The two walked to the depths of the plum forest, where the flowers were in full bloom, the sparse shadows gathered on the fragrant branches, the night snow turned into a delicate fragrance, and the unique cold fragrance of the plum blossoms hung in the air, making people feel relaxed and happy.
Hua Qiong looked at a branch of red plum protruding from the top of the plum, and said quietly: "It is said that the green calyx is the leader of plums, but according to my opinion, this red plum stands proud of the frost and snow, and is unparalleled in its beauty. I'm afraid that one day I will take away the title of leader."
As she said that, she suddenly raised her hand towards the branch, and heard a "click" sound. The red plum branch broke at the sound, and the remaining snow on the petals fell, causing the surrounding flower branches to shiver in the cold wind.
Hua Qiong held the red plum in her hand, turned to look at Lin Wanwan, her lips slightly curved, and said, "Unfortunately, I have never liked flowers that are too delicate."
Lin Wanwan's eyelashes trembled slightly, and she said with a smile: "Although these plum blossoms are beautiful, they can only be seen against the backdrop of ice and snow. If hundreds of flowers bloom next spring, these plum blossoms will only serve as a backdrop." , how can it be as noble as peonies, gorgeous peonies, and charming crabapples. Regardless of green calyx or red plum, they are just the most common flowers among hundreds of flowers. How can they be qualified to compete with other flowers?"
"She really has a lotus tongue." Hua Qiong looked at her, smiled seductively, and then asked, "Do you know why the Queen Mother summoned you to the palace?"
Lin Wanwan replied calmly: "Hui Niangniang, forgive the stupidity of the people's girls, the people's girls don't know."
Hua Qiong glanced at her meaningfully and snorted, whether it was a sneer or a mockery. She suddenly raised her voice and asked, "Do you not know, or do you know but dare not say anything?"
Lin Wanwan's expression froze slightly, and then she slowly lowered her eyes, her palms slightly curled up, looking a little cramped.
"No ordinary woman dares to speculate on the Queen Mother's thoughts."
Hua Qiong could see all the subtle changes in her expression. After all, she was a country girl. How could she withstand the sophistication in the palace? She found out in a few words. Unlike these people in the palace, all of them had become refined. Just now he was sharp-tongued and looked calm and composed, but under this imperial power, it was difficult to maintain it.
"Do you know why this plum blossom blooms in the cold weather?"
Hua Qiong stared at the red plum in her hand, and gently traced the delicate petals with her index finger. The corners of her lips were slightly raised, with a hint of coldness, "It's not that it likes the cold, but that it can't wait until the garden is full of spring." , they will first end up being crushed into dust."
After saying that, her smile faded, and she suddenly raised her eyes to look at Lin Wanwan, her gaze was like a sharp knife, with a touch of sharpness, and then handed her the flower branch in her hand.
Lin Wanwan didn't seem to notice the sharp look in Hua Qiong's eyes. She took the flower branches with her hands, and her expression suddenly darkened. There seemed to be a sadness floating in her eyes, and melancholy gradually appeared.
She stared blankly at the red plum in her hand for a moment, then a wry smile appeared on her lips, and Qi Qiran said: "What the empress said is absolutely true, but the daughter of the people believes that since the plum blossoms choose to bloom in the cold, they must also like the cold. , but the flowers bloom and fall with the wind. Even though it has no intention of competing for spring, it can still bloom until spring. Maybe being crushed into dust and turned into spring mud is its due destiny."
Her expression was desolate and sad, as if a bitter storm was brewing in her heart, washing away her previous disguise, washing away all the beauty, leaving only sadness and sadness.
Hua Qiong stared at her with half-squinted eyes, not missing the slightest change in her expression. Then she raised her eyebrows and asked meaningfully: "So, this plum blossom likes to be cool and has no intention of competing with other flowers, but it does." And you can’t help yourself?”
Lin Wanwan raised her eyes, met her gaze calmly, and said sincerely: "Your Majesty, Holy Ming."
Hua Qiong stared at her for a long time. Seeing her frank expression and no intention of evading, she suddenly smiled and said, "Since it has no intention of fighting for love, I will do a good deed and fulfill it."
After saying that, she covered her lips and yawned, lazily supported Bu Yao on her bun, and said, "I am a little tired, and I have rewarded you with enough plum blossoms. You can do what you want."
Lin Wanwan lowered her eyes and bowed her head respectfully, "Thank you very much, Madam. I would like to send you my concubine."
"Oh, that's right." Hua Qiong had just taken a few steps and seemed to have remembered something. He looked back at her with an unclear look and said faintly: "It's a cold snowy night. The more the charcoal fire in the charcoal basin burns brighter at night, the more likely it will be." The more peaceful you sleep, but in this palace, being too peaceful may not be a good thing."
Lin Wanwan was stunned for a moment, then nodded and said, "Thank you for your advice, I'm sure the daughter of the people will always be vigilant."
Hua Qiong calmly withdrew her gaze and walked straight out of the Merlin without saying another word.
Looking at Hua Qiong's retreating figure, Lin Wanwan felt suspicious in her heart. Although she performed a painful love scene in front of Hua Qiong, Hua Qiong temporarily let down her guard against her, but according to the information she had previously inquired about and Yun Judging from the look on Chun Fang's face, this Concubine Hua was not a kind person. He thought she would make things difficult for him, but he didn't expect that instead of making things difficult for him, she actually warned her to guard against the Queen Mother's tricks. It was really It surprised her.
She always felt that this noble concubine was a little weird. Sometimes the way she looked at her was like looking at another person through herself.
…
In the Buddhist hall in the back hall of Ningshou Hall, the Queen Mother knelt and sat under the Buddha statue, her eyes slightly closed, and lightly twirling the Buddhist beads in her hand.
She has passed the age of late spring, and will be at the age of knowing her destiny in two years. But even so, her temples are still dark, and her eyebrows look extremely beautiful. I don't know whether it is because she has been well maintained, or because she has been worshiping Buddha all year round. , with the blessing of Buddha, he looks like he is no more than thirty years old.
Pei Rong came from the main hall and walked in a hurry. She didn't slow down until she reached the front of the hall.
She stood under the eaves and carefully dusted off the flying snow on her clothes, then gently stepped across the threshold of the inner hall, walked to the Queen Mother's side, bowed and whispered a few words to her.
After finishing speaking, the Queen Mother slowly opened her eyes, and the movement of plucking the rosary beads in her hand became slower and slower, until she stopped, holding it tightly in her hand, and a flash of shock and anger suddenly flashed in her eyes.
What a great Hua Qiong!
She secretly gritted her teeth, then raised her eyes to look at the Buddha statue, and then slowly suppressed the anger gushing in her heart. She was silent for a moment, and then reached out to let Pei Rong help her up.
The master and servant walked from the Buddhist hall to the side hall. Pei Rong dismissed the palace servants. Seeing that the Queen Mother's face was a little cold, she immediately poured a cup of tea for her and said softly: "It seems that Concubine Hua has received the news a long time ago. He was on guard, so he sent Prime Minister Zuo into the palace to pay an audience and held back the emperor."
"The Ai family has known for a long time that if Hua Qiong knew about this, she would definitely not sit still and wait for death. She would definitely find a way to delay the emperor. However, the Ai family did not expect that she would let Hua Hongfei enter the palace overnight."
The Queen Mother looked at the tea cup on the table, her eyes became colder and colder, and an uncontrollable anger surged in her heart. Her eyes were like frost and snow on the eaves, and there seemed to be flames in her eyes.
"The Hua family is really ambitious! Hua Hongfei, an old thief, completely ignored the palace ban and entered the palace whenever he wanted. Where did he put the majesty of the royal family? The most hateful thing is that Hua Qiong dared to The Ai family has spies in the palace, and it seems that the Hua family not only wants to cover the sky with one hand in the court, but also wants to completely control the harem, which is simply audacious!"
The more she thought about it, the more frustrated she became. She slapped the case with her palm, and the prayer beads wrapped around the tiger's mouth were shaken with a clear and crisp sound, "Hua Qiong's actions today are clearly demonstrating against the Aijia, provoking the Aijia, and provoking the Aijia." imperial power!"
