Hotaru [The Tale of Genji]

Let's say that after the rattan banquet that day, there was a lot of talk in Yujing.The invitees shook their heads and talked about how gorgeous the scene was, how delicious the food and wine were, and how moving the singing and dancing were.How yearning it is to see the demeanor of the two royal princes from a distance.His tone was up and down, and his expression was undisguised to show off, as if he could talk about it for a lifetime.

After Prince Guang came to the scene, he participated in various amusements, and the wonderful poems he made were more impressive than those vines like purple clouds.Even some shy daughters couldn't help talking to their companions.

Wisteria became the foil of Mr. Genji, which was not what the right minister wanted to achieve.In the midst of annoyance, His Royal Highness asked someone to send a painting.There are only a few strokes in that painting, but it has already depicted the supreme grace of wisteria.Attached to the painting are words of thanks from the handsome palace, thanking the right minister for the banquet of appreciating the vines, which makes people overjoyed when they meet the spring breeze.

With such feedback, the right minister's face was immediately restored.Satisfied, he asked people to publicize this matter, wishing that everyone in the whole Yujing knew about this masterpiece and the thank you words sent by Shuai Palace.

Besides, why did Prince Ying, who never liked to be involved in these matters, send out such a precious painting?There is no other reason.Just because the rattan banquet was over that day, Suzaku was worried and asked someone to send a car to pick it up, which made Shuai Palace very happy, and he was happy for several days.Feeling that the flower banquet was held really well, they sent a thank you gift to them.

His Majesty Suzaku knew about this move, and he couldn't laugh or cry.To put it bluntly, why bother to join in the fun on such a thing.The fourth prince smiled and replied, since it's all lively and harmless, let's make it even more lively.

His Majesty Shuai Palace was delighted. He thought it was just a secret protection, but it was inadvertently rewarded.Although it was not what he expected, but there was also a sudden spring breeze, thousands of trees and pear blossoms were overjoyed.When people are in spring, this heart seems to have been soothed by tenderness.

Suzaku didn't know why His Royal Highness Ying was so happy these days.Prince Ying has always been as usual, and will stay in Qingliang Hall to accompany him after the court meeting.Sometimes it is to discuss government affairs, and sometimes it is to discuss knowledge.Even if they have nothing to say and are doing their own things separately, they feel that the atmosphere is extremely beautiful.

The only difference is that Suzaku feels that Hotaru always seems to be watching him.Looking at herself with that kind of very gentle, affectionate, lover-like eyes.Sometimes when the two get closer, he can see the affection in Prince Ying's eyes when he occasionally tilts his head.But if you look carefully, you can't see anything.

Young people are generally horrified by such discoveries.Subconsciously comforted himself that it was just some illusion: how could he misunderstand this brother who has been by his side all the time.However, the more I think about it, the more I feel wrong.Suzaku paid attention, always aware of some clues.Recalling the previous exchanges, Yingying's love for the touch between the two, and the half-serious and half-joking ambiguous jokes, all seem to point to a very absurd answer.The more Suzaku thought about it, the more frightened he became, just looking at the too beautiful side face of His Royal Highness, he had all kinds of doubts and worries and couldn't express it.

Suzaku was still wondering about Prince Ying's feelings for him, but the doubts that had just begun were quickly replaced by other things.One day, he discussed government affairs with Prince Ying until late at night before getting ready to rest.He heard the sound of palace people rushing in.

The palace servant's face was pale, and he knelt in front of the two Highnesses, and reported in an extremely flustered and trembling voice: Mr. Genji's wife, Aoi, just passed away.

***

Mrs. Kui Ji has been suffering a lot since her pregnancy.Maybe it's because of being caught by a demon, and it's been extremely painful these days.The whole family is also in panic all day long.Under such circumstances, the Genji Lord did not dare to neglect, so he often summoned the mage to hold Buddhist ceremonies in his room.Sure enough, a class of monsters and creatures all dedicated themselves to Daoism, but only one was very stubbornly attached to his wife and refused to leave.

However, the onmyoji was invited to come to divination, but he couldn't tell what the reason was.The patient could only mourn and cry, sometimes suffocating and panting, very uncomfortable.After being tortured repeatedly in this way, the fetus in Mrs. Kui's womb was startled and was about to give birth.That kind of painful appearance made people feel very distressed, and even several people holding her together could not relieve the pain.Only after a day and a night in this way, did he give birth to a little prince carved in powder and jade.

Finally, the mother and child are safe, and several mages are also relieved.Many people took care of it wholeheartedly, and there was no danger in the end, and they felt that there would probably be nothing wrong.Although the ritual prayers are still going on, everyone's attention is on the newborn.Attention to maternity has also been relaxed.

And in the middle of the night, when the mansion was quiet, Mrs. Kui suddenly suffered from shortness of breath. She couldn't wait to report to others, and she died.

Such a blow is really too big!The Zuo minister and his wife lost their beloved daughter, and the white-haired man sent the black-haired man, almost crying to death.Mr. Genji was also deeply shocked, kneeling beside his wife, his mind suddenly unable to return to his soul for a long time.

Suzaku and Prince Ying were extremely shocked when they heard the news, and hurriedly asked about the details.But the palace people seemed to have heard some extremely bad rumors that were detrimental to the nobleman's reputation.Panicked, he faltered, becoming more and more vague.The two realized that there was something strange in this matter, so they stopped asking, and waved people to retreat.

"I'm afraid there may be something hidden here, so I'll go back to the Santiao Courtyard to see if I can find any news." The prince took the coat and put it on, just like the hat, and said to Suzaku, "Please ask the emperor to prepare the funeral ceremony for me. Send envoys to condolences."

"Well, of course I know. The dew is heavy at night, so you have to be careful when riding a horse."

"Well, I know."

Fourth Highness didn't have time to say anything, he just gave Suzaku a look and turned to leave.That deep glance made Suzaku's heart skip a beat, and the feeling of uneasiness and confusion surged into his heart again.

When Shuai Palace returned to Sanjoin, Noyama Xinghei was already sitting on the side waiting.His eyes were black and blue, he was yawning profusely, his head was lighting up uncontrollably - obviously he was woken up in the middle of the night.The prince walked over and patted him on the shoulder, Ye Shanmi took a look with his eyes blindfolded, then patted his face and sat up straight.

"Thanks for your hard work," the prince sat down opposite, "I just received the news, is there a secret in it?"

"Indeed there are," Xingping also put away his usual joking and indecent appearance when it came to real human life.He took a deep breath and explained the details, "Mrs. Xiankui...may have been killed by Mrs. Liutiao's soul."

"what!"

"That's true. After half a month of beating on the left minister's mansion, I realized something was wrong. I asked secretly during the contact, and found out that Mrs. Kui had been harassed by demons for a long time. And among the spirit bodies that were forced to transform, someone saw Mrs. Kui. The living soul of the Eastern Palace."

Hearing this, His Royal Highness's brows were tightly locked together, and motioned Lord Onoyama to continue.

"As for the maid who listened to Mrs. Kui's side, she would often see Mrs. Kui writhing in pain. It looked like someone was beating her. Occasionally, she would hear a very resentful voice insulting her. .”

"I went to find out about the mages who practiced the ritual. This daily ritual can drive away the evil spirits. But the strange thing is that at the critical moment, an order was sent to stop the chanting to exorcise the demon. It is said that Mrs. Kui heard it. These voices were unbearably painful, so I quickly told people to stop. But... when the order was passed, the servant clearly saw Mrs. Liutiao's face, and the voice that said the headache was also Mrs. Liutiao's."

What Mr. Xingping said was true, the fourth prince frowned and thought for a while, then asked, "What's the situation at Liutiaoyuan?"

"Well, I asked someone to inquire. It is said that he is seriously ill and hasn't shown up for several months."

"Second Brother, have you been to Liutiaoyuan recently?"

"Miss Liutiao visited several times when she was elected to the fasting palace, but Mrs. Kui never went there after she fell ill."

"Be cautious about this matter, so that people must never spread it out. You still need to investigate at the Liutiaoyuan, if it is true... Mrs. Xian Donggong may not be able to stay in Yujing any longer."

"Yes, as ordered."

The fourth prince sighed, and told Master Ye Shan to go back and rest.He sat alone until dawn, when the palace gate opened, he entered the palace and faced Suzaku.Suzaku listened to Yingying tell the whole story, and she was very emotional: "Is this jealousy and resentment caught in love so terrible?"

His Highness looked at his elder brother who was sighing softly, and suddenly remembered the confusion and pain when he first fell in love.At that time, he was still immature, and he didn't understand the pain of entanglement in the world of mortals, but what about in the future?There will only be more hardships to accompany in the future, and at this moment, His Royal Highness's secret emotions don't even have a chance to be expressed.Like many people who can't get what they want, Yingying can feel the feeling of unwillingness very clearly.

After a long while, His Highness Prince Ying lowered his eyebrows and echoed in a low voice: "Who said...it wasn't."

The author has something to say: I think Mrs. Kui is really innocent, and I can't argue with Mrs. Liutiao!Finally, love our baby firefly