This can be remembered

Chapter 29 Even if we meet again, we should not know each other (1)
The winter snow is rustling, and the snow scorpions have been blowing since the night before, and the sky is full of snow.Liu Jieyu got up early this morning, and the maids in Feixu Hall were a little surprised.Not long ago, the Empress Dowager skipped the morning and evening Dingsheng in the Six Palaces because of the slight wind and cold and the intermittent bad weather.Liu Jieyu is afraid of the cold, and prefers to stay on the kang in winter, so she doesn't have to greet the Empress Dowager. Before noon, the emperor will discuss matters with the ministers in the imperial study, and never set foot in the harem, so she often gets up late.Waking up early this day was very unusual.

After hastily eating breakfast, Liu Jieyu watched the heavy snow still drifting outside, stroked the window and pondered for a long time, and finally said to Pei'er beside her: "Go and get a big sweater, I'm going out."

Pei'er was very puzzled, but seeing Liu Jieyu's resolute look on her face, she didn't persuade her. She took a red cloak from a feather satin ferret, and helped Liu Jieyu change into a morning glow brocade silk satin dress. Wearing a fox fur-trimmed gold silk pipa coat with a pair of suede boots, I just felt able to withstand the severe cold outside.

Liu Jieyu was always expressionless when she was dressed, Pei'er knew that this was her habit of deep thinking, so she fastened all the ribbons and buttons lightly, took the big oiled paper umbrella and said to Liu Jieyu: "Ma'am, it's done."

Liu Jieyu came back to her senses, as usual, she always had six attendants by her side when she went out, and they were all ready to wait under the eaves.Smiling lightly, he said: "I'm just going to get some air, you don't need to follow." Then she said to Pei'er: "You stay with me."

On weekdays, few people walk along the road between the Royal Garden, and even less so in winter.It seems that the palace people who were sweeping also neglected this place. The snow has not been swept away, and a thick layer has fallen.Pei'er followed behind Liu Jieyu, worried and said: "Madam, this road is not easy, why don't you change it?"

Liu Jieyu shook her head, but did not speak.

Pei'er naturally knew that Liu Jieyu was not as simple as "breathing air", there must be something wrong.But the road didn't lead to any concubine's place, so I was puzzled, but seeing Liu Jieyu's expression was not good and asking questions, I had to follow carefully.

The exquisite boots made a slight "creak" sound when they stepped on the snow, the sky and the earth were blank and white, and there was an inaudible "whirling" sound. With a strange cry of "Karma", Pei'er, who was only looking down at the road, raised her head in shock, and saw a dilapidated moon gate in front of her. The heavily armed inner court guards guarded, and the halberds in their hands had a cold shimmer.Xia'er raised her head, and there were mottled black characters "Shangfangyuan" on the door plaque.

Pei'er's heart trembled, this "Shangfang Courtyard" is the place where concubines are detained in the harem, and generally those concubines who have offended the face of heaven and have no room for redress are waiting for the day of beheading, and will not Waiting too long.

Shen Xiyao cared about affection, and concubines in the harem rarely committed serious crimes that the emperor could not tolerate. Even if they did, they would move to the cold palace more often and give them a cup of poisoned wine or white silk, instead of coming to Shangfangyuan where torture would be used.In this way, since the founding of the country, this court has only imprisoned two concubines, one is Gaozu Feng Guifei, who murdered the prince, and the other is Taizong Concubine Liu Shu, who conspired with the prince to usurp the throne.All of them committed serious crimes due to the battle for the throne, including their family members.Xia'er turned her mind for a moment, and immediately guessed who was being imprisoned here.

"Your Majesty," she grabbed Liu Jieyu's robe, "I'm afraid it's not appropriate for us to go in." After all, it's time to get rid of that nobleman Wu at this time, the farther the better.

"I'm doing the right thing, what are you afraid of." Although Liu Jieyu said this, her tone was full of hesitation.However, she was very worried about what Wu Guiren had said, and what Wu Guiren had promised herself to do, and she was also eager to know the result.Then he came regardless.According to Liu Jieyu's thinking, this place is also known as "Death Row" in the harem, and the oracle has been proclaimed, the sinners inside are just waiting for the day of execution, no one will come except the palace servants who deliver food.Even if her arrival is known by these lowly palace people, there will be no disturbances.

So he calmed down, straightened his hair that was blown by the wind, and walked straight in.

Unexpectedly, the guards at the door did not stop them, but just watched them go in with indifferent expressions.Pei'er was still puzzled at first, Liu Jieyu glanced at her, and slowly said: "This is a place that people avoid, and no one will come without giving orders."

"Then what if someone wants to silence it?" Pei'er blurted out, scaring herself into a cold sweat.

"There are prison officials inside. If the prisoner dies before the execution, they will also lose their heads." Liu Jieyu said lightly: "Don't be afraid."

The Shangfang courtyard was very humid, the air was full of disgusting rancid smell, mixed with a lot of dust, Liu Jieyu pressed the corners of her eyes and nose with a silk handkerchief as soon as she entered, shook her head repeatedly, unable to breathe.There was only a small window on the wall, and the light came in with the north wind, illuminating a muddy and dirty gray brick floor. There were large and small cracks on the roof, and snow and ash fell from time to time, making it even more desolate.However, the house does not look big on the outside, but the inside is twists and turns. When you enter the door, you turn a corner. In front of you is a shabby room for torture. There is no one there, only the cold instruments of torture are quietly placed there, and a wooden door leads to the inner room. , it should be a prison cell.

Liu Jieyu didn't pay attention to the small voices coming from inside, opened the curtain and stepped in. There were only three cells inside, separated by thick iron railings, covered with wet and smelly hay, without windows, dark and gloomy. Not sure.There was a little bit of light in the innermost part, Liu Jieyu walked forward, being careful not to get the dirt on her shoes, Pei'er behind her pulled her, then raised her head, she couldn't help being stunned, cold sweat dripped down her forehead .

In front of the third cell, the three turned to look at her.One is the jail in gray clothes, the other is Zhang Dehai who is dressed as a eunuch in Jiangshui blue, and the other is Shen Xiyao who looks at her with cold eyes and wears bright yellow auspicious dragon and cloud court clothes.

At first glance at Shen Xiyao's cold eyes, Liu Jieyu was startled, but she quickly turned around, her face first changed into a look of grief and anger, then a look of astonishment. With tears in her eyes: "The concubine is very worried..." He stepped forward in three steps at a time, with a charming attitude.

Shen Xiyao was a little stunned, but he still supported Liu Jieyu who was coming towards him, and asked, "What is Jieyu doing here?"

Liu Jieyu replaced Wu Guiren, who was glaring directly at the railing, and pointed towards the emaciated man, "My concubine, come and ask this sinner why he committed such a crime." Her voice was clear and majestic.

A cold light flashed in Shen Xiyao's eyes, and he smiled faintly: "Oh, that's how it is." His eyes swept over Zhang Dehai, and Zhang Dehai immediately understood: "Madam, this place has always been a place that concubines can't avoid, and it's filthy. Empress, go back to the palace."

Liu Jieyu looked at Shen Xiyao, only to see that his expression was as usual, his eyes fell on Wu Guiren in the prison, but there was no trace of friendship, his heart turned cold, he gave a light gift, and said to Shen Xiyao: "Your Majesty, my concubine has I want to say a few words to this sinner, and I hope the emperor will do it."

Shen Xiyao nodded, took a step back, and still sneered.

"Wu Wei," Liu Jieyu stepped forward, through the thick wooden railing, Wu Guiren inside was only wearing a white cotton robe, with disheveled hair, huddled in a corner with his head down, when he heard Liu Jieyu's voice, Seemingly excited all over, he raised his head suddenly, with an inexplicable light in his eyes, he rushed forward, but stopped halfway, looked at Shen Xiyao, and smiled faintly.

Liu Jieyu was taken aback by her actions, and couldn't help but take a step back. Only then did she see Wu Wei clearly through the dim light from the window, and put her hand on her heart.

Although Wu Guiren in the past was not very glamorous, he was still quite beautiful, and he always tried his best to dress up, so he looked delicate and charming. Coupled with a pair of almond-shaped eyes, Gu Pan also has a bit of amorous feelings.But at this time, the white and tender face had already become dirty, with big eyes that were lifeless, and the corners of the eyes were still covered with eye stains. What frightened Liu Jieyu the most was that there were now a few hideous lines on the once beautiful face. The scars, not completely scabbed over, were bright red like earthworms winding on both sides.

"This..." Liu Jieyu pointed at Wu Wei, completely forgetting what she wanted to ask.

Wu Wei smiled at her: "Liu Jieyu, long time no see." The stench came straight towards Liu Jieyu, and she couldn't help but bent down and retched.

"Ms. Jieyu, are you alright?" Zhang Dehai took out a handkerchief and handed it to Liu Jieyu, Shen Xiyao already turned his face away.

"It's okay, Manager Zhang." Liu Jieyu secretly looked at Shen Xiyao: "I hope Your Majesty will forgive me for my lack of manners."

Shen Xiyao waved his hand: "What do you want to ask, ask quickly." There was a lot of impatience in the words.

Liu Jieyu took a deep breath: "Wu Wei," she said with a sad tone, "Why are you doing this? The emperor has always treated you kindly. The crimes committed by your father are beyond the tolerance of the state law. The emperor has already shown mercy, but you Why..." She sighed and couldn't continue.

Wu Wei looked at Liu Jieyu strangely, she was not stupid, she knew what Liu Jieyu's intention was, but she just shook her head: "Jieyu, you don't understand..." After finishing speaking, she laughed desolately : "You are a favorite concubine, so naturally you don't understand..."

Liu Jieyu didn't expect Wu Wei to answer the question, but she was very scared in her heart, afraid that Wu Wei would say something more and draw herself out, so she didn't say anything when she saw her, so she just shook her head helplessly: "Your move is naturally an irreparable sin..."

Wu Wei seemed to have never heard of it, and said indifferently: "It's a pity that the affection at the beginning, but now it can't be done." She said and looked at Liu Jieyu: "I hope Jieyu will take care of it." After saying that, she curled up again in a corner of the prison : "I just hope to see my parents as soon as possible, and hope they don't blame my unfilial daughter." A line of tears flowed down her cheeks, and she looked up at Shen Xiyao again: "Your Majesty, you..." hesitated She paused for a moment and said: "Even today, the criminal woman is still grateful for the pampering given by the emperor." She bit out the word "favor", and said no more.

Shen Xiyao ignored it, and just asked: "I asked you just now, and you answered, are you sure?"

Wu Wei was startled, and shook her head: "Your Majesty..." She suddenly burst into tears, filled with grief.

Liu Jieyu couldn't figure it out at this moment, Zhang Dehai didn't know when he came to her side: "Ms. Jieyu, this place is filthy and unlucky, and it's very cold. It's better for you to return to the palace as soon as possible."

Liu Jieyu nodded obediently, and saluted in Shen Xiyao's direction: "The concubine will leave first."

Walking to the door, I heard Wu Wei's desolate voice from inside: "Your Majesty, the criminal woman did not lie to you, she really has someone in her heart..."

She couldn't hear clearly anymore, the snow outside was getting heavier, Liu Jieyu only thought about whether Wu Wei would say something unfavorable to her, and this time, whether Shen Xiyao would have doubts about her.

As the new year was approaching, Wu Guiren's family was executed, but everyone speculated privately that it was a crime of killing the king and usurping the throne by beheading the capital in public, but before the execution, the emperor suddenly issued an order to leave the whole body instead.Others all said that the former nobleman Wu was favored to the utmost prosperity, and the emperor made such a decision because of his old love.

After that day, Liu Jieyu unexpectedly fell out of favor for a period of time, and she herself had been in panic for a long time, coupled with the emperor's unlucky arrival, she became even more uneasy.Before the new year, I "encountered" with the emperor for several days in a row between the east and west palaces, and gradually became favored.Shen Xiyao never mentioned that day again, as if he had forgotten it, and Liu Jieyu also wisely chose to forget it.And in the new year, the whole palace was even more harmonious, the emperor was very happy because King Yu returned to Beijing, and all the previous affairs in the harem were covered up.

It's just that there is still something wrong in my heart, for fear that the emperor will find out that he also has an irresistible relationship with that matter.It happened that the festival was approaching, and the emperor specially allowed the family members of several high-ranking concubines to visit. Liu Jieyu also had the opportunity to meet her mother, Mrs. Zhang.Zhang is not Liu Jieyu's biological mother, Liu Jieyu's biological mother, Liu Shizai, was Liu Shilang's original wife, but she died when Liu Jieyu was eight years old. Zhang is the daughter of a wealthy family in Beijing, and Liu Shilang remarried her for his future. .Liu Jieyu had never had a deep relationship with this stepmother, but she managed to save face.

It's just that in a short period of time, they were all gathered in the Liufang Pavilion in the imperial garden, separated by the carved door, there were footsteps coming and going, and voices chattering loudly, all of which were words of concern for greeting Ann.

"Mother," Liu Jieyu sat by the window, deliberately lowered her voice, "How is father?"

Mrs. Zhang pondered for a moment, and then asked in a low voice: "How is the emperor's favor towards you recently?"

Liu Jieyu knew something was wrong when she heard what Zhang said, and said truthfully after thinking about it: "I've been estranged recently, and I haven't checked my daughter's signboard for a long time." Seeing Zhang's brows furrowed, she hurriedly added: "But there is no Flip someone else's brand."

Mrs. Zhang still frowned before, but when she heard this sentence, she felt a little relieved, looked around and said, "Before you asked your father to find a way to save Wu Han who had an accident. Our family has never had any friendship with his family. His daughter was also your opponent in the palace before, you have to tell me what happened to you."

Liu Jieyu shook her head: "Mother, don't ask, my daughter was confused for a moment. Could it be that father was involved?"

Mrs. Zhang nodded: "Some time ago, I heard from a close friend of your father that the emperor was secretly investigating some matters in our family. Your father was very worried. After all, the emperor must have a result when he investigates. What's more, this time the chief investigator It's Ling Hongjian..." I stopped talking.

Liu Jieyu pursed her lips, and swayed a rose crystal begonia on her temples, a string of colorful glazed tassels rustled in her ears, just like her chaotic thoughts at this moment.

"Daughter, you must think of a way. Our Liu family is in your hands." Mrs. Zhang lowered her voice and said, "Your father worked so hard to figure out that incident back then. Find out, we are bullying the king!"

Liu Jieyu nodded impatiently, looked at the maid who had just passed by the window and said, "I see." Looking at Zhang's still worried face, she gritted her teeth and said, "The emperor will not embarrass the Liu family, Because..." She pondered for a moment, and seemed to reveal a big secret: "My daughter should be pregnant."

Mrs. Zhang was startled, and then realized that this was great news, and immediately smiled from ear to ear, and said repeatedly: "That's great, that's great."

Liu Jieyu sneered: "What's the matter? Originally, I wanted to rely on this child to have a chance of winning the position of empress. Now it's good, and I want to use it to save the family from the crisis."

Hearing what she said, Mrs. Zhang quickly lowered her eyes and stopped talking.But secretly heaved a sigh of relief.

Within three days, it was reported that Liu Jieyu was pregnant. The queen mother was very happy and rewarded her with countless treasures. The emperor also promoted Liu Jieyu to the position of Concubine Liu.For a while, the Liu family was in the limelight, and no one could take over.Because of this, Shen Xiyao stopped investigating the Liu family case.

The Fifteenth Year of the Year is also called the Shangyuan Lantern Festival. During the day, the emperor gave a banquet to the ministers in the Palace of Preservation, and the Queen Mother also entertained the family members of the dignitaries in the Harem. The eight governor's family members also came from thousands of miles away, together with the wives and daughters of the first-rank officials in the capital, and the concubines in the harem, it was very lively.

It is rare that there are so many beautiful family members in the palace, and it is such an auspicious day like the New Year, the Empress Dowager is naturally very happy, passing on operas, visiting the garden, giving banquets, and even passing on the famous juggling troupe in Beijing to enter the palace to perform. Everyone was very surprised, especially those women who have been lonely in this deep palace for many years, it is rare to have such a lively scene.

For the Empress Dowager and all the wives to visit the garden, the imperial garden was also specially cleaned up. It was bleak in winter, and only the plum blossoms were proudly hanging on the branches. Peonies, golden chrysanthemums, delphiniums, poppies, hydrangea, calamus, and rhododendrons are lifelike, and exquisite palace lanterns are hung. For a while, if it is not reminded by the heavy winter clothes on the body, it really makes people feel like they are in the bright spring.

For several days, the imperial garden was full of beauty. In order to avoid suspicion, the Empress Dowager specially ordered someone to set aside a place for those famous women who had not left the court to play around. Except for eunuchs, there were no other men.Those young ladies who have not yet left the court have never seen such a beautiful scene, joking around among the flowers.Naturally, most of the concubines in the palace were around the Queen Mother, and most of them were the daughters of courtiers, and they also took this opportunity to meet their family members, and they were overjoyed for a while, talking and laughing, in a harmonious manner.

Madam Ling, as the wife of the Prime Minister, is also the wife of Yipin, so such occasions are naturally indispensable.Concubine Liu wholeheartedly took this opportunity to see how the legendary Miss Ling looked like, and went to the Palace of Compassion and Ning early to wait on her for a few days, but only saw Madam Ling coming alone, without her daughter. Inevitably some disappointment.The Empress Dowager also asked about it, Madam Ling only said that Ling Xuewei had contracted the wind and cold, and it was disrespectful to go to the palace after recovering, so the Empress Dowager did not ask any further questions, and ordered the imperial doctor to visit her.And Shen Xiyao, apart from greeting the Empress Dowager before opening the palace gate early in the morning, did not set foot in the harem after that, and only had fun with the ministers in the front court.

On this day, Concubine Liu and Meng Zhaoyi came to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager, and they came at the time of the past, but unexpectedly found that the Emperor was there, having breakfast with the Empress Dowager.Looking across the screen of double-flying golden partridges, he was wearing a homely cotton gown with Sihe Ruyi coiled dragon and cloud pattern. Wearing a flat gold sable vest, he was using gold tooth chopsticks to slowly set aside a plate of fried sea melon seeds for dinner, talking to the Queen Mother with a smile.

"My concubine pays respects to the emperor and the empress dowager." The emperor did not summon the harem much during the New Year, and this was a good opportunity. Concubine Liu took a step forward and bowed gracefully.Meng Zhaoyi was stunned for a moment, then also knelt down.

"Well, get up." Shen Xiyao put down his chopsticks but didn't look at them, he just smiled and said to the queen mother: "The queen mother passed on the Liu family troupe to perform in the palace today, and my son also wants to feast his eyes."

The queen mother drank the porridge slowly, and ordered the freshly presented crystal cage with ivory chopsticks: "Try it, I know you will come today, and I specially ordered the small kitchen to make it." At the end, she said: "But this Liu family The set of vaudeville songs and dances from the Western Regions is really worth watching."

Shen Xiyao smiled like the dazzling sunshine under the bright blue sky outside the window, stopped talking, and lowered his head to taste the small crystal cage.

Concubine Liu and Meng Zhaoyi stood beside the screen, and coquettishly responded to the queen mother's words: "Yes, I have long heard that the Liu family's lion dance is the most special. Today, with the help of the queen mother, I can feast my eyes on it." I also heard about it when I was in the boudoir, but the Liu family rarely performed lion dances, and they have always regretted it after entering the palace."

"Today, the family members of high-ranking officials will come, and important ministers will also watch and pass on the wishes of their families. The family members should not go to the Palace of Compassion to pay their respects, and lead them directly to the Palace of Zichen." The Empress Dowager said to Wang Defu, the chief manager of the Palace of Compassion behind her, Looking at Concubine Liu and Meng Zhaoyi again, he changed into an elder's kind tone: "The weather is fine today, but the front of Zichen Palace is open and the wind is strong. You should go back and change your clothes."

(End of this chapter)