323 Chapter 312-Time

The queen mother glanced at Nangong Yue.

After so many years in the palace, she naturally can see that Nangong Yue's relationship with this cousin does not seem to be good.The queen mother has been with Nangong Yue for a long time, knowing that her temperament is calm and generous, so it seems that this Bai's is a bit wrong.

At this time, Cui Yanyan stood up and walked to Bai Muxiao, held her hand affectionately, and said with a smile: "Sister Xiaoer, I want to wear Qiushui, you can finally come!"

Bai Muxiao withdrew his hand, blessed his body respectfully, and said coldly: "Thank you for the three concubines."

Upon seeing this, the Queen Mother frowned slightly, and this Bai's was really unruly, and even ignorant.Who did she think she was, and what identity? She dared to show her face to the three princesses? This is still in front of her empress dowager. Afterwards, she really passed the door. Then closed the door, wouldn't it be lawless?

Reminiscent of Nangong Yue's attitude toward Bai Muxiao's lack of enthusiasm, the Empress Dowager suddenly realized that it was really unruly.

The Empress Dowager's eyes dimmed slightly, and that kind of compelling momentum spread out invisible.

However, Cui Yanyan didn't care about Bai Muxiao's indifference, and even secretly rejoiced in her heart, laughing and saying: "The queen mother and sister Xiao'er are supremely filial, so that the granddaughter-in-law admires her. Originally, the granddaughter-in-law intended to invite Xiao'er's sister The granddaughter-in-law came to the palace together, but sister Xiao'er had to go to the temple to pray for the sacrifice to the dead father, which only took a few days."

Bai Muxiao realized the displeasure of the queen mother and slammed a shock, as if a bucket of cold water suddenly fell on her, making her wake up instantly.She said to herself, isn't she already determined?

As long as the goal is achieved, whatever the means!

As long as the goal is achieved, even if she is humbled!

One day, she will be able to straighten her waist again and look down on all beings!

She closed her eyes and suddenly smiled, like the spring breeze in March, gentle and docile, and blessed: "Thanks to the three princes for their praise. Hundreds of filial piety first, the father's death has been more than three years, which coincides with the father's birth. It’s a matter of honor for Xiaoer to pray for his blessings. The praises of the three princes and concubines, Xiaoer really deserves to be deserved." Since ancient times, the princes have advocated filial piety and filial piety to stabilize their rule, not to mention, the empress is the emperor’s birth Mother, of course, would like the world to be filial piety.

Bai Muxiao smiled sarcastically in his heart. The three princesses were afraid that this time they would be self-defeating.

She quickly glanced at the Empress Dowager on the bed of Luohan. Sure enough, the Empress's expression eased a lot, and sighed: "An old saying goes: the father is there, watch his ambitions; the father is not, watch his actions; three years without change The way can be described as filial piety. Girl Bai, you have this kind of filial piety, presumably your father knows under the fountain, and it will be very gratifying." The queen mother said: Although some people do not understand the rules, they should not know filial piety. Excessively, after waiting for the door, let Grandma slowly teach the rules.

Hearing the Empress Dowager's tone loosened, Han Lingfu was delighted and looked at Bai Muxiao with a smile. He said: He knew that the Empress Dowager would like Xiaoer.

Cui Yanyan's face was stiff, and the original mask of the virtuous lady almost fell off, but in the end it was stabilized, with a perfect smile on her face, and responded: "The Queen Mother said so. Sister Xiaoer learns more."

"Xiao'er panicked."

Seeing the wife and concubine as if they were sisters and sisters, the queen mother nodded in her heart: The three princes Cui Yanyan really be as generous as rumors, and have the style of a wife.

The Empress Dowager and Han Lingfu were satisfied with their grandchildren, but Nangong Yue, Yuan Yuyi and Fu Yunyan were amused by the sidelines. They thought it was a big show.

After the people sat for a while, Han Lingfu proposed with a smile: "The Queen Mother, the sun outside is now much smaller. How about grandchildren taking you for a walk in Qianfangyuan?"

Han Lingfu was full of filial piety, and the empress responded with a smile.

A crowd of people waited to accompany the queen mother out of the Changqiu Palace to the Qianfang Garden in the southwest of the Changqiu Palace.

The sun was half setting, and the weather was a lot cooler at this time. It was suitable for a walk, but the weather in August was like a spoiled child who said that if he turned his face, he turned his face.

A group of talents stepped into the Qianfang Garden, which was just a blue sky with a clear sky, and it has suddenly become somber and covered with clouds.

"Boom Rumble--"

There was a dull thunder in the distance, and it was about to see a torrential rain. The maid of the maid next to the queen mother said nervously, "The queen mother, there is a pavilion in front, why not go there to hide from the rain?" Now that the disease is recovering, if they are exposed to the rain and cold, they can't afford them as slaves.

A group of people speeded up their steps, protecting the queen mother into the pavilion, and it was almost the next moment. There was a huge raindrop outside.

In a blink of an eye, most of the ground was wet.

In the pavilion, all the women were slightly embarrassed, and some girls were still splashed with water droplets, and their temples were slightly messy.

Among them, the most ugly face was the three prince Han Lingfu. He had just proposed to hang out, but he encountered heavy rain.He looked up at the rain curtains peeping outside to see the rain and did not know when the rain would stop.

Bai Muxiao on the side had been paying attention to his every move, and his thoughts turned, and suddenly said: "I will rain in the sky, and I will stop the rain. Will the rain do it for me, meet and meet. When it is cold, sit in a warm place You can walk in the cool place when it is hot. All sentient beings are not different from Buddha, and Buddha is all sentient beings."

She started chanting and suddenly attracted the attention of everyone in the pavilion, even the queen mother was thoughtful.The queen mothers are all old, and think that the most important thing for women is virtue and understanding of rules. Whether or not they are talented is not important.But at this moment, it is inevitable that he will be attracted by Bai Muxiao's very doctrinal words, and he will ponder...

The heavy rain this summer is coming fast and going fast, but it is only a few moments when Bai Muxiao recites. The rain is gradually getting smaller, and it stops shortly. The sky after the rain is more pure blue.

And Han Lingfu's heart was also suddenly bright, and he repeated the two sentences in his heart: "I will rain in the sky, and I will stop the rain."

The queen mother suddenly asked, "White girl also reads sutras?"

Bai Mu Xiaofu blessed himself and replied obediently: "When I return to the empress dowager, my first father died prematurely, and Xiaoer will chant the scriptures for him every day."

The Queen Mother looked at Bai Muxiao again. It was not easy for this young girl to calm down and read the sutras.I hope she can keep in mind the teachings of the Buddhist scriptures and honestly guard her duty as a concubine.

"Read the Buddhist scriptures well, and read more in the future." The Queen Mother said with a slight warning.

Bai Muxiao knew the Empress Dowager's words with a deep meaning, and he answered quickly.

The heavy rain just left the empress do not have the mood to take another walk, and ordered the ride back to the Changqiu Palace.

A few juniors sent their empress dowagers back afterwards, and they retired one after another.

Yuan Yuyi looked at the backs of Han Lingfu's backs, and endured and endured. After having arrived at Jingyuezhai with Nangong Yue and Fu Yunyan, she couldn't help but say: "Yueer, your cousin seems to have changed..."

Fu Yunyan nodded frequently, "Yue Cousin was right. Although you can't tell the truth, Ayue, your cousin is really different..." What kind of feeling is this? Fu Yunyan's small face All crumpled together.

"I know!" Yuan Yuyi thought of something, and he slightly excitedly said, "Yue'er, your cousin used to be a little taller when he just looked at people," although I don't know what the other party is proud of, "but Now, there is a sense of imperceptibility." The original Bai Muxiao and the ordinary girl show always seem to be out of place, but in the moment just now, she suddenly became stunned... it seems, it seems I put on a mask myself.

"Maybe." Nangong Yue smiled, and she naturally saw Bai Muxiao's changes in her eyes. She was secretly alert and didn't know what happened in these days. Did Bai Muxiao change so far?

She settled down and watched in the dark, with a smile on her face: "Don't say my cousin, this is after all the housework of the third prince."

Yuan Yuyi and Fu Yunyan glanced at each other, thinking so too.Anyway, Nangong Yue's relationship with her cousin is not good, and they can't commit the chores of other people's houses.

Yuan Yuyi finally thought of the business, "Yue'er, in a few days, it's Mid-Autumn Festival, and it's August 16 after Mid-Autumn Festival..." She smiled at Nangong Yue and Fu Yunyan with a wink, meaning something.

Speaking of August 16, Nangong Yue also smiled, but Fu Yunyan sighed: "Unfortunately, A Xin didn't come!" The five princes are in the Wangdu prison, and Nang Gong Xin, as his companion, naturally wants to stay. Accompanied by Wang Du, he did not follow the palace together.

August 16 is a special festival for the young men and women of Dayu.

This festival originated from the previous dynasty.It is said that three hundred years ago, a young general accidentally met a singer named Mu Lian on the Qinhuai River. The two fell in love at first sight. The general wanted to take Mu Lian as his wife, but was opposed by his family. Eventually he redeemed himself and left in a sad mood, and since then there has been no news.

The young general was deeply rooted in his love, and he had never married, or even gave up his splendid future, was expelled from the house, and lived alone in the frontier.

He stayed in the frontier for nearly ten years. After that, Bei Di came to commit crimes. They attacked several cities in a row, and the young general resolutely stepped forward and led a city of people to defend Yuancheng.Just when they were isolated and helpless, and at the end of the day, Mu Lian Qiao's "serial wind and fire plan" broke the enemy's rear and solved the danger of the permanent city. The two became relatives under the witness of the people in the city.

After getting married, the two struggled together to guard the northern border until the reinforcements arrived.

Because of their great merits in the battle of Bei Di, the court conferred merits on the merits, and the young general was named Anbei Hou, while Mu Lian was swayed by a singer Ji Ji and became Mrs. Hou of the Super Class.

The emperor summoned An Beihou and his wife to enter the king capital, but they chose to continue to live in northern Xinjiang and live a simple and poor life.They led the poor local people to open the wasteland and irrigate the drainage.Mulian opened the academy and personally Educate children for teachers.

The couple's college not only taught a generation of Confucian scholars and ministers, but also many outstanding talents.

Over the past fifty years, the couple is the world of Tao Liman, and Anbei Hou has been named in the spectrum of famous officials because of his merits in the creation of the North Xinjiang.

Mrs. Murian's life was full of ups and downs, full of legends. After her death, the people still missed it, and the day of the marriage of the couple of Anbei in August 16th was regarded as the day of the Murray, a day when a loved one became married. .

Young lovers often put lotus lanterns on this day to make blessings, hoping that the sky will last forever and Baishou will grow old together.

Looking at Fu Yunyan's shaking his head and sighing, Yuan Yuyi smiled and held her arm and said: "Liu Niang, is it not enough for me to accompany you?"

"Not enough!" Fu Yunyan nodded forcefully, "I still want to eat the lotus cake you made!"

One of the traditions of the Mulian Festival is that a woman makes a lotus cake by herself and gives it to her husband. The two share a lotus cake before they can reunite.

"Good idea!" Yuan Yuyi's eyes lit up. "Yue'er, it's better to go to Sister Xi to make lotus cakes on the day of the Mulian Festival. You also have to make lotus lanterns..."

"Let's make a lotus lantern." Fu Yunyan asked for a tassel automatically in excitement. "I'm not in the kitchen, the lotus lantern will be wrapped around me."

"At that time, we will meet Sister Xi, Cousin Jun and Cousin Xia to put the lotus lantern together."

The more excited the more people said, the more Fu Yunyan said with excitement, "Ayue, Yiyue sister, simply you two will go to me together, I will let someone call them Sister Xi, and we sit down and discuss. "

Nangong Yue smiled and refused, saying, "It's better tomorrow."

"Ayue, what are you doing today?" Just after asking, Fu Yunyan immediately showed an expression of enlightenment and ridiculed, "I know! You must want to go back and accompany Brother Yi."

After being said to have been thinking about it, Nangong Yue's face was slightly hot, but she was still cheeky and said, "How is it?"

Fu Yunyan raised Yuan Yuyi's arm, ridiculed and said, "Ayue has older brother Yi, don't want us anymore. Fortunately, and cousin Yi, you are with me."

Nangong Yue stared at her deliberately and said, "Wait, wait until you become a pro...Hum!"

Speaking of "getting married", Yuan Yuyi's cheeks suddenly turned red. Nangong Yue and Fu Yunyan looked at each other. The latter said happily, "Sister Yi, will your family affairs be settled?"

The two in front of me were not outsiders. Although Yuan Yuyi blushed, she said generously: "My mother said I will see it at a later date. If I want to, I will settle down."

"Hurry up, who is it?"

"...Jian Sanhou in Zhang Jinghou's House." Yuan Yuyi always felt a little uneasy in her heart and whispered, "The second brother said he would help me inquire about it, let me drag the mother first, and see you in a few days. ."

In this world, women are difficult, and how the husband's family is related to most of their lives, not everyone has courage and separation.

Although Princess Yuncheng and the concubine will not harm Yuan Yuyi, sometimes, as elders, the considerations and concerns may not be comprehensive.

"I also asked Ayi to ask." Nangong Yue said.Xiao Yi is the first hegemony among the dudes of Wang Du.

Yuan Yuyi shyly thanked the three girls and walked to the fork with a smile, and then they left.

Thinking of Xiao Yi waiting for himself in Jingyuezhai, Nangong Yue's pace was much lighter.

The days in the palace are much more leisurely than those in the king, but unfortunately, Xiao Yi has errands. Even if he is not doing business, he still has to pretend to be like, and he will return to the Wucheng soldiers and horses every two days.Pity the commander Feng Shuxuan, and he took up all the things Xiao Yi pushed to him.However, he himself was happy, and he faithfully expressed that he would do his best to bow to the elder brother.

In the night when Xiao Yi was not there, Nangong Yue's heart was a little empty, and unconsciously, she was already so dependent on him.

As the queen mother recovered, Nangong Yue finally stopped running to the Changqiu Palace all the time.Xiao Yi stuck with her all day long as she walked in the palace.This view of Yinglanxing Palace is excellent. comfortable.

Unconsciously, it was August 15th.

During the Mid-Autumn Festival, the emperor's mood was also very good. He announced several princesses, princes, and several embassies in Baiyue to tour the park and enjoy the moon.

In the large Yinglan Palace, there are dozens of large and small gardens. The emperor ordered this garden because of the name of one of the Mingyue Gardens.

Dominated by the emperor, dozens of people poured into the originally quiet Mingyue Garden.

Today's moonlight is excellent, the moon is like a huge silver plate hanging in the night sky, sprinkling the bright moonlight on the ground, like the gauze is simple and gentle.

Everyone was slowly walking along the cobblestone path while watching the flowers, bamboo forests, ponds, lakes and stones in the garden...

In August, the Osmanthus fragrans bloomed in the garden, exuding a rich floral fragrance, making people unable to ignore their existence.

The emperor walked with his courtiers in the front, while the female family including Nangong Yue walked slowly behind.

Yuan Yuyi folded a sprig of gold osmanthus, and sniffed it up recently, saying: "The sweet-scented osmanthus in this garden is so good, it can be clean, and it can overflow!"

"Yeah! Yeah!" Fu Yunyan nodded in a hurry, and said with amusement, "Such a sweet-scented osmanthus, it would be delicious to pick up tea, make soup, and make snacks."

Liu Niang, this guy...Yuan Yuyi's eyes twitched, it was said to be "Golden Autumn Rewarding Gui", and it made people not appreciate the flowers!?

Fu Yunyan continued unknowingly: "Yes, you can also brew osmanthus wine!" When it comes to osmanthus wine, her eyes sparkle, which is even brighter than the stars in the night sky.

Nangong Yue said with a smile: "Although I am not as good as Sister Xi for making snacks, but my ability to brew fruit wine is not bad."

"Ayue, can you make wine?" Fu Yunyan's eyes suddenly looked at her, and he almost shook the dog's tail behind him.

Nangong Yue nodded and said: "I used to learn a little while studying medicinal wine before, but this osmanthus wine has never been brewed. If Liu Niang doesn't dislike me, I can give it a try."

"Don't dislike it, don't dislike it!" Fu Yunyan nodded vigorously and stared at Nangong Yue, "Ayue, I can count on you."

Nangong Yue responded with a smile, recalling the brewing recipes she had seen, but could not wait to give it a try.

The girls laughed Yan Yan and walked along the way to discuss what other sweets Osmanthus can make...

The emperor stopped until Mingyue Lake.

I saw the front, the bright moonlight blew on the willow and osmanthus trees on the lake, and covered them with a layer of silver yarn, light and elegant.The water of Mingyue Lake flows slowly under the bright moonlight, a burst of summer wind blows, the lake is sparkling, and the osmanthus on the lake emits a strong floral fragrance. After a day of hard work, people can't help but become relaxed and relaxed, even if they don't talk to themselves, they soften.

The emperor looked at the full moon reflected in the moon companion lake, and couldn't help but sigh, "Surely moonlight is like water and water like sky."

"Emperor Uncle," Xiao Yi proposed with a smile, "Although my nephew is not good at dancing and writing ink, but today's rare Mid-Autumn Festival, how about letting everyone give poems with the moon as the title?" , Quickly glanced at the official language not far away.

Xiaobai said last time that if he wanted to find out whether "that person" had real talent, he needed an opportunity.He looked at the opportunity now, but it was a good time, so that the smelly girl could solve the doubts in her heart, saving you from thinking all day and thinking about it.He didn't want to let his stinky girl waste his mind for an unimportant person.

A pale smile appeared on the white lips of Mandarin, and he slightly jawed towards him.

Hearing Xiao Yi's words, the emperor also had a little interest.Since ancient times, poets and poets have loved the Mid-Autumn Festival and chanting the moon, which is indeed an elegant thing.

At the look of the emperor's look, a literary minister has volunteered: "The emperor, the servant is not talented, and just assigned a poem yesterday. It is rare for the Mid-Autumn Festival, and he is ugly. The right should be used as a green leaf for all adults."

This adult was open-minded. Although the poems were ordinary, it was considered a head of all the ministers. The emperor felt that interest was even higher when he saw the courtier's second opinion.

Since poetry was to be given, the people around the palace immediately acted, quickly moved several books and chairs, set them up by the lake, and prepared ink, ink and paper inkstones.

Next, all the ministers gave poems on the theme of Mingyue, and the emperor said with great interest: "You all come to see."

Xiao Yi was closest to the emperor and smiled and picked up the poems written by the ministers in the book case. Refreshing sentences."

Zhenshi Wang Shizi has always been arrogant, and everyone dared not have any opinions about his comments.

The emperor originally thought that there were a few poems that did a good job, but when Xiao Yi said this, he became more and more dissatisfied. Although there are occasional good sentences of "the night sky is full of moon and moon", he always feels that it is still bad. Order something.

Xiao Yi continued with a smile: "When it comes to poetry, my nephew remembers that the two words that Jin Xin will circulate are doing well."

The emperor thought deeply and shouted, "Huairen."

Grandpa Liu, who was serving on the side, immediately realized the holy intention, listened to the emperor's instructions, and then hurried to the rear, summoning one from the accompanying female--

Bai Muxiao!

In an instant, the ministers and the women present turned their attention to Bai Muxiao.

After Bai Muxiao saluted the emperor, the emperor said aloud: "Today's rare Mid-Autumn Festival, can Bai Bai have a poem with interest?"

It was a great honor for the emperor to order that, but Bai Muxiao did have this qualification in writing poetry.

The "Hunxisha" and "Jiangchengzi" at the Jinxin meeting, as well as the "Xia Ke Xing" she had done before, have become widely handed down among the literati and Mo Ke.

Everyone knows that she has been registered as the side concubine of the third prince.Although it is only the side concubine of the prince, not the main room, but the side concubine of the prince is also the second grade. Not to mention that she is now in the eyes of the emperor. If she can give birth to the emperor and grandchild soon, I am afraid that it will be more honorable than the three concubines.

With such a thought, Cui Yanyan, the concubine of the third prince, suffered a lot of "caring" eyes and hated her more.

But Han Lingfu is full of smiles, and the father emperor can appreciate and love Xiao'er, which is also a good thing for himself.

In the eyes of everyone, Bai Muxiao smiled generously.

Why do you stand here, Bai Muxiao knows the truth, it seems that the king of the south of the town is under the shackles of his good cousin, and wants her to be ugly in the face of everyone, but unfortunately, she is true Really learned, they just tried in vain, but instead fulfilled her chance.

Bai Muxiao was full of confidence and bowed to the emperor, saying: "Emperor, the people's daughter will give a poem with five steps in seven steps."

In ancient times, Cao Zhi became a poem in seven steps, and it became a story.

If this sentence had not been exported by Bai Muxiao today, it would be arrogant.

However, as everyone knows here, Bai Muxiao was the first to finish his speech in the Jinxinhui preliminary and finals. It is indeed agile and convincing.

Everyone whispered and waited.

The emperor saw Bai Muxiao so confident and smiled more.

Bai Muxiao took a step forward slowly, the second step...

When she reached the fourth step, the first poem had blurted out: "Moonlight in front of the bed."

As her first word uttered, and there was silence all over again, only hearing her clear voice reverberating around her.

After the first sentence was read, most of the literary ministers could hardly conceal their disappointment. This sentence is so ordinary that it is not an exaggeration to say that "seven-year-olds can do it."only……

Thinking of Bai Muxiao's past poems, there must be a good sentence handed down from the past. Maybe this wonderful phrase is still to come.

Bai Muxiao took another step, and the second poem sounded: "Suspect is frost on the ground."

This second sentence obviously smells a bit more than the first sentence, but it is still mediocre.

This "five must" is a five-character sentence, four sentences, so it is called "unique".In other words, Bai Muxiao only has two sentences left in the first five. She wants to make a comeback, and she can only rely on these last two sentences.

The surroundings became more and more quiet. At this time, Bai Muxiao was a well-deserved center of the audience, and all her eyes were focused on her.

At this time, Bai Muxiao had reached the sixth step, "raising his head and looking at the moon."

At this point, most people basically think that Bai Muxiao must have been embarrassed this time. Such a naive five-point poem was actually embarrassed to shoot, still in front of the emperor.

The people whispered sparsely.

In this regard, Bai Muxiao didn't know how, but she still looked as usual, and while taking the seventh step, she read the last sentence: "Look down and think about your hometown."

The moonlight in front of the bed is suspected of frost on the ground.Looking up at the moon, looking down at your hometown.

Several people murmured in a low voice, and suddenly felt that this poem was ordinary at first, no peculiar novel imagination, no Seiko gorgeous rhetoric, but the details, but it seemed meaningful, intriguing, just twenty The word outlined a vivid image of the moonlight homesickness in front of everyone's eyes.

Master Li of Hanlin Academy praised the first one: "Miao, it is really wonderful. This poem is fresh and simple, understands like words, and can be conceived with meticulous and deep song. It is really blurry and untraceable."

Another veteran beside him also said with a beard: "Yes, the old man finally understands what it means to have no intention of working but not working."

"It's extremely. It's really straightforward, not coloring." Mr. Chen also shook his head. "This homesick poetry is the most, but it's not so simple and tasteful."

The people whispered and praised.This first five is so eloquent, even the children of Huangkou can recite it. I am afraid that after today, they will be famous all over the world.

Xiao Yi looked lazily and blinked blankly at the official language.

On the throne, the emperor also murmured the five quintessential repetitions and smiled with admiration: "Okay! A good sentence'Look up at the moon and look down at your hometown.'White girl, can this poem be famous?"

Bai Muxiao smiled indifferently, even in the praise of everyone, he was still calm and detached, and he blessed him and respectfully replied: "Return to the emperor, because of "doubt", then look," because of "wang," think, If you don’t read it, you’re really quiet at night!

"Jing Ye Si!" The emperor laughed, "A good "Jing Ye Si"!"

The emperor was in a good mood, so he ordered Liu Gonggong to reward Bai Muxiao for a thousand gold pieces, a pair of jade ruyi, and a few pieces of silk.

Han Lingfu stared at Bai Muxiao, who was neither humble nor overbearing, his eyes splendid.Not a loss is Xiao'er, and only a strange woman like her with a poem and poetry can make such a catchy poem!

On the other side, the official Mandarin Bai was thinking about it. If he thought about it, he said with a smile: "Suspect is frost on the ground..."

The word "frost" in this sentence is cleverly used at first glance, not only has the brightness of the moonlight, but also the desolation of the homesickness by the cold weather.

The problem is, it is August 15th, it is summer and summer!

Although Mid-Autumn Festival has a bright moon and homesickness, it is not a cold season.

This white girl's poems are really "surprising".But the verses are too wonderful, so they let the onlookers look.

"Emperor," the official man Bai Bai smiled and said to the emperor, "Tonight and the moon will be the first time, and the white girl will become a poem in seven steps.

The emperor was in a good mood, and he said cheerfully, "An Yi Hou said."

But Bai Muxiao's eyes fell, and there was an ominous premonition.