After the salted fish is married

142. The Death of Concubine Mei

While Yan Xining was washing up, Ji Song rolled the wheelchair to Plum Garden.Yan Ke and the others are already waiting in the Plum Garden: "Master."

Ji Song nodded slightly, at this moment he was not half as relaxed as when he faced Aning.When Aning told him that Ji Yu had an affair with the second imperial concubine, he felt something was wrong.Ji Yu is the most honest of all the princes and the one who abides by the rules of etiquette. It is not a little courageous for him to have an affair with the second concubine in the palace wall.

There are countless pairs of eyes inside the palace walls, if Ji Yu hadn't been absolutely sure, how dare he ask Wenren Miao out on the Empress Dowager's birthday?Ji Yu dared to be unscrupulous, which proved that he was among the guards on duty.Based on the way Lin Chuang talked with Ji Yu at the banquet, Ji Song concluded that Lin Chuang was covering for Ji Yu.

An unknown prince can let the commander of the Imperial Army cover himself.This is no longer a good relationship. The power behind Ji Yu is deeply hidden.

As Aning elaborated, a layer of cold sweat broke out directly on his vest.Originally thought that Ji Yu would be desperate just for the sake of being beautiful, but in the end, in order to be able to be together, the two even threw five stones to Ji Liang.And Ji Yu also uttered wild words, saying that Ji Nan and Ji Lu would not get better for long.He even mentioned himself, wanting Ji Nan and Ji Lu to become like him.

In Ji Yu's eyes, her own pain was downplayed and turned into the words "it depends on man's effort".These four words ignited Ji Song's anger. To sum it up, if he could still gently peel it off, his legs would be broken in vain.

In fact, when he was in the carriage, he wanted to have an attack, but he didn't want to scare Aning, so he forcibly suppressed his emotions.Facing his subordinates at this time, Ji Song finally exposed his dark side.

His eyes were gloomy: "Now start to investigate the fifth prince, Ji Yu, and send peripheral brothers to guard around Ji Yu's mansion. Who did Ji Yu meet, what did he say, what kind of relationships did he have, who is close to him... I need to know."

Yan Ke and the others folded their fists and knelt on one knee: "Your subordinate obeys!"

Ji Song firmly grasped the handrail with both hands: "Remember, don't startle the snake."

If Ji Yu could really infiltrate Chiling Army and make his legs crippled, then he must have another way.He used to think that Ji Yu was a wooden person, but now it seems that Ji Yu is the one with the deepest thoughts among them.

Of course Yan Ke and the others understood the danger, and they saluted solemnly: "Yes!"

Ji Song's eyes softened a little: "Don't let the concubine know about the investigation of Ji Yu, otherwise he will be worried." What he used to do, he would never care what other people think.But now it's different, he doesn't want Ah Ning to worry about him.

When Ji Song finished his explanation and walked towards the small stone bridge, he suddenly found Cang Feng standing on the railing of the stone bridge.Hai Dongqing couldn't see clearly at night, and Cang Feng shrank his neck like a big hen and groaned inexplicably. It looked like he was fighting with Xiao Song, but he couldn't find the nest.

Ji Song looked directly into Cang Feng's empty eyes: "Where is your master?" Cang Feng couldn't answer this question, it could only shake its head and shrink its neck.

Ji Song reached out and touched Cang Feng's head: "It's okay, I will find him sooner or later."

After Yan Xining finished washing, she found that Ji Song was not in the living room.Looking from the window lattice, Ji Song was caressing Blue Wind lonely on the stone bridge.Looking at Ji Song's lonely figure, his heart felt heavy.

He didn't know Ji Song's mood, he moved from place to place, if he had a troublesome brother like Ji Yu, he would only have more headaches.It's not a big deal for Ji Yu to cuckold Ji Liang, but his cruelty makes them have to be careful.

Yan Xining gently closed the window and let out a long sigh, full of melancholy.He was a little apprehensive, and he didn't know how long his peaceful days could last.But he quickly figured it out, the days were earned, and it would be nice to have one more day.

After figuring it out, Yan Xining strode out of the room: "Rong Chuan, you can take a shower." Ever since that day, Yan Xining and Ji Song were still in the same room, but they didn't sleep on the same bed.

Ji Song responded with a smile: "Here we come."

Early the next morning, Yan Xining got up early, he wanted to see Wu Zhu off outside the inn where he was staying.Counting it, Wu Zhu was his first friend after coming to Chuliao. Although Wu Zhu was from Liaoxia, he was peaceful in nature and simple in mind.Being with Wu Zhu, Yan Xining felt that she was quite relaxed, and she could talk to him about some things.

When Wu Zhuchen set off, it was still early, Yan Xining and the two sat under the eaves to enjoy their breakfast.Today's breakfast was three delicacies steamed buns and soy milk. Since Yan Xining entered the palace, the quality of the food in the Rong Palace has improved qualitatively.

Take the Xiaolongbao they are eating as an example. There is a ball of fresh and tender meat wrapped in the thin skin. When the skin is bitten lightly, the hot soup will burst out.Special attention should be paid when smoking the broth. If you eat too anxiously, you will be scalded by the broth.The broth entered the stomach, awakening the cells that were still in the burnout period, and the whole person was awake.

After soaking up the soup, roll the steamed buns in the vinegar saucer, and the white and tender skin is covered with a layer of light brown vinegar sauce.The flavor of balsamic vinegar overwhelms the greasiness of the Xiaolongbao and whets the appetite.Throwing it into the mouth at this time, the meat filling is salty and fresh, and the leather is strong and elastic, which satisfies the appetite and also greatly satisfies the body.

Ji Song took a mouthful of a small steamed bun, enjoying himself.Just when the two were giving up the last steamed bun in the cage, Leng Jun trotted into Wenzhang Garden: "Master, Wangfei, someone is coming from the palace."

Prince Rong's mansion is close to the palace, so it's not a big deal for people to come to the palace.In fact, people from the House of Internal Affairs would come to the house to deliver some things every now and then, and the person who could make Leng Jun run so fast must be an important person.

Without waiting for Ji Song to ask, Leng Jun said in detail: "The person who came was the female official Qingxia next to the Queen Mother. She said that the master and the princess left yesterday in a hurry and did not bring the Queen Mother's reward. Today she came here specially to give the reward."

Ji Song put down his chopsticks: "Oh? Then Wang Ben has to go and thank you in person. Do you want to go with Aning?"

Yan Xining finished the soy milk in the bowl: "Let's go, let's go together." If Qingxia hadn't reminded her yesterday, both he and Ji Song would have been tricked.With this in mind, he will also prepare gifts to thank Qingxia.

Lady Qingxia had been waiting in the main hall for a while, when Yan Xining and Ji Song entered, Lady Qingxia solemnly bowed to the two of them: "I am here to give you a reward at the order of the Queen Mother."

After a few polite words, Ji Song accepted the reward, and then he backed away.After the accompanying maids and servants went down, Ji Song smiled and said, "Long time no see."

Qingxia looked serious, she looked at Yan Xining hesitantly.Ji Song said seriously: "It's okay, Ah Ning is one of our own. You can speak up if you know anything."

When Ji Song was young, he had doubts about Concubine Mei's death. At that time, he searched in many ways and thought of finding the old man in the palace to ask something.However, after checking and searching, the old man did not find many, but let him find Qingxia.

Qingxia bowed to Yan Xining: "Princess, my mother used to be Mei Xiang, the maid who served beside Concubine Mei."

More than 20 years ago, Pingyuan Emperor Ji Duo had not yet ascended the throne, he was conferred the title of King Rui by the previous emperor, and today's Rongwang Mansion is the Ruiwang Mansion at that time.At that time, the mansion already had the current princess and two side concubines, Ye Hongmei was one of the side concubines at that time, and Mei Xiang was the female official Ji Duo assigned to serve Ye Hongmei.

Mei Xiang did her best when serving Ye Hongmei, and the two love each other like sisters.When Mei Xiang reached her age, Concubine Mei Gui did not keep her in the palace, but instead found a good family for her to marry.

Mei Xiang had Qingxia soon after she got married, and the family lives happily ever after.Therefore, Mei Xiang is especially grateful to Concubine Mei Gui, and often visits Ye Hongmei in the palace after marriage.

At that time, Ye Hongmei was pregnant, and Mei Xiang was afraid that the maids below would not serve her well, so she often came to the palace to accompany Ye Hongmei.

Qingxia took a deep breath, with hatred and tears in her eyes: "The fire in Plum Garden not only burned to death Concubine Mei, but also burned to death the slave's mother and the eight maids who served with her."

Yan Xining's hair stood on end. He always thought that the fire in Plum Garden only took away Concubine Mei. Didn't he expect so many people to be buried with him?

Ji Song held Yan Xining's hand: "Listen to Qingxia."

Qingxia sighed regretfully: "My servant's parents are not well-known. Not long after my mother passed away, my father also had an accident. So I became an orphan. Fortunately, I still have an old servant at home. After the old servant took me back I went to the countryside, and under the care of my old servant, I grew up safely."

"Originally, I thought that in this life, I would be like the daughter of an ordinary family. After reaching the end, I would settle into a family and be a wife and have children. However..."

In the year when Qingxia and Ji were married, the old servant who took care of her became seriously ill and would soon die. Before he passed away, the old servant finally revealed the strangeness of Qingxia's parents before their death.

It turned out that before Mei Guifei's accident, Mei Xiang was always worried after returning home from the palace. The old servant once asked her if something happened in the palace.Mei Xiang shook her head preoccupied, and was anxious to be asked by the old servant, so she would only beg the old servant not to ask.

Mei Xiang once told the old servant that if one day she was in trouble, she begged the old servant to take her daughter Qingxia and hide in the countryside, and no matter what happened, she would not return to the capital.

Sure enough, within a few months, Mei Xiang died in a fire in the palace.The old servant took Qingxia to the countryside the day after Mei Xiang died, and did not set foot in the capital until her death.

Yan Xining gasped: "It's really strange."

Qingxia said: "Not only that, but the more strange thing is still behind. My father is an accountant. After I returned to the countryside, he sold the property in the family, and then entrusted all the money to the old servant. With the money my father left me, I was able to grow up smoothly. But my father met a frightened horse on the road and was trampled to death."

Yan Xining was shocked: "Ah, this!"

There was hatred in Qingxia's eyes: "My parents seem to know something they shouldn't know, and they were silenced. I don't know, it's fine, but once I know this, as a child, how can I not hate my parents?" report?"

A good family of three was ruined like this, and Qingxia became a helpless orphan.How can the feelings in her heart these years be expressed in the simple word "resentment"?

143. The Death of Concubine Mei

Knowing that the cause of her parents' death is strange, how can Qingxia let it go.But she is a weak woman, the former Prince Rui became the current Emperor Pingyuan.In Chu Liao, where the imperial power is supreme, how easy is it for her to find justice for her parents?

Before meeting Ji Song, Qingxia was like a headless chicken, she couldn't even enter the palace.Later, after meeting Ji Song, the two hit it off and decided to jointly investigate the truth of their mother's death.

In this way, Qingxia entered the palace under the arrangement of Ji Song. She has been investigating the truth of the fire all these years.It's just that Ji Song, the prince, couldn't find anything, and Qingxia, a little court lady, was even more difficult to investigate.

After Ji Song went to the barracks, the contact between the two also became less.Unexpectedly, when they met again, Qingxia would become Nanny Yi's goddaughter, and even transformed into a female official next to the Queen Mother.Seeing Qingxia in the Palace of Harvesting Fang yesterday, Ji Song almost didn't recognize her.Qingxia's intelligence exceeded his expectation.

Ji Song asked seriously: "You came to look for me, but what do you want to tell me?" In front of Qingxia, Ji Song's self-proclaimed "I" directly, which shows how much he attaches importance to Qingxia.

Qingxia nodded: "There are two things. The first thing: the Queen Mother wants to kill you."

Ji Song confirmed this last night: "I know."

Qingxia said: "'Zuihuajian' is only her first move. If this move fails, she will borrow a knife to kill people. Emperor Pingyuan will decide on a successor before the year, and the new emperor will take office next year. In the next six months, The crown prince and the second prince will fight for the throne. At that time, there will be chaos in Beijing, and the queen mother wants to take advantage of the chaos to kill you."

Ji Song chuckled lightly when he heard this: "She can try."

Unless the Queen Mother mobilizes troops to attack Prince Rong's Mansion, with three or two assassins, they will not even be able to get close to the walls of Prince Rong's Mansion.Ji Song was really in a hurry, and he didn't know who would die first.

The news that Qingxia revealed was unusual, Ji Song asked slowly, "How did you get the news that His Majesty will abdicate next spring?"

Qingxia said: "Before the Empress Dowager's birthday, I heard a few words when His Majesty was talking with the Empress Dowager in the hall. Your Majesty said that today he is not as energetic as before, and it is time to abdicate. Your Royal Highness, the current situation is not good for you. I hope you Can temporarily avoid retaining strength."

Ji Song said softly: "I will consider it, thank you, Ms. Qingxia. I don't know what else is there?"

Qingxia took a deep breath, and when she spoke again, her voice was a little hoarse: "Your mother Mei Guifei, and my mother Mei Xiang, died at the hands of the Queen Mother. The fire in Pinmeiyuan was not an accident, but man-made. .”

Ji Song froze and his pupils shrank, Yan Xining's hair stood on end: "Why?!"

In fact, Ji Song had already speculated about the cause of his mother's death. If someone really wanted to harm his mother, then this person must be a high-ranking person.He wants to be strong enough to erase all clues and leave no one alive.

Before today, the only person in the palace who had obvious malice towards Ji Song was the Queen Mother, and the Queen Mother did have the power to make a person disappear quietly.

It's just that after hearing Qingxia's words, Ji Song felt that his spirit was pulled out of his body, and all the sounds in his ears became ethereal.His eyes seemed to be covered with a layer of fog, and he couldn't see anything clearly.

Suddenly a figure rushed into the room from outside the door, and Ye Linfeng appeared in front of Qingxia in an instant.Qingxia suddenly pulled out a dagger from her sleeve and held it against her chest. She was shocked, why would there be an assassin in Prince Rong's mansion? !

Just when Qingxia was about to take the initiative, Yan Xining quickly introduced: "This is Doctor Ye, the doctor who healed Rong Chuan's body." Only he and Ji Song knew the identity of Ye Linfeng in the palace. The fewer people, the better.

Ye Linfeng's eyes were red, his breathing was rapid and his voice was trembling: "Little girl, don't be afraid, this old man is not a villain. Is what you said just now true? Hongmei was indeed burned to death, right? Burned him The person is Ji Liu, right?!"

In the royal family of Chu and Liao now, the empress dowager, empress, and concubine are all from the Hedong Liu family, and Ye Linfeng has no problem calling the empress dowager Ji Liu.

At this moment, Ji Song finally came to his senses, facing Qingxia's vigilant and nervous eyes, Ji Song explained: "It's okay, Doctor Ye is one of our own." Qingxia took a sigh of relief and put the dagger back into the sheath.

Everyone was sitting on the chairs in the main hall, the sound of squeaking cicadas came from outside the house, and the air in the house condensed into ice.Ji Song broke the silence first: "Qingxia, you said that the queen mother burned our mother to death, do you have any real evidence?"

Qingxia shook her head regretfully: "Not at all, the slaves also heard about it."

Facing everyone's suspicious eyes, Qingxia said: "The imperial palace is huge, and it is not easy to find out the truth more than ten years ago. After entering the palace for several years, the servants could not find any clues at all, like a headless chicken. Later, the servants changed their minds Think, the one who knows the most things in the palace must be the oldest."

"The queen mother and the nuns around her are the oldest in the whole palace. If you can get close to them, maybe you can know something. So the slaves tried to find a way to run to Shoukang Palace. After running for a few years, Yi Nunnies felt that the slaves were clever. , so he accepted me as a goddaughter."

Qingxia said it lightly, and only she knew the danger and suffering involved.How can someone who can follow the Queen Mother be stupid? Nanny Yi is also a genius.How many grievances Qingxia has endured to get to where she is today, her kindness and courage are admirable.

"The servant has gradually won the trust of Nanny Yi, and she has gradually told me some things. But she has been tight-lipped about the Plum Garden. Until this summer, Madam Yi was unwell and let the servant Take over from her to take care of the Queen Mother."

"The maid guarded the queen mother for a few days. One night, the queen mother suddenly had a nightmare. She said 'I will burn you to death', 'you killed my son' and 'Ye Hongmei, don't come here'. The queen mother cried again in her dream She called again, and she was able to stabilize after passing on the imperial physician."

The sun was shining brightly outside, but Ji Song felt chills in his bones: "It's her..." Otherwise, why would he cry and beg for mercy in his dream, and why would he call his mother's name?Thinking day by day, dreaming at night, always afraid of ghosts knocking on the door after doing something wrong.

Ye Linfeng smiled uglier than crying: "The old godly woman killed Hongmei, I can't spare her."

Qingxia glanced at Ye Linfeng suspiciously, wondering what kind of relationship such a genius doctor had with Concubine Mei.Muttering to muttering, but she didn't delay the business: "After watching the night for the queen mother, Yi Nanny trusted me even more. After I went back, I used the Queen Mother's nightmare as a lure to lure Yi Nanny. , Mother Yi finally told the truth."

"It turns out that the Empress Dowager gave birth to two children. The eldest son was Emperor Pingyuan, and the youngest son was born weak and died before he was eight years old."

Ji Song frowned slightly, he had never heard of this.

"Mother Yi said that when Concubine Mei first entered the palace, the Queen Mother liked her very much. Because Concubine Mei came from a family of medicine, she had good medical skills, was pretty and had a gentle temper. The health-preserving prescriptions she prescribed for the Queen Mother were very effective. The Empress Dowager Yuexia trusted her very much, so she asked Concubine Mei to take care of the little prince's body."

The next thing everyone can think of with their toes, the little prince died, the queen mother thought that it was Mei Guifei who killed his child, so she killed Mei Guifei who was pregnant.

Qingxia said regretfully: "This is what Nanny Yi told me. Because of the age, I can't find any definite witnesses or physical evidence."

With only one-sided words from Madam Yi, they couldn't shake the queen mother at all.What's more, the queen mother is now the lord of the harem. Even if her criminal evidence is really put in front of Emperor Pingyuan, can Emperor Pingyuan punish his elderly mother for a concubine who has died for more than 20 years and still has nine lives?

Ye Linfeng was trembling with anger: "The old villain raised a tuberculosis son herself, and Hongmei kindly took care of her son's health, but she actually avenged her kindness! The old man wants to enter the palace and poison this poisonous woman to death!"

Ji Song rubbed the center of his brows: "Even if you enter the palace and poison the queen mother to death, the truth will still not be revealed to the world, and you will become a murderer. Doctor Ye, please be safe."

Qingxia looked at the sky, she got up and bowed to Ji Song: "His Royal Highness, I have told you everything Qingxia knows. It is up to you whether the person who died tragically can seek justice."

Now she is beside the queen mother, although her position is higher than before, her actions are not as good as before.If she is not careful, not only will she not be able to help Ji Song, but she will also make their efforts come to naught.

Ji Song bowed his hand solemnly: "I already know about this matter, you need to be careful around the Queen Mother after you go back. If the news is verified, I will notify you as soon as possible."

After a moment of hesitation, Qingxia raised her eyelids, and looked at Ji Song's face with complicated eyes: "Your Highness, after several years in the palace, Qingxia understands a truth. Keeping the green hills alive will not worry about firewood, and now you are in Ming Dynasty. The Queen Mother is in the dark. You cannot guard against her methods, and I may not remind you every time. If possible, please temporarily avoid the limelight and stay out of the vortex."

It is said that the harem is full of flowers, but as her position gets higher and higher, she clearly sees countless dead bones under the flowers.It is difficult to find a sincere person in the harem, but if you want to find a way to harm someone, there is a way every day, and the same thing does not repeat every day.

Even if Ji Song has three heads and six arms, he can't stop those dirty tricks.Among other things, he could have his legs ruined by being thrown together in the barracks.If the capital is in chaos, how long can he last?

This is already the second time Qingxia reminded Ji Song today, and Ji Song said seriously: "It is important to seek justice for the dead, but it is more important to live well. Don't worry, I will listen to what you say. Qingxia, Thank you."

Qingxia showed a reassuring smile: "Your Highness, you don't need to thank me, helping you is helping myself."

Looking at the back of Qingxia leaving, Yan Xining let out a heavy breath.The water in Beijing is deep, and various forces are intersecting and converging.He felt like a stupid butterfly in a storm, completely unaware of where the wind would blow him.