But a drop in the ocean
From the "Taiwei Party" and the "Zhongshuling" party in the early years, it has become a "second, third, fourth" party and a neutral party. The prince's party members are in full swing, Nangong Jingnu thought that the always gentle fifth brother would struggle, but he didn't expect him to cultivate his own strength in just over a year. The chief examiner of the big exam last year was his confidant, and he trained a large number of "disciples" who swear allegiance to the death. Nangong Jingnu had to admit that she had misjudged her closest fifth brother over the years, but another The truth is: this is the real benefit of having control over the chief examiner.
Now the prince Nangong Da and the third prince Nangong Wang are in court and refuse to give in to each other. Although the power in the hands of the emperor should not be underestimated, the problem is that their allegiance is the current His Majesty Nangong Rang, not Nangong Jingnu. If they are removed one day Bead curtain... Will those people's positions remain the same? Nangong Jingnu dared not think about it.
She believes that in the past four years that she has been studying government affairs, the situation in the DPRK is very stable, and the people's livelihood has also been rested.
Nangong Jingnu is no worse than anyone in terms of ability, skill, and mentality in governing the country. The reason why she hit a bottleneck is that her status as a woman has bound her. In all dynasties, men are superior to women, even if she is the only direct daughter... There is still no power to contend against the prince in the hall.
Nangong Jingnu slowly closed her eyes, carefully screened the ministers in the court, and couldn't help but "tsk".
There is no one who can make her feel at ease with the entrustment...
"Ugh… ."
Nangong Jingnu sighed wearily. It seems that the father and the emperor have a long-term view. No one is more suitable for the position of chief examiner than Qi Yan.
If she had given up her temper and followed her father's arrangement three years ago, she would not be so passive today.
Blame Qi Yan for trampling on her dignity again and again. Back then, she ordered Qi Yan to return to the concubine's mansion alone, but she did not expect Qi Yan to pick up the woman within a few days.
Angrily, Nangong Jingnu appointed Qi Yan as the prefect of Jinzhou, and rejected his request to bring the woman with him.
For this reason, Qi Yan actually entered the palace to plead for mercy, saying that the woman had been stimulated and became ill and could not take care of herself. Nangong Jingnu sneered and satirized Qi Yan a few words. Unexpectedly, Qi Yan, who has always been courteous and courteous, actually made a case for the woman. Struggling to say, "She can't even be her own daughter, so what about His Highness?"
Nangong Jing's woman was in a hurry, and she picked up an object and smashed it at Qi Yan. The pen was placed on Qi Yan's forehead, and blood was pouring out immediately.
Nangong Jingnu regretted her action, and panicked even more when she saw Qi Yan bleeding, who knew that Qi Yan had straightened her waist and said coldly, "Your Highness must bring her, unless Your Highness ties him to Jinzhou to take office. "
…
Later, Qi Yan was really tied up by Wu Hua Da, and was "escorted" all the way to Jinzhou by two teams of guards. Naturally, she couldn't take Xiaodie with her.
For three years, Qi Yan never came back.
It is reasonable to say that the prefect of a party must report to the present once a year, but this is just an unwritten rule. The code of law reads: every three years, the prefect of all places must report to the present.
Nangong Jingnu slowly opened her eyes, and she didn't know when she actually leaned back on the chair, her face was covered with a layer of fine sweat, and her eyes were blue.
Nangong Jingnu was reluctant to recall the quarrel with Qi Yan three years ago. Just because Qi Yan's eyes were too determined at that time, it made people panic.
Nangong Jingnu sat up slowly, but her eyes darkened because she hadn't had a good rest for too long, and a scene suddenly flashed in her mind: when she threw the pen rest, Qi Yan clearly wanted to hide subconsciously, but stood at the last moment. He straightened his body and suffered abruptly, and blood flowed all over his face across the scar on his left cheek.
Those amber eyes showed a biting chill, facing Nangong Jingnu's gaze without evading, he said resolutely: "Your Highness must bring her, unless Your Highness ties the minister to Jinzhou to take office."
…
Nangong Shunv: "Little sister."
Nangong Jingnu exclaimed and raised her head suddenly. Seeing that the person who came was my second sister, she calmed down a little and exhaled a long breath: "Second sister, why are you here?"
Nangong Shunv frowned slightly, although it was only fleeting, she still captured the moment when Nangong Jingnv raised her head, the blankness and helplessness in her eyes.
She walked to Nangong Jingnv's side and softened her tone: "What's the matter? Are you too tired?"
Nangong Jingnu shook her head, raised her finger and pointed to the chair beside her: "Second sister, sit down."
Nangong Shunv sighed silently, she was originally here to "invite teachers to ask for guilt", but seeing the little girl like this, she couldn't bear it anymore.
Nangong Jingnu rubbed her eyebrows and quickly sorted out her expression: "Second sister, why are you free today?"
Because Qi Yuxiao and the sisters have been at odds several times, it seems that they are not as close as they used to be.
Nangong Shunv sat opposite Nangong Jingnv and said straight to the point: "How long has it been since you went to see Yuxiao?"
Nangong Jingnu hooked the corner of her mouth: Sure enough!
She stared straight into Nangong Shun's eyes and asked softly, "Second sister, how long does it take you to remember that you haven't seen me?"
A sentence stopped Nangong Shunv, she pursed her lips and replied, "It's been a while."
Nangong Jingnu: "The last time the second sister came to 'see me' was on the third birthday of the county master. It's been three months, you and my sisters live together in Weiming Palace... But there are more than three palaces in a hundred or so palaces. The moon can't see each other, in the past..." In the past, when Princess Zhen Zhen's mansion was just completed, there was a palace gate, and their sisters would see each other for no more than half a month at most.
The study fell into silence, and the two sisters were silent with their own sadness.
Nangong Jingnu felt that since she came into contact with the government, the fifth brother, who had always had a good relationship with the second sister, suddenly became estranged.
And what Nangong Shunv thought was: A few years ago, her little sister suddenly became "busy", she dared not think about it, and the appearance of Xiao Yuxiao in her life took most of her energy, indeed I forgot my sister...
Nangong Shunv said in a negotiating tone, "Can't you visit Yuxiao occasionally? When have you visited her in the past three years, except for the birthday and birthday? The child is so young and doesn't know anything, in her heart you It's her biological mother... The child misses you very much."
Seeing Nangong Jingnu not saying a word, Nangong Shunv continued: "Also... That person has been in office in Jinzhou for three years, right? Shouldn't it be time to come back this year? Yuxiao doesn't even remember what his father looked like..."
…
That night, Nangong Jingnu appeared in the warm pavilion.
Hearing the servant's chorus, Xiancao and Lingzhi thought they had heard it wrong, and hurried to the door to see the guards of honor of dozens of people in the distance before they believed it.
Immortal grass knelt down outside the warm pavilion with a plop, while Lingzhi rushed upstairs to invite Princess Yanyang. The little guy slept for a long time during the day, but now he is in good spirits when he hears the sound and puts on his shoes as if running downstairs.
Lingzhi hugged Qi Yuxiao outside the warm pavilion, and knelt down beside Xiancao.
Nangong Jingnv walked in and saw a small figure running towards her, pounced on her thigh: "Mother!"
At this moment, Nangong Jingnu's heart was a little touched, but her heart became a little harder when she met those amber eyes that were indistinguishable from Qi Yan's.
Coldly said: "How did Mr. teach you? Why is there no manners."
The smile on Qi Yuxiao's face disappeared, she let go of Nangong Jingnu's thigh and took two steps back: "Daughter sees mother."
Nangong Jingnv: "Yeah", she took the initiative to take Qi Yuxiao's hand and walked towards the Nuan Pavilion.
Lingzhi and Immortal Grass kept their heads low, obviously unable to bear the majesty that Nangong Jingnu exudes. In the past four years, Nangong Jingnu has been there every day at Nangong Rang, and after taking over the government, she has already formed the aura of a superior, so it is naturally difficult for two little palace maids to stay by the side of a milk dumpling all day long.
Nangong Jingnu naturally saw it, and she frowned a little dissatisfied with the two palace maids.
Nangong Jingnv: "Everyone, go down, this palace will talk to the county master, and no one will be waited on."
Immortal grass and Ganoderma lucidum are like amnesty, please retreat.
Qi Yuxiao was not afraid of Nangong Jingnv at all. She stood beside Nangong Jingnv and looked up at her mother with her small head raised, her eyes full of joy.
"Sit down, sit next to Ben Gong."
Qi Yuxiao folded a pair of fleshy little hands by his side: "Yes!" Then he climbed onto the chair with a big smile on his face, and after sitting up, his calves swayed, and his watery eyes couldn't blink. Blinking at Nangong Jingnu.
Nangong Jingnu: "What do you think Ben Gong does?"
Seeing Qi Yuxiao lowered her head and said nothing, Nangong Jingnu sighed inwardly: Looking at those eyes, she can't always achieve a new level of peace...
She retracted her eyes and looked up at the Nuan Pavilion. This is actually the best place in the entire Weiming Palace. The ground floor is covered with fire dragons, and the second floor is covered with warm jade, which is warm in winter and cool in summer. The scenery is also excellent.
Nangong Jingnv grew up in this warm pavilion when she was a child, and didn't move to the main hall until she was ten years old.
Nangong Jingnv found that many of the furnishings in the warm pavilion were like when she was a child, and some of them were very old.
She couldn't help frowning again, and suddenly an old incident flashed in her mind...
I remember when I first got married with Qi Yan, I once learned that the huge princess mansion did not prepare Qi Yan's meal. At that time, Nangong Jingnu didn't understand, and now she finally understands.
It was probably that the servants in the manor secretly stumbled upon seeing that the concubine was "not favored". Now that the warm pavilion is so outdated, isn't it the same
Nangong Jingnu: "In a few days... let the people from the Inner Court Department come over and repair this warm pavilion."
Qi Yuxiao raised his head, looked at it for a week, and asked curiously, "Why do you need to repair it?"
Nangong Jingnu: "A lot of the furnishings are from when Ben Gong was a child, and they are old."
Qi Yuxiao's expression brightened, and she asked in a milky voice, "Did your mother also live here when she was a child?"
Nangong Jingnu: "Yes."
Qi Yuxiao: "Then don't fix it! My daughter will be like this!"
Nangong Jingnv looked away: "... as you please."
…
Nangong Jingnu only worked in the Nuan Pavilion for less than half an hour. Most of them were Qi Yuxiao, a three-year-old baby girl, who talked to her about childish topics or asked something, and the atmosphere was not cold.
Nangong Jingnu has never brought children, but she still thinks that Qi Yuxiao is very smart. Although her speech is naive, she has formed her own logic.
Yes, this child's father is the only "two yuan and one flower" in this dynasty, how can his daughter be bad
Nangong Jingnu: "Do you want to see your father?"
The "chattering" Qi Yuxiao was obviously stunned for a moment, and replied, "Second aunt said that Daddy is in Jinzhou and will not be able to come back for a while."
Nangong Jingnu asked again: "Do you want to see him?"
Qi Yuxiao looked at Nangong Jingnu's face, but did not see any displeasure, and replied, "I think."
Nangong Jingnv: "That's good, it's getting late today, you should rest early and go back to Bengong."
Qi Yuxiao jumped off the chair: "Daughter respectfully sees mother."
…
A few days later, the herald rode a fast horse, carrying a red bamboo tube behind him and rushed into the Jinzhou government office.
"Report..."
Before the horse could stop, the messenger jumped off the horse's back, and one of the yamen ran inward and went to ask the prefect.
Qi Yan was in the process of reviewing the reports submitted by the counties and counties in Jinzhou when he suddenly heard the yamen report: "Sir, a herald came from outside and brought a red bamboo tube."
Qi Yan covered the report, took the crown and put it on his head: "Please wait a moment, I'll be right here."
The messenger saw Qi Yan, and cupped his hands: "The villain sees the prefect, please see the 800-mile dispatch from the capital on the spot, the villain can return to his life."
It was difficult for the herald to look directly at Qi Yan, but he couldn't help but take a peek at him. Although this lord was wearing the prefect's uniform, he didn't look like he had any airs, but he felt like a master from outside the world.
I have long heard that Princess Zhen Zhen's concubine was born with different eyes, and seeing it today is indeed a well-deserved reputation.
It is reasonable to say that the adult in front of him is already in his twenties, and the prefect of the official residence should grow a beard according to common sense... But the messenger couldn't help thinking: With such a beautiful face, wouldn't it be a pity to grow a beard
Maybe it's because of the lack of a beard? Qi Yan looked like a young scholar, elegant and gentle.
On the left side of the face, there is a scar that looks like a knife cut, adding a dash of toughness and wildness to the whole face, making her whole person's temperament complicated.
Coupled with this pair of coquettish eyes, even the 30-year-old man of the herald couldn't help but take a few more glances. It was a gender-crossing impact.
Qi Yan didn't notice the herald's expression, but was seen by the young man standing by the side, who was not as weak as the crown.
I saw a trace of contempt in the corner of his mouth, but he controlled it very well, and it was fleeting.
Qi Yan took the bamboo tube and unscrewed the seal, which contained a bright yellow decree. The moment she took out the decree, all the people in the palace knelt on the ground and shouted long live.
Qi Yan shook off the scroll and wrote: "Fengtian will carry the emperor, and the edict said: Qi Yan, the prefect of Jinzhou, will return to Beijing to report his duties, and he will leave the next day after receiving the imperial decree, and he will be here."
The words on the imperial decree are sharp and sharp, but at the peak of the brush strokes, there is a hint of the old style of the shepherd layman, and Qi Yan is in a trance while holding the imperial decree.
"The minister obeys the order."
Only then did the people in the government office stand up, and the herald bowed his hands to Qiyan again: "Since the lord has seen it, the villain will return to his life."
Qi Yan: "Qian Tong, go and deliver it for this official."
Herald: "Don't bother, the villain came on horseback."
Qi Yan raised his chin, Qian Tong followed the herald to the door knowingly, took out a bulging purse from his arms and handed it to the herald: "Master Chai has worked hard all the way, this is a little thought from our master. ."
The herald stared at the purse but declined: "How can this work? I'm just following orders..."
Qian Tong took a step forward and shoved the purse into the hand of the messenger: "The messenger must not refuse, you and I are both acting according to orders, so don't make the villain embarrassed, right? Even if the messenger doesn't drink tea, this horse also needs Nodding your head to save enough energy to go back to Beijing."
The messenger smiled and took the money bag, secretly said: "As expected of the imperial concubine, the servants around him are so smart."
Qian Tong returned to the government office, and Qi Yan took the imperial decree in his arms: "You come with me."
Qian Tong: "Yes."
The two entered the study one after the other, Qi Yan sat down on the case and took out the imperial edict and put it on the table: "Your Majesty ordered me to return to Beijing to report my duties and leave tomorrow."
When Qian Tong heard it, he immediately asked boldly, "It's not a good year, why do you go back at this time? You're leaving in such a hurry?"
Qi Yan looked down at the imperial decree, raised her hand, touched it, and said quietly: "Maybe there is something else, returning to Beijing to report to work is just a name."
Qian Tong: "According to the villain, it is also true. Otherwise, why would the inner court send a servant to read the imperial decree?"
Qi Yan hooked the corner of her mouth: "It's good to understand some things in your heart, you don't have to say them all, let alone put them on your face."
Qian Tong's momentum immediately relaxed, and he lowered his head and looked like he was being taught: "The villain knows his fault."
Qi Yan said calmly: "It's not wrong... It's just that it's too easy to be seen through and easy to suffer."
Seeing that Qian Tong's head was getting lower and lower, Qi Yan said again: "Go and pack up the luggage. I don't have much time and I still have some things to explain."
Qian Tong: "Yes!"
Qi Yan: "Wait."
Qian Tong: "Is there any other order for the master?"
Qi Yan pondered for a moment, then said in a low voice, "After you have packed your bags, you can go there for a walk, which means that we will leave at 9 o'clock tomorrow, and let him wait in a small temple fifteen miles outside the city."
Qian Tong: "Yes."
Qian Tong pushed open the door and left the study, Qi Yan collected the imperial decree, pulled the rough cloth over the official document, and continued to review it.
Early the next morning, Qian Tong loaded his luggage into a carriage, and a carriage set off on the road with only the master and servant.
A small temple outside Jinzhou City.
This is an ancient temple that has long been abandoned. The temple is dilapidated and leaking, the statues are toppled, and spider webs can be seen everywhere in the temple. This is also the place where Xiaodie and his party hid.
In the three years that Qi Yan served as the prefect of Jinzhou, the population of Jinzhou Prefecture has grown thriving, and most of the facilities in the city have been repaired. The fifteen-mile temple alone has not been ordered to be repaired.
Qi Yan jumped off the carriage, and Qian Tong pulled the reins to stay where he was. With only half of the door left in the small temple, Qi Yan entered the small temple sideways, and a man wearing an iron mask knelt down on one knee: "I have seen the master."
Qi Yan lifted the man up from the ground: "Brother Chunshu doesn't need to be too polite, you and I are still brothers."
The man took off the mask on his face, with a sloppy beard on his face. A whip mark on the left corner of the lip cuts the beard down to the chin. On the right cheekbone of the man is a square mark: thorn .
Qi Yan patted the man on the shoulder: "Brother Chunshu, stay safe."
The bearded man surnamed Gu, given the name Feng, and the word was Chunshu. He had fought against Qi Yan in the Shangyuan Lantern Riddle a few years ago, and later joined the Second Prince's mansion as an assistant, and was sent to Kitakyushu for the witchcraft case. Doing hard labor, I don't know why I appear here.