The shadow of the country

On the day of the emperor's wedding, the ministers were supposed to be present to congratulate him.But Mu Yan suddenly caught a cold and said he was sick and did not attend.The empress dowager thought that he took the initiative to present the blank handbook, so the meritorious minister gave him special permission to recuperate in the mansion.

In the early morning of this day, Mu Yan rode out of Lord Hou's mansion alone, completely forgetting that he was still a sick person.As soon as he stepped on the horse, he raised his whip and galloped all the way, even though the servants behind him asked and shouted, he still kept going.The people behind couldn't catch up with his good horse, and they didn't know where he was, so people from all over the house searched for him for a day, but there was no sign of him.On the contrary, he came back in the evening, but he didn't say where he went. He just ordered his servants to get the wine, and he drank by himself in the room.

At this moment, Mu Yan was already drunk in the room, but he kept urging the servants to bring the wine again.It was the first time that the servants in the mansion saw Lord Hou lose his composure, and they didn't dare to dissuade him, but they didn't dare to neglect him either.After offering a few pots of good wine, they all retreated knowingly.

Mu Yan was half leaning and half lying in front of the table, on which many empty jugs had been scattered.He was not good at drinking, and he was suffering from the wind and cold. After drinking the wine in one go, he felt that his internal organs were churning, and his heart was extremely irritable and restless.Hearing the ticking sounds coming from the corner, which became clearer in this long silent night, his mind became a little clearer.Only then did Mu Yan suddenly realize that time was passing with the ticking sound.In the blink of an eye, he has been with the person who is getting married for several years, but now they are accompanied by beautiful women.At this moment, his newlywed Yan Er is having a good time, and he also has Abi by his side.Life and death were once so rich, but now the vicissitudes of life are not worth the jade leak.

At this moment, Abi has been wandering outside the door for a long time, before she was secretly ordered by the noble concubine to enter the Houye's mansion, her purpose was to find out whether the emperor had a secret relationship with Zhongninghou.Today coincides with Zhongninghou being drunk, so it may be a good time to inquire about the news.

Abi gently pushed the door open and entered, and a strong smell of alcohol came to her nostrils.Without the obstruction of the door, the moonlight shone on Mu Yan one after another, and the soft light of the moonlight enveloped his whole body in ivory white.It's just that the man was drunk and passed out at the table, looking from a distance he looked very distraught.Abi was used to seeing his high-spirited appearance, and now she was also taken aback by seeing him.

Hearing the sound of the door being pushed, Mu Yan lazily raised his drunken eyes and said, "Abi, why are you here?"

Abi didn't answer him, but frowned slightly, walked to him and took the flagon in his hand and put it on the other side of the table, then shook her head slightly at him.

Mu Yan didn't stop him, but raised his head and smiled at Abi.He drank a lot of wine tonight, and two blushes had already appeared on his cheeks.Although the pair of pupils were full of bewilderment and intoxication, and could not distinguish between joy and sorrow, but reflected by the soft moonlight, they were shimmering.Then he got up and took back the wine jug, took a new wine glass, and filled another glass for himself.Abi looked at him, but for some reason, her heart was inexplicably moved, and she forgot to dissuade him.

Supporting the table, Mu Yan staggered to his feet, held his wine glass and looked far into the direction of the palace, then suddenly smiled lightly, and said, "Abi, you don't have to come to persuade me. Today is the emperor's wedding, and after I will amnesty the world and exempt the people from paying taxes. I am sincerely happy for the emperor and the people. If I am not sick and unable to attend the congratulations today, I will definitely offer a toast to the emperor..." As he spoke, he raised his wine glass in the direction of the palace. , raised his head and drank it down, and then sat back at the table to continue drinking.

Abi knew that it would be futile to persuade her again, so she stopped trying to persuade her to drink, and just lowered her head to think quietly about what he just said.Since he was drunk, he should speak the truth. Could it be that he and the emperor are really just a relationship between a monarch and a minister and nothing else?But she clearly saw in the dark last night that Master Hou had quietly dumped a large bucket of cold water on her body, and stood facing the cold wind for a long time.Why did he make himself ill on purpose?How should he explain what he said?

There were so many doubts in Abi's heart, and she couldn't answer after thinking for a long time.She was about to ask again, but when she turned around, she saw that Mu Yan couldn't bear it anymore and collapsed drunk at the table.She closed her eyes and fell asleep soundly like a child.Abi hesitated for a moment, but reached out and patted him a few times to wake him up.He couldn't wake up after calling several times.Abi saw that his cheeks were flushed and his breathing was a little short and unsteady, so she reached out and touched his forehead. The scorching heat when she touched it really shocked her.After running around for a day with such a high fever, and drinking so much alcohol just after returning, it is a miracle that I can survive until now.

Abi bowed her head and thought for a moment, she knew that there was not much time for her to hesitate, after quickly weighing the pros and cons, she decided to get down to business first.This is the residence hall of the Marquis of Zhongning, and with the guards at the gate heavily guarded, she would not be able to step in on weekdays.Today happened to be a time when Master Hou was drunk, and she came in under the pretense of persuading her to drink, so she had to seize this golden opportunity.Seeing that there was no one around, Abi got up and closed the doors and windows, and began to search for evidence in various places in the room.

Abi first carefully looked through the letters, calligraphy and paintings on the table, but found no useful clues.She turned around and looked around the room, and saw a mahogany cabinet beside her.She walked over and gently opened the cabinet door, and there was indeed a brocade package inside.One of the sandalwood boxes contained a jade flute engraved with phoenix patterns, the whole body was crystal clear and moist, and one could tell it was a high-quality jade.Abi was startled, Wanlu had already found out everything about the flute and told her before she entered the Houye's mansion, so she recognized it as Lingyun flute at a glance.

There is also a calligraphy and painting in the package, in which is the scene of Lord Hou and the emperor looking at each other and smiling.The last two sentences of the inscription on the side of the painting are: "The poetic love for the moon is old, and the empty pavilion comforts the face. I meditate among the blue clouds, and I am not envious of immortals than ducks." Meaning, the relationship between him and the emperor is already obvious.

Abi held the calligraphy and painting in her hand, staring at it in a daze.Now that she has completed her task, she could have gotten a large sum of money from the imperial concubine, and lived a stable life for the rest of her life after leaving the capital.But for some reason, there is no trace of joy in my heart now, instead I feel a little disappointed, and my eye sockets are becoming more sour.It's just that Lord Hou will wake up at some point in the current situation, or someone will enter suddenly.So she didn't have time to think about these details, she just rolled up the calligraphy and painting and hid them in her sleeves, put the rest of the things back in their original place, and left the bedroom.

In Kunhe palace, Yilan still sits silently beside the bed, feeling pity in her heart.Right now, I just want to escape from here, otherwise I will be suppressed to death by this heavy atmosphere.He finally couldn't bear it any longer, bent down and put on his boots, then walked towards the gate of the palace.Before crossing the threshold, the female official Tongshi knelt down in front of him: "On the night of the emperor's wedding, he left the queen and the new house alone and moved to another place. It is against the ancestral system. If the history secretary writes down, what do you want future generations to do?" Comment? I also ask the emperor to forgive me for not letting me go."

Yi Lan said coldly: "You want to resist the edict?"

The female official's heart was shocked, but she still gritted her teeth and said: "The rules of the ancestors, the lower officials dare not violate them."

Yilan was full of anger and was about to explode, but was stopped by Lin Xi who had been sitting timidly by the side.Lin Xi looked up at Yi Lan, lowered her head and persuaded, "Your Majesty, she also abides by her duties and obeys orders. The concubine begged the Emperor for mercy and pardon."

Yi Lan said nothing.Lin Xi hurriedly said to the female official Tongshi again: "It's none of your business here. The emperor is upset because he is not used to the agarwood here. You go and change to a furnace of ambergris and leave."

The female officer hesitated for a moment, and finally said "obey the order" and exited the palace gate.

At this moment, Lin Xi turned her head to look at Yi Lan, and asked timidly, "Does the Emperor want to go to Sister Wan's side? If Your Majesty really wants to go, just go, I won't tell anyone."

Yi Lan waved her hand and sighed softly: "Forget it, I just want to go out for a walk. Queen, you have been busy all day, eat something and rest early."

Hearing this, Lin Xi silently lowered her head.Queen—her husband even called her so bluntly... She didn't know if she had done something wrong, but looking at the current situation, Yi Lan didn't seem to want to have sex with her.Lin Xi bit her lower lip lightly, but still couldn't help asking: "Is the emperor planning to sit like this for one night? Doesn't he have to be served by concubines?"

Yi Lan shook her head, looking at the faintly curling cigarette smoke from the incense burner.Said: "Queen, I am very tired today." After that, he stopped talking.Suddenly he felt that this scene was very funny, who doesn't think that a good night is too short on a wedding night?But he had to spend the festivities in the bridal chamber of the majestic king of a country like this, and all of this was due to that person's self-assessment.He really didn't know who was responsible for the current situation, he or Mu Yan?

Lin Xi felt desolate, and said in a low voice: "I understand." Then she rolled up her sleeve a little, and silently took a golden step from her head, and stabbed her wrist fiercely.

Yi Lan was shocked, grabbed Lin Xi's right wrist, and said in surprise, "What are you going to do?!"

Lin Xi bowed her head and smiled shyly, "The emperor is the concubine's husband. The concubine only wants to help the emperor."

Yi Lan loosened her wrist slightly, still puzzled in her heart, "What did you say?"

Lin Xi pointed to the white silk on the bed and said, "Have you ever thought about it, if the white silk is still spotless tomorrow morning, how should the emperor explain to the Empress Dowager? This matter... is neither wishful thinking, The concubine is unwilling to force the emperor. The female official Tongshi has been dismissed just now, and the concubine cut her wrist and dripped blood on the white silk, and she will definitely not be noticed. The emperor can rest assured that the concubine will not treat anyone for what happened tonight. mentioned."

Yi Lan looked at Lin Xi's wrist cut by the hairpin, the wound had already oozes bright red blood.He was slightly taken aback, firstly sighing secretly that Lin Xi could still come up with such a clever plan decisively under such circumstances, secondly he couldn't help it.

I admire the virtuousness and gentleness of this woman from the bottom of my heart.He whispered: "Then thank you this time."

Lin Xi dripped two drops of blood on the white silk, although she frowned slightly in pain, she still raised her head and smiled slightly at Yi Lan, saying: "It is the duty of a concubine to share the emperor's worries, the emperor does not need to take it to heart. of."

The author has something to say: Awakening of Insects solar terms means that the weather is getting warmer and the spring thunder begins to sing.Now the public opinion about the emperor and Marquis Zhongning has calmed down a lot because of their respective actions, and the situation is considered to have improved.But in fact, there is an undercurrent surging underneath, and more calculations and other dark sides have just surfaced, which can be compared to the beginning of spring thunder.

☆, 39. smoke cloud

39. smoke cloud

Sure enough, as Lin Xi said, the next morning a palace lady was ordered to come and take away the white silk.According to the etiquette, on the day after the wedding, the emperor and the empress and noble concubine should go to visit the empress dowager.Yi Lan saw that the sedan chair outside the door was ready, she looked back at Lin Xi, then lowered her head and thought for a moment to think about what to say, then she and Lin Xi boarded the shoulder car and went to Shoukang Palace.

Yi Lan entered the Shoukang Palace, and saw a table full of breakfast in the main hall, and the Empress Dowager sitting in a phoenix chair in front.Wan Lu, who had already been seated and waited, saw them enter the door, and immediately got up to greet them.

Yi Lan raised her hand to signal Wan Lu not to be too polite, and then apologized to the Empress Dowager, "My ministers and the empress are late, I kept the imperial grandmother waiting for a long time, I hope the imperial grandmother will forgive me."

The Empress Dowager smiled and said: "Last night, it is inevitable that you will arrive late this morning with the wedding candles in the bridal chamber. The emperor should hurry up and take the empress to her seat."

After the two sat down, a waiter came over to serve the meal immediately.At the beginning, the atmosphere in the palace was still peaceful, but after the empress dowager finished her meal, she lightly put down the silver chopsticks in her hand, and said with a casual smile: "Did the empress send away Kun and the female official Tongshi in the palace last night?"

Yi Lan's heart was shocked, he was most afraid that the Empress Dowager would ask this question.Because she was worried that Lin Xi would not know how to respond, she preemptively said, "Grandmother, son, it's because..."

The empress dowager's phoenix eyes turned to Yilan, she spoke in a low voice but prestige, "The Ai family is asking about the empress."

Yi Lan's expression changed slightly, and she stopped talking.Wan Lu didn't know the cause and effect of last night, so she naturally lowered her eyebrows and restrained her eyes, not daring to speak out.Although Lin Xi was afraid in her heart, her expression was peaceful. She knelt down slowly and said, "Back to the Empress Dowager, it's because the emperor is used to ambergris and is not used to the agarwood in the palace for a while. Someone went to exchange for a pot of ambergris. Last night, Kun and the palace servants were kneeling outside the door, and the concubine sent the female official Tongshi in the palace to go for the convenience of the moment. If there is anything wrong with the concubine, the empress dowager Only blame the courtiers and concubines."

The Empress Dowager smiled, and the gentle look on her face was restored, and she said, "Lin Xi, get up. The Ai family just asked casually, and didn't mean to blame you."

"My concubine, thank the Empress Dowager for her forgiveness." Lin Xi thanked her, and was helped up by the palace maid to sit back on the table.

The Empress Dowager turned to Yilan again, and said: "The imperial doctors sent by the Ai family to Zhongninghou's mansion to treat him reported back and forth this morning, Zhongninghou's wind and cold intensified last night, and it will take about five or six days to recover. It may take ten days before he is called into the palace again."

Yi Lan also gently put down the silver chopsticks, and said calmly: "What does the emperor's grandmother mean by this?"

The Empress Dowager laughed and said, "The emperor forgot? The Ai family said before that they would betroth Zhongning Hou to a princess or princess as his wife."

The empress dowager's words were really thunderous, beyond Yi Lan's expectation.There was silence in the hall, only the clear and clear sound of the jade beads colliding with the beaded crown on his head.He calmed down, pretending to be unintentional and said indifferently: "Oh? Then the emperor's grandmother has decided on a candidate?"

"According to the emperor, how about Princess Yichun?"

Yi Lan asked in surprise, "Yi Jin?"

The Empress Dowager nodded slowly, and said: "The Ai family knows that you and Princess Yichun are brothers and sisters, and you have loved and doted on her the most since childhood. It is indeed a bit wronged for her to marry a district prince, but it is better than marrying Turkic Khan and his relatives married far away and left the capital. The Ai family sees that the Zhongning Marquis is gentle and honest, and he will treat Yichun well after getting married."

Yilan shook her head, and said in a deep voice: "I think it's impossible. I hope that Yijin's lifelong affairs can be decided by herself. If she likes a young master, I will give her a marriage at that time, and I will back up generous gifts for her Make a dowry."

The Empress Dowager frowned, and said: "The marriage of the younger generation has always been the order of the parents and the words of the matchmaker. Why do you say 'make your own decision'?"

Yilan smiled lightly, he himself had already tasted the pain of "the order of his parents, the words of a matchmaker", how could he be willing to let Yijin suffer the same pain?He sighed silently, and said: "Forget it, let's discuss this matter later." However, his subtle expression was caught by Wan Lu who was silent.

Ten days later, Mu Yan's wind and cold had recovered.In the early morning of this day, a few handy maidservants came to Abi's room to dress her up.Abi was puzzled, and after asking, she found out that Lord Hou ordered them to do this.After waiting for the maidservants to dress up carefully for a while, she pushed open the door and found that Lord Hou was waiting outside the door in court clothes, and there was a luxurious carriage parked beside it, and Ye Tong was driving a horse in front of the carriage.

Seeing Abi push the door out, Mu Yan turned around and smiled at her, "Today the Empress Dowager called me into the palace for an audience, and I happened to have something to ask the Empress Dowager. Abi, you come into the palace with me." Bar."

Abi didn't know what his intentions were, but she wanted to follow him into the palace to observe the situation, so she nodded in agreement.

Except for a slight pause when the carriage entered the palace to show its waist badge, the carriage went forward unimpeded all the way.After a while, they arrived outside the Shoukang Palace. After getting off the carriage, the eunuchs waiting at the gate of the palace introduced the Empress Dowager.

The two entered the Shoukang Palace, only to find that besides the Empress Dowager, Yilan was also there.Mu Yan pulled Abi to kneel down in the hall, and said: "I see the emperor and the empress dowager." Then he explained: "This is Abi, but she couldn't speak since she was a child, so she couldn't say hello. Please also, the emperor, the empress dowager." The empress dowager forgives the sin."

The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "It's okay, let's get back to normal. How is Zhongning Hou recovering recently?"

"It's all right now, thank you, the Empress Dowager, for your concern." After Mu Yan finished speaking, he stood up first, and then slowly helped Abi up.Abi got up and turned her head to smile at him to show her gratitude.

The Empress Dowager nodded, "That's good. Marquis Zhongning, you have always been loyal to the emperor, and you are a meritorious minister. The Ai family sees it in their eyes. The Ai family called you here today to reward you with a kindness." of."

Mu Yanfu thanked the Empress Dowager again: "I thank the Empress Dowager for your kindness. I came here today to ask the Empress Dowager about something."

"Oh? Tell me?"

Mu Yan raised his head to look at the Empress Dowager, and said calmly: "I would like to ask the Emperor and the Empress Dowager to give me a marriage with Abi."

Abi was startled, and looked at Mu Yan in astonishment. She hadn't recovered for a while, and couldn't figure out his intentions for doing this.

Yi Lan closed her eyes and paused for a moment, then asked, "Why her?"

Mu Yan raised his head and glanced at Yi Lan, then lowered his eyes.He kowtowed deeply and said: "The minister and Abi are happy with each other, and hope that the emperor and the empress dowager will be fulfilled."

When Yilan heard this, her heart really ached.Standing together with that woman, he really is a pair of lovers...Yi Lan had been silent just now, but he could see their intimate gestures and the way they looked at each other and smiled.Mu Yan... Was he really moved by that woman?Yilan used to be able to read his mind clearly, but now he can't read him anymore.

At this time, the Empress Dowager smiled slightly and said: "Marriage? The Marquis of Zhongning has thought of something with the Ai family. Since you open your mouth, the Ai family will fulfill you. How about this, the Ai family will promise you Princess Yichun as your wife , as for Abi, how about being your concubine?"

Mu Yan's shoulders moved slightly, then sank after a while, and knelt down and said, "I thank the Empress Dowager for your kindness. It's just that Princess Yichun is loved by His Majesty and the Empress Dowager, and she will definitely find a favorite son-in-law. I am humble and light-hearted. Don't dare to miss the princess's life. I also hope that the Empress Dowager can take back her life."

The empress dowager's expression was indifferent, she couldn't tell the difference between happiness and displeasure, but her words were frightening: "The Ai family has decided that you will be the son-in-law, why do you continue to shirk? But what gossip about Yichun did you hear outside? Do you think Yichun's appearance is too ugly to be shown?"

Mu Yan shuddered all over, and hurriedly raised his head and said, "I don't dare. I'm afraid I won't be worthy of the princess' daughter..." Princess Yichun is the man's sister, and she has helped him a lot in the past. .How could he miss her life?

Just as Mu Yan was thinking, he suddenly felt someone beside him gently tugging at his sleeve. Looking sideways, he saw Abi shaking his head lightly at him, signaling him not to disobey the Queen Mother's will any more.Mu Yan was slightly startled, subconsciously clenched his right hand, gritted his teeth and said, "I am ashamed of myself, I don't want the princess to commit herself to marrying me, and I don't want to disappoint Abi. I will never marry another woman in this life besides Abi. I can't accept this grace, so I ask the Empress Dowager to take it back."

After he said this, the atmosphere in the whole hall froze instantly.Abi was shocked all over, unexpectedly Mu Yan would have misunderstood her meaning.Will he offend the empress dowager by repeatedly evading it like this?Will the empress dowager give him death just like this?Compared with his life, why not let him have a princess with golden branches and jade leaves as his wife? ...

Mu Yan knelt quietly on the ground and looked at the Danchi steps in front of him. Although his expression remained calm, he felt that the blood was flowing backwards from his whole body to his head.He wasn't really puzzled by Abi's gesture, but he could only use Abi as an excuse in order to make the Empress Dowager withdraw her order.Although I feel guilty towards Abi, I can only press this guilt and move on.If it is convincing enough, how can you not make some sacrifices accordingly?

The empress dowager looked cold and said coldly: "Do you know that you are resisting the decree?"

At this time, Yi Lan suddenly said indifferently: "Grandmother, since Zhong Ning Hou doesn't know how to praise, don't force it. There are not a few people in the court who have higher status and character than Zhong Ning Hou. I will pay attention to Yi Chun's marriage. Zhong Ning Please step back first, and I will explain it to the Empress Dowager."

Mu Yan looked up at Yi Lan in a daze, but Yi Lan's eyes were cold and devoid of emotion.He lowered his head, said "I will retire first", and then left Shoukang Palace.

The author has something to say: The title of this chapter is "Yanyun", which refers to Yilan's increasingly unclear thoughts in Mu Yan's mind, which is hazy and difficult to see clearly.The relationship between the two of the two fingers is now indifferent, and the intimacy in the past is like a passing cloud that no longer exists.

☆、Forty. Xiao Qiang

Forty, Xiao Wall

At the same time, Concubine Wan was sleeping in the palace.

The doors and windows of the sleeping hall were closed tightly, and all the servants waiting in the hall were sent away without exception.Wan Lu was dressed in a luxurious palace dress, sitting on a phoenix chair and drinking tea without rushing, with a delicate flying cloud bun on her head, her skin was snow-like, and her facial features were exquisite and impeccable.And Ye Tong was sitting on a stool beside her, facing the imperial concubine with a natural expression without any nervousness, just frowning slightly as if thinking about something.

After a while, Ye Tong said: "Sister, I just can't figure out what kind of feud you have with Marquis Zhongning? I've been in his mansion for more than half a year, so I can see that he is really a good person."

"Good guy?" Wanlu put down her teacup gracefully, and said with a light smile, "Oh, if he is a good guy, why would he disregard the common etiquette and have an affair with the current emperor? Although I have never met that Zhongninghou, this is what I have with him. Where is his holiday."

Ye Tong suddenly got up, and said in shock: "Sister, what are you talking about? You are a noble concubine, how can you believe rumors in the palace? If someone hears this and tells the emperor, you will be punished!"

Wan Lu's pair of clear autumn waters are still calm without any waves, and she said calmly: "Sister, she never believes in rumors, she only believes in herself. It was Abi who found out and reported it to the palace overnight, and the evidence is convincing."

Ye Tong's right hand was clenched tightly, but then loosened, and said with a sneer: "Marquis Zhongning hasn't noticed anything yet, and now he's probably still asking the Empress Dowager to marry him and Abi. Sister's meticulous work is really amazing. Gao Ming, he has achieved this step only a few months after entering the mansion."

Ye Tong was so rude, but Wan Lu didn't mind.It was clearly a question, but she asked very firmly, with a hint of a smile in her eyes, "Sister knows that you will not help inquire about the news at the Houye Mansion. Of course, Sister will not force you. But today's matter, Auntie Sister also believes that you will keep your mouth shut to anyone, right?"

Ye Tong was taken aback for a moment, although he was angry that his elder sister placed a secret job beside Lord Hou in order to win favor, but he never thought of betraying her, after all, she was one of his few remaining relatives.Ye Tong looked a little dazed: "But now Marquis Zhongning has moved out of the palace and brought Abi into the mansion, and is still begging for a marriage in Shoukang Palace. The emperor has also made a concubine and a queen, even... even if they are no longer ...Sister, must I still target Zhong Ninghou?"

Wan Lu thought for a moment, then said in a deep voice, "Then it all depends on the Emperor's reaction."

Ye Tong knew that no amount of persuasion could make Wan Lu change her mind, so she closed her eyes, took a deep breath and said, "It's time for them to come out of Shoukang Palace, I should go back before them." Then she left seats.Wan Lu naturally understood the temperament of this cousin, so she didn't give any advice or stop her, and let him go out of the palace gate.

On the carriage back home, the three of them had their own concerns, and they were all silent all the way.A few days later, the imperial decree and rewards from the emperor arrived at Hou Ye's mansion in the palace.The imperial decree meant to marry Muyan and Abi, and the emperor would choose another son-in-law for Princess Yichun.I don't know how Yi Lan persuaded the Empress Dowager, but the Empress Dowager also agreed to this arrangement, and even gave many rewards as congratulatory gifts.After Mu Yan took the order to thank Abi, he forced a smile at Abi, and then turned into the inner hall with some numbness.Although the goal has been achieved, he still can't comfort himself to be happy.Seeing this, Abi's eyes also flashed a trace of sadness.

On this day, Wan Lu had been standing by the window of the dormitory for a long time.A court lady next to her said worriedly: "Young concubine, the emperor must have just been angry for a while that day. You don't have to worry too much at the moment. Your wife has a prominent family background, and she has the beauty of the country. I am not afraid that she will not be favored in the future."

Wan Lu smiled slightly, and said: "I'm not worried. But if you want to be favored, you don't rely on your background and appearance. How can you win if you don't dare to gamble? Forget it, you go and help Bengong feed those parrots, don't starve them."

The court lady was a little surprised, she didn't know why the noble concubine was so calm when she was in a desperate situation, she didn't think about the emperor but she was thinking about these parrots.Although she was surprised, she didn't dare to ask, she just bowed her head and said, "Your servant obeys your order", and then left the bedroom.

Wan Lu walked slowly to the desk, remembering the summons a few days ago.When the emperor was reviewing the memorial that day, she tentatively asked, "Is there someone in the emperor's heart that he can't tell others?" And sent someone to send her back to the bedroom.The emperor rarely summoned her on weekdays, and since then he has treated her coldly.Even so, this time it was not in vain.The emperor's temperament was suddenly calm, but when he mentioned that person, his face suddenly changed, and he even tried to avoid it deliberately.Presumably the emperor agreed to his marriage with Abi that day because he was insincere.It turned out that she didn't know that Zhongninghou was so important in the emperor's heart... Zhongninghou was born as a bodyguard, and now he can occupy the position of Marquis because of his relationship with the emperor, right?

Thinking of this, a sneer with contempt suddenly crossed Wanlu's face.The future is long, and one day she will let him fall from this height.Wan Lu picked up the pen and wrote a series of secret words on the paper.After folding the secret letter and stuffing it into the sleeve, he walked out of the bedroom.

There are forty or fifty birds of various kinds in the open space outside the sleeping hall.There was a burst of swallows and warblers singing outside the hall, but when Wanlu came, the birds in the golden silk cage chirped and called joyfully.The palace people who waited on Concubine Wan knew that the concubine cherished these parrots very much, and each bird was very precious, so they did not dare to neglect them in the slightest.Just now the court lady was carefully feeding the birds, when she saw Wanlu coming over, she quickly knelt down and said, "Your maidservant sees the imperial concubine."

Wan Lu waved her hand and said, "You step back first, I will come and feed them in person."

When the court lady walked away, Wan Lu personally opened the door of an unremarkable birdcage in a corner.As soon as the cage door was opened, the bird in the cage flapped its wings and flew out, circling in the air for a few times before landing in Wanlu's hand.Wan Lu reached out and stroked its fine down, and then tied the secret letter to the bird's leg.The bird was also very spiritual, and it didn't struggle but just lay down obediently.After she tied it up, the bird flapped its wings and jumped up again.

Wan Lu quietly watched the bird fly away until it was out of sight.If you want to achieve your goals, you must be ruthless and ruthless, and use all valuable people.Even if that person is her closest relative, even if that person has been kind to her, it is no exception.It's her choice and she won't regret it.

It is now evening, and the orange-red sunset is almost sinking into the horizon.Abi stood in front of the window and stared at the red cloud for a long time, her hands holding on to the secret letter trembled a little.The imperial concubine has already issued a strict order, ordering her to act according to the plan within ten days.Although I had expected this day to come sooner or later, I didn't expect it to be so soon.She originally entered the Hou Ye's mansion with ulterior motives, but the day and night with Zhong Ning Hou these days is unprecedented peace and warmth.That was the first time someone painted her eyebrows carefully, the first time someone was willing to disregard life and death to disobey the holy order for her, and the first time someone vowed to marry her alone regardless of her background or her inability to speak...

What woman in the world would not be touched by these things?She is also not hard-hearted, she doesn't know when she will involuntarily miss him, and she will start to be unguarded in front of him and stop calculating.What this is, she is very clear.She is a meticulous worker, and it is her responsibility to monitor Zhong Ninghou, but how can feelings be easily dismissed.The more she wanted to get out, the more she got stuck in it and couldn't extricate herself...

Abi stared at the secret letter for a long time, then suddenly put the letter into the candlelight.The paper slowly curled and burned in the flames until it was reduced to paper ashes.There was a wry smile on the corner of Abi's mouth, how should she deal with everything?How long will you have to struggle between reason and emotion?

The author has something to say: love that gives whatever you want is indulgence, and Yilan's love for Mu Yan is probably also such indulgence.Whether it was moving out of the palace a while ago, or asking for a marriage.No matter what Mu Yan asks for, Yi Lan will never refuse, no matter what he wants.It’s true that there are some unprincipled ones, but in fact, the development of characters and plots has reached this point, and I, the author, can’t control it.Yi Lan also knows that this is really too indulgent, as an emperor should not be like this.But he couldn't control his love to the depths, and there was almost no bottom line principle.He really couldn't use his status as emperor to suppress Mu Yan, or restrict him.Even if you have the talent for governing the country and are more diligent in political affairs, but you are not ruthless enough, and there are always people who are reluctant, you will not be a good emperor.So the ending, you know T_T

☆, 41. At first glance (1)

41. At first glance (1)

At this time, the night was dark, and the bright moon hung high in the dark blue night sky, sprinkled a little bit of light on the ground.Abi was so disturbed that he couldn't fall asleep, so he stood in front of the window and looked at the water pavilion in the mansion, and inadvertently glanced in the direction of Zhongning Hou's bedroom and found that the candles were still burning in his palace.Abi hesitated for a moment, but still put on her clothes and left the room.

At this time, it was time to decide, and Mu Yan was standing alone in front of the case to paint. Hearing the sound of someone pushing the door, he subconsciously grasped the sword placed next to the paperweight.After seeing the person who came, he couldn't help but wondered: "Abi? Are you still up so late?"

Abi closed the door lightly, turned around and saw the warm dim candlelight illuminating half of Mu Yan's cheek, she couldn't help lowering her eyes, and nodded slightly.

Mu Yan slowly put the sword back to its original place, and sighed softly: "Isn't the emperor's official wedding day next month for you and me? Come here so late, I'm afraid it will damage your reputation if it gets out."

Abi didn't seem to mind, took off her cloak, went straight to the case, and wrote: "Actually, it doesn't matter. I came here tonight because I couldn't figure out one fact and couldn't sleep. Seeing that there is still light in the room of Lord Hou. Candlelight, I want to ask for advice."

After Mu Yan looked at it, he smiled and said, "What kind of question can make Abi feel confused?"

Abi hesitated for a moment, and continued to write: "A few days ago, an old friend wrote to say that she is now facing an unavoidable decision, but no matter what choice she makes, she will be caught in a dilemma. If you follow your heart, although it is not against the law But she is bound by responsibilities that are difficult to get rid of. If she abides by her duties, it will cause results she does not want to see. She wants to follow her own will, but she has to pay a certain price, but she doesn't know if it is worth it. Then, How should I advise her?"

Mu Yan thought for a moment, and then said in a low voice: "May I ask, what your old friend wants to make is a choice between reason and emotion?"

Abi's expression shook slightly, but she nodded slowly.

Mu Yan caressed the intricate lines on the hilt of the sword in his hand, his eyelids drooped and he couldn't see his face clearly.But I can still hear the voice trying to maintain peace: "In fact, if a person always asks himself whether it is worth it before doing something, then he doesn't have to do it again, because it is not worth it at all. Everything is worth it. There is a price. If you choose to be rational, you have to work hard to restrain yourself from being attached to that emotion. If you want to be with your loved one hand in hand, you have to accept the consequences of that responsibility. So you don’t have to deliberately persuade Abi What about your old friend. As long as she doesn't regret it, it's wise to make any choice."

Hearing this, Abi's heart stopped, and every thread of her heart was throbbing with pain.Master Hou may not only say this to her, but also to himself.After a while, Abi took up his pen again and wrote: "Thank you, Lord Hou, for your suggestion. I have benefited a lot from talking with you."

Mu Yan smiled slightly, and said: "The word 'reminder' is really unbearable. It's just talking about my humble opinion and making you laugh. It's getting late, if you have nothing else to do, you should go back to your room early to rest." After finishing speaking, he motioned to a night watch maid outside the door to take her back.

In the past, Abi was always calm and calm. When I first met her, I even thought she was a little cold and aloof, but in recent days, she is a little different from the past.If Muyan is really busy on weekdays, Abi will definitely not bother her, but now