The Mid-Autumn Festival has just passed, and the festive aftertaste of the grand Mid-Autumn Imperial Banquet held in Chongyuan Hall has not yet dissipated. However, Shulan Hall in Bian Palace is immersed in a serious and depressive atmosphere. Concubine Zhou Shu is critically ill.
Ignoring those palace servants who were nervous and afraid of saluting, he walked straight into Shulan Palace. However, before stepping into the bedroom, he subconsciously stopped and frowned slightly, which was an expression of hesitation.
Of course, Emperor Liu's gloomy expression showed his mood at the moment. At this time, more than a year later, Emperor Liu once again set foot in Shulan Palace. In fact, if the time is further relaxed, in the past ten years, Emperor Liu had rarely been driving, and his neglect of Concubine Zhou Shu can be seen from this.
Twenty years ago, Concubine Zhou Shu was once favored by Emperor Liu for her talent, beauty, and heart. She was once close to the empress, noble concubine, and virtuous concubine. At that time, Emperor Liu liked to listen to Concubine Zhou Shu play the piano and appreciate her. Dancing, when it is the most favored, can even lead the dance at the Pingnan Imperial Banquet.
Because of Concubine Zhou Shu's favor, Emperor Liu was particularly fond of the seventh prince Liu Hui and the fifth princess Liu Xuan who were born to her. Among the princes with different origins, how could Liu Hui dare to compete with the ninth prince Liu Hui who had a background in the Fu family? Shu tit for tat, one of the reasons why Shu Fei is favored.
As for the Zhou clan, they have received more blessings. The late head of the state, Zhou Zong, had made great contributions to the court. In the early years of Kaibao, he was also designated as a first-class knight. Yanghou.
Although with the death of Zhou Zong, this title was taken back due to the imperial noble system, but who dares not to regard the Zhou family as a noble class?
However, facts have proved that Emperor Liu's favor always has limits and reservations. The series of favors in the past remain in the old days forever.
The change still happened to Xiao Zhou. Although a large part of the reason for marrying Xiao Zhou Yifei was to cater to some readers, Emperor Liu also really liked this sister-in-law who had both beauty and aura. At the same time, it was also to satisfy his heart. That kind of depressing curiosity.
But Emperor Liu didn't know how Concubine Zhou Shu had grown up, so she was so dissatisfied and angry, and even dared to look coldly at Emperor Liu.
How could Emperor Liu get used to this? After so many years, Emperor Liu considered himself to be very restrained in his sexual desire. So far, there were less than twenty concubines in his harem who had been favored by him. For an emperor who had three thousand beauties who could ask for anything, This is already considered a pure heart, and it has become even more so in recent years due to health problems.
In Emperor Liu's harem, even Empress Fu was arranged for him by his great ancestor Liu Zhiyuan. As for the other concubines, they were either political marriages or donations from foreign vassals and ministers. Most of the concubines came to him from others. Sent from the couch.
There were only three people who Emperor Liu really took the initiative to seduce, the two concubines Xu and Li who surrendered to Meng Chang, the lord of Shu, and the third one was the little concubine Zhou, and the little concubine Zhou was the one Emperor Liu paid the most attention to.
However, it was rare for him to take the initiative, but it aroused strong dissatisfaction from Shulan Palace. Emperor Liu was naturally very unhappy and even incomprehensible. He didn't understand what was wrong with sisters serving the king together, taking care of each other in the palace, and benefiting the Zhou family even more outside the palace.
But Concubine Zhou Shu's almost paranoid and tearful behavior really annoyed Emperor Liu. He just felt that she had read too many books, and she was stupid and roundabout.
In ancient times, there was a story about Empress E and her daughter Ying. There were also two characters in the current dynasty. When it comes to reading, the Queen read fewer books than the Concubine Shu.
Under such a mentality, Concubine Shu's fall from grace is doomed. The more unhappy you are, the more Emperor Liu will favor Xiao Zhou. He has suffered such disobedience in his private life.
Of course, out of anger, Emperor Liu only ignored Concubine Zhou Shu, and did not completely relegate her to the cold palace. The reason was that she had a pair of children, and the second was that Concubine Zhou often interceded and consoled her.
After so many years, the original sullenness had long since dissipated, and Emperor Liu felt relieved, but it was difficult to return to the original "harmonious harmony". If Concubine Zhou Shu could change her ways and flatter her, she might be favored again, but she didn't.
Relationships need to be maintained. Over the years, the friendship in the past has naturally become indifferent and blurred, just a memory.
Concubine Zhou Shu's body also collapsed step by step over the years, and even the doctors couldn't cure it. In their words, it was a heart disease, and the heart medicine in the world was harder to find than any precious medicinal materials.
Emperor Liu occasionally heard that Concubine Zhou Shu was not in good health, but he only lightly told her to seek treatment if she was ill. The few times he couldn't bear Concubine Zhou's request and went to visit her, it was just a formality, just to give charity. manner.
By now, the woman Zhou Shufei was already somewhat unfamiliar to Emperor Liu. Even at the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet in Chongyuan Hall a few days ago, Concubine Zhou Shu did not attend due to health reasons, and Emperor Liu did not feel that anyone was missing.
However, when he heard that Concubine Zhou Shu was dying and in critical condition, Emperor Liu still moved his legs that were difficult to walk and came to Shulan Palace.
At this time, a bead curtain separated them. Concubine Shu was lying inside, and Emperor Liu was standing outside. However, Emperor Liu's heart was inexplicably filled with various feelings. This last step seemed a little difficult to take.
Recalling Concubine Shu's appearance in my mind, the originally vague impression gradually became clearer. The once-pleasant smile kept reappearing in my mind, but I felt a little heavy and found it difficult to move my legs.
The dormitory hall was already filled with a sad atmosphere. Empress Fu arrived earlier than Emperor Liu, and was sitting aside with a sigh. Little Concubine Zhou sat beside the couch with concern on her face. Fifth Princess Liu Xuan also knelt beside the couch, With tears in his eyes, he held Concubine Shu's pale and weak hand tightly. As for Concubine Shu, she was already dying, and her originally beautiful face had no trace of blood, which made people feel pitiful.
There was also an imperial doctor who was standing by at this time, looking anxious and worried, with a deep fear on his face.
After hesitating for a moment, Emperor Liu opened the curtain and entered with gentle steps. Emperor Liu's bright yellow uniform was iconic and particularly eye-catching. Empress Fu had already noticed it out of the corner of her eye. When she saw him entering, she stood up and saluted.
Emperor Liu's mood made him no longer care about the rules of the palace. He waved his hand and looked at Concubine Shu on the couch. Emperor Liu asked softly: "How is Concubine Shu?"
This is almost nonsense, but the imperial doctor cannot answer with nonsense. He hesitates, is at a loss, and does not know how to answer. But seeing his performance, Emperor Liu didn't know what the situation was like.
There was a slight smell of medicine in the air. Following the smell, I saw a small bowl of medicinal soup quietly placed beside the couch, still steaming a little.
"Daddy!" Fifth Princess Liu Xuan couldn't help crying. She looked at Emperor Liu. She was so moved that she wanted to throw herself into his arms, but she stopped abruptly.
As she grew older and became more knowledgeable, Liu Xuan had already realized that the man in front of her was no longer the kind and loving father she had been when she was young, who loved to hold her in his arms and watch her mother dance. He was as tall as a mountain. The usual reliance on majesty almost no longer exists, replaced by the majesty and awe brought by the solitary peak.
Liu Xuan is almost fifteen years old, and is as tall as Emperor Liu's neck. She has inherited her mother's beauty and elegance, and is still as quiet and well-behaved as ever, but her teary eyes and she hesitates to speak are really pitiful.
"You all go out first, I will stay with Concubine Shu for a while!" Emperor Liu sighed softly, caressed Liu Xuan's bun lovingly, and ordered.
Emperor Liu spoke, and no one dared not listen. Everyone bowed and left one after another. The imperial doctor felt as if he had been granted amnesty. When he left, he had night sweats on his forehead and back.
Soon, Emperor Liu and Concubine Shu were the only ones left beside the hospital bed. Concubine Shu was already on her deathbed, and her consciousness was a little blurry. However, Emperor Liu's arrival seemed to arouse her last effort, and she opened her long-lost pair of eyes. No matter how moving his eyes were, he looked at Emperor Liu. From those eyes, Emperor Liu seemed to read resentment, expectation, and excitement.
Emperor Liu sat on the edge of the couch and looked at Concubine Shu. His eyes were finally not as cold as before, and his expression was no longer hard. After many years, he held Concubine Shu's hand again.
The slender hands in the past have become as thin as withered due to the torture of illness, and the charming face is also full of morbidity. Under the erosion of time, their youth is gone.
Her hands were very cold. After a brief contact, it could almost reach Emperor Liu's heart. It was already very difficult for Concubine Shu to speak and she could only communicate with Emperor Liu with her eyes.
Emperor Liu seemed to understand what she wanted to say, but he seemed to understand nothing. He tried his best to use his hands to bring warmth to Concubine Shu, but it seemed a little late.
After a long silence, Emperor Liu said in a low voice: "I have been sorry for you all these years!"
The words were simple, but full of emotion. The guilt lingering in Emperor Liu's eyes almost overflowed. Seeing Emperor Liu, who had always been strong, "admit his mistake" in front of him, Concubine Shu's pale face suddenly returned to a little rosy, and her eyes were crystal clear. It turned into two strands of hot tears, slowly sliding down her cheeks.
Seeing this, Emperor Liu didn't say anything more, he just reached out his hand and gently shed tears for her. I don't know how many years have passed, but Emperor Liu didn't treat Concubine Shu so gently.
The atmosphere in the bedroom changed slightly. Emperor Liu didn't say anything. He just quietly accompanied Concubine Shu through the last short period of her life, until the bowl of medicinal soup beside the sick bed no longer existed. Steaming...
