bookcurios Chapter 232 Poetry Collection
Chapter 232 Poetry Collection
Three days later, Gua Liu was picked by Yongzheng again for several days in a row, becoming a hot celebrity in the harem. Seeing this, the other concubines were jealous, but they could only sigh inwardly that they did not have such a good family background.
After entering October, an autumn rain came unexpectedly. The rain fell all day long, and the air was filled with a slight chill.
After the rain, the weather gradually became colder. The north wind howled like a group of wild horses running wildly. The cold and sharp wind announced to the world that the cold winter was coming.
While the concubines in the harem were busy gaining weight to prepare for the winter, something big happened in the previous dynasty.
Yongzheng summoned all the ministers and, in a long edict, enumerated the crimes of Yinsi and Yin'er, and announced their crimes to the whole country. There were forty charges against Yinsi and twenty-eight charges against Yin'er.
A few days later, bad news came from the palace that Yinsi and Yin'er both died of illness in the clan residence.
This news was like a huge rock dropped into water, instantly stirring up a thousand waves. For a moment, discussion raged throughout the court and the public, and rumors circulated. Some secretly speculated that Yongzheng had secretly ordered the execution of both of them, otherwise how could such a coincidence have occurred? Others suggested it might simply be a coincidence, given that Yinsi and Yin'er were already frail and sickly. Regardless of the truth, however, this incident sent a huge shock through the previous dynasty.
And Yun?'s story was brought up again.
The atmosphere in the Hall of Mental Cultivation was so solemn that it seemed as if water could drip out of it. Concubine Qi's father, Guaerjia Emin, knelt on the ground in fear and trepidation, his forehead pressed against the cold ground, his body trembling slightly.
Behind the imperial desk, Yongzheng's face was ashen, his eyes were like torches, and he stared at the book in front of him.
At night, a bitter wind howled through the palace walls, emitting a low, long-drawn whimper. The eunuchs, their necks hunched and backs hunched, walked slowly forward with heavy steps. The palace lanterns in their hands swayed unsteadily in the fierce wind, their faint light seeming so fragile, as if they would be swallowed by the darkness at any moment.
Yongzheng was dressed in casual clothes, with a solemn expression, holding a collection of poems in his hand, and walked to Suiyuxuan with steady steps.
"The Emperor is here?" Zhen Huan's tone revealed joy as she quickly stood up and saluted.
Yongzheng handed the poetry collection to Zhen Huan and said calmly, "I got a poetry collection and brought it here for you to read."
His eyes were deep, making it difficult to read his thoughts.
Zhen Huan took it with both hands, looked at the name on the cover of the poetry collection, and asked curiously, "Who is Qian Mingshi?"
"Just read the poem." Yongzheng turned slightly sideways, without much expression on his face.
When they were alone, they often discussed poetry. Zhen Huan stopped asking questions and casually flipped through a few pages in the dim, flickering candlelight in the hall. She shook her head and said, "It's not really a good poem!"
Yongzheng slowly plucked the beads in his hand, his eyes revealing scrutiny: "You said this poem is not good, and it is hard to find outside. Who would go out of their way to collect it?"
"Perhaps he really likes the poem, or it is from a close friend, so he would look for it and treasure it up!" Zhen Huan frowned slightly and said after thinking for a moment.
After saying that, she put the book aside and asked with a puzzled look in her eyes, "Why did Your Majesty think of asking this of me?"
Yongzheng's lips curled up in a subtle sneer, his voice low and majestic: "I'm just asking casually. I feel that these poems and songs are full of flattery and praise evil. The poets should be expelled back to their hometown. What do you think?"
"I didn't read it carefully. I just think the poem is ordinary. I don't see it promoting anything evil." Zhen Huan did not doubt him and expressed her opinion directly.
Yongzheng placed the beads on the small table with a slight clattering sound. "The poet is praising Yun'e."
Zhen Huan thought for a moment and then asked, "Is it written now? Or is it written when Prince Dun was still the emperor?"
“In the past.”
"Prince Dun is in a high position and has a noble family background. Naturally, there are many people who flatter him, and there must be many poetry collections like this." Zhen Huan nodded slightly and said thoughtfully.
"You're right. He's indeed of noble birth, and that's why he dares to act so recklessly." Yongzheng became interested and asked with a smile, "Then what do you think I should do?"
Jin Xi, who was serving at the palace gate, had been listening to their conversation with her ear tilted to the side. Her body gradually became stiff and her forehead was covered with fine beads of sweat.
After several moments of hesitation and struggle, Jin Xi finally gritted her teeth, hardened her courage, and lightly kicked the door sill with her toes. The movement was extremely light, but it seemed to have exhausted all her strength.
This slight voice brought Zhen Huan back to her senses. After a moment's hesitation, she said, "I dare not speak nonsense."
Yongzheng smiled and said, "You can say whatever you want. I will listen to whatever I want."
His tone was relaxed, as if he was chatting casually with Zhen Huan, and his smile was as doting and gentle as before.
Zhen Huan was a little bolder and expressed her opinion: "Since time has passed, why should the emperor pursue the matter? Just destroy the poem. As for the person who hid the poem, if he punishes him severely, it will make people feel that the emperor is holding on to this matter, making people feel uneasy. It is better to let it go."
"Well, that's right. I'll think about it." Yongzheng nodded and said, "Okay, you're about to have the canonization ceremony. Take a good rest. I'll go see Concubine Qi."
After saying that, he turned around and prepared to leave.
"Your Majesty, I respectfully bid you farewell." Zhen Huan quickly stood up and bowed, watching Yongzheng leave. As she watched the figure gradually moving away, a sense of loss arose in her heart.
Seeing Yongzheng walking away, Jinxi hurried into the hall, looking nervous and speaking in an urgent voice: "Your Majesty, I think the emperor is a little unhappy!"
Zhen Huan sat back on the couch, gently stroking her belly with both hands. She sighed slightly and said, "Well, the former dynasty has been in turmoil recently, so it's normal for the emperor to be upset."
Jin Xi frowned, her tone full of worry: "My Lady, what you just said was a little inappropriate?"
"What's inappropriate about it? We're just talking about poetry!" Zhen Huan raised her head slightly, with a hint of confusion on her face.
"But this collection of poems concerns Prince Dun! The emperor said that those poems are full of flattery and praise evil, which has already defined the poems. Why don't you continue to follow the emperor's wishes?" Jinxi's voice rose a few degrees, and her expression became more anxious.
Zhen Huan's eyes were firm and her tone was calm. "I know that the affairs of the Eighth and Ninth Princes have already damaged the Emperor's reputation. If there is any more trouble because of this matter, the Emperor's reputation will be even worse. Your Majesty understands what I mean. You don't have to worry!"
"Didn't Concubine Hui and Lady Wen say this last time..."
A confident yet slightly stubborn look appeared on Zhen Huan's face: "I know what they say makes sense, but they don't understand the friendship between the Emperor and me."
"Empress!" Jin Xi wanted to persuade her again.
"Okay, I'm a little tired. Please help me change clothes!" Zhen Huan waved her hand.