Love in the Red Chamber, Drunken Water, Jade Dream

The last ray of sunlight in the high palace walls dimmed, and the shadows of the trees lost a bit of light, making everything feel dark.

This is the side hall of Changping Palace. It has been five days since Daiyu entered the palace. The one who entered the palace with Daiyu is Jin Xian, the Princess of Xining Palace.Princess Changping is a very easy-going princess. She never puts on airs with Daiyu and Jinxian. After finishing her studies every day, she often chats with her. She is worried that Daiyu and Jinxian are not familiar with each other when they first entered the palace. The palace maid served, so Daiyu lived very peacefully these few days.

Today is the first day of October. In the evening, the Empress Dowager held a banquet at the Palace of Compassion and Peace. Princess Changping took her maid to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager. Daiyu ate something. Seeing that the sky outside was getting brighter and darker, she couldn't help but think of today's day. Then he whispered to Zicuckoo: "Zicuckoo, you accompany me to the yard to get some air."

Daiyu and Zijuan had just left the room when they saw Aunt Qing from Princess Changping's room coming out with a bundle of things, and said hello, Aunt Qing said, "Miss Lin, where are you going?"

Daiyu responded softly: "I just used some things and thought about going out for a walk." Mother Qing said: "There is a banquet in the palace today, most of the masters in the palaces have gone, and they are free outside, go out and watch It’s okay to watch, but don’t go too far.” Daiyu said hastily, “Thank you for reminding me, Mommy.”

Aunt Qing was in her forties, with a moderately fat and thin face with a slight smile on her face. Compared with those other mothers with sharp eyes, Daiyu had a good impression of this Aunt Qing.

In front of the yard there is a short bush of flowers, facing the veranda not far in front. Seeing that Daiyu, who was walking in front, has not made a sound since she came out, and her face is not as peaceful as usual, she can't help but wonder inwardly.

Walking to the veranda in front, Daiyu suddenly stopped in front of Zicuckoo, holding on to the round porch pillar with her hands, silently looking to the south, the surroundings were quiet, only the wind blowing and the leaves rustling.

After a while, Zijuan saw Daiyu raised her hand and gently wiped her tears with a handkerchief. She sighed in her heart, and Zijuan couldn't help but whispered: "Girl, don't think about it. It's a bit chilly outside, let's go back."

Without looking back, Daiyu said in a low voice: "Today is the day to worship ancestors. In the past, incense tables could be set up in the Grand View Garden and incense sent far away, but now I can't do anything in the palace. I can only pray in secret. .”

Zijuan said softly: "Miss has this thought, I believe my aunt and aunt's spirit in heaven will understand." Sighing lightly, Daiyu said quietly: "Falling flowers and flowing water are all drifting together. The wind is also sentimental, and the rain is also sentimental. Thinking The barren hills and green mounds are horizontal. The grass is green and the trees are green..."

Before Daiyu could finish her sentence, she heard a voice behind her say: "Miss Lin." Daiyu looked back and saw Mammy Qing coming over. Turning around, Daiyu said: "Madam, is there something wrong?"

Mother Qing looked at the already dark sky, and said in a bit of a dilemma: "Miss Lin, can you do me a favor." Daiyu was slightly startled, remembering the unfathomable things in the palace, she couldn't help straightening her body slightly, After thinking for a while, he said, "I don't know what's the matter with Mammy."

Nanny Qing looked around, and then said in a low voice: "Miss knows about today's day, I want to pay homage to my old master, in previous years, Xiao He accompanied me, I don't want Xiao He to follow the princess to the Palace of Compassion and Peace today Well, I originally planned to go earlier, but I was too busy with things, and when I saw it, the sky was already like this, so I wanted to ask the girl to help me."

Seeing that Daiyu didn't make a sound, Mother Qing hurriedly said: "It's not too far from Changping Palace, but it's getting dark and there's a bamboo forest in front of it, or Miss Zijuan."

Daiyu looked at the anxious expression on Madam Qing's face, and thought of the love she had for her old master in this ruthless palace, and she couldn't help feeling a little moved.

During the few days when she came to the palace, although Nanny Qing served the princess, Zijuan almost got into trouble as soon as she entered the palace because she didn't understand the rules. , so Zicuckoo looked at Daiyu expectantly, and said in a low voice: "Girl, how about..."

With a sigh of relief, Daiyu was finally worried, and said in a low voice: "Okay, we just ate, let's walk slowly so as not to accumulate food." Zijuan responded easily, and said to Mother Qing: " Nanny, let's go early and come back early." Nanny Qing thanked gratefully, and said repeatedly: "Thank you Miss Lin."

Walking along the stone path to the back, along the way, flowers and trees are shaded, and there are many rockeries. Although she has been in the palace for a few days, Daiyu is cautious everywhere. Except for seeing the queen and concubine Yuan once, she basically stays in Changping In the palace, even tonight, if it wasn't for the favor owed to Madam Qing and her loyalty, Daiyu would not agree.

Occasionally meeting eunuchs and maids in the face, Mammy Qing would greet them softly, Zijuan couldn't help but curiously said: "Mama has been in the palace for many years, right?"

Mother Qing looked up at the deep palace, and said in a low voice: "Yes, it's been more than 20 years, and I could have gone out, but there is no one at home, so I decided to stay."

Although Daiyu didn't make a sound, she sighed secretly in her heart. She can survive in this palace that is walking on thin ice for more than 20 years. It's far from being a kind and friendly mother.

Walking through the bamboo forest, the front is a little deserted, a few yellow palace lanterns are shining faintly, the faint light makes the place a bit shady.

Mother Qing said to Daiyu: "Thank you, Miss Lin, for coming with me. Miss, wait here for a while. I will come out after I go in and pay my respects. It won't take long."

Daiyu looked at the deserted palace in the east, two dim palace lanterns hung on the door, exuding a sense of loneliness, Mother Qing seemed to know what Daiyu was suspicious of, and said softly: "This is the old concubine Mei's house." The sleeping hall, since she left, the emperor ordered the place to be sealed. There are only two husbands guarding the door. I have received great kindness from Concubine Mei, and I can't bear to let her be so lonely, so every time these days, I will come to pay respects. one time."

Zijuan said softly: "Then she didn't leave any children behind." Mother Qing hesitated for a while, and Daiyu said angrily in a low voice, "Zijuan, how did I tell you?"

Zijuan took a step back and didn't make a sound. Mother Qing seemed to feel a little embarrassed, and said, "Yes, but it's hard to explain."

Looking at Daiyu, Mother Qing said: "Miss Lin, if you hear someone coming, please tell me, after all, worship is not allowed here."

It was only then that Daiyu understood Mammy Qing's intention of asking her to help, but she had already arrived here, so she could only play by ear, but after looking at the deserted surroundings, she realized that it would only be a while, so she said, "Please hurry up, Mammy." back."

Mother Qing pointed to a wooden corridor next to her, and said to Daiyu, "If girl is tired, go there and rest for a while, I'll be out in a while."

After finishing speaking, Mammy Qing hurried over and handed over the silver as usual. Just as she was about to go in, she suddenly saw that Old Li's expression was a little strange. Mammy Qing couldn't help being a little puzzled. At this moment, she only heard a deep voice inside. Said: "Who is it?"

Old Li said respectfully: "It's Qing's attendant from Changping Palace." After a while, he heard the voice say: "Let her in." Suddenly, a sliver of clarity flashed in Mammy Qing's heart.

Walking through the door, there was no light in the garden. Under the cold moonlight, a slender figure stood quietly in the middle, looking at the dark palaces and corridors in front of him. An indescribable loneliness.

The guard next to him said in a low voice: "My lord." Turning around slowly, his water-soluble and handsome face was as white as jade under the moonlight, and the brilliance in his clear eyes gave off a chilling chill.