The plum rain season in the south of the Yangtze River is when the plums turn yellow and ripe. It is hot and humid, with continuous rain. There is a saying that "the rain hits the yellow plum blossoms, and there is no sun for forty-five days", that is, it rains for forty-five consecutive days without the sun during this season. Although it is an exaggeration, continuous rain is indeed a common occurrence.
It was the first time for Lotus to experience the rain falling outside the small window every day, and her mood was as gloomy and gloomy as this rainy day.
The cell in Zongren Mansion is already damp and dark, and water seems to be dripping from the outside during this season. The windows are small and high, and there is no ventilation. There is mold in many places in the cell. From the walls to the bed, there are green or white spots covered with mold, and it is extremely hairy and scary.
Lotus has a history of mysophobia, which makes her scalp tingle. I first took the old clothes and wiped them, but it was difficult to wipe them; let Zhien bring a rag and a brush today, and brushed them carefully again and again, until I was sweating all over.
Zhien wanted to help, but the jailer refused to let him in. He looked worried outside the cell, so he had to advise: "Princess, forget it, don't wipe it."
Lianhua responded: "That's good" while waving her hands and continuing to wipe.
Zhi En couldn't help but stamp her feet and called to Hai Shou: "Hai Shou, think of a way!"
Since being taught by Ma Sanbao, Hai Shou has roughly understood some of the unspoken rules of the harem and officialdom of the Ming Dynasty. He has become much more flexible when he was in the Duke of Wei and the East Palace. But Ma Sanbao never taught him what to do when he arrived at the clan's mansion, and he never dreamed of it. Hai Shou tried to bribe, but was scolded by the jailer. Hai Shou scratched his head and had no choice but to advise: "Princess, take a rest!"
Lian Hua ignored it and continued to wipe and brush, and dense beads of sweat were about to drip from her head.
At this time, there was a sound of footsteps and cluttered voices. It turned out to be a lot of people.
Hai Shou looked back and saw Zhu Yunwen, wearing a bright yellow brocade robe and a black crown, striding over in a hurry. Zhang Yuanheng was still following behind him, but there were many guards, and there were actually dozens of people shouting in front of him and crowding behind him. Several jailers from the Zongren Mansion bowed and followed Zhang Yuanheng. The older jailer who scolded him was saying cautiously: "Your Majesty! This is where it is."
Zhu Yunwen had not returned to the East Palace these days, and Hai Shou and Zhi En had not been able to see each other. When they met at Zongren Mansion, they were shocked by his emperor's majesty and quickly knelt down and saluted. Zhien opened his mouth wide and looked a little dazed. He woke up after Hai Shou pulled him and hurriedly lowered his head.
Lotus stopped wiping, turned her head to look at Zhu Yunqi, and with a surge of emotion, she came to the door. I bowed but didn’t know what to say, so I finally just called out softly: “Your Majesty!”
Zhu Yunwen stretched out his arms across the cell fence, but he was far away. Zhang Yuanheng quickly asked the jailer to open the cell door. Zhu Yunwen strode into the prison, said hurriedly: "Sit down," and held up the lotus with both hands. But seeing that the cell was cramped and cramped, with mold everywhere, he couldn't help but frown and glance at Zhang Yuanheng.
Zhang Yuanheng was sweating on his head, knowing that the emperor was blaming himself for poor arrangements. I've been so busy these days that I haven't been to the Zongren Mansion. I didn't expect Li Cairen's cell to be so bad. He hurriedly said: "I will make arrangements now." He took a few jailers, a group of guards and Hai Shou Zhi'en to retreat together.
Lianhua had been in jail for nine days. Although she had enough food and clothing, the cell was cramped and hot, and she couldn't sleep at night because she was heartbroken about the deaths of Huiyuan and Zhu Yuanzhang. She looked quite haggard at this time. His sleeves were rolled up and he was wiping the bed, but his jade hands were a bit rough.
Zhu Yunwen looked up and down, feeling distressed, and softly called out: "Lotus!" He opened his arms and embraced her. My heart is racing, my heart is beating loudly.
When Lotus first saw Zhu Yunwen, he also had mixed feelings. This time I made a big mistake, it seemed like a mistake, and it seemed like it was destined to happen. These days in the cell, I recalled Dao Yan's words and Hui Ren's compassionate eyes, and realized that the two of them had foreseen their own tragedy. It's just that Hui Ren probably didn't expect that he would be the contributor to the tragedy, right? And the Glazed Pagoda keeps shining, is it a reminder to myself, or is it just a sign? How many more stories will there be in the future of Liuli Pagoda
Lotus lay in Zhu Yunwen's arms, listening to his familiar heartbeat, and couldn't help but wet her eyes.
Zhu Yunwen said apologetically: "The emperor's grandfather passed away six days ago. I wanted to come see you, but..." Lianhua reached out and covered Zhu Yunwen's mouth, and said softly: "I understand." The emperor died, and the new emperor When Zhu Yunwen came to the throne, he was surrounded by thousands of people and hundreds of officials. Every move he made must abide by the etiquette, palace rules and ancestral precepts. How could he go to the clan mansion to see a criminal concubine? Even today, he probably came here secretly.
When the two of them talked, they naturally still used "you" and "me", and did not use the terms "I" and "concubine". It was the first time since the two got married that they were separated for such a long time, and they met again in a cell.
Zhu Yunwen hugged the lotus tightly, as if it wanted to blend into his body. After a long time, he said softly: "These nine days have been hard on you."
Lianhua was a little stunned when he heard him say "nine days" instead of "a few days". He was actually counting the days! His eyes couldn't help but become filled with mist, and he comforted softly: "It's okay. Hai Shou and Zhi En come here every day." After a pause, he added, "My brother also came to visit yesterday."
Zhu Yunwen was a little surprised: "Li Jinglong came yesterday?"
Lianhua replied: "Yes, brother brought some bayberries here. I didn't know that bayberries are like this."
Zhu Yunwen couldn't help but smile. Is this not the first time she has seen Yangmei from Jiangnan? He explained with a smile: "Liu Zongyuan's 'Plum plums welcome the rain, and the sky is full of late spring', which refers to this season in the south of the Yangtze River. When the bayberry is ripe, it often rains, so it is called 'Meiyu'." He tapped his fingers lightly. Lotus nose: "My husband's hometown is in Jiangnan, you have to adapt to this season."
Only then did Lianhua understand: "No wonder it keeps raining. I think it's God who punishes me." As soon as the words came out, he couldn't help but feel sad.
Zhu Yunwen felt pity in his heart, kissed her gently on the cheek, and hugged her tighter. He said softly: "When my grandfather was dying, he pardoned your death penalty." He paused and said, "I will give you the chance to go to the Holy Inspiration Tower to recite sutras and repent for him in front of his relics."
Lian Hua was startled and her voice trembled: "Grandfather? Did he think of me when he was dying?"
Zhu Yunwen nodded with a smile: "Yes, I didn't expect that. I didn't say a few words in total." He couldn't help but think of what his grandfather wanted to instruct him when he last said "Old Four, Old Four"? What's going on with Uncle Yan Wang? Zhu Yunwen frowned.
When Lianhua heard that Zhu Yuanzhang was thinking of her before his death, she was so excited that she was speechless for a moment. Seeing Zhu Yunwen frowning, she reached out and gently smoothed his brow.
Zhu Yunwen retracted his thoughts and said softly: "If the emperor does not pardon you, there will be a fight, and then there will be a fight." After a pause, he said: "I know you were framed. Do you have any clues?"
Lianhua frowned: "I have just arrived in the capital not long ago, and I don't know anyone in the palace. Could it be..."
Seeing that she was hesitant to speak, Zhu Yunwen asked, "Do you have any enemies?"
Lianhua was always surprised by Zhu Yunwen's intelligence, and hesitantly said: "Do you know the King of Korea?" Seeing Zhu Yunwen nodding, he continued: "My father thought that the King of Korea and his family were all gone, but it turns out that the crown prince of the King of Korea, Wang Shi, is still alive. I It was Wang Shi's idea to be robbed at Tielingwei. Later I heard that he had entered the Central Plains."
Zhu Yunwen heard her vaguely say "no one" and understood that this meant that the North Korean king was cutting the grass and roots, and there must be many bloody stories in the middle. This is North Korea's internal affairs, and my grandfather's consistent principle is non-interference. It's just that since the prince of Goryeo has such a hatred of the country and his family, revenge on Lotus is one aspect, and it is probably the real purpose to sow discord between Ming Dynasty and North Korea.
Lotus looked at his expression and slowly thought of this. If the Glazed Pagoda hadn't glowed as a warning, no matter who he or the imperial grandfather was poisoned to death, there would have been a dispute between North Korea and the Ming Dynasty, and several years of good-neighborly friendship would have ended, and it might even have caused war! Thinking of this, Lian Hua couldn't help but sweat dripping down her face, and her eyes looking at Zhu Yunwen were full of fear.
Seeing that she was scared, Zhu Yunwen hugged her tightly and said, "Don't be afraid! I won't be so confused. Ming and North Korea will always be fine." He lowered his voice and whispered in her ear: "I am the son-in-law of North Korea, right?" ?How dare you offend your father-in-law?"
Lianhua was amused by him and burst into laughter. Feeling Zhu Yunwen's strong arms, tears fell from Lianhua's eyes. She couldn't help but hugged Zhu Yunwen back, lowered her head and shouted in a low voice: "Yunlang!"
Zhu Yunwen heard the soft call of the lotus, and suddenly felt that the narrow and dirty cell of the Zongren Mansion was also a paradise of happiness. The two hugged each other quietly, immersed in each other's mutual understanding.
I don't know how long it took, but a cry of "Your Majesty!" woke them up. It was Zhang Yuanheng who shouted cautiously at the door of the cell. Lianhua blushed and broke out of Zhu Yunzhen's arms.
Zhang Yuanheng said: "How about changing to another room? It's already been packed up." Zhu Yunwen nodded and led Lianhua out of the cell door. It's also a prison cell in the Zongren Mansion, but this one is much better. It was actually a suite with two rooms inside and one outside. The bed was inside, and the outside room had a table and armchairs. It was spacious and bright. There are two large windows on the left and right. When you open the carved window sash, you can see the green trees and red flowers in the courtyard.
Zhien was still wiping with a smile and said to Lianhua: "Princess, they agreed that I can come in to serve the princess." She was filled with joy in her words.
Zhang Yuanheng asked: "Your Majesty! Master Xuanxin from Tianxi Temple is here to visit Li Cairen. Will he be allowed in?"
Zhu Yunwen hesitated for a moment and then ordered: "Bring him in." He shook Lianhua's hand to indicate that it was okay.
After a while, Zhang Yuanheng hurried in with Xuan Xin. Xuan Xin worshiped Zhu Yunwen and Lian Hua, with a sad face, clasped his hands and said to Lian Hua: "The death of my master has affected Li Cairen." Lian Hua had already known about Hui Ren's death a few days ago, but now that Xuan Xin said it to her face, she still couldn't bear it. Tears welled up uncontrollably.
Zhu Yunwen asked: "Master, what do you mean by this?"
Xuanxin originally came to visit Lianhua today, but he didn't expect the new emperor to be here. He looked at the two of them and recalled: "The master went to the palace to take care of the rituals in the past few days, and he was restless every day. The disciples asked him, He just shook his head and sighed. One night he asked Xuanzhi and I to go to the abbot's room and explain everything in the temple one by one." After a pause, he continued: "Master has been ill in the past two years. The poor monk knows that things are not good. When I asked him, he looked at me and Xuanzhi and just said, "Take good care of Li Cairen. She came from the north with a glazed pagoda. There will be a disaster. After the disaster, great karma will be achieved." When I asked him again, he refused to say anything more. . Something happened on the second day.”
Zhu Yunwen listened carefully and saw Lian Hua was about to cry. He held her hand to express comfort and asked, "Did the Imperial Master say anything before leaving the temple that morning?"
You must know that it was the Ming Dynasty. Holding hands like this was no less exciting than kissing in public on the street today. Lotus struggled to break free, so she had to be held by him. Seeing that Zhu Yunwen did not shy away from being intimate with him, he felt shy but also a little moved.
Xuan Xin looked steadily and said: "Master never talks much and didn't say anything, but that morning he went to the Shengguan Pagoda to worship." After thinking for a while, he added: "I was sad and shed tears when I worshiped the pagoda. Even Xuanzhi doesn’t understand. The four elements of a monk are empty. The poor monk has served the master for many years and has never seen the master shed tears. Now that I think about it, a great monk like him must have known that it was time to die."
Lianhua finally stopped her tears and was able to speak: "Yes, the abbot has great wisdom, of course he knows."
Zhu Yunwen nodded and asked, "When will the Imperial Master be buried?"
Xuan Xin said quickly: "I was just about to report to Your Majesty. The master told me to keep it simple, and the poor monk asked the Ministry of Etiquette for instructions. The first seven were burned, and half a bucket of relics were obtained, which were placed in the Shenggan Pagoda to the right of the relics of the previous abbots."
Zhu Yunwen nodded and said warmly: "Very good." After a pause, he said to Xuan Xin: "Go back and arrange to clean up the main hall of Shenggan Tower." Seeing Xuan Xin's confusion, he continued: "Taizu's dying edict, Li Cairen went to the tower to pay tribute. Taizu recited sutras and repented for his mistake in welcoming the relics that day."
Xuanxin was stunned and said after a while: "Thank you, Your Majesty for your grace!" He couldn't help but look at the lotus. Xuan Xin came to visit Lian Hua because he was worried, but seeing that Zhu Yunwen was clearly protecting Lian Hua, he didn't need to say anything more. Taizu actually ordered Li Cairen to chant sutras in the pagoda, which was even more unexpected. So what is the great cause and condition that Master talks about? Confused, he resigned and left the house.
Zhang Yuanheng stepped forward cautiously and urged: "Your Majesty! It's been a long time since you've been out. It's time to look for him in the palace. Why don't you go back to the palace?"
Zhu Yunwen knew that he could not stay much longer, so he looked at Lianhua reluctantly, and Lianhua said with a smile: "Go back!"
Zhu Yunwen held her hand again: "Then I'll come see you tomorrow. Whatever you want, let Hai Shou or Zhi En go to me." He turned around and told Zhang Yuanheng: "Whenever Hai Shou Zhien comes to see me, you should report it immediately."
Zhang Yuanheng agreed, Hai Shou and Zhi En were extremely happy, and the sadness of the past few days was swept away. The princess is fine and can face the saint directly! The two couldn't help but giggle at each other.
Zhu Yunwen held Lianhua's hand, but didn't want to leave, and asked: "Do you want me to bring anything tomorrow?"
Lianhua shook her head: "I don't lack anything." She suddenly remembered and looked at Zhu Yunwen, but hesitated to speak. Zhu Yunwen looked carefully and understood, and said with a smile: "I will give it to you."
Lianhua listened to Zhu Yunwen and his party gradually disappearing, feeling mixed feelings in her heart. Slowly sit down, close your eyes and recite softly: "Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, walking in the deep Prajnaparamita for a long time, sees that the five aggregates are empty, and can survive all hardships..."
The rain outside the window stopped at some point. Although the sky is still gloomy, looking through the window, the green trees and flowers are exuding vitality, and the branches and leaves are swaying gently, as if they are also listening to Li Cairen's chanting.