As soon as the pine flower-colored curtain fell, Xie 'er's tears immediately flowed out. She did not wait for the person she had been longing for to send her off. All the thoughts in her heart fell through in an instant. Disappointment and pain mixed into the most miserable sobs, like ice blades in her throat. The snow fell harder and harder. When the palanquin was slowly lifted, a familiar voice mixed with the sound of rapid footsteps entered her ears. Xie 'er wiped away her tears and quickly lifted the curtain to look outside.
The mournful cry shattered the snow on the branches." Cousin…"
" Xie 'er…Xie' er…wait…" Rong Ruo was covered in snow as he chased after the palanquin. His almost hoarse voice came with a rustling sound.
Xie 'er suddenly pounced and reached out her hand towards the outside of the curtain cage. The sedan chair shook, and tears of joy burst out of her eyes. Her soft hand swayed in the wind like a frozen red maple leaf, but she could not catch the last trace of the wind. At this moment, Rong Ruo suddenly took a step forward and used all his strength to stuff it into Xie 'er's hand. He was immediately blocked by a guard at the side with a knife, and his figure was quickly swept away by the crowd who came to send him off.
Only the snow was still falling unhurriedly. The world was vast, so how could the human world have any selfish thoughts?
Xie 'er was pushed into the palanquin by the accompanying internal supervisor. Her body shook, and her fluctuating emotions slowly calmed down. Everything fell into a deathly silence again. She lowered her eyebrows and looked at the object in her hand. It turned out to be a green-white Fang Sheng. She held it tightly in her palm and was trembling with excitement. However, when she opened the thin gap between her eyebrows and the curtain to look, she could no longer see him. After the wild joy, he fell to the bottom of the valley. It was like a dream that was easy to wake up from, and he had lingering fears.
He let out a long sigh, and the hand that lifted the curtain suddenly fell. His heart sank. Perhaps, this was the last time he would see her. Xie 'er's eyes turned dim as she focused on the Fang Sheng. What was it that made Rong Ruo risk her life to send it over?
Xie 'er picked up Fang Sheng's four corners and gently unfolded them. She saw that Fang Sheng was holding a small piece of paper. On the paper lay two red red beans, which seemed to be covered in sweat from his palms. They were so lustrous that they were quite lovable. Red beans, red beans, the most touching touch of yearning, reaching the most painful part of a heartbroken person.
Xie 'er was delighted at first, but then she felt a sharp change of grief. Her tears fell unconsciously. She silently sobbed as she unfolded the small piece of paper that was filled with words. What greeted her eyes was Rong Ruo's delicate and pretty small words. It was a dual-toned song from " Nanxiangzi ":"The smoke and warm rain have just stopped, and the bustling courtyard has fallen. Picking a pair of red beans, she lowered her head and said tearfully. People leave like spring break, cup of wine has been smashed stone. There are people crossing peach leaves, small boats, a kind of smoke and waves, each sad.”
" When people leave, it's like the spring break... A kind of smoke wave, each of us is sad..." Xie 'er's soft heart was almost torn. She covered her face and cried, unable to calm down. Even her thin Xuan was dripping through the ink.
If this pair of red beans were to be separated one day, they would be as lonely as their owners. But now, the two red beans in front of him were clearly leaning against each other, but their respective owners were truly separated in a cold and cruel way. What she took away was only the spring in his heart. The spring of the human world was still so charming.
Xie 'er held the pair of red beans in her hand in a daze. Her eyes looked into the distance in a daze. The laughter of the Second East Branch sisters slowly retreated into the background and could no longer disturb the deepest part of Xie' er's heart.
"Xie 'er, Xie' er! Open the door!" Just as Xie 'er was lost in her thoughts, there was a sudden clamor and knocking on the door.
The playful girls quieted down and looked at Xie 'er hesitantly. Zi Xun saw that Xie 'er was still standing there in a daze, not knowing what to do, so she quickly ran over to open the door for her.
"Yo, so lively." With a coquettish voice, the person who appeared at the door was Wanzhen. She was dressed in a gorgeous silver-red dress that was eye-catching, but she had a contemptuous and malicious expression on her face as she glanced into the room from time to time.
"Who are you?" Zi Xun went forward and asked solemnly.
"No matter who I am, I'm looking for Xie 'er in your room. Quickly call her out!”Wanzhen didn't even look up as she raised her head in disdain.
"Wanzhen, you were looking for me?" Xie 'er was filled with doubts. She placed the things in her hands on the table and walked over.
"Xie 'er, I know. Birds of a feather flock together." Wanzhen snorted and glanced at him from the corner of her eyes. She then smiled and said,"Now that I have a sister like you in the Second East Branch, what kind of dirty sister can I possibly raise?"”
"Who are you calling dirty?!" Zi Xun said angrily.
The sisters in the room heard the quarrel and came over. When they saw the boss of the east room leading a group of sisters in an aggressive manner, they couldn't help but hush. However, a few of them were slightly dissatisfied and muttered a few words.
"Dare I ask, tell me, was it a slut in your house who stole Pei Lan's golden hairpin from our house? Hmph, I see that all of you are dressed in shabby clothes. The whole house is filled with poor girls! He had never even seen a golden hairpin, yet he still wanted to steal someone else's. He didn't even see who he was stealing from.”Wanzhen shouted angrily.
The rest of the sisters from the east room laughed mockingly as they stretched their heads into the room, wanting to rush into the room together.
"Hmph, if you know what's good for you, hand it over quickly. Otherwise, we'll complain to Eunuch Shun.”Xiu Rong, who was beside Wanzhen, rolled her eyes as she spoke, occasionally rushing into the room.
" I say, Xie 'er, hurry up and hand over the golden hairpin. Otherwise…you'll all suffer." Wanzhen put her hands on her hips and glared at the girls from the Second East Branch. She would occasionally look at each of them and her eyes would fall on Liu Huan.
Liu Zhen met her fierce gaze and was startled. She quickly stepped back, but Wan quickly grabbed her and laughed loudly." Look, look, you dare to wear this old lotus colored dress to show off in the palace." It must be you, this poor girl, who stole it, sisters! Come, search it!"
Tears rolled down Liu Huan's cheeks. She was so timid that she was pushed by her like a soft willow that was destroyed by a strong wind.
Xie 'er was completely confused by this sudden incident. She carefully thought about it. From getting off the palanquin to entering the house, it was impossible for her to have any interaction with the person in the room next door. It must be that this Wanzhen had not forgotten her old grudge outside the palace and had deliberately come to the palace to cause trouble.
Before the women from the East First House could pounce on Liu Huan, Xie 'er stepped in front of Liu Huan and shouted angrily," Stop!”
They were startled and stopped. Wanzhen suddenly rushed into the room and scanned the room for a moment. She quickly snatched the pill that Xie 'er had placed on the table and threw it to the ground. Before Xie' er could react, she stepped on the red bean and crushed it.
Wanzhen gave a coquettish laugh and glanced at Xie 'er." You want to keep the things of men outside the palace after you enter the palace? Little slut, be careful of your skin in the future!"”
"Humph! Let's go!" Wanzhen waved her hand at them and left with a snort.
The sisters of the Second East Branch looked at each other, puzzled by Wanzhen's words. However, Xie 'er was already sobbing. She slowly walked forward, trembling as she touched the crushed red beans on the ground. For a moment, the red of the cuckoo's cry was dazzling…That was her last thought, but it was also crushed under her feet, and her fragrant soul almost followed her.
" Sister Xie 'er, don't be sad…Don't be calculative with them…" Zixun held Xie' er's hand, also feeling sad.
"Xie 'er, I'll accompany you for a walk.”Liu Yan looked at her meaningfully and comforted her gently.
"Yes." Xie 'er nodded silently, and Liu Yan helped her out.
The snow outside the door had already stopped, and the majestic vermilion walls and green tiles were faintly visible in the white world, indicating that the shackles of the body and heart could not be crossed, and always revealed its towering figure at the corner of the vast world. The deep and shallow footsteps on the snowy ground meandered into the distance. No one knew who left them here, but they felt lonely and lonely, as if they were leading to an endless abyss.
Xie 'er and Liu Yan strolled in the snow, their mood gradually relaxing.
"Elder sister, after entering the palace, you've changed to treating the outside world as something outside of your body.”Liu Yan sighed.
Xie 'er's expression changed drastically, but she quickly adjusted her tone and replied with a smile," Wearing those complicated golden rings and green pearls makes you a completely different person. When you look back, who isn't a hundred-year-old?"”
"Elder Sister is very clear-headed." Liu Yan smiled and fell silent.
The snow was so soft that it seemed to have been washed. The two of them slowly strolled and unknowingly walked into an unfamiliar place. Looking up, he saw the jade carved railings faintly revealing the warm jade. Outside the pavilion, there were a few old plum trees planted in the frost, proud and snowy, with a beautiful bearing. When it spread out, it was like a huge cloud that hung down from the sky.
Liu Huan was delighted. She quickly pulled Xie 'er to the bottom of the old plum tree and gently folded a flower for Xie' er to put on her hair. She happily looked at her and said," From now on, I will look at you as if I am looking at myself. I will wear whichever flower looks good on you.”
"Puchi!" Xie 'er covered her mouth and smiled. She slightly straightened the plum blossoms on her temples and said with a smile," Could it be that the bronze mirror turned into two ordinary figures in a blink of an eye?"”
" That's right…" Liu Yan was also pleased.
At this moment, they heard a conversation coming from the pavilion beside the plum tree. The two of them unconsciously shut up and listened carefully.
"Why isn't Liang Yue here yet? Seeing that the empress dowager was about to arrive, if she didn't come, who would be able to bear the responsibility of preaching to the ancestor?”It was an extremely angry and charming voice.
"Little Sister Consort Tong, please calm down and wait a little longer.”Another gentle voice said.
" The Empress Dowager has arrived…" With a call, a dignified and kind old woman was escorted by many palace maids and eunuchs. They slowly walked into the pavilion. The two women who had spoken just now immediately knelt on the ground to pay their respects.
When the Empress Dowager was comfortably leaning on the carved couch and carefully covering herself with a fox fur coat, she asked,"Where are the palace maids who are lecturing?"”
Concubine Tong said in fear," This…Liangyue, she…"
The Grand Empress Dowager squinted her eyes and was furious. Everyone in the pavilion was shocked and quickly knelt down. Liu Yan was so scared that she let out a muffled cry.
"Who is it?" Concubine Tong shouted, and everyone swept their gaze toward the plum tree.
Xie 'er was shocked. Liu Huan grabbed her hand tightly. Her whole body was trembling, and her palms were covered in cold sweat. The two of them went limp and fell into the pavilion together, trembling in fear.
"How dare you, palace maid, disturb the Empress Dowager's carriage. Drag her out and beat her with fifty sticks!”Concubine Tong's brows instantly stood up, looking exceptionally cold.
When the guards outside the pavilion heard this, they rushed into the pavilion. At this critical moment, the Empress was standing at the side. Seeing the two girls 'pale faces, she could not bear to see them. She hurried to Xie' er and Liu Huan and asked in a low voice," Do you know how to preach?"”
Liu Yan was so scared that her whole body shivered and her eyes widened. Xie 'er's mind spun quickly. She calmed down and said," Where can I try?"”
The Empress stared at Xie 'er for a moment and nodded slightly as if she had a deeper meaning." Since that's the case, you have to take care of yourself."”
Liu Yan grabbed Xie 'er in a daze. Tears welled up in her eyes as she choked," I'm sorry, Xie' er.”
Xie 'er shook her head lightly, but the Empress led her to the Empress Dowager. She hurriedly said," Imperial Grandmother, this is the palace maid who will be lecturing for you today."”
The Empress Dowager closed her eyes and sniffed a snuff bottle with a green landscape carved on it as she faintly waved her hand. The Empress understood and picked up a scripture from the desk. She handed it to Xie 'er and touched the scripture with her slender fingers. She said softly," We've talked about this a few days ago. Today, we'll start with Demon King Boxun and the witch."”
Xie 'er quickly scanned the scriptures. Her fluctuating nervousness made her hand tremble. After much consideration, she finally recalled that she had once seen a copy of the " Vimalakirti Scripture " in the Leng Xiang Pavilion. She could only blame herself for not memorizing it diligently back then. In her panic, the corners of her lips twitched slightly.
"Hurry up and tell me! What are you waiting for!" Concubine Tong shouted in a low voice.
Liu Yan's body shook. She retreated to the side and stared at Xie 'er, afraid that something would happen. Just now, he was only disturbing the emperor. If he couldn't explain it, it would be a crime of deception. It wouldn't be as simple as a punishment.
Xie 'er shivered. She closed her eyes and said,"…The demonesses are all as beautiful as flowers, and one of them is as beautiful as jade. My body is soft, I have just come down from Wushan Mountain, and my appearance is beautiful, I have just left the immortal cave. All with peach blossom face, all with willow leaf eyebrows. When walking slowly, it is like the wind blowing hibiscus, and when walking slowly, it is like water shaking lotus leaves. Red lips charming, can be red fat red; Snow teeth even, can be white, can be clean. Gently wipe the body with silk cloth, spit out the fragrance of different species; Thin crepe hanging on the body, dragging the usual green color. He stood on the right side of the throne in the palace, the five colors of the blue sky, the thousands of flowers in the green marsh..."
On the table in front of the bed, the fragrance of the jade duck wafted in the air, accompanied by the sound of water in the pavilion. The scripture was explained in a literary and interesting manner. Everyone was fascinated by it, and even the Empress Dowager nodded from time to time. The Empress and Liu Yan finally let out a long sigh of relief. They looked at Xie 'er with delight, and their frightened hearts calmed down a lot.
Concubine Tong, who was standing at the side, sized up Xie 'er with her bright eyes. The corners of her mouth curled up slightly, and it was even more bone-chilling than the melting snow outside the pavilion.
"Forget it, that's all for today.”After the time for half an incense stick to burn, the Empress Dowager finally felt tired and waved her hand lazily. Xie 'er lowered her eyes as if she was about to be pardoned. She felt a little uneasy and quickly bowed respectfully.
When she was about to leave, Concubine Tong suddenly smiled, and the jewelry on her head jingled. Xie 'er and Liu Yan couldn't help but feel anxious again. Concubine Tong greeted the Empress Dowager and bowed." Empress Dowager, I don't know these two. They don't look like people from the palace, but they look like new servants."”
The Empress 'expression changed. It was too late to stop Consort Tong. The Empress Dowager's eyes widened, and two cold lights swept across Xie 'er and Liu Huan, scaring them so much that they fell to their knees and went limp.
The Empress Dowager stood up and leaned on the couch. She silently looked around for a long time, and the atmosphere suddenly froze.
"Her eyebrows and mouth are like a painting, and her literary talent is like a poem. I will definitely not be a palace maid.”The Grand Empress Dowager's expression turned from solemn to joyful. Her bright eyes slowly swept over him and she said," The eyes are thin and the temperament is gentle. A man with big eyes must have a fierce heart…"
Concubine Tong's expression changed when she heard this. She quickly retreated to the side, but her face was filled with anger. He knew that Consort Tong had a pair of laurel leaf eyebrows against her almond-sized eyes. She was black like ink and looked spirited. If she wasn't thick-eyed and big, who was she? Then he looked at Xie 'er and Liu Yan, a pair of slender eyebrows that were shrouded in smoke, and a pair of clear eyes that were wrapped in smoke and water.
The Grand Empress Dowager paused for a moment and swept her gaze across the crowd. She then smiled and said," Those whose eyes are good at moving and have a clear distinction between black and white are bound to be more benevolent. Those whose eyes are fixed and have more white and less black, or those who have less white and more black, are bound to be close to fools.”
Everyone was puzzled and kept quiet. The Empress Dowager smiled and called for Xie 'er to come closer. She pulled her soft hands and could not help but praise," Your fingertips are also beautiful. You have a pair of hands like water onions." What books did you study? Can you write?"
Xie 'er was slightly surprised and quickly replied respectfully," I've never read a proper book. I only read some poems." She had practiced calligraphy for a few years, but her calligraphy was so clumsy that it was difficult to catch her eye.”
The Grand Empress Dowager's eyes suddenly became distant as she sighed." Ever since Wan 'er was banished to the Cold Palace by the Emperor, this widow has never been able to find anyone to copy scriptures for this widow. If you can write, then come to the Peaceful Life Palace when you have the time and copy scriptures for this widow.”
Concubine Tong's expression turned even uglier, turning into a greenish yellow color. Her gold-inlaid armor made a rustling sound as she knocked on her armband to hide her uneasiness.
Xie 'er was flattered and quickly kowtowed." Thank you, Empress Dowager."”
"Hehe, good children, get up.”The Empress Dowager smiled and waved her hand." It's getting late. It's time for lunch." You two quickly return to Chuxiu Palace, this widow is also tired. Empress, help this widow back.”
"Yes, Imperial Grandmother." The Empress glanced sideways at Xie 'er and the others and smiled, indicating that they had passed their tribulation. Her gentle and kind smile made one's heart warm. She supported the Grand Empress Dowager and left the pavilion, heading in the direction of the Peaceful Life Palace.
Concubine Tong raised her eyebrows and glanced at Xie 'er and Liu Yan." You managed to escape."”
Without waiting for Xie 'er and Liu Yan to respond, she snorted and left. The slightly plump figure brushed past an old plum tree, and red petals fell on the ground, scattering on the snow. It was as if someone's rouge box had been overturned, and there was a dazzling red.
(1) From Dunhuang posthumous writings.
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