a pillow in autumn

After the end of winter, everything begins to spring. Empress Zheng Xuan chose a day to order the imperial dining room to prepare a "Qixuan Banquet" at the Qixin Terrace. The purpose is to invite the wives of court officials and their daughters to enjoy the spring together.The showers have just stopped, and there is a moment of warblers and swallows in the imperial garden.

When the queen invited her, Concubine Meng, Concubine Jin, Concubine Rong and other concubines would naturally accompany her, and the two princesses also accompanied the concubine mother.The little princess Zhou Mudi has always been playful and active. For some reason, she has always been unhappy in the past six months. The queen asked her a few times but she couldn't get it. Maybe it's because the girl has her own thoughts when she grows up.This time, all the female relatives came to enjoy the show together. The queen saw that Zhou Muge and Zhou Mudi rarely had playmates of the same age. It was rare that four or five official daughters were here today, so she asked them to take them around. Scenery, spring is coming and the days are long, so don't be too constrained by them.

But after walking three or two places, Zhou Muge got tired and wanted to rest in the Quyuan Pavilion, let the maids lead the girls from various families to continue enjoying, leaving only his cousin Shangguan Luo to play chess in the pavilion.Shangguan Xi is Shangguan Bin's granddaughter, she is close to Zhou Muge's cousin, they are about the same age, and they have seen each other often since they were young, so they are closer than other daughters.

Zhou Mudi has some concerns these days, it's not easy to talk to others, after listening to it, he doesn't want to go shopping anymore, he only wants to play chess with Huang Jie, and stay in Quyuan Pavilion.

Mu Ge saw that everyone was a little tired, so he called his attendants to set up a few more desks, prepared refreshments, melons and fruits, etc., and then set up the four treasures of the study, the piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, and the wives and ladies of each family are happy.

There is a square lotus pond next to Quyuan Pavilion. The pink and purple water lilies in the pond are invincible in all seasons. Peng Yun and Shen Xianxun are teasing the koi in the pond.Peng Yun is the daughter of Taishi Ling Peng Yong, Peng Yong and Shen Qixuan are friends, and the daughters of the two families also learn piano at the Master Wu School.

"Sister Xianxun has heard about today's Qi Xuanyan invitation?" Peng Yun lightly threw a few grapes into the pond. .”

"See, you don't mean to do that." Peng Yun raised his eyebrows.

"Could it be that you mean it?" Shen Xianxun pretended to be surprised, Peng Yun gestured to her, and the two looked at each other and smiled.Peng Yuncai continued: "Neither you nor I have such intentions, so there is no need to argue with others." He raised his chin lightly as he spoke.Shen Xianxun followed him, Master Liang's youngest daughter, Liang Qi, was sketching the landscape in front of the case, Lord Xiaohou's granddaughter, Princess Yalan, just watched coldly, while another lady from the official family spoke sarcastically.

Shen Xianxun whispered: "Why is the princess included? I just think she's here to accompany you."

"Don't you know?" Peng Yun also lowered his voice: "The Xiao family is hereditary for three generations, and it is the third generation here with Lord Xiao Hou. The father of Princess Yalan can't do it again. Even the title of Princess Yalan is still young. When she entered the palace, she was favored by the Empress Dowager, so she was granted a special title. The year before last, her father managed to find a minister of the fourth rank, and there is no meritorious official in the family. The Xiao family is afraid that it will fall."

"So you sent your daughter here?" Shen Xianxun sighed, feeling a little pity.

"I heard that Princess Yalan wanted to come." Peng Yun looked at Shen Xianxun's surprised eyes, and only smiled lightly, "In the future, the second prince will definitely be crowned king. Today, Concubine Meng Gui will choose the concubine for the second prince. If you get it overnight, you will be the princess of the future, I am afraid that there are few people who have no desire for power and position like you and me."

Just as he was talking, the queen and several concubines also arrived outside Qu Yuan Pavilion, and the two princesses led the crowd to bow their knees to salute.Concubine Meng walked to the desk to look at Liang Qi's paintings, nodded her head and praised: "Master Liang is really good at teaching daughters, Qi'er is so young, she is already so good at fine brushwork."

Mrs. Liang smiled happily, and said with a blessing: "Thank you for your praise. This child has only devoted himself to playing piano, chess, calligraphy and painting since he was a child."

Concubine Meng looked at Liang Qi, Liang Qi's face was slightly pink, and he bowed to her mother.Concubine Meng Gui nodded her head, her appearance was upright, but she lacked the aura of being at your side.

Shaking her round fan, Xiao Yalan walked to the table to look at the painting, and sighed as if casually: "Beauty is beautiful, and it would be better if it is more agile." She smiled at Liang Qi, "Sister, can I ask my sister to add some color to this painting?" Interesting?"

Liang Qi looked at his mother first, and then at Concubine Meng Gui, she didn't intend to stop her, so he could only say: "I also ask my sister to enlighten me."

Everyone looked at Xiao Yalan, she only smiled faintly, held the fan in her left hand, lightly dipped her fingertips in the water tray on the table with her right fingertips, took a step back, flicked a few times above the painting out of thin air, and the mist dispersed from her fingertips, Kankan landed on the fine-painted garden landscape, and the drizzle and clouds began to bloom, adding a bit of real and illusory elegance to the fingers.

"No wonder the Empress Dowager liked something when she entered the palace at the beginning of the year. Anyone who looks at such a clever child will like it." Empress Zheng smiled and praised, watching Concubine Meng take the silk handkerchief from the maid and hand it to Xiao Yalan herself. There was genuine joy on his face, "Master Xiaohou is really blessed to have such a granddaughter."

The faces of the ladies at the side darkened when they heard this.Xiao Yalan thanked Concubine Meng, and wiped off the water on her hands with a sweet smile, her face was pink and shy: "Ya Lande is so talented and sparse, I am so ashamed to be praised by your mother."

Suddenly, I heard a clear flute sound coming from a distance. In the garden after the rain, it was slow and clear, far away, vaguely ethereal.Empress Zheng smiled gently: "This must be Mubai playing the flute." The group of people followed the sound of the flute and looked towards the northeast corner, only to feel that the blue sky was washed in the melody, and the wind was blowing in myriad ravines. Listen to the sound of the flute and turn to a low hum, gradually washing away the dust.

"Huh?! This piece is like the qin piece you composed for the sky and the late moon." Peng Yun listened intently, and suddenly sighed to Shen Xianxun.

Shen Xianxun raised her brows lightly, she had already heard it, she was a little startled, she didn't know why Zhou Mubai was playing the flute at this time, but it was still this song, but there was a hint of sweetness hidden in the panic, and some joy quietly overflowed Come.

Hearing Peng Yun's words, everyone looked over. Empress Zheng smiled at Mrs. Shen, "I heard that Master Shen's favorite pearl is the best at playing the piano, and she is also good at composing music."

Mrs. Shen also heard Shen Youtang mention this matter, so she took her daughter to kneel together, and explained the whole story about Master Wu being seriously ill and a pair of children begging for the ancient song "Yi Lan". It's a qin tune, I never thought His Royal Highness the Third Prince would compose this tune into a flute sound."

Empress Zheng nodded and said: "In the ten thousand flower array that day, Mubai and Di'er took a lot of effort to get the first place. I also said that he loves ancient songs, so I specially invited a famous teacher to teach me when I went back to the emperor. I don't want him There is still this connection with your family." After speaking, he helped her mother and daughter up, and then praised with a smile: "Mubai is indeed a righteous child. It is worthwhile for your two children to present this song, it must be an inspiration. For bosom friend."

Shen Xianxun looked at Empress Zheng looking at her with a layer of deep meaning in her eyes, and hurriedly lowered her head, her pretty face was already red beyond her ears.

Zhou Mudi listened to his mother mentioning the encounter between the two in the Ten Thousand Flowers Formation, as if it was still yesterday, counting with his fingers, two or three years have passed, and they were still innocent and young at that time, but now...

At dawn and dusk, Zhou Mubai inevitably met Mudi again. For a while, Mudi didn’t pay much attention to her. Mubai only said that when a girl grows up, she will be restrained. In this palace, she is still a prince, and a princess grows up. It would be inconvenient to be too close to the princes.

On this day, the two invited Ann, met outside Jinyu Palace, greeted each other, and went back to the palace respectively.Fang walked a few steps, Mudi gently called her, she turned her head, the hall was brightly lit, and Mudi's long skirt dragged the floor in the twilight, she felt a bit lonely.Mubai stopped to look at her, Mudi slowed down, and after giving Yiru a few words, he only stepped forward.

Mu Bai waved his hand, Xiao Guozi retreated respectfully, leaving only her brother and sister in front of the hall.

"Di'er has something on his mind?" Seeing that her face was also calm, Mubai was a little worried, "Can you talk to third brother?"

"Third brother?" Mu Di raised his eyes to look at her, answered half a sentence strangely, and after a long time, sighed again: "Let's walk with Mu Di."

"Okay." Mubai nodded, "I'll take you back to Lingxi Palace."

The two little servants were always by the side, holding lanterns in their hands, Xiao Guozi cleverly pointed to them to lead the way, the prince and princess strolled leisurely, and herself and Yiru followed only a few steps away.

Turn around the Jinyu Palace and walk along the Chaoshou verandah, and you will see the Royal Garden. Every ten steps away, there will be a walking horse to prevent the wind.Mudi walked with her head down, saw a small stone on the ground, and kicked it casually, who knew that the spring shoes were thin, and the stone clicked on her toes. Raising eyebrows: "Why are you being naughty again?!" The little Guozi behind was startled, took the lantern and held it up high, Mu Bai hurriedly said: "Hurry up and find a sedan chair!"

Hearing this, the little servant holding the lantern hurried to Lingxi Palace.

Mudi didn't feel much pain at first, but when she heard Mubai's anxiety, and saw her half-kneeling down to see where she was hurt, she thought that she had protected herself like this in the Ten Thousand Flowers Formation, and suddenly felt wronged, and helped Mudi Bai's shoulders began to cry.

"What's the matter?" Mu Bai looked up at her, got up and supported her on the stone seat beside him, "But it hurts badly?"

Mu Di shook his head: "I feel uncomfortable."

"Can you tell third brother?"

Mudi shook his head again.After the meeting, Fang said: "I have something on my mind, and I don't know what to do."

After hearing this, Mu Bai knelt down halfway, and rubbed her feet through the thin shoes: "No matter what, you shouldn't take your anger out on yourself."

A few high lights lined up in a row, and the occasional chirping of insects broke the silence in the imperial garden.Mudi lowered his head, looked at Mubai's staring eyes, although it was a slight responsibility, it showed a sense of protection.She pouted, but her heart became much clearer.At this time, the Baohua sedan chair also arrived, and Yiru helped her into the sedan chair, she lifted the tassels of the sedan chair and called softly, "Brother Xiaobai."

"Ok?"

"Why did you play the flute at noon today?" Mudi paused, "It sounds so good, what tune is it?"

"Recently, the homework is heavy, but it's just for fun. That song is the late moon in the sky in Youtang's family. He composed it as a flute and gave it to me." Mu Bai smiled lightly under the moonlight, thinking of Shen Youtang's sudden interest during the day, and urged her to be very happy. To listen to this song.

Mudi didn't say anything, and went away in Baohua sedan chair.

Early the next morning, while Mubai was still grooming, Xiao Guozi was reporting outside the bedroom. Princess Mudi of Lingxi Palace sent a brocade box over, but she had already left.Bi Yue was straightening Mu Bai's robe, Shu Yao put down the ivory comb, went to the door, took the brocade box, held it in front of Mu Bai, Bi Yue glanced at it, and went to choose accessories from the long box, Mu Bai opened the brocade box Pankou, an emerald green jade flute, is gentle and silent, leaning against the goose yellow soft box.