"Cao Yin!" Xie 'er stood up with a shout, and a few night magpies jumped up from the branches.
"It's you, Xie 'er." Cao Yin looked at it and was shocked.
"Cao Yin, why are you here?" Xie 'er took half a step back in surprise. She looked him up and down and saw that he was dressed like a guard in official boots. She could not help but ask hesitantly," You are…?”
"It's not convenient to talk here. Follow me.”Cao Yin couldn't help but bring Xie 'er along. They ran at a high speed, passing through several paths covered with dense flowers. After running for a long time, they finally stopped.
" Cao, Cao, Cao Yin…" Xie 'er's hair was messed up by the night wind. After this night's ruckus, her legs were really weak from running. Xie 'er panted." Where are you taking me…"
"Come in." Cao Yin pushed open a large door and hurriedly stuffed Xie 'er inside before carefully closing the door and windows.
Xie 'er staggered and almost fell through the door. She finally stood up and looked up. The room was very spacious. The dim candlelight lit up the surroundings. The ground was covered with water-polished bricks, which were so bright that it was dazzling. There was a glazed wall with gold carvings on it. All kinds of knives, spears, sticks, clubs, and other weapons were inserted on the shelves around it. It seemed to be a place for martial arts.
Xie 'er was shocked. She wondered why Cao Yin had brought her to such a place.
"Miss Xie 'er, why are you here? Where's Rong Ruo?" Cao Yin looked at her anxiously and asked in a questioning tone.
" I…I entered the palace as a beautiful lady…" Xie 'er could not help but feel a sore spot. She lowered her head slowly. Thinking of entering the palace, she could not help but feel heartbroken. Now that Cao Yin mentioned it, she felt as if it was a lifetime ago. In a flash, the two of them who were holding hands and pouring out their hearts a moment ago suddenly became two ends in the next moment.
" What…" Cao Yin immediately understood. Yes, she was Rong Ruo's cousin and was of Manchu descent. Between the ages of thirteen and seventeen, she was not allowed to marry freely. As a beautiful girl, she entered the palace. If she was elected, she would be the Emperor's woman…When Cao Yin thought of this, an inexplicable ripple appeared in his heart. He could not describe what it was, but his eyes were bitter.
"Cao Yin, have you seen cousin? Is…is he alright?" Xie 'er pulled Cao Yin's arm with concern, her eyes slightly watery.
" Ever since we parted at the pavilion in the middle of the lake, Cao Yin has not had the chance to visit Master Nalan again…However, Miss Xie 'er, Master Nalan should be fine. Instead, you…You have to be careful in this palace…" Cao Yin's expression instantly became extremely solemn. He was someone who knew all kinds of darkness in the harem.
" Yes…Xie 'er will be careful…" Xie' er nodded seriously. Then, she remembered something and asked," Oh right, what about you? Why are you here?"”
"Haha, Cao Yin was negligent in not revealing his identity to Miss Xie 'er previously. Cao Yin was originally the Emperor's first-class guard with a sword and was on duty here tonight.”Cao Yin said with a serious expression, slightly ashamed.
"Oh, I see. A first-class guard with a saber should be a very important official position, right?”Xie 'er suddenly asked in surprise.
"Hehe, no matter how high an official is, he is still a slave.”Cao Yin laughed.
Suddenly, there was the sound of trees rustling outside the window. Cao Yin glanced at Xie 'er warily, and Xie' er quickly lowered her voice.
"Cao Yin, where is this place? " It's scary…" Xie 'er looked around for a moment and could not help but lean closer to him.
"Don't be afraid, Miss Xie 'er. This is where Buku practices.”Cao Yin explained.
"Buku?" Xie 'er asked.
"Hehe, it's a man's wrestling. In Manchu, it's called Buku. You should know, why did you have to ask?”Cao Yin smiled and did not probe further. He led Xie 'er to sit behind the screen.
" Oh, I understand…" Xie 'er pretended to understand and nodded, then sat down next to him.
After a pause, the two of them sat side by side, but they did not say anything for a moment.
" Miss Xie 'er…" Cao Yin hesitated.
"Hmm?" Xie 'er turned to look at him in confusion.
"Sigh, I'd better ask you the truth.”Cao Yin thought about it and finally said," You…Do you really want to be the Emperor's concubine, or…"
Although Xie 'er was prepared, she was still at a loss when Cao Yin asked this question. She bent down and thought for a while. She was a little dejected, but she still decided not to answer his question for the time being.
"Cao Yin, I have two poems to read to you.”Xie 'er suddenly said seriously.
"Yes, I'd like to hear the details." Cao Yin was slightly suspicious but he still nodded.
"Last night, the wind blew and the peaches were exposed. The moon was high in the front hall of Weiyang. Pingyang singing and dancing just received the favor, outside the curtain spring cold give brocade robe.”After Xie 'er finished reading, her mood became more and more sorrowful.
"It's Wang Jiangning's 'Spring Palace Resentment'.”Cao Yin blurted out, but he couldn't hide his suspicion.
"There's another song,'Opening the Golden Hall of Pingming with a broom, I'll wander around with the round fan for a while. Her face is not as beautiful as the color of a jackdaw, but still carries the shadow of Zhaoyang.”Xie 'er did not wait for him to respond and continued to read.
"It's still his. It's 'Long Letter of Resentment'.”Cao Yin quickly said," What? Why did Miss Xie 'er memorize these two poems?”
"Hehe, with your vast knowledge, Cao Yin, you still can't guess my thoughts at this moment? " These two poems have already answered the question you raised just now. You should understand now…" Xie 'er raised her eyes faintly and stared at the faint moonlight that shone in through the window.
"The poem says that concubines are favored as quickly as peaches and plums bearing the east wind. Ever since she was valued by the emperor in singing and dancing, she rose step by step and her status doubled. The weather in spring was ever-changing, and they could not wait to give brocade robes when they felt a little cold.”Cao Yin explained silently while looking at Xie 'er, carefully afraid that he would trigger her sadness.
"You only said the meaning of the poem. The joy of being favored is the pain of being abandoned. Don't tell me you didn't think that when the other concubines were cold in the depths of winter, the emperor would show concern for them? Had he given them embroidered robes to keep them warm? The most heartless imperial family, hehe…those old beauties in the Cold Palace now, which one of them wasn't once the new favorite? Now, would they end up sitting idly and talking about the mysterious sect?”Xie 'er shook her head helplessly and sighed.
" This…" Cao Yin instantly looked at the weak woman in front of him in a new light. He admired Xie 'er's words and admired her for not being greedy for vanity. However, on one hand, the emperor had deep feelings for her, and on the other hand, he was sincerely admiring the woman in front of him. He could not follow Xie 'er to slander the Emperor, nor could he persuade Xie' er on behalf of the Emperor, so he could only remain silent.
"Hehe. I'm not sure. You don't have to agree with me." Xie 'er looked at Cao Yin's troubled expression and quickly explained," There's no need to explain the second poem. Someone as smart as you should understand…"
" Mm…" Cao Yin nodded deeply. In his heart, he actually sympathized with these beautiful women. He had been serving the Emperor since he was young and had seen too many new favorites and old ones abandoned. Moreover, his master was the high and mighty emperor. He had always had his way with women. There was no woman in the world that he could not get.
When he heard Xie 'er tactfully tell him that he did not want to be the Emperor's concubine, he actually felt a trace of joy. He tried his best to get rid of this inexplicable feeling, but he could not calm down for a long time. Instead, he was even more reluctant to part with the woman beside him.
"Alright, Cao Yin, I'm already very gratified to be able to meet you in the palace today. " It's as if I've returned to the freest and happiest years outside the palace…" Xie 'er forced a smile and looked at him.
"Yes, that's right." Cao Yin also fell into the most carefree period of time when the snow was flowing freely in the middle of the lake, and the beautiful figure of Xie 'er's flying gauze and dancing satin appeared in his mind. As well as the scene of Rong Ruo flying together with her sword dance, she sighed even more.
He would never forget that scene for the rest of his life.
"Cao Yin, what are you thinking about?" Xie 'er saw Cao Yin staring blankly ahead and felt strange, so she called out to him softly.
"N-nothing. Right, Miss Xie 'er, are you used to staying in the palace?”Cao Yin quickly regained his senses and changed the topic.
"Hehe, don't mention it. " Today is the first day of entering the palace, and it's already…Sigh, it's already too horrible to look at…" Xie 'er lowered her head dejectedly, her expression extremely sorrowful.
"What's wrong?" Cao Yin asked with concern.
" I haven't eaten anything since morning…I almost fainted from hunger…" Xie 'er looked up at Cao Yin. Her eyes were bleak and her face was pale.
"Ah?" Cao Yin was shocked and anxious. He quickly got up and went out to find food for her.。
"Cao Yin, where are you going?" Xie 'er hurriedly pulled the corner of his clothes.
"I'll get you something to eat." Cao Yin turned around and said solemnly.
Xie 'er looked at his honest and loyal appearance, and her heart was moved. A warm current flowed out from the bottom of her heart and spread to her face, making her look like a peach blossom. It turned out that there were still people who cared about her in this huge palace. There were still people who cared about her and cared about her warmth…
"Don't be busy. I'm not hungry. Besides, it's already so late.”Xie 'er pulled him and shook her head earnestly.
" Gulu gulu…" As soon as Xie 'er spoke, her disappointing stomach growled even louder. Xie' er couldn't help but blush and smile embarrassedly.
"Hehe, you still say you're not hungry? Look, my little stomach has already smelled the fragrance.”Cao Yin gently removed Xie 'er's hand that was tugging at his robe. He bowed and smiled at her with a kind smile." Stay here and don't run around. I'll be back in a while."”
After saying that, Cao Yin lifted his robe and stood up. He rushed to the door in a few big strides and opened the door warily. He stuck his head out and looked outside before turning to smile at Xie 'er with relief.
Xie 'er was touched and quickly reached out to bow to him as if to thank him. The corners of Cao Yin's mouth curled up slightly.
" Yiya…" Cao Yin stepped out of the door and closed it carefully.
Xie 'er was left alone in the huge hall and suddenly felt helpless. Her heart felt empty. She was somewhat worried, so she curled up against the glass wall at the innermost part of the hall. This way, the people who came in from outside the hall would not be able to discover her, so it was still considered safe. She hugged her knees tightly and buried her head between her legs. It was already very late at night, and the cold wind blew again, bringing with it a bone-piercing coldness. She shivered and couldn't help but curl up even tighter. The candle flames in the hall were bright and difficult to set, making people sleepy.
" Yiya…" After a while, the door rang again. Xie 'er was dozing off when she was awakened.
She quickly stood up. Cao Yin had returned, but she realized that the person who entered the door was not Cao Yin. Xie 'er covered her mouth in shock and quickly squatted down again. After hiding for a while, she couldn't help but stick her head out again. She was afraid that the person would discover her, so she stared at the person's movements and didn't leave.
The person was dressed in a bright yellow robe. He was tall and thin, but he had a graceful posture. He agilely walked in, casually picked up a long sword from the shelf, and waved it in the air. In an instant, the entire room was filled with the light of swords and the flickering of candles.
Xie 'er couldn't help but be stunned. That person had changed many weapons, but every time he finished a set, he would always shake his head in dissatisfaction. Just as the man put away the sword he had just finished practicing, the door of the palace opened again. Xie 'er thought that it should be Cao Yin this time.
When the yellow-robed man heard the commotion, he quickly stabbed his weapon warily and hid behind the red pillar. Xie 'er watched as his back slowly retreated toward her. She was shocked and quickly squirmed her body to hide on the other side.
A biting cold wind blew through the palace door, and Xie 'er and the yellow-robed man stuck their heads out together. The person who entered was a petite woman. She sneakily opened the door slightly and almost crawled in through the crack.
"Yumin!" When the yellow-robed man saw this, he rushed forward and grabbed the woman's arm.
"Ah!" The woman was obviously frightened. Her entire body trembled and she almost fainted. Fortunately, the man quickly went forward to support her.
Just as the man was about to speak, the palace door creaked again. Cao Yin came in with a bag of things.
He carefully closed the door, turned his head, and stopped in his tracks. He stared at the two people in the hall with his bell-like eyes, and the things in his hands almost fell to the ground. Fortunately, he hurriedly adjusted his expression and quickly regained his composure.
" Your Majesty…" Cao Yin bowed and was about to kneel when the yellow-robed man stopped him.
"There's no need to be so polite." he said solemnly.
" Brother Emperor..." The delicate woman also regained her senses. She panted heavily, as if she was still in shock.
Xie 'er hurriedly pulled the curtain cage beside the red pillar and used a lot of strength to cover her mouth. She widened her eyes and looked at the three people in the hall in disbelief. She did not even dare to breathe loudly. Emperor, emperor, emperor…that person was actually the emperor…and the one who called the emperor brother, wasn't that the princess?
"What are you guys doing here?" The Emperor dusted his robe and asked in a dignified manner.
" I…" Cao Yin and Ge Ge kneeled on the ground, speechless.
"Bang!" Xie 'er was at a loss for a moment. She used too much strength and pulled the curtain cage. With a rustle and a clang, she fell to the ground.
"Who is it?" The Emperor vigilantly drew his sword and slowly walked to the back of the Zhu pillar.
Xie 'er's face turned pale from fright. She was stunned, and her feet felt like lead blocks, unable to move even half a step.
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