Hsieh Hyun-chen was recuperating in Jade Qilin Hall, so it was inconvenient for him to talk. The maid led the way and led her to Jingzhai, which was next to Zhai Xuan in Jade Qilin Hall. There were lush bamboos around Jingzhai, and there was a lake not far away. It was indeed a quiet place to study. But Mu Mingtang was brought here by the maid alone, which was a little scary.
But at least she was still in the prince's mansion, which was much better than Mu Mingtang expected. She thought that the Emperor and Empress Dowager wanted to take her to the palace and torture her.
Mu Mingtang was surprised when she saw Jingzhai at first, but she understood after thinking about it.
Hsieh Hyun-chen was so famous and made such a big scene last night. The injured people and the fire in the courtyard couldn't be hidden from the people in the city. In less than a night, the whole city would know that Prince Qiyang woke up.
If Hsieh Hyun-chen's princess was summoned to the palace at this juncture and didn't come out, her reputation would be ruined. Anyway, Prince Qiyang's mansion was full of the Emperor's people now. There was no difference between interrogating in the mansion and in the palace.
Mu Mingtang was relieved when she knew that she was still in the mansion. If she went to the palace, she would be resigned to fate. Now she was still in her territory, so she still had a chance.
After Mu Mingtang sat down, Sun Zhuizhao asked the purpose of her visit in less than three sentences, "Empress Dowager was very concerned when she heard that the Prince woke up. Empress Dowager heard that it was the princess who took care of the Prince while he was in a coma, so she praised you. Princess Qiyang, Empress Dowager sent me to ask you when the Prince woke up. "
It didn't make any difference whether it was Empress Dowager or the Emperor who asked. Mu Mingtang clasped her hands, lowered her eyes, and didn't speak. Seeing that Mu Mingtang didn't speak, Sun Zhuizhao asked again, "And the chains on Prince Qiyang. Although Prince Qiyang is noble, the black iron chains were added by the late Emperor's edict. Even Empress Dowager doesn't dare to neglect the items of the late Emperor. Princess, don't you think so? "
"The Empress Dowager is right."
"Last night, Prince Qiyang fell ill again. Empress Dowager and His Majesty both paid close attention to this matter. The most suspicious thing is that the black iron chain was unlocked for no reason. Your Highness is the person closest to Prince Qiyang. May I ask how the chains were unlocked? "
Mu Mingtang lowered his gaze and looked at the ground for a long time. After a while, she said, "I happened to go to Prince Jin's wedding yesterday, so I don't know."
Sun Shizhao frowned. The other female officials also looked annoyed when they heard this. Sun Zhuizhao's tone became heavier as he secretly pressured, "Tying Prince Qiyang up with the black iron chains is a posthumous edict from the late emperor himself. No one dares to disobey it. His Majesty had said that if anyone disobeyed his orders, as long as there was a reason, he could turn a blind eye to it. However, if anyone dared to defy the previous Emperor's will, he would not let them off. Disobeying the imperial edict was a crime punishable by death, but if wang fei could resolve the worries of the palace, it would be a great service. Wang Fei shouldn't be unable to understand such simple logic, right? "
"This servant will ask again. Princess Mu, how were the black iron chains unlocked?"
Mu Mingtang still lowered her eyes and said, "I don't know."
Mu Mingtang made it clear that she would not cooperate. The female officials became angry. Sun Zhuizhao suddenly flicked his sleeves and said coldly, "We came here for wang fei's sake, but we didn't expect wang fei to be so stubborn. Since that's the case, wang fei might as well stay here and calm your mind. When your mind is calm, maybe you will remember. "
After Sun Zhuizhao finished speaking, he left with a group of noble and elegant female officials. He did not leave anything for Mu Mingtang. Mu Mingtang sat inside and clearly heard the sound of the door being locked.
Well, now she was also locked up. She and Hsieh Hyun-chen each had a room to themselves. They really enjoyed blessings and weathered misfortunes together.
Mu Mingtang tried to push the door. Sure enough, it did not budge. Mu Mingtang was too lazy to try the window. It didn't matter if the window was locked or not. She was in Prince Qiyang's Mansion. Even if she ran out, where could she run to?
If she really tried to unlock the door, she would be walking right into a trap.
After all, she was a wangfei in name. The imperial family had to act decently. It would be a disgrace to the imperial family if she was beaten. It seemed that the people in the palace were planning to lock Mu Mingtang up for a few days, ignoring her and not allowing her to talk to others. Once her mind was suppressed, they would send people out to use the carrot and stick method to break her will.
Mu Mingtang's biggest advantage was that she was open-minded. No matter what happened, she would always think positively. Now that there were no more genteel female officials, Mu Mingtang first walked around Jingzhai. Then she found a bed with satisfaction and lay down to sleep.
Last night, she was stared at by the maidservants all night. Even in her dreams, she fought with the monster. Now there was no one. The room was spacious and quiet. It was just right for her to catch up on sleep. As for being in a panic all day long, that was impossible.
Mu Mingtang slept until it was dark. She slept very well. When she got up, she found that the room was dark and there was a plate of simple food at the door.
This simple food was relative to the standards of the palace. Anyway, for Mu Mingtang, she felt that the food was not bad.
Mu Mingtang brought the food to the table in the dark. Facing the darkness in the room, she probably understood what those female officials meant. When they left, they took away the candles. At night, the room was so dark that she couldn't even see her own fingers. The large furniture in the dark was like a beast. If she was afraid of the dark, she would be scared out of her wits after a night like this.
If Mu Mingtang was an ordinary fifteen-year-old girl who had always been pampered by her family, she would be afraid of Jingzhai at this time. Unfortunately, Mu Mingtang was not. She ate in the dark and her appetite was still surprisingly good. For people who had escaped disaster, being afraid of the dark and thunder?
What a joke.
Mu Mingtang adapted well. Since she couldn't light a lamp, she continued to lie down and sleep. Once again, she sighed that it was good to be rich. A room that had never been lived in was actually fully furnished. Even the bedding was brand new. Mu Mingtang touched the fabric of the bedding and recognized that it was a new trend this year. In other words, it was new this season.
For such a big prince's mansion, all the curtains, beds, curtains, and window screens were changed every season and never used a second time. Just how much money did they spend in a year?
Mu Mingtang couldn't calculate it. She couldn't sleep for a while, and her imagination ran wild. She felt that this was an outsider squandering Hsieh Hyun-chen's money. Hsieh Hyun-chen had fought for many years and confiscated the property of several emperors. Not to mention the rewards from the Zhou and Ye emperors, the spoils of war that he himself had won were probably very considerable.
Mu Mingtang was a small citizen, so she was especially distressed about the money at this moment. Hsieh Hyun-chen looked very lax and had been in a coma for so long. How much money had he been cheated out of?
Thinking of this, Mu Mingtang realized that she hadn't seen the complete Prince's Mansion of Qiyang yet. She had only walked in the mansion twice. The first time was on the wedding day. She raised her head with a red veil, so she couldn't see anything clearly. The second time was when she went to attend the wedding of Xie Xuanji and Jiang Mingwei. She was followed by guards, so she didn't have time to take a good look at the surrounding scenery.
Not to mention that outsiders didn't treat her as a princess, Mu Mingtang herself felt that she had neglected her duties as a princess. She had been married for a month, but she hadn't even seen her own home.
Mu Mingtang slowly closed her eyes. She was still thinking in her half-awake state that if there was a chance in the future, she must take a good look at the scenery of Prince's Mansion of Qiyang …
·
The female officials had expected that Mu Mingtang would be obedient after being locked in the small dark room for a day and a night. However, two days had passed. Mu Mingtang ate and drank well. She didn't look haggard at all. Instead, she slept with a rosy face.
The female officials were very surprised and faintly anxious at the same time. They couldn't leave the palace easily. Once they left the palace, they had to complete the orders of their master no matter what. Prince Qiyang hadn't woken up yet, so it was convenient for them to do anything. When the god of death woke up, everything would be too late.
The imperial physicians were helpless about Hsieh Hyun-chen's illness. They also didn't know when Hsieh Hyun-chen would wake up. Sun Zhuizhao was so anxious that she had blisters in her mouth. She could only ask her people to add some sleeping aids to Hsieh Hyun-chen's medicine. She quickened her pace and interrogated Mu Mingtang.
Sun Zhuizhao made up her mind and no longer delivered food to Mu Mingtang. Sun Zhuizhao thought that Mu Mingtang was just a commoner girl. She was short-sighted and ignorant. As the aunt in charge of the Empress Dowager's palace, wouldn't it be easy for her to deal with a little girl? Sun Zhuizhao calculated that Mu Mingtang had been hungry for two nights and one day. Only then did she leisurely open the lock on the door of Jing Zhai on the night of the second day.
Light suddenly came from the door. Mu Mingtang reached out to block her eyes. Only then did she slowly adapt to the light. Sun Zhuizhao had expected to see a person who looked embarrassed and on the verge of mental collapse. However, when she pushed the door open and went in, Mu Mingtang's face was pale, but her spirit still looked good.
It was as if she had just changed her bed and slept in it for two days. Other than that, there was no effect.
Sun Zhuizhao couldn't believe what she saw. She deliberately said a lot of harsh words to scare Mu Mingtang. Finally, she asked in a stern voice, "His Majesty already knows everything. Today is your last chance. If you tell the truth, His Majesty will consider your honesty and let bygones be bygones. If you continue to lie, ha, then no one will be able to save you. Disobeying Xiandi's will, according to the law, should be beheaded. "
Mu Mingtang was unmoved. If it was really as these people said, that the Emperor already had evidence, then why would the Emperor waste time talking to her? She should have drunk the poisoned wine long ago. However, Sun Zhuizhao still locked her up day after day. As the days went on, Sun Zhuizhao became more and more impatient and flustered.
It was clear that the Emperor was only guessing. He needed evidence. He needed evidence to keep Hsieh Hyun-chen locked up. Xie Yi did personally order people to lock up Hsieh Hyun-chen. He also said that no one was allowed to open it without his orders. However, those were just words of anger. When Xie Yi's anger subsided, how could he treat his own son like that?
However, who would have thought that Xie Yi would suddenly die. His death was bizarre and sudden. He even left behind an inexplicable imperial edict. The imperial throne would not be passed to his son, but to his younger brother. With Xie Yi dead, Hsieh Hyun-chen's chains became a mystery. Xie Rui used the excuse that Xiandi's will could not be changed and continued to imprison Hsieh Hyun-chen with a clear conscience. He even secretly used medicine to make Hsieh Hyun-chen sleep every day.
If this continued, Hsieh Hyun-chen would eventually die.
In the end, the entire Imperial Family relied on the fig leaf to keep a foothold was torn apart by Mu Mingtang. If Hsieh Hyun-chen's chains were unlocked and the Emperor was locked up again, then he would be criticized by the people of the world. If he just left it like this, he would be too anxious. He could only start with Mu Mingtang and try to pry information out of Mu Mingtang.
As long as Mu Mingtang said something, the Emperor could always use it as a pretext to make a fuss and find a way to imprison Hsieh Hyun-chen again. However, Mu Mingtang did not grow up in the capital, nor was she an innocent and naive young lady. She stubbornly refused to say anything. No matter how he asked, she said that she did not know.
Many thanks to the Emperor's good son, Xie Xuanji, for inviting Mu Mingtang to the wedding that day. So many people at the wedding banquet saw Mu Mingtang. Mu Mingtang was not in the Prince Qiyang's residence. This was irrefutable evidence. What if some strange person sneaked in and unlocked the chains while Mu Mingtang was away from the residence?
This possibility could not be completely ruled out. In any case, Mu Mingtang insisted that she did not know. Even if she starved to death, she would not change her words. Mu Mingtang dared to guarantee that the Emperor would not dare to starve her to death.
Seeing that Mu Mingtang was stubborn and unmoved by force or persuasion, Sun Shuizhao was completely annoyed. She no longer held back and had someone bring in two plates.
The lid was lifted, revealing a red pouch on a plate with silver needles inserted neatly into it. On the other plate was a bowl of black decoction. Judging from the smell, it was probably not a tonic for the body.
Mu Mingtang still did not say anything. She quietly looked at Sun Shuizhao. She had not eaten for nearly two days. At this moment, her face was pale and her lips were bloodless. Anyone with a discerning eye could see that she was weak. Even so, she did not show any panic or fear.
Sun Shuizhao showed the two items in front of Mu Mingtang and introduced them one by one. "This set of needles is used by Si Zheng Ju. It is specially used to teach those imperial concubines or palace maids who do not know the severity of the situation. This kind of needle will not leave a scar on the body. The needle hole is also small and will not be seen after a while. Therefore, it can be used on palace maids without worry. The women in the palace are all the Emperor's people. If a scar is left on their body, it will be a disgrace. However, those women who do not know the severity of the situation will not learn if they are not punished. Generally, when this kind of person is sent to Si Zheng Ju, if they do not speak after being asked once, they will be pricked on the hand first. If they do not speak after being asked twice, then they will be pricked on the waist. If they do not speak after being asked three times, then we will not care about the young mistress's dignity and can only strip them of their clothes to discipline them. "
As Sun Shuizhao wished, she saw that Mu Mingtang's face was becoming more and more pale. She deliberately pulled out the three cun long needle to show it to her. Then, she had someone bring in another plate.
"On this plate is a medicine to purify the body. It is specially prepared for mistresses who have not yet become pregnant. Some mistresses are afraid of pain and do not want to have children. With this bowl of medicine, it is guaranteed that you will not be able to conceive again in this lifetime. Mu Wangfei is still young, this servant didn't want to show Wangfei these filthy things, but Wangfei has repeatedly refused to cooperate. This servant has no choice but to ask for these things. Mu Wangfei, please choose one. "
… …
Hsieh Hyun-chen had a very long dream. In the dream, his mother was still alive. Madam Yin held a lamp and stood at the door, eagerly waiting. Every time a carriage or horse passed by the intersection, she would raise her head and wait for a long time.
The servant girls repeatedly urged Madam Yin to go back to the room and wait, but she shook her head and refused. Hsieh Hyun-chen had enough fun at the barracks and returned home. When he walked to the intersection, he saw his mother waiting at the door again. He immediately turned around and left.
However, in just a moment, Madam Yin had already recognized him. Madam Yin immediately called out his name. The servant girls also called out his name one after another. Hsieh Hyun-chen had no choice but to accept his fate and turn around. He braced himself and went to see his mother.
His older brother had a rash when he was young and did not survive until he died. From then on, his mother looked at him as if he was a flower. She was afraid that he would catch a cold even if the wind blew. Hsieh Hyun-chen could not stand women's greeting. Every day, when his mother was not paying attention, he would climb over the wall and go to Guo Fu to play.
Guo Rong liked him very much since he was young. He was even closer to him than his own son. Hsieh Hyun-chen was fearless. He was able to cause trouble at Guo Fu for an entire day. Xie Yi was angry when she saw this and naturally scolded him when he returned home. Later on, Guo Rong became busier and busier. His father was also away from home all day long. Hsieh Hyun-chen had nothing to play with in Guo Fu, so he simply followed Guo Rong and Xie Yi to the barracks to make a living.
Madam Yin only had two children. When her eldest son died, she cried her heart out. After that, she was very careful with her younger son, afraid that something bad would happen to him. Hsieh Hyun-chen followed the adults to the barracks. How could Madam Yin be at ease? She wanted to keep Hsieh Hyun-chen at home, but in the blink of an eye, this fellow would climb over the wall and run away again.
The entire household could not keep an eye on him. Every time Hsieh Hyun-chen ran away, Madam Yin would be worried. She would always stand at the door and see Hsieh Hyun-chen with her own eyes. Only then would she be at ease. When Xie Yi returned home and found out that his mother had been waiting at the door for a long time in order to wait for him, he would be so angry that he would punish her.
His childhood and youth were not considered warm. At least, it was far from the beautiful family that everyone imagined. He was always scolded half of the time every year. But overall, he had a dignified and serious general father and a gentle and beautiful aristocratic mother. Although his life could not be considered to be soaking in a honey pot, he never had to worry about external things.
At that time, Hsieh Hyun-chen was young and spirited. He was full of energy and had nowhere to vent it. After staying with the rough men in the barracks for a long time, he always wanted to be righteous and achieve great things. Therefore, in the fifth year of Heping, which later became the first year of Hong Jia, Guo Rong and Xie Yi were ordered to go on an expedition to Guang Jin. At the age of 15, Xie Yi took a knife and a horse and chased after his father and Uncle Guo's army.
When he ran away from home, he naturally did it behind Madam Yin's back. Later, Hsieh Hyun-chen regretted countless times. Why did he leave? Why did he leave his mother alone in the capital?
He did not even say goodbye to his mother before he left.
Guo Rong and Xie Yi won a great victory in quelling the rebellion, but the army stopped in Ye City and did not return to the capital. The Later Jin Emperor was already suspicious of Guo Rong. Now, he was even more suspicious that Guo Rong had the intention to rebel. The Later Jin Emperor was furious and ordered the killing of the Guo and Xie families.
The two families, the servants, and even the babies were all killed. When the news reached Ye City, Guo Rong was furious. He officially raised the flag of rebellion and attacked the immoral Later Jin Emperor.
It was during this war that Hsieh Hyun-chen finally gained the recognition of Xie Yi and Guo Rong and officially led the army. Hsieh Hyun-chen took the credit for breaking into the capital. Even when the Later Jin Emperor abandoned the palace and escaped, it was Hsieh Hyun-chen who chased him down and personally sent him to the Yellow Springs.
Hsieh Hyun-chen killed the Later Jin Emperor and took revenge for his mother. However, Madam Yin was never coming back. With the father and son relationship between Hsieh Hyun-chen and Xie Yi, when Madam Yin was not around, they could not even meet peacefully.
Home was where the mother was. When the mother was not around, the home was broken.
The person in his memory who would light a lamp and wait for him to come home no longer existed.
Hsieh Hyun-chen's dreams were fragmented and chaotic. One moment, he dreamed that his mother chased after him and tied a peace knot for him when he was a child. The next moment, he dreamed that he had rolled in the mud for a day in the army camp. When he came home, he bumped into his mother standing at the door waiting for him. He had clearly told her many times that he would only cause accidents to others and that nothing would happen to him. However, Madam Yin was still worried.
The gentle and beautiful madam in his dream gradually blurred and turned into a young woman holding a lamp. She walked over from afar and lit up the lamps along the way. She was extremely focused when she lit the lamps. Her eyes were filled with stars and behind her were the brilliant lights.
In his dream, Hsieh Hyun-chen saw the things that happened when he went berserk. When he went berserk, he did not realize what he was doing. However, his brain would selflessly remember everything and let him see his own ugly state again and again in his dreams.
In the past, when he went berserk, all he could see was red. A flowing, greedy red. He stood in the center alone and was cursed by thousands of people. Only this time, among the many onlookers who avoided him like snakes and scorpions, he saw a person push through the crowd and run towards him without hesitation.
She said, "You're just sick. You'll be fine after you go back and sleep. Let's go home. "
After Madam Yin died, no one talked to him about going home. Guo Rong remarried. Xie Yi made his original concubine his wife. Xie Rui and her family moved from Lin 'an to the capital. Everyone else had started a new family, but he was the only one who remained alone.
When Hsieh Hyun-chen woke up from his dream, his ears seemed to echo with Mu Mingtang's words, "Go home." He opened his eyes. He thought he would hear Mu Mingtang's surprised voice. However, after waiting for a long time, there was nothing.
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