Fu Tu Ta / Forbidden Love - Chapter 2 : Spring Will End Soon

It was getting dark, and the rain seemed to have lessened a bit. As day and night alternated, the twilight outside was a faint blue. Makes people confused, and some don't know whether it is dawn or evening.

The eunuch in charge of the lanterns carried the lanterns under the eaves, lifted them up with a long stick, and hung them on the iron hooks one by one. Qianqing Palace broke out of sleep, as if the only light in the silent world, stood there dignified. But only a moment later, the Jiaotai Hall and Kunning Palace behind lit up one after another, forming a line, and it was a vast area of ​​brilliance, which was the center of the Forbidden City.

The tears on Empress Zhao's face had not yet dried. He had been crying for such a long time that his eyes had become swollen. He passed the dragon and phoenix floor hood outside, and called for the physicians to inquire about the emperor's condition, "How's the pulse? When will Your Highness get better?"

There were many taboos in the palace. Even if it looks bad, you can't ask when you will die. The imperial physician was unable to reply. He turned around, only bowed and replied, “Your Majesty's pulse is weak and thin. According to medical theory, if the life essence and blood are insufficient, the pulse will be thin and weak. If it is lacking Yin then it cannot unite Yang. weak. Servant has seen that before. Compared to yesterday, his current condition has slightly improved."

The Queen sighed slightly, "The Emperor was fine the other day. But I don't know why I got lost like this." 

When he looked back, the yellow silk satin mosquito net hanging in front of the bed was uncovered, and a blue-gray face emerged from the gap. He quickly shifted his gaze, and quietly led the princes and ministers who were waiting for the edict to a side hall. 

Palace maids helped him sit on the throne. Behind the scenes he calmed down and said to the imperial physician in front of him, “When I asked the cause, your imperial physician always hesitated and lied. Nothing was clear until now. Now the ministers and officials are here. clan relatives, the emperor's confidants and close ministers. At a critical time like this, there's no need to cover up too many of them. If you have something to say then it shouldn't be a problem. Keeping people in the dark isn't always the way to go. If something's wrong, I'm afraid the imperial physician can't handle it."

Last month, His Highness summoned the imperial physician to ask for his pulse. At that time His Royal Highness experienced symptoms of hot flashes. What is the origin of this disease?"

He swallowed his saliva, “Hepatic and kidney Yin deficiency is mostly caused by chronic diseases that damage the kidneys, lack of meditation, and excessive sexual intercourse. Physicians give prescriptions to relieve symptoms, to

warm and dry and increase Yin. Mainly it nourishes the kidneys and nourishes the lungs. That… matter of the imperial harem, I also reported to Your Highness at that time. But now that Your Highness' illness is getting dangerous. Thinking of this I understand the ministers' request."

Everyone present was slightly embarrassed when they heard it. The physician's words clearly understood that the cause of the emperor being bedridden was because he did not follow the physician's orders and had excessive sex. The phlegm and blood in the previous cough was forgivable, but it wasn't as serious as just now. He lifted his neck and spooned the medicine into His Highness' mouth. But it all gushed out from his mouth and nose, looking very scary.

The Queen was stunned for a moment, and said bitterly: "Such a big trouble, why didn't anyone report it to me? You guys hid it well, and see what happened!" 

As she spoke, she cried back, “If you guys report it to me, then every word and sentence I say won't end up in the same position as today! I'll reprimand him, saying those things over and over again. in the end. I am the first lady. I shouldn't say that, but look at the several uncles and ministers of the Chengqian Palace entangled day and night. Now that her body is dying, who can create an elixir that can save her soul?"

The affairs of the harem were originally the affairs of the emperor's household. He liked anyone with warm eyes and no room for outsiders to say anything. It was fine because it was a small matter, but now there was a huge mess that shook the foundations. If that was revealed then they should have a good reason. 

Chengqian Palace had been designated as the residence of the imperial concubines since the founding of the Great Ye Kingdom. Now this imperial concubine is surnamed Shao, and has a fairly deep relationship with the emperor. Concubine Shao was originally the fiancé of a prince in the East Palace. By chance, he met the Yuanzhen Emperor, who was still a prince at the time. But if the prince snatches the prince's fiancé, doesn't that sound bad? 

This matter reached Emperor Daizong, and after being reprimanded, he let go. Later, the two princes respectively married and had nothing to do with each other. He thought the past was over. But who knows that after the emperor ascended the throne, his first decision was to order Concubine Shao and her husband to divorce, and he brought Concubine Shao into the palace with integrity. Once lost and now found, true love is not ordinary. The two of them had lived the life of husband and wife, and thrown everyone in the harem into a corner.

Everyone knows that if one can meet true love in his life, his life will not be wasted. However, what is easy for ordinary people to do is difficult for emperors to do. If the method is not right, all parties can complain and cannot suppress the waves. But they didn't dare say anything. After several decades, when one grew older, they would become stubborn, and injustice would pass. However, the emperor was too weak, and Concubine Shao was too spoiled and became arrogant.

What do the ministers say about this contradiction? The officials cursed, the military officers were going to fight, but they couldn't control the queen's grievances about the imperial concubine. Talking about the two, everyone knows what to do in the future. It's just that the emperor hasn't breathed for a while, and his mouth is uncomfortable to promise anything.

Everyone was quiet, and the atmosphere was a bit stiff. At this time, a man in a red robe and jade belt came out to ease the tension, and said warmly, “Your Majesty's illness has made people agitated these past few days so the palace looks quite disorderly. His Imperial Majesty has been ill for a while, but that's fine. We shouldn't neglect our work and guard the door for the Emperor, so that we can fulfill the promise to the emperor. In my humble opinion, everyone should take good care of each department. Don't delay the decision that should be given. We will approve those that the ministers can agree on behalf of Your Majesty and the main matters that cannot be decided will be decided once His Majesty the Emperor returns to health.During this time, the elders of each department should work even harder. Not to ask the emperor for a reward, but so that we all have peace of mind." 

He bowed his hand again to the Empress, "Please rest Empress. May the Emperor live long and be blessed. This time it is only a small obstacle, and it will be fine. The Emperor will definitely pass it well."

As soon as he said it, everyone hurriedly agreed, "Master Xiao's words are reasonable. The ministers and the others will definitely do their best to repay His Majesty's kindness."

They declared their resolve quickly and left the palace through the side hall.

The light dimmed a little, and he stood by the chandelier fiddling with his wick. A heavy golden color was reflected on her flawless face like white jade. She had exquisite facial features, often the corners of her lips curved into a cold and thin arc, but her slightly raised eyes had a unique taste. When he looks at you intently, a strange illusion of compassion appears.

However, illusions are always illusions, and everyone who has dealt with them knows that. He plays a good game of chess. No matter how bad his tactics were, his words would always sound high. Power is a good thing, polish it and it will set you on your feet. The word "young and happy", power is in his hands today. Having a sharp knife by your side can always make people feel at ease.

“Xiao Duo…” The Queen called out to him, feeling a surge of anger.

Xiao Duo came to help him release his frustration. He placed his arm on the Queen's arm in a familiar gesture, "The Queen has been taking care of the emperor all day, it's time to rest. You must be tired and I will escort you back to the palace."

The queen came out with her, and in front of them were two palace maids lighting the lights. In the drizzle, Xiao Duo held an umbrella for him, and the twilight surrounded him, which made people feel at ease. She sighed and leaned lazily on his shoulder.

"I'm tired." His hands holding the umbrella carefully wrapped around her, "I'll relax your muscles and bones so you can rest."

Back at Kunning Palace, everyone standing in the main hall withdrew. This is a custom that has been cultivated for more than three years. As long as Xiao Duo was there, the Empress didn't need anyone else to serve her.

The Queen sat down in front of the dressing table and untied her hair bun, and the people behind her came to take the Chaoyang Wufeng hanging pearl hairpin in her hand, and took an ivory comb to comb her hair, from the ends to the bottom of the hair, as if she would never bored. The Emperor owed her tenderness, and obtaining comfort from her, even though it was still not enough, was better than nothing.

He scanned his face from the brass mirror, and placed it on his shoulder, “The anxiety in the Queen's heart, is all I know. Don't worry. Even if something happens to the Emperor, you are still the lord of the 6 palaces. to pieces, I will keep the Queen safe and sound."

His hand was on the queen's shoulder, not daring to press her down. The queen placed her hands on her thin white fingers and squeezed them hard, "How long do you think the Emperor can last?"

She squinted at the dragon and phoenix candlesticks, her long eyelashes intertwined, and she couldn't see what she was thinking. After a while, he said, “In these two days, the Empress should make plans earlier. The Emperor only has a son, and he is still being brought up in the palace of the imperial concubines. Whether to put the Prince on the throne, or choose a candidate among the uncles, depends on the Queen's decision."

The Queen turned to look at him, "If you want to live a comfortable life in the future, it is best to use King Rong as a cover. Sons inheriting his father's affairs is commonplace. It is a big deal to appoint several ministers and the right is still in your hands."

Xiao Duo smiled, "The Queen has forgotten my origins, so you are still worried about such a thing. Shouldn't I be picking up a staff?"

"What's your excuse? Aren't you stubborn!" The Queen giggled and snuggled into her arms, feeling a little embarrassed at the thought, "Concubine Shao has a son. We can't possibly bury him. How are you going to take care of it?"

She stroked her hair, twisting the ends of her hair and rubbing it gently on her fingertips, "The Queen doesn't need to ask. I have my own plans. Since she and the emperor have promised each other, how could there be any reason to take grace and steal life? She accompanied the emperor, it would be a shame to sacrifice his name So let him take the incense.

After so many years of struggling, the Emperor had been unable to do anything to her while he was alive, and he would not be able to help her when he died. The fog in the Queen's heart dissipated in an instant, but fortunately there was him. Although he gets what he needs, he is a good helper in the end.

"Then this palace will be waiting for good news from you." She smiled like a gentle flower, and her Kodan-stained fingers slipped from her face and explored into the white gauze collar. Fingertips move little by little. The fingers wanted to go down, but were held back by him. He smiled, these were the rules. No matter how excited he was, he couldn't take off his clothes.

The Queen didn't take it seriously either, lingering on the white jade neck, "When the time comes, as soon as there is news from the Qianqing Palace, take King Rong out of the Chengqian Palace and send it to me."

Xiao Duo curled the corners of his lips, "Don't worry, Empress. I will remember it."

After the negotiations were over, there were only personal matters left. He breathed in his ear, "You said you want to relax my muscles and bones, what kind of easing is that?"

The Queen who had been hesitating before had long since disappeared, and under the shadow of the lamp, only the spring brow, this tender and boneless body, and this long and dry heart remained.

Chapter 1 | Summary | Chapter 3