Chapter 20 Chapter 20 Bitter Fruit

In the morning of late autumn, there is a light gray mist on the lake, mixed with the willows wrapped in autumn colors, like an ink painting.Guangxu stood by the white jade railing by Yingtai Lake, looking at the quiet water and the water birds flying around against the water surface, feeling indescribably dignified in his heart. He couldn't figure out what Cixi's plan was, neither announced his abdication to the outside world, nor let him return to the palace, leaving him alone on this small island surrounded by water.Externally, she still issued imperial edicts in his name. When any important event happened, Cixi sent someone to take him to the shore in a small boat, and then sent him to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to issue various decrees according to Cixi's wishes.

Yesterday, he was taken to the Hall of Mental Cultivation by Cixi. According to Cixi's wishes, he signed and affixed his seal on the holy edicts.Looking at the imperial edicts drafted by others, he felt an indescribable sadness in his heart.These words signed by himself are all decrees to negate the New Deal and abolish the policies he had previously implemented.In Cixi's words, this is called rectifying chaos.Cixi asked him to order the arrest of Kang Youwei, Tan Sitong and others.These people are all the ministers and generals he relies on, including the Rong guard who risked his life to deliver the secret edict for him.It was tantamount to slapping himself and cutting his flesh with a blunt knife, but he had to do it.

How is that place?Is it to your liking?After letting him finish all the things that should be done, Cixi asked about Guangxu's daily life. Huang's father was very thoughtful, Yingtai was surrounded by water, just for Erchen to think about his mistakes behind closed doors.Guangxu felt that it was a bit boring to ask these questions when the matter had reached such a point, but he had to deal with it. In fact, it is nourishing the heart.You have been in the Hall of Mental Cultivation for several years in vain, but you haven't clarified these two words!Facing this helpless son, Ci Xi felt an indescribable satisfaction in her heart as she gripped the bruised mouse like a cat under its sharp claws.Rather than saying that she hates him, it is more accurate to say that she looks down on him from the bottom of her heart, and even has some pity for him.

The sons and ministers are ignorant.Guangxu lowered his head and really didn't want to speak.It's just because of a thought in my heart, that is to intercede for Concubine Zhen at the right time, so I try my best to deal with the other party. You are not stupid, but your mind is too disturbed, just take care of yourself.How many more years can I live in my seventies?Sooner or later, you will have to pick the pick, and if you mess around at that time, there will be no one to help you.Cixi herself knew that this was a lie, but every time she talked about it, she said it with great interest, as if it was true.Whether she is used to or likes this way of speaking, I'm afraid even she herself can't figure it out.

Guangxu said thank you to the emperor's father for the lesson, but he was still thinking about the idea of ​​pestering him, and wanted to take the opportunity to ask Cixi to promise him something. Send Guangxu back to Yingtai, and tell him to serve the emperor well. Father Huang, Guangxu pondered for a long time, and finally mustered up the courage to speak out what was on his mind. My son has a request, please grant permission to Father Huang. Speak.Cixi glanced at Guangxu with a kind face. The son-in-law requested that the precious man and the son-in-law live together in Yingtai, which can be regarded as living in the cold palace together.Guangxu seemed to be encouraged by the friendly expression on Cixi's face, and made a request that he had long wanted to say but did not dare to say.

That's what I guessed.Cixi sighed.She likes to play with this son, but this son always gives her many opportunities to play. The emperor's father agreed to his son.Seeing that Cixi didn't say yes or no, Guangxu hurriedly asked. Not yet.No matter when Cixi, even if the knife rests on Guangxu's neck, she always leaves her son with a glimmer of hope.This is probably not just a habit, but probably more of a trick and a method. Which day will it work?Guangxu asked stupidly, staring at Cixi, hoping to get some kind of hint and promise from her. Then you have to ask yourselves!It takes seventy-seven forty-nine days to practice alchemy, and it is ninety-nine and eighty-one difficult to learn.When the evil fire in my heart turns into ice balls and snow water, it's never too late for you to get together.Obviously she couldn't agree to Guangxu, but she said a lot with relish.

Before Cixi finished speaking, Guangxu already understood that this matter was hopeless.He understands Empress Dowager Cixi, you have to pretend to be hopeful about things that are hopeless, otherwise she will not only refuse to agree to you, but will punish Concubine Zhen severely.Concubine Zhen suffered the most because she couldn't pretend to be confused.In order not to hurt Concubine Zhen, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and beg Cixi to give Concubine Zhen some face.I asked Yin'er to serve her, what worries do you have?Cixi may be tired of playing, waved his sleeves to let Guangxu leave.

Guangxu returned to the house and stood there looking at the dilapidated building.Looking at the old and dilapidated walls and the dusty beams, he thought of Concubine Zhen more and more. The cold palace where Concubine Zhen lives is called Beisan. There is a yard full of grass, which was originally used to store sundries. The storage room is many times worse than Yingtai. He walked through the corridor and entered the study, his eyes suddenly lit up, and he couldn't believe his eyes for a long time.I don't know when, there was this organ moved from Jingren Palace in the corner.He hurriedly asked the tea badge beside him, and the tea badge told him that someone had brought it here today.Chashui Zhang wanted to tell Guangxu that he begged for it from the respect room through Li Lianying, but after thinking about it, he felt like he was asking for credit on purpose, so he held back and didn't say anything.

The servant felt that being idle over there was also idle, so he moved here to be the emperor's companion.Guangxu's heart moved, thinking that this Zhang Deshun had bad ears and a stupid mouth, but his heart was full of aura. Through the major changes in these days, he seemed to have a new understanding of this old servant around him, at least one thing, At the critical moment, he was still facing himself.Guangxu walked to the wall, sat down in front of the organ, and instinctively struck a string of keys. emperor!Seeing a smile on Guangxu's face, Cha Shui Zhang hurriedly said, it can be regarded as a talking one, so you can talk to it if you have something to say.

Guangxu played the piece of Biyuntian and Huanghuadi, and the scene of playing the piano and singing with Zhener on the day of the accident floated up in his heart, and he felt unspeakable bitterness.Amidst the melodious sound of the piano, he seemed to hear Concubine Zhen's sweet voice again, arousing his boundless melancholy. At this moment, apart from worrying about Concubine Zhen, he was also worried about the fate of Tan Sitong, Kang Youwei and Rong Qing, including his teacher Weng Tonghe.As he was placed under house arrest, a large group of people who followed him to carry out the New Deal were arrested one after another. Among them, Tan Sitong, Yang Shenxiu and Lin Xu had been arrested, while Kang Youwei and Rong Qing had never been whereabouts.On the day of the accident, Cha Shuizhang had already run to Lieyang Guild Hall in the confusion and informed Tan Sitong to leave immediately. He had every chance to leave Beijing, but he insisted on refusing to leave.He asked Zhang Deshun to tell Guangxu that there will always be bloodshed in the revolution, and he, Tan, would like to shed blood for it. Guangxu was very moved when he heard this.Cixi repeatedly asked him to order the execution of Tan Sitong and others. Guangxu, who was very weak on other issues, categorically refused on this issue. He would never allow his hands to be stained with Tan Sitong's blood.

Thinking of the ups and downs these days, Guangxu no longer has the heart to play the piano.He closed the organ cover, walked to the corridor outside the study, looked at the afterglow of the setting sun in the quiet lake, and closed his eyes in pain.In the past, Zhen'er reminded him countless times not to have too many illusions about Cixi, but he never believed it.In any case, Cixi brought herself up single-handedly and sent him to the pinnacle of power. It is impossible for her to turn against his son for the sake of those conservative ministers.Especially before the implementation of the New Deal, he and Cixi confided his thoughts in a heart-to-heart manner. Instead of objecting, she also expressed that she would definitely support him as long as the Qing Dynasty could be strengthened.That day, when he returned to the palace from the Summer Palace, he was so excited that he didn't sleep well all night. Concubine Zhen didn't take it seriously at the time.For this reason, he felt that she was too small-minded, that she was prejudiced against Cixi and so on.That night he had a bad fight with Concubine Zhen.However, the reality in front of him was unfortunately all what Concubine Zhen said, which ruthlessly shattered his fantasy about Cixi. If I could listen to Concubine Zhen more, what would happen now?Guangxu looked at the sunset that was gradually darkening in the sky, assuming all this could start from scratch, he still didn't know if the result would be much better than it is now. The Leng Palace where Concubine Zhen lives has only the name of the palace.This place, known as the North Sansuo, is actually an empty grassy courtyard in the north of the West Sixth Palace. In the courtyard, there are several isolated bungalows with mud walls and earth kangs.One can hardly tell the history of these houses.Whether it was the shed where the imperial palace was originally built, or the temporary residence of the craftsmen who repaired it later, in short, these houses are rarely visited by people, and they were once used as warehouses for storing Chinese medicinal materials in the longevity pharmacy of the Taiyuan Hospital. sundries.This place is isolated from the outside world, and is always under Cixi's surveillance, so Cixi asked the respect room to send someone to clear out one of the bungalows and imprison Concubine Zhen here. Concubine Zhen was wearing a blue cloth gown, holding a sheet of tarpaulin in her hand, like a court lady, vigorously wiping the dust on the old square table and the edge of the Kang in the house. She was originally in Fujian Palace, but moved here a few days ago. There are a total of three rooms inside and outside the bungalow.Although the only gate leading to the Sixth West Palace in the compound was guarded by eunuchs during the day and night, the outer gate was still locked to prevent Concubine Zhen from walking freely. Concubine Zhen knew that the reform had completely failed. Guangxu had put Cixi under house arrest on an island called Yingtai in Zhongnanhai. All the ministers who had been dismissed by the emperor had returned to their posts. I thought about dying.Later, when she learned that Cixi was deterred by foreigners' pressure, she did not abolish Guangxu's throne, nor did she intend to re-establish the emperor, a glimmer of hope arose in her heart.She told herself that no matter how hard or tired she was, she had to live on. For the sake of Guangxu, she had to live on. She was only in her early twenties, and the emperor was only twenty-seven years old. As long as the emperor was still alive, she could survive no matter what. Empress Dowager Cixi in her sixties. As long as Lafayette dies, the world will still belong to the emperor.It doesn't matter if you say she is naive, or you say she was lucky, anyway, she thinks so, and she does it the same way.She insisted on working every day, eating even the poorest meals, and lying in bed with her eyes closed when it was time to sleep, just to wait until that day. Concubine Zhen heard someone unlock the door of the outer room, and she knew it must be Yin'er.Because no one is allowed to contact her except her. Ever since she moved here, Yin'er has been sent by the respect room to serve her. In fact, Yin'er was not only sent to serve her, but also came here to monitor her. She saved Yin'er, thinking that Yin'er would be one with her, but Yin'er betrayed her by taking the opportunity of entering the imperial hospital.All these things were told to her by a maid named Liu Ye'er who served her temporarily when she was imprisoned in the Fujian Palace.She didn't know where the other party heard about it, let alone why the other party wanted to tell her. In short, when she heard that Yin'er had betrayed her, she felt an indescribable resentment in her heart.She is so kind to Yin'er and Rongqing, she never thought that this little bitch would let a dog eat her, and she would bite her back in return for revenge. Yin'er's face was full of guilt, it turned out that she had done such a shameful thing. As soon as Yin'er entered the door, she first asked Concubine Zhen to kneel down, and then asked Concubine Zhen to stop what she was doing, saying that she would do the work.Concubine Zhen ignored her and continued with the work at hand. Master, let the servants do it.Yin'er cautiously reached out to take the thatch from the opponent's hand.I don't know why, since she came to serve Master Zhen in Beisan, Master Zhen has never given her a good look, and usually sees her as if he doesn't see her, and ignores her.Could it be that she treated her like this because she let Xiao Hui know about the letter and let her know.Thinking of this, she suddenly felt a little flustered. It was because of her heart disease that she asked Lafayette to come here as an errand. Get out of the way!Concubine Zhen said angrily. Master Zhen, the servants are here to serve the master.Yin'er said patiently.She believed in one thing, the heart-hearted stone will also bloom, not to mention that she came here to atone for her sins. What's the matter?Concubine Zhen glared at Yin'er, threw away the rag casually, and finally burst out after holding back for a long time, I still can't avoid you, can I?You go back and tell the respect room that someone else will come. Master Zhen looks down on slaves?Yin'er grabbed the tarpaulin from the ground and asked deliberately, she would rather Master Zhen scold her and beat her than ignore her all day long with a gloomy face. You said, did Lafayette send you here? In reply to the master's words, it is the servants who are willing to come. No way?You are a meritorious minister, Lafayette's celebrity, how could you be in the cold palace?Once Concubine Zhen opened her mouth, her temper couldn't be controlled by herself, and she turned towards Yin'er full of anger. The slaves are here on errands. Oh, I see.Concubine Zhen smiled coldly, and said sarcastically, it's up to you!You're here so you can stare at me and see what else I'm trying to plot. Yin'er definitely didn't mean that!I swear to God.Yin'er lay on the ground and kowtowed repeatedly. You still have the face to swear?Concubine Zhen suddenly laughed wildly.She laughed so hard that Yin'er's face turned pale and her heart was beating wildly, so she stopped, fixed her eyes on the other party and said, don't you think it's too ridiculous!How can I interfere with government affairs in this dilapidated room with drafts on all sides?I can't even see the emperor's face, so I'm afraid that I will kidnap the emperor?Ha ha ha, Miss Yin, this time your errand is not easy to handle! Master Zhen!Don't laugh like that, I'm afraid that when Yin'er sees Concubine Zhen laughing wildly, the muscles on her cheeks will twitch non-stop because of this, and I'm worried that she will suffer from mental illness due to shortness of breath.As she stepped back, she begged the other party in a low voice. If you are afraid, go away!Who stopped you! Master, if the emperor wants to know that you are like this, he will feel very uncomfortable to death. Do you still dare to mention the emperor?The emperor is what you sell!By the way, there is also that Yuan Shikai.As soon as the emperor was mentioned, Concubine Zhen jumped up nervously, panting heavily, pointing at Yin'er and screaming, hey, if the emperor grants a marriage, I should point you to Yuan Shikai.You are a pair, so well matched no, no.He is a Han, and you are a Manchu. Manchus and Hans do not intermarry, so what should we do?Yes, we have Lafayette!With one word from Lafayette, if Yuan Shikai returned to the flag, then he would be right Concubine Zhen yelled loudly for a while, murmured for a while, nodded for a while, shook her head for a while, laughed for a while, cried for a while, got excited for a while, and was very depressed for a while.Yin'er was so scared that she didn't know if the other party was really crazy or pretending to be crazy.She glanced at the locked door behind her, and wanted to let go of her voice to ask someone to come and unlock it, so that she could leave here. She ran to the door, just opened her mouth but held back, turned around and knelt down to Concubine Zhen, kowtowed while crying : Master Zhen, please stop talking!Yin'er is guilty, slaves are guilty! Ever since Yin'er kowtowed to Concubine Zhen and confessed her guilt, Concubine Zhen never drove her away, but she was still very indifferent to her. Do your best to serve each other. In autumn in Beijing, the nights are getting colder and cooler, and the doors and windows have been in disrepair for a long time. At night, the cold wind penetrates into the house through every opening, and the cold air is oppressive.Yin'er asked the respect room for a few large loads of hay, and before the sun went down after dinner, she spread grass on the kang for Concubine Zhen. Concubine Zhen stood by the windy window, watching her every move indifferently.That day, Yin'er knelt on the ground and explained to her the process of asking Xiaohui to return the letter, and she couldn't calm down how angry she was.After thinking about it carefully, I felt that this was the case.Even if Yin'er didn't deliver the letter there, Yuan Shikai would have sold the emperor, so it doesn't matter whether she delivered the letter or not.Right now, what she cares about is being with Yin'er all day long, and her every move is under her surveillance. It's not enough to just guard her, she has to find a way to use her. She wants to live, but Cixi will definitely not let her live smoothly.She kept her alive, just like a cat that catches a mouse, and tortures you under its sharp claws, until you have had enough of sins before letting you die slowly.She is well aware of Cixi's temper, the more you want to live, the more she will not let you live, and if you want to die, she will not let you die.Therefore, if she wants to live, she has to pretend that she wants to die. On the contrary, Cixi will have to let you live better because she is afraid that you will die early.Thinking of this, Concubine Zhen came up with an idea, in this case, why not use Yin'er? Yin'er made the bed, cleaned it inside and out, and then boiled a pot of hot water for Concubine Zhen in the outside room, scooped it into a wooden basin, carried the wooden basin into the back room, and served her as usual in Jingren Palace Concubine Zhen washed her feet and went to bed. Concubine Zhen hesitated for a while, then walked to the edge of the kang and fell down. Yin'er knelt in front of her, took off Concubine Zhen's shoes and socks, washed her feet, and then asked her to sleep on the kang. Yin'er saw Master Zhen get on the kang, spread her bedding rolls on the ground beside the kang head, and sat there leaning against the wall.Yin'er sat on an incense stick for a while, and seeing that there was no movement from Master Zhen, she got up lightly and blew out the oil lamp beside the kang head. The moonlight shone through the incomplete window paper on the window sills and shone in this hut.The sleepy Concubine Zhen quietly opened her clothes, looking at the figure of Yin'er wrapped in a blanket leaning against the wall in the dim light, apparently fell asleep. Concubine Zhen was lying on the kang, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep, she simply sat up against the wall, touched the matches next to the kang, took out one and lit it, lit the oil lamp, and then smoked a cigarette.Not knowing whether it was the light or the smell of smoke, Yin'er woke up quickly. master!you can't sleep? Concubine Zhen ignored her and continued to smoke the pipe.Yin'er hurriedly stood up from the floor and walked to the edge of the kang, trying to persuade the other party but dared not.Concubine Zhen glared at her: go, sleep with you.Yin'er tried hard to persuade Concubine Zhen, saying that smoking at night hurts her vitality and is not good for her lungs. She heard this from Aunt Xiuzi. I'm going to die, you can't control it.Concubine Zhen suddenly lowered her face, raised the cigarette stick in her hand, and knocked it loudly on the wooden box at the top of the kang, don't play tricks with me!Whatever you want to do, don't follow your Lafayette and play the trick of cutting flesh with blunt knives!Go back and tell her that from tomorrow onwards, I won't be alive, and don't bring food and drink to me. Yin'er stood there in a daze, taking a breath in her heart, and somehow offended her again. Rong Qing climbed over the wall, left Yin'er's house in a hurry, and walked south of the city while avoiding the patrolling soldiers on the street.It was getting dark, and he turned aimlessly into an alley.This alley is in stark contrast to the desolation of ordinary alleys. People come and go, and it is very lively. Red lanterns are hung in front of every house, and wooden signs are hung on the walls. The names of many flowers and plants are written on the wooden signs.This area is the famous eight alleys in the capital, where brothels and brothels gather. As soon as he entered the alley, Rong Qing seemed to have entered another world. There was a scent in the air. The scent of women's body mixed with the scent of the wine table. There were a few yells of punching and guessing orders.At first glance, it seems that nothing happened here, there is no tension like that of the city gate and other streets, but the careful Rong Qing can still notice some idle people on the side of the road, standing leisurely by the side of the road, looking at the people coming and going. Clients of the brothel. In order not to attract attention, Rong Qing walked forward with his head down, and suddenly saw a group of patrolling soldiers approaching from a distance.In order not to cause trouble, Rong Qing hastily turned around and retreated in the direction he came from.Due to the haste of turning, he didn't notice that a small sedan chair was being carried behind him, and he bumped his head against the bearer.When the bearer got angry, he opened his mouth and cursed.Rong Qing didn't dare to argue with the other party, and apologized to the other party repeatedly.Sitting on the sedan chair was a gorgeous girl, she looked at Rong Qing familiarly, and when she heard him speak, she immediately asked the bearer to stop. Just as Rong Qing wanted to move away, the young and beautiful girl got off the sedan chair and grabbed him. Is it really you?The girl cried out in surprise. You got the wrong person.Rong Qing saw that the girl looked familiar, but couldn't remember where he saw it.Due to the current situation, one thing more is naturally not as good as one thing less. How can it be, let me ask you, have you found Yin'er? Who are you? Look at you, you even forgot your old friend?The girl took his hand and looked at him with a wide smile. English girl!Borrowing the lantern on the side of the road, Rong Qing suddenly recognized her as Yingying from Baoyue Tower in Chengde.Seeing the patrol team coming towards him, it was too late to run away, so he simply started talking with Yingying. Silly boy!kiss me quickly.In fact, Yingying already knew something happened to Rong Qing, and Yuan Liu told her yesterday when she came here to look for her.She threw her head into his arms, and while whispering in his ear, she pressed his head to her face.The patrol team passed behind them, the soldiers were laughing and laughing, and the leader of them cursed: "Go home and make out, you shameless!"Rong Qing lay on Yingying's face, and found that the military leader who cursed was the battalion officer who went to Yin'er's house during the day, so he was so frightened that he didn't dare to breathe. My lord, you're here too, seeing how hot your eyes are!Yingying deliberately winked at the military leader, and all the patrolling soldiers laughed. Go! Go! Go!Xiao Juntou was so angry that he seemed to hide from the plague, and led the soldiers past Rong Qing in a hurry. Yingying, I should go.After the soldiers disappeared at the corner of the alley, Rong Qing let out a long sigh of relief, and said gratefully to Yingying. Walk?Where are you going?Yingying whispered, now you can only follow me. The desperate Rong Qing had no choice but to go with Yingying to the brothel where she worked.This is a first-class brothel, commonly known as Qingyin Xiaoban.The layout of the aisles, the tea hall and the rooms is elegant and decent, and they are very clean inside and out. Yingying brought Rong Qing into her room, pushed him down on the chair beside the bed, made him a cup of hot tea, and handed it to him.Rong Qing took the teacup and took a sip of the hot tea, feeling a warm current in his heart.Thinking of myself for the past few days, I ran around like a stray dog ​​all day long, except at Yin'er's house, let alone eating, I never even drank hot water. Miss Ying, I really don't know how to thank you. We are really destined!I just came back from the note, looked down, hey, isn't this our brother Rong?What she said was making a note, that is, she was called to the guest's house to accompany her to drink and sing, and of course she sometimes went to bed with her, so it would depend on how much money the other party paid. Hearing the joking and laughter of clients and prostitutes in the next room and the corridor, Rong Qing instinctively reminded Yingying to keep her voice down.Yingying smiled disapprovingly, reassuring him that everyone here can't take care of themselves.Rong Qing asked her how she got here, and Yingying said, you soldiers are allowed to change defenses, but we are not allowed to move the ground. Jingli is Jingli after all, it is much more popular than Chengde Mansion!The richer, the more officials!She asked him in a low voice, I heard that you became a high official a while ago, why didn't I see you? Officials are not allowed to go to this kind of place, they will lose their future after checking!He grunted. If you don't tell yourself, who knows?Didn't you hear?During the day, he is an adult and master, but when he arrives here at night, he is the boss and shopkeeper!Take you as an example, how can you look like a third-rank bodyguard and walk around with a clean door in all your outfits? Rong Qing was stunned for a moment, thinking that she naturally knew everything.Yingying saw the confusion on his face, and quickly told him that there was a notice posted outside, which was written clearly, and it happened that she could still read. How did you mess around?I really didn't see it, it's up to you to get on the wall in a daze?Yingying sized him up, admiring Rong Qing from the bottom of her heart, back then in Chengde she saw that he was not a mortal mud tire, sooner or later he would turn out to be someone else, but unfortunately he followed the wrong people. It's hard to say!Rong Qing lowered his head in frustration. Then stay here with me, let's talk slowly on the kang!Yingying said emotionally that she just liked him the first time she met him. No no, I don't live here.Rong Qing hurriedly waved his hands. Where do you live if you don't live here?Yingying glared at him, stretched out her hand and stroked his neck, you don't want to live anymore? I can't implicate you. If you go to relatives and friends, you don't believe that there is no place for me.Rong Qing said so, but he was still worried.After experiencing Brother Yin'er, he didn't dare to trust anyone too much, so he didn't dare to bet his life on Yingying.Yingying looked at his exhausted face and thought to himself that no one would take him in, otherwise he would be running around like a headless chicken in the dark. Don't mention any high-ranking relatives and friends, don't worry about how sweet you are to your brothers and sisters, when you get to this point, why don't you hide from you like a lightning rod?It's friendship enough if you don't exchange you for the wine money!Yingying sneered, thinking of her own family affairs, if relatives and friends would help, she would not sell herself to bury her mother.Let me tell you, this is our place, the Fireworks Brothel, it doesn’t matter if you are a gangster or a rebel, as long as you are rich, you are your husband!If you don't hide from me, where else can you hide?My silly brother! Yingying put her arms around Rong Qing, and talked about what happened to her in her hometown in the countryside, but Rong Qing remained silent for a long time.But no, Fugui insisted on going out to report to the officials just for the money. If Yin'er's sister-in-law hadn't got the letter, he would already be in prison by now.Yingying is right, human feelings are as light as water, and he really has nowhere to go right now.Where he can go, people in the government are staring at him, and where there is no government watching, they dare not keep him. It's not like brother Yin'er, who traded his life for wine money. Rong Qing stared at the oil lamp on the table in a daze.Yingying leaned on his shoulder, stroking his back tenderly with one hand.Neither of them spoke, and sat there quietly.The madam of the brothel opened the door and poked her head in. She stretched out her hand to greet Yingying, saying that Mr. Tian gave up the note and ordered her to go there.Yingying pouted unhappily and said, did you see any guests here?Let the bustard go back to Master Tian. This guest is strange.The madam refused to leave, and stared at Rong Qing, which clearly meant to ask Yingying, can he be richer than Master Tian?Yingying saw the other party's thoughts at a glance, and quickly said that Rong Qing was her old friend, and she came to see her from Chengde.The madam pulled Yingying aside unwillingly, and whispered that we have no enmity with Yinzi, and that Mr. Tian can manage the big treasury and be generous. You have never seen such generosity!Quan Chengde's mountain goods and leather goods belong to this master.He even bought the leather jacket worn by the emperor!While talking, Yingying took out a silver coin from the bedside, saying that the old man rewarded her and everyone. I am blind, I am blind!you sit down!The madam immediately smiled, nodded and smiled at Rong Qing, closed the door and left. I have no money.As soon as the madam left, Rong Qing immediately blushed and said to Yingying. I posted it upside down!Yingyingmei smiled and leaned on his shoulder. Well, well, I'll let you sit here for one night! Look how pitiful you are.She put her arms around his neck and stretched out her hand to drag him onto the bed. I am not sleepy.He sat motionless in his chair. I can sleep ah?She wanted to force him to bed, but she held back after thinking about it.She saved Rongqing because she had a good impression of him, but also because she was entrusted by Yuan Liu. Yingying smiled, went to bed and put down the curtain, and said to Rong Qing, come to bed if you can't hold on. For safety, Rong Qing blew out the oil lamp, put his hand on his chin, leaned on the table and squinted his eyes.Seeing Rong Qing close her eyes, Yingying felt an unknown fire in her heart, thinking that he was too much, how many men's bones softened after seeing her, could it be that he wasn't tempted at all? Rong Qing was really tired these days.As soon as the room was dark, the eyelids immediately clenched, and the person was so sleepy that he fell asleep on the table. Really fell asleep?I really wonder, are you in the palace a guard or a eunuch?Where did Chengde's energy go?Yingying thought he was pretending on purpose, and complained unhappily.It wasn't until she heard Rong Qing lying there, snoring, that she stopped her mouth, thinking of him wandering around these days, day and night, she felt a lot of pity in her heart. She got out of bed and walked gently to his side, trying to drag him to bed and let him sleep peacefully.Just as she stretched out her hand, Rong Qing, who was already highly nervous, immediately jumped up in fright, staring at a pair of big terrified eyes, instinctively taking precautions. Go to bed and sleep soundly.Yingying took his hand and said softly. Rong Qing looked at the closed door in the dark, and found nothing unusual, so he breathed a sigh of relief.Yingying couldn't help but dragged him to the bed, took off his coat and hat, and covered him with a quilt.Rong Qing is really sleepy, and is at the mercy of Zhu Yingying. Yingying settles down Rongqing, and lays down next to him, sticking to his undulating body, Yingying feels a rush of heat in her heart.She has met many men, but she can't even remember their appearance, so why can't she forget Rong Qing?She was asking herself in her heart, so early yesterday morning, when Yuan Liu told her about Rongqing's situation, she became worried in her heart.There is still such a coincidence in the world, to run into him tonight, this is also fate!Listening to his even snoring and seeing him so deeply asleep, she really couldn't bear to wake him up.Otherwise, she would have to lie in his arms and spend the night with him like husband and wife! When Rong Qing woke up, the sky was already bright.Seeing that Yingying was not on the bed, and seeing that there was no one in the room, he was shocked.He got out of bed immediately, put on his coat, reached out and grabbed the pistol beside the bed, and walked quietly towards the door. He stretched out his hand to pull the door, and suddenly felt bad, the door had been locked from the outside. not good!Could it be that this little bitch is also like Fugui, wanting to exchange my head for the two thousand taels of silver?Thinking of this, he was covered in fine sweat.He turned and ran back to the window, opened the window for a look, and then remembered that this was the third floor.He carefully looked out the window, turned and returned to the bed, trying to use the bed sheet to tie a rope and escape from the window. As soon as he walked to the bed, he suddenly heard someone unlock the door.He hurriedly hid behind the door and drew his pistol.The door opened, and Yingying walked in in a gust of wind.When she saw Rong Qing holding the pistol nervously, she opened her mouth in astonishment and asked: What are you doing? explain!What did you do early in the morning?Rongqing put the pistol on Yingying's forehead. how?Do you think I'm short of the two thousand taels of silver?Yingying sneered. Rong Qing was stunned for a moment, then lowered the gun.He smiled apologetically and said that he was intimidating. I wanted your head on purpose, and now you have been beheaded at Caishikou just like Tan Sitong. What did you say?Rong Qing was shocked. Only then did Yingying tell him that a total of six people had been killed at Caishikou today.They are all officials, including censors and military aircraft, and the first one is Tan Sitong.Rong Qing called Master Tan sadly, tears welled up in his eye sockets, and he stood there in a daze.Yingying asked him if he was with them.Rong Qing nodded in frustration. In my opinion, take advantage of this chaos and hurry up!Yingying persuaded him. Yes, go as fast as possible.It's just that when Rong Qing thought about his wanted posters posted everywhere on the city gate, he felt worried, or he would have left early, and if he could wait until now, he thought that he would have to be stunned.It's good luck to get through the past, if you can't get through, you will be with Mr. Tan as a companion. I have a way to help you go.Yingying suddenly smiled slyly. What can you do?Rong Qing was puzzled. Believe me, there is really a way.It turned out that Yingying went out early in the morning to deliver a letter to Rongqing's brother Yuanliu. Yuanliu thought she was lying to him, so she asked Yingying's situation carefully, and then let Yingying go first, saying that he would arrive immediately. Hearing what Yingying said about the situation, Rong Qing was dubious, and was about to say something, when he heard hurried footsteps coming from the aisle at the door, Yingying guessed that it was Lord Yuan Jun.Sure enough, she stepped forward and opened the door, and Yuan Liu walked in in plain clothes. brother!Yuan Liuyi entered the door, stepped forward and grabbed Rong Qing's hands tightly.Brother, why are you dressed like this?Rong Qing asked suspiciously. As soon as you run away, the higher-ups will check it out. Don't just sit around and wait for the thunder, I'll be a fool too!It turned out that he let Rong Qing go away that night, but now his superiors are investigating closely. A few days earlier, he hid at a relative's house, and rushed over after receiving Yingying's message.He didn't understand why Rong Qing didn't run away quickly and was still dawdling in the city.He glanced at Yingying, and asked Rong Qing if he had other worries and was reluctant to leave? How can it?The gate of the city is tight.Rong Qing said with a blushing face. Master Yuan Jun!You should rescue him anyway.Yingying glared at Rong Qing, thinking that she would sleep in the same bed all night, and he wouldn't even touch her, what the fuck? no problem.Yuan Liu's answer was crisp. Is there a way to get out of the city?Rong Qing asked worriedly. Speaking of robbing the law field, Yuanliu is out of the game, and it is not a piece of cake to keep people out of Beijing. Rong Qing left Yingying, and followed all the way to the house of Yuanliu's relatives. The owner of that house was Yuanliu's cousin, who opened a transport company in Beijing, specializing in transporting groceries from the north and south for some big merchants, so he was familiar with the guards at all the city gates. It couldn't be more familiar.Uncle Biao immediately asked Rong Qing and Yuan Liu to change their clothes, pretended to be drivers, and followed the afternoon delivery convoy out of the city. Rong Qing couldn't believe it, so he came all the way, and when they reached Lugou Bridge, Rong Qing and Yuan Liu parted ways with the team.Rong Qing stood at the end of the bridge, looking back at Beijing, unable to express what it felt like.For some reason, he always felt that one day he would come back again.He still couldn't believe that Guangxu, as the righteous emperor of the Qing Dynasty, was so dark, and forced Cixi and others to cover up the sky with one hand, this matter will come to light sooner or later! Everyone, especially King Rui and King Gong thought Cixi would abolish Guangxu.Officials who supported Guangxu's New Deal, including Guangxu himself, also thought so, but Cixi did not do so.Early this morning, Cixi sent someone to take Guangxu to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, and asked him to meet the courtiers with her. Guangxu invited Cixi to Sheng'an, and he fell down on a dragon chair beside her. Cixi asked him to look at the several edicts drafted by the military plane, and said deliberately and seriously: Do you think it is appropriate? Everything is decided by the emperor's father.The emperor's father thinks it is suitable, and the minister uses the seal.光緒已經厭倦了這一套虛頭滑腦的玩意兒，他不明白身邊這位老女人，為什麼會有如此大的熱情，不厭其煩地扮演這種角色，而且表演得十分認真。 都不看，也看看這道。慈禧指著其中一道擬好的聖旨。 光緒無奈地拿起一看，心裡頓時大驚，原來是下令斬首譚嗣同、楊深秀等人的聖旨。他慌忙對慈禧說，這些人都是難得的人對，千萬不能殺。他邊說邊在慈禧面前跪下，請她無論如何收回成命。 怎麼是我收回呀？聖旨是皇上的聖旨，要不我讓你看吶。慈禧反問光緒。 這光緒一時被她問住，這道旨意留著不發，譚嗣同這六個人先押起來，以後再處置吧。 你還打算讓他們有一天東山再起？慈禧冷笑笑。光緒連忙改口，說讓這些人發往邊外充軍，永不錄用，慈禧對此笑而不答。這時李蓮英來報，說瑞王爺求見皇太后和皇上。 瑞王進了養心殿，跪在地下向慈禧行了大禮，一邊口稱向老佛爺覆命。 慈禧看一眼身邊的光緒，瑞王立即明白她意思，轉臉向光緒磕了頭。 奴才向皇上覆命！ 覆什麼命？光緒不明所以地問。 奴才監斬逆黨譚嗣同等六人，斬首已畢，特向皇上、皇太后覆命！ 誰讓你殺的？光緒十分震驚，拍著龍椅手柄刷地站起，厲聲喝道。 瑞王被光緒的架勢嚇住。雖說這事早就得到老佛爺事先的首肯，但這種時候老佛爺決不會出來認賬的，因此只有難人做到底了，他跪在地下，偷偷看一眼老佛爺，果然她也作出一臉的詫異狀，好像頭一回聽到這事兒，根本不接他的眼神。他只得趴在地下，結結巴巴地說：回皇上話，這事兒是軍機會同親王、大臣，共同議定，先斬後奏的！ 瑞王低著腦袋，臉憋得通紅，心想由著你一通罵吧，反正這幾個人腦袋已經砍下了，再也活不過來了。你，你你光緒憤怒之極，氣得渾身哆嗦，指著瑞王半天說不出話，走到瑞王身邊，一腳將他踢倒在地。 瑞王倒在地下，胸口傳來一陣劇痛，他沒想這個已經靠邊站的皇上會發這麼大的威。他掙扎著從地上爬走，一邊磕頭，一邊心懷委屈，他實在不明白，老佛爺究竟安的什麼心。皇上已經要袁世凱出兵害她老人家，她竟然不趁此機會廢了他，而且裝出一副朝廷上的事仍要他點頭的樣子，這是何苦。 你們也是的，就不能等等皇上下旨嗎？慈禧不僅不幫瑞王說話，反過來埋怨他。瑞王明白老佛爺意思，只得連聲說奴才該死。 光緒走到座椅後邊的龍柱旁，想到跟著自己推行新政的人，倒頭來一個個落到眼前的下場，怎麼不叫他痛心疾首啊！特別譚嗣同，他早得到茶水章的口信，完全有機會逃走的。他偏不走，他是存心以自己的血，向天下人昭示變法強國的決心和正氣。正如他生前寫過的詩句：莫道書生空意氣，頭顱擲處血斑斑。他竟然以自己的生命，完成了詩中大無畏的氣概。想到他才三十出頭，從湖南被自己召到京城才三個月，竟然就這樣走了，光緒心中湧出一股熱流，沿著脖頸子上的血管爬上眼窩和鼻溝，頂得那兒一片酸楚，兩行熱淚忍不住奪眶而出。 人死了，再說什麼也沒用了。皇上，這回該下旨了吧？慈禧轉臉看一眼站在龍柱旁的光緒，聲音平和地勸他。 光緒用衣袖擦拭著眼窩，不顧一切地痛哭。此刻他不僅哭譚嗣同，也為珍妃和自己而哭，為大清國而哭。他不明白慈禧為什麼當面說好支持他，背後又對他使壞，難道她不知道自己所作所為全是為了大清國的天下長治久安嗎？難道她真的視權力比祖宗留下的江山偉業更加重要？他深深覺得自己太軟弱，太天真。當初要是早早聽了珍妃和其他人的話，先下手為強，也許不會落到現在這種局面啊！ 慈禧見這個寶貝兒子哭得死去活來，心裡有些不耐煩，看一眼李蓮英，示意他快點辦事。李蓮英會意地走到光緒身後，畢恭畢敬地說：請皇上用玉璽。光緒扔下腰間掛著的小玉璽，看也不看其他人，甚至沒給慈禧請安便跌跌蹌蹌地由屏風後邊出了後殿門。 所有人全愣在那兒，慈禧的臉也掛不住了，李蓮英從地上撿起玉璽，不動聲色地走到案桌邊，將光緒看過和沒有看的聖旨一一蓋上玉璽，然後才跪到慈禧面前，雙手捧著玉璽遞給慈禧。看意思，人家是不想要了？慈禧掂掂玉璽，揚起額頭下高高的兩道眉毛。 皇上已經喪盡人心，請老佛爺早做決斷！瑞王認為時機已到，連忙湊上前說。他見慈禧低頭把玩著玉璽，心裡若有所思。連忙看一眼李蓮英，示意他幫自己勸勸老佛爺。 李蓮英毫無表情地站在一邊，裝作沒看見。其實他心裡比誰都希望罷了光緒的皇位，但他才不當出頭鳥。他太瞭解慈禧，你越想她按你意思辦事她越不肯，相反有一天等你忘了自己有什麼意思，她那兒的意思就來了。 瑞王仍苦苦勸著慈禧，口口聲聲要老佛爺早做決斷。過了好一陣子，慈禧抬起頭看一眼瑞王，問他說完沒有。瑞王不知什麼意思，以為她聽自己勸了，精神百倍地挺起胸，說奴才該說的都說了。 慈禧揮揮衣袖對李蓮英說，讓他轉告隆裕皇后：讓她有空去瀛台多陪陪皇上，兩口子嘛。 李蓮英連聲答應著，他和瑞王一樣，以為她下面一定有什麼重要事要吩咐他們，伸著脖子等她發話。沒想慈禧再也沒說話，閉著兩眼養起神來。瑞王和李蓮英失望地互相看了一眼，慈禧突然睜開眼，瑞王連忙跪下，想就廢皇上的事再勸勸她。不等他開口，慈禧對瑞王說：沒你的事了，回去吧。 為了加強對珍妃的監管，敬事房的太監們在窗上釘上厚木板，只留一些透光的空隙。大門上掛上三道鐵鍊鎖，嚴格規定白天下鎖，晚上上鎖，沒得到看守太監的許可，珍妃不得出入大門，只能在這裡外三間房裡走動。為此李蓮英特意來這兒宣讀皇太后的詔書，數落了珍妃的種種罪狀。說她不賢不孝，仗著皇上的恩寵在後宮挑撥離間，勾結外臣，迷惑皇上，鬧出天大的亂子。因此把她打進冷宮，仍是從輕發落。要她在這兒潛心思過，痛改前非。 珍妃躺在床上，兩眼緊閉，聽著對方念著慈禧詔書中所羅列的罪名，心裡非常憤懣，她咬著牙齦不出聲。從昨兒到今天，她已經躺在炕上一天多，除了喝點兒水，一口飯也沒吃。她下決心絕食，是為了讓吟兒報告慈禧，表示自己不惜以死抗命的決心。所以當李蓮英來這兒宣讀慈禧的懿旨時，她非但沒下跪聽旨，索性躺在床上不起來。 本來按規矩，只要人有一口氣，就是讓奴才們扶著，珍妃也得下床聽旨。吟兒向李蓮英說了許多好話，說珍主子從昨天到現在沒有進食，這才免了聽旨的規矩，由吟兒頂替珍妃，直挺挺地跪在那兒聽了慈禧的聖諭。 其實李蓮英並非什麼善類，珍主子平日對他從沒好顏色，心裡本來就恨她，按理由不會輕易放過珍妃。他之所以沒硬逼著珍主，那是因為慈禧遲遲沒有廢掉光緒，為了這，他不得不留一手。只要光緒一天沒正式廢掉，他就得留點面子。老佛爺畢竟老了，說不準哪天撒手人寰，這天下仍然是光緒的。 李蓮英讀完慈禧的訓令，走近炕邊，作出一副關心狀，低聲細語地勸著珍妃，要他保重身體。珍妃厭惡地轉過身，索性將臉對著裡面的牆面，根本不理李蓮英，李蓮英心裡無趣，但仍然站在那兒不走。 Master Zhen!俗話說得好，留得青山在。您不替自己想，也得替皇上想想，他心裡一直牽掛著您李蓮英語氣顯得非常真誠，按老佛爺的話，下圍棋，頭一條就得給對方的棋子留條活路，哪怕活不了，也得讓對方覺著有活的可能。其實替別人留後路，就是給自己留後路。當主子都這樣，他這個奴才自然更應該那個什麼的。果然，珍主子身子動了一下。雖說對方沒說話，他知道他的話對方聽進去了。於是，他像往常一樣，恭敬地倒退著身體離開了北三所。 李蓮英一走，珍妃立即抬起臉，對吟兒說：我自個兒沒腿，要你替我跪著？而且是衝個奴才跪著，用得著你替我丟人！吟兒慌忙向珍妃解釋，因為她怕主子受委屈，所以才給李蓮英下跪的。 大不了就是個死嘛！死也比丟人強！珍妃冷冷地丟下一句，背過臉繼續睡她的覺。 吟兒跪在地上，半天不出聲，她知道珍主子這話是說給她聽的。但不知為什麼，她卻由這句話想起了秀姑姑。她膝蓋頭下墊著貂皮護膝，這是秀子臨分手前送她的。正如她說的，在宮中她們這些奴才，膝蓋頭當腳使，跪著比站時候還要多。這不，珍主子成了囚犯，在她面前仍然是主子，因此地比在景仁宮時跪的一點兒也不少。為了贖罪，為了彌補她良心犯下的過錯，她自願請求來這兒伺候珍主子。但無論她怎麼盡心盡力，替她操盡了心，似乎沒得到一點兒原諒，有氣沒氣都往她頭上撒，她越想心裡越委屈。 為了珍主子不肯進食，今兒上午，她特意趕到儲秀宮求見慈禧，想讓她下令李總管，讓人替珍主子做點好吃的。在她看，珍主子實在嚥不下那些跟狗食差不多的玩意兒。她找到小回回，小回回立即替她通報了。當時慈禧正由李蓮英攙扶著在後院溜彎，也就是散步，慈禧當即下令讓吟兒進去。 吟兒進了後院，正要請跪安，慈禧揮揮衣袖，說地上髒，別跪了，問她有什麼事。對吟兒，她有種特殊的感情，覺得她是個老實的好人，比起李蓮英和瑞王身邊這些人要好得多。就衝她能自請去北三所伺候珍妃這一條，她比他們高出一截，更別說關鍵時刻，她能讓小回回遞個信兒。雖說當時她已經對光緒和珍妃的動靜瞭若指掌，但她的忠心仍然難得。茶水章雖說也是個大好人，但比她要滑頭，心也深得多，但有一條她深信不已，那就是這倆人絕對不會害她。 吟兒神情焦急地向慈禧報告，說珍妃不肯吃飯。 幾頓不吃了？慈禧問得很仔細。 打昨兒起，一整天多了。 What's the matter?挑食嗎？ 回老佛爺話，珍主子的膳也實在太含糊了點兒，還沒我們當奴才吃的好呢。吟兒趁機替珍主子叫起苦來。 這就是打小兒慣壞的毛病，我瞧她也是火大，餓兩頓兒也好。慈禧沉吟了一會兒，不以為然地說。 Lafayette! Um.慈禧看一眼吟兒，顯然在等她下面的話。 萬一珍主子出什麼事兒，奴婢擔待不起！ 這好說。慈禧笑笑，那咱們今兒就說好了，無論她出什麼事兒，都不用你擔待！還有別的事兒？ 吟兒無奈地離開了儲秀宮。沒想到中午的膳食更差，緊接著，下午李蓮英又來這兒傳慈禧的懿旨，將珍妃狠狠訓斥一通。看來，慈禧真的不在乎珍主子的死活，她想勸勸她，但對方對自己懷有很深的戒心，說多了適得其反，如果她不勸她，再這樣下去，她非出事不可，怎麼辦？ 晚上送來了八道菜，這是珍主子關在這兒從來沒有的，吟兒不知是慈禧的意思還是李總管的意思，不管怎麼樣，自己總算沒白跑一趟，她再一次勸珍主子起來吃一點。珍妃好長日子沒見過這些可口的飯菜，其中特別有她愛吃的素什錦，她嘴上饞得不行，心裡卻在提醒自己，怎麼也得熬住。她只要動一筷子，慈禧便會知道她絕食是假，便會變本加厲地折磨她。 珍妃死也不肯動筷子，最後滿桌子飯菜一樣也沒有動又端走了。吟兒無奈地瞅著臉色鐵青的珍妃，擔心她真的鐵下心來不活了。她坐在燈下，想起小回回跟她說起過皇上住在瀛台的情況，心想也許只有皇上才能讓她回心轉意，於是，她裝作有意無意的樣子，跟對方說起光緒皇上的情況。 吟兒這一招果然有用。開始珍主子似乎不以為然，後來越聽越來勁，當珍妃聽說景仁宮裡那架風琴抬到了瀛台時，她索性靠在炕上，讓吟兒用被子墊在腰下，不停地問這問那。吟兒將她知道的的情況統統抖落出，最後才順勢勸著對方。 主子，留得青山在，不怕沒燒柴。要是皇上看見您這個樣兒，不知心疼成什麼呢。 我還能見得著皇上？珍妃與吟兒談起皇上，她顯然非常亢奮，心理上對吟兒的防線頓時鬆下來，情不自禁地問著對方， 見得著，準見得著！吟兒哄著對方。 how do you know?是不是老佛爺說的？ 奴婢聽著是那麼個意思吟兒含糊其詞地說。 算了吧，你連瞎話都編不圓呢，依著她心思，恨不得把我撕巴了餵狗才可心！ 不不，老佛爺決不會。這不，晚上的飯菜全換了。 甭騙我，我什麼都雪亮。景仁宮伺候我的人有什麼罪？全關進了空房，她幹嘛還留著我？ 您是主子呀！ wrong.她怕便宜了我！一包毒藥，三尺白綾，疼那麼一下，就什麼也不知道了，該升天的升天，該入地的入地，她想管也管不了啦。 主子，您千萬可別那麼想！ 我倒想去呢，可她不讓。她要讓我零揪兒著活受罪，讓我自個兒一點兒一點兒爛死！I am not.你也別勸我了，哪怕搬來山珍海味、水陸八仙，我也不吃！ 見珍主子說得咬牙切齒，吟兒心裡非常震驚，看來她低估了珍主子求死的決心。她急了，想不出什麼辦法來安慰她，最後才對珍主子說，萬一您真有個什麼，皇上那邊怎麼辦？她這一問，珍妃半天不說話。她想像著光緒坐在那架風琴邊，彈著那支碧雲天的曲子，特別想到總是離人淚的唱詞，心裡有說不出的酸楚。其實她何嘗不想活，正因為太想活了，她不得不作出一副求死的樣子啊。 晚上，吟兒躺在地鋪上，迷迷糊糊剛睡著，突然聽見珍主子叫她，她驚醒過來，見珍妃坐在炕上，瞪著一雙大眼，嘴裡喃喃低語。吟兒慌忙從地鋪上爬起，問珍妃什麼事，是不是又做噩夢了。珍妃搖搖手，讓吟兒別出聲。 你聽，仔細聽呀！珍妃指著窗外，激動地告訴吟兒，說她聽見皇上彈琴了。 吟兒豎起耳朵聽了好一陣子，除了遠處傳來起更的聲音，什麼也聽不見。珍妃告訴吟兒，她聽見皇上彈風琴了。她臉上泛起一絲慘淡的笑意，一邊哼起碧雲天這支曲子的旋律。 吟兒怎麼也聽不見，這時她才明白不是自己聽不見，其實根本沒聲音。瀛台離這兒足有三里地遠，皇上即便在彈琴，也不可能傳到這兒。準是珍主子想皇上想瘋了，加上她一連幾天不進食，人餓得發軟，腦子也暈了，疑神疑鬼地以為她聽見了什麼。 吟兒從棉布裹著的銅水壺裡給珍主子倒了杯溫開水，遞給她喝，珍妃推開茶杯，瞪著眼睛問她，你真的沒聽見？吟兒急忙說聽見了，珍妃這才就著她手上的杯子，像小孩那樣啜了幾口，然後吃力地下了炕。她走到窗邊，似乎想聽得更真切些，等她走到窗邊，琴聲突然沒了。 珍妃失落地站在那兒，吟兒在一旁攙扶著她。 It was dark outside the window.空曠的院子裡除了貼著草皮吹過的風聲，再也沒其他聲音。吟兒想扶珍主子上床，她不肯走。 吟兒無奈地站在那兒，突然聽見窗外響起一種聲音，像有人輕輕敲那釘在窗上的木板，誰？Yin'er asked.珍妃納悶地看一眼吟兒：沒人呀。吟兒從窗上兩塊木板的空檔中看見一個人影。她正開口說話，門外的人影兒出聲了。 珍主子，我是章德順兒。門外的人影說話了。 Uncle Zhang!吟兒認出那是茶水章沙啞的聲音，驚喜地趴在窗前。 透過昏淡的月色，珍妃和吟兒幾乎同時看見茶水章趴在窗外。 奴才給珍主子請安！茶水章盡可能將聲音壓得很低。他腦袋抵在窗上，恨不能鑽進來。 How did you get here?珍妃激動地問，皇上呢？How is he? 皇上還好，就是太想珍主子了，這幾天他一坐到風琴邊就不起來，一夜一夜地彈琴，不肯睡覺，太醫開的藥也不肯吃。誰勸也不聽啊！ 他是不是彈那首碧雲天曲子？ 對對對，就是那個珍主子最愛唱的。 吟兒，我說我聽見了，你不信。 奴才就怕皇上憋出病來，求珍主子勸勸皇上，他光聽您的！茶水章哆哆嗦嗦地說。他是宮中老人，先後在皇上和老佛爺身邊當差，幾十年什麼也沒得著，混得一身的好人緣。這幾天皇上感冒，晚上他趁著到太醫院取藥的機會，在管守夜的王太監幫忙下，從另一處小院門裡冒險摸到這兒。 我見都見不著他，怎麼勸他呀？ 珍妃這一問將茶水章問住。吟兒連忙在一旁出主意，要珍主子給章德順帶件兒東西過去，這就只當見著皇上了。珍妃覺得有道理，站在那兒思忖了一會兒，一時找不到可帶的東西，便拔下頭上的玉簪交給茶水章： 章德順，你交給皇上，就說讓他為了珍兒，也得好好活著！ 茶水章接過玉簪，不敢久留，給珍妃請了安，轉身走了，不一會兒便消失在夜色中。 吟兒躺在地鋪上，黑暗中聽見遠處傳來陣陣更鼓聲，半天不見珍妃翻身，估計她睡著了。平時，珍主子睡下去過不了多久便會做夢說夢話，然後驚醒過來長長地喘氣，今兒她睡得顯然得比平時踏實，靜靜地躺著，吟兒知道，這跟她多少天來頭一次聽到皇上的消息有關，特別是見到了皇上身邊的茶水章，她的心踏實了。 人就這麼怪，好像珍主子是為了皇上活在這個世上，就像她，活在這個世上，唯一的希望都在榮慶身上，她不知道，像她和珍主子這樣死心塌地地愛著一個男人，究竟是好事還是壞事。愛得這樣深，這樣揪人心肺，一聽到對方的消息心裡便窩著一汪血，那血熱得幾乎能將她整個人溶化，相反，要是聽到什麼對方的壞消息，心裡頓時像一塊冰，凍得整個人縮成一團，像塊石頭躺在那兒一動不動，恨不能就這麼死去。 今天離開儲秀宮回來的路上，小回回突然告訴她一個驚人的消息，說榮慶直到現在沒抓著，估計他逃出北京城了。當時她哼了一下，不敢在人面前有多少表示。回到北三所，忙著勸珍主子，不久李蓮英又來了，腦子亂哄哄地，想著這事兒又不敢深想，這會兒珍主子入睡了，事兒也忙完了，黑暗中躺在地鋪上，四下靜得出奇，重新回味起小回回這句話，她的心裡像夏天暴雨中梨花溝沖下的山洪，在一片震耳欲聾的濤聲中呼天搶地撲面而來。 只要榮慶沒死，她就得咬著牙活下去。她突然覺得在這間小黑屋裡，她和珍主子，儘管一個是主子，一個是奴才，但她們都是女人，都各自愛著一個男人，這不僅是一種巧合，也是一種緣分。皇上軟禁瀛台，雖說將來的前程不得而知，但只要老佛爺沒廢了皇上，珍主子就有一線希望。同樣，榮慶只要沒和譚大人一塊砍掉腦袋，她也就心不死，就有指望睜著眼熬下去。 這是命，是生命的苦果，