Changqing Ci

On a cold winter night, the twilight was thick and the wind was stronger, and the lanterns lit by the palace servants were blown around and flickered.

Empress Shao Yun intentionally left the two of them alone, making people wait outside Changle Hall for a long time before passing them in.

After entering the palace, Shao Yun was drinking tea with her head down, with a relaxed expression, she looked up at the people entering the palace, and said with a smile: "When you entered the palace yesterday, I sent someone to invite you to Changle Palace, but you walked too far away. Soon, when the people in this palace go to Hanyuan Hall, there will be no sign of you."

This is because she entered the palace yesterday to greet the future. After Xun Changqing saluted, she was called up, smiled and sighed, her clear eyes were unobstructed, and she had no distracting thoughts. I don’t dare to enter even if I want to enter. Yesterday I thought about passing a post to enter the palace, but when I was assassinated, I slept in fear for a long time after returning to the mansion. Your people came to pass on the decree. Changqing entered the palace without delay. .”

Shao Yun greeted the two to sit down, and said with a smile: "I just said a word, and you explained so much. Outsiders think I'm stingy, but it's good to come back. Your mother and concubine who have been away all these years miss you." I've been talking about you a lot, I haven't received a letter from her recently, I know you're back, she's in the southwest and she'll be back soon."

Xun Changqing picked up the teacup as a gesture, flipped the lid of the tea, and said with a smile: "I haven't received a letter from my mother and concubine for a long time, and your majesty also said that my mother and concubine went to the southwest. You don't have to worry about Qing, just wait for the mother and concubine to come back in the imperial capital."

Four or two dials of gold, Xun Changqing lightly sipped a sip of tea, turned to look at the queen, smiling like a flower.

The queen's face changed slightly. She knew that the princess was missing, not going to the southwest. She knew that Xun Changqing would not know, and she was clearly pretending to be stupid, but she couldn't expose it, so she had to follow the words: "That's the case, your father and queen mother The concubine is rarely together, so this can also increase the relationship."

The relationship between the mother concubine and the father can only be called respecting each other as a guest. Xun Changqing himself understands this point. The two belong to the two countries, and they came together for the sake of friendship, and the father is not in the house all year round. In reality, the relationship between the two is like a piece of white paper, but my own birth has dyed this paper a little bit of color.

After a few false words, the queen's eyes fell on Wei Lingci, a shrewd look flashed in her eyes, and she said with a smile: "Miss Wei, I remember that you are the same age as Ran'er, but are you married? If you are married, I still need to make up your dowry."

These words were a bit blunt, but there was no one else in the hall, so Xun Changqing would not talk about it, but Wei Ling's Ci had to pick up the words, saying: "My grandfather died of illness to show my filial piety, and my ministers have to keep their filial piety for three years. "

The late emperor Xun Qi'an adopted Wei Xiao, the princess of Ning'an County, and his husband, Gu Liangxin, could also be regarded as Wei Xiao's father.

But about Gu Liangxin's death, the emperor handled it very secretly, so few people knew about it, and there was no reason for royal descendants to observe filial piety, but Wei Lingci said this time, whether it was perfunctory or deliberately obstructed, the empress could not refute it unreasonably.

Facing the empress's face that was getting darker, Xun Changqing looked lazy and asked with a smile: "Empress, is there anyone for the second elder brother and concubine? Are you not in a hurry to hug your grandson?"

The topic turned to Xun, and the queen's face softened a little, and she glanced at Wei Lingci, "It's settled, the daughter of the Hengguo family is very suitable for Ran'er, and she will welcome into the mansion in the first month of next year, and I'll be fine." A matter of heart."

Heng Guogong Cai Kui is the younger brother of Princess Zhaohe, that is, Yuan Qingming's wife and younger brother. Although he can't compare with the deep-rooted tree of the Shao family, but relying on Yuan Qingming's prestige these years, he is also in the imperial capital. The status is mixed up, but the position of the second prince and concubine may be elevated.

Xun Changqing and Wei Lingci looked at each other, the latter remained silent, Xun Changqing then smiled and said: "It seems that the second brother should like that woman very much, otherwise he would not greet her as a concubine. I have not been here these years Dijing, almost missed such a good thing."

This sentence was somewhat ironic, but Xun Changqing was indeed not in the imperial capital, and the empress lost her face a little. Just as she was about to speak, the palace servants came to report that Xian Guifei had arrived.

The family banquet was set at the Zhaoyang Palace, but the empress was the master of the harem, and Xun Changqing had to come to pay her respects when she entered the palace, but when the concubine Xian came, the topic changed to the harem. When dusk came, several people turned to Zhaoyang temple.

Taking advantage of the absence, Xun Changqing asked Wei Lingci, "Is Concubine Xian the birth mother of the third prince? I remember how she became a noble concubine because she was no more than a concubine."

"After the death of the second prince, His Majesty promoted her position and allowed her to assist the Queen in managing the harem. Apart from the Queen, she is the only one with the highest position in the harem. This is what His Majesty can compensate her for."

The son's life was exchanged for a high position, and he could only swallow his heartache and helplessness.

Obviously it was a family banquet, but apart from the emperor, there were several high-ranking concubines at the banquet. The concubine Xiangui sat opposite her, her old face could not be concealed by the dazzling golden hairpin, and the white hair was clearly visible between her temples. The son is her life's hope.

Xun Changqing couldn't take his gaze away from her, he rested his chin and looked at it, suddenly there was a piece of fish in the bowl, she looked sideways, Wei Lingci lowered his head and was still picking the fishbone, she straightened up, moved a few inches towards her, Lower your voice: "You said family banquet, why didn't you see the two princes?"

"Maybe it's not necessarily late, but you saw your sister?" Wei Lingci still bowed his head, the corners of his lips twitched, and he couldn't tell he was talking, but Xun Changqing could hear clearly because he was close.

Xun Changqing raised his head subconsciously, and saw a woman with a familiar face in the corner, and a young man sitting beside him, who should be her husband, Qin Mian, but she kept lowering her head and couldn't see her expression clearly, " Master, do you think these two people don't want to have anything to do with me?"

The relationship between the few people is not very good, not to mention the distinction between the concubine and the concubine, just looking at the current situation, everyone would want to avoid her.

Wei Ling said honestly: "The princess is missing, and you are her legitimate daughter, so naturally I don't want to have anything to do with you, so as not to cause trouble to my upper body."

"Then why are you so close to me?" Xun Changqing turned to stare at her, and rested his hand on his chin, as if there was something on Wei Lingci's face, his eyes were pulsing, and a smile appeared on his lips, "Actually, how did they I don’t care if I do it, there are many people who make trouble, and blood relationship cannot be trusted.”

"That's right, even my own father wouldn't believe someone as cold as you, so how could he trust these half-brother sisters?" Wei Lingci also smiled. A concubine, once married, she will take care of her husband and raise her children. Although she doesn't fight or snatch, she is too selfish and won't help in things that are not beneficial to her. Just like Xun Changqing at this time, everyone avoids her, and so do the two of them.

In this way, it is also a good thing not to communicate with each other.

Xun Changqing suddenly stretched out his hand to grab her wrist, exerted some strength, and said disdainfully: "I'm cold, how can I compare to you."

There was too much movement between the two, Wei Lingci glanced at her and withdrew his wrist, just at this time Xun Yiran entered the hall, his apricot eyes rolled around, and he lowered his head slightly.

Xun Yiran was dressed in splendid brocade, striding in, facing the empress on the high seat, knelt down and kowtowed, "I will see my father and empress, and forgive my sins for coming late."

The emperor was displeased, and the queen beside him looked at his expression, and hurriedly said: "Where have you been, Princess Xiang'an has been here for a long time, you can be late for the family banquet, and the people below don't remind you, it is really useless."

There was no sound in the hall, and it was the same when Xun received the queen's signal. He hurriedly kowtowed again, and said to the emperor: "Father does not know, it is Xiaosi who caught the cold. When the son heard about it when he came, he rushed to visit. It's not that the people below did not remind the son Minister, my son will pay attention next time."

Xun Changqing is the main character in the scene of brothers respecting each other, so he had to speak naturally, and said casually: "Second brother, your caring nature has not changed, Changqing should learn a thing or two from you."

The emperor waved his hand to signal Xun Yiran to get up, his expression was a little relieved, how could he not know that Xun Yiran was just acting, and Xiaosi didn't catch the cold, although he never went to see him, someone had already reported his illness.

Concubine Xian Gui has been silent all this time, but at this time she raised her eyes a little, and the look in her eyes looking at the queen suddenly became a bit harsher, Xun Changqing happened to touch it, but before she was startled, Concubine Xian Gui had already bowed her head to taste the wine.

She suddenly had a thought, maybe Concubine Xian knew that the murderer was the queen and the Shao family behind her, but she was powerless to resist.

After drinking for three rounds, Xun Yiran came walking with the wine glass in his hand. Xun Changqing stood up wittily, picked up the wine glass as well, ignoring the secret emotion in his eyes, and said with a smile: "Second brother, I heard that you are about to get married soon. Changqing must congratulate you in advance, although I have never met the daughter of the Hengguo family, but the second elder brother must be looking at someone like a fairy, and he will definitely be a good helper."

The whole hall was shocked when he said a word, Xun Yiran's handsome face changed slightly, he ignored Xun Changqing's direct gaze, and put his eyes on Wei Lingci, as if explaining: "I have never been engaged."

Xun Changqing drank the wine in the glass, curled the corners of his mouth, and said in his words as before, "Second Brother, have you never been engaged? Or is it not the daughter of the Hengguo Duke?"

Xun Yiran didn't answer, but the empress beside him was already impatient, and interjected: "The one who is engaged must be Cai Mengqing, the daughter-in-law of the Heng Kingdom. This Palace has discussed with His Majesty, and will issue a decree to marry her soon."

Everyone's eyes turned to the emperor. The second prince's position as the main concubine can also be regarded as the crown princess. With such a big temptation, everyone must want to step in.

The emperor stopped chopsticks, looked at the queen, and agreed: "I have seen the daughter-in-law of Cai Qing's mansion, she is dignified and beautiful, yes, she will marry Ran'er, and she will not be wronged."

Jinkouyuyan, the emperor's speech, can be regarded as a verbal imperial decree.

Xun Changqing looked at the dazed Xun Yen, and reminded: "Second brother, you should be grateful."

After the marriage is settled, the queen should be the happiest. The girl she chooses is naturally in line with her wishes, but she doesn't know how to treat her after marrying back to the mansion.

If she can't marry Yuan Xun, marrying his cousin is also the queen's plan.

During the period, everyone toasted to Xun Yiran to celebrate. Xun Changqing sat back to his original position, still staring at Wei Ling's words, in a happy mood. The latter was very comfortable drinking by himself, with no waves in his eyes , said lightly: "Are you happy?"

"Master, do you know that for men, the most precious thing is what they can't get. Looking at it foolishly, thinking about it, is torturing people's mind. Are you right?"

Wei Lingci glanced at her and joked, "You're only 13 years old, it's too early to get married."

"I don't want to marry!" Xun Changqing snorted and looked outside sideways. The shadow of the candle was flickering, and the wind and snow were getting stronger. She couldn't help wondering if the Queen hadn't tried to test them yet, would she be thinking of marrying them? The two stayed in the palace for one night, and they were only allowed to return home tomorrow.

The repertoire has not been sung until now, and it will be too late if they don't set up the stage. Xun Changqing glanced at the calm queen, puzzled, could it be possible that he was really kind enough to clean up the dust for her?

She is the protagonist, so someone came to toast frequently, and she couldn't refuse, so she had to drink one by one. When it was Xunluo's turn, she came with the wine cup, her face was warm, and she said with a smile: "Changqing, I returned to Beijing yesterday, ah Sis won’t be able to return home in time in the future, so I congratulate you on becoming a princess, Father will be happy to know.”

Xun Changqing smiled gently, without saying a word, just looked up and drank the glass of wine.

She and Xun Luo had nothing to say, and there was no need to speak politely.

Xun Luo personally took the jug from the palace man, pulled his sleeves back, and wanted to pour wine for Wei Ling's words. Xun Changqing frowned, as if he understood where the show was going, and when the wine cup was tilted, he quickly snatched it away. The wine glass, the wine juice was sprayed on the cuff, immediately stained with a layer of stains.

Xun Changqing didn't take it seriously, picked up the wine cup in his hand, his face remained the same, and said angrily: "Sister, Master is my elder, and I should be the one to pour the wine. How can I let sister do it for you, Master, what do you say?" Yes or no?"

"It's what you should do, how can Mrs. Qin let you do it for me, so Lingci respects you first," Wei Lingci also stood up and drank his head up.

Xun Luo stared at the empty wine glass in her hand, dazed for a moment, then drank the wine, and when he stepped back, he inadvertently cast an anxious look at the queen above him.

Xun Changqing squeezed the wine cup in his hand tightly, with too much strength, the wine rolled back and forth like a tumbling heat wave, his head was lowered, his eyes were red, Xun Luo was used by the queen, didn't she know the relationship between the queen and the Pingnan Palace There is a suspicion, why do you still listen to her and take the opportunity to test it out.

Even if I don't like it for you, I should think about the whole Pingnan Palace, and think about my father.

At the end of the main play, the emperor was entangled in government affairs, so he left first and called Xun away.

The wind and snow had arrived, and the palace accidentally blew into it, rolled up the robes, overturned the drinks on the table, the palace servants hurriedly knelt down to tidy up, the candlelight in the whole palace became extremely enchanting due to the strong wind , the people at the banquet dispersed to very few.

Wei Lingci took the opportunity to leave, but the empress tried to persuade her to stay, saying: "Princess Xiang'an seems to be drinking too much, the wind and snow are heavy, and you are the family of two daughters, you might as well rest in the palace and go back tomorrow."

When Concubine Xian got up, she happened to say: "What the Empress said is also true. After all, it is not convenient. If the princess does not dislike it, why not go with me to Zhaoren Palace to rest for a night."

The sudden invitation made the queen unexpected. She thought that Xun Changqing would refuse, but Wei Lingci agreed without thinking. She could only watch the three of them go back to Zhaoren Palace.

....................................

Zhaoren Palace, side hall.

Both of them brought their maids with them when they came, and Zijin and Xianyun replaced the palace servants, bringing water and serving tea.

Xun Changqing leaned on the soft couch, staring at the door, his eyes were blurred, black hair scattered on the left side of his shoulders, his cheeks were slightly red on his plain face, looking at her seemed to have double shadows.

Zi Jin didn't hear her calling her a few times, Wei Lingci changed his clothes and heard the sound. Seeing that she seemed drunk, he stretched out his hand in front of her eyes and laughed at her: "Everyone who comes, I thought you can't drink." How nice, is this fashion milk cat?"

Xun Changqing looked at the slender fingers in front of him, his face was puzzled, and he said strangely: "Why did the imperial concubine let you and I sleep in the same hall, only one couch?"