When the glass of fragrant and pure wine was brought to the face of Princess Nihuang, she did not hesitate to reach out to catch it, raised her head and smiled lightly at the toaster.
Concubine Yuegui's delicate and fair fingertips drew small arcs in the air, retracted to the front of her body, and stepped back on the graceful posture, the purple phoenix skirt fluttered slightly, and the fragrant air rang softly. She is also a native of Yunnan. She has been away from her homeland and entered the palace for thirty-five years, and she has never been able to return to her hometown once. When she inquired about the scenery of the hometown to the county master, her eyes were lightly swaying, as if she still had the leisurely feelings of the 28th girl.
Because of the nostalgic sadness in his eyes, Princess Nihuang relaxed the nerves that were tense in the Queen's Palace just now.
"The gulls and birds return to perch by the Green Lake every year, and the scenery has not changed much, but weeping willows have been planted around the shore, which adds a lot of softness. The Cuiyun Pavilion that the Empress said is still there, but the Zhiyin Temple is lost. It was a fire, and it has been relocated and built." Nihuang raised her glass to her lips, but did not drink, she just dipped it a little, and then continued, "As for the eminent monk who unraveled the signing mentioned by the mother, Nihuang has never seen it before. already."
"It's probably just a chance. That eminent monk's signature is a real test. If he is still there, you can ask where the county owner's life belongs." Concubine Yuegui said lightly, watching the county owner stop the cup, but He was not in a hurry to persuade him, instead he laughed and drank a cup. She was originally a beautiful woman in the harem of Yanguan, plus the gorgeous clothes and exquisite makeup, there is still some aftertaste of the country and the city under this smile, but the fine lines that creep up on the corners of her brows and eyes are like time. A knife-like trace, no one can stop it.
"Niangniang misses her hometown so much, why don't you invite the sage and go back to save once?"
"This palace can't compare to the empress, and Jinling City is her maiden's home... From Yunnan to the imperial capital, the journey is long, unless it is accompanied by a car, maybe there is still hope to go back and see, if I want to ask for permission to return to the province alone, I am afraid that this is not the case. Rules. Just looking forward to the future..." Having said this, Concubine Yue Gui suddenly felt inappropriate and swallowed hard.
Even though Princess Nihuang understood, he didn't pay attention and let this sentence slip from his ears. Although a noble concubine cannot leave the deep palace and travel through mountains and rivers to save relatives, if the prince ascends the throne in the future, it will not be difficult for him to go on tour after his mother, but such a future is based on the premise of the death of the old emperor. on the mouth.
But even if it is unclear, as the biological mother of the prince, she will wait for such a day sooner or later if there is no accident. It is a pity that the royal situation is changeable, and it is the most unpredictable thing in the world whether there will be accidents.
At least, the existence of the current reputation king Xiao Jinghuan is a thorn in the eyes of her mother and son.
Yu Wang's biological mother died in a lowly and early age, and the preface was after the crown prince. He had no qualifications to win the heir, but he was raised in the Queen's Palace since he was a child, and was regarded by the childless queen as having been born. Although the current uncle of the country is idle by nature, living a life of immortality with a fake job, but the old disciples left by the old Taishi Yan are still a major force of the queen. In addition, King Yu himself is smart and suave, and he is most able to please the emperor, so he has received all kinds of special favors.
This woman who has been immersed in the harem for decades, and who has been promoted to the imperial concubine in the body of Zhaorong, knows very well that the day when she is safe and rich, and no longer has to waste her mind, is far from here.
"Nihuang, is it possible for you to live in Beijing this time? Ben Gong is looking forward to having people from your hometown like you who can talk often..."
"Recently, the southern border is relatively peaceful. After the younger brother Xijue received the king's seal, I feel much more at ease. It will probably take another month and a half."
"Leaving so soon?" Concubine Yue Gui looked surprised, "The county horse has been chosen, and preparations for the wedding are also required."
Nihuang smiled lightly, without denying it, and said casually: "If you can choose, let's talk about it."
"The county lord is not an ordinary woman. The beauty of the capital is indeed not attractive to you, but the tobacco in the south, the vast dense forest, is even more temperamental towards you."
When Nihuang heard this, she was very pleased, and she couldn't help laughing: "My lady has been in Beijing for so long, but she still has the temperament of our Yunnan women."
"Who hasn't had the high spirits when I was young? It's just that I spent many years in this deep palace, and I can't get half a point left." Concubine Yue Gui shook her head and sighed, "Take today as an example, why don't you want to talk about your hometown only with the county master? It's a pity to express my feelings... even if I say it's just a reminiscence, I'm afraid the county owner won't believe it, right?"
Princess Nihuang gave her a deep look, her eyes narrowed slightly, and she simply answered "yes" after a while.
"Then I won't go around in circles anymore," Concubine Yuegui's expression became condensed, and her tone became more serious, "Sima Lei, the son-in-law selected in this son-in-law meeting, was selected by the prince himself from his visits to the capital. You are both talented and virtuous. Although you are a little inferior to the county master in martial arts, but you are already such a master, why should you choose a martial arts idiot as your husband? This palace can guarantee that this Sima Gongzi will definitely be a good commander of the county. What's more, you and I were originally from the same country, and the prince respects you very much. At this time, please ask the princess to support the prince more."
Princess Nihuang waited quietly for her to finish, then Fang smiled and said: "The prince is the prince, how my Yunnan Mu residence will be loyal to the emperor today, and how the prince will be loyal to the new monarch when he ascends the throne, please don't worry about this. As for the election of a son-in-law, His Majesty has already set the rules, and Young Master Sima is so good, there is nothing to worry about."
Hearing this neither soft nor hard refusal, Concubine Yue Gui raised her eyebrows and laughed: "Actually, I already knew that I would get this answer, but I still have to ask it face to face. Stubbornness, it really can't be changed. Well, the county master answered so frankly, why should this palace insist, toast you, the right to apologize, if the county master doesn't mind the presumptuousness just now, please drink this glass of wine, you and I will When we meet again, we will definitely only talk about the old scenery of the hometown, and no longer mention these troubles of court affairs."
Concubine Yuegui covered the cup with her sleeves, raised her head, and Nihuang couldn't insist on not drinking. Moreover, although this place was also in the palace, it was not the Queen's Zhengyang Palace after all, so she looked at the small cup and slowly drank it. down.
Seeing her wine pouring into her throat, Concubine Yuegui's eyes showed a hint of sadness, but the firmness between her brows remained unchanged. When she cut the oranges by herself with a thin ice blade in her hand, her movements were also very stable and she went away neatly. The skin took the flesh and handed it to Princess Nihuang.
"Is this the sweet orange from my hometown?" Nihuang took a sip, a little surprised.
"Yeah. Sweet oranges have no feet, but they can reach as far as Kyoto. Although this palace has feet, it is difficult to step on the old man..." Concubine Yuegui looked a little sad, as if she was homesick, but also seemed to have other feelings.
"Niangniang doesn't have to..." Nihuang was about to persuade him when a female official appeared in front of the steps and said, "Empress concubine, the crown prince and Young Master Sima are asking to see you."
"Yo, this is really a coincidence," Concubine Yuegui said with a smile, "I forgot to ask him to bring Young Master Sima to show me. Since the county master is here, why don't you meet me by the way?"
Princess Nihuang suddenly had doubts in his heart, but he couldn't think of what means the other party was going to use. After a moment of hesitation, the prince had walked in with a long and jade-like young man in Chinese clothes, smiling and meeting on the ground. , and ordered Sima Lei to salute to the county master.
After so many days of martial arts exams, they went to the imperial banquet together in Wuying Hall. Of course, it was not the first time that Princess Nihuang had seen Sima Lei. But unlike the previous few times, the man moved slightly forward, and the moment his eyes met, she felt a sudden shock in her heart.
After closing her eyes and holding her breath, Nihuang was acutely aware of her current dangerous situation. Originally, I was a bit overbearing, and I thought that the strength of martial arts was not afraid of being used by others, but I didn't expect that the other party didn't need to be strong at all, but I didn't know where to do something, and it was able to arouse my mind. If there are any consequences because of his own inability to control, and there is no evidence in the future, it will be a hundred words, and even the emperor will not believe who can force himself to do something. Therefore, it is imperative to leave this place as soon as possible.
"Niang Niang, Nihuang suddenly remembered that there is an urgent matter, so I will leave first." After a hasty remark, Princess Nihuang turned around and left.
"The princess..." Sima Lei's hand just stretched out halfway, but he stopped involuntarily. He turned to look at the prince, and he gave him a fierce stare. He had to grit his teeth, gather up his courage to chase after him, and grasp Nihuang. Lord's arm.
"Presumptuous!" Nihuang turned around and lifted her breath, wanting to shake the palm of her arm, her eyes met, her mind was in a trance again, and even the palm held between her arms and wrists changed from hot to warm, as if she was always independent On the battlefield, the kind of warmth that I long for when the wind and frost hit my face.
"Sima, the princess seems to be tired, you help her to rest for a while..." The voice of Concubine Yuegui came from afar, gloomy and cold.
The prince took two steps back, watching Sima Lei hold the waist of the county lord, watching a painful, contradictory and gentle expression pass over the beautiful face, and he couldn't bear it in his heart, and turned his face away.
At this moment, the clamoring sound came.
Concubine Yue stood up abruptly. Standing on the steps, she could see farther, and she could clearly see a figure rushing in quickly. The palace people who tried to stop them were beaten to the ground, and they didn't slow down his attack at all. A palm slashed at Sima Lei.
Although King Jing rarely took action, his martial arts were definitely not as severe as those who had never experienced battle formations could imagine. First, Sima Lei felt guilty, and secondly, he did not dare to do anything with the prince. Thirdly, his strength was originally weak, and he even retreated. After a few steps, he was forced to move several feet away.
"Jingyan! You are really arrogant and bold, and you also trespassed in my Zhaoren Palace?" Concubine Yue Gui already saw that King Jing was coming alone, and immediately stepped forward and scolded, "Do you want to rebel? "
Prince Jing swept his gaze and noticed that the princess' eyes were blurry and his feet were weak. Although he didn't fully understand it, he had guessed most of it. He only felt that Concubine Yue's mother and son were really ugly, and they didn't want to argue with her at all, and went forward directly. He clicked on the key points on the princess' body and carried her on his shoulders.
The prince was frightened and angry, and he shouted and ordered his guards to surround Xiao Jingyan in a circle.
"Jingyan, how dare you break into the concubine's palace to snatch the princess. Fortunately, the prince is here to escort the prince. Let go of the princess. Maybe for the sake of brotherhood, I won't report to the emperor..."
Xiao Jingyan gave him a cold look, but he ignored it and walked forward. The guards surrounding him moved involuntarily, casting inquiring glances at the prince.
But Xiao Jingxuan was really in a dilemma at this time. This brother is a person who fights and kills, and he cannot be restrained in general scenes, but it is not a trivial matter to shoot a prince to death in Zhaoren Palace, not to mention that he has a Nihuang on his back. County lord, is it possible that they shot in a salvo? But if you don't trap him and let him rush out like this, things will be out of control. After thinking about it, there is no sure-fire plan, and you can't help but turn your attention to her mother.
Concubine Yuegui's gorgeous red lips pursed, and two words burst out from between her teeth: "Release the arrow!"
"Mother concubine!"
"Let the arrows go!" Concubine Yuegui's voice was extremely low, but her voice was sharp, "At the very least, let the dead not speak, so that we have more opportunities to speak!"
The prince was stunned, and immediately rushed forward a few steps, and said loudly: "King Jing rushed to the palace to assassinate the mother-in-law, murdered the county master, and Li Yu shot to death!"
The guards hesitated for a while, but after all, the prince was their master, so he immediately threw an arrow into the bow, and the arrows were like rain.
King Jing stepped forward, kicked over a guard with flying feet, and picked his single sword into his hand. With a dance of sword light like snow, he shot down the first wave of arrows. Taking advantage of the gap, he fought to the left to the front of the steps, and The county lord put it on the ground, and blocked the second wave of arrows that came in pursuit. Suddenly, he jumped up and jumped in the air a few times, slashing left and right, and landed at the place where the guards were crowded, disrupting the archers. The guards with knives were not his opponents. In the melee, he saw his figure suddenly rise into the sky, swept and rushed, and the prince who was dazed suddenly felt a chill on his neck, and a handle The sharp blade has been placed on the neck, and the skin is cold.
"Stop it all!" King Jing's voice was not loud, but the audience was frozen.
Concubine Yuegui trembled, gritted her teeth and said angrily, "Xiao Jingyan, how dare you..."
"Among the three armies, beheading a general and winning a commander is something I often do," King Jing smiled coldly, speaking arrogantly, "His Royal Highness is standing too close to me."
"Jingyan! What do you want?" the prince trembled.
"Send the county master over and let the two of us go out of the palace."
Concubine Yuegui's eyes were as cold as ice, and she snorted: "What if this palace says no? Don't you dare to kill the prince?"
"Does the noble concubine want to bet the prince with me?" There was no warmth in Xiao Jingyan's voice.
Concubine Yuegui's face was frosty, but her chest kept heaving and he was clearly thinking intensely. Just as she frowned and was about to open her mouth to speak, a high-pitched and hurried announcement suddenly came from the door of the outer courtyard: "The Empress Dowager is here—"
Concubine Yue Gui felt a chill in her heart, and a shudder of despair rolled over her vest. But after only closing her eyes hard, she quickly regained her composure, and she said to Sima Lei in the first sentence: "You will leave the palace from the back immediately, remember, you never stepped into Zhaoren Palace for half a step today!"
Sima Lei was stunned for a while, and looked around at a loss. Then he woke up and ran behind him.
"Jingyan," Concubine Yue hurried down the steps, speaking very fast, "Listen, too, the prince didn't shoot you with an arrow today, and you didn't put the knife on the prince's neck, understand?"
King Jing's eyes flashed, but he didn't answer.
"Prince Kniowaki, like the prince of arrow shooting, is not what Your Majesty likes to hear. This palace does not want you to perish together. As for other matters, we will use our abilities and let His Majesty come down to judge." Concubine Yuegui smiled coldly, " You're a smart person, and you know this is a good deal for you, so why not do it?"
Prince Jing's expression remained unmoved, but the knife in his hand slowly left the prince's neck and was thrown lightly to the ground.
The old figure of the Empress Dowager appeared outside the Moon Gate in the inner courtyard at this time, and besides the confused Princess Jingning, there was also a dignified and dignified woman with a phoenix crown and yellow robe standing beside her.
That is the owner of Zhengyang Palace - the empress of the dynasty.