Chapter 163 White Moonlight and Crimson Mole
He Yunzheng's ears suddenly turned red, and he hurriedly let go of his hand on Duanrou's waist.
He cupped his hands and said, "Your humble servant greets the princess."
Duan Rou raised her hand slightly and said, "Guard He, there's no need to be so polite."
"Thank you so much for saving me just now. Otherwise, I would have fallen down and the consequences would have been disastrous."
He Yunzheng didn't dare look directly at Duanrou, and lowered his head: "Protecting the princess is my humble duty, and there is no need for you to thank me."
Princess Duanrou looked at him and found that he was as dull as before.
"You've been skilled in martial arts since childhood, and you've been serving as an imperial guard for quite some time. Why don't you accept a promotion by grace, go to the front lines, kill the enemy, and serve the court?"
He Yunzheng was Xiao Heng's study partner, so she had seen He Yunzheng when she was young. He was both talented in literature and martial arts, so it would be a pity if he could only be a royal guard.
She believed that if He Yunzheng asked for permission to go to the front line, the emperor would definitely grant it.
He Yunzheng's eyes were a little evasive, and he whispered, "Before there was General Ruan on the front line, and now there is Prince Beichen. I want to protect the safety of the emperor in front of the emperor and keep the palace peaceful."
Duan Rou nodded with a smile: "Indeed, I think my brother has gotten used to having you by his side."
When He Yunzheng raised his head again, Duan Rou had already turned and headed towards Chengming Palace.
As the days and nights passed, what he saw most was her back.
This beautiful figure has long become the sweetest poison in his heart.
Duan Rou entered Chengming Palace and discovered that Liu Yuetang was also there. A flash of surprise flashed in her eyes, and she immediately bowed and said, "Royal brother."
Princess Duanrou is the only legitimate princess in the palace. Even the queen would show some respect to her when she meets her, so Liu Yuetang should also pay her respects.
She stood up gracefully, bowed and said, "Greetings to Princess Duanrou."
Princess Duanrou nodded slightly: "There is no need to be so polite, Concubine Xi."
She looked at Liu Yuetang carefully. This was the first time she looked at her so closely except for the family dinner.
She is worthy of being the emperor's favorite concubine, with eyebrows like crescent moon, eyes like autumn water, and a look of dignity yet a bit of charm.
"It is said that this palace and Concubine Xi also had a fate."
Liu Yuetang looked up in confusion: "What does the Princess mean?"
Duanrou sat down with her skirt tucked in, and said softly, "Empress Xi once met my younger brother in the Plum Garden. I saw that my younger brother was obsessed with the Plum Garden, so I wanted to find Empress Xi, but I didn't expect to find the wrong person."
Can't forget? Liu Yuetang looked up and saw Xiao Heng coughing twice to hide his discomfort.
Liu Yuetang pursed her lips and smiled, "It was Yuetang who caused the princess to worry."
The eldest princess stroked her temples and smiled, the golden hairpins hanging from her bun illuminating her complexion. "I just hope that my royal brother will have someone he likes by his side."
At that time, Concubine Zhao was often willful and had a bad temper, Concubine Yu was domineering and arrogant, and Concubine Ming was foolish and noisy. There was no concubine who was considerate to Xiao Heng.
And now, she believed that she was not wrong.
The Concubine Xi in front of him was willing to put herself in danger for the sake of her brother. Her infatuation and courage had already defeated many women in the harem.
Liu Yuetang pursed her lips and smiled, shyly playing with the round fan in her hand.
When Xiao Heng saw this scene, his heart was filled with sweetness, but he picked up the teacup and took a sip of tea to hide his embarrassment.
"Please don't mention the past, my sister."
How could he, as the king of a country, put these love affairs on the table?
Besides, he was only slightly interested in Liu Yuetang at that time.
Duan Rou held up her round fan and covered her lips with a smile: "Okay, Royal Sister, I won't say anymore."
"I heard that Concubine Xi is good at chess. Are you interested in playing a game with me?" She turned her head to look at Liu Yuetang.
Liu Yuetang stood up gracefully: "Since the princess is interested, Yuetang will certainly accompany you."
After that, the two men sat down at the table. The palace servants quickly set up the chessboard, and the two masters had a thrilling fight.
Xiao Heng was reviewing memorials on the side.
For a moment, the only sounds left in the hall were the crisp landing of chess pieces and the clatter of memorials.
Snow-white smoke slowly escaped from the incense burner, filling the room with fragrance, giving a sense of peaceful and tranquil time.
At 3 p.m., Bu Zi'an bowed and entered the inner hall, cautiously saying, "Your Majesty, the maids from Yaohua Palace have arrived, saying that Concubine Zhao has a high fever and keeps calling your name. We want you to go and see her."
Xiao Heng frowned: "Why is Concubine Zhao sick again?"
He folded the memorial, then stood up and said to Liu Yuetang and Princess Duanrou, "I'm going to go see Concubine Zhao. My sister and Miaomiao can continue playing chess."
Liu Yuetang quickly stood up and saw him off respectfully.
Looking at Xiao Heng's hurried footsteps, Liu Yuetang suddenly understood that even though Concubine Zhao's favor was not as great as before, in Xiao Heng's heart, Concubine Zhao was still the most important and special person to him.
The last time Concubine Zhao came to seize the favor, Xiao Heng stayed, but he rushed to Yaohua Palace after the court the next day.
If he and Concubine Zhao were in danger at the same time, and Xiao Heng could only save one, it would definitely be Concubine Zhao.
But it doesn't matter. She has only been in the palace for two years. How can she be compared with her childhood sweetheart of more than ten years?
Furthermore, if she were really in danger, she would find a way to save herself instead of placing her hopes on a man.
Men are unreliable.
Seeing Liu Yuetang's slightly lowered brows, Duan Rou picked up a chess piece and said softly, "Empress Xi, there's no need to be sad. Empress Zhao has been ill since her mother's death. She's always been sick. The Emperor has always felt sorry for her, and he's a little worried this time."
Liu Yuetang sat down slowly and smiled: "I'm not sad, but I'm a little envious of Concubine Zhao."
"But I also know that Concubine Zhao and the Emperor have been childhood sweethearts. Her importance in the Emperor's heart should be different from that of others."
After saying that, she picked up a chess piece and placed it on the chessboard.
Princess Duanrou stroked the chess piece in her hand and asked, "Has Concubine Xi ever read a book? It's called The Song of Morning and Evening?"
Liu Yuetang shook her head slightly.
She smiled and said, "In this book, the woman a man first falls in love with but cannot get is called the White Moonlight, and the woman he falls in love with later but loses is called the Crimson Mole."
"I have always had a question. I wonder who is more important to that man, the white moonlight or the cinnabar mole."
This was the first time Liu Yuetang heard such a special name.
White moonlight, cinnabar mole.
The name Bai Yueguang sounds so beautiful and pure.
She pondered for a moment, then smiled and said, "I think if that man loved Bai Yueguang enough, there wouldn't be a cinnabar mole."
Duan Rou's eyes lit up, and she was a little surprised: "Oh? Is that what Xipin thinks?"
Liu Yuetang smiled faintly: "This is just Yuetang's own opinion. I'm sorry to have embarrassed you, Princess."
"No!" Duan Rou shook her head slightly.
"Xipin's opinion is very reasonable, but I hope that all women in the world can become white moonlight or cinnabar mole."
Liu Yuetang's lips curled up slightly, her eyes seemed to contain a bright light, "Isn't the eldest princess the woman you are talking about? She is both the white moonlight and the cinnabar mole."
When Duanrou heard this, her dimples deepened, filled with sweetness and happiness.
"Perhaps I am one of the few lucky women in this world."
Yaohua Palace.
Concubine Zhao was sleeping on the couch, her cheeks flushed with a sickly red, and her dry lips kept calling out, "Brother Heng...Brother Heng...Don't go, don't go."
The call of "Brother Heng" brought back memories of his youth. Xiao Heng held Concubine Zhao's warm jade hand and said softly, "I'm here! I won't leave!"
As these words fell, Concubine Zhao gradually relaxed her frown, and her fingertips subconsciously grasped Xiao Heng's thumb in her palm.
Seeing that Concubine Zhao was sleeping more peacefully, Xiao Heng turned his head to look at Xia Ying and shouted in a low voice: "How did you serve her?"
Xia Ying knelt down with a plop: "Your Majesty, the Queen saw you and Concubine Xi at the gate of Fengyi Palace today..."
Xia Ying didn't dare to say anything more, but Xiao Heng already understood in his heart.
He didn't expect that Concubine Zhao was still so angry and was even making fun of her own body.
Xiao Heng closed his eyes and sighed.
After seven years in the palace, she still couldn't stand herself getting close to other women.
But when he thought about how much he owed Concubine Zhao, Xiao Heng couldn't harden his heart.
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