Qing Palace - Biography of Concubine Wan

Chapter 54: Fortune and Misfortune (2)

The not-so-cold weather, the night full of paper and gold, the banquets with staggered cups and cups, and the beautiful and charming concubines all constituted a Qing imperial palace that was opened in the early prosperity under the rule of Emperor Shunzhi.

As soon as the banquet started, Chang Xi clapped his hands three times. Following the applause, the pre-arranged maiko floated in with slender and soft waist branches like willows pointed by the wind, carrying bursts of fragrant wind.

Dressed in neon dresses and dancing clothes, they are like a group of butterflies wearing flowers. When they entered the palace, they first bowed to the direction of Fulin and saluted, like black black silk fluttering like clouds on their cheeks, their hair danced before they danced.

The moment the maikos straightened up, the musicians who had been waiting suddenly played the instruments in their hands. Immediately, the music and dance intersected. The maikos waved their sleeves and stepped to the music. With the action, it makes a pleasant sound.When the dance is in full swing, the water sleeves are pierced, sweeping away all the beauty in the world;

"Hmph, what a broken dance, how can our Mongolian dance be so beautiful!" The small disdain did not interrupt everyone's appreciation of the dance music.

Qing Ru was watching intently and suddenly heard someone sobbing softly on the left, looking back, it was Yue Ling, and saw her weeping while watching the singing and dancing in the field, Qing Ru felt strange in her heart, but after thinking about it, she understood again Yes, Yueling once mentioned that her mother-in-law was born in a maiko, but now she must be hurt by seeing the scene, which touched her heart and made her miss her mother-in-law who is far away in Yangzhou.

Qingru stretched out her hand and quietly clenched Yueling's hand under the table curtain, and said softly, "But miss your mother?"

Yueling nodded sadly, the sad look in her eyes because of missing was really distressing, Qingru took a cotton handkerchief and slowly tried it on her face, while comforting: "Don't cry, there will always be a chance, maybe One day the emperor will fall in love with you, and then you will have the opportunity to ask the emperor to let your mother-in-law into the palace. Listen to my sister, don't cry, if your mother-in-law sees you like this, you may feel so distressed Woolen cloth!"

Yue Ling nodded obediently, took the handkerchief and wiped the corners of her eyes: "Sister, do you know that my mother-in-law dances better than any of them? I heard that my mother-in-law was the most famous dancer in Yangzhou before she married me. Many princes and grandchildren spend a lot of money just to watch my mother-in-law dance!" She said proudly.

"When I was young, my mother taught me how to dance. She said that dancing can make a woman more beautiful than her appearance. Unfortunately, I am not talented enough, so I only learned [-]% or [-]% of her kung fu." I really love her mother-in-law.

Their whispering attracted the attention of Shui Yin and another woman at the same table, Mrs. Ze!She is one of the few beautiful girls who, like Shui Yin, was named a nobleman when she first entered the palace. Like most people, she also has the most rare beauty in the palace. If there is anything special, it is that she is very cold, isn't it? She pretended to be cold, but she was born this way, so cold that she was a bit serious. I heard that when Fulin favored her last time, she also looked like an iceberg, unlike other concubines. After only one visit, she was never summoned again, but she still looked indifferent, she didn't see her crying, let alone mourning!

After Qingru explained to Shui Yin, Chaoze Guiren nodded with a smile, Ze Guiren looked at them expressionlessly, then lowered her head to drink the soup she just filled, the silver spoon was spinning silently in the bowl.

Such a woman is probably not ordinary!

Qingru was thinking in her heart, but Yueling at the side suddenly pulled her sleeve and said, "Sister Ru, do you think we will have a chance to go out of the palace to see in the future? I really want to go back to Yangzhou to see."

Shui Yin also heard this, she quickly raised her index finger to her lips and said in a low voice: "Shhh! We have no reason to leave the palace once we enter the palace, and it's not like those maids who can be released from the palace as long as they are 25 years old. We are destined to be the emperor's people, so don't say such things again!"

Qing Ru nodded in agreement, Yue Ling's complexion darkened when he heard that, but then lit up again after seeing the beautiful day and night at the front table and smiling: "Isn't it okay to win the Emperor's favor like Sister Xi?"

Shui Yin followed her gaze, and said in her mouth: "That's not necessarily true, unless the emperor gives permission for her to go home to visit her relatives, otherwise it is not possible, sister, do you want to sit there too?" Her voice was a little ethereal , Eyes never retracted.

"Sister?" Qingru didn't expect Shuiyin to ask so directly, and she didn't care what Yueling would do when she heard it. As expected, Yueling's face turned pale and he muttered: "I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't be like this want……"

Seeing their expressions, Shuiyin couldn't help laughing: "Fool, what's there to be sorry about, which woman in the palace doesn't think like this, and who doesn't want to be the emperor's favorite concubine, you think, I think , Ru'er is the same!" When she said this, Zegui who was opposite her snorted softly, with a bit of disdain in her eyes.Seeing that she seemed to have an opinion on what he said, Shui Yin felt displeased, although he didn't retort, but kept his face straight, and turned his head to watch the singing and dancing that was almost over.

Those maikos flicked their water sleeves happily, as if they were going to smash through the sky!The sound of the music went from high to low, softly, like gurgling water and flakes of clouds. Before anyone could listen carefully, the tune was raised again, and the dancers in a circle jumped up and down along the pitch. The long sleeves almost touched the temple beam, and the slender and soft hair intertwined into one piece in the air. When the last note fell, they also returned to the ground, and the layers of gauze covered the beauty like water. ...

"Okay!" After a short period of silence, Fulin praised first, and then said to Dong Exianglan on the right: "It's not as good as Qing!"

Dong E Xianglan was very shy when she heard the words: "The emperor's words are too mysterious, and my concubine's dance is only mediocre. You said it so well, and I haven't danced for a long time. I'm afraid I will forget how to dance in the future."

"In my heart, you will always be the best!" Fingers clasped under the table, entwined infinitely, affection flowing in each other's eyes.As Fulin said, there may not be anyone in the world who can match Dong E Xianglan, but in the eyes of him and Aixinjueluo Fulin, she will always be the best. !
Concubine Tong put a piece of glutinous rice and sweet dates into her mouth with her chopsticks, her face wrinkled all of a sudden, the attendant Hong Kam saw the makeup, quickly covered the silk in her palm, and stretched it out in front of Concubine Tong, but she shook her head and brushed it away. Pushing it away, she swallowed it tightly with her mouth tightly pressed, the bitter thing is not the jujube, but her heart, how can she spit it out!
On the other side, Rixi has been staring at Fulin and Dong Exianglan who are like no one else since just now. He forgot to put down his chopsticks when he held them up in the air. Saying 'only envy mandarin ducks and not immortals', the courtiers and concubines couldn't understand why some people would not even be willing to be immortals, but now they finally understand, if the emperor and the imperial concubine have such a deep affection, it is to give a big I don’t even want to be a god!” Ri Xiben has a childlike heart, and she speaks straightforwardly and innocently. From another person’s perspective, these words may make people feel that they are flattering, but she speaks like clear water. Of course!
"'Only envy mandarin ducks and not immortals', well said, well said! I and the imperial concubine should be like this!" Fulin was very happy after hearing this, Dong Exianglan also looked at it with a smile, and was in the joy, outside the door A eunuch shouted loudly: "Miss Ke concubine is here!"

Following this sound, Fulin's smile froze immediately, and Concubine Tong put down the silver chopsticks in her hand with a strange expression and muttered to herself, "Why is she here?"

As for Concubine Jing, Concubine Mourning, Concubine Ning Gui, and Concubine Zhen, they all looked quite surprised, especially Concubine Jing, besides being surprised, she was more guilty of guilt and even resentment.As for the people who entered the palace late, people like Qing Ru were puzzled.Puzzled, surprised, and puzzled eyes gathered at the door, waiting for that person to appear.

The whiteness of the moonlight, the pinkness of the pearls, and the purpleness of the luster form a woman with picturesque eyebrows, graceful and poetic. In the eyes of everyone, such a poetic and picturesque woman is slowly stepping on the steps of the most ladylike. Come, as if floating from the depths of the clouds.

Fulin, who was sitting on the seat, left his seat and walked over to her, and stopped in front of her again: "Why are you here?" The dreamy voice, the bewildered gaze lingering on Mo Wan's delicate and charming face.

A smirk slowly climbed up his lips: "How can the concubine not come according to the emperor's order?"

"I thought you would never want to see me again in your life!"

"It seems that the emperor doesn't want to see his concubines first!"

"What about now? Mo Wan you are here, does that mean you are willing to forgive me?" Fulin asked indefinitely, with tears behind his eyes.

Kebi gently withdrew her hand from Fulin's palm, lowered her eyelids and said slowly: "The emperor is the son of heaven, the emperor of ninety-five years, how can there be any mistakes, the fault is the concubine, so the concubine came , come to make amends to the emperor!" The man squatted down slowly while speaking.

This conversation between the emperor and concubine is so weird, it has completely deviated from the general framework, making people who don't know it even more confused.

Fulin said disappointedly: "After all these years, you still refuse to forgive me, alas, forget it, you can sit down first!" Someone nearby had already pulled away the empty chair beside Concubine Jing.

Before Concubine Ke could sit down, Concubine Jing placed the chopsticks heavily on the table, ignoring Fulin's presence, and said, "Who made this dish?"

"Lalei, what are you doing?!" Fulin stared dissatisfiedly.

Concubine Jing changed her tone, resentful and even a little provocative: "There are stones in this dish, which made my tooth hurt. I asked someone how to make the dish. Is there anything wrong with the emperor?"

"You can just spit out any stones. If you lose your temper, you are getting more and more unruly. After staying in the palace for so many years, I haven't seen you grow much better than when you first came here!" Fulin reprimanded mercilessly.

"You!" Concubine Jing was irritated by Fulin's attitude, and she wanted to get up to argue with him, but halfway through seeing Kebi beside her, she swallowed her breath and sat back on the chair again, she didn't want to. Give this woman a chance to watch the show.

Under Fulin's gesture, Kebi sat neatly next to Concubine Jing, and the palace servants beside her had already laid out the tableware for her.

Seeing this, Qingru knew that the vacant seat was originally reserved for her, and what happened in the space between her and Fulin, their appearance was really strange.

"Empress Empress, it's been a long time!" This was the first sentence Kebi said to Concubine Jing after she sat down. Is it the empress who is the mother of the world in Ning Palace? !It's just that it's a great irony to say it now.

Concubine Jing's face is like a dyed canvas, colorful and wonderful, it's really difficult for her to hold back even though she was born.

Fulin had returned to his original seat and sat down at this time, but his emotions were not as high as before. Dong E Xianglan had never heard Fulin mention about Ke concubine when he entered the palace late, so he couldn't talk about it all at once, so he could only talk about it. Clutching his sleeve silently, feeling her concern, Fulin looked back and smiled, expressing that he was fine
Seeing that the atmosphere at the banquet was low, Rixi stared back and forth between Fulin and Kebi with her black and white eyes open, and suddenly she held up the small dish containing a single cage of golden custard in front of her to Fulin: "Your Majesty, I will bring my last Give you what you like to eat, don't be unhappy!" Each person has two golden custards, and put them on separate plates. This dessert is soft on the inside and crispy on the outside, sweet and soft in the mouth. Rixi just ate one, and the rest He was not willing to eat it, but now he gave it to Fulin.

Seeing her reluctantly giving up her love, Fulin felt relieved a lot, and said softly, "Aren't you sad that you don't have anything to eat?"

Rixi tilted her head and thought about it seriously, then nodded fiercely: "Yes! But the concubine wants the emperor to be happy."

Hearing that Fulin finally laughed again, the atmosphere that had been suppressed by Kebin's appearance relaxed again with this laughter.

At this time, Concubine Tong gracefully wiped her lower lip and said with a half-smile: "Concubine Chun is really kind to the emperor, no wonder the emperor loves you so much!"

Ever since Qingru told Rixi that the incident was a trap set by Concubine Tong, she was very afraid of Concubine Tong, avoiding her everywhere, even if she met her unfortunately, she would avoid her from a distance, and dare not be like before. Laughing and laughing so freely, she didn't see her reply for a while, Concubine Tong said again: "What's wrong with Concubine Chun, you started to tremble before it was cold, could it be that your body is not fully recovered, and you are getting upset again?" The more she asked Rixi, the more she If they dare not answer, Fulin and Dong E Xianglan don't know what's wrong, they just say it's true as Concubine Tong said, when they ask her what's wrong with her body, they just shake their heads day and night.

Qing Ru watched from afar, knowing that Concubine Tong was in trouble, and couldn't think of any solution at once. At this moment, Shui Yin, who had been drinking with her head down, suddenly put the cup on the table, stood up and said: " If you say that you are good to the emperor, I am afraid that Concubine Tong will not give in too much!"

She stood up too suddenly, Qingru couldn't hold her back in time, she could only quietly tug at the hem of her clothes at the side, Qingru knew that she was angry, but she was too reckless for what Concubine Tong did to Rixi. Not only did he not care about it, but he pushed Qing Ru's hand away.

That Xiang Fulin had already heard her words, and wondered: "Yin'er, why do you say that, come on! Come up and tell me to listen to me!"

Shui Yin was secretly happy, and stepped forward from the table, seeing her coming, Ri Xi immediately grabbed her hand, Shui Yin reversed and held Ri Xi's cold and sweaty hand, cast a sidelong glance at Concubine Tong and said: " The concubine heard people say that the emperor once rewarded Concubine Tong with a piece of rare Ruyi jade, and Concubine Tong has kept this piece of jade close to her body since she got it, and never leaves it, even when she sleeps, she must put it on the bedside!"

"Oh? Really?" This was the first time Fu Linxian had heard of this, and he seemed surprised and moved, and turned to Concubine Tong: "Concubine Tong, quickly show it to me!"

Hearing this, Qing Rufang knew what Shui Yin's plan was. It was mentioned by Ri Xi when she recovered from her illness and thanked her. At that time, Shui Yin and Yue Ling were both present. They told Ri Xi that Concubine Tong had harmed her and let her It's good to think about it, but there is something that offended Concubine Tong. Rixi thought for a long time before talking about it. The reason why Concubine Tong threw the jade after she went out was probably because her words were not pleasant and angered her. her.

Now that Shui Yin mentions this matter, he must be trying to embarrass Concubine Tong. They all hate Concubine Tong very much, but Concubine Tong has been intertwined in the palace for so many years, how could she be moved by these trivial matters, instead it would bring trouble to herself Ominous, but once the words have been spoken, it is difficult to take them back, and can only wait for the change, Qingru is anxious about Shuiyin, but Kebi keeps looking at her from time to time.

Hearing what Fulin said, Concubine Tong's complexion really changed, and she smiled unnaturally: "This thing was originally rewarded by the emperor, has the emperor never seen it before, it's so beautiful!"

"Hey, what I want to see is whether Concubine Tong's heart is really what Yin Guiren said. If you have it, take it out quickly and let me have a look!" A sachet embroidered with colored thread hangs on her waist, and she takes out Ruyi jade from it.

As soon as this jade came out, except for a few people who had seen it, everyone was attracted by its ever-changing and colorful light.

As soon as Concubine Tong took out the jade, Shuiyin and Rixi immediately looked at each other, wondering what was going on, wasn't the jade broken? Why did she take it out intact again? Could it be that the cracking sound that Rixi heard that night was not from this piece? Jade, or did Concubine Tong find another piece from it?How strange!

(End of this chapter)