Dai Meng of the Red Chamber

Concubine Zhou glanced at Daiyu and was about to speak when she heard the eunuch's shrill shout outside: "The emperor is here." As soon as the words finished, Long Mu stepped in.

Everyone hurriedly stood up to salute, Daiyu was about to kneel down, but saw the emperor's attendant stepping up to help Daiyu, only to hear Long Mu say softly, "Your sister is inconvenient, so the national ceremony will be waived."

After all the people had seen the ceremony, the queen said: "Why did the emperor come to Fengluan Palace?" Long Mu smiled lightly and said: "The Empress Dowager asked me to take you there. When I come here, I will come in to have a look. It's not a coincidence. Everyone is there."

The queen knew Long Mu's intentions well, so she could only smile and said, "The concubine was chatting with concubine Zhou and the emperor's sister just now. Speaking of which, the prince of the north has been on the expedition for nearly three months. , plus the physical inconvenience, it's really hard work."

Looking at Daiyu, a trace of worry flashed across Long Mu's gentle face, who knew the inside story, and then said: "Prince Bei is away on an expedition for the country, and the affairs in the mansion have really troubled the imperial sister. I am very guilty."

Daiyu hurriedly said: "This is all a matter of the duties of a courtier and concubine. What's more, the prince is a courtier and should put state affairs first. How can Daiyu talk about hard work? The emperor takes care of everything every day, and the queen is in charge of the harem. This is hard work."

The queen smiled and said: "True sister's sharp mouth is still the same as before. I remember that when I was in Prince Mu's Mansion, my sister often made the emperor and me love each other."

Long Mu said with a warm smile: "What the queen said is that now that I am tired of official duties, I sometimes miss the days when I was in the palace." After a pause, Long Mu said: "If there is any embarrassment, the imperial sister will tell you Queen."

Daiyu said: "Daiyu thanked the emperor and the empress for their love. The concubine raised some matters in the house, and Daiyu can handle it." The concubine Zhou on the side silently looked at the gentle and majestic emperor. Admired man, at this moment, his caring and affectionate eyes cast on the Northern Princess from time to time, without the slightest concealment.

Ever since the emperor came in, Concubine Zhou didn't take her eyes off Long Mu, watching him considerately order someone to help Daiyu, watching her greet Daiyu with a smile, asking for warmth, and she was like an unrelated person here The emperor seems to have never seen his existence at all, and his gentle eyes have never looked at this side. That indifference made Concubine Zhou, who had been favored all the way as soon as she entered the palace, couldn't help but feel a strong surge of emotion in her heart. envy.

The accompanying eunuch stepped forward and said softly: "Your Majesty." Long Mu came to his senses and said to the Empress, "Let's go, the Empress Dowager is still waiting." Daiyu hurriedly got up to speak, the Empress glanced at the Emperor and smiled Said to Daiyu: "Sister, don't be in a hurry, it's easy to go to the palace, and it's not too late to leave after the luncheon, not to mention it's been a long time since I sat together, Feng'er and Song'er often ask about you."

Long Mu also smiled and said: "Since your sister-in-law wants to stay, the younger sister will stay." Seeing what the emperor said, Daiyu was inconvenient to refuse, and said in a low voice: "Then Daiyu is worse than obeying orders."

The queen said: "I should be back soon. If the imperial sister is bored in the room, let Chun'er accompany you to the garden." Then, as if remembering something, the queen smiled and said: "I forgot , the imperial sister is accompanied by concubine Zhou and younger sister, so she shouldn't be lonely."

Then she said to Concubine Zhou: "The imperial sister will be handed over to my younger sister. Don't neglect my younger sister." Mu Wenrun's eyes were fixed on Daiyu's drooping head, the concern was self-evident.

After seeing off Long Mu and the Queen, Concubine Zhou turned around and said to Daiyu with a smile, "How long has it been since Princess Bei was alive?" Daiyu said softly, "Thank you for your concern, it's been nearly four months in a blink of an eye."

Concubine Zhou nodded thoughtfully, and said: "The emperor holds Prince Bei very highly. I heard that when the emperor was still prince, Prince Bei and the emperor..."

Before finishing speaking, Concubine Zhou looked at Daiyu and smiled meaningfully: "These Northern Consorts know better. I forgot that Northern Concubine lived in Prince Mu's Mansion for quite a while."

Daiyu glanced at Concubine Zhou, and then said indifferently: "Daiyu never knew anything about court affairs, but only knew that the emperor and the prince are now the relationship between the emperor and his ministers, and that the prince should do his duty and be responsible for the reward of eating the emperor and being loyal to the emperor. It should be, and the empress must also understand this."

Concubine Zhou smiled lightly, and said: "I have long heard that Princess Bei is not only talented, but also eloquent. When I saw her today, I really admired you. Look at what you said, there is a needle hidden in the cotton, so it's no wonder that at the beginning..." There was no explicit explanation. , A trace of undisguised jealousy flashed across Concubine Zhou's pretty face.

Daiyu said softly: "Your Majesty, you have won the award. There are some inappropriate words in Daiyu's words. Please don't take offense." Looking sideways at Daiyu, Concubine Zhou couldn't help but see Long Mu's warm and gentle eyes. Affectionate eyes, but unfortunately he has never looked at himself like this.

Heartbroken, Concubine Zhou couldn't help but glanced at the door, and then said casually: "Prince Bei is leading the army outside, the battlefield is chaotic, swords have no eyes, Concubine Bei should relax."

Daiyu sighed softly, and said: "Protecting the country and defending the defense is the way of a minister, and it is also his duty for the prince to go to war. As a concubine, Daiyu naturally understands, thank you for reminding me."

Concubine Zhou said meaningfully: "It's good that Princess Bei can see it, and the emperor doesn't have to feel guilty. You don't know, seeing the emperor being unhappy these two days, even my palace is also sad."

Daiyu was stunned for a moment, her smart and dexterous heart couldn't help churning. The words of the servant girl the day before yesterday had made Daiyu who was born sensitive and suspicious, but now these ambiguous words of Concubine Zhou are even more fueling, so comfort her. With her heart beating uneasy for a long time, Daiyu said softly: "What is the meaning of your mother's words? Daiyu is a little unclear, so please tell me."

Concubine Zhou pretended to be puzzled and said: "Could it be that Princess Bei didn't know that the frontier made an urgent report the day before yesterday, saying that the coach in front was seriously injured and the situation is unknown."

Daiyu was startled, and suddenly felt her heart beating, and said in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty's words are true."

Concubine Zhou glanced at Daiyu, as if she had come to her senses, and said: "It turns out that Princess Bei didn't know, I blamed me for saying the wrong thing, Princess Bei, don't worry, maybe they made a mistake, Prince Bei is the commander-in-chief. , it must be fine."

Tightly supported the back of the chair under the support seat, Daiyu's face was a little pale, Concubine Zhou glanced at Daiyu, and said gloatingly: "Princess Bei, why does your face look a little ugly, but it's not comfortable there, you have a Don't pay too much attention to anything, you must be at ease."

After waking up, Daiyu gradually calmed down due to her self-importance, raised her head slightly, Daiyu smiled faintly, and said: "Daiyu thanked the empress for her comfort, Daiyu will definitely be careful."

Concubine Zhou smiled and said: "This palace is relieved, just now I was a little worried when I saw Princess Bei's face, now hearing what you said..."

Staring at Concubine Zhou's red lips opening and closing in a daze, Daiyu felt her heart was empty even though her face was calm. She didn't hear a single word Concubine Zhou said, only one thought kept stirring in her heart "It really is him."

Suddenly, the voice of concubine Zhou beside her became louder, saying: "Sister is back." Daiyu turned her head in a daze, and saw the empress walking in with a smile, with a satisfied expression on her graceful face.

Seeing that Daiyu's face was pale, the queen said with concern: "Your sister's complexion is so ugly, but she is not feeling well." Looking at the queen, Daiyu said softly: "Your Majesty, there is something Daiyu would like to ask your Majesty to tell the truth. tell each other."

The queen looked at Concubine Zhou suspiciously, and then said: "Sister, please tell me if you have something to do." Looking up, Daiyu's clear eyes showed a firm and resolute look, and said slowly: "Please tell Daiyu, Is the prince really injured?"

The queen's face darkened, and she said: "Where did the imperial sister hear the rumors, the border victory is known to everyone, where do you ask?" Looking at the concubine Zhou, the queen's eyes froze, Concubine Zhou Relying on the grace that is different from others since entering the palace, she did not avoid her pretty eyes, smiled calmly, and lifted her sharp chin slightly.

With a cold smile in her heart, an imperceptible trace of anger flashed across the queen's graceful face, and then she smiled and said to Daiyu: "Don't listen to those pretentious rumors. heart."

Pulling Daiyu's hand, the queen said with intentional words: "There have always been too many rumors in the harem, and the imperial sister has lived in the palace for so long, so how can you take it seriously? If you are anxious, you will only let those who care People are proud, so listen to what I say, and relax your mind, besides, take a step back and say, even if Prince Bei is really injured, he has an imperial doctor by his side, so the imperial sister doesn't have to worry."

Listening to the queen's insinuations, relying on the favor of the emperor, the high-spirited concubine Zhou couldn't help it, and said involuntarily: "Sister, why should you hide it? As the saying goes, paper can't cover fire. Last night, sister and Speaking of the emperor playing chess, the emperor still sighs, and my sister is just telling the truth."

After a pause, Concubine Zhou suddenly realized: "That's my sister who said something wrong. Could it be that the emperor didn't tell my sister..."

"Shut up." The queen said: "The harem has never been allowed to talk about court affairs, my sister doesn't know, let alone such important military affairs, how can a concubine in the harem say it, besides, even the emperor is not sure about things, how can you can know."

Listening to the conversation between the Empress and Concubine Zhou, Daiyu's intelligent heart gradually understood. She only felt that her heart was beating non-stop, and there was a golden light flashing in front of her eyes. The words of the two slowly fell into Daiyu's ears. .

With a downcast face, the queen said to Concubine Zhou: "I originally admired my sister very much. I thought that my sister was a smart person. She came from a family background and was outstanding in the harem. Who knew that you were so ignorant? How can you be so ignorant about these things? I can say it, sister..."

Turning her head to look, she saw Daiyu's face was pale, her forehead was dripping with sweat, and her slender hands were tightly holding the chair beside her, her body was already on the verge of falling.

The queen said urgently: "Come quickly, help Princess Bei, and send the imperial doctor right away."

There was a moment of confusion in Fengluan Palace, and when everything gradually calmed down, the imperial doctor said to the queen: "I want to report to your empress, Princess Bei was in a hurry, although there is no serious problem now, but the princess is pregnant, so you have to be careful in the future." , I let her take the medicine for sleeping, and she will be fine when she wakes up."

The queen didn't make a sound, she waved her hand, and the imperial physician gave some more instructions before quietly retreating.Glancing at the sleepy Daiyu, the Queen turned to Concubine Zhou and said, "My sister's kindness has already been accepted by Princess Bei, so my sister is satisfied now. If there is a mistake, I will ask you, can my sister take care of it. "

Seeing now, Concubine Zhou is also a little scared. Originally, it was only because Long Mu treated Daiyu differently that Concubine Zhou felt a little unjust. Thinking about seeing the queen's nervous expression just now, and thinking about the friendship between the emperor and Prince Bei, Concubine Zhou's expression softened.

Lowering her head, Concubine Zhou said in a low voice: "Sister knows she's wrong, please punish her."

With a cold snort, the Queen looked at the dejected Concubine Zhou and said: "If I don't punish you, how will I explain to the Emperor and the North Prince's Mansion? No wonder my sister. This is all caused by my sister's talkativeness."

His face darkened, and the empress said sharply: "I pass on the decree of the palace, Concubine Zhou of the Liying Palace has nothing to say, and she will be confined for three months." Concubine Zhou looked at the empress in amazement, and said anxiously: "Sister..."

The queen smiled faintly, and said meaningfully: "During these days of confinement, sister, go back to the palace and think about how to get along with the sisters in the harem in the future. Don't think that you can do whatever you want because you are favored by the emperor. There are quite a few concubines and concubines who have come to sue you, please do it yourself."

Concubine Zhou suddenly understood a little bit, her pretty face showed a hint of unwillingness, she was about to say something, but she heard the shout of "the emperor is coming" from outside, and then Long Mu hurried in.

The queen hurried forward and said: "Your Majesty, don't worry, the imperial physician has already said that the imperial sister will be fine after a rest." After heaving a sigh of relief, Long Mu said angrily, "What's going on? .....to Yiqing to explain."

The queen glanced at Concubine Zhou, and said inadvertently: "The concubine was about to tell the emperor, but Concubine Zhou's younger sister inadvertently told about the injury of Prince Bei, which made the imperial sister anxious for a while..."

Long Mu gave Concubine Zhou a cold look, and said: "I'm not even sure whether the injured one is the Northern Prince, but you decide first, and besides, it's a major military matter, so how can a concubine like you talk nonsense."

Concubine Zhou said aggrievedly: "Your Majesty, the concubine did not intend to do so. I never thought that Princess Bei would..." Kneeling down in response to the situation, Concubine Zhou said pitifully, "Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

Without looking at Concubine Zhou, Long Mu had an indifferent expression on his face, looked at the queen, and said, "I don't care about the affairs of the harem, let you handle it."

The queen said humbly: "The concubine has punished the concubine Zhou for three months. I have closed the palace and thought about it. The emperor will see if it is appropriate." Without making a sound, Long Mu turned his head and glanced at Daiyu who was still sleeping on the couch beside him. A ruthless light flashed across his face, and then he heard Long Mu's expressionless voice: "I don't want to see such a self-righteous concubine again."

Concubine Zhou collapsed to the ground and couldn't help shouting: "Your Majesty." The Empress didn't make a sound, and then said in a low voice: "I obey."