Hotaru [The Tale of Genji]

After that night, news spread that the daughter of Chengxiang Temple was seriously ill.For this reason, His Royal Highness Ying asked for leave on the grounds of sickness, and did not appear in the court hall for many days.

When the palaces heard the news, they sent many condolence gifts one after another.The abdicated owner of the Suzaku Courtyard felt deeply for the character of the female royal, and sent someone to express condolences.He specially asked the imperial physician to treat her carefully and sent many precious medicinal materials.His Majesty Suzaku has always respected the women of Chengxiang Palace, and sent many things, and there is a letter specially addressed to His Highness Prince Ying.

In the letter, he expressed condolences to the illness of the daughter of Chengxiang Palace, and also comforted Her Highness Ying, asking him not to worry about it, but also to take good care of his body.Looking at the earnest words in the letter, Ying felt mixed feelings.I wish I could fly to Suzaku immediately to relieve the pain of lovesickness.He has not seen his sweetheart for many days, and the torment here is extremely unbearable.

Prince Ying was even more worried about the illness of the maidservant in Chengxiang Palace. If he could replace her with his own body, he would definitely choose himself to bear such torture instead of his mother.

According to the outside world, it is said that the female imperial occassion is suffering from wind and cold, and it does not get better because of the changeable weather in spring.In fact, according to the doctor, it was because of the stagnation in the female royal highness's heart. After falling ill one day, she became weak in the wind for many days and looked very dangerous.If you want the patient to be healthy, you need to solve the worries in her heart, so that recovery is possible.

Madam Neifu looked at her pale and haggard daughter with a gloomy expression, feeling extremely distressed.He held his daughter's hand and said, "You child...it's been so many years, why can't you think about it so much?"

"Mother, my daughter isn't overwhelmed. I've accepted my fate for so many years." Nuyu's voice was weak, with a sweet and regretful tone.

"Thinking too much about the past is a sign of premature aging, you child, are you going to ruin your mother!"

"Daughter doesn't dare, mother, don't be angry..." The wife of the Neifu's sad and excited appearance made Nu Yu very unbearable, and hurriedly spoke to comfort her mother.Because she spoke too quickly, she couldn't catch her breath and coughed violently.

"Okay, don't talk, lie down and rest." Mrs. Neifu patted her daughter's back distressedly and adjusted her breathing.Cheng Xiangdian breathed a sigh of relief, held his mother's hand and said.

"Mother, I want to tell Yingying about that..."

"What!" Madam Neifu was shocked, "What made you have such an idea! You!"

"My daughter just feels that there is no need to hide it anymore. That child has the right to know about it! He..." "Stop talking about it!" The lady of the Neifu panicked and forced her to lie down by pressing Chengxiangdian's shoulder , "This matter is no small matter. If the timing is not right, the commander-in-chief palace must not let this matter know."

"Then when is the right time!" Cheng Xiangdian blushed and became excited, "After so many years, any waiting is meaningless."

"Then, there's no point in telling him about it, isn't it? Tell him, and things won't change. Just keep it secret."

Cheng Xiangdian felt bitter in her heart, she knew what kind of changes the disclosure of the truth of this matter would bring to Ying.Perhaps, a period of incomprehensible relationship is turning for the better because of this incident.But she couldn't say it out, and she wasn't sure whether it would hit His Royal Highness.The long-standing self-confidence has also become fragile due to illness, and the maid of Chengxiang Palace is very hesitant.

At this time, the maid lifted the curtain from the outside and came in to report that His Royal Highness Ying had come.Madam Neifu panicked for a moment, and after calming down, she asked someone to invite His Highness in.

His Royal Highness Ying entered, sat in front of the curtain and greeted his mother and grandmother.Through the thin bamboo curtain, I couldn't see how Her Royal Highness was doing, I just felt that she had lost her usual vitality.

"Have the imperial physicians left?"

"Yes," the prince nodded, and repeated what the imperial physicians said to him, "The imperial physicians said that my mother's condition is not very serious, but it's because of too much worry that she has not recovered."

"Yes, is that so... I think life at home is too boring. It's better to treat you, but it's better to go to the mountains to play and relax." The wife of the Neifu concealed the next words, telling her daughter to Take a good rest and don't think about it.

Cheng Xiangdian didn't speak, but waved to His Royal Highness Ying, "Come in, let mother see you."

"This...if you lift the curtain and see the wind, it won't help your condition." Prince Ying hesitated.

"It doesn't matter, it's not serious anyway," the female imperial servant ignored the obstruction and sat up, beckoning to the prince.His Highness Ying hesitated for a moment, then opened the curtain and sat in front of his mother.

This illness made Cheng Xiangdian's cheeks thin and pale, and his lips were dry.Only those eyes are brighter and rounder than before.She stared at her son with burning eyes, stretched out her dry hand to stroke his cheek, and her eyes became loving, "It's okay, Hotaru, don't worry, everything you expect will come true. Don't worry... ..."

His Highness Ying frowned, and called out in doubt, "Mother?"

"Huh? What?"

Ying took her mother's hand and put it back under the quilt, "Mom, you are still feverish, don't talk, go to sleep."

Hearing that her daughter was still having a fever, the wife of the Neifu was also taken aback, and hurriedly told her to lie down.Cheng Xiangdian didn't refuse, maybe because of his lack of physical strength, he answered and lay down on the pillow drowsily.Ying sat on the side for a while, and signaled to leave if it was not appropriate to stay for a long time.And when he stood up, the voice of Yu Yu was confused and weak: "Ying... When mother wakes up, you can read poems to me... I want to hear you read poems."

Prince Ying blinked, lowered his body, and responded: "Okay, when mother wakes up, I'll read a poem to you."

Received a response, Chengxiang Palace let out a gasp, and fell asleep completely after breathing heavily.

"Grandmother," the prince looked at Mrs. Neifu.

"Go, when she wakes up, I will call someone to inform you."

"The minister then resigned and asked my grandmother to take good care of my mother."

Coming out of the courtyard of Chengxiang Hall, His Highness Ying turned around and headed for his residence.

Cheng Xiangdian's mood was wrong from that night.It was already late at that time, and the candles in the room were not bright, Prince Ying did not see the expression on the female royal face clearly.It wasn't until her tone became anxious and uneasy that Hotaru realized that Nuyu's emotions were very agitated.

Whether it's her self-mockery or relief, there is a layer of unexplainable emotions in it.In the end, as if she was looking for some kind of approval, she repeatedly confirmed her intentions.

At that time, Yingying felt that something was wrong, and when she lit the candle, she trembled all over, as if she was extremely frightened and excited.This made him feel terrible, and he subconsciously blocked what Nu Yu wanted to say.There must be something he doesn't know.However, the prince had a hunch that he had to prevent his mother from telling the truth at that time.

Because, there is a certain belief in it that has supported Chengxiang Temple for many years.If there is no preparation to reveal it to the world suddenly, the support of the Chengxiang Palace for many years will be dissipated in one fell swoop.This bright and hearty woman will be like a winter camellia, once withered, the whole flower will wither, and it will no longer be fresh.

However, the maid of Chengxiang Hall was still ill.This made Her Royal Highness Ying anxious about what her mother had concealed.Observing the meaning of Nu Yu, she seems to want to tell the truth, but she has many concerns.

So, what is the truth in this?The prince couldn't help recalling what his mother said to him that day——

That day, she has repeatedly and eagerly comforted Yingying, saying that the obstacles in front of her will eventually disappear.

What does this mean?

obstacles in front of you,

The biggest obstacle between him and Suzaku...

Hotaru paused in her footsteps, with an expression of disbelief on her face.The guess in his heart was too horrifying, the prince's first reaction was to deny it, but he couldn't help guessing again and again.He was in a state of disarray, and he walked quickly, almost running back to his room.

He came to his bookcase and frantically searched up and down.Throw out all the boxes and books.The maids guarding outside were startled——

"Your Highness! What are you looking for, let us come."

"Your Highness, please calm down, Your Highness—"

Amidst the panicked voices of the maids, Yingying finally found the old collection of poems that had been placed carelessly.He stared at the handsome Chinese characters on the cover, and waved to the maids wearily, "Go down..."

The maids looked at each other, not daring to disturb His Highness, and retreated quietly.

Until there was no one in the room, and the birdsong outside could be heard clearly.Yingcai took a deep breath and opened the last page of this collection of poems.The paper of this old collection of poems is yellow, and it can no longer withstand any tossing.It's just that the poetic style above has not faded with time.

On that last page was written a love poem.But because the words are elegant, I can't see any lingering meaning.When I read it for the first time, I thought it was just the owner of the poem Zeng Shanzhong visiting the snow. He accidentally met Dongri Baicha, was impressed by its beautiful appearance, and sang a song——

The white snow in the mountains is not old in spring, and it is good to see each other once.

The white camellia blooms like snow, and the branches are as bright as the plum blossoms. It is like meeting old friends again at first sight.Years and years, writing a pen and writing a sentence leaves a surprise.Someone will open it again in the future, only to see that it has been ten or six years.

The author has something to say: Do you still remember the name of the female royal in Chengxiang Palace?