On the day when Concubine Liu died, although Shen Xiyao spent the night in Kunning Palace for dinner, he was frequently confused and blurred, and occasionally forgot what he was doing, either raising his chopsticks for a long time, or reading a page for half an hour. I only accompany him quietly, feeling the nostalgia, sadness, and sadness that he still inadvertently revealed despite his efforts to suppress.

After all, it was the woman he had cared for for many years, and the lover he had promised to be the next. In his eyes, Liu Ruxu must be as graceful and elegant as the willow in early spring. In the few years before he was in power, it was this woman, like the most gentle Jieyuhua, who accompanied him through the most unwilling and depressing moments of life. It was this woman who gave him the joy of being a father. Therefore, even if it was a scam at the beginning, but after so many years of infatuation, there must still be deep attachments and reluctances at the time of life and death.

That suit must have been worn by Liu Ruxu when they first met, and that unfinished dance was also danced for him in the Liu's garden back then.

These are the best memories in the beginning. But also, I can't go back.

There was also a sigh in my heart, quietly filling a glass of wine for Shen Xiyao and serving it in front of him.

Shen Xiyao looked at the sparkling wine in the glass and asked, "This is?" His voice was slightly hoarse.

I lowered my eyes: "Leaving tears."

Shen Xiyao trembled, "You!" He put the cup aside, anger in his eyes.

I plucked up the courage and said: "The emperor, the concubine has something to discuss with the emperor. Please don't blame the emperor."

"You said it." His tone was slightly tired, and he seemed to know what I was going to say.

"Concubine Liu has gone today." I took a careful look at his complexion, everything was as usual, but the look in my eyes evaded when I said Concubine Liu. But I went on.

"According to the will, the Liu Clan will be dragged to the Huarenchang in the suburbs of Beijing after being sentenced, and Concubine Liu is no exception." As I said, I saw that Shen Xiyao had disgust in his eyes, fearing that the "Humanchang" made him unhappy.

As a result, my tone became more gentle," the concubine thought privately. After all, Concubine Liu is a concubine. I am afraid it would not be appropriate to drag it away. I wanted to play the emperor. For the sake of her many years of service, let her be buried as Concubine Cong. ."

Shen Xiyao's complexion relaxed for a while, he thought for a while before he said: "The Liu family committed a felony, if I was buried in the position of concubine Cong, it would appear to be selfish. No matter, let's be buried in the position of nobleman when she entered the palace." He said nothing. He drank the glass, but finally showed a faint smile.

I nodded, as if treating Concubine Liu's funeral in this way, he and I would be less guilty and feel more at ease.

The days after that were calm and there was no wave. In the cold winter, the heavy snow was falling for several days, and the little **** was too late to sweep. So I was relieved from the morning and dusk of the sixth house, and I often sat in the west hall with Xuan'er all day long. Concubine Yi is not afraid of hardships and often comes to me to talk and laugh, finally making life less boring. During this period, I also talked to Shen Xiyao about Yifei's father to Beijing.

At the same time, I instructed General Manager Huang to place some people in Paixue Palace as errands to secretly monitor Huifei's every move. After all, after Li Fei and Liu Fei were removed, she was my biggest hidden danger in this harem.

Concubine Hui and Haoyue put away their sharpness against me and became very comfortable, and the two also reduced their contacts. Especially Haoyue, if nothing happened in Su Ri Li, he wouldn't even leave the palace. Come to think of it, they have learned a lesson from the Meng family and Liu family, and they are careful to avoid making mistakes. Meeting with me was also very respectful and humble, without any rebellious attitude.

But I know that it was just the cheetah putting away its claws, the poisonous snake hiding its fangs, and the assassin hiding its tracks. But once the time is right, it will be fatal.

The winter of this year came early and went early. Just after the New Year, clusters of winter jasmine bloomed in the imperial garden, and the weather was much warmer than in previous years. The three-year draft is here again. In the early stage, the household department and the internal supervisor will conduct the preliminary selection. One hundred and eighty noble and talented relatives and ladies and grand daughters with excellent and beautiful qualities are waiting for the palace. .

But Shen Xiyao is not interested this time. Last year, the country was hit by a disaster, and now there are repeated provocations by Japanese pirates, so let me choose 18 outstanding people.

I didn't dare to have the power, so I asked Concubine Hui and Concubine Yi to vote together, and they naturally had no objection.

Three days before the palace election, I woke up from a nap, and I invited Concubine Yi to enjoy the spring flowers in the imperial garden Wuling. The spring is bright and beautiful, and the curling silks fall from the branches that have sprouted new buds, and peach blossoms and fragrant fields are everywhere.

Concubine Yi wore a light green embroidered willow spring shirt with eight goose gold thread welcoming spring skirts. Tingting came curled up among the flowers. I stood in the pavilion on all sides facing the lake.

She Yingying stepped forward and bowed down, her brows were supple and faintly joyful.

"My sister is full of joy today, but my father has entered Beijing?" I pushed her a cup of red jujube longan tea in front of her: "Taste it, spring is here, and the most important thing is to keep your face moisturized, so that you can open branches and leaves for the emperor early."

Yi Fei blushed, revealing her innocent shyness. But he bowed to me: "The concubine, on behalf of my father, would like to thank the empress for her support, and I am also grateful to the courtyard given by Young Master Ling."

The world calls the eldest brother Ling Daren, the second brother is General Ling, and Young Master Ling is naturally my third brother. Since understanding in the Liu case, he did not go back to Jiangnan, but stayed in Beijing for business.

Huiju was holding up mung bean cake filled with red bean paste, plum-shaped gingerbread, and papaya snow clam cups. He was startled when he heard the words, and a smile appeared on his face immediately.

"The place that Mr. Ling chose is really good, especially the room is open, with excellent lighting. Before that, Mr. Ling also invited a doctor who is very famous for treating rheumatism to Lingnan for treatment for his father. The father wrote a letter saying that last winter was much better. The concubine thanked his wife. Kindness." Concubine Yi said gratefully.

I smiled and said, "Your father has severe rheumatism. Now that I know it, I can't leave it alone. My third brother has always done things properly, so I can't trust him to leave it to him."

"Emperor Yifei, please use a snack. This is a gingerbread made of tender ginger, which is also very effective for dispelling cold and dampness." Huiju pointed to the table for a snack.

Yi Fei smiled and nodded at her. I glanced at Hui Ju. Her mouth was grinning, her voice softened and her movements were lighter than ever, as if she had heard something happy.

I changed the topic and talked about this draft.

"This time the emperor only chooses 18 people, it's really embarrassing for this palace." I casually folded a Yingchun that went into the pavilion and held it in my hand to enjoy it.

Concubine Yi hid her mouth and smiled: "It is the magistrate who has worked so hard to choose and send me over. I don't want the emperor to have only 18. But the concubines heard from the emperor that day.

I shook my hand and Jin Ying Cui'e fell on the ground, losing his anger.

"You mean, the emperor is choosing the concubine for Wang Yu this time?" I just feel that the bright and beautiful surroundings have dimmed, and even the singing of birds and kites has become ear-piercing.

Concubine Yi did not notice my abnormality. She took a sip of her tea and replied: "Yes, that day, I asked the emperor what kind of beauty he wanted. The emperor said it didn’t matter. The best one this time will be given to Yu. The king is a concubine." She finished her doubts and said: "The empress is the main choice this time, didn't the emperor tell the empress?"

I was stunned for a moment. Shen Xiyao didn't reveal the slightest wind to me, but at the moment he could only show a peaceful smile: "The emperor mentioned it a little, but my palace didn't ask much. On the left, the best was chosen by the emperor. "I also drank a sip of tea, trying to suppress the sadness in my heart, but felt my throat tightened, and the best red date longan tea became bitter and uncomfortable in my mouth.

Concubine Yi smiled: "After all, the empress is the first person in the harem, and no one can pass. The idea of ​​Yichen concubine, the less you choose, the better." She easily expressed the thoughts of each harem concubine, but If this is the case, naturally, it cannot be listened to by those with a heart.

I handed over a piece of gingerbread, "If the harem sisters are happy and happy, there will be a lot of people, but the emperor's children are not prosperous. It is time to choose some famous ladies to open the branches and leaves of the royal family." I stroked my cheek: " This palace is not young anymore, I am afraid the emperor is tired of it too."

Concubine Yi knew that I was joking, and said with a smile: "If the empress said that she is tired of being looked upon by the emperor, then the concubine has to petition to become a monk so that the emperor will not get tired of it."

I smiled with Yi Fei and talked about the woman who was rumored to be promoted this time.

Before dinner, the little **** sent a message, and Shen Xiyao turned over Yifei's sign. She hurriedly bid farewell, and I sat alone in the pavilion, watching the illusory sunset glow reflected by the sparkling lake water, breathing in the fragrance of the surrounding flowers and trees, and I was unspeakably relaxed and refreshing, and tight for a long time. The nerves relax for a moment. Take a deep breath and feel the familiar warmth in the familiar atmosphere, as if it were still the worry-free years in the boudoir, and the pure time when entering the palace for the first time, more like the riverside of Huangjia Village, and that People look at the mountains and the water, and laugh at them. It's a pity that those in the past can't go back.

Today, I am the lord of the harem, I specialize in the sixth house, and no longer the Ling Xuewei who died in the midst of death. And he is the prince of Qinggui with a heavy soldier in his hand, and he is no longer the quietly thoughtful Shen Xihe in the tomb. We must all forget the past. I will personally choose a beautiful woman for him. From then on, we will stay together for a beautiful night.

Well, that's fine, then do my best to choose the best show girl to match him.

Her cheeks are slightly cold, and tears have fallen on her face at some unknown time.

"Manny, it's getting late, do you want to go back?" Hui Ju asked in her ear.

I nodded, just want to say something else to make me no longer sad about it. He asked, "The Liu family has fallen, what is Xiuhe's choice?"

Huiju replied: "In response to Niangniang, Master Ling bought Wanchun Tower at a low price. Now Xiuhe is the old bustard of Wanchun Tower. Share the proceeds with Master Ling."

I nodded: "That's good. Without her, things wouldn't happen so quickly."

Huiju said, "If it weren't for Peony's help, it wouldn't go so smoothly if I wanted to come to Xiuhe." After she finished speaking, she realized that she had missed it, and she covered her mouth and looked at me in panic.

I didn't take it seriously: "Why is Peony involved?" There was a slight panic in my heart, a touch of fear. Thinking of the scene I saw in Wanchun Tower that day, I was even more upset for no reason.

Huiju paused for a moment before he said, "It seems that some people wanted to get rid of the Liu family, so it hit it off?"

Before she finished speaking, I interrupted: "That person, is Wang Yu."

Huiju was taken aback for a moment. She wanted to shake her head, but under my gaze, she clicked.

"Where is the peony now?" I touched a string of red coral beads on my hand, with a light tone.

Hui Ju was silent for a moment, and finally replied: "Returning to Niang Niang's words, Prince Yu ransomed her and placed her in the house." She hesitated, but my heart tightened a little bit.

Huiju seemed to perceive my displeasure, and hurriedly explained: "Originally, Young Master Ling said that she would redeem her body, but Peony said, except for the kindness of the prince, she accepted it. The prince had no way to redeem her body, and later Sent her home, but she said that she had been sold into Wanchun Building since she was a child, and she hadn't remembered where she lived. The prince had to set up another yard for her, and Young Master Ling also regularly sent silver tickets for her to settle down."