!"

Suddenly, Xiuxiu couldn't suppress her emotions. She knew that these words shouldn't be said, but she still couldn't help it.Perhaps it was because that person was no longer a prince, and nothing was important anymore. The words that weighed on his heart were like an arrow on the string, and he had to say it.

Liu Rulan's complexion had already changed drastically, but she waved her hand to signal Xixiu not to say any more: "I know you are talking about Master and Concubine Rong...it happened a long time ago, so don't mention it again. When I married Master, Concubine Rong had already entered The palace. I know what the master is thinking. You are too young to understand this matter."

"But, this matter has been on the mind of the Third Highness for more than ten years!" Xiuxiu whispered.

Liu Rulan smiled as if nothing had happened, and slowly said: "It turns out that the Third Highness knew about it when she was a child, but I didn't expect it. He has a deep relationship with the emperor and his son, and it is understandable that his mother is alienated and has prejudice against the master. But, after all, you are There is no reason for those who have just been adopted to hate you."

Such words actually made Xiuxiu's eyes wide open, and she stood there stupidly.Liu Rulan stood up silently, and walked slowly to the window.

The rain continued, and everything was like a dream.It's not that she doesn't want to look back, she has been Shen Buyu's closest person for nearly twenty years, and she understands him best about some things.In the early days, he always had deep affection and even longing for Concubine Rong.However, once a man is in power, he will hesitate and shrink back, and the remaining ten years are enough to wear down that affectionate relationship.

Concubine Rong is also a passionate and pitiful woman.

Thinking of this, Liu Rulan sighed silently, and said, "No matter how bad it is, it's still my own."

The sound of the wind fluctuates, and the shadows of the whirling trees blow across the window lattice.The window was drenched by the rain, Liu Rulan closed the window gently, walked back to Xiuxiu, saw that she was still sitting stupidly, her eyes were confused, her heart softened, and she asked, "Who do you think you can blame?"

Xiuxiu raised her head and replied, "Of course I can't blame anyone."

"You like him very much, don't you?" Liu Rulan further asked.

Xiuxiu blushed suddenly, and said in a low voice: "But the Third Highness doesn't want to see me, all I can do is run away, I really don't know what to do."

"But Xiuxiu, have you ever thought about why the Third Highness would tell you the secret that has been buried in his heart for more than ten years? Why did he tell you that he hates you after telling you? Have you ever thought about it?"

"No……"

With a murmur, Xiuxiu suddenly understood, and felt her whole body heat up.

Thinking of the day in the imperial palace workshop, he took the initiative to bring up his thoughts, venting the resentment accumulated in his heart for many years.At that time, she was only sad because he deliberately set a clear boundary with her, but she didn't notice that the sternness on his face was fading, and there were clear water in his eyes.

The bottom of my heart is illuminated by a mirror, and the light flows.

Thinking about it now, it was not what she thought.

Looking at Xiuxiu's blank eyes, Liu Rulan shook her head and chuckled, stroked Xiuxiu's shiny black hair, and slowly reminded: "It seems that the Third Highness is unrestrained on the surface, but has no impurities in his heart. He cares about you, so he will He took the initiative to reveal his thoughts, and he was afraid that he would say he hates you because he was too emotionally invested. Even he himself didn't know what he had done. The more the master wants you to be the third concubine, the more the third prince resists, you The more awkward it gets. Well, it seems that this matter has come to nothing now. Maybe it's too late for me to say these words, but as a woman, I still hope you live happily."

Xiuxiu suddenly met Liu Rulan's loving eyes.

As if waking up someone in a dream with one word, her ignorant mind gradually became clear. At this moment, she clenched Liu Rulan's hand tightly, and the corner of her mouth curled up into a long-lost smile.

"I'm going to see Concubine Rong," she said.

"That's right." Liu Rulan also nodded and smiled.

(End of this chapter)