Beijing.
In the East Palace, the prince heard that the grand master came to see him, and announced that he had come in.
As soon as Taishi Bai walked in, he asked anxiously, "Prince, have you asked to reduce the military power of the feudal lord?" Before he finished speaking, he said again, "You are so confused! How could you have such a thought."
The old man looked rather distressed.
Bai Zhongning, the prince's master, is now in his 60s and is highly respected and knowledgeable. Since the prince grew up under his guidance, he never spoke to the prince as vaguely as others, that's what he said.
Mrs. Bai said it was refreshing, but the Crown Prince Luo Zhao was an adult man after all, and he was taught by this old man when he was a child. will be very annoying.
The prince originally had a smile on his face, but suddenly he was a little cracked, and a nameless fire came to his heart. But after all, he was the crown prince and grand teacher appointed by the royal father, and the prince was not so stupid as to disrespect the teacher, so he forced a smile and said, "Why did the prince say this?"
He said so, but the prince was very disapproving in his heart.
The feudal system of the Daxi Dynasty was extremely tolerant to the vassal kings, but for the prince, it was a couch where others could not sleep, like a sharp edge on the back.
Today, Emperor Shengshangxi has five adult princes. The second prince, Luo Jin, was given the title of King Jin and Jinzhou; the third prince, Luo Qi, was granted the title of King Qi and Qizhou; the fourth prince, Luo Huaiyuan, was given the title of King Yun and the title of Yunzhou;
Among them, King Jin and King Qi are brothers from their compatriots, and they are from Xu Guifei, the current favorite concubine. Concubine Xu has been favored for decades, and today she also values her prince very much. Not only is the fief the most prosperous among several vassal kings, but she has even rewarded King Qi, the King of Jin, repeatedly.
And the prince said that he was the vassal king this time, but it was just Bai Oh who went to the king of Jin and the king of Qi.
After all, Taishi Bai was very old, and he was already out of breath when he rushed all the way. After passing his breath, he said, "Do you understand the taboo, the taboo? You have been in the crown for more than 20 years now, both the heir and the elder. This is the prince that should be taken for granted. In the future, why do you need to embarrass a few small vassal kings at this time? I know that the prince feels uneasy because the king of Jin and the king of Qi are increasingly looking at him. Those who are not used by the court are only their own ceremonial guards, no more than 10,000, and the local military power and the guard commander assigned by the court are watching, what is there to worry about?"
Before waiting for the prince to speak, he said again: "Your Majesty fainted in the court a few days ago, this dragon body is just right, you please ask to reduce the military power of the king, what will your majesty think, don't you think about it?"
The prince couldn't hold back his face at this time.
"Master Bai, are you thinking too much? Gu is the prince, and the father is the father of Gu. Is it possible that you can't play it? It's just a few small vassal kings, so why exaggerate."
"It's just because there are only a few small vassal kings that you can't play it. Don't forget, they are not only vassal kings, but also your brothers—"
Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by the prince, "Master, don't put the solitary and them on a par. There is still something to do with the solitary, so please come back."
Taishi Bai wanted to say something else, but the eunuch Chen Qi came over, with his waist slightly bent and his hands in a gesture of seeing off guests.
"Master Taishi, please—"
Taishi Bai had no choice but to turn around and leave.
This prince, the older you get, the less you listen to people's teachings. In the past, I could listen to two sentences, but now I am more and more self-willed and arrogant. It should be noted that if one day does not ascend to that throne, the ending is uncertain.
Ugh-
After Mrs. Bai left, the prince sat behind the desk, and the more he thought about what the dead old man said, the more annoying he became, and he complained to Chen Qi, who was standing beside him.
"Sometimes I wonder if this grand master is the solitary grand master or the solitary two good brothers."
Chen Qi was in his mid-thirties, white-faced and beardless, wearing a sunflower-breasted collar shirt, when he heard what the prince said, he half-stooped and said vaguely: "The grand master is probably too worried about His Highness, because he is old after all. ."
Think about it too, life is rare in seventy years old, Taifu is almost seventy now, no wonder he is so long-winded all day, and people are getting more and more confused.
"Then you also think Gu has done something wrong and confused?"
It seems that Taishi Bo's words are not without influence on the prince, but because of his face, he is still a little nervous in private, and it is rare to say this to the people who serve him.
The prince didn't expect Chen Qi to answer. After all, a eunuch, a rootless person, can understand anything.
Who knew that Chen Qi thought about it for a while, but replied: "The slave also thinks that the master is a little alarmist. After all, His Royal Highness is the prince, and one person is more than ten thousand people. It is reasonable to ask to reduce the military power of the king." After a while, he hesitated and said: "What's more, His Majesty is already old, it is normal for His Highness to have such thoughts, after all, prevent problems before they happen."
As soon as these words were finished, Chen Qi's face suddenly turned pale, he knelt on the ground with a 'plop', and said in a panic, "The servant made a slip of the tongue, please make atonement for the crown prince."
The prince waved his hand, "Get up, it's you who asked alone, I forgive you."
Chen Qi is an eunuch who has only emerged from the prince's side in recent years. Most of the eunuchs in the palace have been in the palace since childhood, and they don't know a single big character, let alone any knowledge. And this Chen Qi is quite proficient in literary and calligraphy, and is very insightful, and the opinions he has repeatedly raised will always coincide with the prince. The prince's love was only in his heart, so he brought him to serve him. So far, he has been regarded as a useful person by the prince's side. Occasionally, when he encounters some problems, the prince will also talk to him about one or two things.
After Chen Qi stood up, he said again: "The Grand Master's opinion is to be cautious, but now the situation is eyeing on the other side. Your Royal Highness, you have been in a passive state. If you can use this time to ask your Majesty's thoughts to understand, at least you can advance in advance. Be prepared."
At the beginning, what Chen Qi said, the prince just felt that it was quite in his mind, but what he said later made his eyes glow again and again, and he was quite impressed. And Chen Qi, a eunuch, can think so deeply, which naturally amazes and appreciates the prince.
Because of the prince's invitation to play this time, there has been a lot of uproar in the court hall. Some people agree, some people oppose it. For several days, civil and military officials have been quarreling in the court.
Everyone has their own opinions and reasons. Those who agree with it say that the vassal kings are becoming more and more powerful, and the military is strong and strong for fear of threatening the imperial power, and the reduction of military power is justified. The opponent is to hold that this is the rule of the Taizu. Although the vassal has local military power, he only listens to the orders of the imperial court.
At this moment, Emperor Xi also made his own reaction to the prince's invitation.
The book that the prince arrived at was criticized by Zhu Bi with the words "no brotherhood" and was rejected.
Even though he was prepared in his heart, the prince was still terrified and furious.
What was terrifying was that the emperor really valued those two bastards, and what was angered was that Emperor Xi only valued those two bastards, and could not see the actions of the two in private in the domain.
In fact, the prince's performance this time is really helpless. His department has asked his subordinates Shang Zhezi to reflect the various visions of King Jin and King Qi in the vassal area more than once. Although there is no conclusive evidence, but a discerning person only needs to take a look and send someone Going down to investigate will have the result, but Emperor Xi has always turned a deaf ear, and has even sent out a few officials who have made such a case.
It's a pity that the result is very sad, at least the prince's line is sad.
In his rage, the prince smashed everything in the study, and even stepped on it with his feet angrily. Seeing this situation, Chen immediately rushed over and hugged the prince's feet, shouting 'Your Highness can't do it', completely ignoring the blood dripping from the broken porcelain pieces on his knees.
After the prince calmed down, seeing Chen Qi's tragic condition, he felt that the servant was sincerely protecting the master. After resting his anger, he called someone to apply medicine to Chen Qi to heal his wounds.
Unexpectedly, Chen Qi shook his head again and again, "His Royal Highness, this servant is just a humble body, and there is no need for Your Highness to worry about it."
"All nonsense, how can you say that you are also injured for the solitary talent, what is the trivial matter of healing!"
Chen Qi hesitated again and again, and then said: "Your Highness, this time is different from usual. Your Majesty has just refuted your statement. It is the time when everyone is watching, and the things in this study must not be known to others, or else If it reaches your Majesty's ears, you will think that you are dissatisfied with His Majesty. The servant is a lowly body, and I will go back to the house and apply some wound medicine for this small injury."
The prince also knew the reason for this. He didn't show anything on the face but just let Chen Qi go on, but he couldn't help but value Chen Qi more in his heart.
At this moment, Empress Xiao also secretly sent someone to spread the word, and there were only four words 'thinking behind closed doors'.
For a time, the East Palace closed the door, and the prince actually closed the door and thought about it.
***
Just after the time had passed, Empress Xiao asked her maid to tidy up her appearance and hurried to the Zichen Palace.
At the palace gate of Zichen Hall, I met Concubine Xu Gui who asked to come out.
Concubine Xu Gui is over forty now, but she can't see how the years have invaded her. The figure is still exquisite and elegant, like a weak Liu Yingfeng, with a touch of weakness in the eyebrows and eyes, and the dress is very plain.
On the contrary, Empress Xiao is graceful and luxurious, full of majesty. Although she is a few years older than Concubine Xu, she is still not old, and looks like she is in her thirties. The women in the palace have always paid attention to maintenance, and these two are the most valuable women in the world today.
"Greetings to the Empress!" Concubine Xu followed the palace ceremonies and respectfully saluted Empress Xiao.
After getting up, Cai Rou smiled and said, "Sister is here to visit Your Majesty. Your Majesty is in good spirits today, thanks to the careful care given to Your Majesty by the Queen's sister these days."
Queen Xiao tugged at Concubine Xu, "Your Majesty is both the monarch and the husband of this palace, and this palace will take good care of it."
After speaking, Empress Xiao led the team behind her into the Zichen Hall.
Concubine Xu Gui smiled at the Queen's back before leading the maid and eunuch beside her to her Chunluan Palace.
Zichen Hall
"Empress, I told you long ago that you don't have to work so hard. You are the queen, why do you have to do everything yourself? What's the use of those servants below."
"Your Majesty sees what you said, you are the monarch and the husband of a minister's concubine. When the husband's health is ill, I, a wife, can't serve me?"
Empress Xiao's remarks made Emperor Xi laugh uncontrollably, and the unpleasant anger caused by the Prince's report in the past two days immediately disappeared. Especially in the past two days, he reprimanded the prince, but the queen did not ask him for mercy at all because of the matter of the prince, but the attitude of coming to serve his soup every day naturally made Emperor Xi feel appropriate.
In addition to being appropriate, there are inevitably some sighs.
"Prince is so immature."
After hearing this, Empress Xiao did not fluctuate. After taking the medicine, she tested the temperature and began to serve Emperor Xi to drink the medicine.
When Emperor Xi finished drinking the medicine, she sighed and said, "The prince is a little immature, and his thinking is too inconsequential. How can he listen to others' requests for such a thing. Our Daxi Dynasty has always had regulations for feudal lords, and Xiao follows Cao all the time. Rules. The vassal king has military power, but that is also in the hands of the imperial court, and they are all brothers, so I don’t know what this kid thinks.”
Hearing Empress Xiao's unbiased words, Emperor Xi instead held her hand and comforted: "The crown prince is still young, so I don't blame him for listening to others occasionally, but only those who instigate them. I will not forgive this kind of person. he."
Emperor Xi seemed to have forgotten that the crown prince was over thirty years old, but not too young.
"Your Majesty, please don't excuse the prince. When the concubine saw that he was reprimanded, she thought about it behind closed doors in the East Palace. It can be seen that it was an unintentional act. But an unintentional act is also wrong. You must punish him well this time."
Empress Xiao's attitude made Emperor Xi very happy, but instead said: "Okay, it's okay, the child makes mistakes and teaches, the empress doesn't have to be too strict. Zhao'er is the prince after all, so it's fine to think behind closed doors for a few days, so as not to let outsiders think that we are father and son. There's a rift between them."
Empress Xiao breathed a sigh of relief in her heart, but she felt a chill in her heart. Instead, she said angrily, "You just like to be used to him!"
Emperor Xi laughed loudly, "You are so strict as a mother, I, as a father, will protect him for a or two, lest this child suffer from your scolding."
These remarks are not like what the emperor and the queen said, but like a couple in the market who said a few words because their children were disobedient.
But what was going on inside, no one knew better than Empress Xiao, who had accompanied Emperor Xi for decades.
Empress Xiao and Emperor Xi talked for a while, and then served him to lie down and sleep. Although Emperor Xi was already well, the imperial physician also said that apart from the court, it was better to rest in peace.
After leaving the Zichen Palace all the way and returning to the Fengqi Palace, Empress Xiao breathed a sigh of relief.
Thinking back to what Emperor Xi said just now, she was full of desolation.
What Emperor Xi said was not a lie, and she still knew him well after being a husband and wife for decades. But because he knew too much, he also saw his attitude of wanting to be with mud.
Although Emperor Xi was not a brilliant man, he could be regarded as a wise man. The only bad problem is that the ears are a little soft, especially when this softness is even worse for that Xu Guifei.
No one wants their husband to dote on a woman who is not his own, even a queen whose mother adores the world and sets an example of women's virtue. Even for the sake of this woman, Gang Ji was repeatedly disturbed, otherwise Empress Xiao would not have fought with Concubine Xu for decades.
Emperor Xi really loved Zhao'er, but he loved the two sons born to Concubine Xu even more. This kind of love will only cause the ambition of the imperial concubine family to expand, and the queen Xiao family can only passively defend.
Empress Xiao often couldn't help but think, if it wasn't for her being his first wife, if it wasn't for a couple of decades of teenage couples, if she wasn't his Yuan Empress, this palace would have been ruled by Concubine Xu and that woman.
The answer is no question.
To say that the sadness and sadness are long overdue, Empress Xiao has long been heartbroken, and now she can only watch the prince's steady enthronement, which is what she should do.
This time, the invitation to file was originally a tentative move. Since the crown prince was reprimanded, it means that Emperor Xi was not complacent about reducing the military power of the feudal lord. She knew that there were some secret roles of the imperial concubine, but she was not unprepared. Fortunately, she could handle His Majesty's temperament, and she narrowly passed the test.
Now, Empress Xiao also understands that it is not easy to act rashly, so she ordered a confidant to pass the word to the crown prince.
The prince, who had always been uneasy, finally breathed a sigh of relief after receiving the message from Queen Xiao, knowing that the father and the king did not blame him. Even so, every day he went to the Zichen Palace to greet him with diligence and diligence, and he wrote a letter of repentance and presented it to Emperor Xi.
After reading the letter of repentance, Emperor Xi was even more satisfied with the Prince's attitude, and the only remaining dissatisfaction in his heart disappeared immediately.
This incident ended with Emperor Xi sending an assistant minister from the East Palace to confuse the prince to do something wrong. Fortunately, the prince lost his way and returned, and now he is completely remorseful.
As for what's going on inside, several senior officials in the DPRK know very well.
It's nothing more than the fact that the Queen's Crown Prince's family, Xu Guifei and the two vassal king's family tried to beat each other, and the only unfortunate thing was the little Zhan affair who bewitched the Crown Prince.
The old ministers who have been in the DPRK for a long time are all old-fashioned and vicious. From the beginning to the end, they didn't mix in. As for some people who didn't understand, they jumped up and down, and they didn't fall out of a fight with an immortal and mortals suffered.
Of course, those are all minor issues.
***
It is said that it is not a big deal, but there is no real conclusion on the matter, how can it be completely relieved.
All kinds of news from the capital came into King Jing's mansion continuously, King Jing and Huang Tan made various analyses, and the hearts that were raised in the air slowly fell.
And the news from Nails has also come. By comparing the two, King Jing also has a general impression of the reduction of military power by the feudal lord in the capital.
To put it bluntly, the fire at the city gate affected the fish pond. Fortunately, there was no danger.
What King Jing didn't expect was that so early in this life, the two sides began to test each other. Having reached this conclusion, he is also ready to start adjusting some of his plans.
Being so busy, I have no time to go to the West Courtyard.
After a busy day, King Jing returned to Jingtai Hall and it was already close to Zi Shi.
King Jing, who usually looks aloof from the wind, has been sitting at the desk for a long time these days, and he usually doesn't like to change his posture. It doesn't look obvious on the surface, but Fu Shun can see the stiffness between King Jing's walking.
Returning to the hall and sitting down, King Jing originally wanted to go to the west courtyard to check the time, but also thought that he would have to get up very early the next day, so he rested his mind.
"Is Your Highness feeling uncomfortable?" Fu Shun asked aside.
Seeing that King Jing didn't make a sound, he said again: "Unfortunately, it's getting late, Madam Hua must have rested, otherwise, it will definitely be more comfortable to let her relax for you."
Speaking of Xiaohua, King Jing's stiff face softened a little.
Thinking of that little flower, King Jing thought of what she usually said to him when he was slack, why not stay in one position for a long time, and if he would move after sitting for a while, even if he couldn't get up, he could twist his neck to avoid being stiff for a long time. If you are distressed...
He twisted his neck slightly and made two small noises.
Fu Shun was taken aback, but King Jing didn't feel anything, he just felt that his neck after twisting seemed to come alive all at once, not as dumb as before.
Just alive is alive, but the pain is terrible.
"His Royal Highness, because of your body and bones, this old slave considers that Madam Hua is a madam after all, and she can't always be allowed to do this, so she specifically finds a person who can also massage loosely, or let her squeeze it for you. pinch?"
King Jing didn't think about it that much. He only thought about how tired she was in bed last time. He felt that what Fu Shun said was reasonable, so he didn't refuse.
If he can relax a little, he won't be sore when he wakes up in the morning.
Fushun showed joy on his face and stepped out to make arrangements.
After a while, he walked in again and set about arranging the venue for King Jing's loose time.
It was the same soft couch that Xiaohua used when she gave Jingwang Songfu. After Xiaohua left Jingtai Hall, the slightly higher soft couch has not been changed, including the embroidered pier.
"Your Highness, do you want to take a bath and come back?"
After watching it so many times, I will not read it. Fushun also knows that when Madam Hua is tired of His Highness, she will let him take a bath first, and then massage.
Fushun waited for King Jing to sit down on the couch, and said again: "The servant brought the ointment prescribed by Hu Liangyi, or did His Highness take off his shirt?"
King Jing pondered and shook his head.
Fushun stopped talking, and when King Jing was down, he beckoned people to come in.
The girl who came in was the girl named Qianxi, who was wearing a pink jacket, her waist was pinched thinly, and she was very graceful. A pair of peach blossom eyes, curious and anxious.
When Fushun set out to arrange this group of people, it really took a lot of thought. Not to mention, after finding the people, Fushun also arranged for them to teach them some techniques such as massage.
Among them, the girl named Qianxi was quite lucky. Not only because of her appearance and eyes, but she herself is also a smart person, and she takes great care in learning the craftsmanship, which is regarded as the best among the eight.
People are all self-motivated, and Fushun likes this kind of progress. After all kinds of things are combined, Fushun doesn't mind pushing her to move forward.
King Jing was crawling, but naturally he didn't see anyone coming. It wasn't until his hand touched his back that he realized it seemed to be a woman. There was some disgust in his heart, but the pain and exhaustion all over his body made him endure it.
After a bit of slack, it seems really comfortable. It took more than half an hour before King Jing sat up. He didn't see the panting girl who was motioned to kneel down by Fushun's eyes.
"Your Highness, do you feel more comfortable?"
King Jing didn't speak, he put on his shoes and walked out.
After waiting for King Jing to fall asleep, Fu Shun came out. Qianxi was still in the hall and had not yet gone out.
"Eunuch Fu."
Fushun looked her up and down with a smile, and said, "Very good, this is a good start. Talking less and doing more will be good for you."
Seeing Qianxi's face showing joy again, her eyes flashed.
He frowned and said, "Keep your expression and your eyes."
Qianxi thought about what Eunuch Fu had said in the past, and half lowered her head.
Fu Shun looked at it again and nodded in satisfaction.
"That's good, our Highness doesn't like those who escape."
The author has something to say: Well, this is a big fat chapter, and winning the heir is something that must be put on the agenda. It is expected that it will not be written in detail, and will be mentioned later, but at least let everyone know the situation at the beginning.