There is a faint bitter taste in the mouth, as if a bitter taste spreads into the whole body.
Rong Xia opened his eyes and saw the sunlight shining in from the window. The whole palace seemed to be enveloped by light. He closed his eyes and his vision became clear.
"Your Majesty, you are finally awake," Wang De was overjoyed when he saw Rong Xia awake, "Tell the imperial doctor, Your Majesty is awake."
The sound of footsteps came from outside the hall. Rong Xia glanced at the palace maid and eunuch who was kneeling all over the hall, closed her eyes, and whispered, "I want to rinse my mouth."
After rinsing his mouth with clear tea, the feeling in his mouth was not so uncomfortable. Rong Xia's eyes swept around, "Where's your maiden?"
"Niangniang guarded you and didn't sleep last night. Early this morning, because Lord Zhou and Mrs. Liu had something to report, Niangniang rushed over with a cup of strong tea." Wang De knew that His Majesty valued Niangniang and hurriedly explained in a low voice. , "Before the niangniang left, she explained again and again that if you wake up, you must send someone to report to her."
"Since Niangniang is dealing with things, don't send anyone to disturb him for the time being," Rong Xia sat up with the help of the eunuch, and after the imperial doctor gave him the wound medicine, he said to Wang De, "Go and call Zhao Zhong in."
Wang De bowed and stepped back.
After a while, Zhao Zhong rushed over, and Rong Xia asked the irrelevant people to retreat.
"Your Majesty, how could you be hurt like this?" Zhao Zhong saw that Rong Xia's face was pale, and he knew that this was not a show, "Wei Chen has investigated before, this woman is not martial arts, and she did not serve the Queen's concubine since she was a child. "
Princess Anle was involved with some officials in the court, and His Majesty had already noticed it, but because the former Prince Jiang Han "conceded" the throne to His Majesty, in front of the world, His Majesty must treat the royal family of the previous dynasty favorably.
Princess Anle's restlessness meant that she tied the rope around her neck, Zhao Zhong understood, and so did His Majesty. The only thing Zhao Zhong didn't expect was that His Majesty had taken precautions early in the morning, so why was he injured so badly
One knife on the arm, one knife on the shoulder, fortunately, it is not fatal, but with so much blood, I don't know how long it will take to raise it to regain its vitality
"I know," Rong Xia covered her injured arm expressionlessly, "you don't need to mention this in the future, especially don't put it before the Queen, I know it well."
"It's because Wei Chen didn't think carefully enough," Zhao Zhong said hurriedly, "If the empress hears these words, she will only be more sad." The maid next to the empress hurt your majesty, even if this matter has nothing to do with the empress, the empress is in her heart. It won't feel good either. If he mentions it again, it will only make the Empress more uncomfortable.
"The old people of the previous dynasty, clean up what should be cleaned up, don't worry about it anymore." Rong Xia's voice was cold, "I treat them with the utmost kindness and justice."
"Your Majesty..." Zhao Zhong hesitated, "The niangniang has ordered last night to strictly investigate the old people of the previous dynasty, but anyone with suspicious behavior will be thrown into the prison, and even the servants around Princess Anle will be killed. The princess was sent to the ascetic temple to practice the Tao, and she will not be able to come out for the rest of her life."
Outsiders do not know what the ascetic view is, but they are clear. Some sinful concubines from the previous dynasty were sent here. I heard that the inside is more difficult than the cold palace. If you go in, life is worse than death.
Sending Princess Anle to Asceticism, I don't know if it was the empress's kindness or cruelty towards Anle.
Hearing this, a smile appeared on Rong Xia's face, and the chill and coldness just now disappeared without a trace, "Since the Empress has issued the phoenix order, everything should be done according to the Empress's wishes."
"Your Majesty, then you..."
"I want to recuperate, so I shouldn't be too distracted."
"Yes." Zhao Zhong thought after he left the Great Moon Palace, what exactly did His Majesty want to say when he called him here
In the imperial study, Ban Hua looked at the high pile of memorials, and could no longer hold back the dignified smile on his face, and looked at Zhou Bing'an with a dry smile: "Master Zhou, do you want to see all of this?"
"Madam, please rest assured. Some of the memorials please. Wei Chen and several others have been selected." Zhou Bing'an presented a list. "This is the list of memorials selected by Wei Chen and others."
Ban Hua took the list and glanced at it, then flipped through a few memorials, "Master Zhou, has the disaster-hit place in the past few years eased up recently?"
"Please rest assured, Your Majesty has exempted the two years of taxation for these hard-hit areas. Although life is still a bit difficult, at least you don't have to go hungry." Zhou Bing'an's face was respectful and gentle, "Many local people have established longevity for Your Majesty and you. Tablet, I pray that you and Your Majesty will be healthy and worry-free for thousands of years."
"Instead of asking us for thousands of years, it's better to pray for a big win and good weather, and the people will never suffer from major disasters again," Ban Hua smiled, she didn't believe this, "Several adults have worked hard, if there are important contents in these memorials , I will read it to Your Majesty."
"Is Your Majesty's injury better?"
Ban Hua looked at the sunlight outside the door with a confused expression: "It should be fine."
Seeing that the Queen had no intention of continuing, Zhou Bing'an and the others stood up and resigned.
After they left, Ban Hua let the guards walk along the apse holding the memorial. When she met Zhao Zhong on the way, she raised her eyebrows in surprise: "Master Zhao?"
"I have seen the Empress." Zhao Zhongxian was now completely impressed with Ban Hua, and when he saw Ban Hua for the first time, he couldn't wait to give a big gift.
"Why are you here? Could it be that His Majesty woke up?"
Zhao Zhongzheng was about to say yes, when he saw a gust of wind blowing in front of him, and when he looked up again, where was there another empress? Turning his head to look, he saw only the back of the Empress who had hurriedly left.
"Rong Xia?" Ban Hua trotted into the hall, saw Rong Xia sitting on the bed drinking porridge, and after a while, she said, "Are you awake?"
Rong Xia smiled and put down the bowl: "Hua, I've made you worry."
Ban Hua walked up to him and sat down, stretched out his hand and poked his face, "Next time you are so arrogant, I will teach you a lesson."
"How do you want to teach me a lesson?" Rong Xia showed a terrified look on her face.
"Humph," Ban Hua couldn't say anything cruel when he saw him cooperate so much. She pointed to the memorial that the guard put on the table, "I have a headache looking at these things. I will approve the unimportant things for you, and I will read the rest to you."
"Okay." Rong Xia knew that Ban Hua was impatient to see this, so he smiled and nodded.
"You eat first," Ban Hua walked to the case and looked back at Rong Xia, "I've lost so much blood, I don't know when I can make it up."
Rong Xia didn't dare to reply, so she could only let Ban Hua complain obediently.
But soon Ban Hua stopped talking. She lowered her head and kept writing and drawing in front of the case. Although she was a little impatient, she still handled it patiently.
He looked at her back, not knowing that he had used up a bowl of porridge.
After processing most of the memorials, Ban Hua accompanied Rong Xia to eat, but Rong Xia used a medicated diet suitable for wounds, while Ban Hua ate delicate dishes. However, Ban Hua also deliberately teased Rong Xia, making him want to eat but not able to.
Wang De looked at Rong Xia with infinite sympathy.
After lunch, Ban Hua accompanies Rong Xia to talk for a while, and after seeing him asleep, she looks at Ruyi with a slightly uncomfortable expression: "What happened?"
"Niangniang, the Queen Mother Fuping asks to see you."
Ban Hua pressed down the quilt for Rong Xia, covered her mouth and yawned: "No."
"Empress Dowager Fuping said, I only saw the empress this time, and from now on, she will never come to disturb her closeness again," Ruyi lowered her head and whispered in Ban Hua's ear, "Empress Dowager Fuping is kneeling outside Xuanwu Gate. "
Compared with Suzakumen and Baidoumen, there are not many people going in and out of Xuanwumen. The Queen Mother Fuping chose to kneel here, which is quite clever.
Ban Hua looked back at Rong Xia on the bed, closed her eyes and said, "If you go to invite her back, just say I don't want to see her."
"The servant understands."
Outside the Xuanwu Gate, apart from the guards at the gate, no other officials passed by. The Queen Mother Fuping knelt under the sun, did not move more than half a minute, and did not attract anyone to watch.
She knew that if she knelt at the Vermillion Bird Gate, more people might notice her, but Ban Hua's temperament has always been soft and not hard. If she really wanted to do that, not only would she not be able to soften her, but she would be more dissatisfied.
"The Empress Dowager," Ruyi walked out of Xuanwu Gate, looked at the Empress Dowager, her face was flushed, she didn't know how long she had been in the sun, she bowed her knees, stood on her side and said, "The Empress is in her life, please go back earlier, with His Royal Highness the Prince. Still waiting for you."
When Empress Dowager Fuping heard the word "He Prince", her shoulders trembled slightly. She looked at Ruyi, "Your mother-in-law, don't you read it at all?"
"Empress Dowager," Ruyi shook her head and sighed, "Her Royal Highness the princess colluded with the courtier's harem and assassinated her majesty. If it weren't for your majesty Hong Fu Qitian, how could you still have a chance to kneel here today? With the mother's love and hatred, I am afraid that you and the prince will, It is also to be buried with His Majesty."
Mrs. Fuping's face was pale: "But Your Majesty he..."
Isn't he all right
The queen mother couldn't say this. She knew better than anyone how much An Le had committed. She did not expect that it was not the eldest son Jiang Han, but the eldest daughter Anle who could not accept the collapse of the dynasty.
"But why is it the view of asceticism?" Fuping looked at Ruyi in despair, "Why is it the view of asceticism?"
The queen is a relative of the royal family, and she will not fail to understand what the ascetic view is, where is the quiet place for cultivating Taoism, and it is clearly a tortured hell.
Ruyi wants to say, Your Majesty is the man of the Empress, and Princess Anle kills the man of the Empress, how can the Empress be indifferent? But in the face of the collapsed eyes of the Queen Mother Fuping, she felt that it was futile to say more.
Empress Dowager Fuping shook her head in a trance: "I won't go, I won't go."
If she leaves, there will be no one who can intercede for Anle. "Sister Ruyi," a female official in a green robe came out and blessed Ruyi, "the lady said, let you take the Queen Mother Fuping to the side hall."
Ruyi glanced at the blazing sun hanging in the sky and nodded slowly.
In the main hall of Da Yue Palace, Ban Yan took a sip of cold tea, reached out and touched Rong Xia's lips, smiled slightly, turned around and walked out.
Wang De bowed and stood by the side, until the figure of Ban Hua completely disappeared behind the hall door, and then he slowly stood up straight.
The man lying on the bed opened his eyes, listened to the silence in the room, and closed his eyes again.
Ban Hua looked at the queen mother who came in behind Ruyi, raised her hand and made a seat please. Empress Dowager Fuping sat down silently, and no one spoke for a long time in the room.
Empress Dowager Fuping looked up at Ban Hua, but there was no joy or anger on the other party's face.
"Niangniang," Ban Hua suddenly said, "Do you know why Your Majesty bestowed you the word Fuping?"
The Queen Mother Fuping shook her head slowly.
"Because I thought you were blessed and peaceful in your later years, I asked Your Majesty for these two words." Ban Hua knew that in these conspiracies and struggles, the Queen Mother Fuping was the most innocent victim. The man she married murdered loyal ministers. She didn't know this, but instead she treated the descendants of loyal ministers with sincerity, such as their family, such as Rongxia. Whether her son is indecisive or tyrannical, she can't control it. Because her husband, the emperor, only needs one heir, so she deliberately neglects the education of her second son.
She is of noble birth and has a lively personality. Although she has been sharpened by the harem, Ban Hua has to admit that she is a victim of this dynasty's changes. She doesn't want to hurt her, but everyone has a closeness in their hearts, and she is no exception.
When learning the truth, Ban Hua even wanted Anle's life.
"Niangniang, are you still here to intercede for Anle?" Ban Hua's expression was indifferent, and his eyes were full of alienation.
Empress Dowager Fuping wept and said: "Niangniang, you remove Anle's princess title and let her go to the Taoist temple for purification. I have no objection, but... Why is it an ascetic concept? Anle was pampered and grown up from a young age, and how did he live there when he got there? down?"
"Niang Niang, Rong Xia is my husband." Ban Hua's throat was a little uncomfortable, "An Le has you and cousin wronged for her, and I have family members wronged for me. To stand up for us, let us be arrogant and self-willed from childhood to adulthood."
"But Your Majesty's side... only me," she trembled slightly with her fingertips holding the cup. "If even I think about safety, then who else will really care for him? Even if he is an emperor, even if he has a gully in his chest, he will Still alone."
"The Rong family and An Le plotted against him, and the courtiers were also in a coma because of his injury, and they were busy plotting their own interests," when Ban Hua said this, she felt a needle in her heart, "My own man, my own distressed."
Empress Dowager Fuping opened her mouth, and big drops of tears flowed from her eyes. Ban Hua said it to the point where she still didn't understand what she meant.
"Is the maiden really so ruthless?"
"If Niangniang hates me, then I will hate it, but the phoenix order I issued will never be changed," Ban Hua stood up, "Today's matter is not because Your Majesty does not remember the kindness of the mother's parents back then, but I do not remember the old love. . Niangniang, please come back."
Empress Dowager Fuping looked at Ban Hua, she didn't know whether she hated or resented, or whether she had no emotions at all, but her heart was empty and she couldn't grasp the truth. She's been in this beautiful half of her life, and she's in this situation today, who should be blamed
Blame yourself for not being soft-hearted and letting your parents take care of Rongxia
Blame His Majesty for being too generous to Rong Xia and for developing his ambitions
No, not right.
It's only the Jiang family's man who is incompetent, doesn't remember old feelings, and does things like mutilating Zhongliang, and finally gets his retribution.
Time is also fate, who can she blame
"I understand what Niangniang meant," Empress Dowager Fuping stood up and nodded slightly to Ban Hua, "retire."
Ban Hua's hand holding the tea stopped, and the tea seeped out of the cup. She stood up and gave a gift to the Queen Mother Fuping. This gift was exactly the same as when she was the county lord, "Ban Hua, I respectfully send the empress."
Empress Dowager Fuping received her gift, and stepped back two steps: "My lady, take care and leave."
Ban Hua stood still, until the Queen Mother Fuping left, then she slowly recovered, put the cup back on the table, and wiped her hands gently, she said in a hoarse voice, "come here."
"My subordinates are here." Du Jiu, who was standing outside the door, walked in.
"Pass my order. Send troops to escort the Empress Dowager Fuping to the place with the Prince, and leave immediately tomorrow. You and the Prince are filial, rewarding three hundred guards, and guarding the mausoleum of the Jiang family, and the Prince and Empress Dowager Fuping are safe. Your Majesty's order, don't let people come in and out easily." Ban Hua closed his eyes, "You send some reliable people, don't hold them back."
Du Jiu's heart is like thunder and drums, is the niangniang trying to ban the former prince and the former queen dowager
Three hundred guards... With so many people standing in front of the mausoleum, I'm afraid they'll never come out again with the prince.
He didn't know in what mood Empress gave this order, and his hands that bowed and saluted were even trembling uncontrollably.
"What are you still doing?" Ban Hua looked at him, "Could it be that Ben Gong's words are of no use to you?"
"Subordinates... take orders."
When Du Jiu stood up, he found that the empress's face was extremely ugly. He thought that the empress would withdraw the order, but until he left the palace, until he rode to the prince's residence, no one came to tell him that the empress had already been issued. The order was withdrawn.
"The minister leads the decree," Prince He heard the decree, his expression as pale as paper, "Thank you, Your Majesty and the Empress."
Seeing him like this, Du Jiu felt a bit of pity: "My sister colluded with the previous court to assassinate Your Majesty, His Majesty was seriously injured, and only woke up today, and the Empress is angry because of this. When Empress calms down, she may withdraw the order. uncertain."
"Thank you, Lord Du for your relief," and the Prince smiled sullenly, "My sister made such a big mistake, the Empress and Your Majesty are still able to spare our lives, and the ministers are grateful, how can they dare to complain."
Du Jiu felt that he and the prince were also unlucky. He honestly gave up the throne and should have been honored by His Majesty. Who knew that there would always be a bunch of people jumping out to drag him down, first his first wife, and then his relatives. Sister, this fate...
Besides, it was useless, Du Jiu clasped his fists and said, "It's good that the lord can figure it out, I'll take my leave."
"Master Du, walk slowly." Prince He smiled wryly, and after personally sending Du Jiu outside the main door, he spit out a mouthful of blood while holding on to the door frame.
"My lord," his only concubine supported him in panic, "how are you?"
Shaking his head with the prince, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth: "I'm fine."
The setting sun shone in through the window, and Ban Hua stood up from the chair. She twisted her somewhat stiff waist and walked out of the temple door. If she saw her coming out, she couldn't help showing a bit of joy on her face, "Niangniang."
She was worried that what would happen to the niangniang when she was alone in it, and now that she had finally appeared, she dared to feel relieved.
The golden sunset shone on Ban Huan, and Ruyi said in a daze, "Niangniang, you look so good now."
"Where is it good-looking?" Ban Hua smiled, a bit of blood on her pale face, "Did I not look good before?"
"Niangniang is beautiful every day," Ruyi quickly explained, "Slaves are the most stupid, Niangniang, don't dislike slaves."
"Okay, I know what you think," Ban Hua tapped on the top of her head, "Let's go, go back to the palace."
"Wang De," Rong Xia leaned against the head of the bed, looking at the sunset outside the window, "It's time for you now?"
"Go back to Your Majesty, it's time for you now."
"How long has the Empress been out?" Rong Xia turned to look at him, "One hour or two hours?"
"Your Majesty... It's been two hours since the Empress went out." Wang De felt that His Majesty's eyes were a little strange, and he lowered his head and dared not look directly into his eyes.
"I know."
Just as she was talking, footsteps came from outside, and Ban Hua walked in with a slight smile on her face. Seeing Rongxia sitting on the bed, she said, "Why are you sitting up again? Didn't the imperial doctor say that you are seriously injured now? , do not sit for long periods of time.”
"It's okay, I just lay down for too long," Rong Xia obediently lay back, "Where did you go?"
"It's not too important to go out and meet someone." Ban Hua reached out and touched his forehead, there was no fever, it was fine.
"You only had some porridge at noon, you should be hungry by now," she beckoned to a female official, "Bring Your Majesty's medicinal meal."
"Yes."
Rong Xia stretched out her hand from under the quilt and held Ban Hua's hand gently, "I'm not hungry yet."
"I know the medicated food doesn't taste very good, but eat a little bit," Ban Hua bent down and kissed his cheek gently, "Be good."
Rong Xia laughed. Is this what he used to coax her to be used on him
Soon the hot medicinal food was served, and Ban Hua looked at Rong Xia with a smile: "Do you want me to feed you?"
"Okay." Rong Xia looked at her with a smile, "I am waiting for my queen to take care of her."
Banyan:…
Her man's face is getting thicker and thicker.
Scoop the porridge, blow it to cool, and then feed it into Rongxia's mouth. The medicinal diet didn't smell good, but Rongxia ate it very seriously, and every bite was not wasted.
Soon a bowl of porridge came to the bottom, and Ban Hua put down the bowl and said, "Okay, use it again in two hours. You shouldn't move it now, I'm afraid that if you use it too much, you will accumulate food."
"Okay." Rong Xia saw Ban Hua's expression a little uncomfortable. Knowing that she had something to say to herself, she suppressed the drowsiness that engulfed her, and leaned against the head of the bed to ask, "Hua, what's the matter with you?"
Ban Hua wiped Rongxia's face and hands with a warm handkerchief, and handed the handkerchief to Wang De who stretched out his hand: "Lady Fuping passed by just now."
Rong Xia lowered her head and looked at her finger held by Ban Hua: "Well."
"She's here to plead for An Le." Ban Hua lowered her head and played with Rong Xia's left index finger, as if it were something interesting.
"Princess Anle is like a sister to you, and she is also the direct daughter of the Empress Dowager Fuping. If she comes to intercede, give her some face." Rong Xia lowered her eyelids and held Ban Hua's hand with her backhand, holding her hand tightly. Holding on without leaving any gaps, "I don't have any serious problems left and right, just keep it for a few days. It's just that you can't issue this will, it's more appropriate for me to do it. Wang De, go and announce..."
"I didn't promise her," Ban Hua shook her head and said, "It's not a big problem. With such a big hole in the shoulder, doesn't it hurt?"
Rong Xia raised her head, her beautiful peach blossom eyes were full of tenderness, "I don't feel any pain with Hua Hua by my side."
"Nonsense again," Ban Hua pinched his palm, "you don't hurt me, and don't look at how pale your face is."
Rong Xia smiled and did not speak.
"I did something today, I don't know if it will cause you trouble." Seeing that Rongxia was still smiling, Ban Hua said, "I sent three hundred guards to imprison Jiang Han and the Queen Mother Fuping in the circle. together."
The house is quiet.
"Why?" Rong Xia's voice was hoarse.
"Because I protect my shortcoming," Ban Hua reached out and touched Rong Xia's lips and kissed the corner of his lips, "No one can hurt the person I value and love."
Rong Xia's eyelids trembled, and it took a long while for a smile to appear.
"Aww."
"Um?"
"You are my queen."
Ban Hua chuckled softly, she put her hand on the man's chest lightly, her eyes were like threads and lingering.
"Do you remember the joke at the time?"
"Of course I remember."
The last ray of sunset today sneaked into the windowsill, shining a golden splendor in the room.
(End of text)