Chapter 25: Close

The aunt was escorted into the inner palace, and the court ladies waited for me to change clothes and wash, and the inner servant hurriedly cleaned up the mess on the palace.
I looked at Yuxiu's injury. She hurt her shoulder. Although she bleeds a lot, she is not fatal.
When the palace man took off my coat, he touched his arm, only to find the pain unbearable. The stab that had just been shunned had cut his left arm, but fortunately the wound was shallow.
The aunt was untidy and pale, and the gorgeous dress of Jin Zhangzi was also stained with blood, but she didn't let the maid to dress and clean her, but curled up on the bedside and muttered to herself. The palace girl presented a soup medicine that was shocking to her, and was overturned by her split hands. "Go, go, you slaves, all of you want to harm me, don't you think about it!"
I hurried to let the palace lady wrap her wounds and hold her forward. I felt so sad in my heart, "Aunt is not afraid, here is Grandma, no one can harm you!"
She trembled and touched my face, her palms were cold, "It's you, Grandma ... Grandma won't hate me ..."
"Aunt is talking and laughing again." Tears were almost bursting into my eyes, and I was busy and laughed. "The clothes are all dirty. Change them first, OK?"
This time, she no longer struggled, letting the palace lady undress her face, and stared at me with a smile on her face. I was so breathless with her eyes that I couldn't help turning my head to the side, and could not bear my heart.
Suddenly she heard her asking, "Do you hate your aunt?"
I looked back, looking at her face, all kinds of tastes came to my heart.
She watched me grow up, loved me and spoiled me, and regarded me as my own aunt, but it was she who took me as a chess piece and pushed it out with her own hands, concealed me, and abandoned me. In the days when I was alone in the wind and frost, maybe I had complained to her. At that time, I didn't know whether she should be treated as a queen or as her uncle's aunt.
But the moment the blade stabbed at her, I couldn't help but stand in front of her, without hesitation. Looking at her now desolate, it seems that there are thousands of thorns stuck in my heart, no longer half complained.
I held her skinny shoulders and gently managed her loose hair, and said softly, "Aunt loves Grandma most, how can Grandma hate you? The elder brother is about to ascend to the throne. You will be admired by all people The queen mother is the most noble mother in the world, and her aunt should be happy. "
My aunt's face had a pale smile on her face, and her confused eyes glowed again. She looked at me and smiled softly. Good emperor! "
I looked carefully into her eyes, I wonder how much more she could see.
"But he hates me, and they all hate me!" The aunt suddenly trembled, grasped my hand, and a deep wrinkle in the corner of her eye could not tremble. And he, who lost my life, dare to abandon me, send someone to kill me! Even my own son hates me! What I did wrong, I remember you for so many years, and forbear you, what do you want me to do ... ... "
The aunt burst into laughter, and then hesitated again and again, catching me and refusing to let go, her eyes were full of despair, and her nails almost fell into my arm.
The right and left palace girls hurriedly held her down, and I was shocked and confused, and didn't understand what she was talking about.
No matter what I said, she couldn't calm her down. The doctor did not arrive for a while. I was in the anxiety. A little palace woman timidly rushed forward, holding a vial in her hand, and said quickly, "Prince, slaves have seen Aunt Liao giving the Queen medicine, The queen likes to take the medicine in this jade bottle. "
This little palace girl is only fourteen or five years old, and she is very childish. I frowned and took the medicine bottle, and poured out a few blue sedans, which smelled fragrant.
The aunt was already restless and began to yell and scold, it seemed that I didn't even recognize it.
I handed a pill to the little maid, and she stepped forward on her knees and swallowed without hesitation.
A palace maid hurried in, "Prince Qiyu, King Yuzhang and Zuo Xiang have come to the temple."
"Let them wait outside!" The aunt was full of nonsense, how could I go out to meet people, and I had no time to hesitate to feed the elixir into the aunt's mouth.
She struggled a few times, and she gradually calmed down, her expression fainted, and she fell asleep.
I looked at her sleepy face, a hollow pain in my heart.
She was about to get up, and suddenly saw a corner of Sipa under her pillow, and then looked at her forehead, there was a slight cold sweat. I sighed and took out the spar to wipe her sweat, but the tentacles felt strange. This silk crepe is yellow and wrinkled, very old, with a hint of ink. Looking at it, I saw eight small ink characters—Qin Se is in the royal palace.
I jumped in my heart, and looked closely at the handwriting. She was so strong and sturdy, looking at the world, no second person could write it.
Only he, with his crown of calligraphy, was alive and well. His voices were high and powerful, and even the most distinguished and gentlemen were all familiar with his own "warm body".
That name almost blurted out-Wen Zongshen, convicted of treason, the right-handed adult who was poisoned by his aunt and drank in prison.
Stepping out of the outer hall, I saw my father and Xiao Xuan at first glance, and my heart suddenly softened, and I no longer had the strength to support it.
"Ama!" The two spoke at the same time. Xiao Ai hurried in front of his father, strode forward and held my shoulder, and asked urgently, "Are there injuries?"
His father froze, his hand extended slowly.
In my eyes, my heart was sore, and I could no longer take care of it, and ran away to my father. My father sighed and took me into my arms ... This embrace is so warm and familiar, it seems like an innate memory.
"Just be safe." My father patted my back lightly, and I bit my lip to bear back the tears, but felt that my father's shoulders were obviously thinner, and no longer as broad as a child.
"Be so coquettish, let your husband see the joke." My father smiled and pushed me away.
Xiao Yan also laughed. "She always cries, but she is just spoiled by his father-in-law."
My father laughed and didn't argue, just tapping on my forehead, "Look, it hurts my husband's family."
The two of them laughed and feasted, as if they were like father and son ... But I knew in my heart that this was just the tacit understanding of the two men in front of me.
I am Zuo Xiang ’s daughter, Wang Yuzhang ’s wife, and they are unspoken and guarded by smiles—even if this tacit understanding only lasts for a brief moment, I am the luckiest woman in the world.
The housekeeper did the stabbing, and they knew it. I will be careful about the events before and after. My father and Xiao Xuan's eyes are staggered, and their looks are grim.
The blood in front of the temple has been cleaned up, but there is still a cold and cold killing breath.
I looked at my father and yelled, "Although my aunt was not injured, she was overly frightened, and the situation was very bad."
Father didn't speak, his brows froze, his eyes deepened. Xiao Min also frowned and asked, "How bad?"
"Aunt is not very conscious ..." Hesitantly, I turned to look at my father, "After talking some nonsense, I fell asleep after taking the medicine."
"She's talking nonsense, but can someone else hear it?" His father demanded sternly.
He didn't ask what his aunt said, but only if someone heard it. I knew immediately that my father knew it.
The Fang Sipa hid in his sleeve, and I looked down, saying quietly, "There is no one else, only I am in front of me. My aunt speaks vaguely, and I do not understand."
His father sighed and seemed to be relieved. "The queen has been working hard for days, and she is unavoidable when she is scared.
I nodded silently, choking my throat for a moment, my heart was cold.
Xiao Kun frowned. "You said the assassin was an old palace man around the queen?"
I was about to speak, but I listened coldly to my father, "Xue Daoan, a slave, had been degraded to a perfect department a few months ago."
"How can this happen?" I was shocked. The best-in-class division was dedicated to taking in slaves who had been wronged and degraded by the master, and engaged in the heaviest and meanest labor. And that Xue Dao'an has served Aunt Hou for more than ten years, and has been a Yuqian Red Man. Until I returned to the palace the last time, I also saw him in the deacon of Zhaoyang Temple.
"This slave once violated the queen's will and entered the Qianyuan Temple privately. At that time, he only said that he was petting and proud, and he should have been stubborn." Dad frowned deeply. "Unfortunately, the queen was soft-hearted, and read that he had served him for ten years. Only punished to do a good job. I never imagined that this slave was actually an emperor, who had been in hiding for ten years, with a vicious heart. "
I was skeptical, "How can those who are punished for doing good things escape without permission and pass false orders to me?"
His father had a strong face, "The Zhaoyang Temple was guarded on a daily basis. This slave could not find a chance to do it. It must be planned. Just when you were unknown when you returned to the palace, he made a cover for him and entered the inner temple."
Xiao Chen groaned, "On his own, he must escape the best of the best, and it will be easier to serve him. With a sharp blade, he avoids the inspection by the forbidden guards ... he didn't help the party secretly, but he was afraid he couldn't do it."
"That's right, I have instructed Canada to send an East Palace guard to prevent the Assassins from acting against the Prince." I looked to my father, anxious. "The people in the palace are complicated. I'm afraid there are still many old palace people loyal to the royal family. future trouble."
"It's better to kill by mistake than to miss it. But one person missed the net, and the consequences are endless." Xiao Yan looked coldly and said to his father, "Xiao Xiao thought that this involved a wide range of matters, from the guard to the palace, so be sure to check them one by one. , Go all out to hunt down the same party. "
Immediately, I understood Xiao Xiao's intentions. He was always good at taking advantage of any opportunity.
I stared at him staggered, and looked at my father by coincidence.
His father remained calm, but his eyes were deep, only faintly, "It may not be that the guards in the forbidden are all the heroes of choice, and there is occasionally a fish that leaks the net. It is not a concern."
Xiao Xun's eyes were sharp and sharp, "The father-in-law made sense, but the queen and Chu Jun are in danger, so they cannot afford to be negligent!"
"The same is true of Xianxuan, but since it is a matter in the palace, it is better to ask the queen to make a decision." His father smiled kindly, and there was no leakage in his words. Xiao Qiang's step-by-step forward seemed to have no place to play under his smooth response. Chaotang Palace is a bloodless battlefield. If it is cultivated here, Xiao Yan is still inferior to his father.
"My uncle is wrong!" A voice outside the hall suddenly sounded.
It was the prince's elder brother rushed in, surrounded by the guards of the brigade, carrying a sword out of the sheath.
We were all shocked and busied to salute him.
"Why is your uncle so mindful that you are sure there is no other betrayal party? Even the people around his mother can't believe it, who can protect the safety of the East Palace?" He snorted and asked his father with a sound.
"Wei Chen convicted." The father was angry and helpless, and the guard in front of the temple was even more vulnerable.
The Prince looked around, his face was bright, and when he was about to speak again, I stared at him coldly. As soon as he stayed, he glared at me again, but his voice was a little weaker. "King Yu Zhang said well, none of these slaves could be trusted. I want to re-examine them one by one, and don't let treacherous people enter the East Palace!"
Xiao Yan smiled slightly, "His Royal Highness, the security of the East Palace now is the solid foundation of the world."
The Prince nodded again and again, proud of himself, and continued to spit out in accordance with Xiao Yuan's claims.
Seeing his father's face rose, I had to sigh secretly. The elder brother was stubborn from an early age. His aunt was always harsh on him, and the emperor often scolded him. Except for the housemaid, few people praised his idea. But now Xiao Xiao has praised him. Even a figure like King Yuzhang obeyed him, only to have Xiao Xiao as a great confidant in his heart.
His father finally exasperated, "His Royal Highness need not worry, the embargo can protect the East Palace."
The Prince replied, "If the embargo is useful, it will also allow Zilun's sick seedling to escape?"
As soon as this word came out, the faces of all the people changed suddenly, and he himself remained still.
Zilu escaped by assassination of his uncle. The death of his uncle was a pain that none of us wanted to mention, but he was questioned casually.
I saw the corner of his father's eyes twitched slightly, which was a sign of his anger ... Father took a step forward, and I had no time to persuade him, only to see him raise his hand to the Prince.
The slap stunned everyone, and Xiao Xun stopped, and the guard on the palace was at a loss--Chu Jun was humiliated when he was under the palace, and he committed it immediately, but no one dared to take it.
With a bang, the prince lost his sword and covered his cheek, trembling, "You, uncle you ..."
The father glared at the prince, shaking with anger.
"His Highness is angry!"
"Father is angry!"
I spoke at the same time as Xiao Yan. He stepped forward and blocked the prince. I was busy holding my father. Xiao Yi waved his guards to retreat, and the four of us were left in the hall.
The father sighed with resentment, "When will you be a little bit Chu Chu!"
Xiao Zheng picked up the sword on the ground and returned the sword to his sheath. "Father-in-law, please listen to Xiao Yan. Although the sword's cusp is sharp, it also needs to be sharpened. Although His Royal Highness is young, the King will one day come to the kingdom. Now the Emperor is sick, and the Prince is in charge of the kingdom. This is the time of His Highness' experience. I believe that His Highness's thoughts are not unreasonable, and I want his father-in-law to think twice. "His words were to persuade his father, but he was telling the prince, and it was unreasonable. Rebuttal.
The prince looked up at him and was grateful.
His father gave a cold hum, his eyes changed, and he looked at Xiao Yan directly. Xiao Yan's attitude was calm, his eyes became sharper. The two were already in tension.
My heart was suffocating, and my palms didn't know when to sweat slightly.
At this severe moment, the prince looked at the two from left and right, and finally seemed to understand, but he looked towards Xiao Yan.
His father's face changed, and he stared at him coldly, making him even more helpless.
He has always feared his father, and today I do not know whether he was frightened by the assassin, or whether he was sitting in the prison country and was so proud that he was so uncharacteristic that he angered his father in front of everyone and made him save his face.
I couldn't bear seeing the prince so embarrassed, and he opened the siege for him. "The queen is frightened. Your Highness will go in and see."
Unexpectedly, his father was scolding and scolding again, "The queen is still resting, you have to stop talking nonsense to disturb her, and not go back to the East Palace!"
The Prince suddenly looked up, his face flushed red, and yelled at his father, "Why am I talking nonsense? Is it wrong with my uncle's eyes that I'm saying anything wrong, not even A Yi's daughter? Is she almost killed today? I'm afraid it's my turn next! I want King Yuzhang to bring his soldiers into the palace for protection. What's wrong? As Chu Jun, if I can't even save my life, what else will I do as the emperor! "
"Stop!" My father was furious.
I opened my mouth to persuade the prince, but caught Xiao Xiao's gaze and was forced back by him calmly.
"I want to say!" The prince blushed and resisted, "King Yuzhang obeyed, in the name of the prince of the State Supervisor, I ordered you to lead an army into the palace immediately, to check the chaos and protect the royal family!"
"The court obeys the order." Xiao Yan knelt on one knee.
The aunt's coughing sound seemed to be awakened.
My father looked at the prince, then looked at Xiao Yan, and finally turned to look at me, his face gradually bleak, and his anger turned into disappointment and regret.
All three people in this temple had stood opposite him. Together with the most solid chips in his hands, the Prince, who has always been regarded as a waste, also betrayed him and voted for Xiao Yan.
The father stood still for a moment, and then whispered, "Have a good time, Your Highness is wise, with the help of this good man, the old man will retire!"
Out of the palace, the sky had turned black. Xiao Zhe was in front of me. I took a ride alone and returned to the palace for the first time after my wedding, but it was nothing. The car gradually moved away from the palace door, and I closed my eyes suddenly, feeling tired. The wound on the arm began to ache at this time. The chaotic scenes kept passing, and there was some dull pain under my heart, but I no longer knew joy and sorrow.
The car stopped and arrived at the palace of Yuzhang Wangzhang. The day after my big marriage left, I never stepped into this place.
The curtains were raised, but Xiao Yue stood in front of the car and stretched out his hand, smiling slightly, "Here we are."
I stayed for a while and was hit by the three words in the center.
Yes, this is home, our home.
Looking at the golden plaque of Zhumen, the six golden lacquered characters of "Making the Palace of Yuzhang Wangfu" are faintly visible.
Xiao Yan personally helped me to step down the car and accidentally touched the wound on my arm. I flinched and didn't say anything.
He stopped looking at me, frowning slightly, and was about to speak, but he saw a row of beautifully-dressed maids running through the door, and Xu Bu welcomed us.
Xiao Yan and I looked at each other for a moment, but suddenly saw the last two Meiji coming out of the crowd, one in red and the other in green clothes, worshiping us Yingying, and standing side by side with the Ji. At the bright light, the elder brother stepped out slowly, standing tall, standing in white clothes, with wide sleeves, and standing on the side with beautiful rings. The moon wheel, which was on the tip of the head, sprinkled bright silver behind him ...
He smiled at us slightly and walked up his sleeves, like a fairy under the moon.
Xiao Yan laughed suddenly, and I went back to my heart, exclaimed, "Brother! Why are you here?"
My elder brother first met Xiao Xiao, and then smiled at me. "I came here to welcome Hou's sister and sister."
I looked at the splendid flower group behind him. I thought it would be sad and joyful to see my brother, but the sight in front of me made me laugh, "Welcome us, don't have to ..."
Pretend to be so pretentious-if I change the past, I will definitely say it, but because Xiao Xiao is on the side, I have to leave some face to my brother, only to smile bitterly, "This pomp can be considered grand."
Xiao Yan also laughed, "There is labor and trouble."
My elder brother laughed at me and smiled at Xiao Yan. "Aya was raised from a young age, she was very picky. I was afraid that the servant in the house did not know her likes and dislikes, so she brought her own sister-in-law to clean up. Everything in the house is according to you The customary arrangement of the daily sun has been arranged, and you are still satisfied. "He looked indifferent to Xiao Yan, but said with a smile, listening to me, warm eyes, implied spoils ... I stayed for a while, sweet and sweet On the chest, the fundus gradually became hot.
Xiao Xie thanked his elder brother calmly and invited him to tell the story. The elder brother resigned slightly.
"Also, today is a busy day. We will set up a family banquet next day, and we won't be late again."
I knew that my brother still had a grudge against Xiao Yan, but he had no choice but to smile at Xiao Yan, "I send my brother."
His car was parked not far away, and we walked side by side, with a large number of Jixis behind.
I lowered my head, and I didn't know where to start, but I heard my brother sigh low, "He is your beloved?"
My brother still remembered that joke that year, and I also remember that the red owl star moved and would meet the beloved.
"I'm afraid it's yours." I laughed quietly for a moment.
Brother stopped and stared at me, "Really?"
Yue Hua reflected his face as bright as a jade, and my figure was reflected in the lacquered eyes, always a faint smile hanging on the corner of his lips, turned into a trace of simplicity.
"Really." I frankly met his gaze and replied softly and decisively.
The elder brother stared at me for a long time and finally let out a smile, "That's fine."
I can't help it anymore, with his arms around his neck, "Brother!"
He hugged me without thinking, sighing, "Skinny girl, you're thin again."
When I was a kid, I always liked to hang on my brother's neck, wondering why he can grow so tall. Now that I am tall, I still have to stamp my feet to get to him ... It seems that, just as when I was young, nothing has changed.
"How is my mother?" I asked him with my face up, "Does she know that I have returned to Beijing? I will go home to see her tomorrow morning ... no, I will go tonight, I will go with you!"
When I think of my mother, I can't help thinking about anything else. The idea of ​​going home has never been so strong. I can't wait to rush to the mother right away.
My brother turned his face to the side and couldn't see his face clearly. After a moment of silence, he answered me, "Mother is not at home."
I froze, but I saw my brother smile, "My mother is too noisy in the house, and I live in Ci'an Temple, quietly. It is late today, and I will accompany you to see her tomorrow."
"Okay ..." I barely smiled, my heart was cold. My brother said it was an understatement, but I already understood that-at this time, my mother was avoiding Ci'an Temple, only to be ashamed.
Xiao Yannong's eyebrows were tightly locked, and I carefully raised my left arm to examine the wound. There was a thin anger between the eyebrows.
I didn't dare to say a word, silently stretched out his arm, and allowed him to wound himself with medicine. Although he was skilled in his movements, his hands and feet were still heavier, and from time to time it hurt me to air-condition.
"Does it hurt now?" He froze, "Is it funny to be a hero?"
I didn't say anything, listening to him continue to reprimand, scolded me so much that I didn't dare to look up, and King Yuzhang didn't mean to be angry.
"Okay, continue scolding tomorrow ..." I lay lazily on the bedside and smiled at him, "Now I'm sleepy."
He stared at me helplessly, turning coldly.
He refused to talk to me until the candle was extinguished and the bed curtain was lowered.
I opened my eyes and watched the layers of the bed mantle in the darkness, embroidered with acacia and phoenixes. The sweet aroma of incense lingers like water. Everything I knew before now faintly returned to the night of the big wedding. I was wrapped in a red wedding dress alone, lying alone on the wedding bed of Xihong Fairview, and slept with the clothes until dawn. I walked home the next day and never stepped in here, not even taking a good look. This magnificent and luxurious palace was built by Xiao Huang when he first enshrined his ruler. And he has been living here for a long time. Until the completion of the palace, the pillars are still lacquered and decorated like new ones. In the future, this is where he and I will spend our lives.
"Xiao Xun ..." I sighed suddenly and called him gently. He hummed, but I didn't know what to say, for a moment, turned around, "Nothing more."
He held me abruptly, the warmth of his body came through the thin silk clothes, and whispered in my ear: "I understand."
I turned and pressed my cheek against his chest, listening to his deep heartbeat.
"Does the wound still hurt?" He wrapped me carefully, lest he hurt the wound.
I smiled and shook my head. The wound had been treated with medicine and it didn't hurt so much, but there was a slight pain in the bottom of my heart.
He seemed to want to say something, but just kissed my forehead gently, with a low sigh, "Sleep."
I couldn't understand this guilty guilty, but I endured it and said, "My father is old, my aunt is ill ... In any case, they are my relatives."
Xiao Jiujiu didn't answer for a long time, but just clenched my hand tightly, intertwined his fingers, I also understood his heavy helplessness.
Waking up early in the morning, Xiao Zheng has already been facing up. He always gets up early and never alarms me.
I went to visit Yuxiu early in the morning. She had been returned to the palace and was still lethargic. From Ningshuo to Huizhou and then to Beijing, she has been with me, and she has given up her life for life and death. If it wasn't for her trying to hold Xue Dao'an, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to avoid that. I looked at her sleepy face, and secretly said to her, "Yu Xiu, I will give you the best of everything and repay you for your kindness."
If she waited to wake up, she would be so happy to see Song Huai'en approaching. It was only that Song Huaien quietly led his soldiers to Huangling a few days ago, and I was afraid that it would take some time to return.
I stood under the window, looking sadly at the direction of the emperor's mausoleum, and my tastes were intertwined-Zi Zi should be temporarily safe.
On the day of the Linliang Pass, Xiao Kun ordered Song Huaien to lead his soldiers to the Emperor's Tomb and take away his son-in-law who was imprisoned by the army.
Zi Aunt is a big fear in my aunt, and I have always worried that my aunt will start to deal with him in order to eliminate the future problems. Fortunately, her aunt was quite cautious, and she didn't want to let the prince end up in the stigma of cruelty. Now Zi Zi falls into Xiao Yi's hands, and it becomes a bargaining chip for Xiao Qi to confront his aunt. At least for now, he won't hurt Zi Xi.
Before Song Huai's departure, I asked Yuxiu to bring him a word-"I planted an orchid by the road of the Emperor's Tomb when I was young. If it is convenient for the general to go here, please water it for me and don't make it wither. "
Yuxiu said that General Song left without saying a word after listening to this remark.
I understand that the proud man, silence is his best promise.
"Princess Xun, Mrs. Xu in front of the elder princess." A maidservant came in to report.
It turned out that Aunt Xu was here. I was so surprised that I ran out before finishing my makeup.
Aunt Xu in Tsing Yi, elegant and graceful, stood in front of the hall with a smile. When she saw me running away from afar, she bent down and said, "Slave meets the princess."
I was so busy holding her up that I was so excited that she couldn't help crying. Looking closely, she saw that she was getting a little frost, and she was much older.
If it was really my mother and daughter, I thought about going to Ci'an Temple today, and my mother had sent Aunt Xu to pick me up.
Immediately I instructed to prepare the car and waited for my brother to come and change clothes in a hurry. I must dress up to see my mother in a glorious manner and let her see that everything is all right for me to rest assured.