Chapter 10 Chapter 10 Pink Belt

Ping'er was the first to find out Yin'er went to the Buddhist hall to cry for Xiuzi.After dinner, she went back from the front hall to the lower room to tidy up the room. On the way, she saw Yin'er leaving the backyard door alone. She felt puzzled, thinking that there was nothing there except the Buddhist hall, so what was she doing there?Out of instinctive curiosity, Ping'er followed her all the way to the Buddhist hall.When she saw Yin'er kneeling in front of the Bodhisattva crying for Aunt Xiu and burning paper money through the crack of the door, she couldn't help being startled, thinking that she was getting impatient and dared to cry for a dead maid here.

Ping'er was hesitating whether to report or not, when he suddenly heard a noise behind him, and looking back, it turned out that the old eunuch guarding the palace had returned.She was startled, she had to report if she didn't report, otherwise people thought that she and Yin'er were in collusion, and they were here to watch out for the other party, even with a hundred mouths they couldn't tell.She hurriedly told the old eunuch about Yin'er entering the palace to burn paper money, the old eunuch didn't say anything, and asked Ping'er to stay here to guard the scene, and turned to report to Li Lianying.

When Yin'er was tied up and escorted out of the Buddhist hall by the eunuchs, Ping'er, who was hiding far away in the dark, was in a very complicated mood.Thinking of how Yin'er stole the limelight after entering the palace, and her status soared, she was very jealous, and even thought that it was because of her that she had been pushed down to the bottom all the time, doing rough work that the court ladies despised.But seeing Li Lianying's menacing posture with the eunuchs grabbing Yin's child, and thinking of her committing a catastrophe because of this, a trace of unspeakable regret suddenly appeared in her heart.

Ping'er went back to the servant's room anxiously, and Xiao Huihui ran over with a nervous expression, saying that Lafayette asked her to come forward immediately for questioning. When they arrived outside the main hall of Chuxiu Palace, Li Lianying had been waiting there for a long time. When she saw Ping'er, her face immediately darkened, and she told her to honestly report to Lafayette about the crying sacrifice in Yin'er Buddhist Hall.Ping'er nodded again and again, entered the side hall and hurriedly knelt on the ground to pay respects to Cixi, then secretly glanced at Li Lianying standing behind Cixi, saw the expression of approval on the other side's face, and then told the old lady about what happened in the Buddhist hall just now thing.

Well, I know all about it.what's your name?Cixi interrupted Ping'er's words, remembering that the court lady and Yin'er kicked shuttlecock together. Going back to what Lafayette said, the slave is called Ping'er.Ping'er lay on the ground tremblingly. Hey, I heard that you, Yin'er and Xiuzi are pretty good, isn't it?Except for Li Lianying and some personal maids, Cixi didn't have much contact with ordinary court ladies and eunuchs, but she always paid attention to the relationship and grievances between these people. Whoever is talking about in front of her, she always pretends to listen casually, never expresses her opinion, and sometimes even shows a very concerned look, encouraging you to continue talking, so she is not only concerned about the relationship between the princes and ministers, but also the slaves around her. It is very clear.Back to Lafayette.The servant only has Lafayette in his heart!Seeing Cixi asked, Ping'er's previous regrets suddenly diminished a lot, and he only wanted to please the other party, hoping that Cixi could reuse him.

You see, Lafayette.This girl also knows which kang is hot.Li Lianying hurriedly continued Ping'er's words, trying to make Cixi happy. As long as you can understand the general situation, I have to promote you, right?Cixi could hear Li Lianying speaking for Ping'er, hesitated for a moment, and thought of an idea. Slave, thank you Lafayette for your kindness!Ping'er hurriedly kowtowed to the ground to thank her. Lafayette!Li Lianying wanted to promote a person like Ping'er, so the situation below would naturally be more clear, so she quickly smiled and said that she asked the servant to say that it would be appropriate for her to stay in front of Lafayette.It happened to be the top of Yin'er's stall!

Back to Lafayette!When Yin'er first entered the palace, she was brought out by a servant girl.The slave must do her best, and Gubao can do better than her. Cixi always likes others to report to her, but there is one thing, it depends on the kind of person.Li Lianying was in front of her, needless to say, this was his duty.Prince Rui, Prince Gong is her royal relative, and she is willing to listen to anything she tells her in private.As for Li Hongzhang and Wo Ren, the important officials in the court, she wished that they would make small reports in front of her, and she always felt that they told her too little.But for slaves like Ping'er, unless she deliberately arranged them, it is generally said that these people are not qualified to make small reports. For Ping'er who reported on her good friend Yin'er, although Cixi felt that the accusation was right, she felt a kind of disgust in her heart.She never liked chattering women, and she didn't like women who provoke right and wrong. When she found that Ping'er was eager to replace Yin'er, she instinctively felt that such a slave could not be kept by her side.

Of course, Cixi did not show any dislike for Ping'er, on the contrary, she wanted her, including Xiao Lizi, to feel that she was a master who was clear about rewards and punishments.The day before yesterday, she had just agreed to let the tea chapter go to Guangxu as an errand, and she would send the tea chapter over in a few days after choosing a good day.In fact, she was unwilling in her heart, and she reluctantly parted with the emperor's son in order to win him over.In this case, why not give Ping'er to Concubine Zhen, it is a kind of courtesy on the surface, but in fact, it is to plant an ear wire beside Concubine Zhen, and Ping'er's rotten mouth will pass over there if there is any movement over there.In a sense, Concubine Zhen is much more dangerous than Guangxu, and to watch her is to watch Guangxu, who is cowardly and indecisive by nature.This not only raised Ping'er's face, but also put a nail in Zhenfei's place, and at the same time drove this restless court lady away from her side. Isn't this killing three birds with one stone, and doing everything that needs to be done.

Cixi glanced at Li Lianying.Like a roundworm in Cixi's stomach, Li Lianying immediately understood from her silent glance, and immediately waved her sleeves to Ping'er who was kneeling on the ground, asking her to kowtow to Cixi immediately, and go back to the servant room to wait for the reward.Ping'er hurriedly kowtowed and exited the palace gate. As soon as Ping'er left, Cixi immediately ordered Li Lianying to transfer Ping'er out of Chuxiu Palace and go to Jingren Palace to serve Concubine Zhen.Li Lianying was stunned for a while after hearing this, not knowing what Cixi's arrangement meant.Although he has served Cixi for nearly thirty years and knows her temper clearly, he is often stunned by her sudden ideas.

Little Lizi, are you confused?Cixi smiled, and whenever she saw that the most loyal lackey around her couldn't figure out what she meant, she always felt a kind of indescribable pride in her heart, that was where her heroes could come in handy.have you understood?The slave understands, the slave understands.Li Lianying's eyes rolled a few times, she suddenly realized, and repeatedly praised Lafayette for his wisdom. Find a good day and reward Zhang Deshun with her. Ballast!Only then did Li Lianying fully understand the meaning of it, and she had to admire Cixi in her heart. She was already in her sixties, no matter what she did, she put her heart into it, but never leaked it.After he agreed loudly, he stood with his hands down for a while, waiting for the order from the old lady, but he didn't expect Cixi to sit there with his eyes downcast for a long time without speaking.He hesitated for a moment, approached her and asked in a low voice what to do with Yin'er.

It's all your fault!Cixi stared at Li Lianying, full of displeasure.Xiuzi's death has already caused a lot of trouble inside and outside the palace, and now there is troublesome troubles about Yin'er Buddhist Hall crying and offering sacrifices. She feels that all of this is inseparable from the head manager nicknamed Buddha Jianxi in front of her.If he hadn't colluded with King Rui to let her take advantage of it, she would not have given Xiuzi to Prince Rui's mansion, and what happened later would not have happened.She originally wanted to scold Li Lianying, but on second thought, she found it boring. When a slave is determined to follow you for something, isn't it just for fame and profit?Especially a person like Li Lianying, who was originally a useless person, unlike princes and ministers who glorified their ancestors and left their names for thousands of years, he has nothing to do with the name, so only the benefits are left. When others see that he is by his side, they don’t need him to speak, and the benefits will naturally come. He sent it by hand.In fact, why not princes and ministers?She hopes that the people around her are clean and honest, but she also deeply understands the truth that the water is so clear that there are no fish. It is already good to be able to manage it until now.Thinking of this level, Cixi couldn't help sighing, saying that she hadn't figured out how to deal with Yin'er, but there was one thing, try not to let outsiders know about it.Therefore, for the time being, she can neither be sent to the vacant room of the clan's mansion to be locked up, nor can she be allowed to stay in Chuxiu Palace's servant room. It is best to find a quiet place to hide her quietly, and wait until I think about it. Li Lianying deserves to be thoughtful. As soon as something happened to Yin'er, he and Cixi thought of a place together. He had already taken Yin'er to the longevity tea room in a single-door detached courtyard, and locked her in an empty warehouse next to the longevity tea room. He was locked in the tea room, and sent someone to guard the gate leading to Chuxiu Palace to prevent the maids and eunuchs from entering and leaving, and Zhang Deshun was temporarily guarding there, so he breathed a sigh of relief.She is very relieved of Cha Shui Zhang, who is honest, loyal and never makes trouble. Yin'er hugged her chest tightly with both hands, curled up in the corner of the wall, shivering from the cold.The colder she sat, the more numb her mind became. There was only one vague thought left in her empty mind: I am going to die.I'm sorry for Rong Qing, I promised him to work hard in the palace and live with him when I go out one day.I never thought I would never be able to wait for that day.She stared out of the dark window, thinking that this was her last day in the world, she couldn't help but let go of her clenched teeth, and tears burst out of her eyes She cried and cried, until she dried up her tears, was hungry and thirsty, and felt weak all over, then stared at the empty warehouse.She knew that this place was next to the imperial tea room, and Uncle Zhang was nearby. Thinking of this level, she felt lucky again. The manager didn't lock her into an empty room, and she didn't report to the clan mansion. Would she be spared?Suddenly there was a sound outside the door.She pricked up her ears, and heard someone unlock the brass lock on the door, and a flickering light came through the crack of the door.She stretched her neck instinctively, waiting for someone to come in. The door creaked open.Cha Shui Zhang walked in holding the oil lamp in his hand.He put the oil lamp on a wooden box, turned and went out for a while, and then came back with a tray on which was a bowl of steaming soup.He handed the tray to Yin'er, Miss Yin, eat, eat to warm your body.I was so hungry just now.Seeing the hot soup brought by Chashuizhang now, she lost her appetite, because a stronger desire to survive dominated her, and she wanted to ask Chashuizhang to save her.Staring at the tea chapter, he called Uncle Zhang, but the following words were stuck in his throat for a long time. Yin girl!Did you really burn the paper money?Cha Shui Zhang asked sympathetically. yes.Yin'er nodded. Why are you so confused? I dreamed of Aunt Xiu, she asked me to burn it for her. It's not that you don't know the rules in the palace. It seems that you can't escape this disaster by saying anything.What is it called?Curse the master not to die!It is the first of the heinous crimes. Uncle Zhang, you have to save me!I didn't burn it for the master, but for sister Xiuzi!I won’t lie to you, she really entrusted me with a dream and asked me to burn incense for her Yin'er recounted her dream of Xiuzi, and Cha Shuizhang remained silent for a long time after hearing it, thinking that Xiuzi's death was too wronged, so her ghost lingered.He knew that Cixi was very superstitious. If Yin'er told the scene in her dream, Cixi might deal with her lightly. The question is who can prove that she really had this dream, instead of making up lies to trick Lafayette in order to escape the crime.If Cixi thought that Yin'er was deceiving her intentionally, it would be self-defeating, maybe she could have given Yin'er a dead body, beheaded her in a rage, and it would be too late to regret it.Taking a step back, even if Cixi believed it was true, it would be very difficult to spare Yin'er, because crying in the palace to sacrifice to outsiders is a crime that cannot be punished, this is the rule left by the ancestors. Even if Lafayette wanted to spare you, the ancestral system did not agree.No one can change the rules passed down from the ancestors!Cha Shui Zhang is very pitiful to Yin'er, but he has nothing to do, so he has to express his own thoughts. To tell you the truth, there are nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine and a half houses in this palace, except for the master, our eunuchs, and your palace daughters. people!understand? Are we not human? We are slaves.Chashuizhang smiled bitterly, thinking that after a person dies and rises to heaven, he must be a human being first, no matter male or female!Since there are no people here, how can we ascend to heaven?He originally wanted to tell Yin'er the meaning of this layer, but after thinking about it, he felt that she would not understand it, and it would be useless if she understood it.Looking at Yin'er's panicked face, he felt very sorry for her and wanted to comfort her, but he didn't know what to say.He sighed heavily, thinking that the palace was isolated from the world, maybe Yin'er had something to say to his family before he died. In the past, almost all the eunuchs and court ladies who were tortured asked someone to send a message to the family, and Yin'er must have something to say. Going out of the palace, this may be the only thing he can do for her.What do you leave for the family, tell me quickly, if it is too late, it will be too late! Uncle Zhang!My Yin'er opened her mouth wide in horror, and a shudder passed through her body, I really can't live? Cha Shui Zhang nodded helplessly. Yin'er, we have no time left.Speak quickly.I will try my best to send a message to your family! Can you really pass it on to me?Yin'er asked. You are almost dead, can I lie to you? Uncle Zhang!I, I would like to ask you to send a message outside the palace. OK, I will help deliver a letter to your family. it's not our house, it's Not your family?Cha Shui Zhang asked puzzledly. Forget it, I don't want to tell him anymore. Yin'er's mood is extremely conflicted. On the one hand, she wants to ask Cha Shuizhang to send a message to Rongqing for her, but on the other hand, she feels that the matter has come to such an extent. The other party was an eunuch, and he didn't understand these things between men and women like ordinary people, so he swallowed the words on his lips. Chashuizhang wondered, he didn't know who Yin'er was talking about, he didn't even know whether he was a man or a woman.He wanted to ask clearly, but the habit of staying in the palace for many years made him instinctively not to ask anyone anything. He listened to what others should say, and he should not listen to what others should not say.He smiled bitterly, feeling that he seemed to be busy, he sighed deeply and was about to leave, before he left, he told Yin'er: You are ready, they will come here to take you away in a while. Cha Shui Zhang turned and left.When he came to the door, Yin'er suddenly stopped him.She kowtowed to him on the ground, and was about to open her mouth to say something about her and Rong Qing, when there were chaotic footsteps outside the door, and then Xiao Hui led a few eunuchs to rush in. Bring the criminal court lady Yin'er!Following the notification from the eunuchs, Yin'er was brought into the east room of Chuxiu Palace. As soon as she entered the door, she saw Cixi sitting on a chair with no expression on her face. Li Lianying stood behind Cixi with a donkey face. stared at her.She felt unspeakably flustered in her heart, and before she could reach Cixi's chair, she knelt down by the door as soon as her legs gave way, and greeted Cixi silently. Li Lianying waved to Xiao Huihui and the others, and Xiao Huihui immediately withdrew with the eunuch escorting Yin'er. Cixi looked at Yin'er on the ground, unable to tell what it was like.Yin'er, like Xiuzi, is her favorite maid of honor, but these people always have accidents, as if God is deliberately trying to make things difficult for her.According to her past temper, Yin'er committed such a disrespectful thing, she would have been sent to the vacant room in the palace specially used to imprison court ladies and eunuchs, waiting to be guillotined, why would she bring her here for interrogation in person. You went to the Buddhist hall to burn paper?Cixi asked Yin'er with a calm tone, not only Yin'er didn't expect it, but even Li Lianying felt strange. The servant is wrong, the servant is guilty! Who are you burning it for?Cixi asked knowingly. Going back to Lafayette, the servant girl wanted to send Aunt Xiuzi off. As I said earlier, no one is allowed to mention Xiuzi again!Don't you have long ears? That's why the servants secretly burned it bold!Li Lianying interrupted Yin'er, just steal it?You are deliberately resisting the will. When Yin'er was yelled at by him, she hurriedly cut off the conversation in fright. Why don't you speak?Cixi glanced at Li Lianying dissatisfied. slaves dare not say Why? Going back to Lafayette, the servant girl dreamed of Xiuzi last night.Yin'er knew that no matter how good Cixi's attitude was, she would not be able to escape the fate of death, so her heart was not so chaotic.Thinking of Chashui Zhang saying that Cixi has always been superstitious, maybe Xiuzi entrusted her with a dream to tell her to tell Lafayette.Because Xiuzi died too unjustly.Since it's death to say it or not, it's better to tell Cixi and let Cixi know that she was entrusted by Xiuzi to burn paper money. Oh, there is such a thing?Cixi's heart trembled because she also dreamed of Xiuzi last night.She was very superstitious at first, and she felt a little guilty about Xiuzi's death in her heart. Li Lianying originally wanted to reprimand Yin'er for talking nonsense, but when she saw Cixi questioning Yin'er seriously, asking her to tell the scene in her dream, she had to hold back. Yin'er said that she dreamed that she was on watch for Empress Dowager Cixi in the bedroom, sitting on the ground leaning against the wall, when suddenly a gust of dark wind blew in, and the oil lamp covered with black gauze flickered on and off.She was wondering, and vaguely felt a figure outside the window. Before she could ask who it was, the figure actually entered the room through the wall. She looked carefully and found that it was Xiuzi. She was wearing the wedding dress that day. Wearing a red cheongsam, he softly called her name to tell her not to be afraid. I asked Xiuzi, why are you so silent in the aisle?She said that she didn't come here, but floated here, because she was afraid of disturbing Lafayette to sleep. When Yin'er said this, seeing the fear that was struggling to restrain appeared on Cixi's face, she stopped talking and stopped talking. Cixi was a little flustered.Last night she also dreamed that Xiuzi was dressed as a bride, it really is a ghost!She couldn't help but glanced at the dark window lattice, and wanted Yin'er to stop talking, but she couldn't help being curious, so she bit the bullet and asked Yin'er to continue.Li Lianying didn't know what was on Cixi's mind, let alone that she had dreamed of Xiuzi last night, but hearing Yin'er's words vividly, thinking of what she had done in this matter, she was naturally a little timid, but her face deliberately put on a smile. A calm demeanor. I asked Xiuzi to go out, so don't disturb Lafayette to sleep.Xiuzi refused to leave, and she would only leave if I promised her one thing.I said that no matter what, as long as it can be done, I will do it for her.Xiuzi said that she had no home since she was a child, and the palace was her home, so she begged me to burn some paper money for her.I said that paper money is not allowed to be burned in the palace.She said it's okay, Lafayette loved her when she was alive, and the servant will entrust the dream to Lafayette do not talk!You want to make up tricks to coax me.Cixi suddenly sullen and interrupted Yin'er, telling Li Lianying to take Yin'er away quickly. That's a dream, the dream is reversed, it's not real!After Yin'er was taken away by the eunuchs, Li Lianying hurriedly comforted Cixi.Cixi remained silent and made up her mind, no matter whether Yin'er lied to her or not, she cannot be spared anyway, and the royal law cannot be damaged because of this.Although Cixi is very superstitious in her bones, she never publicly talks about ghosts and gods in front of others, otherwise, where is the majesty of the royal family?She believed in ghosts and gods, but she firmly believed that she was reincarnated by God to become the empress dowager above ten thousand people in the world. Could she shrink back because of the nonsense of a little court lady?Even if she is telling the truth, she is not afraid, she is the current imperial mother, how can she be afraid of any ghosts! Xiaohui took people back to send Yin'er to the warehouse next to the tea room and locked her up again. Yin'er was not given to die by Cixi on the spot, nor was she escorted to the vacant room of the clan's mansion to be locked up, because Cixi didn't decide whether she should be hanged by Bai Ling or beaten to death with sticks, and then the coffin was given to her and carried to her. At home, just say that she died of illness. This will not only preserve her reputation, but also make her family feel better. Chashuizhang gave Yin'er a bowl of lotus seed soup according to the instructions passed down from above. Yin'er, who was cold and hungry, held the hot soup bowl in both hands and drank it all in one gulp.She thanked Cha Shui Zhang repeatedly, and told about the situation of Ci Xi's interrogation of her just now.She told Chashuizhang that Lafayette heard that Xiuzi entrusted her with a dream, and asked her a lot of questions, and said that Cixi had a very good attitude and spoke kindly. Uncle Zhang!Lafayette didn't let them lock me up in an empty room. Could it be that Lafayette spared my life because of Xiuzi's dream? Yin'er asked about the tea chapter for a moment.In the face of her poor luck, he dared not tell the truth, because it was exactly the opposite of what she had imagined.According to the rules here, if she was sent to an empty room, she might be able to live a few more days, and she might even save her life.At present, Cixi did not send her to the vacant room of the clan's mansion, but asked him to bring her soup, which meant that she had arrived before the time limit. Food and drink, so she must not live to-morrow morning. Uncle Zhang!Why don't you speak? He has always liked Yin'er as a human being, not only can't save her at this moment, but he dare not even tell her the truth, thinking of this, he feels unspeakable pain in his heart.He didn't directly respond to her question, but once again advised her to have something to spread outside, and told him right now, and asked her if she could read or not, it would be even better if she could write a note, and he would definitely help her take it out. Seeing that he didn't answer her question, Yin'er brought up the matter of sending a message to the outside again, and she felt puzzled in her heart.She stared at Cha Shui Zhang, trying her best to find some kind of answer on his face.When she saw that the other party frowned, with a bitter smile on his face, and avoided her eyes as soon as they met hers, she immediately realized the seriousness of the situation.Thinking of Qian'er's death, it happened in the palace. On the contrary, Aunt Xiu sent her to an empty house, and sent her back a few days later. Finally, she married outside the palace and committed suicide in King Rui's house.After thinking about it, she immediately understood what Cha Shui Zhang didn't say, and her heart boiled like a boiling oil pot. Judging from Cha Shui Zhang's expression and the fact that he asked himself to leave a message again, she must be doomed.The underworld of the world is not connected to each other. From then on, there is no chance to see Rongqing and his family members, including the brother who is not up to date. He is the one who caused the tragedy in front of him. She hated her brother very much, especially when he just entered the palace. At that time, the hatred gradually became less, and now facing the impending doom, the hatred in my heart is gone.Thinking that she will soon leave this world with Aunt Xiu, apart from Rong Qing, she is most worried about her mother, so she should leave a few words for her brother, telling him not to gamble, and to honor his mother with his sister-in-law. Her greatest wish. As for what to say to Rong Qing, she couldn't think of it.It is not true to ask him to forget himself and marry another woman.But if you don't say these words right now, what can you say?After much deliberation, she felt that it was inappropriate to say anything, so she pulled out the jade hairpin given to her by Lafayette from her head, handed her the tea badge, and before she could speak, tears began to flow down her face. Cha Shuizhang took the pendant from her hand and repeatedly advised her not to cry, saying that time is running out, if you have something to say slowly, he will definitely help her send this jade hairpin outside the palace to the person she wants to give it to.When he heard that time was running out, Yin'er cried even harder.He comforted her again and again, and then she held back her weeping, lay on the ground, and kowtowed to him three times in a row, regardless of the tea badge. Uncle Zhang!I beg you to find a way to go to the Forbidden Army Camp of Chengde Mansion to find Rong Qing and hand Peiyu over to him, just say that I am sorry for him.Hearing that this person is not in the capital, Cha Shuizhang immediately felt troubled.He didn't want to know that the jade hairpin was given to her by Lafayette, but he wanted to know what relationship she had with Rongqing, but if he wanted to send this thing to the man in Chengde Mansion, it would be no different than in the capital, where he had many brothers, so he could just ask around. can do it. Yin'er, there are some things that I shouldn't ask.But there are tens of thousands of people in the Chengde Forbidden Army battalion, which battalion this Rongjun Lord is in and where he belongs to, if you tell me, I can ask someone to find him. I heard that he seems to be in Jianrui Camp.It is under the management of the Chengde Guard Army Camp. Left camp or right camp?he asked. Yin'er shook her head, unable to give any more clues.At this moment, the eunuchs from the Punishment Department of the Clan Mansion came, and one of the chief eunuchs was an old acquaintance with Cha Shuizhang.He called Chashuizhang aside and asked him if he had delivered soup.The tea chapter said it was delivered.The leader ordered Yin'er's hands and feet to be tied up on the spot, and he was tortured immediately when the superiors spoke.After the leader left, he deliberately left two young eunuchs guarding the door.When Yin'er saw this posture, she knew that her time had come, she stared at the dark window, her tears couldn't stop flowing down It was nine o'clock in the evening to send Yin'er away. According to the usual habits, Cixi, who always went to bed on time, should go to bed, but at this moment, the people from the Punishment Department were waiting for her to speak, and as soon as she spoke, they would torture Yin'er.Even though she had already made up her mind to kill Yin'er, she was supposed to be able to send a message now, but she didn't speak for some reason.She suddenly felt old.When she was young, she would never hesitate like this, she would have already said what she should have said, but the main reason for her delay in saying anything was because she and Yin'er dreamed of Xiuzi at the same time, is this just a coincidence? She walked up and down the quiet room restlessly, and the dream of last night appeared in her mind from time to time.Compared with Yin'er, her dream is much simpler.Xiuzi kowtowed to her in her new clothes.She asked Xiuzi, you are not dead, why did you come back again, Xiuzi smiled and said that she couldn't bear Lafayette, so she came back and kowtowed to her.The strange thing is that in Yin'er's dream, Xiuzi was also dressed as a bride, and some of the words were similar, did Xiuzi ask Yin'er to burn incense in her dream? Suddenly there was a creaking sound on the window couch.She was startled, and suddenly turned around to stare at the window base. The dim light cast on the window paper seemed to be nothing suspicious.She listened quietly for a while, then turned around and walked to Guanyin Bodhisattva. Just as she was about to light an incense stick, there was another strange noise behind her.She ran to the window in a hurry, looked carefully for a while, then stood by the window and murmured: Xiuzi!Don't scare me, just go away.Yin'er also burned the paper for you, even if she gave it to you for me. The wind outside the window suddenly picked up, and there was a sharp whistling against the eaves.She took a step back instinctively, and murmured incessantly: "I'm afraid Yin'er has to go with you."It's not that I don't want to spare her, it's the rules of my ancestors that I can't change.At this time, the wind outside the window became more violent, as if the floor tiles of the main hall vibrated slightly amidst the frightening noise before a summer storm came.Evil door!It's already early winter, how could this happen? Could it be that Xiuzi's ghost is really at work.Thinking of this, she instinctively made a majestic look on her face, as if Xiuzi was standing in front of her. Xiuzi, hurry up!I am the Queen Mother, and I am not afraid of you.She waved her sleeves and stepped back from the window as she spoke.A strange thing happened. Not long after her words fell, the wind outside stopped abruptly. She walked to the edge of the mahogany shelf, picked up a string of Buddhist beads, and muttered, still thinking about the strange scene just now. wind.On the one hand, she felt that Xiuzi was really filial, and she stopped causing trouble when she saw her showing off her power, and on the other hand, she felt sorry for her and asked her to marry a useless person. Cixi was standing there in a daze when the door creaked behind her.She was startled, thinking that Xiuzi had come in from the door, she blurted out: Who?As the door curtain was lifted, Chashui Zhang walked in with a smile, holding a tea tray in both hands, and kneeled down for Cixi. The slave Zhang Deshun sees Lafayette. What are you doing here?Cixi stared at the tea chapter in shock. Chashuizhang hurriedly said that Xiao Hui would come back and ask him to come here to buy tea.Only then did she realize that she had sent him to offer tea.In fact, she didn't want to drink tea, but she just took this opportunity to talk to him. Firstly, she was upset, and secondly, Chashui Zhang would leave Chuxiu Palace together with Heping'er the day after tomorrow, and go to work in the Hall of Mental Cultivation. A newcomer is about to be replaced, and I feel somewhat reluctant to part with him. Chashui Zhang had already made hot tea in the outhouse, put the tea on the side of the coffee table, and handed the tureen to Cixi with both hands. Cixi took the teacup and took a sip, trying to calm herself down. This is the Eight Treasures Tea presented by the governor of Sichuan.This is the first time to serve you.Chashuizhang knew that Cixi had always strictly followed the schedule, and she must be in a bad mood because of Yin'er and Xiuzi's affairs if she didn't go to bed so late. knew.go down.She called Cha Shui Zhang to talk to him, but for some reason, she didn't want to talk to him anymore. twitter!Cha Shuizhang asked to kneel down, and retreated sideways to the door.As soon as he reached the door, Cixi stopped him.He quickly turned around and stood still, saying: The slave is serving Lafayette. Is Yin'er betting on you?Cixi asked. Back to Lafayette, she is betting in the warehouse next to the birthday tea house. Zhang Deshun, you heard me clearly, this is her own courting of death, it is not anyone who is against her. twitter. You go back and tell her that she is dead and I will send her well. twitter. Why are you still not leaving? The slave wants to talk to Lafayette. If you intercede with Yin'er, it will be a waste of time! Lafayette!How dare a slave.The servant will leave your side the day after tomorrow. Tonight is the last time this servant will serve you. I just want to ask. Today is the memorial day for Empress Xiaozhenxian.Does the Longevity Tea Room also have to offer tea soup when offering in the Buddhist hall?Chashuizhang knew that Cixi wanted to spare Yin'er, but no one dared to touch the ancestor's rules.Even though Cixi was very strict in the palace, she never dared to deviate in this respect, even in trivial matters such as getting up in the morning and going to bed at night, so she always got up at five in the morning and went to bed at nine in the evening.This is why she has been in power for many years and has always had a good reputation in this regard.He didn't talk about interceding for Yin'er, but before coming here, he thought that today was the memorial day of Empress Xiaozhen. If Cixi wanted to spare Yin'er, it was obviously a very good excuse. Sure enough, as he expected, Cixi seemed very surprised, because this kind of sacrifice to the ancestors was very complicated, and all of them were notified by the Rites under the Clan Mansion to the relevant departments.It is not a big event for Empress Xiaozhenxian of the previous dynasty to sacrifice her birthday, so it is not surprising that Cixi didn't know about it. what? What?Whose memorial day do you say? Empress Xiao Zhenxian of Daoguang's ancestor. Not bad day, right?Cixi's heart couldn't help but move. In the Buddhist hall are the statues of the twenty queens and masters of the ancestors and ancestors, and the slaves remember the days. If you want to offer it, of course you have to offer it, just offer the eight-treasure tea from Sichuan!Cixi was secretly happy that she finally found a chance to spare Yin'er's life.In a sense, instead of raving Yin'er's life, she could say that she fulfilled a wish for Xiuzi, fulfilling the fate she entrusted to her in her dream. Lafayette!The servant should go.Seeing that Cixi was moved by his persuasion, Chashuizhang secretly rejoiced for Yin'er, and finally helped her save her life. Zhang Deshun!You will go to the emperor's side the day after tomorrow.Cixi was grateful to the other party for solving a problem for herself, but her face remained calm, and she asked him about going to Guangxu's side as an errand. Lafayette, in fact, the slave is familiar with the stove soup pot. It is really difficult for the slave to take care of so many things and assign other slaves!Thinking that today is the last time for me to serve tea for Empress Dowager Cixi, and I will have to start all over again when I get to the emperor, I feel an indescribable feeling in my heart. You are a good person, but you are also here if you say you are worthless.Think about it, you can't let you boil water and cook soup for the rest of your life. You have been in the palace for more than 20 years, and you have always been an eighth rank in the inner court. Now that you go, you will become a palace supervisor and head servant by the side of Long Live Lord, and you will be promoted to a sixth rank , what's wrong with that?If there is anything going on there in the future, you can just tell Li Lianying, he has a lot of ideas, so ask him about everything. The servant obeys the order, and must consult Director Li a lot for everything.Cha Shui Zhang could hear the overtones, it seemed that Cixi put him next to the emperor, which had a deeper meaning.Thinking this way in his heart, he naturally didn't dare to ask more questions, and after asking for his knees, he went all the way back to the tea room. After Chashuizhang left, Cixi's tense nerves suddenly relaxed.Especially after the strange wind just now, she was very nervous. She said she was not afraid, but she was actually a little scared in her heart.In this way, she found a reason to spare Yin'er, and also fulfilled Xiuzi's wish. She went to the statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva and inserted a stick of incense, then clasped her hands together, and chanted Amitabha Buddha in her mouth. After a while, Li Lianying raised the door curtain and walked in. After kneeling down for Cixi, he told her in a low voice that people from the Punishment Department of the Clan Mansion were waiting outside to torture Yin'er, and asked Lafayette to forgive her. What happened?Yin'er is still on errand. Lafayette!The ancestral monk Li Lianying, the second monk, couldn't figure it out. Don't get in the way of the rules!Yin'er is burning paper for her ancestors today!Cixi said unhurriedly, feeling displeased with his boss in her heart.She has always been unwilling to let others lead her by the nose, plus the matter of Wang Rui's family, so she instinctively resented him urging her to speak. She burned paper money for her ancestors, why didn't the servant know about it?Li Lianying could never fathom the temperament of the uncompromising mistress of Chuxiu Palace, she blinked her eyes and thought for a while, but couldn't figure out why, so she had to bite the bullet and ask. have no idea?Find someone who understands and inquires.The more the errand is done, the more I will go back!Cixi glanced at him, deliberately not talking about Empress Xian Xiaozhen's funeral.Seeing the astonishment on his face, she couldn't express her pride in her heart. For a servant, even the most caring servant like Li Lianying, couldn't let him fully understand herself.Needless to say such big things, even small things like eating and drinking tea, she never said which dish was good when faced with dozens of plates of delicacies, and no matter how much she liked, she would eat at most two bites, and she would never touch the third chopsticks.No matter how much tea you like, you have to go around every five days, and you have to change to another kind of tea when the period is up.Otherwise, once your likes and dislikes are clearly grasped by the slaves, one day they may be exploited and become your weakness.So let the minions know some of your thoughts, but never let them fully understand your thoughts. Early in the morning, the tea order was sent back by Xiao Hui to the residence of Li Lianying, the head of the inner court. The head of the inner court is located on the side of the Chonghua Palace, which is close to the Xitiemen, to the north of the West Sixth Palace.Empress Dowager Cixi lived in the West Sixth Palace, while the Hall of Mental Cultivation where Guangxu lived was only a side street away from the West Sixth Palace. Naturally, the value room was set here with these two as the center of consideration.After exiting the Xitie Gate, you can exit the Imperial City through the Shenwu Gate, which is very convenient to enter and exit. Li Lianying drank his morning tea, held an agate snuff bottle in his hand, put it under the tip of his nose and sniffed vigorously, a minty fragrance rushed from his nostrils to his forehead.He stood by the display rack in the value room, carefully looking at the chime clock made in Germany.He stretched out his hand to wind up the clock, and the melodious ding-dong music sounded immediately inside the clock. At the same time, out of the glass cover came out a line of dancing male and female figures, all with fair skin and yellow hair. The men wore tuxedos and the women wore Western-style long skirt.Looking at the little blond-haired and blue-eyed foreigners inside the glass cover, he felt much better. 茶水章掀起門簾，悄悄地走進，站在門邊輕輕叫了一聲：總管！您讓小回回叫我來有事？ 李蓮英轉身見是茶水章，立即招手讓他過來：老哥！你這就見外了不是？叫我蓮英，要不就叫我老叔。來，你來這兒看看，這是老佛爺賞給我的報時鐘，是德國人造的。這玩意兒比宮中的水漏準多了不說，還能轉出許多小人來。你看，這裡頭的小人活靈活現的，可惜這些小人兒唱什麼聽不懂，要是能像大戲台上角兒會唱京戲就太棒了，你說是不？ 那是那是，看來這些高鼻子黃頭髮的洋人不光會開槍放炮使蠻力，做起工來也挺精巧的茶水章連連點頭，心裡卻想著他叫他來這兒究竟有什麼事。 老哥，李蓮英嘆口氣說，這些洋人是我們老佛爺一塊心病。現在朝廷中有人主張學洋人，其實老佛爺也不反對，只不過不能讓祖宗大法全給改了你說是不是？ 那是那是！ 一名小太監進來替他們沏了一壺茶，替他們各人倒了一杯放在茶几上，然後悄無聲息地走出去，李蓮英與茶水章在茶几邊坐下。 Brother!最近好一陣子沒跟你單獨說話了，挺想你的，所以讓你過來坐坐，喝杯茶，這可是上好的龍井茶啊。 好茶，好茶。茶水章雙手捧著茶杯抿了一口，然後放下茶杯，低聲問道，老叔，您叫我來就為讓我品茶？品茶當然是其次，主要是恭喜你高昇啦！ 老叔！茶水章盯著李蓮英，這又是您的保舉。我好好的茶水房不讓幹，愣把我擱火上烤。我是那個材料兒嗎？ 是萬歲爺自個兒看上你，硬是從老佛爺身邊把你要過去的。李蓮英端著小茶壺一邊喝水一邊笑著說，其實老佛爺心裡捨不得，但為了你前程，才讓你去的。你在壽茶房是八品侍監，熬到頭兒不過賞你個七品。到了養心殿，上來就是宮監，正六品！連升幾級呀。你說哪頭兒挑子熱？ 反正我說不過你。咱們茶壺裡煮餃子心裡有數，就是別倒出來！ 還有美事兒呢。儲秀宮這邊兒，你的錢糧照發！ 這裡邊兒又憋著什麼寶呢？ That's right.養心殿那邊兒有什麼大動靜，你別忘了賞我個信兒！ What?茶水章一愣，鬧了半天，你讓我給你當眼線呀？ 這有什麼不好。一手托兩家。 得了吧，我老章幹不了，您另請高明吧。 不不，就是你了。 我還是留在儲秀宮燒水，這就跟老佛爺辭去。 你呀你，李蓮英笑得一口水噴出來，你混！你也不琢磨琢磨，要不是老佛爺，我敢往皇上身邊兒臥個底嗎？老佛爺瞧上你了，你幹也得幹，不幹也得幹，還得告訴你，要是幹砸了，別往老佛爺那兒推。我也不認賬！茶水章呆呆地坐在那兒兩眼發直，這才想起慈禧昨兒晚上說的話，頓時覺得自己被李蓮英裝進了套子，而且一定是他出的餿主意。看見對方一動不動地坐在那兒，臉上說不出的凝重，李蓮英放開嗓門大笑起來，伸手拍著茶水章的肩膀： Scared?是不是擔心現在暗中替老佛爺做事，有一天老佛爺不在了，萬歲爺掌了大權，讓萬歲爺知道就完了 老叔！你我多年的交情，既跟定你，出什麼事我都不在乎。茶水章硬著頭皮說，其實心裡非常厭惡這種差事。 well!李蓮英滿意地點點頭，就要聽你這句話。你讓我放心，我也讓你放心，以後無論出什麼事，我也絕不會供出你。你只要自己小心，不要讓萬歲爺和他身邊的人知道這一層關係就行了。 老叔，茶水章猶豫半天，終於硬著頭皮說：我想來想去，覺得你還是把我調回老佛爺身邊好。 Why?李蓮英瞇著兩隻長眼，額頭下面像裂了一道縫。 跟你說實話，我這人嘴笨心實，實在當不了這份差事 看你又來了。忘了老佛爺怎麼說的！ 老佛爺說得不錯，我天生沒出息，只能是個燒水熬湯的命，不像你，生就做大事的料。 Brother!李蓮英盯著茶水章，神色凝重地，你該明白，有些事一旦起了頭，非做到底不可。就像我，既然坐上這個位子，只要不被別人拉下，只能一條道走到黑。 老叔！您想過沒有，老佛爺跟萬歲爺是一家子，娘兒倆，無論什麼事鬧翻了，不多會兒就好了，你我夾在中間，到頭來兩頭不是人。right?茶水章不敢說自己不願當眼線，反過來以站在李蓮英的立場上說出其中的利害。 果然，茶水章這幾句話一下子說到李蓮英心裡。他盯著茶水章，半天沒說話，心裡卻翻江倒海。 近來接二連三出事，秀子的死和吟兒闖下的禍，攪得他心煩意亂。昨晚上慈禧出人意料地饒了吟兒，他當時不明白怎麼回事兒，後來一查才知道昨兒是道光老祖宗顯孝貞皇后的祭日，這樣吟兒才撿回一條命。這件事令他擔心，隨著慈禧年紀越來越老，脾氣也越來越怪，經常心血來潮，說變臉就變臉。正如茶水章所說，眼下皇上主理朝政，她是既想放下心來享清福，又放不下心不管朝政，心情非常矛盾。特別圍繞著新政之爭，她骨子裡不贊成，但又不願正面出來反對光緒。朝廷上不順心的事積在心裡，只能在一些小事情上發作，故意找光緒的茬。比如光緒成天不理皇后，專寵珍主子，為了這慈禧讓他暗中派人盯梢，查出珍妃一個月到底和皇上在一起多少天。其實這些事對皇上來說根本算不上什麼事，歷朝歷代，從來沒人過問，而她偏偏要管。他不敢不聽命慈禧，但這樣做肯定會得罪光緒，因此無論他怎麼做，正如茶水章所說，到頭來他只能夾在中間兩頭受氣。 他十三歲進宮，今年整四十一個年頭。想到自己已經五十四歲，官居內廷二品，這可是大清國歷朝歷代所沒有的，他不能不感激慈禧特別的恩寵。但另一方面，慈禧今年已經六十二歲，雖說身體很硬朗，但畢竟不年輕。皇上才二十六歲，不用說眼下萬歲爺主政，就是他暫不問朝政，這大清國江山遲早也是他的天下。他不能不給自己留條後路。 他其實心裡早就想好了一個萬全之策。他嘴上卻沒有說，臉上更沒有流露出任何表情。他看一眼茶水章，仍在揣摸他說的話，並在心裡再三提醒自己：千萬別小瞧了這個人。 茶水章回到茶水房，站在窗前瞅著鳥籠裡那隻畫眉，這是吟兒送他的。聽著小鳥無憂無慮的叫聲，想到明兒他就要離開這兒，從此再也不會回到儲秀宮了，心中湧出一股淡淡的惆悵。 他十八歲進宮，連頭帶尾二十三年，幹過各種差事，就數伺候慈禧時間最長，連頭帶尾十四年，先是在長春宮，後來搬到儲秀宮，他已經習慣了壽茶房，這兒似乎成為他生命的一部分。特別像現在，外面刮著西北風，屋裡炭火燒得紅紅的暖暖的，爐邊冒出淡藍的火舌帶有一種特別的木質的香味，一溜紅泥爐上的砂鍋冒著熱氣，熱氣中透出各種各樣的香味兒。他不用舌頭嘗，憑著氣味兒便能分辨出湯水的鹹淡酸甜，知道哪個砂罐該添哪些料，什麼時候加水，哪個爐子要壓火、添炭等等。總之，他好像命中注定屬於這兒，他也樂得在這兒待一輩子。這一切，將隨著他的離開結束了。 他本來以為回萬歲爺身邊當差，自己一心一意好好侍候萬歲爺，盡一個當奴才的本分就行了，沒想李蓮英卻暗示要他當眼線，皇上那邊有什麼情況要向他報告。他心裡生出一種怨恨，恨李蓮英不該做了套子讓他鑽。他早就聽說慈禧與光緒政見不同，但其中的是非曲直他不清楚，正如朝廷的事國家的事他不清楚一樣。他也不想弄清楚，這些大事是主子的事，從來沒奴才的份，何況大清國歷代都有嚴格的規矩，內臣干預朝政者都要受到極為嚴厲的懲罰。 在慈禧與光緒的複雜糾葛中，他不敢背叛老佛爺，也不想對不起萬歲爺。過去他在茶水房燒火，對他不是個問題，現在卻無法迴避這一現實，偏偏李蓮英又找到他，硬要將他拖進這個他竭力避免捲入的漩渦中。what to do?他苦苦思忖著，似乎幹也不行，不幹也不妥，越想越覺得前面的路非常凶險。 他雙手捧著水煙袋，悶悶地吸煙，一邊望著掛在窗前的鳥籠中那隻活蹦亂跳的畫眉，心裡不由得羨慕起籠中的鳥兒。儘管牠關在籠子裡，自己站在籠子外，從某種意義上說，鳥兒比自己要自由得多，也自在得多。 他正想得出神，突然有人輕輕叫他。他慌忙轉身，只見吟兒來了，因為他心思太重，那一雙聽力極好的耳朵居然沒聽見她的腳步聲。 Uncle Zhang!吟兒伸手挑著額前的髮絲，苦澀地一笑，再往下便不知該說些什麼好，沒話找話，您在這兒聽鳥叫呢。 是呀，瞧著牠那活泛勁兒，叫不叫都讓人高興。 That is.她難為情地笑笑。正如他所說，籠子裡畫眉壓根兒沒叫。 躲過了前天晚上那一場死到臨頭的大難，她一下子瘦了許多，平時白淨的臉皮子頓時變得灰暗，像生了一場大病。瞅著她那副不知所措的表情，想起她關在這兒的經歷，茶水章一方面替她慶幸，另一方面覺得她可憐，為了不讓她傷心，他故意不提前晚上的事兒，裝出一副隨意的樣子問：老佛爺這會兒讓你在哪兒當差？ 出了這麼大的事，吟兒自然受到懲罰，劉姑姑將她暫時從慈禧身邊調開，讓她去做粗活，就像她剛來時跟著平兒抹地擦灰之類的。她說了自己的情況，然後神祕地告訴他，說道光老祖宗的皇后娘娘救了她，因為那天是顯孝貞皇后的祭日：昨晚上的事兒太玄了！多虧了李總管，要不是他在老佛爺面前提起這件事，我早就完了。 說到這事兒她仍然驚魂未定，茶水章笑了笑，心想李蓮英也太能討好人了，明明是他想到了這一點，說動了慈禧，功勞卻讓他搶跑了，茶水章本想問她這話兒從哪兒聽來的，想想覺得沒意思。他心裡清楚，是慈禧不想她死，才藉著這個由頭饒了她，要是換另一個人，或是慈禧沒有心存這個念頭，哪怕十個吟兒也沒命了。所以吟兒得救的原因不在他這兒，更與李蓮英沾不上邊，甚至連老佛爺也算不上，這是她的命，她命中注定不該死。 Uncle Zhang!聽說您高昇了？she asked. 瞧你說的，在哪兒不是當差，升得再高也是奴才。他臉上笑，心裡卻非常苦，特別想到今後兩頭為難的日子，更加覺得還是這間茶水房好。 The same cannot be said.都是奴才，奴才跟奴才大不一樣。she says. 李蓮英、崔玉貴這些人也是奴才，秀子和自己也是奴才，這能比嗎？當然，後面這些話她沒敢說，只能藏在心裡。兩人沉默了一會兒，她又說起前天晚上的事，說章叔對她非常關照，說他心地好，將她對他的感激和謝意說了一番。她幾次想提起求他捎口信的事，又不敢說。其實她來看他，除了心裡感激他，替他送個行，主要的目的是為了從他那兒討回那支玉簪。死到臨頭，她無奈中托他帶給榮慶，並讓他捎話給他。現在大難逃脫，越想越覺得不妥，他明兒就要離開這兒，雖說都在宮中，再想見面就不像現在這樣方便了，所以想趁他沒走之前將玉簪討回來。 長期在宮中當差的茶水章，一向能從別人嘴裡聽出別人沒說出的話。他見吟兒圍著前晚上的事說了一圈，說了許多不沾邊的話，偏偏不提她求他給榮軍爺送信的事，而且嘴上說要告辭，卻一點沒有走的意思，心裡立即明白了一多半。她來這兒為了那支玉簪。宮女與外面男人互通私情是犯法的。她那晚上死到臨頭，顧不得許多，這會兒沒事了，自然要向他討回去，不留下把柄。想到這兒，他主動提起送信物的事： 現在沒事了，前晚上你託我辦的事大概不用辦了吧？ 章叔，我一提這事兒她臉騰地紅了，不知該怎麼回答。 茶水章看出她神色挺為難，知道她說是也不是，不說也不是，既然如此，他何必太認真。他讓她在門口等一會，轉身進了睡房，取了玉簪走出來遞給她，一語雙關地叮囑她： Yiner!這是老佛爺賞的，千萬收好了。 謝謝章叔，我我前兒晚上急昏了頭，嚇壞了，滿嘴胡說了許多不中聽的話，您千萬別在意。她嗑嗑巴巴地解釋著，甚至想說根本沒榮軍爺這個人，話到嘴邊覺得太矯情，還不如什麼都不說。他既然肯答應幫她捎話到宮外，總不至於反過來害她。她在心裡安慰自己，但想到這次佛堂哭祭，恰恰是平日對她非常關照，倆人像親姐妹似的平兒告上去的，心裡又本能地警覺起來。 其實那會兒我也上火，什麼也沒聽見。茶水章接著對方話頭，索性將她託他捎信到宮外的事推得一乾二淨，這不僅對她好，對自己也好，因為一旦事發，她要治重罪，他也跑不了。 吟兒站在那兒，手中緊緊握著那隻玉簪，心裡說不出的激動，前天兒將它交給茶水章，現在又回到自己手中，正如自己經歷的這場大難不死的劫數。怨不得人人都說章叔人好。吟兒望著他那張忠厚的臉，想起自己進宮後他處處關照自己幫自己，特別是那天晚上面臨大難，他冒著極大的風險幫她，現在她沒事了，不等她開口便將玉簪還給她，並一口咬定他什麼也不知道。想到這兒，她雙膝一軟，兩腿不由自主地面對他跪下：章叔！謝謝您，我一輩子也忘不了您的大恩大德！ 剛過了一個坑，又碰上一個坎。 當吟兒聽嫂子說榮慶家要退婚，頓時呆若木雞，渾身像澆了一頭涼水站在刺骨的寒風中。她好不容易從前一陣的大難中回過神，成天兢兢業業地從頭做起，在宮中幹著最粗最重的活，沒想到一聲驚雷從天上劈下。 嗚嗚的東北風一陣緊似一陣，天色愈加灰暗，眼見要下雪了。吟兒與家裡人在城牆豁口見面後，一路匆匆趕回儲秀宮，心情比這下雪前的天空更加凝重和灰暗，她幾乎不知道自己是怎麼走回來的。 她站在下房向南的窗邊，瞅著窗外的天色，想著剛才嫂子見面時明確的暗示，心裡說不出的沮喪和痛苦。似乎榮慶家父母不肯再等下去，要退婚，並準備替榮慶另擇一門親事。其實嫂子的話令她吃驚卻並不意外。因為二個多月前和母親見面時她已經有種預感。老人隻字不提有關榮慶的情況，她不停地追問，母親總是吱吱唔唔地岔開話題，硬是不接她話茬。嫂子為了安慰她，說榮慶也許不知道這件事，可能是他們家裡人的主意。 對於這一點她倒是堅信不疑，因為他跟自己一起對天發過誓，無論她在宮中當多少年差，他一定等她，不但這輩子跟她在一起，下一輩子也要在一起。不過他態度再堅決也沒用，按旗下風俗，這種婚姻大事一向由父母做主，何況他人遠在承德，即便想過問也是鞭長莫及，想管也管不了啊！ 為了怕女兒傷心，母親特意沒來宮中看她，而且拖了三個多月才由嫂子出面告訴她婚變情況。家裡人所以告訴她，因為這事兒早晚要讓她知道，更主要是為了讓她安心在宮中當差，斷了榮慶這邊的想頭。但對她來說，她在這座與世隔絕的深宮中，甚至在這個世上，榮慶是她唯一的想頭，沒了這個想頭，她活著還有什麼意思？ 想起她和他一起跪在地下對著老天爺發誓的情景，這一切好像就發生在昨天。大半年前她還滿心喜悅地等著成為他的新娘，如今榮家一退婚，她跟他再也沒法在一起了。她在這兒成天小心翼翼地捏著心眼做人，一絲不苟地替主子當差，不就為了出去能嫁到榮家，日後能跟他在一起過上好日子？想來想去，越想越覺得老天爺瞎了眼，存心不讓她活下去！ 她靠在炕牆上，兩眼盯著上方的房梁，心裡像一團亂麻，怎麼也理不出個頭緒來。她恨自己沒出息，前一陣子因為哭秀姑姑慈禧要治她罪，她竟嚇得渾身發軟。其實她那會兒真要死了，茶水章想辦法捎話給他，也好讓他們家人後悔一陣子，榮慶會為自己傷心掉淚，這不也挺好，現在兩家退了婚，他跟她再也沒關係，她死了也就死了。 對，我死了，消息傳到他們家，傳到他耳朵裡，正好說明是他害死了我。榮慶呀榮慶，我死也得死個樣兒給你看看，一股熱勃勃的血沿著她脖頸子往上爬，將她耳根和腮幫燒得一片灼熱。她從炕上找出一條粉紅色腰帶，搬了一張椅子放到炕面上，人站在椅子上，然後將腰帶拋上頭頂的橫樑。她一連拋了幾次，終於將腰帶套住橫樑，打了一個死結。她雙手握住腰帶圈，兩眼死死盯著那粉紅色的綢帶，本能地倒抽一口涼氣，只要她脖子往圈套裡一伸，一了百了，一切都了結了。 就在這一瞬間，她突然看見一個人影從窗口飄進。Aunt Xiu!她嚇得差點沒叫出聲，秀姑姑笑笑，向她搖搖手，好像在跟她說什麼。她急忙鬆開手，從椅子上爬下，想問問清楚她說什麼。她向站在窗邊的秀姑姑走去，秀子突然不見了，像她來時一樣從窗口飄然而去。 吟兒站在那兒發呆，心裡思索著秀子剛才向自己搖手的意思，不明白秀子究竟是讓她別害怕，還是勸她別上吊？她走到架在炕面上的椅子旁，只覺得渾身疲軟，四肢無力。她看一眼懸在頭上的粉紅色腰帶，再也沒力氣，也沒先前那股勇氣爬上去。半年多來她在宮中經歷了這麼多磨難，前一陣子剛剛逃過了鬼門關，她實在不想死，也不甘心就這樣不明不白地撒手人寰。不，我不能死！她腦海裡突然掠過一個念頭，她必須活下去，為了一個理由，也許這是她活下去的唯一理由。