Chongzhen Sunset Song

?one

It's early winter, and the dead leaves are gone.The first thin snow melted, and even the green needles of pines and cypresses were no longer green.

The warm pavilion of the Hall of Martial Arts.

Wang Chengen reported important matters to the emperor one by one as usual.After reporting several things, Wang Chengen took out the last memorial, paused for a moment, and asked carefully:

"Your Majesty, Mr. Feng, Minister of the Ministry of Punishment, has mentioned here that although Zheng Fu deserves to be punished for his crime, I would like to ask the Emperor to show you the specific punishment."

"Why can't you even do this well?" Chongzhen showed displeasure, his brows were pressed down, and he didn't answer right away.Wang Chengen didn't dare to urge, but just hung his hands and waited patiently.Standing next to the emperor, Xi Zhao couldn't help pursing her lips and swallowing.Although he was not attached to the outcome of the case, he still couldn't help feeling nervous when it came to the final verdict.The north wind whistling outside the window made the room especially quiet, and even the white smoke overflowing the lid of the tea cup seemed to be accompanied by some noise.Zheng Xun should die, and there will be no turning point... Xizhao lowered her eyes, but a slight fantasy gradually appeared in her heart at an inappropriate time.Violence is not the emperor's nature, maybe the emperor's unnatural pause is due to the compassionate heart that has been silent for a long time?Or maybe there is still a glimmer of possibility that the emperor will finally change his mind?The wild thoughts in his heart gradually tensed up Xizhao's nerves, even though he and this person named Zheng Xing were completely strangers, he didn't know his deeds, he didn't know his likes and dislikes, and he had never even met him from afar.

However, Xizhao's nerves did not tense for too long, and Chongzhen's words sounded in the room.Although the voice was low, it sounded as if he had thought about it long ago, but his tone was extremely cold and resolute.

"Yi Lu, Ling Chi."

Ling Chi? !

Wang Chengen's shoulders shook, obviously taken aback. "Your Majesty, what are you talking about...?"

"Yi Lu, Ling Chi!"

Chongzhen's voice raised a little more.

Although he was astonished, Wang Chengen quickly settled down, didn't say a word, just respectfully accepted the decree, bowed and left.But Xi Zhao, who was standing aside, seemed to be struck by lightning, and the shock could not subside for a long time.Ling Chi?How could it be Ling Chi!Even if there is no compassion in his heart, even if he wants to take his life, then it is enough to ask to beheaded. How much hatred does the emperor have for this person, why is it Ling Chi? !The last time I heard this chilling word was the case of Yuan Chonghuan and Yuan Dushi many years ago.If at that time the emperor hated Dushi Yuan for his arrogance and arrogance, and deceived the emperor and the country, then how could Zheng Fu get this wrong this time, and why did the emperor make such a brutal decision again!Xizhao looked at Chongzhen's icy side face, trembling in his chest.He knew very well that after the impulsiveness that year, the shadow of Governor Yuan had never disappeared from the emperor's heart for such a long time, and now the emperor seemed to be reborn as a demon in his heart, and easily uttered the word Ling Chi again.This frightening and bloody verdict smashed away the rationality of the past few days, swept through every nerve in an instant, and stirred up turbulent waves in Xizhao's heart—whether Zheng Fu was wronged or innocent, and regardless of the eternal name that Huang Daozhou said Whether it's praise or criticism, but Xizhao can't see the emperor suffer the inner torture just like the previous incident because of the momentary anger.If the emperor can calm down a little, even if he is punished and resented, he will admit it!His chest was heaving up and down, and his breathing became more and more rapid. At any rate, when Wang Chengen was gone, Xi Zhao was heartbroken, walked a few steps to the Chongzhen case, and knelt on the ground with a plop:

"emperor!"

Chongzhen had a cold expression on his face, he didn't raise his eyes, he just looked down at the memorial: "What's the matter."

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty still remembers the matter of Governor Yuan!" Xi Zhao was full of words, and under the agitation of her heart, she didn't have the heart to think about it. Whenever she thought of it, she opened her mouth.

Chongzhen Dingding definitely did not change his face, as if he had expected Xizhao's actions.

"I only remember the seven-day confinement that locked you up."

"..." Xi Zhao was blocked for a moment, paused, and said earnestly: "Your Majesty, don't blame Dexiu for offending, if the Emperor is still willing to listen to the truth, even if the Emperor shuts Dexiu for another seventy days, Dexiu will ask the Emperor to withdraw his order!" Saying that, Xi Zhao kowtowed vigorously.

"Is your mantra saying that I was wrong?" Chongzhen frowned, and the cloud gradually gathered on his face again.

"This..." Xizhao bit her lip, not daring to answer Chongzhen's question directly, "Dexiu just doesn't want the emperor to repeat what happened to Governor Yuan..."

"Don't talk about old things again, how can the two of them be compared!" Chongzhen said with a sullen face.

"Yes... Yuan Dushi, as an important minister of the country, committed the crime of deceiving the emperor and harming the country. Zheng Yan is just a commoner, without power and incompetence. No matter how serious the crime is, it will never be as good as this punishment!"

"Zheng Fu has a lot of bad deeds, and the crimes committed by the gods are shared by all gods, and he is punished for multiple crimes. Is it not as good as this punishment?" Chongzhen said, his eyes sharp.

Xizhao met Chongzhen's eyes, panic grew in his heart, and the previous turmoil did not subside. The two emotions collided and collided, and his voice trembled a little: "Although... although it is said that multiple crimes are punished together, there is no crime in it. Ling Chi's punishment is too heavy for a crime that harms the country and the people. Besides, the emperor still regrets the execution of Dushi Yuan back then, if Zheng Fu is dealt with now..."

"Who said I regretted it!" Before Xi Zhao finished speaking, Chongzhen stood up suddenly, and even the armchair behind him was instantly shaken away.Not knowing whether it was the anger of being misunderstood, or the shame of being seen through, Chongzhen's face was flushed red, and his anger was even worse than before.

"Your Majesty forgives my sins...that's not what the villain meant..." Xi Zhao stumbled in a trance, panicked in her heart, and hurriedly begged for mercy.

"What I have decided, the queen's persuasion will not work, you are just a servant, recognize your identity!" Chongzhen's voice was like a thunderbolt, and instantly broke through the dark clouds that were suppressing the room, "Don't think that you have been with me for a long time! Don't think that you are different from other eunuchs if you accompany me to Fengyang! You are just a slave, don't be too self-righteous!" After finishing speaking, Chongzhen waved his sleeves and turned his back, leaving only Xizhao A figure from the back said, "Back off!"

"emperor……"

"Can't you understand what I'm saying? Go away! Go back to your straight palace supervisor! I don't want to see you again!"

As soon as the words fell to the ground, the room fell into silence for a moment.After the case, Chongzhen's back remained motionless, as if frozen into ice, while the still vivid expression of Sunset on the ground froze in an instant, and he was stunned, unable to speak a word.Your majesty... What did your majesty say...?Yes, the emperor said to get out... The emperor issued an order to tell me to go back to the Zhidian Supervisor... He slowly got up, and suddenly felt that his internal organs seemed to be tightened, and he was struggling with an indescribable pain.Looking at the cold and unfamiliar back in front of him, Xi Zhao felt something collapse in his heart, his energy seemed to be lost in an instant, so he lowered his brows and eyes, with a gray face, stood up silently, saluted, and staggered back After a few steps, he turned and left the Hall of Martial Arts.

two

Is he self-righteous... Yes, he is just a slave, since when did he become so self-righteous.

Xi Zhao curled up on the bed, looking at the window paper reflecting the cold moonlight, feeling bitter in her heart.Who is that strange figure from behind in the Hall of Martial Heroes?He can be anyone, but he must not be the emperor... The emperor is that calm and gentle adult, that wise and resolute sage, and that easy-going and taciturn travel companion, but he has never had such a violent and cold appearance.Is it because the emperor has changed his mind, or is he just being confused all the time, looking down on the emperor and looking up on himself... Thinking of this, Xizhao forced out a self-deprecating laugh, and waved his hands vigorously, as if to shake off the illusion in front of him—Xu Xizhao , don't deceive yourself and others, you clearly know that the emperor is a high-ranking emperor, even if you climb high into the clouds, you will always be a mortal.It is impossible for mortals and emperors to be in the same world, even for a second.It's okay for the emperor to tell you a few words from his heart, and it's okay for him to take you to Fengyang, but if you give you a few warm words, you really think that you can understand the emperor's heart.What is this if it is not self-righteousness, what is it to accompany the emperor wholeheartedly, what is it to prevent the emperor from becoming a loner, such wishful thinking, what is it if it is not self-righteousness?Back then, Eunuch Liang’s words were indeed prescient—a few good words fascinated his heart, and he flew into the sky, and when he finally woke up, he was the one who fell hard—it’s a pity that such teachings did not make him Woke up earlier.Xi Zhao sighed, looked sadly at Eunuch Liang's spirit card, and then looked around the room specially set up for him, symbolizing the unique grace of the emperor.By the moonlight, the outlines of the exquisite furnishings in the room were clearly discernible, everywhere, every piece, as if they were mocking themselves with the most ironic face.

Go back to your straight palace supervisor.I don't want to see you again.

Xi Zhao felt her chest getting cold, she turned over and buried her head deeply in the brocade quilt.Without warning, caught off guard.The reason for staying in the palace was shattered into two parts in one fell swoop. After holding onto a sweet dream for many years, she suddenly woke up suddenly, without mercy.No matter, no matter.Since the emperor doesn't want to see me anymore, since the emperor told me to get lost...

... Then when Eunuch Ma left behind when he was trapped in the camp of the Golden Army, the token for leaving the palace that he had kept for many years will come in handy eventually.

For the next two days, Xizhao pretended to be ill and asked another eunuch to take over.This palace is not small, big or not, no matter good or bad, within three days, it will always be known to everyone.Although on the surface it was said that he occasionally felt the cold, most of the people in the palace had heard the story of the famous Zhang Dexiu, who violated the Holy Wrath and was expelled from the Hall of Martial Arts by the emperor.She didn't want to hear people's cynicism, she didn't want to see people pointing fingers, she didn't want to accept any sympathy and comfort, so Xizhao asked someone to deliver some food every day, but she didn't see anyone else, and she didn't step out of the room, just Three days later, on the first day of the lunar new year, the emperor went to the Taimiao to worship his ancestors, and when there was no one in the Wuying Hall, he left the palace that could no longer accommodate him.

three

Tee, Tee, Tee.

Someone knocked lightly on the door.It's not yet time for food delivery, who will come here.Xizhao lay on the bed, turned over, and refused to pay attention.But the knock on the door rang again and again, slowly and uninterruptedly. The people outside the door were obviously determined and patient.Xi Zhao was puzzled, so she lifted the quilt, pulled the blouse and put it on indiscriminately, kicked and pulled the shoes and walked to the door, when she opened the door, she saw that there was a small basket outside the door, and the person standing gracefully was Bitao, whom she hadn't seen for a long time. .

"Bitao? Why is it you? Come in quickly." Surprised and delighted, Xi Zhao hurriedly let Bitao in.

"It took me so long to open the door, what are you doing so shamelessly?" Bi Tao smiled, stepped into the room with her skirt lifted, and put the small basket on the table, "I heard that you are sick, so I'll bring you some fruit snacks, it's no good things, don't give up on them."

"Where is it, as long as it is brought by sister Bi Tao, it is all delicacies from mountains and seas." Xi Zhao smiled and moved the chair next to Bitao.

"Slick tongue." Bi Tao turned and sat down, smiling coquettishly at Xi Zhao, but there was a hint of melancholy in the smile.

Sitting next to him, Xi Zhao also felt a little embarrassed.The last time we met was the eve before we left for Fengyang, it was more than a month ago, but the situation at that time is as vivid as yesterday.With red and swollen eyes and loose hair, she begged Xizhao to accept herself with a crying voice. Bi Tao's appearance that night was like a sharp knife piercing through Xizhao's heart, leaving a deep pit; But Bi Tao couldn't give her the promise of protection. The deep scar in Xizhao's heart still can't be filled up to this day, and it's uneven. With a light touch, blood can ooze out.But at this moment, Bi Tao was neat and tidy as if nothing had happened, sitting peacefully with a shallow smile, which made Xi Zhao feel even more distressed - from sad and helpless crying to a peaceful and bright smile, Xi Zhao watched helplessly. Bi Tao has returned to her usual appearance, only to realize that she finally failed to give her any help when she needed it.Today, she ignored the past and came to visit herself who was expelled by the emperor and gloated by her colleagues, and fell to the bottom overnight.Xizhao only felt like a villain with a heartless heart, no face to face this smiling face, and no qualifications to enjoy Bitao's friendship for her with peace of mind.

Xi Zhao thought to herself, lowered her eyes sullenly, and remained silent for a long time.Bi Tao only said that Xizhao was in a bad mood because of the emperor's affairs, so she didn't say much, she got up and looked around, walked to the tea table, and touched the teapot with her hand.

"Why isn't there even hot water?" Bi Tao frowned slightly, and walked out of the room with a pot in her hand, and returned after a while with hot water, turned over the teacup, poured a glass of water, and placed it in front of Xizhao.

"You've moved to a new residence, and I don't know where the tea leaves are, so I'll just drink some hot water." Bitao said, taking out an orange from the small basket, and peeling it little by little.

Xizhao reached out to hold the teacup, picked it up a little, but put it down again, and looked up at Bi Tao's face. "are you OK?"

"Me?" Bitao peeled the orange and placed it in front of Xizhao. "I'm fine."

"I heard...you went to work at the Supervisor of Rituals?"

Bi Tao's face froze, she didn't answer, she just hummed lightly.

"It's better to go over there, there are less court ladies, less gossip." Xi Zhao nodded, took two pieces of oranges, and pushed the rest to Bi Tao, "You eat too."

But Bi Tao didn't react at all, as if immersed in her own thoughts, after a while, she said quietly, "I... followed the father-in-law of the Supervisor of Ceremonies."

"Followed...?" Xi Zhao was stunned for a moment, then understood.That's right, in this palace, the maid followed the eunuch, there would be no other meaning.Xizhao originally wanted to say a thousand words, but at this moment her heart sank, her throat seemed to be filled with sand and sand, and she suddenly became dumb.

"Brother Xizhao, don't blame me. I'm not being hypocritical, nor am I being promiscuous, it's just... just that I can't hold on..." Bi Tao lowered her head sadly before finishing her sentence.

"No, no... how could I blame you..." Xi Zhao hurriedly explained, "I understand, I understand, as long as little sister Bi Tao gets rid of the situation in the past, everything will be fine."

"Yeah, you don't want it anyway, so it's fine anyway." Bi Tao raised her face, smiled coquettishly, and pretended to be easy to blame, but the smile was far less light and natural than before.

"I..." Xi Zhao's heart tightened, with mixed feelings, she didn't know how to defend herself.It's not that I don't want it, how could it be that I don't want it... It's just... Xi Zhao was silent for a long time before opening his mouth in a low voice, but turned to him:

"I gotta go."

"Let's go?" Bi Tao was taken aback, then blinked, "What do you mean?"

"Leave the palace." Xi Zhao smiled wryly, "From now on, there is no such person as Zhang Dexiu in the palace."

"What?! Is it because of this incident? Your Majesty is just..." Bi Tao was taken aback, her almond eyes stared round, but halfway through her words, she lowered her eyebrows and sighed softly: " Hey, let's go, anyway, it will be sooner or later."

"Yeah, you also know that I don't belong to this palace after all. So... If I agreed to you at that time..." Xi Zhao looked at Bi Tao's sad expression, and it was difficult to say a few simple words.

"Well, I understand." Bi Tao's eyelashes moved slightly, her voice trembling, "When are you leaving...?"

"Three days later."

"Okay." Bi Tao raised her face and took a deep look at Xi Zhao, "Then from now on...you have to take care of yourself."

"You too..." Xizhao looked at the seemingly absent tears in Bi Tao's calm eyes, and felt an indescribable tenderness in his heart, but when the tenderness reached his mouth, it only turned into a few words that were neither salty nor weak The farewell words: "You are in the palace, and you must take care of yourself. I don't know... Is he treating you well? If you can follow a good person, I will leave, and you can relax a little bit."

"Actually, this person...you know him too." Bi Tao's cheeks flushed slightly, and she lowered her head again.

"I know you too?" Xi Zhao was stunned.

"It was Zhou Xi who came to visit you when you hurt your leg."

"Zhou Xi?!" Xi Zhao was very surprised, "It's actually Zhou Xi? Why...?"

"It's a long story." Bitao bit her lip, as if she didn't want to mention it. "It's getting late, I have to go back. If you want him to know that I'm here to see you, he won't be happy." After she finished speaking, she stood up and walked towards the door step by step, and every step, the footsteps It all seemed to be a little heavier, and the reluctance in the eyes also deepened bit by bit.

"Wait a minute." Xi Zhao suddenly remembered something, called Bi Tao, ran to the table a few steps, and took out something from the small drawer.

"I bought this when I was out of the palace this time." Xizhao spread her palm in front of Bi Tao, and saw that what was held in her palm was the silver hairpin bought at Baoding Night Market, "The hairpin of the jade peach blossom is for you." .”

Bi Tao froze, took the silver hairpin silently, looked at it carefully, and held it gently in front of her chest, with tears in the corners of her eyes.

"Brother Xizhao... I have a question, if you don't want to answer it, forget it."

"Sister, just ask, I will tell you everything, and I will say everything." Facing Bi Tao with tears in her eyes, Xi Zhao's words were a little choked up.

Bi Tao lowered her head halfway, a few strands of fine hair hanging down her jade-like cheeks. "If...if you are not in this position, if you are an upright eunuch..." Bi Tao pursed her lips, and said softly in an extremely thin voice, "you...would you want me... "

Hearing Bi Tao's question, Xizhao felt a pain in her heart, and the hot blood in her body rushed straight to her head. She was in a trance for a while, and it took a long time to calm down.When she was about to answer, she saw that the white jade cheeks of that side of Bi Tao had turned red, as if she could no longer bear the uneasiness in her heart, she was at a loss and wanted to escape from the room.

"Yes!" Xi Zhao hurriedly grabbed Bitao's hand and said loudly.Bi Tao turned her head suddenly when she heard Xi Zhao's answer, the melancholy she had just receded, and her two black eyes were as bright as glass. "Yes, of course." There are thousands of sweet words in the world, but Xi Zhao can't say a word at this time, just repeating these words foolishly.But Bi Tao seemed already satisfied, she smiled sweetly at Xizhao, slowly withdrew the hand held by Xizhao, turned around and walked out the door.Xi Zhao didn't see it, but at the moment when she turned around, a tear finally slipped down from Bitao's face, and disappeared silently on the half-bloomed skirt of the peach blossom. ?