Li Huang - Chapter 253

More than two months later, my Thousand-Autumn Festival is here. Every year, Shen Xiyao will order the Ministry of Internal Affairs to celebrate three days in a row, and high-ranking officials and dignitaries will send rare and precious birthdays. I have always hosted a banquet in the Royal Garden on the day of my birthday to entertain my concubine and concubine. Afterwards, I only showed up in the gardens, dramas, and small banquets, so I left it to the concubine to respond.

This year’s birthday banquet was held in Hengzhi Qingfen. After setting this place a few months ago, Shen Xiyao drew the drawings and handed it over to the construction province for reconstruction. He was only allowed to enter on my birthday.

In the morning, the concubine ordered the wife to go to Changyin Pavilion to listen to the music, and the concubine came to Kunning Palace early to help me dress up.

I was standing in front of a tall bronze mirror with only a white coat. The hanger behind me was covered with beautiful clothes and beautiful clothes that glowed with illusion of fascination under the candlelight. The precious jewelry of various colors on the dressing table in front of me was ingenious, rare in the world. But before I wore the jewels and jewels, I only felt that I had no clothes to wear, no ornaments to wear, loneliness swept me like a huge wave, and the whole body was cold, and I had no interest in these worldly treasures, or even bored.

The voice of Concubine Xian came from outside: “Why haven’t the empress start dressing?”

Huiju’s voice was slightly anxious: “The lady locked herself in it early in the morning, and the servants couldn’t get in.”

The “duh” knocking was accompanied by the concerned voice of the concubine Xian: “Manny, can the concubine come in and dress you up? Everyone gathers in the Changyin Pavilion, and wait for the empress to take us to Hengzhi Qingfen.”

I wiped away the tears on my face with my sleeve, took a deep breath and said, “Sister, come in.”

The door opened, bringing in a gust of wind, the candlelight swaying layers of brocade and jewels across my face. Concubine Xian was startled and worried, but with a smile on her face, she looked around and said, “With so many beautiful palace costumes, which one does the lady want to wear?”

Huiju also joked: “It’s really hard to pick. Is this really red peony good for my mother?”

“The concubine thinks this big red phoenix robe is suitable.”

“This auspicious dress with red and gold gauze is also very good.”

“It’s really hard to choose.”

The two of them looked at me: “It’s better to choose your mother.”

I smiled, and pointed to a piece of clothing covered with Jinpa on the table and said, “This one.”

Concubine Xian stepped forward and opened her face. She was taken aback for a moment, then looked at me with complicated eyes.

Huiju said “Yeah”: “But what is this?” She said, looking at each other with Yi Fei, showing some anxiety.

I stepped forward and shook the robe gently. The embroidered dragons and phoenixes on the slim skirt gowns with countless kinds of gems, especially the longan and phoenix eyes, which are made of rare black diamonds from the West, covered with a thin layer. The silver gauze of the cicada wings and fingertip-sized rhinestones are all over the place. It looks colorful and extremely luxurious.

What shocked them was not the beauty of this robe, but its color, which was a bright yellow that could only be used.

Concubine Xian’s hand tremblingly touched the dress. She stared at the Xianglong carefully, and she was a little excited and uncomfortable for a while: “This dress will not be changed from the emperor’s original court dress.”

She ran a finger across a thin scale on the dragon’s body: “Last time a little silk thread was hooked up here, the Ministry of Internal Affairs used a substitute gold thread to patch it up. The concubine suggested that they put on some gold beads to cover up. After that, the emperor passed it once and never saw it again. “She thought for a while and said: “It’s still two months ago.”

A bit of silence flashed across my face: “The emperor’s court clothes and the palace only remember those from a few years ago. It was sent by the emperor this morning. It was a gift. I hope this palace will wear it today.”

Concubine Xian showed a little envy, and she unfolded her dress gown and said to me: “The empress will put it on now. The concubines are probably already waiting outside Hengzhi Qingfen.”

I watched the bright broken diamonds shining like stars in the candlelight, but I didn’t feel the slightest excitement in my heart, I just felt dispirited.

Turning my head to look at Huiju with questioning eyes, she nodded slightly, her eyes settled, and I was relieved.

Dressed under the service of Concubine Xian and Huiju, he took the sedan chair to Hengzhi Qingfen.

Before they arrived, I saw colorful lanterns hanging everywhere, the sound of music in my ears, the fragrant wind curling in my breath, and the concubines in deep green palace costumes were kneeling on both sides.

Get off the sedan chair, flat body, portable people walked into the newly built Hengzhi Qingfen.

Hengzhi Qingfen was built by Feilong Pond. The terrain is flat and wide. On one side, it is piled with exquisite mountain stones, or vines and vines are piled, or mountains and rocks are pierced, or eaves are draped around, or winding steps are built. A clear stream, from the depths of the flowers and trees, twists and turns down like a green belt, which is extremely elegant. On one side, the flying building is inserted into the air, the green pine brushes the eaves, the carved sills are embroidered, the bead curtain is embroidered, and the magnolia is laid around.

In front of a two-story brocade pavilion, curtains roll shrimps, blankets covered fish otters, the fragrance of musk-brained dings, and fans of pheasant tails on the screen. Opposite the Jin Pavilion is a turquoise Feilong Pond. A large boat is parked on the shore, and a variety of crystal and glazed lanterns are hung for the lake tour tonight. I want to light up the lanterns at night, compete with the reflection up and down, and set the world of glass and jewelry.

It’s just that such a good view is not as eye-catching as the Chinese costume changed from the dragon robe. The concubine’s eyes hadn’t left the skirt for almost a moment, and they whispered in twos at a distance.

I just didn’t see it, and after taking everyone around, ordered a banquet.

The princes and princesses also came, chasing and frolicking among the mountains and rocks with the prince and grandson brought by the imperial wife, laughter came from time to time, and the atmosphere was pleasant and harmonious.

After three rounds of wine, I was a little drunk. At this time, I served a cherry poplar branch crystal honeydew, which is my favorite dessert in the day. There are thin crushed ice floating on it, and it is served in a peach blossom jade bowl, which is very cool and refreshing, and it is appetizing.

Seeing the audience, everyone admired the singing and dancing, covering their sleeves and whispering, the emperor’s fourth daughter nestled next to the concubine Xian, her brows and eyes were loving and tender. He concubine got up to sober up and changed clothes.

I drank a cup and felt that the five internal organs were comfortable, and the heat was gone, and I ordered another cup.

The little **** Nono said to Hui Ju: “The ice I just picked has run out, I am afraid I will have to wait.”

Huiju nodded: “Hurry up.”

Soon a new one came up, and Hui Ju gave me a wink. I took the hibiscus jade spoon and took a little bit of the pin and ate a spoonful of it. Seeing that Jingying really wanted to raise my head, I drank it all. Just about to eat it again, Huiju persuaded in her ear: “This ice is freshly picked. The lady has cooled her stomach carefully, so it is better to put it aside.”

Xuan’er ran up and looked at Yuwan and said, “Erchen also likes this. Is it good for the queen to reward him?”

I tapped his nose and smiled: “Take it, it’s only the same, this one is cold, wait until the ice has melted before eating.”

Xuan’er happily took it down and walked into the Jin Pavilion where the princes and princesses ate. Although I have been calmly watching the singing and dancing below, my heart hangs high.

A clear song was not over, I just felt a sudden turn of the river in my belly, pain suddenly pouring up from the depths of my body, and the golden star in front of me, a warm liquid flowing out of my mouth.

“Niangniang, what’s wrong with you, Niangniang?” Hui Ju exclaimed.

I fell crookedly, just feeling the sun dazzling, and I tried my best to shout: “Xuan’er, Xuan’er!”

Huiju called for the imperial doctor loudly, and ran towards Jin Pavilion.

At the same time, there was a scream over there, I forced my eyes open, and saw Xuan’er anxiously ran out of the Jin Pavilion, yelling nervously: “Brother Emperor vomited blood, come on!” Seeing me on the phoenix seat, I rushed in exclaiming: “Mother, what’s wrong with you?”

I watched him safe and sound, with a heart falling back into his chest, and I wanted to raise my hand to caress the fear and worry between his eyebrows, but his hand seemed to be heavy, and I couldn’t lift it anymore.

The sound of Hefei crying came from Jinge, and the banquet was in chaos, and everyone’s faces showed tension. Concubine Xian said loudly: “Suddenly, I invite you all to sit down in your place.” Her expression was serious and polite, and everyone sat down and silenced.

Concubine Xian looked at me first. I was supported by Huiju and leaned on the seat. I opened my eyes forcibly. There was heat and cold on my body, and the huge pain never let me go. The skinny brocade robe was like a golden python. Holding my body tightly made it difficult for me to breathe.

“Niangniang, the imperial doctor will be here soon, so hold on again.” She said, holding up a bowl of clear water to Huiju: “It must keep Niangniang sober.”

I saw her guards came to surround the palace, only allowed to enter but not to leave, and then ordered the palace lady to cover the dishes and snacks in front of everyone with a sarong, and then went to see the eldest son of the emperor.

The cry of grief and concubine was the only voice in this dull summer afternoon. Xuan’er held my hand tightly, her eyes red, but she resisted worrying tears from flowing out. I patted the back of his hand lightly and let the mother take him aside.

As soon as the imperial doctor arrived, Shen Xiyao also hurried over, sweating on his forehead. He almost rushed to my side, seeing my pale face and the painful eyebrows, he was first there, then his eyes were filled with distress and worry, and then furious, and shouted at the royal doctor: “What happened to the queen?”

The imperial doctor took the pulse for me, looked at my symptoms again, and then bowed to Shen Xiyao: “In reply to the emperor, the empress should be poisoned this time.”

Panic appeared in Shen Xiyao’s eyes, “What kind of poison? Could it be solved?”

“In reply to the emperor, the poisoning of the empress is not deep, as long as you know what the poison is, it should be solved.”

Before the words of the imperial doctor came to an end, a court lady rushed out of the Jin Pavilion.

“The emperor, the eldest son of the emperor is not good!”

Shen Xiyao was shocked, looked at me, I tried to smile at him, angrily said: “The emperor, go up and see.” When I didn’t want to speak, blood poured out, frightening the doctor on the side.

Shen Xiyao appeared to be struggling, but after all, he was the prince over there, so he hurried away.

The doctor carefully asked Huiju and the court lady when I had the poison, what symptoms, and if I had any discomfort before. Hui Ju answered one by one, and the reason fell on the food.

Xuan’er on the side was puzzled: “The mother and the emperor have abdominal pain and then vomit blood, but we eat differently from the mother and the queen. Except for the mother and the emperor, everyone else is fine.” His eyes lit up and then floated. I was afraid: “Only the cherry honeydew rewarded by the mother’s queen to the son, the son wanted to wait until the ice melted before eating, the emperor brother liked it very much and snatched it. After that?”

The imperial doctor showed a sudden look, and asked someone to go to the imperial dining room to fetch honeydew and test the poison with a silver needle, but he didn’t get anything. Fortunately, the bowl that the eldest son ate has not yet been taken away. The remaining bit of the royal doctor smelled a little bit on the tip of his tongue, his face changed greatly and said, “It’s poisonous.”

At the same time, the wailing of the concubine and the concubine from the Jin Pavilion: “No! This is not true! Shengyuan is not dead, how could he die! You quack doctors, heal the sons of this palace soon!”

Everyone screamed and whispered, and some of them were even timid, looking at the cold light of the guard’s sword, they were scared to cry. This is clearly a life-and-death battle in the harem. Someone will be frustrated and some will lose everything.

Concubine Xian came out first and ordered everyone to be quiet. Her tone was not as harsh as the usual gentle and weak woman image. Then, Shen Xiyao walked out of the Jin Pavilion, staggering, his face white as paper, even his eyes lost their expression. Zhang Dehai lowered his head and said to the crowd: “The eldest son of the emperor.”

Although his voice is not loud, it is as frightening as thunder on the ground. The child who had just played around lost his life in a blink of an eye, and coupled with his honorable status, everyone was shocked for a while. I don’t know who cried first, and then everyone cried. With Hefei’s cry of sorrow higher than that, the joyous banquet turned into a heavy sad hall.

The flower ribbon was quickly removed, and everyone silently took off the pearl hairpin and Cuitian to show respect for the dead. Shen Xiyao walked heavily to my side with a cluster of fire in his eyes, staring at the imperial doctor, “Is the queen also poisonous?”