C16

There had been a huge gust of wind in the past few days. The originally warm weather had suddenly turned cold. It was as if the winter had officially arrived from the beginning of the gale.

Helian Jia strolled through the corridors of the palace. The weather wasn't too good today. The sky was gray and there was no sun. Occasionally, a gust of wind would blow past, sending a shiver down his spine. Zhang Ying looked worriedly at the Emperor's thin clothes, afraid that he would catch a cold. But the words of remonstrance were at the tip of his tongue.

Because persuasion was useless.

The emperor walked aimlessly, with no clear destination in mind. Since the imperial concubine, the Emperor has often come out for a walk in this way. Looking around, it seemed very casual, but Zhang Ying was very clear about this. Perhaps the Emperor was just lonely, looking for the shadow of the Imperial Consort.

The imperial concubine's death was like a north wind blowing through the night. The cold weather and the Emperor's heart were both scorched by the cold wind. In the morning, Zhang Ying even found a tuft of white hair in the emperor's hair. His hands trembled, and his expression remained the same. He pretended as if nothing had happened, and hid the tuft of white hair between his black hair.

Not far ahead was the Thousand Waves Pavilion. Helian Jia's eyes flashed. It was as if a fragment had flashed through her mind. Without thinking, he stepped forward and made the decision for him.

As they got closer, they could faintly hear the sound of singing. Zhang Ying frowned, afraid that the people inside would be startled. He was about to step forward when Helian Jia raised her hand to stop him.

The song came closer, but it was a girl, not very old. The singing voice was not very good. It had a bit of childishness to it. There was even Wu Nong's soft words, but the singing sounded very cheerful. Helian Jia seemed to be attracted by his voice. She could not help but step forward, and her voice became clearer and clearer.

"Good for Jiangnan, good for Jiangnan, green silk ribbon of the jade-green silver flowers. The river water like blue flowers like fire, the horizon cloud like which family. Jiangnan good, Jiangnan good, plain clothes embroidered lilac color. "Don't worry about that good family by the lake, the throne mirror, Zhu Yan."

At this point, the woman felt that her singing was not good and started laughing. That laughter was like a oriole bird in March, and also like a ray of light in the haze that filled the sky, instantly pushing away the clouds. One of the maidservants laughed at her, "Miss, why are you laughing before you finish singing?"

"I didn't sing well. It's not as good as my Cousin Caiwei." "I'll learn from Cousin Caiwei next time I see her. I'll sing it for you when I get back."

The servant girl did not seem to be afraid of her, and happily replied, "I can't tell if she is singing well or not, but I feel that the southern accent in Miss's voice is a bit off. If I were to hear it, I would know that Miss is only learning on the spot!"

After a moment of silence, the girl burst into laughter and scolded, "You damned girl, how dare you mock me like that! "See how I'll deal with you today!"

There was also a hint of spiciness in his tone. It was quite interesting when paired with his charming laughter just now. Helian Jia could not help but smile as she walked over. Zhang Ying was worried that this woman was some kind of palace maid or servant. He turned around to make the empress dowager unhappy, but couldn't stop her. He followed closely behind and helped the emperor open the door to the Thousand Waves Pavilion.

The Thousand Waves Pavilion was located in the northeast corner of the Imperial Garden, next to the Salt Fortune Palace. After the palace had been built, the Thousand Waves Pavilion gradually became deserted. Although this place was abandoned, it was full of flowers, plants, and even two tall parasol trees. It was a good place to drink tea during the summer and was often visited by concubines. It was just that the weather had been cold recently, and the imperial concubines rarely went out. Thus, other than this unexpected woman, there was no one else in Thousand Waves Pavilion today.

Zhang Ying slightly pushed the door open, and Helian Jia looked in from the doorway. The young woman in pink was chasing after the green-clad girl, wanting to tickle her, but the green-clad woman was probably the one who couldn't bear it the most. She walked around the courtyard a few times, but couldn't avoid it. When Zhang Ying saw that the woman was about to hit the emperor, he could not care less and shouted, "How dare you!"

The green-clad girl did not manage to control herself before she fell to the ground. However, the pink-clothed girl behind her was clever, and when she saw that it was the Emperor, she hurriedly ran over to help the green-clad woman up, causing the two of them to kneel on the ground.

"The imperial concubine, the Divinity Palace, has agreed to pay respects to the Emperor by the Meng clan. Your Imperial Majesty, your Majesty, blessings to all."

"Your servant, the Blue Conch, deserves to die for offending the Emperor. Please forgive me, your majesty!"

The two of them did not even dare to breathe loudly as they lay prostrate on the ground. Helian Jia stared fixedly at Madam Meng. Her pitch-black eyes were gloomy, devoid of any luster.

If the Emperor didn't call out, the two of them wouldn't dare to get up. In the end, the Meng Clan's young age was still a little afraid of bumping into the Emperor. Their shoulders couldn't help but slightly tremble. Right at that moment, a pair of bright yellow boots appeared in front of him. Following that, he felt that someone was squatting in front of him.

Madam Meng's breathing quickened, and she subconsciously lifted her head to meet the gaze of the Emperor.

The Meng Clan had never seen the Emperor so closely before.

It had been over a year since she'd entered the palace for the talent show. Other than a few festivals or the palace banquet where she'd seen the emperor from afar, she hadn't seen him once in private, let alone sleeping with him. For a time, the Meng clan had completely forgotten about the rules. They just stared blankly at the emperor.

He was very young, not in his fifties. His face was sharp and defined, and it was engraved with a trace of unswerving determination. His eyes were dark and dark, occasionally flashing with luster. They were like a pool of water so deep that one could not see the bottom.

Zhang Ying, who was standing to the side, saw Lady Meng sizing up the Emperor so impolitely. Just as he was about to berate her, Helian Jiaxing seemed to find this interesting and spoke first. "How is it?"

Madam Meng was startled and reacted, "What? …" Oh no! Your servant is being rude, your majesty, please forgive me! "

Many expressions flashed across Meng Shi's face. She was at a loss, feeling vexed and frightened. Finally, she begged for mercy. Its eyes were as round as a little poodle's! The smile on Helian Jia's face widened as her gaze fell on the top of Meng Family's head. Her hair was black and white at the hairline. Her hair was loose at the back of her head. Occasionally, she would dance with the wind.

In this instant, he could recall many things.

Many years ago, on a sunny day, there was a pink-clothed woman silently among the flowers. When she saw that it was him who had come, a trace of panic appeared on her face. As she looked down, he had seen this hairline, black and white, young and alive.

The Meng Clan and the pink-clothed girl before him didn't actually have any similarities, but why did he think of someone else?

Helian Jia frowned unconsciously. Zhang Ying was shocked by what he saw, but he dared not to say anything. A moment later, Helian Jia suddenly got up and walked out. Zhang Ying was startled. He did not have the time to look at the woman kneeling on the ground as he hastily trotted out.

The weather was getting darker and darker. The sky seemed to be right next to this palace city, slowly obscuring the light of the day.

Night finally arrived.

Today, without waiting for Zhao Fuhai to come and invite him, the emperor issued an order, "Summon the Palace of Xian Fu to agree to allow the Meng family to enter the body palace to serve as servants."

It had been a long time since the emperor had summoned his concubine to serve him.

Seeing Helian Jia's cold expression, Zhang Ying was unable to figure out what the Emperor was thinking for the first time. It seemed like Helian Jia didn't like the Meng clan at all. However, this order still had to be announced. Two hours later, the Meng family appeared in the main body palace wearing only a simple robe.

Unlike the flirtatious little girl of the day, Madam Meng was carefully groomed and washed. She was lightly painted with plum blossom makeup and was properly laid out on the bed. His pair of big eyes were slightly closed. He seemed to be tired, but also didn't seem to be asleep.

Helian Jia gave the Meng Family an indifferent glance as she slowly walked towards the wide dragon bed. Perhaps it was because they heard the sound, but Meng Shi suddenly opened her eyes.

She wasn't afraid, nor did she show any shyness. She only looked curiously at the emperor, her eyes containing traces of a smile and reverence. "Helian Jia felt surprised and gently sat beside her." Aren't you afraid? "

For the first time in her life, her concubines were afraid and nervous. No one had ever treated her like this. He had asked her to come tonight because he wanted to. After hiding the cold intent in her eyes, Helian Jia looked at the Meng family. The Meng family smiled bashfully and said, "Your majesty, this servant is so disrespectful to your majesty while lying down like this. May your majesty let your servant get up first?"

Although it was still early winter, the room was extremely warm. Helian Jia herself had only gotten the bright yellow bedclothes. Nodding noncommittally, Lady Meng was delighted and slowly sat up.

She was so young, with such an expression on her face. Helian Jia thought in her heart. She then kindly repeated the question she asked a moment ago. "Aren't you afraid?"

"Yes!" Madam Meng shook her head in a childish manner. When she realized that she had been impolite, she hurriedly said, "This servant has been in the palace for more than a year. I'm not afraid anymore."

"Oh," Helian Jia's lips curved into an interesting smile. "You haven't slept with me, nor have you come to my side. How is your answer to this?"

"When this servant first entered the palace, he was truly fearful. He wanted to serve the emperor in his sleep. If the rules were wrong and the emperor wasn't happy, then what then?" Thinking like this, he became increasingly nervous and apprehensive for a period of time. However, as time went on, "Lady Meng smiled embarrassedly and said somewhat embarrassedly," This servant's mother once said that this servant's most thoughtless character is that of a servant. After some time, this servant will become familiar with the emperor and won't feel afraid or nervous. "

"Familiar?" Helian Jia gave her a puzzled look. Lady Meng blinked and responded, "Although this servant has never been close to the emperor, I have seen him many times during this year's Imperial Palace Feast Festival. Moreover, this servant lives within the same city wall as the Emperor.

After she finished speaking, her eyes curved into a cute smile.

The layer of black ice in Helian Jia's heart had receded a little. He nodded with a smile and said, "That's an interesting way of putting it. I heard you singing in the Thousand Waves Pavilion this afternoon, who did you learn it from? "

"To reply your majesty, I learned it from your cousin." This servant has always lived in the capital, unlike his cousin who lived in Jiangnan for a while. When a servant was young, they would listen to stories and read books. They would talk about how good Jiangnan was, but unfortunately, they never had the opportunity to see it for themselves. "Later on, when my cousin came back from Jiangnan, I pestered her to learn this song, but unfortunately, she didn't learn it well."

Mrs. Meng pouted with regret, as if she was regretting something. "My cousin sang in a soft voice, called Wu Nong's soft words. It was so pleasing to listen to. "It's a pity that I can't learn that flavor."

Helian Jia could not help but laugh out loud. She looked at the Meng Family and said, "You have been living in the capital for a long time. How are you able to learn the authentic Jiangnan accent? Your cousin... is she the daughter of Meng Yuanzhang? "

"Yes, your cousin entered the palace with your servant for twenty-nine years, and then your cousin left," saying this, the Meng family cleverly glanced at the emperor, preparing to not continue on this topic. Seeing her insignificant appearance, Helian Jia deliberately asked, "Why did your cousin leave the palace?"

Meng seemed to have hesitated for a moment before she looked up at the emperor. "Servant, if I say that, will the emperor be angry at the servant?"

Helian Jia gave a faint snort. "That depends on what you say."

With that, Meng Meng's face turned slightly bitter and filled with regret. Helian Jia couldn't help but want to laugh. It took a lot of effort before she was able to hold it in. He discovered that there were really a lot of expressions on her face. It was so tempting that people couldn't help but guess what she was thinking from her expression.

Of course he knew why Meng Caiwei had left the palace. The Empress Dowager had been talking to him about it the other day, and he was prepared to give Meng Caiwei the position of consort in a few days' time.

But right now, he didn't want to tell the Meng Clan about this. He just wanted to know how the Meng Clan was going to reply to him.

Sure enough, the Meng family hesitated for a long time, but still didn't dare to not speak, "This servant doesn't know either." I only heard that the emperor suddenly sent the servant's cousin out of the palace. The servant thought to himself, there has never been a chosen one sent out of the palace. If there really is one, then either this one has violated the palace rules and angered the emperor, or the emperor has other plans. The servant thought again, if the servant's cousin really broke the palace rules, then there was still the Palace Mansion waiting for her, how could they allow her to leave the palace. Moreover, this servant's cousin understands etiquette the most. Thus, this servant privately thinks that the Emperor must have other intentions, which is why he sent her out of the palace temporarily. "

Meng Meng smiled slyly, got up and kneeled on the bed, "This servant secretly spied on the Emperor's will, it is a great disrespect, this servant is guilty!"

In an invisible corner of the Meng family, Helian Jia turned her head and gave a slight smile. The boy wasn't stupid, he knew how to talk in a roundabout way.

With a light cough, Helian Jia Yin lost the smile on his face. "It's getting late. Go to sleep."