What kind of agreement the two parties reached in private is unknown to outsiders.
The announced news is that Sheng Suihe officially changed his surname back to Rong. However, perhaps because he was used to the current name, he did not return to his real name of "Qinghui". Instead, he was called Rong Suihe from now on, still with the given name Hengshu. .
Since the rule that the royal family was not allowed to participate in the imperial examination was stipulated by His Majesty Emperor Taizu, future generations could not violate it... At least Gaomi Wang's faction was unable to violate it now, so he was exempted from the title of No. 1 Scholar.
But Sheng Suihe... Oh, it was Rong Suihe who went from Xiao Sanyuan to Jieyuan and then to the second to the first place in the examination, so he was not promoted to the imperial examination in the 33rd year of Xuanjing. The vacancy of the top prize was used to express recognition of Rong Suihe's talents.
In order to compensate for being exempted from being the number one scholar, as well as out of the guilt of King Gaomi and his wife towards their son, Rong Suihe passed over his second brother Rong Qingzui and was granted the title of Prince of Zhen County at the request of King Gaomi.
In fact, under the ancestral system of the dynasty, after the emperor's grandson reaches the age of ten, he can be granted the title of county king.
But probably because of the rise of the Meng family, this dynasty severely suppressed the clan. As a result, all the sons of King Gaomi and King Guangling, except for the eldest son who was established as the heir apparent and the daughters as princesses, none of the other sons received any canonization, so that outsiders who wanted to show respect could only say "little prince". .
This time Rong Suihe was awarded the title of county king. While people from the Gaomi King faction celebrated, they also asked whether Rong Qingzui and others would also be canonized
However, I don't know whether it was because of Meng's fierce opposition or because of other reasons. King Gaomi made no other move while asking Rong Suihe to make him the county queen.
Although this is a pity for the descendants of King Guangling except the prince, it is not unacceptable.
After all, King Guangling is nearly ten years younger than King Gaomi, and his children are even younger. Except for the crown prince, who is four years older than Rong Suihe, the other male heirs are not as old as Rong Suihe. In order of eldest, they are not. Don't feel too lost.
The most embarrassing thing is Rong Qingzui.
He is Rong Suihe's brother. He is five years older than Rong Suihe. He has neither a title nor an official position. He can't even live in the palace. Before Rong Suihe returns, he can find out all kinds of things. Reasons cover up and prevaricate. Now Rong Suihe has been granted the title of county king, but he still has nothing, and everyone will be suspicious.
Even if we don't make all kinds of guesses, we must at least conclude that he is not loved by his parents.
"Cousin, why are you so miserable?" In the backyard of the Zhao Mansion, a secluded private courtyard, there are three or two peach branches sticking out from the wall. The flowers have fallen, but the leaves have not yet grown thick. It is quiet inside and outside, and the servants who are serving are hiding. No one was seen.
Zhao Taozhuang stood alone outside the threshold, looking at the broken porcelain and the spilled concoction on the ground, her tears immediately fell down. As she walked in carefully, she said sadly, "It's just a title! You The injury…”
"A mere title?!" In the innermost corner, where the skylight was blocked by several layers of gauze curtains, making it appear dark, a hoarse voice interrupted her words. Rong Qingzui said with a "ho ho" smile, "Cousin, that's not a title, it's the love between the father and the mother-in-law! This love is shared by the eldest brother, the eldest sister, the third brother, and even the younger sister. At least she is the princess and she lives in the palace. ! And I... Haha, in their minds, I am just like Deping! If my grandmother hadn’t taken the initiative to take me in, I’d have died somewhere long ago!!!”
He closed his eyes tiredly, with tears lingering in the corners of his uninjured eyes, and smiled to himself, "I always thought that because I worked so hard to admit my mistakes and please them, they would one day forgive me, and one day they would allow me to go back to the palace. ... Until today, I know... "
Rong Qingzui did not continue talking, but Zhao Taozhuang could already feel the sadness and anger radiating from his body, which became more and more intense, as if it were real.
She slowly walked up to him, knelt down half-kneeling, held his hand, and whispered: "Cousin, you are still young, why should you despair now? What happened in the past ultimately lies with the third cousin! Now he is ordinary. An'an is back. The Sheng family who adopted him is a powerful family in Nanfeng County. It is said that he is very wealthy. I think that in the past fifteen years, he must have lived a life of fine clothes, fine food, and servitude. In this case , is there anything that can’t be resolved about the grudges from back then?”
"I heard from cousin Qingfang that my third cousin has lost his memory!"
"So, next we can ask our third cousin to come forward and plead with our aunt and uncle. After all, we are close relatives and there is no unforgettable holiday!"
Rong Qingzui listened motionless, and after a while, he smiled miserably and said: "The last time I was able to step into the palace, it was thanks to the help of my eldest sister. But my eldest sister was scolded by her mother and concubine for this, and I don't dare to do it these days. Who’s going to the palace again, let alone me?”
"Then I'll help you!" Zhao Taozhuang said hurriedly, "It just so happens that Hui and cousin are about to leave the government, so I went over to help her and send greetings to my aunt. It's natural! I heard that my third cousin has been with my aunt these days. , don’t worry about not finding a chance to talk to him!”
"..." Rong Qingzui was silent for a moment, raised the hand that was not held by her, covered her eyes, laughed softly, and said, "Cousin, if it weren't for you, I really don't know if I would have had any need to live this life. Go down?"
Zhao Taozhuang felt shy when she heard this, and subconsciously wanted to take her hand out, but was held tightly by Rong Qingzui. She tried but couldn't pull it out, so she had to lower her head in a panic and said: "It's nothing, I..."
Before he finished speaking, a clear voice suddenly came from outside: "Second sister! Second sister? Second sister, are you in there? I have something important to see you!"
"It's Third Sister here." Zhao Taozhuang heard it and stood up subconsciously. Rong Qingzui also let go of her hand with some regret and said: "I haven't seen Third Sister in some days, and I don't know how she has been lately. How are you?"
Zhao Taozhuang was full of sympathy for him. After hearing this, she said without thinking: "I asked her to come in and see you."
He walked out and saw Zhao Taowei wearing a silver-red shirt and tulip skirt, holding a fan with a bamboo handle and a butterfly embroidered on the gauze floor, standing in the courtyard with a little maid, staring boredly at the two fluttering butterflies.
"Third sister..." Zhao Taozhuang greeted her cousin when she saw her. Zhao Taomei already showed a relieved look and nodded: "It'll be good if you come out! Come on, let's go..."
"Wait a minute!" Zhao Taozhuang stopped her and said, "My second cousin hasn't seen you for a long time, and I'm very worried about you. Since you're here, why don't you go in and say hello to him?"
In her opinion, this was just a piece of cake, but Zhao Taomei didn't think so. Hearing this, he raised his eyebrows and showed a sneer, saying: "Second sister, you are confused, but please don't drag me with you, okay? ! Even if they are full cousins, they are all so old anyway, don’t you know the difference between men and women?! There are no elders around right now, what’s the point of me going to his room?!”
"What kind of dirty things are you thinking about?!" Zhao Taozhuang said angrily, her cheeks glowing at what she said, "Let alone your own flesh and blood, what will happen if you meet her? Let's just talk about my cousin. My son's injury has not recovered and he has difficulty moving. Let's go into the room and take a look at him. He is a friendly brother and sister. Who can say otherwise?!"
Zhao Taomei shook the palace fan up and down and said calmly: "Okay."
When Zhao Taozhuang heard this, she thought she had agreed, and her expression softened, and she whispered, "Please stop mentioning the matter of your third cousin being granted the title of county king later..."
Unexpectedly, Zhao Taomei interrupted her and said: "I just don't want to quarrel with you, second sister! I didn't say I wanted to go in... I'm not you, second sister. I don't want to worry about the life and death of this second cousin! So what if I haven't seen you for a long time? ? You go back and tell him that I am eating well and living well, and he doesn’t need to worry about anything, let alone worry about me!”
As he spoke, he raised his palace fan and turned around to leave, but he didn't even bother to tell Zhao Taozhuang his purpose.
Zhao Taozhuang stamped her feet angrily and started to chase her. The two sisters walked quickly. After leaving this small private courtyard, they stood still. Zhao Taozhuang said to her sister: "What are you talking about?" Are you talking?! My second cousin has been through a lot of hardships over the years, but my aunt and uncle still have no intention of taking him back. Instead, they dote on my third cousin... He is already feeling extremely uncomfortable. Now you I just really don’t want to see him, so why do I want to poke his heart with such insulting words?!”
"Second sister, what happened in the past was all about the grievances between my aunt's family. I won't say anything else." Upon hearing this, Zhao Taomei sneered a few times, pointed the palace fan in the direction of the small courtyard, and then continued, "But You also know that he has lived in our house for more than ten years. Although I am not as close to him as you are, I still respect him as my biological brother!"
"Since when did I start to dislike him?!"
"Isn't it his style to go after Bishui County for the Lord Jingshu County and ask me to apologize for you?!"
"A blind person can see how you feel about him, how can he not know?! If he had no intention of you, he would have made it clear to you earlier and asked you to stay away from him. That is because marriage is destined by nature and cannot be forced!"
"But he knows that Gui knows, but he keeps trying to catch you under the pretext of his cousins! Seeing you endure the sadness and go to Bishui County with you without saying anything, you still want to please the Lord Jingshu for him!"
"For such a person, it is natural for aunt and uncle to look down on him!"
"It's just that you, second sister, are so stupidly devoted to him that you are willing to serve as his spearman!"
"I don't like him!"
Zhao Taoyi said this in one breath and sneered, "I advise you, second sister, to be wiser and stop interfering in the affairs between him and his third cousin! Don't think about it either. That third cousin is so young." You can get the first prize in the exam, enter the Sheng family as a foreign concubine, and still get along harmoniously with your direct sister. It shows that your talent and intelligence are first-class! If you don't interfere in their brother's grudges, there is no reason for him to come to you rashly. Trouble. If you wade into this muddy water, don't let your third cousin hate you... As much as my aunt has missed her over the years, she loves her now!"
"You also know my aunt's temper! When it comes to the third cousin's matter, it doesn't matter who has spoken over the years! Let alone a junior like you, I'm afraid even our grandmother's face won't be able to handle it by then!"
"..." Zhao Taozhuang's face turned livid after hearing this. She gritted her teeth and said after a while, "I'm not as cold-hearted as you!"
Then he waved his hand and went back to the small courtyard.
Zhao Taoyi was left with a deep sigh, and then said to the maid: "Let's go! This person doesn't want to understand, so it's really useless to say anything!"
The maid asked timidly: "Second young lady, you are not going to take measurements now. We will go back to the banquet hosted by Gaomi Palace for Prince He Mi Zhen. What will second young lady want to wear?"
"Didn't I just make summer clothes two days ago?" Zhao Taoyi snorted, "There are six sets of new clothes for each person. The second sister has not been out at home these days, so there must be one or two sets that are not worn. The reason why today It must be done specially because grandma is very happy about the return of the third cousin, and specially uses money from her private house to buy new clothes for the whole family... Look at the way the second sister looked just now, thinking about the second cousin with all her heart. Whether she wants to go or not is a question! If she doesn’t want to go, it will save some money for grandma!”
These things that happened in Zhao Mansion are naturally unknown to outsiders.
After the news of Rong Suihe's canonization as Mi Zhen County Prince came out, the Ningwei Marquis Mansion also received an invitation to the banquet.