The palace is very busy these days. Concubine Sun felt a little tired and annoyed.
During the Qingming Festival, the emperor took a group of his children and grandchildren to the Ming Dynasty Mausoleum in Zhongdu to pay homage. Within ten days, Zhu Yuanzhang fell ill when he returned.
It was like catching a cold in the imperial mausoleum. The imperial doctors took turns to look at it, but their opinions were not unanimous. In the end, they adopted the prescription of Huang, the oldest doctor in the imperial hospital, and took it for more than half a month, with good and bad times.
The imperial concubine Ma Shuyi gave birth to another son, named Wen Gui. He could not enter the palace during the confinement period, so Li Cairen was ordered to accompany the emperor's bedside every day on behalf of the East Palace. Concubine Sun Guifei and Concubine Guo Hui often came to visit, but Zhu Yuanzhang did not like concubines coming, only Li Cairen and Princess Ning Guo. Concubine Sun then ordered all the concubines and concubines to go to Qianqing Palace, and discussed with Princess Ningguo, asking her and Li Cairen to take turns waiting.
More than half a month passed like this, and in May, the emperor's illness became more and more serious. He could not even get out of bed, and he could only lie on the collapse of Qianqing Palace every day. He often falls asleep and cannot wake up, and his body becomes thinner and shriveled day by day.
Concubine Sun saw that the situation was not good. The emperor was already seventy-one years old, so she discussed with Zhu Yunwen that in addition to the female relatives in the palace, namely Princess Ningguo, Concubine Sun and Li Cairen who often attended the bed, there should also be several ministers every day. Guard. So I took advantage of Zhu Yuanzhang's good time and asked, Prince Consort Mei, Qitai, Marquis Changxing, Wei Guogong, Cao Guogong, Huang Zicheng, the emperor's trusted ministers, took turns to look at them, and like Zhu Yunwen, they came to the Qing Palace after the early morning and stayed until the evening. Walk. Concubine Sun asked again if she wanted to see anyone else, but Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head and said nothing.
It was not yet completely bright, and the Qianqing Palace was dark. For fear that the emperor would catch cold again, all the doors and windows were closed tightly, and the curtains on the couch were always hung down. Several palace maids and eunuchs stood around the curtains, drowsy.
Lianhua sat on the small stool in front of the couch and tried to keep her eyes open.
I have been guarding him day and night for a month and a half. I can only go back and rest for a short time every night, and come here with Zhu Yunwen in the morning when he goes to court. You cannot even blink during the day, you must always pay attention to Zhu Yuanzhang when he is sleeping, and you must serve him at all times when he wakes up.
Zhu Yuanzhang was too lazy to speak at this time, and only used gestures and eyes to indicate. The two Lotus Kings had a tacit understanding with the emperor, and they knew what they meant when they saw it. Sun Guifei and even Princess Ningguo often made mistakes and always asked the emperor again. After coming and going, it turned into a lotus flower serving the sick bed every day. It was really exhausting. But Lianhua insisted on coming every morning. On the contrary, Princess Ningguo only came to see her every now and then.
Hong Yuan and Hui Ren had both been here. When the two eminent monks sat in front of the cave and chanted sutras, they felt that Zhu Yuanzhang was calmer. Zhu Yuanzhang had done a lot of killing in his life. By this time, he was old, frail, sick, and probably had some fear in his heart. Moreover, he was in awe of the Buddha and regretted that he was punished by God for receiving the Buddha's bone relics without permission.
Hongyuan quietly told Concubine Sun that, regardless of encountering something in the imperial mausoleum, he suggested doing some religious rituals. Concubine Sun thought it made sense when she heard it, so she invited Hongyuan to take the monks from Linggu Temple to perform rituals in Fengxian Hall. Huiren, as the national preceptor, also accompanied her. They entered the palace every morning, and the rituals were completed in the afternoon. Return to Tianxi Temple.
Lianhua looked at Zhu Yuanzhang. The emperor was sleeping, his face and hands were bone-thin, and his eyes were sunken. His breathing was still heavy in his sleep, but his eyes were half-open and half-closed. It was obvious that he was sleeping very uneasily. Lotus silently recited the Ksitigarbha scriptures, not daring to close his eyes, still staring at the emperor.
At this time, there was a soft sound of footsteps. Lianhua raised her head and saw Wang Zhi coming in. Lotus smiled and said hello silently: "Banbanzao".
Wang Zhi had always been very polite to Lianhua. First he saw that the emperor liked her, and later he was a little touched when he saw that she took the trouble to stay with Zhu Yuanzhang on his bed every day. At that moment, he smiled and said softly: "Thank you for your hard work, Li Cairen. There is a ritual in the Fengxian Hall. Hongyuan and Huiren are here. I'll go over there. If you need anything, just send someone to call me." Then he told the little eunuchs standing in the four corners of the room: "Serve the Holy Master well and listen to Li Cairen's instructions" and hurried out.
Lotus continued to chant silently while watching the emperor.
The little eunuch brought the medicine for this morning. Lianhua took it, took the small cup from the edge of the medicine bowl, poured half of the cup and tasted it first, then closed the lid and placed it on the table with a flat edge. The medicine bowl was still a little hot when I touched it. I guess Zhu Yuanzhang would wake up soon and drink it.
Looking at the emperor's thin face, Lianhua felt a little sad. Although it was only a few months ago, Lianhua already regarded Zhu Yuanzhang as his biological grandfather, and Zhu Yuanzhang treated his granddaughter-in-law very well. Lianhua recalled the time she spent with Shengjia in the past few months, and really hoped that the emperor would get well soon.
Suddenly, a young eunuch rushed to the door and shouted through the curtain: "Li Cairen! The imperial master suddenly stopped moving in Fengxian Hall, saying that he had passed away!" After calling, he hurried away again.
Lianhua Tengdi stood up suddenly, looked at Zhu Yuanzhang sleeping, hesitated for a moment, and told the little eunuchs in the four corners: "You should pay attention to the Holy One." Seeing the four people nodding, they hurried to Fengxian Hall.
Before arriving at Fengxian Hall, I could hear the bustle of people, and the eunuchs and maidens were busy coming in and out. Lotus rushed in, and Hui Ren sat cross-legged on the ground, lowering his head and smiling, motionless. Hongyuan and Wang Zhizheng were standing around, with monks and eunuchs standing behind.
Lianhua knelt down and cried with tears in her eyes: "Abbott! Abbot!"
Wang Zhi was surprised when he saw Lianhua coming over: "Li Cairen! Why are you here? Who is there with the Holy Spirit?"
Lianhua said with tears in her eyes: "The Holy One is asleep and has not woken up yet."
Wang Zhi stamped his feet anxiously: "How can that be done? Go back quickly! You can't help here! The old minister has already sent the imperial doctor." Knowing that Huiyuan was very important to Lianhua, how could he leave the Qianqing Palace without permission and leave the emperor alone? That's a felony.
Lianhua had no choice but to stand up reluctantly, her eyes still looking at Hui Ren: "Then I'm going back, please keep me company." Wang Zhi waved his hands repeatedly: "Go back quickly! Go back quickly!"
Lianhua was a little nervous after being told by Wang Zhi, so she ran all the way back to the Qianqing Palace next to her. When she entered the door and saw Concubine Sun and Concubine Guo sitting in front of the couch, Lianhua breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly saluted.
Concubine Sun frowned: "Where did Li Cairen go? There was no one in front of the holy bed just now. What's the use of a few young eunuchs standing so far away?"
Lianhua lowered her head and said honestly, "Something happened to the Imperial Master in Fengxian Hall. I went to check on it. I'm sorry."
Concubine Sun frowned: "No matter what, you can't leave here without permission."
Lianhua didn't dare to say more and mumbled again: "I'm sorry." Concubine Sun wanted to say more, but when she saw Zhu Yuanzhang making movement on the couch, she quickly went over and asked softly: "Your Majesty, are you awake?"
Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes were half-opened, his eyes were cloudy and tired, he was panting and speechless. Lianhua slowly lifted him up and added a higher soft pillow behind him. Zhu Yuanzhang's whole body was made of bones at this time, and he was so light that Lotus couldn't help feeling sad again.
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the lotus and raised his hand. The lotus understood that it was time to take medicine, so he took the medicine bowl on the table, touched it and it was no longer hot, picked up a small spoon and wanted to feed the emperor the medicine.
Zhu Yuanzhang showed a smile, as if praising Lianhua for understanding what he meant, and opened his mouth to wait. Concubine Sun on the side shouted: "Wait a minute!" and asked Lianhua: "Have you tried this medicine?"
Lianhua was stunned and replied: "I just tried it." He gently put down the medicine bowl.
According to the rules of the palace, in order to ensure safety, the emperor's meal soup should be prepared and tested by taste testers. Only if there is no problem can it be presented to the emperor. The emperor must try it again before eating. Lotus tried this bowl of medicine as soon as it came in.
Concubine Sun sighed softly: "Li Cairen, the rule in the palace is that the emperor must test it before using it, but that didn't work just now."
Lianhua blushed, lowered her head and whispered: "I'm sorry." He took the small cup and poured half of it, and when he was about to drink it, his arms suddenly became hot! Lianhua glanced at Concubine Sun and took out the glazed tower from her arms, only to see the tower's body flashing with red light! The dimly illuminated Qianqing Palace is filled with bright red lights that flicker on and off! Lian Hua was so frightened that her hands shook, and the glass tower and the small cup fell to the ground at the same time. The medicine spilled all over the floor, creating a phosphorescent light!
Concubine Sun's expression changed drastically, she snatched a cat from Concubine Guo's hand, pressed it into the medicine bowl and took a sip.
The kitten took a sip of the decoction and immediately vomited black blood without even making a sound! Concubine Sun was so shocked that she threw the kitten to the ground. The kitten twitched twice and then stopped moving. Guo Huifei screamed and hurriedly covered her mouth.
The soup is poisonous! Extremely poisonous!
Lotus's eyes widened, her whole body trembled, and her eyes were fixed on the ground. The Glazed Pagoda stopped shining, and the darkness returned to the Qianqing Palace.
The emperor on the couch kept looking here. Hearing noises several times, he fell back and fainted for some reason.
Concubine Sun rushed to the bed, lifted Zhu Yuanzhang's head, and shouted to the eunuchs in shock and anger: "Hurry up and call the imperial doctor! There are also the emperor's grandson and all the ministers!" Several eunuchs hurriedly rushed to the court.
Concubine Sun looked at the mess on the ground and shouted: "Take Li Cairen down!"
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Lianhua has been in the cell of Zongren Mansion for three days.
The Zongren Mansion was an institution set up by the Ming Dynasty in the early years of Hongwu to manage the affairs of the royal family. It was first called Dazongzhengyuan and was renamed the Zongren Mansion in the 22nd year of Hongwu. It dealt with matters such as rewards and punishments for the royal family, sacrifices, honors, and even incarceration, education, genealogy, etc. it's here. As mentioned before, the Zongren Mansion is on the east side of the imperial road and belongs to the imperial city.
Because the cell is for members of the royal family, the conditions are not particularly simple. There is a single room, breakfast, lunch and dinner are served at regular intervals, and the food is not too bad. Lian Hua has always eaten little, and she didn't even eat the first meal that contained meat. After that, every meal was vegetarian, but Lian Hua really had no appetite.
It's really like a dream. A nightmare.
Has Abbot Huiyuan passed away? How could there be poison in the medicine bowl? I went to the Fengxian Hall nearby for a while. When I came back, Concubine Sun was already there. Who would have a chance in the meantime? Why poison the emperor? Emperor, how is he? Lian Hua recalled, thinking of Hui Ren sitting motionless and the emperor's thin and withered face. I couldn't help but feel sad.
At this time, the jailer came over and shouted: "Someone is visiting!"
Lian Hua looked up and saw Zhi En and Hai Shou running outside the cell, crying out in unison: "Princess!".
Lianhua stood up and walked to the cell. The partition asked with a smile: "Why are you here?"
Zhien burst into tears: "The princess didn't come back the day before yesterday, and her highness didn't come back either. We asked the concubine, and she didn't know what happened. Yesterday, the concubine went to the palace and didn't come back. This morning, Uncle Zhang came back specially, Tell us the princess is here”.
Lianhua knew that the Uncle Zhang Zhien was talking about was Zhang Yuanheng. She saw that both Zhien and Haishou had red eyes and dark blue eyes. They probably hadn't slept in the past few days. Wen Yan comforted him: "Uncle Zhang's request for you to come must be His Highness's order. You don't have to worry."
Zhien looked at Haishou and hesitated to speak.
Lianhua changed the subject and asked, "What did you get?"
Zhien reached out and handed over the package in his hand, and opened it to find some clean changes of clothes. Zhien was very careful, folding everything neatly from outerwear to underwear and socks. Hai Shou also handed over the lacquer box in his hand, but it contained some snacks.
Lianhua took it and said with a smile: "It's quite thoughtful."
When Zhien saw Lianhua's calm expression and comforting words, she finally couldn't help it and burst into tears: "Princess, I heard Uncle Zhang and the others secretly said that the princess has committed a crime of treason. In the palace, in the palace..." she choked with sobs. She couldn't catch her breath, and it took a long time before she cried out: "The palace wants to punish the princess to death! We also want to destroy the nine tribes!" She cried loudly.
Hai Shou gently patted Zhi En, with tears in his eyes, and said to Lian Hua: "Only the grandson concubine is in the East Palace. We went to ask the empress, and the empress said she would try her best to find a solution."
Lianhua felt dizzy and fell down on the stool.
The crime committed by Lianhua this time was extremely serious, and with all the human and material evidence available, there is no way to defend it. If Concubine Sun hadn't arrived just in time, the emperor would have been poisoned. Some said she was an assassin sent by North Korea, and some said she hated the emperor and the Ming Dynasty. Even those who defended her admitted that she left the Qianqing Palace without permission and did not test the medicine. Even if she did not intend to treason, it was definitely disrespectful and the death penalty was definitely There is no escape.
However, the emperor's critical illness was a top priority. In the later court, Concubine Sun was the leader, and the princesses, princes, and concubines gathered in the Qianqing Palace. In the previous court, the emperor's grandson and all the ministers who had entrusted the orphans stood in front of the sick bed. At this time, who can care about a small talent from the Eastern Palace
As the heir to the throne, Zhu Yunwen's every move attracted the attention of thousands of people. He could not leave his bed even half a step. He was thinking about Lianhua but could not imagine it. In two days, he finally caught Zhang Yuanheng in the air and hurriedly motioned for him to return to the East Palace and told Zhien Haishou to visit him. .
Hai Shou looked at the lotus and asked in a low voice: "I want to ask Duke Cao to see me, is that okay?"
Lianhua turned her face, her face a little pale, and shook her head: "Don't go." Everyone in the palace must be caring about the emperor at this time, and begging Cao Guogong will only make him embarrassed.
Hai Shou was a little anxious: "Then I'll try to get into the palace to find His Highness, okay?" Zhien also stopped crying and said in response: "Yes, we'd better go and beg His Highness."
Lianhua looked at the anxious expressions of Hai Shou and Zhi En, but still shook her head: "Don't go." Hai Shou and Zhi En called out in unison: "Princess!" Zhi En stamped her feet anxiously.
Lianhua said warmly: "You go back and send me some books tomorrow."
Hai Shou and Zhi En were reluctant to leave, but seeing Lian Hua's determined expression, they had no choice but to retreat. Zhien looked back three times with each step, tears streaming down his face. Hai Shou hardened his heart and dragged Zhi En, and the two gradually drifted away.
Lian Hua felt sad as she watched the two of them go away, her eyes filled with mist. Thinking of what the two of them said just now, I couldn't help but worry. Yunwen, what will my husband do? His crime this time was really too big, the palace rules were strict, and he had always been upright and unbending. Would he break the rules for his own sake? Even if he is willing to give up his principles, will it be useful
Lotus looked at the small window in the distance, outside the window was raining lightly, and the sound of rain ticking hit her heart. This heart, which has been broken into pieces since seeing the corpses of father, brother and little brother, has just been glued together a little, is it going to be broken again