Chongfei Manual

Chapter 143

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In Zhaoyang Hall, there were only a few ladies in purple clothes packing up their things. When Emperor Chongzhen came in, he bowed his knees and said, "See Your Majesty."

Emperor Chongzhen looked around the palace, but he couldn't see Empress Chen, so he asked solemnly, "Where's the empress?"

One of the palace servants named Zizhu said: "Reporting to Your Majesty, Your Majesty just said a few more words to Princess Jing, and she is tired now, resting in the Nuan Pavilion."

Emperor Chongzhen nodded, looked at the food on the small table of red lacquer and mother-of-pearl, and asked casually, "Princess Jing is gone?"

Zizhu replied, "Not long after we left, Prince Jing came to pick up Wangfei himself."

Emperor Chongzhen didn't ask any more questions, and walked into the Nuan Pavilion, "I'm going to see the queen."

It's a bit strange to say that the relationship between Emperor Chongzhen and Empress Chen has been deadlocked for ten years, and every time they meet, they will break up unhappy in all likelihood. But even so, Emperor Chongzhen still came to Zhaoyang Hall every other month, and he didn't know what his intention was.

The maidservants and nuns in Zhaoyang Palace have long been accustomed to their way of getting along, so it is no surprise to them that Emperor Chongzhen insists on going in after Empress Chen has already fallen asleep like today.

Walking past the floor-to-ceiling cover with engraved magpies climbing on the branches, and pushing open the sash fan, there is a beauty couch carved in rosewood next to the window. Empress Chen was lying on her side on the beauty couch, her body was covered with a purple blanket with dragon and phoenix patterns, her head rested on a makeup flower pillow, and the pearls and emeralds on her head were all removed, and her head was piled up on the pillow. In a word - fine hair like clouds, plain neck and brilliant jade.

Emperor Chongzhen walked to the side of the beauty's couch, looked at the woman on the couch, and couldn't help but fell into deep thought.

I still remember that when she fought the world with him back then, she was much more aggressive and proud than now. At that time, she was like a little pepper, hard to tame, and would lose her temper with him when things went wrong. At that time, he said that he had nothing to do with her, but in fact he was happy in his heart. No matter what she did, he could tolerate her petty temper. I remember one time when they disagreed, she pulled the rein and rode out of the camp, and did not come back until late at night. It was an important moment when the two armies were fighting. He was worried that she would be hijacked by the enemy and would be in danger, so he searched for her for two days without thinking, and even took the risk of going to the enemy army to find her. Who knew that on the third day, she single-handedly rushed out from the enemy army, with the enemy's head hanging on her horse, raised her chin proudly, and said to him, "Is my plan feasible?"

Emperor Chongzhen still had a fresh memory of that scene. With her back facing the sun, she was like a blooming rose, charming and dazzling.

Later, he broke her wings with his own hands, forcing her to give up her freedom and the battlefield, and become a canary in his cage. He knew that she was always reluctant in her heart. She had been resenting him for so many years and was unwilling to get close to him, so that they went further and further apart.

Emperor Chongzhen sat on the edge of the couch, lightly touched Empress Chen's cheek with his fingers, and called softly: "Wanwan..."

Empress Chen's boudoir name was Chen Rufu, and because she was the youngest girl in the family, she was nicknamed Wanwan. Back then when their relationship wasn't deadlocked, he called her "Wanwan" and she called him "Brother Zhiqing". Now that I think about it, it's a long time ago.

Empress Chen's sleep has always been very light. After Emperor Chongzhen sat down for a long time, she frowned and woke up. After seeing Emperor Chongzhen, she was startled for a while, and then she looked normal and said, "Why is Your Majesty here? The concubine is already asleep. down."

Emperor Chongzhen withdrew his hand without changing his face, and said: "I came to see how you are, you said you were not feeling well just now, but now you are better?"

Empress Chen curled her lips, not knowing whether she was moved by his intentions, or laughed at his unnecessary actions. "It's just a minor illness, it's nothing to worry about. Just now, Ah Luo stayed with me for a while, and she's already recovered."

The emperor nodded, but there was nothing else to say for a while.

Empress Chen sat up, brushed her thick black hair from her shoulders, looked at the emperor and said, "The concubine is going to sleep, if your majesty has nothing else to do, I will ask someone to send you back."

This is fair and square to drive him away. Emperor Chongzhen seemed to be blocked by a big rock, neither going up nor down, it was hard to tell what it was like. Seeing that Empress Chen was about to change clothes and go to bed, he said expressionlessly, "I will sleep here tonight."

Empress Chen stopped washing her face, then calmly took the towel from Zizhu and wiped her face, said: "The entire harem belongs to Your Majesty, and your Majesty is free to go wherever you want." After finishing speaking, she ordered Zizhu to say: : "Go and get His Majesty's pajamas, and serve His Majesty to wash and change clothes."

Zi Zhu went away in response.

Today is the last day of the twenty-fifth year of Yuanjia, and after Zishi, it will be the twenty-sixth year of Yuanjia. Emperor Chongzhen had just changed into his bed clothes when he heard crackling firecrackers outside the hall, which lasted as long as a cup of tea. It seemed that it was already the second year. Empress Chen stood by the bed, and when she turned her head to look at him, there was no emotion in her eyes. After a while, she smiled slightly and said, "It's another new year, and my concubine ordered someone to cook some stuffed winter bamboo shoots." Dumplings, Your Majesty, please try it."

Emperor Chongzhen remained motionless, and her expression just now was always in his mind. Why is she looking at him like that? It seems that there is no desire for him, only burnout. The indifference made him shudder.

After Emperor Chongzhen ate the dumplings, when he looked at Empress Chen's face again, he could no longer see that expression.

The two settled down separately and had nothing to say all night.

On the first day of the new year, Wei Luo and Zhao Jie didn't go anywhere. It was freezing cold outside, Wei Luo was wrapped in a fox fur cloak, holding a small hand stove in her hand, and sat on Zhao Jie's lap, drowsy. With one arm around her waist, Zhao Jie held "Mencius" in the other, and only occasionally turned a page.

Suddenly, Wei Luo heard a clear and pleasant voice coming from beside her ear. She turned her head curiously, and saw an iron cage made of bamboo strips placed on the red sandalwood desk with a thick base, and the sound came from it. Not only that, there are two lifelike larks inside. The birds on the branches sing along with the music, their wings and eyeballs will turn, and even the butterflies on the leaves will flutter their wings. Those who don’t know think this is real. Wei Luo was very surprised: "What is this?"

Seeing that she liked it, Zhao Jie smiled and said, "It's a thing that foreigners sent, it's called a music box, and it's for you."

After a while, the sound stopped, and the lark inside did not move. Wei Luo raised her head to ask Zhao Jie for help, Zhao Jie fiddled with the clockwork next to it twice, and the box rang again. Wei Luo reached out and touched the beak of the lark, "It's really interesting."

Zhao Jie patted her head and said: "Besides this, there are many new items in the storeroom. If you like it, I will give it to you."

If you have a gift, you are a fool if you don't want it. Wei Luo naturally agreed, but immediately felt something was wrong, "Why did you give me something for no reason?"

Zhao Jie smiled and said bluntly, "Ah Luo, where are the shoes you made for me?"

Only then did Wei Luo remember that there was such a thing, and immediately jumped off his lap and said, "Wait for me for a while."

When they went to Tianchan Mountain, she brought the half-finished shoes with her. Life in the hot spring villa was rather boring, and within half a month, Wei Luo finished Zhao Jie's shoes. I just thought I couldn't wear it now, so I didn't take it out. She walked to the carved cabinet, took out the shoes on the top layer, and walked back to Zhao Jie, "I made them according to the shoes you gave me. The size should be suitable. You can try it."

Zhao Jie took it over and looked at it. The honeysuckle pattern was embroidered on the upper. The style was a little simple, but the stitches were fine and precise. It was hard work. Zhao Jie liked it very much, so he was not in a hurry to try it. He took Wei Luo's little hand and looked at it, "How long have you been doing it? Have you tied your hand yet?"

Wei Luo snorted coquettishly, "Did you remember to ask now? I made shoes for the first time, and I did it for more than half a year, and my fingers were poked. At that time, you were busy supervising the river and didn't care about me. Pass."

Zhao Jie kissed her on the cheek and said distressedly: "It's all my fault. Let's only make this pair, and I can wear them forever."

In fact, it's not that he didn't care about her. At that time, Zhao Jie traveled between the villa and the city every day, and would accompany her whenever he had time. Her hand was pricked by a needle, and it was the blood beads sucked by Zhao Jie himself. At this time, I turned it over and said that it was just the little girl who wanted to ask for credit.

Zhao Jie tried it on, and the size was just right, but it was a little thin, so I couldn't wear it right now, but it was just right for spring.

Zhao Jie smiled and said, "The shoes made by Ah Luo are more comfortable than those made by others."

Wei Luo knew that he was coaxing her, but she was still a little happy.

After lunch, Wei Luo remembered the two things that troubled him yesterday, so she asked him about them. Zhao Jie said: "I have asked Zhu Geng to send people to the east of Guangdong. If we hurry up, there will be news of Yang Zhen within a month." He paused and mentioned another matter, "As for the poison of Liuli, ten Five years ago, all the nuns and maids in the palace were released from the palace, so it is a bit difficult to find them, and I am afraid it will take some time."

Wei Luo said, "Can you find it?"

Zhao Jie said: "There are rosters in the palace, so you can find them."

Wei Luo was relieved now.

The next day, Wei Luo and Zhao Jie got up early and prepared to go back to the British government to visit relatives.

Wei Luo returned to Beijing half a month late, and missed Wei Changyin and Liang Yurong's wedding. At this time, Liang Yurong had been married to the British government for three days.