Qing Ping Le · Double Songs

Bai Qingtong practiced sword under the flowerless crabapple tree. It has been five days since she came to the capital. Rong Cheng was busy day and night, but she just went to Wang Ye's every morning and evening to visit her.The days are like returning to Baihua Palace, alone and clean, even more leisurely than in Baihua Palace, no one even urges morning and evening classes.

A maid passed by under the courtyard wall, and the two met by chance and were pleasantly surprised by each other, so they started chatting while no one was there, and only heard one person say, "The girl brought back by the princess lives here, so be careful not to collide with the waiters. , this Wuhuayuan used to be the small courtyard of our princess, but now it is for this girl to live in, which shows that the princess treats this girl very unusually."

"I've heard that too. It's said that she is extremely beautiful, but it's a pity that she doesn't come out and walk around."

"When I meet Lin Lang someday, I have to ask her carefully." When talking about Bai Qingtong, the two of them were very envious, but the conversation turned slightly sarcasm, "That Mr. Cunshan is always standing next to the princess these days. He really doesn't know how to measure it." .”

They talked about Rong Cunshan's voice in vain, but Bai Qingtong's hearing was excellent, and she heard another person echoing, "That's right, I really think I'm the son of the family. He took the life of our princess, he, how can he have such a rich and glorious life."

"After all, we are not related to our prince, so we can only rely on the grace of saving our lives to curry favor with the princess."

"He thought that the servants in the mansion were afraid of him, not because of our princess, or else." Just as he was about to continue speaking, he was interrupted coldly by a voice.

"Where did you come from, the long-tongued maidservant, go and receive the punishment yourself."

Bai Qingtong could hear Dongge's voice, and she saw Rong Cheng stepping into the small courtyard wrapped in a cloak, she was embarrassed and helpless for a moment, as if she was caught by Rong Cheng when she was gossiping outside.She lowered her eyes to cover up her emotions, the two maids were crying for mercy outside the courtyard wall, Rong Cheng walked towards her and she raised her eyes again.

Rong Cheng's hearing is not as good as they can't hear the conversations of the maids, but she knows what they are talking about, how Rong Cunshan tried every means to cling to her so as to gain a firm position in the palace.Said that his father only treated him as an outsider, so he was sent to study in Beijing every year, but he was not allowed to take the exam and go into official career, and he was rarely allowed to stay in the mansion.

Not only the servants of the palace, but also those brothers and sisters treated him like this. Rong Cunshan's caring for her was only regarded as a means.They all treated him with kindness and courtesy on the surface, but they never communicated with him in private, and deliberately ignored him and isolated him.

Rong Cunshan is only close to her in the huge palace. His name is given by his father. She was put outside by Bai Luoying 13 years ago. When the officers and soldiers found her, there was a boy who was taking care of her unconscious. Later, he was arrested. They brought them back together, and his father thought he had no relatives, no reason, and was lonely and pitiful, so he adopted him as a foster son and named him Cunshan. He was only six years old at that time.

She looked at Bai Qingtong and said with a smile, "It's cold outside and go inside." Then she asked, "Have you eaten breakfast yet?"

Lin Lang heated the smoker more vigorously, and Bai Qingtong was always warm despite the cold smoker, Bai Qingtong replied, "Lin Lang took good care of it."

"I haven't been able to come to see you for the past few days because of the New Year's banquet in the palace. If you feel bored, let Lin Lang accompany you for a walk in the palace." She raised her finger to the door, "There are many books in the study in Wuhuayuan. You can kill time there too."

"Ah Cheng has a heart."

She smiled again, "It's better to be on the twelfth floor, you won't be so sympathetic to me." Seeing that Bai Qingtong didn't know how to answer, she changed the subject, "I'm going to the palace to meet the saint later Come back and accompany you out of the mansion for a stroll, the city is very lively near the New Year's Eve."

"Okay." She talked to her about many things in the city, until Dongge said outside the door, "Princess, the carriage is ready." She got up and said, "I will come to you later." , "Lin Lang takes good care of the girl."

After Rong Cheng left, Bai Qingtong took a bath and meditated. After serving her for a few days, Lin Lang remembered her work and rest clearly. I will like it." Bai Qingtong is quiet and cold, she is the only one who can talk in the Wuxiangyuan, and she can't speak three words all day, which is not like the crowd of maids in the Wuhuayuan.

Bai Qingtong knew what Lin Lang meant, so she nodded in agreement, and seeing Lin Lang beaming, she hurriedly went to the cabinet to give her a cloak.Except for the time when she came to Wuxiangyuan from Wuhuayuan, this was the second time she set foot on this straight path. The people of Wuxiangyuan saw her coming from afar, they were surprised at first and then continued to work.

Wrapped in an apricot-colored cloak, she stepped into the small courtyard, and the maids inside all saluted, "Greetings, Miss."

There are two tall apricot trees planted in this small courtyard, and the shrubs underneath are big red hibiscus flowers. No wonder this small courtyard is named Wuhua, which means that hibiscus flowers bloom in the morning and fall in the evening.She asked, "Which is your princess's study?"

The maid serving in the study hurriedly said, "This way please, Miss."

Rong Cheng's study room is a bit larger than her residence in Baihua Palace. The collection of books ranges from military books, political discussions, Taoism, art, music and poetry. It is indeed a good place to pass the time. The maid set out hot tea and snacks and retreated. She and From the vast collection of classics, he casually took out one to read, and the maids outside the door seemed to pass by casually, but they were eager to look at her, only Lin Lang was complacent.

Rong Cheng stepped on the jade steps leading to Chaowen Hall, looked up and saw Rong Che was already waiting on top, and asked with a smile, "Your Majesty summoned you?" Seeing Rong Che nodded, he asked again, "Why don't you go in?"

"I guess His Majesty also summoned my cousin today." Seeing that Rong Cheng was slowly approaching, she said to Eunuch Li, the deacon, "Please go in and let me know."

"Where is the princess, the old slave will go in here." Then he heard the singing inside, "Princess Xuan'anle and Princess Qingping will meet you."

"An Le greets His Majesty, long live, long live, long live."

"Qing Ping kowtows to His Majesty, long live long live long live."

"Get up." The Queen's tone was light and seemed to be in a good mood. The two sisters exchanged glances and bowed their heads to stand still, and then listened to the Queen's words, "Go to Yongzhou to work hard here, and you have solved my confidant's serious trouble. How do you want me to reward you? "

"Thank you, Your Majesty Ron, this is what An Le should do."

The Empress smiled, and said, "Qingping is the same, Liang Daoquan's case has been handled thoroughly, and I am also very pleased."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Before Anle went to Yongzhou, I once said that our aunt and nephew have not been together for a long time, and we want to wait for her to come back to have dinner with you and your sister, and have a family relationship."

The empress smiled and walked down from the imperial platform, held the hands of the two of them, and said, "Come on, Ling'er is waiting in the Linhua Palace. The three of you sisters grew up together since childhood, so we will reunite together today."

Rong Ling heard the news that His Majesty brought the two princesses here for dinner in the Linhua Palace, her nimble eyes were full of smiles, and she waited outside the palace gate early to greet her, seeing the Queen's dragon chariot a little closer, she stepped forward two more times. Stepping forward, he knelt down and greeted him, "My son pays respects to the Queen Mother."

"Ling'er get up quickly, there is no need to be polite." The queen stepped down from the dragon carriage and helped Rong Ling up.

"An Le greets the eldest princess."

"Qing Ping pays respects to the Eldest Princess."

Rong Ling smiled and said, "You don't need to be too polite. I heard that the Queen Mother is going to have dinner with Erchen today, and Erchen is very happy."

"You are happy to see Anle and Qingping." Rong Ling personally helped the empress into the Linhua Palace, and the empress said again, "The three of you have been together since childhood, and you are very close. After so many years, you have grown up to be slim and beautiful. My lord is old, and I am also old."

"Where is the mother getting old, she is still young." She turned around and asked, "An Le, don't you think so?"

Rong Cheng said, "An Le didn't realize how old Aunt Huang is."

"You two are the only ones who know how to coax me. Look at Qingping, how can you be so talkative." The queen sat down and said, "It happens that the three of you sisters are here, and this year's exorcism ceremony can also be discussed."

"Emperor Mother, I have been away from the palace for many years and I don't know what the exorcising ceremony was like in the past."

Eunuch An smiled and took over the conversation, "Princess, in previous years, Princess Anle and Princess Qingping pretended to be heavenly masters and evil spirits. Please don't be offended by the old slave's rudeness." After he made the apology, he said, "In the coming year, the two princesses will switch roles again, taking turns."

Rong Ling's fingers tapped on the chair in an orderly manner, but there was no sound, "Who was the Celestial Master last year?"

"Reporting to the princess, it is Princess Anle."

Rong Ling threw a smile at Rong Cheng, Rong Cheng knew that she was going to play tricks again, so she heard her say, "Since this is the case, this year I will pretend to be a celestial master, An Le, and an evil spirit, and I will drive her away, what will the Queen Mother want?"

"This is about your sisters, I don't want to get involved."

Hearing His Majesty's words, Rong Che dared to speak, "Sister Huang, I'm afraid that my cousin's body is not well maintained, I'm afraid I can't do it, the ceremony is onerous, so let me play the evil spirit."

Rong Ling cast her eyes on Rong Cheng, Rong Cheng lowered her eyes as if she had nothing to do with her, and heard her say again, "In this case, both of you should act evil, as there are many evil spirits this year, just in time for the occasion."

The queen said, "Ling'er, don't talk nonsense." Then she said, "Since you have made a decision, then do as you wish."

When Rong Che heard the empress opened his mouth, he could not laugh or cry in his indifferent eyes. He wanted to pull Rong Cheng but took him into the water. Now he had no choice but to thank the emperor for his kindness.

Not only did Rong Cheng not escape, but he was stared at by Rong Ling a few more times. Rong Cheng lowered his head and sighed in his heart: Ah Che is really stupid. Since I was a child, my imperial sister would be more helpless if you helped me. Bullying me, I haven't learned how to deal with Huang Jie until now, it's really angry and funny.Also helpless, only kowtow to thank you.

The table was full of delicacies, Rong Ling helped the queen to sit down, and the rest of the people sat down with her. The queen smiled and said, "It's not that you don't have to be cautious when you're outside."

But now how dare he be unrestrained at his age, Yan Yanxia is cautious when laughing at the banquet, and walks on thin ice when answering like a stream, even though she is a mother, daughter, aunt and nephew, she is more like a tiger with the king, and she dares not have the slightest rashness and slack in every gesture.Outside the temple, the city is warm day by day, and the breeze is comfortable, even if the wind is cold, it does not cool people's hearts.

After the meal, the empress wanted to go back to the palace to rest, leaving the three of her sisters to catch up on the old days, and the three of them respectfully sent off the dragon chariot until they disappeared before returning to the Linhua Palace. After the meal, the three of them were all exhausted.That is to say, you can't be too close, but you can't be too distant. Too close or too distant will arouse His Majesty's suspicion.

Rong Ling held her hands and supported Yi, "Since the Queen Mother can bring you two to Huadian together, I think I won't make her too unhappy if I visit you more often in the future."

"Sister Huang, it's better to be careful." Rong Cheng said, "I'm fine. If Ah Che enters the palace too often, it will be hard for Uncle Wang to hear about it."

"Prince Jingyuan." Rong Ling chewed these three words, looked at Rong Che, "I heard that Wei Changdong is very attentive to you?"

Rong Che said truthfully, "Changdong is the key to Duke Ke's mansion."

"Is Ah Che using a beauty trick?"

But Rong Che said, "Miss Huang misunderstood, Chang Dongnai and I treat each other with friendship and frankness."

Seeing that Rong Ling was going to tangle here again, Rong Cheng had no choice but to say, "Sister Huang's year is approaching and the official assessment of the Ministry of Officials will also begin. The Ministry of Officials has always been controlled by the Duke, and the promotion and dispatch of officials are also in the hands of the Duke. , Miss Huang wants to take this opportunity to purge the bureaucracy."

"I have asked Yan Luodian's people in Nanyang City to pay close attention to the actions of officials, big and small. The censor is never lenient in impeachment for those who have been imprisoned for a vegetarian meal."

"Pei Xian from the Ministry of Punishment is a watertight person, not like someone from either the Duke or the Uncle Wang, and Mr. Luo from the Ministry of Industry is very old. The hardest thing left is probably the hard nail of the Ministry of War."

"Hu Chengliang, Shangshu of the Ministry of War, made his debut in the Fengchan Rebellion, and he and King Jingyuan fought together to fight the enemy." Rong Ling said, with a trace of coldness, "If you can't get rid of it in the court, you can use other methods. If there is a rebellion The heart also deserves what it deserves.”

Rong Cheng looked towards Rong Che and saw that she drooped her eyes and said nothing, she just said, "The military department should be handed over to Ah Che, so you don't have to worry about it, Miss Huang."

Rong Ling also looked at Rong Che and said, "That's fine."

"One more thing, if Huang Jie controls the Ministry of Officials, she can transfer Gu Chengfeng, the Governor of Shaocheng County, back to another position. I have dealt with him once in Shaocheng, and he is worthy of great responsibility."

Rong Ling nodded, then asked again, "Ah Cheng, what do you think Pei Qingyang should do?"

"Now His Majesty attaches great importance to Sir Pei. If the imperial sister makes a move at this moment, I may have a rift with His Majesty. It is not appropriate to keep it for the time being."

"I tested His Majesty's reaction, and it was unexpected, but I also planned to do so." Rong Che never said a word, and Rong Ling asked, "What does Ah Che think?"

"Ache is at the disposal of the imperial sister."

"You." Rong Ling gritted her teeth, "Stick."

Rong Cheng looked out the window with a smile, and suddenly wondered what Bai Qingtong was doing at the moment, whether she was spending time in her study, or still practicing swords in Wuxiangyuan.

What Bai Qingtong was looking at was the style of Dongxia, and there were annotations made by Rong Cheng in the book. The handwriting was powerful and detailed. She rarely read such miscellaneous books and found it interesting once she picked it up.There were footsteps coming from outside the house, she didn't care that her eyes were only on the book, she just listened to the maid outside the door saying, "Young Master Cunshan, Miss Bai is inside."

There was Bai Qingtong inside, and it was inconvenient to come in, but there were a few whispers outside. Bai Qingtong didn't listen carefully, only to see the maid outside the door came in and bowed first, then went to the bookshelf to fetch a book and took it out, after receiving the book Rong Cunshan left Wuhuayuan in his footsteps.

As the sun was setting, the maid turned on the lights and the room was full of light. Only then did Bai Qingtong realize that it was getting late. After putting away the books, he left Wuhuayuan. At this moment, Rong Cheng was still accompanying him in the palace.She passed the path and saw Mr. Ruyu standing in the road, he seemed to be waiting for her, and when he approached Lin Lang, he saluted first.

Rong Cunshan also saluted, "I have met Miss Bai."

"My lord is very polite."

Rong Cunshan is always gentle, he wears a jade crown on his head and holds a bamboo folding fan in his hand, and a piece of sapphire hangs from his waist. Although the shape is ordinary, it feels extraordinary because of his body.But Bai Qingtong could still sense his subtle hostility, even though it was well concealed.

"If you take the liberty to block the girl's way here, please don't take offense." He put some distance between him and her, and treated each other with courtesy, "It's just that there are some things I have to say to the girl."

"Sir, please speak."

"I heard that the girl tried her best to save Chengmei in Yongzhou. Cunshan is very grateful for the girl's kindness." He bowed and saluted, and then said, "But I also heard that the girl almost killed her in Yongzhou Sister Cheng."

Although the tone was gentle, it was a questioning tone, Bai Qingtong only said, "Qingtong has apologized to Ah Cheng."

"Ah Cheng?" Rong Cunshan blurted out in shock, before returning to normal, "Since this is the case, please ask Miss Bai to treat Chengmei sincerely in the future."

"What are Brother Cunshan and Qingtong talking about?"

"Sister Cheng."

Bai Qingtong could clearly see the joy on Rong Cunshan's face, so it wasn't all the stalking from the maid's mouth, and there were other things hidden in that joy, which she couldn't understand or guess.She had heard Rong Cheng's footsteps early in the morning, but seeing Rong Cunshan's reaction just now, she thought he probably knew very little about martial arts.

"Why did Chengmei come back so early? I thought you would have to have dinner today before you can come back."

"The eldest princess wants to keep me in the palace for dinner, but I promised Qingtong to take her around Nanyang City at night, so I declined the eldest princess' kindness." How could Rong Ling want to keep her? Having dinner with her alone, he immediately granted her request to leave the palace first.

"Chengmei treats Miss Bai with all her heart." Although Rong Cunshan still had a smile on his face, he was not as happy as before, "Since this is the case, brother will not bother you, remember to be careful when you leave the house."

"Got it, brother."

Rong Cheng and Bai Qingtong went back to Wuhua Courtyard, Bai Qingtong didn't even notice, she didn't come back to herself until the maids saluted one after another, feeling embarrassed and helpless again.Rong Cheng asked with a smile, "What is Qingtong thinking so preoccupied with?"

"I'm just thinking that you two are very similar, with a gentle personality and an outstanding demeanor."

"I thought you were praising me." She said again, "Don't you think I look a bit like my brother? We used to go out together, and people would know we are brother and sister at a glance."

Bai Qingtong thought about it for a while, and then said, "It's somewhat similar." In the dusk, Rong Cheng's eyes were clear and warm, and when Bai Qingtong looked into those clear eyes, it was also warm.