Extra volume: Poppy
The carriage passed through several zigzag alleys and stopped outside Jingxiang Gate. A dense bush with luxuriant branches and leaves almost covered half of the sky, and even the sun's light was blocked outside. There are only layers of high iron-red walls left, which have become mottled under the polishing of the years. When you touch it with your fingertips, pieces of colorful wall skin will fall off.
A plain white hand held the lapel of the cloak, opened the curtain, the sun shone on her forehead, the wind blew through her hair, revealing a forehead, like the evening snow on the top of Lingxiao Peak, almost transparent white, from the skin There is a sense of indifference from the inside out, making everything around him feel cold. The corners of her eyes were raised slightly, and she held a bamboo umbrella made of green bamboo bones to cover her face, revealing only a thin chin.
Bei'er came up from behind with the medicine box in hand, seeing the eunuch leading the way negotiating with the gate guards, she lowered her voice and said excitedly, "Master, this is the imperial palace!"
She didn't answer, just lowered her eyes, quietly looking at the bluestone road on the ground.
It has been raining for a whole day, and it is still not sunny at the moment, the raindrops are blowing along with the wind, the light is also thin and dark red, shining on her snow-white black clothes, there are circles of dim crimson.
Seeing that she was silent, Bei'er stuck out her tongue quietly, and followed her example and stood upright. At this time, the leading eunuch came over and said with a smile: "Master Shui Xiang, come with me."
Shui Xiang nodded and said, "I have Mr. Lao."
Her voice suddenly sounded rough and hoarse, and even the coachman who drove the car was startled. I didn't expect such a refined goddess doctor to have such a voice. A little cold. The old eunuch couldn't help but quietly looked at her again, only to see that she was dressed in black and had black hair, and a veil covering most of her face, only revealing a pair of eyes, which were dark and bottomless, although She lowered her eyebrows and lowered her head, but there was a sense of nobility permeating from the corners of the slightly raised eyebrows and eyes, and when she raised her eyes, there was a bit of sharpness.
"Elder-in-law?" She raised her eyebrows slightly and called softly.
The old eunuch regained his composure and hurriedly said, "Go this way."
It has been raining for the past few days, no matter how well the drainage in the palace is done, there is still water everywhere at the moment. The old eunuch knew Shui Xiang's identity, so he didn't dare to underestimate her easily. He habitually hunched over and offered to help her hold an umbrella, but Shui Xiang didn't refuse, and walked aside with his head bowed. Walking to a corridor, Shui Xiang turned left habitually, and the old eunuch said in surprise: "Master Shui Xiang, this is the third time entering the palace, so I remember the way? I think I entered the palace back then." time, but I can’t understand it for two or three years.”
Shui Xiang paused slightly when he heard the words, and said with a light smile, "I have a better memory."
The old eunuch smiled and said, "Why don't you say that you are a goddess doctor, because you are capable. Concubine Yang took the medicine you prescribed, and she will be cured the next day."
Shui Xiang smiled faintly, "Elder-in-law is being polite." After speaking, he took half a step back indistinctly, followed behind the old eunuch, and walked silently with his head down.
When I arrived at the Department of Internal Supervision, I inspected it as usual, and the chief eunuch of the Shangli Supervisor gave her a few words, and then handed her over to the consul eunuch of Qian'an Palace. Since then, Bei'er could no longer follow, handed the medicine box to Shui Xiang, and said with a smile, "I'll wait for Master here."
As soon as she finished speaking, Shui Xiang turned her head and looked at her silently. Shui Xiang's eyes were extremely dark, and he just stared at her quietly, like a black cat stone. Bei'er has been with Shuixiang for three years. Three years ago, hysteria was prevalent in Beijing, and her father also died of hysteria. Fortunately, she was lucky enough to be taken in by Shuixiang. Although this master has a cold temper and rarely speaks on weekdays, he is still good to her. Now she shivered for no reason under Shui Xiang's gaze, and whispered with some fear: "Master?"
Shui Xiang withdrew his gaze, raised his hand to stroke the broken hair at her temples, and said in a gentle tone, "Are you hungry?"
Bei'er hurriedly said, "I'm not hungry."
"Didn't you bring some snacks? If you're hungry, eat some first."
When Shui Xiang rarely had such a pleasant face, Bei'er was a little flattered, but couldn't help being happy in her heart, and said with a sweet smile: "I'm not hungry, I'll have dinner with Master when I go back tonight."
Shui Xiang stopped talking, turned around and went with the consular eunuch. When he walked out of the yard, he turned his head and saw Bei'er standing at the door with a smile on his face.
How old is Bei'er this year? Should be fifteen
As soon as a weak thought came to her mind, her brows frowned slightly. The rain had stopped now, but the air was getting colder. The consul and eunuch explained the things to pay attention to when meeting the emperor later. She listened silently and remembered them all in her heart. After walking for less than half an hour, she finally arrived outside Qian'an Hall. The servant went in to report, and she stood outside and waited. She was a little nervous, her heart was beating violently, and she took a few deep breaths, but she couldn't suppress the tension. The corners of her mouth hidden behind the veil were tightly pursed, and her expression was extremely serious. In fact, since the first time she entered the palace three months ago, and even when she entered the city again five years ago, this emotion has been gripping her tightly, a little nervous, a little excited , a bit enthusiastic, and even a bit of anticipation. Shui Xiang knew that this kind of emotion should not appear on her, and now, any distraction would lead to the complete failure of her plan, but she still couldn't restrain it, especially today, especially at this moment!
The door of the palace opened slowly, but what came out was not the consul eunuch, but a gorgeous woman in blue-purple palace attire, with an enchanting figure, a face like peaches and plums, luxurious clothes, a pair of phoenix eyes slanted upwards, seeing Shui Xiang frowning slightly Eyebrow asked, "Who are you?"
"This is Master Shui Xiang who was recommended by Concubine Yang to enter the palace to treat the emperor's illness."
The consul and eunuch happened to come out together, and after answering, he quickly said to Shui Xiang: "Master Shui Xiang, you still haven't greeted Madam Cheng."
Shui Xiang paused for a moment, circled Concubine Cheng's face quietly, and then saluted Concubine Cheng: "Greetings to your mother."
Her voice was calm, and she was very considerate in giving a court ceremony. She didn't look like a person who had just entered the palace. Concubine Cheng couldn't make a mistake, her eyes became more gloomy, and she said in a deep voice: "It looks like a thoughtful person. But why is she still wearing a veil? Who allowed her to wear it in the palace?"
The consul and eunuch hurriedly said: "If you go back to your mother, Master Shui Xiang is practicing with hair, and it is not suitable to see foreigners, so he always wears a veil to cover his face when entering the palace."
Concubine Cheng snorted coldly, "Are all the people in the Imperial Hospital dead? Concubine Yang is too confused, how dare she randomly recommend people from outside to enter the palace? If something happens, who can afford it?"
It was no secret that Concubine Cheng and Concubine Yang were at odds. Although Concubine Cheng's elder brother, Cheng Yuan, was an important military minister, he had followed the emperor to conquer the north and south. Concubine Yang is from the Huai Song clan, not to mention a strong family background, but also has the support of Huai Song's old officials. Especially after the death of Empress Nalan, the emperor has never registered a new empress, so the two are even more in the same situation.
The consul and eunuch knew something bad was going to happen when they saw her at first sight, but they had no choice but to bite the bullet and said, "Madam, Master Shuixiang is a direct disciple of Master Taiji'an Jingyue. Yes."
Concubine Cheng turned her head, cast a cold look at the consul eunuch, and then said with a sneer, "In that case, you should bring this master in quickly." After finishing speaking, she took the man and went away aggressively.
The consular eunuch wiped off his cold sweat, and said to Shui Xiang, "Master Shui Xiang, come with us."
The door of the temple opened slowly with a creak, and tiny fly ash danced enthusiastically in the sun. Standing outside the door, Shui Xiang felt a little dazed for a moment, thinking that he was dreaming, that as long as he walked in, everything would still be in his memory One day, her father and brother were still there, and she was still young and innocent.
However, after all, it was nothing more than a dream, and a strange smell rushed over. Even though the furnishings here are so familiar, the smell has changed. There are no more extravagant palace fragrances, no more colorful sleeves, and no more shadowy people holding a cup and bowing their heads, singing praises of meritorious deeds. The whole hall was empty, the palace lanterns were hung high, and there were a few palace men in plain clothes standing below. The ink-colored curtains were hanging down, embroidered with golden koi and large roses, against the backdrop of The lights were faintly dazzling. And in the depths of the heavy curtains, a figure sat there with his head lowered, as if he was flipping through something, and he never raised his head when he heard the sound. The hall was so deep that Shui Xiang couldn't see his eyes clearly.
Shui Xiang followed the consul eunuch and kowtowed to the man, and the consul eunuch said respectfully, "Your Majesty, master Shui Xiang has arrived."
The people above did not answer, Shui Xiang and the two had no choice but to continue to bow their heads and kneel, the hall was terribly quiet, and even the sound of the chest skin rubbing against the embroidery on the lapel of the palace people could be heard as they breathed. Shui Xiang's heart was beating violently in his chest, thump-thump-thump! It was like a snare drum on a battlefield, each sound made her throat itch. She put her hands on her knees and knelt there with standard court etiquette. The light and shadow of time passed by her hair and froze on her thin shoulders, as well as her slender neck, bullying Saixue, so pale Bloodless.
"Get up."
The deep voice sounded from the depths of the hall, it was neither gentle nor overly indifferent, it was just so quiet, like a drop of water falling into a calm lake, creating circles of transparent ripples. However, just such a few simple words made Shui Xiang's back tense instantly, and a slight numbness arose on the surface of his skin. She stood behind the consular eunuch with her head down, her hands seemed to hang naturally at her sides, her fingers were slightly bent, but her thumb nails were tightly pressed against her index fingers, poking fiercely. The pain was like sharp and small silver needles, poking at her violently tumbling mind.
"Your Majesty, this is Master Shuixiang from Taiji Temple."
Yan Xun slightly raised his head. He was a little tired from the hard work of the day. He put down the pen, pressed the thumb of his left hand on his temple, and slowly rubbed his eyes with half-closed eyes. Nodding, said: "Come here."