The nine princesses of the East Palace

As we approached the rockery, we only heard the cry of a woman.The night was dark, and she lowered her head, so she couldn't see what she looked like, but she cried so pitifully that I wanted to cry.

"Who are you? Why did you come here crying in the middle of the night?" I asked.

She was startled, and even stopped crying. She gathered her clothes abruptly, and raised her head tremblingly, "Your servant... because my father is sick, I can't go back to visit, so I'm crying here... I didn't intend to disturb you. Your Highness and the princess relax."

"Do you recognize us?" Li Chengyin asked, "Which palace are you from and what's your name?"

The woman said: "My servant, Xu Niang, is a member of the empress's palace. I have seen His Highness and the princess in the middle palace, so I recognize it."

"Xu Niang?" Li Chengyin said, "The Central Palace is very far from here..."

Xu Niang said: "This servant feels that this place is quiet and will not be noticed by others, so..."

"Oh, don't ask, she is so sad." I couldn't help but tugged on Li Chengyin's sleeve and said.

I can't see a woman crying, especially when she is crying so sadly. She just said that her father is sick and she can't go home to see her, so she is crying.In fact, my situation is a bit similar to hers.My home is in Xizhou, so far away from the Central Plains, if my father is sick, I may not be able to go back to see him.

Li Chengyin glanced at me, pondered for a while, then let go and said to Xu Niang: "Then you go back, don't tell others that you met me and the ninth princess here, so as not to cause criticism."

"Your servant understands." Xu Niang nodded before standing up, I saw that she was trembling and couldn't stand still, so I gave her a hand.Her wrists were red, and there were red marks on her neck, as if she had been beaten.

Seeing me staring at her, she lowered her head and said in a soft voice: "Thank you, princess, I will take my leave."

She walked fast, and she was far away in a flash.

"Let's go too." Li Cheng Yin said.

I looked at the direction where Xu Niang left, and asked: "Li Chengyin, did Xu Niang not tell us the truth?"

"How did you find out?" Li Chengyin asked.

"There are so many scars on her body, not from wrestling, but..."

"But what?"

"It was bullied."

Li Chengyin looked at me with an expression of not knowing what I was talking about.

I had no choice but to explain, "Someone offended her and took her body... She is so pitiful, why didn't she tell us, we can help her catch the person who bullied her."

Li Chengyin didn't seem to agree with my words, he said: "People's words are terrible, if she says it, her reputation will be ruined."

"Then if she doesn't say it, isn't that bad guy getting away with it?" I was a little aggrieved.

Li Chengyin said: "She said that the bad guys might get away with it."

If I said something, he would say something, and he always contradicted me. If it was someone else, I would have thought he was in the same group as that bad guy.

We argued for quite a while, but couldn't figure out why, and finally Li Chengyin said suddenly, "I remember you can't even kiss me, how do you know that Xu Niang was murdered innocent?"

His question really caught me. I hesitated for a while before saying, "I've never eaten pork, but I've seen pigs run away."

He was slightly stunned, and then said: "Then tell me, where did you meet Pig Run?"

"That's...that's where you men drink flower wine." I was stared at by him at a loss, so I had to tell the truth.

"You... you are the majestic Ninth Princess of Xizhou, and you actually went to drink flower wine..."

"Keep your voice down." I pinched him, "I just went to learn more, and I didn't do anything. If you are so loud, if someone passes by and hears it, I will suffer. Also, you are not allowed to tell others."

He thought for a while and said, "It's not impossible for me not to tell others, you have to promise me one thing."

"What's the matter?" I asked.

"Someday, take me to see it too." He bent over and whispered.

After hearing this, I unconsciously shouted out, "Tangtang? Prince Nchao actually..."

Before I could finish my sentence, he covered my mouth, "What are you calling? I'm just going to learn more, and I don't know how to do anything."

"But you've said it all, let me settle down and don't leave the palace." I said.

He was silent for a while, and slowly said: "As long as the father and queen don't know, it's not impossible to go out once or twice, and, you follow me, I guarantee that you won't be found out."

"Really?"

"of course it's true."

"That's great." I said, "I found a lot of interesting and delicious food, I can take you to play and eat."

After I spoke for a long time, he didn't make a sound. When I looked up, I saw his face was sullen.

"What's wrong?" I was confused.

"How many times have you sneaked out?" he asked.

"Only twice." I said, and then added, "Besides, they haven't been found yet."

"Oh." He replied, but there was no more to say.

"What do you mean 'oh'?" I asked, tugging at him.

"Are you bored in the palace? Why do you always want to go out." He was silent for a long time before he said.

I said: "You have been away for so long, and there is no one to talk to me, so I just want to go for a walk and relax."

He said: "I'll let people prepare the things you like in the East Palace. In the future, whatever you want to play, just play in the palace. Don't always think about going out, okay?"

"Okay." I began to look forward to it, "Then I will have a swing in my yard and plant flowers and grass. And..."

"What else?"

I said, "I haven't thought about it yet, I'll tell you when I think about it."

"Okay. But hurry up, or you won't be able to catch up with time."

"understood."

We walked farther and farther. I don't necessarily know those roads with twists and turns during the day. Now it's so dark, and I don't know how to walk at all. I just kept holding Li Chengyin's hand and followed him. Walk.

It was originally planned to leave the palace in three days, but before three days had passed, Li Chengyin was assassinated in the East Palace, the long sword pierced his chest, dripping blood, the situation was critical, but the assassin fled.

After I found out, I was so scared that I cried. I went to beg the Empress Dowager, and after a long time, she agreed to tell the emperor that I would go to the East Palace to serve the sick, but I could not tell the outside world.

This is the second time I have come to the East Palace, and it still feels as cold as last time, but this time it feels even colder.

Li Chengyin lived in Lizheng Hall, I followed Shi En for a long time before arriving.

There are two big red lanterns hanging under the eaves of Lizheng Hall, which looks a bit abrupt.

I suddenly remembered Yongning's words, she said that Li Chengyin had to hang red lanterns in front of his bedroom every year, if he didn't hang them, he wouldn't be able to sleep and would lose his temper.

I took a look at the two big red lanterns, they were nothing special, they were just bright red, so red that it was a bit dazzling.

Entering the Lizheng Hall, I saw Li Chengyin lying on the couch, his face was pale, without a trace of blood, it was really far from his usual appearance.

Why is he always hurt?The imperial doctor also said that he might not be able to wake up...