Hotaru [The Tale of Genji]

Winter is coming, a thin layer of ice has formed on the imperial pond, and there is a cold fragrance in the air.People who get up early in the morning breathe in a breath of cool air, and all internal organs wake up.

The maids of the various palaces hurried through the corridors with things in their hands, and after a while, the singing of the imperial concubine rang out from all over the place.The beautiful women in the Imperial Palace sat reservedly, half-covered their faces with long sleeves, revealing a pair of eyes quietly looking at the rewards sent: Tang ware, ornaments, cloth and various playthings.

No matter whether it is pride or melancholy in his heart, such an obvious expression will not be displayed so directly.Clothing materials will be used to make new clothes, with exquisite makeup, hoping to be the best at those banquets - so that the owner of this imperial palace can notice himself.

After the palace attendants left, the maids of the Chengxiang Palace leaned lazily, absent-mindedly letting the maids show themselves the newly-delivered silks and satins.She took a fancy to Tang weaving embroidered with red plum patterns, and a leather-colored dress embroidered with white crane and flying bird patterns.He also chose two brightly colored and generously textured children's costumes, and they were ironed and incensed.

"It's rare for Your Highness to be in such a good mood that he picked out the clothes himself." The female officer next to him put away the other clothes and said with a light smile.

The female queen nodded, picked up the manuscript next to her and flipped through it, "Naturally, there will be many rituals and festivals to come. Besides, Donggong's birthday is coming soon, how can I dress casually and embarrass my son?"

"How could it be, Your Highness, you are naturally beautiful, and you are extremely beautiful in everything you wear."

Nu Yu touched her cheek and laughed, "It's a pity that I can't keep people..."

Hearing this sentence, the maids looked at each other in blank dismay, without daring to say anything, they retreated silently.

"Oh, His Highness usually doesn't talk about it, but he still cares about it in his heart." The servant sighed with some melancholy.

"Who says it's not, I've been staying at Feixiangshe every day today," the maid curled her lips disdainfully while holding the exquisite and luxurious clothes in her hands, and muttered, "I don't know what magic power it is."

"Ha, what else can it be, it's just a similar face. But if this momentum continues, if you give birth to an heir, it will be even more terrible."

"The people over there are very arrogant just because their master is favored. The way they look at people is really annoying!"

"That's right, last time I met them in the garden, I could clearly hear them talking about His Highness's unfavorable things. Fei Xiangshe definitely heard it, but she let such words go and didn't stop them! "

The girls were so angry that they didn't care about etiquette, and their voices were raised several points: "What, there is such a thing!"

"I swear I read and heard right!"

"Damn, it's simply too hateful!"

"It's too deceitful to make such a mistake by relying on petting!"

Just as he was so indignant, a sharp-eyed servant saw a shadow walking this way, and hurriedly signaled everyone to stop talking: "Shh, stop talking, Jiao Shibu is here."

In the distance, a serious-looking woman in a gray and oppressive robe came towards her.Her footsteps were fast and her face was expressionless. In the eyes of all the girls, she was really more terrifying than Asura.

They bowed their heads to salute, and they were relieved to see the female officer walk over without looking sideways, as if they didn't hear their own comments.It was not until it was confirmed that Jiao Shibu could not hear the movement here that he picked up his things and left in a hurry.

Jiao Shibu is indeed a very strict and responsible female official, but her character is very stubborn and conservative.If she heard what she said just now, it wouldn't be resolved with just one or two reprimands.Sometimes she was too strict, and even His Royal Highness would reprimand her, but it was because of her that Chengxiang Hall was in order.

At this time, the female officer of the Shibuya reported to His Royal Highness the palace affairs of the day, and reminded His Highness not to be so lazy, so she left.But when he walked out of the hall, he saw His Royal Highness the Fourth Prince.

His Royal Highness, who had already faintly looked like a green pine, stood in the court.Sensing the aura behind him, he turned around, his brows seemed to be embedded with the aura of a sword—the eyes were as cold as falling into an ice cellar.At this moment, the lady official felt that her breathing became sluggish, her steps became very heavy, and she did not dare to approach the court at all.

Jiao Shibu adjusted his breathing and walked over with strength.Salute to His Highness Prince Ying, "Your Highness..."

"Master Shikibu," Prince Ying greeted, and then went straight to the point, "Have you had any unpleasant experiences recently, Mother?"

"Here, Your Highness..." Jiao Shibu was flustered at first, but finally calmed down and answered the prince's words, "Where did you hear the rumor?"

"So there are."

"Here, Your Highness, I..."

Before she could finish speaking, Yingying asserted: "Your Majesty the mother didn't want you to tell me."

Shikibu was silent, she was not a liar.But at this time, Prince Ying's momentum was so overwhelming that she couldn't hide it even if she wanted to.

"……Yes."

The surrounding atmosphere instantly cooled down, and Koshikibu felt that his breathing became more and more difficult.His Royal Highness still had no expression on his face, but his eyes were filled with the bone-chilling chill of the winter.

Shikibu-sama shuddered inexplicably, but he didn't dare to make unnecessary movements.This serious and courteous female officer swallowed her saliva in a rare gaffe, and said after considering her tone, "Your Highness, she also wanted to prevent you from..."

"Don't make me worry..." Prince Ying interrupted Shikibu forcefully before she could finish speaking.He turned his head and glanced at the female officer next to him. The deep meaning in that glance made the female officer's voice tremble a little.

"I never worried about my mother...but, Shikibe... there are some things that my mother doesn't bother to worry about, but there are some things that my mother doesn't need to worry about."

Jiao Shibu was taken aback, cold sweat protruded from his back in the cold winter.

She had always felt that His Royal Highness was not an adult, and that many things needed to be taught step by step by an adult, and his attitude towards the prince was always a bit harsh.Sometimes, I even feel that the prince is ignorant and has made some offensive actions in the eyes of ordinary people.Although, she felt that all of this was for the sake of His Royal Highness.

But the moment she stepped out of the room and saw His Highness the Fourth Highness, Jiao Shibu realized that His Highness had the same coercion and temperament as his mother, no, even more compelling than his mother— —He is a man who is born to obey, and no one can disobey his orders.

Jiao Shibu suddenly realized: Who is the person she should ultimately obey in the entire Chengxiang Palace from now on.

His Royal Highness thoughtfully gave the female officer time to think and react.It wasn't until Jiao Shibu's somewhat embarrassed expression gradually eased that he reminded him softly: "Master Shikibu, do you understand?"

"Yes, Your Highness, I understand."

"Well, from now on, I'll leave it to you to deal with the gossip and gossip in the harem." Prince Ying swept his sleeves like he was sweeping dust.His expression finally showed a bit of impatience and disgust, "It's best to clean up in person, don't disturb your ears afterwards and add to your troubles."

"Yes, Your Highness..." Jiao Shibu bowed in response, "Then, do I need to report back to you?"

"No need, you can tell me when Her Royal Highness shows a thoughtful and troubled expression. You are the person who has followed her the longest here, so there should be no problem with this judgment."

"Yes, Your Highness!"

Kyoshibu's firm answer finally eased His Royal Highness Ying's expression a little.He nodded politely, and went to pay his respects to his mother, leaving the female officer from the Shikibu who was still in fear to digest the conversation just now.

Not long after, the maid from the Chengxiang Palace was going to listen to the snow to enjoy the winter scenery, and happened to meet the barnacle lady who had just returned from the Qingliang Palace.The hostess of Feixiangshe is elegant and beautiful.Followed by a long line of people, mighty and mighty.

Greeted each other, said goodbye to each other.Just when the two people passed each other, there were very unpleasant whispers from behind, such as being unfavored and other extremely infuriating words.This time the voice was very obvious, and the faces of the servants around Chengxiang Palace turned red with anger.

Seeing that Jiao Shibu stood up calmly, with the usual expression on his face, he replied calmly: "That kind of love based on nostalgia is really unbearable."

As soon as these words came out, the body of the beautiful woman standing at the forefront froze.She turned her head slightly, and only saw Jiao Shibu's expressionless serious face, but it seemed to be full of mockery.She withdrew her gaze, didn't say anything, and left with a group of people behind her.

The author has something to say: Personally, I don’t really appreciate the Barnacle Girl Royal.She fell into an unethical relationship with the light source, knowing that it was wrong, but she couldn't help but stickyly hinted to her stepson to reply.I don't like this kind of behavior.Compared with the pure tragedy of Mrs. Zi, I think the behavior of the barnacles is self-made.When writing, I will bring my own emotions more or less.Regarding the behavior of barnacles, Qinghui doesn't plan to say more.If you are interested, you can read the original for yourself.Enough said in it.Let's leave it to our domineering Prince Ying~

This week I have been working overtime and staying up late to write articles, which is a bit unsustainable.I slept all day today, everyone has been waiting for a long time, bow~

that's all.

(Damn it, read it again, it’s all typos, come up and correct it...==)