Qianwandi returned to the inner room. Mingde was sitting under the window, holding his chin as he played with the parrot on the beam.
The fire had already been extinguished. He was wearing a simple white robe. With a light and graceful movement, he circled around the parrot, as if he was shrouded in mist.
It was the middle of the spring season, so there was only a slight chill. However, he still wore a large furry ferret around his neck.
This kind of luxurious clothing made the small figure seem particularly frail and weak, and also particularly mean.
Qianwandi frowned. Zhang Kuo's eyes moved. After a while, he silently brought out a fur coat and a dendrobium pearl on a golden plate.
Qianwandi took it in his hand and walked over to wrap the little fellow in his arms. He asked, "Is that big salt tasty?"
Mingde paused and sneered, "Everyone says that the Emperor is a benevolent monarch. I can't help but praise you for being so considerate of your subjects!"
Qianwandi deliberately asked, "How?
With a spoon? "
Mingde pushed him away with one hand and tried to stand up with the other.
Qianwandi held Mingde very tightly. One of his arms wrapped around Mingde's waist, forcing him to curl up in his arms. If he lowered his head, he could bite the tip of Mingde's thin ear.
"You woke up in the morning and killed so many people. You're making everyone restless. You should obediently stay in the palace and not go anywhere for the rest of your life. Otherwise, the people of the world will not be at peace because of you!"
Mingde could tolerate anything else, but this was the most taboo.
Qianwandi suddenly stood up with a push. He laughed and asked, "— — I don't have to go anywhere else, but I have to go every morning to pay my respects to your Consort Xian, right?"
Qianwandi was stunned. He immediately reached out and pulled Mingde over.
This pull was very fierce. Mingde staggered and was lifted into the air. Then, after a few steps, he was pressed into a large recliner.
The ferret's long and soft fur brushed across its chin. Its neck was so white that it was almost transparent. One could see the light green veins running down along the soft skin of its collarbone.
The faint and hurried pulse was beating helplessly under Qianwandi's fingertips, as if it would break with a slight pressure and be easily damaged.
Qianwandi's voice was obviously hoarse, so low that it was almost inaudible, "… I'd like to see who dares to ask you for an audience … You're already as slippery as a loach when meeting me, and you still dare to meet others …"
The palace servants serving behind the curtain silently retreated. In a hurry, they only had time to put down the curtain. The decorations outside were still faintly discernible. If one took a closer look, they could see through it.
Mingde's face was full of shame and anger. She bit Qianwandi's hand hard and said, "Let go!"
The little guy's teeth were sharp and small. Every time she bit, there would be a bloody mark, and drops of blood would ooze out.
Qianwandi didn't even think about it. He stuffed the bleeding hand between Mingde's thumb and index finger into his mouth to block his mouth. Mingde frowned. He wanted to bite with all his might, but he couldn't. The smell of blood rushed to his temples, and his head was throbbing. If he had a knife, he might have already stabbed Qianwandi.
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Qianwandi pressed him down with one hand and lowered his head to kiss his forehead. He coaxed in a low voice, "Be good, be good … Look at your little face. It's as if I've bullied you …"
Mingde grabbed his hand and wanted to push it away, but Qianwandi grabbed his five fingers with one hand and held them in the palm of his hand.
His fingertips were thin and delicate, with a light red color. It was impossible to tell that this pair of hands had once drawn a bow, pointed an arrow at Sirius, and frightened everyone in the world.
Qianwandi remembered that he had wanted to do this for a long time.
That was the first time he saw this little thing. It was so beautiful, wrapped in a big red gorilla blanket. The bright red color made the whole person look like white jade. It was as if the temperature in his arms could melt this person if it was slightly hot.
That was the first time he saw such a delicate and delicate little beauty in the world. It was like a priceless treasure that had to be carefully cared for. Even when it was sleeping, its breathing was so light that it was almost undetectable.
He carefully grabbed one of the child's hands and held it in the palm of his hand. He didn't even dare to use a little strength, for fear that he would break it. The bone was so light that it seemed to have no weight.
For a long time afterwards, he inexplicably felt that he was very lucky.
When Qianwandi was young, he fought on the battlefield and narrowly escaped death. Later, after many years of ups and downs in the imperial court, he spent a lot of effort to sit on this hard-won dragon throne.
After so many years, now that Mingde had fallen into his hands, it was so precious and sudden. It was as if the heavens had given him a reward and treasure.
In this country, there was an emperor in every dynasty, but not every emperor was lucky enough to obtain the world's most beautiful woman.
From ancient times to now, how many beauties were recorded in the history books?
How many emperors were able to lock a beauty in the nine layers of the palace?
Mingde felt very uncomfortable being pressed down like this. He struggled hard and fiercely pulled back his hand, slapping Qianwandi.
"… It's broad daylight, I still have to go out!"
"Where are you going?"
"The Eastern Palace!"
Qianwandi suddenly turned Mingde over and kissed the back of his neck. He smiled ambiguously and said, "Even if you go a little later, the Crown Prince can't run away. If you throw a tantrum again, be careful that I don't lock you up. Don't think about going out in the future."
That was what he said, but how could Mingde listen? This child always wanted to throw a tantrum to relieve boredom, not to mention when it came to matters on the bed. He was not obedient even once.
Recently, he was in good health. He could eat and sleep, and he had the strength to struggle. After Qianwandi bit him a few more times, he finally got angry. He put a knee between Mingde's thighs and asked with a smile, "You want to try being locked up again, right?"
He had a smile on his face, but that smile did not reach his eyes at all.
Mingde shrank back and couldn't help but mock, "People say that thunder and rain are the grace of the Emperor. Does the Emperor want this official to thank the Emperor for his grace?"
Qianwandi laughed, his face full of ridicule. His voice was so low that it was almost inaudible, "… Zhen will still … … thank you for your grace … …"
On the large pear blossom hardwood table outside, there was only a little bit of lunch. Before the people who came to leave could go in, they were blocked outside the door.
Originally, it would have been better to wait a bit, but the people in the small kitchen all knew that the original little noble lady had come back, so the Emperor indulged a bit.
From just after lunch until dusk, the door was tightly closed. Several palace servants waited outside in silence, not even coughing.
Everyone knew that the little noble lady had a violent temper. She was the trusted palace maid of the most favored Xian fei. Normally, she was domineering. She was like half a master that no one dared to provoke. Just because she offended the little noble lady's name, she was dragged out without a word and beaten half to death.
What was even more frightening was that the Emperor, who had never treated his servants harshly, was completely indulgent of the little noble lady's arrogant and domineering behavior. He did not say a single word against it.
The palace servants with status in Qing Zheng Hall had already spread it like a joke. Xian fei, who thought that she would soon become the Empress, cried and made a fuss in the morning to find the Emperor. In the end, she was hastily blocked outside the inner hall by Zhang gonggong … … It was said that the Emperor was doing official business inside, but who didn't know what he was doing?
It was just that the little beauty was throwing a tantrum. She threw pots and bowls in front of the important officials to embarrass the Emperor. As a result, the Emperor hurriedly went back to appease her.
Xian fei still wanted to make a fuss, but Zhang Kuo stood in front of her. She only slightly pouted at the palace servants who were kneeling and waiting in the corridor. He smiled and said, "Niangniang, did you see that?
Those are the aunts and servants who have served the Emperor for many years. They have been kneeling for an entire afternoon. Who dares to say a word?
The Emperor had said that when the little noble lady lived in Qing Zheng Palace Hall, she liked quietness. None of the servants she trained made a sound.
Now that the little noble lady is back, the servants here have to go back to the old rules.
If anyone dares to say a word, the Emperor will personally … … "
Xian fei came from a small family. She was not as bold as Ding Zhaorong. After making a fuss for a while, she went back.
Zhang Kuo accompanied her out of Qing Zheng Hall. Watching the carriages go far away, he sighed. A sentence was stuck in his throat. In the end, he did not spit it out.
… … This person's time to be proud won't be long … …
The servants in the inner hall of Qing Zheng Hall opened the door in the evening. There was a message from the inside saying that some light dishes and congee were to be served.
The personal palace maids hurriedly went in to serve them. However, they did not go into the inner room. Qianwandi personally received them. No one was allowed to go in to serve them.
The inside of the box was also very exquisite. There was a plate of bean skin and crab roe buns, a plate of goose oil soufflé, a few light dishes, and a bowl of crispy cheese in a mandarin duck patterned porcelain bowl. There was also a spoon with the same pattern.
Qianwandi looked at it for a while. He then smiled at Mingde and said, "That cook from the imperial kitchen is very interesting!"
Mingde completely ignored him. She was curled up in the depths of the dragon bed. She was covered in the quilt, bulging like a little bun.
Qianwandi held the bowl with one hand and lifted the quilt with the other. When he lifted the quilt, he saw that Mingde was holding the corner of the quilt in her hand.
He used a little more force. Mingde's hand softened and she couldn't hold it anymore. Her exposed forearm was covered in red and blue hickeys. In the chaotic air, there was an indescribable feeling of grievance and fear.
Qianwandi only felt a little anger burning in his heart. He couldn't help but reach out to hug Mingde's shoulder and pull him closer. He asked in a low voice, "Why are you crying?
After so long, you still can't change this bad habit. You cry after a little pain. I'm not dead yet, but you're crying like this … … "
Mingde shrank back into the quilt again. Qianwandi couldn't stand him like this. He directly pulled him into his arms and slowly blew a spoonful of congee to feed him.
Mingde raised his hand and was about to knock over the spoon. Qianwandi quickly held him down, "After you finish eating, I'll let you go see the crown prince. Otherwise, I'll see who dares to let you out of this door."
"… …" Mingde looked up at him, then carefully lowered her head to eat a spoonful of congee. She whispered, "… … It's hot."
Qianwandi tasted a mouthful, "It's not hot."
Mingde was a little angry. She turned her face away and didn't say a word.
Qianwandi was in a good mood. It was fun to watch. He knew that this little thing was looking for trouble and didn't give him a good time. He pretended not to know and coaxed her while slowly blowing on the congee.
This bowl of congee took a full two hours to drink. It was cold and hot, hot and cold again. It was not until dinner time that the door opened.
The palace servants followed behind like a swarm of bees. They saw Qianwandi carrying a boy out. The boy was wrapped in snow silk and looked like a jade carving. His face was buried, revealing only the tip of his thin ear.
Qianwandi was very happy. He ordered the palace servants, "Go find a fur fur coat. It's cold at night. Put on a silk cloak and take him to the Eastern Palace to see the crown prince."
Zhang Kuo hurriedly agreed and ordered people to prepare a carriage.
That trip was more troublesome than the emperor's departure. It was only the time it took to eat a meal, but a pile of things had to be prepared. The only thing left was to wrap Mingde into a snowy fur ball and stuff him into the carriage.
Zhang Kuo followed behind with a smile, "This servant heard that the little noble had frostbite at the foot of Tianshan Mountain. This servant specially asked people to ask Imperial Physician Hu to boil some medicine for him to drink when he comes back."
Qianwandi nodded. After a while, he suddenly said, "Zhang Kuo!"
Zhang Kuo hurriedly said, "This servant is here."
"Call a few reliable people to send the medicine to the Eastern Palace and make sure he drinks it."
Zhang Kuo agreed, but he was a little embarrassed.
There was no need to say how bad Mingde's temper was. Which palace servant hadn't experienced it?
Even if Qianwandi personally served him and forced him to drink the medicine, he might not be able to drink it, let alone the servants!
It would be good enough if he didn't jump and smash the bowl!
Just as he was about to remind Qianwandi of this, he heard Qianwandi say in a low voice, "… The medicine is not important. The key is to find two people who can keep the Crown Prince in check and remind him what he should and shouldn't say. If he says anything wrong, don't blame zhen … for not giving him any face as the Crown Prince!"
The Eastern Palace was built in the southeast of the palace city and was adjacent to Zhengtai Hall. Originally, it was to allow the Crown Prince to be diligent in court affairs. However, later on, Qianwandi built a wall to separate the two palaces. Anyone with a discerning eye could see that it was because the emperor didn't like the Crown Prince.
However, the strange thing was that no matter how much the emperor disliked the Crown Prince and no matter how much he suppressed the power of the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince wasn't really deposed.
Although the position of the Crown Prince was dangerous, there was no other prince who could replace him.
The carriage passed the palace wall and the Eastern Palace was in front of them.
Mingde was about to fall asleep in the carriage when the carriage suddenly stopped. She could vaguely hear the voices of people in front of her. Following that, she heard the palace servants persuading her kindly, "… Princess Qinghe, please go back … His Majesty said that you are here to see the crown prince. No one else is allowed to see him …"
The palace servant was only halfway through when Mingde's voice suddenly came from the carriage, "Is that Princess Qinghe in front?
Quickly invite her in! "
The eunuch wanted to use the emperor's words to persuade her, but then he remembered the servants who were dragged out and beaten in the morning. He immediately beamed with joy and said, "Yes!
Yes!
Princess, please come this way! "As he spoke, he hurriedly opened the curtains.
The curtains were very spacious and there was a bright yellow carpet on the floor. It was as big as a small room. Mingde had to stand up and walk two steps to reach the door. She reached out and pulled A Zui up and asked with a smile, "Why are you here?
Why didn't you bring the children to play?
I've been thinking about your children! "
A Zui pressed down the curtains and turned to look at Mingde.
It had only been a year since they last met, and she had already been promoted to a liangdi. She was much more wealthy than before. However, under the peacock fur coat and the gold and red accessories, she looked indescribably pale.
Mingde was shocked, "What happened to you?
Where is the Crown Prince? "
A Zui was trembling. She took a deep breath and forced herself to say the first sentence, "The Crown Prince has been imprisoned!"
Mingde was shocked.
He and A Zui looked at each other for a long time. His nerves, which had been trained from years of fighting in the palace, suddenly became tense. An ominous premonition gradually enveloped the luxurious carriage.
"Then … Then where is the Empress?"
A Zui covered her mouth with more force than she imagined. She had to use this method to stop herself from crying out loud.
Mingde felt his heart sink to the bottom of the valley. His whole body was cold, "… Where is the Empress?
Why is the Crown Prince imprisoned?
Where is the Empress? "
A Zui sobbed silently and shook her head desperately, "The Empress … She has … She has … She has been … Sentenced to death …"
Mingde felt his whole body soften and fell silently on the seat.
A Zui squatted down and wiped the tears on her face, "… Back then, the Emperor found out that Dongyang Wang Jinyuan was going to revolt, so he didn't let him leave the capital. He planned to besiege the Wang family … The Empress secretly sent people to escort him out of the capital, hoping … that the Emperor could change the owner of the palace … But later, the matter was exposed, and the Emperor was angry … This matter has been kept secret. The Emperor was afraid that you would know, so he told the public that the Empress was cultivating Buddhism. However, everyone in the East Palace knows that the Empress has …"
Mingde felt his hands tremble and could barely say a word.
"You should run away!"
A Zui held Mingde's hand tightly. She used so much force that her long and luxurious nails dug deep into her palm.
"… I heard that the Emperor has said that he doesn't plan to let you go this time.
You should go to the former Empress' palace and take a look!
It has been overturned and they plan to rebuild a new palace for you in the future!
… You should go, go, go as far as you can, and leave the capital!
The Emperor's meaning is very clear. If you don't hand over your military power this time, you won't be able to step out of the palace in the next life! "