Chapter 24 Chapter 24 Bitter Love
In the afternoon, Guangxu strolled in the imperial garden.Several eunuchs followed behind him, keeping a certain distance from him.Looking at the vibrant vegetation and bushes in the garden, thinking of the annual decline and prosperity of these vegetation, I can't express my emotion.Time is so fast!In the blink of an eye, he has lived in Yingtai for more than half a year.Cixi is not as strict with him as before, but she is not relaxed about Concubine Zhen of the North Third Institute.
Ever since Cha Shui Zhang arranged for him to meet Concubine Zhen that night, he has never been able to see her again.Thinking of her made him feel a dull pain in his heart.Some people say that time heals all wounds, but he may be an exception.As time went by, his thoughts of her became more and more serious, like the pomegranate tree in the garden, with its withered buds wrapped in dense fruit, which was formed by the condensed red blood of the tree.
Faced with the green, fat, red and thin gardens in early summer, Guangxu was full of sadness.At this time last year, Concubine Zhen was still with him, and the two of them were walking among the flowers and trees intimately.At this moment, the two are so close to each other in this royal palace, but they cannot meet each other.After the failure of the New Deal, he had hoped that Chashuizhang and Rong Qing would be able to contact Zhang Zhidong and others in the south, and regain control of the government with their support.Seeing that they were having some troubles in Wuchang, Zhang Zhidong suddenly came forward to marry Rong Qing and Xiao Gege.From then on, Rong Qing probably saw the hint in the happy words he wrote, and fled on the wedding night, and never heard from him again like Cha Shui Zhang.
Guangxu turned around and walked towards Yangxingzhai, planning to go from there to Chuxiu Palace to greet Cixi.Suddenly, a boy about thirteen or fourteen rushed out from behind Qianqiu Pavilion and bumped into Guangxu.If Guangxu hadn't reached out to catch him, he would have been bruised and swollen.This boy is Prince Duan's son Pu Jun. He has just been made the Crown Prince by Cixi, and everyone in the palace calls him Big Brother.Pu Jun was playing hide-and-seek with Xiao Hui, he bumped into Guangxu, he didn't know who this person was, he didn't even say hello, jumped away from Guangxu's arms, and shouted, telling Xiao Hui to continue chasing him: Hurry up, You run after it.Chase!Xiao Huihui chased him out of the Qianqiu Pavilion, and saw that the elder brother bumped into Emperor Guangxu, he was so frightened that he didn't know what to do, and stood there in a daze.
Guangxu glanced at the elder brother angrily, wondering where the boy in the palace came from, thought he was a newly summoned eunuch, and asked him with a sullen face, who was he?
who are you?The elder brother didn't take him seriously at all, and asked who Guangxu was.
emperor!Xiao Hui hurried forward and knelt down to Guangxu.
He is the emperor?The elder brother asked curiously, since he entered the palace, this is the first time he has seen Guangxu.The eunuch who came with Guangxu immediately stepped forward and said to the elder brother: "Quickly kneel down."
Kneel down.The elder brother knelt down disapprovingly.
Wang Huihui, you answer.Guangxu obviously didn't want to pay attention to Pu Jun.
If I go back to the emperor, he will steal my hat!Xiao Hui pointed to the hat on Big Brother's hand.
I ask you, who is this person?Guangxu pointed to Pu Jun and asked.
Xiao Hui hesitated, not daring to say that he was Lafayette's elder brother, only that he was the prince's son.The elder brother stood aside, staring at Guangxu, obviously very interested in this emperor who had never met before.
Which prince's family?Who are you, Ama?Guangxu looked at his innocent and mischievous demeanor that day, and couldn't help asking.The elder brother told Guangxu frankly that his Ama was the king of Duanjun, and his name was Pu Jun.How did you come here?Guangxu asked.The eldest elder brother pointed to Xiao Huihui, saying that Lafayette let him study in the palace, and begged Guangxu with a smile on his face, the palace is very interesting, can the emperor spare him the errand of studying.
Guangxu froze there as soon as he heard it, and didn't ask any more questions.She thought to herself, it must be that Cixi felt that there was no way to remove him from the throne for a while, so she brought the son of Duan Wang's family into the palace, and made him the crown prince at the right time to replace herself.
After Xiaohui led the elder brother away, Guangxu arrived at Chuxiu Palace accompanied by eunuchs.He greeted Cixi according to the rules, and then straightened up on the side seat beside Cixi.The two chatted about homework for a while, and Guangxu wanted to mention the matter of meeting Duan Wang's son in the imperial garden several times, but he held back the words.He knew that no matter what topic would trouble Cixi, it would be fine if you didn't talk about it, since she had all the reasons for it, so the only way was to say nothing.
In fact, Xiao Huihui told the story of the emperor meeting the elder brother long before Guangxu arrived.Cixi had been waiting for Guangxu to mention this matter, but she didn't expect that the other party would not speak.She thought to herself, you are not in a hurry and I am not in a hurry. When the whole court knows, you have to ask me.She talked irrelevant gossip to Guangxu all over the place, and she made up her mind that he wouldn't tell her unless he asked her.In the end, Guangxu couldn't hold his breath, and after hesitating for a long time, he finally mentioned the matter of Duanwang's son.
As soon as Guangxu opened his mouth, Cixi came to God immediately.She said that's right, this child just doesn't like to read, and his Ama can't control him. I'm afraid it will be delayed, so it's serious to let him go to the study room and finish reading first.When Cixi said that the son of Duanwang's family should go to study in the palace, she couldn't help being surprised.The upper study room is where the crown prince studies, which doesn't mean that this little boy is here to replace him.
Yes, it is where you went to school when you were a child.Cixi saw the astonishment on Guangxu's face, and smiled easily, as if she was talking about what to eat and drink at noon today.
What about the name?Guangxu sucked in a breath of cold air, and he understood completely in his heart.He reminded himself repeatedly in his heart not to speak again, and endured it, but he couldn't help it again.
Look at my forgetfulness.I really forgot to tell you, just call me Big Brother!Because the ancestors of the Qing Dynasty left a rule not to allow an heir to the throne.As long as the emperor himself is here, not even his own son.Cixi carried a son for Guangxu, who was actually the heir to the throne. She couldn't find the name for a while, so she called him such a weird big brother.Cixi has always had this kind of ability, those two smooth tongues can downplay the big things that day.Guangxu didn't speak for a long time after hearing this, his face was pale and green, his mouth was murmuring, and he kept repeating the title of big brother.
The princes and ministers made the decision together, and they all blamed me, thinking that my grandson was about to think of something wrong.If there is no real one, make a fake one to make do with it.Old lady.Cixi could see that Guangxu was very angry in his heart, and even coaxed and lied, talking about such a serious court event slickly and slickly as if it were a joke.Guangxu suddenly understood, that day she told him a lot at the bedside about the regret that Emperor Tongzhi had no son when he was seriously ill, so she had already laid the groundwork!
According to the hundreds of years of rules left by the ancestors, no emperor has ever established a crown prince during his reign, and even the emperor's own son must not violate this rule.Guangxu wanted to ask, is this in line with the Dafa of the ancestors?The words were on the lips, and this time I finally held back.For hundreds of years, the ancestors have never had a woman interfere with the government. Didn't she still practice politics time and time again, braving the disgrace of the world, and trained for decades.Thinking of this, he sighed helplessly in his heart, he had nothing to say to her, let alone he was not her opponent at all.
If the emperor's father wants to have a grandson, he will definitely have one.Guangxu decided not to bring up the issue of the crown prince, and followed Cixi's wishes, and talked about holding his grandson.
Hey, did you make a wish with me?
Now that Erchen lives alone in Yingtai, of course it can't be said.Guangxu deliberately led the conversation to this.In fact, he secretly planned in his heart, if you make your big brother, I don't care, so you can return Zhenfei to me.
Okay, isn't your queen and concubine all idle?As long as you have a son, this elder brother will just treat it as nothing. Who do you want to accompany you?
I'm afraid the queen mother won't agree.Guangxu's words were on his lips, worried that Cixi would not agree to concubine Zhen being with him.Cixi knew in her heart that he was thinking about Concubine Zhen, but she deliberately asked him if he wanted a queen or concubine, and advised him whether to let them take turns going to Yingtai every day.Seeing that Cixi was in a good mood, Guangxu plucked up the courage to say that he wanted Concubine Zhen alone.
Everyone else can do it, but she can't!Cixi immediately put on a serious face.
Royal father!Guangxu immediately knelt down. If Erchen had a child with her, the emperor's father would have a grandson.
you do not say.When her grandson becomes the emperor, Zhen'er will become the empress dowager, and the world will be turned against her!You have a good plan!
No, Guangxu ignored the eunuchs and maids present, and begged Cixi: This child can not be the emperor, and he can not be a minister!As long as you let us be together, I will not ask about the government from now on, I just live my life without knowing what to say, anyway, that's what it means.
Listen up!As a concubine, she doesn't have to ask about government affairs!Wouldn't that be a fool?You are not afraid of being laughed at, but I am afraid of being poked in the back.Cixi teased Guangxu in front of the eunuchs and maids, and then said with a low face: I want a grandson, but not the one born by that little goblin!
Guangxu was full of despair and helplessness.He knelt there, and if there was a hole in the ground right now, he would dive right into it.Cixi asked him to get up and said that except Concubine Zhen, anyone you want is fine.Empress, Concubine Jin, if you can't do it, I will choose for you now.Guangxu got up from the ground, holding back the tears in his eyes, while shaking his head, he said: No, I don't want anyone else.
You don't want me but you want it?Seeing that Guangxu bowed his head and said nothing, Cixi immediately asked Li Lianying to pass on the elder brother.In fact, the elder brother was already waiting outside the hall accompanied by Xiao Huihui.As soon as Cixi called, Li Lianying immediately walked in with her elder brother.The eldest elder brother knelt down immediately, imitating the appearance of an adult and saying to see Lafayette.Cixi pointed to Guangxu and said to the elder brother: Kowtow to the emperor!The elder brother is a child after all, so he didn't know what Cixi meant, saying that he kowtowed to the emperor in the garden just now.Cixi said: That doesn't count, this time it is serious.Seeing that Lafayette's sullen face was frightening, the elder brother had no choice but to kowtow to Guangxu.
Guangxu smiled wryly in his heart, thinking what kind of thing this is.
Can't even say a word?How did King Duan teach you?Cixi glared at elder brother.
I, Ama Guang, taught me to greet Lafayette, but didn't teach me how to greet the emperor.
you ama!Cixi patted the armrest of the chair angrily, who do you think is your Ama?
It's my father, my father, it's Prince Duan!The eldest brother was confused by Cixi's question for a while, so he straightened up facing Cixi and answered word by word.
You bastard!Cixi slapped the elder brother who had just turned thirteen, and the elder brother was thrown sideways and almost fell. He knew that this Lafayette was not only in the palace, but also outside the palace. She is even better.He is not afraid of anyone at home, except his father.And his father was frightened when he saw Lafayette, so he understood this relationship on the first day he entered the palace.So he straightened his body, endured the grievance in his heart, and whispered:
Lafayette!My Ama taught me that
Your Mama is here!Cixi pointed to Guangxu and said to the elder brother, the emperor is your ama, and the emperor Tongzhi is also your ama!Duan Wang is nothing but giving birth to you.understand?
twitter!Big brother wants to cry but dare not cry.Cixi pointed to Guangxu and asked him to call him Ama Guangxu, so the elder brother had to call Guangxu according to Cixi's meaning.Seeing that Cixi was torturing a thirteen-year-old child, he was also teasing himself. Guangxu couldn't tell what it was like, so he lowered his head and said nothing.He wanted to leave, but Cixi refused to let him go.Said that big brother called you, but you haven't agreed yet.Guangxu was already suffocating in his heart, and he just sat there silently. He refused, and Cixi was even worse than him.She asked the elder brother to kneel in front of Guangxu, and kept calling Ama until Guangxu agreed.
The elder brother was lying on the ground, crying and calling for Ama, his tearful eyes were full of pleading.Guangxu couldn't bear to watch it, so he finally had to agree.Only then did Cixi smile and say, this is just like the father and mother.
The wind in early summer blows in from the lake, bringing with it a pleasant refreshing feeling after the rain.
Guangxu stood in the living room outside Yingtai bedroom, looking at the light mist floating on the water outside the window, feeling indescribably melancholy.There was the organ by the wall next to the window, and when he saw this dark organ, he couldn't help but think of Concubine Zhen.It can be seen that Cixi is determined not to let Concubine Zhen be with him.Thinking of how he begged Cixi in front of everyone that day, Cixi flatly refused, feeling unspeakably frustrated.People are so strange, the more hopeless things are, the more hopeful they are.
The little eunuch walked in from the door and said that the elder brother came here to greet Guangxu, and Guangxu let him in.The eldest elder brother kowtowed to Guangxu when he entered the door, and said in his mouth that the son-in-law greeted Ama.Guangxu glanced at him and asked who sent him here.
Lafayette.She said that I am not allowed to play in the imperial garden, and I am only allowed to study in the study room all day long, and I will invite you back every day.Elder Brother's face changed when he mentioned Lafayette.It can be seen that after several days of repairs, he is much more honest than when Guangxu saw him in the imperial garden last time.
Guangxu asked him how he came here.The elder brother replied that he came by boat.
That boat is nice, I washed my feet while sitting on the bow!The elder brother said happily, he felt that Guangxu was very kind, but he didn't like to joke.
Be careful not to fall!Guangxu exhorted.
Guangxu talked with the elder brother for a while, and asked him to go back to his study to study.Eldest brother obviously didn't want to leave. Seeing the organ by the wall with its cover open, he curiously asked what Guangxu was, and stretched out his hand to touch it.Guangxu hurried forward to stop him, and said to the elder brother, you can do whatever you want here, just don't play the piano.
The elder brother stared at the organ reluctantly, and said, where is the organ sold outside?I went back and asked my Ama to buy me one.As soon as the words came out, the elder brother immediately knew that he was wrong, and immediately changed his name and called his father King Duan.
Guangxu smiled and said: Here, it doesn't matter if you make a mistake.
emperor!Seeing that Guangxu didn't blame him, the elder brother asked where the piano came from, where did you buy it?Dongdan, Xisi, outside the front door or in front of the Drum Tower?
This is a gift from foreigners, not sold on the street.
The elder brother stared at the organ, reluctantly stood by the door and refused to leave. Guangxu saw the disappointment on his face, so he waved to him: Come back, you can touch it if you want.The elder brother happily pressed the keys of the piano, and the organ made a pleasant sound
Concubine Zhen used a hairpin to carve a mark on the wall every day, recording the days she spent in Beisan.From autumn last year to early summer this year, she has lived here for nearly nine months.Facing the dense marks on the wall, she didn't know how long she would stay in this dilapidated bungalow.
For some reason, in the recent period, she often had the idea that she might not have a chance to leave here, and there was no movement from the emperor's side, even though Cha Shuizhang and Rong Qing ran away, they did not move outside.People locked in the prison are looking forward to the movement outside.If there is no movement, the prisoner has no hope.
People who have no hope also have a way to live without hope, that is to find hope out of hopelessness.Her only hope is to meet the emperor again, so that she will die without regret.Sitting on the kang, she was dreaming about meeting the emperor, and vaguely felt that there was a figure outside the window looking in.She raised her eyes instinctively, and felt strange when she saw a thirteen or fourteen-year-old boy lying outside the window.He is definitely not a new little eunuch, not to mention his clothes, the little eunuch doesn't have the courage.It doesn't look like he is the young master of the Wangfu's family. They will be accompanied when they enter the palace, and they will not be allowed to run around.
The naughty elder brother lying outside the window was the first time he went to the No. 3 North School. The eunuch guarding the courtyard gate refused to let him in. He climbed into the courtyard from the top of a collapsed wall.
He didn't expect there to be such a dilapidated house in the palace, and there were people living in the dilapidated house.The light inside was dim, and he couldn't see Concubine Zhen's appearance clearly. He only felt that her clothes were shabby and her face was haggard, like those beggar women by the bridge.He tries to talk to her and she ignores him.He had to leave the window and walked around the bungalow.
Yin'er came back from the outside and was just about to go in to get a bucket to go to the well to fetch water, when suddenly she saw a little boy wandering around the house, thinking it was a new eunuch.She quietly put down the bucket, caught up from behind, and grabbed Big Brother by the collar.
explain!Which palace's eunuch are you?Dare to peek here.Let's go, let's see Lafayette.
don't don't!Sister, please forgive me this time, besides, I didn't see anything.When the elder brother heard that he wanted to see Lafayette, he was so frightened that he begged for forgiveness.
Are you new here?Yin'er asked.
The elder brother nodded and said that he had only been in the palace for half a month.Yin'er asked him which master he served, and he said he would serve no one.Yin'er said, then you can serve me for a while, and help me carry the water.The elder brother readily agreed, and followed Yin'er all the way to the well.While walking, Yin'er asked the elder brother how old he was, and he said that he was almost fourteen.Yin'er said to him, you didn't cleanse until you were fourteen?The elder brother didn't understand what cleansing meant, so he asked her if she meant taking a bath.Yin'er smiled, not knowing whether the other party was pretending to be stupid or really stupid.
There is a well on the west side of the one-story house, which is the only well in the three courtyards in the north. Concubine Zhen and Yin'er usually rely on this well for drinking water.Yin'er and eldest elder brother arrived at the well platform, Yin'er carried half a bucket of water from the mouth of the well with a wooden bucket, raised the bamboo pole in his hand and asked elder brother if he could carry the water, elder brother said that doing anything was better than studying, while he While talking, he tried to hold the handle of the bucket with both hands, and his face flushed with exhaustion, asking why the water was so heavy.
Yin'er saw that he was not qualified for this job at all, and asked him if he had never carried water before.The eldest brother said he wanted to choose, but they were afraid that I would fall into the well, so they wouldn't let me choose.The more Yin'er listened, the more she felt that something was wrong, so she quickly asked: "Really, which palace do you belong to, and which master is in charge of you?"
I am a master.
Nonsense!Be careful cutting your tongue.
Really, I have court ladies and eunuchs under my command.
Are you not a eunuch?Yin'er was stunned.
I am big brother!
Whose elder brother are you?
I am ah, whose eldest brother I am, I can't tell, anyway, I call the emperor Ama!
Then you are no longer a prince?
The master in the study said that the Qing Dynasty does not have a prince.But when the emperor dies, let me be the emperor.
After talking for a long time, it's you!Yin'er seemed to be staring at a monster, and took a few steps back.It was always rumored in the palace that Lafayette wanted to change the emperor, but later he said no, but he wanted to hold a son for Guangxu, because Guangxu refused, so the matter was postponed. I never thought that Lafayette forced the emperor to hold a son, son It was the little boy in front of him who called himself Big Brother.
Seeing that Yin'er picked up the bucket, the elder brother turned around and left, and hurriedly asked her why she was running?Yin'er sternly sternly told the elder brother: Don't let me see you next time, you are not allowed to come here.After speaking, he turned and left.Looking at Yin'er's back, the elder brother stood there in a daze, not knowing what the other party meant.I thought that the maid had a good time with him, so she left as soon as she said anything.
Yin'er went back to the house, and immediately told Concubine Zhen about her seeing Elder Brother.
Is it the boy just now? Which palace's eunuch is he?Only then did Concubine Zhen remember that there was a little boy lying on the window and looking in. He was lying on the window and wanted to talk to her, but she ignored him.
He is not a eunuch.How can I tell you?What a strange thing has happened.Forget about changing the emperor, another prince appeared!This boy is Lafayette's elder brother.Yin'er said indignantly.
Hearing what Yin'er said about Elder Brother, Concubine Zhen remained silent for a long time.She believed that Cixi came up with this trick in order to prevent the emperor from being with her again.In fact, anyone who has read a little bit of books knows that according to the ancestors' rules, this is illegal, but Cixi just did it.Yin'er saw that Concubine Zhen was silent with her head slumped, knowing that she was not feeling well, so she had nothing to say to accompany her.
Master, when you were with the emperor every day, you never thought of having a child by yourself?Yin'er suddenly asked Concubine Zhen.
Why didn't we think about it? We thought about it, and we also thought about it. When we have a son, we can't just let him read the Four Books and Five Classics and be stereotyped.When it's time to go to school, send him to a new school outside, and let him understand astronomy, geography and arithmetic.When this matter was brought up, Concubine Zhen was indescribably depressed.Looking at ordinary people, there are a lot of sons and daughters in their lives, that is, those princes and Baylor's, all of them are full of children and grandchildren, but she and Guangxu are together every day, and they just don't get pregnant. Who can blame this, I'm afraid it's fate.
I know, in fact, the emperor wants a child of his own more than anyone else!Concubine Zhen sighed deeply.
Don't worry, master, when Lafayette calms down, the master and the emperor will always be able to reunite through a broken mirror, no, no, your mirror is not broken at all.
Can there be such a day?Concubine Zhen raised her face and stared at Yin'er, as if the answer was on her face.Concubine Zhen looked at Yin'er for a long time, then shook her head in a daze.
Yes, master, trust me, it will happen!
With your auspicious words, I will live for this day.
Yin'er could tell that if Master Zhen continued to be locked up like this, sooner or later she would have a nervous breakdown.If she had the patience of her elder sister Jinfei, she might be able to survive.It's a pity that she is too hard, like a piece of jade.In the afternoon of the next day, Yin'er came to the well platform on the west side of Beisan Institute again to draw water.As soon as she got there, the elder brother suddenly jumped out dancing and dancing from behind the bushes by the well platform, greeted her and made strange faces.
Yin'er ignored him, picked up the well water and left.
Sister, are you really angry?
You are not allowed to be called sister, and you are not allowed to come here. I told you earlier that this is not the place for you.
Are you the master or the court lady?The elder brother asked Yin'er unconvinced.
Am I like a master?
I think you are more angry than the master, the emperor and I have never been so fierce!The elder brother pouted unhappily.When Yin'er heard that elder brother said that he could see Guangxu, her heart couldn't help moving, and she asked him tentatively.
Can you really see the emperor?
Of course!See you once.The big elder brother looked like a cow, boasting that he went to Yingtai Island in Xiyuan and took the boat pulled by two ropes, looking very proud.
what are you doing thereYin'er asked.
Please greet the emperor.
Then, can you bring something to the emperor?Don't let others see it.Yin'er thought that this boy was the big brother, and people didn't care about him, and they didn't dare to take care of him.If he can send a letter to the emperor for Master Zhen, so that the emperor can know the situation of Master Zhen, so that the two sides can't hear anything after thinking hard.
That's not easy, it's easy to grab!Big brother said disapprovingly.
How to let others know?Yin'er asked in a low voice.
I swear!I want to reveal the truth, I'm just a bastard, don't even think about being an emperor in this life, don't believe that I will hook your fingers with you.The eldest brother stretched out his little finger while talking.
Seeing him swearing and swearing, Yin'er looked very serious, quickly put down the bucket, stretched out her hand and hooked fingers with the elder brother.She told him to wait here, saying that she would go back to the house and be right back.
The bungalow was not far from the well platform, Yin'er returned to the room in three steps at a time, and excitedly said to Concubine Zhen that she had agreed with the elder brother, and he promised to help them deliver a message to the emperor, Concubine Zhen stared Two eyes, is he reliable?Yin'er said, besides him, who else can go to Yingtai?
To be on the safe side, Concubine Zhen asked Yin'er to bring her elder brother here, she wanted to ask herself to see if it was really reliable.After Yin'er went out, he quietly led the elder brother to the window after a while.
The elder brother pointed to Concubine Zhen and asked Yin'er, who is this person?Yin'er told him that the woman locked in the room was Concubine Zhen.Yin'er saw the puzzled look on the elder brother's face, and couldn't tell the relationship between the characters in the palace at all, so she said, "Aren't you called the emperor Ama?"Then she is your mother-in-law.While Yin'er was talking, Concubine Zhen walked to the window and looked at Pu Jun.
Is it him?It's kind of long.Concubine Zhen said with a smile.
The elder brother who was lying outside the window looked up and saw the emaciated concubine Zhen, he was startled and turned around to run away.Yin'er stretched out her hand to hold him, not letting him run away.
Is she crazy?The elder brother was afraid, and stood there timidly, asking Yin'er in a low voice.
Listen to me, she is not crazy, she has a good heart.Is now poor.Yin'er coaxed the elder brother.
Why didn't the emperor reward her?Big Brother asked naively.
You go ask the emperor.Yin'er finally persuaded the elder brother, led him to the window again, and then said to Master Zhen standing in the window: Master, please speak quickly.
Come on, don't make it hard for him.Concubine Zhen sighed lightly.
Master Zhen, Yin'er anxiously passed the village, but there is no such shop!
Can you really see the emperor?Concubine Zhen hesitated for a while, and finally asked the other party.
I can.He patted his chest and said.Seen from a close distance, Eldest Brother thinks that Concubine Zhen is very kind, but her clothes are a bit old and her hair is a bit messy.
Then you can deliver something to the emperor for me, okay?
OK.What should I bring?Big brother nodded again and again.Concubine Zhen saw that the other party agreed very readily, and she was indescribably excited, but she couldn't find anything to take along for a while.In a hurry, she tore off a light yellow lace hem from her underwear, and tied the torn cloth strip into a wishful knot.According to the rules of Tibetan Buddhism, this wishful knot is to wish the other party peace and good luck.She handed the Wishful Knot to Elder Brother and asked him to pass this to the Emperor, Elder Brother was stunned there.He thought to himself that there are so many good things on the emperor's side, and this thing is worth a trip to Yingtai?
Yin'er was chattering aside, the eldest elder brother finally accepted the wishful knot that Concubine Zhen made temporarily out of cloth strips, and handed it to the concubine in the early morning of the next day, while paying his respects to Guangxu.
Guangxu held the wishful knot, feeling an indescribable pain in his heart.Maybe except him, no one can understand the meaning of it. The wishful knot represents the reincarnation of all things in the world.Zhen'er told him more than once that he and she will be like this wishful knot that lasts forever. They were husband and wife in the previous life, and they will be husband and wife in the next life. They are like this wishful knot, life after life, together forever .At this moment, not to mention the previous life and the next life, just in front of them, the two of them thought hard, but they didn't even have the possibility of seeing each other!
Your Majesty, I think she is too poor. There is nothing in the room, not even a decent chair. Eldest brother can see that Guangxu is very sad, and at the same time, he also values the humble Concubine Zhen who he brought back. thing.He felt that he had done something important, and couldn't help but mention the situation with Concubine Zhen.
Is she in good spirits?Guangxu asked.
The one on the outside is okay, but the one on the inside is not good enough.
What else did she say?
The outside or the inside?
Of course it's inside!
She didn't say anything.
Guangxu heaved a long sigh, looked at the wishful knot in his hand again, and fully understood what Concubine Zhen meant.What does the husband say?It's too late to say anything at this time.She can only wait for the arrangement of fate.But there is one thing, whether she lives or dies, she will always be his.In this life and in the next life, it will be like this.
Your Majesty, that mad woman is pitiful.
No no, she's not crazy.Everyone was drunk, but she was awake alone.If I had listened to her back then, maybe Guangxu had finally resisted the words behind her, paced back and forth in the room silently, and secretly wiped the wet eye sockets behind his back.
Then you can reward her with some money, so that she can make two new clothes!
I will definitely reward!Can you deliver it to her?When Guangxu was told by the big brother, he immediately came to his senses. This is a good opportunity for Concubine Zhen to spread the word.The eldest brother patted his chest righteously, saying that it was not easy, and wrapped it on him.
Very good!It would be great.Guangxu said repeatedly, while looking for what he thought was the most suitable and could best express his thoughts.He rummaged on the bed for a while, looked at it on the antique rack, and then ran to the desk, wanting to write something, after all, the boy was too young, and he couldn't justify it if something happened.He rummaged through the room and found it inappropriate.The elder brother shouted anxiously from the side, telling Guangxu to hurry up, otherwise the masters who taught him to read would have to sue Lafayette again.
Guangxu was already in a hurry, but when he was urged by the elder brother, he became even more anxious.Suddenly, he saw the wrench on his hand. It was a priceless emerald ring. It was given to him by his biological mother when he got married. He had been wearing it for many years. Concubine Zhen will understand the deep affection and kindness when she sees it.
Since Yin'er entrusted Elder Brother to bring the Wishful Knot to Guangxu, she never saw him again for a few days.Early in the morning, she went to the respect room to collect monthly money, and deliberately walked back from West Chang Street, thinking that maybe the elder brother was playing there, so she could meet her, so she walked slowly, looking up from time to time.As soon as he entered Xiheng Street, he suddenly saw Xiao Huihui rushing towards him, Xiao Huihui!Seeing that you are so busy that you are sweating all over your face, what are you doing in such a hurry?Yin'er had nothing to say, so she purposely asked Big Brother if he was playing hide-and-seek with Big Brother again, rolling around and crawling all over the ground.
He couldn't even roll if he wanted to, his ass was so swollen and high, it looked like doughnuts.Don't talk about rolling, you can't even get off the kang!Xiao Huihui told Yin'er that he was going to the Imperial Hospital to get medicine for him to treat his elder brother's wound.
Yin'er was secretly taken aback, worried that the matter of delivering the message for Concubine Zhen might have been revealed.Before she could ask, Xiao Hui told her that he had offended Lafayette, and Yin'er asked what the trouble was.Xiao Hui said that the elder brother was fond of playing all day long and didn't study hard. He went to Yingtai to play a few days ago, and his homework was delayed.
I can't memorize the book well.In fact, just a few sentences, I can listen to it.I examine myself three times a day: Are you conspiring and not being loyal?Don't believe in making friends?Don't you know how to pass it on?What is there?Xiao Hui said with a contemptuous face.
Just for this?Is there something about the emperor?
I said Miss Yin, do you really miss the emperor enough?
Can I ask?Yin'er blushed.
right?Every time you see me, you always ask about the emperor.Don't just look at the emperor with no one around and want to take advantage of it?The year Yin'er entered the palace, Xiao Huihui was only in his early twelfth year, about the same age as the elder brother.In a blink of an eye, he was almost sixteen, his heart was deeper than before, and his mouth was much oilier than before.
I tore your mouth out!Yin'er was so angry that he chased and beat him.
While hiding, Xiao Hui said a lot of strange things: To be honest, you are much more pleasing to the eye than the empress master!I won't lie to you, you can do it while the emperor is walking.
Yin'er was so angry that she stretched out her hand and grabbed Xiao Huihui, she was about to beat him, but Xiao Hui turned to the side and slipped past Yin'er's hand like a fish, but Yin'er grabbed the hem of his robe tightly.Xiao Hui was very quick-witted, pointing to the distance and yelling that Mr. Li is coming, Yin'er let go as soon as he heard it, and Xiao Hui took the opportunity to run away.Only then did Yin'er realize that she had been deceived, and pointed at Xiao Hui and cursed: You are not a human being!
The speaker has no intention, the listener pays attention.Although Xiao Huihui was joking, Yin'er took it seriously, thinking that she felt sorry for Master Zhen, so she took the initiative to ask Shangbei San to serve her. If Xiao Huihui's nonsense spread, others would really Some of them mistakenly thought that she would actually do such a thing while her master was in trouble.Not to mention that Master Zhen was sad when she heard this, others would poke her back and call her an unkind and bad woman.
Yin'er returned to Beisan Institute, still sulking over Xiao Huihui's joke.Concubine Zhen asked if she had any news about Elder Brother, and she listlessly told the story of Elder Brother being beaten.Concubine Zhen was both disappointed and anxious, fearing that something might happen to the elder brother.
Don't be Lafayette, what do you think?
Anyway, it was not light.Yin'er said without raising her head.
At the beginning, I said no, it was you, and I insisted on letting him send some letter.Concubine Zhen was a little unhappy.
Then don't you want to pass it on?
Don't let him pass it on, he has no hair on his mouth, so he can't do things well.But you are burning like a heart, hurrying and urging, as if you have caught a big ingot!
All right, forget me!The servant has apologized to the master!Yin'er was already on fire in her heart, but seeing Master Zhen complaining about her again, her inexplicable anger suddenly broke out, and Concubine Zhen froze there for a moment.Yin'er is stubborn in his bones, but his temper can't be better. Yin'er has been with him for more than a year, let alone her master, even other people, even lower servants than her. Who has she blushed with?
Yin'er, are you angry?Concubine Zhen was silent for a long time before asking in a low voice.
The slaves dare not.
I don't take you as a slave.
The master is always the master!
Am I still like a master?Concubine Zhen asked back, feeling unspeakably desolate in her heart.
A skinny camel is bigger than a horse, and the bones are there.Yin'er said neither salty nor light.
What's the matter with you today?I just said one sentence, you have eight sentences waiting for me!
If the master doesn't like the slaves, let the slaves move.Yin'er was still thinking about Xiao Huihui's words, thinking that since she was not by Master Zhen's side, she didn't need to deal with the emperor, so as to save others from sending messages, and also to save Master Zhen from misbelieving the message and being sad.
Concubine Zhen was silent for a long time.Although she was very sad in her heart, she was reluctant to let her go, after all, she was her only ears and eyes, but she thought that she would leave her sooner or later, so she said to Yin'er cruelly:
I just knew that your son is not growing up here, so I don't blame you, it's the same with anyone else, the first ten months with you, it's fun enough.You can go if you want.
Master Zhen!When Yin'er heard the other party say such words, she also froze there, feeling unspeakably flustered, you, you really let me go?
Don't put your back here, you don't need to build one if you sell one.Concubine Zhen was surprisingly calm.
So what do you do alone?
Just leave it alone, let's go, don't hate me!
As for hate, only Master Zhen hates me, how can I hate her?Yin'er felt sore, thinking that Xiaohui would talk nonsense, how could I vent my anger on Master Zhen, thinking of this, she suddenly knelt down, stretched out her arms to hug Concubine Zhen's legs, and tears burst out of her eyes.
Don't cry, don't cry!get up quickly.Concubine Zhen bent down, wiped the tears on her face with her sleeves, and said in a low voice, I know what you think, you always feel sorry for me, you are not with me, you are doing it for atonement.Actually, it's not your fault.Even without your thorough letter, the emperor and I would not be able to get out of Lafayette's hands!
Master Zhen!I, I, I really deserve death!Yin'er knelt down on the ground, kowtowed several times, and cried loudly on the ground, refusing to get up again.Concubine Zhen couldn't afford to pull her, so she simply squatted on the ground, hugged her shoulders, and whispered in her ear: Listen to me, let's go.You are not guilty, you do not owe me, nor the emperor
Yin'er and Zhenfei, master and servant, knelt on the ground, hugged each other tightly, and wept softly.Perhaps apart from crying, they could find no other way to express their inner pain.她們在哭自己，同時又在哭對方。這不，一個身陷冷宮，由皇貴妃淪為囚犯，心愛的男人咫尺天涯，硬是見不上一面；另一個新婚之際奉召入宮，眼巴巴地等著皇上替他們指婚，沒想一場突發事變，與她兩小無猜的戀人亡命天涯，至今生死未卜。
大阿哥在上書房，雙手捧著書，一臉無奈地坐在那兒。當他聽師傅解釋說為人謀而不忠乎的意思，就是替人辦事要牢靠，要有信用時，他突然想起光緒皇上交辦的事。上次因為挨打，趴在床上躺了好幾天，一直沒機會將那枚綠玉扳指送到北三所珍妃手裡。想到老佛爺昨兒去了頤和園，眼下沒人再敢管他，靈機一動，對兩位教書師傅說他要出恭，出恭就是大便，師傅總不能不讓他拉屎吧。師傅無奈地放下手中的書，要他快去快回。大阿哥故意提著褲子往外跑，師傅叫住他，要他下回記住，大便不能說出恭，要說關防。
就這樣，大阿哥藉著關防為名，離開了上書房，一溜煙地向北三所跑去。他翻過牆頭上的豁口，輕手輕腳向那棟平房走去。走到那邊剛要趴在窗上叫裡面的人，突然見吟兒提著水桶走出房門，立即咧著嘴迎上去。
大阿哥！怎麼好長時間不見你露臉？看見大阿哥，吟兒興奮地叫著。
別提了，提起來屁股疼！
你交給皇上了？
他還讓我帶了個扳指來。可不是給你的，是給她的。大阿哥指著屋裡的珍妃說。他邊說邊從帽子的暗格裡摸出那枚祖母綠的扳指。
皇上沒讓你捎什麼話兒？吟兒接過扳指問。
大阿哥搖搖頭，說皇上自言自語說了好些，他沒聽懂。吟兒讓他好好想想。他苦著臉，說他就怕背書。最後他終於想起來，說皇上告訴他，這個玩意兒比金子還值錢。吟兒苦笑笑，要他明幾個再見到皇上，就說扳指收到了，讓皇上放心。大阿哥不高興地說沒明兒了。
Why?你不是得給皇上請安嗎？吟兒詫異地問。
老佛爺說了，以後不讓我去瀛台了，給皇上請安也免了。
珍妃從吟兒手中接過那枚綠玉扳指，心中百感交集。她深知這枚扳指來歷非凡，宮中寶貝多，但這是皇上生母送他的。老人家留下話，誰替皇上生了兒子這戒指就歸誰。光緒曾對她說，等她生了孩子，不論男女，都將扳指賞給她。她說她一定會替他生個大胖兒子。現在患難之中，她再也不可能替他生孩子了，他卻將扳指送給她，其中含意太明白不過了。只要他活著，任何人也替代不了她啊。
這麼多天，吟兒從沒見她開過笑臉。這會兒見她眉開眼笑地端詳著手中的扳指，自然替她高興，指著外屋邊的水缸逗趣地說：主子，咱倆又該喝酒了。滿滿一大缸呢！那好啊，不用碗了，趴在缸上喝得了。珍妃也笑開了，兩人逗了一會兒，珍妃突然想起榮慶，他是吟兒意中人，自從他在武昌被人抓住，據說慈禧要替他和瑞王家的小格格指婚，後來再沒音信了。
可惜，你那榮慶還沒個準信兒。珍妃明白了相思之苦，對吟兒和榮慶間的事自然更為同情。
吟兒興奮地趴在珍妃耳邊，告訴她說，聽小回回說，榮慶不肯和小格格結婚，由武昌逃跑了，珍妃一聽便誇獎榮慶聰明。她認定慈禧以賜婚為名，其實想將榮慶騙到北京，然後對他嚴刑審訊，好將光緒身邊親近的人一網打盡。吟兒聽珍妃說了慈禧的陰謀，心裡一驚。原先她想得沒珍妃那麼多，只是覺得他為了自己，連王爺家的小格格也不要。就憑這一條，她在宮中等他多少年也值。
榮慶到底跑哪兒去了？Concubine Zhen asked.
這打哪兒能知道？
想辦法打聽一下。
別別，鬧不好出了事，還不如像現在這樣，寧可瞇著點，也不讓人抓住把柄。What do you say?
你可真沉得住氣啊。珍妃覺得她說得在理。吟兒見珍主子不說話，沉吟了老半天，終於對珍妃說了自己心裡的想法。
奴婢這麼尋思，兩人好，別管隔山隔水，天南地北，誰都能惦著誰，你心裡有我，我心裡有你，那就夠了！
聽吟兒說了這一番頗有哲理的話，珍妃非常感慨的同時，不由得想起自己和光緒的處境。正如一首詩中寫的那樣：它生未卜此生休。她送給光緒的同心如意結，只不過是她一種美好的意願，除非慈禧死在她前面，否則她是沒指望再見他一面了。她心裡這麼想，嘴上卻沒說，除非哪天宮裡會發生什麼特大的事，老天會賜給她一個奇蹟。
Yes.你倆早晚會有那麼一天。珍妃盯著吟兒，眼神有些木訥。
到時候您和皇上一定得給我們指婚。您答應過我，一定得算數兒。吟兒看出珍主子眼神不對勁兒。伸手扯扯她衣襟，說主子可別忘了這事兒。珍妃明知吟兒是為了逗她高興，心裡說不出的苦楚，臉上卻擠出一團笑，喃喃地對吟兒說：算數，一定算數。
一天下午，敬事房的太監突然傳吟兒，說老佛爺讓她去一趟。
吟兒心裡說不出的納悶，老佛爺不是去了頤和園，怎麼又突然回宮了，她這會兒傳自己，究竟有什麼事，吟兒邊走邊想，越想心裡越不踏實。傳她的太監吩咐她穿戴整齊些，因此出門前珍主子特意幫她梳了個二把頭，在耳邊插了朵珠花。不知為什麼，她有種本能的預感，覺得要出事。
走到儲秀宮大殿外，李蓮英似乎有意站在那兒等他，她叫了聲總管，這位總管皮笑肉不笑地叮囑她，說老佛爺這兩天可氣兒不順，小心別撞雷上。
慈禧靠在椅座上閉目養神，心裡說不出的煩亂。自從她將端王的兒子帶入宮中，立為大阿哥，天天讓師傅教他在上書房唸書，指望他有一天能成材，好接光緒的班，沒想這孩子天生頑拙，顯然一副孺子不可教的架勢。想到這，她心裡就亂。
立大阿哥不是說立就立，說廢就廢。何況端王是她手下一員重要的幹將，在她與光緒的鬥爭中功不可沒。最近，他與義和團的人有密切聯繫，他甚至準備利用義和拳刀槍不入的法力，在適當的時機，和洋鬼子決一死戰，立志要將洋鬼子統統趕出中國。對此，她深以為然，特別那天端王帶了一些功夫高強的義和拳教友，在宮中作了一番表演，那些人頭上紮著紅布條，一個個刀槍不入，吞劍吐火。一掌劈下，一摞青磚頓時成為兩半。他們躺在地下，馬車由身上輾過傷不著半根毫毛，慈禧看得目瞪口呆。心想要由這些人組成軍隊，洋人再多的洋槍洋炮也抵擋不住。當然，她做夢也沒想到這些人事先做了手腳，像變魔術那樣叫你眼花繚亂，一旦碰上真刀真槍全玩完了。
奴婢吟兒叩見老佛爺。當吟兒跪在地下，向她請安時，慈禧這才回過神。她抬起粘滯的眼皮，看一眼地下的吟兒，由鼻子裡哼了一聲。
You're here?
奴婢伺候老佛爺。吟兒慌忙回答說。
早把我忘了吧？
奴婢天天在心裡給老佛爺請安。
可你總也不見面兒呀。
老佛爺太忙，不傳奴婢，奴婢哪兒敢來這兒打擾，
好些天不見，你也學會說話了。慈禧笑笑說，當老佛爺就這樣兒不好，什麼事兒都由人替你安排，想有個意外都沒門兒。
吟兒低頭不語。她瞭解慈禧脾氣。不說話嫌你嘴笨，話說多了嫌你嘴碎，誰也不知該什麼時候說，什麼時候不說，大概除了茶水章，沒人在嘴巴上不讓她罵過，李蓮英也不例外。慈禧見吟兒不出聲，這才讓她起身。
抬頭我瞧瞧。
吟兒一邊應聲，一邊微微抬起臉。
哎，我就納這個悶兒。那冷宮裡成天不見日頭的，颳風漏風，下雨透雨，你怎麼反倒越來越水靈了？慈禧嘴上這麼說，其實心裡也真的覺著奇怪，比起宮裡，北三所可不是人待的地兒。
老佛爺說笑話了。吟兒臉紅了，雙手不知該往哪兒放。
慈禧指著牆角那面外國進貢的大鏡子，讓吟兒過去自個兒照照。吟兒不知所措地站在那兒，直到慈禧再次讓她去鏡子那邊，她這才小心翼翼地走過去。
吟兒望著鏡面中的自己，不由得在心裡暗暗驚訝。正像老佛爺所說，北三所比哪兒都苦，可她竟然長得細皮嫩肉，亭亭玉立，連自己也覺得她比先前更那個什麼了。她不敢多看，只看了一眼，便轉身回到慈禧面前，問老佛爺要不要她敬煙。
慈禧說她這會兒不想抽煙。然後對吟兒說：這些日子也苦了你了，我打算給你挪挪地兒，你上瀛台陪皇上去吧。
吟兒驚訝地瞪著眼，一時不知說什麼。
皇上身邊兒都是些太監，一群笨鴨子。我想，沒個女人不行。你在景仁宮的工夫，皇上也沒少去，還是你伺候他吧。
光去奴婢一個？Yin'er couldn't help asking.
你想跟誰就伴兒？Cixi asked back.
娘娘主子們誰去呀？吟兒猶豫片刻，試探地問。她覺得這是個絕好的機會，要能替珍主子說上一回話，也就對得起她了。她沒有直接提珍妃，繞了圈先問其他娘娘主子。
皇后他不要，瑾主子也不合適。慈禧隨口應道。
那就讓珍主子去吧。吟兒作出一副非常隨意的樣子。
What?慈禧瞪著一雙老眼，臉上像七月的天，說變就變了，你給她說情來了！
Back to Lafayette.吟兒見對方變了臉，慌忙跪下，依奴婢意思，老佛爺到今兒了還沒個孫子。要是讓他們有了一兒半女，老佛爺就當上奶奶了。眼前兒有了小孩兒，老佛爺也就不悶得慌了。
我不稀罕那東西，眼珠子都指不上，還指著眼眶子嗎？慈禧一聽吟兒是替自己著想，臉色頓時緩和許多。
有孫子沒孫子還是兩弓勁兒。
小丫頭片子懂什麼呀？慈禧忍不住笑了。心中暗想，要是吟兒能替光緒生個兒子就好了。其實她讓吟兒去瀛台，就有這個意思在裡頭。吟兒是個非常討人喜歡的宮女，為人善良，沒什麼心眼兒，到了光緒身邊，時間一長，說不準他可能會慢慢喜歡上她。大概也只有這樣，他才會漸漸忘了珍妃。
奴婢不懂。可奴婢媽媽前幾年就想著抱孫子，為這個還老跟奴婢哥哥鬧哪。
你把我跟你媽歸一塊兒了？
奴婢說錯了，奴婢該掌嘴！吟兒自知失言，慌忙認錯。沒想慈禧哈哈一笑，說沒錯，沒錯呀。你收拾收拾，今兒個就過去
慈禧越是對大阿哥看不順心，越是想讓光緒能生下個兒子。這樣她不但有了親孫子，那個頑劣不化的大阿哥自然也就不用待在宮中，她認為自己雖說六十五了，但身體還相當好，孫子放在自己身邊，養到十五六歲不會有多大問題，總之，只要不是珍妃那小妖精生的，不論其他和哪個女人生的都行。
一聽老佛爺要派吟兒去瀛台那邊伺候皇上，珍妃緊緊抓住吟兒的手，心裡像打翻的五味瓶，說不出的鹹苦酸辣。既然慈禧發了話，她想留吟兒是不可能的。吟兒去光緒身邊當差，能將她在這邊的情況告訴皇上，這自然是件好事。但想到吟兒一走，從此再沒一個她這樣說知心話的人在身邊，心裡又說不出的恐懼。十個月來，在北三所囚禁的日子裡，她已經習慣了吟兒的存在。在這無奈的絕望中煎熬，她安慰她，陪她一塊兒傷心流淚，時不時從外面帶來一些有關光緒的消息。她一走，自己一個人關在這兒，外面什麼事也不知道，等於眼瞎了，耳聾了，除非有一天皇上能救她出去，否則便是在這兒等死了。
吟兒知道珍主子心情非常難過，其實她何嘗不是這樣。她捨不得離開珍主子，不僅因為她覺得自己對不住她，一心要留在這兒陪她受苦心裡才會好受一些，同時也因為兩人在一起時間長了，產生了一種特殊感情。俗話說患難見真情，這兒不比在景仁宮，日子太苦了，主子和奴才已經沒有什麼差別，於是她和主子間有了一種普通人之間的感情，她倆在一起無話不談。她們在對另一個男人深情的愛戀中，雖說各自有著極為不同的遭遇，但那種至死不渝的執著卻一模一樣啊！
一句話，一個眼神，甚至兩人靜靜地坐在那兒，什麼也不用說，心卻相通著。她們快樂著同樣的快樂，悲傷著同樣的悲傷，思念著同樣的思念，渴盼著同樣的渴盼，對方是皇家主子，是皇上的愛妃，要在過去那是何等的尊貴啊！而現在兩人卻像親姐妹一樣朝夕相處。一想到這，吟兒心中便湧出一種本能的受寵若驚的惶恐，這是她前輩子修來的緣份，是她祖上積下的德。
敬事房的太監已經傳下話，讓吟兒收拾東西，要她立即去瀛台，這匆匆的分手，對吟兒和珍主子，也許就是最後的訣別。她們雖然都沒說出口，但倆人似乎都意識到這一點。一時間，她們不知有多少話要跟對方說，可越是著急，越不知該說什麼。最後，吟兒終於忍不住催著珍妃，說您跟皇上捎什麼話兒，趕緊跟奴婢說。
珍妃抓住吟兒的雙手，激動地說：我當然要捎話，當然要的她喃喃地說了許多遍，卻總也不說要給光緒帶什麼話。吟兒見她總也不說，急忙催她快說，敬事房太監在外頭等著哪。
妹妹，你陪我半年多了，姐姐有什麼得罪你的，你都忘了吧！珍主子一時實在想不出該跟皇上說些什麼，反倒說起吟兒和她之間的事來了。
master!您千萬別這麼稱呼，奴才折陽壽啊！一聽珍主子稱自己為妹妹，吟兒心裡一驚，鼻子頓時酸酸的，撲通一聲給珍妃跪下，一雙惶恐的大眼裡頓時濕乎乎的。
是的，今生今世，不論以後發生什麼事，我永遠把你當作親妹妹。珍妃雙手將吟兒拉起。吟兒不肯起來，說主子對我的恩德我刻在心上，這些話就不忙說了，求珍妃先想著跟皇上說些什麼，好讓她帶話過去。
Yep.你就說我這兒過的挺好。珍妃苦笑笑說。
皇上能信嗎？
你得讓他信。珍妃頓了一會兒，吩咐吟兒：你說我吃的飽睡的著，身子骨也強多了。臉上臉上也白裡透紅的，跟先前差不多。
奴婢聽主子的，就，就這麼跟皇上說吟兒結結巴巴地說。眼瞅著珍妃那張蠟黃的臉，想起她過去那藕紅絲白的臉蛋，在這兒已經被折磨得不像樣子，強忍住的淚水奪眶而出，哇的一聲哭了。
What's wrong with you?是你讓我帶話，不說這些，還能說什麼？珍妃故意作出一副輕鬆的樣子，心平氣和地說，你想想，好不容易有這個機會，你總得想辦法讓他放心我這兒，只管把自個保養好，就什麼都有了！你說說是不是這個理？
奴婢明白！吟兒咬緊牙齦點點頭，使勁擦著眼淚。
我可把他全託給你了！
主子放心，奴婢一定把皇上伺候的好好的。
光緒為了珍妃，忍著羞辱再三哀求慈禧讓她回到自己身邊，慈禧非但不肯讓他倆在一起，就連讓珍妃放出北三所都不肯。為了表示抗議，光緒索性不近任何女色，連皇后皇貴妃要上瀛台來看他都被他拒之門外。他越是這樣，慈禧越是惱火，滿肚子氣全撒在珍妃頭上。因此，只要慈禧在一天，珍妃和光緒便不可能重新相聚。
宮女入選宮中必須是未婚少女。自古以來，儘管皇上有所謂三宮六院七十二妃（其實並非是個定數），但仍然對宮中任何一位宮女有著當然的支配權。皇上在這女兒國裡幹出任何荒唐事，不但名正言順，且理所當然。歷朝歷代，許多顯赫一時的后妃都是皇上由宮女中選出來的。包括眼前再次上台垂簾聽政的慈禧也不例外。珍妃望著吟兒，想起她倆曾談起過替皇上生孩子的事，突然心裡冒出一種衝動，心想要是吟兒能給光緒生個兒子該多好啊！
如果她從此再也見不到光緒，如果就此死了，她心頭最大的缺憾就是沒替光緒生個孩子。她希望吟兒能替她補上這個缺憾，但一想她進宮前便許配了榮慶，話到嘴邊又猶豫了。其實，珍妃心裡明白，吟兒和自己一樣，只要慈禧活著一天，她跟榮慶絕無相聚的可能，心狠手辣的老佛爺怎麼也不會放過反對她的人，更不用說榮慶是皇上的死黨。就像吟兒不肯點破她一樣，她也不忍心點破吟兒。既然吟兒跟榮慶已經沒有指望，何不讓吟兒好好伺候皇上，她寧可吟兒替皇上生個孩子，也不願意隆裕和其他皇妃們佔去了這份殊榮！
你到了皇上那兒，一定要把他當作你家裡人，就像是你的親哥哥珍妃暗示對方。那怎麼成呀，他是皇上啊！吟兒沒明白對方意思，心想她吃了豹子膽也不敢。
不不，不是親哥哥，我說錯了，應該比這更那個什麼的珍妃說來說去總也說不出那個什麼，究竟是什麼意思，最後急得從手上取下光緒託大阿哥捎來的綠玉扳指，塞進吟兒手裡，這個給你戴上，你告訴皇上，就說我轉送給你了。
那不成，奴婢不能收！吟兒急了，這是皇上送您的呀。
您瞧，上邊兒鑲著兩顆紅豆兒，包在一顆心裡。紅豆同心的意思你明白嗎？
明白呀。那就是二人同心同德，合好百年，
right!就這意思。我就賞你了！
主子，您那好意我都心領了，扳指可不能要。我替榮慶跟您謝恩了！吟兒以為珍妃送這枚精貴的扳指是為了祝福她和榮慶，嘴上謝著珍主子，心裡卻說不出的苦澀。她何嘗不知道，她和榮慶跟珍主子和皇上一樣，只怕這輩子沒指望了。
我沒說榮慶。我是託你
是不是託我交給皇上？吟兒越聽越糊塗。
你呀你，你