One Hundred and Forty-Six, Do not rejoice, grieve

“In early June, I was sleeping when I suddenly felt a sharp pain. I reached up to my face and found a black-bodied, red-legged centipede.”

“But it was too late. Where it had crawled, it had already left its venom. At first it was red, swollen, painful and itchy, then the skin started to die and left behind this crooked scar.”

I and Wu Zhaorong asked in unison, "Who is plotting against you behind your back?"

The noble consort shook her head, "We can't find out. There are only a few most trusted people left in the Qingluan Palace. Besides, His Majesty is not very interested in my affairs."

I looked closely at the shocking scar, which extended from the temple on her right cheek to the cheekbone, about the length of a finger. Although covered with a thick layer of powder, you could still see a mottled scar that was uneven in texture.

"I'm sorry Xiaotu, when you called the palace maid to find me, it was the first day after I encountered this matter, and I also had the thought of wanting to die, so I didn't summon the palace maid into the palace. Later, I learned that you were heavily punished. Therefore, I have been somewhat embarrassed to see you."

I silently thought, "Everything has come together, and this may be something I cannot avoid."

The three of them happily drank together, and the wine pitcher quickly emptied.

Zhou Kela and Wu Zhaorong, who are now in the same boat, went to Ziyunge together, arm in arm.

I walked back with a lingering alcohol buzz, as if walking in the clouds, swaying gently. In the shadow, I saw my long hair floating and swaying with the breeze.

Just as I was enjoying this slight intoxication, some whispering was blown into my ear.

Oh? Who is it?

I looked around and found two figures to the west of the moon pool.

I approached quietly and crouched by the pool to see what was going on.

"The young master has been wandering around here often lately, even I have noticed."

Hmm... It's Ah Qiu's voice.

"Why is Yan Neiren also appearing here?

Oh, Xue Moppi.

The purse was originally embroidered for him, with thousands of stitches binding his heart~

Ah Qiu's voice sounded a bit resentful: "To be frank with you, the reason I appeared here and met the young master is to ask you something."

"What did you want to ask?"

“Why do you act like you don't even know me after a serious illness, and instead cling to that little girl every day?”

Xue Mopi lowered his head, turned his body to the side, and evasively said, “Not to mention the wife, after the illness, I hardly have any memory of my parents and brothers at home. As for the wife, I can hardly remember any past connection with her.”

Aiqiu said in a tearful voice: "Excuses, clearly it's you who has changed, pretending to have lost your memory. What's so good about that crafty little yellow-haired girl? It's as if she has bewitched you."

Xue Mo sighed softly and said, "Yan Neiren misspoke. I have already explained your doubts twice. As for other matters, it is not her place to meddle. Besides, she is also Neiren's sister, so Neiren should be more restrained in her words."

"If there is nothing else, I will take my leave first."

Xue Mo turned around and was about to leave, Ah Qiu cried out sadly, "Are none of the words that the young master said to me in the Chengxiang Hall before counted?"

Xue Mo bowed and said, "I don't remember, sorry." Then he left, leaving only A Qiu feeling lonely.

I was speechless, "You two are really…" At the same time, my heart was pounding. Oh no, A Qiu must now see me as an enemy!

With a worried heart, I went to my aunt for help, leaning on her like a helpless little bird.

"Aunt, my sister has a bottle of my glassy perfume hidden in her drawer."

Aunt's eyes sparkled, "The white glassy perfume in a bamboo-shaped bottle?"

I nodded: "Yes, yes, it was something I discovered accidentally. Auntie, you understand what I mean, right? The main issue is not that she stole things, it's related to the fish hook on the back of my neck."

Auntie smiled and said, "That bottle belongs to your sister."

"Huh?"

Auntie smoothed my eyelashes and said, "Once Qiu'er told auntie, 'The bottle of perfume in my sister's room smells really good. When you spray it on, your mood instantly becomes better. The bottle is also beautiful, like an ice carving and jade.'"

“Auntie saw the look of longing on her face at the time and thought that this child did not have many good things, so she kept it in mind. Later, she saw it in a shop in the East Market and bought a bottle for her.”

My scattered emotions were gathered up a bit: "Oh... I see."

Auntie tapped my nose: "You little thing, I'm glad you told auntie quietly. If you had told your sister in front of her that she stole your things, auntie would have been angry."

My body shook, and with a grimace, I whispered, "But my bottle is gone."

"You didn't take care of your own things!"

"Aunt, do you really not doubt the fishhook incident?"

My aunt said sternly, "Do I need to report my thoughts to you truthfully one by one? I repeat, I won't let her do whatever she wants."

But the instinct to survive is everyone's bottom line, it can't be believed or confirmed just by words alone.

I snorted and said, "Auntie thinks that at the recent official meeting, Sister defended Auntie, so she's not willing to investigate her."

Snap!

I received a heavy slap on my back.

I was stunned, and despite the burning sensation on my back, I was so angry and scared that I burst into loud tears!

Aunt Mei heard my loud crying and hurried into the room, then took me out from under aunt's angry gaze, while comforting me, she said, "The child doesn't know any better, I will talk to her. The adults are tired, so go to bed early."

Pushing me out the door, she muttered, "Look, look, you can't behave for two days. If I had been a step later, you would have been in big trouble."

The little chicken quickly rushed over to comfort me, waiting until I stopped crying, and it even sighed like a human: Alas! The humanoid quadruped finally stopped making trouble, but it's breaking my heart.

But for me, I thought that choosing to obey and please could temporarily bring reliance, security, and dependence. But at this moment, this heart is starting to fade...

The door of the sacred bedroom is open, and I sneak a peek inside, seeing the emperor lying on the dragon couch with a face as pale as paper.

侍中令左相，德妃，大皇子，跪为一堆。

尚书令右相，张才人，襁褓里的四皇子被乳母抱着，跪为另一堆。

他们身后，还有三师三公，六部九卿。

One by one, they chant, "Protect the country and the people, ensure the prosperity of the state, and hope for the early establishment of a crown prince."

I was amazed once again. This concubine, who used to be considered a half enemy, had become a "friend" overnight. In fact, there were early signs of this change. Now, the eleven-year-old Crown Prince has set up his own household and moved to the Wendeng Palace in the central courtyard. After being removed from her position as accountant, Aqiu returned to her previous rank as a fifth-rank palace maid and was assigned to serve in the Wendeng Palace.

The people kneeling on the ground spoke one by one, and after a full hour of agitation, the Emperor finally couldn't hold on any longer and lowered his eyelids, waving his hand and saying, "Step back first, let me consider it."

Looking at the Emperor's listless appearance on the dragon throne, the crowd whispered to each other before finally retreating.

I rushed back to the study, only to find that Dowager Concubine De and Prime Minister Li had come to find me. Dowager Concubine De, with her triangular eyes, smiled and took my hand: "Fang, earlier on, the empress had a bad temper and had a little conflict with you. Please don't take it to heart."

I forced a smile and nodded, seeing the scars on her hands, but at least the flesh had grown back.

Li Xiang said, "Tuyatou, it's been a while since I've seen you. Has this task been hard on you?"

I laughed and replied, "Just write a few words, it's not hard."

Old Mr. Li always has a smiling face, is energetic and lively, with eyes that seem to be holding a handful of aged wine.

He added, "This time, Aye, you are poised for a great victory. According to the intelligence provided by General Geshu Han, the enemy has suffered repeated heavy defeats."

I narrowed my eyes. "Didn't the enemy change course and head towards Lanqiang? They must be aiming to capture and hold territory, preparing for a prolonged siege."

Li Xiang laughed and said, "The terrain of Lanqiang is steep and rugged, with ravines everywhere and it's full of miasma and dangers. If you want to conquer Lanqiang, it's like a dwarf entering a big arena."

I sighed lightly, "Alas, let's not underestimate the enemy."

Concubine De laughed again, pulled me to Li Xiang and said, "Oh, this smart and clever girl, who can compare to her?"

"Hiss... Otherwise, let's give her to our Crown Prince as his wife! Hahaha."

I was really startled, and my face changed all of a sudden.

Li Xiang quickly intervened, saying, "You can't just ask the child directly! You'll scare her again."

The outspoken De Fei covered her mouth and laughed, "Yes, yes, Li Xiang is right. My mouth, it never closes."

Li Xiang patted my shoulder and said, "It's okay, girl. Empress De came over just to clear up the misunderstanding with you. You're still young and don't understand the adults. Let's go back for now."

I respectfully bowed to them.

After seeing them off, I stood under the eaves, gazing into the distance in a daze.

I'm already fifteen, at the age of marriage. Maybe one day, they will suddenly arrange a marriage for me...

Fear and panic are overwhelming, and I even start to hope that the Crown Prince does not win the title of Crown Prince!

Dog Emperor, oh Dog Emperor, you can't die yet. If you're alive, I can still be a free little fox for a few more days.

So, I came to the large lake area before the violent chamber and started looking for mugwort.

Time flies, and after a while, I gathered a large bundle. I wrapped it in cloth, secretly carried it back to the Moon Pool Courtyard. In the small kitchen, I tinkered and squeezed with a clattering sound, using gauze to wring out a large bowl of green grass juice.

Recently, there have been fewer people serving in the Ganlu Hall, so I quietly slipped into the Emperor's dragon tent while the palace maids were changing positions.

The person on the bed was already half-dead, with a fever that had not subsided after five days. Now, I finally understand what "pale as a ghost" means.

I shook him and said, "Wake up, wake up, wake up, quickly wake up."

After shaking him hard, he finally woke up, opened his eyes and pretended to be reluctant.

I leaned in and said to him, "Sir, do you want to live? Xiaotu has brought medicine for you. This medicine, just saved my life last month."

He reluctantly mumbled, "What medicine?"

I twisted his body and crushed his teeth, then pushed him to sit up.

I propped him up with a large pillow, and he could barely hold up his head.

I presented this big bowl of green liquid to him and said, "This is Artemisia juice. Artemisia is a type of wormwood, and also a medicine that doctors have not discovered."

"Take a look."

I drank a big gulp from the bowl.

"It's definitely not poisoned! If you trust me, then drink it!"

I brought the bowl to his mouth, he hesitated for a moment, blinked and nodded.

Then I held the bowl with one hand and supported his head with the other, slowly feeding him to drink it all.

Maybe he knew that this might be his last chance, or perhaps his end was near, so he was trying his best.

After he finished drinking, I helped him lie down and said, "Sir, maybe you'll feel better soon. You have to stay strong and not lose hope!"

He nodded, and suddenly a tear fell.

I felt a twinge in my heart, for the first time realizing that even those high up can be so pitiful.

"Why is the saint crying? Do you need a few people to come and tell you some jokes?"

He shook his head.

“那小菟就先退下了，我还得再去采一批青蒿呢！”

转身之际，他一把抓住我的手臂：“你提过的斗地主怎么玩？”

"Quickly, tell Us."