Mountains and rivers fall into red

Chapter 38: Dan Que (8)
The weather in February was still very cold, Xiao Kui came back from a walk and took off his cloak.Fearing that he would catch cold, Qiuyue ordered the maid to light a fire in the furnace.Xiao Kui was in a good mood, so he sat by the stove, lifted the hollowed-out copper cover, and stirred the charcoal fire himself.

"Anyone here?" he asked.

Qiuyue reported a series of names.Xiao Kui frowned: "Please go on, I don't want to see guests recently."

"This is the first time this servant girl has seen His Highness so happy, and thought His Highness was not bothering you. Is everyone missing? Marriage is a major event in life, and the eldest prince will definitely come."

Xiao Kui smiled, and said seriously: "Brother, you must be kind and welcome. The establishment of the crown prince will affect the innocent. Although the eldest brother is careless, the queen is his biological mother, and he is not happy. Nice."

Just as he was talking, Jiang Chen came to report outside, and the eldest prince Xiao Shao came.

Soon, Xiao Shao came in in a hurry, yelling: "Third brother, every time I come to your palace, the scenery is different. Now you are the hottest figure in the whole Houliang, you will not forget your brother, right? "

Xiao Kui stood up to meet him, took Xiao Shao to the stove and sat down, and said with a smile, "Fang said Cao Cao, and Cao Cao will be there. Why don't you see your blue and purple King Kong?"

"I've changed to raise Haidongqing. If the third brother is free, go to Yingfang to see it. It's fierce. After the wildness is worn out, let's use it to hunt. It is definitely a good thing for entertainment."

"How can I be as leisurely as you?" Xiao Kui said with a smile, "Once the uncorruption ceremony is over, I should relieve my father's worries and problems."

Because the cuffs of the outer robe slipped a little, and almost touched the charcoal fire, Xiao Shao saw it, and quickly reached out to help his brother roll up the sleeves.The two brothers looked at each other and smiled, full of brotherhood.

Xiao Shao didn't talk about Hai Dongqing either. He looked around and was sure that there was no one there, so he coughed lightly and said mysteriously, "Third brother, who do you want to choose on the nineteenth day?"

Xiao Kui deliberately made a joke, and replied a little casually: "The teaching workshop in the palace has been open for several months, and my elder brother goes to join in the fun every day. I have seen everyone I should have seen. Choose one for me?"

"Third brother, you are not on the road now, do you have something to hide from me? I just heard the news from the queen mother. When I came out, I met Shen Buyu and Mr. Shen walking towards the harem. Is it a coincidence?"

Xiao Kui didn't care about it, he just asked casually, "What boring news?"

Xiao Shao looked around again, and lightly bit Xiao Kui's ear.Xiao Kui was startled, and hurriedly said: "Your mother is the mother of a country, so she does some cunning and deceitful things! She knows that I will not believe her words, and deliberately borrows your words, it is ridiculous!"

"Didn't I just tell you this because I didn't believe it? The queen mother and Mr. Ji are very serious. It is said that Mr. Ji went to investigate secretly. His words are so clear that people have to believe it. But if this is the case, isn't this a personal addition?" Darling, I'm still happy for my third brother." Xiao Shao was half aggrieved, and said without restraint.

With a bang, the pliers in Xiao Kui's hand were thrown into the stove, and tiny sparks were splashed.Xiao Shao dodged in a hurry, seeing that Xiao Kui had no smile at all, and his eyes were full of coldness, he was startled unknowingly.

"Okay, can I count my nonsense? I didn't expect your reaction to be so violent for such a trivial matter. Third brother, big brother apologizes to you, pretend I didn't say anything."

"go out!"

Xiao Kui stopped his elder brother's words, and there was a flash of prey in his eyes.Seeing that the situation is not good, Xiao Shao only thought that he was showing his temper, waving his hands and bowing to him, and he had to say a few words of comfort, so he left in a hurry.

Xiao Kui stood where he was, his expression became extremely terrifying, and his chest heaved sharply.

There was a slight patter sound from the curtain, Qiuyue came in with a fruit plate, and seeing that Xiao Shao was not in the hall, she asked, "Where is the eldest prince?"

"I let him go." Xiao Kui said in a dull voice.

Qiuyue looked at Xiao Kui, saw the dark tide in his eyes, she was slightly surprised, and forced a smile: "Your Highness just told the servants to receive the eldest prince well, why did you let him go?"

Before he finished speaking, Xiao Kui suddenly picked up his cloak and strode out of the hall.

There was a burst of whipping, and there was green smoke all the way under the horse's hooves.Xiao Kui arrived at the palace, handed over the reins of the horse to the palace servants, and walked anxiously towards the Wenyong Palace where his mother and concubine lived.

At this time, a strong wind blew up, and the wind and horses were clanging under the eaves of Lingde Hall in the distance.Xiao Kui glanced at it, feeling more and more disturbed.He was almost trotting, and he reached the outside of Wenying Hall in one breath, and stopped suddenly.

Outside the palace, the court ladies who were kneeling and kneeling did not even dare to raise their heads.Xiao Kui knew this posture well - Shen Buyu was still in the palace of his mother and concubine.

What are they talking about now?
The surrounding air is like a sharp knife, faintly cutting on the skin.He suddenly laughed. For 20 years, he has been living under the shadow of Shen Buyu and never escaped.

In the past, whenever he saw this scene, he would walk away in a huff.He didn't bother to eavesdrop, and he didn't want to see Shen Buyu's unpredictable expression. Every time he saw it, he would deepen his hatred.

But this time, he moved his steps because of the answer in his heart.

He stood quietly outside the screen, listening to the whispers inside, just listening quietly.

The screen is embroidered with big red peonies and black chicks interlaced, the peonies seem to be painted with scarlet, and they are wildly and recklessly flying in all directions.

Xiao Kui's face was ashen, his finger bones were almost broken.

He gritted his teeth resentfully, turned and left the hall without waiting for others to find out.

When Xiuxiu woke up early in the morning, his head was a little dizzy, his body was tired, and his face was pale and frightening.

Tomorrow is the selection day.

She had a nightmare.In the dream, I was walking hard on the swamp, and I didn't know where I was in front of me.Surrounded by a gloomy and terrifying scene, countless man-eating vines wrapped around her body and strangled her neck, making her want to scream but couldn't make a sound.She struggled in the dream, no one came to rescue her, and none of the familiar shadows disappeared.

When I woke up, I was sweating profusely.The dream gradually became blurred, and she continued to comfort herself before slowly falling asleep again.

After hearing Yan Xi's report, Shen Buyu hurriedly called for the imperial physician.The imperial physician made a pulse diagnosis and said that he had suffered a little wind and cold, but there was no serious problem.Shen Buyu told her to take a good rest, ordered the kitchen to decoct medicine, and arranged for a light meal, and the kitchen was very busy for a while.

The selection was nominally presided over by the Temple Department, but in reality all the detailed ceremonies, including Xiao Kui's selection of Xiuxiu and taking her to meet the emperor and Concubine Rong, were all intervened and manipulated by Shen Buyu.In order to be absolutely safe, he also explained to Xiuxiu the selected palace etiquette in detail.

"Don't be nervous, just keep smiling." Before he left, he didn't forget to say something more.

Liu Rulan has been guarding the Suxin Courtyard, wiping Xiuxiu's forehead from time to time, and said with a worried face: "Why is it not too early or too late, why is it so sick at this time?"

It was Xixiu's turn to laugh, and said comfortingly, "It's okay, it will be fine tomorrow."

She didn't dare to speak out about her dream, for fear of adding trouble to Liu Rulan.A dream is a dream after all, maybe it's because the day is approaching and she is nervous.

Yan Xi also nervously patted her chest, fussing and saying: "Miss has never been weak, but she is also sick. Those delicate ladies, I don't know what kind of illness they are? Is it possible that they will be helped in tomorrow?"

The crowd burst into laughter.

The day passed in calm.In the evening, Xiuxiu was able to get up and drank a large bowl of clear porridge, her complexion also turned slightly rosy.Liu Rulan felt relieved, and said a few words of care to Yanxi before going back to her yard.

Xiuxiu was full of thoughts, tossing and turning, and only fell into a shallow sleep when she got deeper, but there was no dream.

At the hour of the hour, Xiuxiu got up from bed.The courtyard started to get busy, and Liu Rulan also came over early, ordering everyone to bring tea and water, wash and change clothes.

Pan Yun bun, draw black eyebrows, apply a little makeup powder, and finally put on the light yellow skirt.With this attire, the young Xiuxiu is already charming and charming, with an orchid-like air.

Liu Rulan took Xiuxiu's hand, walked out of the Juxin Courtyard, and walked towards the gate of the mansion.There was already a palace chariot sent by the palace waiting outside, Liu Rulan ordered Cuihong to give the palace people some money.In the end, watching Yanxi help Xiuxiu into the palace carriage, he waved with a smile.

The palace chariot moved forward steadily, without saying anything along the way.

When they arrived at the gate of the palace, the same palace cars were already parked all around.Forty young ladies waiting to be selected are served by maidservants, pink and willow green, and the voices of warblers and swallows.

In the distance, the people of Jiangling who came to hear the news rushed to watch the excitement, and the roadside and under the palace wall were crowded with people.A large number of palace guards held halberds to separate the crowd, lest there would be trouble.

The gate of the palace opened, and some deacons came out to roll their names one by one, and those who were called lined up to enter the palace in order.When Xiuxiu heard his name, he came out from the crowd, took out a sign with his name written on it in his hand, and after being inspected by the palace staff, he followed the women into the palace gate.

When she entered, she looked back at Yan Xi, smiled and waved her hand.

Yan Xi watched the young lady go in, and breathed a sigh of relief.Turning his head, he was facing a pair of painful and sad eyes in the crowd watching the excitement.

Save the sky!
Startled, she walked over calmly and pulled Tian Ji out of the crowd.

"I said Chu Tianji, your heart is not dead! This is not a theater, and it will make you feel uncomfortable after seeing it. You'd better go back." She advised.

"No...I have to wait for the result." Tianji said hoarsely.

Yan Xi shook his head, smiled wryly, "What if Miss is selected?"

The heavy palace gate was closing slowly, Tianji's gaze was fixed there, he gritted his teeth and said: "That Xiao Kui is arrogant and domineering, playing with people's morals, do I understand Xiuxiu? Do I like Xiuxiu as much as I do? I don't believe he will Choose Xiuxiu! Xiuxiu was just blinded for a while, it was all instigated by Shen Buyu!"

Yan Xi was so frightened that he waved his hands again and again, and said helplessly: "You just wait to be hit. Chu Tianji, I think you are so stupid, you shouldn't have come here at all."

After Xiuxiu entered the palace, some palace officials led her into the side hall for the next round of screening.Due to the lack of time, the girls raised their waists and walked around each other, looking at each other secretly, like a silent wrestling, wishing to defeat each other immediately.Xiuxiu was still in a trance when someone stabbed her arm.

Turning to look, it turned out to be Zheng Yizhen.

Yizhen is also dressed exquisitely, the embroidered dress inlaid with gold thread is covered with peach blossoms, just like this gorgeous spring color, rich and rich crimson.She condensed a half-truth and half-fake smile, and her voice was like a spring breeze.

"There are so many people, I look around, and you and I are the most outstanding."

Xiuxiu seldom saw Yizhen's expression like this, with a gentle face, thinking of her intimidating tone that day, she guessed that it was due to her willful temper.Seeing that she was in a great mood, she couldn't help smiling, and said sincerely, "You are beautiful."

"Really?" Yizhen couldn't help stroking her handkerchief and chuckling, and she whispered her cherry lips into Xiuxiu's ear, "You are also beautiful. But, you are wearing the wrong color of clothes. I heard from Brother Hao that three Your Highness likes peach blossom red, and hates yellow the most. Have you ever seen Concubine Rong wear yellow clothes? Who of his attendants has yellow clothes? Once, that Qiuyue accidentally wore this color, and he suddenly lost his temper , stripped off the clothes and burned them on the spot!"

Xiuxiu's face turned pale, and he couldn't help asking: "Why?"

Yizhen saw it, paused for a moment, and said in a harmonious voice: "How do I know? The third highness is always moody. Why is your face so ugly? Are you feeling unwell? Sigh, I shouldn't hit you, because I really regard you as my best sister, so I remind you to be more cautious. Master Shen is really, he only thinks about how to please the emperor, and the one who chooses the concubine is the third prince, so he has to find out his emotions, such important details. ignored."

Xiuxiu was so startled that sweat broke out on his forehead, he looked down at himself, and asked nervously, "I've put them all on, what should I do?"

"If you put it on, there is nothing you can do. Don't be sad, you are not the only one wearing this color. Besides, the Third Highness may not choose you."

Seeing Xiuxiu's bewildered look, Yi sincerely smiled secretly, and left her to greet others.The smile on her face has not faded, and her confidence has increased a bit.

"Shen Xiuxiu is so naive, he even believes such bluffing words. Dad told me that it is said that the Third Highness seems to have taken a fancy to Shen Xiuxiu, and that is pure nonsense."

At this time, a group of palace people surrounded the person who looked like the chief manager, and the girls stopped talking and laughing, and hurriedly stood in a few rows.The manager looked stern, and patrolled among the daughters one by one, screening them out one by one.The ones who are selected still get the good cards, and the ones that are not selected are taken away by the palace people.

Those who were selected showed joy, while those who were rejected covered their faces and wept.The manager stood in front of Xiuxiu, looked at it with his eyes, turned over the cards to look at them, and then handed them back to her, giving her a meaningful smile.

After being screened layer by layer, only twenty daughters were waiting outside Lingde Hall.

Xiuxiu climbed a few steps and turned to look back.The peach blossoms in the palace have spit out their pistils, and they are broken like phantom butterflies.The servants, imperial guards, and maids are constantly busy.The palace on the selection day is like a peach blossom in spring, full of vitality.She squinted her eyes and stared at it, feeling dizzy for a while, and the sky seemed to be getting darker.

"Persist for another hour, and everything will be fine." She smiled erratically.

In the Lingde Hall, Emperor Liang, Concubine Rong, the third prince Xiao Kui, and all the ministers must have gathered together.I could only hear the palace servants start to roll their names with their thin throats:
Feng Caiyun, 17 years old, is the daughter of Lie Cao Shangshu, Master Feng Jing.

Li Xinyue, daughter of General Li Jingnian of Zhenyuan, is 15 years old.

Yin Yingqiu, the daughter of Lord Yin Donghua, governor of Shangzhou.

Zheng Yizhen, the daughter of the imperial servant Zheng De, is 17 years old.

……

Shen Xiuxiu, the 16-year-old daughter of Prime Minister Shen Buyu.

After hearing her name, Xiuxiu stepped in slowly.Looking up, in the dense sandalwood smoke, dizzy light and dark alternate.The emperor sat in it, and on both sides were Concubine Rong and Xiao Kui, who were wearing vermilion dresses.Her eyes stayed on Xiao Kui, he was dressed in sapphire blue with dazzling brilliance, which made his complexion seem a little pale.

On that dull New Year's Eve, he told her that he would be too excited to sleep the night before the election.Like her, he really couldn't sleep well!

A kind of sweetness welled up in her heart, she lowered her head and kowtowed profusely.

All the daughters stood in a row, surrounded by fat, swallows and thin, colorful.

Xiuxiu heard the emperor laughing and said: "Ku'er, it's up to you to make the decision. From your perspective, go down and help the emperor choose a daughter-in-law."

Vaguely, she saw him get up, his body was shaking a little, and his steps were slow.But he is also nervous?
He walked slowly towards her.She lowered her eyes shyly, her heart beating fast.

There was no sound in the hall, only his satin robe made a pleasant rustling sound when it lightly touched the top of his boots... He was about to walk in front of him, and she could almost see the happiness and satisfaction overflowing on his face.

His footsteps stopped, and she clearly heard his low and slow voice.

"haven't seen you for a long time."

She raised her head in an instant, and he stood in front of the woman beside him, his gaze fell there, with a faint smile on his face.Surprised, she couldn't help turning her head, and it turned out that Zheng Yizhen was standing beside her.

Yizhen blushed, and answered softly, "Long time no see, Your Highness."

Xiuxiu stood there, at a loss, as if he didn't understand what they were saying.She moved her lips and made a thin sound from her throat, but she couldn't even hear herself.

Xiao Kuiwu's dark eyes were fixed on Yizhen's face all the time, and he seemed very interested in continuing to chat: "Master Zheng Dezheng is also a powerful minister of the emperor, he is kind and low-key, but he has a heart of loyalty and patriotism, and he can solve problems." It's different. The emperor mentioned him several times."

Yizhen didn't have time to look at where her father was, as if she was having a sweet dream, and joy overflowed uncontrollably from her eyes and heart.

"Under the whole world, is it the king's land; on the shore of the land, is it the king's ministers. The courtiers should be loyal to the emperor and relieve the emperor's worries." She answered sweetly for her father.

The smile on Xiao Kui's face deepened, and there was soft affection in his eyes, the kind of affection that Xiuxiu was familiar with.His voice was clear and bright: "Well, I will choose you."

I choose you.

I choose you...

The voice became louder and louder, captivating Xixiu's ears like a tidal wave.She stood there in a daze, her thoughts gradually froze.

Xiao Kui said: I chose you, Hugh.

Is he confused?She wants to stop him, he made a mistake, the person he should choose is right next to him!

Why is her foot so heavy that she can't even move a little bit.She watched him smile affectionately at Zheng Yizhen, holding her by his hand, and she could only see their backs, their backs walking side by side...

She heard the laughter of Emperor Liang, the congratulations of the ministers...

I'll choose you...I'll choose you...Who does he choose?He said he chose her.Who is she herself?She was at a loss, she just thought in confusion.

Concubine Rong came over, shook her head and sighed regretfully, and left.Does she feel sorry for her?
Shen Buyu also came over, why is his face so pale?Why do you look so angry?Is he gone too?
Is everyone gone?Why is she the only one left?Is she leaving too?
She walked towards the palace gate step by step, as if stepping on a pile of cotton wool.Under the glare of the sun, the figure floated slowly and little by little on the bluestone trail.

In February, she heard cicadas.It was so loud and lively.

A palace servant came over and held her hand.She was walking numbly, and the palace servant seemed to be saying something, but she couldn't hear a word, only saw the mouth that kept moving.

"Miss-"

The voice came from an extremely distant place, and she frowned, trying to open her eyes wide to find it.The fog in front of his eyes drifted away strangely, and the figures of Yanxi and Tianji wandered away.Her lips moved, but no sound came out.Suddenly, she smiled unconsciously.

"Yanxi, don't look at me with such fearful eyes. Xiao Kui doesn't want me anymore, he chose someone else."

"Brother Tianji, are you here too? Why don't you smile? Shall I smile for you? Brother Tianji, I'm a little tired. Give me a hand. I want to tell you something..."

When Tianji hugged Xiuxiu's precarious body for the last time, from her pale but smiling lips, he could only hear her whispering intermittently: "Go home..."

(End of this chapter)