half life slave

Chapter 102

When I returned to Beijing in September, first there were foreign envoys on pilgrimage, the vassals paid tribute, and then there was Huai Lai in autumn.

Remembering Shen Hui's mention that he planned to decide on the candidate for the crown princess earlier, Rong and Fang turned their minds to this.However, he didn't have any experience to communicate with the prince about picking a favorite woman, so he had to shift his focus to his studies and spend more time on a daily basis to take care of her.

This day, I went to report to Bengong to deliver the article Shen Xianyang revised earlier, which was arranged by his teacher three days ago.

The weather was getting warmer, and the servants on duty outside the palace were a little dizzy from the sun, yawning one after another. Seeing the admiral and eunuch approaching, they hurriedly stood up straight and hurriedly bowed to salute.

Rong Yu nodded slightly, and then a servant came forward to report that the prince was preparing to have lunch after school, and said that because of the hot weather, His Highness just ordered someone to fetch water for a bath, and now he should comb his hair and change clothes in the inner hall.

Rong Yu went to the inner hall, but saw that there was no one on duty in front of the sleeping hall, he was wondering, and then thought that the servant might be waiting in the inner hall, so he didn't suspect him, and walked in.

"Your Highness." Rong Yu called out, usually when he came to the East Palace, Shen Xian saw that he would usually order someone to welcome him out, but today was strange, not even half of him was there.

Going further in, a lingering sweet fragrance hits the face, it is the fragrant smell of Du Heng.Under the Huangshi paperweight on the table in the hall is a half-written piece of Wu paper. The ink marks in the ancient inkstone beside it have dried up, and the incense seal script in the bronze furnace has been burned out, leaving only an inch of ashes.

Suddenly, there was a burst of clear and lively laughter from the inner hall, it was the soft and charming voice of a girl, followed by the hearty and bright laughter of a young man, the two chambers were lingering and intertwined, like Qingping music played only by flutes, It sounds pleasing.

Rong Yu couldn't help slowing down, before seeing him, Shen Xian laughed and said, "Your rhetoric is still too frivolous, the red beans are ugly, eyes full of tears of lovesickness, obviously full of melancholy, but you Blowing so jumpily, it can be seen that although the cardamom is young, it has not yet understood the meaning of love."

The girl snorted softly, "But at the end of that word, didn't it say that two ears are separated by a wall, and sooner or later they will be married? Since we are together, how can we still be unhappy? The servant does not understand, does it mean that His Highness understands the pain of lovesickness very well?" When and where, who have you been in love with?" After finishing speaking, he let out another teasing smile.

Shen Xian was speechless for a while, and after thinking for a while, he looked awkward, "How do you know that I don't, hmph, you always say you have no intentions, and now it seems that it is so."

"That's strange, then tell me, Your Highness, who is in love? Ruoyun or Feixia, or else it must be Luomei Nannizi."

"Don't talk about it, it's not those people. Anyway, if I don't tell you, you will find out sooner or later." Shen Xian's voice was gentle, and the last sentence was already a bit like whispering.

"If you don't say it, don't say it. The servant doesn't want to know. Oh, don't move around. Look, it's messy again. How can people tie their hair in a bun?"

As the girl spoke, she patted the Prince's shoulder lightly, motioning him to sit upright.At this time, Rong Yu had turned to the curtain, and he could clearly see two people sitting and standing by the couch.The prince was sitting in front of the mirror, and behind him stood a twelve or thirteen-year-old girl who was combing his hair. The girl had fair complexion, a soft and charming profile, and a gentle smile on the corner of her mouth.

Shen Xian looked at the person reflected in the mirror with a smile, his eyes were focused, with a bit of joy, and occasionally looked at the person in the mirror, as if they only had each other in their eyes, and they didn't realize that there was an unexpected visitor watching from the side them.

Resisting the urge to disturb, Rong Yubei quietly withdrew first. It happened that Shen Xian turned his head slightly and saw him in the mirror, "It's the factory minister, why don't you come in?"

Rong He saluted with a smile, Fang said, "Your Highness has just finished taking a bath, it's a misfortune for the minister to come."

"It's no coincidence that Gu has already combed his hair. It's getting hotter and earlier this day, and the sun dazzles people's eyes before noon. After class, Mr. Zhao is not afraid of the heat and speaks energetically." Shaking up, I heard that Gu was almost falling asleep, so I came back and asked them to take a bath and refresh themselves." Shen Xian said while smiling and nodding at the girl, motioning her to retreat, his eyes always looking at her warmly gentle.

"Jiangxue is back," the girl took two steps back before being stopped by him, "When I got up early, someone left a plate of crisp cheese dewed by sweet-scented osmanthus. It should be delivered to your room now. Go and use it." Some, come back after lunch is set."

The girl named Jiang Xue agreed with a smile, and then left.Shen Xian still watched her back, with a trace of nostalgia that couldn't be concealed from the corners of his brows and eyes.

Rong Yu was slightly surprised, he only showed indifference on the surface, and said that he should pay attention to the candidate for the crown princess. This His Royal Highness, who has just turned ten years old this year, has unknowingly fallen in love with her.

Shen Xian waited for the person to walk away, and then asked, "Why is the factory official looking for Gu?"

Rong Yu presented his homework, and told him a few words about the changes and the reasons for the changes.Shen Xian listened earnestly, nodding his head frequently, "The factory official is really Gu's master. Mr. Zhao has praised you for the revisions you have made for Gu in the past. I have never thanked you well, so it is better for the factory minister today. It's okay to be alone."

After saying that, he really stood up, looking very sincere, wanting to show respect and bow his hands as a gift for the younger generation.

Rong Yu hurriedly supported him, "Your Highness can't, I can't accept this gift. In fact, every time Mr. Zhao praised Your Highness's articles to the emperor, I listen, the good parts are your own thoughts and words. I'm just doing it for Your Highness. It’s just the occasional icing on the cake based on the exquisiteness of the article, and it’s not a great gift from you.”

Shen Xian smiled happily, and patted Rong Yu's arm lightly, "The factory minister always behaves so politely, which seems a little strange. Even the emperor promised you that you don't have to call yourself a minister in private, but you still behave like this in front of Gu , no matter what, Gu always treats you as half a teacher."

Rong Yuying smiled, and didn't want to talk about this topic again. Thinking about the scene just now, he took the opportunity to ask, "The summer solstice banquet will be held in a few days. Does your Highness have any new songs that you want to hear? I asked the Secretary of Jiaofang People rehearse the show for His Highness."

Shen Xian picked up a jade comb to play with, tilted his head and thought for a while, "It's nothing special. The director of Jiaofang hasn't made much progress in these years, and the repertoires are all of the same taste. There is more than grandeur and solemnity, but not natural interest. It's not as good as The ordinary maid in the lonely palace performed well. Changchen, why don’t you say that today’s palace is not as grand as the pear garden in Xuanzong’s time? It’s fun to think about it. You are serious We should persuade Father and Emperor to recruit more civil experts to make the Jiaofang Secretary more angry."

Rong Yu heard earlier that Shen Xian has a lot of research on rhythm and is also very talented, but he didn't have the opportunity to listen to it with his own ears, so he said with a smile, "I have always wanted to hear His Highness play, but because I don't have a good ear, it's better to have His Highness play it in person during the Summer Solstice Banquet." A song can also let Long Live God know your talent and attainments in temperament."

"Is this good?" Shen Xian didn't show joy at this suggestion, but rather worried, "Father doesn't seem to like Gu to pay attention to these things, and Lian Hai often persuades Gu, saying that indulging in these small things will change his temperament. Gu I don’t understand, in ancient times, there are many capable ministers who know the music and temperament, but the emperor’s family can’t do it? Forget it, those emperors who are proficient in this way, most of them have become kings of subjugation.”

There was a disbelief on his face, and a rare childish innocence and stubbornness. Rong Yu lowered his head and smiled, "Your Highness, don't belittle yourself. Now that the world is at peace, your Highness will be the king of peace in the future. Of course what Lian Hai said makes sense, as long as Don’t indulge too much, it’s harmless for the master to like music, and it will not be difficult to reproduce the grand scene of the Liyuan in the future.” After consoling him, he encouraged him, “For this summer solstice banquet, Long Live God only intends to invite nobles and important family members. It was easier in previous years, if His Highness wants to use his strengths, I think there is nothing wrong with it."

Shen Xian has always been convinced of him. He frowned after hearing this, and asked again after a long time, "Gu heard from Lian Hai that the father wants to use this meeting to hold a banquet to choose the crown princess and Liang Di for Gu. Really?"

The scene just now flashed before his eyes again, and Rong Yu's heart moved, "The emperor does have this intention. But your highness is still young, but find an opportunity to let you know a little about Shuyuan, a famous family in Beijing. If your highness has no favorite candidate, it's okay No problem."

"So that's the case, that's good." Shen Xian seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, "How old is the orphan, what is the father so anxious to do?" Biting his lips, he asked again, "Master, is the royal wedding You must not allow yourself to be the master?"

Rong Yu was silent for a moment, and did not give him an affirmative answer, "It is said that there are no trivial matters in the Tian family, and there are no family matters. The emperor's family affairs have always been equated with state affairs. Your highness is the prince, and the future concubine really needs to make the emperor, all the officials, and everyone in the world respect each other." Satisfied. However, the Emperor will respect His Highness' wishes and will not make you feel wronged."

Shen Xian nodded thoughtfully, and then stopped touching on this topic, and began to discuss the scriptures and the anecdotes of the previous dynasty peacefully.But for some reason, Rong Yu still couldn't erase Shen Xian's expression of staring at Jiangxue from his mind, he kept reminiscing, and while thinking about it, his brows twitched wildly for no reason.

At the end of the summer solstice, there is a banquet in the Wuyi Hall in Xiyuan, and all the wives and family members of the third rank and above in Beijing are present.Because it was a regular banquet, the director of ceremonies arranged for the director of the Jiaofang to play the repertoire of the big banquets such as Yan Jing and good luck, and only made some new songs accompanied by Shengxiao and wind music.Shen Hui accompanied the noble concubine Duan to the banquet, and talked about the command to compose poems with great interest. The noble concubine understood, and passed on the decree, asking all the ladies in the family to compose poems for entertainment.

For a moment, everyone was meditating on their pens, and within less than half a stick of incense, Yuan Taiqing, the eldest daughter of the Minister of the Ministry of Officials, put down her pens first, and the waiter who was waiting next to her presented her Ci to the imperial court.

On the jasmine paper, there is a chanting lotus leaf: the green circle is self-cleaning, and it is far away from the shallow island, and the pavilion is absolutely clear.There are still hairpins left behind, how much heat can be rolled if you don't show your autumn heart.Love the green shirt, still stained with withered fragrance, the heart of the pan is as clear as lead water, another night, the west wind blows.I like to watch quietly, practice the autumn light, and pour half of the lake into the bright moon.

The noble concubine looked at it and praised, "Yuan Shilang's family has a long history, and my daughter is quick in writing. I saw that you just achieved it overnight, but I didn't want to be so fresh and refined. How did you think of singing this lotus leaf?"

Yuan Taiqing stood up and gave a blessing, "The court lady just passed by the Taiye Pond and saw the lotus in the pool connecting the sky and the green, and there was a faint lotus fragrance floating with the breeze, so she felt it and thought about the poems about lotus leaves in ancient times. Although there are, there are not as many people who praise the lotus, and the lotus leaf can be used as a foil, but after all, it sets off the beauty of the lotus, so I have a heart of love and pity, and I want to sing about it."

Her voice is clear and clear, her demeanor is calm, and her eloquent talk attracts the attention of others. Looking at her dressed in a green smoke pattern loose flower gauze, she is graceful and graceful, like a lotus leaf folded on the blue waves, which is impressive.

Shen Hui smiled slightly when he heard this, and turned to look at the prince sitting under the step wall.The crown prince understood, smiled and praised a few words, and said, "Father and imperial concubine only read one poem. Although this poem is good, we should read other people's masterpieces before evaluating."

After the prince's words fell, the servants presented the poems of the noble ladies one after another. The imperial concubine looked at them one by one, and after a while, she pointed to one of the poems and said with a smile, "It's a coincidence that this piece of Yan Gui Liang also sings about lotus flowers." , I will read it to you."

"I dreamed that the Tang Palace was late in the spring. When the dance was arriving and the train was being drawn, the Cuiyun team was wearing the crimson robes. Slowly, with both hands hanging down. Suddenly, the drums urged the general to rise, like a colorful phoenix, flying in a panic. I didn't see Wan Qiong in my dream. Concubine. See the lotus, be blown by the wind."

After the noble concubine finished reading, she saw Mrs. Xiangguo gently shaking the fan in her hand, and said with a smile, "Which lady made this? It's different from Miss Yuan's. It's just that the word is beautiful, but it's sad. After all, it's emotion. The old country is far away and no longer prosperous, which is somewhat inconsistent with the current prosperity."

A girl in a soft silver brocade shirt at the banquet got up immediately and explained calmly, "My daughter is the daughter of the Marquis Lin of Weiyuan, and the small characters are like hengruo. My daughter also thinks this poem is too I'm so sad, but I just heard the one from Yuan's sister, and I felt good in my heart, so I also picked a lotus flower to chant. But I couldn't help but find a new meaning because I wanted to find something new. I also wish Long Live God and Niang Niang Forgive me. The court lady still has a letter to submit, which is different from the previous one, please read it."

Everyone was quite surprised to see that she wrote two poems in such a short period of time.The servant presented the word, and after Shen Hui read it, he ordered Feng Yu to recite it aloud: Dongfeng has nothing to do, but thousands of flowers in makeup.I read the shadows of flowers in my spare time, and there is a moon hook on the spine.I have an iron flute from the south of the Yangtze River, and I want to rely on a branch of fragrant snow to blow through the glow of Yucheng.The clear shadow is hard to see, and the catkins fly all over the sky.Donghuang smiled and said: Whose family is the fragrance?Could it be that the spring flowers bloom and fall, and the spring breeze comes and goes, which ends the youth?Outside the flowers, spring comes to the road, and the grass does not cover it.

"Well, I have an iron flute from the south of the Yangtze River, which blows the rosy clouds of Yucheng. It is so beautiful and has a bit of arrogance, which is rare among real girls. This song has a different intention. I don't know what the emperor and empress, His Royal Highness, and you all think?" It was Xu Shi, wife of Chief Assistant Gao Hui.

Lin Hengruo thanked her with a smile, "Mrs. Xu's praise is ridiculous, and my daughter's clumsy work made all the nobles laugh."

The prince, who hadn't spoken for a long time, suddenly cast his eyes on her, "Excuse me, Miss Lin, can you play the flute?"