Chapter 4 Chapter Four Breaking into the Palace

There were two sandbags hanging from the gazebo in the garden. Rong Qing, who was bare to the waist, kept pumping his fists, hitting the heavy sandbags left and right.While beating, he let out a series of roars from his tight chest, and he concentrated all his hatred on these two sandbags.He compared sandbags to enemies, one was Chang Wuye and the other was Fugui, it was they who killed his fiancée Yin'er. He went to the casino for several days to look for Chang Wuye desperately, but he didn't expect that the other party had already hid in Tianjin and never showed up.In a fit of rage, he overturned the tables in the gambling house, smashed the cups, dishes, and gambling equipment there, and was severely beaten by the thugs in the gambling hall.There are five or six people on the other side, and he is only alone, so he is naturally no match for him alone.But he is still not reconciled, he still wanders outside the casino all day long, hoping to meet the old bastard named Chang.He went again at noon today, but he didn't find Chang, but he ran into Fugui.He stepped forward and grabbed Fugui and beat him hard.Fugui was beaten all over the ground by him, lying on the ground begging for mercy, he insisted on not stopping, and the people around couldn't persuade him, if Fugui hadn't said that I was Yin'er's brother, if you beat me to death, how would you explain to my sister in the future !When Yin'er was mentioned, he suddenly came to his senses, he let go of Fugui, and scolded: Since it's her brother, why are you so cruel to harm her?

The emperor's destiny is greater than the sky, he dare not go to the palace to mess around, he can only vent his anger on Fugui.Of course, he hated Fifth Master Chang more, but he couldn't find anyone with the surname Chang.Thinking of this, he punched out faster, and it rained down on the sandbags on the left and right sides, as if the sandbags were Chang Wuye. The old family hurried over and said that his second uncle was here, and his wife wanted him to meet the uncle in the front hall.He ignored his old family and continued to punch the sandbags as if he didn't hear them.Seeing that he refused to leave, the old family had to go back and tell their orders. After a while, his mother came and personally persuaded him to go to the front hall to see his second uncle. I won't go!

I'm not sensible at all, your father is not at home, go and accompany your uncle.Mother advises son.Seeing the sweat pouring down on his lumpy flesh covered with veins like rain, I knew that his madness was coming up again.Since Yin'er entered the palace, he was frowning all day long, and never showed a smile on his face.The second uncle was specially invited by her.Because the son has been close to his second uncle since he was a child, and he talked about everything with him, so he wanted him to enlighten his son, but he didn't expect his son to have a bad temper right now, and even his second uncle refused to see him.

leave me alone!Rong Qing stopped to look at his mother, feeling very disturbed.In fact, he knew that the second uncle must have been invited by his mother to enlighten him, and what he said was nothing more than a few words, such as saying that the emperor's decree is greater than the sky, and the heart is stronger than fate. Mom please! Leave me alone, leave me alone!As he spoke, he picked up the sandbag again, Madam Ye He wanted to say something else, the old family led Uncle Rongqing all the way into the back garden, and walked towards the gazebo. You are so good that mother Rong sees her younger brother as if she saw a savior.

Enhai gestured for her sister to stop talking, then walked up to the gazebo and yelled at Rong Qing: Drink, young man with great ambitions, good job! Rong Qing ignored him and continued to hit the sandbags. Is the sandbag lighter?Add another fifty catties of fine sand tomorrow, and that will be enough to sell!Seeing that he didn't give him any face, Enhai felt a little unhappy, and said somewhat mockingly, Rong Qing glared at his uncle, hugged the sandbag with both hands, and angrily picked up the stone lock from the ground and swung it vigorously. Shisuo recruited you again?Are you going to use it to hit the door, or smash coal?

I practice mine, and I haven't recruited you anywhere!Rong Qing threw down the stone lock, turned around and stared at his second uncle. Hey!You stupid boy, what do you want to do?The uncle patted him affectionately on the neck. I can control you!Rong Qing waved off Enhai's hand, he could do whatever he wanted! Then I should ask you, do you want to make trouble in the clan mansion, or dare to break into the Forbidden City?To tell you the truth, just because of your flamboyance, your legs are still a little tender.My uncle got angry and his voice exploded. You can't control it, you can't control it!Rong Qing jumped and roared.

Coincidentally, I am the guard of Lan Ling from the Daqing Gate, and I am in charge!If you dare to act recklessly, I will kill my relatives righteously!Uncle has a violent temper, and my sister said that my nephew has been so angry these days, he has a bad face all day long at home, and even went to the gambling hall to play wild with others, how dare he not let him go as an old uncle today? In his eyes, he must be taught a lesson.He took off his shirt while talking, come here and try if you don’t believe me? Just try it!Rong Qing greeted his uncle. Second child!Aren't you setting him on fire?Rong's mother was in a hurry, and hurriedly called her younger brother, before she stepped forward to hold him, a strong hand grabbed her arm, she turned around and found that it was his husband.General Ye He went out early in the morning, and now he came back suddenly.Ye He whispered in her ear: Second brother just wants to teach him a lesson.none of your business.Rong's mother was used to listening to her husband's words, so she had to stand there, but her heart was very nervous. After all, one was a son and the other was a younger brother. It would not be good if either was hurt.

Both uncle and nephew were topless, and their faces were flushed.Facing this fight, many family members gathered around, discussing in a low voice.Both of them are men, not to mention a martial arts competition, naturally neither of them wants to lose, and the more people there are, the more exciting it will be.Rong Qing held the braids in his mouth, his pimples were drenched with sweat, and he looked extraordinarily tough. The uncle was half a head shorter than the other party, but his steps were very light. He kicked the braids smartly, and the braids flew up , just wrapped around his neck when it fell.The two walk willows facing each other, a pre-wrestling circling, with both observing each other, trying to find each other's weaknesses.Everyone wants to attack the opponent first, but no one is willing to attack easily. This is a confrontation of strength and psychology.Rong Qing finally saw Uncle's weakness, saw the opportunity, and rushed towards Uncle with a loud roar.Unexpectedly, my uncle intentionally missed the gap to lure him into the trap, and at the moment he pounced on him, he suddenly turned sideways, tripped, and took advantage of the opponent's momentum to throw Rong Qing down.Seeing her son falling to the ground, Rong's mother became anxious and wanted to run up to stop the two of them, but her husband grabbed her tightly: "If it's nothing to do with you, it's nothing to do with you. Why join in the fun!"Naturally Rong Qing refused to accept, he got up from the ground and rushed towards his uncle. The uncle was calm and unhurried, and with his extraordinary skill, he knocked down Rong Qing time and time again.In the end, my uncle actually carried Rong Qing on his shoulders and walked around the field a few times.The onlookers all secretly praised his profound skills.

Man, are you convinced?The uncle put his nephew on his shoulder and yelled. Not convinced!Rong Qing's face was swollen like wax liver, he had no choice but to lift his feet off the ground, so he let out a series of roars from his suffocated throat.The uncle smiled triumphantly at his sister and brother-in-law standing aside, and said: If you don't accept it, you have to obey it!While talking, he made a gesture of throwing Rong Qing out, and Mrs. Ye He, who was watching the excitement, was frightened and stepped forward to stop her second brother.Enhai smiled, and gently put Rong Qing down with a lift of his shoulders.Rong Qing stood there, his face flushed, he refused to admit defeat, but he had to admire his uncle's kung fu in his heart.I thought that if I had his abilities, let alone five or six people in the gambling hall, even two more people would not be able to get close to me.

The uncle cast a playful look at his nephew, then walked up to his brother-in-law and sister, clasped his fists together and said sorry, and grabbed the clothes on the railing of the gazebo, and was about to leave when Rong Qing suddenly called him: Second uncle! What, still not convinced? Me, I worship you as my teacher!Rong Qing knelt down on one leg. Second child, don't accept him!General Ye He shouted from the side. I don't accept apprentices, but I can't stop them from becoming soldiers!The uncle winked at his brother-in-law, obviously implying something to him, brother-in-law, you can rest assured and leave it to the younger brother.

Let him be your guard?General Ye He asked deliberately. Protecting the court and guarding the holy car is the job of our Eight Banners children in the first place!In fact, my uncle had already discussed with his sister and brother-in-law. In order not to let him stay in the capital and cause trouble, he decided to let Rong Qing go to Nanyuan to serve as a guard, which was far away from the city, so that he could give up on Yin'er.After a long time, marry another marriage for him. I worship you as a teacher, not to be an army guard.Rong Qing muttered softly, thinking that the military camp would be even more unfree, and he would never have the chance to see Yin'er again. That's up to you, whether I teach you or not, you have to serve as a soldier. This is the rule left by the ancestors of the Qing Dynasty. Rong Qing didn't speak, and snorted noncommittally. Since Yin'er worshiped Xiuzi as her aunt, not only did she have to work with other court ladies every day, she also had to find time to learn how to respect cigarettes from Aunt Xiu. Offering cigarettes to Lafayette is a job for a close-fitting girl to show her face. It looks light and easy, but it is not. There is a lot of knowledge in this.At that time, although there were already foreign lamps.That is, matches, which were later called matchsticks, but the court ladies who respected cigarettes did not dare to use them, for fear that they would be fired and cause trouble if something happened.Therefore, the ignition still depends on the flint, the fire sickle and the velvet. When starting the fire, hold the flint tightly with the thumb and index finger of the left hand, and hit the flint with a crescent-shaped steel piece with the right hand. The cattail velvet pinched between the thumb and the flint ignited, and then the paper media that had been rubbed with grass in advance was pasted on the cattail catkins and blown on, and the paper media was ignited. Lafayette likes to smoke hookahs, unlike ordinary people's households, the cigarette holder is very long, it is a special brass hookah, and the palace calls it a crane leg pipe.Generally, there is no need to kneel when offering cigarettes. If Lafayette is sitting on the kang, the person offering cigarettes must kneel on the ground, hold the hookah in one hand, and pass the cigarette holder to Lafayette's mouth. Lafayette does not need to hold the pipe at all. Lafayette lightly bites the pipe and smokes, and you have to use paper media to light the shredded tobacco in the pipe immediately.The temperature of the smoke delivery is the most difficult to control. The shredded tobacco is easy to extinguish the fire when it is damp, and it is choking when it is dry. Serving Lafayette is not an easy task, especially respecting cigarettes, this is dealing with Lord Vulcan, you will fall a little spark on Lafayette.Or sprinkle a little spark in the palace, if you don't want to pick your skin off, your ancestors have finished playing for three generations, and even I will suffer with you.Did you hear me?Xiuzi sat on the edge of the kang in her next room, told the whole process of offering cigarettes, and then sternly taught Yin'er a lesson. aunt!I remember, I remember everything, I will never embarrass my aunt.Yin'er's legs softened and she knelt down involuntarily.In order to follow what Xiuzi said no matter what, you can't fly sparks while offering cigarettes. You must practice the unique skills of your thumb and index finger, that is, you are not afraid of being scalded.It's easy to say, but it doesn't take a day or two to practice. In order to practice the kung fu of not being afraid of burning her left hand, Xiuzi asked Yin'er to stand by the wall, stretched out her arm, and grasped a teacup with her five fingers, then brought a pot of boiling water, and slowly poured it into the cup.The boiling water was poured into the cup and it became hot after a while, getting hotter and hotter.Gritting her teeth, she felt a burst of pain from her fingertips, and a thin layer of sweat suddenly oozed from her forehead. She persisted and managed to get through it.She breathed a long sigh of relief, and was about to take a break, but Xiuzi poured out the hot water in the empty cup, and poured another full cup of boiling water from the pot for her to grab.The glass was cold just now, and it was only half filled. The boiling water had to heat through the glass before it reached her fingertips. Now the glass itself was hot, and it was filled to the brim. After a while, she couldn't hold on , the arm and the whole body shook violently.Xiuzi saw that she couldn't stand it, and told her to hold on.When it hurts to the end, the skin will become numb, and then I won't feel the pain anymore!As soon as Xiuzi's words fell to the ground, the cup flew out of her hand and fell to the ground with a bang. big eater!Xiuzi was furious, and stood up from the edge of the kang with an ashen face. aunt!Yin'er's face turned red and white with fright, it was too hot.me How dare you talk too much! Yin'er didn't dare to speak anymore, and stood there dripping wet.Kneel down!Xiuzi shouted angrily, Yin'er was startled, she stared at the shattered teacup on the ground in a daze.Xiuzi pointed to the fragment of the cup and knelt here!Yin'er raised her head, as if she wanted to beg Xiuzi, and seeing the frost on the other's face, she gritted her teeth and knelt down on the broken porcelain pieces of the teacup.A piercing pain came from her knee, and tears immediately welled up in her eyes.Xiuzi took another same cup as if nothing had happened, stuffed it into Yin'er's hand, picked up the kettle again, and poured boiling water into the cup. Is it still hot?After a while, Xiuzi asked lightly. No, Bu Tangyin answered repeatedly. Well, if it's not hot, try another cup.Xiuzi poured out the water in the glass while talking, and poured a full glass of boiling water again. Yin'er knelt on the ground, feeling trembling all over her body, and a large amount of cold sweat broke out on her front and back. At this moment, she didn't know whether it was the pain in her knees or the pain in her fingers, which was more painful, and there was only one thought in her mind, to die. I also have to hold back.Anyway, after entering the palace, she doesn't care no matter how much suffering she suffers, as long as one day she can be released from the palace, see Rongqing again, and be with him, no matter how much pain she suffers, no matter how much she suffers Willingly!Just like how many times she comforted herself with this thought again and again in the dead of night, even though these sufferings were for Rong Qing.Thinking of this, she really felt more relieved, her hands and legs didn't feel as painful as before, and she didn't even hate Aunt Xiuzi so much, who was speaking so badly in front of her. Back in the servant's room at night, Yin'er's hands were covered with blood blisters.Ping'er picked out one by one with a needle, and passed through each blood bubble with a strand of hair. This is the native method of banner people to treat burns. Endure the pain for a while, and the callus will not hurt when it comes out.While comforting her, Ping'er asked Xiuzi about the situation when she trained her to smoke. Yin'er shook her head and said nothing. Where did the blood blisters come from? Sister Ping!You said, when will this be the end?Yin'er suddenly said something out of the question. Speaking of this matter, Ping'er didn't speak anymore.She was silent for a long time, then sighed, pointed to an old tree outside the window and said: You count this old elm tree, green six times out of me, green out of seven times out of you.As long as you live to that day!Yin'er smiled wryly.Ping'er took out a small bottle from the suitcase, poured out the powder, and rubbed it on Yin'er's hands.She saw that Yin'er seemed a little surprised, so she told her without waiting for her to ask, is it okay if you don't prepare this?Yunnan Baiyao works for both red and white injuries!She applied the medicine for Yin'er, stood up from the edge of the kang, and accidentally touched Yin'er's leg and knee.Yin'er ouch!With a cry, he hurriedly stretched out his hand to cover the wound.Ping'er felt that something was wrong, rolled up her trouser legs, and was stunned when she saw that her knees were bloody and bloody. What did I do wrong to be so cruel to you?Ordinary asked Yin'er. Yin'er lowered her head, no matter how much the other party asked her, she would not speak.Ping'er applied medicine to Yin'er's wound, but he was secretly surprised.Aunt Xiu entered the palace early, she entered the palace at the age of thirteen, and she has been here for eight years, so it stands to reason that she should have left long ago.She should teach Yin'er as soon as possible, so that she can take over and take over her job of offering cigarettes, and she will be free.The maids of the aunts and aunts in the palace, when the deadline is approaching, although they are very strict with the new maids, they generally won't take it seriously.Xiuzi is usually very arrogant and quick-talking, but her heart is never bad, why is she so cruel to Yin'er. Yin'er is very grateful to Miss Ping, but she has one thing in mind, that is, no matter how much she feels wronged, she will never say it out loud, just like a tooth that has been knocked out of her mouth, she would rather swallow it with a mouth full of blood than spit it out. Ever since she saw the dead Qian'er being carried out of the backyard on the first day she entered the palace, she swore to herself that no matter what she heard or saw or encountered in this deep palace compound, she would be killed if she was killed. Don't say it.She made up her mind to do her part well and ignore everything else, no matter who she was, she would not offend anyone.As Ping'er said, she can leave here when the old elm tree outside the window turns green seven more times. This is her only goal.Early in the morning, Lafayette went to the Hall of Mental Cultivation and called.The so-called call is the early dynasty. Although the power of the imperial court has been handed over to Emperor Guangxu in name, in fact, all major affairs have to be approved by Cixi. Xindian receives the ministers and cabinet ministers to discuss important matters in the court. Taking advantage of the time when the Empress Dowager called out, Chuxiu Palace was bustling up and down.Aunt Liu ordered the maids under her command to bring water and change the jars, sweep the floor and clean the doors and windows, etc., to thoroughly clean the palace.Among them, the main hall of the Chuxiu Palace and the sleeping place of the old empress are the most important, because this is the place where the empress dowager lives daily. During this time, Lafayette is not there, so we must take advantage of this time to go in and clean it as soon as possible. As for other places, they can be cleaned at any time. Xiuzi asked Yin'er to follow Miss Ping to wipe the ground in the main hall. Ask her to mop the floor with you. She is a newcomer who just came in, so you can help her with her training.Xiuzi told Pinger.Naturally, Ping'er didn't dare to be negligent, and when Lafayette went down to the Hall of Mental Cultivation under the escort of Chief Manager Li Lianying, she led Yin'er and a few maids doing rough work to the corridor on the west side of the hall.These people stood in the corridor holding the tarpaulin in their hands, waiting for the other maids to finish their work before entering the hall to wipe the floor. Mopping the floor is the hardest and most tiring job.Yin'er was sent to do this kind of rough work after being punished.Standing there, she saw the maids and eunuchs rushing about one by one, very organized and not chaotic at all. The maids passed by Yin'er, because she was a newcomer, and looked at her intentionally or unintentionally, she felt ashamed. He lowered his head and stared at the sheet in his hand, not daring to look people in the eye. After a long time, the people in the palace were done with their work. Miss Ping waved her hand and led the maids who were mopping the floor into the main hall. At this time, the eunuch had picked up a load of clear water and was waiting on the hall. Ping'er divided the maids into two groups. , each entered the east and west chambers.She led Yin'er and other three court ladies into the east room. They wet the rags in the bucket, lay on the ground in groups of two, got under the table, and wiped the floor tiles from inside to outside.One of them wiped the floor with a damp cloth first, and the other wiped off the water stains with a dry cloth, and the two stepped back while wiping.Yin'er finished mopping one piece of floor tiles, turned around and wiped another piece of floor, and accidentally left a footprint on the tiles she wiped. Miss Ping hastily wiped her footprints with a sheet of tarpaulin, telling her in a low voice that no footprints should be left on the place where she wiped, otherwise she would not be able to wipe a room well in the morning if she wiped it repeatedly.Yin'er nodded again and again, saying she was wrong. They wiped the quiet room, sleeping hall and main hall clean for more than an hour. They were divided into two groups and knelt on the ground and wiped the ground with a tarpaulin.Yin'er was so exhausted that she was out of breath, her waist was sore and her legs were sore and she was flustered.It was the first time for her to do this kind of rough work, unlike other court ladies who had been trained for a long time, and the injury on her knee was not healed, so she knelt down and did not dare to use any strength, so she felt even more exhausted. While wiping, she suddenly felt a pain in her stomach. She covered her stomach with one hand, gritted her teeth and insisted on wiping the floor with the other hand.Seeing that her expression was not right, Ping'er asked her in a low voice: What's the matter, what's wrong? fine.Yin'er's face turned pale, and she felt very uncomfortable in her heart, so she forced a smile out of her mouth. Look under your crotch.Miss Ping suddenly found blood stains oozing from the crotch between her legs under Yin'er's raised dress, she pointed at Yin'er and cried softly. Yin'er looked down and saw the blood red under the crotch. Only then did she feel that her lower body was hot and humid, and she was frightened. What's wrong with me! You are bleeding, where is the break? No.While talking, Yin'er searched for wounds on her body. Have you ever been there?Ping'er suddenly came to his senses and asked seriously.Yin'er stared at Ping'er, shaking her head puzzled, not understanding what she meant. It's the one that comes once a month.oops!Is this your first time?Seeing that the other party still didn't understand, Ping'er had to explain to her that she had menstruation.While the two were talking, Aunt Xiuzi suddenly walked into the Buddhist hall and walked towards them.Ping'er and Yin'er stood up involuntarily, and greeted Xiuzi respectfully with their hands beside them. Xiuzi glanced at the two of them, lowered her head inadvertently, and found a few drops of blood on the floor tiles, frowned immediately, and asked them what happened, Yin'er was stunned for a moment, then immediately lowered her head and said: I did it. Where is it broken?Xiuzi asked. A scab had just formed on her knee, and it broke again after being rubbed.Ping'er hurriedly smoothed things over for Yin'er, Xiuzi was upset when she saw Ping'er mentioning Yin'er's knee injury, because in the palace, her aunt taught her disciples, as long as she didn't hurt the other party's skin, she didn't need to be told by outsiders Make irresponsible remarks.She glanced at Yin'er dissatisfied, thinking that you are not convinced by the punishment, and you are still talking in front of outsiders.She stomped her feet angrily and turned around to leave, but stopped suddenly, lifted up Yin'er's dress to see the injury on her knee and head, at this glance she saw the name, and she was startled. This is menstrual blood!You don't want to die!Do you know where this is?Buddhist hall!The land where Lafayette prays to God and worships Buddha!You offend the gods at the top, and the Buddha at the bottom!I see you are dying!Xiuzi cursed in a low voice, obviously not wanting the other maids to hear, she groaned, never dreaming that she would cause such a big disaster, she was so frightened that the frisky thing in her chest almost jumped out of her throat, He hurriedly lay down on the ground, wiping the blood on the ground vigorously with a tarpaulin. Auntie, this is her first time!Ping'er explained to Xiuzi in a low voice. The first time is still a hundred times, all the same!Xiuzi glared at Ping'er, obviously meaning not to let her talk too much.Ping'er was so bored, he didn't dare to say anything anymore, and was about to squat down and help Yin'er wipe off the blood on the ground, when he suddenly found that Aunt Liu, who was in charge of the palace, walked in from the gate of the Buddhist hall.Ping'er hastily called Aunt Liu, and Yin'er also stood up in fright at a loss. Seeing that Aunt Liu had come to her side, Xiuzi reached out and grabbed the sheet from Yin'er's hand and threw it on the ground, just right at Yin'er's feet, covering the blood on the ground. Listen to your gossip, don't work fast! That is, you do your job.Although Aunt Liu was in charge and she was in charge of all the maids here, but Xiuzi was the favored maid by the old empress's side, so naturally she looked at her differently.She walked up to Xiuzi and greeted her with a smile. Show girl!Why are you here too?Afraid they would be lazy, I stopped by to have a look.Xiuzi pointed to Yin'er and said. That is, she is Aunt Liu in front of you now, remembering that Yin'er just worshiped her as an aunt, she didn't care too much, turned around and stood there, slapped her hands twice, and said loudly to Ping'er and other court ladies, Lafayette will come soon Burn incense here, let them move their hands and feet more nimbly, clean up here as soon as possible, and leave after speaking.Taking advantage of this gap, Ping'er and Yin'er had already wiped the blood off the ground. Xiuzi took care of Ping'er in a low voice, asking her to let Yin'er go back to the servant's room to rest, and was ready to leave after speaking.Yin'er walked up to her and said gratefully: "Auntie, thank you for saving me!" Don't do this with me!Xiuzi put on a straight face, you go back to me, don't make trouble here.I will credit you first, and talk about it later! As soon as Xiuzi left, Ping'er immediately led Yin'er to the big column in the corner of the Buddhist hall, hurriedly took a piece of clean tarpaulin, stuffed it between her thighs from the waistband of her trousers, and asked her to go back to the servant's room and lie down. Others know.Yin'er nodded repeatedly, put down the skirt tucked around her waist and walked out.Ping'er stopped her and told her to go to the imperial tea room to get some hot water to wash her lower body. Yin'er went back to the servant's room, changed her clothes and went out to the imperial tea room in the backyard.The tea room is close to the courtyard wall, it is a single courtyard, very secluded.There are five rooms in a row of teahouses, the two outside rooms are used for boiling water, the two rooms on the east side are warehouses, and the west side is a place for sleeping.In addition to a large brick stove in the tea room, there is a row of small charcoal stoves next to the wall. On the stoves, there are well-crafted casserole pots, in which various soups and stews are boiled, and hot steam is coming out of the pots. . Zhang Deshun, who has just turned forty, is nicknamed Chashuizhang. He is thin, with a yellow-white complexion, a high nose bridge, faint eyebrows that are almost invisible, and a pair of date-stone eyes that reveal aura. He works more than ten times beside the old queen. In 1999, when the Empress Dowager Cixi got up early every morning, he had to go there to serve tea.The soup that the Queen Mother drank in the morning and evening was also made by him.Boiling soup is his unique skill. The soup he prepared is not only delicious, but also nourishing and beautifying. He is a loyal person, and everyone in the palace gets along very well. There is never any right or wrong, so he is very favored by Lafayette. He carefully lifted the lids of the casserole pots one by one, sniffing with his nose from time to time, and then reduced the fire according to the situation, or added some charcoal to the stove mouth, and then added some water or soup to the casserole pot. After a while, I walked to the long bench by the door and was about to sit down, when I suddenly saw a strange young palace lady at the door.Cha Shui Zhang raised his high brows, saw that the other party was holding a copper pot, and immediately smiled: What's the matter? Are you Uncle Zhang?When Yin'er saw the smile on his face, her heart relaxed a lot. Yes, I am.Cha Shui Zhang nodded. Uncle Zhang!I am looking for some hot water. Looking for hot water? Did you come here?Chashuizhang saw at a glance that she was a newcomer who had just entered the palace, and thought that someone else must have told her that she knew there was a tea room here. I can see the heat.Of course Yin'er dare not say that Ping'er told her. There is water, but it is only for Lafayette to drink. Yin'er panicked when she heard this, stood there hesitating for a while, then turned to leave with the kettle in her hand. Come back, are you new here?Cha Shui Zhang called her to stop. Yes, my name is Yin'er, and I have been in the palace for almost half a month.Yin'er said. That's right, otherwise you can't run around like a fly without a head, come on, Lafayette can't drink that much, let's fill a pot.As he spoke, he took the kettle from her hand and made a pot of hot water for her. Yin'er thanked Chashuizhang and took the kettle from Chashuizhang. Chashuizhang looked at her and noticed that her face was sallow, so he asked her if she was sick.Yin'er nodded, then shook her head again.Chashuizhang boiled water and made soup for Lafayette in the palace. He had read many medical books such as the Yellow Emperor's Internal Classic, and he could tell from her appearance that her blood was not harmonious and her body was very weak. I see that you have internal heat and your body is weak, did you bother the imperial doctor to see? Where is the doctor?Yin'er asked back. You are a newcomer in general, and you can't figure out the door. Ask your aunt!Chashui Zhang smiled, thinking that Yin'er was quite honest, and sincerely wanted to help her.Unexpectedly, Yin'er smiled wryly, and said repeatedly: No, no.Thinking of Xiuzi's face, it was sunny and cloudy for a while, let alone asking her, her calves would tremble when seeing her. Let's do this, let me save you first, I will prepare some medicinal materials for you, all of which are heart-warming and tonic, and you drink it in water.If it still doesn't work, you can ask your aunt to send it to the imperial physician.Cha Shui Zhang walked to the rack while talking.There are rows of sieve baskets of the same size on the shelf, on which are selected and washed very clean soup ingredients, including ginger, garlic, dates, wolfberry, yam and other dry ingredients. Putting it in an earthen pot on the shelf, Cha Shuizhang grabbed a few medicinal herbs and wrapped them in fire paper. After checking that no one was around, he handed the paper bag to Yin'er. Thank you Uncle Zhang!Yin'er gave a knee-squatting salute gratefully. No thanks no thanks.Cha Shui Zhang shook his hand again and again and said. Uncle Zhang, you are busy first, I should go, Yin'er looked at this kind-hearted middle-aged eunuch, unexpectedly he not only gave her hot water, but also saw that she was not feeling well, so he prepared medicine for her , I couldn't express my gratitude in my heart, thinking that no wonder Ping'er said that he was good, so she must let her come here to find him. Yin'er was about to leave, Chashuizhang thought about it and asked her to take it back, the water in the pot was already cold, it would be better to simply boil it here to make the medicine more effective.He called Yin'er to stop, took a blue and white porcelain bowl, immediately shook out the medicine in the paper bag, washed it with boiling water and handed it to her. There is no such boiled water when I go back, so I drink it here. After drinking it, I quickly go back to lie down, cover it tightly with the quilt, and sweat all over, and I feel comfortable.Yin'er was so moved that she didn't know what to say.Her eye sockets were hot, her nose was sore, and a hot stream rushed into her eye sockets. She tried her best to hold back the tears in her eye sockets, and took the bowl with both hands.Just as she raised her neck to drink, she heard a sharp voice behind her, which frightened her to stand there motionless with the bowl in both hands. Who asked you to come to the royal tea room?With a sneer, Xiuzi suddenly appeared behind Yin'er. Miss Xiuzi, sit down, please sit down.Cha Shui Zhang saw her gloomy face, and hurriedly smiled, because I let her in. She is not clean!Xiuzi glanced at Cha Shui Zhang coldly. The tea chapter was startled, I didn't know that! Lafayette's tea, you are so filial?Xiuzi seemed unwilling to let Cha Shuizhang go easily, and there were thorns in her words. aunt!It's because I'm not good, Yin'er was afraid of causing trouble for the tea chapter, so her legs softened and she knelt on the ground.Unexpectedly, she was interrupted by Xiuzi as soon as she spoke. It's none of your business here.Get out soon!Yin'er glanced at Uncle Zhang helplessly, and quietly exited the door.As soon as Yin'er left, Cha Shuizhang quickly explained to Xiuzi, saying that he saw that Yin'er's expression was not right, and he heard that she was under your Miss Xiuzi's hand, so he kindly made her a bowl of herbal tea. He actually said this to get close to her. Lest Yin'er suffer when she goes back.Unexpectedly, Xiuzi said coldly: Is your place too hospital?I haven't heard of it.Cha Shui Zhang stared at Xiu Zi, feeling indescribably annoyed.Miss Xiuzi was quick to speak, she spoke straight to the point, but she was always good-natured, but she didn't know where she was twisted at this moment, she suddenly turned her face and turned her back on him, and started playing tricks with him.Hi!Isn't it just a few herbs used by Lafayette to make tea?He wanted to reply to the other party, but swallowed the words as soon as he got to his mouth, thinking that being a human being is the most important thing in peace.Thinking of this, he suppressed the grievance and resentment in his heart, bowed to Xiuzi, and said kindly: girl!Blame me, all blame me, I am here to make amends to the girl. Uncle Zhang!I'm not talking about you, you are the person in front of Lafayette, everyone knows that Lafayette dotes on you, but no matter how proud you are, you shouldn't give away things from Lafayette without telling others! Show girl!This is too heavy a word, no matter how good Cha Shui Zhang is, his temper is also in a hurry, and he quickly said, I am just a servant who burns fire, and I just run more frequently to bring soup and water to Lafayette, how can I be favored.It's my fault today, I shouldn't meddle in other people's business, I'll accompany the girl. Xiuzi seems to want to quarrel with Cha Shuizhang.Unexpectedly, the other party insisted on not giving her a chance to attack.After all, he was considered an eunuch of an eighth-rank official, twenty years older than her, so what else could she say after talking about that. After Xiuzi left, Chashuizhang looked at her receding back, feeling indescribable in his heart.In this small tea room, he has never been angry with others like this.He sighed, took up the herbal tea he made for Yin'er with both hands, wanted to pour it out, but suddenly changed his mind when he raised his hands, raised his neck and drank the herbal tea in one breath. Thinking that her family would come to see her today, Yin'er felt agitated, as if several rabbits were bumping around in her chest.She woke up from the bed before dawn, and heard the sound of the eunuch on duty knocking on the clapper in the distance, and realized that it was only the fourth watch, and it was still early before dawn, but she was so excited that she couldn't fall asleep, and she had only been in the palace for two Yue, if he was working in another palace, it would take at least half a year to meet his family members, because he was the maid of Lafayette's side, so he had this special treatment. A few days ago, the Inner Court General Manager's Office notified Yin'er that her family members would come to visit the palace today.Because she offended Aunt Xiuzi, she was always worried that Xiuzi would make things difficult for her and prevent her from meeting her family.Ping'er said that this was a special favor from Lafayette to these slaves, and her aunt would not spoil her.That being said, who knows what will happen to Xiuzi then?Fortunately, Xiuzi hasn't picked her thorns these days, but when she thinks of Xiuzi's bad temper, she can't calm down.This person changed his face as soon as he said it, so before she met her family, no one could tell what would happen, maybe she would make another move halfway. Yin'er quietly got off the kang without waiting for the black veil on the lamp in Lafayette's bedroom to be removed.In order not to wake up Miss Ping, who was in the same room, she put on her coat and walked out of the maid's room lightly. She stood in the aisle outside the door sullenly, looking at the dark sky, hoping to see a trace of fish-belly light up on the horizon.Two months in the palace, she felt it was longer than two years, she wanted to see her family even when she opened her eyes and closed her eyes, especially her mother and her close maid Xiaoyu.Of course, she misses Rong Qing more, but he is not a member of the family, even if he is, the only ones who visit the palace are female relatives, without special permission from above, even if it is father and brother, men are not allowed to visit the palace maids. In fact, no matter seeing her mother and Xiaoyu, even seeing her sister-in-law, or even seeing their old yellow dog, it was a great comfort to her.Since she entered the palace.It seemed to be in another world, which was completely isolated from the world she lived in before, and there was no news about it.When she meets her family today, not only is she able to see her loved ones, but in another sense, she will reconnect with the world she is familiar with during this short meeting.She was able to learn about Rongqing's situation through her family members. Thinking of this, her heart tightened.Like a person who fell at the bottom of a well, the small round skylight at the mouth of the well is her only hope! After waiting for an unknown amount of time, the sky finally dawned, and Chuxiu Palace began to be busy.She wanted to meet her family, so naturally she didn't have to be on duty. She had breakfast together in peace, and then went back to the servant's room, waiting for her aunt to inform her to meet her family. She sat on the edge of the kang, looked at herself in the mirror with restlessness, and reminded herself again and again that she should look more energetic when meeting her family today, and she couldn't let them see her sorrow in the palace, or spread it to everyone. On Rongqing's side, let him worry.Xiuzi's voice sounded outside the house, her heart tightened suddenly, her waist straightened and she stood up from the edge of the kang. Are you ready?Xiuzi raised the door curtain and walked in. Aunt Xiu!Yin'er nodded repeatedly. Xiuzi looked haggard and looked a little dazed.She sat down on the chair beside the Kang wearily, waved her hand, and signaled Yin'er to sit down.Yin'er didn't dare to sit, she stood there sideways, with her head down, waiting for the other party to teach her a lesson. sit down.秀子指著條炕說，今兒是你好日子，等會兒要和家裡人見面，還不好好打扮一下。 aunt!吟兒仍然站著不肯坐下，怯怯地說，我不懂宮裡的規矩，不知該怎麼穿戴 Come!秀子拍著梳妝台邊的圓凳，坐下，我替你梳頭。 使不得，這使不得！吟兒連連擺手。 秀子不高興地瞪她一眼，從椅子上站起：讓你坐下你就坐下。邊說邊將吟兒按在梳妝台邊的凳子上，一邊打開梳妝盒，取出木梳，幫吟兒梳起頭來。吟兒心想秀姑姑能平平安安讓她和家裡人見面，這已經是天大的福分了，沒想她那雙侍候老佛爺的手，竟然替自己梳起頭來。吟兒受寵若驚地坐在那兒，心裡說不出的緊張。她嘴裡小聲說：姑姑，讓我自己來吧。身子卻一動不動地由對方擺佈。 秀子並不理她，替她梳起漂亮的二把頭，在她耳邊插上珠花，然後在她臉上補上一些淡淡的粉妝，再在她唇上抹上一點鮮艷的口紅，秀子忙完了，滿意地端詳著吟兒，拿起梳妝台上的小鏡子遞到對方面前：你照鏡子看看，活脫一個大美人！ 吟兒慌忙接過鏡子，羞澀地看一眼鏡面中的自己，果然覺得經姑姑這麼一調理，整個人全變了樣兒，變得漂亮不說，更覺得有身分了。秀子得意地讓吟兒換上一件淺色長裙袍，外面套上一件深色斜襟坎肩，一邊對她說：你臉皮子白淨，深色坎肩襯著特別合適。你家裡人好不容易見你一面，你是老佛爺身邊的人，要讓他們看出個模樣兒來，你說是不是？ 吟兒嘴上連聲謝謝，心裡卻不明白姑姑為什麼突然如此關心她。在這之前，她設想過秀子對她與家裡人見面的種種態度，譬如她借此機會教訓自己一番，或是在劉姑姑面前告她一狀，乾脆不讓她去；沒想到姑姑不但沒刁難她，反倒親自替她梳頭打扮。這是吟兒萬萬沒有想到的。 過了護城河上漢白玉欄杆大橋，沿皇城北邊的神武門外往西走，一百多米處的城牆邊開了個豁口，豁口裡砌著兩道城門，門上有一排木欄柵將裡外隔開，這便是宮女與親屬會面的地方。一大早，探宮的家屬有的坐著轎子，有的坐著騾子拉的蒲籠車，經過橋頭，在神武門外的空地上下了車，然後貼著城牆根向西邊的豁口走去。 一輛蒲籠車慢悠悠地在橋頭停下，小玉坐在車上，趕車的是個中年人。吟兒母親曹氏因為前幾天摔了一跤，躺在床上沒法走動。曹氏本想讓吟兒嫂子代替她來探宮，考慮到吟兒一向喜歡身邊的丫頭小玉，加上小玉很快要離開京城回老家了，她一再要求老夫人讓她最後見一見小姐，老夫人終於同意由她代表她們家進宮看望小姐，讓她倆在一起說說知心話。 車停穩後，趕車人跳下車，抓住牲口的韁繩站在那兒，兩名禁軍走過去，讓那人拿出放行條，趕車的指手畫腳地吱吱呀呀地比劃著，小玉連忙掀起車門上的簾子，將放行條遞給其中一個禁軍。 Army Lord!他是啞巴，不會說話她對禁軍說。 其實這位啞巴就是精心化裝後的榮慶。他穿了一身趕車人的粗布短衫，頭戴一頂舊氈帽，抓了把黃土在臉上抹了幾下，看上去頓時老了許多，儼然像個趕車人。為了能裝作趕車人到城牆邊看一眼吟兒，他不知費了多少口舌。他先跟小玉商量。小玉怕惹事，不敢答應。她苦苦求小玉，說他馬上要去南苑當兵，無論如何讓他跟她去見見吟兒。為了讓她放心，他扮成啞子，說只看一眼吟兒，絕不開口說一句話，這才勉強說動了她。他給了趕車人幾兩銀子，將他那一身衣服買下，由趕車人將小玉從家裡接出來，半路上換上榮慶。 禁軍護衛看了探宮條子，然後挑起簾子，將蒲籠車內仔細檢查了一遍，沒發現什麼疑點，便放他們過了橋。他們在城門西邊空地上停下蒲籠車，然後沿著城牆向西走。 小玉和榮慶沒走多遠，榮慶正為自己這一精心安排暗自得意，想著他馬上就能見到吟兒，心中十分激動時，突然一名禁軍頭頭攔住他們。他看看小玉，又看看榮慶，從頭到腳將他們打量一番，然後取過小玉手中的條子看了看，指著榮慶問：你是上官家什麼人？ 榮慶依依呀呀地比劃著。 how?他是個啞巴！禁軍頭頭看一眼小玉。 回軍爺話，小玉緊張得不行，強忍著按榮慶事先教她的話出了一遍：他他原先是我們家老爺的親兵，打仗時受了傷，從此啞了，留在府上趕車。 那你吶？ 我是上官小姐的貼身丫頭小玉。 This will not work.禁軍頭頭沉下臉，條子上明明寫著上官太太的名字，太太不來，你來做什麼？ 老夫人病了，下不了床，皇上恩典，讓夫人進宮探望女兒，她不敢不來，所以讓我頂著她名份來了。Army Lord!求求您，小姐在老太后身邊當差，那裡規矩最嚴，已經來晚了，再耽誤時辰就怕見不到人了。小玉慌忙解釋，其實禁軍根本聽不進她的話，只是小玉提到小姐是儲秀宮裡老太后身邊的宮女，禁軍頭目這才揮揮手放他們進去。 那好吧，你進去，趕車的留在這兒。軍爺指著榮慶說。 榮慶一聽急了，連忙向小玉使個眼色。小玉慌忙走到禁軍頭頭面前，趁人不注意，將手中一隻玉鐲塞進對方手中，一邊低聲哀求：軍爺！趕車的大爺從小看著小姐長大的，只想跟我進去，站在遠處瞧一眼。 這這怕不好辦。禁軍手中接過了小玉塞給他的玉鐲，仍然不肯放榮慶進去。正僵持著，一名中年太監向他們走過來。此人是茶水章的老兄弟。茶水章知道吟兒家裡人今兒來探宮，怕她們不懂規矩，特意讓他來這兒接應吟兒家裡人。當他聽見小玉提到吟兒的名字，連忙走過來問小玉：你們是上官吟兒家的人？ 是，我們是，公公您是？ 我姓吳，我一位老兄弟讓我來這兒接你們。吳太監一笑。他顯然和禁軍頭目很熟，邊說邊將禁軍頭頭拉到一邊，低聲說了一通。禁軍頭頭咧開大嘴笑笑，順手將手鐲塞進懷裡，對小玉揮揮手，算你造化，跟吳公公一塊進去吧！ 小玉連聲說謝地向禁軍行了禮，一路來到豁口附近。一路連闖二關，榮慶心中不由得暗喜，想著一會兒便能見到吟兒，腳下的步子不由得加快。 城牆豁口高大的門洞裡，已經有好幾家人隔著欄柵說話。吟兒早早到了，她站在豁口的欄柵內，心神不寧地望著外面，巴望著家裡人快點出現。木欄柵內外站著幾名太監，監視著兩邊的人。 小玉領著榮慶走到豁口，太監隨意看一眼條子，便讓小玉走進。榮慶跟在她身後也想往裡走，讓太監們擋在豁口外。小玉慌忙求對方，好話說了一蘿筐，對方一句話將她頂回來，別說是啞子，就是瞎子，沒有皇上和老太后的特別恩准，任何男人也不得擅闖皇宮禁地。 小玉知道再僵持下去，連她自己也見不了小姐，她看一眼榮慶，示意他留在這兒，她先進去見小姐。榮慶非常沮喪，眼看過了二關，最後卻被攔在外面，看眼前這架勢，他有三頭六臂也沒用。他站在那兒，心想說不定能從這兒遠遠看見吟兒，對於他，哪怕看她一眼也值了。 趴在城門欄柵邊的吟兒看見小玉，慌忙向她招招手：小玉姑娘！ Miss!小玉一眼認出吟兒，慌忙走到她身邊，隔著欄柵，話沒出口眼圈先紅了。 榮慶遠遠站在那片空地上，伸著脖子，遠遠盯著吟兒，兩個月不見面，她似乎長得更漂亮了。她穿一身宮服，打扮得非常大方得體。他看見她，她卻沒看見他。遠遠看去，只見她和小玉說話，說什麼自然聽不見，他埋怨小玉，她為什麼不告訴吟兒他來了，此時正站在外面，也好讓她看一眼自己啊！他越是想吟兒看他，吟兒越是不看他。她只要一抬頭，他就在她的視線內，偏偏她只顧和小玉說話，眼皮都不抬一下。他氣得在心裡罵小玉，這丫頭一點也不懂事，難道他跟她來這兒，就為站在這兒看她跟小姐說話？他焦急萬分，既不敢出聲，更不敢挪步，只能站在原地，一會兒伸脖子，一會兒踞起腳跟，竭力想引起吟兒那邊注意。 突然，吟兒抬起眼，遠遠向他這邊看來。從她表情看，她顯然很驚訝。她目光一落到他身上便再也不動了，兩眼直勾勾地盯著他。兩人視線終於碰上。短短兩個月，對她和他來說，比兩年甚至二十年還要長。那道木頭欄柵將他倆隔開，他們腳下的地和頭上的天空卻是儼然不同的兩個世界啊！他們深愛著對方，卻不敢跨越一步，活生生地嚥下這比死別更為痛楚的生離之苦。對她和他，他們唯一的選擇是等。這是一種沒有盡頭的等，一種無可奈何的等，不是在等待中獲得重生，便是在這等待中毀滅。 吟兒遠遠盯著榮慶，儘管他在臉上抹了塵土，頭上頂著破氈帽，身上裹著粗布短衫，看上去挺像個趕車的大爺，但她一眼便認出他。看見他站在豁口邊的空地上，她驚訝地張大嘴巴半天說不出話。四周全是宗人府的太監，還有在城外走動的衛士，本能的理智提醒她，他這樣做太危險了。為了他的安全，她不敢再看他，可眼睛卻不聽使喚，他像一塊磁鐵，牢牢地吸引住她的目光。 榮慶望著吟兒，心裡非常難過。他使勁捏著手指，扯得指關節發出嘩剝的響聲，在心裡惡狠狠地罵自己，他一個堂堂大丈夫，竟然連自己最心愛的戀人（如果算上他倆那天在她家拜天地，她實際已是他妻子）也無法保護，他實在不配做個男人啊！ 兩名衛士同時大叫著向榮慶衝過來，二話不說將他押走。原來榮慶盯著吟兒，竟忘了這兒是宮中禁地，他想再看得清楚些，身不由己地向前跨了一步，犯了這兒的規矩。 吟兒呆呆地站在那兒，眼睜睜瞅著錦衣衛士將榮慶拉走，心裡頓時一沉，低聲埋怨小玉不該帶他來這兒。小玉說他實在太想小姐了，她要不答應他，他會記恨她一輩子。 吟兒低下頭半天不說話，心想榮慶不知道宮中的威嚴，如果有了自己這兩個月的經歷，他一定不會幹出這種蠢事。她何嘗不想他來，只是這兒的環境太凶險。進宮第一天倩兒被抬出去的情景立即浮現在她眼前。她被人亂棍打死，就因為她在衣箱裡藏了一條男人用的汗巾，不知是她入宮前從家裡帶到宮中的，還是出自別處，她不肯說，就為這點小事白白丟了一條命啊！ 小玉見小姐不吭聲，知道她為榮慶的事擔心，正想換個話題，說她很快要離開她們家，回河北老家鄉下，以後再也沒機會見她了。站在豁口內的太監突然直起嗓門大叫：探宮時間到。這一聲吆喝，站在豁口裡的人慌忙隔著欄柵分開，小玉只得依依不捨跟吟兒互相道別。 小玉隨著其他探宮的親屬一起離開了豁口。人差不多走空了，吟兒卻仍然站在原地，兩眼盯著榮慶原先站過的地方發呆。她擔心他被衛士帶走後會遇到麻煩，萬一被人識破他喬裝啞巴和趕車人，後果不堪設想。 girl!該走人了。一名清場的內廷太監走到她身邊輕聲提醒著，她這才從沉思中猛然醒來，慌忙轉身向承光門走去。