The floating clouds are misty, and the blue sky is getting darker, as if a thick stroke of whale-blue ink has been splashed on it.
In the Imperial Palace of Ouchi, in the Imperial Study Room.
Emperor Zhao Yu wears a dragon crown on his head, a bright yellow dragon robe, a dragon waistband, and a python-shaped jade pendant. He looks noble and gorgeous all over his body.
He has a strong aura and a resolute expression; he has a stern face and gloomy eyes. Looking coldly, he seemed to have lost a lot of weight, and his slightly frowning eyebrows and tight lips added a bit of sharpness to him.
Feng Chaoying was reporting to the emperor on the ins and outs of the trial of the assassination in Qixia Pavilion:
Concubine Ling and the two maids had confessed. That night, Ling Yun and his accomplice Du Zhenghai broke into the palace at night to seek help from Concubine Ling, trying to find ways to sneak into the palace and find evidence of the prince's case.
During the deliberation, Yuan Chao and his bodyguard Zhou Shan passed by and had a fierce conflict. Yuan Chao took the opportunity to threaten and humiliate the imperial concubine. In anger, Ling Yun and his wife killed Yuan Chao and Zhou Shan, and then...
Feng Chaoying carefully recounted what happened in Qixia Pavilion that night, including some words of defense for Concubine Ling, slight remarks and even words of condemnation for Yuan Chao and Zhou Shan.
After finishing speaking, he slowly raised his head, carefully looked at the emperor with some exploration and consideration, and said: "Your Majesty..."
The emperor's face became extremely ugly, and his eyes looking at Feng Chaoying became increasingly obscure.
He turned around silently, staring intently at the mural of dragons and phoenixes on the wall of the royal study. He did not speak for a long time; the lines on his back became heavy and stiff.
"Chaoying, come with me to Leng Palace." After pondering for a long time, he finally spoke with difficulty.
His voice was low and hoarse, as if a well cellar had been covered with a thick layer of dust for many years.
Feng Chaoying saw that the emperor's face was gloomy and his eyes were cold. He didn't dare to say anything, so he only responded respectfully.
In the cold palace, it is lonely and deserted, with green lights shining on the wall.
Concubine Ling sat in front of the desk with a bleak look on her face, her bun was half tilted, her silk-like silk hair had become messy and loose, and a few long hairs were hanging threadlessly on the side of her face.
Her beautiful face was lonely, her face was haggard, and her originally bright and sharp water-cut pupils were dull, and she just stared at the white wall opposite in a daze.
Two maids, Xiuju and Caiping, were standing by. They also looked haggard, their eyes were red and swollen, and they sighed from time to time.
At this time, the little eunuch guarding the door came in and reported: "Lingfei, the Holy One has come to see you."
When Concubine Ling heard this, a flash of light suddenly flashed in her eyes, but it disappeared immediately.
The emperor walked in accompanied by Feng Chaoying and others; Concubine Ling silently stood up to pay homage to the emperor.
The emperor ordered everyone to retreat. There were only two people in the huge hall, the emperor and Ling Fei.
When the emperor saw Concubine Ling's head hanging down, and the pear blossoms covered with rain, he felt his heart twisting, and said softly: "Are you... okay?"
Concubine Ling's lips were pale and her eyes were moist, and she looked weak and helpless. She just choked and did not speak.
The emperor stared at her, the light in his eyes was so cold that it was chilling, and he almost said every word through his teeth: "I have always known you, believed in you, loved you, loved you, but I didn't expect you to... I just don’t understand, why would you do this?…”
Concubine Ling's eyes suddenly became firm and she said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, do you want to hear the truth from me?"
The emperor was stunned for a moment, "What do you mean by this?"
Concubine Ling raised her head and cleared her somewhat obscure voice, "Eight years ago, my sister Mo Qiuling was framed by an adulterer and suffered a terrible disaster; my father also died in a foreign country - I was a weak and helpless girl at that time. According to this, if Mr. Lu had not enforced the law impartially and Commander Ling had come to help, how could I have vindicated my hatred under the sea, and how could I have been lucky enough to meet the Holy Master Long Yan?
"People say that 'a drop of water should be repaid by a spring of water'. Although I am ignorant and ignorant, I still understand this truth. Now Mr. Lu has been framed by an adulterer, and he has been charged with an eternal injustice, and his life hangs on a thread; and Commander Ling has another I was forced into desperation and came to ask for help. If I refused, wouldn’t I be an ungrateful person? So I boldly agreed to the matter..."
"How do you know that Lu Wen was unjustly accused?" The emperor's eyes were as cold as frost, and his expression was gloomy and guarded. "He harbored evil intentions and plotted to murder the prince, but you dared to speak for him; and you colluded with Ling Yun and other rebellious officials to do this Something treacherous has happened! Mo Shuiling, don’t you want to live?”
Concubine Ling looked solemn and said resolutely: "Your Majesty, one day there will be evidence to prove that Mr. Lu is wronged, and Commander Ling is a loyal minister and righteous man. There is someone else who murdered the prince. Your Majesty, please do not let anyone around you." I was deceived by the slanderous words of some treacherous ministers..."
The emperor's eyes were blood red, with almost manic anger surging in his eyes, and he said sternly: "Concubine Ling, if you dare to say these irresponsible words again, don't blame me for not cherishing my old feelings for you!"
Concubine Ling was startled for a moment, and a tear fell at the end of her eyes. She looked pitiful, yet stubborn, and said, "What is the value of this humble life, my concubine? I only hope that the Holy One can re-examine Mr. Lu's case." , return justice to the prince, return innocence to Master Lu, and return the truth to the people of the world - otherwise, the country of the Song Dynasty will be in danger!"
"Shut up! You...you..." The emperor's face was ashen and he pointed at Concubine Ling with trembling fingers, speechless for a moment.
Concubine Ling had already put life and death aside. She looked at the emperor calmly, without saying a word, just waiting quietly for him to announce the decree that would determine her fate.
The emperor looked at Concubine Ling's beautiful and calm face for a long time, and felt his heart was in a state of confusion; he couldn't help but let out a light sigh, and turned away.
Everyone left, leaving only Concubine Ling's master and servant in the room, looking at each other with tears in their eyes.
Xiuju sobbed: "Mother, why are you doing this? You are already in trouble, but you still want to stand up for others wholeheartedly. Now that you have angered the Holy Emperor, you may be in trouble!"
Mo Shuiling said numbly: "My heart is like a gaunt tree. Life or death is no longer important to me. How lucky would it be if I could do my best to clear Mr. Lu's grievances?"
"Now I can't worry about you two. You have followed me for so many years. You share the same heart and thoughts with me and are as close as sisters. In the end, not only can I not help you and let you live a good life, but I will make you suffer with me. I ...I...I'm sorry for you..."
She choked up and couldn't speak anymore. The three masters and servants cried together...
The night is already very deep, and the bright moon moves with the clouds, flickering brightly and dimly. In the lonely palace, the red windows are half-opened, and the evening breeze blows gently, bringing a hint of coolness.
Mo Shuiling sat alone in front of the window, looking out the window at the desolate night sky as clear as water, and at the crescent moon like a hook on the dark blue sky, feeling melancholy.
The past is as vivid as yesterday. Feeling sentimental, she couldn't help but moan softly:
"The flowers in the forest faded away in spring, too hastily.
Helplessly, the cold rain comes in the morning and the wind comes in the evening.
Rouge tears leave people drunk, no matter how long they last.
Naturally, life grows and hates the water and the east..."
Du Zhenghai's familiar shadow flashed in her tearful eyes, and she couldn't help but murmured: "Haier, I wonder if I can see you again in my lifetime?..."
The courtyard door suddenly clicked. Although the movement was slight, the sound reached my ears very clearly in the deep quiet of the night.
Mo Shuiling was stunned for a moment, feeling a wisp of breeze passing by in front of her; a figure flashed in the dark night, as graceful as a startling giant, and it only took a blink of an eye to reach in front of her.
Her breath froze, and she subconsciously raised her eyes, and her eyes suddenly hit the eyes of a man who was looking down at her.
The two people's eyes met, and his eyes were meaningful. His pupils were deep black, with a little tenderness; but they were cold and as bright as stars.
The dim moonlight shone down, and the shadows of the trees in front of the window were dancing.
Behind her was a swaying palace lantern. With the light behind her, most of her face was covered in shadow, but her gloomy autumn-like eyes were made brighter and brighter.
She stared at the other person's face intently, and suddenly laughed, her eyes as curved as the crescent moon in the sky, crystal clear.
The man spun around and jumped into the room from the window. Then he closed the window and pulled Mo Shuiling under the shadow of the lamp. He said in a trembling voice: "Ling'er, what's wrong with you? It's me!..."
The strength in Mo Shuiling's heart that she had been holding on to could no longer hold up and collapsed. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she choked with sobs: "Really...is it you, Hai'er? Aren't I dreaming? ?..."
Du Zhenghai nodded with tears in his eyes.
Mo Shuiling's eyes were dense and motionless, fixed on his face. At that moment, she finally realized what it meant to feel like she was in another world.
Over the years and the flow of time, the once free-spirited young man and the handsome and affectionate man in front of him overlapped again.
Pictures from the past surged in like a savage beast, and the familiar yet unfamiliar feeling filled her emotions like a hundred claws scratching her heart. The depression and grievances she had felt over the past few days were like a flood that had opened up and flowed out of control. .
She desperately stretched out her arms, hugged Du Zhenghai tightly and cried. A pair of lovers hug each other tightly.
In an instant, everything changes between heaven and earth...
After a long time, Mo Shuiling came back to her senses and asked, "By the way, Hai'er, why are you here?"
"It's a long story." Du Zhenghai's thin hair on his forehead half covered his slender eyebrows, his dark eyes were warm, and his eyebrows were soft.
"Last time we assisted Brother Ling in robbing a prison and rescuing Mr. Lu, but we got separated in the melee. In addition to asking about the whereabouts of Brother Ling and Lian Nanchun in recent days, what I am most worried about is your safety.
"Later, after many inquiries, I learned that you were implicated in the assassination incident at Qixia Pavilion that night and were in a worrying situation, so I came here."
Mo Shuiling's heart was stirred, and she immediately transitioned from the hazy and dreamy world to reality, and said urgently: "These days, there is so much wind outside, but you come here alone, do you want to die? - Don't say anything, immediately leave here!"
"Of course I want to go, but only if you go with me -"
Du Zhenghai's deep eyes contained gaze and oppression, and he said in a decisive tone: "Ling'er, I came here tonight just to save you!"...
