I waited anxiously beside the carriage. After a while, Song Heng came out of the carriage wearing a light blue robe. In the hot summer, his attire gave people a refreshing feeling like a cool stream beside bamboos.
The top of Miansong Mountain is an exceptionally flat area. The carriage was parked on a flat green grass. In front of the green grass was a copper-gold gate and low walls extending to both sides.
There were already maids and soldiers standing in neat rows at the door waiting for Song Heng to come in.
Song Heng took my hand and said, "Let's go."
Seeing that his actions and expression didn't seem like he wanted to pursue the matter further, I nodded in relief and followed him.
The interior of the palace doesn’t look very big. I think the courtyard of a middle-class family in the capital is probably like this. Its value lies in the fact that it is located on the cool mountain top.
As you enter the door, you will see rugged rocks covered with vibrant green branches and vines. Fish are startled and scattered in the circular pond made of small stones. The winding corridor has several twists and turns, and you can see a long arched door leading to another courtyard.
"There's always a nanny taking care of this place," Song Heng whispered, "You'll like the backyard and the back mountain."
After passing through a door, we arrived at the backyard. Our luggage and clothes had already been packed by servants, so Song Heng called an old maid to lead the way for us.
The first thing that catches your eye is a wooden swing. Curved vines are wrapped around the swing poles, and palm-shaped green leaves sway slightly in the breeze.
The old nanny explained, "Your Majesty, I think these vines look really nice when they're wrapped around them, so I haven't asked anyone to remove them yet. If Your Majesty needs them..."
"I think it's good too. Thank you for your concern, Ma'am." Song Heng nodded in response and then turned to me: "What do you think, Shuang'er? If Shuang'er needs it..."
"I think it's wonderful too!" I responded quickly, and caught a glimpse of a hint of surprise in the old lady's eyes.
Song Heng really doesn't want to be so arrogant anymore. If I continue to be a favorite concubine, will I become an empress?
Nip this dangerous idea in the bud.
Looking more closely, I found three straw mat-like things hanging on the wall of the backyard. When I got closer, I found that they were actually archery targets!
"Does it look familiar?" He turned to look at me. "The backyard was empty before, so I had it turned into an archery area."
"Yeah, familiar." I looked at the straw mat-like thing on the wall. It seemed like someone had used the straw mat to make a target for me to practice archery, but that person was really blurry.
Going further along the gravel road, you will reach the outermost low wall. When the vermilion iron gate is pushed open by the nanny, what comes into view are the overlapping mountains and the floating clouds and mist.
Along with the gurgling sound of spring water, there are small stone steps winding down among the layers of green trees and shrubs, leading to the depths.
"There are some seasonal vegetables grown by our old maid nearby," the maid said, seeming a little embarrassed. "There are also a few peach trees under the stone steps. Many peaches are ripe now."
Song Heng nodded: "My Queen Mother hasn't been here for a long time. Thank you for taking care of everything for me, the maids."
Before Song Heng came, he mentioned to me that the maids here used to serve the Empress Dowager and the late Emperor. Since the late Emperor passed away, the Empress Dowager didn't come here often, so it was these older generation maids who took care of this place.
When I looked at these old ladies, I felt a sense of familiarity as if they were elders in my family.
That evening, Song Heng and I had dinner in the pentagonal pavilion in the front yard. A thick, pink broth was poured over thin, snow-white lotus root slices. White, round quail eggs were placed on a porcelain plate, garnished with red peppers. Refreshing, emerald cucumber slices and fiery red tomato slices each took their place on a butterfly plate...
Most of them are delicious and tender vegetarian dishes, which taste particularly refreshing.
In addition, the summer vacation effect of Miansong Mountain is well deserved. The cool evening breeze blows through the branches and leaves on people's faces. From time to time, you can see bright yellow stars hanging in the night sky. In the distance, you can faintly hear the gurgling sound of springs, as if a cold stream is flowing under your feet.
Song Heng had just dismissed everyone else, and only Eunuch Afu was guarding outside the yard.
I was just biting the crisp lotus root slices, when suddenly a dark shadow turned over and jumped into the pavilion.
He quickly put something that looked like a letter on the table, then bowed to Song Heng and quickly disappeared in the moonlight.
Coming and going without a trace, just like a dream in the blink of an eye.
Song Heng was probably amused by my stunned look, and he placed his chopsticks on the bowl with a crisp sound: "Shuang'er?"
I swallowed the lotus root slice: "Just now... was it real or fake?"
He chuckled, "Really."
He picked up a silk handkerchief beside him and naturally reached out to wipe the sugar juice from the corner of my mouth. "One of the advantages of being in the mountains is that it is more hidden from people's eyes. I hope Shuang'er didn't get scared."
I suddenly understood something and shook my head, saying, "That's okay. I'm prepared after the first time."
Song Heng nodded: "This is a secret letter from the front line. I still need to discuss the matter of those people in the palace with my brother."
My dear brother, I really don't have any impression.
Song Heng seemed to sense my doubts. "You're not very familiar with him. He appears to be a very dissolute person. But the reason Hua Xiang hesitated to act was largely because he was concerned about him."
I thought about it for a while. "On the surface", it seems that the truth is another side; "front line" seems to be killing enemies on the battlefield; "dear brother", they have been in contact through secret letters, it seems that the two brothers have a very good relationship.
Prime Minister Hua was wary of him, and I seemed to understand a little: "With him around, Hua wouldn't dare to touch you easily. First, he holds military power now, and second, because of him, the throne might not fall to Hua."
Song Heng nodded and smiled, then raised his eyebrows slightly: "Flowers?"
"Ahem, ahem, putting it this way makes it feel more like a conspiracy. It feels much better to say a code name, doesn't it?" I said seriously.
Although I know that it is difficult to hide people in this courtyard, and secondly, it is guarded by Eunuch Afu, so it is actually difficult for anyone to eavesdrop.
Song Heng gave a faint smile, agreeing, and then followed my lead, saying, "Hua's strength lies in his cautiousness, but this is also his weakness. I was originally worried that if I separated from you, he would try to defeat us one by one. But judging by his actions, he seems to be forming factions and amassing troops. It seems he wants to wait for you to return exhausted from the battle so he can capture us both in one fell swoop."
It sounds nonchalant, but this kind of "mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind" discussion really makes me feel a little thrilling.
Song Heng tore the letter open, and the seal was finally separated. He read it under the floor lamp next to the pentagonal pavilion, his brows furrowed, revealing an unseen anger.
I nervously put down my chopsticks, wanting to say something but stopping myself. I just wanted to reach out and help Song Heng smooth his eyebrows.
Song Heng said in a deep voice, "He and I have never been compatible, because of our destined surnames and our established positions."
"I know his bad deeds, but I also know his powerful tactics. To have served as a minister for two dynasties, he must have his own strategies and courage."
"But after all, Song Huaguo is Song in front and Hua in the back. I must eradicate it completely. The first priority is to ensure the stability of Song Huaguo and the peace and prosperity of the country."
"But it is undeniable," Song Heng lowered his eyes, "There is no room for two tigers in one mountain, and this is also because we want to eliminate the enemy for the Song family."
"I did feel guilty about this," Song Heng clenched the secret letter in his hand, "but now, I have no regrets at all. He brought this upon himself."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
