Chapter 207: Phoenix Body Lying
Chapter 207: Phoenix Body Lying
The golden-red sunset over the imperial city was gradually covered by dark clouds, leaving only one last ray of light shining through the window of Sihuang Pavilion, scattering across the building like broken gold. Through the gently swaying bead curtains, the light turned into golden earthworms, crawling on the square bricks.
For several days in a row, the palace door was closed and Concubine Wan no longer paid attention to palace affairs.
The originally silent harem became even more like a stagnant pool of water.
People were discussing secretly, and there were even rumors that the Imperial Concubine had fallen out of favor, but after all, she had accumulated power for many years, and no one dared to be the first to speak out at this time.
"The zither is on my knees, the wind is blowing under my fingers, I play the clear music gracefully, the moonlight is bright in front of the locked window, the night air is clear outside the carved railings..."
Outside the pearl curtain, candles flickered, and the female musicians in the inner court played zithers and harps, singing and dancing endlessly.
"My lady, you can't drink alone anymore..."
Mei Xin stood nearby, looking worried, and advised softly.
She held a gilded pot with a six-petal lotus pattern in both hands, but now there was only half a pot of wine left.
"Stop talking nonsense! If you want to imitate Zhang Wei, then go and kneel outside the palace."
Concubine Wan was leaning on a spring stool with a gloomy expression, drinking continuously from a golden cup in her hand, her cheeks slightly flushed, revealing her voluptuous figure and extremely charming appearance. No wonder she was known as a demon concubine among the nobles.
"Pour wine!"
……
"Fall again!"
The Nine Dragons and Four Phoenixes crown was placed on the embroidered couch, and three jade hairpins with phoenixes holding pearls and four top-grade turquoise gems were replaced. The emperor ordered the supervisor to repair it and it was sent to Zhaode Palace as soon as possible.
After the song was over, the lotus pot and golden cup were empty, but Concubine Wan was still not satisfied.
"Meixin, go get another pot of wine."
Mei Xin put down the empty wine pot, knelt down and said: "My queen, hangovers are harmful to your health and make you depressed and sad. You really should stop drinking."
Concubine Wan said coldly: "Do you dare to disobey orders?"
"I was rescued from the devil's lair by the Majesty. This life was never mine to begin with. If you want to punish me, I will accept it willingly. I only hope that the Majesty will take care of yourself, relax, and stop drowning your sorrows in alcohol."
"Drinking to drown your sorrows? What am I worrying about? You... you should kneel outside too."
Outside Sihuang Pavilion, dozens of guards were standing guard in the corridors and courtyards.
The new commander selected one hundred men with martial arts skills and clean backgrounds from the twelve prisons and added them to the guard team of Zhaode Palace, greatly strengthening the defense force around Concubine Wan.
Zhang Yu, wearing a dragon robe and a jade belt, paced back and forth in the corridor with his hand on the hilt of his sword. The faint sounds of stringed instruments and orchestras coming from the pavilion made him feel irritated and he looked towards the direction of Yeyouting from time to time.
Since I became the commander of the guards, I have to be on duty almost every day and I really can't get away.
He looked at Zhang Wei who was kneeling in the courtyard, walked over and asked, "Eunuch Zhang, what happened?"
Zhang Wei had a blank expression on his face: "The villain lives in disgrace, the loyal minister dies in remonstrance, that's all."
"This is a very eloquent statement. Did Eunuch Zhang ever attend a private school?"
Zhang Wei looked up at him with a proud look on his face, "I come from an inner academy, and I was taught by a cabinet minister of the previous emperor. I am not some lucky person who got promoted through wild means."
Ever since Zhang Yu became the commander of the guards of Zhaode Palace and took away some of his power, Zhang Wei, although he did not say it out loud, showed hostility and was secretly making things difficult for Zhang Yu, which greatly hindered his actions.
Zhang Yu was also a member of the group of evil people in Heimu Cliff, so he naturally noticed it, but he couldn't think of a way to deal with him for a while.
Zhang Yu nodded and said, "I know, it's the eunuch school. I heard that the best students all went to the Imperial Household Department."
Zhang Wei naturally heard the sarcasm in the words and sneered, "The evaluation of merit and demerit is not a one-time thing. Whether it is the Imperial Household Department or the Zhaode Palace, the night is long, the sun sets and the moon rises, who will have the last laugh is still uncertain."
Zhang Yu laughed and said, "I don't know who will have the last laugh, but it's still chilly in the spring, especially in the second half of the night, with the wind blowing and the dew soaking the air. If the father-in-law really kneels to the end, tomorrow will be miserable."
"Hmph, the Imperial Concubine is very smart. She can see through loyal ministers and good generals. She can tell who is trying to play both sides... Well, the Imperial Concubine sent someone to call me. I will say that the Imperial Concubine is very smart."
Zhang Yu turned around and looked.
The door of Sihuang Pavilion slowly opened, and Concubine Wan's personal maid, Mei Xin, walked out. She lowered her head and walked straight to the courtyard. Under Zhang Wei's expectant gaze, she found a place to kneel down.
Zhang Wei's smile froze on his face. The stone slab was cold and hard, and a chill penetrated straight into his kneecaps.
"Miss Mei, you are... you are..."
Mei Xin shook her head gently, unwilling to say more.
With the addition of the unpredictable Mei Xin, Zhang Yu didn't want to continue to get information from Zhang Wei. He turned around and paced in the courtyard, looking up at the sky from time to time. When he saw the bright moon covered by dark clouds, he thought of some old friends and felt even more depressed.
"I finally managed to sneak into the palace, but I'm unwilling to not find Yang Fengming."
At this time, the door of Sihuang Pavilion opened again, and a female official serving in the outer room walked out.
"Her Majesty has ordered that Commander Li be summoned to serve in the cabinet."
Zhang Yu was a little surprised. He was in charge of the guard's duties. Apart from accompanying Concubine Wan on trips, he usually only arranged guards in the outer room. There were usually several maids with strong martial arts skills serving in the inner room. Mei Xin was one of them. He didn't know what Concubine Wan was going to do now.
"Wang Sile, didn't the queen ask me to serve you?"
The female official shook her head slightly.
Zhang Wei glanced at Zhang Yu, feeling puzzled. What was so good about this boy that made him so pleasing to the Empress? He had only been in Zhaode Palace for half a month. If he continued like this, would he still be able to continue his job as the chief steward?
Mei Xin asked, "Is the Queen still drinking?"
The female official glanced at Zhang Yu, nodded slightly, and whispered, "Sister Mei, you have a good reputation in front of the queen. If anyone of us dares to persuade her, we will be dragged out and beaten to death with a big stick immediately."
Mei Xin looked up at Zhang Yu: "Commander Li."
"Miss Mei, what advice do you have?"
"Your Majesty has a cold body and should not drink too much. I hope you can give her some advice."
Zhang Yu chuckled and said, "Miss Mei, aren't you afraid that I'll be dragged out and beaten to death?"
Mei Xin looked at Zhang Yu steadily: "Even if Commander Li is not grateful for the Empress's promotion, he should also think clearly. We are both in Zhaode Palace. If the nest is overturned, no one will be left unbroken. Without the protection of the Imperial Concubine, I'm afraid you and I will not be able to move forward in this palace."
Zhang Yu nodded slightly: "Okay, I promise Miss Mei."
Zhang Wei saw Li Yu enter Sihuang Pavilion and the door slowly closed. He quietly moved his aching knees. He couldn't help but feel angry and hateful. He was full of resentment, but had no place to vent it. He could only whisper to Mei Xin beside him.
"The man surnamed Li is just a villain. Do you expect him to risk being punished to persuade the queen? It's impossible..."
In Sihuang Pavilion, the inner court female musicians were playing the seventh song. Everyone had nervousness and fatigue on their faces, and their hands that were playing the pipa and zither were trembling slightly. In fact, everyone knew that Concubine Wan had no intention of listening to the music, and she only asked them to play to make the pavilion less lonely.
"Your humble servant Li Yu pays respect to Her Majesty the Imperial Concubine."
Zhang Yu walked up to the bead curtain and bowed.
"come in!"
The female official who led him into the cabinet stood outside and gently lifted the curtain.
Zhang Yu hesitated for a moment, then slowly walked into the inner room. The female official then lowered the curtain, and the jade beads collided with each other, making a clear and pleasant sound.
It was pitch black outside, with dark clouds covering the moon. To prevent the sudden cold wind at night from invading Sihuang Pavilion, the tall windows had been closed. Two more rows of lamp stands should have been added for lighting, but the imperial concubine refused.
Only the bronze tree lamp stand and nine whale oil candles were left, which were as thick and sturdy as the handle of a white jade fly whisk.
The more Zhang Yu looked at it, the more he felt that it resembled the candles in Chengde Hall, and the smell was quite similar.
"What are you looking at? I'm here."
A lazy female voice sounded.
Zhang Yu bowed his head quickly, cupped his hands and said, "I am sorry for your rudeness. I am of humble origin and have little knowledge. Your Majesty has not given up on me and promoted me. I happened to enter the palace and found that this candle... was unusually strong. I have never seen it among the common people, so I was distracted for a moment. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."
Concubine Wan looked up and chuckled.
The man was wearing a bright red dragon robe, and he had a tall and graceful figure, with an imposing aura.
If it weren't for his handsome appearance and fair skin, he would really look like a real man.
"Well, I forgive you. You saved my life, so you deserve a little reward. As long as you serve me sincerely, I will not treat you unfairly. What's the point of being a mere guard commander? Even if you are the supervisor of the Eastern Investigation Bureau, I think you may not be incapable of doing it."
Zhang Yu bowed and said, "Thank you, Madam."
When Concubine Wan saw the military demeanor that he inadvertently revealed in his every move, which was completely different from the eunuch's feminine and soft demeanor, and instead had three points more masculinity than an ordinary man, she couldn't help feeling a little strange.
"Keep your head up!"
Hearing this, Zhang Yu straightened his back slightly and looked up.
But next to the bronze lamp stand, there was an embroidered couch.
Concubine Wan was lying on the embroidered couch, wearing a nine-phoenix robe, her fair skin half exposed and her figure charming. Her hair was tied up high and she wore a nine-dragon and four-phoenix crown on her head, exuding the majesty of the queen mother.
Zhang Yu thought to himself, "She really lives up to the name of a demon concubine."
Perhaps it was because the environment of silk, bamboo and candles was too charming, or perhaps the residual poison of the Poison Dragon Pill had not yet dissipated, Zhang Yu only felt a little dry in the mouth, and the snake head under the python robe was held high.
He lowered his head quickly.
"What’s wrong with you."
When Concubine Wan saw him lowering his head, his face slightly red, and looking a little flustered, she couldn't help but ask curiously.
"Your Majesty is as beautiful as a fairy, and your majesty is so majestic that I dare not look directly at you."
Upon hearing this, Concubine Wan smiled sweetly.
If these words were said by an ordinary man, no matter how high his position was, it would be a disaster that would lead to the death and extermination of his family. But it is not a problem for the eunuchs in the palace. They are neither male nor female, neither yin nor yang, and have no capital to carry out evil thoughts. The praise they say seems to be from the heart and is more pleasing to people.
"Do you also know what it means to be as beautiful as a fairy?"
"Although I am a eunuch, these words come from my heart."
Wan Zhen'er nodded slightly, thinking to herself, why do I always forget that no matter how tall and handsome he is, he is just a eunuch, what's the big deal.
"come here."
Zhang Yu took two steps forward.
Wan Zhen'er chuckled and said, "I mean, you come to the bed, standing so far away, what can you do?"
"As ordered."
Zhang Yu had no choice but to lower his head and walk forward five steps. When he arrived in front of the embroidered couch, he saw a pair of slender and plump legs wrapped in silk trousers under the phoenix robe, and phoenix-head boat-shaped shoes hanging on the edge of the couch.
"As rumored, the Queen of Ming did not bind her feet."
Concubine Wan Guifei sighed for some reason and said softly, "Pour me some wine."
Zhang Yu then noticed that there was a small sandalwood table next to the embroidered couch, on which were placed a golden pot and a golden cup. Because the table was too low, although he was reluctant in his heart, he had to kneel down and pour wine for Concubine Wan.
This wine is called "Peach Blossom Nectar". It is an imperial wine treasured by the palace. It is mellow and sweet in the mouth. Another peculiarity is that the alcoholic mood comes quickly and goes away quickly at first. No matter how much you drink, you will always remain in a state of being slightly tipsy and half awake, and will not be drunk.
"Pour more wine..."
After drinking three or four cups in a row, Concubine Wan's cheeks were flushed and her face was as red as a peach blossom, and she was already a little drunk.
"Continued Cup……"
Zhang Yu was about to dissuade him, but suddenly remembered that Zhang Wei and Mei Xin were both ordered to kneel outside and were not allowed to move without orders. As long as he could get Concubine Wan drunk, he would be able to do whatever he wanted in Zhaode Palace and even the entire harem.
He quickly poured the wine and said with a smile, "Your Highness has a good alcohol tolerance!"
"You are sensible. You know that I am unhappy and you don't say anything..."
"What's wrong with being hungover? What's wrong with being rude..."
"This palace... This palace has been the Imperial Noble Consort for ten years, but I have been playing the role of the Queen for ten years..."
"He was afraid of the sharp pen of the historian and did not dare to offend the civil officials, but I was labeled as a demon concubine. He even used those rumors to anger me..."
"Zhang Wei, that dog slave, actually advised me to apologize. For that bitch, forget it..."
Concubine Wan was drunk and felt increasingly dizzy and her neck ached. She sat up, took off the Nine Dragons and Four Phoenixes Coronet, raised her hands and was about to throw them to the ground, but stopped at the last moment.
"Phoenix crown?"
In the candlelight on the bronze tree lamp stand, pearls, agates, gold and gems all sparkled. This was the dream of the women in the harem, but they not only yearned for the phoenix crown, but also the honor of being the queen who was loved by everyone and had the right to be the mother of the country.
"The phoenix crown that only the queen can wear? It seems that not only the court officials, but also he thinks that I am not worthy of this title."
Wan Zhen'er's eyes turned slightly red and she couldn't help shedding two crystal tears. She took back the phoenix crown and placed it on the embroidered couch, but still found it an eyesore, so she pulled the silk quilt over to cover it.
"If he's not worthy of me, then I don't want to fight for it. After all, it's the Han family's kingdom, so I don't care who gives it to him!"
Speaking of which, Wan Zhen'er and Emperor Yousheng were not only childhood sweethearts, but also a couple who shared weal and woe. They lived and died together and went through many hardships before finally ascending the throne of the Supreme Emperor.
He had sworn countless times in front of a candle in the dark room of his mansion, "I am the sun, you are the moon, we will stay together forever and never let each other down."
Later, when he succeeded in his bid for the throne, he was afraid of what people would say, so he conferred the title of Imperial Noble Consort on her and told her to be patient and wait. This wait lasted for ten years, and many innocent friendships were lost in this long wait.
Candles on bronze tree stands burned slowly.
The pot of wine was finished again, but Concubine Wan was still not drunk.
Zhang Yu was surprised and asked softly, "Madam, would you like another pot of wine?"
Concubine Wan was lying on the embroidered couch, looking at Li Yu who was kneeling on the ground. Under the flickering light, she felt that he seemed to be more handsome than a woman.
"I feel a little sore in my head and neck. Please come closer to the bed and give me a massage..."
(End of this chapter)