A kitten dressed as an empress

Zhao Yao picked up the teacup and sipped the tea in a disguised manner: "I'm afraid that sunflower water will come soon, and it may take some time."

The midsummer sunlight outside the window was particularly bright, falling into the hall from the window, Wen Ruyan ate sour plums and didn't want to force her, so she changed the topic.

In the afternoon, Wen Ruyan nestled on a low couch, taking a nap on his side with a round fan in one hand.

Not long after, the round fan slipped from Wen Ruyan's hands, and there was a little noise from the chirping of cicadas outside the window. Zhao Yao put down the memorial in her hand, stepped forward to pick up the round fan, and her eyes fell on the face with her eyes closed.

Her long hair was scattered behind her body, and the plain skirt spread out like a feather fan, which made her look slim, her pink lips were slightly pouty, and she was sleeping soundly on a soft pillow like a child.

Zhao Yao sat sideways, shaking the round fan lightly, and raised her hands to tie her fine hair scattered around her cheeks behind her ears.

Different from the face of an ordinary elegant and quiet woman, she has a pair of bright and charming apricot eyes, which look particularly lively and lovely, which is quite in line with her naughty temperament on weekdays.

"Your Majesty, General Xie Min sent a letter from a flying pigeon." The hidden guard of the outer palace whispered.

Zhao Yao put down the round fan, raised her hand to pick up the thin blanket and put it in front of her, and then walked towards the outer hall.

With the death of the prince of the Northwest Kingdom, it is a foregone conclusion that the six major tribes bowed their heads and proclaimed their vassals.

The civil strife in the northwest for several years has only now been restored to stability, and Zhao Yao is relieved.

The Punishment Divisions are all from the martial arts world, so it is natural that ordinary soldiers from the Northwest Kingdom can stop them, but if they take advantage of the chaos in the Northwest and send troops, it will damage the reputation of the South Kingdom.

Now that the royal family of the Northwest Kingdom is dead, and the six major tribes are doing their own thing, and because they are afraid of the Southern Kingdom taking advantage of this situation, they bow their heads and surrender.

After the secret guards passed the letter to the northwest border overnight, Zhao Yao distributed the remaining memorials to six copies. When Peony was holding the memorials, her eyes fell on the sleepy people on the low couch, and her heart was full of jealousy.

His Majesty treats Wen Ruyan too much.

"His Majesty……"

"Don't make any noise." Zhao Yao stopped talking in fear that Peony would wake up the sleeping people on the low couch.

Peony had no choice but to shut up, bowed her head and exited the main hall, it was dusk outside.

Xia Xiang came back from class at Zangshu Pavilion, holding the bookcase in her hand, her little face was flushed red by the sun, and her nose was still dripping with sweat, and the shadow of her small body was stretched very, very long by the setting sun.

But Xia Xiang was reluctantly really happy, because today, Miss Su praised herself for being extremely smart.

Coincidentally meeting Mudan and other palace officials, Xia Xiang saluted and turned sideways to avoid it.

Peony sent back the memorial from the outside room and came back, feeling annoyed by the heat, her eyes fell on the little palace lady Xia Xiang, and she thought that this little palace lady didn't have to do anything all day long, she was obviously only a second-class palace lady, but she was better than herself. This class of palace people is even easier.

And all of this is because of Wen Ruyan, His Majesty even intentionally neglected him because of this, he usually takes care of dressing and hairdressing personally, but now he is replaced by a palace man next to him.

Xiao Nizi who caught the whistleblower back then was driven to the West Lane. She thought that no one in the palace would dare to make trouble. Who would have thought that Wen Ruyan would sue His Majesty.

Although she can't be gentle and gentle now, but this little palace man doesn't want His Majesty's wishes, Mudan stopped with a vicious plan.

"The main hall has run out of ice cubes, follow us to the ice storage to get some."

Xia Xiang hugged the bookcase and felt something was wrong, so she shook her head and replied: "Miss Wen only asked me to clean up the main hall daily, the ice cubes are the responsibility of the kitchen palace staff, Sister Peony, I still have something to report to Miss Wen, I'm afraid I can't help. "

Mudan frowned, thinking that this little girl has such a good mouth, that she dared to use Wen Ruyan to scare people.

"It seems that I can't control a second-class palace official in Yuqing Palace anymore." Peony raised her hand and twisted Xia Xiang's ear, twisting it very hard, and pierced her sharp nails into the soft earlobe.

The palace people around lowered their heads and were busy, while the palace people beside them were watching the fun. Mudan laughed mockingly: "As long as you work in Yuqing Palace, you must remember for me who is the steward of Yuqing Palace. I want to sue Wen Ruyan, otherwise I don't even want your whole right hand, let alone a small piece of your little finger."

Xia Xiang's face turned pale from the pain, and Mudan let go of her hand and pushed it down. There were several steps in this place, so the bookcase fell open, and many papers were stained with dust.

Seeing that Xia Xiang didn't resist, Mudan proudly led the palace servants away.

Due to the sudden fall, the sleeves and robes of the palace clothes were stained with a lot of dust. Xia Xiang stretched out her hands to cover her ears in pain and climbed up. It took a long time for her to recover, and when she stretched out her hands to pick up paper, she saw the blood on her palms.

Xia Xiang wiped her hands casually, hurriedly put the things in the bookcase into the small compartment of the main hall.

Although this small cubicle is not big, the desks, chairs and beds are all ready. Xia Xiang took a look at her ears in the clear water of the basin, only to find that there were beads of blood dripping from her earlobes.

When Wen Ruyan was eating at night, he saw a lot of meat, so he picked some of each and called Xia Xiang in.

"You take these into the compartment and eat."

"Thank you Miss Wen." Xia Xiang reached out to take the porcelain plate full of dishes to thank.

In order to cover up the earlobe injury, Xia Xiang secretly covered her ears with a few strands of hair, only to see that Miss Wen really didn't notice it, so she was relieved.

Xia Xiang was mostly fine at night, His Majesty didn't like to be served by others, and Miss Wen didn't like to order palace servants around on weekdays.

Therefore, Xia Xiang spent most of her days and nights writing homework assigned by Miss Su. When she was writing with her right hand, she could always see the scar of her little finger. Although she covered it with her sleeve, only Xia Xiang knew about it. There will always be some inability to do so.

Therefore, in order to hurry up and write at night, Xia Xiang mostly writes with her left hand, but it is unlucky to do things with her left hand in Nanguo. Xia Xiang was reprimanded and punished by the old mother for this, and since then she has switched to her right hand.

But she is still not used to using her right hand, Xia Xiang is still used to using her left hand, and she writes quickly with her left hand when practicing calligraphy.

In the afternoon of the next day, Su Qing counted the books in the Library Pavilion, and when the door was pushed open, he saw the little palace man walking in.

"Miss Su is well."

"En." Su Qing took out a few books from between the bookshelves, sat at the main table and said, "Why are you here so early today?"

Because of the hot weather, Xia Xiang's cheeks were a little red and she responded slowly: "Miss Wen asked Xia Xiang to help return the borrowed books, so she came earlier."

Su Qing took the book Xia Xiang took out from the book, and his eyes fell on Xia Xiang's sweaty face, then he took out the handkerchief from his sleeve and handed it over.

Xia Xiang didn't react for a while, she stared blankly at the bewildered one and said, "What is Miss Su doing?"

"You bring an umbrella next time. You'll be sweating in the afternoon under such a scorching sun." Seeing the little palace man who usually memorized and answered very fluently, Su Qing couldn't help pursing his lips and smiling, "Why don't I give it to you?" Do you wipe it?"

After speaking, Su Qing held the handkerchief and wiped it gently on her forehead. Xia Xiang felt that the slightly cold handkerchief was very comfortable and asked, "It's so cool."

Su Qing said with a slight smile: "I soaked it in ice water just now, so it's naturally cooler."

On weekdays, the little palace people are always very shy and timid, most of them are said by Su Qing, and the little palace people only nod and rarely talk.

But I didn't expect Xiao Gongren to be so cute. Su Qing held the handkerchief and wiped it to the side of his face carefully. When his fingertips touched a fine strand of hair hanging down the side of his face, he accidentally saw the wound on the small earlobe, and his brows frowned slightly. Voice: "Has anything happened to you recently?"

The little palace man responded with evasive eyes: "No, no."

Su Qing stared at the little palace man who was obviously not telling the truth, hesitantly did not ask further questions.

It is common for palace people to bully people in the palace. If there is no family background, I am afraid that I may not be able to live well.

Seeing that Xia Xiang was a little nervous, she distanced herself and said, "It's time to write silently."

"En." Su Qing held the handkerchief and watched the little palace man return to the seat on one side, and took out the pen, ink, paper and inkstone from the bookcase one by one, as if nothing had happened.

Then I should have done nothing, after all, one more thing is worse than one less thing.

In the evening, when the little palace lady grabbed the bookcase and saluted and turned to leave, Su Qing stood up and called her to stop.

Xia Xiang turned around in confusion and responded, "Miss Su, is there anything else?"

"Show me your right hand."

"Right hand?"

Xia Xiang stretched out her hand hesitantly, blushing in embarrassment because of that little finger.

Su Qing raised her hand and lightly held her slender hand and said, "You were bullied by the palace people, why didn't you tell Miss Wen?"

Xia Xiang pursed her lips and responded in a low voice: "Xia Xiang can't say it."

"Are you afraid of them?" Su Qing lightly touched the new scar on the palm of his finger, and couldn't bear to expose Xiao Gongren's fragile mind, "But the more you are afraid, the more proud they are, so they will never stop of."

"I can't tell."

Seeing such a stubborn little palace maid, Su Qing sighed helplessly and said, "They didn't allow you to tell Miss Wen?"

"Ah."

"Do you know why Miss Wen asked you to read and write with me?"

Xia Xiang remembered what Ms. Wen said back then: "Ms. Wen wants Xia Xiang to be admitted to the top female prize."

Seeing the little palace man uttering such inconceivable words in a serious manner, Su Qing clenched his too slender hands slightly and walked towards the main table, took out ointment from one side, applied medicine to the wound on his palm and said, "Do you know that Nanguo is not No female champion?"

"I don't know." Xia Xiang shook her head truthfully.

"If you've been wronged, you should speak out, otherwise Miss Wen will be angry and sad for you if she finds out in the future." Su Qing tied the gauze carefully, and then poked her earlobe.

Xia Xiang wanted to hide, but Miss Su looked at her seriously, and she had no choice but to obediently stand aside and respond: "She is His Majesty's personal palace servant, I can't let Miss Wen have a relationship with His Majesty because of me."

At least staying by Miss Wen's side, Xia Xiang more or less knew that His Majesty was not satisfied with her. These days, His Majesty was a little cold towards Miss Wen, so she couldn't make trouble because of herself anymore.

Su Qing didn't expect that the little palace man was only thinking about Wen Ruyan, and felt a little annoyed at his narrow mind for a while. Looking at the swollen earlobe, he took out the medicine bottle from the drawer, carefully applied the medicine and said, "Your Majesty It is very good to treat Miss Wen, how could it be possible to get married because of a palace man?"

"Yes." Xia Xiang thought of every time His Majesty looked at her eyes, and felt a chill down her back.

"Then you plan to endure it like this?" Su Qing looked at the wound that had deteriorated due to the hot summer, "These days, be careful to protect your ears from getting wet. If the wound deteriorates, it may rot."

Xia Xiang was frightened, and quickly nodded in response: "Yes, thank you, Ms. Su."

When the little palace lady left Zangshu Pavilion, Su Qing was worried about her situation. With such a temperament, she would swallow her stomach even if she knocked out her teeth. The palace is a place that eats people but doesn't spit out bones.

After a period of time like this, Su Qing saw that the little palace man had no new injuries, so he pressed down on his intention to tell Wen Ruyan.

The weather was hot in midsummer, Xia Xiang came out of the waterside pavilion with two big food boxes after lunch, Peony was fanning in her hand, and sent two palace servants to follow.

Xia Xiang handed over the food box to the kitchen servants for disposal, and then turned out of the backyard. When she was at a corner stone scene, her eyes suddenly went dark, her whole body was covered by a sack, and she lost consciousness when her neck hurt.

When he woke up again, his whole body was freezing cold, but Xia Xiang couldn't break free from the lost struggle, so he could only keep calling.

But there was no response, and instead echoes echoed one after another.

Is this an icehouse?

Su Qing from Zangshuge looked at the incense beside him, people who were never late on weekdays did not see anyone at the end of the day.

It's really unusual.

After Wen Ruyan had his meal, he nestled in the water pavilion and read a book. Because the affairs of the Northwest Kingdom were stable, the court was discussing how to divide the prefectures and counties to manage the six major tribes.

Xie Min led his troops back to the capital, accompanied by six tribes, Zhao Yao specially hosted a banquet for them.

Therefore, Zhao Yao has been extremely busy these past few days, Wen Ruyan is only wearing thin skirts in the water pavilion, and her feet are in the lotus pond, she really has no image to speak of, but Su Qing came to visit suddenly.

"Xia Xiang is gone?"

Su Qing nodded in response: "In the past, she always came to Zangshuge to attend classes on time, but she didn't come today."

Wen Ruyan moved his feet out of the pool, stood up with a slight frown and said, "I know who it is!"

When the people from the two palaces came back to report, Peony was resting in the pavilion, peeling grape skins with one hand.

"Sister Peony, what you told me has been done."

"Are you sure you weren't seen?"

"Don't worry, don't talk about your face, neither of us made a sound."

Peony gave a large grape to the two palaces and said: "This is a grape that came from the Northwest Kingdom. I reward you."

The people from the two palaces respectfully stood aside and responded: "Sister Peony, when do you think we should release that little palace lady from the ice storage?"

"I caught it, but do you still want to let it go?" Mudan looked coldly at the people in the two palaces, but they belonged to Miss Wen. "The people in the two palaces were suddenly dumbfounded. This was just torturing people, but they never thought of killing people.

Peony spat out grape seeds and said in a low voice: "What are you afraid of? Throw it into the well when the time comes. It's just that the little palace people can't think about it."

Wen Ruyan first called Zhao Yao's palace servants with swords who followed him earlier, and asked them to summon the palace servants of Yuqing Palace.

Peony, who was about to take a nap, was awakened by the noise, so she got up reluctantly, walked from the backyard to the courtyard and said, "Miss Wen, why are you so angry that you have to make such a fuss?"

"Where did Xia Xiang go?" Wen Ruyan looked at Mudan, who was late, and asked with restrained anger.

Mudan yawned all over the sky, and didn't care about Wen Ruyan's anger at all. On the contrary, she replied very proudly: "There are hundreds of people in Yuqing Palace, and I am not as leisurely as Miss Wen. Besides, Xia Xiang is a big living person, so why should I still be so happy?" Can you hide her?"

Seeing this, Wen Ruyan first questioned the guards guarding the gate of Yuqing Palace to confirm that no palace personnel left Yuqing Palace in the afternoon, and ordered all palace personnel to search in Yuqing Palace.

At sunset, the palace people searched the Yuqing Palace, but there was no one there. Wen Ruyan looked at the topographic map of the Yuqing Palace, thinking that a living person should not disappear out of thin air.

Su Qing on the side frowned slightly and said, "How about having someone check the well in the palace?"

Wen Ruyan was slightly stunned, thinking that it was impossible for Xia Xiang's temperament to have such a deep hatred with others, but he still asked the palace servants to check the well water quickly.

The palace people were busy, but there was no one in the well, so Wen Ruyan's heart was relieved.

Peony didn't expect such a big commotion, she was a little uneasy, she turned her head to look at the setting sun in the distance and got up and said: "It's getting dark today, if you don't prepare dinner, we will delay your Majesty's meal today, we can't worry about it." Not guilty."

The people in the palaces were obviously also a little worried. Su Qing looked at the already dark room, and became more and more anxious in his heart: "I heard that the Yuqing Palace was hit by a fire. Is there any newly built place that has not been marked on the map?"

A person from Xiaogong said in a low voice: "When the main hall was built, it seemed to be rebuilding and expanding an underground ice storage."

Upon hearing this, Wen Ruyan hurriedly asked, "Who is in charge of the ice storage?"

Peony said leisurely: "I."

If you have to say that Xia Xiang will have trouble with others, it can only be because of herself.

And Mudan is the most likely person. This person is narrow-minded and especially likes to bully others with power.

"Come here, lead the way to the icehouse."

Seeing the group of people leaving, Mudan stopped by her side in fear and said, "Sister Mudan, what should I do!"

"Shut up!" Mudan didn't expect that Wen Ruyan would make such a fuss for a small palace official.

There are two layers of locks on the outer door of the freezer, Wen Ruyan saw that the palace servants stopped, and asked in puzzlement, "Why didn't you open it?"

"Sister Peony is in charge of this key."

Wen Ruyan frowned and said, "Take out the key!"

Mudan shook her head and said, "Leave the key to the people in Ergong, not me."

The second palace man beside him held the key tremblingly, and slowly opened the door.

Wen Ruyan asked those martial arts palace people to press Mudan and the second palace people down to search for them, and Su Qing followed closely, and the group got colder as they went down.

Mudan said unconvinced: "Miss Wen, what are you doing with someone pressing me down?"

"If you find Xia Xiang in this freezer, you will be sinners."

"This is too ridiculous." Fear flashed in Peony's eyes, and then she argued desperately, "I didn't take care of the key to the freezer, and I'm also His Majesty's personal palace man, so you have no right to punish me."

When Su Qing heard this sentence, she couldn't help but look at this arrogant palace man. Xia Xiang also mentioned it back then.

Wen Ruyan shivered coldly when he reached the bottom floor, only to see ice everywhere, and there were many wooden boxes piled up inside.

"Search separately."

"Yes."

"Xia Xiang?" Su Qing looked at the silent icehouse, and couldn't help but feel a little depressed. It's probably more ominous than good.

Wen Ruyan turned sideways to look around the freezer, looked at the peony coldly and said, "If you tell me now, I can still spare you."

Mudan said with a cold face, "What else can I say about things I haven't done?"

The people in the second palace looked at him with ashen faces, and said hesitantly: "Miss Wen, I..."

"What are you!" Peony excitedly raised her hand and slapped the second palace man, "Don't talk nonsense."

The person in the second palace didn't stand still for a while, and fell straight down. His head hit the ice and saw blood, so he didn't dare to make a sound.

Wen Ruyan didn't expect Mudan to speak out with such arrogance in Yuqing Palace: "You'd better pray that Xia Xiang is okay."

Peony's palms were still trembling due to too much force. She looked at Wen Ruyan who was walking into the depths of the ice store, then lowered her head to look at the people in the second palace and said in a low voice, "Your sister is only six years old, so you have to think it over for me!"

The second palace man covered his forehead with his palm, and didn't dare to make any more noise.

Zhao Yao went back to the main hall of Yuqing Palace, only to see the palace servants carrying hot water in and out of the main hall.

"What's going on here?" Zhao Yao asked puzzled.

Su Qing said with an extremely cold face: "Miss Wen's close servant, Xia Xiang, was framed and just rescued from the freezer."

Zhao Yao entered the inner palace and all the palace people knelt down to salute, Wen Ruyan was still carefully rubbing Xia Xiang's unconscious leg.

When the imperial doctor came, he prescribed the medicine and sighed: "If this happens later, I'm afraid my life will be lost."

Su Qing breathed a sigh of relief when he heard this, and Wen Ruyan was so tired that he sat on the side.

"I'm here to guard Xia Xiang. Ms. Wen might as well have a meal and rest with Your Majesty earlier." Su Qing looked at His Majesty who had been watching coldly and suddenly understood Xia Xiang's feelings.

When Wen Ruyan came out of the cubicle, Zhao Yao raised her hand to gently embrace the unstable person and said, "Don't worry too much. If the imperial doctor says there is nothing wrong, it will be fine."

The palace servants prepared dinner, but Wen Ruyan didn't have much strength in his hands to hold the soup bowl.

It's not just that she's tired, it's that she shudders because of Mudan's cruel heart, and Xia Xiang is only fifteen.

"This matter has absolutely nothing to do with Peony."

Holding the wooden spoon in her hand, Zhao Yao paused to look at the serious man, pursed her thin lips slightly and said, "There is no evidence yet, why do you suspect Peony?"

Wen Ruyan replied very seriously: "You can send someone from the second palace to ask questions, she definitely knows the details."

During the day, Zhao Yao was busy dealing with government affairs in the Northwest, and Zhao Yao was already struggling. Now that she was going back to Yuqing Palace, she had to worry about a small palace official. What to do with Peony is up to you."

"Trouble?" Wen Ruyan looked at Zhao Yao in disbelief, "Xia Xiang was thrown into the freezer and almost killed."

This is a murder, how could Zhao Yao answer so lightly.

Zhao Yao held the wooden spoon slightly between her fingers and looked at Wen Ruyan with a very serious expression: "Are you blaming me?"

She's just a little palace lady, she doesn't even hesitate to blame herself.

Wen Ruyan responded in a deep voice: "It's no wonder that Mudan is so defiant and sophistry. His Majesty's personal servants can kill innocent people indiscriminately, and even slap her in public."

"What exactly do you want to say?" Zhao Yao raised her eyebrows lightly, her eyes were burning with anger, and she looked at Wen Ruyan with extreme forbearance.

"Peony is your servant. It is up to the master to beat the dog. Even if you want to deal with it, it is your business."

Zhao Yao really didn't expect Wen Ruyan to be sarcastic, and immediately called: "Come here!"

The people from the outer palace rushed in immediately, Zhao Yao said coldly: "Peony abused her power, and she performed the punishment of molten iron in public, immediately press down and execute it."

Peony, who was tied up and thrown in the room, howled like a madman when she heard such an order: "Your Majesty..."

Zhao Yao went out of the main hall, watched Peony being knocked out and brought out of Yuqing Palace with cold eyes, and said, "You want to avenge the little palace man, then I will show you what torture is!"

Wen Ruyan looked at the tightly held hands, and there was no room for resistance at all.

In the punishment of molten iron, Wen Ruyan did not expect that the iron would be melted into a fiery red liquid, which would be poured directly from the body over and over again. The person would not die immediately, until he was tortured to death alive.

When Peony was suspended in the air, the guard slowly approached with a small cup of molten iron, and Wen Ruyan hurriedly said, "Stop!"

Zhao Yao looked at Ying coldly: "Isn't this what you want?"

In the past, Wen Ruyan only felt that Zhao Yao and Zhao Yao had some different ideas and concepts, but only now did he realize that the two of them are people from two completely different worlds.

So in Zhao Yao's eyes, whether it's Peony, Xia Xiang, or herself, as long as they are insignificant, they can be cruelly disposed of at will.

"This is not what I thought." Wen Ruyan held Zhao Yao's hand tightly and said, "Tell them to stop!"

Even if Peony deserves to die, it should be executed according to the law. This is clearly torture, and it is Zhao Yao who is using peony to demonstrate against herself.

Zhao Yao shook her head and replied, "It's late."

Wen Ruyan heard the tragic voice, but didn't dare to look at it. Peony's wailing begging for mercy still echoed in her ears, but Zhao Yao didn't have any compassion.

"You're just angry with me, why are you punishing her?" Wen Ruyan asked, holding Zhao Yao's hand tightly.

"I won't get angry with you." Zhao Yao raised her hand and looked towards Wen Ruyan's side face, "She Mudan hurt your beloved little palace lady, I'm helping you vent your anger."

There was not a single angry word in these words, but it made people feel fearful. At this moment, Wen Ruyan realized that Zhao Yao only wanted to bow her head and give in, and everything else was just a means, so she whispered, "Just beg me, Make them stop."

Zhao Yao curled up between her fingers, raised her hand with her thin lips tightly pursed, Fang Mudan's screams just stopped, only weak crying remained.

"it is good."

I don't remember how long it took, but when Xia Xiang woke up, everything in front of her eyes had changed.

This is not a cubicle in the main hall of Yuqing Palace, where books are everywhere.

When Su Qing came in with the medicinal soup from the outside, Xia Xiang's eyes were full of curiosity and she said, "You are awake."

"Ms. Su, why are you here?" Xia Xiang's limbs were still a little unresponsive, so she had to be helped by Su Qing, and half sat up with the help of a soft pillow.

"This is the Library Pavilion." Su Qing looked at Xia Xiang, who had lost a lot of weight, and held a wooden spoon with medicinal soup between her fingers and handed it to her mouth, "You have been sleeping for a while, and it is normal for your hands and feet to be weak now. Rest well and you'll get better."

Xia Xiang blushed and replied, "Then I'm going to trouble Miss Su."

Su Qing watched the little palace man eating the medicinal soup obediently, and he didn't know how to tell her about Yuqing Palace.

After drinking the medicine, Xia Xiang looked around and asked hesitantly, "Where is Miss Wen?"

"Miss Wen is in Yuqing Palace." Su Qing raised her hand in embarrassment and pressed the quilt, "In the future, if you work as an errand in Cangshu Pavilion, I'm afraid you won't be able to return to Yuqing Palace."

Xia Xiang was still a little unresponsive, and it took a while to realize that her eyes were reddish and she bowed her head and remained silent.

"Why are you crying?" Su Qing didn't have red eyes when she saw her being bullied at that time, but the sudden tears made people feel a little overwhelmed.

"Miss Wen doesn't want Xia Xiang anymore?"

Su Qing wiped the tears from the corners of the little palace man's eyes with his fingertips and said, "Xia Xiang is so obedient, Miss Wen is not willing to let her go, but she is afraid that you will be bullied again in Yuqing Palace, so I let you study in Zangshu Pavilion."

This is not a lie, that's what Wen Ruyan told Su Qing.

However, Su Qing knew more or less what happened that night, and heard that Mudan was punished by the Empress to be punished with molten iron.

The torture of molten iron was not carried out to the end. I heard that Mudan was still alive in the end, and was finally punished to the West Lane, never allowed to enter the harem.

Ordinary people would probably be scared to death after seeing this torture, not to mention that Wen Ruyan is still a kind-hearted person, so it may be difficult to bear such a nightmare scene.

After all, it was a little girl, Xia Xiang's eyes lit up again when she heard the good words, and she replied with a slightly red face: "Well, Xia Xiang will definitely work hard."

In late autumn, when the weather was getting cooler, Wen Ruyan and Su Qing were promoted to Bachelors in front of the temple.

Su Qing didn't have any idea, guessing that the freezing winter was about to come, His Majesty wanted Wen Ruyan to be in the hall, so he dragged himself along with this position.

It was probably thanks to Wen Ruyan's blessing that he no longer had to endure the biting cold wind, after all, he was an old bone.

In the early morning, Wen Ruyan was wearing a heavy official robe to meet Su Qing. They both hold official positions, but there are several differences in the official robes, the style of fabric and even the jade worn by their sides are quite different.

The court ministers were all old foxes. There were various speculations about this female bachelor with the surname Wen whose origin was unknown, and they finally agreed that this might be one of the empress' new favorites.

After all, the empress has been married for many years, and not only does she have no queen, she even has no children, anyone with a discerning eye can tell.

Su Qing was originally afraid that Zhuang Ling would not leave the palace even if she died in three years, but somehow after Mudan was tortured, Zhuang Ling never asked for her own help, and instead ran away without a trace as soon as she left the palace.

Of the seven men and two women who entered the palace in three years, all of them were gone except Song Zhen.

When they heard that Song Zhen was left alone, Song Qing and the others were overjoyed.

There are still three remaining of the four princes earlier, but Qi Jun has been silent because of the decline of the Qi family. As for Song Jun, who has heard that he has suffered a serious illness recently, he probably won’t survive the winter. As for Zhou Jun, he is too unknown. Almost no one in the ruling and opposition parties paid attention, and even the Zhou family didn't have any expectations.

Su cleaned up the folds of Li Guan's robe and said, "Miss Wen, why did you come out?"

"It's too hot." Wen Ruyan didn't expect the new official robe to be so thick and warm. Holding the official hat in his hand, he wiped the fine sweat on his forehead.

"It seems that Miss Wen's physique is very good, but I still feel that the cold is tight." Su Qing was afraid that she and Wen Ruyan would be too close to provoke her brother's tricks, and she was even more afraid of His Majesty's sudden sharp eye.

The two entered the hall one after the other, and when the Manchu officials gathered together, the morning court began.

In the second half of the year, the affairs of the court will be extremely busy, and there will be a lot of proposals every day in the early court.

When the morning court was over, the cabinet ministers had to stay and work overtime. Wen Ruyan and Su Qing would handle some minor memorials properly, and it was considered a semi-internship to take up the post.

Wen Ruyan didn't know much about the promotion arrangement, she only thought it was her personal hobby, after all, after experiencing the Mudan incident, she fully understood that Zhao Yao and herself were not in the same group.

When no one can change anyone, it can only be temporarily deadlocked.

Zhao Yao had a rare break in the afternoon, so someone invited Song Zhen to play chess. Su Qing looked at Wen Ruyan, who was copying the law, and did not understand the situation of these two people.

Song Zhen is outstanding in appearance, she is the youngest and only daughter of the old lady of the Song family, she should be doted on in every possible way, but she was sent to the palace by Grand Master Song.

Living in the palace for three years, only talking about poetry and painting all day long, she is really a person who has no power to calculate, Su Qing didn't even see her take the initiative to approach His Majesty.

Who would have thought that a few days before leaving the palace, the imperial concubine would be conferred suddenly, and the officials of the whole court would be shocked. The empress openly made a woman a concubine, which is really unheard of in the world.

With the power of the empress in her hands, the commander of soldiers and horses, and the daughter of the Song family's heir, the aristocratic family did not dare to say anything because of the Song family's face.

But Su Qing was aware of His Majesty's doting on Wen Ruyan, so he suddenly changed his mind, there must be a reason for it.

Bisheng Wen Ruyan didn't mind at all, he went to court to drink tea as usual, and in his spare time, he would go to Zangshu Pavilion to amuse Xia Xiang.

Song Zhen held the chess piece in her hand and quietly put it down and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, I'm going to admit defeat this time."

Most of Zhao Yao's mind was focused on the person who copied the law, she frowned slightly to recover, and then responded: "It's too early to talk about winning or losing at this time."

"Hey, Your Majesty is throwing himself into a trap." Song Zhen followed closely and blocked Zhao Yao's previous move.

Su Qing, who was watching the chess from the sidelines, was a little bit dumbfounded. His Majesty, who usually strategizes, made a wrong move today.

However, this daughter of the Song family is also very courageous, as if she is not afraid of offending His Majesty at all.

"Sure enough, she comes from a scholarly family. Miss Song's chess skills are much better than those in the palace." Zhao Yao put down the chess pieces, admitting defeat in a rare way.

Song Zhen sipped her tea and looked at the female scholar who was copying the law. She sighed with a complex smile in her eyes: "Your Majesty is absurd, and my concubine is not as brave and wise as His Majesty."

Su Qing suddenly felt that she couldn't hear in her ears. This daughter of the Song family was really different from the young lady next to her.

Most of the daughters next to her are very intellectual and elegant, but Song Zhen has a lively and mischievous temperament, which is somewhat similar to Wen Ruyan.

Could it be that His Majesty is intentionally keeping the temperature as high as he said?

Wen Ruyan didn't want to eavesdrop at first, so she buried her head in writing and copied quickly, but when she heard Song Zhen's praise like that, she was really struck by lightning and made a typo.

Bravery and wisdom, isn't it just a game of chess, is it necessary to be so exaggerated?

On weekdays, Zhao Yao doesn't look like a person who is fascinated by people's praise.

At dinner in the evening, Wen Ruyan sat by the side and ate meat, while Zhao Yao ate green vegetables. The dishes between the two of them were very clear from the borders of Chuhe and Han.

The inner hall had already been provided with floor heating, Wen Ruyan slightly opened the window to breathe, holding tea in his hand and looking out the window, when the cold snowflakes fell on his cheeks, they would quickly melt into snow water.

Wen Ruyan looked up at the pitch-black sky, thinking how time flies.

The half-open window was closed, Zhao Yao came out from inside at some point, frowning slightly, watching the person in thin clothes blowing cold wind desperately.

This look was really uncomfortable, Wen Ruyan took a sip of tea and responded, "What do you see me doing?"

"Can't I see you?" Zhao Yao stretched out her hand to take away the cold tea in Wen Ruyan's hand, drinking cold water in the cold weather, she really didn't pay attention to her body at all.

Wen Ruyan stared blankly at the teacup that was taken away and said, "Why did you take my tea away?"

Zhao Yao poured another cup of tea, put it in Wen Ruyan's palm and said, "That cup is cold."

After finally waiting for a cup of warm tea, it was poured out. Wen Ruyan looked at the steaming hot tea and put it aside helplessly.

"Have you stopped drinking?"

Zhao Yao looked at Wen Ruyan who climbed onto the bed and ignored her.

Wen Ruyan only showed his head and replied, "I don't drink hot tea."

Zhao Yao raised her hand and picked up the teacup that Wen Ruyan had put down, bowed her head and took a sip, thinking that the tea would not burn her mouth.

The inner hall of the dormitory was brightly lit, Wen Ruyan was holding a story book in his hand, and was busy with the boring night life.

Compared to Wen Ruyan's reading, Zhao Yao is simpler and straightforward.

Wen Ruyan couldn't bear the scorching gaze, so he had to close the book, turned his head to look at Zhao Yao and said, "What are you looking at me for?"

"Song Zhen played chess with me today, what do you think?"

"It's alright."

Zhao Yao's eyes darkened a little, she moved closer and asked, "Then, are you happy with her becoming a concubine?"

Wen Ruyan dodged to one side, stretched out his hand to press the gap in the quilt and said, "Don't move around, the wind will get in the quilt."

Zhao Yao, who couldn't get close, could only look at Wen Ruyan who was about to squeeze into a corner and said, "Then you don't want a name?"

The last time Peony was disrespectful, Zhao Yao specially punished a group of palace people, but Wen Ruyan has no status in Yuqing Palace, so it is inevitable that he will be despised.

Zhao Yao wanted to take the opportunity to raise the position of queen, but at present, she could only do it step by step.

"Do not want to."

This too blunt response blocked all Zhao Yao's thoughts.

No matter how dull Wen Ruyan was, he wouldn't be ignorant of Zhao Yao's intentions. To pull Song Zhen to the position of concubine was just to test the reaction of the ministers, and then let herself be in the position in the future.

As the saying goes, boiling frogs in warm water is exactly the truth.

But after what happened last time, Wen Ruyan understood that Zhao Yao would never change herself but wanted to change herself.

This is not a rogue thing.

It's just that Zhao Yao is too strong to directly resist the shattering that can only be split, and in the end it can only hurt both sides, so Wen Ruyan is not tough at all, let's see what Zhao Yao will do!

Just when Wen Ruyan was squinting his eyes and trying to pretend to be asleep, he suddenly held his hand, and then leaned towards Zhao Yao's side.

"What... what are you doing?" Wen Ruyan opened her eyes and looked at her hands.

Zhao Yao approached and pecked her lips lightly and said in a low voice, "Don't you want mine?"

Wen Ruyan looked at the place where he put his hands guilty, and said calmly, "Sorry, I'm not interested now."

I saw Zhao Yao's face