Chapter 33: Hanging Moon Serves the King (2)

I took a look at the time and said to Huiju as if unintentionally: "I remember I have a double-sided embroidered Du Ruo purse for both internal and external purposes. Go and fetch it and put it on Haoyue." Winks.
Huiju answered: "The lady is still wearing it today, I'll go take a look."
Said that the posture was found in the clothes I changed, and he said, "Oh, mother, where is your purse?"
I looked down at myself, "It's gone."
"What's wrong, miss?" Haoyue looked at me and asked.
"It's nothing, I must have gone out today." I put on a sad expression, "You know, it was brought to me from Jiangnan when the third brother went home last time."
"Let me find it, miss." Haoyue said.
I looked up at Haoyue, "Well, you know the style of the purse best. If it is picked up by someone else, it won't be good. After all, it's not something in the palace. I'm afraid that it won't be clear."
Haoyue nodded, "I went to change my clothes first."
"No, just wear it. Clothes, isn't it just for wearing? Go ahead, it's late."
"Where did the lady go today?" Haoyue asked me.
I pretended to think about it, "It should have fallen from the winding path. It seemed that it was hung by a branch."
"I see, miss. I'll be back soon." After speaking, he hurried out the door.
Seeing Huiju going out, I slowly sat on the side of the bed and took out the purse given by the third brother from under the pillow. I smiled, but tears fell. I know, Haoyue will not come back once Haoyue is gone.
Haoyue did not come back as I thought.
After she left that night, I sent Xiao Xizi to quietly follow her. Later, Xiao Xizi told me that Haoyue was taken away by a man.
I knew that my goal was achieved, but I didn't feel the slightest happiness in my heart.
Early the next morning, the next to the emperor came over to declare the decree, and it was still as I expected-he pampered her and gave her a positive sixth-grade beauty, titled "Yue", living in Yeting.
I naturally agreed, and sent someone to send a gift to promote Huiju as the maid of Kunning Palace. At the same time, I also asked Huiju to tell Haoyue that since she has a favor, don't violate the rules to make the emperor unhappy, let alone ask her to please me. Hui Ju returned and said that Haoyue had been crying for a long time, and finally nodded.
The days passed so peacefully for another four months. There seemed to be no change in Kunning Palace, and the girl eunuchs did not talk too much about Haoyue’s favor. They only said that she happened to meet the emperor by chance. Besides, she was beautiful and docile after all. , It is natural to be favored.
In these four months, although Haoyue’s grace was not very strong, it was not bad. There were always two or three nights in a month he would call her to Xinghua Spring Hall, although it was the emperor’s favor like Junlu Hall. Concubine’s place, but Xinghua Chunguan is the place for concubines below the fourth rank. If you can go to Junlu Hall, the concubines are noble.
After all, he is not a good girl, and it is not bad that a lowly concubine can get the favor of two or three times a month.
The weather is getting sultry and hot. Although the Ministry of Internal Affairs will send ice sculptures to relieve the heat every day, after all, I can't keep them for a day, so I ordered them to send them every afternoon. Before lunch, I often sit under the tree by the small pond and read a book. I don’t feel the heat in the shade of the tree.
One day, I was sitting under a tree reading "Historical Records", and the cicadas cried and my ears were clear. The sun shone mottled light through the leaves. I was reading, and there was a sudden surge of tension in my heart for some reason when I turned the page, for no reason.
Standing up, patted their skirts and walked back to Xi Nuan Pavilion, Xiao Fuzi and the others were carrying the ice sculptures they had just sent, carved with flowers and plants.
I stood and admired for a long time, thinking that I could calm down by the way, but the feeling in my heart never disappeared.
I called Huiju and asked, "What has happened recently?"
"No, mother."
"Where is Haoyue?" I asked again.
"Ms. Haoyue has nothing to do with her. During this period of time, she has been waiting for bed a lot, and the other concubines have not embarrassed her yet." Hui Ju replied.
I nodded, what could it be? Makes me so uneasy. "Go down. I'll sit by myself."
Huiju walked to the door in response, and suddenly remembered something and turned around and said to me: "Oh, Niang Niang, remember one thing, but it should have nothing to do with Niang Niang."
When I looked up at her, my heart was beating hard.
"Yesterday I heard that Prince Yu had a triumphant victory, and he will be able to arrive in Beijing today. The emperor went out of the city to greet him early in the morning, and the hour should be here. I heard that there will be a feast for the officials tonight.
My heart sank.
When Xu looked at my face, Hui Ju said broadly, "However, this banquet is said to be only for the emperor and ministers. I won't let the concubine attend, so don't worry about it."
I squeezed a smile, "Really, that's fine. Go down."
When Huiju walked out of the Xi Nuan Pavilion, I fell into a chair, not knowing whether it was sad or happy.
For four months, I shook my head, he really kept his promise to me.
I was very moved in my heart and smiled to myself, but I couldn't accept his feelings. I was determined to let it go, and I must let it go!
I stood up, the sky was bright outside, I fetched the book I had read before, turned two pages and stood up again.
Why did I forget this? Only if I decide to let go, he wants to let go. I went out to see him in the palace that day, but still didn't tell him who I was. I didn't do what I was supposed to do, but did so many things that shouldn't be done.
Recalling the scene that day, his words suddenly flashed in his ears-"If I can triumph as I wish this time, I would like to ask the emperor to give me a full concubine, would you?"
My heart hurts, even if I want to, what can I do? I can't help myself anymore. He said he would ask the emperor for an decree, so tonight's celebration banquet should be the best time for him to ask the emperor. Their brotherhood is hard to compare with ordinary people. Although I don't understand the reason very well, I can see that if the emperor's brother can do it himself, he will agree to his brother.
I can't let him say, can't let him appear in front of the emperor. Then the only way to stop this is today's daytime.
After thinking about it, I decided to give it a try, and bet he would go to the Yanbo Pavilion. I went to the closet and found a light green tunic. It was covered with large white magnolias. The soft color is suitable for such a bright but bright. In the hot weather, the workmanship is exquisite but not ostentatious.
I was about to change it when I took it out, but my hands were tight. Why change clothes? I did it myself!
I laughed mockingly and put the clothes back in the closet. Looking at the person in the mirror, he was still in that yellow dress, there was nothing wrong with it. He straightened his hair and went out.
The sky was blue, there was no cloud, and the direct sunlight pierced everyone's eyes. Fortunately, entering the imperial garden is sheltered by big trees, and entering the nine-curved promenade also has eaves to block the sun. Coupled with the breeze blowing on the West Lake, it is more comfortable.
I walked in no hurry, feeling uneasy, begging him to be here again and again, but at the same time there was a small voice saying: The emperor went to meet him, how could he let him leave? But still holding a small hope.
Closer, closer again, the wind on the West Lake fluttered gently with that gauze curtain.
I boarded the last section of the corridor, and suddenly saw him sitting there, looking forward with a familiar smile on my face. The moment I appeared, the smile was even brighter.
He stood up and walked towards me. My heart is full of joy, even though I am here to be cruel, but seeing him, I can't help but rejoice.
"The prince." I looked at him with a smile, but didn't give a salute.
He didn't care at all, walked to me and said gently: "I've been waiting for a long time." He looked at me up and down again, and nodded in admiration.
I looked at him in surprise, "How did the prince know I would come?"
He laughed, his eyes filled with something I didn't want to face, "I know you will come."
I laughed, but my heart aches.
He suddenly breathed a sigh of relief and said: "I came back today and heard that the emperor has a new favorite concubine. I was really afraid of you at that time. But then I heard that it was the maid next to the queen, so my heart was relieved." He was hearty. I laughed, but my heart was so painful that I couldn't breathe.
"Master." I stepped forward and wanted to tell him everything, but I couldn't say what I said.
"What?" He looked at me with a gentle smile.
"Wang Ye is okay?" I finally didn't say it.
He did not answer, but still looked at me gently. I raised my head to meet his gaze. Under the sunlight, his face was a little pale and he was thinner.
"Is the prince really okay?" I asked worriedly.
We sat face to face, I lowered my head and did not speak, he also sat there quietly, the same quiet.
Finally, I couldn't help but raise my head. He squinted at me and smiled, "Brother Emperor is going to host a banquet for me tonight, I want him to give you me as a concubine, would you?"
I pursed my lips, not knowing how to answer him.
He waited for a long time, maybe it was the hesitant expression on my face, and finally smiled disappointedly, "Maybe, you would be more willing to be here. I won't force you."
He stood up, the tall figure blocked all my sight, I looked up at him. His gaze fell far to the Flying Dragon Pond, where the smoke was vast. I can't see what is in his eyes, disappointed, angry, or helpless?
I also stood up, "Master, I'm sorry."
He turned around, the loss on his face can be seen at a glance, but he still smiled gently and said to me: "I am too affectionate. In fact, you didn't promise me at all, did you? 'S fault."
After he finished speaking, he turned around again, "In fact, I really followed me, and I also wronged you. With the emperor's brother, sooner or later, you will be favored. The emperor's favor should naturally be better for you. Also to your family."
I was shocked, but then I thought, which concubine in this palace does not have the support of "family", but I am too sensitive to these two words.
"Master, you..." I stepped forward to try to pull him, "I didn't think so. It's just..."
"Nothing." He turned to look at me and saw that my hand had touched the corner of his robe. The sadness on his face flashed by. He smiled, "You know, if someone else finds out, you can't help yourself. Guaranteed."
I retracted my hand and lowered my head, "I know."
He walked to the pavilion, and his voice was suppressed with sorrow: "I should go back. Being seen is not good for you." He still said softly.
I couldn't bear it for a moment, "Master...It's not that I don't want it, but I can't."
He turned to look at me abruptly, his eyes full of surprises: "Why not? I can convince the emperor that there will be no accidents in your family. I can protect you and your family."
I shook my head, "No, you can't." Tears fell.
I slowly reached into my skirt and took out the jade pendant that proved my identity.
"Because I am Ling Xuewei, Ling Xiang's daughter, and Daxi's queen."