This time the celestial dynasty pacified the western frontier, and the country's prestige spread far and wide. All the countries in the four directions sent envoys to congratulate them. Envoys from all over the world gathered in Tiandu to meet and worship.
Emperor Hao issued an imperial edict, canonizing Wanqi Shuofeng as Rouran Khan, and canonizing Chilang Lunzan as King Guiyi. In the mid-autumn of August, Nan Gongjing and the teachers of the early Tang Dynasty returned to the court and gave a banquet to the Chengming Hall of Xuansheng Palace to celebrate together.
Chengming Hall, nine feet high, with Qiong steps paved with jade and eaves entering the clouds, is built on the Yaoguang Platform in Taixiao Lake, surrounded by vast clouds and mist, and twenty-four exquisite floating jade bridges run through the shore , and Fudaofei Pavilion is connected to various palaces. Looking from a distance, the ladies of the court, wearing light clothes around their temples, walked gracefully, walking gently on the waves, with silk and bamboo ethereal, like a fairy palace in a fairyland.
At the first moment of the hour, the prince, Huangzong, and civil and military ministers entered the palace to wait for them. They greeted and greeted each other in front of the palace corridor, and there were already two distinct factions. One side is Qin Guogong, Changding Hou, Fengyan, Yin Jianzheng and other clan relatives and officials, and old officials, and the other side is Du Junshu, Lu Qian, Si Weiyun, Nan Gongjing, Tang Chu and other rising stars and generals from the poor family. , It is also a fierce confrontation between the two factions.
The stability of Tubo and the victory of the war made the young and strong factions in the court feel proud. Nangong Jing and the early Tang Dynasty triumphantly received the titles of Hushi General and Fujun General respectively, entered the central center, and compared the officials to the three princes, and the generals who followed the conscripts were promoted and rewarded.
A general from a humble family rose suddenly, his wings gradually flourished, and he seemed to be on the same court as the clan's elite. When they met in front of the palace, they couldn't help but show some shadows of swords and swords floating in their hands and laughter.
However, at this time, there was a person who had never entered the palace, standing outside the courtiers on both sides, in front of the white marble railing, with his hands behind his back facing the misty clear water of Mingchi, with a handsome and light smile on his handsome and handsome face, and with his wide sleeves fluttering, there was something strange about him. The taste of leaving the world and leaving the dust and loneliness.
But it was King Zhan, who was neither close nor far away, neither hot nor cold, who was clearly in the middle of the situation, but seemed to be the King Zhan who stayed out of it. Feng Yan looked at the figure through the eaves of the Huazhu and squinted his eyes, the corners of his eyes were wrinkled in deep thought.
If it is said that the previous two years were still a bit chaotic and unclear, then this year, probably everyone has seen it clearly. In this deficit investigation that led to the alternation of old and new officials in the DPRK and China, Emperor Hao did not act arbitrarily. It's King Zhan. It was King Zhan who overthrew the Wei family, King Zhan who replaced the military and political officials of the states, King Zhan who enriched the treasury, and King Zhan who suppressed the Feng family everywhere in the court. This is obviously a seamless cooperation between the front and backstage, and all the civil and military affairs of the Manchu Dynasty are counted in it.
The figure standing on the Qiongtai of the Guangdian suddenly gave Feng a shuddering feeling, just like a few years ago in the Taiji Hall, when Emperor Hao ascended the throne, raised his sleeves and ordered all the officials to flatten their bodies, and looked down at the world, the haughty gaze Let him have such a feeling, that is, like facing an abyss.
Feng Yan frowned secretly, and suddenly heard Jian Yin beside him sigh, and he was also looking away from King Zhan.
Facing Feng Yan who suddenly appeared, Yin Jianzheng greeted Yan uncharacteristically: "President Feng."
Old Feng Yan's brows moved slightly, complex expressions flashed across his eyes, but he smiled on his face: "On the day of victory, why did Prime Minister Yin sigh? Could it be that he suddenly felt something, and felt sad for the death of a rabbit?"
This remark was quite ironic, and Yin Jian asked directly: "The autumn wind is gradually rising, isn't Xiangfeng sad?"
The smile on Feng Yan's face faded slightly: "Mr. Yin should be worrying too much."
Yin Jian raised his eyes and looked at him: "Then Su Yi and Du Junshu made up their minds to go to the province, and it has been a while since Si Weiyun was promoted to the position of Minister of Zhongshu. How does Xiang Xiang feel?"
After Wei Zongping was dismissed and demoted, Su Yi, a scholar, and Du Junshu, a doctor of Guanglu, took over as servants under his door. Since then, the old practice of Zhongshu and two provinces under his door having two ministers and two servants has been restored. The merger of the three provinces of the Celestial Dynasty is equivalent to an invisible division of the power of the prime minister. Although the Zhongshu Province did not really add the Zhongshu Ling, it transferred a Si Weiyun as a servant, which is no different from the separation of powers. This incident had a great impact on both the Feng family and the Yin family, but the two families were still at odds as before. Feng Yan snorted coldly when he heard the words, "Since Yin is in it, why did you come to ask me? If you didn't empathize with me, why did you have to look at the wind and mourn the autumn?"
Yin Jianzheng said: "Hehe, Prime Minister Feng said it well, the old man just thought of Wei Zongping, and it was indeed a moment of emotion, but Prime Minister Feng didn't seem to have such worries."
Feng Yan's expression was quite conceited: "I'm sorry, Mr. Yin, everything is not the same, how can we talk about it as the same?"
Yin Jian just understood that Feng Yan meant that the Feng family had the empress as their backer, so he didn't say much, but said slowly: "The surname of this Celestial Dynasty is Ye!"
This is the same as Wei Zongping's words, which surprised Feng Yan. At this moment, he suddenly heard the chime of the bell, and Jiu Shao began to enjoy it. Waiting for the voice of the servant to announce the driver, the canopy is far away, the guard of honor is clearly defined, and the golden fan of the Five Ming Dynasty is winding, and the holy driver arrives.
Feng Yan and Yin Jianzheng interrupted their conversation, hurriedly cleaned up their appearance, and knelt down with the princes and officials to welcome the holy driver.
But after a while, the emperor brought the queen into the palace, his black sleeves fluttering as he paced like a dragon and a tiger, with a solemn and majestic majesty, he was so proud that he could not be looked at. The queen walks slowly with a smile on her temples, with a phoenix crown on her temples, a jade ribbon and a leather belt, and a hundred feet of embroidered golden Luan clothes trail behind her, looking as steady as a ceremonial instrument. The two walked side by side, passed the jade steps, and climbed to the Mingtai, as if floating from the sky in the clouds.
"Long live my emperor!"
Amid the cries of the mountain, all the officials bowed down to worship, and the jade crowns, red tassels, and black yarn and golden hairpins bowed down in sequence on the sides of the two corridors, one by one. The emperor slightly raised his hand, the palace attendant announced the decree to exempt the ceremony, and all the ministers bowed again, thanking Enping for his death.
King Zhan looked up, and across the golden-step jade curtain, his eyes suddenly brightened.
Qing Chen turned around behind the radiant and exquisite curtain, and the faint smile under the makeup of Minghua Palace was reflected in the phoenix eyes with flowing autumn water, as if the scorching autumn sun sprinkled a thousand hectares of Taixiao Lake. The waves are dazzling and soul-stirring, and the splendor of this resplendent hall is lost. The flowing golden cloud clothes are accompanied by the side of the dragon's black robe, reflecting the same brilliance. This gentle smile made the emperor's cold jade-like face warm. When King Zhan came back to his senses, the emperor had already stepped forward Before arriving at the Jinlong imperial case, Han Xiao took the queen's hand, personally led her to the Fengxiang sapphire case on the left side, sat side by side, and then said with a smile: "Everyone is seated, there is no need to be formal."
All the ministers were used to seeing the emperor not showing his emotions and anger, and it was rare to see him smiling like this, so they all knew that he was in a very good mood today. After this battle, the country's prestige flourished. After a long period of brewing and accumulating, the spirit of ZTE finally became a phenomenon. The difficulties of the past few years have turned into a sense of pride in the chest, which makes people happy. Ye Tianling looked around His Highness, feeling touched, his eyes fell on King Zhan, but the smile in his eyes suddenly eased.
After the Qilin gold case, King Zhan was staring at Qing Chen's bright smiling face, his mind focused. He seemed to feel Ye Tianling's glance, and raised his head slightly, but Ye Tianling turned to look at Qing Chen. Qing Chen looked back from King Zhan, and smiled at Ye Tianling Yanyan.
Jianshui's double pupils, jade-colored streamer, clear and charming, clear and bright, floating up and down, full of her illusory and real joy. Ye Tianling raised his eyebrows lightly, and responded with a smile. Turning his head to look at King Zhan again, King Zhan never avoided the gaze of any of them, smiled gentlely, and admired it unabashedly, then got up and led all his civil and military officials to drink to congratulate him.
Ye Tianling looked around at the ministers, intentionally or unintentionally, raised his glass to King Zhan alone. King Zhan readily returned the salute, and each smiled as they looked at each other.
After Sanhe, the dance of "Shaojian" was performed in front of the hall. After the dance, the Envoys of Fanbang, under the guidance of the officials of Honglu Temple, met with them one by one.
Qing Chen sat beside Ye Tianling, admiring the costumes and manners of the envoys from various countries with great interest. When the Tubo envoy came forward, she paid special attention to it. Tubo was defeated this time and was forced to surrender. The envoy also lacked confidence in Tiandu, but she didn't know what to say.
But seeing that the envoy kneeled down three times and kowtowed nine times in accordance with the etiquette of the Celestial Dynasty, and after a decent speech of praising the Celestial Dynasty, he pressed his hand on his chest, bent down and bowed deeply, "... our country is beyond our control and offended the might of God, Zanpu is beyond regret Therefore, I am determined to restore the old relationship with the Celestial Dynasty, so I sent my ministers to the court, and in addition to paying double the annual tribute, I am willing to marry Princess Zhuoya to the imperial capital to show my sincerity, and I implore Your Majesty for your kindness."
Tubo's move is not surprising. The Rouran clan is growing day by day in the northwest, Wan Tuo Shuofeng is ambitious, and the peace with Tubo may not be able to last for too long. Wanqi Shuofeng and Emperor Hao have the kinship of the mother clan and the righteousness of friends. Both sides get what they need and the relationship is stable. He has the support of the Celestial Dynasty and makes Tubo suffer from enemies. The only way for Tubo to restore the immediate disadvantages and re-repair the relationship with the Celestial Dynasty It is marriage.
Prior to this, two princesses, Huayao and Jingsheng, married into Tubo in the Celestial Dynasty, and two princesses in Tubo also married children of the Chinese royal family. Now Chilang Lunzan proposed to make a marriage, and it was his younger sister, Princess Jingsheng's biological daughter, Princess Zhuoya who was married. This is trying his best to close the relationship with the Celestial Dynasty and fight against Rouran.
On the throne, Ye Tianling smiled slightly, Tubo must be guarded, but the northwest cannot be without Tubo, especially if there is only Rou but no Tubo, of course he would not refuse Chi Lang Lunzan's kind offer of marriage.
"The Celestial Dynasty and Tubo have long had a marriage friendship, and it would be more beautiful to marry again. I agree with this request. Qin Guogong, is there any suitable child in the clan to marry Princess Zhuoya?"
Qin Guogong, who is also the emperor's secretary, stood up and said: "Your Majesty, I have a proposal for this matter."
"What do you propose?"
Qin Guogong's white beard hangs down on his chest, respectful and serious, "Although Tubo has violated the sacred authority this time, I hope to send the princess to marry, which shows his sincerity. Your majesty's harem has been vacant for a long time, and the four concubines and nine concubines are useless. I suggest that your majesty can accept it." Princess Zhuoya is a concubine, she has fulfilled Tubo's wish for marriage, and she also puts the harem in the view of harmony and beauty."
When Ye Tianling heard this, his eyes darkened a little, but the corners of his thin lips still seemed to be smiling, and he turned his head and said, "What does the Queen think of Qin Guogong's discussion?"
What do you think? Qing Chen glanced at him, this person is really in a good mood today, if it were normal, he might turn cold sooner. Qin Guogong had mentioned the selection of concubines many times before, she had already heard such words and was too lazy to listen to them. He asked her not to worry about it, so she ignored everything. In short, with his protection, she is self-willed, and can be regarded as nothing in the world. Whether she is jealous or immoral, she doesn't care, and he will do his own way, regardless of others' criticism.
At this time, when he came to ask her what she thought, Qing Chen's eyes turned, and he probed into his bottomless smile. The sharpness in that smile reaches people's heart, like a sword, about to draw its sheath, the cold air has filled the air, the eyes that are all too familiar. She raised her brows lightly, put down the jade lamp in her hand, and asked Qin Guogong with a gentle smile: "Have Qin Guogong read "Wonderful Chronicles of the Nations" written by King Hao?"
Qin Guogong was slightly stunned, not knowing why the queen asked this, and replied truthfully: "I have read it."
Qing Chen said slowly: "The sixth volume of "The Strange Chronicles of the Kingdoms" mentioned in Tubo Guozhi that there is a custom in Tubo that intermarriage between men and women is bounded by blood, which is called the 'bone line'. Outside of the five departments." She turned her head and asked King Hao: "My lord, do I remember correctly?"
In the past, Qingchen silently memorized manuscripts at Songyu Terrace, and the scene of tactfully persuading the Emperor of Heaven is still fresh in his memory. King Hao smiled lightly, got up and said: "It is true. According to this book, men and women in Tubo who have patrilineal blood are not allowed to intermarry, and those who have matrilineal intermarriage must be outside the five lines. Otherwise, the people who intermarry will turn black all over their bodies, which will bring disaster to themselves and their clansmen, especially their children. They are all stupid and weird fetuses, and they have been cursed by the gods life after life."
Qing Chen nodded, and said in a calm voice, "The prince is really knowledgeable and familiar with the customs and customs of various countries. Duke Qin may have forgotten that Princess Jingsheng, the mother of Princess Zhuoya of Tubo, is the daughter of Princess Yunhuang. The first emperor's cousin, although she is a generation away from the emperor, she is still within the five lineages. According to the customs of Tubo, the emperor and Princess Zhuoya are considered close relatives, and it is unknown whether they married."
The princesses and clan relatives in the conversation, and Duke Qin being in charge of the Emperor's Clan, are naturally very clear. Regardless of whether it is true or not, the meaning is very clear, the empress is refuting by the court that Princess Zhuoya is not allowed to enter the palace as a concubine.
Qin Guogong was dissatisfied, and his tone was strong: "I have a vast area in the sky and a large population. There has never been a saying that aunts and cousins cannot intermarry. Even within the royal family, there was also Princess Fuyuan Hou Shanghuayu who kissed each other. There is nothing wrong with His Majesty Princess Nazoya being a concubine."
Qing Chen said: "Princess Huayu, Marquis of Fuyuan, the princess has three sons, all of whom died in infancy, and she also died young in grief. How can this marriage be a happy one?"
"But Princess Huayu has several concubines for the Marquis of Fuyuan, and she bears children, which can be called virtuous." Qin Guogong has a hot temper. As we all know, at this time he is relying on his wealth and relying on his elders to sell his elders. Even the empress doesn't pay much attention to him.
Qing Chen's phoenix eyes flicked lightly, his face was elegant and gentle, but he said decisively: "Although Tubo is a country under our dynasty, we should respect their customs. There is no need to mention the matter of Princess Zhuoya as a concubine. Select the son from the emperor's family and marry the princess."
She rejected Qin Guogong's proposal again, and there was no room for negotiation. Ye Tianling smiled but said nothing, gently playing with the dragon carving jade lamp between his slender fingers, fixed his deep eyes on Qin Guogong, and by the way, also looked at the old officials such as Changding Hou, of course, Feng Yan was not missed. This is the only thing that stands in front of me now. He slowly sat up straight, the ice color in the cup was clear, reflecting a cold and sharp luster.
After hearing what the queen said, Duke Qin stepped forward with his head held high, and replied forcefully: "As far as I know, there is no very suitable candidate in the royal family."
The queen smiled, her smile revealing a sense of calmness, "According to this, if the emperor does not accept Princess Zhuoya as his concubine, then I will have to reject Tubo Zanpu's kindness in getting married?"
"Your Majesty's words are not bad." Qin Guogong raised his head and saw the queen looking back with a smile, and said to the emperor, "Since your majesty has agreed to Tubo's request for a marriage marriage, you should not break your word. But there are taboos in Tubo customs, and there is a recent funeral for Princess Huayu. In the pain of a son, Princess Zhuoya is not suitable to enter the palace as a concubine. Since Qin Guogong can't find someone to marry, the concubine has a way to get the best of both worlds."
There was a slight smile on the corner of the emperor's lips: "It's okay for the queen to say."
The light and shadow of the jade curtain swayed gently, sprinkled on the gentle side face of the person behind the curtain, a clear gaze pierced through the crystal light, the queen looked down on Qin Guogong, "Princess Zhuoya is related to the emperor, so it is not suitable for marriage. If you wish to come to the east, you can be crowned as the eldest princess and treat her kindly. I have heard that the granddaughter of Qin Guogong's granddaughter, Princess Yiguang, is outstanding in talent and appearance, virtuous and virtuous, and no one in the clan can match it. In order to become the relatives of peace and alliance between the two countries."
With an understatement and a few words, Qin Guogong suddenly changed his face, almost suspecting that he had misheard. Looking up in shock, he saw Xiuwen behind the bead curtain with a calm and calm demeanor, and the emperor's calm voice came from beside him: "Zuzao."
Two short words, it is determined that a woman will leave Tiandu and marry Tubo, and it may be difficult to return to her hometown throughout her life. From then on, there are thousands of rivers and mountains, and the relatives and relatives are separated from each other. Even though there is the glory of the princess, it is thousands of miles of flying sand, thousands of miles of desolation, life and death.
The piercing gaze from the palace was as cold as water, and Qin Guogong was shocked and angry, trembling all over. It was only at this moment that I realized that the empress, or more precisely Emperor Hao, was shaking the mountain and shaking the tiger, warning these old officials who had to dictate everything from internal affairs to foreign wars, and even the affairs of the harem, his tolerance would end here.
Those who obey will prosper, and those who rebel will perish. This is imperial power.
The ministers of His Highness have not yet recovered from the shock, but they heard the voice of King Zhan Runlang: "Duke Qin shared the worries of the king, and his loyalty is precious. Princess Yiguang married as a princess. I think that Duke Qin can be crowned as a grand prince to show his honor. Please, Your Majesty." Grace."
The emperor said lightly: "What King Zhan said is very true, so he played it accordingly. According to my decree, the Duke of Qin will be added as the Grand Duke, and Princess Yiguang will be named the Princess, and we will choose a date to marry Tubo."
Although the title of Taigong is honorable, he has no real power. This is equivalent to completely emptying the Duke of Qin, who was originally an important figure in the court. At this moment, all the officials have felt that the rain is coming. One emperor and one courtier, Emperor Hao's methods have been understood by everyone in the past few years, and now with the addition of King Zhan, who is soft on the outside and strong on the inside, he has changed his face unconsciously. Everyone seemed to be in a cauldron of warm water that was quietly heating up. When they really realized it, the water was boiling at the end, and they were powerless to struggle.
"Your Majesty!" Duke Qin knelt before the steps, "Your Majesty..."
"Does Duke Qin have any objections?" He asked after the case, very coldly.
"Thank you for accepting the decree!" Qin Guogong couldn't resist the imperial decree, but he was filled with shock and hatred, his old face was flushed purple, and his hands trembled slightly, "But I still have something to say. Agree! Even if Princess Zhuoya cannot enter the palace, His Majesty should choose a virtuous woman to be his concubine, and she will be the master of the six palaces, so it will be a blessing for the whole country!"
These words clearly alluded to the queen's loss of morality, Wang Zhan's handsome eyebrows moved imperceptibly, and he couldn't help but look up at Qing Chen. Qing Chen sat quietly next to Ye Tianling, the faint smile on his lips not only didn't diminish, but vaguely deepened. There is no joy or sorrow in the bottom of the eyes, just blindly calm down, the beautiful shadow of the palace lantern is held like a secluded lake, clear and endless, when the gaze of King Zhan is inadvertently touched, a layer of fine creases faintly fade away.
He looked at her with pity and tenderness in his expression, as if he was asking her, what he couldn't give a long time ago, can that person give her now? However, that gaze was not aggressive, it just made Qing Chen feel warm for no reason.
Qing Chen smiled faintly, and then heard Ye Tianling say: "My harem's family affairs are handled in my own way, and I don't need Duke Qin to worry about it, so there is no need to mention this matter again."
Qin Guogong insisted on playing again: "The family affairs of the emperor are the same as the affairs of the state. How dare I not worry about your majesty? I have advised you many times that your majesty has been on the throne for several years, but he has no heirs and the country has no foundation. The country is the most important thing, listen to everyone's opinions, and don't go your own way again!"
The emperor has no heir, what will happen to the country! Qing Chen suddenly raised his eyes, staring directly at Qin Guogong, His Highness fell silent.
All the ministers know that some ministers raised the issue of the emperor's heir in the court before, which made the emperor very displeased. After that, no one dared to discuss this matter again in the court. They were all left behind. It dawned on Qing Chen that Ye Tianling didn't let her see those memorials, they were not just asking for concubine Li's advice, he didn't want her to see them because he was afraid of touching her mind, out of painstaking efforts.
Qin Guogong's words were rubbed into his heart like dense needles, flowing clouds and wide sleeves drooping, Qing Chen's slender fingers tightly clasped the relief beside the phoenix seat, his knuckles were pale, but the smile on his face did not move at all, just That gaze was like ice and snow, gradually showing a chill.
The feeling of suffocation is like being slowly pressed into the water, sinking deeper and deeper, getting colder and colder, and it is obvious that you can break free, but you are disheartened and unable to move.
At this time, the emperor's voice suddenly sounded coldly in the hall: "I am still here, so you are anxious to consider the crown prince, are you hoping that I will give up this seat earlier, so that you can feel at ease?"
The words were so serious that the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty broke out in cold sweat. Duke Qin opened his mouth and kowtowed in a hurry: "I... I didn't mean that, I dare not!"
"Hmph!" The emperor snorted coldly, "Don't dare? I think according to what you said, the country and society will be destroyed in my hands." Qin Guogong was frightened and dared not speak any more. The ministers left their seats one after another, knelt aside, and the black pressure reached the outer hall, which was full of low-looking brocade clothes and hats. In the hall, which was as quiet as death, only Qin Guogong was breathing heavily, one after another, as if he was overwhelmed and would be strangled in his throat at any moment.
Brilliant golden jade glazed lamps cast a floating shadow in front of the imperial case, and the emperor's firm silhouette like a knife is encased in it. It is difficult to distinguish between emotions and anger. Only the proud golden dragon flying on the black robe is not angry and majestic. .
"I tell you today that even though I have no heirs, there are older brothers and younger brothers. All brothers have sons and daughters, and they are all the blood of the Ye clan. My heavenly dynasty is long-lasting, and the country will never perish. From today onwards, if Some people mention the word "concubine's heirs" again to conspire against the crime!"
The loud words and unprecedented decision not only stunned the officials, but also made Qing Chen feel as if he had been struck by lightning. He actually defended her up to this point, Qing Chen looked at Ye Tian's cold and jade-like side face obsessively, a surge of passion rushed through his heart and rushed straight into his eyes. She hastily raised her eyelashes, and proudly raised her head. What remained in the eyes of the officials was a condescending smile, her mother's appearance was graceful, and Tsinghua was dazzling.