Concubine like a house

Chapter 174 The Imperial Mausoleum Has Love and Enmity Again (1)
Three days later, Emperor Tianshou held a grand funeral ceremony for Empress Dowager Ye. Thousands of people held lamps and opened sacrifices. At Yinshi, they set off from Yingyuan Palace, just to rush to the mausoleum for burial at Maoshi.

The pitch-black night was deep and noisy, and the Gyeonggi Guards had put the Central Axis Avenue under martial law early on. Every household turned off their lights and candles, and no one dared to disturb the soul of the Empress Dowager.The entire funeral procession is dressed in white, which is even more terrifying in the night, like a group of wandering ghosts, ethereal and with no one to rely on.

Emperor Tianshou and Nie Peixiao sat in the carriage, relatively silent.Behind them was a coffin supported by eight horses, in which lay the founding empress dowager of the Great Ling Dynasty, Ye Yingfei.

The imperial mausoleum of the Nie clan is located in Pingling Mountain on the outskirts of Jingzhou.Among the imperial tombs, there are currently six imperial tombs, where six emperors since the founding of Nanxi were buried.

Each imperial mausoleum has an imperial mausoleum, an empress mausoleum, a prince's tomb and a funeral tomb.Just remembering that after death, I will turn into a cold coffin on Pingling Mountain, the two brothers in the car will be filled with emotion.

Hurrying quickly, the mighty funeral procession finally arrived at the imperial mausoleum at Maoshi.Emperor Tianshou and Nie Peixiao got out of the car one after another, they were both frightened by the radiance of the morning sun, and couldn't keep their eyes open for a while.

"Your Majesty, Your Highness, the auspicious time has come, and the coffin of the Empress Dowager can be sent into the mausoleum." The official of the Ministry of Rites whispered in their ears.

Emperor Tianshou nodded slightly, and looked sideways at Nie Peixiao, who held a tablet in his arms and solemnly handed it over to the former.On the tablet, "Filial Ci Zhaoxian Respect Shun Yi De Cheng Tian Fu Sheng Ren Empress" is written in gold lacquered characters.This is the posthumous title of Empress Dowager Ye, which was drawn up and written by Emperor Tianshou himself.From now on, Ye Yingfei will officially become a part of the history books of the Daling Dynasty - Empress Xiaociren.

Nie Peixiao took an ever-burning lantern from the officials of the Ministry of Rites, and walked in front to lead the way, followed closely by the Emperor Tianshou with the tablet in his arms.The stone steps are endless, leading to the deep and cold underground palace of the Houling.I don't know how long they walked before the two brothers reached the end of the underground palace - the place where the coffin was parked.

The funeral officers carried the coffin and slowly entered it, and solemnly placed it on the Danqi at the end of the underground palace.Emperor Tianshou and Nie Peixiao stepped forward together. The latter inserted the ever-burning lamp on the stone wall behind Danchi, and the former placed the memorial tablet on the top of the coffin lid.The two kowtowed three times to the coffin, and then walked down Danchi together.

At this moment, the two brothers suddenly smelled a strange fragrance, they looked at each other, and frowned suspiciously.Nie Peixiao spoke first: "Could it be the spices in the coffin?"

Emperor Tianshou faintly felt that something was wrong, but he himself was fine, and there was no sign of being poisoned at all.What's more, so many people carried the coffin to the funeral just now, and all of them were unharmed, so it can be seen that this spice is not poison or ecstasy.Thinking of this, Emperor Tianshou also vaguely agreed with Nie Peixiao's statement, he did not look for the source of the strange fragrance, and walked out of the underground palace together with Nie Peixiao.

As an emperor, there are not many steps that need to be done by yourself. So far, the funeral rites that the emperor should do have been completed.But before the end of the entire burial ceremony, there are still several essential steps-burning incense, praying, chanting sacrificial rites, mourning... It's just that the emperor doesn't have to participate in person.

The officials of the Ministry of Rites waited at the gate of the underground palace. When they saw the Emperor Tianshou and Nie Peixiao coming out, they immediately went forward and said: "Please move the holy place to wash away the filth and take a rest. His Highness King Cheng should go to burn incense to pray and mourn It's the sacrificial offering."

Going to Huanzhuoyuan is an essential etiquette. Emperors must bathe and fast when entering and leaving the imperial mausoleum, so as to wash away the filthy spirit of the undead in the underground palace.Emperor Tianshou and Nie Peixiao both knew these steps, so they branched out at the gate of the underground palace without saying anything more.

One went to the Huanzhuoyuan to take a bath, and the other went to the main hall to continue the funeral ceremony.

This time, the Empress Dowager Ye was buried in the mausoleum, and Emperor Tianshou appointed Danxin to accompany her around.In fact, this is not the scope of the female officer's responsibility, but out of selfishness, he also wants to let his heart see that he is benevolent to Queen Mother Ye, and Nie Peixiao still maintains brotherhood with him.

The Emperor Tianshou walked into the Huanzhuo Yuan while thinking, and the palace people had already prepared for bathing.In order to allow the emperor to take a refreshing bath when offering sacrifices and funerals, when the imperial mausoleum was built, the officials tried their best to lead the hot spring water from Pingling Mountain into the imperial mausoleum, and then flowed into the washing courtyards of each imperial mausoleum to form soup pools. .

"Slaves (servants) have seen the Holy One." All the eunuchs and maidservants saw the sudden appearance of the Emperor Tianshou, they immediately stopped their errands and knelt down to pay respects.Dan Xin was leaning on the stone bench outside the soup pool, lost in thought, she was startled by the sudden sound, and then came back to salute.

The dense mist drifted out from the soup pool and diffused throughout the Huanzhuo courtyard, covering the indifferent face with a layer of mist.The Emperor Tianshou saw her helplessness in his eyes, pressed his thin lips tightly, walked to the side of the soup pool, and said in a calm voice, "Change clothes."

"Yes." The two maidservants immediately stepped forward and began to change clothes for Emperor Tianshou, but everyone avoided them one after another, and walked out of the Huanzhuo courtyard calmly and without looking sideways.

"Leave it calmly." The Emperor Tianshou said lightly.

Hearing this, the maids in the palace immediately came to their senses, and the two who were changing clothes for the emperor also hurriedly retreated, leaving only one indifferent, even more at a loss.In order to ease the awkward atmosphere, she hurried to the backyard and brought out a tray.On the tray was the morning dew among the flowers prepared by the maids.

Emperor Tianshou rarely drank tea, and mostly drank water and wine on weekdays.Danxin once ventured to ask him the reason, and the answer he got was - "Life is alive, sometimes drunk and sometimes sober, the word "drink" is the true meaning."

Emperor Tianshou's answer was very ingenious and cryptic, and it was only later that he heard Cen Jiang mention it in a calm manner. In fact, the real reason is that the tea has a strong taste and is easy to be poisoned, while the clear water is weak, and it is easy to taste the poison once it is poisoned.Therefore, Emperor Tianshou seldom drank tea.

Being cautious about eating and drinking can basically reveal a person's temperament.The suspicion of Emperor Tianshou was fully revealed in this matter.

Thinking of this, Danxin placed the tray on the table, held up the silver needle to test it, and after confirming that the water was not poisonous and the cup was not poisonous, he poured a cup and presented it to the Emperor Tianshou.

The emperor took the cup and drank it down, but he didn't mention the matter of bathing, he just asked her: "Are you still afraid of me?"

Denied lightly: "No, the slaves dare not."

"Then change my clothes for me."

change clothes?Danxin subconsciously wanted to refuse: "This is not a servant's job..."

"Didn't you serve Marquis Li Xin before in Yun Mansion? What's the matter? It wouldn't work if you changed me?" Emperor Tianshou asked in a condensed voice.

Hearing the words, he dared not refuse again, so he had to accept the order and say yes.

Emperor Tianshou usually wore black clothes, but today he specially wore white mourning clothes, showing a bit of peace, not as sinister and wild as usual.Danxin took a deep breath and was forced to undress him.

I don't know if it's because I haven't done this errand for a long time, or because my fingers are trembling because of fear.Originally, Emperor Tianshou was much taller than her, and she had to raise her head and raise her arms to unbutton his clothes, but the more anxious she was, the less strength she could use, and she couldn't even unbutton the emperor's front clothes!

Emperor Tianshou had been waiting and watching, and seeing her terrified to such an extent, he felt even more disappointed and desolate in his heart.It's been nearly a month, and she still can't let go!Finally, Emperor Tianshou waved his hand and sighed weakly: "Enough, you go down."

As if he had received an amnesty, he immediately took a step back and bowed to leave.

Emperor Tianshou watched her exit the Huanzhuo courtyard, then undressed himself and stepped into the soup pool.

Maybe it was because of exhausting his mind and mind these days, or because he was disappointed and powerless because of his indifference. In short, under the soothing effect of the hot spring water, Emperor Tianshou slowly fell into a rest, leaning against the wall of the pool and fell asleep soundlessly. past.

Not long after, Emperor Tianshou was awakened by the voices outside the Huanzhuo courtyard. Although the voice was soft, he could still hear it clearly.Years and months of being on the alert made him sleep very lightly and lightly, and he was easily awakened.

Emperor Tianshou regained consciousness in an instant, and did not get up from the soup pool in a hurry, but asked in a low voice, "Who is making noise in the imperial tomb?"

The voices outside the courtyard immediately disappeared, and then a maidservant replied: "My lord, Han, the woman from the Tea Palace of Mercy Palace, is asking to see you."

Today, Empress Dowager Ye was buried in the Imperial Mausoleum, and many eunuchs and maidservants came to the Palace of Mercy, and Zihan was among them.Emperor Tianshou frowned and pondered for a moment, then ordered: "Let her in."

On the night that Empress Dowager Ye passed away, Zihan stood guard outside the main hall of the Charity Palace, and guessed the cause and effect of the whole incident.At that time, Emperor Tianshou hurried to look for Danxin, and once glanced at her outside the door. Since then, the two have never seen each other again.

Emperor Tianshou believed that Zihan would not talk nonsense with his courage, and he didn't need to warn anything.But today, Zihan escaped from the funeral ceremony to seek an audience, it must be because of the Empress Dowager Ye's affairs, so he couldn't see her.

Emperor Tianshou stepped out of the soup pool, wiped the water and put on new plain clothes.He put on his belt neatly, turned around from behind the screen, and walked to the front yard of Huanzhuoyuan.

Almost at the same time, Zihan entered from outside the courtyard.One of the two came in from the outside, and the other came out from the inside, and they met face to face without going back and forth.

As soon as he saw Emperor Tianshou, Zihan's eyes flashed with astonishment.She had never seen an emperor wearing white clothes. Although it was a filial dress, it had a different kind of bearing.In particular, the Emperor Tianshou had just come out of the shower, and there were still a few drops of water vapor on his forehead, and his clothes and cuffs were also wet, showing a bit of laziness and charm that was different from the past.

Zihan was a little dazed for a moment, but forgot to explain why he came.Seeing her staring at him, the Emperor Tianshou's face darkened: "The empress dowager's funeral ceremony is not over yet, it is a crime of disrespect for you to come out halfway."

Then Zihan knelt down and pleaded guilty: "This servant deserves to die, please be punished by the Holy One."

Emperor Tianshou looked at her impatiently, but did not say anything to apologize.If it wasn't for her face, maybe he would have been furious long ago: "You'd better tell me a reason that convinces me."

Hearing this, Zihan regained his composure, raised his eyes sincerely and replied: "This servant wants to... ask me to guard the mausoleum for the Empress Dowager."

Wake?Emperor Tianshou looked at Zihan, with a trace of doubt crossing his eyebrows: "Is it guarding the spirit or guarding the mausoleum?"

If it is "Shouling", she can stay in the Charity Palace; if it is "Shouling", she has to stay in the imperial tomb on Pingling Mountain.It was a lonely chore for a girl's family.

"My servant wants to stay here and guard the mausoleum for the empress dowager." Zihan replied without hesitation, "I am an orphan and have no one to rely on. For the grace of the empress dowager's rebuilding, this servant is willing to repay her with the rest of her life."

Hearing Zihan's words, Emperor Tianshou was quite surprised.He stared at Zihan's face carefully, trying to see a hint of invitation to favor, but he was disappointed, the other's face was calm and determined.

Deep in the heart of Emperor Tianshou, he once disliked Zihan, a woman who had a similar face to Luansu.It was probably because he hadn't seen her for a long time, and because he heard that she had been keeping her own place in the Palace of Mercy, his dislike for her gradually dissipated.

But at this moment, Zihan's resolute expression of wanting to guard the mausoleum for Empress Dowager Ye really looked a little like Luan Su.Not just in appearance, but also in spirit...

It is undeniable that Empress Dowager Ye is very good at training people, and he was surprised to be able to train Zi Han, who was vulgar, snobbish, and stupid in the past, into what he is now.Emperor Tianshou couldn't help but began to re-examine Zihan, and asked, "Do you really want to keep the mausoleum?"

"Yes." Zihan replied resolutely again, "I have made up my mind, I hope the Holy One will grant it." After finishing speaking, she kowtowed heavily to the ground.

It is cruel to ask a beautiful palace maid to guard the mausoleum of Empress Dowager Ye, but there are old rules to follow.However, because Zihan's appearance resembled that of an old man, the Emperor Tianshou couldn't bear it.It seems that it is not Zihan but Luansu who is guarding the mausoleum alone here.

Accompanied by a group of dead people, guarding the huge royal cemetery, cleaning it day after day... That is the woman he loves the most!How can he bear it?

Thinking of that scene, Emperor Tianshou suddenly had an unprecedented impulse, and his consciousness gradually became illusory.He immediately got up from his seat and walked towards Zihan quickly.

The aroma of Lanzhi grass is timely, and it is Luan Su's favorite spice.Emperor Tianshou looked at the green-clothed palace maid in front of him, feeling more and more dazed and unreal.

"Luan Su..." He stretched out his hand to caress Zihan's blue hair, and slowly lifted her up from the ground.It wasn't until he touched the pair of lively and fragrant catkins that he could be sure that this was a real scene - in front of him was the woman he loved deeply, and he had never forgotten it.

Emperor Tianshou couldn't restrain the excitement in his heart, raised his hand to cup Zihan's cheek, and kissed Zihan as if it were a treasure.This kiss happened to be on Zihan's lips.It should be a sweet taste, but the emperor tasted a bit of bitterness, which was a real bitter taste.He thought it was Luan Su's lips, so he didn't care too much, and instead deepened the kiss.

Zihan was held in the arms of the Emperor Tianshu, and seeing him getting more and more involved in the kiss, he pushed him hard and separated the distance between the two: "Your Majesty, you have misidentified the person, the servant is not Luansu..."

At this moment, Emperor Tianshou couldn't hear it, he just whispered in her ear: "You are finally back..."

Zihan's ears turned red, and he was very embarrassed: "Your Majesty... this servant has something to say to you alone, let's go to the inner hall."

"Okay." Emperor Tianshou's consciousness became more and more drowsy, and he grabbed Zihan's waist in response, and the two walked into the Tangchi room together.The dense water mist was hazy and ambiguous, and the warm water vapor was like a holy medicine for aphrodisiac, which made the two of them feel hotter.

Zihan's clear eyes pierced through the layers of mist, leading the Emperor Tianshou to go behind the screen, and saw a couch for people to rest at a glance.At this moment, Emperor Tianshou smelled a faint fragrance again, and he tried his best to see the woman in front of him clearly, lest it would be another mirror image: "Don't go, Luan Su..."

Zihan's delicate body leaned forward, pulling the emperor's skirt and pulling him down on the couch, in an ambiguous posture of a man on top of a woman.Only this one action wiped out the last sliver of rationality of Emperor Tianshou, and his slender fingers lingered on her jaw: "Luan Su..."

(End of this chapter)